bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioactivity Behavior Evaluation of PCL-Chitosan-Nanobaghdadite Coating on AZ91 Magnesium Alloy in Simulated Body Fluid
Authors: Soleymani Farzad , Emadi Rahmatollah , Sadeghzade Sorour , Tavangarian Fariborz
Published: March 2020

Polymer–ceramic composite coatings on magnesium-based alloys have attracted lots of attention in recent years, to control the speed of degradability and to enhance bioactivity and biocompatibility. In this study, to decrease the corrosion rate in a simulated body fluid (SBF) solution for long periods, to control degradability, and to enhance bioactivity, polycaprolactone–chitosan composite coatings with different percentages of baghdadite (0 wt.%, 3 wt.%, and 5 wt.%) were applied to an anodized AZ91 alloy. According to the results of the immersion test of the composite coating containing 3 wt.% baghdadite in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS), the corrosion rate decreased from 0.45 (for the AZ91 sample) to 0.11 mg/cm2·h after seven days of immersion. To evaluate the apatite formation capability of specimens, samples were immersed in an SBF solution. The results showed that the samples were bioactive as apatite layers formed on the surface of specimens. The composite coating containing 3 wt.% baghdadite showed the highest apatite-formation capability, with a controlled release of ions, and the lowest corrosion rate in the SBF.
Technical Characteristics and Wear-Resistant Mechanism of Nano Coatings: A Review
Authors: Gu Yunqing , Xia Ke , Wu Denghao , Mou Jiegang , Zheng Shuihua
Published: March 2020

Nano-coating has been a hot issue in recent years. It has good volume effect and surface effect, and can effectively improve the mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and wear resistance of the coatings. It is important to improve the wear resistance of the material surface. The successful preparation of nano-coatings directly affects the application of nano-coatings. Firstly, the preparation methods of conventional surface coatings such as chemical vapor deposition and physical vapor deposition, as well as the newly developed surface coating preparation methods such as sol-gel method, laser cladding and thermal spraying are reviewed in detail. The preparation principle, advantages and disadvantages and the application of each preparation method in nano-coating are analyzed and summarized. Secondly, the types of nano-coating materials are summarized and analyzed by inorganic/inorganic nanomaterial coatings and organic/inorganic nanomaterial coatings, and their research progress is summarized. Finally, the wear-resistant mechanism of nano-coatings is revealed from three aspects: grain refinement, phase transformation toughening mechanism and nano-effects. The application prospects of nano-coatings and the development potential combined with 3D technology are prospected.
Hypotensive Effect of Nanomicellar Formulation of Melatonin and Agomelatine in a Rat Model: Significance for Glaucoma Therapy
Authors: Dal Monte Massimo , Cammalleri Maurizio , Pezzino Salvatore , Corsaro Roberta , Pescosolido Nicola , Bagnoli Paola , Rusciano Dario
Published: March 2020

Background: Melatoninergic agents are known to reduce intraocular pressure (IOP). The present study was performed to evaluate the effect of nanomicellar formulations of melatoninergic agents on IOP in the rat. Methods: Tonometry was used to measure IOP in eyes instilled with melatonin or agomelatine. Ocular hypertension was induced by the injection of methylcellulose in the anterior chamber. Results: Melatonin formulated in nanomicelles had a longer lasting hypotonizing effect on IOP with respect to melatonin in saline. Nanomicellar formulations of melatonin and agomelatine, either alone or in combination, had lowering effects that did not depend on their concentration or their combination, which, however, resulted in an increased duration of the hypotonizing effect. The duration of the lowering effect was further increased by the addition of lipoic acid. Conclusions: We demonstrated the effective hypotonizing activity of melatonin and agomelatine in combination with lipoic acid. Although results in animals cannot be directly translated to humans, the possibility of developing novel therapeutical approaches for patients suffering from hypertensive glaucoma should be considered.
Novel Assessment of Urinary Albumin Excretion in Type 2 Diabetes Patients by Raman Spectroscopy
Authors: Flores-Guerrero Jose L. , Muñoz-Morales Aaron , Narea-Jimenez Freddy , Perez-Fuentes Ricardo , Torres-Rasgado Enrique , Ruiz-Vivanco Guadalupe , Gonzalez-Viveros Naara , Castro-Ramos Jorge
Published: March 2020

Urinary albumin excretion remains the key biomarker to detect renal complications in type 2 diabetes. As diabetes epidemy increases, particularly in low-income countries, efficient and low-cost methods to measure urinary albumin are needed. In this pilot study, we evaluated the performance of Raman spectroscopy in the assessment of urinary albumin in patients with type 2 diabetes. The spectral Raman analysis of albumin was performed using artificial urine, at five concentrations of albumin and 24 h collection urine samples from ten patients with Type 2 Diabetes. The spectra were obtained after removing the background fluorescence and fitting Gaussian curves to spectral regions containing features of such metabolites. In the samples from patients with type 2 diabetes, we identified the presence of albumin in the peaks of the spectrum located at 663.07, 993.43, 1021.43, 1235.28, 1429.91 and 1633.91 cm−1. In artificial urine, there was an increase in the intensity of the Raman signal at 1450 cm−1, which corresponds to the increment of the concentrations of albumin. The highest concentration of albumin was located at 1630 cm−1. The capability of Raman spectroscopy for detection of small concentrations of urinary albumin suggests the feasibility of this method for the screening of type 2 diabetes renal complications.
Network Analysis of Survey Data to Identify Non-Homogeneous Teacher Self-Efficacy Development in Using Formative Assessment Strategies
Authors: Bruun Jesper , Evans Robert Harry
Published: March 2020

In a European project about formative assessment, Local Working Groups (LWGs) from six participating countries made use of a format for teacher-researcher collaboration. The activities in each LWG involved discussions and reflections about implementation of four assessment formats. A key aim was close collaboration between teachers and researchers to develop teachers’ formative assessment practices, which were partially evidenced with changes in attributes of self-efficacy. The research question was: to what extent do working with formative assessment strategies in collaboration with researchers and other teachers differentially affect individual self-efficacy beliefs of practicing teachers across different educational contexts? A 12-item teacher questionnaire, with items selected from a commonly used international instrument for science teaching self-efficacy, was distributed to the participating teachers before and after their work in the LWGs. A novel method of analysis using networks where participants from different LWGs were linked based on the similarities of their answers, revealed differences between empirically identified groups and larger super groups of participants. These analyses showed, for example, that one group of teachers perceived themselves to have knowledge about using formative assessment but did not have the skills to use it effectively. It is suggested that future research and development projects may use this new methodology to pinpoint groups, which seem to respond differently to interventions and modify guidance or instruction accordingly.
Profile-Splitting Linearized Bregman Iterations for Trend Break Detection Applications
Authors: Castro do Amaral Gustavo , Calliari Felipe , Lunglmayr Michael
Published: March 2020

Trend break detection is a fundamental problem that materializes in many areas of applied science, where being able to identify correctly, and in a timely manner, trend breaks in a noisy signal plays a central role in the success of the application. The linearized Bregman iterations algorithm is one of the methodologies that can solve such a problem in practical computation times with a high level of accuracy and precision. In applications such as fault detection in optical fibers, the length N of the dataset to be processed by the algorithm, however, may render the total processing time impracticable, since there is a quadratic increase on the latter with respect to N. To overcome this problem, the herewith proposed profile-splitting methodology enables blocks of data to be processed simultaneously, with significant gains in processing time and comparable performance. A thorough analysis of the efficiency of the proposed methodology stipulates optimized parameters for individual hardware units implementing the profile-splitting. These results pave the way for high performance linearized Bregman iteration algorithm hardware implementations capable of efficiently dealing with large datasets.
Research on Anti-Radiation Noise Interference of High Definition Multimedia Interface Circuit Layout of a Laptop
Authors: Chien Wei , Cheng Yu-Ting , Hsiao Chiuan-Fu , Han Kai-Xu , Chiu Chien-Ching
Published: March 2020

In this paper, several aspects were studied, including the effect of an electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise interference strategy with High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) 1.4, the analysis of a test on a printed circuit board (PCB) layout, and a comparison of the near field intensity radiation distribution between an EMI with a modified HDMI layout and an original layout. In this study, the near field detection instrument of APREL EM-ISight was employed to analyze the distribution of the strength of an electromagnetic noise field. After the practical validation, we found that the PCB layout complies with the standards after the modifications. Meanwhile, the PCB layout satisfies the requirements of most laptop HDMI-related products for EMI.
Effects of Summer Drought on the Fine Root System of Five Broadleaf Tree Species along a Precipitation Gradient
Authors: Fuchs Sebastian , Hertel Dietrich , Schuldt Bernhard , Leuschner Christoph
Published: March 2020

While much research has addressed the aboveground response of trees to climate warming and related water shortage, not much is known about the drought sensitivity of the fine root system, in particular of mature trees. This study investigates the response of topsoil (0–10 cm) fine root biomass (FRB), necromass (FRN), and fine root morphology of five temperate broadleaf tree species (Acer platanoides L., Carpinus betulus L., Fraxinus excelsior L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Tilia cordata Mill.) to a reduction in water availability, combining a precipitation gradient study (nine study sites; mean annual precipitation (MAP): 920–530 mm year−1) with the comparison of a moist period (average spring conditions) and an exceptionally dry period in the summer of the subsequent year. The extent of the root necromass/biomass (N/B) ratio increase was used as a measure of the species’ belowground sensitivity to water deficits. We hypothesized that the N/B ratio increases with long-term (precipitation gradient) and short-term reductions (moist vs. dry period) of water availability, while FRB changes only a little. In four of the five species (exception: A. platanoides), FRB did not change with a reduction in MAP, whereas FRN and N/B ratio increased toward the dry sites under ample water supply (exception: Q. petraea). Q. petraea was also the only species not to reduce root tip frequency after summer drought. Different slopes of the N/B ratio-MAP relation similarly point at a lower belowground drought sensitivity of Q. petraea than of the other species. After summer drought, all species lost the MAP dependence of the N/B ratio. Thus, fine root mortality increased more at the moister than the drier sites, suggesting a generally lower belowground drought sensitivity of the drier stands. We conclude that the five species differ in their belowground drought response. Q. petraea follows the most conservative soil exploration strategy with a generally smaller FRB and more drought-tolerant fine roots, as it maintains relatively constant FRB, FRN, and morphology across spatial and temporal dimensions of soil water deficits.
Analytical Characterization and Sensory Analysis of Distillates of Different Varieties of Grapes Aged by an Accelerated Method
Authors: Schwarz Mónica , Rodríguez-Dodero M. Carmen , Jurado M. Soledad , Puertas Belén , G. Barroso Carmelo , Guillén Dominico A.
Published: March 2020

The wine spirits used for the elaboration of Brandy de Jerez are mainly obtained from wines produced from the Airén type of grape, which comes from the vineyards located in the region of La Mancha (Central Spain). This entails a limitation when achieving a product classified as “protected geographic designation”. For that purpose, it is necessary that the grape used for the wine spirit comes from the area and not from Castile la Mancha, as has happened until now. Due to this fact, it is necessary to search for a possible alternative grape variety which allows the produced brandy to be eligible for a “protected geographic designation”. For that purpose, an accelerated ageing process has been implemented with a method previously optimized to distillates obtained from wines from different varieties of grapes (Airén, Colombard, Corredera, Doradilla, Garrido Fino, Jaén blanco, Moscatel de Alejandría, Palomino Fino, Ugni Blanc, and Zalema) grown in the Jerez Area. They were evaluated, both from the analytical and sensory points of view. The distillates made from Jaén Blanco and Zalema have properties that make them interesting for future development and incorporation into oenological practice.
The Potential Role of Selected miRNA in Uveal Melanoma Primary Tumors as Early Biomarkers of Disease Progression
Authors: Wróblewska Joanna Patrycja , Lach Michał Stefan , Ustaszewski Adam , Kulcenty Katarzyna , Ibbs Matthew , Jagiełło Inga , Suchorska Wiktoria Maria , Marszałek Andrzej
Published: March 2020

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary tumor of the eye diagnosed in adults, associated with a high risk of metastasis and thereby, poor prognosis. Among known risk factors for the development of metastatic disease is the loss of BAP1 expression and chromosome 3 monosomy in the primary tumor. However, the expression levels of specific micro RNAs (miRNA) in tumor tissue may also serve as a valuable marker for determining the risk of metastatic disease in patients with primary uveal melanoma. In our study, we analyzed the miRNA expression data of cases selected from The Cancer Genome Atlas study on uveal melanoma, and determined a panel of 15 miRNAs differentially expressed between patients with primary and metastatic disease. Next, 6 miRNAs were validated on a group of 46 tumor samples from primary and metastatic patients. We have shown, that expression of hsa-miR-592, hsa-miR-346, and hsa-miR-1247 was significantly increased, while hsa-miR-506 and hsa-miR-513c were decreased in the tumors of patients with metastatic disease. Hsa-miR-196b expression did not differ between the two subgroups, however, we showed significant correlation with BAP1 expression. Moreover, hsa-miR-592 also showed correlation with monosomy 3 tumors. Gene ontology analysis revealed involvement of those miRNAs with cellular processes mediating the metastatic process. Our results showed that miRNAs play an important role in the deregulation of several oncogenic pathways in UM and can, thereby, promote metastatic spread to distant organs. Moreover, differentially expressed miRNAs may be used as an interesting biomarker for the assessment of metastatic risk in uveal melanoma patients.
An Empirical Approach for Modeling Hysteresis Behavior of Pyroclastic Soils
Authors: Capparelli Giovanna , Spolverino Gennaro
Published: March 2020

For modeling physical and mechanical phenomena that occur in unsaturated soils, it is very important to identify the correct relationship between suction and water content. This relationship defines the soil water retention curve (SWRC). Its shape depends on numerous factors, including grain size composition, particles’ thickening state and, above all, the hydraulic and stress soil history. In particular, the SWRC in wetting phase differs from SWRC in drying phase, showing a hysteretic behavior. Hysteresis domain is defined by the main drying and wetting curves; when moving from one phase to another, relationship between suction and water content defines secondary curves within them. In this paper, a laboratory experiment was carried out to determine main wetting and drying curves of a pyroclastic ash sample from southern Italy. In same site of the sample collection, a monitoring station was installed that measured the suction and water content values. The experimental curves were compared with the data recorded on the site. In this paper, moreover, an empirical procedure is proposed to model secondary curves (or scanning curves) within the hysteresis domain. The scanning curves obtained with this method were compared with data collected by the in-situ monitoring network, revealing the ability to describe a situation realistically with a good adaptation. With this procedure, it is therefore possible to minimize errors since it covers a hysteretic behavior.
Disparity in Risk Factor Severity for Early Childhood Blood Lead among Predominantly African-American Black Children: The 1999 to 2010 US NHANES
Authors: Yeter Deniz , Banks Ellen C. , Aschner Michael
Published: March 2020

There is no safe detectable level of lead (Pb) in the blood of young children. In the United States, predominantly African-American Black children are exposed to more Pb and present with the highest mean blood lead levels (BLLs). However, racial disparity has not been fully examined within risk factors for early childhood Pb exposure. Therefore, we conducted secondary analysis of blood Pb determinations for 2841 US children at ages 1–5 years with citizenship examined by the cross-sectional 1999 to 2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The primary measures were racial disparities for continuous BLLs or an elevated BLL (EBLL) ≥5 µg/dL in selected risk factors between non-Hispanic Black children (n = 608) and both non-Hispanic White (n = 1208) or Hispanic (n = 1025) children. Selected risk factors included indoor household smoking, low income or poverty, older housing built before 1978 or 1950, low primary guardian education <12th grade/general education diploma (GED), or younger age between 1 and 3 years. Data were analyzed using a regression model corrected for risk factors and other confounding variables. Overall, Black children had an adjusted +0.83 µg/dL blood Pb (95% CI 0.65 to 1.00, p < 0.001) and a 2.8 times higher odds of having an EBLL ≥5 µg/dL (95% CI 1.9 to 3.9, p < 0.001). When stratified by risk factor group, Black children had an adjusted 0.73 to 1.41 µg/dL more blood Pb (p < 0.001 respectively) and a 1.8 to 5.6 times higher odds of having an EBLL ≥5 µg/dL (p ≤ 0.05 respectively) for every selected risk factor that was tested. For Black children nationwide, one in four residing in pre-1950 housing and one in six living in poverty presented with an EBLL ≥5 µg/dL. In conclusion, significant nationwide racial disparity in blood Pb outcomes persist for predominantly African-American Black children even after correcting for risk factors and other variables. This racial disparity further persists within housing, socio-economic, and age-related risk factors of blood Pb outcomes that are much more severe for Black children.
Examining the Impact of Knowledge Mobilization Strategies to Inform Urban Stakeholders on Accessibility: A Mixed-Methods study
Authors: Labbé Delphine , Mahmood Atiya , Miller William C. , Mortenson W. Ben
Published: March 2020

Urban areas offer many opportunities for people with disabilities, but limited accessibility may prevent their full engagement in society. It has been recommended that the experience-based perspective of people with disabilities should be an integral part of the discussion on urban accessibility, complementing other stakeholder expertise to facilitate the design of more inclusive environments. The goals of this mixed-method study were to develop knowledge mobilization (KM) strategies to share experience-based findings on accessibility and evaluate their impact for various urban stakeholders. Using a participatory approach, various KM strategies were developed including videos, a photo exhibit and an interactive game. These strategies were evaluated based on various impact indicators such as reach, usefulness, partnerships and practice changes, using quantitative and qualitative methods. The findings suggested that the KM strategies were effective in raising the awareness of various urban stakeholders and providing information and guidance to urban planning practices related to accessibility.
Association between Breakfast Consumption and Depressive Symptoms among Chinese College Students: A Cross-Sectional and Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Ren Zhongyu , Cao Jianhua , Cheng Peng , Shi Dongzhe , Cao Bing , Yang Guang , Liang Siyu , Du Fang , Su Nan , Yu Miao , Zhang Chaowei , Wang Yaru , Liang Rui , Guo Liya , Peng Li
Published: March 2020

Skipping breakfast has been suggested to increase the risk of depressive symptoms, but there is no information regarding young adults. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the frequency of breakfast consumption and the risk of depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. We investigated a cross-sectional (n = 1060) and one-year prospective (n = 757) relationship between the frequency of breakfast consumption and the risk of depressive symptoms. The frequency of breakfast consumption was categorized into “≤1 time/week”, “2–5 times/week”, or “≥6 times/week”. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the 20-item Zung self-rating depression scale (SDS) with an SDS score of ≥50 to indicate moderate to severe depressive symptoms. In the cross-sectional analysis, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of depressive symptoms related with the breakfast consumption categories were 1.00 (reference) for ≥6 times/week, 1.761 (95% CI: 1.131, 2.742) for 2–5 times/week, and 3.780 (95% CI: 1.719, 8.311) for ≤1 time/week (p for trend: <0.001) after adjusting for these potential confounders. Similarly, in the one-year prospective analysis, we found that 10.2% of participants was classified as having moderate to severe depressive symptoms. Multivariate logistic regressions analysis revealed a significant negative relationship between the frequency of breakfast consumption and the risk of depressive symptoms. The ORs (95% CI) for depressive symptoms with decreasing breakfast consumption frequency were 1.00 (reference) for ≥6 times/week, 2.045 (1.198, 3.491) for 2–5 times/week, and 2.722 (0.941, 7.872) for ≤1 time/week (p for trend: 0.005). This one-year prospective cohort study showed that skipping breakfast is related to increased risk of depressive symptoms among Chinese college students. Future research using interventional or experimental studies is required to explore the causal relationship between the effects of breakfast consumption and depressive symptoms.
Hydrilla verticillata–Sulfur-Based Heterotrophic and Autotrophic Denitrification Process for Nitrate-Rich Agricultural Runoff Treatment
Authors: Hang Qianyu , Wang Haiyan , He Zan , Dong Weiyang , Chu Zhaosheng , Ling Yu , Yan Guokai , Chang Yang , Li Congyu
Published: March 2020

Hydrilla verticillata–sulfur-based heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification (HSHAD) process was developed in free water surface constructed wetland mesocosms for the treatment of nitrate-rich agricultural runoff with low chemical oxygen demand/total nitrogen (C/N) ratio, whose feasibility and mechanism were extensively studied and compared with those of H. verticillata heterotrophic denitrification (HHD) mesocosms through a 273-day operation. The results showed that the heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification can be combined successfully in HSHAD mesocosms, and achieve satisfactory nitrate removal performance. The average NO3−-N removal efficiency and denitrification rate of HSHAD were 94.4% and 1.3 g NO3−-N m−3·d−1 in steady phase II (7–118 d). Most nitrate was reduced by heterotrophic denitrification with sufficient organic carbon in phase I (0–6 d) and II, i.e., the C/N ratio exceeded 4.0, and no significant difference of nitrate removal capacity was observed between HSHAD and HHD mesocosms. During phase III (119–273 d), sulfur autotrophic denitrification gradually dominated the HSHAD process with the C/N ratio less than 4.0, and HSHAD mesocosms obtained higher NO3−-N removal efficiency and denitrification rate (79.1% and 1.1 g NO3−-N m−3·d−1) than HHD mesocosms (65.3% and 1.0 g NO3−-N m−3·d−1). As a whole, HSHAD mesocosms removed 58.8 mg NO3−-N more than HHD mesocosms. pH fluctuated between 6.9–9.0 without any pH buffer. In general, HSHAD mesocosms were more stable and efficient than HHD mesocosms for NO3−-N removal from agricultural runoff during long-term operation. The denitrificans containing narG (1.67 × 108 ± 1.28 × 107 copies g−1 mixture-soil−1), nirS (8.25 × 107 ± 8.95 × 106 copies g−1 mixture-soil−1), and nosZ (1.56 × 106 ± 1.60 × 105 copies g−1 mixture-soil−1) of litter bags and bottoms in HSHAD were higher than those in HHD, which indicated that the combined heterotrophic and autotrophic denitrification can increase the abundance of denitrificans containing narG, nirS, and nosZ, thus leading to better denitrification performance.
Long-Term Fipronil Treatment Induces Hyperactivity in Female Mice
Authors: Koslowski Svenja , Latapy Camille , Auvray Pierrïck , Blondel Marc , Meijer Laurent
Published: March 2020

Fipronil is an insecticide widely used for veterinary and agricultural purposes. While its insecticidal properties mostly rely on its high affinity antagonistic activity on insect γ aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptors, fipronil and its main metabolite fipronil sulfone nevertheless display non-negligible affinity for mammalian GABAA receptor. As several environmental toxicants have been shown to raise the risk of developing various neurodegenerative disorders, the aim of this study was to evaluate whether long-term low dose administration of fipronil could lead to cognitive deficiencies. Our results indicate that long-term fipronil treatment leads to behavioral perturbations in mice, indicating an accumulative effect of sustained exposure to low dose of fipronil. Although no memory impairment was observed during the course of our study, we noticed a significant hyperlocomotion behavior after 43 weeks of weekly fipronil administration, which is consistent with its direct effect on the GABAergic system.
Heuristic Evaluation of an IoMT System for Remote Health Monitoring in Senior Care
Authors: Santana-Mancilla Pedro C. , Anido-Rifón Luis E. , Contreras-Castillo Juan , Buenrostro-Mariscal Raymundo
Published: March 2020

This paper presents the usability assessment of the design of an Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) system for older adults; the evaluation, using heuristics, was held early on the design process to assess potential problems with the system and was found to be an efficient method to find issues with the application design and led to significant usability improvements on the IoMT platform.
Prospective Evaluation of Cardiovascular, Cardiorespiratory, and Metabolic Risk of German Office Workers in Comparison to International Data
Authors: Strauss Markus , Foshag Peter , Leischik Roman
Published: March 2020

Background: Employment in the administrative sector is characterized by prolonged sedentary work, which has been tied to increased morbidity and compromised health. The aim of this study was to determine cardiovascular, cardiorespiratory and metabolic risk parameters of German office workers (OWs) in comparison to OWs from other nations. Material and Methods: A total of 46 male office workers from the North Rhine-Westphalia region (Germany) participated in the survey. Anthropometric measurements, cardiovascular and metabolic risk factors, as well as laboratory parameters were taken. The 10-year cardiovascular risk was calculated by using the Framingham risk score. The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on the criteria of the International Diabetes Federation. Cardiorespiratory status was assessed by exercise spirometry. Results: The analyzed group of OWs demonstrated a high prevalence of preobesity (Body Mass Index 26.4 ± 4 and waist circumference 97.3 ± 11.7 cm) and 58.7% of the OWs showed an abnormally large waist circumference. Cardiovascular risk was correspondingly elevated as compared with other international studies (9.7% ± 9.2%). High risk cardiovascular profiles were detected in 10.7% of the participants and 33% of the OWs in our study group were diagnosed with metabolic syndrome. The oxygen uptake of the OWs was 34.1 ± 8.1 mL/kg−1·min−1. Conclusions: The German OWs show elevated cardiovascular risk assessed using the Framingham risk score and also a high tendency for metabolic syndrome. The OWs need to be made further aware of the cardiovascular risk and resulting health implications. Implementation of health promotion concepts such as corporate sports activities or nutrition courses should be taken into consideration to counteract cardiovascular risk factors and the subsequent development of cardiovascular disease in later life.
Does the Experience of Caring for a Severely Disabled Relative Impact Advance Care Planning? A Qualitative Study of Caregivers of Disabled Patients
Authors: Chiang Fu-Ming , Hsieh Jyh-Gang , Fan Sheng-Yu , Wang Ying-Wei , Wang Shu-Chen
Published: March 2020

The aging of the Taiwanese population has become a major issue. Previous research has focused on the burden and stress faced by caregivers, but has not explored how the experience of these caregivers influences decisions of advance care planning (ACP). Semi-structured and in-depth interviews were conducted. Qualitative content analysis was used to identify important themes. Five themes and fourteen sub-themes were identified: (1) Past experiences: patient wishes, professional recommendations, and expectation about disease progress; (2) Impact of care on family members: positive affirmation, open-minded life, social isolation and health effects, and financial and life planning effects; (3) Attitude toward life: not forcing to stay, and not becoming a burden, (4) Expected proxy dilemmas: torment between doing or not, seeing the extension of suffering and toil, and remorse and self-blame; (5) Expectation of end of life (EOL) care: caregiver’s experience and EOL care decisions, and practicality of EOL decision making. After making multiple medical decisions for their disabled relatives, caregivers are able to calmly face their own medical decisions, and “not becoming a burden” is their primary consideration. It’s suggested that implementation of shared decision-making on medical care for patients with chronic disability will not only improve the quality of their medical care but also reduce the development of remorse and guilty feelings of caregivers after making medical decisions.
Association between Physician-Diagnosed Asthma and Weight Status among Chinese Children: The Roles of Lifestyle Factors
Authors: Lai Lijuan , Zhang Ting , Zeng Xia , Tan Weiqing , Cai Li , Chen Yajun
Published: March 2020

Childhood asthma and obesity have posed a parallel epidemic over the past few decades. However, whether asthma diagnosis is associated with obesity, and what the roles of lifestyle factors play in this relationship, remained unclarified. This study aimed to investigate the association between asthma and weight status in Chinese children and explore the potential mediating and/or modifying roles of lifestyle factors in the association. In this cross-sectional study, 16,837 children aged 6–12 years were recruited from Guangzhou, China. Participants’ information on physician-diagnosed asthma was collected from parents, and data on physical activity, screen time, and sleeping were reported in a validated questionnaire. Height and weight were objectively measured, and weight status was classified by body mass index (BMI). Multiple logistic regression analysis and mediation analysis were used. Results showed that asthmatic children were at significantly higher risk of obesity (odds ratio (OR) 1.51, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03, 2.21) compared with non-asthmatic children. More importantly, this increased risk was even greater in children with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity <60 min/d and children with screen time >2 h/d (both Pinteraction < 0.05). Also, a positive relationship of asthma with overweight was found in children with screen time >2 h/d (OR 3.92, 95% CI 1.56, 9.88), while a negative association was observed between asthma and underweight in children aged 9–12 years (OR 0.23, 95% CI 0.06, 0.92). Mediation analysis indicated that these associations were not mediated by physical activity, screen time, or sleeping. The findings suggested that physician-diagnosed asthma was associated with higher risks of overweight and obesity, and these risks might be exacerbated by insufficient physical activity and prolonged screen time.
Health Literacy: From a Property of Individuals to One of Communities
Authors: Kendir Candan , Breton Eric
Published: March 2020

Health literacy (HL) is increasingly hailed as a strategy to improve the control individuals have over their health. A central critic of HL intervention is its overemphasis on individual level factors, something recognised in the 2008 report of the Commission of Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) that recommended expanding the scope of HL to cover the SDoH. The objective of our study was to assess the extent to which recent progress on HL captures the need for collective action on the SDoH. We conducted a scoping review on PubMed looking for review papers published between 2013–2018 in English and French. Definitions of HL were analysed against two main dimensions (i.e., locus of change of HL strategies and foreseen outcome of HL improvements). Despite a number of authors calling for more research on HL interventions at the community level and an expansion of the definition to cover the SDoH, we found that the recommendation of the Commission has yet to be implemented. Even when the definitions include the capacities of individuals on distal determinants, both the locus of change and outcomes of HL improvement do not go beyond intra individual factors (knowledge, skills, etc.). It is noteworthy that communities were either framed as a setting outside of health care services or as an aggregate of individuals. We found no instance of HL intervention regarding communities as complex systems of actors sharing a common space and dynamic. We conclude by suggesting a new definition of HL and by drawing attention to the research gap in addressing the upstream SDoH through HL actions.
Adsorption Behavior and Relative Distribution of Cd2+ Adsorption Mechanisms by the Magnetic and Nonmagnetic Biochars Derived from Chicken Manure
Authors: Huang Fei , Zhang Lu , Wu Ren-Ren , Zhang Si-Ming , Xiao Rong-Bo
Published: March 2020

The present study investigated the adsorption of Cd2+ by nonmagnetic and magnetic biochars (CMB and M-CMB) derived from chicken manure, respectively. The adsorption characteristics were investigated as a function of initial pH, contact time, initial Cd2+ concentration and magnetic separation. Adsorption process of both biochars were better described by Pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and Freundlich isotherm model, which were spontaneous and endothermic in nature. It was found that maximum capacities were 60.69 and 41.07 mg/g obtained at the initial Cd2+ concentration of 180 mg/L for CMB and M-CMB, and the turbidity of adsorption-treated solution was reduced from 244.3 to 11.3 NTU after magnetic separation of 0.5 min. These indicated that M-CMB had lower adsorption capacity of Cd2+ than CMB, though it was successfully separated from the treated solutions. Furthermore, both biochars before and after adsorption were analyzed by SEM-EDS, XRD and FTIR. Adsorption mechanisms mainly included precipitation, ion-exchange, complexation and Cπ-coordination, in which precipitation and ion-exchange dominated the adsorption process by CMB, while in M-CMB, precipitation was always predominant mechanism, followed by ion-exchange. The two other mechanisms of complexation and Cπ-coordination were trivial in both biochars, jointly contributing 7.21% for CMB and 5.05% for M-CMB to total adsorption. The findings deepen our understanding of the mechanisms governing the adsorption process, which are also important for future practical applications in the removal of heavy metals from wastewater by the biochars.
Life Cycle Assessment on Wave and Tidal Energy Systems: A Review of Current Methodological Practice
Authors: Zhang Xizhuo , Zhang Longfei , Yuan Yujun , Zhai Qiang
Published: March 2020

Recent decades have witnessed wave and tidal energy technology receiving considerable attention because of their low carbon emissions during electricity production. However, indirect emissions from their entire life cycle should not be ignored. Therefore, life cycle assessment (LCA) has been widely applied as a useful approach to systematically evaluate the environmental performance of wave and tidal energy technologies. This study reviews recent LCA studies on wave and tidal energy systems for stakeholders to understand current status of methodological practice and associated inherent limitations and reveal future research needs for application of LCA on wave and tidal technologies. The conformance of the selected LCAs to ISO 14040 (2006) and 14044 (2006) are critically analyzed in strict accordance with the ISO stepwise methodologies, namely, goal and scope definition, life cycle inventory (LCI) analysis, as well as life cycle impact assessment (LCIA). Our systematically screening of these studies indicates that few of the selected studies are of strict conformance with ISO 14040 and 14044 standards, which makes the results unreliable and thus further reduces the confidence of interested stakeholders. Further, our review indicates that current LCA practice on wave and tidal energies is lacking consideration of temporal variations, which should be addressed in future research, as it causes inaccuracy and uncertainties.
Did the Number of Older People Requiring Long-Term Care and Expenditure Increase after the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake? Analysis of Changes over Six Years
Authors: Inoue Yusuke , Jeong Seungwon
Published: March 2020

On 11 March 2011, the great earthquake hit Japan, resulting in 15,895 deaths, 6156 serious injuries, and 2539 missing persons. This event affected the health and lives of older residents, and reports showed an increase in the number of people eligible for long-term care afterward. In this study, among the places affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and tsunami, we focused on 15 municipalities, including designated municipalities based on the Special Act on Nuclear Evacuation in Fukushima Prefecture, and aimed to clarify the medium-term effects (six years post-disaster) on the long-term care certification rate and expenditure for provision of services. We used the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare Monthly Status Report on Long-Term Care Insurance and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Population Register for 2011, 2014, and 2017. In 2011, we found no intergroup differences among the 15 Fukushima municipalities and other municipalities in either the long-term care certification rate or the per-person expenditure for use of services. In 2014, after the earthquake, the long-term care certification rate was 5.4% higher in the 15 Fukushima municipalities than in other municipalities for those aged 75 years or older. The rate of 2014–2017 has not increased significantly, partly because of stability after the disaster and change in the population structure. Nevertheless, the long-term care certification rate in the 15 Fukushima municipalities is higher than that of the other two groups even after six years since the earthquake. Similarly, the per-person expenditure for use of services for one month was 11,800 yen higher in the 15 Fukushima municipalities than in other municipalities in 2014, and this trend continued into 2017. Strong, ongoing governmental support is needed, especially for those aged 75 or older, following a disaster.
Measurement Methods Used to Assess the School Food Environment: A Systematic Review
Authors: O’Halloran Siobhan , Eksteen Gabriel , Gebremariam Mekdes , Alston Laura
Published: March 2020

Children consume approximately half of their total daily amount of energy at school. Foods consumed are often energy-dense, nutrient-poor. The school food environment represents an effective setting to influence children’s food choices when dietary habits are established and continue to track into adulthood. The aim of this review was to: (1) group methods used for assessing the school food environment according to four food environment dimensions: Physical, economic, socio-cultural and policy and (2) assess the quality of the methods according to four criteria: Comprehensiveness, relevance, generalizability and feasibility. Three databases were searched, and studies were used to assess food and beverages provided at school canteens, tuck shops or cafeterias were included. The review identified 38 global studies (including 49 methods of measuring the food environment). The physical environment was the primary focus for 47% of articles, aspects of policy environment was assessed by 37% articles and a small number of studies assessed the economic (8%) and socio cultural (8%) environment. Three methods were rated ‘high’ quality and seven methods received ‘medium’ quality ratings. The review revealed there are no standardized methods used to measure the school food environment. Robust methods to monitor the school food environment across a range of diverse country contexts is required to provide an understanding of obesogenic school environments.
The Theory of Planned Behaviour in Medical Tourism: International Comparison in the Young Consumer Segment
Authors: Boguszewicz-Kreft Monika , Kuczamer-Kłopotowska Sylwia , Kozłowski Arkadiusz , Ayci Ali , Abuhashesh Mohammd
Published: March 2020

The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) assumes the possibility of predicting and explaining humans’ behaviour by identifying their intentions. The intentions are shaped by three groups of factors: attitudes towards, social norms and perceived behavioural control over the behaviour. The aim of the research is to examine the applicability of the TPB in medical tourism and to check whether there are differences in predicting the intentions of medical tourists from different countries. The study covered potential medical tourists—521 young consumers from three regionally important markets in medical tourism services: Jordan, Poland and Turkey. The study used a research survey to collect data, which were analysed using the multiple regression and analysis of variance methods. The research showed that the TPB model can be used in medical tourism. The results also show that the consumers’ country of origin is a significant factor when predicting their intention to use medical tourism services.
The Logic of Condom Use in Female Sex Workers in Bali, Indonesia
Authors: Januraga Pande Putu , Mooney-Somers Julie , Gesesew Hailay Abrha , Ward Paul R
Published: March 2020

Studies on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention practices of female sex workers often examine the use of condom as a single behaviour: using or not using condom. This study explores typologies of the logic of condom use as part of exercising meaningful identities from female sex workers’ perspectives. We employed in-depth interviews with a purposely selected 35 female sex workers in Bali, Indonesia. Information from the in-depth interviews was analysed using thematic framework analysis to develop typologies of female sex workers’ experiences on the logic of condom use and its relation to the construction of identity. We identified two main logics for not using condom: the prioritising of financial stability and romantic relationships over condom use. The main logic for using condom was to protect their health in order to improve their future economic security. Embedded within these logics, women chose to practise agency and negotiate meaningful identities consistent with their ideals of being responsible mothers, successful migrant workers and loyal partners. Our study concluded that female sex workers had clear logics for both the use and non-use of condom with their clients, highlighting the rational nature of female sex workers decision making.
How Has the Hazard to Humans of Microorganisms Found in Atmospheric Aerosol in the South of Western Siberia Changed over 10 Years?
Authors: Safatov Alexandr , Andreeva Irina , Buryak Galina , Ohlopkova Olesia , Olkin Sergei , Puchkova Larisa , Reznikova Irina , Solovyanova Nadezda , Belan Boris , Panchenko Mikhail , Simonenkov Denis
Published: March 2020

One of the most important components of atmospheric aerosols are microorganisms. Therefore, it is necessary to assess the hazard to humans, both from individual microorganisms which are present in atmospheric bioaerosols as well as from their pool. An approach for determining the hazard of bacteria and yeasts found in atmospheric bioaerosols for humans has previously been proposed. The purpose of this paper is to compare our results for 2006–2008 with the results of studies obtained in 2012–2016 to identify changes in the characteristics of bioaerosols occurring over a decade in the south of Western Siberia. Experimental data on the growth, morphological and biochemical properties of bacteria and yeasts were determined for each isolate found in bioaerosol samples. The integral indices of the hazards of bacteria and yeast for humans were constructed for each isolate based on experimentally determined isolate characteristics according to the approach developed by authors in 2008. Data analysis of two datasets showed that hazard to humans of culturable microorganisms in the atmospheric aerosol in the south of Western Siberia has not changed significantly for 10 years (trends are undistinguishable from zero with a confidence level of more than 95%) despite a noticeable decrease in the average annual number of culturable microorganisms per cubic meter (6–10 times for 10 years).