bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toward the Development of Potentially Healthy Low-Energy-Density Snacks for Children Based on Pseudocereal and Pulse Flours
Authors: Martín-Esparza Maria Eugenia , Raigón María Dolores , García-Martínez María Dolores , Albors Ana
Published: July 2023

The main objective of this study was the development of gluten-free cracker-type snacks with a balanced supply of essential amino acids, a lower glycemic index, and a lower caloric intake that were sensorially acceptable. For this purpose, chickpea flour was replaced by quinoa (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50%) and the fat was partially (75%) replaced by chicory inulin. The flours were characterized in terms of their proximate composition, individual mineral content, particle size distribution, and functional properties. The parameters analyzed for the crackers, once baked, were the water content, water activity, weight, dimensions, color, and texture. A sensory analysis was performed as well, using the formulations containing 50% chickpea flour and 50% quinoa flour (g/100 g flour), with and without inulin, as well as those made with 100% chickpea flour. From the analysis of the raw flours, it can be concluded that snack products developed from them could be a nutritive option for children, in terms of the protein, magnesium, and fiber content. The functional properties revealed that both flours are suitable for producing doughs and baked products. The obtained results indicate that snacks made with 50% quinoa flour (g/100 g flour) and 75% chicory inulin (g/100 g high oleic sunflower oil) could be an interesting alternative for children as, in addition to offering a very interesting nutritional contribution, the energy intake from fat is reduced by 57%.
Consumers’ Attitude towards Supermarket and Proximity Stores as Purchasing Outlets of Italian Potato Consumers
Authors: Samoggia Antonella , Rossi Giulia , Beccati Federica
Published: July 2023

World potato consumption has fallen. Similarly, Italian consumers are buying fewer potatoes, despite the high number of certified quality and innovative potatoes being produced. Moreover, Italian consumers’ knowledge of potato characteristics and innovations tends to be limited. To increase consumer engagement and revitalize the market, strategic marketing efforts need to be implemented by addressing the different characteristics of consumers in the different purchase channels. The aim of this study is to explore and differentiate consumer purchasing behavior and attitudes towards potatoes in supermarkets and neighborhood channels. The study collected 855 responses through an online survey. Data processing included the creation of indices of consumers’ knowledge of potato nutrition and their propensity to innovate, as well as logistic regression to analyze the determinants of potato-purchasing behavior. The results show that consumers with increased potato consumption, a higher level of education, and employment prefer to buy potatoes in the supermarket. A preference for potato innovation also increases the likelihood that consumers will buy potatoes in supermarkets. Conversely, consumers with elderly relatives at home and a low level of education, but a high level of knowledge about the nutritional properties of potatoes, prefer to shop through neighborhood channels.
A Tiny Object Detection Approach for Maize Cleaning Operations
Authors: Yu Haoze , Li Zhuangzi , Li Wei , Guo Wenbo , Li Dong , Wang Lijun , Wu Min , Wang Yong
Published: July 2023

Real-time and accurate awareness of the grain situation proves beneficial for making targeted and dynamic adjustments to cleaning parameters and strategies, leading to efficient and effective removal of impurities with minimal losses. In this study, harvested maize was employed as the raw material, and a specialized object detection network focused on impurity-containing maize images was developed to determine the types and distribution of impurities during the cleaning operations. On the basis of the classic contribution Faster Region Convolutional Neural Network, EfficientNetB7 was introduced as the backbone of the feature learning network and a cross-stage feature integration mechanism was embedded to obtain the global features that contained multi-scale mappings. The spatial information and semantic descriptions of feature matrices from different hierarchies could be fused through continuous convolution and upsampling operations. At the same time, taking into account the geometric properties of the objects to be detected and combining the images’ resolution, the adaptive region proposal network (ARPN) was designed and utilized to generate candidate boxes with appropriate sizes for the detectors, which was beneficial to the capture and localization of tiny objects. The effectiveness of the proposed tiny object detection model and each improved component were validated through ablation experiments on the constructed RGB impurity-containing image datasets.
Enhanced Production of β-Nicotinamide Mononucleotide with Exogenous Nicotinamide Addition in Saccharomyces boulardii-YS01
Authors: Song Meijie , Yin Chunhua , Xu Qianqian , Liu Yang , Zhang Haiyang , Liu Xiaolu , Yan Hai
Published: July 2023

β-Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), as a key precursor of an essential coenzyme nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+), is most recognized for its pathological treatment effects and anti-aging functions. Here, the biosynthesis of NMN from the inexpensive feedstock substrate nicotinamide (Nam) using previously isolated Saccharomyces boulardii-YS01 was investigated. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-QqQ-MS/MS) was established for the determination and targeted analysis of NMN, nicotinamide riboside (NR), nicotinic acid (NA), Nam, and NAD+ in YS01 cells. Satisfactory precision and accuracy values were achieved with recoveries above 70% for five analytes. A 5~100 times higher content of NMN in YS01 (0.24~103.40 mg/kg) than in some common foods (0.0~18.8 mg/kg) was found. Combined with genome sequencing and enzyme function annotation, target-acting enzymes, including nudC, ISN1, URH1, PNP, and SIR2, were identified, and the biosynthetic pathway of NMN via Nam was suggested. The initial addition of 3 g/L Nam in the culture medium effectively promoted the generation of NMN, which raised the content of NMN by 39%. This work supplements an alternative resource for NMN production and lays the theoretical foundation for the further construction of NMN transgenic synthesis hosts.
Rapid Prediction of Adulteration Content in Atractylodis rhizoma Based on Data and Image Features Fusions from Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Hyperspectral Imaging Techniques
Authors: Jiang Zhiwei , Lv Aimin , Zhong Lingjiao , Yang Jingjing , Xu Xiaowei , Li Yuchan , Liu Yuchen , Fan Qiuju , Shao Qingsong , Zhang Ailian
Published: July 2023

Atractylodis rhizoma (AR) is an herb and food source with great economic, medicinal, and ecological value. Atractylodes chinensis (DC.) Koidz. (AC) and Atractylodes lancea (Thunb.) DC. (AL) are its two botanical sources. The commercial fraud of AR adulterated with Atractylodes japonica Koidz. ex Kitam (AJ) frequently occurs in pursuit of higher profit. To quickly determine the content of adulteration in AC and AL powder, two spectroscopic techniques, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI), were introduced. The partial least squares regression (PLSR) algorithm was selected for predictive modeling of AR adulteration levels. Preprocessing and feature variable extraction were used to optimize the prediction model. Then data and image feature fusions were developed to obtain the best predictive model. The results showed that if only single-spectral techniques were considered, NIRS was more suitable for both tasks than HSI techniques. In addition, by comparing the models built after the data fusion of NIRS and HSI with those built by the single spectrum, we found that the mid-level fusion strategy obtained the best models in both tasks. On this basis, combined with the color-texture features, the prediction ability of the model was further optimized. Among them, for the adulteration level prediction task of AC, the best strategy was combining MLF data (at CARS level) and color-texture features (C-TF), at which time the R2T, RMSET, R2P, and RMSEP were 99.85%, 1.25%, 98.61%, and 5.06%, respectively. For AL, the best approach was combining MLF data (at SPA level) and C-TF, with the highest R2T (99.92%) and R2P (99.00%), as well as the lowest RMSET (1.16%) and RMSEP (2.16%). Therefore, combining data and image features from NIRS and HSI is a potential strategy to predict the adulteration content quickly, non-destructively, and accurately.
Agricultural Food System Transformation on China’s Food Security
Authors: Zhao Sicheng , Li Tingyu , Wang Guogang
Published: July 2023

Different countries and regions in the world are experiencing structural transformation of the agri-food system, which is represented by the increase of meat and feed consumption. Based on a detailed review of the global and China’s agri-food system transformation, this paper constructs an analytical framework of the impact of agri-food system transformation on food security and discusses the food security issues in China after 2000. The results show that the proportion of the dimension of agri-food system transformation in the food security index has a significant downward trend, and its positive effect on food security is decreasing. At the same time, due to the growth in demand for meat during the transformation of the agri-food system, China imports a large number of feed grains such as soybean and corn, leading to a decline in domestic food self-sufficiency. Furthermore, the coupling coordination degree between China’s agri-food system transformation and food quantity security decreases, and their development tends to deviate. In the future, increasing the consumption of grain-saving poultry and curbing table waste are feasible strategies for China to cope with the transformation of agri-food system and ensure food security. China’s problems and solutions in facing the transformation of its agri-food system can provide some references for other developing countries.
Global Stability and Bifurcation Analysis of a Virus Infection Model with Nonlinear Incidence and Multiple Delays
Authors: Xu Jinhu , Huang Guokun
Published: July 2023

In order to investigate the impact of general nonlinear incidence, cellular infection, and multiple time delays on the dynamical behaviors of a virus infection model, a within-host model describing the virus infection is formulated and studied by taking these factors into account in a single model. Qualitative analysis of the global properties of the equilibria is carried out by utilizing the methods of Lyapunov functionals. The existence and properties of local and global Hopf bifurcations are discussed by regarding immune delay as the bifurcation parameter via the normal form, center manifold theory, and global Hopf bifurcation theorem. This work reveals that the immune delay is mainly responsible for the existence of the Hopf bifurcation and rich dynamics rather than the intracellular delays, and the general nonlinear incidence does not change the global stability of the equilibria. Moreover, ignoring the cell-to-cell infection may underevaluate the infection risk. Numerical simulations are carried out for three kinds of incidence function forms to show the rich dynamics of the model. The bifurcation diagrams and the identification of the stability region show that increasing the immune delay can destabilize the immunity-activated equilibrium and induce a Hopf bifurcation, stability switches, and oscillation solutions. The obtained results are a generalization of some existing models.
Synthesis and Evaluation of Functionalized Polyurethanes for pH-Responsive Delivery of Compounds in Chronic Wounds
Authors: Li Zhongyan , Crago Matthew , Schofield Timothy , Zeng Haoxiang , Vyas Heema Kumari Nilesh , Müllner Markus , Mai-Prochnow Anne , Farajikhah Syamak , Naficy Sina , Dehghani Fariba , Talebian Sepehr
Published: July 2023

Chronic wounds, depending on the bacteria that caused the infection, can be associated with an extreme acidic or basic pH. Therefore, the application of pH-responsive hydrogels has been instigated for the delivery of therapeutics to chronic wounds. Herein, with the aim of developing a flexible pH-responsive hydrogel, we functionalized hydrophilic polyurethanes with either cationic (polyethylene imine) or anionic (succinic anhydride) moieties. A comprehensive physicochemical characterization of corresponding polymers was carried out. Particularly, when tested in aqueous buffers, the surface charge of hydrogel films was closely correlated with the pH of the buffers. The loading of the cationic and anionic hydrogel films with various compound models (bromophenol blue; negatively charged or Pyronin Y; positively charged) showed that the electrostatic forces between the polymeric backbone and the compound model will determine the ultimate release rate at any given pH. The potential application of these films for chronic wound drug delivery was assessed by loading them with an antibiotic (ciprofloxacin). In vitro bacterial culturing was performed using Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli). Results showed that at the same drug dosage, different release profiles achievable from cationic and anionic polyurethanes can yield different degrees of an antibacterial effect. Overall, our results suggest the potential application of cationic and anionic hydrophilic polyurethanes as flexible pH-responsive materials for the delivery of therapeutics to chronic wounds.
Rare IFT140-Associated Phenotype of Cranioectodermal Dysplasia and Features of Diagnostic Journey in Patients with Suspected Ciliopathies
Authors: Sharova Margarita , Markova Tatyana , Sumina Maria , Petukhova Marina , Bulakh Maria , Ryzhkova Oxana , Nagornova Tatyana , Ionova Sofya , Marakhonov Andrey , Dadali Elena , Kutsev Sergey
Published: July 2023

Here we present a patient with a cranioectodermal phenotype associated with pathogenic variants in the IFT140 gene. Most frequently, pathogenic variants in IFT140 correspond to the phenotype of Mainzer–Saldino syndrome. Only four patients have previously been described with this cranioectodermal phenotype and variants in IFT140. In comparison to other IFT140-cranioectodermal patients, our proband had similar skeletal features among with early onset end-stage renal failure that required kidney transplantation but did not have common ophthalmological features such as retinopathy, optic nerve atrophy, or nystagmus. Following exome sequencing, a splicing variant and exons 27–30 tandem duplication were suspected and further validated. The two other patients with Mainzer–Saldino syndrome that we described displayed a typical clinical picture but a special diagnostic journey. In both cases, at first only one pathogenic variant was detected following panel or exome NGS sequencing. Further WGS was performed for one of them where tandem duplication was found. Screening the third patient for the same tandem duplication was successful and revealed the presence of this duplication. Thus, we suggest that the description of the clinical feature polymorphism in a rare IFT140-cranioectodermal phenotype is extremely important for providing genetic counseling for families, as well as the formation of the correct diagnostic path for patients with a variant in IFT140.
High Atlastin 2-2 (ATL2-2) Expression Associates with Worse Prognosis in Estrogen-Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer
Authors: Reynisdottir Inga , Arason Adalgeir , Freysteinsdottir Edda S. , Kristjansdottir Sigrun B. , Hilmarsdottir Bylgja , Traustadottir Gunnhildur A. , Johannsson Oskar T. , Agnarsson Bjarni A. , Barkardottir Rosa B.
Published: July 2023

The disruption of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis occurs in many human diseases. Atlastins (ATLs) maintain the branched network of the ER. The dysregulation of ATL2, located at ER network junctions, has been associated with cancer. ATL2 is necessary for lipid droplet formation in murine breast tissue. Thus, we analyzed whether ATL2 has a role in human breast cancer (BC) pathology. The expression of ATL2 variant ATL2-2 was analyzed in breast tumors from the BC cohorts of the TCGA, METABRIC, and two independent Icelandic cohorts, Cohort 1 and 2; its association with clinical, pathological, survival, and cellular pathways was explored. ATL2-2 mRNA and protein expression were higher in breast tumors than in normal tissue. ATL2-2 mRNA associated with tumor characteristics that indicate a worse prognosis. In METABRIC, high ATL2-2 mRNA levels were associated with shorter BC-specific survival (BCSS) in patients with estrogen-receptor-positive luminal breast tumors, which remained significant after correction for grade and tumor size (HR 1.334, CI 1.063–1.673). Tumors with high ATL2 mRNA showed an upregulation of hallmark pathways MYC targets v1, E2F targets, and G2M checkpoint genes. Taken together, the results suggest that high levels of ATL2-2 may support BC progression through key cancer driver pathways.
Comparison of Morphological Sex Assessment and Genetic Sex Determination on Adult and Sub-Adult 17th–19th Century Skeletal Remains
Authors: Leskovar Tamara , Mlinšek Teo , Počivavšek Tadej , Zupanič Pajnič Irena
Published: July 2023

The first step in the analysis of human skeletal remains is the establishment of the biological profile of an individual. This includes sex assessment, which depends highly on the age of the individual and on the completeness and preservation state of the remains. Macroscopic methods only provide the assessment of sex, while for sex determination, molecular methods need to be included. However, poor preservation of the remains can make molecular methods impossible and only assessment can be performed. Presented research compares DNA-determined and morphologically assessed sex of adult and non-adult individuals buried in a modern-age cemetery (17th to late 19th century) in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of commonly used macroscopic methods for sex assessment on a Slovenian post-medieval population. Results demonstrate that for adults, macroscopic methods employed are highly reliable and pelvic morphology, even the sciatic notch alone, is more reliable than skull. In non-adults, macroscopic methods are not as reliable as in adults, which agrees with previous research. This study shows how morphological and molecular methods can go hand in hand when building a biological profile of an individual. On their own, each methodology presented some individuals with undetermined sex, while together, sex of all the individuals was provided. Results confirm suitability of sex assessment based on skull and especially pelvic morphology in Slovenian post-medieval adults, while in the non-adult population molecular methods are advised.
Weight Loss Is a Strong Predictor of Memory Disorder Independent of Genetic Influences
Authors: Chen Sunny , Sarasua Sara M. , Davis Nicole J. , DeLuca Jane M. , Thielke Stephen M. , Yu Chang-En
Published: July 2023

Background: Past studies identified a link between weight loss and dementia, but lacked consistent conclusions. We sought to establish this link by examining the weight change profiles before and after dementia diagnosis. Methods: Using data from the Health and Retirement Study (1996–2020), we examined 13,123 participants. We conducted a nested case–control analysis to assess differences in biennial weight change profile while controlling for BMI, longevity polygenic risk scores, and APOE gene variants. Results: Participants with a memory disorder lost weight (−0.63%) biennially, whereas those without a diagnosis did not (+0.013%, p-value < 0.0001). Our case–control study shows a significant difference (p-value < 0.01) in pre-dementia % weight changes between the cases (−0.29%) and controls (0.19%), but not in post-dementia weight changes. The weight loss group have the highest risk (OR = 2.01; p-value < 0.0001) of developing a memory disorder compared to the stable weight and weight gain groups. The observations hold true after adjusting for BMI, longevity polygenic risk scores, and APOE variant in a multivariable model. Conclusions: We observe that weight loss in dementia is a physiological process independent of genetic factors associated with BMI and longevity. Pre-dementia weight loss may be an important prognostic criterion to assess a person’s risk of developing a memory disorder.
Amplicon-Based Microbiome Profiling: From Second- to Third-Generation Sequencing for Higher Taxonomic Resolution
Authors: Notario Elisabetta , Visci Grazia , Fosso Bruno , Gissi Carmela , Tanaskovic Nina , Rescigno Maria , Marzano Marinella , Pesole Graziano
Published: July 2023

The 16S rRNA amplicon-based sequencing approach represents the most common and cost-effective strategy with great potential for microbiome profiling. The use of second-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies has led to protocols based on the amplification of one or a few hypervariable regions, impacting the outcome of the analysis. Nowadays, comparative studies are necessary to assess different amplicon-based approaches, including the full-locus sequencing currently feasible thanks to third-generation sequencing (TGS) technologies. This study compared three different methods to achieve the deepest microbiome taxonomic characterization: (a) the single-region approach, (b) the multiplex approach, covering several regions of the target gene/region, both based on NGS short reads, and (c) the full-length approach, which analyzes the whole length of the target gene thanks to TGS long reads. Analyses carried out on benchmark microbiome samples, with a known taxonomic composition, highlighted a different classification performance, strongly associated with the type of hypervariable regions and the coverage of the target gene. Indeed, the full-length approach showed the greatest discriminating power, up to species level, also on complex real samples. This study supports the transition from NGS to TGS for the study of the microbiome, even if experimental and bioinformatic improvements are still necessary.
The Relationship between Bacterial Sulfur Cycling and Ca/Mg Carbonate Precipitation—Old Tales and New Insights from Lagoa Vermelha and Brejo do Espinho, Brazil
Authors: Fichtner Vanessa , Schurr Simon L. , Strauss Harald , Vasconcelos Crisógono , Goetschl Katja E. , Areias Camila , Barbosa Catia F. , Immenhauser Adrian
Published: July 2023

Over the few past decades, the concept of microbial sulfur cycling catalyzing the precipitation of CaMg (CO3)2 at low temperatures (<40 °C) has been studied intensely. In this respect, two hypersaline lagoons, Lagoa Vermelha and Brejo do Espinho, in Brazil, have been the subject of numerous studies investigating sedimentary Ca/Mg carbonate formation. Here, we present the sulfur and oxygen isotopic compositions of dissolved sulfate from surface water, as well as sulfate and sulfide from pore-water (δ34SSO4, δ18OSO4, and δ34SH2S), the sulfur isotopic composition of sedimentary pyrite (δ34SCRS), and sulfur and oxygen isotopic compositions of carbonate-associated sulfate (CAS, δ34SCAS and δ18OCAS). The pore-water profiles at Lagoa Vermelha indicate ongoing bacterial sulfate reduction by increasing δ34SSO4, δ18OSO4 and δ34SCRS values downcore. At Brejo do Espinho, the pore-water profiles displayed no depth-dependent isotope trends; the Ca/Mg ratio was, on average, lower, and the δ18OSO4 values in both surface and pore-water were strongly enriched in 18O. There was an overall mismatch between δ34SSO4 and the significantly higher δ34SCAS values. A negative correlation was observed between the Ca/Mg ratio and higher δ34SCAS values. The results show that the size difference between the two lagoons induces differences in the intensity of evaporation, which leads to the increased secretion of extrapolymeric substances (EPSs) by microbes in the smaller Brejo do Espinho. EPS provides the microenvironment where Ca/Mg carbonate can nucleate and preserve increased δ34SCAS values. Apart from EPS, increased sulfur oxidation is proposed to be a second factor causing relative enrichment of Ca/Mg carbonates at Brejo do Espinho. Our results emphasize the role of evaporative processes on Ca/Mg carbonate formation, and indicate that the respective δ34SCAS values reflect microenvironments rather than preserving an open marine δ34SSO4 signature.
Fluid-Related Features in the Offshore Sector of the Sciacca Geothermal Field (SW Sicily): The Role of the Lithospheric Sciacca Fault System
Authors: Civile Dario , Baradello Luca , Accaino Flavio , Zecchin Massimo , Lodolo Emanuele , Ferrante Giulia Matilde , Markezic Nora , Volpi Valentina , Burca Mihai
Published: July 2023

The Sciacca basin extends in the southwestern part of Sicily and hosts an important geothermal field (the Sciacca Geothermal Field) characterized by hot springs containing mantle gasses. Newly acquired high-resolution seismic profiles (Boomer data) integrated with a multichannel seismic reflection profile in close proximity to the Sciacca Geothermal Field have documented the presence of numerous active and shallow fluid-related features (pipes, bright spots, buried and outcropping mud volcanoes, zones of acoustic blanking, and seafloor fluid seeps) in the nearshore sector between Capo San Marco and Sciacca (NW Sicilian Channel) and revealed its deep tectonic structure. The Sciacca Geothermal Field and the diffuse submarine fluid-related features probably form a single onshore–offshore field covering an area of at least 70 km2. This field has developed in a tectonically active zone dominated by a left-lateral transpressive regime associated with the lithospheric, NNE-striking Sciacca Fault System. This structure probably favored the rising of magma and fluids from the mantle in the offshore area, leading to the formation of a geothermal resource hosted in the Triassic carbonate succession that outcrops onshore at Monte San Calogero. This field has been active since the lower Pleistocene, when fluid emissions were likely greater than today and were associated with greater tectonic activity along the Sciacca Fault System.
An Observational Cross-Sectional Study on the Correlation between Professional Competencies and Self-Efficacy in Albanian Registered Nurses
Authors: Duka Blerina , Stievano Alessandro , Prendi Emanuela , Spada Florian , Rocco Gennaro , Notarnicola Ippolito
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: The assessment and application of registered nurses’ professional skills are essential to providing quality and safe care. Self-efficacy can positively affect the professional competence of registered nurses. This study analysed professional competence and its association with self-efficacy among registered nurses. (2) Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted. The sampling was conventional. The data collection took place through the Albanian version of the Nurse Professional Competence Scale Short Form (A-NPCS-SF), which was used to assess their professional skills, and the Albanian version of the Nursing Profession Self-Efficacy Scale (A-NPSES), which was used to assess their self-efficacy. The study was based on a convenience sample of 985 registered nurses from the 12 Albanian provinces. (3) Results: The Cronbach alpha value for the A-NPCS-SF scale was 0.947, while for the A-NPSES scale, it was 0.875, proving both scales to be reliable. Self-efficacy does not play an essential role in the development of the professional competence of registered nurses since our survey found only one dimension correlates with these two elements. (4) Conclusions: The results of our analysis have instead highlighted the importance of a close relationship between job satisfaction and the development of professional skills.
Introducing Telemedicine in Italy: Citizens’ Awareness of a New Healthcare Resource
Authors: Gallè Francesca , Oliva Stefania , Covelli Edoardo , Del Casale Antonio , Da Molin Giovanna , Liguori Giorgio , Orsi Giovanni Battista , Napoli Christian
Published: July 2023

In recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, new technologies have emerged as useful resources in healthcare. Telemedicine services may decrease opportunities for contagion by limiting direct medical contacts; they can lead to greater access to and better quality of care, especially for the elderly and chronically ill patients. However, there are still some difficulties in their widespread use, such as lack of knowledge about the effectiveness and safety of telemedicine; lack of awareness of its existence; privacy issues; and lack of computer literacy. The aim of this study is to assess the awareness of and attitude toward telemedicine in the Italian adult population, considering sociodemographic characteristics and territorial differences in telemedicine service implementation. A questionnaire was administered to Italian citizens from October 2022 to February 2023 using communication and social media in order to collect sociodemographic and health characteristics and data on awareness and use of telemedicine services. Less than half of the respondents (n = 1002) were aware of telemedicine services in their region; most of them did not use the available services due to a preference for in-person visits or lack of need. More than 90% of participants who used these services were satisfied with them. A negative attitude toward telemedicine was found in a higher proportion of older adults. This study demonstrated that, although telemedicine services are active in Italy, a large part of the population ignores its availability. Therefore, further efforts should be made to increase citizens’ awareness and the use of telemedicine in our country.
The Use of 3D Technology in the Management of Residual Asymmetry following Orthognathic Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Onică Neculai , Onică Cezara Andreea , Budală Dana Gabriela , Gelețu Gabriela Luminița , Balan Mihail , Baciu Elena-Raluca , Murariu Alice , Pertea Mihaela
Published: July 2023

The purpose of this case report was to present the aesthetic result of the reconstruction of facial residual asymmetry after orthognathic surgery using a patient-specific three-dimensional (3D) mold and a custom-made polymethyl methacrylate implant. Through computer-aided design (CAD), the healthy contralateral side of the mandible was superimposed onto the side with the defect. Exocad Gallway (exocad GmbH, Darmstadt, Germany) was used to design the patient-specific implants (PSIs) of the right mandibular angle. Next, the implant mold was created using the Meshmixer software (Version 3.5, Autodesk Inc., San Rafael, CA, USA) and fabricated using additive manufacturing. During the surgical procedure, the patient-specific implant (PSI) was cast inside the resin mold using Simplex P bone cement (Stryker, Mahwah, NJ, USA). The implant was fixed using three screws. Combining both indirect (involving the dental laboratory) and direct (with surgical intervention) approaches, this innovative hybrid method, which incorporates both computer-aided design and additive manufacturing (AM), not only enhanced facial aesthetics, functional rehabilitation, and patient quality of life but also mitigated the potential risks linked to conventional grafting methods.
Pharmacists’ Knowledge and Intention to Provide Palliative Care Services in Saudi Arabia: Using the Theory of Planned Behaviour
Authors: Alshehri Ahmed M. , Almogbel Yasser S. , Alonazi Rana E. , Alshehri Waleed M. , Alkhelaifi Hind A. , Almutairi Salman A. , Alenazi Omar S. , Alali Ali Z.
Published: July 2023

Providing palliative care to patients with life-threatening illnesses requires multidisciplinary efforts from different healthcare providers. Identifying the attitude, knowledge, and intentions of pharmacists to provide this service in Saudi Arabia is essential. Therefore, this study aimed to identify the palliative care knowledge, intentions, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioural control of pharmacists and what factors predict their intentions. Cross-sectional questionnaires based on the theory of planned behaviour were distributed to pharmacists in hospitals and community pharmacies. They included items that measured palliative care knowledge, attitudes, intentions, subjective norms, and the perceived behavioural control of pharmacists and identified other sociodemographic and pharmacy-practice-related items. In total, 131 pharmacists completed the questionnaires, showing an average score on palliative knowledge (8.82 ± 1.96; range: 1–14), strong intentions (5.84 ± 1.41; range: 1–7), positive attitudes (6.10 ± 1.47; range: 1–7), positive subjective norms (5.31 ± 1.32; range: 1–7), and positive perceived behavioural control (5.04 ± 1.21; range: 1–7). Having completed a pharmacy residency program, working longer hours per week, having a more positive attitude, and perceived stronger subjective norms were significantly associated with a strong intention to provide palliative care services. Therefore, enabling and motivating pharmacists to complete pharmacy residency programs and improve their attitudes could increase their intentions to provide these services.
Efficiency Improvement Strategies for Public Health Systems: Developing and Evaluating a Taxonomy in the Australian Healthcare System
Authors: Walters James Kenneth , Sharma Anurag , Harrison Reema
Published: July 2023

Introduction: As demand for healthcare continues to grow, public health systems are increasingly required to drive efficiency improvement (EI) to address public service funding challenges. Despite this requirement, evidence of EI strategies that have been successful applied at the whole-of-system level is limited. This study reports the development, implementation and evaluation of a novel taxonomy of EI strategies used in public health systems to inform systemwide EI models. Materials and methods: The public health system in New South Wales, Australia, operates a centralised EI model statewide and was the setting for this study. An audit of EI strategies implemented in the NSW Health system between July 2016 and June 2019 was used to identify all available EI strategies within the study timeframe. A content management approach was applied to audit the strategies, with each strategy coded to an EI focus area. Codes were clustered according to similarity, and category names were assigned to each cluster to form a preliminary taxonomy. Each category was defined and examples were provided. The resulting taxonomy was distributed and evaluated by user feedback survey and pre–post study to assess the impact on EI strategy distribution. Results: A total of 1127 EI strategies were identified and coded into 263 unique strategies, which were clustered into nine categories to form the taxonomy of EI strategies. Categories included the following: non-clinical contracts and supplies; avoided and preventable activity; clinical service delivery and patient outcomes; finance and operations; recruitment, vacancies and FTE; staffing models; leave management; staff engagement and development; premium staffing; and clinical contracts and supplies. Evaluative findings revealed a perceived reduction in the duplication of EI work, improved access to EI knowledge and improved engagement with EI processes when using the taxonomy. The taxonomy was also associated with wider use of EI strategies. Conclusions: Whole-of-system EI is an increasing requirement. Using a taxonomy to guide systemwide practice appears to be advanta-geous in reducing duplication and guiding practice, with implications for use in health systems internationally.
The Eco-Generativity Scale (EGS): A New Resource to Protect the Environment and Promote Health
Authors: Di Fabio Annamaria , Svicher Andrea
Published: July 2023

(1) Background: Environmental issues are among society’s most pressing concerns as they can significantly impact the environment and human health. The Eco Generativity Scale (EGS), a 28-item four-factor scale has been introduced to promote a constructive outlook on the matter. It encompasses two types of generativity, namely ecological and social generativity, as well as environmental identity and agency/pathways. The aim of the current study was to examine the EGS’s psychometric properties among 375 Italian university students. (2) Methods: To evaluate the scale’s factor structure, both exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Internal consistency was evaluated via Cronbach’s alphas and McDonald’s omega. Concurrent validity was analyzed with the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), Satisfaction with life Scale (SWLS), Meaningful Life Measure (MLM), and Flourishing Scale (FS). (3) Results: The exploratory factor analysis showed the best fit for a four-factor solution. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that a four-factor higher-order model provided the best fit to the data with good internal consistency. Furthermore, each factor and the total score showed a good concurrent validity with the PANAS, SWLS, MLM, and FS. (4) Conclusions: The Eco-Generativity Scale (EGS) showed good psychometric properties for its use in research and intervention as a promising tool to measure eco-generativity.
Creative Mental Health Literacy Practices: A Qualitative Study Exploring How Students Use Literacy to Promote Wellbeing and Manage Mental Health Conditions While at University
Authors: Peach Emily
Published: July 2023

Understanding how students manage their mental health while at university is more important than ever, given the increasing number of undergraduate students experiencing poor mental health and seeking support from their universities. This paper reports on an exploratory qualitative study and discusses how students with mental-health conditions use literacy (reading, writing, and the use of texts) to manage their mental health, focusing on reading for pleasure, creative writing, and bullet journaling. Through in-depth qualitative interviews across the academic year of 2018–2019, 11 students’ reflective accounts of their practices in managing their mental health were collected and then thematically analysed. This paper focusses on the experiences of three students as case studies of how students use literacy to manage times of mental health distress and promote wellbeing through relaxation, the expression of emotions, and the recording of their mental health. These practices enabled the processing of emotions, engagement in supportive relationships, development of a sense of self, and reflection of mental health progress. These findings demonstrate that supporting students to engage in self-directed creative literacy practices could help students to manage their mental health and develop on-going positive strategies while helping universities manage the increased demand for help from students.
Unpacking Psychological Vulnerabilities in Deaths of Despair
Authors: Song Jieun , Kang Sohyun , Ryff Carol D.
Published: July 2023

Recent demographic findings show increased rates of death due to suicide, drug addictions, and alcoholism among midlife white adults of lower socioeconomic status (SES). These have been described as “deaths of despair” though little research has directly assessed psychological vulnerabilities. This study used longitudinal data from the Midlife in the U.S. (MIDUS) study to investigate whether low levels of eudaimonic and hedonic well-being predict increased risk of deaths of despair compared to other leading causes of death (cancer, heart disease). The investigation focused on 695 reported deaths with cause of death information obtained from 2004 to 2022 via NDI Plus. Key questions were whether risk for deaths due to despair (suicide, drug addiction, alcoholism) compared to deaths due to cancer or heart disease were differentially predicted by deficiencies in well-being, after adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Low levels of purpose in life, positive relations with others, personal growth and positive affect predicted significantly greater likelihood of deaths of despair compared to deaths due to heart disease, with such patterns prominent among better-educated adults. The findings bring attention to ongoing intervention efforts to improve psychological well-being.
Urban Resident Travel Survey Method Based on Cellular Signaling Data
Authors: Li Junzhuo , Li Wenyong , Lian Guan
Published: July 2023

A low-cost, timely, and durable long-term approach to resident travel surveys is crucial for authorities to understand the city’s transportation systems and formulate transportation planning and management policies. This paper summarizes commonly used wireless positioning technologies and uses the STDBSCAN method to identify travel endpoints based on the characteristics of trajectory location information. It uses Shenzhen cellular signaling data to visually analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of urban traffic demand, traffic correlation, and asymmetry of traffic flow between different traffic zones. The results confirm that mobile internet information represented by cellular signaling information can effectively reflect the traffic status of urban areas, which, compared to traditional travel survey methods, has the advantages of lower cost, more timely feedback, and can be durably carried out in the long term.
Sensing Mobility and Routine Locations through Mobile Phone and Crowdsourced Data: Analyzing Travel and Behavior during COVID-19
Authors: Rodrigues Cláudia , Veloso Marco , Alves Ana , Bento Carlos
Published: July 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic affected many aspects of human mobility and resulted in unprecedented changes in population dynamics, including lifestyle and mobility. Recognizing the effects of the pandemic is crucial to understand changes and mitigate negative impacts. Spatial data on human activity, including mobile phone data, has the potential to provide movement patterns and identify regularly visited locations. Moreover, crowdsourced geospatial information can explain and characterize the regularly visited locations. The analysis of both mobility and routine locations in the same study has seldom been carried out using mobile phone data and linked to the effects of the pandemic. Therefore, in this article we study human mobility patterns within Portugal, using mobile phone and crowdsourced data to compare the population’s mobility and routine locations after the pandemic’s peak. We use clustering algorithms to identify citizens’ stops and routine locations, at an antenna level, during the following months after the pandemic’s first wave and the same period of the following year. Results based on two mobile phone datasets showed a significant difference in mobility in the two periods. Nevertheless, routine locations slightly differ.
Revealing Schematic Map Designs with Preservation of Relativity in Node Position and Segment Length in Existing Official Maps
Authors: Ti Peng , Wu Hao , Li Zhilin , Li Mingyao , Dai Ruyu , Xiong Tao
Published: July 2023

Schematic maps have widely been used for representing transport networks. In the schematization process, preserving the relative position of nodes and the relative length of segments are considered highly important for constructing spatial cognition. Some researchers have regarded these as general principles of automated schematization. However, in-depth investigations into the conversion of these general principles into specific schematic network map designs are still lacking. This study aimed to empirically investigate how the two relative relations are preserved in existing manually produced schematic maps to better understand and interpret designer thinking. Official underground network maps of 32 cities were used in this study. The results revealed that (1) relative relations were largely preserved with a preservation ratio of approximately 80%, and the global preservation ratios of two relative relations were significantly higher than those of local preservation; (2) the preservation of relative position took priority over the preservation of relative length for the schematic maps with significant enlargement of dense regions; and (3) a reference object may be used for preserving relative relations, for example, the center region or major axis. The findings of this study will assist in developing and/or optimizing design rules for automated schematization while preserving relative relations.
Open Geospatial Data Integration in Game Engine for Urban Digital Twin Applications
Authors: Rantanen Toni , Julin Arttu , Virtanen Juho-Pekka , Hyyppä Hannu , Vaaja Matti T.
Published: July 2023

Increasing interest has recently been shown towards the digital twins of cities. These urban digital twins utilize 3D city models together with other data sources, such as open data, which can be accessed, e.g., through application programming interfaces (APIs). A large amount of open geospatial data is already available through various open data portals and APIs, such as REST and MQTT. Game engines, on the other hand, have been seen as highly potential platforms for urban digital twins, with recent development increasing the useability of geospatial data in game engines. This study explores the possibilities of game engines for urban digital twins by integrating and visualizing API-based open geospatial datasets with a 3D city model data set in a game engine environment. Three open data integration approaches are demonstrated, and the performance of these approaches is tested for urban digital twins. Based on the results, modern game engines offer a great platform for creating urban digital twin applications; however, some problems and limitations must be overcome before the use of geospatial data in game engines becomes feasible on a larger scale.
Proposing Optimal Locations for Runoff Harvesting and Water Management Structures in the Hami Qeshan Watershed, Iraq
Authors: Al-Kakey Omeed , Othman Arsalan Ahmed , Al-Mukhtar Mustafa , Dunger Volkmar
Published: July 2023

Iraq, including the investigated watershed, has endured destructive floods and drought due to precipitation variability in recent years. Protecting susceptible areas from flooding and ensuring water supply is essential for maintaining basic human needs, agricultural production, and industry development. Therefore, locating and constructing storage structures is a significant initiative to alleviate flooding and conserve excessive surface water for future growth. This study aims to identify suitable locations for Runoff Harvesting (RH) and dam construction in the Hami Qeshan Watershed (HQW), Slemani Governorate, Iraq. We integrated in situ data, remotely sensed images, and Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) approaches for site selection within the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) environment. A total of ten criteria were employed to generate the RH suitability maps, including topographic position index, lithology, slope, precipitation, soil group, stream width, land cover, elevation, distance to faults, and distance to town/city. The weights of the utilized factors were determined via Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The resulting RH maps were validated through 16 dam sites preselected by the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources (MAWR). Findings showed that the WLC method slightly outperformed AHP regarding efficiency and exhibited a higher overall accuracy. WLC achieved a higher average overall accuracy of 69%; consequently, it was chosen to locate new multipurpose dams for runoff harvesting in the study area. The overall accuracy of the 10 suggested locations in HQW ranged between 66% and 87%. Two of these sites align with the 16 locations MAWR has recommended: sites 2 and 5 in the northwest of HQW. It is noteworthy that all MAWR dam sites were situated in medium to excellent RH zones; however, they mostly sat on ineffective geological localities. It is concluded that a careful selection of the predictive factors and their respective weights is far more critical than the applied methods. This research offers decision-makers a practical and cost-effective tool for screening site suitability in data-scarce rugged terrains.