bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Could Road Safety Education (RSE) Help Parents Protect Children? Examining Their Driving Crashes with Children on Board
Authors: Alonso Francisco , Useche Sergio A. , Valle Eliseo , Esteban Cristina , Gene-Morales Javier
Published: March 2021

Recent evidence suggests that driving behavior and traffic safety outcomes of parents may be influenced by the extent to which they receive information and education on road safety, as well as the fact of driving with their children on board, which may increase their risk perception. However, there are no studies specifically addressing the case of crashes suffered while driving with children. Hence, this study aimed to describe the relationship between road safety education-related variables and parents’ traffic safety outcomes while driving with children on board. For this cross-sectional study, data was retrieved from a sample composed of 165 Spanish parents—all of them licensed drivers—with a mean age of 45.3 years. Through binary logistic regression (logit) analysis, it was found that factors such as gender, having received road safety education (RSE), and having been sanctioned for the performance of risky driving behavior contribute to modulating the likelihood of suffering crashes while driving with children on board. Gender differences showed a riskier status for male parents. In this study, a set of risk factors explaining the involvement in traffic crashes when driving with children as passengers was identified among parents: gender, traffic sanctions, valuation, and exposure to road safety campaigns. Also, substantial limitations in the self-reported degree of received RSE were found, especially considering that risky driving behavior and traffic crash rates with children on board still have a high prevalence among parents.
Accident Risk in the Production Sector of EU Countries—Cohort Studies
Authors: Nowacki Krzysztof
Published: March 2021

(1) Background: accident rates prove the uneven development of the member countries in the area of work safety. Remedial actions and structural programmes should take into account, e.g., the level of work safety in all European Union (EU) countries. Aim: the identification of differences in the level of work safety in the production sector of EU countries, especially the so-called “old” and “new” EU countries. (2) Methods: for each country UE (in 2008–2018), the relative risk (RR) of an accident at work was determined and a comparative analysis was conducted. (3) Results: an increase in the RR of an accident at work was observed along with an increase in the GDP of a given country. It was found that the level of occupational safety in Sweden and the United Kingdom is higher than in other countries, and lower in Spain and Portugal. In the three largest economies of the EU, Germany, France, and Italy, the RR of the accident in the industrial sector in relation to the national data is one of the lowest in the entire EU, not exceeding 1.3. In The Netherlands, an increase of 1.7 RR of fatal accidents in the industrial sector was observed between 2008 and 2018. (4) Conclusions: RR in the manufacturing sector of the so-called “old” EU is higher than in the so-called “new” EU, which may result from the implementation of Industry 4.0 assumptions in the “old” EU. The presented results and conclusions may be useful in shaping the EU policy in the field of sustainable development of production sectors of individual member countries.
A Social Marketing Intervention to Improve Treatment Adherence in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Calderon Citlali , Carrete Lorena , Vera-Martínez Jorge , Gloria-Quintero María Esther , Romero-Figueroa María del Socorro
Published: March 2021

This research explores if a social marketing intervention model based on social representations theory and the health belief model can generate changes regarding treatment adherence and improve patient self-efficacy. As a pilot, a test–retest field quasi-experiment was designed to evaluate the intervention model with type 1 diabetes (T1DM) patients of families with 8- to 17-year-old children. The intervention model was designed to clarify misconceptions, increase awareness of the benefits of following doctors’ treatments and improve patients’ self-efficacy. In-depth interviews were carried out to gain a richer understanding of the intervention’s effect. The pilot intervention generated a favourable change in shared misconceptions, individual health beliefs, glycaemic control and declared treatment adherence. This paper contributes to the social marketing literature and public health by providing early support for the theoretical assumptions regarding the role of shared misconceptions in physiological and behavioural outcomes for patients with T1DM. Contrary to previous studies, instead of only focusing on individual beliefs, this study incorporates shared beliefs between patients and caregivers, generating more comprehensive behavioural change.
Dysfunctional Customer Behavior, Employee Service Sabotage, and Sustainability: Can Social Support Make a Difference?
Authors: Hwang Jinsoo , Yoo Yekyoung , Kim Insin
Published: March 2021

In a restaurant industry, dysfunctional customer behavior damages customer-contact service employees’ mental health which may lead to employee defection. This study examined the effects of dysfunctional customer behavior on service employees’ service sabotage which is a mechanisms for protecting themselves from outside pressures. Additionally, it determined if emotional exhaustion plays a mediating role in the relationship between dysfunctional customer behavior and employees’ service sabotage and verified the moderating role of social support. The proposed model was tested empirically using the data from 329 restaurant customer-contact service employees in South Korea. The results indicated that dysfunctional customer behavior increased the incidence of employees’ service sabotage. Moreover, emotional exhaustion was a significant mediator in the link from dysfunctional customer behavior to employees’ service sabotage. In addition, social support moderated the effects of dysfunctional customer behavior on service sabotage. This study provides insights into the effects of dysfunctional customer behavior and methods of supporting employees socially.
Multiple Unhealthy Behaviors Share Equivalent Profiles of Readiness for Change in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Salinas Martínez Ana María , Gómez Campusano Ruth Isabel , Cordero Franco Hid Felizardo , Chávez Barrón Karen Abigail , Gutiérrez Sauceda Cecilia Janeth , Guzmán de la Garza Francisco Javier , Núñez Rocha Georgina Mayela
Published: March 2021

Few studies have considered more than one behavior, despite the tendency towards multiple behaviors, and there are none that have focused on a Latino population. We determined the concurrence of four unhealthy behaviors related to glycemic control and identified common cognitive factors at advanced stages of readiness for change in patients with type 2 diabetes treated in primary care. A cross-sectional study was carried out during August–December 2018 in northeastern Mexico. We consecutively included patients between 20 and 70 years who were without medical contraindication, physical impediment against exercise, pregnancy and edentulism, among other selection criteria (n = 407). Stages of behavior were measured according to the Transtheoretical Model. Pros, cons, self-efficacy, susceptibility, and severity data were collected by interview. Statistical analysis consisted of descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression. A total of 36.7% exhibited more than one unhealthy behavior in precontemplation or contemplation (no interest or some interest in changing consumption of refined sugars and saturated fats, exercise, or oral hygiene behavior). Cons (p < 0.05) and self-efficacy (p < 0.001) were common to all four unhealthy behaviors, independent of potential confounders. Studies like ours facilitate the recognition of individuals with multiple unhealthy behaviors who share equivalent profiles of readiness for change before implementing public health programs.
The Role of Occupational Health Services in Psychosocial Risk Management and the Promotion of Mental Health and Well-Being at Work
Authors: Jain Aditya , Hassard Juliet , Leka Stavroula , Di Tecco Cristina , Iavicoli Sergio
Published: March 2021

The development and enhancement of occupational health services (OHS) at the national level is central to ensuring the sustainable health, well-being and work engagement of the working population. However, due to differences in national health, social security and occupational safety and health systems, the content, capacity, coverage and provisions of OHS vary considerably across national contexts. Obtaining a better understanding in terms of such similarities and variations internationally is essential as such comparative information can help inform evidenced-based decision-making on OHS at both policy and practice levels. This paper therefore reviews and analyses the key policies, standards and approaches in OH systems and services, using both academic and grey literature, across 12 industrialised countries (Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, The Netherlands, Poland, United Kingdom and the United States of America). It provides a detailed overview and categorization of OHS in these selected countries in terms of the legal and policy context, organisation and financing and coverage and staffing while specifically discussing variations aimed at psychosocial risk management and the promotion of mental health and well-being at work. It draws conclusions on key development needs of OHS internationally to ensure psychosocial risk management and mental health promotion are prioritised effectively in a preventive manner.
The Dynamic Response of Nitrogen Transformation to the Dissolved Oxygen Variations in the Simulated Biofilm Reactor
Authors: Lu Qianqian , Zhang Nannan , Chen Chen , Zhang Miao , Zhao Dehua , An Shuqing
Published: March 2021

Lab-scale simulated biofilm reactors, including aerated reactors disturbed by short-term aeration interruption (AE-D) and non-aerated reactors disturbed by short-term aeration (AN-D), were established to study the stable-state (SS) formation and recovery after disturbance for nitrogen transformation in terms of dissolved oxygen (DO), removal efficiency (RE) of NH4+-N and NO3−-N and activity of key nitrogen-cycle functional genes amoA and nirS (RNA level abundance, per ball). SS formation and recovery of DO were completed in 0.56–7.75 h after transition between aeration (Ae) and aeration stop (As). In terms of pollutant REs, new temporary SS formation required 30.7–52.3 h after Ae and As interruptions, and seven-day Ae/As interruptions required 5.0% to 115.5% longer recovery times compared to one-day interruptions in AE-D and AN-D systems. According to amoA activity, 60.8 h were required in AE-D systems to establish new temporary SS after As interruptions, and RNA amoA copies (copy number/microliter) decreased 88.5%, while 287.2 h were required in AN-D systems, and RNA amoA copies (copy number/microliter) increased 36.4 times. For nirS activity, 75.2–85.8 h were required to establish new SSs after Ae and As interruptions. The results suggested that new temporary SS formation and recovery in terms of DO, pollutant REs and amoA and nirS gene activities could be modelled by logistic functions. It is concluded that temporary SS formation and recovery after Ae and As interruptions occurred at asynchronous rates in terms of DO, pollutant REs and amoA and nirS gene activities. Because of DO fluctuations, the quantitative relationship between gene activity and pollutant RE remains a challenge.
Making Decision-Making Visible—Teaching the Process of Evaluating Interventions
Authors: Benfield Angela , Krueger Robert B.
Published: March 2021

Significant efforts in the past decades to teach evidence-based practice (EBP) implementation has emphasized increasing knowledge of EBP and developing interventions to support adoption to practice. These efforts have resulted in only limited sustained improvements in the daily use of evidence-based interventions in clinical practice in most health professions. Many new interventions with limited evidence of effectiveness are readily adopted each year—indicating openness to change is not the problem. The selection of an intervention is the outcome of an elaborate and complex cognitive process, which is shaped by how they represent the problem in their mind and is mostly invisible processes to others. Therefore, the complex thinking process that support appropriate adoption of interventions should be taught more explicitly. Making the process visible to clinicians increases the acquisition of the skills required to judiciously select one intervention over others. The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the selection process and the critical analysis that is required to appropriately decide to trial or not trial new intervention strategies with patients.
Knee Extensor Muscle Strength Is More Important Than Postural Balance for Stair-Climbing Ability in Elderly Patients with Severe Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Casaña José , Calatayud Joaquín , Silvestre Antonio , Sánchez-Frutos José , Andersen Lars L. , Jakobsen Markus D. , Ezzatvar Yasmín , Alakhdar Yasser
Published: March 2021

Knee osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease which damages articular cartilage. In its severe stages, it results in impairments in balance and muscle strength loss, which affect daily life activities such as walking or climbing stairs. This study sought to investigate associated factors with stair-climbing ability in this population, with special interest in measuring the relevance of postural balance for this task. Forty-four patients scheduled to undergo unilateral total knee arthroplasty were assessed. Timed up and go test, stair ascent–descent test, three different isometric strength tests (knee flexion, knee extension and hip abduction), active knee extension and flexion range of movement and static postural balance assessment were evaluated. Spearman’s correlation coefficients and multiple linear regression analysis determined the strength of association between the different variables and stair-climbing time. No significant association between the stair-climbing time and static balance was found. Significant associations were found between stair-climbing time and timed up and go (r = 0.71; p < 0.0001) and maximal knee extensor strength (r = –0.52; p = 0.0003). One-year increase in age was associated with 0.15 s (95% CI 0.00 to 0.30) slower stair-climbing time. In conclusion, muscle strength is more important than postural balance for stair-climbing ability in this population.
Biosorption of Uranyl Ions from Aqueous Solution by Parachlorella sp. AA1
Authors: Yoon Ja-Young , Nam In-Hyun , Yoon Min-Ho
Published: March 2021

In the present study we investigated the ability of the microalgal strain Parachlorella sp. AA1 to biologically uptake a radionuclide waste material. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the biosorption of uranyl ions (U(VI)) in the 0.5–50.0 mg/L concentration range by strain AA1. The results showed that AA1 biomass could uptake U(VI). The highest removal efficiency and biosorption capacity (95.6%) occurred within 60 h at an initial U(VI) concentration of 20 mg/L. The optimum pH for biosorption was 9.0 at a temperature of 25 °C. X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis confirmed the presence of U(VI) in pellets of Parachlorella sp. AA1 cells. The biosorption methods investigated here may be useful in the treatment and disposal of nuclides and heavy metals in diverse wastewaters.
Steady-State Fluid-Solid Mixing Plane to Replace Transient Conjugate Heat Transfer Computations during Design Phase
Authors: Hanimann Lucian , Mangani Luca , Casartelli Ernesto , Gröschel Elmar , Fischer Magnus
Published: March 2021

The demand for increased turbomachinery performance, both, towards higher pressures and temperatures, leads to high thermal-loads of specific components and can critically affect mechanical integrity. In the particular case of rotating-disk configurations, like the back-side of wheels or in cavities, a very efficient way for cooling is jet impingement. An example for this situation are high pressure-ratio turbochargers, where cooling of the impeller disk (back wall) is introduced to achieve tolerable thermal loads. From the physical point of view, jet impingement on a rotating wall generates an unsteady heat transfer situation. On the other end, accurate values of time-averaged temperatures would be sufficient for design purposes. In general, obtaining circumferentially time-averaged solutions requires transient analysis of the conjugate heat transfer (CHT) process to account for the mean effect of jet cooling on solids. Such analysis is computationally expensive, due to the difference in information propagation time-scale for the solid and the fluid. In this paper, a new approach to directly compute circumferentially time-averaged (i.e., steady-state) temperature distributions for rotating-disk CHT problems is presented based on an adaption of the well known fluid-fluid mixing plane approach.
On Training Knowledge Graph Embedding Models
Authors: Mohamed Sameh K. , Muñoz Emir , Novacek Vit
Published: March 2021

Knowledge graph embedding (KGE) models have become popular means for making discoveries in knowledge graphs (e.g., RDF graphs) in an efficient and scalable manner. The key to success of these models is their ability to learn low-rank vector representations for knowledge graph entities and relations. Despite the rapid development of KGE models, state-of-the-art approaches have mostly focused on new ways to represent embeddings interaction functions (i.e., scoring functions). In this paper, we argue that the choice of other training components such as the loss function, hyperparameters and negative sampling strategies can also have substantial impact on the model efficiency. This area has been rather neglected by previous works so far and our contribution is towards closing this gap by a thorough analysis of possible choices of training loss functions, hyperparameters and negative sampling techniques. We finally investigate the effects of specific choices on the scalability and accuracy of knowledge graph embedding models.
Determining the Sterilization Doses under Hypoxia for the Novel Black Pupae Genetic Sexing Strain of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera, Tephritidae)
Authors: Giustina Paloma Della , Mastrangelo Thiago , Ahmad Sohel , Mascarin Gabriel , Caceres Carlos
Published: March 2021

A common strategy used to maintain sterile fly quality without sacrificing sterility is to irradiate the insects under an oxygen-reduced atmosphere. So far, sterilizing doses for the South American fruit fly Anastrepha fraterculus have only been determined under normoxia. Our study reports for the first time the dose-sterility response under hypoxia for two different A. fraterculus strains. The pupae were derived from a bisexual strain (a Brazilian-1 population) and a recently developed genetic sexing strain (GSS-89). Two hours prior to irradiation, pupae were transferred to sealed glass bottles and irradiated when oxygen concentration was below 3%. Four types of crosses with nonirradiated flies of the bisexual strain were set to assess sterility for each radiation dose. For males from both strains, Weibull dose–response curves between radiation doses and the proportion of egg hatch, egg-to-pupa recovery, and recovery of adults were determined. The GSS males revealed high sterility/mortality levels compared to males from the bisexual strain at doses < 40 Gy, but a dose of 74 Gy reduced egg hatch by 99% regardless of the male strain and was considered the sterilizing dose. The fertility of irradiated females was severely affected even at low doses under hypoxia.
Biologics for Psoriasis during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kamiya Koji , Komine Mayumi , Ohtsuki Mamitaro
Published: March 2021

Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated inflammatory disease that predominantly affects the skin and joints. The recent therapeutic development for psoriasis has been remarkable and biologics have dramatically changed the treatment of psoriasis. In moderate-to-severe cases, systemic therapies are required to control their symptoms and biologics can provide greater efficacy when compared with other types of therapies. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has had a great impact on the lives of many people and has worsened substantially worldwide. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, it still remains unclear whether biologics suppress the immune system and increase the risk of COVID-19. In this review, we have summarized the experience with biologics used for treating psoriasis during the COVID-19 pandemic. Biologics seem to be beneficial to COVID-19 infection. Shared decision-making that is based on updated information is highlighted in the time of COVID-19.
Anhedonia Relates to the Altered Global and Local Grey Matter Network Properties in Schizophrenia
Authors: Kim Byung-Hoon , Kim Hesun Erin , Lee Jung Suk , Kim Jae-Jin
Published: March 2021

Anhedonia is one of the major negative symptoms in schizophrenia and defined as the loss of hedonic experience to various stimuli in real life. Although structural magnetic resonance imaging has provided a deeper understanding of anhedonia-related abnormalities in schizophrenia, network analysis of the grey matter focusing on this symptom is lacking. In this study, single-subject grey matter networks were constructed in 123 patients with schizophrenia and 160 healthy controls. The small-world property of the grey matter network and its correlations with the level of physical and social anhedonia were evaluated using graph theory analysis. In the global scale whole-brain analysis, the patients showed reduced small-world property of the grey matter network. The local-scale analysis further revealed reduced small-world property in the default mode network, salience/ventral attention network, and visual network. The regional-level analysis showed an altered relationship between the small-world properties and the social anhedonia scale scores in the cerebellar lobule in patients with schizophrenia. These results indicate that anhedonia in schizophrenia may be related to abnormalities in the grey matter network at both the global whole-brain scale and local–regional scale.
Molecular Genetic Approach and Evaluation of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Clinical Familial Hypercholesterolemia Phenotype from Romania
Authors: Vlad Cristiana-Elena , Foia Liliana Georgeta , Popescu Roxana , Popa Ioana , Aanicai Ruxandra , Reurean-Pintilei Delia , Toma Vasilica , Florea Laura , Kanbay Mehmet , Covic Adrian
Published: March 2021

This study identifies the genetic background of familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients in Romania and evaluates the association between mutations and cardiovascular events. We performed a prospective observational study of 61 patients with a clinical diagnosis of FH selected based on Dutch Lipid Clinic Network (DLCN) and Simon Broome score between 2017 and 2020. Two techniques were used to identify mutations: multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and Sanger sequencing. The mutation rate was 37.7%, i.e., 23 patients with mutations were identified, of which 7 subjects had pathogenic mutations and 16 had polymorphisms. Moreover, 10 variants of the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene were identified in 22 patients, i.e., one variant of the proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) gene in six patients, and one variant of the apolipoprotein B (APOB) gene in three patients. Of the LDLR gene variants, four were LDLR pathogenic mutations (c.81C > G, c.502G > A, c.1618G > A mutations in exon 2, exon 4, exon 11, and exon 13–15 duplication). The PCSK9 and APOB gene variants were benign mutations. The pathogenic LDLR mutations were significant predictors of the new cardiovascular events, and the time interval for new cardiovascular events occurrence was significantly decreased, compared to FH patients without mutations. In total, 12 variants were identified, with four pathogenic variants identified in the LDLR gene, whereas 62.3% of the study population displayed no pathological mutations.
Synthesis and Characterization of Polymer-Based Coatings Modified with Bioactive Ceramic and Bovine Serum Albumin
Authors: Florkiewicz Wioletta , Słota Dagmara , Placek Angelika , Pluta Klaudia , Tyliszczak Bożena , Douglas Timothy E. L. , Sobczak-Kupiec Agnieszka
Published: March 2021

This study involves the synthesis of hydroxyapatite and describes the preparation and characterization of polymer coatings based on poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate and poly(ethylene glycol) and modified with bovine serum albumin and hydroxyapatite. Hydroxyapatite was obtained by wet chemical synthesis and characterized by X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectroscopy, and its Ca/P molar ratio was determined (1.69 ± 0.08). The ceramic and bovine serum albumin were used in the preparation of composite materials with the polymeric matrix. The chemical composition of coatings was characterized with FTIR spectroscopy, and their morphology was recorded with SEM imaging. Moreover, the measurements of surface roughness parameters and stereometric research were performed. The prepared coatings were subjected to in vitro studies in simulated body fluid and artificial saliva. Changes in chemical composition and morphology after immersion were examined with FTIR spectroscopy and SEM imaging. Based on the conducted research, it can be stated that applied modifiers promote the biomineralization process. The roughness analysis confirmed prepared materials were characterized by the micrometer-scale topography. The materials morphology and roughness, and the morphology of the newly formed apatite deposit, were dependent on the type of the used modifier, and the artificial fluid used in in vitro studies.
Osteogenic Peptides and Attachment Methods Determine Tissue Regeneration in Modified Bone Graft Substitutes
Authors: Bullock George , Atkinson Joss , Gentile Piergiorgio , Hatton Paul , Miller Cheryl
Published: March 2021

The inclusion of biofunctional molecules with synthetic bone graft substitutes has the potential to enhance tissue regeneration during treatment of traumatic bone injuries. The clinical use of growth factors has though been associated with complications, some serious. The use of smaller, active peptides has the potential to overcome these problems and provide a cost-effective, safe route for the manufacture of enhanced bone graft substitutes. This review considers the design of peptide-enhanced bone graft substitutes, and how peptide selection and attachment method determine clinical efficacy. It was determined that covalent attachment may reduce the known risks associated with growth factor-loaded bone graft substitutes, providing a predictable tissue response and greater clinical efficacy. Peptide choice was found to be critical, but even within recognised families of biologically active peptides, the configurations that appeared to most closely mimic the biological molecules involved in natural bone healing processes were most potent. It was concluded that rational, evidence-based design of peptide-enhanced bone graft substitutes offers a pathway to clinical maturity in this highly promising field.
The International System for Reporting Serous Fluid Cytopathology: How to Incorporate Molecular Data in Cytopathology Reports
Authors: Pinto Daniel , Chandra Ashish , Schmitt Fernando
Published: March 2021

Serous effusion cytology is widely employed in the initial evaluation of the etiology of effusions with a high diagnostic sensitivity. To standardize practices, The International System for Reporting Serous Fluid Cytology (TIS) was developed following best international practices, the most up-to-date literature, and expert consensus. In the context of this system, ancillary techniques play an important role. Besides defining basic principles in laboratory specimen handling, adequacy criteria, and a standardized reporting terminology with five diagnostic categories, TIS provides an actionable framework for using immunohistochemical and molecular testing in effusion samples, namely, in atypical, suspicious of malignant samples. For diagnostic purposes, these tests may be employed to distinguish between a primary and secondary neoplasm, to confirm a diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma vs. reactive mesothelial hyperplasia, and to correctly classify and determine the primary location of a metastasis. Theranostic molecular tests may also be used for these samples to evaluate potential therapeutic targets. Pathologists play a central role in guiding this process by determining adequacy and selecting appropriate ancillary tests. The activity in this area of research should increase in the near future as new therapeutic targets are discovered and new drugs enter the clinical practice.
Malignant Pleural Effusions Impact on Fatigue (IMPE-F): A Prospective Observational Cohort Pilot Study
Authors: Aujayeb Avinash , Wakefield Donna
Published: March 2021

Introduction: Cancer-related fatigue is well described. Fatigue in patients with a malignant pleural effusion (MPE) has not been directly studied. Methods: A prospective observational cohort pilot study ‘Do Interventions for Malignant Pleural Effusions (MPE) impact on patient reported fatigue levels (IMPE-F study)’ is planned to determine whether pleural interventions reduce fatigue in MPE. Fatigue will be assessed with a validated patient reported outcome measure, FACIT-F. Discussion: MPE-F has funding from Rocket Medical Plc, and is part of a Masters in Clinical Research at Newcastle University. Respondent fatigue will be addressed by the investigators going through the questionnaire with the participants. Inclusion criteria are all patients above 18 years of age with a presumed MPE undergoing a procedure and able to consent. The expected number of participants is 50. Trial registration: The IMPE-F study has Research Ethics Committee (REC) [20/YH/0224] and Health Research Authority (HRA) and Health and Care Research Wales (HCRW) approvals [IRAS project ID: 276451]. The study has been adopted on National Institute for Health Research portfolio [CPMS ID 46430].
Influence of Regulatory Fit Theory on Persuasion from Google Ads: An Eye Tracking Study
Authors: Giraldo-Romero Yessica-Ileana , Pérez-de-los-Cobos-Agüero Carmen , Muñoz-Leiva Francisco , Higueras-Castillo Elena , Liébana-Cabanillas Francisco
Published: March 2021

Search engine marketing accounts for a high percentage of investment in platforms such as Google. Several studies have confirmed that users have a negative bias towards advertisements, so we apply social psychology theories via the elaboration probability model in this analysis. In this research, we modify the types of ads shown on Google’s results pages using the regulatory focus and fit and message framing theory to study attentional and behavioral responses with eye-tracking technology and cognitive responses from self-report measures. The results confirm a negative bias towards ads and a preference for organic results. Although promotion-framed ads seem to be more persuasive than neutral and prevention-framed ads, it was not possible to prove compliance with regulatory fit in this field through survey-based studies.
Impacts of COVID-19 on Animals in Zoos: A Longitudinal Multi-Species Analysis
Authors: Williams Ellen , Carter Anne , Rendle Jessica , Ward Samantha J.
Published: March 2021

Prolonged and repetitive COVID-19 facility closures have led to an abrupt cessation of visitors within UK and Irish zoos for variable periods since March 2020. This study sought to increase understanding of the impact of closures and reopenings on animal behaviour, thereby broadening understanding of whether zoo animals habituate to visitors. Data were collected from June to August 2020 at two UK facilities on eight species (n = 1 Chinese goral, n = 2 Grevy’s zebra, n = 11 swamp wallaby, n = 2 Rothschild’s giraffe, n = 2 nyala, n = 4 Chapman’s zebra, n = 2 snow leopard and n = 3 Amur leopard). Behaviour change and enclosure use was variable across species but most changes were non-significant. Grevy’s zebra engaged in more comfort behaviour during closure periods than post-closure (p < 0.05). Chinese goral engaged in more environmental interactions during closure periods (p < 0.05). Grevy’s zebra spent longer than would be expected by chance closest to public viewing areas during closure periods (p < 0.008). These results suggest variable impacts of covid-19 closures and reopenings, mirroring human-animal interaction literature. We highlight the potential for some species to take longer to re-habituate to the presence of zoo visitors. As facility closures/reopenings are ongoing, we advocate a longitudinal monitoring approach. Furthermore, we recommend incorporation of physical and physiological measures of welfare where possible, alongside behavioural responses, to enable a holistic approach to answering fundamental questions on whether zoo animals habituate to visitors.
Contribution of Capsule Endoscopy Early in a Bleeding Episode to Treatment of Small Bowel Angioectasia: A Case Report
Authors: Arai Yoshinori , Ogawa Maiko , Arimoto Rikako , Ando Yoshitaka , Endo Daisuke , Nakada Tatsuya , Sugawara Ichiro , Yokoyama Hiroshi , Shimoyama Keiko , Inomata Hiroko , Kawahara Yosuke , Kato Masayuki , Arihiro Seiji , Hokari Atsushi , Saruta Masayuki
Published: March 2021

Background: Recent advances in endoscopic devices such as small bowel capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted endoscopy have improved the level of medical care for small bowel bleeding. However, treating small bowel angioectasia remains challenging because repeated intermittent bleeding can occur from the multiple minute lesions (about 1 mm in size) that develop in a synchronous and metachronous manner. Here, we report a case of small bowel angioectasia in which capsule endoscopy performed early in a bleeding episode contributed to treatment. Case Summary: A 66-year-old man with suspected small bowel bleeding underwent small bowel capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted endoscopy with argon plasma coagulation hemostasis for a small intestinal angioectasia. Because small bowel bleeding recurred intermittently after the treatment, small bowel capsule endoscopy and balloon-assisted endoscopy were repeated when there was no bleeding, but no abnormalities were found. Subsequent small bowel capsule endoscopy during a bleeding episode revealed bloody intestinal fluid in the proximal small intestine. Peroral balloon-assisted endoscopy was performed 2 days after SBCE for detailed observation of the small intestinal mucosa at the suspected bleeding site, and there a 1-mm Dieulafoy’s lesion with no active bleeding was identified. We performed argon plasma coagulation, and no bleeding was observed thereafter. Conclusions: Small bowel capsule endoscopy immediately after bleeding onset can identify the bleeding source of multiple minute lesions in small bowel angioectasia.
Investigations on Residual Stresses within Hot-Bulk-Formed Components Using Process Simulation and the Contour Method
Authors: Behrens Bernd-Arno , Gibmeier Jens , Brunotte Kai , Wester Hendrik , Simon Nicola , Kock Christoph
Published: March 2021

Residual stresses resulting from hot-forming processes represent an important aspect of a component’s performance and service life. Considering the whole process chain of hot forming, the integrated heat treatment provided by a defined temperature profile during cooling offers a great potential for the targeted adjustment of the desired residual stress state. Finite element (FE) simulation is a powerful tool for virtual process design aimed at generating a beneficial residual stress profile. The validation of these FE models is typically carried out on the basis of individual surface points, as these are accessible through methods like X-ray diffraction, hole-drilling, or the nanoindentation method. However, especially in bulk forming components, it is important to evaluate the quality of the model based on residual stress data from the volume. For these reasons, in this paper, an FE model which was already validated by near surface X-ray diffraction analyses was used to explain the development of residual stresses in a reference hot forming process for different cooling scenarios. Subsequently, the reference process scenarios were experimentally performed, and the resulting residual stress distributions in the cross-section of the bulk specimens were determined by means of the contour method. These data were used to further validate the numerical simulation of the hot forming process, wherein a good agreement between the contour method and process simulation was observed.
Separation of Chromatographic Co-Eluted Compounds by Clustering and by Functional Data Analysis
Authors: Sawikowska Aneta , Piasecka Anna , Kachlicki Piotr , Krajewski Paweł
Published: March 2021

Peak overlapping is a common problem in chromatography, mainly in the case of complex biological mixtures, i.e., metabolites. Due to the existence of the phenomenon of co-elution of different compounds with similar chromatographic properties, peak separation becomes challenging. In this paper, two computational methods of separating peaks, applied, for the first time, to large chromatographic datasets, are described, compared, and experimentally validated. The methods lead from raw observations to data that can form inputs for statistical analysis. First, in both methods, data are normalized by the mass of sample, the baseline is removed, retention time alignment is conducted, and detection of peaks is performed. Then, in the first method, clustering is used to separate overlapping peaks, whereas in the second method, functional principal component analysis (FPCA) is applied for the same purpose. Simulated data and experimental results are used as examples to present both methods and to compare them. Real data were obtained in a study of metabolomic changes in barley (Hordeum vulgare) leaves under drought stress. The results suggest that both methods are suitable for separation of overlapping peaks, but the additional advantage of the FPCA is the possibility to assess the variability of individual compounds present within the same peaks of different chromatograms.
Mapping Potentially Acid Generating Material on Abandoned Mine Lands Using Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems
Authors: Cramer Alison S. , Calvin Wendy M. , McCoy Scott W. , Breitmeyer Ronald J. , Haagsma Marja , Kratt Christopher
Published: March 2021

Weathering and transport of potentially acid generating material (PAGM) at abandoned mines can degrade downstream environments and contaminate water resources. Monitoring the thousands of abandoned mine lands (AMLs) for exposed PAGM using field surveys is time intensive. Here, we explore the use of Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPASs) as a complementary remote sensing platform to map the spatial and temporal changes of PAGM across a mine waste rock pile on an AML. We focus on testing the ability of established supervised and unsupervised classification algorithms to map PAGM on imagery with very high spatial resolution, but low spectral sampling. At the Perry Canyon, NV, USA AML, we carried out six flights over a 29-month period, using a RPAS equipped with a 5-band multispectral sensor measuring in the visible to near infrared (400–1000 nm). We built six different 3 cm resolution orthorectified reflectance maps, and our tests using supervised and unsupervised classifications revealed benefits to each approach. Supervised classification schemes allowed accurate mapping of classes that lacked published spectral libraries, such as acid mine drainage (AMD) and efflorescent mineral salts (EMS). The unsupervised method produced similar maps of PAGM, as compared to supervised schemes, but with little user input. Our classified multi-temporal maps, validated with multiple field and lab-based methods, revealed persistent and slowly growing ‘hotspots’ of jarosite on the mine waste rock pile, whereas EMS exhibit more rapid fluctuations in extent. The mapping methods we detail for a RPAS carrying a broadband multispectral sensor can be applied extensively to AMLs. Our methods show promise to increase the spatial and temporal coverage of accurate maps critical for environmental monitoring and reclamation efforts over AMLs.
REE Minerals as Geochemical Proxies of Late-Tertiary Alkalic Silicate ± Carbonatite Intrusions Beneath Carpathian Back-Arc Basin
Authors: Hurai Vratislav , Huraiová Monika , Konečný Patrik
Published: March 2021

The accessory mineral assemblage (AMA) of igneous cumulate xenoliths in volcanoclastic deposits and lava flows in the Carpathian back-arc basin testifies to the composition of intrusive complexes sampled by Upper Miocene-Pliocene basalt volcanoes. The magmatic reservoir beneath Pinciná maar is composed of gabbro, moderately alkalic to alkali-calcic syenite, and calcic orthopyroxene granite (pincinite). The intrusive complex beneath the wider area around Fiľakovo and Hajnáčka maars contains mafic cumulates, alkalic syenite, carbonatite, and calc-alkalic granite. Both reservoirs originated during the basaltic magma underplating, differentiation, and interaction with the surrounding mantle and crust. The AMA of syenites is characterized by yttrialite-Y, britholite-Y, britholite-Ce, chevkinite-Ce, monazite-Ce, and rhabdophane(?). Baddeleyite and REE-zirconolite are typical of alkalic syenite associated with carbonatite. Pyrochlore, columbite-Mn, and Ca-niobates occur in calc-alkalic granites with strong peralkalic affinity. Nb-rutile, niobian ilmenite, and fergusonite-Y are crystallized from mildly alkalic syenite and calc-alkalic granite. Zircons with increased Hf/Zr and Th/U ratios occur in all felsic-to-intermediate rock-types. If rock fragments are absent in the volcanic ejecta, the composition of the sub-volcanic reservoir can be reconstructed from the specific AMA and zircon xenocrysts–xenolith relics disintegrated during the basaltic magma fragmentation and explosion.
Transformation of Pectins into Non-Ionic or Anionic Surfactants Using a One-Pot and Cascade Mode Process
Authors: Milliasseau Damien , Jeftić Jelena , Pessel Freddy , Plusquellec Daniel , Benvegnu Thierry
Published: March 2021

The present article describes the one-pot synthesis of double- and single-tailed surfactants by a cascade process that involves the hydrolysis/butanolysis of pectins into butyl galacturonate monosaccharides followed by transesterification/transacetalisation processes with fatty alcohols, and subsequent aqueous basic and acid treatments. The cascade mode allows the depolymerisation to proceed more efficiently, and the purification conditions are optimised to make the production of single-tailed surfactants more manufacturable. These products in a pure form or as mixtures with alkyl glycosides resulting from butanolysis and transglycosylation of pectin-derived hexoses, exhibit attractive surface-tension properties, especially for the n-oleyl ᴅ-galactosiduronic acid products. In addition, a readily biodegradability and an absence of aquatic ecotoxicity are shown for the galacturonic acid derivatives possessing an oleyl alkyl chain at the anomeric position.
Rapid Preparation of Mesoporous Methylsilsesquioxane Aerogels by Microwave Heating Technology
Authors: Guo Xingzhong , Li Zixiao , Lei Wei , Ding Ronghua , Zhang Yun , Yang Hui
Published: March 2021

Microwave heating technology is known as an alternative to traditional gas and electric heating sources. In this work, mesoporous methylsilsesquioxane (MSQ) aerogels were prepared via a sol–gel process accompanied by microwave heating technology, and microwave heating was used in the gelation of sol and the drying of wet gels, respectively. The effects of hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) as a surfactant and template, hydrochloric acid (HCl) as a catalyst, ethanol as a solvent, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a gelation agent, and microwave power on the pore structure of as-prepared MSQ aerogels were investigated in detail. Microwave heating at low power results in the acceleration of sol–gel transition and achieves the gelation within a few minutes. Appropriate amounts of chemical reagents and microwave heating at high power allow the preparation of mesoporous MSQ aerogels with a BET-specific surface area of 681.6 m2·g−1 and a mesopore size of 19 nm, and the resultant MSQ aerogel still has a BET specific surface area as high as 134 m2·g−1 after heat treatment at 600 °C for 2 h, showing high thermal stability. The MSQ aerogels/fibre composite possesses a low thermal conductivity of 0.039 W/(m·k)−1, displaying good thermal insulation. Microwave heating technology is a promising heating method for the preparation of other aerogels.
Synergistic Effect by Combining a gp120-Binding Protein and a gp41-Binding Antibody to Inactivate HIV-1 Virions and Inhibit HIV-1 Infection
Authors: Wang Xinling , Cao Miao , Wu Yanling , Xu Wei , Wang Qian , Ying Tianlei , Lu Lu , Jiang Shibo
Published: March 2021

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) has prevailed over the last 30 years. Although highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has decreased mortality and efficiently controlled the progression of disease, no vaccine or curative drugs have been approved until now. A viral inactivator is expected to inactivate cell-free virions in the absence of target cells. Previously, we identified a gp120-binding protein, mD1.22, which can inactivate laboratory-adapted HIV-1. In this study, we have found that the gp41 N-terminal heptad repeat (NHR)-binding antibody D5 single-chain variable fragment (scFv) alone cannot inactivate HIV-1 at the high concentration tested. However, D5 scFv in the combination could enhance inactivation activity of mD1.22 against divergent HIV-1 strains, including HIV-1 laboratory-adapted strains, primary HIV-1 isolates, T20- and AZT-resistant strains, and LRA-reactivated virions. Combining mD1.22 and D5 scFv exhibited synergistic effect on inhibition of infection by divergent HIV-1 strains. These results suggest good potential to develop the strategy of combining a gp120-binding protein and a gp41-binding antibody for the treatment of HIV-1 infection.
Chemical Composition, In Vitro Bioaccessibility and Antioxidant Activity of Polyphenolic Compounds from Nutraceutical Fennel Waste Extract
Authors: Castaldo Luigi , Izzo Luana , De Pascale Stefania , Narváez Alfonso , Rodriguez-Carrasco Yelko , Ritieni Alberto
Published: March 2021

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) waste contains a broad range of bioactive molecules, including polyphenols, which have poor bioaccessibility during gastrointestinal digestion. This work aimed to investigate the bioaccessibility of total phenolic compounds and the antioxidant capacity during simulated gastrointestinal digestion using two nutraceutical formulations based on non-acid-resistant (NAR) and acid-resistant (AR) capsules containing aqueous-based extracts from fennel waste. Moreover, to obtain a comprehensive investigation of the polyphenolic constituents of the fennel waste extract, a high-resolution mass spectrometry (Q-Orbitrap) analysis was performed. Notably, chlorogenic acids, such as 4-caffeoylquinic acid and 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid, were the most detected compounds found in assayed samples (1.949 and 0.490 mg/g, respectively). After in vitro gastrointestinal digestion, the extract contained in AR capsules displayed higher bioaccessibility in both the duodenal and colonic stages (1.96 and 5.19 mg GAE/g, respectively) than NAR capsules (1.72 and 3.50 mg GAE/g, respectively), suggesting that the acidic gastric conditions negatively affected the polyphenol compounds released from the NAR capsules. Therefore, the aqueous extract of fennel waste could be proposed as an innovative and easily available source of dietary polyphenols. Furthermore, the use of an AR capsule could improve the polyphenol bioaccessibility and can be proposed as a nutraceutical formulation.