bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effectiveness of Semi-Automated and Fully Automatic Segmentation for Inferior Alveolar Canal Localization on CBCT Scans: A Systematic Review
Authors: Issa Julien , Olszewski Raphael , Dyszkiewicz-Konwińska Marta
Published: January 2022

This systematic review aims to identify the available semi-automatic and fully automatic algorithms for inferior alveolar canal localization as well as to present their diagnostic accuracy. Articles related to inferior alveolar nerve/canal localization using methods based on artificial intelligence (semi-automated and fully automated) were collected electronically from five different databases (PubMed, Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane, and Scopus). Two independent reviewers screened the titles and abstracts of the collected data, stored in EndnoteX7, against the inclusion criteria. Afterward, the included articles have been critically appraised to assess the quality of the studies using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2 (QUADAS-2) tool. Seven studies were included following the deduplication and screening against exclusion criteria of the 990 initially collected articles. In total, 1288 human cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were investigated for inferior alveolar canal localization using different algorithms and compared to the results obtained from manual tracing executed by experts in the field. The reported values for diagnostic accuracy of the used algorithms were extracted. A wide range of testing measures was implemented in the analyzed studies, while some of the expected indexes were still missing in the results. Future studies should consider the new artificial intelligence guidelines to ensure proper methodology, reporting, results, and validation.
Behavioral and Emotional Problems of Prisoners’ Children Based on the Children’s Self-Report
Authors: Domżalska Aneta , Skowroński Bartłomiej , Wolańczyk Tomasz
Published: January 2022

The aim of the analyses was to investigate the relations between parental incarceration and the levels of behavioral and emotional problems in children of fathers serving prison sentences, based on the children’s self-report. We tested a criterion group and two control groups. The criterion group consisted of children whose fathers were in prison. The children in control group I were from complete families; the level of problem behaviors in these families and the level of psychological resiliency in these children were similar to the respective levels in the criterion group. Finally, control group II consisted of children whose fathers were not in prison; problem behaviors in their families were basically absent or slight, and their level of resiliency was significantly higher compared to prisoners’ children and control group I. Prisoners’ children exhibited a higher level of emotional and behavioral problems than children from families in which the father was not serving a prison sentence and in which the level of dysfunctions was low. As regards prisoners’ children compared to their peers with a similar level of resiliency and a similar level of problem behavior in the family, statistically significant differences were found only in a few categories of emotional and behavioral problems. Parental incarceration proved to be an additional factor increasing the level of behavioral and emotional problems in children and adolescents—particularly girls—whose fathers were imprisoned.
Inter- and Intra-Individual Variability of Personal Health Risk of Combined Particle and Gaseous Pollutants across Selected Urban Microenvironments
Authors: Hossain Shakhaoat , Che Wenwei , Lau Alexis Kai-Hon
Published: January 2022

Exposure surrogates, such as air quality measured at a fixed-site monitor (FSM) or residence, are typically used for health estimates. However, people spend various amounts of time in different microenvironments, including the home, office, outdoors and in transit, where they are exposed to different magnitudes of particle and gaseous air pollutants. Health risks caused by air pollution exposure differ among individuals due to differences in activity, microenvironmental concentration, as well as the toxicity of pollutants. We evaluated individual and combined added health risks (AR) of exposure to PM2.5, NO2, and O3 for 21 participants in their daily life based on real-world personal exposure measurements. Exposure errors from using surrogates were quantified. Inter- and intra-individual variability in health risks and key contributors in variations were investigated using linear mixed-effects models and correlation analysis, respectively. Substantial errors were found between personal exposure concentrations and ambient concentrations when using air quality measurements at either FSM or the residence location. The mean exposure errors based on the measurements taken at either the FSM or residence as exposure surrogates was higher for NO2 than PM2.5, because of the larger spatial variability in NO2 concentrations in urban areas. The daily time-integrated AR for the combined PM2.5, NO2, and O3 (TIARcombine) ranged by a factor of 2.5 among participants and by a factor up to 2.5 for a given person across measured days. Inter- and intra-individual variability in TIARcombine is almost equally important. Several factors were identified to be significantly correlated with daily TIARcombine, with the top five factors, including PM2.5, NO2 and O3 concentrations at ‘home indoor’, O3 concentrations at ‘office indoor’ and ambient PM2.5 concentrations. The results on the contributors of variability in the daily TIARcombine could help in targeting interventions to reduce daily health damage related to air pollutants.
A Multiple Stakeholder Perspective on the Drivers and Barriers for the Implementation of Lifestyle Monitoring Using Infrared Sensors to Record Movements for Vulnerable Older Adults Living Alone at Home: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Braspenning Anna M. , Cranen Karlijn , Snaphaan Liselore J. A. E. , Wouters Eveline J. M.
Published: January 2022

A variety of technologies classified as lifestyle monitoring (LM) allows, by unobtrusive monitoring, for supporting of living alone at home of vulnerable older adults, especially persons with neurocognitive disorders such as dementia. It can detect health deterioration, facilitate early intervention, and possibly help people avoid hospital admission. However, for LM to redeem its intended effects, it is important to be adopted by involved stakeholders such as informal and formal caregivers and care managers. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study is to understand factors that drive or impede successful implementation of LM for vulnerable older adults, specifically using infrared sensors to record movements, studied from a multiple stakeholder perspective. An open coding process was used to identify key themes of the implementation process. Data were arranged according to a thematic framework based on the normalization process theory (NPT). All stakeholders agreed that LM could lead to various health benefits for older adults using LM. However, some did not perceive the LM system to be cost-efficient and expressed a need for more flexible health care structures for LM to be successfully implemented. All stakeholders acknowledged the fact that LM requires a transition of care and responsibilities, a clear eligibility strategy for clients, and a clear ambassador strategy for health care professionals, as well as reliable technology. This study highlights the complex nature of implementing LM and suggests the need for alignment within constructs of the NPT among stakeholders about new ways of collaboration in supporting living alone at home.
The Association of Smartphone Usage Duration with Physical Fitness among Chinese University Students
Authors: Li Wang , Cui Yufei , Gong Qiang , Huang Cong , Guo Feng
Published: January 2022

Background: The use of smartphones has become increasingly prevalent in recent years, especially among the youth. However, smartphone overuse has been reported to be related to several negative mental and physical health outcomes. Although the association between smartphone use and physical fitness has been investigated in several studies, these studies only focused on specific elements of physical fitness, such as grip strength. In addition, evidence on young adults is limited. Thus, this study aimed to examine the association between the duration of smartphone use and physical fitness among Chinese university students. Methods: A total of 11,242 university students volunteered to participate in the study. The duration of smartphone use was assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Physical fitness tests consisted of a 50-m sprint and vital capacity tests for both sexes, a 1000-m run and pull-up test for male students, and an 800-m run and sit-up test for female students. Results: The duration of smartphone use among the participants was 5.4 h/day for male students and 6.1 h/day for female students on average. After adjusting for confounding factors, in male students, a long duration of smartphone use was significantly associated with a slow 50 m sprint and 1000 m run time, lower pull-up times, and poor vital capacity (p = 0.004, 0.002, 0.002 and 0.040, respectively). In female students, a long duration of smartphone use was associated with a slow 800 m run time (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study found that longer duration of smartphone use was associated with lower physical fitness among Chinese university students. The duration of smartphone use may be an influencing factor for physical fitness.
Integrated Genomic and Bioinformatics Approaches to Identify Molecular Links between Endocrine Disruptors and Adverse Outcomes
Authors: Verga Jacopo Umberto , Huff Matthew , Owens Diarmuid , Wolf Bethany J. , Hardiman Gary
Published: January 2022

Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDC) has been linked with several adverse outcomes. In this review, we examine EDCs that are pervasive in the environment and are of concern in the context of human, animal, and environmental health. We explore the consequences of EDC exposure on aquatic life, terrestrial animals, and humans. We focus on the exploitation of genomics technologies and in particular whole transcriptome sequencing. Genome-wide analyses using RNAseq provides snap shots of cellular, tissue and whole organism transcriptomes under normal physiological and EDC perturbed conditions. A global view of gene expression provides highly valuable information as it uncovers gene families or more specifically, pathways that are affected by EDC exposures, but also reveals those that are unaffected. Hypotheses about genes with unknown functions can also be formed by comparison of their expression levels with genes of known function. Risk assessment strategies leveraging genomic technologies and the development of toxicology databases are explored. Finally, we review how the Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) has exploited this high throughput data to provide a framework for toxicology studies.
Intervention of an Upgraded Ventilation System and Effects of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Air Quality at Birmingham New Street Railway Station
Authors: Clegg Matt , Thornes John Edward , Banerjee Debasree , Mitsakou Christina , Quaiyoom Azhar , Delgado-Saborit Juana Maria , Phalkey Revati
Published: January 2022

High NO2 concentrations (long term average of 383 µg/m3 in 2016/2017) recorded at Birmingham New Street railway station have resulted in the upgrade of the bi-directional fan system to aid wind dispersion within the enclosed platform environment. This paper attempts to examine how successful this intervention has been in improving air quality for both passengers and workers within the station. New air pollution data in 2020 has enabled comparisons to the 2016/2017 monitoring campaign revealing a 23–42% decrease in measured NO2 concentrations. The new levels of NO2 are below the Occupational Health standards but still well above the EU Public Health Standards. This reduction, together with a substantial decrease (up to 81%) in measured Particulate Matter (PM) concentrations, can most likely be attributed to the new fan system effectiveness. Carbon Monoxide levels were well below Occupational and Public Health Standards at all times. The COVID-19 pandemic “initial lockdown” period has also allowed an insight into the resultant air quality at lower rail-traffic intensities, which produced a further reduction in air pollutants, to roughly half the pre-lockdown concentrations. This study shows the scope of improvement that can be achieved through an engineering solution implemented to improve the ventilation system of an enclosed railway station. Further reduction in air pollution would require additional approaches, such as the removal of diesel engine exhaust emissions via the adoption of electric or diesel-electric hybrid powered services.
The Study of Emotional Effects of Digitalised Work: The Case of Higher Education in the Sustainable Development
Authors: Staniec Iwona , Kaczorowska-Spychalska Dominika , Kalinska-Kula Magdalena , Szczygiel Nina
Published: January 2022

This paper reports on the experiences of working with new digital tools along with the experience of new remote work. We explore the emotional experiences of working from home during the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic and their implications. There were two groups of respondents participating in the study, those who had experience working remotely before the pandemic [digital natives] and those who started working remotely during the pandemic [digital immigrants]. The results show that emotional experiences while working from home do not differ depending on the profession, age, gender, length of experience and from previous remote work. This suggests that the digital natives had to deal with the same emotions as the digital immigrants. The study found that independent external changes determine the growth of competence in employees, in this particular case, to work remotely. Working in conditions that are difficult for everyone obliges employees to cooperate, even across company boundaries, and increases each other’s competencies. In such situations, the management is required to be emotionally involved and closer to the employee.
Social Media Tools for the Development of Pre-Service Health Sciences Researchers during COVID-19 in Pakistan
Authors: Asghar Muhammad Zaheer , Arif Seema , Iqbal Javed , Seitamaa-Hakkarainen Pirita
Published: January 2022

The development of health sciences researchers has immense significance during a pandemic to control, manage, and prevent future outbreaks of the disease. This study focused on the use of social media tools (SMT) among pre-service health sciences researchers to complement their research competencies (RCT) and research completion levels (RC) during COVID-19. This study used the Vitae research development framework (RDF) to measure research competencies as a mediator between the use of social media tools and research completion levels among post-graduate health sciences students. A cross-section survey research approach was adopted to collect data from the post-graduate students (n = 410) enrolled in health sciences departments at universities in Pakistan. The SmartPLS 3.3.8 software was used to analyze data through Partial least square structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM). The results revealed that different social media tools such as communication, information management, and multimedia have a direct influence on the research competencies of the pre-service researchers and have an indirect effect on the research completion levels. Health sciences institutions may devise social-media-based instructional strategies to develop post-graduate students’ research competencies, such as personal effectiveness, research governance, and research engagement, to help them compile their research and complete their degree program in time during an emergency.
Strengthening the Health System as a Strategy to Achieving a Universal Health Coverage in Underprivileged Communities in Africa: A Scoping Review
Authors: Jaca Anelisa , Malinga Thobile , Iwu-Jaja Chinwe Juliana , Nnaji Chukwudi Arnest , Okeibunor Joseph Chukwudi , Kamuya Dorcas , Wiysonge Charles Shey
Published: January 2022

Universal health coverage (UHC) is defined as people having access to quality healthcare services (e.g., treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care) they need, irrespective of their financial status. Access to quality healthcare services continues to be a challenge for many people in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The aim of this study was to conduct a scoping review to map out the health system strengthening strategies that can be used to attain universal health coverage in Africa. We conducted a scoping review and qualitatively synthesized existing evidence from studies carried out in Africa. We included studies that reported interventions to strengthen the health system, e.g., financial support, increasing work force, improving leadership capacity in health facilities, and developing and upgrading infrastructure of primary healthcare facilities. Outcome measures included health facility infrastructures, access to medicines, and sources of financial support. A total of 34 studies conducted met our inclusion criteria. Health financing and developing health infrastructure were the most reported interventions toward achieving UHC. Our results suggest that strengthening the health system, namely, through health financing, developing, and improving the health infrastructure, can play an important role in reaching UHC in the African context.
Mapping Problematic Drinking Trends over Time in Urban, Semi-Urban, and Rural Populations
Authors: Bozic Stefan , Vicendese Don , Livingston Michael , Erbas Bircan
Published: January 2022

Current alcohol public health policy in Australia is not uniform but is generally focused on restricting access and early prevention of problematic alcohol use. Semi-urban and rural populations are at greater risk of disease and other poor health outcomes due to a variety of factors. Little is known about problematic drinking patterns over time in semi-urban and rural populations. This study aims to assess patterns of problematic drinking defined as both long-term risky and heavy episodic drinking over time by age, sex, and mental health status among urban, semi-urban and rural populations). Four waves (2004 to 2016) of the Australian NDSHS (National Drug Strategy Household Survey) were analyzed to assess problematic drinking of participants over 18 years of age. We used regression models and predictive margins to identify trends in problematic drinking over time based on age, sex, and mental health status. Our results show young adults across all regions, males, and mentally well individuals in urban areas have reductions in the risk of problematic drinking over time. Middle-aged adults across all regions, females, and those with varying mental health presentations in rural areas have some increases in risk of problematic drinking over time. The general conclusion is that targeted alcohol-related public health policy may need to change and focus on females, middle-aged individuals, and those living in rural areas. Programs to support problematic drinking in people with mental health disorders may also need to be a priority.
Enhancing Public Participation in Public Health Offerings: Patient Preferences for Facilities in the Western Cape Province Using a Discrete Choice Experiment
Authors: Chiwire Plaxcedes , Beaudart Charlotte , Evers Silvia M. , Mahomed Hassan , Hiligsmann Mickaël
Published: January 2022

Understanding patients’ preferences for health facilities could help decision makers in designing patient-centered services. Therefore, this study aims to understand how patients’ willingness to trade for certain attributes affects the choice of public health facilities in the Western Cape province of Cape Town, South Africa. A discrete choice experiment was conducted in two community day centers (CDCs). Patients repetitively chose between two hypothetical health facilities that differed in six attributes: distance to facility, treatment by doctors vs. nurses, confidentiality during treatment, availability of medication, first visit (drop-in) waiting times, and appointment waiting times. The sample consisted of 463 participants. The findings showed that availability of medication (50.5%), appointment waiting times (19.5%), and first visit waiting times (10.2%) were the most important factors for patients when choosing a health facility. In addition, respondents preferred shorter appointment and first visit waiting times (<2 h). These results identified important characteristics in choosing public health facilities in Cape Town. These public health facilities could be improved by including patient voices to inform operational and policy decisions in a low-income setting.
Abdominal Aortic Screening Is a Priority for Health in Smoker Males: A Study on Central Italian Population
Authors: Altobelli Emma , Gianfelice Filippo , Angeletti Paolo Matteo , Petrocelli Reimondo
Published: January 2022

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a major public health problem. In the last decade, in some European countries, abdominal aortic screening (AAS) is emerging as a potential prevention for the rupture of AAA. The goals of our study were to estimate AAA prevalence and risk factors in males and females in a central Italian population, also defining the cost-effectiveness of AAS programs. A pilot study screening was conducted between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2019 in the municipality of Teramo (Abruzzo Region, Italy) in a group of men and women, ranging from the age of 65 to 79, who were not previously operated on for AAA. The ultrasound was performed by means of Acuson sequoia 512 Simens with a Convex probe. The anterior posterior of the infra-renal aorta was evaluated. The odds ratio values (ORs) were used to evaluate the risk of AAA, and the following determinants were taken into consideration: gender, smoke use, hypertension, and ischemic heart disease. We also estimated the direct costs coming from aneurysmectomy (surgical repair or endovascular aneurysms repair—EVAR). A total of 62 AAA (2.7%, mean age 73.8 ± 4.0) were diagnosed, of which 57 were in men (3.7%, mean age 73.6 ± 4.0) and 5 were in women (0.7%, mean age 74.3 ± 4.1). Male gender and smoke use are more important risk factors for AAA ≥ 3 cm, respectively: OR = 5.94 (2.37–14.99, p < 0.001) and OR = 5.21 (2.63–10.30, p < 0.000). A significant increase in OR was noted for AAA ≥ 3 cm and cardiac arrhythmia and ischemic heart disease, respectively: OR = 2.81 (1.53–5.15, p < 0.000) and OR = 2.76 (1.40–5.43, p = 0.006). Regarding the cost analysis, it appears that screening has contributed to the reduction in costs related to urgency. In fact, the synthetic indicator given by the ratio between the DRGs (disease related group) relating to the emergency and those of the elective activity went from 1.69 in the year prior to the activation of the screening to a median of 0.39 for the five-year period of activation of the screening. It is important to underline that the results of our work confirm that the screening activated in our territory has led to a reduction in the expenditure for AAA emergency interventions, having increased the planned interventions. This must be a warning for local stakeholders, especially in the post-pandemic period, in order to strengthen prevention.
Acceptance of Digital Sports: A Study Showing the Rising Acceptance of Digital Health Activities Due to the SARS-CoV-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ruth Jacqueline , Willwacher Steffen , Korn Oliver
Published: January 2022

In pandemic times, the possibilities for conventional sports activities are severely limited; many sports facilities are closed or can only be used with restrictions. To counteract this lack of health activities and social exchange, people are increasingly adopting new digital sports solutions—a behavior change that had already started with the trend towards fitness apps and activity trackers. Existing research suggests that digital solutions increase the motivation to move and stay active. This work further investigates the potentials of digital sports incorporating the dimensions gender and preference for team sports versus individual sports. The study focuses on potential users, who were mostly younger professionals and academics. The results show that the SARS-CoV-19 pandemic had a significant negative impact on sports activity, particularly on persons preferring team sports. To compensate, most participants use more digital sports than before, and there is a positive correlation between the time spent physically active during the pandemic and the increase in motivation through digital sports. Nevertheless, there is still considerable skepticism regarding the potential of digital sports solutions to increase the motivation to do sports, increase performance, or raise a sense of team spirit when done in groups.
Fear, Efficacy, and Environmental Health Risk Reporting: Complex Responses to Water Quality Test Results in Low-Income Communities
Authors: Nowicki Saskia , Bukachi Salome A. , Hoque Sonia F. , Katuva Jacob , Musyoka Mercy M. , Sammy Mary M. , Mwaniki Martin , Omia Dalmas O. , Wambua Faith , Charles Katrina J.
Published: January 2022

Reducing disease from unsafe drinking-water is a key environmental health objective in rural Sub-Saharan Africa, where water management is largely community-based. The effectiveness of environmental health risk reporting to motivate sustained behaviour change is contested but as efforts to increase rural drinking-water monitoring proceed, it is timely to ask how water quality information feedback can improve water safety management. Using cross-sectional (1457 households) and longitudinal (167 participants) surveys, semi-structured interviews (73 participants), and water quality monitoring (79 sites), we assess water safety perceptions and evaluate an information intervention through which Escherichia coli monitoring results were shared with water managers over a 1.5-year period in rural Kitui County, Kenya. We integrate the extended parallel process model and the precaution adoption process model to frame risk information processing and stages of behaviour change. We highlight that responses to risk communications are determined by the specificity, framing, and repetition of messaging and the self-efficacy of information recipients. Poverty threatscapes and gender norms hinder behaviour change, particularly at the household-level; however, test results can motivate supply-level managers to implement hazard control measures—with effectiveness and sustainability dependent on infrastructure, training, and ongoing resourcing. Our results have implications for rural development efforts and environmental risk reporting in low-income settings.
The Psychosocial Burden of Families with Childhood Blood Cancer
Authors: Borrescio-Higa Florencia , Valdés Nieves
Published: January 2022

Cancer is the second leading cause of death for children, and leukemias are the most common pediatric cancer diagnoses in Chile. Childhood cancer is a traumatic experience and is associated with distress, pain, and other negative experiences for patients and their families. Thus, psychosocial costs represent a large part of the overall burden of cancer. This study examines psychosocial experiences in a sample of 90 families of children with blood-related cancer in Chile. We provide a global overview of the family experience, focusing on patients, caregivers, and siblings. We find that most families report a negative impact upon diagnosis; disruptions in family dynamics; a range of negative feelings of the patient, such as depression, discouragement, and irritability; and difficulty with social lives. Additionally, they report negative effects in the relationship between the siblings of the patient and their parents, and within their caregivers’ spouse/partner relationship, as well as a worsening of the economic condition of the primary caregiver. Furthermore, over half of the families in the sample had to move due to diagnosis and/or treatment. Promoting interventions that can help patients, siblings, and parents cope with distress and promote resilience and well-being are important.
Influence of Different Cooking Methods on Fillet Steak Physicochemical Characteristics
Authors: Borela Vinícius Lopes , de Alencar Ernandes Rodrigues , Mendonça Marcio Antônio , Han Heesup , Raposo António , Ariza-Montes Antonio , Araya-Castillo Luis , Zandonadi Renata Puppin
Published: January 2022

Meat is a source of protein widely consumed by the population in many countries due mainly to the nutritional aspects, sensory characteristics, and cultural aspects. The meat cooking preparation can promote significant changes in the meat’s chemical composition and physical characteristics. Such transformations can impact both the acceptance of the product and consumers’ health. Due to the different thermal processes altering the physical-chemical characteristics of meat, the present study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of fillet steak submitted to different cooking methods: pan-frying with and without oil and air fryer. We performed the analysis to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics considering moisture, lipid, protein, ash, sodium, and potassium content, cooking loss index and colorimetry in three degrees of doneness of the meat, rare, medium, and well done. The fillet steak prepared by pan-frying with oil lost higher moisture and weight than the other samples. The air fryer method presented the highest moisture content. There was a significant difference in lipid content in which the pan-frying with oil fillet steak showed the highest amount of lipids. The pan-frying with oil steak fillet also presented more changes in the colorimetric parameters evaluated compared to the other samples. The pan-frying with oil cooking method promoted more pronounced changes in the steak fillet, and the cooking air fryer, the changes in meat quality are less pronounced. Therefore, the air fryer can be considered a good alternative for cooking meat.
Self-Criticism in In-Work Poverty: The Mediating Role of Social Support in the Era of Flexibility
Authors: Llosa José Antonio , Agulló-Tomás Esteban , Menéndez-Espina Sara , Rivero-Díaz María Luz , Iglesias-Martínez Enrique
Published: January 2022

In-work poverty reflects situations of income below the poverty threshold among employed people, involving a deterioration of wellbeing. The International Labour Organization prioritises this situation, which in countries such as Spain, Germany or Italy reaches rates of 11.8%, 10.6% and 11.8%, respectively. Within a context of flexibility, the occupational situation tends to be understood as an individual responsibility, which is why this study analyses the increase in self-criticism in these situations, and the role of social support in this relationship. The mediation of social support in the manifestation of self-criticism among people experiencing in-work poverty is analysed. The participants were 1430 employed people, grouped into those in a situation of poverty and those who are not. The results show that people in a situation of in-work poverty present a higher score in self-criticism and lower in social support. Social support is a mediating variable that prevents the manifestation of self-criticism. Lastly, a gender analysis shows that women experience this relationship more intensely. These findings enable a critical assessment of the activation policies that only take an individual approach. As an alternative, we propose strengthening interventions that foster social support, particularly among women.
Mild Hydrothermal Synthesis of 11Å-TA from Alumina Extracted Coal Fly Ash and Its Application in Water Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions (Cu(II) and Pb(II))
Authors: Yang Jingjie , Sun Hongjuan , Peng Tongjiang , Zeng Li , Zhou Xin
Published: January 2022

Non-biodegradable copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) contaminants in water are highly toxic and have series adverse effects. Therefore, it is very important to extract heavy metals from wastewater before it is discharged into the environment. Adsorption is a cost-effective alternative method for wastewater treatment. Choosing a low-cost adsorbent can help reduce the cost of adsorption. In this study, conversion of reside after extracting aluminum (REA) produced by sub-molten salt method transform high-alumina coal fly ash (CFA) into 11Å-tobermorite to adsorb Cu(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solutions at room temperature. The synthesis of the adsorbent was confirmed using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method surface analysis. To study the adsorption characteristics, factors such as initial Cu(II) and Pb(II) concentration, pH, contact time, adsorption characteristics and temperature were investigated in batch mode. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) and Pb(II) was 177.1 mg·g−1 and 176.2 mg·g−1, respectively. The Langmuir adsorption model was employed to better describe the isothermal adsorption behavior and confirm the monolayer adsorption phenomenon. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was used to highlight Cu(II) and Pb(II) adsorption kinetics. Thermodynamic analysis indicated the removal Cu(II) and Pb(II) by TA-adsorbent was a nonspontaneous and exothermic reaction. The obtained results are of great significance to the conversion of industrial waste to low-cost adsorbent for Cu(II) and Pb(II) removal from water.
Dose–Response Relationship between High-Fidelity Simulation and Intensive Care Nursing Students’ Learning Outcomes: An Italian Multimethod Study
Authors: Dante Angelo , La Cerra Carmen , Caponnetto Valeria , Masotta Vittorio , Marcotullio Alessia , Bertocchi Luca , Ferraiuolo Fabio , Petrucci Cristina , Lancia Loreto
Published: January 2022

Background: The best application modality of high-fidelity simulation in graduate critical care nursing courses is still rarely investigated in nursing research. This is an important issue since advanced nursing skills are necessary to effectively respond to critically ill patients’ care needs. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of a modified teaching model based on multiple exposures to high-fidelity simulations on both the learning outcomes and the perceptions of graduate students enrolled in a critical care nursing course. Methods: A multimethod study involving a sample of graduate critical care nursing students was conducted. A theoretical teaching model focused on multiple exposures to high-fidelity simulations is currently applied as a teaching method in an Italian critical care nursing course. According to the Kirkpatrick model for evaluating training programs, the performance, self-efficacy, and self-confidence in managing critically ill patients were considered learning outcomes, while satisfaction with learning and students’ lived experiences during the experimental phases were considered students’ perceptions. Results: Multiple exposures to high-fidelity simulations significantly improved performance, self-efficacy, and self-confidence in managing virtual critically ill patients’ care needs. The satisfaction level was high, while lived experiences of participants were positive and allowed for better explanation of quantitative results of this study. Conclusions: Multiple exposures to high-fidelity simulations can be considered a valuable teaching method that can improve the learning outcomes of graduate nurses enrolled in an intensive care course.
Profile of Environmental Chemicals in the Korean Population—Results of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) Cycle 3, 2015–2017
Authors: Jung Sun Kyoung , Choi Wookhee , Kim Sung Yeon , Hong Sooyeon , Jeon Hye Li , Joo Youngkyung , Lee Chulwoo , Choi Kyungho , Kim Sungkyoon , Lee Kee-Jae , Yoo Jiyoung
Published: January 2022

The Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) program provides useful information on chemical exposure, serves as the basis for environmental health policies, and suggests appropriate measures to protect public health. Initiated on a three-year cycle in 2009, it reports the concentrations of major environmental chemicals among the representative Korean population. KoNEHS Cycle 3 introduced children and adolescents into the analysis, where the blood and urine samples of 6167 participants were measured for major metals, phthalates, phenolics, and other organic compounds. Lead, mercury, cadmium, metabolites of DEHP and DnBP, and 3-phenoxybenzoic acid levels of the Korean adult population tended to decrease compared to previous survey cycles but remained higher than those observed in the US or Canada. Both bisphenol A (BPA) and trans,trans-muconic acid concentrations have increased over time. Heavy metal concentrations (blood lead, and cadmium) in children and adolescents were approximately half that of adults, while some organic substances (e.g., phthalates and BPA) were high. BPA showed higher levels than in the US or Canada, whereas BPF and BPS showed lower detection rates in this cycle; however, as these are increasingly used as a substitute for BPA, further research is necessary. As environmental chemicals may affect childhood health and development, additional analyses should assess exposure sources and routes through continuous observations.
Cannabis Stocks Returns: The Role of Liquidity and Investors’ Attention via Google Metrics
Authors: Papadamou Stephanos , Koulis Alexandros , Kyriakopoulos Constantinos , Fassas Athanasios P.
Published: January 2022

This paper studies one of the most popular investment themes over recent years, investing in the cannabis industry. In particular, it investigates relationships between investor attention, as proxied by Google Trends, and stock market activities, i.e., return, volatility, and liquidity. To this end, in the empirical analysis we study how liquidity and investors’ attention affect the return dynamics of an investment in cannabis stocks by augmenting the three-factor Fama–French model. In addition, we use a vector autoregressive approach and the impulse response function to measure shock transmission between the variables under consideration. Our empirical findings show that there is a statistically positive relationship between cannabis stock returns and liquidity. We also find that increased investors’ attention results in higher returns.
Encoding Conversion Algorithm of Quaternary Triangular Mesh
Authors: Chen Yihang , Cao Zening , Wang Jinxin , Shi Yan , Qin Zilong
Published: January 2022

In the process of global information construction, different fields have built their own discrete global grid systems (DGGS). With the development of big data technology, data exchange, integration, and update have gradually become a trend, as well as the associative integration of different DGGS. Due to the heterogeneity of DGGS and the different encoding rules, how to build the encoding conversion rules and data mapping relationship between the same object in various DGGS is an effective support and key technology to achieve the interoperability of DGGS. As a kind of multipurpose DGGS, the quaternary triangular mesh (QTM) has become an effective spatial framework for constructing the digital earth because of its simple structure. At present, there are many schemes for QTM encoding research, which plays a key role in the development of QTM, but at the same time, it also leads to difficulties in the communication and integration of QTM under different encoding. In order to solve this problem, we explore the characteristics of QTM encoding, and put forward three conversion algorithms: resampling conversion algorithm, hierarchical conversion algorithm, and row–column conversion algorithm.
Affinity and Specificity for Binding to Glycosaminoglycans Can Be Tuned by Adapting Peptide Length and Sequence
Authors: Crijns Helena , Adyns Lowie , Ganseman Eva , Cambier Seppe , Vandekerckhove Eline , Pörtner Noëmie , Vanbrabant Lotte , Struyf Sofie , Gerlza Tanja , Kungl Andreas , Proost Paul
Published: January 2022

Although glycosaminoglycan (GAG)–protein interactions are important in many physiological and pathological processes, the structural requirements for binding are poorly defined. Starting with GAG-binding peptide CXCL9(74-103), peptides were designed to elucidate the contribution to the GAG-binding affinity of different: (1) GAG-binding motifs (i.e., BBXB and BBBXXB); (2) amino acids in GAG-binding motifs and linker sequences; and (3) numbers of GAG-binding motifs. The affinity of eight chemically synthesized peptides for various GAGs was determined by isothermal fluorescence titration (IFT). Moreover, the binding of peptides to cellular GAGs on Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells was assessed using flow cytometry with and without soluble GAGs. The repetition of GAG-binding motifs in the peptides contributed to a higher affinity for heparan sulfate (HS) in the IFT measurements. Furthermore, the presence of Gln residues in both GAG-binding motifs and linker sequences increased the affinity of trimer peptides for low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), partially desulfated (ds)LMWH and HS, but not for hyaluronic acid. In addition, the peptides bound to cellular GAGs with differential affinity, and the addition of soluble HS or heparin reduced the binding of CXCL9(74-103) to cellular GAGs. These results indicate that the affinity and specificity of peptides for GAGs can be tuned by adapting their amino acid sequence and their number of GAG-binding motifs.
TGF-β1 Potentiates the Cytotoxicity of Cadmium by Induction of a Metal Transporter, ZIP8, Mediated by the ALK5-Smad2/3 and ALK5-Smad3-p38 MAPK Signal Pathways in Cultured Vascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Ito Keisuke , Fujie Tomoya , Shimomura Masahiro , Nakano Tsuyoshi , Yamamoto Chika , Kaji Toshiyuki
Published: January 2022

Vascular endothelial cells cover the luminal surface of blood vessels in a monolayer and play a role in the regulation of vascular functions, such as the blood coagulation-fibrinolytic system. When the monolayer is severely or repeatedly injured, platelets aggregate at the damaged site and release transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in large quantities from their α-granules. Cadmium is a heavy metal that is toxic to various organs, including the kidneys, bones, liver, and blood vessels. Our previous study showed that the expression level of Zrt/Irt-related protein 8 (ZIP8), a metal transporter that transports cadmium from the extracellular fluid into the cytosol, is a crucial factor in determining the sensitivity of vascular endothelial cells to cadmium cytotoxicity. In the present study, TGF-β1 was discovered to potentiate cadmium-induced cytotoxicity by increasing the intracellular accumulation of cadmium in cells. Additionally, TGF-β1 induced the expression of ZIP8 via the activin receptor-like kinase 5-Smad2/3 signaling pathways; Smad3-mediated induction of ZIP8 was associated with or without p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). These results suggest that the cytotoxicity of cadmium to vascular endothelial cells increases when damaged endothelial monolayers that are highly exposed to TGF-β1 are repaired.
Pulsed Electric Fields Alter Expression of NF-κB Promoter-Controlled Gene
Authors: Kavaliauskaitė Justina , Kazlauskaitė Auksė , Lazutka Juozas Rimantas , Mozolevskis Gatis , Stirkė Arūnas
Published: January 2022

The possibility to artificially adjust and fine-tune gene expression is one of the key milestones in bioengineering, synthetic biology, and advanced medicine. Since the effects of proteins or other transgene products depend on the dosage, controlled gene expression is required for any applications, where even slight fluctuations of the transgene product impact its function or other critical cell parameters. In this context, physical techniques demonstrate optimistic perspectives, and pulsed electric field technology is a potential candidate for a noninvasive, biophysical gene regulator, exploiting an easily adjustable pulse generating device. We exposed mammalian cells, transfected with a NF-κB pathway-controlled transcription system, to a range of microsecond-duration pulsed electric field parameters. To prevent toxicity, we used protocols that would generate relatively mild physical stimulation. The present study, for the first time, proves the principle that microsecond-duration pulsed electric fields can alter single-gene expression in plasmid context in mammalian cells without significant damage to cell integrity or viability. Gene expression might be upregulated or downregulated depending on the cell line and parameters applied. This noninvasive, ligand-, cofactor-, nanoparticle-free approach enables easily controlled direct electrostimulation of the construct carrying the gene of interest; the discovery may contribute towards the path of simplification of the complexity of physical systems in gene regulation and create further synergies between electronics, synthetic biology, and medicine.
Depletion of Retinal Dopaminergic Activity in a Mouse Model of Rod Dysfunction Exacerbates Experimental Autoimmune Uveoretinitis: A Role for the Gateway Reflex
Authors: Stofkova Andrea , Zloh Miloslav , Andreanska Dominika , Fiserova Ivana , Kubovciak Jan , Hejda Jan , Kutilek Patrik , Murakami Masaaki
Published: January 2022

The gateway reflex is a mechanism by which neural inputs regulate chemokine expression at endothelial cell barriers, thereby establishing gateways for the invasion of autoreactive T cells into barrier-protected tissues. In this study, we hypothesized that rod photoreceptor dysfunction causes remodeling of retinal neural activity, which influences the blood–retinal barrier and the development of retinal inflammation. We evaluated this hypothesis using Gnat1rd17 mice, a model of night blindness with late-onset rod-cone dystrophy, and experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU). Retinal remodeling and its effect on EAU development were investigated by transcriptome profiling, target identification, and functional validation. We showed that Gnat1rd17 mice primarily underwent alterations in their retinal dopaminergic system, triggering the development of an exacerbated EAU, which was counteracted by dopamine replacement with L-DOPA administered either systemically or locally. Remarkably, dopamine acted on retinal endothelial cells to inhibit NF-κB and STAT3 activity and the expression of downstream target genes such as chemokines involved in T cell recruitment. These results suggest that rod-mediated dopamine release functions in a gateway reflex manner in the homeostatic control of immune cell entry into the retina, and the loss of retinal dopaminergic activity in conditions associated with rod dysfunction increases the susceptibility to autoimmune uveitis.
Active Student Learning through Gamification in a Learning Management System
Authors: Handayani Putu Wuri , Raharjo Satrio Raffani , Putra Panca Hadi
Published: January 2022

E-learning through a learning management system (LMS) is expected to be a solution to the needs of distance learning, especially during a pandemic situation. However, learning through an LMS can lead to a lack of focus, reduced classroom efficiency, and a feeling of boredom for the user. One solution to this problem is to use gamification (e.g., rankings or points, badges, and leaderboards) to enhance active learning. This study uses a mixed-methods approach and data from weekly reviews and forum discussions, questionnaires, and data students’ interviews to assess the implementation of gamification elements in an LMS. The data from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and the data from student interviews were analyzed using general inductive analysis. The results show that gamification in an LMS had a positive influence on active learning. The students have also provided positive feedback on the rated weekly review activity. The badges and leaderboard were also positively accepted by most students. Awarding points for activities was also found to improve students’ performance in class. Badges were found to increase students’ active participation, and the leaderboard motivated students to participate actively in online classes. This study could provide guidance to universities or LMS providers wishing to implement gamification in an LMS.