bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Development and Characteristics of Plant-Based Product Prototypes for Oro-Pharyngeal Dysphagia Diet
Authors: Ozola Liene , Shengjuler Dzaner , Galoburda Ruta , Kruma Zanda , Straumite Evita , Kampuse Solvita
Published: January 2023

Patients with dysphagia diseases require food with acceptable textural characteristics. Additionally, due to the consumption of smaller portions, these patients receive insufficient amounts of nutrients. Therefore, this study aimed to develop plant-based purée as a meal for an oro-pharyngeal dysphagia (OD) diet, enriched with proteins, fiber and antioxidant vitamins. The suitability of three protein sources—soy protein isolate, whey protein isolate and brown pea protein concentrate—was tested through evaluation of their effect on the rheological properties of protein-enriched plant-based purées for OD diets. Based on the rheological analysis, whey protein was selected for incorporation into the new product formulations. Two prototypes of soups and two prototypes of desserts produced in this study demonstrated acceptable textural properties and high nutritional value.
Transcriptome Analysis and Functional Characterization Reveal That Peclg Gene Contributes to the Virulence of Penicillium expansum on Apple Fruits
Authors: Zhou Jiayu , Gong Weifeng , Tu Tingting , Zhang Jiaqi , Xia Xiaoshuang , Zhao Luning , Zhou Xinghua , Wang Yun
Published: January 2023

Penicillium expansum is the causal agent of blue mold decay on apple fruits and is also known to be the major producer of patulin, a mycotoxin that represents serious hazard to human health. Several mechanisms have been suggested to explain the pathogenesis of P. expansum in host plants. Secreted effector proteins are vital for the pathogenicity of many fungal pathogens through manipulating their hosts for efficient colonization. In this study, we performed a RNA-Seq analysis followed by computational prediction of effector proteins from P. expansum during infection of the host apple fruits, and a total of 212 and 268 candidate effector protein genes were identified at 6 and 9 h after inoculation (hai), respectively. One of the candidate effector protein genes was identified as a concanavalin A-like lectin/glucanase (Peclg), which was dramatically induced during the pathogen–host interaction. Targeted knockout of Peclg resulted in significant reduction in conidial production and germination relative to the wild type. Further studies showed that in addition to salt stress, the mutant was much more sensitive to SDS and Congo red, suggesting a defect in cell wall integrity. Pathogenicity assays revealed that the ΔPeclg mutant showed significant decrease in virulence and infectious growth on apple fruits. All these results suggest that Peclg is required for fungal growth, stress response, and the virulence of P. expansum.
Analytical Study of the Complexities in a Three Species Food Web Model with Modified Caputo–Fabrizio Operator
Authors: Alkahtani Badr Saad T.
Published: January 2023

This article presents the analytical study of the three species fractional food web model in the framework of the Modified Caputo–Fabrizio operator. With the help of fixed point theory, the existence and uniqueness results are investigated for the fractional order model. To obtain the approximate solution for the suggested model, the well-known Laplace–Adomian decomposition method is used. The solutions are validated through simulations with a variety of fractional orders and initial values, where the complex nature of the system can be observed. The technique used here can be easily used to study a range of complex problems in different branches of science. From the figures, it can be observed that, at integer higher fractional order, there are a number of oscillations in the system and the system behaves chaotically, while, at lower fractional orders, the oscillation amplitudes decrease, resulting in the faster converging towards the equilibrium point. According to the results, the Modified Caputo–Fabrizio fractional-order derivative may be used in a variety of future fractional dynamics scenarios.
Antibacterial Hydrogel Sheet Dressings Composed of Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Silver Nanoparticles by Electron Beam Irradiation
Authors: Chiangnoon Rattanakorn , Karawak Pennapa , Eamsiri Jarurattana , Nuchdang Sasikarn , Thamrongsiripak Nuatawan , Neramitmansook Naruemon , Pummarin Siwanut , Pimton Pimchanok , Nilgumhang Kewalee , Uttayarat Pimpon
Published: January 2023

Advanced wound dressings that can deliver potent antibacterial action are still much in need, especially for treating wound infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. In this research, we utilized electron beam (EB) irradiation to develop antibacterial hydrogel sheet dressings from poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in a two-step processing and evaluated their bactericidal efficacy, as well as the AgNP release. The effect of the irradiation dose on the swelling, gel fraction, network parameters, and mechanical properties of the hydrogels was first determined to establish the optimal doses for the two-step processing. The prototypic hydrogel sheets were then formed in the first EB irradiation and served as a matrix for the AgNP synthesis by the reduction of the silver nitrate precursors during the second EB irradiation. The diffusion assay showed that the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of the AgNP-load hydrogels was 0.25 and 0.5 mg/cm2 against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. At these MIC levels, the released AgNPs increased sharply before reaching the maximum, ~950 and 1800 ppb, at 24 h as analyzed by atomic absorption. Therefore, we successfully demonstrated that this two-step processing by EB irradiation provides a convenient platform to fabricate AgNP-loaded hydrogel dressings that can be further developed for wound healing.
Pseudogene TNXA Variants May Interfere with the Genetic Testing of CAH-X
Authors: Lao Qizong , Zhou Kiet , Parker Megan , Faucz Fabio R. , Merke Deborah P.
Published: January 2023

CAH-X is a hypermobility-type Ehlers–Danlos syndrome connective tissue dysplasia affecting approximately 15% of patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency (21-OHD) congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to contiguous deletion of CYP21A2 and TNXB genes. The two most common genetic causes of CAH-X are CYP21A1P-TNXA/TNXB chimeras with pseudogene TNXA substitution for TNXB exons 35–44 (CAH-X CH-1) and TNXB exons 40–44 (CAH-X CH-2). A total of 45 subjects (40 families) from a cohort of 278 subjects (135 families of 21-OHD and 11 families of other conditions) were found to have excessive TNXB exon 40 copy number as measured by digital PCR. Here, we report that 42 subjects (37 families) had at least one copy of a TNXA variant allele carrying a TNXB exon 40 sequence, whose overall allele frequency was 10.3% (48/467). Most of the TNXA variant alleles were in cis with either a normal (22/48) or an In2G (12/48) CYP21A2 allele. There is potential interference with CAH-X molecular genetic testing based on copy number assessment, such as with digital PCR and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, since this TNXA variant allele might mask a real copy number loss in TNXB exon 40. This interference most likely happens amongst genotypes of CAH-X CH-2 with an in trans normal or In2G CYP21A2 allele.
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Geographies in 2022
Authors:   Geographies Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Acknowledgment to the Reviewers of Geotechnics in 2022
Authors:   Geotechnics Editorial Office
Published: January 2023

High-quality academic publishing is built on rigorous peer review [...]
Doctor for Every Citizen: Telehealth Visits at Dubai Health Authority during COVID-19 Pandemic in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Alnakhi Wafa K. , Mamdouh Heba , Hussain Hamid Y. , Mudawi Mohamed S. , Ibrahim Gamal M. , Al Balushi Amal J. , Al Zarooni Noora , Elnaeem Abdulsalam , Natafgi Nabil
Published: January 2023

Background: Digital health significantly affects healthcare delivery. Moreover, empirical studies on the utilization of telehealth in Dubai are limited. Accordingly, this study examines the utilization of telehealth services in Dubai Health Authority (DHA) facilities and the factors associated with telehealth appointment completion and turnaround time. Methods: This cross-sectional study examines patients who used telehealth services in DHA from 2020 through 2021 using 241,822 records. A binary logistic regression model was constructed to investigate the association between appointment turnaround time as a dependent variable and patient and visit characteristics as independent variables. Results: Of the total scheduled telehealth visits, more than three-quarter (78.55%) were completed. Older patients, non-Emiratis, patients who had their visits in 2020, patients who had video visits, and those who sought family medicine as a specialty had a shorter turnaround time to receive their appointment. Conclusions: This study identifies several characteristics associated with the turnaround time. Moreover, technological improvements focusing on specialties that can readily be addressed through telehealth and further research in this domain will improve service provision and support building an evidence-base in the government sector of the emirate of Dubai.
Optimal Usability Test Procedure Generation for Medical Devices
Authors: Shin Jeehoon , Lee Hyuk
Published: January 2023

Medical device usability testing offers many benefits, including finding medical device usage errors and providing safety to users. As usability testing becomes mandatory for medical devices, manufacturers are increasing the cost burden. In order to perform a high-quality usability test, it is important to implement a usability test procedure, but guidelines for this are lacking. In this paper, we propose a method to systematically design and implement a usability test procedure. We propose methods to reduce test time-costs and apply them to implement the final procedure. Next, by applying the proposed method to sinus surgical navigation system, it is shown that the total time was reduced by 21% compared to the usability summative test procedure previously used in the same system.
Academic Helplessness and Life Satisfaction in Korean Adolescents: The Moderated Mediation Effects of Leisure Time Physical Activity
Authors: Kim Mihye , Shin Kyulee , Park Sanghyun
Published: January 2023

This study examined whether depression mediates a relationship between academic helplessness and life satisfaction and whether the mediating effect differs depending on participation in leisure time physical activity (LTPA) from a sample of 2384 middle school students in South Korea. Identifying these factors could help in developing intervention strategies for promoting life satisfaction. Structural equation modeling analyses were employed to understand how various factors influence adolescents’ life satisfaction. First, the effect of academic helplessness on life satisfaction was mediated by depression. Second, the mediating effect of depression was moderated according to participation in LTPA: the size of the negative mediating effect of depression on the relationship between academic helplessness and life satisfaction was reduced in the LTPA group compared to the non-LTPA group. The current findings suggest that encouraging engagement in physical activity may be a crucial vehicle for affecting academic helplessness, depression, and life satisfaction among early adolescents. Implications and future directions are discussed.
Isolation and Identification of Coliform Bacteria and Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli from Water Intended for Drug Compounding in Community Pharmacies in Jordan
Authors: Abu-Sini Mohammad K. , Maharmah Rafeef A. , Abulebdah Dina H. , Al-Sabi Mohammad N. S.
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: Water is necessary for the preparation of some medicines found in pharmacies where the local water source does not meet the required purity. This study aimed to investigate the presence of coliform contamination in water used for drug reconstitution in community pharmacies in Jordan. (2) Methods: Two water samples from 50 randomly selected community pharmacies representing all Jordanian governorates were filtered and then cultured in plate count agars to determine total microbial count, and in m-Endo Agar Les and Eosin Methylene Blue (EMB) agar to cultivate Escherichia coli (E. coli). The presence of E. coli was further characterized with gram stains, biochemical tests, and Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic susceptibility of isolated E. coli was tested against a variety of standard antibiotics. (3) Results: Community pharmacies used droppers filled with water from coolers (62%), bottled water (20%), boiled tap water (16%) and tap water (2%). The majority of the sampled water contained coliform bacteria (88%), and E. coli was isolated from 26% of all samples. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the percentage of contaminated water samples based on its source location. Nonetheless, the results showed a tendency for higher proportions of contamination in droppers filled from boiled tap water (37.5%; SE: 17.1), followed by water from water coolers (25.8%; SE: 7.9), and then from bottled water (20%; SE: 12.7). All of the isolated E. coli were sensitive to gentamycin, ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. The susceptibility of the isolates to ceftazidime, doxycycline, tetracycline, azithromycin and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid were 92%, 61%, 46%, 23% and 15%, respectively. (4) Conclusions: This study confirms the widespread presence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in water intended for reconstituting drugs in local pharmacies. These findings expose an alarming situation that needs special attention by the acting pharmacists and competent authorities. Higher levels of personal hygiene in the pharmacies coupled with regular inspection of water quality may reduce the risk of microbial contamination in compounded products, especially multidrug-resistant strains of E. coli and other index microorganisms.
Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccine Booster against SARS-CoV-2 Infection and COVID-19 in the Adult Population during the First Three Months of the Omicron Wave in Sicily
Authors: Vella Giuseppe , Genovese Dario , Belluzzo Miriam , Mazzeo Luca , Pisciotta Vincenzo , Amodio Emanuele
Published: January 2023

Background: In Italy, the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine booster dose started on 27 September 2021, supported by clinical trials corroborating its efficacy. Given the paucity of real-world effectiveness data, this study aims to estimate the vaccine effectiveness of the booster dose against SARS-CoV-2 infection, severe disease, and death in the adult Sicilian population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study was carried out from 1 January to 31 March 2022 and included all residents in Sicily aged ≥ 18 years without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and with a complete mRNA vaccine primary cycle. The cohort was split into two groups (booster and primary cycle) matched by age, gender, vaccine type, and month of completion of the primary vaccination cycle. Results: 913,382 subjects were observed in the study: 456,690 (50%) were vaccinated with two doses and 456,692 (50%) with three doses. There were 43,299 cases of SARS-CoV-2 among the two-doses vaccinees (9.5%) and 10,262 (2.2%) among the three-doses counterpart. Vaccine effectiveness in the booster cohort was 76.5% and 74.4% against SARS-CoV-2 infection, 85.7% and 79.7% against severe disease, and 84.1% and 73.1% against intubation or death, for BNT162b2 and mRNA-1273, respectively. Conclusions: This study confirmed the remarkable efficacy profile of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine booster dose against infection, severe disease, and death attributable to the virus. Overall, the results of this study provide important real-world data to support the continued roll-out of the COVID-19 booster dose and have the potential to inform public health policy and guide decisions on vaccination strategies in countries around the world.
Black Rot of Grapes (Guignardia bidwellii)—A Comprehensive Overview
Authors: Szabó Márton , Csikász-Krizsics Anna , Dula Terézia , Farkas Eszter , Roznik Dóra , Kozma Pál , Deák Tamás
Published: January 2023

The aim of this review is to provide readers with an integrated knowledge on black rot of grapes, based on a critical survey of previous and recent studies of scientific importance. The current state of the art and perspectives of science are presented, not only on the genetic determinants of grapevine resistance to black rot, predictive models of black rot epidemics, but also on the potential of metabolomics to explore black rot-grape interactions and shorten plant breeding processes. Numerous complications of disease management and ambiguities in phenotype-classification are highlighted, and by exploring the limitations and inconsistencies of previous studies, insights into key dilemmas and controversial findings are also provided, suggesting future research directions. Much research has been conducted, but biochemical and molecular studies of the true interactions between grapevine and Guignardia bidwellii are still rarity.
Microplastic Pollution: Chemical Characterization and Impact on Wildlife
Authors: Sarkar Sumon , Diab Hanin , Thompson Jonathan
Published: January 2023

Microplastics are small pieces of plastic that are less than 5 mm in size and can be found in most environments, including the oceans, rivers, and air. These small plastic particles can have negative impacts on wildlife and the environment. In this review of the literature, we analyze the presence of microplastics in various species of wildlife, including fish, birds, and mammals. We describe a variety of analytical techniques, such as microscopy and spectrometry, which identify and quantify the microplastics in the samples. In addition, techniques of sample preparation are discussed. Summary results show that microplastics are present in all the wildlife species studied, with the highest concentrations often found in fish and birds. The literature suggests that microplastics are widely distributed in the environment and have the potential to affect a wide range of species. Further research is required to fully understand the impacts of microplastics on wildlife and the environment.
Spatial Cognition of the Visually Impaired: A Case Study in a Familiar Environment
Authors: Zou Xinyi , Zhou Ying
Published: January 2023

Objectives: This paper aims to explore the factors influencing the spatial cognition of the visually impaired in familiar environments. Background: Massage hospitals are some of the few places that can provide work for the visually impaired in China. Studying the spatial cognition of the visually impaired in a massage hospital could be instructive for the design of working environments for the visually impaired and other workplaces in the future. Methods: First, the subjective spatial cognition of the visually impaired was evaluated by object layout tasks for describing the spatial relationships among object parts. Second, physiological monitoring signal data, including the electrodermal activity, heart rate variability, and electroencephalography, were collected while the visually impaired doctors walked along prescribed routes based on the feature analysis of the physical environment in the hospital, and then their physiological monitoring signal data for each route were compared. The visual factors, physical environmental factors, and human–environment interactive factors that significantly impact the spatial cognition of visually impaired people were discussed. Conclusions: (1) visual acuity affects the spatial cognition of the visually impaired in familiar environments; (2) the spatial cognition of the visually impaired can be promoted by a longer staying time and the more regular sequence of a physical environment; (3) the spatial comfort of the visually impaired can be improved by increasing the amount of greenery; and (4) the visual comfort of the visually impaired can be reduced by rich interior colors and contrasting lattice floor tiles.
Preventing Stress among High School Students in Denmark through the Multicomponent Healthy High School Intervention—The Effectiveness at First Follow-Up
Authors: Bonnesen Camilla Thørring , Thygesen Lau Caspar , Rod Naja Hulvej , Toftager Mette , Madsen Katrine Rich , Jensen Marie Pil , Rosing Johanne Aviaja , Wehner Stine Kjær , Due Pernille , Krølner Rikke Fredenslund
Published: January 2023

Stress is a widespread phenomenon and young people especially are experiencing high levels of stress. School-related factors are the most frequently self-reported stressors among adolescents, but few interventions have targeted the school environment. This study evaluated the effectiveness of the Healthy High School (HHS) intervention on stress at a 9-month follow-up. The study included 5201 first-year high school students (~16 years) in Denmark. Participating schools were randomized into the HHS intervention (N = 15) or control group (N = 15). Baseline measurements were conducted in August 2016 and the follow-up was conducted in May 2017. The intervention was designed to promote well-being (primary outcome) by focusing on physical activity, meals, sleep, sense of security, and stress (secondary outcomes). The intervention comprised: structural initiatives at the school level; a teaching material; peer-led innovation workshops; and a smartphone app. The 10-item Perceived Stress Scale was used to measure stress. Intervention effects on perceived stress were estimated using an intention-to-treat approach with multiple imputations of missing data and multilevel general linear regression modelling. A total of 4577 students answered the baseline questionnaire. No statistically significant difference was found in stress between students at intervention and control schools at the follow-up (mean score: 16.7 versus 16.7, adjusted b = 0.42, 95% CI: −0.16;1.00). The HHS Study is one of the first large randomized controlled trials targeting school environmental stressors. Potential implementation failures and the failures of the program theory are discussed.
Education for Sustainable Development: Challenges for Postgraduate Programmes
Authors: Acevedo-Duque Ángel , Jiménez-Bucarey Carmen , Prado-Sabido Tohtli , Fernández-Mantilla Mirtha Mercedes , Merino-Flores Irene , Izquierdo-Marín Sandra Sofía , Valle-Palomino Nicolás
Published: January 2023

As the world faces progressive and interconnected global crises and conflicts, the educational expectations set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are in jeopardy. With the COVID-19 pandemic in its third year, the war in Ukraine has exacerbated the food, energy, humanitarian, and refugee crises, all against the backdrop of an unfolding climate emergency. The aim of this research is to analyse the challenges faced by postgraduate programmes in training human talent for sustainable development on the basis of Grounded Theory. To do so, we have used a dialogical intervention through the complementary experiences of authorities of higher-education institutions that live day by day for a fair, quality, and sustainable education. With a naturalistic qualitative method, where the hermeneutic analysis procedure is structured in five phases, and with data from key informants from 9 countries, 20 interviews are obtained with key informants in Latin American and Spanish universities during 2021, according to inclusion criteria such as: belonging to a higher-education institution, with a doctorate degree, with more than 10 years of experience in management, and training in postgraduate programmes. The data are processed through ATLAS.ti9, which allows for the analysis of the key informants’ discourses. The findings show that the university institutions that currently offer postgraduate programmes are considering improving the quality of education; the first challenge is to redesign the curricula according to the demands of the current and future world, incorporating technological resources and knowledge of the environment; inter- and transdisciplinary curricula that form enterprising postgraduates with a solid ethical life project; critical, complex, and systemic thinking.
Environmental Qualities That Enhance Outdoor Play in Community Playgrounds from the Perspective of Children with and without Disabilities: A Scoping Review
Authors: Morgenthaler Thomas , Schulze Christina , Pentland Duncan , Lynch Helen
Published: January 2023

For children, playgrounds are important environments. However, children’s perspectives are often not acknowledged in playground provision, design, and evaluation. This scoping review aimed to summarize the users’ (children with and without disabilities) perspectives on environmental qualities that enhance their play experiences in community playgrounds. Published peer-reviewed studies were systematically searched in seven databases from disciplines of architecture, education, health, and social sciences; 2905 studies were screened, and the last search was performed in January 2023. Included studies (N = 51) were charted, and a qualitative content analysis was conducted. Five themes were formed which provided insights into how both physical and social environmental qualities combined provide for maximum play value in outdoor play experiences. These multifaceted play experiences included the desire for fun, challenge, and intense play, the wish to self-direct play, and the value of playing alone as well as with known people and animals. Fundamentally, children wished for playgrounds to be children’s places that were welcoming, safe, and aesthetically pleasing. The results are discussed in respect to social, physical, and atmospheric environmental affordances and the adult’s role in playground provision. This scoping review represents the valuable insights of children regardless of abilities and informs about how to maximise outdoor play experiences for all children.
Supervision Effects on Negative Affect and Psychological Distress: Evidence from Social Workers in China
Authors: Tu Bin , Huang Chienchung , Sitar Sophie , Wang Yulu
Published: January 2023

Supervision is an imperative practice within the social work field. It provides social workers with support systems, ensures that social workers are adhering to professional standards, and protects clients. Research has also shown that quality supervision can improve social workers’ professional capacity and reduce work stress. However, most of this research has been confined to social workers’ experiences within Western countries and has been largely qualitative in nature. Thus, this study aims to examine the experience of 489 social workers based in Guangzhou, China to understand how supervision affects their negative affect and psychological distress. The findings indicate that supervision not only reduces negative affect and psychological distress amongst Chinese social workers, but also is especially effective for social workers with high job demands. When job demands are high, social workers who receive both individual and group supervision also appear to have lower negative affect and psychological distress as compared to social workers who only receive individual supervision. These findings emphasize the significance of supervision as a buffer factor to reduce negative affect and psychological distress amongst Chinese social workers who face high job demands.
Two-Stage Multi-Objective Stochastic Model on Patient Transfer and Relief Distribution in Lockdown Area of COVID-19
Authors: Long Shengjie , Zhang Dezhi , Li Shuangyan , Li Shuanglin
Published: January 2023

The outbreak of an epidemic disease may cause a large number of infections and a slightly higher death rate. In response to epidemic disease, both patient transfer and relief distribution are significant to reduce corresponding damage. This study proposes a two-stage multi-objective stochastic model (TMS-PTRD) considering pre-pandemic preparedness measures and post-pandemic relief operations. The proposed model considers the following four objectives: the total number of untreated infected patients, the total transfer time, the overall cost, and the equity distribution of relief supplies. Before an outbreak, the locations of temporary relief distribution centers (TRDCs) and the inventory levels of established TRDCs should be determined. After an outbreak, the locations of temporary hospitals (THs), the locations of designated hospitals (DHs), the transfer plans for patients, and the relief distribution should be determined. To solve the TMS-PTRD model, we address an improved preference-inspired co-evolutionary algorithm named the PICEA-g-AKNN algorithm, which is embedded with a novel similarity distance and three different tailored evolutionary strategies. A real-world case study of Hunan of China and 18 test instances are randomly generated to evaluate the TMS-PTRD model. The finding shows that the PICEA-g-AKNN algorithm is better than some most widely used multi-objective algorithms.
Enhanced Bioremediation of Aged Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Soil Using Immobilized Microbial Consortia Combined with Strengthening Remediation Strategies
Authors: Zhou Haixuan , Gao Xiurong , Wang Suhang , Zhang Youchi , Coulon Frederic , Cai Chao
Published: January 2023

Microbial biodegradation is considered as one of the most effective strategies for the remediation of soil contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). To improve the degradation efficiency of PAHs, PAH-degrading consortia combined with strengthening remediation strategies was used in this study. The PAH biodegrading performance of seven bacterial consortia constructed by different ratios of Mycobacterium gilvum MI, Mycobacterium sp. ZL7 and Rhodococcus rhodochrous Q3 was evaluated in an aqueous system containing phenanthrene, pyrene, benzo[a]pyrene and benzo[b]fluoranthene. Bacterial consortium H6 (Q3:ZL7:MI = 1:2:2) performed a high degrading efficiency of 59% in 8 days. The H6 was subsequently screened to explore its potential ability and performance to degrade aged PAHs in soils from a coking plant and the effects of strengthening strategies on the aged PAH degradation, including the addition of glucose or sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) individually or as a mixture along immobilization of the inoculant on biochar. The highest degradation efficiencies, which were 15% and 60% for low-molecular-weight (LMW) PAHs and high-molecular-weight (HMW) PAHs, respectively, were observed in the treatment using immobilized microbial consortium H6 combined with the addition of glucose and SDBS after 24 days incubation. This study provides new insights and guidance for future remediation of aged PAH contaminated soils.
A Study on Farmers’ Participation in Environmental Protection in the Context of Rural Revitalization: The Moderating Role of Policy Environment
Authors: Dong Hao , Zhang Yang , Chen Tianqing
Published: January 2023

This study investigates the environmental protection behavior of farmers in the Guanzhong Plain region and the factors influencing their participation, in order to improve the enthusiasm of farmers’ participation and promote the formation of “good governance” in rural ecological environments. Based on interviews with 295 farmers, the influence of psychological cognitive factors on farmers’ intention and behavior to participate in environmental protection was analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling under the extended theory of planned behavior, and the moderating effect of policy environment in the relationship between farmers’ intention to participate and participation behavior was revealed. The research results show that: (1) The current situation of farmers’ participation in environmental protection is generally characterized by “strong intentions and weak actions”. (2) Participation consciousness and benefit perception have a greater impact on farmers’ intention to participate in environmental protection, perceived behavioral control has a smaller impact, and subjective norms do not have a significant impact. (3) Perceived behavioral control and participation intention have a greater influence on farmers’ participation in environmental protection behavior, subjective norms have less influence, and there is no direct influence of perceived benefits and participation awareness on farmers’ participation behavior, i.e., farmers’ participation intention has indirect influence on participation behavior. (4) The moderating effect of policy environment indicates that policy environment has a significant positive effect on the relationship between farmers’ participation intention and participation behavior.
Analysis of YOLOv5 and DeepLabv3+ Algorithms for Detecting Illegal Cultivation on Public Land: A Case Study of a Riverside in Korea
Authors: Lee Kyedong , Wang Biao , Lee Soungki
Published: January 2023

Rivers are generally classified as either national or local rivers. Large-scale national rivers are maintained through systematic maintenance and management, whereas many difficulties can be encountered in the management of small-scale local rivers. Damage to embankments due to illegal farming along rivers has resulted in collapses during torrential rainfall. Various fertilizers and pesticides are applied along embankments, resulting in pollution of water and ecological spaces. Controlling such activities along riversides is challenging given the inconvenience of checking sites individually, the difficulty in checking the ease of site access, and the need to check a wide area. Furthermore, considerable time and effort is required for site investigation. Addressing such problems would require rapidly obtaining precise land data to understand the field status. This study aimed to monitor time series data by applying artificial intelligence technology that can read the cultivation status using drone-based images. With these images, the cultivated area along the river was annotated, and data were trained using the YOLOv5 and DeepLabv3+ algorithms. The performance index mAP@0.5 was used, targeting >85%. Both algorithms satisfied the target, confirming that the status of cultivated land along a river can be read using drone-based time series images.
Incidence of Burnout Syndrome among Anesthesiologists and Intensivists in France: The REPAR Study
Authors: Berger Barnabé , Cungi Pierre-Julien , Arzalier Ségolène , Lieutaud Thomas , Velly Lionel , Simeone Pierre , Bruder Nicolas
Published: January 2023

Background: Burnout syndrome (BOS) impacts health workers and has become a real public health issue. The primary objective of this observational study was to re-evaluate the incidence of BOS among anesthesiologists and intensivists (AI) in France, ten years after the SESMAT study, a French Physician Health Survey carried out among burnout salaried AI. The secondary objective was to investigate risks factors. Methods: The REPAR survey is an observational study carried in France among AI, residents, and seniors, whatever their main mode of practice, in the framework of a self-questionnaire distributed on the Internet from 11 April 2018 to 1 July 2018. BOS was assessed using the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). A score above 50% on two of the dimensions (personal burnout and work-related burnout) indicated BOS, as a main criterion. In order to investigate risks factors, questions were about sociodemographic characteristics, professional and extraprofessional environments, personality and mood using the Major Depression Inventory (MDI). A significance threshold of p < 0.05 was retained. Results: Among 1519 questionnaires received, 1500 completed questionnaires were analyzed. There were 775 men (52%) and 721 women (48%), aged 23 to 74 years. Among those, 24% suffered from BOS, 9% showed depressive symptoms (MDI > 25) and 35% were considering changing jobs or stopping their studies. There was no significant difference with the SESMAT study for the general BOS score. After multivariate analysis, 12 variables were significantly associated with the main criterion. Conclusions: Ten years after the SESMAT study, the incidence of BOS in AI has not decreased in the largest cohort of AI studied to date in France.
Evaluation of Human Settlement Environment and Identification of Development Barriers Based on the Ecological Niche Theory: A Case Study of Northern Shaanxi, China
Authors: Zhang Zhicheng , Fang Bin , Li Xiuqing , Wang Yirong
Published: January 2023

The quality of human settlement environment (HSE) is related to people’s well-being. Since the implementation of the Western Development Strategy and the Grain to Green Program, the HSE in northern Shaanxi has undergone a major transformation. In order to explore the evolution pattern and seek a coordinated development strategy for all systems in the whole region, this paper, from the perspective of “production–living–ecological”, evaluates the HSE niche breadth of northern Shaanxi based on the ecological niche theory, analyzes its spatial differentiation characteristics, and identifies the development barrier factors, with the help of ArcGIS spatial analysis tools and the barrier degree model. It is found that: from 2000 to 2020, (1) the niche breadth of HSE in northern Shaanxi is high in the north and low in the south, showing obvious spatial unevenness; (2) the development of transportation promotes the improvement of HSE, but also intensifies the spatial unevenness, and the uncoordinated development rate of transportation and production and living systems has seriously restricted the further development of HSE; (3) the niche breadth of the ecosystem for each county is much lower than that of the production and living systems, and the ecological environment becomes the short board of the improvement of HSE in northern Shaanxi. Based on the patterns and problems found in the study, this paper proposes a strategy to improve the HSE of northern Shaanxi by prioritizing the balanced development of production, living systems, and transportation, strictly implementing the concept of ecological priority, dynamically adjusting the hierarchy of policies, vigorously optimizing the industrial layout, and focusing on the joint improvement of the human settlement environment in the whole region. This study expands the theories and evaluation methods of HSE to a certain extent, and the results have guiding values for promoting the sustainable development of HSE in northern Shaanxi and even the whole Loess Plateau region.
Effectiveness and Therapeutic Mechanism of Pharmacopuncture for Pain in Parkinson’s Disease: A Study Protocol for a Pilot Pragmatic Randomized, Assessor-Blinded, Usual Care-Controlled, Three-Arm Parallel Trial
Authors: Jang Jung-Hee , Kim Jieun , Kwon Ojin , Jung So Young , Lee Hye-Jin , Cho Seung-Yeon , Park Jung-Mi , Ko Chang-Nam , Park Seong-Uk , Kim Hyungjun
Published: January 2023

Pain in Parkinson’s disease (PD) represents a complex phenotype known to decrease quality of life. This pragmatic randomized, controlled clinical trial evaluated the efficacy of pharmacopuncture (PA) for improving pain symptoms and investigated the corresponding therapeutic mechanisms in patients with PD. Ninety patients with PD-related pain were randomly allocated to receive either PA, manual acupuncture, or usual care in a 1:1:1 ratio; sixty healthy controls were included for comparative analysis of brain imaging data. Over 12 weeks, study treatment provided 2 days per week for 8 weeks with a follow-up period of 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was the King’s Parkinson’s Disease Pain Scale score for assessing improvement in PD-related pain, including a sub-analysis to investigate the pattern of changes in pain according to a PD-related pain mechanism-based classification. Secondary outcome measures included a numerical rating scale-based assessment of the intensity and location of pain and changes in pain-associated symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. Exploratory outcome measures included structural and functional brain patterns on magnetic resonance imaging, blood molecular signature changes, gait analysis, facial expression and movement assessment in response to emotional stimuli, and a traditional Korean medicine syndrome differentiation questionnaire. The trial findings provided important clinical evidence for the effectiveness of PA in the management of PD-related pain and its associated symptoms, and helped elucidate the mechanism of its therapeutic effect on PD-related pain.
Differentiating between Seronegative Elderly-Onset Rheumatoid Arthritis and Polymyalgia Rheumatica: A Qualitative Synthesis of Narrative Reviews
Authors: Ohta Ryuichi , Sano Chiaki
Published: January 2023

Elderly-onset rheumatoid arthritis (EORA) is prevalent among older patients, and its incidence is increasing due to aging societies. However, differentiating between EORA and polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) is challenging for clinicians and hinders the initiation of effective treatment for rheumatoid arthritis among older generations, thereby allowing its progression. Therefore, we conducted a qualitative synthesis of narrative reviews via meta-ethnography regarding seronegative EORA diagnosis to clarify the methods to differentiate seronegative EORA from PMR. Three databases (PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science) were searched for relevant reviews published between January 2011 and October 2022. The extracted articles were synthesized using meta-ethnography, and 185 studies were selected following the protocol. Seven reviews were analyzed, and four themes and nine concepts were identified. The four themes included difficulty in differentiation, mandatory follow-up, and factors favoring rheumatoid arthritis and those favoring PMR. Factors favoring seronegative EORA and PMR should be considered for effective diagnosis and prompt initiation of disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs. Mandatory and long follow-ups of suspected patients are essential for differentiating the two diseases. The attitude of rheumatologists toward tentatively diagnosing seronegative EORA and flexibly modifying their hypotheses based on new or altered symptoms can aid in effective management and avoiding misdiagnosis.
The Content and Emission form of Volatile Organic Compounds from Cooking Oils: A Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Analysis
Authors: Zhang Ge , Sun Fulu , Li Haichao , Lin Yuanxin , Zhao Kai , Fang Lei
Published: January 2023

Cooking oil fumes are full of dangerous chemicals that are bad for human health. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in cooking oil fumes are not only emitted in the form of gas but may also accumulate with other substances in oil fumes and form particulate matter emitted into the atmosphere. Different forms of VOCs can enter different regions of the human body and have varying effects on health. This paper investigated the VOC emission types found in some cooking fumes. The findings demonstrate that organic contaminants from edible oils were released as gas and particle matter, with gas being the predominant component. The fraction of gaseous VOCs steadily declined as oil temperature rose, whereas the proportion of VOCs released as particulate matter gradually rose. It is possible to assume that the increase in oil fume with temperature was caused by the original oil’s components volatilizing more frequently under the influence of vapor pressure and that chemical reactions were not the primary cause of oil fume creation.
PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) in Teachers: A Mini Meta-Analysis during COVID-19
Authors: Idoiaga Mondragon Nahia , Fernandez Idoia Legorburu , Ozamiz-Etxebarria Naiara , Villagrasa Beatriz , Santabárbara Javier
Published: January 2023

Background: Since March 2020, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to stop the spread of the virus, unprecedented measures were taken worldwide. One of the most important measures was the closure of schools and educational centers around the world in 2020, and very extreme health protocols have been in place in educational centers since they were reopened. From early childhood education to universities, teachers first had to adapt in a short period time to online classes and then continuously readapt to new protocols according to the pandemic situation. This academic environment, in addition to the pandemic situation itself, has favored the emergence of mental disorders such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Materials and Methods: Medline via PubMed and other databases were searched for studies on the prevalence of PTSD in teachers from 1 December 2019 to 1 October 2022. A total of five studies were included in this review. Our results show a prevalence of PTSD of 11% reported by teachers. No subgroups nor meta-regression analyses were performed due to the insufficient number of studies available. Conclusions: The results suggest that teachers are suffering from PTSD, so it is important to carry out more studies worldwide. Similarly, measures to improve the mental health and well-being of teachers during the pandemic and post-pandemic periods are needed.
A Cross-Sectional Study on the Associations between Depression and Anxiety, Medication Use for These Diseases and Physical Activity Level in Spanish People with Hypertension
Authors: Denche-Zamorano Angel , Basilio-Fernández Belinda , Herrera-Guerrero Pedro , Garcia-Gordillo Miguel Angel , Castillo-Paredes Antonio , Rojo-Ramos Jorge , Gómez-Paniagua Santiago , Barrios-Fernandez Sabina
Published: January 2023

Hypertension (HTN) has a high prevalence in the overall population, affecting people’s mental health. Physical Activity (PA) has proven to be an effective tool to improve mental health. This study analyzed the associations between Depression and Anxiety prevalence, medication use for these disorders (antidepressants and anxiolytics) and Physical Activity Level (PAL) in people with HTN. A cross-sectional study was conducted with data from the Spanish National Health Survey 2017 (ENSE2017) with a final sample of 3228 individuals over 15 years of age with HTN who resided in Spain. Data normality was assessed through the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Associations between Depression and Anxiety prevalence, antidepressant and anxiolytic use and PAL were studied using a chi-square test. Possible differences between Depression and Anxiety prevalence and medication use according to the PAL were analyzed with a z-test for independent proportions. Depression or Anxiety and antidepressant and anxiolytic use odds ratios (OR) were calculated for every PAL group, taking the “Very Active” group as a reference. Risk factors were evaluated using multiple binary logistic regression. Dependency relationships were found between Depression and Anxiety prevalence, antidepressant and anxiolytic use and PAL (p < 0.001). The Inactive group displayed the highest prevalence and medication use according to their PAL (p < 0.05). Higher ORs for Depression or Anxiety and pharmacological treatments used were also found in the Inactive group compared to the other PAL groups.