bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Single Amino Acid Substitution in RFC4 Leads to Endoduplication and Compromised Resistance to DNA Damage in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Cui Kan , Qin Lei , Tang Xianyu , Nong Jieying , Chen Jin , Wu Nan , Gong Xin , Yi Lixiong , Yang Chenghuizi , Xia Shitou
Published: June 2022

Replication factor C (RFC) is a heteropentameric ATPase associated with the diverse cellular activities (AAA+ATPase) protein complex, which is composed of one large subunit, known as RFC1, and four small subunits, RFC2/3/4/5. Among them, RFC1 and RFC3 were previously reported to mediate genomic stability and resistance to pathogens in Arabidopsis. Here, we generated a viable rfc4e (rfc4−1/RFC4G54E) mutant with a single amino acid substitution by site-directed mutagenesis. Three of six positive T2 mutants with the same amino acid substitution, but different insertion loci, were sequenced to identify homozygotes, and the three homozygote mutants showed dwarfism, early flowering, and a partially sterile phenotype. RNA sequencing revealed that genes related to DNA repair and replication were highly upregulated. Moreover, the frequency of DNA lesions was found to be increased in rfc4e mutants. Consistent with this, the rfc4e mutants were very sensitive to DSB-inducing genotoxic agents. In addition, the G54E amino acid substitution in AtRFC4 delayed cell cycle progression and led to endoduplication. Overall, our study provides evidence supporting the notion that RFC4 plays an important role in resistance to genotoxicity and cell proliferation by regulating DNA damage repair in Arabidopsis thaliana.
An Aux/IAA Family Member, RhIAA14, Involved in Ethylene-Inhibited Petal Expansion in Rose (Rosa hybrida)
Authors: Jia Yangchao , Chen Changxi , Gong Feifei , Jin Weichan , Zhang Hao , Qu Suping , Ma Nan , Jiang Yunhe , Gao Junping , Sun Xiaoming
Published: June 2022

Flower size, a primary agronomic trait in breeding of ornamental plants, is largely determined by petal expansion. Generally, ethylene acts as an inhibitor of petal expansion, but its effect is restricted by unknown developmental cues. In this study, we found that the critical node of ethylene-inhibited petal expansion is between stages 1 and 2 of rose flower opening. To uncover the underlying regulatory mechanism, we carried out a comparative RNA-seq analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in auxin-signaling pathways were enriched. Therefore, we identified an auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) family gene, RhIAA14, whose expression was development-specifically repressed by ethylene. The silencing of RhIAA14 reduced cell expansion, resulting in diminished petal expansion and flower size. In addition, the expressions of cell-expansion-related genes, including RhXTH6, RhCesA2, RhPIP2;1, and RhEXPA8, were significantly downregulated following RhIAA14 silencing. Our results reveal an Aux/IAA that serves as a key player in orchestrating petal expansion and ultimately contributes to flower size, which provides new insights into ethylene-modulated flower opening and the function of the Aux/IAA transcription regulator.
Effects of Wearing Face Masks on Cardiorespiratory Parameters at Rest and after Performing the Six-Minute Walk Test in Older Adults
Authors: Amput Patchareeya , Wongphon Sirima
Published: June 2022

The effects of wearing cloth masks and surgical masks were investigated on respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and perceived exertion at rest and after performing a six-minute walk test (6MWT) in older adults. Forty older adults were recruited and randomized into six groups including wearing no mask, cloth masks and surgical masks, at rest and during the 6MWT. At rest, all subjects sat quietly wearing no mask, a cloth mask or a surgical mask. All subjects performed a 6MWT by walking as fast as possible without running while wearing no mask, a cloth mask or a surgical mask. Respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation and perceived exertion were assessed before and after the rest and the 6MWT. Results showed that cloth masks and surgical masks did not impact cardiorespiratory parameters at rest or after performing a 6MWT, while an increase in perceived exertion was apparent in the groups wearing surgical masks and cloth masks after performing the 6MWT (p < 0.01). Cloth masks and surgical masks did not have an impact on cardiorespiratory fitness at rest and after performing the 6MWT in older adults.
Nurses’ Death Anxiety and Ageism towards Older Adults Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Moderating Role of Symbolic Immortality
Authors: Rababa Mohammad , Al-Sabbah Shatha , Bani-Hamad Dania
Published: June 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected all aspects of individuals’ lives and behaviors, including the behaviors of nurses. Specifically, the pandemic has impacted the way that nurses treat older adults and has led to the spread of ageism among nurses. This study was conducted using self-report tools on 163 nurses to examine the problem of ageism amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The results suggest that critical care nurses have higher levels of death anxiety and ageism in comparison to medical/surgical nurses. After controlling for the work department, low levels of symbolic immortality were associated with high levels of ageism and death anxiety among nurses. These results might provide an insight into the development of a psychological intervention to reduce nurses’ death anxiety and ageism toward older adults.
A Transfer Learning Approach with a Convolutional Neural Network for the Classification of Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Humayun Mamoona , Sujatha R. , Almuayqil Saleh Naif , Jhanjhi N. Z.
Published: June 2022

Lung cancer is among the most hazardous types of cancer in humans. The correct diagnosis of pathogenic lung disease is critical for medication. Traditionally, determining the pathological form of lung cancer involves an expensive and time-consuming process investigation. Lung cancer is a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with lung tissue nodules being the most prevalent way for doctors to identify it. The proposed model is based on robust deep-learning-based lung cancer detection and recognition. This study uses a deep neural network as an extraction of features approach in a computer-aided diagnosing (CAD) system to assist in detecting lung illnesses at high definition. The proposed model is categorized into three phases: first, data augmentation is performed, classification is then performed using the pretrained CNN model, and lastly, localization is completed. The amount of obtained data in medical image assessment is occasionally inadequate to train the learning network. We train the classifier using a technique known as transfer learning (TL) to solve the issue introduced into the process. The proposed methodology offers a non-invasive diagnostic tool for use in the clinical assessment that is effective. The proposed model has a lower number of parameters that are much smaller compared to the state-of-the-art models. We also examined the desired dataset’s robustness depending on its size. The standard performance metrics are used to assess the effectiveness of the proposed architecture. In this dataset, all TL techniques perform well, and VGG 16, VGG 19, and Xception for 20 epoch structure are compared. Preprocessing functions as a wonderful bridge to build a dependable model and eventually helps to forecast future scenarios by including the interface at a faster phase for any model. At the 20th epoch, the accuracy of VGG 16, VGG 19, and Xception is 98.83 percent, 98.05 percent, and 97.4 percent.
Effect of Aging on Educational Differences in the Risk of Cognitive Impairment: A Gender-Specific Analysis Using Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (2006–2016)
Authors: Kim Roeul , Chung Woojin
Published: June 2022

This study examined the effect of aging on gender-specific educational differences in the risk of cognitive impairment using a nationally representative sample of 4278 men and 5495 women aged 45 years and older from the dataset of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging. Sociodemographics, lifestyle, and medical conditions were included as covariates in the mixed logistic regression analysis models. The prevalence of cognitive impairment was higher in women than in men at baseline. The risk of cognitive impairment in each age group decreased with education in both men and women. The risk by educational rank was worse at lower levels and increased with age, more so for women than men. Aging appears to widen the impact of educational differences on the risk of cognitive impairment and is more unfavorable for women than for men. Public health policies regarding population aging need to consider this and identify the target population to reduce both the level of and the difference in the risk of cognitive impairment.
Validation Testing of the European Portuguese Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool
Authors: Marques Rita , Araújo Filipa , Fernandes Marisa , Freitas José , Dixe Maria Anjos , Gélinas Céline
Published: June 2022

Aim. The study aim was to validate the Portuguese version of the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT) in the critically ill adult population of Portugal. Methods. A prospective, observational cohort study was conducted to evaluate the CPOT in mechanically ventilated patients who were admitted to an intensive care unit. A consecutive sample of 110 patients was observed at rest pre-procedure, during a nociceptive procedure (NP) which includes turning/positioning and endotracheal or tracheal suctioning and 20 min post-procedure. Two raters participated in the data collection. The discriminative validity, criterion validity, convergent validity and inter-rater reliability of the CPOT were examined. Results. The inter-rater reliability was excellent (0.93 ≤ α ≤ 1.00) at rest and fair to moderate (0.39 ≤ α ≤ 0.60) during the NP. The CPOT could discriminate between conditions with higher scores during the NP when compared to CPOT scores at rest (p < 0.001). The optimal CPOT cut-off score was >2, with a sensitivity of 71% and a specificity of 80%, and self-reported pain was the gold standard criterion. Significant correlations (<0.40) were found between CPOT scores, the heart rate and the respiratory rate during the nociceptive procedure. Conclusions. The CPOT appears to be a valid alternative for both ventilated and non-ventilated patients who are unable to communicate.
Exploring Healthcare Professionals’ Practices and Attitudes towards Monitoring and Reporting of Severe Adverse Drug Reactions
Authors: Srisuriyachanchai Warisara , Cox Anthony R. , Jarernsiripornkul Narumol
Published: June 2022

Healthcare professionals (HCPs) play a key role in the monitoring of severe adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The present study aims to explore practices and barriers of HCPs in severe ADR monitoring and reporting, to evaluate their attitudes towards the monitoring and to assess the related factors. Self-administered questionnaires produced in hard copy and Google form were sent to 510 HCPs by stratified random sampling. Of the 350 HCPs that responded (68.6%), 44.9% had ever monitored ADRs. The most common practices were the observation of abnormal symptoms for ADR identification (88.5%), discontinuation of the suspected drug for ADR management (88.5%) and advice on recurrent drug allergy for ADR prevention (88.5%). Most HCPs (93.0%) obtained further patient history to identify severe ADRs. The uncertainty of the causal relationship was a major barrier to ADR reporting (60.0%). Pharmacists were more involved with practices in ADR monitoring and reporting (OR 20.405; p < 0.001), whereas longer work experience (>20 years) was negatively related to the practices (OR 0.271; p = 0.024). Over one-third (37.6%) of HCPs had a positive attitude towards severe ADR monitoring. In conclusion, the practices in severe ADR monitoring varied among different professions. However, the barriers to the reporting of ADRs still exist; hence, improving knowledge and cooperation among HCPs should be promoted.
Aggression, Alexithymia and Sense of Coherence in a Sample of Schizophrenic Outpatients
Authors: Pachi Argyro , Tselebis Athanasios , Ilias Ioannis , Tsomaka Effrosyni , Papageorgiou Styliani Maria , Baras Spyros , Kavouria Evgenia , Giotakis Konstantinos
Published: June 2022

Schizophrenia elevates the risk for aggressive behavior, and there is a need to better understand the associated variables predicting aggression for treatment and prevention purposes. The aim of the present study is to determine the relationship between alexithymia, sense of coherence and aggressive behavior in a sample of schizophrenic outpatients. Using a correlational research design, standardized self-report questionnaires assessed aggression (brief aggression questionnaire—BAQ), alexithymia (Toronto Alexithymia Scale—TAS) and sense of coherence (sense of coherence questionnaire—SOC) in a sample of 100 schizophrenic outpatients in clinical remission. Participants reported high levels of aggression and alexithymia along with reduced sense of coherence. Significant negative correlations were evidenced among scores on the SOC scale (p < 0.001) with both the TAS as well as with the BAQ scales. However, a positive correlation (p < 0.001) was observed between the TAS and BAQ scales. Regression indicated that 27% of the variation in the BAQ rating was explained by the TAS, while an additional 17.8% was explained by the sense of coherence. The difficulty identifying feelings of alexithymia and the comprehensibility and manageability components of sense of coherence significantly predicted anger, hostility and physical aggression. Sense of coherence mediated the relationship between alexithymia and aggression. From the path analysis, comprehensibility emerged as the key factor counterbalancing alexithymic traits and aggressive behaviors, and manageability effectuated higher anger control. The findings hold practical implications for the treatment and rehabilitation of schizophrenic patients.
3D Model Acquisition and Image Processing for the Virtual Musealization of the Spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala, Rome
Authors: Vázquez de Ágredos Pascual María Luisa , Fantoni Roberta , Francucci Massimo , Guarneri Massimiliano , Mongelli Marialuisa , Pierattini Samuele , Puccini Marco , Ferrero Gil Sergio , Izquierdo Garay Juan Carlos , Gil Bordallo Juan Manuel
Published: June 2022

This study was carried out within the project “Roma Hispana. Nuevas tecnologías aplicadas al estudio histórico, la musealización y la puesta en valor de Patrimonio Cultural español en Roma: la spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala” (Universitat de València Spain), which is funded by the Conselleria d’Innovació, Universitats, Ciència i Societat Digital of the Generalitat Valenciana (2020–2021) and authorized by the Sovrintendenza Speciale Archeologia Belle Arti e Paesaggio (Special Superintendence of Archeology, Fine Arts and Landscape) of Rome, Italy. The spezieria di Santa Maria della Scala was the oldest apothecary in Europe managed by the order of Discalced Carmelite friars. Operating between the second half of the seventeenth century and the mid-twentieth century, over time it acquired great prestige, becoming known as the Pharmacy of the Popes. The aims of the “Roma Hispana” project are to study, musealize and disseminate the material and immaterial cultural heritage of this historical spezieria by combining physicochemical and cultural studies, new 3D technologies, and artificial intelligence. As a case study, in this paper we report the application of a laser scanner prototype for 3D color imaging of the spezieria’s sales room and use a simpler photogrammetry method to collect analogous data in the small nearby storeroom coupled to the high-power capabilities of the ENEA parallel computer facility. Digital data were collected to enable a virtual tour that provides a fully navigable, faithful, high-resolution 3D color model to render this ancient Roman apothecary accessible and usable to interested members of the public and experts in the sector (art historians, restorers, etc.). We also describe the 3D technology used to obtain three-dimensional images of the cultural assets of these spaces (mostly drug containers) and its results. The ultimate aim of this study is to achieve the virtual musealization of the heritage complex.
Effect of Flavonoid Dynamic Changes on Flower Coloration of Tulipa gesneiana ‘Queen of Night’ during Flower Development
Authors: Guo Xueying , Fu Xueqing , Li Xin , Tang Dongqin
Published: June 2022

Tulipa gesneriana has rich cultivars with abundant flower colors; among them, black tulips have become precious cultivars for their rareness in nature. It is of great significance to understand its color formation mechanism for breeding new cultivars with a blackish flower color in the future. In this present study, petals at five developmental stages of Tulipa gesneriana ‘Queen of Night’ (shorted for ‘QN’), a typical black tulip cultivar, were collected to identity the flavonoid composition and compare the accumulation along with the flower development process, aiming to explore the metabolic mechanism of its flower coloration. By using UPLC-Q-TOF-MS, three anthocyanins and nineteen anthoxanthins (including eighteen flavonols and one flavone) were detected in the petals of ‘QN’. The anthocyanins were identified as delphinidin 3-o-rutinoside, cyanidin 3-o-rutinoside and pelargonidin 3-o-rutinoside, respectively. The main flavonols were identified as quercetin, kaempferol, isorhamnetin, naringin and their glycosides. The only one flavone substance was identified as an apigenin derivative. By comparing the content, anthocyanins were the most abundant substance in the petals of ‘QN’, and showed obvious regularity in the development process. With the flower opening, the anthocyanin content accumulated continuously, and reached the highest level at 3575.9 μg·g−1·FW at S5, accounting for 80% of the total flavonoids. Among them, delphinidin 3-o-rutinoside and cyanidin 3-o-rutinoside made the main contribution to the coloration of ‘QN’. The content of anthoxanthins increased first and then decreased, reaching the highest to 1114.8 μg·g−1·FW at S3. Quercetin and its glycosides were the most important flavonol substances in the petals of ‘QN’, accounting for more than 60% of the total anthoxanthins in the five stages. The content of a flavone identified was extremely low, suggesting a limited role in the flower color of ‘QN’. Taken together, the flower color presentation of ‘QN’ was closely related to the composition and accumulation of anthocyanins and flavonols; anthocyanins were the main substances that determine the petal coloration of ‘QN’, and the high content of flavonols played a role of co-pigmentation with these anthocyanins.
Comparison of SWAT and MODIS Evapotranspiration Data for Multiple Timescales
Authors: Parajuli Prem B. , Risal Avay , Ouyang Ying , Thompson Anita
Published: June 2022

Evapotranspiration (ET) provides important information for hydrological studies, including estimating plant water requirements which can be derived from remote sensing data or simulated using hydrological models. In this study, ET derived from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) was compared with ET simulated by the calibrated and validated Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for the Big Sunflower River watershed (BSRW) in Mississippi. The comparisons were made based on 8-day, 1-month, seasonal, and annual timescales. The coefficients of variation (COVs) for the 8-day, 1-month, seasonal, and annual ET simulated by SWAT were 0.42, 0.40, 0.32, and 0.04, respectively, whereas the COVs for the ET derived from MODIS were 0.06, 0.12, 0.08, and 0.01 for the respective time scales. Lower COVs for the ET derived from MODIS indicated lower sensitivity to crop growth in the field. SWAT-simulated ET was the highest during crop growing season and lowest during dormant season, but MODIS-derived ET did not vary considerably according to crop growing or harvesting seasons. As MODIS-derived ET accounts for only climatic conditions and vegetation cover, SWAT-simulated ET is recommended for the short-term estimation of crop water requirements because it accounts for climatic, land use, soil, and slope conditions.
Development and Validation of the Tuberculosis Risk Score for Smokers (TBRSS)
Authors: Tengku Khalid Tengku Noor Farhana , Wan Mohammad Wan Mohd Zahiruddin , Nik Husain Nik Rosmawati , Ab Samat Razan
Published: June 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a significant public health issue worldwide. However, the effectiveness of TB screening programmes among smokers is still questionable. There is a need for a simple, reliable, and validated screening system for this risk population. This study aimed to develop and validate the tuberculosis risk score for smokers (TBRSS) in Kelantan, Malaysia. A case–control study was conducted on 159 patients (smokers with and without TB) between January and July 2020. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were applied to determine the variables to be included in the risk score. The cut-off points to determine a score indicating low or high risk for TB disease were obtained based on the receiver operating characteristics curve. Content validation was carried out through interviews with eight experts to measure each variable′s relevancy. The face validation was conducted among 20 health clinic staff. Seven variables were selected for inclusion in the risk score. The chosen cut-off point was 16 (out of 43), with 91% and 78% sensitivity and specificity, respectively. The scale-level content validity index was 0.83, while the face validity index scores for each element ranged between 0.85 and 1.00. The TBRSS can be considered a validated screening tool for use in screening TB disease risk among smokers, which potentially may lead to an increased detection of TB disease in the community.
Factors Associated with Subjective Well-Being of Chinese Adolescents Aged 10–15: Based on China Family Panel Studies
Authors: Shi Hong , Zhao Hanfang , Ren Zheng , He Minfu , Li Yuyu , Pu Yajiao , Li Xiangrong , Wang Shixun , Cui Li , Zhao Jieyu , Liu Hongjian , Zhang Xiumin
Published: June 2022

(1) Background: This study aimed to explore the factors associated with the subjective well-being (SWB) of Chinese adolescents from a more comprehensive perspective and to analyze the importance of its influencing factors. (2) Methods: Obtained from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) 2018, the research data involved 2316 adolescents aged 10–15. By using the Chi-square test, t-test and binary logistic regression, we investigated the associations of individual-, family- and community-level factors with SWB in Chinese adolescents. To explore the rank of the influencing factors of SWB, the random forest model was set up. (3) Results: In individual-level factors, girls, who were adolescents with higher academic performance and school satisfaction, with the habit of midday napping and reading books, and with higher self-esteem, had a higher SWB. In family-level factors, mothers living at home resulted in a higher SWB, while quarrelling with their parents led to low SWB. In community-level factors, adolescents with better social relationships, social trust and who were better at telling their troubles to others had a higher SWB. Based on the random forest model, the importance degree was ranked, and the top five were decided, including self-esteem (89.949), social relations (43.457), academic performance (31.971), school satisfaction (27.651) and quarrelling with parents (19.026). (4) Conclusions: Self-esteem, social relations, academic performance, school satisfaction and quarrelling with parents are all important variables that are related to the SWB of Chinese adolescents.
Violence Risk Assessment and Risk Management: Case-Study of Filicide in an Italian Woman
Authors: Sorge Antonia , Borrelli Giovanni , Saita Emanuela , Perrella Raffaella
Published: June 2022

Background: At an international level, the risk assessment and management process of violent offenders follows a standard method that implies well-defined theoretical models and the use of scientifically validated tools. In Italy, this process is still highly discretionary. The aim of this study is to highlight the advantages deriving from the use of risk assessment tools within the framework of a single case study; Methods: Recidivism risk and social dangerousness of an Italian woman perpetrator of filicide were assessed through the administration of the Level of Service/Case Management Inventory (LS/CMI) instrument supported by Historical Clinical Risk-20 Version 3 (HCR-20 V3); Results: The administration of LS/CMI showed that, in this single case, the subcomponents represent a criminogenic risk/need factor are: Family/Marital, Companions, Alcohol and Drug Problem and Leisure; while constituting strengths: employment and the absence of a Pro-criminal Orientation and an Antisocial Pattern; Conclusions: Data collected through LS/CMI indicated life areas of a single case, which should be emphasised not only to assess the risk of re-offending and social dangerousness but also for a social rehabilitation programme more suited to the subject. This study demonstrates that the LS/CMI assessment tool is suitable for the Italian context.
Is Team Resilience More Than the Sum of Its Parts? A Quantitative Study on Emergency Healthcare Teams during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Hendrikx Inge E. M. , Vermeulen Stef C. G. , Wientjens Vera L. W. , Mannak Remco S.
Published: June 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, emergency healthcare workers have come under even more pressure than before, threatening the workers’ mental health and the continuity of care delivered by their teams. This study aims to investigate what conditions increase individual and team resilience, referring to the ability to “bounce back” from stressful situations. We also assess whether team resilience is the sum of the individual resilience of team members, or whether other conditions enhance team resilience and thus continuity of care, despite limited individual resilience. We collected survey data from 129 emergency healthcare team members in the Netherlands to examine to what extent transformational leadership and team familiarity influence the level of team resilience, either directly or mediated by individual resilience, accounting for psychological characteristics and social support. The results show two distinct pathways to enhance team resilience, directly by familiarizing team members with each other and by mobilizing family support, and indirectly but with a much weaker effect, by encouraging team members’ individual resilience through transformational leadership and staffing optimistic team members with high levels of self-efficacy.
Correction: Schlotheuber, A.; Hosseinpoor, A.R. Summary Measures of Health Inequality: A Review of Existing Measures and Their Application. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 3697
Authors: Schlotheuber Anne , Hosseinpoor Ahmad Reza
Published: June 2022

Several errors were introduced after proofreading, and the authors hence wish to make the following corrections to this paper [...]
Biomarkers and Hemodynamic Parameters in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Children with Postural Tachycardia Syndrome and Vasovagal Syncope
Authors: Cheng Wenjie , Wang Jiaqi , Lin Jing
Published: June 2022

In children, vasovagal syncope and postural tachycardia syndrome constitute the major types of orthostatic intolerance. The clinical characteristics of postural tachycardia syndrome and vasovagal syncope are similar but their treatments differ. Therefore, their differential diagnosis is important to guide the correct treatment. Therapeutic methods vary in patients with the same diagnosis because of different pathomechanisms. Hence, in patients with vasovagal syncope or postural tachycardia syndrome, routine treatments have an unsatisfactory efficacy. However, biomarkers could increase the therapeutic efficacy significantly, allowing for an accurate and detailed assessment of patients and leading to improved therapeutic effects. In the present review, we aimed to summarize the current state of research into biomarkers for distinguishing the diagnosis of pediatric vasovagal syncope from that of postural tachycardia syndrome. We also discuss the biomarkers that predict treatment outcomes during personalized therapy for each subtype.
Health Literacy in the Context of Implant Care—Perspectives of (Prospective) Implant Wearers on Individual and Organisational Factors
Authors: Hübner Constanze , Lorke Mariya , Buchholz Annika , Frech Stefanie , Harzheim Laura , Schulz Sabine , Jünger Saskia , Woopen Christiane
Published: June 2022

The continuous development of medical implants offers various benefits for persons with chronic conditions but also challenges an individual’s, and the healthcare system’s, ability to deal with technical innovation. Accessing and understanding new information, navigating healthcare, and appraising the role of the implant in body perceptions and everyday life requires health literacy (HL) of those affected as well as an HL-responsive healthcare system. The interconnectedness of these aspects to ethically relevant values such as health, dependence, responsibility and self-determination reinforces the need to address HL in implant care. Following a qualitative approach, we conducted group discussions and a diary study among wearers of a cochlear, glaucoma or cardiovascular implant (or their parents). Data were analysed using the documentary method and grounded theory. The data reveal the perceptions of implant wearers regarding the implant on (1) the ability to handle technical and ambiguous information; (2) dependence and responsibility within the healthcare system; and (3) the ethical aspects of HL. Knowing more about the experiences and values of implant wearers is highly beneficial to develop HL from an ethical perspective. Respective interventions need to initially address ethically relevant values in counselling processes and implant care.
Assessment of Trace Metals Contamination, Species Distribution and Mobility in River Sediments Using EDTA Extraction
Authors: Wojtkowska Małgorzata , Bogacki Jan
Published: June 2022

The impact of the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on speciation image of selected trace metals (Zn, Cd, Cu, Pb) in bottom sediments was determined. The influence on the effectiveness of metal removal of extraction multiplicity, type of metal, extraction time and concentration of EDTA were analyzed. With the increase of extraction multiplicity, the concentration of EDTA and contact time, the efficiency of trace metals leaching increased. The speciation analysis revealed that EDTA not only leached metals from bioavailable fractions, but also caused the transition of the metals between the fractions. The biggest amounts of bioavailable forms were found for Cd, less for Zn. The amount of bioavailable fraction was the lowest for Cu and Pb. The two first-order kinetic models fitted well the kinetics of metals extraction with EDTA, allowing the metals fractionation into “labile” (Q1), “moderately labile” (Q2) and “not extractable” fractions (Q3).
New Insights into Microbial Degradation of Cyanobacterial Organic Matter Using a Fractionation Procedure
Authors: Chen Jing , Zhou Yongqiang , Zhang Yunlin
Published: June 2022

Cyanobacterial blooms caused by phytoplankton Microcystis have occurred successively since 1980 in Lake Taihu, China, which has led to difficulty collecting clean drinking water. The effects of cyanobacterial scum-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) on microbial population variations and of algal-derived filtrate and algal residual exudative organic matter caused by the fraction procedure on nutrient mineralization are unclear. This study revealed the microbial-regulated transformation of DOM from a high-molecular-weight labile to a low-molecular-weight recalcitrant, which was characterized by three obvious stages. The bioavailability of DOM derived from cyanobacterial scum by lake microbes was investigated during 80-d dark degradation. Carbon substrates provided distinct growth strategy links to the free-living bacteria abundance variation, and this process was coupled with the regeneration of different forms of inorganic nutrients. The carryover effects of Microcystis cyanobacteria blooms can exist for a long time. We also found the transformation of different biological availability of DOM derived from two different cyanobacterial DOM fractions, which all coupled with the regeneration of different forms of inorganic nutrients. Our study provides new insights into the microbial degradation of cyanobacterial organic matter using a fractionation procedure, which suggests that the exudate and lysate from degradation products of cyanobacteria biomass have heterogeneous impacts on DOM cycling in aquatic environments.
Does Digital Inclusive Finance Effectively Promote Agricultural Green Development?—A Case Study of China
Authors: Guo Hua , Gu Fan , Peng Yanling , Deng Xin , Guo Lili
Published: June 2022

Agricultural green development is increasingly being discussed in sustainable development. This paper constructs agricultural green development from four dimensions: resource savings, environmental protection, ecological conservation, and quality industrialization. We apply the entropy-weighted Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method to measure agricultural green development and employ a panel dataset of provinces in China from 2011–2019. Then, the dynamic spatial Durbin model is adopted to estimate the spatial effect of digital inclusive finance on agricultural green development. The main findings are as follows: (1) digital inclusive finance effectively promotes agricultural green development, and the promotional effect shows temporary and spatial spillover; (2) regional heterogeneity exists in the spatial effect in the short and long term; and (3) education, digital infrastructure, and traditional finance are important factors influencing this spatial effect of digital inclusive finance on agricultural green development.
Chromatic Contrast Sensitivity Functions and Colour Discrimination in Smoker Patients
Authors: García-Domene Mari Carmen , Luque-Cobija María Josefa , de Fez Dolores , Díez-Ajenjo María Amparo
Published: June 2022

In this study, effects of smoking on colour vision with the Farnsworth–Munsell 100 Hue test (FM100h) and achromatic (A), red-green (RG), and blue-yellow (BY) contrast sensitivity functions were evaluated. In total, 50 non-smoker controls and 25 smokers, divided into two groups (group 1, less than 10 cigarettes per day, with 15 patients, and group 2, >10 cigarettes per day, with 10 patients) took part in the experiments. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), FM100h, and A, RG, and BY contrast sensitivity functions were measured. Total and partial RG and BY error scores (TES and PTES) and colour axis index (CA) were used in the analysis. No differences between smoker and non-smoker groups were found in BCVA, CA and A and BY contrast sensitivity, but TES and PTES values and RG contrast sensitivity at 1 cpd were statistically different. Differences between smoker groups were not significant. Error scores in smokers were positively correlated with the number of cigarettes smoked per day, and in BY also with age. Tobacco caused discrimination losses in both chromatic mechanisms but affected the red-green pathway more than the blue-yellow, and therefore, a partial RG score of FM100h test seems to be a good predictor of smoker colour deficiencies.
Substance Use, Health, and Adverse Life Events amongst Amphetamine-Type Stimulant Users in North East England: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Adams Emma Audrey , Spencer Liam , Addison Michelle , McGovern William , Alderson Hayley , Adley Mark , McGovern Ruth , Gilvarry Eilish , Kaner Eileen , O’Donnell Amy
Published: June 2022

Amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS) are the second most commonly used class of illicit drugs globally, yet there is limited understanding of which factors contribute to different pathways of ATS use. We sought to compare current, former, and exposed non-ATS users’ substance use, mental/physical health, and adverse life experiences. A cross-sectional survey, using computer-assisted personal interview software, was conducted between June 2018 and March 2019 in North East England. Quota-based sampling was used to recruit 389 individuals (aged 18 to 68; 52.6% male): 137 current ATS users; 174 former users; and 78 exposed non-users. Standardized screening questionnaires captured current/prior substance use. Participants self-reported diagnoses of selected physical and mental health disorders and specific adverse life experiences. Analysis used descriptive statistics and comparative tests (including chi-square, Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U). Early exposure to illicit substances, challenging mental health, and certain adverse life experiences (such as growing up in statutory care) were more common in individuals currently using ATS compared to those who had never used or stopped using stimulants. Multi-level interventions are needed that address the mental health, social, and economic needs of people with dependent drug use. These could include targeted efforts to support children growing up under care, integrated mental health and substance use support, and joined-up substance use interventions reflective of wider structural factors.
Spatial and Temporal Evolutionary Characteristics and Its Influencing Factors of Economic Spatial Polarization in the Yangtze River Delta Region
Authors: Zhu Yiheng , Yang Shan , Lin Jinping , Yin Shanggang
Published: June 2022

Economic spatial polarization is a manifestation of unbalanced urban development. To study the unbalanced development of Chinese cities, this paper selects 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region, introduces the polarization index and exploratory spatio-temporal analysis to portray their spatio-temporal evolution process, and analyzes the differences in spatial polarization patterns of economic development in three dimensions of economic quantity, quality, and structure. Finally, we use the geographic detector model to explore the driving factors and then propose corresponding policy recommendations. The results show that: (1) the degree of difference in economic development in the YRD region narrowed from 2000 to 2019, and the spatial polarization level of urban economic development showed a fluctuating downward trend, among which the spatial polarization level of the economic structure dimension has been increasing. (2) In terms of spatial distribution, the “Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration” has economic spatial polarization in the YRD region has become the peak contiguous zone, and the spatial polarization of economic quantity and quality dimensions has formed a “polycentric” pattern, while the spatial polarization of economic structure dimensions shows a stable “one core, multiple sub-center” distribution. (3) From the evolution of spatial polarization, most cities have strong spatial locking characteristics without a transition. Spatially positive polarized are concentrated in the YRD urban agglomeration, and the inter-city neighboring relations are mainly positive synergistic growth, while the negatively polarized cities are mostly distributed in the peripheral areas of the YRD and the neighboring relations are negative synergistic growth. At the same time, the spatially positive polarization effect of the economic quantity dimension and the spatially negative polarization effect of the economic structure dimension among cities are more significant. (4) The economic spatial polarization in the YRD region is mainly dominated by market prosperity and urbanization level, while the driving effect of scientific and technological innovation development on the urban economy has also been expanding in recent years. Promoting the reasonable allocation of marketization, urbanization, and technology among cities with positive and negative spatial polarization in the future will contribute to balanced urban and regional economic development in a coordinated and orderly manner.
Dietary Factors, Time of the Week, Physical Fitness and Saliva Cortisol: Their Modulatory Effect on Mental Distress and Mood
Authors: Begdache Lina , Sadeghzadeh Saloumeh , Pearlmutter Paul , Derose Gia , Krishnamurthy Pragna , Koh Ahyeon
Published: June 2022

Background: The purpose of the study was to assess the effect of diet quality and physical fitness on saliva cortisol, mood, and mental distress. These relationships were compared between a peak weekday (Wednesday) and a weekend day (Saturday) when mood may fluctuate. Methods: Forty-eight healthy college students participated in the study. Participants completed the Mood and Anxiety Symptom (MASQ) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale 10 questionnaires on Wednesday and Saturday and recorded their diet for three days. Saliva was collected before and after a workout for cortisol extraction. Results: SA had significantly higher saliva cortisol levels post-workout but lower MASQ scores on Saturday (p < 0.05). There was a very significant association between MASQ scores on Wednesday (p = 0.005), which became less significant on Saturday. In addition, lower BMI values and high-fat consumption were associated with higher cortisol levels after exercise (p < 0.05). Conclusions: There is a strong link between dietary factors, cortisol levels, mood, and time of the week. In addition, our results suggest that saliva cortisol levels may not be directly linked to negative affect but are influenced by diet quality when mental distress exists. In addition, physical fitness may play a role in improving mood during weekends.
Synthesizing Stakeholders Perspectives on Online Psychological Interventions to Improve the Mental Health of the Italian Population during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Online Survey Study
Authors: Bertuzzi Vanessa , Semonella Michelle , Castelnuovo Gianluca , Andersson Gerhard , Pietrabissa Giada
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic is expected to significantly increase the prevalence of mental health problems, thus raising the need for psychological support interventions around the world. Online psychological interventions have already been shown to be an effective solution to promote psychological treatments. Nevertheless, planning and developing an online intervention, involving possible stakeholders, might facilitate the dissemination of, willingness to use, and success of the future intervention. This study aims to explore and compare the experiences that Italians living in Italy and abroad had with available support services during the COVID-19 pandemic, their needs, and attitudes, as well as possible barriers to online psychological interventions. A sample of 1024 Italians (F = 69.8%; mean age = 41.3; SD = 15.3) was recruited through social media platforms and personal contacts and they were asked to complete an online survey. Results showed that perceived psychological distress during the COVID-19 pandemic improved. In Europe, psychological support was delivered mainly in person (69.0%), while online interventions were primarily used in extra-European countries (57%). Then, only 44% of the total sample was interested in trying an online psychological intervention. Various advantages and disadvantages were defined by stakeholders: The main advantages were the reduction in geographical distances, economic reasons, and the reduction in the waiting list; The main disadvantages were problems with technology, low motivation of users, and privacy/safety reasons. These data made it possible to improve the knowledge regarding the views and attitudes that Italians have about online psychological interventions, and shed light on how to increase the uptake of digital health.
External Supervision, Face Consciousness, and Pesticide Safety Use: Evidence from Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Qiao Dakuan , Luo Lei , Zheng Xingqiang , Fu Xinhong
Published: June 2022

Clarifying the factors influencing the safe use of pesticide is essential for scientific decision making to effectively manage pesticide use and promote sustainable agroecological development. The study aims to explore the factors influencing farmers’ safe use of pesticides from the perspectives of external supervision and face consciousness. Using survey data covering 534 farm households in Sichuan province, this study empirically analyzes the influence mechanisms of external supervision, face consciousness, and their interaction terms on farmers’ safe use of pesticides by employing the binary logit and IV-2SLS model, and further reveals their intergenerational differences on this basis. The results show that external supervision and positive face consciousness have significantly positive effects on pesticide safety use by farmers; market supervision and ability-type face, respectively, play the biggest role among them. Furthermore, there is an interaction effect between external supervision and face consciousness with respect to pesticide safety use. Farmers with different generation farms are influenced differently by external supervision and face consciousness. The behaviors of the new generation farmers to safely use pesticide are principally influenced by government supervision, market supervision, and ability-type face; in contrast, the ones of the older generation farmers are mainly influenced by market supervision, organization supervision, and relationship-type face.
Chronic Pesticide Exposure in Farm Workers Is Associated with the Epigenetic Modulation of hsa-miR-199a-5p
Authors: Gattuso Giuseppe , Falzone Luca , Costa Chiara , Giambò Federica , Teodoro Michele , Vivarelli Silvia , Libra Massimo , Fenga Concettina
Published: June 2022

The increasing use of pesticides in intensive agriculture has had a negative impact on human health. It was widely demonstrated how pesticides can induce different genetic and epigenetic alterations associated with the development of different diseases, including tumors and neurological disorders. Therefore, the identification of effective indicators for the prediction of harmful pesticide exposure is mandatory. In this context, the aim of the study was to evaluate the modification of hsa-miR-199a-5p expression levels in liquid biopsy samples obtained from healthy donors and farm workers with chronic exposure to pesticides. For this purpose, the high-sensitive droplet digital PCR assay (ddPCR) was used to detect variation in the expression levels of the selected microRNA (miRNA). The ddPCR analyses revealed a significant down-regulation of hsa-miR-199a-5p observed in individuals exposed to pesticides compared to control samples highlighting the good predictive value of this miRNA as demonstrated by statistical analyses. Overall, the obtained results encourage the analysis of miRNAs as predictive biomarkers of chronic pesticide exposure thus improving the current strategies for the monitoring of harmful pesticide exposure.