bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Evolution Characteristics and Influence Mechanism of Chinese Venture Capital Spatial Agglomeration
Authors: Yao Li , Singleton Alex , Sun Pingjun , Dong Guanpeng
Published: March 2021

As an emerging financial entity, venture capital has a significant impact on regional development. However, the research on venture capital mainly focuses on the fields of finance, management, and economics, and fewer researchers study venture capital from the perspective of geography and space. This research explored the evolution characteristics and influence mechanism of Chinese venture capital spatial agglomeration. The innovation of this paper lies in including the spatial effect and conducting a spatial econometric analysis of the spatial agglomeration of venture capital in China after the exploratory analysis of the factors affecting the spatial agglomeration of venture capital. Firstly, based on the data of study area, this paper found that the spatial distribution of venture capital in China had an obvious agglomeration characteristic by using multiple measurement methods. Secondly, by constructing the spatial econometric model based on three different spatial weight matrices, we found that the science and technology environment, financial environment, social environment, and entrepreneurial environment levels were the main factors to affect the agglomeration of venture capital. Thirdly, due to the degree of spatial agglomeration of venture capital being divided into three stages in terms of time dimension, after the regression analysis of different periods, we found that the factors which affected spatial agglomeration of venture capital changed significantly with the passage of time. In addition, from the regression results of eastern, central, and western region samples, we can see that the degree of spillover effect was the lowest in the central region, the highest in the western region, and the middle in the eastern region. At last, this paper provided useful policy enlightenment for enterprise innovation, industrial upgrading, and regional economic management.
Effects of School-Based Physical Activity Programs on Health-Related Physical Fitness of Korean Adolescents: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Lee Eui-Jae , So Wi-Young , Youn Hyun-Su , Kim Jooyoung
Published: March 2021

As adolescents spend the majority of their time focused on exams and assignments, they do not have sufficient time to engage in physical activity; this lack of physical activity is an important public health concern. This study aimed to investigate how school-based physical activity programs affect the health-related physical fitness of adolescents in the Republic of Korea. For this study, a total of 120 high school students participated in a school-based physical activity program that included badminton and table tennis for 15 weeks each (35 min/day, three times a week), with a total of 30 weeks for one academic year. The parameters for health-related physical fitness measured muscle strength (handgrip strength), power (standing long jump), cardiorespiratory fitness (shuttle run test), flexibility (sit and reach), body mass index (BMI), and the total score. The results revealed a statistically significant improvement in muscle strength (p < 0.001), power (p < 0.001), cardiorespiratory fitness (p < 0.001), flexibility (p = 0.005), and the overall health-related physical fitness score (p = 0.001). However, students’ BMI showed no significant difference before and after participation (p = 0.825). The results of this study indicated that school-based physical activity programs can have a positive effect on the health-related physical fitness of adolescents.
Body Composition and Characterization of Skinfold Thicknesses from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Phenotypes. A Preliminar Case-Control Study
Authors: Sánchez-Ferrer María L. , De La Cruz-Sánchez Ernesto , Arense-Gonzalo Julián J. , Prieto-Sánchez María T. , Bernabeu-González Itziar , Carmona-Barnosi Ana , Mendiola Jaime , Torres-Cantero Alberto M.
Published: March 2021

To describe whether polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) phenotypes vary in their body composition and skinfold (SKF) thicknesses and if they differ from women without PCOS, a preiminar case-control study was performed. A total of 117 cases were diagnosed using the Rotterdam criteria. Gynecological examinations and transvaginal ultrasound were performed in all women (266 women). Anthropometric measurements including SKF thickness were taken according to the restricted profile protocol of the international standards for the anthropometric evaluation according to the International Society of the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). Women with PCOS had higher body mass index and percentage of fat mass with respect to controls. The endomorphy component was also significantly higher in women with PCOS than in controls. Each PCOS phenotype displayed a different representation in the somatochart respect to the others phenotypes and also compared to controls. Women with PCOS had significantly higher ∑7 SKF (p = 0.013), ∑appendicular SKF (p = 0.017) and ∑arm SKF (p = 0.019) than controls. H-O-POM phenotype had higher 7∑ SKF (p = 0.003), ∑appendicular SKF (p = 0.01), ∑arm SKF (0.005), ∑leg SKF, and ∑trunk SKF (0.008) and also a higher fast mass percentage than controls (p = 0.011). In conclusion, body composition evaluated by ISAK protocol is different in women with PCOS, especially in the complete phenotype (H-O-POM). This could have relevant implications in terms of clinical evaluation and follow-up of these women, although more researches in this field are needed.
Access to Healthcare during COVID-19
Authors: Núñez Alicia , Sreeganga S. D. , Ramaprasad Arkalgud
Published: March 2021

Ensuring access to healthcare is critical to prevent illnesses and deaths from COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 cases in health systems that have deteriorated during the pandemic. This study aims to map the existing literature on healthcare access after the appearance of COVID-19 using an ontological framework. This will help us to formalize, standardize, visualize and assess the barriers to and drivers of access to healthcare, and how to continue working towards a more accessible health system. A total of 131 articles are included and considered for mapping in the framework. The results were also compared to the World Health Organization guidelines on maintaining essential health services to determine the overlapping and nonoverlapping areas. We showed the benefits of using ontology to promote a systematic approach to address healthcare problems of access during COVID-19 or other pandemics and set public policies. This systematic approach will provide feedback to study the existing guidelines to make them more effective, learn about the existing gaps in research, and the relationship between the two of them. These results set the foundation for the discussion of future public health policies and research in relevant areas where we might pay attention.
Patients’ Perspectives about Lifestyle Behaviors and Health in the Context of Family Medicine: A Cross-Sectional Study in Portugal
Authors: Páscoa Rosália , Teixeira Andreia , Gregório Micaela , Carvalho Rosa , Martins Carlos
Published: March 2021

Lifestyle interventions are recognized as essential in the prevention and treatment of non-communicable diseases. Previous studies have shown that Portuguese patients tend to give more importance to diagnostic and laboratory tests than to lifestyle measures, and seem unaware that behavioral risks are the main modifiable risk factors. The study aimed to analyze patients’ perspectives about lifestyle behaviors and health in the context of family medicine in Portugal. A population-based cross-sectional study was carried out in Portugal (the mainland). A total of 900 Portuguese patients aged ≥20 years, representative of the population, were surveyed using face-to-face questionnaires. Participants were selected by the random route method. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests were performed to evaluate differences between the personal beliefs and the personal behavior self-assessment, as well as between the level of importance given to the family doctor to address health behaviors and the reported approach implemented by the family doctor, and its association with bio-demographic variables. The results indicate that the vast majority of this Portuguese cohort has informed beliefs regarding lifestyle behaviors, tends to overestimate their own behavior self-assessment, and strongly agrees that it is important that their family doctor asks/advises on these lifestyle behaviors, although the proportion of those who totally agree that their family doctor usually does this is significantly lower. Differences concerning bio-demographic variables were found. Future research directions should focus on the politics, economics, and policy aspects that may have an impact in this area. It will also be important to understand more broadly the relationships between lifestyle behaviors and clinical, physical, and sociodemographic variables.
The Immediate and Long-Term Impact of Military Aircraft Noise on Hearing: A Cross-Sectional Comparison of Fighter Pilots and Ground Staff
Authors: Kuo Chao-Yin , Hung Chia-Lien , Chen Hsin-Chien , Shih Cheng-Ping , Lu Rou-Huei , Chen Chen-Wai , Hung Li-Wen , Lin Yi-Chun , Chen Hang-Kang , Chu Da-Ming , Lin Yuan-Yung , Chen Yueh-Chun , Wang Chih-Hung
Published: March 2021

We examined the immediate and long-term impacts of military aircraft noise exposure on noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in fighter pilots and ground staff. We recruited 40 pilots, 40 ground staff, and 136 age-matched controls; all participants underwent hearing tests, including conventional pure-tone audiometry (PTA) (0.25–8.0 kHz), extended high-frequency (EHF) audiometry (9.0–18.0 kHz), and distortion-product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE) as a recent reference. A subsequent hearing test immediately after flight-mission noise exposure was requested. The results revealed higher recent hearing thresholds in pilots and ground staff than in controls. Threshold shifts at many octave band frequencies were also significantly elevated in ground staff. The grouped frequency threshold was significantly elevated in the 4–8 kHz high-frequency range. After a single flight-mission noise exposure, both ground staff and pilots showed decreased signal-to-noise ratios for DPOAE (1–8 kHz), whereas only ground staff showed significantly elevated left-ear hearing thresholds at 3, 11.2, and 12.5 kHz by conventional and EHF PTA. Fighter pilots and ground staff serve in hazardous noise-exposed environments that cause hearing damage and subsequent NIHL, but ground staff may be more vulnerable. A comprehensive hearing conservation program should be implemented to protect high-risk service members, and especially ground staff, from high-intensity noise exposure.
Intellectual Disability, Employment and Aging: Intervention Measures
Authors: Ortega-Camarero María Teresa , Cuesta-Gómez José Luis , de la Fuente-Anuncibay Raquel
Published: March 2021

Workers living with intellectual disability suffer in a special way from the onset of premature aging. Hence the need to generate alternatives and policies for the development of a new model for active aging and the care of workers with intellectual disability. Our objective in this study is, therefore, to devise intervention measures that can minimize the effects of aging on the lives and the activities of these workers. Employing the Delphi technique, we assembled and consulted a panel of 8 experts with relevant expertise in the fields of intellectual disability; aging; employment and dependency. The panel included employers, families and workers with disability. Each expert reached a prior consensus over every response and contribution after having consulted four other experts with similar backgrounds, a consultative process in which a total of 40 experts participated. A total of 68 measures were proposed which correspond to three lines of action or key contexts: Firms and Organizations that employ People with Intellectual Disability; People with Intellectual Disability, and Family setting. In all, 10 recommendations with a focus on both firms and organizations were advanced to implement the proposed measures. The conclusion was that interventions are needed from the time at which the first symptoms of deterioration are detected, which should not necessarily lead to immediate loss of employment, as well as individualized and coordinated interventions among all relevant stakeholders, including the families.
Occupational Health and Safety Measures in German Outpatient Care Services during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Hetzmann Mara Shirin , Mojtahedzadeh Natascha , Nienhaus Albert , Harth Volker , Mache Stefanie
Published: March 2021

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, outpatient caregivers are exposed to new serious health threats at work. To protect their health, effective occupational health and safety measures (OHSM) are necessary. Outpatient caregivers (n = 15) participated in semi-structured telephone interviews in May/June 2020 (1) to examine the pandemic-related OHSM that have been implemented in their outpatient care services, as well as (2) to identify their corresponding unmet needs. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed by using qualitative content analysis in accordance with Mayring. Available OHSM in outpatient care services described by outpatient caregivers mainly included personal protective equipment (PPE) and surface disinfection means after an initial shortage in the first peak of the pandemic. Further OHSM implied social distancing, increased hygiene regulations and the provision of pandemic-related information by the employer, as well as the possibility to consult a company doctor. Our study revealed that OHSM were largely adapted to the health threats posed by COVID-19, however an optimum has not yet been achieved. There is still a need for improvement in the qualitative and quantitative supply of PPE, as well as on the organisational level, e.g., with regard to the development of pandemic plans or in work organisation.
Feasibility Assessment of Wearable Respiratory Monitors for Ambulatory Inhalation Topography
Authors: Jayasekera Shehan , Hensel Edward , Robinson Risa
Published: March 2021

Background: Natural environment inhalation topography provides useful information for toxicant exposure, risk assessment and cardiopulmonary performance. Commercially available wearable respiratory monitors (WRMs), which are currently used to measure a variety of physiological parameters such as heart rate and breathing frequency, can be leveraged to obtain inhalation topography, yet little work has been done. This paper assesses the feasibility of adapting these WRMs for measuring inhalation topography. Methods: Commercially available WRMs were compiled and assessed for the ability to report chest motion, data analysis software features, ambulatory observation capabilities, participant acceptability, purchasing constraints and affordability. Results: The following WRMs were found: LifeShirt, Equivital EQ02 LifeMonitor, Smartex WWS, Hexoskin Smart Garment, Zephyr BioHarness, Nox T3&A1, BioRadio, SleepSense Inductance Band, and ezRIP & zRIP Durabelt. None of the WRMs satisfied all six assessment criteria in a manner enabling them to be used for inhalation topography without modification and development. Conclusions: The results indicate that there are WRMs with core technologies and characteristics that can be built upon for ambulatory inhalation topography measurement in the NE.
Psychological (In)Flexibility Mediates the Effect of Loneliness on Psychological Stress. Evidence from a Large Sample of University Professors
Authors: Ortega-Jiménez David , Ruisoto Pablo , Bretones Francisco Díaz , Ramírez Marina del Rocío , Vaca Gallegos Silvia
Published: March 2021

Psychological stress, loneliness, and psychological inflexibility are associated with poorer mental health and professional performance in university teachers. However, the relationship between these variables is understudied. The aim of the present study is to analyze the mediating role of psychological (in)flexibility on the effect of loneliness on psychological stress. A total of 902 professors from 11 universities in Ecuador were analyzed using standardized scales: the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) to assess psychological stress, the Loneliness Scale Revised-Short (UCLA-3) for loneliness, and the Avoidance and Action Questionnaire (AAQ-7) and Life Engagement Test as double measures of psychological (in)flexibility. Mediation was tested by using PROCESS macro for SPSS. The results indicated that psychological flexibility mediated the relationship between loneliness and stress in university professors, regardless of sex and the measure of psychological (in)flexibility considered. The practical implications of the results are discussed herein.
Facile Use of Silver Nanoparticles-Loaded Alumina/Silica in Nanofluid Formulations for Enhanced Catalytic Performance toward 4-Nitrophenol Reduction
Authors: Mannu Rashmi , Karthikeyan Vaithinathan , Veerappa Murugendrappa Malalkere , Roy Vellaisamy A. L. , Gopalan Anantha-Iyengar , Saianand Gopalan , Sonar Prashant , Xu Binrui , Lee Kwang-Pill , Kim Wha-Jung , Lee Dong-Eun , Kannan Venkatramanan
Published: March 2021

The introduction of toxic chemicals into the environment can result in water pollution leading to the degradation of biodiversity as well as human health. This study presents a new approach of using metal oxides (Al2O3 and SiO2) modified with a plasmonic metal (silver, Ag) nanoparticles (NPs)-based nanofluid (NF) formulation for environmental remediation purposes. Firstly, we prepared the Al2O3 and SiO2 NFs of different concentrations (0.2 to 2.0 weight %) by ultrasonic-assisted dispersion of Al2O3 and SiO2 NPs with water as the base fluid. The thermo-physical (viscosity, activation energy, and thermal conductivity), electrical (AC conductivity and dielectric constant) and physical (ultrasonic velocity, density, refractive index) and stability characteristics were comparatively evaluated. The Al2O3 and SiO2 NPs were then catalytically activated by loading silver NPs to obtain Al2O3/SiO2@Ag composite NPs. The catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP) with Al2O3/SiO2@Ag based NFs was followed. The catalytic efficiency of Al2O3@Ag NF and SiO2@Ag NF, for the 4-NP catalysis, is compared. Based on the catalytic rate constant evaluation, the catalytic reduction efficiency for 4-NP is found to be superior for 2% weight Al2O3@Ag NF (92.9 × 10−3 s−1) as compared to the SiO2@Ag NF (29.3 × 10−3 s−1). Importantly, the enhanced catalytic efficiency of 2% weight Al2O3@Ag NF for 4-NP removal is much higher than other metal NPs based catalysts reported in the literature, signifying the importance of NF formulation-based catalysis.
Better Understanding Insurance Mechanism in Dealing with Climate Change Risk, with Special Reference to China
Authors: Kong Feng , Sun Shao
Published: March 2021

Climate change risk has become an important challenge for global sustainable development. The insurance industry can play an important role in coping with the increasingly severe climate change risk. This paper first describes the increasing climate change risk and the difficulties of the insurance mechanism in dealing with it. Then this paper summarizes the international practice of using the insurance mechanism to deal with climate change risk from ten different aspects. Based on the summary of the role of the insurance mechanism in dealing with this risk in developing countries, this paper puts forward the main application areas for climate change risk insurance and discusses the policy implications of developing climate change risk insurance in China.
Newly Emerging Airborne Pollutants: Current Knowledge of Health Impact of Micro and Nanoplastics
Authors: Facciolà Alessio , Visalli Giuseppa , Pruiti Ciarello Marianna , Di Pietro Angela
Published: March 2021

Plastics are ubiquitous persistent pollutants, forming the most representative material of the Anthropocene. In the environment, they undergo wear and tear (i.e., mechanical fragmentation, and slow photo and thermo-oxidative degradation) forming secondary microplastics (MPs). Further fragmentation of primary and secondary MPs results in nanoplastics (NPs). To assess potential health damage due to human exposure to airborne MPs and NPs, we summarize the evidence collected to date that, however, has almost completely focused on monitoring and the effects of airborne MPs. Only in vivo and in vitro studies have assessed the toxicity of NPs, and a standardized method for their analysis in environmental matrices is still missing. The main sources of indoor and outdoor exposure to these pollutants include synthetic textile fibers, rubber tires, upholstery and household furniture, and landfills. Although both MPs and NPs can reach the alveolar surface, the latter can pass into the bloodstream, overcoming the pulmonary epithelial barrier. Despite the low reactivity, the number of surface area atoms per unit mass is high in MPs and NPs, greatly enhancing the surface area for chemical reactions with bodily fluids and tissue in direct contact. This is proven in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and flock workers, who are prone to persistent inflammatory stimulation, leading to pulmonary fibrosis or even carcinogenesis.
Expanding Our Understanding of COVID-19 from Biomedical Literature Using Word Embedding
Authors: Yang Heyoung , Sohn Eunsoo
Published: March 2021

A better understanding of the clinical characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is urgently required to address this health crisis. Numerous researchers and pharmaceutical companies are working on developing vaccines and treatments; however, a clear solution has yet to be found. The current study proposes the use of artificial intelligence methods to comprehend biomedical knowledge and infer the characteristics of COVID-19. A biomedical knowledge base was established via FastText, a word embedding technique, using PubMed literature from the past decade. Subsequently, a new knowledge base was created using recently published COVID-19 articles. Using this newly constructed knowledge base from the word embedding model, a list of anti-infective drugs and proteins of either human or coronavirus origin were inferred to be related, because they are located close to COVID-19 on the knowledge base. This study attempted to form a method to quickly infer related information about COVID-19 using the existing knowledge base, before sufficient knowledge about COVID-19 is accumulated. With COVID-19 not completely overcome, machine learning-based research in the PubMed literature will provide a broad guideline for researchers and pharmaceutical companies working on treatments for COVID-19.
Applications of Systems Science to Understand and Manage Multiple Influences within Children’s Environmental Health in Least Developed Countries: A Causal Loop Diagram Approach
Authors: Brereton Claire F. , Jagals Paul
Published: March 2021

Least developed countries (LDCs) are home to over a billion people throughout Africa, Asia-Pacific, and the Caribbean. The people who live in LDCs represent just 13% of the global population but 40% of its growth rate. Characterised by low incomes and low education levels, high proportions of the population practising subsistence living, inadequate infrastructure, and lack of economic diversity and resilience, LDCs face serious health, environmental, social, and economic challenges. Many communities in LDCs have very limited access to adequate sanitation, safe water, and clean cooking fuel. LDCs are environmentally vulnerable; facing depletion of natural resources, the effects of unsustainable urbanization, and the impacts of climate change, leaving them unable to safeguard their children’s lifetime health and wellbeing. This paper reviews and describes the complexity of the causal relationships between children’s health and its environmental, social, and economic influences in LDCs using a causal loop diagram (CLD). The results identify some critical feedbacks between poverty, family size, population growth, children’s and adults’ health, inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), air pollution, and education levels in LDCs and suggest leverage points for potential interventions. A CLD can also be a starting point for quantitative systems science approaches in the field, which can predict and compare the effects of interventions.
Enablers and Barriers to Accessing Healthcare Services for Aboriginal People in New South Wales, Australia
Authors: Nolan-Isles Davida , Macniven Rona , Hunter Kate , Gwynn Josephine , Lincoln Michelle , Moir Rachael , Dimitropoulos Yvonne , Taylor Donna , Agius Tim , Finlayson Heather , Martin Robyn , Ward Katrina , Tobin Susannah , Gwynne Kylie
Published: March 2021

Background: Australia’s healthcare system is complex and fragmented which can create challenges in healthcare, particularly in rural and remote areas. Aboriginal people experience inequalities in healthcare treatment and outcomes. This study aimed to investigate barriers and enablers to accessing healthcare services for Aboriginal people living in regional and remote Australia. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare delivery staff and stakeholders recruited through snowball sampling. Three communities were selected for their high proportion of Aboriginal people and diverse regional and remote locations. Thematic analysis identified barriers and enablers. Results: Thirty-one interviews were conducted in the three communities (n = 5 coastal, n = 13 remote, and n = 13 border) and six themes identified: (1) Improved coordination of healthcare services; (2) Better communication between services and patients; (3) Trust in services and cultural safety; (4) Importance of prioritizing health services by Aboriginal people; (5) Importance of reliable, affordable and sustainable services; (6) Distance and transport availability. These themes were often present as both barriers and enablers to healthcare access for Aboriginal people. They were also present across the healthcare system and within all three communities. Conclusions: This study describes a pathway to better healthcare outcomes for Aboriginal Australians by providing insights into ways to improve access.
Precise Transmission for COVID-19 Information: Based on China’s Experience
Authors: Chen Wenjie , Zhang Wenbing , Li Lu
Published: March 2021

Information on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been a significant focus for the global public since the outbreak of the disease. In response, data visualization has become the main form of media used to inform the public about the global pandemic’s progress. This paper studies the example of China, the main country affected by the virus in the early stage of the pandemic, to explain the problems regarding the differences in time, knowledge, and technology for information transmission. This paper also tries to explain the causes behind the dissemination of rumors, misjudgment of the public, and the difficulties of perception regarding pandemic information based on the three aspects of information collection, processing, and presentation. We argue that comprehensive information transmission with direct and clear visual presentation could help the public better understand the development of the pandemic, relieve social panic, and help authorities promptly adjust public health policies to absorb the social and economic impacts of the pandemic. Based on a case study, we propose that hierarchical presentation, comprehensive descriptions, and accurate visualizations of pandemic data can effectively improve information transmission, thus providing helpful references for authorities and organizations to improve the effectiveness of pandemic information transmission.
Inflammatory Status and Glycemic Control Level of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes and Periodontitis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Rapone Biagio , Ferrara Elisabetta , Corsalini Massimo , Qorri Erda , Converti Ilaria , Lorusso Felice , Delvecchio Maurizio , Gnoni Antonio , Scacco Salvatore , Scarano Antonio
Published: March 2021

Background: Based on the holistic approach to prevention diabetic disease, the role of periodontal inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is under intensive scrutiny. Data from clinical trials have shown benefit from a periodontal therapy in providing patients with type 2 diabetes improvement despite relatively disappointing long-terms response rates. The aim of this study was to investigate the short-term glycemic control level and systemic inflammatory status after periodontal therapy. Methods: This was a randomized trial with a 6-months follow-up. Participants aged 56.4 ± 7.9 years with diagnosed type 2 diabetes and periodontitis were enrolled. Among the 187 type 2 diabetic patients, 93 were randomly assigned to receive non-surgical periodontal treatment immediately and 94 to receive the delayed treatment. Within and between groups comparison was done during the study period, and the differences between groups were assessed. Results: The difference between HbA1c values at baseline (Mdn = 7.7) and 6 months after non-surgical periodontal treatment (Mdn = 7.2) was statistically significant, U = 3174.5, p = 0.012, r = 0.187. However, although technically a positive correlation, the relationship between the glycated hemoglobin value and periodontal variables was weak. The differences between both the groups over 6 months were not statistically considerable, failing to reach statistical significance. At 6 months the difference between groups about the C-reactive protein (CRP) levels was statistically significant, U=1839.5, p = 0, r = 0.472, with a lower concentration for the intervention group. Furthermore, the intervention group showed a statistically significant difference between baseline and 6 months evaluation (U = 2606.5, p = 0, r = 0.308). Conclusions: The periodontal intervention potentially may allow individuals with type 2 diabetes to improve glycemic control and CRP concentrations, and diabetes alters the periodontal status.
Association of Stress Management with Success of Smoking Cessation in Korean Female Emotional Labor Workers for Service and Sales
Authors: Kim Haena , Lee Kang-Sook
Published: March 2021

Emotional labor is paid work that involves managing and regulating one’s emotions during the job including evoking and suppressing one’s feelings. This study examined the factors associated with successful smoking cessation through tailored smoking cessation counseling including stress management among female emotional labor workers. The study was conducted from 1 September 2015 to 31 December 2017. A total of 2674 women registered in the Comprehensive Smoking Cessation Service System and were grouped as either emotional labor workers for service and sales (1002) or other occupations (1672) for analysis. The participants received nine sessions of face-to-face and telephone smoking cessation counseling over 6 months, and follow-up assessments were conducted 4, 6, 12, and 24 weeks after counseling. Smoking cessation counseling involved a stress management program comprising stress tests, depression tests, color therapy, and a buddy program including peer support. Factors associated with successful smoking cessation included the number of counseling sessions, motivation rulers (Importance, Confidence, Readiness), average daily smoking amount, expired carbon monoxide (CO), and nicotine dependence. The most associated factor was the number of counseling sessions. Since counseling focused on stress management, it was the most important factor in smoking cessation, and continuous counseling could help those wanting to quit smoking.
Building a Large-Scale Micro-Simulation Transport Scenario Using Big Data
Authors: Schweizer Joerg , Poliziani Cristian , Rupi Federico , Morgano Davide , Magi Mattia
Published: March 2021

A large-scale agent-based microsimulation scenario including the transport modes car, bus, bicycle, scooter, and pedestrian, is built and validated for the city of Bologna (Italy) during the morning peak hour. Large-scale microsimulations enable the evaluation of city-wide effects of novel and complex transport technologies and services, such as intelligent traffic lights or shared autonomous vehicles. Large-scale microsimulations can be seen as an interdisciplinary project where transport planners and technology developers can work together on the same scenario; big data from OpenStreetMap, traffic surveys, GPS traces, traffic counts and transit details are merged into a unique transport scenario. The employed activity-based demand model is able to simulate and evaluate door-to-door trip times while testing different mobility strategies. Indeed, a utility-based mode choice model is calibrated that matches the official modal split. The scenario is implemented and analyzed with the software SUMOPy/SUMO which is an open source software, available on GitHub. The simulated traffic flows are compared with flows from traffic counters using different indicators. The determination coefficient has been 0.7 for larger roads (width greater than seven meters). The present work shows that it is possible to build realistic microsimulation scenarios for larger urban areas. A higher precision of the results could be achieved by using more coherent data and by merging different data sources.
A Research on Landslides Automatic Extraction Model Based on the Improved Mask R-CNN
Authors: Liu Peng , Wei Yongming , Wang Qinjun , Xie Jingjing , Chen Yu , Li Zhichao , Zhou Hongying
Published: March 2021

Landslides are the most common and destructive secondary geological hazards caused by earthquakes. It is difficult to extract landslides automatically based on remote sensing data, which is import for the scenario of disaster emergency rescue. The literature review showed that the current landslides extraction methods mostly depend on expert interpretation which was low automation and thus was unable to provide sufficient information for earthquake rescue in time. To solve the above problem, an end-to-end improved Mask R-CNN model was proposed. The main innovations of this paper were (1) replacing the feature extraction layer with an effective ResNeXt module to extract the landslides. (2) Increasing the bottom-up channel in the feature pyramid network to make full use of low-level positioning and high-level semantic information. (3) Adding edge losses to the loss function to improve the accuracy of the landslide boundary detection accuracy. At the end of this paper, Jiuzhaigou County, Sichuan Province, was used as the study area to evaluate the new model. Results showed that the new method had a precision of 95.8%, a recall of 93.1%, and an overall accuracy (OA) of 94.7%. Compared with the traditional Mask R-CNN model, they have been significantly improved by 13.9%, 13.4%, and 9.9%, respectively. It was proved that the new method was effective in the landslides automatic extraction.
The Roles of MicroRNAs in Male Infertility
Authors: Barbu Madalina Gabriela , Thompson Dana Claudia , Suciu Nicolae , Voinea Silviu Cristian , Cretoiu Dragos , Predescu Dragos Valentin
Published: March 2021

MicroRNAs applications were vastly studied throughout the years, spanning from potential cancer biomarkers to targeted therapies for various diseases. Out of these utilizations, this paper focuses on their role in male infertility. Approximately 10–15% of worldwide couples are affected by infertility. Out of these, 50% are due to male determinants. The majority of cases still have an undetermined cause. Previous studies have found that the aberrant expression of microRNAs could be linked to certain reproductive dysfunctions in males. Further on, this study looked into the most recent literature published on this subject in order to assess the connection between the up-/down-regulation of various microRNAs and the roles they play in male infertility. MicroRNAs were found to be abundant and stable in the seminal liquid, which led to a facile identification using regular RNA detection methods. It was observed that the concentration of microRNAs in semen was modified in the case of patients suffering from asthenozoospermia and azoospermia. Moreover, idiopathic male infertility was associated with a single nucleotide polymorphism of the microRNA binding site. Future studies should focus their attention on discovering future treatments against male infertility targeting specific microRNAs and also on developing new and improved contraceptive methods.
Recent Advances in Preclinical Research Using PAMAM Dendrimers for Cancer Gene Therapy
Authors: Tarach Piotr , Janaszewska Anna
Published: March 2021

Carriers of genetic material are divided into vectors of viral and non-viral origin. Viral carriers are already successfully used in experimental gene therapies, but despite advantages such as their high transfection efficiency and the wide knowledge of their practical potential, the remaining disadvantages, namely, their low capacity and complex manufacturing process, based on biological systems, are major limitations prior to their broad implementation in the clinical setting. The application of non-viral carriers in gene therapy is one of the available approaches. Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers are repetitively branched, three-dimensional molecules, made of amide and amine subunits, possessing unique physiochemical properties. Surface and internal modifications improve their physicochemical properties, enabling the increase in cellular specificity and transfection efficiency and a reduction in cytotoxicity toward healthy cells. During the last 10 years of research on PAMAM dendrimers, three modification strategies have commonly been used: (1) surface modification with functional groups; (2) hybrid vector formation; (3) creation of supramolecular self-assemblies. This review describes and summarizes recent studies exploring the development of PAMAM dendrimers in anticancer gene therapies, evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of the modification approaches and the nanomedicine regulatory issues preventing their translation into the clinical setting, and highlighting important areas for further development and possible steps that seem promising in terms of development of PAMAM as a carrier of genetic material.
Jasmonic Acid Signaling and Molecular Crosstalk with Other Phytohormones
Authors: Liu Hai , Timko Michael P.
Published: March 2021

Plants continually monitor their innate developmental status and external environment and make adjustments to balance growth, differentiation and stress responses using a complex and highly interconnected regulatory network composed of various signaling molecules and regulatory proteins. Phytohormones are an essential group of signaling molecules that work through a variety of different pathways conferring plasticity to adapt to the everchanging developmental and environmental cues. Of these, jasmonic acid (JA), a lipid-derived molecule, plays an essential function in controlling many different plant developmental and stress responses. In the past decades, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that underlie JA metabolism, perception, signal transduction and its crosstalk with other phytohormone signaling pathways. In this review, we discuss the JA signaling pathways starting from its biosynthesis to JA-responsive gene expression, highlighting recent advances made in defining the key transcription factors and transcriptional regulatory proteins involved. We also discuss the nature and degree of crosstalk between JA and other phytohormone signaling pathways, highlighting recent breakthroughs that broaden our knowledge of the molecular bases underlying JA-regulated processes during plant development and biotic stress responses.
Graphene Coating Obtained in a Cold-Wall CVD Process on the Co-Cr Alloy (L-605) for Medical Applications
Authors: Wasyluk Łukasz , Boiko Vitalii , Markowska Marta , Hasiak Mariusz , Saladino Maria Luisa , Hreniak Dariusz , Amati Matteo , Gregoratti Luca , Zeller Patrick , Biały Dariusz , Arkowski Jacek , Wawrzyńska Magdalena
Published: March 2021

Graphene coating on the cobalt-chromium alloy was optimized and successfully carried out by a cold-wall chemical vapor deposition (CW-CVD) method. A uniform layer of graphene for a large area of the Co-Cr alloy (discs of 10 mm diameter) was confirmed by Raman mapping coated area and analyzing specific G and 2D bands; in particular, the intensity ratio and the number of layers were calculated. The effect of the CW-CVD process on the microstructure and the morphology of the Co-Cr surface was investigated by scanning X-ray photoelectron microscope (SPEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Nanoindentation and scratch tests were performed to determine mechanical properties of Co-Cr disks. The results of microbiological tests indicate that the studied Co-Cr alloys covered with a graphene layer did not show a pro-coagulant effect. The obtained results confirm the possibility of using the developed coating method in medical applications, in particular in the field of cardiovascular diseases.
Placental Immune Responses to Viruses: Molecular and Histo-Pathologic Perspectives
Authors: Narang Kavita , Cheek Elizabeth H. , Enninga Elizabeth Ann L. , Theiler Regan N.
Published: March 2021

As most recently demonstrated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, congenital and perinatal infections are of significant concern to the pregnant population as compared to the general population. These outcomes can range from no apparent impact all the way to spontaneous abortion or fetal infection with long term developmental consequences. While some pathogens have developed mechanisms to cross the placenta and directly infect the fetus, other pathogens lead to an upregulation in maternal or placental inflammation that can indirectly cause harm. The placenta is a temporary, yet critical organ that serves multiple important functions during gestation including facilitation of fetal nutrition, oxygenation, and prevention of fetal infection in utero. Here, we review trophoblast cell immunology and the molecular mechanisms utilized to protect the fetus from infection. Lastly, we discuss consequences in the placenta when these protections fail and the histopathologic result following infection.
Loss of MT1-MMP in Alveolar Epithelial Cells Exacerbates Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Placido Luis , Romero Yair , Maldonado Mariel , Toscano-Marquez Fernanda , Ramírez Remedios , Calyeca Jazmín , Mora Ana L. , Selman Moisés , Pardo Annie
Published: March 2021

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal age-related lung disease whose pathogenesis involves an aberrant response of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC). Activated epithelial cells secrete mediators that participate in the activation of fibroblasts and the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix proteins. Previous studies indicate that matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) is increased in the lung epithelium in patients with IPF, however, the role of this membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase has not been elucidated. In this study, the role of Mmp14 was explored in experimental lung fibrosis induced with bleomycin in a conditional mouse model of lung epithelial MMP14-specific genetic deletion. Our results show that epithelial Mmp14 deficiency in mice increases the severity and extension of fibrotic injury and affects the resolution of the lesions. Gain-and loss-of-function experiments with human epithelial cell line A549 demonstrated that cells with a deficiency of MMP14 exhibited increased senescence-associated markers. Moreover, conditioned medium from these cells increased fibroblast expression of fibrotic molecules. These findings suggest a new anti-fibrotic mechanism of MMP14 associated with anti-senescent activity, and consequently, its absence results in impaired lung repair. Increased MMP14 in IPF may represent an anti-fibrotic mechanism that is overwhelmed by the strong profibrotic microenvironment that characterizes this disease.
Plasma Amyloid-Beta Levels in a Pre-Symptomatic Dutch-Type Hereditary Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy Pedigree: A Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: Chatterjee Pratishtha , Tegg Michelle , Pedrini Steve , Fagan Anne , Xiong Chengjie , Singh Abhay , Taddei Kevin , Gardener Samantha , Masters Colin , Schofield Peter , Multhaup Gerhard , Benzinger Tammie , Morris John , Bateman Randall , Greenberg Steven , van Buchem Mark , Stoops Erik , Vanderstichele Hugo , Teunissen Charlotte , Hankey Graeme , Wermer Marieke , Sohrabi Hamid , Martins Ralph ,   the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer Network
Published: March 2021

Plasma amyloid-beta (Aβ) has long been investigated as a blood biomarker candidate for Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy (CAA), however previous findings have been inconsistent which could be attributed to the use of less sensitive assays. This study investigates plasma Aβ alterations between pre-symptomatic Dutch-type hereditary CAA (D-CAA) mutation-carriers (MC) and non-carriers (NC) using two Aβ measurement platforms. Seventeen pre-symptomatic members of a D-CAA pedigree were assembled and followed up 3–4 years later (NC = 8; MC = 9). Plasma Aβ1-40 and Aβ1-42 were cross-sectionally and longitudinally analysed at baseline (T1) and follow-up (T2) and were found to be lower in MCs compared to NCs, cross-sectionally after adjusting for covariates, at both T1(Aβ1-40: p = 0.001; Aβ1-42: p = 0.0004) and T2 (Aβ1-40: p = 0.001; Aβ1-42: p = 0.016) employing the Single Molecule Array (Simoa) platform, however no significant differences were observed using the xMAP platform. Further, pairwise longitudinal analyses of plasma Aβ1-40 revealed decreased levels in MCs using data from the Simoa platform (p = 0.041) and pairwise longitudinal analyses of plasma Aβ1-42 revealed decreased levels in MCs using data from the xMAP platform (p = 0.041). Findings from the Simoa platform suggest that plasma Aβ may add value to a panel of biomarkers for the diagnosis of pre-symptomatic CAA, however, further validation studies in larger sample sets are required.
Detoxification of Ciprofloxacin in an Anaerobic Bioprocess Supplemented with Magnetic Carbon Nanotubes: Contribution of Adsorption and Biodegradation Mechanisms
Authors: Silva Ana R. , Cavaleiro Ana J. , Soares O. Salomé G. P. , Braga Cátia S.N. , Salvador Andreia F. , Pereira M. Fernando R. , Alves M. Madalena , Pereira Luciana
Published: March 2021

In anaerobic bioreactors, the electrons produced during the oxidation of organic matter can potentially be used for the biological reduction of pharmaceuticals in wastewaters. Common electron transfer limitations benefit from the acceleration of reactions through utilization of redox mediators (RM). This work explores the potential of carbon nanomaterials (CNM) as RM on the anaerobic removal of ciprofloxacin (CIP). Pristine and tailored carbon nanotubes (CNT) were first tested for chemical reduction of CIP, and pristine CNT was found as the best material, so it was further utilized in biological anaerobic assays with anaerobic granular sludge (GS). In addition, magnetic CNT were prepared and also tested in biological assays, as they are easier to be recovered and reused. In biological tests with CNM, approximately 99% CIP removal was achieved, and the reaction rates increased ≈1.5-fold relatively to the control without CNM. In these experiments, CIP adsorption onto GS and CNM was above 90%. Despite, after applying three successive cycles of CIP addition, the catalytic properties of magnetic CNT were maintained while adsorption decreased to 29 ± 3.2%, as the result of CNM overload by CIP. The results suggest the combined occurrence of different mechanisms for CIP removal: adsorption on GS and/or CNM, and biological reduction or oxidation, which can be accelerated by the presence of CNM. After biological treatment with CNM, toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri was evaluated, resulting in ≈ 46% detoxification of CIP solution, showing the advantages of combining biological treatment with CNM for CIP removal.