bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
End of Electric Vehicle Batteries: Reuse vs. Recycle
Authors: Kotak Yash , Marchante Fernández Carlos , Canals Casals Lluc , Kotak Bhavya Satishbhai , Koch Daniel , Geisbauer Christian , Trilla Lluís , Gómez-Núñez Alberto , Schweiger Hans-Georg
Published: April 2021

It is a fact that electric vehicles (EVs) are beneficial for climate protection. However, the current challenge is to decide on whether to reuse an EV battery or to recycle it after its first use. This paper theoretically investigates these areas i.e., recycle and reuse. It was found that there are several commercially used recycling processes and also some are under research to regain maximum possible materials and quantity. The concept of reusing (second life) of the battery is promising because, at the end of the first life, batteries from EVs can be used in several applications such as storing energy generated from renewable sources to support the government grid. However, the cost and life-cycle analysis (LCA) demonstrated that there are several aspects involved in battery reuse applications. Henceforth, one LCA generalised method cannot provide an optimal approach for all cases. It is important to have a detailed study on each of the battery reusing applications. Until then, it is safe to say that reusing the battery is a good option as it would give some time to recycling companies to develop cost and energy-efficient methods.
Modeling of Prospects for the Development of Regional Renewable Energy
Authors: Drobyazko Svetlana , Wijaya Suparna , Blecharz Pavel , Bogachov Sergii , Pinskaya Milyausha
Published: April 2021

It has been proven that to solve the problems that arise in the combinatorial modeling of the prospects for the development of regional renewable energy, an algorithmically simple general combinatorial approach is the most appropriate option. The conceptual express method and corresponding mechanisms of the economic estimation of the efficiency of variants of the formation of regional systems of renewable energy have been suggested. These variants take into account the inflationary factors which serve as a basis of the analysis of investment and innovative projects of renewable energy sources by means of combinatorial modeling methods. To qualitatively analyze the effectiveness of the compared options, the system of existing indicators of the economic efficiency of renewable energy sources at the meso-level has been studied. The system was supplemented by informal and environmental indicators, the need for which is due to the fact that they have a significant impact on renewable energy in the region. Factors that significantly determine the effectiveness of the investment and innovation project for the introduction of renewable energy sources into the regional economy have been substantiated.
Design and Flow Analysis of an Adjustable Check Valve by Means of CFD Method
Authors: Filo Grzegorz , Lisowski Edward , Rajda Janusz
Published: April 2021

The article presents results of research on an adjustable check valve. In particular, the article deals with improvement of flow characteristics and reduction in pressure losses of an existing valve design. The subject of the research was the valve body in the form of a steel block intended for mounting a typical cartridge valve insert. Two variants of the valve body were analysed: a standard one, which is currently in production, and the proposed new solution, in which the geometry was modified based on the results of CFD simulations. The main research task was to properly shape and arrange holes and flow channels inside the body, between the cartridge valve and the connecting plate. Using CFD analyses, a solution for minimising the flow resistance was sought and then the method of modifying flow channels geometry was developed. The CFD simulation results showed a significant reduction in pressure loss, up to 40%. The obtained simulation results were verified on a test bench using a prototype of the proposed valve block. A high degree of consistency in the results of CFD simulations and laboratory experiments was achieved. The relative difference between simulation and experimental results in the entire considered range of the flow rate did not exceed 6.0%.
Simulative Investigation of Thermal Capacity Analysis Methods for Metallic Latent Thermal Energy Storage Systems
Authors: Stahl Veronika , Kraft Werner , Vetter Peter , Feder Florian
Published: April 2021

Latent heat storage systems are a promising technology for storing and providing thermal energy with low volume, mass and cost requirements, especially when operated at high temperatures. Metallic phase change materials are particularly advantageous for high thermal input and output, which is especially important for mobile applications. When designing a storage system, it is essential to have precise knowledge about the potential storage capacity. However, the system’s storage capacity is typically calculated from material properties determined at lab scale, although systemic boundary conditions can have a considerable influence. Systemic influences can result from thermal and reactive interfaces or from the storage design. In order to consider these influences, we propose three calorimetric procedures to thermally analyse high-temperature metallic latent energy storage systems at an application scale. We examined the procedures in a transient simulation environment, monitoring the storage capacity of the system. The procedure, based on adiabatic conditions, shows the least deviation from the simulation input parameters, but is limited to the heating process of the storage. Discharging the storage can be represented by isoperibolic conditions with controlled heat exchange. The precision of the procedures depends on the evaluation routine, the calibration routine, the heat extraction rate and the thermal inertia of the test bench.
Wood Anatomical Traits Reveal Different Structure of Peat Bog and Lowland Populations of Pinus sylvestris L. in the Carpathian Region
Authors: Palla Balázs , Ladányi Márta , Cseke Klára , Buczkó Krisztina , Höhn Mária
Published: April 2021

Ecologically extreme habitats at a species’ distribution edges bear significance for biota under adverse climatic conditions and climate change. Range-edge populations adjust their functional traits to the special local ecological conditions, leading to increased intraspecific variability in their morpho-anatomical structure and, consequently, favor population survival in the absence of competitors. On the basis of wood anatomical traits, such as tracheid lumen area (CA), cell wall thickness (CWTrad), cell diameter-to-radial cell wall thickness ratio (CD/CWT), and the number of tracheids in the radial tracheid files (TNo), we investigated the xylem adjustment of Pinus sylvestris L. populations from six ecologically extreme habitats from the Eastern Carpathians and the Pannonian Basin. Results indicated significant differences among all studied sites in case of all wood anatomical traits as signs of the local adaptation of trees. Peat bog populations adapted their wood anatomical traits to the generally hydric, cool and anaerobic conditions of the peat bogs, exhibiting smaller CA and proportionally thick CWTrad to ensure the hydraulic safety of the stem, whereas, on the lowland site, trees were characterized by a more effective water-conducting system, developing larger CA with relatively thin CWTrad with lower carbon-per-conduit-costs at the expense of higher vulnerability to cavitation. Radial tree ring growth and TNo also differed markedly among sites, following the temperature and groundwater constraints of the habitats. Wood anatomical variability among tree rings and the corresponding short-term climate response of populations differed from the adaptive responses of the trees to the ecological characteristics of the habitat. In addition to the different phylogeographic origin evidenced in former studies, phenotypic differentiation by the habitat type of the studied populations linked to the variance in morpho-anatomical traits have contributed to the survival of the peripheral Scots pine populations at the species’ range margins.
Molecular Basis of Apomixis in Plants
Authors: Hojsgaard Diego
Published: April 2021

Sexual reproduction in plants is a complex, stringently regulated process that leads to the creation of diaspores for a new generation: sexual seeds [...]
Testis Development and Differentiation in Amphibians
Authors: Roco Álvaro S. , Ruiz-García Adrián , Bullejos Mónica
Published: April 2021

Sex is determined genetically in amphibians; however, little is known about the sex chromosomes, testis-determining genes, and the genes involved in testis differentiation in this class. Certain inherent characteristics of the species of this group, like the homomorphic sex chromosomes, the high diversity of the sex-determining mechanisms, or the existence of polyploids, may hinder the design of experiments when studying how the gonads can differentiate. Even so, other features, like their external development or the possibility of inducing sex reversal by external treatments, can be helpful. This review summarizes the current knowledge on amphibian sex determination, gonadal development, and testis differentiation. The analysis of this information, compared with the information available for other vertebrate groups, allows us to identify the evolutionarily conserved and divergent pathways involved in testis differentiation. Overall, the data confirm the previous observations in other vertebrates—the morphology of the adult testis is similar across different groups; however, the male-determining signal and the genetic networks involved in testis differentiation are not evolutionarily conserved.
Association Study of SLC6A4 (5-HTTLPR) Polymorphism and Its Promoter Methylation with Rehabilitation Outcome in Patients with Subacute Stroke
Authors: Santoro Massimo , Siotto Mariacristina , Germanotta Marco , Mastrorosa Alessia , Papadopoulou Dionysia , Aprile Irene
Published: April 2021

Recently it has been suggested that serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) and its 5HTTLPR polymorphism could be involved in post stroke recovery. Here, we characterized the methylation profile of two different CpG islands within the SLC6A4 promoter region in the whole blood of 50 patients with subacute stroke before and after a six-week rehabilitation treatment. These patients were genotyped for 5HTTLPR polymorphism identifying patients on the basis of short (S) and L (L) alleles: 17 patients LL, 22 patients LS and 11 patients SS. At baseline, all CpG sites for both CpG islands displayed a heterogeneous methylation percentage that were not influenced by the different genotypes. After rehabilitation, we found a significant variation in the methylation levels (increase/decrease) in the specific CpG sites of both CpG islands. The statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the LL, LS and SS alleles and the outcome of the rehabilitation intervention (χ2 (2,50) = 6.395, p = 0.041). Specifically, we found a significant difference between patients with or without a favorable outcome in the LL (11.1% with a favorable outcome) and in the SS (54.4% with a favorable outcome) groups. Our data suggest that 5-HTTLPR polymorphisms and SLC6A4 promoter methylation may be employed as a non-invasive biological marker of recovery in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation.
Mosaic Segmental and Whole-Chromosome Upd(11)mat in Silver-Russell Syndrome
Authors: Pignata Laura , Sparago Angela , Palumbo Orazio , Andreucci Elena , Lapi Elisabetta , Tenconi Romano , Carella Massimo , Riccio Andrea , Cerrato Flavia
Published: April 2021

Molecular defects altering the expression of the imprinted genes of the 11p15.5 cluster are responsible for the etiology of two congenital disorders characterized by opposite growth disturbances, Silver–Russell syndrome (SRS), associated with growth restriction, and Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome (BWS), associated with overgrowth. At the molecular level, SRS and BWS are characterized by defects of opposite sign, including loss (LoM) or gain (GoM) of methylation at the H19/IGF2:intergenic differentially methylated region (H19/IGF2:IG-DMR), maternal or paternal duplication (dup) of 11p15.5, maternal (mat) or paternal (pat) uniparental disomy (upd), and gain or loss of function mutations of CDKN1C. However, while upd(11)pat is found in 20% of BWS cases and in the majority of them it is segmental, upd(11)mat is extremely rare, being reported in only two SRS cases to date, and in both of them is extended to the whole chromosome. Here, we report on two novel cases of mosaic upd(11)mat with SRS phenotype. The upd is mosaic and isodisomic in both cases but covers the entire chromosome in one case and is restricted to 11p14.1-pter in the other case. The segmental upd(11)mat adds further to the list of molecular defects of opposite sign in SRS and BWS, making these two imprinting disorders even more specular than previously described.
Expression of Estrogen Receptor- and Progesterone Receptor-Regulating MicroRNAs in Breast Cancer
Authors: Kalinina Tatiana , Kononchuk Vladislav , Alekseenok Efim , Obukhova Darya , Sidorov Sergey , Strunkin Dmitry , Gulyaeva Lyudmila
Published: April 2021

In ~70% of breast cancer (BC) cases, estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR) are overexpressed, which can change during tumor progression. Expression changes of these receptors during cancer initiation and progression can be caused by alterations in microRNA (miR, miRNA) expression. To assess the association of BC progression with aberrant expression of miRNAs that target ER and PR mRNAs, we quantified miR-19b, -222, -22, -378a, and -181a in BC samples (n = 174) by real-time PCR. Underexpression of miR-222 and miR-378a in stage T2–T4 BC was characteristic for HER2-overexpressing tumors. In addition, the expression of miR-181a and miR-378a was higher in these tumors than in tumors with a HER2 IHC score of 0 or 1+. In tumors with a Ki-67 index ≥ 14%, all tested miRNAs were underexpressed in BC with a high Allred PR score (6–8). In ER-and-PR–negative tumors, miR-22, miR-222, miR-181a, and miR-378a underexpression was associated with Ki-67 index > 35% (median value). MiR-19b and miR-22 underexpression could be a marker of lymph node metastasis in ER- and/or PR-positive tumors with HER2 IHC score 0. Thus, the association of miR-19b, miR-22, miR-222, miR-378a, and miR-181a levels with BC characteristics is influenced by the status of tumor ER, PR, HER2, and Ki-67.
Computational and Transcriptomic Analysis Unraveled OsMATE34 as a Putative Anthocyanin Transporter in Black Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Caryopsis
Authors: Mackon Enerand , Ma Yafei , Jeazet Dongho Epse Mackon Guibeline Charlie , Usman Babar , Zhao Yitong , Li Qiufeng , Liu Piqing
Published: April 2021

Anthocyanin is a flavonoid compound with potential antioxidant properties beneficial to human health and sustains plant growth and development under different environmental stresses. In black rice, anthocyanin can be found in the stems, leaves, stigmas, and caryopsis. Although the anthocyanin biosynthesis in rice has been extensively studied, limited knowledge underlying the storage mechanism and transporters is available. This study undertook the complementation of computational and transcriptome analysis to decipher a potential multidrug and toxic compound extrusion (MATE) gene candidate for anthocyanin transportation in black rice caryopsis. The phylogenetic analysis showed that OsMATE34 has the same evolutionary history and high similarities with VvAM1, VvAM3, MtMATE2, SlMATE/MTP77, RsMATE8, AtFFT, and AtTT12 involved in anthocyanin transportation. RNA sequencing analysis in black caryopsis (Bc; Bc11, Bc18, Bc25) and white caryopsis (Wc; Wc11, Wc18, Wc25), respectively, at 11 days after flowering (DAF), 18 DAF, and 25 DAF revealed a total of 36,079 expressed genes, including 33,157 known genes and 2922 new genes. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) showed 15,573 genes commonly expressed, with 1804 and 1412 genes uniquely expressed in Bc and Wc, respectively. Pairwise comparisons showed 821 uniquely expressed genes out of 15,272 DEGs for Wc11 vs. Bc11, 201 uniquely expressed genes out of 16,240 DEGs for Wc18 vs. Bc18, and 2263 uniquely expressed genes out of 16,240 DEGs for Wc25 vs. Bc25. Along with anthocyanin biosynthesis genes (OsPAL, OsCHS, OsCHI, OsF3H, OsDFR, OsANS, and OsUFGT/Os3GT), OsMATE34 expression was significantly upregulated in all Bc but not in Wc. OsMATE34 expression was similar to OsGSTU34, a transporter of anthocyanin in rice leaves. Taken together, our results highlighted OsMATE34 (Os08g0562800) as a candidate anthocyanin transporter in rice caryopsis. This study provides a new finding and a clue to enhance the accumulation of anthocyanin in rice caryopsis.
Influence of Tsunami Aspect Ratio on Near and Far-Field Tsunami Amplitude
Authors: Sannikova Natalia K. , Segur Harvey , Arcas Diego
Published: April 2021

This study presents a numerical investigation of the source aspect ratio (AR) influence on tsunami decay characteristics with an emphasis in near and far-field differences for two initial wave shapes Pure Positive Wave and N-wave. It is shown that, when initial total energy for both tsunami types is kept the same, short-rupture tsunami with more concentrated energy are likely to be more destructive in the near-field, whereas long rupture tsunami are more dangerous in the far-field. The more elongated the source is, the stronger the directivity and the slower the amplitude decays in the intermediate- and far-fields. We present evidence of this behavior by comparing amplitude decay rates from idealized sources and showing their correlation with that observed in recent historical events of similar AR.
Benthic Foraminiferal Assemblages and Rhodolith Facies Evolution in Post-LGM Sediments from the Pontine Archipelago Shelf (Central Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy)
Authors: Frezza Virgilio , Argenti Letizia , Bonifazi Andrea , Chiocci Francesco L. , Di Bella Letizia , Ingrassia Michela , Martorelli Eleonora
Published: April 2021

The seabed of the Pontine Archipelago (Tyrrhenian Sea) insular shelf is peculiar as it is characterized by a mixed siliciclastic–carbonate sedimentation. In order to reconstruct the Late Quaternary paleoenvironmental evolution of the Pontine Archipelago, this study investigates the succession of facies recorded by two sediment cores. For this purpose, benthic foraminifera and rhodoliths assemblages were considered. The two cores (post-Last Glacial Maximum in age) were collected at 60 (CS1) and 122 m (Caro1) depth on the insular shelf off Ponza Island. The paleontological data were compared with seismo-stratigraphic and lithological evidence. The cores show a deepening succession, with a transition from a basal rhodolith-rich biodetritic coarse sand to the surface coralline-barren silty sand. This transition is more evident along core Caro1 (from the bottom to the top), collected at a deeper water depth than CS1. In support of this evidence, along Caro1 was recorded a fairly constant increase in the amount of planktonic foraminiferal and a marked change in benthic foraminiferal assemblages (from Asterigerinata mamilla and Lobatula lobatula assemblage to Cassidulina carinata assemblage). Interestingly, the dating of the Caro1 bottom allowed us to extend to more than 13,000 years BP the rhodolith record in the Pontine Archipelago, indicating the possible presence of an active carbonate factory at that time.
Examining the Structure of Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale with Chinese Population: A Bifactor Approach
Authors: Xu Lingling , Li Jialing , Yin Li , Jin Ruyi , Xue Qi , Liang Qianyi , Zhang Minqiang
Published: April 2021

The Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), as one of the most frequently employed measures of emotion regulation (ER), has increasingly been used in numerous researches and applications. However, the structures derived from previous factor-analytic studies have a high degree of inconsistency. In the current study, both the traditional factor analysis method and novel (bifactor) modeling approaches were employed to examine the most optimal measurement structure of the DERS in a sample of 1036 Chinese participants. After a series of comparisons, the findings indicated that the bifactor model, with a general ER factor and four distinct subdimensions, was the most optimal structure for the DERS. Based on the study’s findings, the discussion was focused mainly on the future directions and the implications of this bifactor model. The impact and limitations of the study were also discussed, and several suggestions for future research were provided at the end of the paper.
Oral Microbiota Changes in Elderly Patients, an Indicator of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Wu Yi-Fan , Lee Wei-Fang , Salamanca Eisner , Yao Wan-Ling , Su Jo-Ning , Wang Sin-Yu , Hu Chaur-Jong , Chang Wei-Jen
Published: April 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease that usually affects older individuals. Owing to the higher incidence of root caries and missing teeth in elderly individuals, the bacteria involved in these dental concerns might potentially deteriorate their cognitive function. Altered microbiota in the oral cavity may induce neuroinflammation through migration from the oral cavity to the brain. However, the correlation between the composition of the oral microbiota and neurodegenerative disease remains unclear. In this study, we evaluated sequence to determine the relative abundance and diversity of bacterial taxa in the dental plaque of elderly patients with AD and controls. Oral samples; the DMFT index; and other clinical examination data were collected from 17 patients with AD and 18 normal elderly individuals as the control group. Patients with AD had significantly more missing teeth and higher dental plaque weight but lower microbial diversity than controls. Significantly increased numbers of Lactobacillales, Streptococcaceae, and Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes and a significantly decreased number of Fusobacterium were observed in patients with AD. In conclusion, using the PacBio single-molecule real-time (SMRT) sequencing platform to survey the microbiota dysbiosis biomarkers in the oral cavity of elderly individuals could serve as a tool to identify patients with AD.
Effects of Growth Stage and Cd Chemical Form on Cd and Zn Accumulation in Arabidopsis halleri ssp. gemmifera
Authors: Kudo Hiroshi , Inoue Chihiro , Sugawara Kazuki
Published: April 2021

Cadmium is a hazardous heavy metal and causes contamination globally. Phytoremediation can potentially become a low-cost and eco-friendly technique for mitigating Cd contamination. Arabidopsis halleri ssp. gemmifera hyper-accumulates Cd and Zn, and may be used to remediate Cd-contaminated sites. However, few studies have focused on Cd accumulation by A. halleri ssp. gemmifera. Herein, we demonstrate the accumulation of Cd by A. halleri ssp. gemmifera. The biomass, Cd, and Zn concentration of the plant increased in the 103 days of experimentation. Cd concentration of soil significantly decreased compared to its initial concentration (≈10%). The material balance of Cd uptake by plant and Cd decrement from soil ranged from 63.3% to 83.7% in each growth stage. Analysis indicated that the water-eluted and exchangeable forms of Cd were stable during the experiment. However, Cd concentration extracted with 0.1 M HCl decreased (25% of initial), and this fraction was not bioavailable. The study exhibits the mass balance of Cd between plant uptake and decrement from the soil and the changes in the chemical form of Cd during stages of A. halleri ssp. gemmifera cultivation.
Reply to Oleske et al. Blood Lead Concentrations in Newark Children. Comment on “Franklin et al. Broken Promises to the People of Newark: A Historical Review of the Newark Uprising, the Newark Agreements, and Rutgers New Jersey Medical School’s Commitments to Newark. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 2117”
Authors: Franklin Rosy , Hansen Ryan , Pierce Jean , Tsitouras Diomedes , Mazzola Catherine
Published: April 2021

We read, with tremendous gratitude, Dr. Oleske and Dr. Bogden’s comment in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health titled, “Blood Lead Concentrations in Newark Children” [...]
Overwhelmed by Technostress? Sensitive Archetypes and Effects in Times of Forced Digitalization
Authors: González-López Óscar. R. , Buenadicha-Mateos María , Sánchez-Hernández M. Isabel
Published: April 2021

This paper explores technostress and its dimensions, assessing the relationship with possible negative effects in the individual, social and professional sphere. The study uses a self-reported approach of undergraduate students in Spain (n = 337), forced to follow their academic life by using technology comprehensively because of social distancing, as a public health action necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The analysis, based on the exploration of a system of archetypes of the use of social networks, presents insights into contemporary technostress management as a new approach that can suppose opportunities for the optimization of prevention plans. Pearson’s correlation coefficients and structural equation modeling based on partial least squares (SEM-PLS) were the methods used for achieving the goals. The results reveal valid and reliable measures where technostress has a high impact on the individual sphere of students and there is a significant relationship between the type of user and techno-anxiety. The conclusions point to the imperative for developing a deeper understanding of technostress by archetypes, in both a higher education context (as antecedent) and the world of work, in an irreversible move towards a digital economy.
Assessment of Gait after Treatment of Tibial Nonunion with the Ilizarov Method
Authors: Pawik Łukasz , Fink-Lwow Felicja , Pajchert Kozłowska Andżelika , Szelerski Łukasz , Żarek Sławomir , Górski Radosław , Pawik Malwina , Urbanski Wiktor , Reichert Paweł , Morasiewicz Piotr
Published: April 2021

Background: Tibial nonunion is a common bone union disorder leading to abnormal gait, and thus reducing quality of life in the social dimension. Research question: The aim of our work was to comprehensively assess gait parameters of patients who had undergone Ilizarov treatment for tibial nonunion compared to a control group of healthy individuals. Methods: This study evaluated patients treated for aseptic tibial nonunion with the Ilizarov method. 24 patients with a mean age of 55.0 years were included in the study. The control group consisted of 32 healthy volunteers with no significant medical history who were selected to match the gender and age of patients in the study group so that the groups were homogeneous. A Zebris Medical GmbH pedobarographic platform was used to assess the gait parameters. Results: For all gait parameters examined, force forefoot max, force backfoot max, step length, stance phase, swing phase and step time, we observed statistically significant differences between the group that had undergone treatment and the control group. In the group of patients, statistically significant differences between the operated lower limb and the non-operated limb were only observed for the force forefoot max and step time parameters (p = 0.029 and p = 0.045, respectively). Patients presented a longer loading of the operated limb (0.720 s) than the non-operated limb (0.635 s). For the stride time, step cadence and gait velocity parameters, healthy subjects achieved much better results during locomotion, and these differences were statistically significant at p < 0.001. Significance: Treatment of tibial nonunion with the Ilizarov method did not restore normal gait parameters in our group of patients. In fact, the gait parameters of patients were significantly worse than the healthy individuals in the control group. Furthermore, gait parameters following treatment were not symmetrical, and the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system remained impaired.
Prevalence of Stunting and Relationship between Stunting and Associated Risk Factors with Academic Achievement and Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Study with South African Primary School Children
Authors: Beckmann Johanna , Lang Christin , du Randt Rosa , Gresse Annelie , Long Kurt Z. , Ludyga Sebastian , Müller Ivan , Nqweniso Siphesihle , Pühse Uwe , Utzinger Jürg , Walter Cheryl , Gerber Markus
Published: April 2021

Childhood stunting can have negative long-term consequences on cognitive development, academic achievement, and economic productivity later in life. We determined the prevalence of stunting and examined whether stunting and associated risk factors (low dietary diversity, insufficient hemoglobin, food insecurity, and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections) are associated with academic achievement and cognitive function among South African children living in marginalized communities. A cross-sectional sample of 1277 children (aged 5–12 years) was analyzed. Stunting was defined according to 2007 WHO growth references. Cognitive functioning was measured with the computerized Flanker task and academic performance via school grades. Blood and stool samples were collected to obtain hemoglobin level and STH infection. Dietary diversity was assessed by a food frequency questionnaire. Associations were examined via mixed linear regression (with school class as a random intercept). Nine percent of the children were stunted (95% CI: 7.6–10.8%). Low dietary diversity (β = 0.13, p = 0.004), food insecurity (β = −0.12, p = 0.034), and stunting (β = −0.13, p = 0.031) were associated with poorer end of the year results among girls. No such associations were found among boys. No significant associations were found for socioeconomic status and hemoglobin levels. The prevalence of stunting and STH infections were low in the present sample. Risk factors seem differently associated with girls’ and boys’ academic achievement. Promoting nutrition may help to promote academic achievement among girls living in low- and middle-income countries.
Evaluation of the B.strong Queensland Indigenous Health Worker Brief Intervention Training Program for Multiple Health Risk Behaviours
Authors: Cunningham Frances C. , Murphy Majella G. , Ward Grace , Fagan Royden , Arley Brian , d’Abbs Peter H.
Published: April 2021

Queensland’s B.strong brief intervention training program was a complex intervention developed for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to assist clients address multiple health risks of smoking, poor nutrition and physical inactivity. This study evaluates program effectiveness by applying the Kirkpatrick four-level evaluation model: (1) Reaction, participants’ satisfaction; (2) Learning, changes in participants’ knowledge, confidence, attitudes, skills and usual practice; (3) Behaviour, application of learning to practice; and (4) Results, outcomes resulting from training. A retrospective analysis was conducted on data for respondents completing pre-training, post-workshop and follow-up surveys. Changes in domains such as training participant knowledge, confidence, attitudes, and practices between survey times were assessed using paired-samples t-tests. From 2017–2019, B.strong trained 1150 health professionals, reaching targets for workshop and online training. Findings showed statistically significant improvements from baseline to follow-up in: participants’ knowledge, confidence, and some attitudes to conducting brief interventions in each domain of smoking cessation, nutrition and physical activity; and in the frequency of participants providing client brief interventions in each of the three domains. There was a statistically significant improvement in frequency of participants providing brief interventions for multiple health behaviours at the same time from pre-workshop to follow-up. Indigenous Queenslander telephone counselling referrals for smoking cessation increased during the program period. B.strong improved practitioners’ capacity to deliver brief interventions addressing multiple health risks with Indigenous clients.
Alcohol Use and Mental Health among Older American Adults during the Early Months of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Eastman Marisa R. , Finlay Jessica M. , Kobayashi Lindsay C.
Published: April 2021

Poor mental health associated with the COVID-19 pandemic may prompt the utilization of various coping behaviors, including alcohol use. We aimed to investigate the relationships between mental health symptomatology and self-reported changes in alcohol consumption at the onset of the pandemic. Data were from the nationwide COVID-19 Coping Study of US adults aged ≥55 in April and May 2020 (n = 6548). We used population-weighted multivariable-adjusted multi-nomial logistic regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) for the associations between mental health (of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, each) and self-reported increased alcohol consumption (vs. no change in consumption). One in ten adults (717/6548; 11%) reported an increase in their alcohol consumption in the past week compared to their usual pre-COVID-19 drinking. Mental health symptomatology was associated with increased drinking since the pandemic onset (depression: OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.99–3.56; anxiety: OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.34–2.42; loneliness: OR = 2.45, 95% CI: 1.83–3.28). Participants who screened positive for all three mental health outcomes were substantially more likely to report increased alcohol consumption since the onset of the pandemic (OR = 3.87, 95% CI: 2.52–5.96, vs. no mental health outcomes). This study demonstrates potentially harmful changes in alcohol intake among middle-to-older aged adults experiencing mental health symptomatology during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Spatial Pattern Change and Ecosystem Service Value Dynamics of Ecological and Non-Ecological Redline Areas in Nanjing, China
Authors: Yang Minghui , Xie Yu
Published: April 2021

Ecological conservation red line (ECRL) is gaining increasing academic attention as delimiting the minimum space scope of ecological protection and the bottom line of ecological security. Taking Nanjing as a case study, we divided the territory into ecological and non-ecological redline areas (ERAs and NERAs, respectively). This paper highlights two key research issues based on the 2005, 2010, 2015 and 2018 annual remote sensing data: (i) quantitative analysis of the Ecological Redline Policy (ERP) validity by conducting a horizontal comparison of the ERAs and NERAs; and (ii) exploration of the land-use transitions and spatial pattern changes affecting ecosystem service value (ESV). Results showed that delineating ECRL could effectively slow down the decline rate of ESV. The trend of eco-quality deterioration was greater than eco-quality improvement in Nanjing, presenting an ESV that declined slightly in the whole. According to our findings, we suggest that reasonably increasing eco-lands (woodland and water area) and decreasing construction land will enhance the regional ESV. Meanwhile, promoting the transition from production space to ecological space and depressing the encroachment of living space on other space types, will be instrumental in mitigating the ESV decline. The results of this study are expected to provide valuable implications for spatial planning and sustainable development in Nanjing.
Infant Safe Sleep Promotion: Increasing Capacity of Child Protective Services Employees
Authors: Ahlers-Schmidt Carolyn R. , Schunn Christy , Hervey Ashley M. , Torres Maria , Sage Cherie , Henao Martha , Kuhlmann Stephanie
Published: April 2021

Sleep-related infant deaths, including Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), are the number one cause of death in infants between 28 days and one year of life. Nearly half of families experiencing a sleep-related infant death in Kansas were involved with the Department of Children and Families Child Protective Services (CPS), making CPS staff a priority for safe sleep training. This study assessed the impact of the two-day Kansas Infant Death and SIDS (KIDS) Network Safe Sleep Instructor (SSI) train-the-trainer program on CPS staffs’ knowledge of the American Academy of Pediatrics safe sleep recommendations. Training was attended by 43 participants, 27 (63%) of whom were employed by CPS. CPS staff had significantly lower baseline knowledge on the 10-item pretest (t = 3.33, p = 0.002), but both CPS and other attendees showed significant improvement by posttest (t = 8.53, p < 0.001 and t = 4.44, p < 0.001, respectively). Following SSI certification, CPS SSIs provided more safe sleep training to professionals than other SSIs (1051 vs. 165, respectively), and both groups of SSIs were able to significantly increase the knowledge of their trainees. Overall, the KIDS Network SSI training was successful. The innovative partnership with CPS allowed for provision of training to a group not historically targeted for safe sleep education.
The Burden of Dengue in Children by Calculating Spatial Temperature: A Methodological Approach Using Remote Sensing Techniques
Authors: Mendoza-Cano Oliver , Rincón-Avalos Pedro , Watson Verity , Khouakhi Abdou , Cruz Jesús López-de la , Ruiz-Montero Angelica Patricia , Nava-Garibaldi Cynthia Monique , Lopez-Rojas Mario , Murillo-Zamora Efrén
Published: April 2021

Background: Dengue fever is one of the most important arboviral diseases. Surface temperature versus dengue burden in tropical environments can provide valuable information that can be adapted in future measurements to improve health policies. Methods: A methodological approach using Daymet-V3 provided estimates of daily weather parameters. A Python code developed by us extracted the median temperature from the urban regions of Colima State (207.3 km2) in Mexico. JointPoint regression models computed the mean temperature-adjusted average annual percentage of change (AAPC) in disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rates (per 100,000) due to dengue in Colima State among school-aged (5–14 years old) children. Results: Primary outcomes were average temperature in urban areas and cumulative dengue burden in DALYs in the school-aged population. A model from 1990 to 2017 medium surface temperature with DALY rates was performed. The increase in DALYs rate was 64% (95% CI, 44–87%), and it seemed to depend on the 2000–2009 estimates (AAPC = 185%, 95% CI 18–588). Conclusion: From our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate surface temperature and to model it through an extensive period with health economics calculations in a specific subset of the Latin-American endemic population for dengue epidemics.
Changes in Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic—Small Change in Total Consumption, but Increase in Proportion of Heavy Drinkers
Authors: Rossow Ingeborg , Bye Elin K. , Moan Inger Synnøve , Kilian Carolin , Bramness Jørgen G.
Published: April 2021

Little is known about possible changes in alcohol consumption distribution during the COVID-19 pandemic. We estimated how individual changes in alcohol consumption during the pandemic translated into changes in: (i) mean consumption; (ii) dispersion of consumption distribution; and (iii) prevalence of heavy drinkers. We employed data from two independent web-surveys of Norwegian adults collected between April and July 2020 and limited to those reporting past year alcohol consumption (N1 = 15,267, N2 = 1195). Self-reports of changes in drinking behavior were quantified, assuming change being relative to baseline consumption level. During the pandemic, we found a small increase (Survey 1) or no change (Survey 2) in estimated mean alcohol consumption (which parallels to total consumption). However, in both surveys, the dispersion of the distribution increased significantly (p < 0.001). For most respondents, an average modest decline in consumption was found. However, the small fraction with the highest baseline consumption increased their consumption substantially, and in effect, the proportion of heavy drinkers increased markedly (p < 0.001). In conclusion, quantifications of reported changes in alcohol consumption during the pandemic suggest that the upper 5 to 10% of the drinkers increased their consumption and hence the prevalence of heavy drinkers increased, despite little or no change in total alcohol consumption.
Cognitive Function and Whole-Brain MRI Metrics Are Not Associated with Mobility in Older Adults with Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Baird Jessica F. , Motl Robert W.
Published: April 2021

Due to advances in disease-modifying medications and earlier management of comorbidities, adults with multiple sclerosis (MS) are living longer, and this coincides with the aging of the general population. One major problem among older adults with and without MS is limited mobility, a consequence of aging that often negatively affects quality of life. Identifying factors that contribute to mobility disability is needed to develop targeted rehabilitation approaches. This study examined cognitive processing speed and global brain atrophy as factors that may contribute to mobility disability in older adults with and without MS. Older adults (≥55 years) with MS (n = 31) and age- and sex-matched controls (n = 22) completed measures of mobility (Short Physical Performance Battery) and cognitive processing speed (Symbol Digit Modalities Test) and underwent an MRI to obtain whole-brain metrics (gray matter volume, white matter volume, ventricular volume) as markers of atrophy. Mobility was significantly worse in the MS group than in the control group (p = 0.004). Spearman correlations indicated that neither cognitive processing speed (MS: rs = 0.26; Control: rs = 0.08) nor markers of global brain atrophy (MS: rs range = −0.30 to −0.06; Control: rs range = −0.40 to 0.16) were significantly associated with mobility in either group. Other factors such as subcortical gray matter structures, functional connectivity, exercise/physical activity, and cardiovascular fitness should be examined as factors that may influence mobility in aging adults with and without MS.
Mapping Trends in Drowning Research: A Bibliometric Analysis 1995–2020
Authors: Scarr Justin-Paul , Jagnoor Jagnoor
Published: April 2021

Drowning is public health issue requiring global, national and community responses. The multisectoral nature of drowning prevention reinforces the need for multidisciplinary research, which can play a key role in identifying patterns, factors and interventions and contributes to evidence-informed prevention. This study presents a biometric analysis of drowning research published in 1995–2020 and identifies temporal trends in research themes, journals, countries and authorship to assist in the planning of future research. This study identified 935 studies, representing authors from 80 countries. Publications grew 103-fold, and 41.2% (n = 385) were published since 2014. The top 20 journals are all injury prevention, public health, or medical journals. The top 5 accounted for 24.5% (n = 229) of total publications (TP). Research from the United States (TP = 313, 25.0%) and Australia (TP = 192, 15.3%) dominates the field. Growth is highest in low–middle-income countries (LMICs) including China (TP = 54, 4.3%, 32-fold), India (TP = 30, 2.4%, 17-fold) and Bangladesh (TP = 47, 3.7%, 7-fold). The study identifies significant growth in epidemiologic studies reporting burden and risk factors. Research in LMICs is increasing but lags relative to the burden. The role of multilateral and nongovernment organisations in evidence generation is evident and needs investigation, as do gaps in evidence for interventions and partnerships to progress the drowning prevention field.
Mixed Use of Bio-Oil in Oil Power Plants: Should It Be Considered When Developing NH3 Emission Factors?
Authors: Kang Seongmin , Woo Jiyun , Jeon Eui-Chan
Published: April 2021

In order to cope with recent climate change, Korea is reducing the use of heavy oil in petroleum-fired power plants and mixing bio-oils. Accordingly, this must be taken into account when calculating the emissions of air pollutants. However, in the case of Korea, when calculating NH3 emissions, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission factor is applied as it is to calculate emissions, and for petroleum power plants, the heavy oil emission factor proposed by EPA is used as it is to calculate emissions. In petroleum power plants, bio-oil is not mixed in a certain amount and used at a different ratio depending on the situation of the power plant. Therefore, in this study, the NH3 emission factor according to the mixing ratio of bio-heavy oil is calculated and the mixing ratio is calculated. As a result of the analysis, the emission factor according to bio-oil and the mixed ratio was found to be in the range of 0.010~0.033 kg NH3/kL, and it was lower than the heavy oil emission factor 0.096 kg NH3/kL of EPA currently used in Korea. This is because the amount of NH3 through the slip is also small since the use of NH3 for reduction is also low because the NOx emission from the use of bio-oil is low. Considering all of these points, we have statistically analyzed whether emission factors should be developed and applied. As a result of the confirmation, the difference according to the mixed consumption rate was not large.
Prevalence of Hallucinations in the General Croatian Population
Authors: Ivana Jelinčić , Dunja Degmečić
Published: April 2021

Background: Hallucinations involve sensing things such as visions, sounds, or smells that seem real but are not. These things are created by the mind. However, little is known about the distribution of incident hallucinations in the community. This paper aims to examine manifestation and frequency of the hallucinatory experiences within the general Croatian population. Methods: The instrument of the survey is Chicago Hallucination Assessment Tool (CHAT). The study included 521 examinees; 284 females (54.5%) and males 237 (45.5%). Results: There was a manifestation of all types of hallucinatory experiences determined. Out of all of the participants 17% listed that they experienced acoustic hallucinations during their lifetime, 15% said that they have experienced visual hallucinations, 12% olfactory hallucinations, 10% gustatory and 12% tactile/cenesthetic hallucinations. Conclusion: The results of this research have indicated that simple hallucinations were mostly represented among the general Croatian population and those more complex were represented less which is a positive thing because of its prominent clinical significance. The contribution of this study is the possibility of comparisons with studies from different regions of Europe and the world. This is another component in a better understanding of the incidence of hallucinations in the general population. The data we have obtained puts us on the map of countries trying to raise awareness of a topic that needs to acquire more attention.
Exercise Thermal Sensation: Physiological Response to Dynamic–Static Steps at Moderate Exercise
Authors: Xu Qinghao , Chen Lin , Chen Hao , Julien Dewancker Bart
Published: April 2021

The study of exercise thermal sensation is more difficult than that of static thermal sensation in the human body. This work’s main purpose was to examine specific changes in human physiological parameters and subjective perceptions during the exercise process, especially around dynamic–static steps, and to assess exercise thermal sensation. Experiments were conducted in a climate chamber. A total of 16 subjects participated in two activities of different intensities on a treadmill, namely at 4.5 km/h and 6 km/h. The experimental procedure was set to static–dynamic–static. Skin temperature (Tsk), oral temperature (Tor), heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, and electrodermal activity (EDA) were measured at fixed time points, and thermal sensation values, thermal comfort values, and sweat feeling index were collected. The results showed complex changes in physiological indicators around the dynamic–static steps. Some important physio-logical indicators can be used as valid parameters for exercise thermal sensation models, such as Tsk, Tor, and EDA. This study highlighted that prediction models using average change and rate of change of measurements were better than using the original measurements. Our findings suggest that the exercise thermal sensation prediction models should be constructed according to the dynamic–static state and that psychological factors cannot be ignored.