bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Implementation Trial to Improve Tobacco Treatment for Cancer Patients: Patient Preferences, Treatment Acceptability and Effectiveness
Authors: LeLaurin Jennifer H. , Dallery Jesse , Silver Natalie L. , Markham Merry-Jennifer , Theis Ryan P. , Chetram Deandra K. , Staras Stephanie A. , Gurka Matthew J. , Warren Graham W. , Salloum Ramzi G.
Published: March 2020

Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis increases mortality, risk of recurrence, and negatively impacts treatment effectiveness. However, utilization of tobacco use cessation treatment among cancer patients remains low. We conducted a clinical trial assessing patient preferences, treatment acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness (7-day point prevalence at 12 weeks) of three tobacco treatment options among cancer patients at an academic health center. Implementation strategies included electronic referral and offering the choice of three treatment options: referral to external services, including the quitline (PhoneQuit) and in-person group counseling (GroupQuit), or an internal service consisting of 6-week cognitive behavioral therapy delivered via smartphone video conferencing by a tobacco treatment specialist (SmartQuit). Of 545 eligible patients, 90 (16.5%) agreed to enroll. Of the enrolled patients, 39 (43.3%) chose PhoneQuit, 37 (41.1%) SmartQuit, and 14 (15.6%) GroupQuit. Of patients reached for 12-week follow-up (n = 35), 19 (54.3%) reported receiving tobacco treatment. Of all patients referred, 3 (7.7%) PhoneQuit, 2 (5.4%) SmartQuit, and 2 (14.3%) GroupQuit patients reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence from smoking at 12 weeks. Participants rated the SmartQuit intervention highly in terms of treatment acceptability. Results indicate that more intensive interventions may be needed for this population, and opportunities remain for improving reach and utilization.
Accumulated Disadvantage over the Lower Secondary School Years in Helsinki Metropolitan Area, Finland
Authors: Karvonen Sakari , Kestilä Laura , Rimpelä Arja
Published: March 2020

Accumulated disadvantage (AD) is conceptualised here as an agglomeration of unfavourable or prejudicial conditions which in adolescence may compromise the progress to further education or future life chances. There are several theories on AD, suggesting, e.g., (1) an increase of AD by age and (2) trajectories (previous disadvantage predicts later disadvantage). Social pathways theory suggests that (3) a third factor (e.g., socioeconomic position, SEP) mediates or moderates the association between early and later disadvantage, while other theories imply (4) polarisation (a strengthening association between AD and SEP by age) or (5) equalisation (a weakening of association between AD and SEP). We apply these theories to longitudinal data of 7th graders (13 years, N = 5742), followed until the end of the 9th grade. Five dimensions of disadvantage were health (poor self-rated health), social behaviour (poor prosocial behaviour), normative (conduct disorders), educational (poor academic achievement), and economic (parental unemployment). The results show that the prevalence of AD increased over the follow-up as most indicators of disadvantage elevated. AD at the 7th grade predicted later AD, as did the SEP of the students. Moderation of AD by SEP was also observed. The study corroborates with hypotheses on increase of AD, trajectory, and social pathways but no signs of polarisation or equalisation were observed.
Stalking and Intrusive Behaviors in Ghana: Perceptions and Victimization Experiences
Authors: Chan Heng Choon (Oliver) , Sheridan Lorraine , Adjorlolo Samuel
Published: March 2020

Most studies of stalking and other forms of intrusive behavior are conducted in the West. Little is known about the phenomenon in the African context. The present work represents the first dedicated stalking study conducted in Ghana. Based on a sample of 371 male and female university students, this study explored the gender distribution of overall perceptions and experiences, and frequency and duration of personal worst experiences of stalking and intrusive behavior. Several significant gender differences were noted. Females were generally more likely than males to perceive a range of intrusive activities as unacceptable. Females and males were equally likely to have experienced aggression and surveillance, and unwanted attention types of behaviors, while males were more likely than females to have experienced persistent courtship and impositions, and courtship and information seeking types of behaviors. In respect of their worst experience of intrusive behavior, females were more likely to report unwanted communications, aggressive courtship, property damage, and harassment of third parties, whilst males were more likely to have been threatened with harm. More than half of our participants (55.5%) were judged to have been stalked. Given the devastating nature and impact of stalking victimization, the findings may provide impetus to increase awareness of stalking in Ghana and add urgency to calls for anti-stalking legislation.
Notifiable Respiratory Infectious Diseases in China: A Spatial–Temporal Epidemiology Analysis
Authors: Mao Ying , He Rongxin , Zhu Bin , Liu Jinlin , Zhang Ning
Published: March 2020

Nowadays, tuberculosis, scarlet fever, measles, influenza, and mumps are five major notifiable respiratory infectious diseases (RIDs) in China. The objective of this study was to describe, visualize, and compare the spatial-temporal distributions of these five RIDs from 2006 to 2016. In addition to descriptive epidemiology analysis, seasonality and spatial autocorrelation analysis were also applied to explore the epidemiologic trends and spatial changing patterns of the five RIDs, respectively. The results indicated that the incidence of tuberculosis, measles, and mumps presented a downtrend trend, while those of scarlet fever and influenza was in a strong uptrend across the research period. The incidences of the five diseases all peaked in spring. There were significant spatial disparities in the distribution of tuberculosis, scarlet fever, and measles cases, with the hotspots mainly located in the western plateau region, northern plain region, and southern mountainous region. To conclude, notable epidemiological differences were observed across regions, indicating that some provincial units should pay more attention to prevent and control respiratory infectious diseases.
Coauthors’ Network of Solastalgia. Comment on Galway, L.P.; Beery, T.; Jones-Casey, K.; Tasala, K. Mapping the Solastalgia Literature: A Scoping Review Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 2662.
Authors: Idrovo Alvaro
Published: March 2020

Recently, a very interesting article on solastalgia was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health [...]
Physical and Psychological Discomfort Experienced by Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Donors
Authors: Kim Miok , Kim Tai-Gyu , Beom Su-Hee
Published: March 2020

This study investigates the types and degrees of physical and psychological discomfort experienced by hematopoietic stem cell donors before, during, and after the donation process in order to provide helpful information for developing education programs that can help donors to cope with their discomforts. One hundred and thirty-one individuals who donated hematopoietic stem cells from 2017 to 2019 were asked to self-report the types and degrees of physical and psychological discomfort they felt in the process, and the results were analyzed using SPSS. All participants donated peripheral blood stem cells; the most commonly reported physical discomfort was myalgia (72.5%), followed by bone pain (62.6%), fatigue (60.3%), and headache (55.0%). Of the donors, 88.5% responded that they experienced psychological discomforts, including fear (44.3%), anxiety (44.3%), stress (39.7%), depression (31.3%), loneliness (31.3%), regret (29.8%), and ambivalence (23.7%). In particular, female donors experienced more discomfort than males in rash (Z = −2.123, p = 0.034), fear (Z = −2.851, p = 0.004), and anxiety (Z = −1.861, p = 0.044). Therefore, it is necessary for healthcare providers and experts to make efforts to educate and help donors to prepare and mitigate their discomfort throughout the donation process, and to strategically manage donors’ well-being by monitoring and evaluating their discomfort levels and providing interventions if necessary.
Horizontal Flow Constructed Wetland for Greywater Treatment and Reuse: An Experimental Case
Authors: Collivignarelli Maria Cristina , Carnevale Miino Marco , Gomez Franco Hernan , Torretta Vincenzo , Rada Elena Cristina , Sorlini Sabrina
Published: March 2020

In the coming years, water stress is destined to worsen considering that the consumption of water is expected to increase significantly, and climate change is expected to become more evident. Greywater (GW) has been studied as an alternative water source in arid and semiarid zones. Although there is no single optimal solution in order to treat GW, constructed wetlands proved to be effective. In this paper, the results of the treatment of a real GW by a horizontal flow constructed wetland (HFCW) for more than four months are shown. In the preliminary laboratory-scale plant, Phragmites australis, Carex oshimensis and Cyperus papyrus were tested separately and showed very similar results. In the second phase, pilot-scale tests were conducted to confirm the performance at a larger scale and evaluate the influence of hydraulic retention time, obtaining very high removal yields on turbidity (>92%), total suspended solids (TSS) (>85%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (>89%), and five-day biological oxygen demand (BOD5) (>88%). Based on the results of the pilot-scale HFCW, a comparison with international recommendations by World Health Organization and European Union is discussed.
The First 75 Days of Novel Coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) Outbreak: Recent Advances, Prevention, and Treatment
Authors: Yan Yuxin , Shin Woo In , Pang Yoong Xin , Meng Yang , Lai Jianchen , You Chong , Zhao Haitao , Lester Edward , Wu Tao , Pang Cheng Heng
Published: March 2020

The recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, previously known as 2019-nCoV) outbreak has engulfed an unprepared world amidst a festive season. The zoonotic SARS-CoV-2, believed to have originated from infected bats, is the seventh member of enveloped RNA coronavirus. Specifically, the overall genome sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 is 96.2% identical to that of bat coronavirus termed BatCoV RaTG13. Although the current mortality rate of 2% is significantly lower than that of SARS (9.6%) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) (35%), SARS-CoV-2 is highly contagious and transmissible from human to human with an incubation period of up to 24 days. Some statistical studies have shown that, on average, one infected patient may lead to a subsequent 5.7 confirmed cases. Since the first reported case of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 on December 1, 2019, in Wuhan, China, there has been a total of 60,412 confirmed cases with 1370 fatalities reported in 25 different countries as of February 13, 2020. The outbreak has led to severe impacts on social health and the economy at various levels. This paper is a review of the significant, continuous global effort that was made to respond to the outbreak in the first 75 days. Although no vaccines have been discovered yet, a series of containment measures have been implemented by various governments, especially in China, in the effort to prevent further outbreak, whilst various medical treatment approaches have been used to successfully treat infected patients. On the basis of current studies, it would appear that the combined antiviral treatment has shown the highest success rate. This review aims to critically summarize the most recent advances in understanding the coronavirus, as well as the strategies in prevention and treatment.
Environmental Distribution of AR Class 1 Integrons in Upper Adige River Catchment (Northern Italy)
Authors: Piergiacomo Federica , Borruso Luigimaria , Ciccazzo Sonia , Rizzi Stefano , Zerbe Stefan , Brusetti Lorenzo
Published: March 2020

The source of antibiotic residuals can be directly related to the presence of municipal or industrial wastewater and agricultural activities. Antibiotics can trigger the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes within bacterial communities. The mobile genetic elements Class 1 integrons (intl1 region) has been already found to be correlated with a wide range of pollutants (i.e., antibiotics, heavy metals), and hence, it has been proposed as a proxy for environmental health. This study aimed to assess the presence of intl1 in different environmental matrices, including agricultural and forest soils, freshwater and unpolluted sediments in the upper Adige River catchment (N Italy), in order to identify the spread of pollutants. Intl1 was detected by direct PCR amplification at different frequencies. The urban and agricultural areas revealed the presence of intl1, except for apple orchards, where it was below the detection limit. Interestingly, intl1 was found in a presumed unpolluted environment (glacier moraine), maybe because of the high concentration of metal ions in the mineral soil. Finally, intl1 was absent in forest fresh-leaf litter samples and occurred with low rates in soil. Our results provide new data in supporting the use of intl1 to detect the environmental health of different land-use systems.
Effect of Health Education on Healthcare-Seeking Behavior of Migrant Workers in China
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Yang Han , Wang Hui , Liu Xujun
Published: March 2020

Health education is considered to be an effective way to improve the healthcare-seeking behavior of migrant workers. This study examined the impact of health education on healthcare-seeking behavior of migrant workers in China and explored the differences in different health education methods. This paper used the 2017 China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) to analyze the relationship between health education and healthcare-seeking behavior. Our results indicated that health education could significantly improve the healthcare-seeking behavior of migrant workers, but there was still ample space for improvement. From the perspective of different health education methods, lectures, public consultation, and online education were positively correlated to healthcare-seeking behavior, while publicity materials and bulletin boards were not. Although the effects of publicity materials and bulletins were limited, these two health education methods were still the most widely used. Our results emphasized the necessity of increasing investment in lectures, public consultation, online education, and other similar health education methods. This change in health education methods can play an effective role in the spread of health education to improve the healthcare-seeking behavior of migrant workers.
Visual Health and Academic Performance in School-Aged Children
Authors: Alvarez-Peregrina Cristina , Sánchez-Tena Miguel Ángel , Andreu-Vázquez Cristina , Villa-Collar Cesar
Published: March 2020

Background: Academic performance at different educational levels has become a very important subject of study in local, national and international institutions. A visual system working properly is critical to improving academic performance. It is important to check children’s vision during the different stages of elementary school. Methods: A visual screening was carried out in elementary school children, aged between 6 and 12, across Spain. The screening included: the collection of demographic data, surveys of children and families about their vision habits and a basic optometric screening to detect visual problems. Results: Children with bad academic performance had worse visual health than those with good academic performance. Conclusions: It would be highly recommendable to introduce policies that ensure the early detection of visual disorders in schools and primary care in order to improve the academic performance of elementary students.
Missing in Action: Sex and Gender in Substance Use Research
Authors: Greaves Lorraine
Published: March 2020

Substance use and misuse is a significant global health issue that requires a sex- and gender-based analysis. Substance use patterns and trends are gendered: that is, women and men, girls and boys, and gender-diverse people often exhibit different rates of use of substances, reasons for use, modes of administration, and effects of use. Sex-specific effects and responses to substances are also important, with various substances affecting females and males differentially. Nevertheless, much research and practice in responding to substance use and misuse remains gender blind, ignoring the impacts of sex and gender on this important health issue. This special issue identifies how various aspects of sex and gender matter in substance use, illustrates the application of sex- and gender-based analyses to a range of substances, populations and settings, and assists in progressing sex and gender science in relation to substance use.
Exploring the Determinants of the Severity of Pedestrian Injuries by Pedestrian Age: A Case Study of Daegu Metropolitan City, South Korea
Authors: Park Seung-Hoon , Bae Min-Kyung
Published: March 2020

Pedestrian-vehicle crashes can result in serious injury to pedestrians, who are exposed to danger when in close proximity to moving vehicles. Furthermore, these injuries can be considerably serious and even lead to death in a manner that varies depending on the pedestrian’s age. This is because the pedestrian’s physical characteristics and behaviors, particularly in relation to roads with moving vehicles, differ depending on the pedestrian’s age. This study examines the determinants of pedestrian injury severity by pedestrian age using binary logistic regression. Factors in the built environment, such as road characteristics and land use of the places where pedestrian crashes occurred, were considered, as were the accident characteristics of the pedestrians and drivers. The analysis determined that the accident characteristics of drivers and pedestrians are more influential in pedestrian-vehicle crashes than the factors of the built environmental characteristics. However, there are substantial differences in injury severity relative to the pedestrian’s age. Young pedestrians (aged under 20 years old) are more likely to suffer serious injury in school zones; however, no association between silver zones and injury severity is found for elderly pedestrians. For people in the age range of 20–39 years old, the severity of pedestrian injuries is lower in areas with more crosswalks and speed cameras. People in the age range of 40–64 years old are more likely to be injured in areas with more neighborhood streets and industrial land use. Elderly pedestrians are likely to suffer fatal injuries in areas with more traffic signals. This study finds that there are differences in the factors of pedestrian injury severity according to the age of pedestrians. Therefore, it is suggested that concrete and efficient policies related to pedestrian age are required to improve pedestrian safety and reduce pedestrian-vehicle crashes.
Shame and Suicidal Ideation among Undergraduates in China: The Mediating Effect of Thwarted Belongingness and Perceived Burdensomeness
Authors: Zhao Jingjing , Chi Yanna , Ju Yanli , Liu Xiyao , Wang Jingjing , Liu Xinglai , Lew Bob , Siau Ching Sin , Jia Cunxian
Published: March 2020

Undergraduate students with shame are more likely to experience suicidal ideation, but there remains a lack of research investigating the factors underlying this relationship. The interpersonal theory of suicide posits that suicidal ideation is influenced by the simultaneous presence of thwarted belongingness and perceived burdensomeness. We examined the prevalence of suicidal ideation among undergraduate students in China and examined the association between shame and suicidal ideation mediated by perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness. A survey was conducted in July 2018 involving 2320 undergraduate students, and the twelve-month prevalence of suicidal ideation was 8.95%. Shame played a crucial role in predicting suicidal ideation, and the mediating effects of perceived burdensomeness and thwarted belongingness between shame and suicidal ideation were significant. Suicidal ideation is common among undergraduate students in China and merits greater attention. Shame, perceived burdensomeness, and thwarted belongingness may be important factors to assess among undergraduate students in suicide risk assessment and psychological intervention.
A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Investigating the Relationship between Exposures to Chemical and Non-Chemical Stressors during Prenatal Development and Childhood Externalizing Behaviors
Authors: M. Nilsen Frances , Frank Jessica , S. Tulve Nicolle
Published: March 2020

Childhood behavioral outcomes have been linked to low quality intrauterine environments caused by prenatal exposures to both chemical and non-chemical stressors. The effect(s) from the many stressors a child can be prenatally exposed to may be influenced by complex interactive relationships that are just beginning to be understood. Chemical stressors influence behavioral outcomes by affecting the monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) enzyme, which is involved in serotonin metabolism and the neuroendocrine response to stress. Non-chemical stressors, particularly those associated with violence, have been shown to influence and exacerbate the externalizing behavioral outcomes associated with low MAOA activity and slowed serotonin metabolism. The adverse developmental effects associated with high stress and maternal drug use during pregnancy are well documented. However, research examining the combined effects of other non-chemical and chemical stressors on development and childhood outcomes as a result of gestational exposures is scarce but is an expanding field. In this systematic review, we examined the extant literature to explore the interrelationships between exposures to chemical and non-chemical stressors (specifically stressful/traumatic experiences), MAOA characteristics, and childhood externalizing behaviors. We observed that exposures to chemical stressors (recreational drugs and environmental chemicals) are significantly related to externalizing behavioral outcomes in children. We also observed that existing literature examining the interactions between MAOA characteristics, exposures to chemical stressors, and traumatic experiences and their effects on behavioral outcomes is sparse. We propose that maternal stress and cortisol fluctuations during pregnancy may be an avenue to link these concepts. We recommend that future studies investigating childhood behaviors include chemical and non-chemical stressors as well as children’s inherent genetic characteristics to gain a holistic understanding of the relationship between prenatal exposures and childhood behavioral outcomes.
Infant Motor Milestones and Childhood Overweight: Trends over Two Decades in A Large Twin Cohort
Authors: Brouwer Silvia I. , Stolk Ronald P. , Bartels Meike , van Beijsterveld Toos C.E.M. , Boomsma Dorret I. , Corpeleijn Eva
Published: March 2020

Background: Poor motor skill competence may influence energy balance with childhood overweight as a result. Our aim was to investigate whether the age of motor milestone achievement has changed over the past decades and whether this change may contribute to the increasing trend observed in childhood overweight. Methods: Motor skill competence was assessed in children from the Young Netherlands Twin Register born between 1987 and 2007. Follow-up ranged from 4 up to 10 years. Weight and height were assessed at birth, 6 months, 14 months, and 2, 4, 7, and 10 years. Results: Babies born in later cohorts achieved their motor milestones ‘crawling’, ‘standing’, and ‘walking unassisted’ later compared to babies born in earlier cohorts (N = 18,514, p < 0.001). The prevalence of overweight at age 10 was higher in later cohorts (p = 0.033). The increase in overweight at age 10 was not explained by achieving motor milestones at a later age and this persisted after adjusting for gestational age, sex, and socioeconomic status. Conclusion: Comparing children born in 1987 to those born in 2007, we conclude that children nowadays achieve their motor milestones at a later age. This does not however, explain the increasing trend in childhood overweight.
Wood-Based Panel Industry Wastewater Meets Microbial Fuel Cell Technology
Authors: Toczyłowska-Mamińska Renata
Published: March 2020

Although the wood-based panel industry is not considered to be a water-consuming sector, it generates ca. 600 M m3 of wastewater every year on a global scale. The wastewater is usually highly polluted and environmentally toxic even after dilution. Common wastewater treatment techniques require high-energy input or addition of various chemicals to the treated wastewater, which cause secondary pollution and production of toxic sludge. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have become an attractive technology, allowing for zero-energy treatment of various types of wastewater with simultaneous production of electric current. Recent investigations have shown that MFCs can also be utilized for sustainable treatment and energy production from the wastewater generated by the wood-based panel industry. This article contains a critical summary of the investigations in this field as well as a discussion of the research needed and perspectives for the future.
Comparative Study of Dietary Patterns by Living Arrangements: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013–2015
Authors: Kim Namhee , Kim Go-Un , Kim Heejung
Published: March 2020

This study aimed to identify the dietary patterns of Koreans, comparing them according to their living arrangements, and to determine factors associated with the patterns. We analyzed nutritional data of 6719 Korean adults aged 19–64 years from the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey using the exploratory factor and hierarchical and k-means cluster analyses. We used multinominal logistic regression to compare factors associated with each dietary pattern. We identified three dietary patterns based on meal preference and dessert type: “traditional meal with healthy dessert”, “meal only”, and “unhealthy dessert” (Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin = 0.90, Bartlett’s test of sphericity p < 0.001). The “unhealthy dessert” dietary pattern was more frequent in people living alone (51.7%) than in those living with others (41.8%). Weight control, dining out, eating breakfast, and sleep were significantly associated with the “meal only”; eating breakfast was associated with the “unhealthy dessert” dietary pattern among those living alone. Lifestyle factors were associated with unhealthy dietary patterns in Korean adults living alone, warranting the need for a healthy diet and promotion of modifiable health behaviors for this subgroup. Thus, clinicians must provide comprehensive assessments and multidimensional interventions while considering lifestyle factors and unhealthy dietary patterns to improve the health status of them.
Improve Aggressive Driver Recognition Using Collision Surrogate Measurement and Imbalanced Class Boosting
Authors: Wang Ke , Xue Qingwen , Xing Yingying , Li Chongyi
Published: March 2020

Real-time recognition of risky driving behavior and aggressive drivers is a promising research domain, thanks to powerful machine learning algorithms and the big data provided by in-vehicle and roadside sensors. However, since the occurrence of aggressive drivers in real traffic is infrequent, most machine learning algorithms treat each sample equally and prone to better predict normal drivers rather than aggressive drivers, which is our real interest. This paper aims to test the advantage of imbalanced class boosting algorithms in aggressive driver recognition using vehicle trajectory data. First, a surrogate measurement of collision risk, called Average Crash Risk (ACR), is proposed to calculate a vehicle’s crash risk. Second, the driver’s driving aggressiveness is determined by his/her ACR with three anomaly detection methods. Third, we train classification models to identify aggressive drivers using partial trajectory data. Three imbalanced class boosting algorithms, SMOTEBoost, RUSBoost, and CUSBoost, are compared with cost-sensitive AdaBoost and cost-sensitive XGBoost. Additionally, we try two resampling techniques with AdaBoost and XGBoost. Among all algorithms tested, CUSBoost achieves the highest or the second-highest Area Under Precision-Recall Curve (AUPRC) in most datasets. We find the discrete Fourier coefficients of gap as the key feature to identify aggressive drivers.
A Follow-Up Study of Cognitive Development in Low Risk Preterm Children
Authors: Pérez-Pereira Miguel , Fernández María Pilar , Gómez-Taibo María Luisa , Martínez-López Zeltia , Arce Constantino
Published: March 2020

The results of a longitudinal study on the cognitive development of one group of full-term and three groups of low risk preterm children with different gestational ages (GA) are presented. The 181 participants were divided into four GA groups of similar size. The aims were: 1) To check if there are differences in cognitive development (measured through the Batelle scale) among the GA groups. 2) To establish the predictive factors of cognitive development at 22 and 60 months of age, taking into account biomedical, environmental and individual factors. The results of the repeated measures ANOVA performed at 22 and 60 months of age indicated that the cognitive trajectories of the four GA groups were similar. Linear regression analyses showed that the effect of the different predictors changed in relation to the time of measurement of cognitive development. Biological factors and the quality of home environment had a moderate effect on the cognitive development at 22 months of age. Cognitive results obtained at 22 months of age, and, to a lesser extent, working memory had the greatest effect on cognitive development at 60 months. GA does not predict cognitive development. Preterm children do not show cognitive delay if they are healthy.
At the Crossroads of the Adipocyte and Osteoclast Differentiation Programs: Future Therapeutic Perspectives
Authors: Muruganandan Shanmugam , Ionescu Andreia M. , Sinal Christopher J.
Published: March 2020

The coordinated development and function of bone-forming (osteoblasts) and bone-resorbing (osteoclasts) cells is critical for the maintenance of skeletal integrity and calcium homeostasis. An enhanced adipogenic versus osteogenic potential of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has been linked to bone loss associated with diseases such as diabetes mellitus, as well as aging and postmenopause. In addition to an inherent decrease in bone formation due to reduced osteoblast numbers, recent experimental evidence indicates that an increase in bone marrow adipocytes contributes to a disproportionate increase in osteoclast formation. Therefore, a potential strategy for therapeutic intervention in chronic bone loss disorders such as osteoporosis is to interfere with the pro-osteoclastogenic influence of marrow adipocytes. However, application of this approach is limited by the extremely complex regulatory processes in the osteoclastogenic program. For example, key regulators of osteoclastogenesis such as the receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand (RANKL) and the soluble decoy receptor osteoprotegerin (OPG) are not only secreted by both osteoblasts and adipocytes, but are also regulated through several cytokines produced by these cell types. In this context, biologically active signaling molecules secreted from bone marrow adipocytes, such as chemerin, adiponectin, leptin, visfatin and resistin, can have a profound influence on the osteoclast differentiation program of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), and thus, hold therapeutic potential under disease conditions. In addition to these paracrine signals, adipogenic transcription factors including CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα), C/EBP beta (C/EBPβ) and peroxisome proliferator-associated receptor gamma (PPARγ) are also expressed by osteoclastogenic cells. However, in contrast to MSCs, activation of these adipogenic transcription factors in HSCs promotes the differentiation of osteoclast precursors into mature osteoclasts. Herein, we discuss the molecular mechanisms that link adipogenic signaling molecules and transcription factors to the osteoclast differentiation program and highlight therapeutic strategies targeting these mechanisms for promoting bone homeostasis.
A Multiparametric Study of Internalization of Fullerenol C60(OH)36 Nanoparticles into Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells: Cytotoxicity in Oxidative Stress Induced by Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Lichota Anna , Piwoński Ireneusz , Michlewska Sylwia , Krokosz Anita
Published: March 2020

The aim of this study was to investigate the uptake and accumulation of fullerenol C60(OH)36 into peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Some additional studies were also performed: measurement of fullerenol nanoparticle size, zeta potential, and the influence of fullerenol on the ionizing radiation-induced damage to PMBCs. Fullerenol C60(OH)36 demonstrated an ability to accumulate in PBMCs. The accumulation of fullerenol in those cells did not have a significant effect on cell survival, nor on the distribution of phosphatidylserine in the plasma membrane. However, fullerenol-induced depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane proportional to the compound level in the medium was observed. Results also indicated that increased fullerenol level in the medium was associated with its enhanced transport into cells, corresponding to its influence on the mitochondrial membrane. The obtained results clearly showed the ability of C60(OH)36 to enter cells and its effect on PBMC mitochondrial membrane potential. However, we did not observe radioprotective properties of fullerenol under the conditions used in our study.
Multi-Strategy Dynamic Service Composition in Opportunistic Networks
Authors: Le Sommer Nicolas , Mahéo Yves , Baklouti Fadhlallah
Published: March 2020

Distributed computing pervasiveness is nowadays undeniable, and will continue to grow as the usage of device-to-device communications and the number of connected things populating our daily environment increase. Due to the connectivity disruptions induced by the mobility of devices communicating through short-range wireless interfaces and by the sleep phases of devices, it is often difficult to exploit the resources offered by the connected things forming these pervasive environments through the services they provide, and even harder to compose these services together so as to provide users with more useful and sophisticated services. This paper presents a service composition system adapted to opportunistic networks. This composition system relies on a service provision platform that exploits opportunistic networking and computing techniques to cope with connectivity disruptions. Service composition is performed dynamically, according to users’ interests. A multi-strategy scheme is used for the invocation of composite services, and a recovery mechanism is possible through partial invocation. This paper also presents the evaluation of the proposed composition system on two different scenarios: one involving people roaming in an open area, and another one involving spectators of a running event.
The First Genome Survey of the Antarctic Krill (Euphausia superba) Provides a Valuable Genetic Resource for Polar Biomedical Research
Authors: Huang Yuting , Bian Chao , Liu Zhaoqun , Wang Lingling , Xue Changhu , Huang Hongliang , Yi Yunhai , You Xinxin , Song Wei , Mao Xiangzhao , Song Linsheng , Shi Qiong
Published: March 2020

The world-famous Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba) plays a fundamental role in the Antarctic food chain. It resides in cold environments with the most abundant biomass to support the Antarctic ecology and fisheries. Here, we performed the first genome survey of the Antarctic krill, with genomic evidence for its estimated genome size of 42.1 gigabases (Gb). Such a large genome, however, is beyond our present capability to obtain a good assembly, although our sequencing data are a valuable genetic resource for subsequent polar biomedical research. We extracted 13 typical protein-coding gene sequences of the mitochondrial genome and analyzed simple sequence repeats (SSRs), which are useful for species identification and origin determination. Meanwhile, we conducted a high-throughput comparative identification of putative antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and antihypertensive peptides (AHTPs) from whole-body transcriptomes of the Antarctic krill and its well-known counterpart, the whiteleg shrimp (Penaeus vannamei; resident in warm waters). Related data revealed that AMPs/AMP precursors and AHTPs were generally conserved, with interesting variations between the two crustacean species. In summary, as the first report of estimated genome size of the Antarctic krill, our present genome survey data provide a foundation for further biological research into this polar species. Our preliminary investigations on bioactive peptides will bring a new perspective for the in-depth development of novel marine drugs.
Research on Asymmetric Hysteresis Modeling and Compensation of Piezoelectric Actuators with PMPI Model
Authors: Wang Wen , Wang Jian , Chen Zhanfeng , Wang Ruijin , Lu Keqing , Sang Zhiqian , Ju Bingfeng
Published: March 2020

Because of fast frequency response, high stiffness, and displacement resolution, the piezoelectric actuators (PEAs) are widely used in micro/nano driving field. However, the hysteresis nonlinearity behavior of the PEAs affects seriously the further improvement of manufacturing accuracy. In this paper, we focus on the modeling of asymmetric hysteresis behavior and compensation of PEAs. First, a polynomial-modified Prandtl–Ishlinskii (PMPI) model is proposed for the asymmetric hysteresis behavior. Compared with classical Prandtl–Ishlinskii (PI) model, the PMPI model can be used to describe both symmetric and asymmetric hysteresis. Then, the congruency property of PMPI model is analyzed and verified. Next, based on the PMPI model, the inverse model (I-M) compensator is designed for hysteresis compensation. The stability of the I-M compensator is analyzed. Finally, the simulation and experiment are carried out to verify the accuracy of the PMPI model and the I-M compensator. The results implied that the PMPI model can effectively describe the asymmetric hysteresis, and the I-M compensator can well suppress the hysteresis characteristics of PEAs.
High Temperature Adiabatic Heating in µ-IM Mould Cavities—A Case for Venting Design Solutions
Authors: Tucker Matthew , Griffiths Christian A. , Rees Andrew , Llewelyn Gethin
Published: March 2020

Micro-injection moulding (µ-IM) is a fabrication method that is used to produce miniature parts on a mass production scale. This work investigates how the process parameter settings result in adiabatic heating from gas trapped and rapidly compressed within the mould cavity. The heating of the resident air can result in the diesel effect within the cavity and this can degrade the polymer part in production and lead to damage of the mould. The study uses Autodesk Moldflow to simulate the process and identify accurate boundary conditions to be used in a gas law model to generate an informed prediction of temperatures within the moulding cavity. The results are then compared to physical experiments using the same processing parameters. Findings from the study show that without venting extreme temperature conditions can be present during the filling stage of the process and that venting solutions should be considered when using µ-IM.
A One-Dimensional Effective Model for Nanotransistors in Landauer–Büttiker Formalism
Authors: Wulf Ulrich
Published: March 2020

In a series of publications, we developed a compact model for nanotransistors in which quantum transport in a variety of industrial nano-FETs was described quantitatively. The compact nanotransistor model allows for the extraction of important device parameters as the effective height of the source-drain barrier, device heating, and the quality of the coupling between conduction channel and the contacts. Starting from a basic description of quantum transport in a multi-terminal device in Landauer–Büttiker formalism, we give a detailed derivation of all relevant formulas necessary to construct our compact nanotransistor model. Here we make extensive use of the the R-matrix method.
Design and Fabrication of a Kirigami-Inspired Electrothermal MEMS Scanner with Large Displacement
Authors: Hashimoto Masaaki , Taguchi Yoshihiro
Published: March 2020

Large-displacement microelectromechanical system (MEMS) scanners are in high demand for a wide variety of optical applications. Kirigami, a traditional Japanese art of paper cutting and folding, is a promising engineering method for creating out-of-plane structures. This paper explores the feasibility and potential of a kirigami-inspired electrothermal MEMS scanner, which achieves large vertical displacement by out-of-plane film actuation. The proposed scanner is composed of film materials suitable for electrothermal self-reconfigurable folding and unfolding, and microscale film cuttings are strategically placed to generate large displacement. The freestanding electrothermal kirigami film with a 2 mm diameter and high fill factor is completely fabricated by careful stress control in the MEMS process. A 200 μm vertical displacement with 131 mW and a 20 Hz responsive frequency is experimentally demonstrated as a unique function of electrothermal kirigami film. The proposed design, fabrication process, and experimental test validate the proposed scanner’s feasibility and potential for large-displacement scanning with a high fill factor.
A Micro-Optic Stalk (μOS) System to Model the Collective Migration of Retinal Neuroblasts
Authors: Zhang Stephanie , Markey Miles , Pena Caroline D. , Venkatesh Tadmiri , Vazquez Maribel
Published: March 2020

Contemporary regenerative therapies have introduced stem-like cells to replace damaged neurons in the visual system by recapitulating critical processes of eye development. The collective migration of neural stem cells is fundamental to retinogenesis and has been exceptionally well-studied using the fruit fly model of Drosophila Melanogaster. However, the migratory behavior of its retinal neuroblasts (RNBs) has been surprisingly understudied, despite being critical to retinal development in this invertebrate model. The current project developed a new microfluidic system to examine the collective migration of RNBs extracted from the developing visual system of Drosophila as a model for the collective motile processes of replacement neural stem cells. The system scales with the microstructure of the Drosophila optic stalk, which is a pre-cursor to the optic nerve, to produce signaling fields spatially comparable to in vivo RNB stimuli. Experiments used the micro-optic stalk system, or μOS, to demonstrate the preferred sizing and directional migration of collective, motile RNB groups in response to changes in exogenous concentrations of fibroblast growth factor (FGF), which is a key factor in development. Our data highlight the importance of cell-to-cell contacts in enabling cell cohesion during collective RNB migration and point to the unexplored synergy of invertebrate cell study and microfluidic platforms to advance regenerative strategies.
Nanoscale MOSFET as a Potential Room-Temperature Quantum Current Source
Authors: Cheung Kin P. , Wang Chen , Campbell Jason P.
Published: March 2020

Nanoscale metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect-transistors (MOSFETs) with only one defect at the interface can potentially become a single electron turnstile linking frequency and electronic charge to realize the elusive quantized current source. Charge pumping is often described as a process that ‘pumps’ one charge per driving period per defect. The precision needed to utilize this charge pumping mechanism as a quantized current source requires a rigorous demonstration of the basic charge pumping mechanism. Here we present experimental results on a single-defect MOSFET that shows that the one charge pumped per cycle mechanism is valid. This validity is also discussed through a variety of physical arguments that enrich the current understanding of charge pumping. The known sources of errors as well as potential sources of error are also discussed. The precision of such a process is sufficient to encourage further exploration of charge pumping based on quantum current sources.
Petrogenesis and Geological Implications of the Oligocene Mingze monzodiorites, Southern Lhasa
Authors: Zhang Kailiang , Shi Zeming , Liao Rong , Zhu Feilin
Published: March 2020

The Mingze Cu-Mo deposit is located in the southern margin of the Lhasa block of the Himalayan Tibetan Plateau. Here, we report the geochronological and geochemical data from Mingze monzodiorites, which hosts the Mingze deposit. Zircon dating indicates that the Mingze monzodiorites were emplaced at ca. 31 Ma (i.e., the Oligocene). The monzodiorites have variable SiO2 and MgO contents, strongly negative high field-strength element (HFSE, such as Ta, Nb, Zr and Hf) anomalies on the normalized trace element diagram and show uniform (87Sr/86Sr)i (0.7066–0.7076), εNd(t) (−2.50 to −4.04) and εHf(t) (+1.50 to +7.50). Their geochemical compositions are different from coeval (40–30 Ma) adakite-like rocks but comparable to coeval mafic enclaves and gabbros. We propose that Mingze monzodiorites were derived from partial melting of the lithospheric mantle, which previously metasomatized by the subducted Indian continental plate that probably subducted into the overlying mantle. The concurrency of the genetically related mafic enclaves and associated intermediate to mafic rocks implies the heterogeneity of the Lhasa lower crust.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Pregnancy—The Case for a Target Omega-3 Index
Authors: von Schacky Clemens
Published: March 2020

Scientific societies recommend increasing intake of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) by 200 mg/day during pregnancy. However, individually, clinical events correlate quite strongly with levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA in blood, but these levels poorly correlate with amounts ingested. EPA and DHA in erythrocytes (Omega-3 Index) have a low biologic variability. If analyzed with a standardized analytical procedure (HS-Omega-3 Index®), analytical variability is low. Thus, the largest database of any fatty acid analytical method was provided. Pregnant women in Germany had a mean Omega-3 Index below the target range suggested for cardiovascular disease of 8–11%, with large interindividual variation, and quite independent of supplementation with EPA and DHA. In Germany, premature birth is a major health issue. Premature birth and other health issues of pregnant women and their offspring correlate with levels of EPA and DHA in blood and can be reduced by increasing intake of EPA and DHA, according to individual trials and pertinent meta-analyses. Very high intake or levels of EPA and DHA may also produce health issues, like bleeding, prolonged gestation, or even premature birth. While direct evidence remains to be generated, evidence from various scientific approaches supports that the target range for the Omega-3 Index of 8–11% might also pertain to pregnancy and lactation.