bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Mobile App for Supporting Citrus Fruit Growers in Greece
Authors: Karetsos Sotirios , Costopoulou Constantina , Gourdomichali Nefeli , Ntaliani Maria
Published: October 2022

Crop management is a challenging and time-consuming task that involves many different data and farming activities. Data regarding the plots, the crop, and seasonal farming activities, are important for improving crop management for different cultivations. Specifically, citrus fruits are significant cultivations for Greece. Citrus cultivation is mainly practiced in small-sized, dispersed, family-owned plots and requires cumulative knowledge and experience regarding various activities. Such knowledge has to be easily registered and be made accessible ubiquitously, and should cover various activities for each plot, such as plowing, planting, pruning, spraying, irrigating, harvesting, and the purchase of agricultural supplies. Usually, farmers keep an archive of farming activities on paper, in a non-structured form, from which it is difficult and time consuming to retrieve and use information. The objective of this article is the deployment of a mobile app for citrus management that supports the recording and retrieving of farming data. The app design was based on the requirements of two hundred farmers and its implementation was based on the Android platform. The usability test evaluation shows that the app meets citrus farmers’ requirements. Limitations of this study include the small evaluation sample and the exclusive use of the Greek language. Future work focuses on the development of localized apps for specific crops, combined with other functionalities, such as location-based services, alerts, and cloud data storage, to help farmers with their specific needs in practice.
Constellation Encryption Design Based on Chaotic Sequence and the RSA Algorithm
Authors: Quan Mengjiao , Jin Qiang , Ba Bin , Zhang Jin , Jian Chunxiao
Published: October 2022

Security has always been an important aspect of wireless communications. Aiming at further improve the security of wireless communication and how to prevent eavesdropping, this paper proposes a constellation encryption design based on chaotic sequence and the RSA algorithm. The core idea of this method is to effectively combine both chaotic sequences and RSA, and then to generate large number of encrypted sequences with high security. The specific method is to first use the asymmetric RSA algorithm to transmit the system parameters, then to use the initial value sensitivity of the chaotic sequence to generate the secret sequence, and finally to use the secret sequence to encrypt the original sequence. Simulations show that the proposed algorithm further improves the security of satellite communications without increasing the complexity of the original system.
A Novel Approach to Maritime Image Dehazing Based on a Large Kernel Encoder–Decoder Network with Multihead Pyramids
Authors: Yang Wei , Gao Hongwei , Jiang Yueqiu , Zhang Xin
Published: October 2022

With the continuous increase in human–robot integration, battlefield formation is experiencing a revolutionary change. Unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, combat robots, and other new intelligent weapons and equipment will play an essential role on future battlefields by performing various tasks, including situational reconnaissance, monitoring, attack, and communication relay. Real-time monitoring of maritime scenes is the basis of battle-situation and threat estimation in naval battlegrounds. However, images of maritime scenes are usually accompanied by haze, clouds, and other disturbances, which blur the images and diminish the validity of their contents. This will have a severe adverse impact on many downstream tasks. A novel large kernel encoder–decoder network with multihead pyramids (LKEDN-MHP) is proposed to address some maritime image dehazing-related issues. The LKEDN-MHP adopts a multihead pyramid approach to form a hybrid representation space comprising reflection, shading, and semanteme. Unlike standard convolutional neural networks (CNNs), the LKEDN-MHP uses many kernels with a 7 × 7 or larger scale to extract features. To reduce the computational burden, depthwise (DW) convolution combined with re-parameterization is adopted to form a hybrid model stacked by a large number of different receptive fields, further enhancing the hybrid receptive fields. To restore the natural hazy maritime scenes as much as possible, we apply digital twin technology to build a simulation system in virtual space. The final experimental results based on the evaluation metrics of the peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity index measure, Jaccard index, and Dice coefficient show that our LKEDN-MHP significantly enhances dehazing and real-time performance compared with those of state-of-the-art approaches based on vision transformers (ViTs) and generative adversarial networks (GANs).
Majority Approximators for Low-Latency Data Bus Inversion
Authors: Pae Sung-il , Kwon Kon-Woo
Published: October 2022

Data bus inversion (DBI) is an encoding technique that saves power in data movement in which the majority function plays an essential role. For a latency optimization, the majority function can be replaced by a majority approximator that allows for a small error in majority voting to obtain a faster encoder that still saves power. In this work, we propose two systematic approaches for finding high-performance majority approximators. First, we perform an exhaustive search of all possible Boolean functions to find an optimal approximator based on a certain circuit structure comprised of fifteen logic gates. The approximator found by the systematic search can be implemented using compound gates, resulting in a latency-efficient design with only two gate levels. Compared with prior works using a heuristic idea, the proposed circuit runs at the same speed but achieves greater switching activity savings. Second, we propose another majority approximator using the average of three randomly permuted copies of the approximator found in the first approach. We show that the second proposed approximator achieves even higher savings in switching activity as its function is closer to a true majority voter. We report various performance metrics of the newly found majority approximators based on syntheses using a 65 nm process.
The Advancement and Challenges of Seismic Techniques for Ultra-Deep Carbonate Reservoir Exploitation in the Tarim Basin of Northwestern China
Authors: Wang Qinghua , Zhang Yintao , Xie Zhou , Zhao Yawen , Zhang Can , Sun Chong , Wu Guanghui
Published: October 2022

The largest ultra-deep (>6000 m) strike-slip fault-controlled oilfield in the world is found in the Tarim Basin of Northwestern China. The localized fractured reservoirs are the major production targets along the strike-slip fault zones. Different from its use in the primary porous-type reservoirs, however, the conventional technology is not favorable for use in oil/gas development in Ordovician carbonate reservoirs. For this reason, high-density seismic acquisition and high-resolution seismic processing were carried out to provide high-precision data for fault and fractured reservoir identification. In addition, the multi-filtering process and the maximum likelihood method are typically used to identify small faults and fault segments along a strike-slip fault zone. Further, seismic facies-constrained inversion and amplitude attributes are favorable for large fracture-cave reservoir description. With the advancements in seismic technology, the high and stable production well ratio has been doubled in the “sweet spots” of fractured reservoir optimization, and the first ultra-deep strike-slip fault-controlled oilfield with an annual oil production of over 1 million tons has been realized, achieving economic development in the ultra-deep fractured reservoirs. However, unstable production and high rates of production decline are still significant challenges in the economic exploitation of the ultra-deep fractured reservoirs. Seismic technology requires further improvement for the description of small fractured reservoirs and matrix reservoirs, as well as reservoir connectivity prediction and hydrocarbon detection in the deep subsurface.
Can MCDA Serve Ex-Post to Indicate ‘Winners and Losers’ in Sustainability Dilemmas? A Case Study of Marine Spatial Planning in Germany
Authors: Weber Jessica , Köppel Johann
Published: October 2022

Multi-criteria decision analyses (MCDAs) have been developed to support and evaluate decision-making on multi-layered problems. The benefit lies in creating transparency, among other benefits, especially in tackling divergent stakeholder interests. Within the energy transition, area shortage can lead to sustainability trade-offs, calling for the reconciliation of planning processes and satisfactory compromises. While ex ante MCDAs complement planning, the ex post consideration of processes has been less widely studied. Using a case study of offshore wind energy (OWP) within German marine spatial planning, we investigated the shifting weights of sustainability criteria and stakeholder interests. A multi-criteria approach (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment of Evaluations (PROMETHEE)) addressed how decision-making can be iteratively traced, and the winners and losers indicated in sustainability dilemmas, such as between climate and biodiversity implications. Findings illustrate that stakeholders are divided in the green-on-green dilemma. The ‘winners’ embrace the branches of energy and climate protection. It remains a question though for ‘losers’ how weighting decisions of sustainability goals can be detrimental, such as ‘good environmental status’, and what kind of balancing occurs. How compromises are found, such as through transparency and solid justification, is crucial in satisfactorily solving trade-offs for public interests. PROMETHEE makes revealing stakeholder constellations within policy dynamics feasible, though assuming there is the will to work multidisciplinarily within future planning decisions.
Classifying Facies in 3D Digital Rock Images Using Supervised and Unsupervised Approaches
Authors: Temizel Cenk , Odi Uchenna , Balaji Karthik , Aydin Hakki , Santos Javier E.
Published: October 2022

Lithology is one of the critical parameters influencing drilling operations and reservoir production behavior. Well completion is another important area where facies type has a crucial influence on fracture propagation. Geological formations are highly heterogeneous systems that require extensive evaluation with sophisticated approaches. Classification of facies is a critical approach to characterizing different depositional systems. Image classification is implemented as a quick and easy method to detect different facies groups. Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms are efficiently used to categorize geological formations in a large dataset. This study involves the classification of different facies with various supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms. The dataset for training and testing was retrieved from a digital rock database published in the data brief. The study showed that supervised algorithms provided more accurate results than unsupervised algorithms. In this study, the extreme gradient boosted tree regressor was found to be the best algorithm for facies classification for the synthetic digital rocks.
Experimental and Numerical Investigation on the Interaction between Hydraulic Fractures and Vugs in Fracture-Cavity Carbonate Reservoirs
Authors: Wang Lei , Wu Xiaolong , Hou Longfei , Guo Yintong , Bi Zhenhui , Yang Hanzhi
Published: October 2022

In karstic-fractured carbonate reservoirs, most of the oil resources are hosted in vugs. Connecting as many vugs as possible by hydraulic fracturing is the key to achieving effective development. However, the interaction mechanism between vugs and hydraulic fractures is complicated and has not been fully revealed. In this study, both experimental and numerical simulations were implemented to investigate the interaction between vugs and hydraulic fractures. Key factors, such as vug size, horizontal stress difference, and the internal pressure of the vug, were considered. The results showed that the vug played an important role in the propagation of hydraulic fractures. Three interaction modes of vugs and hydraulic fractures were observed: crossing, arresting, and bypassing. Owing to the variation of the stress concentration existing around the vug, the hydraulic fracture could be arrested by a small vug but would bypass a vug with a larger size. Whether the hydraulic fracture could communicate with the vug was mainly controlled by the horizontal stress difference. Under large horizontal stress differences (≥20 MPa), the hydraulic fracture could cross and connect multiple vugs. The difference between the horizontal minimum stress and the internal pressure of the vug was also particularly significant for fracture propagation. The smaller the difference, the easier the fracture communicated with the vug. The above findings would be valuable and constructive for the optimal design of field hydraulic fracturing in karstic-fractured carbonate reservoirs.
Climate Change, Exchange Rate, Twin Deficit, and Energy Inflation: Application of VAR Model
Authors: Kousar Shazia , Sabir Saeed Ahmad , Ahmed Farhan , Bojnec Štefan
Published: October 2022

The motivation behind the study is continuous fluctuations in energy prices in Pakistan, so this study aims to investigate the role of a twin deficit, urbanization, climate change, energy production from oil and gas, and the exchange rate in energy inflation. This study utilized oil prices and electricity prices to capture energy inflation using time series data from 1972 to 2021, from World Development Indicators (WDI) and the Census of Electricity Establishment (CEE). This study utilized the vector auto-regressive (VAR) model to investigate the short-run and long-run estimates. This study found that the twin deficit and the exchange rate have a significant and positive association with energy inflation. However, the size impact of the twin deficit is greater on oil prices as compared to electricity prices. Furthermore, urbanization, climate change, and energy production from oil and gas have a positive and significant long-run association with electricity prices. Moreover, the results of the variance decomposition test indicate that the relative contribution of the budget deficit in electricity prices (Model 1) is greater than other modeled variables, while the relative contribution of the budget deficit and climate change is greater in oil prices (Model 2), as compared to other exogenous variables. This study helps policymakers to devise policies to control energy inflation, which affects the well-being of society.
Species-Specific Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Identification of Bovine in Cultured Meat Serum for halal Status
Authors: Mohd Kashim Mohd Izhar Ariff , Abdul Haris Alia Aryssa , Hasim Nur Asmadayana , Abd Mutalib Sahilah , Anuar Nurina
Published: October 2022

Meat culturing technology goes beyond laboratory research and materialises in the market. Nonetheless, this technology has raised concerns among Muslim consumers worldwide due to its medium, especially foetal bovine serum (FBS), which originates from blood. Thus, the aim of this research was to determine the halal status of cultured meat by detecting species-specific DNA of bovine serum as one of the media used during meat production. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was conducted by targeting mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase II (COII) gene sequences, producing a 165 bp amplicon. The sequences of the primers used were Bovine-F, 5′-CAT CAT AGC AAT TGC CAT AGT CC-3′ and Bovine-R, 5′-GTA CTA GTA GTA TTA GAG CTA GAA TTA G-3′. DNA extraction was conducted using a QIAGEN Blood and Tissue™ commercial kit. The presence study also included a literature review on the Istihalah (transformation) concept in order to determine the halal status of cultured meat. The results revealed that bovine DNA was detected in all samples tested using PCR analysis. Therefore, Istihalah tammah (perfect transformation) does not occur due to the ability of PCR analysis to detect bovine DNA in FBS and is prohibited according to Shariah law.
Development and Characterization of Nutritious Gluten-Free Doughnuts with Lupin and Inulin Flours
Authors: AL-Othman Hashem , Maghaydah Sofyan , Abughoush Mahmoud , Olaimat Amin , Al-Holy Murad , Ajo Radwan , Al Khalaileh Nazieh , Choudhury Imranul , Angor Malak
Published: October 2022

Celiac disease is an immune-mediated disease caused by ingestion of gluten-containing products. The main aim of this study was to develop novel gluten-free doughnuts with high nutritional value using inulin and lupin flour. Five different doughnuts were formulated. Lupin flour was used to replace the potato starch–corn flour composite at levels of 15, 30, 45, 60 and 75% in gluten-free doughnut formulations (AF), (BF), (CF), (DF) and (EF), respectively. Inulin was added to all blends at a level of 6%. Doughnuts made with 100% wheat flour (C1) and 100% corn flour–potato starch blend (C2) served as the controls. The results indicated that the moisture, ash, fat, protein and crude fibre contents of the doughnuts were increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing levels of lupin flour. The rheological properties showed that the dough development time increased significantly (p < 0.05) with increasing lupin flour in the formulation with higher water absorption. The consumer acceptability sensory results varied among the different treatments. However, the AF, CF, and EF doughnuts had the highest value for flavour, texture and crust colour, respectively. Different levels of lupin flour can be used in gluten-free doughnuts production to improve their quality and to enhance their nutritional value in the presence of inulin at a 6% level. These results may have significant implications for the development of novel, healthier food products for gluten-sensitive consumers.
Biochemical and Molecular Profiling of Wild Edible Mushrooms from Huila, Angola
Authors: Kissanga Raquel , Liberal Ângela , Diniz Inês , Rodrigues Ana , Baptista-Ferreira João , Batista Dora , Ivanov Marija , Soković Marina , Ferreira Isabel , Fernandes Ângela , Barros Lillian , Catarino Luís
Published: October 2022

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the α-tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulations.
Valorization of Food Processing By-Products
Authors: Caponio Francesco , Piga Antonio , Poiana Marco
Published: October 2022

Nowadays, the valorization of by-products of the food industry is a priority linked to the need to release the smallest amount of products from processes [...]
Assessing the Potential for Liquid Solvents from X-ray Sources: Considerations on Bodies Orbiting Active Galactic Nuclei
Authors: Rodener Daniel , Schäfer Myriam , Hausmann Michael , Hildenbrand Georg
Published: October 2022

We aim to establish a rough first prospect on the potential of certain biorelevant solvents (water, ammonia, and methane) being present in liquid form inside the uppermost few meters of several modeled rocky and icy surfaces of hypothetical bodies orbiting active galactic nuclei (AGNs) and investigate under which constraints this might occur. For this, we adjust and average X-ray spectra from a sample of 20 Type-1 Seyfert galaxies to calculate the mean snowline of the sample used. We then vary the hypothetical body’s orbit between 10% and 100% of the snowline radius and calculate a sub-surface attenuation within four different model surface compositions for each. We then use this as a continuous source term for a thermal model. Example bodies are systematically investigated with sizes between 1/30 and 20 earth radii, with further variations also considered (such as possible bound rotation), to end up with a perspective of solvent phases under a wide slew of different conditions. We find that liquid solvents are possible under a multitude of parameters, with temperature being the main constraint to liquid water whereas body size and pressure are the main constraint to liquid methane and ammonia.
Elevated ETV6 Expression in Glioma Promotes an Aggressive In Vitro Phenotype Associated with Shorter Patient Survival
Authors: Xiong Zhang , Wu Shuai , Li Feng-jiao , Luo Chen , Jin Qiu-yan , Connolly Ian David , Hayden Gephart Melanie , You Linya
Published: October 2022

Background: GBM astrocytes may adopt fetal astrocyte transcriptomic signatures involved in brain development and migration programs to facilitate diffuse tumor infiltration. Our previous data show that ETS variant 6 (ETV6) is highly expressed in human GBM and fetal astrocytes compared to normal mature astrocytes. We hypothesized that ETV6 played a role in GBM tumor progression. Methods: Expression of ETV6 was first examined in two American and three Chinese tissue microarrays. The correlation between ETV6 staining intensity and patient survival was calculated, followed by validation using public databases—TCGA and REMBRANDT. The effect of ETV6 knockdown on glioma cell proliferation (EdU), viability (AnnexinV labeling), clonogenic growth (colony formation), and migration/invasion (transwell assays) in GBM cells was tested. RNA sequencing and Western blot were performed to elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms. Results: ETV6 was highly expressed in GBM and associated with an unfavorable prognosis. ETV6 silencing in glioma cells led to increased apoptosis or decreased proliferation, clonogenicity, migration, and invasion. RNA-Seq-based gene expression and pathway analyses revealed that ETV6 knockdown in U251 cells led to the upregulation of genes involved in extracellular matrix organization, NF-κB signaling, TNF-mediated signaling, and the downregulation of genes in the regulation of cell motility, cell proliferation, PI3K-AKT signaling, and the Ras pathway. The downregulation of the PI3K-AKT and Ras-MAPK pathways were further validated by immunoblotting. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that ETV6 was highly expressed in GBM and its high expression correlated with poor survival. ETV6 silencing decreased an aggressive in vitro phenotype probably via the PI3K-AKT and Ras-MAPK pathways. The study encourages further investigation of ETV6 as a potential therapeutic target of GBM.
Expression of the Sweet Potato MYB Transcription Factor IbMYB48 Confers Salt and Drought Tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Zhao Hongyuan , Zhao Haoqiang , Hu Yuanfeng , Zhang Shanshan , He Shaozhen , Zhang Huan , Zhao Ning , Liu Qingchang , Gao Shaopei , Zhai Hong
Published: October 2022

Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam) is one of the most crucial food crops widely cultivated worldwide. In plants, MYB transcription factors play crucial roles in plant growth, defense regulation, and stress resistance. However, the regulatory mechanism of MYBs in salt and drought response remain poorly studied in sweet potato. By screening a transcriptome database for differentially expressed genes between the sweet potato variety Jingshu 6 and its mutant JS6-5 with high anthocyanin and increased tolerance to salt and drought stresses, we identified a R2R3-MYB gene IbMYB48, for which expression was induced by PEG6000, NaCl, abscisic acid (ABA), methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA), salicylic acid (SA) and H2O2. Particle-mediated transient transformation of onion epidermal cells showed IbMYB48 is localized in the nucleus. Transactivation activity assay in yeast cells revealed that IbMYB48 has transactivation activity, and its active domain is located in the carboxyl (C)-terminal region. Furthermore, expression of IbMYB48 confers enhanced tolerance to salt and drought stresses in transgenic Arabidopsis. The contents of endogenous ABA, JA, and proline in transgenic lines were higher than control, and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) was significantly increased under salt and drought stress conditions. By contrast, the accumulation of malondialdehyde (MDA) and H2O2 were lower. Moreover, genes encoding enzymes involved in ABA biosynthetic pathway, JA biosynthesis and signaling pathway, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging system were significantly up-regulated in transgenic Arabidopsis under salt or drought stress. Altogether, these results suggest IbMYB48 may be a candidate gene for improvement of abiotic stress tolerance.
Spatial and Socioeconomic Inequalities in Accessibility to Healthcare Services in South Korea
Authors: Lee Sangwan
Published: October 2022

This study explored questions of (1) whether certain areas of South Korea experienced inequal accessibility to public health centers, private hospitals/clinics, and general hospitals by car and public transportation using gaussian mixture models (GMM) and (2) whether socially disadvantaged socioeconomic groups faced disproportionate burdens on accessibility to the multi-tier healthcare services employing ordinary least square regression models (OLS). This study used nationwide accessibility indicators in South Korea measured by Korea Transport Institute in 2019. The main findings were as follows: First, the results of the GMM indicate that the degree of accessibility to healthcare services was significantly lower in rural, mountainous, and seaside locations compared to metropolitan areas. Second, there was more considerable inequality in public transportation accessibility than car accessibility. Third, the findings of the OLS reveal a significant relationship between accessibility indicators and socioeconomic variables, such as age, gender, disability, and residential location, which indicates socioeconomic inequality in accessibility in South Korea. This study contributes to shedding light on understanding the spatial and socioeconomic inequality in accessibility across the nation and offering policy implications.
Cognitive Assessment of Japanese Older Adults with Text Data Augmentation
Authors: Igarashi Toshiharu , Nihei Misato
Published: October 2022

Current medical science has not yet found a cure for dementia. The most important measures to combat dementia are to detect the tendency toward cognitive decline as early as possible and to intervene at an early stage. For this reason, screening for dementia based on language ability has attracted much attention in recent years. However, in most of the previous studies, the cohort of people with dementia has been smaller than the control cohort. In this paper, we use a pre-trained Japanese language model for text analysis and evaluate the effectiveness of text augmentation on a dataset consisting of Japanese-speaking healthy older adults and those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). We also examined what tasks contributed to the results. This experimental setting can also be used to detect other diseases that may affect the language areas of the brain outside of the hospital.
Chronic Encapsulated Intracerebral Hematoma as an Occasional Finding in Sudden Cardiac Death
Authors: Feola Alessandro , De Simone Mariavictoria , Ciamarra Paola , Sica Stefania , Buonomo Carmela , Carfora Anna , Campobasso Carlo Pietro
Published: October 2022

Chronic encapsulated intracerebral hematoma (CEIH) is a rare solid mass characterized by the presence of a fibrotic capsule that can present a variety of signs and symptoms due to the mass effect and hydrocephalus. It may be caused by post-traumatic or spontaneous bleeding as related to an adjacent aneurysm, angiomas or neoplasms. Differential diagnosis must be applied in order for it to mimic neoplasm or a vascular malformation. Several cases of CEIH have been reported but only a few of them have an intraventricular localization. A forensic autopsy of a 50-year-old male who died suddenly while driving is discussed. Gross analysis, histology and toxicology were performed and a CEIH of the right lateral ventricle was found in a case of acute coronary death.
Psychological Well-Being among Adolescents and Youth
Authors: Scaffidi Abbate Costanza , Miceli Silvana
Published: October 2022

Psychology has long conceived of individuals in terms of psychopathology and dysfunction [...]
Education/Training Interventions to Improve Oral Health of Adults with Intellectual Disability
Authors: Kangutkar Tejashree , Calache Hanny , Watson Joanne , Taylor Susan , Balandin Susan
Published: October 2022

People with intellectual disability have poorer oral health outcomes and experience greater difficulties accessing dental services than the rest of the community. Interdisciplinary educational programs for those involved in oral health decision making for people with intellectual disability aim to improve their oral health. This scoping review explored education/training interventions related to the oral health of adults with intellectual disability. Interventions targeted dental health and non-dental health professionals, adults with intellectual disability, and their paid and unpaid supporters. Six electronic databases were searched using PRISMA guidelines and the Crowes critical appraisal tool. The search strategy, plus the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria, presented in the body of the manuscript, led to the selection of 20 papers for inclusion into this review. The quality of undergraduate tuition relating to disability was reported to be poor, but students and dental health professionals expressed interest in expanding their knowledge in this area. Disability-support workers and primary carers of people with intellectual disability reported improved knowledge and attitude, but the oral health status of the people they supported was not impacted. No research was found that explored the perspectives of non-dental health professionals. Oral health training/education contributes to systemic barriers in general health, wellbeing, and social inclusion of people with intellectual disability. Revision of disability-related programs in general dentistry courses and longitudinal impact research is needed.
Pneumocystis Pneumonia in a Non-Immunocompromised Lung Cancer Patient after Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Kim Tae-Woo , Lee Jun-Ho , Lee Hyo-Jin , Kim So-Woon , Choi Hye-Sook
Published: October 2022

We present the Pneumocystis pneumonia case of a 64-year-old man with no remarkable history except for hypertension, who had not undergone any treatment other than surgery. On postoperative day 7, high-resolution computed tomography findings revealed multifocal ground-glass opacifications with interlobular septal thickening in both lungs; therefore, atypical pneumonia was suspected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test performed after bronchoalveolar lavage was positive for Pneumocystis jirovecii (P. jirovecii). Based on the PCR results, a final diagnosis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) was made. After treatment, he improved and was discharged. This is a unique case of PCP diagnosis in a non-immunocompromised patient, with no remarkable history except for hypertension, who had not undergone any treatment other than surgery for cancer. Thus, it is necessary to consider additional risk factors for PCP and timing of preventive treatment.
Measurement Invariance and Differential Item Functioning of the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA): A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study in Iran
Authors: Alijanzadeh Mehran , Lin Chung-Ying , Yahaghi Rafat , Rahmani Jalal , Yazdi Nahid , Jafari Elahe , Alijani Hashem , Zamani Narges , Fotuhi Razie , Taherkhani Elham , Buchali Zeinab , Jafari Robabe , Mahmoudi Narges , Poorzolfaghar Leila , Ahmadizade Safie , Shahbazkhania Azam , Alimoradi Zainab , Pakpour Amir
Published: October 2022

Health literacy is important for health behavior engagement. Therefore, it is important to have a good instrument assessing health literacy with a theoretical framework. The present study aimed to examine the measurement invariance and differential item functioning (DIF) of a newly developed health literacy instrument; that is, the Health Literacy Instrument for Adults (HELIA). Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and Rasch models were used to examine the data collected from a large Iranian sample (N = 9775; 67.3% females; mean age = 36.44 years). All the participants completed the HELIA. CFA was used to examine if the HELIA had a five-factor structure (including reading, access to information, understanding, appraisal, and decision making/behavioral intention factors) and multigroup CFA to examine if the five-factor structure of HELIA was invariant across gender, educational level, accommodation, and age subgroups. Rasch models were used to examine whether each factor of HELIA was unidimensional and DIF contrast in Rasch to examine if the HELIA items were interpreted similarly across the aforementioned subgroups. The CFA results supported the five-factor structure of HELIA, and the Rasch models verified that each HELIA factor is unidimensional. Additionally, multigroup CFA supported the measurement invariance of HELIA across the following subgroups: male vs. female; highly educated vs. poorly educated; city residents vs. suburban residents; and younger age vs. older age. The DIF contrasts in the Rasch models additionally showed that there are no substantial DIF items in the HELIA across aforementioned subgroups. Therefore, the HELIA is a feasible and comprehensive instrument assessing health literacy across different populations in Iran.
Polyneuropathy Associated with IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy; Advances in Genetics and Treatment, Focusing on Anti-MAG Antibodies
Authors: van de Mortel Johannes P. M. , D’Sa Shirley , Vrancken Alexander F. J. E. , Notermans Nicolette C. , Vos Josephine M. I. , Minnema Monique C.
Published: October 2022

With increasing age, the chances of developing either MGUS or polyneuropathy increase as well. In some cases, there is a causative relationship between the IgM M-protein and polyneuropathy. In approximately half of these cases, IgM targets the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG). This results in chronic polyneuropathy with slowly progressive, predominantly sensory neurological deficits and distally demyelinating features in nerve conduction studies. Despite the disease being chronic and developing slowly, it can cause considerable impairment. We reviewed English medical publications between 1980 and May 2022 on IgM gammopathy-associated polyneuropathy, with special attention to studies addressing the pathophysiology or treatment of anti-MAG polyneuropathy. Treatment options have been limited to a temporizing effect of intravenous immunoglobulins in some patients and a more sustained effect of rituximab but in only 30 to 55 percent of patients. An increase in our knowledge concerning genetic mutations, particularly the MYD88L265P mutation, led to the development of novel targeted treatment options such as BTK inhibitors. Similarly, due to the increasing knowledge of the pathophysiology of anti-MAG polyneuropathy, new treatment options are emerging. Since anti-MAG polyneuropathy is a rare disease with diverse symptomatology, large trials with good outcome measures are a challenge.
Bearing the Scars: Access to Growth and the Age of Knowledge
Authors: Wardley-Kershaw Julia , Schenk-Hoppé Klaus R.
Published: October 2022

In this third paper in a series of four, the focus is to investigate the modern UK economy, considering a wider scope than economic growth and national performance. Since the beginnings of sustained economic growth, standard of living has increased dramatically in the UK and life expectancy and health outcomes have improved. Economic growth has proven itself throughout history, and globally, as a transformative force to lift people out of poverty and improve standard of living. However, significant inequalities, which are contributing to negative health, social and economic outcomes for groups of the population, persist. A growing nation has become a divided nation.
Monkeypox and Global Health Inequities: A Tale as Old as Time…
Authors: Malta Monica , Mbala-Kingebeni Placide , Rimoin Anne W. , Strathdee Steffanie A.
Published: October 2022

Infectious disease outbreaks can quickly become global in what has increasingly become a closely interconnected world, influenced by what is considered to be an unprecedented era of technological, demographic, and climatic change [...]
Influence Mechanism of Different Environmental Regulations on Carbon Emission Efficiency
Authors: Liu Liang , Li Mengyue , Gong Xiujuan , Jiang Pan , Jin Ruifeng , Zhang Yuhan
Published: October 2022

The rational use of environmental regulation tools has become an important means by which to improve the efficiency of carbon emissions. Different types of environmental regulations and their combinations have different impacts on carbon emission efficiency. In order to determine the environmental regulation configurations that may achieve high carbon emission efficiency or lead to low carbon emission efficiency, we constructed an analytical framework of connections between environmental regulation configurations and carbon emission efficiency. Moreover, 30 Chinese provinces from the period covering 2016 to 2019 were selected as research cases. In addition, the super slacks-based measure of efficiency (SE-SBM) model was applied to evaluate carbon emission efficiency. Finally, the fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) method was employed to analyze the impact of different environmental regulation configurations on carbon emission efficiency. The results showed that the carbon emission efficiency of various regions of China is generally low (with most regions not having reached an effective level) and that there are large regional differences. We found that there are four environmental regulation configurations that can achieve high carbon emission efficiency and two environmental regulation configurations that lead to low carbon emission efficiency. Based on these configurations, we draw three conclusions: (1) There are three paths to achieving high carbon emission efficiency: one that values command-and-control environmental regulation but disfavors market-incentive environmental regulation, another that combines command-and-control environmental regulation with market-incentive environmental regulation, and a third that couples command-and-control environmental regulation with voluntary environmental regulation. (2) Two paths that may lead to low carbon emission efficiency were established: excessive penalties and the lack of specific measures. (3) In some conditions, environmental governance investment and fiscal expenditure could be substituted for each other; environmental protection administrative penalties and pollution charges are synchronized; environmental governance investment in the promotion of carbon emission efficiency is indispensable. Policies and suggestions on how the government can use environmental regulation tools to improve carbon emission efficiency are proposed from a general coordinative perspective in the final section of this paper.
Social Sustainability of a Firm: Orientation, Practices, and Performances
Authors: Wang Xiaozhen , Yang Mark , Park Kihyun , Um Ki-Hyun , Kang Mingu
Published: October 2022

This paper investigates how firms’ social sustainability practices can influence their social performance and, ultimately, financial performance. We include two corporate social sustainability practices: employee-oriented (employee well-being and equity) and socially driven (corporate social involvement) practices. Three leading social theories (social identity theory, social exchange theory, and resource-based view) are applied in explaining how firms’ social practices influence intermediate and bottom-line performance outcomes. Empirical results of 212 US manufacturing firms reveal that (1) the social orientation of the firm promotes firms’ social performances (employee-oriented and community-oriented outcomes) directly; (2) social orientation also indirectly promotes employee-oriented outcomes via employee well-being and equity practices, and so does community-oriented outcome via corporate social involvement practices; and (3) the firms’ social performances can enhance financial performance. The theoretical and managerial implications derived from these empirical results are discussed as well.
Influences of Differentiated Residence and Workplace Location on the Identification of Spatiotemporal Patterns of Dengue Epidemics: A Case Study in Guangzhou, China
Authors: Zhang Yuqi , Ren Hongyan , Shi Runhe
Published: October 2022

The location of the infections is the basic data for precise prevention and control of dengue fever (DF). However, most studies default to residence address as the place of infection, ignoring the possibility that cases are infected at other places (e.g., workplace address). This study aimed to explore the spatiotemporal patterns of DF in Guangzhou from 2016 to 2018, differentiating workplace and residence. In terms of temporal and spatial dimensions, a case weight assignment method that differentiates workplace and residence location was proposed, taking into account the onset of cases around their workplace and residence. Logistic modeling was used to classify the epidemic phases. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was used to reveal the high and early incidence areas of DF in Guangzhou from 2016 to 2018. At high temporal resolution, the DF in Guangzhou has apparent phase characteristics and is consistent with logistic growth. The local epidemic is clustered in terms of the number of cases and the time of onset and outbreak. High and early epidemic areas are mainly distributed in the central urban areas of Baiyun, Yuexiu, Liwan and Haizhu districts. The high epidemic areas due to commuting cases can be further identified after considering the workplaces of cases. Improving the temporal resolution and differentiating the workplace and residence address of cases could help to improve the identification of early and high epidemic areas in analyzing the spatiotemporal patterns of dengue fever in Guangzhou, which could more reasonably reflect the spatiotemporal patterns of DF in the study area.
Knee Strength Assessment and Clinical Evaluation Could Predict Return to Running after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Using Patellar Tendon Procedure
Authors: Dauty Marc , Menu Pierre , Daley Pauline , Grondin Jérôme , Quinette Yonis , Crenn Vincent , Fouasson-Chailloux Alban
Published: October 2022

Background and objectives: Muscle knee strength is a major parameter that allows return to running. Isokinetic strength parameters may predict return to running 4 months after ACLR using the bone–patellar–tendon–bone procedure. Materials and methods: The isokinetic knee strength of 216 patients (24.5 ± 5 years) was measured 4 months after surgery, and progressive return to running was allowed. The effectiveness of return to running was reported at 6 months. Return to running prediction was established using multivariate logistic regression. Predictive parameters were presented with a ROC curve area to define the best cut-off, with sensibility (Se) and specificity (Sp). Results: A model was established, including the limb symmetry index (LSI), and 103 patients (47.6%) were able to run between the fourth and the sixth month after surgery. These patients presented significantly fewer knee complications, a better Lysholm score, a better Quadriceps and Hamstring LSI and better quadriceps strength reported for body weight on the operated limb. The best model was established including the Quadriceps and Hamstring LSI at 60°/s and the Lysholm score. The cut-off for Quadriceps LSI was 60% (ROC curve area: 0.847; Se: 77.5%; Sp: 77%), for Hamstring LSI 90% (ROC curve area: 0.716; Se: 65.7%; Sp: 60.2%) and for Lyshom score 97 points (ROC curve area: 0.691; Se: 65%; Sp: 66%). Conclusion: Four months after ACLR using a bone–patellar–tendon–bone procedure, the Quadriceps and Hamstring LSI associated to the Lysholm score could help make the decision to allow return to running.
Virtual Healthcare in Rural and Remote Settings: A Qualitative Study of Canadian Rural Family Physicians’ Experiences during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Rahimipour Anaraki Nahid , Mukhopadhyay Meghraj , Wilson Margo , Karaivanov Yordan , Asghari Shabnam
Published: October 2022

Objective: This paper aims to explore the experiences of rural family physicians using virtual healthcare in their clinical practice during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Design: A community-based participatory approach. Setting: Rural and remote communities in Canada. Participants: Thirteen rural family physicians with at least one year of clinical experience. Results: The data illustrate significant issues associated with virtual healthcare in rural healthcare. The adoption of virtual healthcare has been expressed to pose a harsh polarity; the benefit conferred to rural family physicians with the opportunity to have flexible working hours and work at home while interacting with family members is starkly contrasted with the struggles of insufficient financial support to facilitate setting up virtual healthcare for rural physicians, unreliable technological infrastructure, and inadequate technological resources, which are all exacerbated by the lack of adequate health literacy in rural communities. Results were compiled into five major categories underpinning the lived experiences of rural family physicians: 1—potential trade-off between convenience and quality of care; 2—work–family boundaries; 3—patient-doctor communication; 4—technology as barrier or enabler; 5—increased call duration. Conclusion: The differing trends assessed in the findings illustrate the complications faced in providing virtual healthcare, which resonates with the experiences and views of rural physicians. The findings of this study may guide the development of tailored technologies that adjust for the complexity of administering virtual healthcare in rural communities.