bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2-Aminobenzothiazole-Containing Copper(II) Complex as Catalyst in Click Chemistry: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Bahsis Lahoucine , Hrimla Meryem , Ben El Ayouchia Hicham , Anane Hafid , Julve Miguel , Stiriba Salah-Eddine
Published: July 2020

The reaction of copper(II) acetate with the 2-aminobenzothiazole (abt) heterocycle affords the new copper(II) complex of formula [Cu(abt)2(OOCCH3)2] (1) in a straightforward manner. Compound 1 served as a precatalyst for azide/alkyne cycloaddition reactions (CuAAC) in water, leading to 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazole derivatives in a regioselective manner and with excellent yields at room temperature. The main advantages of the coordination of such a heterocyclic ligand in 1 are its strong σ-donating ability (N-Cu), nontoxicity and biological properties. In addition, the click chemistry reaction conditions using 1 allow the formation of a great variety of 1,2,3-triazole-based heterocyclic compounds that make this protocol potentially relevant from biological and sustainable viewpoints. A molecular electron density theory (MEDT) study was performed by using density functional theory (DFT) calculations at the B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) (LANL2DZ for Cu) level to understand the observed regioselectivity in the CuAAC reaction. The intramolecular nature of this reaction accounts for the regioselective formation of the 1,4-regioisomeric triazole derivatives. The ionic nature of the starting copper-acetylide precludes any type of covalent interaction throughout the reaction, as supported by the electron localization function (ELF) topological analysis, reaffirming the zwitterionic-type (zw-type) mechanism of the copper(I)/aminobenzothiazole-catalysed azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions.
Bi-Polymer Electrospun Nanofibers Embedding Ag3PO4/P25 Composite for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation and Anti-Microbial Activity
Authors: Habib Zunaira , Lee Chang-Gu , Li Qilin , Khan Sher Jamal , Ahmad Nasir Mahmood , Jamal Yousuf , Huang Xiaochuan , Javed Hassan
Published: July 2020

Using a bi-polymer system comprising of transparent poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP), a visible light active Ag3PO4/P25 composite was immobilized into the mats of polymeric electrospun nanofibers. After nanofibers synthesis, sacrificial PVP was removed, leaving behind rough surface nanofibers with easy access to Ag3PO4/P25 composite. The remarkable photocatalytic efficiency was attained using a PMMA and Ag3PO4/P25 weight ratio of 1:0.6. Methyl orange (MO) was used to visualize pollutant removal and exhibited stable removal kinetics up to five consecutive cycles under simulated daylight. Also, these polymeric nanofibers (NFs) revealed an important role in the destruction of microorganisms (E. coli), signifying their potential in water purification. A thin film fibrous mat was also used in a small bench scale plug flow reactor (PFR) for polishing of synthetic secondary effluent and the effects of inorganic salts were studied upon photocatalytic degradation in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) and turbidity removal. Lower flow rate (5 mL/h) resulted in maximum TOC and turbidity removal rates of 86% and 50%, respectively. Accordingly, effective Ag3PO4/P25 immobilization into an ideal support material and selectivity towards target pollutants could both enhance the efficiency of photocatalytic process under solar radiations without massive energy input.
The Use of Ion Liquids as a Trojan Horse Strategy in Enzyme-Catalyzed Biotransformation of (R,S)-Atenolol
Authors: Sikora Adam , Chałupka Joanna , Marszałł Michał Piotr
Published: July 2020

The enzymatic method was used for the direct biotransformation of racemic atenolol. The catalytic activities of commercially available lipases from Candida rugosa were tested for the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-atenolol by enantioselective acetylation in various two-phase reaction media containing ionic liquids. The composed catalytic system gave the possibility to easy separate substrates and products of the conducted enantioselective reaction and after specific procedure to reuse utilized enzymes in another catalytic cycle.
Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (GCSF) Can Attenuate Neuropathic Pain by Suppressing Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1) Expression, through Upregulating the Early MicroRNA-122 Expression in the Dorsal Root Ganglia
Authors: Liao Ming-Feng , Hsu Jung-Lung , Lu Kwok-Tung , Chao Po-Kuan , Cheng Mei-Yun , Hsu Hui-Ching , Lo Ai-Lun , Lee Yun-Lin , Hung Yu-Hui , Lyu Rong-Kuo , Kuo Hung-Chou , Chu Chun-Che , Ro Long-Sun
Published: July 2020

Our previous animal studies and several human clinical trials have shown that granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (GCSF) can attenuate neuropathic pain through various mechanisms. GCSF itself is also a multipotent cytokine that can modulate microribonucleic acid (microRNA) expression profiles in vitro. In this study, we used the NanoString nCounter analysis system to screen the expression of different rodent microRNAs at early stage after nerve injury and studied the expression of related cytokines/chemokines in the dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) of rats that underwent chronic constriction injury (CCI) to explore the underlying mechanisms of the analgesic effects of GCSF. We found that microRNA-122 expression was downregulated by CCI; in contrast, GCSF treatment significantly upregulated microRNA-122 expression in the DRGs of CCI rats on the 1st day after nerve injury. We further studied the expression of different cytokines/chemokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1)) that were modulated by microRNA-122. MCP-1 has been reported to participate in neuropathic pain development, and its expression on the DRGs of vehicle-treated CCI rats was significantly higher than that on the DRGs of sham-operated rats; in contrast, GCSF-treated rats exhibited significantly lower MCP-1 expression in the DRG than vehicle-treated rats on the 7th day after nerve injury. An early GCSF treatment can suppress MCP-1 expressions, through upregulating microRNA-122 expressions in the DRGs of CCI rats at an earlier stage, thus indirectly attenuating neuropathic pain development.
Evolution of Regulated Transcription
Authors: Bylino Oleg V. , Ibragimov Airat N. , Shidlovskii Yulii V.
Published: July 2020

The genomes of all organisms abound with various cis-regulatory elements, which control gene activity. Transcriptional enhancers are a key group of such elements in eukaryotes and are DNA regions that form physical contacts with gene promoters and precisely orchestrate gene expression programs. Here, we follow gradual evolution of this regulatory system and discuss its features in different organisms. In eubacteria, an enhancer-like element is often a single regulatory element, is usually proximal to the core promoter, and is occupied by one or a few activators. Activation of gene expression in archaea is accompanied by the recruitment of an activator to several enhancer-like sites in the upstream promoter region. In eukaryotes, activation of expression is accompanied by the recruitment of activators to multiple enhancers, which may be distant from the core promoter, and the activators act through coactivators. The role of the general DNA architecture in transcription control increases in evolution. As a whole, it can be seen that enhancers of multicellular eukaryotes evolved from the corresponding prototypic enhancer-like regulatory elements with the gradually increasing genome size of organisms.
A Survey of Reported Disease-Related Mutations in the MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 Complex
Authors: Rahman Samiur , Canny Marella D. , Buschmann Tanner A. , Latham Michael P.
Published: July 2020

The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1 (MRN) protein complex is one of the primary vehicles for repairing DNA double strand breaks and maintaining the genomic stability within the cell. The role of the MRN complex to recognize and process DNA double-strand breaks as well as signal other damage response factors is critical for maintaining proper cellular function. Mutations in any one of the components of the MRN complex that effect function or expression of the repair machinery could be detrimental to the cell and may initiate and/or propagate disease. Here, we discuss, in a structural and biochemical context, mutations in each of the three MRN components that have been associated with diseases such as ataxia telangiectasia-like disorder (ATLD), Nijmegen breakage syndrome (NBS), NBS-like disorder (NBSLD) and certain types of cancers. Overall, deepening our understanding of disease-causing mutations of the MRN complex at the structural and biochemical level is foundational to the future aim of treating diseases associated with these aberrations.
Inflammation in Parkinson’s Disease: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications
Authors: Pajares Marta , I. Rojo Ana , Manda Gina , Boscá Lisardo , Cuadrado Antonio
Published: July 2020

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder primarily characterized by the death of dopaminergic neurons that project from the substantia nigra pars compacta. Although the molecular bases for PD development are still little defined, extensive evidence from human samples and animal models support the involvement of inflammation in onset or progression. However, the exact trigger for this response remains unclear. Here, we provide a systematic review of the cellular mediators, i.e., microglia, astroglia and endothelial cells. We also discuss the genetic and transcriptional control of inflammation in PD and the immunomodulatory role of dopamine and reactive oxygen species. Finally, we summarize the preclinical and clinical approaches targeting neuroinflammation in PD.
Effect of Surface Modification with TiO2 Coating on Improving Filtration Efficiency of Whisker-Hydroxyapatite (HAp) Membrane
Authors: Zhang Chenning , Uchikoshi Tetsuo , Liu Lihong , Kikuchi Masanori , Ichinose Izumi
Published: July 2020

Whisker-like hydroxyapatite (HAp) particles were prepared by controlling particle growth via hydrothermal synthesis. The surface modification for the hydrothermally synthesized HAp whiskers was accomplished by TiO2 coating. After the TiO2 modification, the zeta potential of the HAp whiskers was significantly improved from +8.6 to +21 mV at pH = 8.5. A free-standing membrane (diameter of ~4.5 cm and thickness of ~0.2 mm) was fabricated by using the TiO2-coated HAp whiskers and was used to separate the Au nanoparticles (size = 5 nm and zeta potential = −38.6 mV at pH = 8.5) at a significantly high filtration efficiency of ~100%. The achieved high filtration efficiency was considered to be the result of effectively utilizing the electrostatic interaction between the positively-charged TiO2-coated HAp whiskers and negatively-charged Au nanoparticles. The excellently biocompatible and highly effective TiO2-coated HAp membrane would be potentially applied as biological and artificial separators in biotechnology processes for the biomedicine field.
Corrosion Resistance of Al/SiC Laser Cladding Coatings on AA6082
Authors: Riquelme Ainhoa , Rodrigo Pilar , Escalera-Rodríguez María Dolores , Rams Joaquín
Published: July 2020

Aluminum matrix composites reinforced with silicon carbide particles (SiCp) were deposited by laser cladding on AA6082 aluminum alloy. Different compositions of the matrix of the composites coating were used and different amounts of Si and Ti were added to a base of Al-12Si in order to control the reactivity between molten aluminum and SiCp during laser cladding. The corrosion behavior of the coatings deposited was evaluated in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution using gravimetric analyses and electrochemical polarization tests. The corrosion products observed were Al(OH)3 and Al2O3, and they formed a layer that limited the evolution of corrosion. However, the presence of discontinuities in it reduced the corrosion resistance of the coating. The corrosion mechanisms were different depending on the coating composition. The addiction of Ti to the alloy allowed for better corrosion behavior for the composite coating than that of the aluminum substrate.
Valorisation of Ribes nigrum L. Pomace, an Agri-Food By-Product to Design a New Cosmetic Active
Authors: Plainfossé Hortense , Trinel Manon , Verger-Dubois Grégory , Azoulay Stéphane , Burger Pauline , Fernandez Xavier
Published: July 2020

The ethical and ecological concerns of today’s consumers looking for both sustainable and efficient ingredients in finished products, put a lot of pressure on the cosmetic market actors who are being driven to profoundly modify the strategies adopted to innovate in terms of actives while notably being urged to switch from petroleum- to plant-based ingredients. To produce such natural cosmetic ingredients, agri-food by-products are advocated as raw material due to their reduced carbon footprint as they actively contribute to the worldwide improvement of waste management. The process to transform plant waste materials into such powerful and objectified “green” cosmetic actives in compliance with circular economy principles is a long-term integrated process. Such a development is thoroughly exemplified in the present paper through the description of the design of liquid anti-age ingredients based on Ribes nigrum L. extract. This was obtained by maceration of blackcurrant pomace. and the embodiment of this extract following its phytochemical analysis notably by HPLC-DAD-ELSD and its bioguided fractionation using in vitro bioassays.
Spatial and Temporal Variation in Deep-Sea Meiofauna at the LTER Observatory HAUSGARTEN in the Fram Strait (Arctic Ocean)
Authors: Soltwedel Thomas , Grzelak Katarzyna , Hasemann Christiane
Published: July 2020

Time-series studies at the LTER (Long-Term Ecological Research) observatory HAUSGARTEN have yielded the world’s longest time-series on deep-sea meiofauna and thus provide a decent basis to investigate the variability in deep-sea meiobenthic communities at different spatial and temporal scales. The main objective of the present study was to investigate whether the sediment-dwelling meiofauna (size range: 32–1000 µm) is controlled by small-scale local environmental conditions, rather than large-scale differences between water depths. Univariate and multivariate statistical analyses, including distance-based linear models (DistLM) and redundancy analysis (dbRDA), revealed that due to their small size, meiofauna tend to mainly respond to micro-scale (centimeter) variations in environmental conditions in surface and subsurface sediment layers. Inter-annual temporal patterns among metazoan meiofauna at higher taxon levels revealed only a weak effect of time, and merely on the rare meiofauna taxa (<2% of the total meiofauna community) at HAUSGARTEN.
Atypical Endometrial Hyperplasia and Unexpected Cancers at Final Histology: A Study on Endometrial Sampling Methods and Risk Factors
Authors: Giannella Luca , Delli Carpini Giovanni , Sopracordevole Francesco , Papiccio Maria , Serri Matteo , Giorda Giorgio , Tsiroglou Dimitrios , Del Fabro Anna , Ciavattini Andrea
Published: July 2020

Background: Up to 40% of women with atypical endometrial hyperplasia (AEH) can reveal endometrial cancer (EC) at hysterectomy. The pre-operative endometrial sampling method (ESM) and some independent cancer predictors may affect this outcome. The present study aimed to compare the rate of EC at hysterectomy in women with AEH undergoing dilation and curettage (D&C), hysteroscopically-guided biopsy (HSC-bio), or hysteroscopic endometrial resection (HSC-res). The secondary outcome was to compare the reliability of ESMs in women showing independent variables associated with EC. Methods: Two-hundred-and-eight consecutive women with AEH and undergoing hysterectomy between January 2000 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Based on pre- and post-test probability analysis for EC, three ESMs were compared: D&C, HSC-bio, and HSC-res. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess risk factors predicting cancer on final histology. Finally, the patient’s characteristics were compared between the three ESM groups. Results: D&C and HSC-bio included 75 women in each group, while HSC-res included 58 women. Forty-nine women (23.6%) revealed cancer at hysterectomy (pre-test probability). Post-test probability analysis showed that HSC-res had the lowest percentage of EC underestimation: HSC-res = 11.6%; HSC-bio = 19.5%; D&C = 35.3%. Patient characteristics showed no significant differences between the three ESMs. Multivariate analysis showed that body mass index ≥40 (Odds Ratio (OR) = 19.75; Confidence Intervals (CI) 2.193–177.829), and age (criterion > 60 years) (OR = 1.055, CI 1.002–1.111) associated significantly with EC. In women with one or both risk factors, post-test probability analysis showed that HSC-res was the only method with a lower EC rate at hysterectomy compared to a pre-test probability of 44.2%: HSC-res = 19.96%; HSC-bio = 53.81%; D&C = 63.12%. Conclusions: HSC-res provided the lowest rate of EC underestimation in AEH, also in women showing EC predictors. These data may be considered for better diagnostic and therapeutic planning of AEH.
Data-Driven Optimization for Capacity Control of Multiple Ground Source Heat Pump System in Heating Mode
Authors: Wang Guiqiang , Wang Haiman , Kang Zhiqiang , Feng Guohui
Published: July 2020

With the rapid development of ground source heat pump (GSHP) system, energy saving measures are of special interest for practice. In order to meet heating demand, capacity control of GSHP system can be carried out by regulating either part load ratio (PLR) or supply water temperature. A data-driven optimization approach was developed and applied on a school building in heating mode, which aims at minimizing energy consumption without compromising thermal comfort. An artificial neural network (ANN) model of the GSHP system was proposed and trained with experimental data as well as simulated data of a validated physics-based model, which was employed for data supplement to cover more data variations. The multi-objective optimization problem was then solved using genetic algorithm. The results suggest the optimal operation strategy for either continuous or staged capacity control regarding heating demand variation. With the proposed optimal control strategy, energy savings as compared to existing strategy can be up to 22% for a single month and 14% for the whole heating season.
Designing Control Strategies of Aeration System in Biological WWTP
Authors: Piotrowski Robert , Ujazdowski Tomasz
Published: July 2020

The paper presents the complete design processes of novel aeration control systems in the SBR (sequencing batch reactor) wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Due to large energy expense and a high influence on biological processes, the aeration system plays a key role in WWTP operation. The paper considers the aeration system for a biological WWTP located in the northeast of Poland. This system consists of blowers, the main collector pipeline, three aeration lines with different diameters and lengths, and diffusers. Classical control systems applied for this type of installation are based on PID (proportional–integral–derivative) controllers, the settings of which are often found experimentally. The article presents the optimization of these settings and the design of an alternative control algorithm—the fuzzy controller.
Form Factors of an Economically Valuable Sal Tree (Shorea robusta) of Nepal
Authors: Baral Sony , Neumann Mathias , Basnyat Bijendra , Gauli Kalyan , Gautam Sishir , Bhandari Shes Kanta , Vacik Harald
Published: July 2020

The accurate prediction of the volume of standing trees is a prerequisite for planning and decision making in sustainable forest management. In Nepal, limited information on form factor (i.e. the ratio of the volume of a tree to the product of its basal area and height) is available for economically important tree species. Thus, current management plans consider a simple approximation for all species irrespective of their height and diameter, which hampers the estimation of a sustainable harvest rate. Therefore, this study elaborates the form factor for Sal (Shorea robusta), an economically valuable tree of Nepal based on a random selection of 100 individual trees representing a wide range of diameters between 10 and 100 cm. Diameter and bark thickness were measured at every 1-meter interval of the length of the stem and branches until the diameter reached 10 cm. The analysis allowed for the estimation of an average form factor for Sal wood with 0.407 over bark and 0.336 under bark, while the form factor for the stem was 0.335 over bark and 0.281 under bark. The results indicate an increasing form factor until 70 cm diameter and a decreasing value for larger diameters, because of the large crowns of the mature Sal trees. We conclude that the default form factor of Sal (0.5) used in management planning results in an overestimation of standing tree volume. Using form factor according to diameter classes will allow a more accurate prediction of the standing volume.
Genome-Wide Identification of the CrRLK1L Subfamily and Comparative Analysis of Its Role in the Legume-Rhizobia Symbiosis
Authors: Solis-Miranda Jorge , Fonseca-García Citlali , Nava Noreide , Pacheco Ronal , Quinto Carmen
Published: July 2020

The plant receptor-like-kinase subfamily CrRLK1L has been widely studied, and CrRLK1Ls have been described as crucial regulators in many processes in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.), Heynh. Little is known, however, about the functions of these proteins in other plant species, including potential roles in symbiotic nodulation. We performed a phylogenetic analysis of CrRLK1L subfamily receptors of 57 different plant species and identified 1050 CrRLK1L proteins, clustered into 11 clades. This analysis revealed that the CrRLK1L subfamily probably arose in plants during the transition from chlorophytes to embryophytes and has undergone several duplication events during its evolution. Among the CrRLK1Ls of legumes and A. thaliana, protein structure, gene structure, and expression patterns were highly conserved. Some legume CrRLK1L genes were active in nodules. A detailed analysis of eight nodule-expressed genes in Phaseolus vulgaris L. showed that these genes were differentially expressed in roots at different stages of the symbiotic process. These data suggest that CrRLK1Ls are both conserved and underwent diversification in a wide group of plants, and shed light on the roles of these genes in legume–rhizobia symbiosis.
Characterization and Hydrological Analysis of the Guarumales Deep-Seated Landslide in the Tropical Ecuadorian Andes
Authors: Urgilez Vinueza Alexandra , Robles Jessica , Bakker Mark , Guzman Pablo , Bogaard Thom
Published: July 2020

The high landslide risk potential along the steep hillslopes of the Eastern Andes in Ecuador provides challenges for hazard mitigation, especially in areas with hydropower dams and reservoirs. The objective of this study was to characterize, understand, and quantify the mechanisms driving the motions of the Guarumales landslide. This 1.5 km2 deep-seated, slow-moving landslide is actively moving and threatening the “Paute Integral” hydroelectric complex. Building on a long time series of measurements of surface displacement, precipitation, and groundwater level fluctuations, we analyzed the role of predisposing conditions and triggering factors on the stability of the landslide. We performed an analysis of the time series of measured groundwater levels and drainage data using transfer functions. The geological interpretation of the landslide was further revised based on twelve new drillings. This demonstrated a locally complex system of colluvium deposits overlying a schist bedrock, reaching up to 100 m. The measured displacement rates were nearly constant at ~50 mm/year over the 18 years of study. However, the measurement accuracy and time resolution were too small to identify possible acceleration or deceleration phases in response to hydro-meteorological forcing. The groundwater and slope drainage data showed a lagged response to rainfall. Finally, we developed a conceptual model of the Guarumales landslide, which we hope will improve our understanding of the many other deep-seated landslides present in the Eastern Andes.
Severe ME in Children
Authors: Speight Nigel
Published: July 2020

A current problem regarding Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) is the large proportion of doctors that are either not trained or refuse to recognize ME/CFS as a genuine clinical entity, and as a result do not diagnose it. An additional problem is that most of the clinical and research studies currently available on ME are focused on patients who are ambulant and able to attend clinics and there is very limited data on patients who are very severe (housebound or bedbound), despite the fact that they constitute an estimated 25% of all ME/CFS cases. This author has personal experience of managing and advising on numerous cases of severe paediatric ME, and offers a series of case reports of individual cases as a means of illustrating various points regarding clinical presentation, together with general principles of appropriate management.
Modeling Spatiotemporal Pattern of Depressive Symptoms Caused by COVID-19 Using Social Media Data Mining
Authors: Li Diya , Chaudhary Harshita , Zhang Zhe
Published: July 2020

By 29 May 2020, the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 had spread to 188 countries, infecting more than 5.9 million people, and causing 361,249 deaths. Governments issued travel restrictions, gatherings of institutions were cancelled, and citizens were ordered to socially distance themselves in an effort to limit the spread of the virus. Fear of being infected by the virus and panic over job losses and missed education opportunities have increased people’s stress levels. Psychological studies using traditional surveys are time-consuming and contain cognitive and sampling biases, and therefore cannot be used to build large datasets for a real-time depression analysis. In this article, we propose a CorExQ9 algorithm that integrates a Correlation Explanation (CorEx) learning algorithm and clinical Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) lexicon to detect COVID-19 related stress symptoms at a spatiotemporal scale in the United States. The proposed algorithm overcomes the common limitations of traditional topic detection models and minimizes the ambiguity that is caused by human interventions in social media data mining. The results show a strong correlation between stress symptoms and the number of increased COVID-19 cases for major U.S. cities such as Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, New York, and Miami. The results also show that people’s risk perception is sensitive to the release of COVID-19 related public news and media messages. Between January and March, fear of infection and unpredictability of the virus caused widespread panic and people began stockpiling supplies, but later in April, concerns shifted as financial worries in western and eastern coastal areas of the U.S. left people uncertain of the long-term effects of COVID-19 on their lives.
The Use of Partial Least Squares–Path Modelling to Understand the Impact of Ambivalent Sexism on Violence-Justification among Adolescents
Authors: Fasanelli Roberto , Galli Ida , Grassia Maria Gabriella , Marino Marina , Cataldo Rosanna , Lauro Carlo Natale , Castiello Chiara , Grassia Filomena , Arcidiacono Caterina , Procentese Fortuna
Published: July 2020

Gender violence is generally conceived as a phenomenon concerning only adults. Nonetheless, it is also perpetrated within teenagers’ relationships, as many empirical studies have shown. We therefore have focused our attention on a non-probabilistic sample consisting of 400 adolescents living in Naples (Italy), to study the association between sexism and the justification of violent attitudes. Generally, sexism is recognised as a discriminatory attitude towards people, based on their biological sex. However, it is conventional to talk about sexism as a prejudice against women. The Ambivalent Sexism Inventory (ASI) for adolescents was used to evaluate the two dimensions of ambivalent sexism, i.e., hostile sexism (HS) and benevolent sexism (BS). Moreover, the questionnaire regarding attitudes towards diversity and violence (CADV) was administered to assess participants’ attitudes towards violence. A Partial Least Square–Second Order Path Model reveals that girls’ ambivalent sexism is affected more by benevolent sexism than hostile sexism. On the contrary, among boys, hostile sexism has a higher impact. Finally, benevolent sexist girls justify domestic violence more than boys do.
Assessment of Radiation Dose from the Consumption of Bottled Drinking Water in Japan
Authors: Kinahan Aoife , Hosoda Masahiro , Kelleher Kevin , Tsujiguchi Takakiyo , Akata Naofumi , Tokonami Shinji , Currivan Lorraine , León Vintró Luis
Published: July 2020

Activity concentrations of 234U, 235U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra, 222Rn, 210Po, 210Pb, 40K, 3H, 14C, 134Cs and 137Cs were determined in 20 different Japanese bottled drinking water commercially available in Japan. The origins of the mineral water samples were geographically distributed across different regions of Japan. Activity concentrations above detection limits were measured for the radionuclides 234U, 235U, 238U, 226Ra, 228Ra and 210Po. An average total annual effective dose due to ingestion was estimated for adults, based on the average annual volume of bottled water consumed in Japan in 2019, reported to be 31.7 L/y per capita. The estimated dose was found to be below the recommended World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance level of 0.1 mSv/y for drinking water quality. The most significant contributor to the estimated dose was 228Ra.
Handgrip Strength and Current Smoking Are Associated with Cardiometabolic Risk in Korean Adolescents: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Kim Sae Yun , Lee Jung Soo , Kim Yeo Hyung
Published: July 2020

This study aimed to identify the independent association of handgrip strength and current smoking with cardiometabolic risk in adolescents. Data of 1806 adolescents (12–18 years) from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed by complex samples logistic regression analyses. Handgrip strength was normalized by body weight into relative handgrip strength. A cardiometabolic risk index score was calculated from the z-scores of the following components: waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, and blood pressure. Relative handgrip strength showed an inverse association with high cardiometabolic risk, with an adjusted odds ratio of 8.5 (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.7–19.3) for boys and 5.7 (95% CI, 2.9–11.2) for girls on comparing the lowest and the highest age-and sex-specific quartiles of relative handgrip strength. The adjusted odds ratios for high cardiometabolic risk on comparing the second quartile and the highest quartile of relative handgrip strength were 3.9 (95% CI, 1.7–8.9) in boys and 2.6 (95% CI, 1.3–5.3) in girls. Current smoking was independently associated with high cardiometabolic risk in boys aged 15–18 years. These findings suggest the need to increase muscle strength in adolescents and reduce smoking in older boys to promote cardiometabolic health.
Help Comes from Understanding: The Positive Effect of Communication Visibility on Employee Helping Behavior
Authors: Liang Liang , Tian Guyang , Zhang Xue , Tian Yezhuang
Published: July 2020

Extant research focuses on the antecedents of employee helping behavior, but the role of social technologies in enhancing employee helping behavior remains understudied. The purpose of our research is to investigate the relationship between communication visibility and employee helping behavior. Drawing on both communication visibility theory and social cognitive theory, we propose that the association between communication visibility and helping behavior is mediated by employee psychological state assessed by a cognitive state variable: trust in coworkers. Further, we also propose that proactive personality moderates the positive effect of trust in coworkers on employee helping behavior. We examined our hypothesized relationships using 149 employees collected in a field experiment in China. As hypothesized, we find that trust in coworkers mediates the relationship between communication visibility and helping behavior. Moreover, proactive personality strengthens the effectiveness of communication visibility. We discuss the implications of our findings for future research and practice.
Correlations of Clinical and Laboratory Characteristics of COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Ghayda Ramy Abou , Lee Jinhee , Lee Jun Young , Kim Da Kyung , Lee Keum Hwa , Hong Sung Hwi , Han Young Joo , Kim Jae Seok , Yang Jae Won , Kronbichler Andreas , Smith Lee , Koyanagi Ai , Jacob Louis , Shin Jae Il
Published: July 2020

(1) Background: The global threat of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues. The diversity of clinical characteristics and progress are reported in many countries as the duration of the pandemic is prolonged. We aimed to perform a novel systematic review and meta-analysis focusing on findings about correlations between clinical characteristics and laboratory features of patients with COVID-19. (2) Methods: We analyzed cases of COVID-19 in different countries by searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science databases and Google Scholar, from the early stage of the outbreak to late March. Clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, and treatment strategies were retrospectively reviewed for the analysis. (3) Results: Thirty-seven (n = 5196 participants) COVID-19-related studies were eligible for this systematic review and meta-analysis. Fever, cough and fatigue/myalgia were the most common symptoms of COVID-19, followed by some gastrointestinal symptoms which are also reported frequently. Laboratory markers of inflammation and infection including C-reactive protein (CRP) (65% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56–81%)) were elevated, while lymphocyte counts were decreased (63% (95% CI 47–78%)). Meta-analysis of treatment approaches indicated that three modalities of treatment were predominantly used in the majority of patients with a similar prevalence, including antiviral agents (79%), antibiotics (78%), and oxygen therapy (77%). Age was negatively correlated with number of lymphocytes, but positively correlated with dyspnea, number of white blood cells, neutrophils, and D-dimer. Chills had been proved to be positively correlated with chest tightness, lung abnormalities on computed tomography (CT) scans, neutrophil/lymphocyte/platelets count, D-dimer and CRP, cough was positively correlated with sputum production, and pulmonary abnormalities were positively correlated with CRP. White blood cell (WBC) count was also positively correlated with platelet counts, dyspnea, and neutrophil counts with the respective correlations of 0.668, 0.728, and 0.696. (4) Conclusions: This paper is the first systematic review and meta-analysis to reveal the relationship between various variables of clinical characteristics, symptoms and laboratory results with the largest number of papers and patients until now. In elderly patients, laboratory and clinical characteristics indicate a more severe disease course. Moreover, treatments such as antiviral agents, antibiotics, and oxygen therapy which are used in over three quarters of patients are also analyzed. The results will provide “evidence-based hope” on how to manage this unanticipated and overwhelming pandemic.
Women’s Views of and Responses to Maternity Services Rendered during Labor and Childbirth in Maternity Units in a Semi-Rural District in South Africa
Authors: Zitha Elizabeth , Mokgatle Mathilda M.
Published: July 2020

Facility-based delivery is an important strategy to prevent poor labor outcomes, and midwives are at the center of maternal care. However, disrespectful and abusive maternal care by midwives is prevalent and leads to poor antenatal care utilization and increased numbers of home deliveries. The objective of the study was to assess the views of women about the care they received during labor and childbirth and describe the interactions between the women and the midwives. This was a qualitative study using in-depth interviews with women who had delivered in midwife obstetric units at a district hospital in Tshwane District, South Africa. Twenty-six women aged 18–41 years, and had delivered within the previous six months were selected, using purposive sampling. A thematic content analysis approach and NVivo11 computer software were used to identify emergent themes. Most women had had negative experiences of the maternity services they had received during labor and childbirth. Shouting and rude remarks by midwives caused tension between the midwives and the women and had created a major barrier for communication. The abuse and disrespect that the women were subjected to had created a hostile and uncaring environment for them. They felt stressed, fearful, and anxious throughout labor and childbirth. In response to the hostile environment, they employed manipulative tactics such as pushing before time in the hope of getting attention. These acts resulted in punitive responses from the midwives who joined forces against them, reprimanded, or ignored them. Good interactions, described as being respectful, approachable, and polite, and the sharing of information yielded positive experiences of maternity care. The state of maternity services rendered during labor and childbirth is counterproductive to the existing plan of increasing early antenatal care bookings and presentation to the facilities for labor and childbirth. There is a need to retrain midwives in the respectful care of women during labor and childbirth to facilitate a change in their attitudes.
Sex and Careers of University Students in Educational Practices as Factors of Individual Differences in Learning Environment and Psychological Factors during COVID-19
Authors: Olmos-Gómez María del Carmen
Published: July 2020

The present research was carried out in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic following emergency school closures in an attempt to avoid the spread of infection. As a result, university students undertaking the final year of education degrees (teaching placements) have been obliged to deliver their teaching from home, adapting their teaching contexts to learning in virtual settings. A novel instrument was designed and validated in order to analyze the impact of learning environments and psychological factors in university students during a period of teaching placements. This took place in an adaptive context (state of confinement). Associations were determined between learning environments and psychological factors in adaptive contexts, in relation to the group to which they belonged (whether undertaking a degree in primary education, physical education and sport, early education or social education), and sex. The present study used a Delphi method, alongside a descriptive and quantitative analysis. The data demonstrate that learning environments differ according to the degree studied. The four analyzed groups revealed significant differences in relation to learning environments and psychological factors in adaptive confinement contexts. The subjects of Primary and Social Education were seen to be related with a greater possibility of being overwhelmed and reporting difficulties. Those more used to physical exercise showed more positive psychological indices. Females reported more negative responses. The conclusion reached is that the results of the present research will enable future additional multi-dimensional analysis to be conducted.
Hospital Medical and Nursing Managers’ Perspective on the Mental Stressors of Employees
Authors: Worringer Britta , Genrich Melanie , Müller Andreas , Gündel Harald ,   Contributors of the SEEGEN Consortium, Angerer Peter
Published: July 2020

Working conditions in hospitals are characterized by occupational stressors, which lead to potentially harmful psychosocial stress reactions for medical and nursing staff. Representative surveys showed that almost every second hospital physician or nurse is affected by burnout and that there is a strong association between leadership behavior and employee health. Workplace health promotion programs can only be successful and sustainable if managers support them. However, it is still unclear whether hospital managers are aware of the working conditions and perceive them as an influence on the health of their employees. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to explore the hospital medical and nursing managers’ perspective on the mental stress of their employees. Semi-standardized interviews with 37 chief physicians (CP), senior physicians (SP) and senior nurses (SN) in total were carried out in one German hospital. The interviews were content-analyzed based on the guideline for the mental risk assessment of the ‘Gemeinsame Deutsche Arbeitsschutzstrategie’ (GDA). Most reported work characteristics related to work organization, work task, and social factors. Staff shortage could be identified as an underlying stressor for several other burdens. Social support by managers and among colleagues was mentioned as main resource. The findings indicate that managers strive to reduce the burden on their staff, especially through their personal support. Nevertheless, it seemed that managers need additional resources to counteract stressors.
Active Shooter Training Drill Increases Blood and Salivary Markers of Stress
Authors: McAllister Matthew J. , Martaindale M. Hunter , Rentería Liliana I.
Published: July 2020

Police officers are frequently engaged in a variety of high-stress scenarios, such as high-speed chases and other suspect conflicts, that cause significant increases in a variety of physiological and psychological stress markers. The purpose of this study was to investigate salivary and blood markers of stress in response to an active shooter training drill (ASD). Thirty-one participants (n = 31; males = 15, females = 16; Age: 21 ± 3.5 years) participated in an ASD involving professional actors playing the role of one active gunman, as well as four victims. The ASD lasted approximately 50 s. Blood samples were collected 15 min prior as well as after the ASD and analyzed for epinephrine (EPI) and norepinephrine (NE) levels. Saliva samples were collected 30 and 5 min prior to the ASD and 5 and 30 min after the ASD, were analyzed for cortisol, α-amylase, and secretory immunoglobulin-A (SigA). The ASD resulted in significant (p < 0.05) increases in EPI, α-amylase, and SigA levels. The increase in NE from pre to post ASD approached significance (p = 0.06). These results demonstrate that a short duration (~50 s) ASD results in significant increases in both blood and salivary markers of stress. These data may provide meaningful implications for those engaged in high-stress tactical occupations, especially law enforcement and military personnel, as chronic exposure to such occupational stressors can contribute to cardiometabolic disease.
Comment on Liu et al. “Discrepancies of Measured SAR between Traditional and Fast Measuring Systems.” Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 2020, 17, 2111
Authors: Douglas Mark , Kuster Niels
Published: July 2020

An article published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health compares two types of specific absorption rate measurement systems—a fast system using a time-domain array and a traditional system using probe scanning. While the time-domain array system is analyzed in detail under idealized conditions, the probe-scanning system evaluation used a fixed set of scanning and evaluation parameters that are not fully compliant with the requirements of the published standards. This leads to a false comparison and the incorrect conclusion that time-domain array systems can be theoretically more accurate than probe-scanning systems. We have repeated the analysis applied in the paper using the same raw data but with state-of-the art scanning and evaluation parameters. The results confirm the high accuracy of probe-scanning systems for any field distribution. Due to the high precision, robustness, and reliability of probe-scanning systems, the results of these systems are often referred to as reference results.
Doing What We Know, Knowing What to Do: Californians Linking Action with Science for Prevention of Breast Cancer (CLASP-BC)
Authors: Kerner Jon F. , Kavanaugh-Lynch Marion H. E. , Baezconde-Garbanati Lourdes , Politis Christopher , Prager Aviva , Brownson Ross C.
Published: July 2020

Given the lack of progress in breast cancer prevention, the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) plans to apply current scientific knowledge about breast cancer to primary prevention at the population level. This paper describes the first phase of Californians Linking Action with Science for Prevention of Breast Cancer (CLASP-BC). The foci of Phase 1 are building coalitions and coalition capacity building through community engagement in community-based participatory research (CBPR) and dissemination and implementation (D&I) research training. Based on the successful implementation and evaluation of Phase 1, the foci of Phase 2 (presented separately in this special issue) will be to translate the California Breast Cancer Prevention Plan overarching goal and specific intervention goals for 23 breast cancer risk and protective factors strategies into evidence-informed interventions (EIIs) that are disseminated and implemented across California. CLASP-BC is designed to identify, disseminate and implement high-impact, population-based prevention approaches by funding large scale EIIs, through multi-jurisdictional actions, with the intent to decrease the risk of breast cancer and other chronic diseases (sharing common risk factors), particularly among racial/ethnic minorities and medically underserved populations in California.
Perspectives of Health Care Providers on the Role of Culture in the Self-Care of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure: A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Jönsson Adam , Cewers Emilie , Ben Gal Tuvia , Weinstein Jean Marc , Strömberg Anna , Jaarsma Tiny
Published: July 2020

Background: Self-care is important in chronic diseases such as heart failure. The cultural background of health care providers might influence their view on self-care behaviour and education they provide. The aim of this study was to describe health care providers’ perceptions of the role of culture in self-care and how those perceptions shape their experiences and their practices. Methods: A qualitative study was performed in Israel, a country with a culturally diverse population. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews with 12 healthcare providers from different cultural backgrounds. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and analysed using content analysis. Results: Healthcare providers experienced cultural background influenced their patients’ self-care behaviour. Perceived culture-specific barriers to self-care such as dietary traditions interfering with the recommended diet, willingness to undertake self-care and beliefs conflicting with medical treatment were identified. Healthcare providers described that they adapted patient education and care based on the cultural background of the patients. Shared cultural background, awareness and knowledge of differences were described as positively influencing self-care education, while cultural differences could complicate this process. Conclusions: Cultural-specific barriers for self-care were perceived by health care providers and they identified that their own cultural background shapes their experiences and their practices.