bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Complete Blood Count Peculiarities in Pregnant SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients at Term: A Cohort Study
Authors: Covali Roxana , Socolov Demetra , Socolov Razvan , Pavaleanu Ioana , Carauleanu Alexandru , Akad Mona , Boiculese Vasile Lucian , Adam Ana Maria
Published: December 2021

Background: During viral outbreaks, pregnancy poses an increased risk of infection for women. Methods: In a prospective study, all patients admitted for delivery at term to Elena Doamna Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital in Iasi, Romania, between 1 April 2020 and 31 December 2020 were included. There were 457 patients, divided into two groups: group 1, SARS-CoV-2-positive patients (n = 46) and group 2, SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (n = 411). Among other tests, complete blood count was determined upon admittance, and the following values were studied: white blood cell count, lymphocytes, neutrophils, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, mean corpuscular hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red blood cell distribution width, hematocrit, platelet count, mean platelet volume, platelet distribution width, plateletcrit, and platelet large cell ratio. Results: in pregnant SARS-CoV-2-infected patients at term, there was a significant decrease in white blood cell, neutrophil, and lymphocyte count, and an increase in mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration, compared to healthy pregnant women at term, although all still within normal limits. None of the other components of the complete blood count or fetal outcomes studied was significantly influenced by SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnant patients at term.
Diagnostic Value of the Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (NLR) and Platelet-to-Lymphocyte Ratio (PLR) in Various Respiratory Diseases: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Man Milena-Adina , Davidescu Lavinia , Motoc Nicoleta-Stefania , Rajnoveanu Ruxandra-Mioara , Bondor Cosmina-Ioana , Pop Carmen-Monica , Toma Claudia
Published: December 2021

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte (PLR) ratio are two extensively used inflammatory markers that have been proved very useful in evaluating inflammation in several diseases. The present article aimed to investigate if they have any value in distinguishing among various respiratory disorders. One hundred and forty-five patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), 219 patients with different chronic respiratory diseases (interstitial lung disease, obstructive sleep apnea(OSA)-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) overlap syndrome, bronchiectasis) and 161 healthy individuals as a control group were included in the study. While neither NLR nor PLR had any power in differentiating between various diseases, PLR was found to be significant but poor as a diagnostic test when the control group was compared with the OSA-COPD group. NLR was found to be significant but poor as a diagnostic test when we compared the control group with all three groups (separately): the OSA-COPD group; interstitial lung disease group, and bronchiectasis group. NLR and PLR had poor power to discriminate between various respiratory diseases and cannot be used in making the differential diagnosis.
Seven-Month Analysis of Five SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Assay Results after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 Vaccination: Significant Decrease in SARS-CoV-2 Antibody Titer
Authors: Jeong Seri , Lee Nuri , Lee Su-Kyung , Cho Eun-Jung , Hyun Jungwon , Park Min-Jeong , Song Wonkeun , Jung Eun-Ju , Woo Heungjeong , Seo Yu-Bin , Park Jin-Ju , Kim Hyun-Soo
Published: December 2021

We investigated the longevity rates of antibodies to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) after a complete ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination, which are rare and important to estimate their efficacy and establish a vaccination strategy. We assessed the positivity rates and changes of titers before (T0) and at one month (T1), four months (T2), and seven months (T3) after a ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination using five SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays. A total of 874 serum samples were obtained from 228 (T0 and T1), 218 (T2), and 200 (T3) healthcare workers. The positive rates for all five assays were 0.0–0.9% at T0, 66.2–92.5% at T1, 98.2–100.0% at T2, and 66.0–100.0% at T3. The positive rates at T3 were decreased compared to those at T2. The median antibody titers of all the assays at T3 were significantly decreased compared to those at T2 (860.5 to 232.0 U/mL for Roche total, 1041.5 to 325.5 AU/mL for Abbott IgG, 10.9 to 2.3 index for Siemens IgG, 99.5% to 94.7% for SD Biosensor V1, and 88.5% to 38.2% for GenScript). A third-dose scheme can be considered based on our data generated from five representative assays. Our findings contribute insights into SARS-CoV-2 antibody assays and appropriate vaccination strategies.
Biomechanical Behavior Evaluation of a Novel Hybrid Occlusal Splint-Mouthguard for Contact Sports: 3D-FEA
Authors: Kalman Les , Dal Piva Amanda Maria de Oliveira , de Queiroz Talita Suelen , Tribst João Paulo Mendes
Published: December 2021

Background: Orofacial injuries are common occurrences during contact sports activities. However, there is an absence of data regarding the performance of hybrid occlusal splint mouthguards (HMG), especially during compressive loading. This study amid to evaluate the biomechanical effects of wearing a conventional custom mouthguard (MG) or the HMG on the teeth, bone, and the device itself. Methods: To evaluate the total deformation and stress concentration, a skull model was selected and duplicated to receive two different designs of mouthguard device: one model received a MG with 4-mm thickness and the other received a novel HMG with the same thickness. Both models were subdivided into finite elements. The frictionless contacts were used, and a nonlinear analysis was performed simulating the compressive loading in occlusion. Results: The results were presented in von-Mises stress maps (MPa) and total deformation (mm). A higher stress concentration in teeth was observed for the model with the conventional MG, while the HMG design displayed a promising mechanical response with lower stress magnitude. The HMG design displayed a higher magnitude of stress on its occlusal portion (7.05 MPa) than the MG design (6.19 MPa). Conclusion: The hybrid mouthguard (HMG) reduced (1) jaw displacement during chewing and (2) the generated stresses in maxillary and mandibular teeth.
Impact of Entrepreneurial Self-Efficacy and Entrepreneurial Motivation on Micro and Small Business Success for Food and Beverage Sector in East Java, Indonesia
Authors: Srimulyani Veronika Agustini , Hermanto Yustinus Budi
Published: December 2021

The research aims to examine the impact of entrepreneurial self-efficacy and entrepreneurial motivation on the success of the food and beverage (F&B) sector’s micro and small enterprises (MSEs). The sample was selected using purposive sampling techniques from 267 MSE owners in the F&B businesses in Madiun City, Madiun Regency, and Magetan Regency, East Java, Indonesia. The test results of the hypothesis showed that: (1) partially, self-efficacy entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial motivation are significantly positive on business success in micro and small F&B businesses in East Java, Indonesia; (2) entrepreneurial motivation acts as a partial mediation of the influence of self-efficacy entrepreneurship on the business success of micro and small businesses in the field of food and beverage in East Java, Indonesia; abd (3) simultaneously, self-efficacy entrepreneurship and the influence of entrepreneurial motivation are significantly positive on business success in micro and small businesses in the food and beverage fields of East Java, Indonesia. The results showed that self-efficacy and motivation in entrepreneurship are necessary because they affect business success, particularly in micro and small F&B businesses in Indonesia. Further research can explore other factors that influence business success by expanding the research area and other types of creative industry businesses. Further research could explore other factors influencing business success by expanding research areas, such as entrepreneurial leadership and innovative work behavior.
Educational Impact on Ecuadorian University Students Due to the COVID-19 Context
Authors: Benalcázar Marco E. , Barona Lorena , Valdivieso Ángel Leonardo , Vimos Victor Hugo , Velastegui Daniel , Santacruz Cesar J.
Published: December 2021

The mobility restrictions imposed in different countries due to the pandemic of Sars-CoV2 has hugely impacted different areas in the world. In this work, impacts on the social areas of Ecuadorian university students such as education, economy, physical and mental health, and access to telecommunications are analyzed. For this work, in a snapshot between May to September 2020, 1841 students from 6 public and 5 private universities from Ecuador were surveyed through 47 questions, which were grouped into 7 mutually exclusive dimensions. The Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze the correlations between the responses of the questions and the relations between dimensions. Dimensional relations were used to analyze how students perceive online classes, teachers’ preparation, mood, and the impact on their learning process due to their decreasing family income. Among the most important results, we found that 63.78% of students want to return to on-site classes regardless of their conditions of Internet connection and their available learning tools (computers, tablets, or cellphones). The results also show that family income has influenced how students access the Internet, Internet connection, technological resources for online learning, and mood. Regarding the relations between variables, we found that older students and students from higher semesters think that online classes are better than face-to-face classes and want to continue in online education.
From Leading to Guiding, Facilitating, and Inspiring: A Needed Shift for the 21st Century
Authors: Maker C. June
Published: December 2021

In the 21st-century context, problem solving, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication are the most valued skills in the workplace. Thus, those in positions often labeled as “leadership” need to make a valuable shift: to guiding, inspiring, and facilitating rather than directing. In this article, I review research on two styles of leadership, transformational and transactional, and relate this research to discussions of the same two types of giftedness. Research on the effectiveness of leaders at engendering creative problem solving has shown the transformational style to be more effective. Leaders are guides in the process rather than the content, facilitators of the gathering and exchange of information from varied sources, and role models as they exhibit effective problem-solving behaviors themselves. As role models, they inspire others to take risks, think innovatively, and collaborate with others. Examples of methods for identifying exceptionally talented leaders and behaviors to observe are provided. In addition, an evidence-based model for igniting, cultivating, extending, and strengthening exceptional talent in leadership is described.
A Flexible Operation and Sizing of Battery Energy Storage System Based on Butterfly Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Alawode Basit Olakunle , Salman Umar Taiwo , Khalid Muhammad
Published: December 2021

There is a surge in the total energy demand of the world due to the increase in the world’s population and the ever-increasing human dependence on technology. Conventional non-renewable energy sources still contribute a larger amount to the total energy production. Due to their greenhouse gas emissions and environmental pollution, the substitution of these sources with renewable energy sources (RES) is desired. However, RES, such as wind energy, are uncertain, intermittent, and unpredictable. Hence, there is a need to optimize their usage when they are available. This can be carried out through a flexible operation of a microgrid system with the power grid to gradually reduce the contribution of the conventional sources in the power system using energy storage systems (ESS). To integrate the RES in a cost-effective approach, the ESS must be optimally sized and operated within its safe limitations. This study, therefore, presents a flexible method for the optimal sizing and operation of battery ESS (BESS) in a wind-penetrated microgrid system using the butterfly optimization (BO) algorithm. The BO algorithm was utilized for its simple and fast implementation and for its ability to obtain global optimization parameters. In the formulation of the optimization problem, the study considers the depth of discharge and life-cycle of the BESS. Simulation results for three different scenarios were studied, analyzed, and compared. The resulting optimized BESS connected scenario yielded the most cost-effective strategy among all scenarios considered.
Electro-Thermal Model-Based Design of Bidirectional On-Board Chargers in Hybrid and Full Electric Vehicles
Authors: Dini Pierpaolo , Saponara Sergio
Published: December 2021

In this paper, a model-based approach for the design of a bidirectional onboard charger (OBC) device for modern hybrid and fully electrified vehicles is proposed. The main objective and contribution of our study is to incorporate in the same simulation environment both modelling of electrical and thermal behaviour of switching devices. This is because most (if not all) of the studies in the literature present analyses of thermal behaviour based on the use of FEM (Finite Element Method) SWs, which in fact require the definition of complicated models based on partial derivative equations. The simulation of such accurate models is computationally expensive and, therefore, cannot be incorporated into the same virtual environment in which the circuit equations are solved. This requires long waiting times and also means that electrical and thermal models do not interact with each other, limiting the completeness of the analysis in the design phase. As a case study, we take as reference the architecture of a modular bidirectional single-phase OBC, consisting of a Totem Pole-type AC/DC converter with Power Factor Correction (PFC) followed by a Dual Active Bridge (DAB) type DC/DC converter. Specifically, we consider a 7 kW OBC, for which its modules consist of switching devices made with modern 900 V GaN (Gallium Nitrade) and 1200 V SiC (Silicon Carbide) technologies, to achieve maximum performance and efficiency. We present a procedure for sizing and selecting electronic devices based on the analysis of behaviour through circuit models of the Totem Pole PFC and DAB converter in order to perform validation by using simulations that are as realistic as possible. The developed models are tested under various operating conditions of practical interest in order to validate the robustness of the implemented control algorithms under varying operating conditions. The validation of the models and control loops is also enhanced by an exhaustive robustness analysis of the parametric variations of the model with respect to the nominal case. All simulations obtained respect the operating limits of the selected devices and components, for which its characteristics are reported in data sheets both in terms of electrical and thermal behaviour.
Evaluation of Feature Selection Methods on Psychosocial Education Data Using Additive Ratio Assessment
Authors: Muttakin Fitriani , Wang Jui-Tang , Mulyanto Mulyanto , Leu Jenq-Shiou
Published: December 2021

Artificial intelligence, particularly machine learning, is the fastest-growing research trend in educational fields. Machine learning shows an impressive performance in many prediction models, including psychosocial education. The capability of machine learning to discover hidden patterns in large datasets encourages researchers to invent data with high-dimensional features. In contrast, not all features are needed by machine learning, and in many cases, high-dimensional features decrease the performance of machine learning. The feature selection method is one of the appropriate approaches to reducing the features to ensure machine learning works efficiently. Various selection methods have been proposed, but research to determine the essential subset feature in psychosocial education has not been established thus far. This research investigated and proposed methods to determine the best feature selection method in the domain of psychosocial education. We used a multi-criteria decision system (MCDM) approach with Additive Ratio Assessment (ARAS) to rank seven feature selection methods. The proposed model evaluated the best feature selection method using nine criteria from the performance metrics provided by machine learning. The experimental results showed that the ARAS is promising for evaluating and recommending the best feature selection method for psychosocial education data using the teacher’s psychosocial risk levels dataset.
Optimization Strategy of Configuration and Scheduling for User-Side Energy Storage
Authors: Liu Yushan , Liu Qianqian , Guan Huaimin , Li Xiao , Bi Daqiang , Guo Yingjun , Sun Hexu
Published: December 2021

In order to reduce the impact of load power fluctuations on the power system and ensure the economic benefits of user-side energy storage operation, an optimization strategy of configuration and scheduling based on model predictive control for user-side energy storage is proposed in this study. Firstly, considering the cost and benefits of energy storage comprehensively, an energy storage configuration optimization model with the highest annualized net income as the goal is built to determine the parameters for configuring energy storage. Then, with the goal of maximizing the profit during the scheduling period, pre-month scheduling optimization model, day-ahead scheduling optimization model and intra-day scheduling optimization model are established. The goal of the pre-month scheduling optimization model is to determine the maximum monthly demand; part of the scheduling results in the day-ahead scheduling optimization model directly participate in the intra-day scheduling; the intra-day rolling optimization relies on the advantages of real-time feedback and closed-loop scheduling to smooth out power fluctuations caused by load forecast errors. Finally, the configuration and economic benefit of lithium iron phosphate batteries, lead-carbon batteries and sodium-sulfur batteries are analyzed and compared, and scheduling analysis is performed. The simulation results show that the proposed optimization method can cut peaks and fill valleys, ensure the economic benefits of users, and provide guidance for users to invest in energy storage.
Machine Learning for Physical Layer in 5G and beyond Wireless Networks: A Survey
Authors: Tanveer Jawad , Haider Amir , Ali Rashid , Kim Ajung
Published: December 2021

Fifth-generation (5G) technology will play a vital role in future wireless networks. The breakthrough 5G technology will unleash a massive Internet of Everything (IoE), where billions of connected devices, people, and processes will be simultaneously served. The services provided by 5G include several use cases enabled by the enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency communication. Fifth-generation networks potentially merge multiple networks on a single platform, providing a landscape for seamless connectivity, particularly for high-mobility devices. With their enhanced speed, 5G networks are prone to various research challenges. In this context, we provide a comprehensive survey on 5G technologies that emphasize machine learning-based solutions to cope with existing and future challenges. First, we discuss 5G network architecture and outline the key performance indicators compared to the previous and upcoming network generations. Second, we discuss next-generation wireless networks and their characteristics, applications, and use cases for fast connectivity to billions of devices. Then, we confer physical layer services, functions, and issues that decrease the signal quality. We also present studies on 5G network technologies, 5G propelling trends, and architectures that help to achieve the goals of 5G. Moreover, we discuss signaling techniques for 5G massive multiple-input and multiple-output and beam-forming techniques to enhance data rates with efficient spectrum sharing. Further, we review security and privacy concerns in 5G and standard bodies’ actionable recommendations for policy makers. Finally, we also discuss emerging challenges and future directions.
Open-Circuit Fault Detection in a Multilevel Inverter Using Sub-Band Wavelet Energy
Authors: Khan Faisal A. , Shees Mohammad Munawar , Alsharekh Mohammed F. , Alyahya Saleh , Saleem Faisal , Baghel Vipul , Sarwar Adil , Islam Muhammad , Khan Sheroz
Published: December 2021

Recent research has focused on sustainable development and renewable energy resources, thus motivating nonconventional cutting-edge technology development. Multilevel inverters are cost-efficient devices with IGBT switches that can be used in ac power applications with reduced harmonics. They are widely used in the power electronics industry. However, under extreme stress, the IGBT switches can experience a fault, which can lead to undesirable operation. There is a need for a reliable system for detecting switch faults. This paper proposes a signal processing method to detect open-circuit problems in IGBT switches. Relative wavelet energy has been used as a feature for a machine learning algorithm to diagnose and classify the faulted switches. The switching sequence can be altered to restore a healthy output voltage. Inverter faults have been diagnosed by using support vector machine (SVM) and decision tree (DT), and an ensemble model based on decision tree (DT) and XG boost algorithm was developed, which yielded 92%, 88%, and 94.12% accuracy, respectively.
Overview of the Optimal Design of the Electrically Excited Doubly Salient Variable Reluctance Machine
Authors: Zhao Yao , Lu Chuanyang , Li Dongdong , Zhao Xing , Yang Fan
Published: December 2021

The Electrically Excited Doubly Salient Variable Reluctance Machine (EEDSVRM) is a new type of brushless machine designed according to the principle of air gap reluctance change. There is neither permanent magnet steel nor excitation winding on the rotor. The rotor is made of silicon steel sheets, thus the structure of the variable reluctance machine is very simple. There are many optimization methods for this type of machine optimal design, such as novel machine topology optimization, finite element simulation-based optimization, mathematical analysis-based optimization, intelligent algorithm-based optimization, and multiple fusion-based optimization. Firstly, this article introduces the basic structure and working principle of the EEDSVRM and analyzes both its common regularity and individual difference. Then, the different optimization design methods of EEDSVRM are reviewed, the advantages and disadvantages of the different optimization methods are summarized, and the research interests of the optimization design of variable reluctance machines in the future are prospected.
Regional Assessment of Carbon Pool Response to Intensive Silvicultural Practices in Loblolly Pine Plantations
Authors: Vogel Jason G. , Bracho Rosvel , Akers Madison , Amateis Ralph , Bacon Allan , Burkhart Harold E. , Gonzalez-Benecke Carlos A. , Grunwald Sabine , Jokela Eric J. , Kane Michael B. , Laviner Marshall A. , Markewitz Daniel , Martin Timothy A. , Meek Cassandra , Ross Christopher Wade , Will Rodney E. , Fox Thomas R.
Published: December 2021

Tree plantations represent an important component of the global carbon (C) cycle and are expected to increase in prevalence during the 21st century. We examined how silvicultural approaches that optimize economic returns in loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantations affected the accumulation of C in pools of vegetation, detritus, and mineral soil up to 100 cm across the loblolly pine’s natural range in the southeastern United States. Comparisons of silvicultural treatments included competing vegetation or ‘weed’ control, fertilization, thinning, and varying intensities of silvicultural treatment for 106 experimental plantations and 322 plots. The average age of the sampled plantations was 17 years, and the C stored in vegetation (pine and understory) averaged 82.1 ± 3.0 (±std. error) Mg C ha−1, and 14.3 ± 0.6 Mg C ha−1 in detrital pools (soil organic layers, coarse-woody debris, and soil detritus). Mineral soil C (0–100 cm) averaged 79.8 ± 4.6 Mg C ha−1 across sites. For management effects, thinning reduced vegetation by 35.5 ± 1.2 Mg C ha−1 for all treatment combinations. Weed control and fertilization increased vegetation between 2.3 and 5.7 Mg C ha−1 across treatment combinations, with high intensity silvicultural applications producing greater vegetation C than low intensity (increase of 21.4 ± 1.7 Mg C ha−1). Detrital C pools were negatively affected by thinning where either fertilization or weed control were also applied, and were increased with management intensity. Mineral soil C did not respond to any silvicultural treatments. From these data, we constructed regression models that summarized the C accumulation in detritus and detritus + vegetation in response to independent variables commonly monitored by plantation managers (site index (SI), trees per hectare (TPH) and plantation age (AGE)). The C stored in detritus and vegetation increased on average with AGE and both models included SI and TPH. The detritus model explained less variance (adj. R2 = 0.29) than the detritus + vegetation model (adj. R2 = 0.87). A general recommendation for managers looking to maximize C storage would be to maintain a high TPH and increase SI, with SI manipulation having a greater relative effect. From the model, we predict that a plantation managed to achieve the average upper third SI (26.8) within our observations, and planted at 1500 TPH, could accumulate ~85 Mg C ha−1 by 12 years of age in detritus and vegetation, an amount greater than the region’s average mineral soil C pool. Notably, SI can be increased using both genetic and silviculture technologies.
Purification and Characterization of Strong Simultaneous Enzyme Production of Protease and α-Amylase from an Extremophile-Bacillus sp. FW2 and Its Possibility in Food Waste Degradation
Authors: Pham Van Hong Thi , Kim Jaisoo , Shim Jeahong , Chang Soonwoong , Chung Woojin
Published: December 2021

Microbial enzymes such as protease and amylase are valuable enzymes with various applications, widely investigated for their applications in degradation of organic waste, biofuel industries, agricultural, pharmaceuticals, chemistry, and biotechnology. In particular, extremophiles play an important role in biorefinery due to their novel metabolic products such as high value catalytic enzymes that are active even under harsh environmental conditions. Due to their potentials and very broad activities, this study isolated, investigated, and characterized the protease- and amylase-producing bacterial strain FW2 that was isolated from food waste. Strain FW2 belongs to the genus Bacillus and was found to be closest to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens DSM 7T with a similarity of 99.86%. This strain was able to degrade organic compounds at temperatures from −6 °C to 75 °C (but weak at 80 °C) under a wide pH range (4.5–12) and high-salinity conditions up to 35% NaCl. Maximum enzyme production was obtained at 1200 ± 23.4 U/mL for protease and 2400 ± 45.8 U/mL for amylase for 4 days at pH 7–7.5, 40–45 °C, and 0–10% NaCl. SDS-PAGE analysis showed that the molecular weights of purified protease were 28 kDa and 44 kDa, corresponding to alkaline protease (AprM) and neutral protease (NprM), respectively, and molecular weight of α-amylase was 55 kDa. Degradation food waste was determined after 15 days, observing a 69% of volume decrease. A potential commercial extremozyme-producing bacteria such as strain FW2 may be a promising contributor to waste degradation under extreme environmental conditions.
Gas-Solid Heat Transfer Computation from Particle-Resolved Direct Numerical Simulations
Authors: Chadil Mohamed-Amine , Vincent Stéphane , Estivalèzes Jean-Luc
Published: December 2021

Particle-Resolved simulations (PR-DNS) have been conducted using a second order implicit Viscous Penalty Method (VPM) to study the heat transfer between a set of particles and an incompressible carrier fluid. A Lagrange extrapolation coupled to a Taylor interpolation of a high order is utilized to the accurate estimate of heat transfer coefficients on an isolated sphere, a fixed Faced-Centered Cubic array of spheres, and a random pack of spheres. The simulated heat transfer coefficients are compared with success to various existing Nusselt laws of the literature.
High Resistant Starch Rice: Variation in Starch Related SNPs, and Functional, and Sensory Properties
Authors: Chen Ming-Hsuan , Bett-Garber Karen , Lea Jeanne , McClung Anna , Bergman Christine
Published: December 2021

Human diets containing greater resistant starch (RS) are associated with superior glycemic control. Although high amylose rice has higher RS (29 g/kg to 44 g/kg) than lower amylose content varieties, sensory and processing properties associated with RS have not been evaluated. This study used variants of Waxy and starch synthase II a (SSIIa) genes to divide high amylose (256 g/kg to 284 g/kg) varieties into three haplotypes to examine their effects on RS, RVA parameters, and 14 cooked rice texture properties. RVA characteristics were influenced by both genes with peak and hotpaste viscosity differentiating the three haplotypes. Setback from hotpaste viscosity was the only RVA parameter correlated with RS content across three haplotypes (r = −0.76 to −0.93). Cooked rice texture attributes were impacted more by Waxy than by SSIIa with initial starch coating, roughness, and intact particles differentiating the three haplotypes. Pairwise correlation (r = 0.46) and PCA analyses suggested that roughness was the only texture attribute associated with RS content; while protein content influenced roughness (r = 0.49) and stickiness between grains (r = 0.45). In conclusion, variation exists among genetic haplotypes with high RS for sensory traits that will appeal to diverse consumers across the globe with limited concern for negatively affecting grain processing quality.
Existence Results for the Solution of the Hybrid Caputo–Hadamard Fractional Differential Problems Using Dhage’s Approach
Authors: Yaseen Muhammad , Mumtaz Sadia , George Reny , Hussain Azhar
Published: December 2021

In this work, we explore the existence results for the hybrid Caputo–Hadamard fractional boundary value problem (CH-FBVP). The inclusion version of the proposed BVP with a three-point hybrid Caputo–Hadamard terminal conditions is also considered and the related existence results are provided. To achieve these goals, we utilize the well-known fixed point theorems attributed to Dhage for both BVPs. Moreover, we present two numerical examples to validate our analytical findings.
The Landscape of Circulating miRNAs in the Post-Genomic Era
Authors: Lauria Fabio , Iacomino Giuseppe
Published: December 2021

In the past decade, there has been an epochal change in the way that diseases are investigated and diagnosed [...]
The Response of Antioxidant System of Drought-Stressed Green Pea (Pisum sativum L.) Affected by Watering and Foliar Spray with Silica Nanoparticles
Authors: Sutulienė Rūta , Ragelienė Lina , Samuolienė Giedrė , Brazaitytė Aušra , Urbutis Martynas , Miliauskienė Jurga
Published: December 2021

Abiotic stress caused by drought impairs plant growth and reduces yields. This study aimed to investigate the impact of silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) through the adverse effects of drought on the growth, oxidative stress, and antioxidative response of pea ‘Respect’. Pea plants were grown in a greenhouse before being watered (100 ± 1 mL per pot) or foliar sprayed (ca. 14 ± 0.5 mL plant−1) with suspensions containing SiO2 NPs (0, 12.5 ppm, 25 ppm, and 50 ppm) and were exposed to drought stress for 10 days. Drought stress was created by maintaining 30% of the soil moisture while the control was 80%. The growth parameters of pea grown under drought stress conditions were improved by spraying or watering plants with SiO2 NPs (12.5, 25, and 50 ppm). At drought stress, peas treated with SiO2 NPs (50 ppm) increased their relative water content by 29%, specific leaf area by 17%, and decreased root/shoot ratio by 4% as compared to plant non-treated with SiO2 NPs. In addition, spraying or watering of SiO2 NPs increased peas tolerance to drought by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes at least three times including catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase, as well as reducing hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation in plant tissue. It was observed the increase in total phenolic compounds and non-enzymatic antioxidant activity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP) in peas treated with SiO2 NPs under drought stress. The physiological response of peas to drought and the effects of SiO2 NPs studied in this experiment based on the use of the concentration of 50 ppm nanoparticles can protect peas from the damaging effects of drought and could help reduce global food shortages.
Embryo Culture, In Vitro Propagation, and Molecular Identification for Advanced Olive Breeding Programs
Authors: Montilon Vito , Susca Leonardo , Potere Oriana , Roseti Vincenzo , Campanale Antonia , Saponari Antonia , Montemurro Cinzia , Fanelli Valentina , Venerito Pasquale , Bottalico Giovanna
Published: December 2021

The high biodiversity of the olive tree is an important opportunity to develop sustainable plans to control Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) through breeding programs. Olive tree breeding activities have been limited due to various features of this species including the long time required for seed germination caused by the inhibition effect of the woody endocarp, the seed integument, and the endosperm. Starting from F1 seeds by cross-breeding, the embryo culture was compared with traditional seed germination, evaluating the effectiveness of in vitro multiplication of the plantlets for large-scale production. The isolated embryos were established on a new medium based on Rugini ‘84 macroelements, Murashige & Skoog ‘62 microelements, with Nitsch J. P. & Nitsch C. ‘69 vitamine and subcultured on Leva MSM modified. The results obtained confirmed that in vitro culture of olive embryos is a valid tool for increasing the percentage and speed of germination, helping to reduce the time of the olive breeding programs, offering the possibility to effectively propagate plantlets for further experiments.
A Quantitative and Qualitative Study of Food Loss in Glasshouse-Grown Tomatoes
Authors: Thorsen Margaret , Mirosa Miranda , Skeaff Sheila
Published: December 2021

Reducing food loss and waste (FLW) is one strategy to limit the environmental impact of the food supply chain. Australian data suggest that primary production accounts for 31% of national FLW, but there are no comparable data in New Zealand. This study aimed to measure food loss and explore food loss drivers for one of New Zealand’s largest tomato growers by weighing and visually assessing tomato losses at the glasshouse, packhouse and sales warehouse. Qualitative interviews were also held with the grower (n = 3), employees (n = 10), and key industry stakeholders (n = 8). Total food loss for this greenhouse tomato grower was 16.9% of marketed yield, consisting of 13.9% unharvested tomatoes, 2.8% rejected at the glasshouse and 0.3% rejected at the packhouse. The grower’s tomato loss predominantly resulted from commercial factors such as market price, competitor activity and supply and demand. Similar issues were recognized throughout the New Zealand horticulture sector. Commercial factors, in particular, are challenging to address, and collaboration throughout the supply chain will be required to help growers reduce food losses.
Streamflow Reconstructions Using Tree-Ring Based Paleo Proxies for the Upper Adige River Basin (Italy)
Authors: Formetta Giuseppe , Tootle Glenn , Bertoldi Giacomo
Published: December 2021

The Adige River Basin (ARB) provides a vital water supply source for varying demands including agriculture (wine production), energy (hydropower) and municipal water supply. Given the importance of this river system, information about past (paleo) drought and pluvial (wet) periods would quantity risk to water managers and planners. Annual streamflow data were obtained for four gauges that were spatially located within the upper ARB. The Old World Drought Atlas (OWDA) provides an annual June–July–August (JJA) self-calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI) derived from 106 tree-ring chronologies for 5414 grid points across Europe from 0 to 2012 AD. In lieu of tree-ring chronologies, the OWDA dataset was used as a proxy to reconstruct both individual gauge and ARB regional streamflow from 0 to 2012. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the four ARB streamflow gauges to generate one representative vector of regional streamflow. This regional streamflow vector was highly correlated with the four individual gauges, as coefficient of determination (R2) values ranged from 85% to 96%. Prescreening methods included correlating annual streamflow and scPDSI cells (within a 450 km radius) in which significant (p ≤ 0.01 or 99% significance) scPDSI cells were identified. The significant scPDSI cells were then evaluated for temporal stability to ensure practical and reliable reconstructions. Statistically significant and temporally stable scPDSI cells were used as predictors (independent variables) to reconstruct streamflow (predictand or dependent variable) for both individual gauges and at the regional scale. This resulted in highly skillful reconstructions of upper ARB streamflow from 0 to 2012 AD. Multiple drought and pluvial periods were identified in the paleo record that exceed those observed in the recent, historic record. Moreover, this study concurred with streamflow reconstructions in nearby European watersheds.
Lockdown-Associated Hunger May Be Affecting Breastfeeding: Findings from a Large SMS Survey in South Africa
Authors: Sayed Nazeeia , Burger Ronelle , Harper Abigail , Swart Elizabeth Catherina
Published: December 2021

The impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and will continue to have, on food security and child health is especially concerning. A rapid, Short Message Service (SMS) Maternal and Child Health survey was conducted in South Africa in June 2020 (n = 3140), with a follow-up in July 2020 (n = 2287). This was a national cross-sectional survey conducted among pregnant women and mothers registered with the MomConnect mhealth platform. Logistic regression was conducted to explore the associations between breastfeeding, maternal depressive symptoms, and hunger in the household. High breastfeeding initiation rates and the early introduction of other foods or mixed milk feeding were found. The prevalence of depressive symptoms in this survey sample was 26.95%, but there was no association between breastfeeding behaviour and depressive symptom scores (OR = 0.89; 95% CI: 0.63, 1.27). A positive correlation was found between not breastfeeding and not going to the health clinic. The odds of hungry mothers breastfeeding were significantly lower (OR = 0.66; p = 0.045). This result also holds in a multivariate framework, including covariates such as depressive symptoms, attendance of a PHC facility, and whether the infant was older than 3 months. Support for breastfeeding must include support, such as economic support, for breastfeeding mothers, to enable them to access nutritious diets. Mothers also need reassurance on the quality of their breastmilk and their ability to breastfeed and should be encouraged to continue to attend the health clinic regularly.
Does the Number of Reasons for Seeking Care and Self-Rated Health Predict Sick Leave during the Following 12 Months? A Prospective, Longitudinal Study in Swedish Primary Health Care
Authors: Lork Kristin , Holmgren Kristina , Hultqvist Jenny
Published: December 2021

Background: Sick leave has major social and economic consequences for both individuals and society. Primary Health Care (PHC) meets people who seek care before they risk going on sick leave. This study examined the impact of self-perceived health on sick leave within 12 months for workers seeking care in PHC. Methods: The study had a prospective longitudinal design with 271 employed, non-sick-listed patients aged 18–64 years seeking care for physical and/or mental symptoms at PHC. In a logistic regression, an estimation of the odds ratio (OR) for belonging to the group workers with >14 days of sick-leave (W-SL) was made. Results: A high number of reasons when seeking care, with an OR of 1.33 (confidence interval 1.14 to 1.56), and lower self-rated health, with an OR of 1.45 (confidence interval 1.10 to 1.91), were determinants for sick leave at 12 months after adjusting for covariates and confounders. Mental symptoms constituted the main reason for seeking care, followed by musculoskeletal pain, and significant differences in proportions regarding most symptoms were shown between the groups with and without sick-leave >14 days. Conclusion: Health care professionals in PHC need to be aware of the risk of future sick leave at comorbidity and low self-perceived health. Preventive rehabilitation interventions should be offered to improve health and prevent sick leave for this group.
Difficulties in Establishing “Truth” Conditions in the Assessment of Addictive Smartphone Use in Young Adults
Authors: García-Manglano Javier , López-Madrigal Claudia , Sádaba-Chalezquer Charo , Serrano Cecilia , Lopez-Fernandez Olatz
Published: December 2021

The smartphone revolution has placed powerful, multipurpose devices in the hands of youth across the globe, prompting worries about the potential negative consequences of these technologies on mental health. Many assessment tools have been created, seeking to classify individuals into problematic and non-problematic smartphone users. These are identified using a cutoff value: a threshold, within the scale range, at which higher scores are expected to be associated with negative outcomes. Lacking a clinical assessment of individuals, the establishment of this threshold is challenging. We illustrate this difficulty by calculating cutoff values for the Short Version of the Smartphone Addiction Scale (SAS-SV) in 13 Spanish-speaking samples in 11 countries, using common procedures (i.e., reliability, validity, ROC methodology). After showing that results can be very heterogeneous (i.e., they lead to diverse cutoff points and rates of addiction) depending on the decisions made by the researchers, we call for caution in the use of these classifications, particularly when researchers lack a clinical definition of true addiction—as is the case with most available scales in the field of behavioral addictions—which can cause an unnecessary public health alert.
Analysis of Runoff Variation Characteristics and Influencing Factors in the Wujiang River Basin in the Past 30 Years
Authors: Guo Wenxian , Hu Jianwen , Wang Hongxiang
Published: December 2021

Changes in climate and the underlying surface are the main factors affecting runoff. Quantitative assessment of runoff characteristics, and determination of the climate and underlying surface contribution to changes in runoff are critical to water resources management and protection. Based on the runoff data from the Wulong Hydrological Station, combined with the Mann-Kendall test, Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA), Budyko hypothesis, and changes in climate and the underlying surface, this study comprehensively analyzed the runoff in the Wujiang River Basin (WRB). The results showed that: (1) The annual runoff of Wujiang River showed a downward trend, and an abrupt change occurred in 2005. (2) The overall hydrological change in WRB is 46%, reaching a moderate change. (3) The contribution rates of precipitation (P), potential evaporation (ET0), and underlying surface to runoff changes are 61.5%, 11.4%, and 26.9%, respectively. (4) After 2005, the WRB has become more arid, human activities have become more active, vegetation coverage has increased, and the built-up land has increased significantly.
Parents ASSIST: Acceptability and Feasibility of a Video-Based Educational Series for Sexuality-Inclusive Communication between Parents and Gay, Bisexual, and Queer Sons
Authors: Flores Dalmacio D. , Hennessy Kate , Rosario Andre , Chung Jamie , Wood Sarah , Kershaw Trace , Villarruel Antonia , Bauermeister Jose
Published: December 2021

Young men who have sex with men (YMSM) between the ages of 13 and 24 are a key population for HIV prevention. The parents of gay, bisexual, and queer (GBQ) adolescent males and the sex communication they have with their sons has yet to be explored as an HIV prevention intervention. We developed an online video series called Parents ASSIST (Advancing Supportive and Sexuality-Inclusive Sex Talks) to educate parents about sexual health topics pertinent to GBQ males. We pilot tested the series with a sample of 54 parents of GBQ males using a single-group post-test design. Participants viewed the videos and completed a survey measuring the acceptability and feasibility of an online video series to educate parents. Most of the parents (70.4%) believed that the videos would make parents more likely to initiate talking about sex with their sons. The results suggest that online videos are an acceptable way for parents to learn about GBQ sexual health topics.
Design and Development of an eHealth Service for Collaborative Self-Management among Older Adults with Chronic Diseases: A Theory-Driven User-Centered Approach
Authors: Ekstedt Mirjam , Kirsebom Marie , Lindqvist Gunilla , Kneck Åsa , Frykholm Oscar , Flink Maria , Wannheden Carolina
Published: December 2021

The increasing prevalence of chronic conditions and multimorbidity poses great challenges to healthcare systems. As patients’ engagement in self-managing their chronic conditions becomes increasingly important, eHealth interventions are a promising resource for the provision of adequate and timely support. However, there is inconclusive evidence about how to design eHealth services to meet the complex needs of patients. This study applied an evidence-based and theory-informed user-centered design approach in three phases to identify the needs of older adults and healthcare professionals in the collaborative management of multimorbidity (phase 1), develop an eHealth service to address these needs (phase 2), and test the feasibility and acceptance of the eHealth service in a clinical setting (phase 3). Twenty-two user needs were identified and a web-based application—ePATH (electronic Patient Activation in Treatment at Home)—with separate user interfaces for patients and healthcare professionals was developed. The feasibility study with two nurses and five patients led to a redesign and highlighted the importance of adequately addressing not only varying user needs but also the complex nature of healthcare organizations when implementing new services and processes in chronic care management.