bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tracer Gas Test and CFD Analysis of Semiconductor Gas Box for Flammable Gas Leakage
Authors: Kim Shin-eui , Lee Kwangho , Kang Chankyu , Jung Seungho
Published: November 2022

Semiconductor manufacturing is performed through unit processes that use various chemicals and facilities. In particular, flammable gases, such as H2, NH3, and CH4, are used, and there is a risk of explosion when such gases leak. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation and a “tracer gas test” according to the SEMI (Semiconductor Equipment and Materials International) S6 Environmental, Health, and Safety Guideline for Exhaust Ventilation of Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment specification were performed during the leakage of hydrogen, a highly flammable gas used in the etching process of a gas box in the semiconductor industry. The CFD simulation was conducted to investigate the safety of semiconductor production facilities in relation to the explosion risk. Flow analysis was performed for the interior of a gas box used in the etching process. A steady-state analysis was performed to predict the concentration range of the explosion limit in the case of continuous hydrogen gas leakage. The interior of the gas box used in the simulation was modeled, and the ventilation flow rate, which has a significant impact on the leakage gas concentration distribution, obtained from experiments was used. The lower flammability limit (LFL) value of the leaked gas was 4% based on H2, and LFL/4 (25% of the LFL) was analyzed as the explosion limit concentration according to the acceptance criteria of the SEMI S6 tracer gas test. To validate the CFD simulation, a tracer gas test was performed according to SEMI S6. A mixture of hydrogen (5%) and nitrogen (95%) was used as the tracer gas. The flow rate was controlled by a gas regulator valve and measured using an Aalborg mass flow meter. The measured concentration of the tracer gas was calculated using the equivalent release concentration, which was calculated when 100% of the hydrogen was released, and the risk was assessed by comparing it with the LFL/4 of H2.
Shelf-Life Evaluation of Pork Loins as Influenced by the Application of Different Antimicrobial Interventions
Authors: Vargas David A. , Blandon Sabrina E. , Sarasty Oscar , Osorio-Doblado Andrea M. , Miller Markus F. , Echeverry Alejandro
Published: November 2022

The objective of the study was to determine the impact of antimicrobial interventions and refrigerated dark storage on the shelf-life of pork chops. Boneless pork loins (n = 36) were split and stored for 1, 14, 28, and 42 days at 2–4 °C after being treated with the following antimicrobials: water (WAT), Bovibrom 225 ppm (BB225), Bovibrom 500 ppm (BB500), Fit Fresh 3 ppm (FF3), or washing solution 750 ppm (WS750). After the end of dark storage, pork loins were further processed and sliced into chops, overwrapped in trays, and displayed for up to an additional 96 h in a retail case. Instrumental and visual color measurements as well as mesophilic and psychrotrophic aerobic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria were measured. BB500 and FF3 performed better in inhibiting the growth of indicator bacteria under 6 logs; however, FF3 presented the best stability for color during storage. Principal component analysis clustered initial dark storage days with a* and chroma while % discoloration, hue, b* and microorganisms where clustered with longer dark storage times. In general, treatment FF3 presented the best performance, both in inhibiting microbial growth and maintaining the stability of color, thus increasing the shelf-life of pork loins.
Phytochemical Variability, In Vitro and In Vivo Biological Investigations, and In Silico Antibacterial Mechanisms of Mentha piperita Essential Oils Collected from Two Different Regions in Morocco
Authors: Al-Mijalli Samiah Hamad , Mrabti Nidal Naceiri , Ouassou Hayat , Sheikh Ryan A. , Abdallah Emad M. , Assaggaf Hamza , Bakrim Saad , Alshahrani Mohammed Merae , Awadh Ahmed Abdullah Al , Qasem Ahmed , Attar Ammar , Lee Learn-Han , Bouyahya Abdelhakim , Goh Khang Wen , Ming Long Chiau , Mrabti Hanae Naceiri
Published: November 2022

The objective of this work is to explore the phytochemical profile of Mentha piperita essential oils (MPEO) collected from two different Moroccan regions using gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS) and to investigate their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic and, antimicrobial effects using in vivo and in vitro assays. The chemical constituent of MPEO from the Azrou zone is dominated by carvone (70.25%), while MPEO from the Ouazzane zone is rich in Menthol (43.32%) and Menthone (29.4%). MPEO from Ouezzane showed higher antioxidant activity than EO from Azrou. Nevertheless, EO from Ouezzane considerably inhibited 5-Lipoxygenase (IC50 = 11.64 ± 0.02 µg/mL) compared to EO from Azro (IC50 = 23.84 ± 0.03 µg/mL). Both EOs from Azrou and Ouazzane inhibited the α-amylase activity in vitro, with IC50 values of 131.62 ± 0.01 µg/mL and 91.64 ± 0.03 µg/mL, respectively. The EOs were also tested for minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The discdiffusion test revealed that MPEOs from both regions have significant antibacterial efficacy, and MPEOs from the north region showed the highest effect. The gram-positive bacteria were the most susceptible organisms. The MIC concentrations were in the range of 0.05 to 6.25 mg/mL, and the MBC concentrations were within 0.05–25.0 mg/mL. The MBC/MIC index indicated that MPEO has strong bactericidal effects.
Improvement of the Lyophilization Survival Rate of Lactobacillus casei via Regulation of Its Surface Substances
Authors: Cui Shumao , Pan Ziyi , Wu Sheng , Mao Bingyong , Tang Xin , Zhang Qiuxiang , Zhang Hao , Zhao Jianxin
Published: November 2022

The influence of surface substance production on the freeze-drying survival of Lactobacillus casei and methods to control the surface substances during fermentation were studied. The bacteria were treated with hypertonicity combined with ultrasound, and the survival rate was determined. The optimal conditions for removing surface substance without harming the bacteria were 81 w/18 min. The surface substances provided a protective effect on the lyophilization of the bacteria without protectants. However, in the presence of protectants, excessive surface substances reduced the protective effect of the optimum protectant alginate to 39.69 ± 1.27%. Finally, the amount of surface substances and lyophilized survival rate of collected bacteria were determined by adding EDTA during fermentation and regulating fermentation conditions, such as the carbon source, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, and pH. The highest survival rate was 85.79 ± 3.29%, which was achieved when the amount of surface substances was (2.82 ± 0.55) × 10−11 mg/CFU. Therefore, the production of surface substances by the bacteria could be reduced by modifying the fermentation stage, which has significance in the improvement of the lyophilization survival rate of L. casei and the number of live bacteria per unit mass of L. casei in the lyophilized preparation.
Effect of Argon as Filling Gas of the Storage Atmosphere on the Shelf-Life of Sourdough Bread—Case Study on PDO Tuscan Bread
Authors: Bianchi Alessandro , Taglieri Isabella , Zinnai Angela , Macaluso Monica , Sanmartin Chiara , Venturi Francesca
Published: November 2022

The short shelf-life of PDO Tuscan bread limits its distribution to markets close to the production area, affecting its commercial success and the economic return by supply chain operators. While the application of MAP to store bread is widely accepted, the suitability of this technique to extend the shelf life of the PDO Tuscan bread is still to be explored. Furthermore, to the best of our knowledge no data are available in the literature about the use of argon as filling gas neither in pure atmosphere nor in combination with CO2. In this context, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different modified packaging atmospheres on the shelf-life of sourdough bread. Slices of bread were stored individually in plastic bags at 23 °C in five different atmospheres (Ar (100%), N2 (100%), CO2 (100%), Mix CO2/N2 (70% CO2, 30% N2), Mix CO2/Ar (70% CO2, 30% Ar)), and Air was selected as a control. To select the best storage conditions, both chemical-physical, rheological, and organoleptic features were evaluated. Results showed that pure gases (CO2, N2, Ar) displayed good qualities as storage atmospheres compared to Air. In contrast, both Mix CO2/N2 and Mix CO2/Ar were the best in slowing down the staling process, thus doubling the shelf-life of bread, compared to other atmospheres. In conclusion, argon, as a preservation atmosphere, seems to be the best solution to extend the shelf-life of PDO Tuscan bread.
Probiotic Properties Including the Antioxidant and Hypoglycemic Ability of Lactic Acid Bacteria from Fermented Grains of Chinese Baijiu
Authors: Fan Sanhong , Xue Tengda , Bai Baoqing , Bo Tao , Zhang Jinhua
Published: November 2022

In this study, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated from fermented grains of traditional Chinese Baijiu, and their probiotic properties were characterized. Eleven out of 29 LAB strains showed good tolerance to the gastrointestinal tract and bile salts. The surface characteristics (auto-aggregation, co-aggregation, hydrophobicity), safety (hemolytic and antibiotic sensitivity), antibacterial activity against three foodborne pathogens, and antioxidant and hypoglycemic properties of the 11 LAB strains were investigated. Principal component analysis (PCA) was used to comprehensively evaluate LAB strains and their probiotic properties. It was found that Weissella cibaria (OP288150), Pediococcus acidilactici (OP288151), Pediococcus pentosaceus (OP288154), Pediococcus pentosaceus (OP288156) and Levilactobacillus brevis (OP288158) showed high probiotic properties, with potential for commercial development. The results also demonstrated that fermented grains of Chinese Baijiu can be used as a source of high-quality probiotics.
A Second-Order Adaptive Grid Method for a Singularly Perturbed Volterra Integrodifferential Equation
Authors: Liu Libin , Liang Ying , Zhang Yong
Published: November 2022

In this paper, an adaptive grid method for a singularly perturbed Volterra integro-differential equation is studied. Firstly, this problem is discretized by a new second-order finite difference scheme, for which a truncation error analysis is conducted. Then, based on this truncation error bound and the mesh equidistribution principle, we show that there is a mesh that provides an optimal error bound of O(N−2), which is robust with respect to the perturbation parameter. Finally, based on an approximation monitor function, an adaptive grid generation algorithm is constructed and some numerical results are given to support our theoretical results.
3D Genome Plasticity in Normal and Diseased Neurodevelopment
Authors: Plaza-Jennings Amara , Valada Aditi , Akbarian Schahram
Published: November 2022

Non-random spatial organization of the chromosomal material inside the nuclei of brain cells emerges as an important regulatory layer of genome organization and function in health and disease. Here, we discuss how integrative approaches assessing chromatin in context of the 3D genome is providing new insights into normal and diseased neurodevelopment. Studies in primate (incl. human) and rodent brain have confirmed that chromosomal organization in neurons and glia undergoes highly dynamic changes during pre- and early postnatal development, with potential for plasticity across a much wider age window. For example, neuronal 3D genomes from juvenile and adult cerebral cortex and hippocampus undergo chromosomal conformation changes at hundreds of loci in the context of learning and environmental enrichment, viral infection, and neuroinflammation. Furthermore, locus-specific structural DNA variations, such as micro-deletions, duplications, repeat expansions, and retroelement insertions carry the potential to disrupt the broader epigenomic and transcriptional landscape far beyond the boundaries of the site-specific variation, highlighting the critical importance of long-range intra- and inter-chromosomal contacts for neuronal and glial function.
Environmental Influences on the Relation between the 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome and Mental Health: A Literature Review
Authors: Snihirova Yelyzaveta , Linden David E. J. , van Amelsvoort Therese , van der Meer Dennis
Published: November 2022

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) is a clinically heterogeneous genetic syndrome, associated with a wide array of neuropsychiatric symptoms. The clinical presentation is likely to be influenced by environmental factors, yet little is known about this. Here, we review the available research literature on the role of the environment in 22q11DS. We find that within-patient design studies have mainly investigated the role of parental factors, stress, and substance use, reporting significant effects of these factors on the clinical profile. Case-control studies have been less successful, with almost no reports of significant moderating effects of the environment. We go on to hypothesize which specific environmental measures are most likely to interact with the 22q11 deletion, based on the genes in this region and their involvement in molecular pathways. We end by discussing potential reasons for the limited findings so far, including modest sample sizes and limited availability of environmental measures, and make recommendations how to move forward.
“Befo’ de Wah”: Sounding Out Ill-Legibility in Charles W. Chesnutt’s Conjure Stories
Authors: MacDonald Cameron
Published: November 2022

In 1969, blues guitarist Earl Hooker released Two Bugs and a Roach, solidifying him as a pioneer of the wah-wah technique. Before the wah-wah pedal, however, there was Charles W. Chesnutt’s Conjure Stories, a collection of frame narratives that recollect plantation life “befo’ de wah”. In this essay, I insist the slide, slip, and compressions of Hooker’s wah-wah voicings find resonance in Chesnutt’s own linguistic play, through which the sonics of Julius’ sociolect texture the text towards speculative spellings, grammars, and meanings that query the logics of white, Enlightenment rationality and its hegemonic conceptions of space, time, value, and subjecthood. In listening to the tales’ resonances with the “wah”, I suggest Chesnutt articulates the “ill-legibility” of plantation existence and its echoes into and out from the present, as evidenced by Hooker’s own disproportionate susceptibility to and lifelong struggle with tuberculosis. In doing so, Julius’ storytelling makes legible modes of survival that attune to how Black bodies persist via the (un)sound logics of illness, slavery, and sonority. Overall, I argue Chesnutt amplifies modes of existence that emerge from the distinct spatio-temporality of the plantation, thus re-forming with and through the ills of slavery and persisting against rational legibility, capital production, and normativity.
Implications of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Acute Cholangitis: A Systematic Review of Current Literature
Authors: Cozma Matei-Alexandru , Dobrică Elena-Codruta , Shah Purva , Shellah Duha , Găman Mihnea-Alexandru , Diaconu Camelia Cristina
Published: November 2022

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been associated with higher rates and poorer prognosis of infections, mainly due to poor glycemic control, reduced response of T-cells and neutrophils, and impaired migration, phagocytosis, and chemotaxis of leukocytes. However, the impact of T2DM on acute cholangitis (AC) has not been assessed so far. Thus, we aimed to explore this association by means of a systematic review of the literature. Methods: This systematic review was carried out based on the recommendations stated in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched the PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and SCOPUS databases to identify relevant publications depicting an association between T2DM and AC from the inception of these search services up to present. Results: We detected a total of 435 eligible records. After we applied the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 14 articles were included in the present systematic review. Included manuscripts focused on the potential role of T2DM as a risk factor for the development of AC and on its contribution to a worse prognosis in AC, e.g., development of sepsis or other complications, the risk of AC recurrence and the impact on mortality. Conclusions: As compared to non-diabetic individuals, patients with T2DM have a higher risk of AC as a complication of choledocholithiasis or gallstone pancreatitis. Several oral hypoglycemic drugs used in the management of T2DM may also be involved in the onset of AC. Diabetic patients who suffer from AC have a higher likelihood of longer hospital stays and sepsis, as well as a higher risk of mortality and more severe forms of AC as compared to non-diabetic individuals.
Identification of the Transcription Factors RAP2-13 Activating the Expression of CsBAK1 in Citrus Defence Response to Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri
Authors: Wu Qi , Zhao Mingming , Li Yi , Li Dazhi , Ma Xianfeng , Deng Ziniu
Published: November 2022

Citrus canker is a quarantined disease caused by the bacterial plant pathogen Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), which causes persistent surface damage, leaf and fruit drop, and tree decline in citrus plants. The citrus cultivar Citron C-05 (Citrus medica L.) is a disease-resistant genotype identified after years of screening at the National Center for Citrus Improvement (Changsha), which displays allergic, necrotic, and disease-resistant responses to Xcc. In this study, the BAK1 gene was identified in this cultivar to be a disease resistance gene involved in plant-microbe interaction between citrus and Xcc. Functional investigations of this gene revealed that both CsBAK1 (C. sinensis BAK1) or CmBAK1(C. medica BAK1) could inhibit the growth of Xcc to some extent when transiently expressed in the susceptible ‘Bingtang’ genotype of sweet orange. Critical regions of the CmBAK1 promoter sequence were identified by creating downstream deletions and exposing mutants to Xcc to determine effects on the resistance phenotype; a 426 bp region (−2000~–1574) was identified as a key functional region responsible for eliciting the hypersensitive response in plants. Through screening arrayed Citron C-05 cDNA libraries by yeast one-hybrid assays, a basic APETALA2/ETHYLENE RESPONSE FACTOR (AP2/ERF) transcription factor of CmRAP2-13 that binds directly to the 426 bp key sequence and activates expression of CmBAK1 was identified. Moreover, transcriptional analysis revealed an obvious increase in transcript levels of CsRAP2-13 in Citron C-05, American citron, and Finger citron. In this study, we present the identification of transcriptional activators that are found to interact with BAK1 proteins in response to Xcc. These results reveal a coordinated regulatory mechanism of RAP2-13, which may be involved in defence responses through the regulation of BAK1.
Essential Oil Yield, Composition, Antioxidant and Microbial Activity of Wild Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) from Monte Negro Coast
Authors: Milenković Aleksandra , Ilić Zoran , Stanojević Ljiljana , Milenković Lidija , Šunić Ljubomir , Lalević Dragana , Stanojević Jelena , Danilović Bojana , Cvetković Dragan
Published: November 2022

The aim of this work was to compare the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of the essential oils from two plant parts (leaves and stems) of fennel, wild-grown in the Montenegro seaside. The chemical composition of the isolated essential oils was determined by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and flame ionization detection (GC/FID). The yield of the fennel essential oils (FEOs) from leaves (0.83%) was four times higher than that from the fennel stems (0.21%). Forty-six compounds were identified from leaves’ FEOs and were mainly aromatic compounds (68.5%), monoterpenes (17.8%), and others, where the most abundant compounds were (E)-anethole (51.4%) and methyl chavicol (9.3%). Forty-seven compounds were identified in the FEOs from stems, which were mainly aromatic compounds (69.7%), oxygen-containing monoterpenes (14.9%), where the most abundant compounds were also (E)-anethole (55.7%) and methyl chavicol (7.8%). The FEOs from stems showed higher antioxidant activity, with an EC50 value of 2.58 mg/mL, than in the fennel leaves, which had an EC50 value of 6.91 mg/mL. The FEOs show superior antimicrobial activity against Candida albicans (45.3 mm) and Bacillus subtilis (24.0 mm). Isolated essential oils could be used as a safer alternative to synthetic additives in the food industry.
Face Thermal Map of the Mexican Population in the Basal State
Authors: Jaramillo-Quintanar Daniel , Cruz-Albarran Irving A. , Dominguez-Trejo Benjamin , Rodriguez-Medina David A. , Morales-Hernandez Luis Alberto
Published: November 2022

There has been a wide use of thermal images of the human body in recent years, specifically images with thermal information of regions of interest (ROI) in the face; this information can be used for epidemiological, clinical, and/or psychological purposes. Due to this, it is important to have plenty of information on temperature in these ROIs in the basal state that allows their use as a reference in terms of their thermal analysis. In this work, a face thermal map of the Mexican population in the basal state (n = 196) is created, adding the comparison between different population groups, such as gender, age, and clinical status, obtaining results of great interest for future research. The t-test for independent samples was applied to the ROIs with normal distribution and Mann–Whitney u-test to the ones that did not present normal distribution. Statistically significant differences were found in some of the ROI comparisons like the corrugator, the supraorbitals, and the chin between the control and clinical groups, as well as in the differentiation by age (p < 0.05).
What Is on Your Gig Radar? Toward a Hierarchical Structure of Coping
Authors: Sariraei Samira A. , Chênevert Denis , Vandenberghe Christian
Published: November 2022

Digitalized independent workers, known as gig workers, have been shown to work under high-pressure, with a lack of autonomy, a lack of feedback and perceived competence, and a high level of isolation. We conducted a literature review to investigate how gig workers cope with these sources of stress. We identified primary sources of psychological stress in gig work and the main strategies used by workers for coping with them. We show that focusing solely on identifying coping strategies depicts a fragmented literature, making it impossible to compare, link, or aggregate findings. We suggest a radar classification of coping based on the motivational action theory of coping and self-determination theory that defines coping as a process to adapt to the environment and maintain well-being. We argue that this framework is both relevant and necessary for developing research on gig-worker coping.
Providers’ Non-Cigarette Tobacco Use Intervention Practices in Relation to Beliefs about Patients, Prioritization of and Skills for Intervention, and Referral Knowledge in Texas Healthcare Centers Providing Care to Persons with Behavioral Health Needs
Authors: Jafry Midhat Z. , Reuven Sean M. , Britton Maggie , Chen Tzuan A. , Martinez Leal Isabel , Rogova Anastasia , Kyburz Bryce , Williams Teresa , Patel Mayuri , Reitzel Lorraine R.
Published: November 2022

Rates of non-cigarette (colloquially, other) tobacco use is elevated among adults with behavioral health conditions. Little is known about whether behavioral health providers are using brief interventions, including the evidence-based 5As (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, and Arrange) for other tobacco use, or what provider factors may be associated with use of these interventions. The current study redressed this gap. Overall, 86 providers in Texas (9 Federally Qualified Health Centers, 16 Local Mental Health Authorities (LMHAs) that provide a broad range of mental and behavioral health services, 6 substance use treatment programs in LMHAs, and 55 stand-alone substance use treatment programs) took a survey assessing their beliefs regarding (1) patients’ concerns about other tobacco use; (2) their desire to quit; (3) importance of intervening on other tobacco use with cessation counseling; (4) perceived skills to intervene; (5) knowledge of referral options for treatment. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between each factor and use of the 5As. Results showed that 70.9% of providers asked patients about other tobacco use status, 65.1% advised them to quit, 59.3% assessed quit interest, 54.7% assisted with a quit attempt, and 31.4% arranged a follow-up. Providers who believed patients were concerned about other tobacco use, recognized the importance of offering other tobacco use cessation counseling, believed they had the necessary skills to treat other tobacco use, and possessed knowledge of referral options, respectively, were more likely to deliver the 5As (ps < 0.05). Results add to a limited literature on provider intervention practices for other tobacco use in settings where behavioral health care is provided, highlighting the significance of provider beliefs, perceived skills, and referral knowledge to care delivery. Findings reveal opportunities to increase delivery of the 5As for other tobacco use to behavioral health patients and suggest provider factors that could be targeted to build this capacity.
Incidence of Asthma, Atopic Dermatitis, and Allergic Rhinitis in Korean Adults before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic Using Data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Choi Hyo Geun , Kim So Young , Joo Yeon-Hee , Cho Hyun-Jin , Kim Sang-Wook , Jeon Yung Jin
Published: November 2022

The prevalence of allergic diseases has been increasing globally prior to COVID-19. The pandemic resulted in changes in lifestyle and personal habits such as universal mask-wearing and social distancing. However, there is insufficient information on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence of allergic conditions such as asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. We analyzed the incidence rate for self-reported and doctor-diagnosed cases of allergic diseases of asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. A total of 15,469 subjects were registered from a national cohort dataset of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Using multiple logistic regression analysis, we calculated the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for each disease in 2020 compared to 2019. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex. There were no statistically significant differences between the incidence of doctor-diagnosed and current allergic diseases in 2019 and 2020 (asthma, p = 0.667 and p = 0.268; atopic dermatitis, p = 0.268 and p = 0.973; allergic rhinitis, p = 0.691 and p = 0.942, respectively), and subgroup analysis showed consistent results. Among the Korean population from 2019 to 2020, the incidence of the allergic diseases asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis did not decrease as expected.
Application of McGuire’s Model to Weight Management Messages: Measuring Persuasion of Facebook Posts in the Healthy Body, Healthy U Trial for Young Adults Attending University in the United States
Authors: Arnold Jeanie , Bailey Caitlin P. , Evans W. Douglas , Napolitano Melissa A.
Published: November 2022

Digital communication is a common intervention channel for weight loss, yet little is known about the types of messages that are most effective. Using McGuire’s Model of Communication and Persuasion as a framework, this study investigates the persuasiveness of Facebook messages posted as part of the weight loss intervention in the Healthy Body Healthy U (HBHU) study to determine what message characteristics prompt higher engagement on Facebook, and whether certain messages are more appealing to certain demographics. The first four weeks of HBHU Facebook posts (n = 32) were coded according to McGuire’s Input Communication Factors. Facebook engagement scores [(Total Engaged Users/Total Reach) × 100] were calculated for each post to determine effectiveness. The most effective posts were diet-related discussions or interactive polls. Participants who engaged with the highest and lowest effect posts were in their mid-twenties and tended to be female. Those engaged with the highest effect posts had an average BMI of 32.34 kg/m2, while those engaged with the lowest effect posts had an average BMI of 31.31 kg/m2. The least effective posts were didactic lessons (i.e., diet- or reminder-based), or video-based informational posts (edutainment). Future interventions should balance didactic content and interactive engagement to achieve persuasive messaging.
Tensions and Paradoxes of Scaling Up: A Critical Reflection on Physical Activity Promotion
Authors: Koorts Harriet , Bauman Adrian , Edwards Nancy , Bellew William , Brown Wendy J. , Duncan Mitch J. , Lubans David R. , Milat Andrew J. , Morgan Philip J. , Nathan Nicole , Searles Andrew , Lee Karen , Plotnikoff Ronald C.
Published: November 2022

Background: Achieving system-level, sustainable ‘scale-up’ of interventions is the epitome of successful translation of evidence-based approaches in population health. In physical activity promotion, few evidence-based interventions reach implementation at scale or become embedded within systems for sustainable health impact. This is despite the vast published literature describing efficacy studies of small-scale physical activity interventions. Research into physical activity scale-up (through case-study analysis; evaluations of scale-up processes in implementation trials; and mapping the processes, strategies, and principles for scale-up) has identified barriers and facilitators to intervention expansion. Many interventions are implemented at scale by governments but have not been evaluated or have unpublished evaluation information. Further, few public health interventions have evaluations that reveal the costs and benefits of scaled-up implementation. This lack of economic information introduces an additional element of risk for decision makers when deciding which physical activity interventions should be supported with scarce funding resources. Decision-makers face many other challenges when scaling interventions which do not relate to formal research trials of scale-up; Methods: To explore these issues, a multidisciplinary two-day workshop involving experts in physical activity scale-up was convened by the University of Newcastle, Australia, and the University of Ottawa, Canada (February 2019); Results: In this paper we discuss some of the scale-up tensions (challenges and conflicts) and paradoxes (things that are contrary to expectations) that emerged from this workshop in the context of the current literature and our own experiences in this field. We frame scale-up tensions according to epistemology, methodology, time, and partnerships; and paradoxes as ‘reach without scale’, ‘planned serendipity’ and ‘simple complexity’. We reflect on the implications of these scale-up tensions and paradoxes, providing considerations for future scale-up research and practice moving forward; Conclusions: In this paper, we delve deeper into stakeholders’ assumptions, processes and expectations of scaling up, and challenge in what ways as stakeholders, we all contribute to desired or undesired outcomes. Through a lens of ‘tensions’ and ‘paradoxes’, we make an original contribution to the scale-up literature that might influence current perspectives of scaling-up, provide future approaches for physical activity promotion, and contribute to understanding of dynamic of research-practice partnerships.
Multi-Scenario Simulation of Land Use and Landscape Ecological Risk Response Based on Planning Control
Authors: Wang Nan , Zhu Peijuan , Zhou Guohua , Xing Xudong , Zhang Yong
Published: November 2022

This study applied territorial spatial planning control to a land use multi-scenario simulation in Changde, China, and measured the landscape ecological risk response. It embedded five planning control schemes, respectively, involving inertial development, urban expansion size quantity control, ecological spatial structure control, land use zoning control, and comprehensive control. Findings show that: (1) Woodland and arable land in Changde occupy 31.10% and 43.35% of land use, respectively, and constitute the main functional space of the research area. The scale of construction land in Changde has enlarged continuously, with ecological space represented by woodland and water constantly squeezed and occupied. (2) Comprehensive control has the most remarkable restraining effect on the disordered spread of construction land, while ecological space structure control is the most effective way to control ecological land shrinkage. (3) The overall landscape ecological risk index expanded over 2009–2018, presenting an S-type time evolution curve of “sharp increase–mitigation”. Landscape ecological risk presents a single-core, double-layer circle structure with the north and east regions as the core, attenuating to the periphery. (4) Landscape ecological risk under land use zoning control increased significantly more than in other scenarios. Comprehensive control best prevented landscape ecological risk and restrained the disorderly expansion of construction land.
Knowledge and Farmers’ Adoption of Green Production Technologies: An Empirical Study on IPM Adoption Intention in Major Indica-Rice-Producing Areas in the Anhui Province of China
Authors: Sun Xiaolong , Lyu Jing , Ge Candi
Published: November 2022

As a comprehensive technology with social, economic, and ecological benefits, integrated pest management (IPM) is crucial in fundamentally alleviating the environmental pollution caused by traditional high-input agriculture. Based on the random-sampled data of 981 farmer households in major Indica-rice-producing areas in Anhui Province, this study analyzes the impact of agricultural production knowledge on farmers’ willingness to adopt IPM technology through logit models, considering integrated knowledge and categorized knowledge. The results indicate that integrated agricultural production knowledge significantly increases farmers’ willingness to adopt IPM technology. However, pest-management knowledge was the only one out of four specific disciplines that significantly individually affect farmers’ adoption intention. The more knowledge farmers acquire about pest management, the higher intention they have to adopt IPM. Some demographic and household characteristics also significantly influence their willingness. Based on these results, we suggest that increasing farmers’ agricultural production knowledge, especially knowledge about pest management, is essential in promoting IPM technology. Besides this, IPM technology should be promoted purposely and consciously, combined with farmers’ individual and family characteristics.
Classification of the Effort Index and Biomechanical Overload in Natural Trails of UNESCO Global Geoparks—A Network Perspective of Trails of the Araripe UGG (NE Brazil)
Authors: Guimarães Eduardo , Sá Artur , Soares Rafael , Bandeira Paulo , Moreira Helena , Guimarães Jaqueliny , de Lima Júnior Francisco , Gabriel Ronaldo
Published: November 2022

Natural trails in UNESCO Global Geopark territories show strong salutogenic, inclusive and interactive characteristics as potentials and opportunities for ecosystem health. It is essential to provide information to inform the hiker as to the characteristics of the environment and the attractions and challenges of the route. Based on a network analysis methodology we aimed to identify the indicators of centrality and strength of connection in order to classify the effort index and biomechanical overload of the Araripe UNESCO Global Geopark trails in Brazil. The results showed strong connection and centrality of the variables related to the biomechanical overload in the effort index. In the trail of Pontal de Cruz the altimetric variation and the surface of the ground are highlighted in the biomechanical overload that presented a horizontal course equivalent 2.6 times larger than the presented distance. In Sítio Fundão trail, the surface of the ground also stood out, increasing the exposure in 36% of the presented distance. On the Missão Velha Waterfall trail, the variable that stood out was the biomechanical overload on the knee, equivalent to a horizontal increase of 28% of the measured distance. The methodology presented sought to optimise the mapping, management and consolidation of a network of natural trails aggregated to a high geotouristic, scientific, educational, cultural and well-being potential as presented in the Araripe UGG territory.
Research on the Measurement of the Coordinated Relationship between Industrialization and Urbanization in the Inland Areas of Large Countries: A Case Study of Sichuan Province
Authors: Xiao Lei , Pan Jie , Sun Dongqi , Zhang Zhipeng , Zhao Qian
Published: November 2022

Industrialization and urbanization are critical paths to modernization for a country or region. The coordination of industrialization and urbanization fosters the development of a regional economy. In academic circles, this is usually measured by the IU ratio (ratio of labor industrialization rate to urbanization rate) and the NU ratio (ratio of non-agricultural employment rate to urbanization rate). However, these methods are inapplicable to large countries’ inland areas. The traditional methods failed to explain the real situation and produced contradictory results. The IU ratio shows that industrialization lags behind urbanization, while the NU ratio shows that industrialization is ahead of urbanization. According to studies conducted in the Sichuan Province of China, through comparison with Jiangsu Province, it is found that the non-agricultural employment growth is not dependent on the development of local industrialization, and rural-urban migration is not entirely dependent on the evolution of the non-agricultural employment rate. Other factors that promote urbanization, such as the country’s capital policies and funds for migrant labor force transfer, should also be considered. This research attempts to improve the traditional methods for measuring the degree of urbanization and industrialization synergy in inland areas. The new empirical approach can effectively identify the critical characteristics of urbanization in inland provinces, such as the development of non-agricultural employment with external assistance and urban migrants “unrelated to employment opportunities”. Based on these key characteristics, it can provide the basis for local urbanization policy formulation.
Value of Repeat CT Brain in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Patients with High Risk of Intracerebral Hemorrhage Progression
Authors: Fadzil Farizal , Mei Amy Khor Cheng , Mohd Khairy Azudin , Kumar Ramesh , Mohd Azli Anis Nabillah
Published: November 2022

Patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), particularly those at higher risk of having ICH progression, are typically prescribed a second head Computer Tomography (CT) scan to monitor the disease development. This study aimed to evaluate the role of a repeat head CT in MTBI patients at a higher risk of ICH progression by comparing the intervention rate between patients with and without ICH progression. Methods: 192 patients with MTBI and ICH were treated between November 2019 to December 2020 at a single level II trauma center. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) was used to classify MTBI, and initial head CT was performed according to the Canadian CT head rule. Patients with a higher risk of ICH progression, including the elderly (≥65 years old), patients on antiplatelets or anticoagulants, or patients with an initial head CT that revealed EDH, contusional bleeding, or SDH > 5 mm, and multiple ICH underwent a repeat head CT within 12 to 24 h later. Data regarding types of intervention, length of stay in the hospital, and outcome were collected. The risk of further neurological deterioration and readmission rates were compared between these two groups. All patients were followed up in the clinic after one month or contacted via phone if they did not return. Results: 189 patients underwent scheduled repeated head CT, 18% had radiological intracranial bleed progression, and 82% had no changes. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of intervention rate, risk of neurological deterioration in the future, or readmission between them. Conclusion: Repeat head CT in mild TBI patients with no neurological deterioration is not recommended, even in patients with a higher risk of ICH progression.
The Size Anomaly in Islamic Stock Indices: A Stochastic Dominance Approach
Authors: AlKhazali Osamah , Lean Hooi Hooi , Zoubi Taisier
Published: November 2022

This paper examines whether small Islamic firms’ returns stochastically dominate (outperform) the returns of large Islamic firms using Ascending and Descending Stochastic Dominance (ASD and DSD) approaches. In other words, we investigate the size anomaly in Islamic equity indices. We use global, European, Asian/Pacific, and US Islamic equity indices from 1996 to 2019. For risk-averse investors, we find that small-size portfolios of Islamic indices ASD outperform large-sized portfolios in Asia/Pacific and Europe, while the opposite is true in the Dow Jones and the US. For risk-seeking investors, we find that small-sized portfolios of Islamic indices DSD outperform large-sized portfolios in the Dow Jones and the US, while the opposite is true in Asia/Pacific and Europe. We conclude that a size anomaly is present, and Islamic stock indices are inefficient in the semi-strong form. The results of this study should assist those who are interested in investing in Islamic equity markets in building their investment portfolios.
In Situ Growth of Nanosilver on Fabric for Flexible Stretchable Electrodes
Authors: Liao Qingwei , Yin Yuxiang , Zhang Jingxin , Si Wei , Hou Wei , Qin Lei
Published: November 2022

Flexible sensing can disruptively change the physical form of traditional electronic devices to achieve flexibility in information acquisition, processing, transmission, display, and even energy, and it is a core technology for a new generation of the industrial internet. Fabric is naturally flexible and stretchable, and its knitted ability makes it flexibility and stretchability even more adjustable. However, fabric needs to be electrically conductive to be used for flexible sensing, which allows it to carry a variety of circuits. The dip-coating technique is a common method for preparing conductive fabrics, which are made conductive by attaching conductive fillers to the fabrics. However, the adhesion of the conductive fillers on the surface of such conductive fabrics is weak, and the conductive property will decay rapidly because the conductive filler falls off after repeated stretching, limiting the lifespan of flexible electronic devices based on conductive fabric. We chose multifunctional nanosilver as a conductive filler, and we increased the adhesion of nanosilver to fabric fiber by making nanosilver grow in situ and cover the fiber, so as to obtain conductive fabric with good conductivity. This conductive fabric has a minimum square resistance of 9 Ω/sq and has better electrical conductivity and more stable electrical properties than the conductive fabric prepared using the dip-coating process, and its square resistance did not increase significantlyafter 60 stretches.
LMNA Reduced Acquired Resistance to Erlotinib in NSCLC by Reversing the Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition via the FGFR/MAPK/c-fos Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Chunsheng , Zhou Anting , Hu Xin , Xiang Yu , Huang Mengjun , Huang Jiuhong , Yang Donglin , Tang Yan
Published: November 2022

For patients exhibiting non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with activating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations, epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) are a first-line treatment. However, most patients who initially responded to EGFR-TKIs eventually developed acquired resistance, limiting the effectiveness of therapy. It has long been known that epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) leads to acquired resistance to EGFR-TKIs in NSCLC. However, the mechanisms underlying the resistance dependent on EMT are unknown. This research aimed to reveal the effects of LMNA in the regulation of acquired resistance to erlotinib by EMT in NSCLC. The acquired erlotinib-resistant cells (HCC827/ER) were induced by gradual increase of concentrations of erlotinib in erlotinib-sensitive HCC827 cells. RNA sequencing and bioinformatics analysis were performed to uncover the involvement of LMNA in the EMT process that induced acquired resistance to erlotinib. The effect of LMNA on cell proliferation and migration was measured by clone-formation, wound-healing, and transwell assays, respectively. The EMT-related protein, nuclear shape and volume, and cytoskeleton changes were examined by immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to identify the underlying molecular mechanism of LMNA regulation of EMT. HCC827/ER cells with acquired resistance to erlotinib underwent EMT and exhibited lower LMNA expression compared to parental sensitive cells. LMNA negatively regulated the expression of EMT markers; HCC827/ER cells showed a significant up-regulation of mesenchymal markers, such as CDH2, SNAI2, VIM, ZEB1, and TWIST1. The overexpression of LMNA in HCC827/ER cells significantly inhibited EMT and cell proliferation, and this inhibitory effect of LMNA was enhanced in the presence of 2.5 μM erlotinib. Furthermore, a decrease in LMNA expression resulted in a higher nuclear deformability and cytoskeletal changes. In HCC827/ER cells, AKT, FGFR, ERK1/2, and c-fos phosphorylation levels were higher than those in HCC827 cells; Furthermore, overexpression of LMNA in HCC827/ER cells reduced the phosphorylation of AKT, ERK1/2, c-fos, and FGFR. In conclusion, our findings first demonstrated that downregulation of LMNA promotes acquired EGFR-TKI resistance in NSCLC with EGFR mutations by EMT. LMNA inhibits cell proliferation and migration of erlotinib-resistant cells via inhibition of the FGFR/MAPK/c-fos signaling pathway. These findings indicated LMNA as a driver of acquired resistance to erlotinib and provided important information about the development of resistance to erlotinib treatment in NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.