bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Interference Alignment with Limited Precoding Matrix Feedback in a Wireless Multi-User Interference Channel for Smart Grids
Authors: Peng Shixin , Chen Xiaohui , Lu Wei , Deng Chao , Chen Jingying
Published: March 2022

Cellular communication provides an efficient, flexible, long-lived, and reliable communication technology for smart grids to improve the automated analysis, demand response, adoptive control, and coordination between the generator and consumers. With the expansion of wireless networks and the increase of access devices, interference has become a major problem that limits the performance of cellular wireless communication systems for smart grids. Spatial interference alignment (IA) is an effective method to eliminate interference and improve the capacity of wireless communication networks. This paper provides the sufficient conditions of spatial interference alignment operating with limited precoding matrix feedback for a K-user MIMO interference channel. Each receiver feeds the matrix index of the transmitting precoder back to the corresponding transmitter through an interference-free and error-free link. We calculated the number of feedback bits required to achieve the maximum theoretical multiplexing gain for the spatial interference alignment schemes considered and demonstrate the feasibility of spatial interference alignment under the limited feedback constraint investigated. It is shown that in order to maintain the same spatial multiplexing gain as that of the idealized scheme relying on perfect channel state information, the number of feedback bits per receiver scales as Nd≥di(M−di)log2SNR, where M and di denote the number of transmit (receive) antennas and the number of data steams for user i. Finally, the analytical results were verified by simulations for practical interference alignment schemes relying on limited precoding matrix feedback indices.
A Photovoltaic Technology Review: History, Fundamentals and Applications
Authors: Marques Lameirinhas Ricardo A. , Torres João Paulo N. , de Melo Cunha João P.
Published: March 2022

Photovoltaic technology has become a huge industry, based on the enormous applications for solar cells. In the 19th century, when photoelectric experiences started to be conducted, it would be unexpected that these optoelectronic devices would act as an essential energy source, fighting the ecological footprint brought by non-renewable sources, since the industrial revolution. Renewable energy, where photovoltaic technology has an important role, is present in 3 out of 17 United Nations 2030 goals. However, this path cannot be taken without industry and research innovation. This article aims to review and summarise all the meaningful milestones from photovoltaics history. Additionally, an extended review of the advantages and disadvantages among different technologies is done. Photovoltaics fundamentals are also presented from the photoelectric effect on a p-n junction to the electrical performance characterisation and modelling. Cells’ performance under unusual conditions are summarised, such as due to temperature variation or shading. Finally, some applications are presented and some project feasibility indicators are analysed. Thus, the review presented in this article aims to clarify to readers noteworthy milestones in photovoltaics history, summarise its fundamentals and remarkable applications to catch the attention of new researchers for this interesting field.
CRISPR towards a Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Camerlengo Francesco , Frittelli Arianna , Pagliarello Riccardo
Published: March 2022

Climate change and the need to feed an increasing population undermines food production and safety, representing the reasons behind the development of a new agriculture that is much more sustainable, productive and accessible worldwide. Genome editing and, in particular, clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas) tools will play a major role in plant breeding to address these concerns. CRISPR/Cas includes a series of genome editing tools relying on the recognition and cleavage of target DNA/RNA sequences to introduce specific mutations.
Editorial for the Special Issue on “Fluidic Oscillators—Devices and Applications”
Authors: Woszidlo Rene , Krüger Oliver
Published: March 2022

Fluidic oscillators are devices that produce a temporally and/or spatially oscillating output of fluid flow without requiring any moving parts [...]
High Prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae in Greek Meat Products: Detection of Virulence and Antimicrobial Resistance Genes by Molecular Techniques
Authors: Theocharidi Nikoletta Argyro , Balta Iliana , Houhoula Dimitra , Tsantes Andreas G. , Lalliotis George P. , Polydera Angeliki C. , Stamatis Haralambos , Halvatsiotis Panagiotis
Published: March 2022

Background: The presence of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens such as Klebsiella pneumoniae strains in the food supply is dangerous. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of Klebsiella pneumonia strains in Greek meat products and evaluate their phenotypes and genotypes. Methods: One hundred and ten meat specimens were cultured for the isolation of K. pneumoniae. In positive specimens, PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) analysis was performed to confirm the presence of K. pneumoniae. Genotypic and phenotypic evaluation of the isolated strains included multiplex immunoassay for the detection of carbapenemases, and PCR screening for the detection of resistance and virulence genes. Results:K. pneumoniae strains were recovered in 90 (81.8%) meat samples. The ecpA gene was identified in 30 (33.3%) isolates, while the fimH-1 and mrkA genes were present in 15 (16.7%) and 65 (72.2%) isolates, respectively. Sixty-five K. pneumoniae isolates (72.2%) were found to carry at least one resistance gene; of these, the blaNDM-like was the most commonly identified gene in 40 (61.5%) isolates, followed by the blaOXA-48 like gene in 20 isolates (30.8%). Conclusions: A high frequency of foodborne K. pneumoniae in Greece was found. Our results indicate that most strains carried resistance and virulence genes, indicating a high pathogenic potential and a significant risk to human health.
Study on the Preparation, Characterization, and Stability of Freeze-Dried Curcumin-Loaded Cochleates
Authors: Chen Lijuan , Yue Bowen , Liu Zhiming , Luo Yali , Ni Lu , Zhou Zhiyong , Ge Xuemei
Published: March 2022

Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenolic substance extracted from plants, has extensive pharmacological activities. However, CUR is difficult to be absorbed in the body due to its poor stability and low solubility. Studies have found that cochleates can be used as a new delivery system to encapsulate bioactive agents for the purpose of improving its stability and bioavailability. In this study, thin-film dispersion and trapping methods were used to prepare curcumin-loaded cochleates (CUR-Cochs). Then CUR-Cochs were characterized and the encapsulation efficiency was determined by HPLC. In addition, the freeze-drying process of CUR-Cochs was studied and related characterization was performed. CCK-8 assay was used to detect the cytotoxicity of cochleates carrier. Additionally, H2O2-induced cellular oxidative damage model were used to evaluate its antioxidant capacity. The results showed that the structure of CUR-Cochs was a spiral cylinder with an average particle size of 463.8 nm and zeta potential of −15.47 mV. The encapsulation efficiency was the highest (83.66 ± 0.8)% with 1:50 CUR-to-lipid mass ratio. In vitro results showed that cochleates had negligible cytotoxicity and owned antioxidant capacity, which provided the possibility for their applications in food and medicine. In general, the method herein might be a promising method to encapsulate CUR for further use as a bioactive agent in functional foods.
Trace-Level Determination of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Dairy Products Available in Spanish Supermarkets by Semi-Automated Solid-Phase Extraction and Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry Detection
Authors: Palacios Colón Laura , Rascón Andrés J. , Ballesteros Evaristo
Published: March 2022

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been classified as priority pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Commission on the grounds of their carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic properties. Because of their ubiquity in industrial processes and the environment, PAHs can reach milk and dairy products and, eventually, humans. In this work, a new method was developed to detect and quantify sixteen of the EPA’s priority PAHs in commercial milk and dairy products. The method involves liquid–liquid extraction (LLE) followed by semi-automated solid-phase extraction (SPE) to clean up and preconcentrate the analytes prior their detection and quantification by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The proposed method provided high precision (relative standard deviation < 11.5%), recoveries of 80–107% and low detection limits (1–200 ng/kg). The method was applied to analyze 30 dairy products, the majority of which contained some PAH at concentrations from 7.1 to 1900 ng/kg. The most-detected analytes were the lighter PAHs (naphthalene, acenaphthylene, fluorene and phenanthrene). None of the samples, however, contained more than four PAHs.
Efficacy of the Yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus in Biocontrol of Gray Mold Decay of Tomatoes and Study of the Mechanisms Involved
Authors: Lanhuang Boen , Yang Qiya , Godana Esa Abiso , Zhang Hongyin
Published: March 2022

Gray mold decay is a widespread postharvest disease in tomato that results from infection by the pathogen Botrytis cinerea, leading to huge economic losses. The objective of this study was to select the most effective antagonistic yeast to control tomato gray mold from six potential biocontrol agents and to investigate the possible control mechanism. The results showed that the yeast Wickerhamomyces anomalus was the most effective in inhibiting B. cinerea among the six strains both in vivo and in vitro on tomato, with a colony diameter of 11 mm, a decay diameter of 20 mm, and the lowest decay incidence (53%)—values significantly smaller and lower than the values recorded for the control group and the other yeasts. The efficacy of the control depended on the increase in yeast concentration, and the decay incidence and lesion diameter were reduced to 31%, 28% and 7 mm, 6 mm, respectively, when treated with 1 × 108 and 1 × 109 cells/mL W. anomalus. In addition, W. anomalus was able to rapidly colonize and stably multiply in tomato, occupying the space to control pathogen infection. W. anomalus was also able to motivate the defense mechanism of tomato with stimulation of defense-related enzymes PPO, POD, APX, and SOD and promotion of the content of total phenols and flavonoid compounds. All these results suggest that W. anomalus exhibited exceptional ability to control gray mold in tomato.
The Effect of Different Extraction Methods on Extraction Yield, Physicochemical Properties, and Volatile Compounds from Field Muskmelon Seed Oil
Authors: Zhang Huijun , Yuan Yushu , Zhu Xiuxiu , Xu Runzhe , Shen Huishan , Zhang Qian , Ge Xiangzhen
Published: March 2022

Field muskmelon seed oil was extracted by press extraction (PE), Soxhlet extraction (SE), organic extraction (OSE), and aqueous extraction (AE). The oils were then evaluated for their physicochemical properties, fatty acid composition, volatile compounds, and antioxidant properties. A high yield oil was found in the SE sample. The AE sample had the highest elevated acid and peroxide values, while PE and OSE had the highest oil iodine content. The oil samples did not differ significantly in their fatty acid profile depending on the extraction method. However, E-nose, HS-GC-IMS, and HS-SPME-GC-MS showed that the flavor composition of the four samples was significantly different, attributed to the changes in the composition and content of the compounds caused by the different extraction methods. Furthermore, the strongest FRAP and the free radical scavenging ability of DPPH and ABTS+ showed in the SE sample. In general, SE’s seed oil has certain advantages when applied to the muskmelon seed oil industry.
Tree Nuts and Peanuts as a Source of Beneficial Compounds and a Threat for Allergic Consumers: Overview on Methods for Their Detection in Complex Food Products
Authors: Luparelli Anna , Losito Ilario , De Angelis Elisabetta , Pilolli Rosa , Lambertini Francesca , Monaci Linda
Published: March 2022

Consumption of tree nuts and peanuts has considerably increased over the last decades due to their nutritional composition and the content of beneficial compounds. On the other hand, such widespread consumption worldwide has also generated a growing incidence of allergy in the sensitive population. Allergy to nuts and peanuts represents a global relevant problem, especially due to the risk of the ingestion of hidden allergens as a result of cross-contamination between production lines at industrial level occurring during food manufacturing. The present review provides insights on peanuts, almonds, and four nut allergens—namely hazelnuts, walnuts, cashew, and pistachios—that are likely to cross-contaminate different food commodities. The paper aims at covering both the biochemical aspect linked to the identified allergenic proteins for each allergen category and the different methodological approaches developed for allergens detection and identification. Attention has been also paid to mass spectrometry methods and to current efforts of the scientific community to identify a harmonized approach for allergens quantification through the detection of allergen markers.
Novel Patterns in Fractional-in-Space Nonlinear Coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo Models with Riesz Fractional Derivative
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Han Che , Wang Yulan
Published: March 2022

In this paper, the Fourier spectral method is used to solve the fractional-in-space nonlinear coupled FitzHugh–Nagumo model.Numerical simulation is carried out to elucidate the diffusion behavior of patterns for the fractional 2D and 3D FitzHugh–Nagumo model. The results of numerical experiments are consistent with the theoretical results of other scholars, which verifies the accuracy of the method. We show that stable spatio-temporal patterns can be sustained for a long time; these patterns are different from any previously obtained in numerical studies. Here, we show that behavior patterns can be described well by the fractional FitzHugh–Nagumo and Gray–Scott models, which have unique properties that integer models do not have. Results show that the Fourier spectral method has strong competitiveness, reliability, and solving ability for solving 2D and 3D fractional-in-space nonlinear reaction-diffusion models.
Numerical Investigation of Dual Fuel Combustion on a Compression Ignition Engine Fueled with Hydrogen/Natural Gas Blends
Authors: Scrignoli Francesco , Vecchio Filippo , Legrottaglie Francesco , Mattarelli Enrico , Rinaldini Carlo Alberto
Published: March 2022

The present work aims to assess the influence of the composition of blends of hydrogen (H2) and Natural Gas (NG) on Dual Fuel (DF) combustion characteristics, including gaseous emissions. The 3D-CFD study is carried out by means of a customized version of the KIVA-3V code. An automotive 2.8 L, 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine was previously modified in order to operate in DF NG–diesel mode, and tested at the dynamometer bench. After validation against experimental results, the numerical model is applied to perform a set of combustion simulations at 3000 rpm–BMEP = 8 bar, in DF H2/NG-diesel mode. Different H2–NG blends are considered: as the H2 mole fraction varies from 0 vol% to 50 vol%, the fuel energy within the premixed charge is kept constant. The influence of the diesel Start Of Injection (SOI) is also investigated. Simulation results demonstrate that H2 enrichment accelerates the combustion process and promotes its completion, strongly decreasing UHC and CO emissions. Evidently, CO2 specific emissions are also reduced (up to about 20%, at 50 vol% of H2). The main drawbacks of the faster combustion include an increase of in-cylinder peak pressure and pressure rate rise, and of NOx emissions. However, the study demonstrates that the optimization of diesel SOI can eliminate all aforementioned shortcomings.
Determinants of Undernutrition and Associated Factors of Low Muscle Mass and High Fat Mass among Older Men and Women in the Colombo District of Sri Lanka
Authors: Vijewardane Samantha Chandrika , Balasuriya Aindralal , Myint Phyo Kyaw , Johnstone Alexandra M.
Published: March 2022

Undernutrition is a health challenge due to an expanding older population. The aims of the study were to assess the prevalence and determinants of undernutrition and, associated factors of low muscle and high fat mass among older men and women in the Colombo district of Sri Lanka. A cross sectional study was conducted using a multistage cluster sampling technique. Undernutrition was defined based on anthropometry and body composition assessed using bio-electrical impedance. Sex-specific multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Of 800 participants (30.6% men), 35.3% were undernourished. The factors significantly associated with undernutrition among older women were hypertension with an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) (1.97; 1.36–2.88) and musculoskeletal disabilities aOR (2.19; 1.36–3.53). Among women, age ≥ 70 (1.79; 1.18–3.34) and diabetes (1.77; 1.10–2.84) were associated with low muscle mass and age ≥ 70 (2.05; 1.21–3.47), diabetes (2.20; 1.35–3.59) and disability in chewing (2.39; 1.30–4.40) were associated with high fat mass. Among men, age ≥ 70 years, no/up to grade 5 education, diabetes, visual disability, little/no responsibility in food shopping and not getting nutritional advice from media were associated with reduced odds of low muscle mass and no/up to grade 5 school education, disability in chewing and little/no responsibility in food shopping were associated with reduced odds of high fat mass. Undernutrition among older people is common in Sri Lanka. We have identified key factors associated with low muscle mass and high fat mass in this setting. Given the potential consequences of these conditions, our study provides potential targets for prevention of undernutrition and sarcopenic obesity.
Effects of Square-Stepping Exercise on Motor and Cognitive Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder Children and Adolescents: A Study Protocol
Authors: Barrios-Fernández Sabina , Carlos-Vivas Jorge , Muñoz-Bermejo Laura , Mendoza-Muñoz María , Apolo-Arenas Maria Dolores , García-Gómez Andrés , Gozalo Margarita , Adsuar José Carmelo
Published: March 2022

Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnoses present not only cognitive, emotional, communicative, and social challenges but also movement issues that affect their everyday activities, learning, and leisure. The use of the square-stepping exercise (SSE), a motor program initially created to strengthen the lower limbs of older adults, is spreading because of its advantages (e.g., balance and lower limb strength improvements). A study protocol to assess the SSE effects on motor, sensory, and cognitive skills in Spanish children and adolescents between 6 and 12 years old with ASD diagnoses is presented. A randomised clinical will be performed, recruiting 52 children and adolescents with ASD who will be distributed into two groups: an experimental (n = 26) and a control (n = 26) group. The SSE sessions will be held for 9 weeks (two times per week). The main variable will be balance, which will be measured with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2 (MABC2), and secondary outcomes will include sensory processing, attention, and executive functions. Assessments will be carried out before and at the end of the program implementation, including an additional follow up one month later. If this program obtains positive results, it should be implemented in different settings (schools, clinics, associations, etc.) to improve the quality of movement and development in children and adolescents with ASD, as it is an easy-to-use and structured tool.
Measuring the Physical Activity of Seniors before and during COVID-19 Restrictions in the Czech Republic
Authors: Janovský Vít , Piorecký Marek , Včelák Jan , Mrissa Michael
Published: March 2022

Social workers require a better understanding of the impact of pandemic measures on the level of physical activity of their clients to better target client activation. In this retrospective tracker-based study (two years of measurement), we examined changes in the physical activity of the elderly population (204 participants with an average age of 84.5 years) in the Czech Republic as a result of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Physical activity was statistically compared according to the physical, demographic and social conditions of the participants. In addition to observing the expected activity decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic, we made several hypotheses based on the sex, age group, body mass index, type of housing (apartment or house) and size of the city of residence. We found that 33% of the 204 participants had increased levels of physical activity in the period following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in Central Europe. We found that the size of the city where the seniors lived and the type of housing did not affect the general level of physical activity. When comparing physical acquisition rates in each month of 2019 and 2020, we saw the largest declines in April and May 2020, that is, one month after the start of the lockdown.
Individual and Interactive Effects of Elevated Ozone and Temperature on Plant Responses
Authors: Lee Jong Kyu , Kwak Myeong Ja , Jeong Su Gyeong , Woo Su Young
Published: March 2022

From the preindustrial era to the present day, the tropospheric ozone (O3) concentration has increased dramatically in much of the industrialized world due to anthropogenic activities. O3 is the most harmful air pollutant to plants. Global surface temperatures are expected to increase with rising O3 concentration. Plants are directly affected by temperature and O3. Elevated O3 can impair physiological processes, as well as cause the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to decreased plant growth. Temperature is another important factor influencing plant development. Here, we summarize how O3 and temperature elevation can affect plant physiological and biochemical characteristics, and discuss results from studies investigating plant responses to these factors. In this review, we focused on the interactions between elevated O3 and temperature on plant responses, because neither factor acts independently. Temperature has great potential to significantly influence stomatal movement and O3 uptake. For this reason, the combined influence of both factors can yield significantly different results than those of a single factor. Plant responses to the combined effects of elevated temperature and O3 are still controversial. We attribute the substantial uncertainty of these combined effects primarily to differences in methodological approaches.
Optimal Subsidy Support for the Provision of Elderly Care Services in China Based on the Evolutionary Game Analysis
Authors: Mu Qiang , Guo Peng , Wang Ding
Published: March 2022

Public–private partnership is a type of cooperation that has been widely employed to alleviate contradictions between supply and demand in the elderly care industry in China. Based on evolutionary game theory, this paper mainly analyzes the effects of static subsidy and dynamic subsidy to private sectors and consumers on the evolution of the decision process for private investors, consumers, and government in the three-dimension system. The simulation results show that without active supervision, a higher subsidy to private sectors will not promote the provision of high-quality services when the cost saving is large. Furthermore, there exists a threshold value of the difference between the two types of subsidies such that elderly people will be encouraged to choose institutional care if the value exceeds the threshold. We also find that dynamic subsidy policy works more efficiently in promoting the provision of home-based care services.
Bone Quality in Patients with Parkinson’s Disease Determined by Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS) of the Calcaneus: Influence of Sex Differences
Authors: Caplliure-Llopis Jordi , Escrivá Dolores , Navarro-Illana Esther , Benlloch María , de la Rubia Ortí Jose , Barrios Carlos
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a relatively common neurodegenerative disease in elderly individuals, with a high risk of falls. There is abundant literature on the relationship between PD and osteoporosis. The aim of this study is to describe the bone quality of a population with PD by calcaneal ultrasound and to compare it with a healthy control, assessing the influence of possible sex differences. (2) Methods: 21 patients diagnosed with PD were recruited. The control group was composed of 30 healthy individuals with similar sociodemographic characteristics. The bone quality of all participants was assessed using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS). The parameters recorded were broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, in decibels per megahertz), imaging speed of sound (SOS, in meters per second), stiffness index (SI) and T-score of each participant. Bone mineral density (BMD) was estimated using the equation BMD = 0.002592 × (BUA + SOS) − 3.687 (g/cm2). (3) Results: significant differences were observed between the healthy control and the PD group: the T-score was lower in the PD group (p < 0.05) and SOS was higher in Parkinson’s disease patients (p < 0.05), while 28.6% of the PD patients were osteoporotic with T-score values lower than −1.5 compared to 16.7% of osteoporotic individuals in the control group (p < 0.01). Regarding the sex, there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the females of the PD group vs. control group, showing a significant difference in the SI (71.4 ± 14.7 vs. 87.8 ± 12), T-score (−2.19 ± 1.1 vs. −0.15 ± 0.8), BUA (104.5 ± 13 vs. 116 ± 10.6) and BMD (0.49 ± 0.09 vs. 0.60 ± 0.08), with no difference in the comparison between the male groups; and the comparison between both sexes in T-score only showed significant differences for the PD group (p < 0.05), with worse bone quality in women. (4) Conclusions: this study shows poorer bone quality in female patients with PD, who have a higher percentage of osteoporosis than healthy patients. The QUS technique of the calcaneus seems adequate for these determinations in patients with Parkinson’s disease.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Production from Anaerobic Fermentation of Sewage Sludge: The Effect of Higher Levels Polyaluminium Chloride
Authors: Zhu Puli , Li Xiaoyun , Feng Jing , Zhang Rui , Bai Hui , Bu Duo , Dan Zeng , Li Wei , Lu Xuebin
Published: March 2022

With the annual increase in the sludge production in China’s sewage treatment plants, the problem of sewage sludge treatment and disposal is becoming more and more serious. Anaerobic fermentation can convert complex organic matter in sewage sludge into short-chain fatty acid, hydrogen, methane and other resources and is an effective method for sewage sludge treatment and disposal. At the same time, sewage sludge often contains flocculants, which will inevitably affect the effect of anaerobic fermentation. As a high-performance flocculant, polyaluminum chloride (PAC) is widely used in wastewater treatment and sewage sludge dewatering processes. Previous studies indicated that lower levels of PAC inhibit the effect of the anaerobic fermentation process of sewage sludge; on the other hand, it is necessary to understand the effects of higher levels of PAC in anaerobically fermented sewage sludge. The results showed that higher levels (0.2–1 g Al/g total solids (TS)) of PAC could promote acid production from anaerobically fermented sewage sludge. Moreover, mechanism studies suggest that higher levels (0.2–1 g Al/g total solids (TS)) of PAC caused excessive adsorption of the charge on the surface of the sewage sludge colloid and reversed the charge. The sewage sludge colloid was stabilized again, which increases the concentration of soluble proteins, polysaccharides, and soluble extracellular polymers (S-EPS) in the fermentation broth, thereby improving the anaerobically fermented sewage sludge efficiency. The results provided from this study may act as technical reference and guidance for the engineering application of sewage sludge anaerobic fermentation.
Spanish Translation and Psychometric Validation of a Measure of Acculturative Stress among Latinx Immigrants in the USA
Authors: Merced Kritzia , Ohayagha Chimdindu , Grover Ria , Garcia-Rodriguez Isis , Moreno Oswaldo , Perrin Paul B.
Published: March 2022

Background: In the United States, the Latinx community is growing at a faster rate than any other racial or ethnic minority group. Members of this community have been found to experience a number of acculturative stressors after immigrating, including xenophobia, racism, and discrimination. Although several scales have been created in recent years to measure acculturative stress in Spanish-speaking immigrants, they are long, do not have nuanced subscales, or have not been validated in an extremely diverse sample of Latinx immigrants. Objective: The purpose of the current study was to translate and psychometrically validate the Riverside Acculturative Stress Inventory (RASI) in a diverse sample of Spanish-speaking immigrants. Methods: A sample of 202 Latinx immigrants in the United States completed the RASI as well as measures of depression and anxiety. Results: An initial confirmatory factor analysis suggested that the overall subscale factor structure was not an ideal fit for the data. An exploratory factor analysis suggested the retention of four subscales, each with three items, forming a 12-item Spanish RASI short form. As indices of convergent validity, the RASI total score was positively associated with depression and anxiety. Conclusions: The findings from the study contribute to the literature a brief and valid assessment of acculturative stress in Spanish-speaking immigrants. The RASI Spanish short form holds promise to stimulate research on the unique adversities experienced by Latinx immigrants.
Urban Residents’ Acceptance Intention to Use Recycled Stormwater—An Examination of Values, Altruism, Social and Cultural Norms, and Perceived Health Risks
Authors: GUO Shufen , Wu Zhifang , Wen Ludi
Published: March 2022

Public acceptance is the basic premise for the implementation of stormwater reuse projects anywhere in the world. Based on the theory of planned behaviour, this study constructed a hypothesized model of urban residents’ intention to use recycled stormwater for non-potable residential purposes. Having received 669 valid questionnaires from urban residents in Taiyuan City, a Structural Equation Model was used to analyze their acceptance intention to use recycled stormwater. Results of the study showed that the degree of human contact with recycled stormwater influenced respondents’ acceptance intention to use it for that purpose, which is consistent with previous studies. The impact of factors, including valuation of stormwater, emotions, perceived health risks, or trust in government, on respondents’ acceptance intention to use recycled stormwater was found to be not significant, which adds to the inconsistent literature. The unique contributions of the study to literature include that altruism and social and cultural norms were found to have significantly positive impacts on residents’ acceptance intention to use the water, while social and cultural norms demonstrated a more significant impact. This finding is perceived to relate to the collectivism of Chinese culture; however, to what extent the relation could be requires further research to verify. The study also makes contributions to methodology by using social networking (WeChat Moments) to collect data in social science studies.
How Can We Actually Change Help-Seeking Behaviour for Mental Health Problems among the General Public? Development of the ‘PLACES’ Model
Authors: Brown June S. L. , Lisk Stephen , Carter Ben , Stevelink Sharon A. M. , Van Lieshout Ryan , Michelson Daniel
Published: March 2022

Good treatment uptake is essential for clinically effective interventions to be fully utilised. Numerous studies have examined barriers to help-seeking for mental health treatment and to a lesser extent, facilitators. However, much of the current research focuses on changing help-seeking attitudes, which often do not lead to changes in behaviour. There is a clear gap in the literature for interventions that successfully change help-seeking behaviour among the general public. This gap is particularly relevant for early intervention. Here we describe the development of a new model which combines facilitators to treatment and an engaging, acceptable intervention for the general public. It is called the ‘PLACES’ (Publicity, Lay, Acceptable, Convenient, Effective, Self-referral) model of treatment engagement. It is based on theoretical work, as well as empirical research on a low intensity psychoeducational cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention: one-day workshops for stress and depression. In this paper, we describe the development of the model and the results of its use among four different clinical groups (adults experiencing stress, adults experiencing depression, adolescents (age 16–18) experiencing stress, and mothers with postnatal depression). We recorded high rates of uptake by people who have previously not sought help and by racial and ethnic minority groups across all four of these clinical groups. The clinical and research implications and applications of this model are discussed.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) Dose Optimization in Pneumocystis jirovecii Pneumonia (PCP) Management: A Systematic Review
Authors: Haseeb Abdul , Abourehab Mohammed A. S. , Almalki Wesam Abdulghani , Almontashri Abdulrahman Mohammed , Bajawi Sultan Ahmed , Aljoaid Anas Mohammed , Alsahabi Bahni Mohammed , Algethamy Manal , AlQarni Abdullmoin , Iqbal Muhammad Shahid , Mutlaq Alaa , Alghamdi Saleh , Elrggal Mahmoud E. , Saleem Zikria , Radwan Rozan Mohammad , Mahrous Ahmad Jamal , Faidah Hani Saleh
Published: March 2022

(1) Background: Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) has a substantial impact on the morbidity and mortality of patients, especially those with autoimmune disorders, thus requiring optimal dosing strategies of Trimethoprim–Sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Therefore, to ensure the safety of TMP-SMX, there is a high demand to review current evidence in PCP patients with a focus on dose optimization strategies; (2) Methods: Various databases were searched from January 2000 to December 2021 for articles in English, focusing on the dose optimization of TMP-SMX. The data were collected in a specific form with predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. The quality of each article was evaluated using a Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) for retrospective studies, Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical checklist for case reports, and Cochrane bias tool for randomized clinical trials (RCTs); (3) Results: Thirteen studies met the inclusion criteria for final analysis. Of the 13 selected studies, nine were retrospective cohort studies, two case reports, and two randomized controlled trials (RCT). Most of the studies compared the high-dose with low-dose TMP-SMX therapy for PCP. We have found that a low dose of TMP-SMX provides satisfactory outcomes while reducing the mortality rate and PCP-associated adverse events. This strategy reduces the economic burden of illness and enhances patients’ compliance to daily regimen plan; (4) Conclusions: The large-scale RCTs and cohort studies are required to improve dosing strategies to prevent initial occurrence of PCP or to prevent recurrence of PCP in immune compromised patients.
Twelve-Month Evaluation of Temperature Effects of Radiotherapy in Patients after Mastectomy
Authors: Baic Agnieszka , Plaza Dominika , Lange Barbara , Michalecki Łukasz , Stanek Agata , Ślosarek Krzysztof , Cholewka Armand
Published: March 2022

The aim of this study was to verify the changes in the temperature distribution within the breast at twelve months after the end of radiotherapy for breast cancer. The study included twenty-four women. The first test group consisted of twelve women who underwent breast mastectomy and qualified for radiotherapy according to standard medical treatment procedures. The second group included twelve healthy women. The tests were conducted before treatment with radiation therapy and two months, six months, nine months, and one year after the end of treatment. The mean temperature values changed depending on the time that had elapsed since the end of treatment. The highest temperature increase in all patients was observed six months after the end of radiotherapy. This research has confirmed that the assessment of temperature changes in the breast area after radiotherapy can evaluate the severity and lesions in the time course of the radiation reaction.
Effects of Integrated Workplace Violence Management Intervention on Occupational Coping Self-Efficacy, Goal Commitment, Attitudes, and Confidence in Emergency Department Nurses: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Chang Yang-Chin , Hsu Mei-Chi , Ouyang Wen-Chen
Published: March 2022

Patient and visitor violence (PVV), the most prevalent source of workplace violence, is largely ignored, underreported, and a persistent problem in emergency departments. It is associated with physical injuries, psychological distress, and occupational stress in nurses. A randomized controlled trial was conducted in Taiwan from January to December 2020. This study aimed to test the efficacy of an integrated Workplace Violence Prevention and Management Training Program on PVV in 75 emergency department (ED) nurses from a hospital. Cluster sampling was used because the policy of subdivision strategy was enforced during the COVID-19 pandemic. ED nurses received either the intervention or 1-hour in-service class. Data were collected from questionnaires. Data were analyzed mainly by the repeated measure analysis of variance and generalized estimating equations. The intervention had positive effects on developing stronger goal commitment, improving occupational coping self-efficacy, increasing confidence in ability to deal with violent situations, and modifying attitudes toward the causes and management of PVV in ED nurses (p < 0.05). The marginal R2 of the generalized estimating equation model for goal commitment, occupational coping self-efficacy, confidence, attitudes toward aggression in ED and aggressive behavior variables was high as 0.54 (p < 0.001), 0.45 (p < 0.001), 0.58 (p < 0.001), 0.29 (p < 0.05), and 0.72 (p < 0.001), respectively. These study models could effectively predict changes in the mean values. The benefit was driven by the effect of the intervention in ED nurses. Thus, the intervention, when applied in conjunction with routine in-service class, could exert synergistic improvements on outcomes measured in nurses.
Evaluation Using Polar Coordinate of the Representation of Movement in the Drawings of Children Aged 5 to 8 Years
Authors: Urraca-Martínez Maria Luz , Anguera Maria Teresa , Sastre-Riba Sylvia
Published: March 2022

The progressive complexity of mental representation is the basis for changes in human cognitive development. Evaluation of its external manifestations as graphic representation in drawings could be an instrument to understand changes in cognitive development and representational complexity. The aim of this study is to evaluate the appearance and role of the indicators used by children to represent moving figures in their drawings. This allows us to know the continuum from its non-manifestation to full expression through the vectorial interrelationships of the graphic indicators in each of the ages studied. Participants were n = 240 children from 5 to 8 years old; their drawings of two moving figures were analyzed, applying the polar coordinate technique. Results show a map of interrelations among the graphical movement indicators and changes in the drawing elements in an increasing continuum of complexity and the roles conferred to figures sketched. The conclusion is that changes evaluated in drawings can interactively reflect mental representation, and they could promote its transformation. The applied transfer of the results to education is discussed, in order to optimize the representational complexity and cognitive development.
Evaluation of a Single-Channel EEG-Based Sleep Staging Algorithm
Authors: Zhao Shanguang , Long Fangfang , Wei Xin , Ni Xiaoli , Wang Hui , Wei Bokun
Published: March 2022

Sleep staging is the basis of sleep assessment and plays a crucial role in the early diagnosis and intervention of sleep disorders. Manual sleep staging by a specialist is time-consuming and is influenced by subjective factors. Moreover, some automatic sleep staging algorithms are complex and inaccurate. The paper proposes a single-channel EEG-based sleep staging method that provides reliable technical support for diagnosing sleep problems. In this study, 59 features were extracted from three aspects: time domain, frequency domain, and nonlinear indexes based on single-channel EEG data. Support vector machine, neural network, decision tree, and random forest classifier were used to classify sleep stages automatically. The results reveal that the random forest classifier has the best sleep staging performance among the four algorithms. The recognition rate of the Wake phase was the highest, at 92.13%, and that of the N1 phase was the lowest, at 73.46%, with an average accuracy of 83.61%. The embedded method was adopted for feature filtering. The results of sleep staging of the 11-dimensional features after filtering show that the random forest model achieved 83.51% staging accuracy under the condition of reduced feature dimensions, and the coincidence rate with the use of all features for sleep staging was 94.85%. Our study confirms the robustness of the random forest model in sleep staging, which also represents a high classification accuracy with appropriate classifier algorithms, even using single-channel EEG data. This study provides a new direction for the portability of clinical EEG monitoring.
Barriers and Facilitators to Mental Health Help-Seeking among Young Adults in Saudi Arabia: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Noorwali Robena , Almotairy Sarah , Akhder Raneem , Mahmoud Ghadi , Sharif Loujain , Alasmee Nofaa , Mahsoon Alaa , Hafez Duaa
Published: March 2022

While young Saudi adults are reportedly prone to experiencing a variety of mental health problems, they tend to delay seeking mental health support. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the barriers and facilitators of seeking mental health support among young adults in Saudi Arabia. A qualitative research design was implemented using semi-structured interviews with 12 young adult participants in Saudi Arabia, recruited through social media platforms, and the interviews were then analyzed using thematic analysis. Two major themes emerged: barriers that impede the process of mental health help-seeking and facilitators that assist individuals in seeking mental health support. The barriers included public stigma and lack of awareness, unprofessional mental health practitioners, lack of accessibility to services and information, unsupportive families, intrapersonal dilemmas, and misconceptions based on religious beliefs. Facilitators of help-seeking included increasing societal and family awareness, promoting the accessibility of services, enhancing sources of external support, personal motivation to change, and online therapy. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of promoting mental health literacy among the Saudi public, particularly with regard to young adults and their unique mental health needs. Exploring facilitators and barriers may also assist mental health providers in developing tailored mental health campaigns and interventions directed at young adults.
The Potential to Address Disease Vectors in Favelas in Brazil Using Sustainable Drainage Systems: Zika, Drainage and Greywater Management
Authors: Charlesworth Susanne M. , Kligerman Debora C. , Blackett Matthew , Warwick Frank
Published: March 2022

Residents of informal settlements, the world over, suffer consequences due to the lack of drainage and greywater management, impacting human and environmental health. In Brazil, the presence of the Aedes aegypti mosquito in urban areas promotes infections of the Zika virus as well as companion viruses, such as dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever. By using observation and interviews with the community, this paper shows how a simple sustainable drainage system approach could prevent the accumulation of on-street standing water, and thus reduce opportunities for the mosquito to breed and reduce infection rates. During the interview phase, it became apparent that underlying misinformation and misunderstandings prevail related to existing environmental conditions in favelas and the role of the mosquito in infecting residents. This inhibits recommendations made by professionals to reduce breeding opportunities for the disease vector. Whilst unrest is an issue in favelas, it is not the only issue preventing the human right to reliable, safe sanitation, including drainage. In “pacified” favelas which may be considered safe(r), the infrastructure is still poor and is not connected to the city-wide sanitation/treatment networks.
Evaluation of Children’s Thermal Environment in Nursery School: Through the Questionnaire and Measurement of Wearable Sensors Approach
Authors: Yuan Xin , Ryu Yuji
Published: March 2022

Due to psychological and physical differences, children are more vulnerable to the influence of the surrounding environment than adults. A nursery school in Japan was selected as the research object. The actual thermal environment of children aged 1 to 5 in the classroom was evaluated based on measured data in winter and summer. Through a questionnaire survey of nursery teachers, this paper analyzed and compared the relationship between teachers’ thermal adaptation behavior and children’s thermal sensation. Compared with the traditional fixed-points measurement method, a method of wearable sensors for children was proposed to measure the indoor temperature distribution. The traditional measurement results showed that 73% of classroom indoor temperatures and humidity do not meet the thermal comfort standard stipulated by the government. The method proposed in this paper indicates that: (1) nursery teachers’ thermal adaptation behavior may not be based on children’s thermal sensations; (2) solar radiation and weather context could lead to uneven indoor horizontal temperature distribution, hence, specific attention should be paid to the thermal environment when children move to the window side; and (3) the density of occupants causes the temperature around the human body to be relatively high. We suggest that teachers improve the thermal comfort of gathered children through thermal adaptive behaviors. The results of the study provide valuable information for nursery managers to formulate effective indoor thermal environment strategies from the perspective of children.