bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Two-Stage Screening Approach with I-TC and Q-CHAT to Identify Toddlers at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder within the Italian Public Health System
Authors: Devescovi Raffaella , Monasta Lorenzo , Bin Maura , Bresciani Giulia , Mancini Alice , Carrozzi Marco , Colombi Costanza
Published: March 2020

Standardized screening programs ensure that children are monitored for early signs of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in order to promote earlier diagnosis and intervention. The aim of this study is to identify early signs of atypical development consistent with ASD or other developmental disorders in a population of 224 low-risk toddlers through a two-stage screening approach applied at 12 and 18 months of age. We adopted two screening tools combined: 1. the Communication and Symbolic Behavior Scales Developmental Profile (CSBS DP) Infant–Toddler Checklist (I-TC) and 2. The Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (Q-CHAT). We assessed their sensitivity and specificity related to the diagnostic outcome at 36 months. The results showed that autistic signs can be detected as early as the first year even through a few questions extrapolated from both screeners and that our model could be used as a screening procedure in the Italian public health system.
Development and Validation of a LC-MS/MS Method for Determination of Multi-Class Antibiotic Residues in Aquaculture and River Waters, and Photocatalytic Degradation of Antibiotics by TiO2 Nanomaterials
Authors: Do Tho Chau Minh Vinh , Nguyen Duy Quoc , Nguyen Tuan Duc , Le Phuoc Huu
Published: March 2020

This study presents a multi-residue method for simultaneous qualitative and quantitative analysis of eight antibiotics from some common classes, including beta-lactam, tetracyclines, lincosamides, glycopeptides, and sulfonamides in 39 aquaculture and river water samples from the Mekong Delta (Vietnam) using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). As a result, doxycycline (DXC), oxytetracycline (OTC), lincomycin (LCM), sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and sulfamethazine (SMZ) were detected with high frequency over 65% and an average concentration of 22.6–76.8 ng·mL−1. The result suggests that antibiotic residues in the aquaculture and river waters are considered as an emerging environmental problem of the region. To address this issue, we fabricated the well-defined TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) and nanowires on nanotube arrays (TNWs/TNAs) using the anodization method. The TNAs had an inner tube diameter of ~95 nm and a wall thickness of ~25 nm. Meanwhile, the TNWs/TNAs had a layer of TiO2 nanowires with a length of ~6 µm partially covering the TNAs. In addition, both TNAs and TNWs/TNAs had pure anatase phase TiO2 with (101) and (112) dominant preferred orientations. Moreover, the TNAs and TNWs/TNAs effectively and rapidly degraded the antibiotic residues under UV-VIS irradiation at 120 mW/cm2 and obtained over 95% removal at 20 min. Indeed, the photocatalytic reaction rate constants (k) were in the range of 0.14–0.36 min−1 for TNAs, and 0.15–0.38 min−1 for TNWs/TNAs. Noticeably, the k values of TNWs/TNAs were slightly higher than those of TNAs for LCM, DXC, OTC, SMZ, and SMX that could be attributed to the larger surface area of TNWs/TNAs than TNAs when TNWs/TNAs had an additional ~6μm TNWs top layer.
Evolution of Epileptiform Activity in Zebrafish by Statistical-Based Integration of Electrophysiology and 2-Photon Ca2+ Imaging
Authors: Cozzolino Olga , Sicca Federico , Paoli Emanuele , Trovato Francesco , Santorelli Filippo M. , Ratto Gian Michele , Marchese Maria
Published: March 2020

The study of sources and spatiotemporal evolution of ictal bursts is critical for the mechanistic understanding of epilepsy and for the validation of anti-epileptic drugs. Zebrafish is a powerful vertebrate model representing an excellent compromise between system complexity and experimental accessibility. We performed the quantitative evaluation of the spatial recruitment of neuronal populations during physiological and pathological activity by combining local field potential (LFP) recordings with simultaneous 2-photon Ca2+ imaging. We developed a method to extract and quantify electrophysiological transients coupled with Ca2+ events and we applied this tool to analyze two different epilepsy models and to assess the efficacy of the anti-epileptic drug valproate. Finally, by cross correlating the imaging data with the LFP, we demonstrated that the cerebellum is the main source of epileptiform transients. We have also shown that each transient was preceded by the activation of a sparse subset of neurons mostly located in the optic tectum.
Fibronectin Adsorption on Electrospun Synthetic Vascular Grafts Attracts Endothelial Progenitor Cells and Promotes Endothelialization in Dynamic In Vitro Culture
Authors: Daum Ruben , Visser Dmitri , Wild Constanze , Kutuzova Larysa , Schneider Maria , Lorenz Günter , Weiss Martin , Hinderer Svenja , Stock Ulrich A. , Seifert Martina , Schenke-Layland Katja
Published: March 2020

Appropriate mechanical properties and fast endothelialization of synthetic grafts are key to ensure long-term functionality of implants. We used a newly developed biostable polyurethane elastomer (TPCU) to engineer electrospun vascular scaffolds with promising mechanical properties (E-modulus: 4.8 ± 0.6 MPa, burst pressure: 3326 ± 78 mmHg), which were biofunctionalized with fibronectin (FN) and decorin (DCN). Neither uncoated nor biofunctionalized TPCU scaffolds induced major adverse immune responses except for minor signs of polymorph nuclear cell activation. The in vivo endothelial progenitor cell homing potential of the biofunctionalized scaffolds was simulated in vitro by attracting endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs). Although DCN coating did attract ECFCs in combination with FN (FN + DCN), DCN-coated TPCU scaffolds showed a cell-repellent effect in the absence of FN. In a tissue-engineering approach, the electrospun and biofunctionalized tubular grafts were cultured with primary-isolated vascular endothelial cells in a custom-made bioreactor under dynamic conditions with the aim to engineer an advanced therapy medicinal product. Both FN and FN + DCN functionalization supported the formation of a confluent and functional endothelial layer.
Electron-Beam Domain Patterning in Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6 Crystals
Authors: Volk Tatyana R. , Kokhanchik Lyudmila S. , Bodnarchuk Yadviga V. , Gainutdinov Radmir V. , Yakimov Eugene B. , Ivleva Lyudmila I.
Published: March 2020

The characteristics of electron-beam domain writing (EBDW) on the polar and nonpolar surfaces of the field-cooled (FC) and zero-field cooled (ZFC) Sr0.61Ba0.39Nb2O6 (SBN) crystals are presented in the range of accelerating voltage U from 10 to 25 kV. The exposure characteristics of the domain diameter d and length Ld (when writing on the polar and nonpolar surfaces, respectively) were measured. With increasing exposure time, d tends to a saturation value, whereas Ld grows linearly, the frontal velocity Vf being of 40 μm/s. At U = 25 kV the achieved d and Ld are of 7 and 40 µm, respectively. The observed peculiar features of EBDW—specifically the domain widening with exposure times and the effect of the polarization state of the crystal on the domain stability—are accounted for by the relaxor features inherent to this material. The effects of electron-beam (EB) irradiation on the local hysteresis loops is evidence of a domain fixation.
Factors Influencing the Distribution of Invasive Hybrid (Myriophyllum Spicatum x M. Sibiricum) Watermilfoil and Parental Taxa in Minnesota
Authors: Eltawely Jasmine A. , Newman Raymond M. , Thum Ryan A.
Published: March 2020

Eurasian watermilfoil (Myriophyllum spicatum L.) hybridizes with the native northern watermilfoil (M. sibiricum Kom.), which raises new issues regarding management strategies to control infestations. To determine the distribution of hybrid (and coincidentally Eurasian and northern) watermilfoil in Minnesota, we sampled lakes across the state during 2017–2018 for watermilfoil. A total of 62 lakes were sampled, spanning a range of sizes and duration of invasion. Forty-three lakes contained Eurasian, 28 contained hybrid and 21 contained northern watermilfoil. Eurasian watermilfoil populations were widespread throughout the state. Hybrid populations were more commonly found in lakes in the seven county Twin Cities Metro and northern watermilfoil populations were more commonly found in lakes outside of the Metro area. We found no evidence that hybrid watermilfoil occurred in lakes environmentally different than those with Eurasian and northern watermilfoil, suggesting that hybrid watermilfoil is not associated with a unique niche. Hybrid watermilfoil presence was significantly associated with the Metro area, which may likely be due to spatial and temporal factors associated with hybrid formation and spread. Hybrid watermilfoil presence was also significantly associated with lakes that had more parking spaces and older infestations, but this relationship was not significant when the effect of region was considered. Hybrid watermilfoil populations were the result of both in situ hybridization and clonal spread and continued assessment is needed to determine if particularly invasive or herbicide-resistant genotypes develop.
Data on Orientation to Happiness in Higher Education Institutions from Mexico and El Salvador
Authors: Villavicencio-Aguilar Domingo , Chacón-Andrade Edgardo René , Durón-Ramos Maria Fernanda
Published: March 2020

Happiness-oriented people are vital in every society; this is a construct formed by three different types of happiness: pleasure, meaning, and engagement, and it is considered as an indicator of mental health. This study aims to provide data on the levels of orientation to happiness in higher-education teachers and students. The present paper contains data about the perception of this positive aspect in two Latin American countries, Mexico and El Salvador. Structure instruments to measure the orientation to happiness were administrated to 397 teachers and 260 students. This data descriptor presents descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation), internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and differences (Student’s t-test) presented by country, population (teacher/student), and gender of their orientation to happiness and its three dimensions: meaning, pleasure, and engagement. Stepwise-multiple-regression-analysis results are also presented. Results indicated that participants from both countries reported medium–high levels of meaning and engagement happiness; teachers reported higher levels than those of students in these two dimensions. Happiness resulting from pleasure activities was the least reported in general. Males and females presented very similar levels of orientation to happiness. Only the population (teacher/student) showed a predictive relationship with orientation to happiness; however, the model explained a small portion of variance in this variable, which indicated that other factors are more critical when promoting orientation to happiness in higher-education institutions.
Platelet Mitochondrial Respiration, Endogenous Coenzyme Q10 and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Gvozdjáková Anna , Sumbalová Zuzana , Kucharská Jarmila , Komlósi Mária , Rausová Zuzana , Vančová Oľga , Számošová Monika , Mojto Viliam
Published: March 2020

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a progressive loss of renal function and a decrease of glomerular filtration rate. Reduced mitochondrial function, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), and increased oxidative stress in patients with CKD contribute to the disease progression. We tested whether CoQ10 levels, oxidative stress and platelet mitochondrial bioenergetic function differ between groups of CKD patients. Methods: Twenty-seven CKD patients were enrolled in this trial, 17 patients had arterial hypertension (AH) and 10 patients had arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus (AH and DM). The control group consisted of 12 volunteers. A high-resolution respirometry (HRR) method was used for the analysis of mitochondrial bioenergetics in platelets, and an HPLC method with UV detection was used for CoQ10 determination in platelets, blood, and plasma. Oxidative stress was determined as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Results: Platelets mitochondrial respiration showed slight, not significant differences between the groups of CKD patients and control subjects. The oxygen consumption by intact platelets positively correlated with the concentration of CoQ10 in the platelets of CKD patients. Conclusion: A decreased concentration of CoQ10 and oxidative stress could contribute to the progression of renal dysfunction in CKD patients. The parameters of platelet respiration assessed by high-resolution respirometry can be used only as a weak biological marker for mitochondrial diagnosis and therapy monitoring in CKD patients.
Dental Plaque Removal by Ultrasonic Toothbrushes
Authors: Digel Ilya , Kern Inna , Geenen Eva Maria , Akimbekov Nuraly
Published: March 2020

With the variety of toothbrushes on the market, the question arises, which toothbrush is best suited to maintain oral health? This thematic review focuses first on plaque formation mechanisms and then on the plaque removal effectiveness of ultrasonic toothbrushes and their potential in preventing oral diseases like periodontitis, gingivitis, and caries. We overviewed the physical effects that occurred during brushing and tried to address the question of whether ultrasonic toothbrushes effectively reduced the microbial burden by increasing the hydrodynamic forces. The results of published studies show that electric toothbrushes, which combine ultrasonic and sonic (or acoustic and mechanic) actions, may have the most promising effect on good oral health. Existing ultrasonic/sonic toothbrush models do not significantly differ regarding the removal of dental biofilm and the reduction of gingival inflammation compared with other electrically powered toothbrushes, whereas the manual toothbrushes show a lower effectiveness.
Compound Fault Diagnosis of Rolling Bearing Based on Singular Negentropy Difference Spectrum and Integrated Fast Spectral Correlation
Authors: Tang Guiji , Tian Tian
Published: March 2020

Compound fault diagnosis is challenging due to the complexity, diversity and non-stationary characteristics of mechanical complex faults. In this paper, a novel compound fault separation method based on singular negentropy difference spectrum (SNDS) and integrated fast spectral correlation (IFSC) is proposed. Firstly, the original signal was de-noised by SNDS which improved the noise reduction effect of singular difference spectrum by introducing negative entropy. Secondly, the de-noised signal was analyzed by fast spectral correlation. Finally, IFSC took the fourth-order energy as the index to determine the resonance band and separate the fault features of different single fault. The proposed method is applied to analyze the simulated compound signals and the experimental vibration signals, the results show that the proposed method has excellent performance in the separation of rolling bearing composite faults.
Entropy as a Measure of Attractiveness and Socioeconomic Complexity in Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area
Authors: Lenormand Maxime , Samaniego Horacio , Chaves Júlio César , da Fonseca Vieira Vinícius , da Silva Moacyr Alvim Horta Barbosa , Evsukoff Alexandre Gonçalves
Published: March 2020

Defining and measuring spatial inequalities across the urban environment remains a complex and elusive task which has been facilitated by the increasing availability of large geolocated databases. In this study, we rely on a mobile phone dataset and an entropy-based metric to measure the attractiveness of a location in the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Area (Brazil) as the diversity of visitors’ location of residence. The results show that the attractiveness of a given location measured by entropy is an important descriptor of the socioeconomic status of the location, and can thus be used as a proxy for complex socioeconomic indicators.
Entropy in Foundations of Quantum Physics
Authors: Pawłowski Marcin
Published: March 2020

Entropy can be used in studies on foundations of quantum physics in many different ways, each of them using different properties of this mathematical object [...]
On the Evidence of Thermodynamic Self-Organization during Fatigue: A Review
Authors: Naderi Mehdi
Published: March 2020

In this review paper, the evidence and application of thermodynamic self-organization are reviewed for metals typically with single crystals subjected to cyclic loading. The theory of self-organization in thermodynamic processes far from equilibrium is a cutting-edge theme for the development of a new generation of materials. It could be interpreted as the formation of globally coherent patterns, configurations and orderliness through local interactivities by “cascade evolution of dissipative structures”. Non-equilibrium thermodynamics, entropy, and dissipative structures connected to self-organization phenomenon (patterning, orderliness) are briefly discussed. Some example evidences are reviewed in detail to show how thermodynamics self-organization can emerge from a non-equilibrium process; fatigue. Evidences including dislocation density evolution, stored energy, temperature, and acoustic signals can be considered as the signature of self-organization. Most of the attention is given to relate an analogy between persistent slip bands (PSBs) and self-organization in metals with single crystals. Some aspects of the stability of dislocations during fatigue of single crystals are discussed using the formulation of excess entropy generation.
Circuit Topologies for MOS-Type Gas Sensor
Authors: Cervera Gómez Javier , Pelegri-Sebastia Jose , Lajara Rafael
Published: March 2020

Metal Oxide Semiconductor or MOS-type gas sensors are resistive sensors which can detect different reducible or volatile gases in atmospheres with oxygen. These gas sensors have been used in different areas such as food and drink industries or healthcare, among others. In this type of sensor, the resistance value changes when it detects certain types of gases. Due to the electrical characteristics, the sensors need a conditioning circuit to transform and acquire the data. Four different electronic topologies, two different MOS-type gas sensors, and different concentrations of a gas substance are presented and compared in this paper. The study and experimental analysis of the properties of each of the designed topology allows designers to make a choice of the best circuit for a specific application depending on the situation, considering the required power, noise, linearity, and number of sensors to be used. This study will give more freedom of choice, the more adequate electronic conditioning topology for different applications where MOS-type sensors are used, obtaining the best accuracy.
Frequency Tuning in Inductive Power Transfer Systems
Authors: Bertoluzzo Manuele , Buja Giuseppe
Published: March 2020

Inductive power transfer systems (IPTSs) systems are equipped with compensation networks that resonate at the supply frequency with the inductance of the transmitting and receiving coils to both maximize the power transfer efficiency and reduce the IPTS power sizing. If the network and coil parameters differ from the designed values, the resonance frequencies deviate from the supply frequency, thus reducing the IPTS efficiency. To cope with this issue, two methods of tuning the IPTS supply frequency are presented and discussed. One method is aimed at making resonant the impedance seen by the IPTS power supply, the other one at making resonant the impedance of the receiving stage. The paper closes by implementing the first method in an experimental setup and by testing its tuning capabilities on a prototypal IPTS used for charging the battery of an electric vehicle.
Life Cycle Modelling of the Impact of Coal Quality on Emissions from Energy Generation
Authors: Lelek Lukasz , Kulczycka Joanna
Published: March 2020

This paper presents a model combining the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) of fossil fuel extraction with its quality parameters and related CO2, SO2 and dust emissions at the stage of the combustion process. The model which was developed aims to identify the environmental impact of the processes of electricity production from selected energy carriers over their whole life cycle. The model takes into account the full LCA of fossil fuel extraction (of both hard and brown coal), its enrichment and fuel production as well as the environmental impact associated with emissions introduced into the air at the stage of electricity generation based on the fuels evaluated. Such an approach allows one to determine the fuel quality parameters that affect the environmental impact of energy production based on an LCA of mining and assigns the degree of environmental impact involved in particular production processes. Overall, the results obtained based on the proposed model permit the identification and prioritisation of the individual processes in the electricity generation life cycle which contribute the highest share in the general environmental impact indicator, having taken into account the modelling of the quality of the fuels used (calorific value, ash and sulphur content).
Charging and Discharge Currents in Low-Density Polyethylene and its Nanocomposite
Authors: Hoang Anh T. , Serdyuk Yuriy V. , Gubanski Stanislaw M.
Published: March 2020

Charging and discharge currents measured in low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and LDPE/Al2O3 nanocomposite are analyzed. The experiments were conducted at temperatures of 40–80 °C utilizing a consecutive charging–discharging procedure, with the charging step at electric fields varying between 20 and 60 kV/mm. A quasi-steady state of the charging currents was earlier observed for the nanofilled specimens and it was attributed to the enhanced trapping process at polymer–nanofiller interfaces. An anomalous behavior of the discharge currents was found at elevated temperatures for both the studied materials and its occurrence at lower temperatures in the nanofilled LDPE was due to the presence of deeply trapped charges at polymer–nanofiller interfaces. The field dependence of the quasi-steady charging currents is examined by testing for different conduction mechanisms. It is shown that the space-charge-limited process is dominant and the average trap site separation is estimated at less than 2 nm for the pristine LDPE and it is at about 5–7 nm for the LDPE/Al2O3 nanocomposite. Also, location of the trapping sites in the band gap structure of the nanofilled material is altered, which substantially weakens electrical transport as compared to the unfilled counterpart.
From National Holiday to Independence Day: Changing Perceptions of the “Diada”
Authors: Humlebæk Carsten , Hau Mark F.
Published: March 2020

Issues related to Catalan secessionism are central to current debates on European integration, nationalism, and territorial politics, and the Catalan independence movement has become famous for its large annual demonstrations on Catalan national day, the Diada. This paper represents the first attempt at a thorough empirical investigation of the most important political event in Catalonia combining historical and ethnographic analysis that covers the current modern period from 1977 to 2019. This paper uses a mixed-methods approach to study the Diada mobilisations with two different main approaches determined principally by the availability of sources. We investigate the recent period of activating the Diada since 2012 using qualitative interviews, ethnographic data, and social media analysis. For the more distant periods of the Diada celebration, we use a more classical historical approach centred on discourse analysis of print media and public discourses. We find that there has been a marked shift in the perception and organisation of the Diada in recent years. We conclude that when civil society organisations are in charge of the Diada celebration, the result is a more politically charged event that mobilises a much larger proportion of the population than when politicians and political parties organise the celebration. Further, when political parties are in charge, the Diada not only mobilises far fewer people, but usually takes on a much more cultural and festive character compared with the explicitly political Diada demonstrations organised by civil society actors since 2012.
‘From Your Ever Anxious and Loving Father’: Faith, Fatherhood, and Masculinity in One Man’s Letters to His Son during the First World War
Authors: Robb Martin
Published: March 2020

In the early months of 1916, Charles Robb a retired shipping clerk in the East End of London, England, wrote a series of letters to his 19-year-old son Arthur, an army private awaiting embarkation to the Western Front. Charles Robb was my great grandfather and Arthur Robb was my grandfather. The letters offer an intriguing glimpse of one man ‘doing’ fatherhood under conditions of traumatic separation and extreme anxiety. This paper presents an analysis of the letters from a psychosocial perspective, exploring the ways in which the writer exhorts his son to live up to the ideals of Christian manhood, while managing the anxiety of separation by presenting a reconstruction in language of the familiar world of home and church.
Quantitative Trait Loci (QTLs) Associated with Microspore Culture in Raphanus sativus L. (Radish)
Authors: Kim Kyeongmin , Kang Yuna , Lee Sol-Ji , Choi Se-Hyun , Jeon Dong-Hyun , Park Min-Young , Park Suhyoung , Lim Yong Pyo , Kim Changsoo
Published: March 2020

The radish is a highly self-incompatible plant, and consequently it is difficult to produce homozygous lines. Bud pollination in cross-fertilization plants should be done by opening immature pollen and attaching pollen to mature flowers. It accordingly takes a lot of time and effort to develop lines with fixed alleles. In the current study, a haploid breeding method has been applied to obtain homozygous plants in a short period of time by doubling chromosomes through the induction of a plant body in the haploid cells, in order to shorten the time to breed inbred lines. We constructed genetic maps with an F1 population derived by crossing parents that show a superior and inferior ability to regenerate microspores, respectively. Genetic maps were constructed from the maternal and parental maps, separately, using the two-way pseudo-testcross model. The phenotype of the regeneration rate was examined by microspore cultures and a quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed based on the regeneration rate. From the results of the culture of microspores in the F1 population, more than half of the group did not regenerate, and only a few showed a high regeneration rate. A total of five significant QTLs were detected in the F1 population, and five candidate genes were found based on the results. These candidate genes are divided into two classes, and appear to be related to either PRC2 subunits or auxin synthesis.
Diversity of KIR/HLA Genotypes and Their Association with Psoriasis Vulgaris in the Western Mexican Population
Authors: Graciano-Machuca Omar , Alvarado-Navarro Anabell , Ramírez-Dueñas María Guadalupe , Villanueva-Quintero Delfina Guadalupe , Velarde-de la Cruz Erandi Enif , Machado-Sulbarán Andrea Carolina , Montoya-Buelna Margarita , Sánchez-Hernández Pedro Ernesto
Published: March 2020

NK and some T cell functions are regulated by the interaction between KIR and HLA molecules. Several studies have shown an association between activating KIR genes and the development of autoimmune diseases, including psoriasis vulgaris (PsV). Our objective was to determine the association between KIR/HLA genes and genotypes with PsV in the Western mestizo Mexican population. One hundred subjects diagnosed with PsV (SP) and 108 healthy subjects (HS) were genotyped for 14 KIR genes, HLA-Bw4, HLA-C1, and HLA-C2 by PCR-single specific primer (SSP). Positive associations of the KIR3DS1 gene (odds ratio (OR) 1.959, p = 0.021), G11 genotype (OR 19.940, p = 0.008), and KIR3DS1/HLA-ABw4 (OR 2.265, p = 0.009) were found with susceptibility to PsV. In contrast, the G1 genotype (OR 0.448, p = 0.031) and KIR3DL1/HLA-Bw4Ile80 (OR 0.522, p = 0.022) were negatively associated with susceptibility to this disease. These results suggest an implication of the KIR3DS1/HLA-ABw4 genotype in PsV pathology.
CRISPR-Generated Animal Models of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Lim Kenji Rowel Q. , Nguyen Quynh , Dzierlega Kasia , Huang Yiqing , Yokota Toshifumi
Published: March 2020

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a fatal X-linked recessive neuromuscular disorder most commonly caused by mutations disrupting the reading frame of the dystrophin (DMD) gene. DMD codes for dystrophin, which is critical for maintaining the integrity of muscle cell membranes. Without dystrophin, muscle cells receive heightened mechanical stress, becoming more susceptible to damage. An active body of research continues to explore therapeutic treatments for DMD as well as to further our understanding of the disease. These efforts rely on having reliable animal models that accurately recapitulate disease presentation in humans. While current animal models of DMD have served this purpose well to some extent, each has its own limitations. To help overcome this, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-based technology has been extremely useful in creating novel animal models for DMD. This review focuses on animal models developed for DMD that have been created using CRISPR, their advantages and disadvantages as well as their applications in the DMD field.
High Rate of Oral Candida Detection in Dependent Japanese Older People
Authors: Matsumura Mari , Shigeishi Hideo , Su Cheng-Yih , Nishimura Rumi , Ohta Kouji , Sugiyama Masaru
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to clarify the association between oral Candida detection and the dependency status of older people. This study included 31 older people aged ≥70 years who had a certified need for long-term care or support and received care in a local day care center; it also included 27 independent older patients aged ≥70 years who visited Hiroshima University Hospital. Oral Candida was detected by a polymerase chain reaction using swab samples from the tongue surface. Oral moisture was significantly reduced in dependent older people, compared with independent older people (p = 0.003). There was a weak negative relationship between numbers of bacteria and levels of oral moisture (Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient; R = −0.29, p = 0.01). Dependent older people exhibited a significantly higher rate of Candida albicans detection (35.5%) compared with independent older people (11.1%). Dependent older people also exhibited a higher rate of concurrent detection of both C. albicans and Candida glabrata (32.3%) compared with independent older people (11.1%), but this difference was not statistically significant. Thus, dependent older people may be more susceptible to oral C. albicans infection, compared with independent older people. Good oral hygiene is necessary to prevent oral Candida infection in dependent older people.
An Estimated Structural Equation Model to Assess the Effects of Land Use on Water Quality and Benthic Macroinvertebrates in Streams of the Nam-Han River System, South Korea
Authors: Lee Jong-Won , Lee Sang-Woo , An Kyung-Jin , Hwang Soon-Jin , Kim Nan-Young
Published: March 2020

The extent of anthropogenic land use in watersheds determines the amount of pollutants discharged to streams. This indirectly and directly affects stream water quality and biological health. Most studies have therefore focused on ways to reduce non-point pollution sources to streams from the surrounding land use in watersheds. However, the mechanistic pathways between land use and the deterioration of stream water quality and biological assemblages remain unclear. This study estimated a structural equation model (SEM) representing the impact of agricultural and urban land use on water quality and the benthic macroinvertebrate index (BMI) using IBM AMOS in the Nam-Han river systems, South Korea. The estimated SEM showed that the percent of urban and agricultural land in the watersheds significantly affected both the water quality and the BMI of the streams. Specifically, a higher percent of urban land use had directly increased the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and total phosphorus (TP), and deteriorated the BMI of streams. Similarly, higher proportions of agricultural land use had also directly increased the BOD, total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) concentrations, and lowered the BMI of streams. In addition, it was observed that the percent of urban and agricultural land use had indirectly deteriorated the BMI through increased BOD. However, we were not able to observe any significant indirect effect of the percent of urban and agricultural land use through increased nutrients including TN and TP. These results indicate that increased urban and agricultural land use in the watersheds had directly and indirectly affected the physicochemical characteristics and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in streams. Our findings emphasize the need to develop more elaborate environmental management and restoration strategies to improve the water quality and biological status of streams.
Examining Body Satisfaction and Emotional–Social Intelligence among School Children: Educational Implications
Authors: Amado Alonso Diana , León-del-Barco Benito , Mendo-Lázaro Santiago , Iglesias Gallego Damián
Published: March 2020

In childhood, the perception of body image is in the construction phase and emerges linked to the aesthetic ideals of society, which is well differentiated according to gender. In this way, according to people’s interpretations of the environment and how to manage it emotionally, greater or lesser body satisfaction may be generated, which could have irreversible consequences for children. Therefore, our interest lies in how body image satisfaction and gender can act as modulating variables of emotional intelligence in childhood, analyzing differences in the intrapersonal, interpersonal, stress management, adaptability, and mood dimensions of emotional intelligence, according to the degree of body image satisfaction and the child’s gender. A total of 944 Primary Education students selected by multistage cluster sampling, 548 boys and 396 girls aged between 9 and 12 years from different schools in Extremadura (Spain), participated in the research. The study design was descriptive, and questionnaires to measure emotional intelligence, self-perception, and body image satisfaction were used. An analysis of descriptive statistics, a Chi-square test to measure the variance/invariance of the participants’ distribution according to their satisfaction with body image and gender, and a MANOVA to determine the possible effects of satisfaction with body image as well as of gender on emotional intelligence were conducted. Regardless of gender, children who were satisfied with their body image showed higher interpersonal intelligence, greater adaptability, and better mood. With respect to gender, girls showed higher stress management than boys. Throughout Compulsory Education, it is necessary to promote campaigns imparted by specialists to prevent body image dissatisfaction, so that the benefits can reach the entire educational community (students, teachers, and parents). In this work, several possibilities are described to meet the demands of contemporary society.
A Chemically Safe Way to Produce Insect Biomass for Possible Application in Feed and Food Production
Authors: Truzzi Cristina , Annibaldi Anna , Girolametti Federico , Giovannini Leonardo , Riolo Paola , Ruschioni Sara , Olivotto Ike , Illuminati Silvia
Published: March 2020

Black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens, HI, Diptera, Stratiomydae) has great potential as a food and feed ingredient in the European Union (EU). The production of insects as livestock feed or as food ingredients requires strict monitoring of the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the growth substrate, to meet the security requirements. This study aims to investigate the presence of PTEs, like cadmium, lead, mercury, arsenic, and nickel, in HI prepupae and in their growth substrates based on coffee roasting by-product and microalgae Schizochytrium sp. and Isochrysis sp. Analyses were carried out via graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry for Cd, Pb, Ni, and As, and via Direct Mercury Analyzer for Hg. All element concentrations found in growth substrates were below the legal limit of undesirable substances in animal feed (2002/32/EC). Elements concentrations in HI prepupae were in the range (mg kg−1 wet weight) of 0.072 to 0.084 for Cd, 0.018 to 0.026 for Pb, 0.010 to 0.032 for Hg, 0.036 to 0.047 for As, and 0.18 to 0.76 for Ni. Even if HI prepupae accumulated Cd, Pb, and Hg, our results indicated that the risk of exposure to PTEs from HI prepupae consumption is relatively low and in compliance with EU regulations.
Correlates of Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Level Testing Among a Socially-Disadvantaged Population in Poland
Authors: Znyk Małgorzata , Polańska Kinga , Bąk-Romaniszyn Leokadia , Kaleta Dorota
Published: March 2020

As part of cardiovascular disease prevention, the performance of BMI determination, blood pressure measurement, biochemical tests, as well as a lifestyle-related risk assessment are recommended. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlates of blood pressure and cholesterol level testing among a socially-disadvantaged population in Poland. This cross-sectional study was performed between 2015 and 2016 among 1710 beneficiaries of government welfare assistance. Face-to-face interviews conducted by trained staff at each participant’s place of residence allowed for completion of questionnaires that covered socio-demographic, health and lifestyle-related information. Sixty-five percent of the participants declared a blood pressure and 27% of them cholesterol level testing at least once within the year proceeding the study. A higher chance of having blood pressure testing was observed among the women (OR = 1.5; p = 0.002) and people with high blood pressure (OR = 3.9; p < 0.001). The women (OR = 1.4; p = 0.04) and older people (OR = 1.9; p = 0.02; OR = 2.6; p < 0.001, OR = 2.7; p = 0.002, for the following age groups: 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 years respectively), the respondents who declared health problems such as heart attack (OR = 3.0; p = 0.04), high blood pressure (OR = 2.3; p < 0.001) and type 2 diabetes (OR = 3.3; p = 0.004) and those with a family history of chronic diseases (OR = 1.5; p = 0.03) had a higher chance of cholesterol level checking. Higher healthy lifestyle index, indicating that the study participants have followed almost all of the studied lifestyle-related recommendations, was a significant correlate of cholesterol level testing (OR = 1.7; p = 0.006). Actions that promote lifestyle changes, blood pressure, and cholesterol level testing should take into account the needs of the disadvantaged population and should especially target men, people with existing chronic diseases, and those with unfavorable lifestyle characteristics. With respect to the socially-disadvantaged population, the social assistance institutions and outpatient clinics are the best places to conduct activities promoting a healthy lifestyle. The most commonly applied strategies to promote lifestyle changes can cover risk assessment, increasing awareness, emotional support and encouragement, as well as a referral to specialists.
Identification of Speech Characteristics to Distinguish Human Personality of Introversive and Extroversive Male Groups
Authors: Park Jangwoon , Lee Sinae , Brotherton Kimberly , Um Dugan , Park Jaehyun
Published: March 2020

According to the similarity-attraction theory, humans respond more positively to people who are similar in personality. This observation also holds true between humans and robots, as shown by recent studies that examined human-robot interactions. Thus, it would be conducive for robots to be able to capture the user personality and adjust the interactional patterns accordingly. The present study is intended to identify significant speech characteristics such as sound and lexical features between the two different personality groups (introverts vs. extroverts), so that a robot can distinguish a user’s personality by observing specific speech characteristics. Twenty-four male participants took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) test for personality screening. The speech data of those participants (identified as 12 introvertive males and 12 extroversive males through the MBTI test) were recorded while they were verbally responding to the eight Walk-in-the-Wood questions. After that, speech, sound, and lexical features were extracted. Averaged reaction time (1.200 s for introversive and 0.762 s for extroversive; p = 0.01) and total reaction time (9.39 s for introversive and 6.10 s for extroversive; p = 0.008) showed significant differences between the two groups. However, averaged pitch frequency, sound power, and lexical features did not show significant differences between the two groups. A binary logistic regression developed to classify two different personalities showed 70.8% of classification accuracy. Significant speech features between introversive and extroversive individuals have been identified, and a personality classification model has been developed. The identified features would be applicable for designing or programming a social robot to promote human-robot interaction by matching the robot’s behaviors toward a user’s personality estimated.
Well-Being, Obesity and Motricity Observatory in Childhood and Youth (WOMO): A Study Protocol
Authors: Mendoza-Muñoz María , Adsuar José Carmelo , Pérez-Gómez Jorge , Muñoz-Bermejo Laura , Garcia-Gordillo Miguel Ángel , Carlos-Vivas Jorge
Published: March 2020

Background: Childhood obesity is one of the greatest public health problems facing advanced societies, and Spain is one of the countries with the highest incidence. There are many studies that monitor at the national level, but given the lack of specificity, lack of updating and scarcity of epidemiological data on overweight, obesity, physical condition and well-being of children and adolescents in Extremadura, it seems necessary to create a Well-being, Obesity and Motricity Observatory in Childhood and Youth (WOMO) in Extremadura in order to follow up on the evolution of this problem and to propose strategies to combat it. Therefore, this project aims (1) to obtain information on the physical condition, body composition and well-being of children and youth in Extremadura every year and (2) to evaluate the relationship between obesity, overweight, physical condition, well-being, self-perceived physical fitness, physical activity adherence, physical literacy, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), happiness and satisfaction with life, connection with nature, barriers to sports practice, self-concept and bullying in children and youth. Methods: An annual monitoring cross-sectional and follow-up study will be performed. Primary outcome measures will be (1) personal data and anthropometric measurements, (2) family and school information, (3) physical condition, (4) obesity and overweight level, and (5) well-being. Secondary outcome measures will be (1) self-perceived physical fitness, (2) physical activity adherence, (3) physical literacy, (4) HRQoL, (5) happiness and satisfaction with life, (6) connection with nature, (7) barriers to sports practice, (8) self-concept and (9) bullying. Discussion: This project will provide valuable information to adopt appropriate strategies to reduce the level of overweight and obesity in children and youth. Furthermore, orientations will be given to transfer the results obtained to the business sector or to the public sector to evaluate or change the policies adopted.
Association between Blood Heavy Metal Levels and Predicted 10-Year Risk for A First Atherosclerosis Cardiovascular Disease in the General Korean Population
Authors: Choi Sungchul , Kwon Junhyun , Kwon Pyohyeok , Lee Changyoon , Jang Sung-In
Published: March 2020

Background: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is a preventable type of disease, thus, specifying factors that increase the occurrence of this type of disease is needed. Heavy metals such as cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), and mercury (Hg) have been suggested as possible factors influencing the development of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to link blood heavy metal levels (Cd, Pb, Hg) with 10-year ASCVD risk scores. Methods: A population of 993 men and 1431 women who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were included. The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) pooled cohort equations risk prediction model and Korean Risk Prediction Model (KRPM) were used as means for risk prediction. Following multivariate adjustment; blood Cd; Pb; and Hg levels were divided into quartiles for analysis using linear trends estimation and multiple regression models. Results: There was an overall positive trend between blood Cd, Pb, and Hg levels and 10-year ASCVD risk scores; KRPM risk score increasing by quartile for blood Cd (men p < 0.0001, women p = 0.0024), Pb (men p = 0.0097, women p = 0.0330), Hg (men p = 0.0096, women p = 0.0030) rates and pooled cohort equations risk score increasing by quartile for Cd (men p < 0.0001, women p = 0.0034) and Hg (men p = 0.0099, women p = 0.0010) with linear trends. Urban population showed a stronger relationship between blood Cd, Pb, and Hg levels and 10-year ASCVD risk score especially among men with multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: Blood Cd, Pb, and Hg levels are associated with ASCVD risk. Thus, they should be considered while developing preventive measures for ASCVD.
Reply to Comment on Oldenburg, M., Jensen, H.J. Stress and Strain among Seafarers Related to the Occupational Groups. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, doi:10.3390/ijerph16071153
Authors: Oldenburg Marcus , Jensen Hans-Joachim
Published: March 2020

In respect of the above mentioned manuscript [...]
Passion or Perseverance? The Effect of Perceived Autonomy Support and Grit on Academic Performance in College Students
Authors: Huéscar Hernández Elisa , Moreno-Murcia Juan Antonio , Cid Luís , Monteiro Diogo , Rodrigues Filipe
Published: March 2020

Background: Individuals who possess passion and perseverance to extensively work and study through challenges and adversity to achieve a set of goals are likely to reach higher achievement compared to others who lack similar facets. However, an under-researched question lingers over the effect of teacher-induced behaviors on academic outcomes such as grades and performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between teacher-induced autonomy support and student academic performance considering the mediating effect of basic psychological needs satisfaction, intrinsic motivation, and grit as two-independent factors. Methods: A convenience sample of 474 Sports Science students (Mage = 21.83 years; SD = 3.91) participated in the study. All participants completed a multi-section survey assessing the variables under analysis. Results: The measurement and structural model displayed acceptable fit, hence direct and indirect effects were examined among the variables of interest. Basic psychological needs and intrinsic motivation seem to display a mediating role between perceived autonomy support and academic performance, through perseverance. Contrarily, grit-passion did not exhibit a significant indirect effect. Conclusions: Current results shed new insights on how perseverance can shape student motivation and school success considering the autonomy support induced by teachers.