bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Tourism and Renewable Energy’s Potential: A Local Development Proposal for the La Florida Community, Huaral, Peru
Authors: Riojas-Díaz Kiara , Jaramillo-Romero Ricardo , Calderón-Vargas Fátima , Asmat-Campos David
Published: February 2022

Tourism contributes 10% to global gross domestic product (GDP), yet it generates 5% of all anthropogenic CO2, while 50 to 60% of carbon emissions are indirectly related to the sector. High levels of poverty afflict rural areas in developing countries, and sustainable tourism based on renewable energy is an ideal approach to generate local development. Our objectives are thus to gauge sustainable tourism’s influence on local development in the community of La Florida, Huaral, Peru and to evaluate the potential of renewable energy (solar and wind power) to propose an eco-efficient business alternative. A non-experimental, quantitative approach was used, in which 265 local residents completed a survey to ascertain their perspectives on the proposal. Moreover, the potential for solar and wind energy was measured to identify sustainable alternatives that residents might incorporate into local ventures. The results demonstrate a relationship between sustainable tourism and local development, as tourism activity enables community members to improve their quality of life and offers them the opportunity to generate new enterprises. Likewise, the assessment of renewable energy potential confirms its feasibility in this area.
Adaptive Lossless Image Data Compression Method Inferring Data Entropy by Applying Deep Neural Network
Authors: Yamagiwa Shinichi , Yang Wenjia , Wada Koichi
Published: February 2022

When we compress a large amount of data, we face the problem of the time it takes to compress it. Moreover, we cannot predict how effective the compression performance will be. Therefore, we are not able to choose the best algorithm to compress the data to its minimum size. According to the Kolmogorov complexity, the compression performances of the algorithms implemented in the available compression programs in the system differ. Thus, it is impossible to deliberately select the best compression program before we try the compression operation. From this background, this paper proposes a method with a principal component analysis (PCA) and a deep neural network (DNN) to predict the entropy of data to be compressed. The method infers an appropriate compression program in the system for each data block of the input data and achieves a good compression ratio without trying to compress the entire amount of data at once. This paper especially focuses on lossless compression for image data, focusing on the image blocks. Through experimental evaluation, this paper shows the reasonable compression performance when the proposed method is applied rather than when a compression program randomly selected is applied to the entire dataset.
A Wide-Band Divide-by-2 Injection-Locked Frequency Divider Based on Distributed Dual-Resonance Tank
Authors: Xing Zhao , Yu Yiming , Kang Kai
Published: February 2022

A wide-band divide-by-2 injection-locked frequency divider (ILFD) based on a distributed dual-resonance high-order tank is presented. The ILFD employs a distributed LC network as the dual resonance tank and achieves an ultra-wide locking range. Fabricated in a 65 nm 1P7M LP-CMOS process, the divide-by-2 ILFD consumes 7 mW from a 0.7 V power supply and realizes a locking range of 87.0%, from 13 GHz to 33 GHz. The core circuit occupies an area of 0.22 mm × 0.5 mm.
JUpdate: A JSON Update Language
Authors: Brahmia Zouhaier , Brahmia Safa , Grandi Fabio , Bouaziz Rafik
Published: February 2022

Although JSON documents are being used in several emerging applications (e.g., Big Data applications, IoT, mobile computing, smart cities, and online social networks), there is no consensual or standard language for updating JSON documents (i.e., creating, deleting or changing such documents, where changing means inserting, deleting, replacing, copying, moving, etc., portions of data in such documents). To fill this gap, we propose in this paper an SQL-like language, named JUpdate, for updating JSON documents. JUpdate is based on a set of six primitive update operations, which is proven complete and minimal, and it provides a set of fourteen user-friendly high-level operations with a well-founded semantics defined on the basis of the primitive update operations.
E/E Architecture Synthesis: Challenges and Technologies
Authors: Askaripoor Hadi , Hashemi Farzaneh Morteza , Knoll Alois
Published: February 2022

In recent years, the electrical and/or electronic architecture of vehicles has been significantly evolving. The new generation of cars demands a considerable amount of computational power due to a large number of safety-critical applications and driver-assisted functionalities. Consequently, a high-performance computing unit is required to provide the demanded power and process these applications while, in this case, vehicle architecture moves toward a centralized architecture. Simultaneously, appropriate software architecture has to be defined to fulfill the needs of the main computing unit and functional safety requirements. However, the process of configuring and integrating critical applications into a vehicle central computer while meeting safety requirements and optimization objectives is a time-consuming, complicated, and error-prone process. In this paper, we firstly present the evolution of the vehicle architecture, past, present, and future, and its current bottlenecks and future key technologies. Then, challenges of software configuration and mapping for automotive systems are discussed. Accordingly, mapping techniques and optimization objectives for mapping tasks to multi-core processors using design space exploration method are studied. Moreover, the current technologies and frameworks regarding the vehicle architecture synthesis, model analysis with regard to software integration and configuration, and solving the mapping problem for automotive embedded systems are expressed. Finally, we propose four research questions as future works for this field of study.
Advanced Ensemble Methods Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning for One-Day-Ahead Forecasts of Electric Energy Production in Wind Farms
Authors: Piotrowski Paweł , Baczyński Dariusz , Kopyt Marcin , Gulczyński Tomasz
Published: February 2022

The ability to precisely forecast power generation for large wind farms is very important, since such generation is highly unstable and creates problems for Distribution and Transmission System Operators to properly prepare the power system for operation. Forecasts for the next 24 h play an important role in this process. They are also used in energy market transactions. Even a small improvement in the quality of these forecasts translates into more security of the system and savings for the economy. Using two wind farms for statistical analyses and forecasting considerably increases credibility of newly created effective prediction methods and formulated conclusions. In the first part of our study, we have analysed the available data to identify potentially useful explanatory variables for forecasting models with additional development of new input data based on the basic data set. We demonstrate that it is better to use Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) point forecasts for hourly lags: −3, 2, −1, 0, 1, 2, 3 (original contribution) as input data than lags 0, 1 that are typically used. Also, we prove that it is better to use forecasts from two NWP models as input data. Ensemble, hybrid and single methods are used for predictions, including machine learning (ML) solutions like Gradient-Boosted Trees (GBT), Random Forest (RF), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), K-Nearest Neighbours Regression (KNNR) and Support Vector Regression (SVR). Original ensemble methods, developed for researching specific implementations, have reduced errors of forecast energy generation for both wind farms as compared to single methods. Predictions by the original ensemble forecasting method, called “Ensemble Averaging Without Extremes” have the lowest normalized mean absolute error (nMAE) among all tested methods. A new, original “Additional Expert Correction” additionally reduces errors of energy generation forecasts for both wind farms. The proposed ensemble methods are also applicable to short-time generation forecasting for other renewable energy sources (RES), e.g., hydropower or photovoltaic (PV) systems.
Assessment on the Cost Synergies and Impacts among Measures on Energy Conservation, Decarbonization, and Air Pollutant Reductions Using an MCEE Model: A Case of Guangzhou, China
Authors: Xie Yunsheng , Wang Peng , Dou Yi , Yang Lei , Ren Songyan , Zhao Daiqing
Published: February 2022

Many challenges are faced in the process of urban sustainable development, including the continuous growth in energy demand and rapid increase in CO2 and air pollutant emissions. This study focuses on the costs of measures to address these issues and establishes a multi-objective comprehensive assessment model for energy saving, CO2, and pollutant emission (MCEE). Taking Guangzhou as an example, the sustainable development measures are divided into three categories, energy-saving, demand-optimization, and environmental-protection. Five scenarios are set to quantitatively evaluate the costs when these measures are implemented alone or coordinately for the period 2015–2035. Conclusions are as follows: (1) Measures of energy-saving and demand-optimization have the best synergistic effect on energy saving and emission reduction. The synergistic benefits include an 80% and 84% increase in energy savings and CO2 reductions, respectively, and more than 50% increase in pollutant reductions. (2) Measures of demand-optimization and energy-saving have the best synergistic effect on cost saving, which reduces the unit technical improvement costs of energy saving and CO2 reduction by 49.5% and 54.9%, respectively, and the unit end-of-pipe costs of four pollutants by 59.15%, 54.43%, 61.15%, and 51.96, respectively. (3) Environmental-protection measures have remarkable synergistic effects in reducing the cost of health loss and labor loss. At the price of a 5% increase in technical improvement cost and 9% in end-of-pipe treatment cost, health loss, labor loss, and total social cost will be reduced by 18%, 19%, and 3%, respectively. The above conclusions provide support for cities of the same type to coordinate various measures, reduce resistance and barriers to their implementation, compensate for the market deficiency of high costs of some measures, and achieve the goal of sustainable development.
Recovery of Trains’ Braking Energy in a Railway Micro-Grid Devoted to Train plus Electric Vehicle Integrated Mobility
Authors: Menicanti Stefano , di Benedetto Marco , Marinelli Davide , Crescimbini Fabio
Published: February 2022

This paper deals with the energy recovery resulting from the braking transient of trains arriving in a railway station, to feed a railway micro-grid that would be purposely connected to the railway traction circuit to feed the electrical infrastructure required for charging a fleet of electrical vehicles that are parked nearby the station and offered for providing train plus electric vehicle integrated mobility. Based on results of an experimental campaign intended to recording the mechanical quantities related to the braking transient of regional trains arriving in a medium-size station of the Italian railways network, this paper describes a suitable quasi-stationary model that allows the evaluation of the amount of energy that is recoverable over each single day of operation, as well as the micro-grid dynamic electric behaviour due to the sudden energy recovery transient in the railway catenary. The proposed railway micro-grid is discussed, particularly concerning the configuration of the dual-active-bridge converter for regulating the power flow from the railway catenary to the micro-grid during an energy recovery transient, as well as by considering the DC-DC converter that is used in the micro-grid, together with battery storage to provide voltage stability according to the micro-grid operating condition.
Application of Machine Learning Models for Fast and Accurate Predictions of Building Energy Need
Authors: Barbaresi Alberto , Ceccarelli Mattia , Menichetti Giulia , Torreggiani Daniele , Tassinari Patrizia , Bovo Marco
Published: February 2022

Accurate prediction of building energy need plays a fundamental role in building design, despite the high computational cost to search for optimal energy saving solutions. An important advancement in the reduction of computational time could come from the application of machine learning models to circumvent energy simulations. With the goal of drastically limiting the number of simulations, in this paper we investigate the regression performance of different machine learning models, i.e., Support Vector Machine, Random Forest, and Extreme Gradient Boosting, trained on a small data-set of energy simulations performed on a case study building. Among the XX algorithms, the tree-based Extreme Gradient Boosting showed the best performance. Overall, we find that machine learning methods offer efficient and interpretable solutions, that could help academics and professionals in shaping better design strategies, informed by feature importance.
Distribution Law of In Situ Stress and Its Engineering Application in Rock Burst Control in Juye Mining Area
Authors: Zhang Guangchao , Li You , Meng Xiangjun , Tao Guangzhe , Wang Lei , Guo Hanqing , Zhu Chuanqi , Zuo Hao , Qu Zhi
Published: February 2022

This paper presents an integrated approach for mathematical statistics, theoretical analysis, and a field test to investigate the distribution law of in-situ stress and its engineering practice of rock burst control. The test site is located in the Juye mining area, Shandong Province, China. The main conclusions included: (1) There are two types of in-situ stress states in the Juye mining area, σH > σV > σh (42.42%) and σH > σh > σV (57.57%), which are mainly caused by the tectonic stress of the Heze and Fushan faults (The σH, σV, and σh is the maximum principal stress, vertical principal stress or intermediate principal stress and minimum principal stress respectively). (2) The lateral pressure coefficients KH, Kh, and Kav show a non-linear distribution with increased depth, approaching 1.32, 0.96, and 1.41, respectively. The variation range of the horizontal difference stress μd is 0.09–0.58. (3) The average value of the stress gradient is 3.05 MPa/100 m, and the main directions of the maximum horizontal principal stress are northeast–southwest, and northwest–southeast. (4) A new combined supporting strategy, incorporating optimization of roadway layout, anti-impact support system design, and local reasonable pressure relief, was proposed for the rock burst control, and its validity was verified via field monitoring. All these design principles and support strategies for the rock burst control presented in this study can potentially be applied to other similar projects.
Ontogeny of the Respiratory Area in Relation to Body Mass with Reference to Resting Metabolism in the Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus (Temminck & Schlegel, 1846)
Authors: Kim Dong In
Published: February 2022

Metabolism is the fundamental process dictating material and energy fluxes through organisms. Several studies have suggested that resting metabolic scaling in various aquatic invertebrates is positively correlated with changes in body shape and the scaling of body surface area, which agrees with the surface area theory, but contradicts the negative correlations predicted by the resource–transport network theory. However, the relationship between resting metabolic scaling and respiration area, particularly in asymmetric fish that have undergone dramatically rapid metamorphosis, remains unclear. In this morphometric study in an asymmetric fish species (Paralichthys olivaceus), I compared my results with previous reports on resting metabolic scaling. I measured the respiratory area of P. olivaceus specimens aged 11–94 days (body weight, 0.00095–1.30000 g, respectively) to determine whether and how the resting metabolic scaling is associated with changes in body shape and respiratory area. Resting metabolic scaling might be more closely related to body surface area, because their slopes exactly corresponded with each other, than to respiratory area. Furthermore, confirming the surface area theory, it was linked to changes in body shape, but not from the resource–transport network theory. These findings provide new insights into the scaling mechanisms of area in relation to metabolism in asymmetric fish.
Evolutionary Wheat Populations in High-Quality Breadmaking as a Tool to Preserve Agri-Food Biodiversity
Authors: Spaggiari Marco , Marchini Mia , Calani Luca , Dodi Rossella , Di Pede Giuseppe , Dall’Asta Margherita , Scazzina Francesca , Barbieri Andrea , Righetti Laura , Folloni Silvia , Ranieri Roberto , Dall’Asta Chiara , Galaverna Gianni
Published: February 2022

Plant biodiversity preservation is one of the most important priorities of today’s agriculture. Wheat (Triticum spp. L.) is widely cultivated worldwide, mostly under a conventional and monovarietal farming method, leading to progressive biodiversity erosion. On the contrary, the evolutionary population (EP) cultivation technique is characterized by mixing and sowing together as many wheat genotypes as possible to allow the crop to genetically adapt over the years in relation to specific pedoclimatic conditions. The objective of this study was to assess the nutritional, chemical and sensory qualities of three different breads obtained using different organic EP flours, produced following a traditional sourdough process and compared to a commercial wheat cultivar bread. Technological parameters, B-complex vitamins, microelements, dietary fibre and phenolic acids were determined in raw materials and final products. Flours obtained by EPs showed similar characteristics to the commercial wheat cultivar flour. However, significant differences on grain technological quality were found. The breads were comparable with respect to chemical and nutritional qualities. Overall, the sensory panellists rated the tasted breads positively assigning the highest score to those produced with EPs flours (6.75–7.02) as compared to commercial wheat cultivar-produced bread (cv. Bologna, 6.36).
Impact of an Agriphotovoltaic System on Metabolites and the Sensorial Quality of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) and Its High-Temperature-Extracted Juice
Authors: Moon Hyeon-Woo , Ku Kang-Mo
Published: February 2022

To date, the impacts of agriphotovoltaic (APV) condition on the production yield of crop have been studied; however, the effect of APV production on the sensorial quality and consumer acceptability of the produce remains unexplored. Therefore, to address this knowledge gap, we cultivated “Winter Storm” cabbage under solar panels (20.16 kW) and in open field in 2020. The weight and diameter reduction rate of fresh cabbage grown under APV condition compared to open-field conditions were 9.7% and 1.2%, respectively. The levels of glucosinolates and their hydrolysis products were not significantly different in the fresh cabbage between the two conditions. The amount of volatile organic compounds, which may affect the perception of smell, were significantly higher in the cabbage juice prepared from the ones grown in open-field conditions than in the juice prepared from cabbages grown under APV conditions (n = 3, p < 0.01). However, untrained subjects could not distinguish the difference in the quality of the 2 sets of cabbage juices in the triangle test (n = 70, p = 0.724). Regardless of the distinguishing features of color, aroma, and taste, the subjects did not have any preference between the two different cabbage juices.
Modern Processing of Indian Millets: A Perspective on Changes in Nutritional Properties
Authors: Gowda N. A. Nanje , Siliveru Kaliramesh , Prasad P. V. Vara , Bhatt Yogita , Netravati B. P. , Gurikar Chennappa
Published: February 2022

Globally, billions of people are experiencing food insecurity and malnutrition. The United Nations has set a global target to end hunger by 2030, but we are far from reaching it. Over the decade, climate change, population growth and economic slowdown have impacted food security. Many countries are facing the challenge of both undernutrition and over nutrition. Thus, there is a need to transform the food system to achieve food and nutrition security. One of the ways to reach closer to our goal is to provide an affordable healthy and nutritious diet to all. Millets, the nutri-cereals, have the potential to play a crucial role in the fight against food insecurity and malnutrition. Nutri-cereals are an abundant source of essential macro- and micronutrients, carbohydrates, protein, dietary fiber, lipids, and phytochemicals. The nutrient content and digestibility of millets are significantly influenced by the processing techniques. This review article highlights the nutritional characteristics and processing of Indian millets, viz. foxtail, kodo, proso, little, and pearl millets. It also envisages the effect of traditional and modern processing techniques on millet’s nutritional properties. An extensive literature review was conducted using the research and review articles related to processing techniques of millets such as fermentation, germination, dehulling, extrusion, cooking, puffing, popping, malting, milling, etc. Germination and fermentation showed a positive improvement in the overall nutritional characteristics of millets, whereas excessive dehulling, polishing, and milling resulted in reduction of the dietary fiber and micronutrients. Understanding the changes happening in the nutrient value of millets due to processing can help the food industry, researchers, and consumers select a suitable processing technique to optimize the nutrient value, increase the bioavailability of nutrients, and help combat food and nutrition security.
Some Generalized Fractional Integral Inequalities for Convex Functions with Applications
Authors: Zhao Dafang , Ali Muhammad Aamir , Promsakon Chanon , Sitthiwirattham Thanin
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we establish a generalized fractional integrals identity involving some parameters and differentiable functions. Then, we use the newly established identity and prove different generalized fractional integrals inequalities like midpoint inequalities, trapezoidal inequalities and Simpson’s inequalities for differentiable convex functions. Finally, we give some applications of newly established inequalities in the context of quadrature formulas.
“You Have to Set the Story You Know Aside”: Constructions of Youth, Adulthood and Senescence in Cinderella Is Dead
Authors: Anjirbag Michelle Anya , Joosen Vanessa
Published: February 2022

As with other twenty-first-century rewritings of fairytales, Cinderella is Dead by Kalynn Bayron complicates the classic ‘Cinderella’ fairytale narrative popularized by Charles Perrault and the Brothers Grimm for new audiences, queering and race-bending the tale in its decidedly feminist revision of the story. However, as we argue here, the novel also provides an interesting intervention in the construction of age as related to gender for its female protagonists. Drawing on Sylvia Henneberg’s examination of ageist stereotypes in fairytale classics and Susan Pickard’s construction of the figure of the hag, we explore the dialogic between the fairytale revision, traditional fairytale age ideology and the intersection of age and gender in this reinvention of the classic narrative. By focusing on constructions of age, particularly senescence, we demonstrate how complex constructions of older characters might aid in overall depictions of intergenerational relationships, and how these intergenerational relationships in turn reflect historical and cultural impetuses of retelling fairytale narratives.
Effects of Adding Aquatic-to-Land-Based Physiotherapy Programs for Shoulder Joint Position Sense Rehabilitation
Authors: Gliga Alexandra Camelia , Neagu Nicolae Emilian , Popoviciu Horatiu Valeriu , Bataga Tiberiu
Published: February 2022

There is limited evidence regarding the effects of aquatic-based physiotherapy on shoulder proprioception following post-traumatic injury to the joint. The main aim of this study was to investigate the effects of additional aquatic-based rehabilitation to a land-based physiotherapy program on shoulder joint position sense (JPS) rehabilitation. Forty-four individuals (mean age 44.50 ± 10.11) who had suffered a post-traumatic shoulder injury less than five months previously were pseudo-randomly allocated equally into a control group (9 females, 13 males) and experimental group (6 females, 16 males). Both groups received individualized standard land-based physiotherapy on average for 50 min per session, with five sessions per week for four consecutive weeks. The experimental group received an additional 30 min of personalized aquatic-based therapy during each session. Shoulder JPS was assessed by flexion (60°), extension (25°), abduction (60°), internal rotation (35°) and external rotation (35°) positions prior, halfway through, and after the intervention. Shoulder JPS improved significantly for all positions for both the control group (p < 0.03) and the experimental group (p < 0.01). No significant differences between the control group and the experimental group were found for change in shoulder JPS over time. Our results indicate that shoulder JPS can be significantly improved among individuals with post-traumatic injury to the joint through four weeks of personalized physiotherapy. The addition of aquatic-based exercises to standard land-based therapy did not, however, show significant benefits, and thus cannot be recommended for the improvement of shoulder JPS based on our findings.
General Practice Statistics in Australia: Pushing a Round Peg into a Square Hole
Authors: Gordon Julie , Britt Helena , Miller Graeme C. , Henderson Joan , Scott Anthony , Harrison Christopher
Published: February 2022

In Australia, general practice forms a core part of the health system, with general practitioners (GPs) having a gatekeeper role for patients to receive care from other health services. GPs manage the care of patients across their lifespan and have roles in preventive health care, chronic condition management, multimorbidity and population health. Most people in Australia see a GP once in any given year. Draft reforms have been released by the Australian Government that may change the model of general practice currently implemented in Australia. In order to quantify the impact and effectiveness of any implemented reforms in the future, reliable and valid data about general practice clinical activity over time, will be needed. In this context, this commentary outlines the historical and current approaches used to obtain general practice statistics in Australia and highlights the benefits and limitations of these approaches. The role of data generated from GP electronic health record extractions is discussed. A methodology to generate high quality statistics from Australian general practice in the future is presented.
Sexual Victimization, Self-Efficacy to Refuse Sex While Drinking, and Regretting Alcohol-Involved Sex among Underserved Youth in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Swahn Monica H. , Culbreth Rachel E. , Gilmore Amanda K. , Parrott Dominic J. , Daigle Leah E. , Kasirye Rogers , Bukuluki Paul
Published: February 2022

The purposes of this study were to determine whether youth who have experienced sexual victimization (SV) have lower self-efficacy to refuse sex and to identify intervention strategies for rape survivors to mitigate further health-risks and harm. Cross-sectional data from the 2014 Kampala Youth Survey (n = 1134) of youth aged 12 to 18 years recruited from Uganda Youth Development Link drop-in centers were used to conduct the analyses. Multivariable statistics were computed to determine the correlates (i.e., sex, education, homelessness, problem drinking, and SV) for (1) self-efficacy to refuse sex, (2) self-efficacy to refuse sex while drinking, and (3) regretting sex due to alcohol use. Among participants, 16.9% reported SV (79% were female and 21% were male). In the final adjusted model, self-efficacy to refuse sex while drinking was only associated with homelessness (OR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.36, 0.74). Previous SV was not associated with lower self-reports of self-efficacy to refuse sex compared to those who had not experienced SV. Additionally, SV was not associated with increased reports of regrets for sex attributed to alcohol use. Alcohol prevention strategies for the most at-risk youth, including homeless youth, are warranted to improve self-efficacy to refuse sex among youth living in the slums of Kampala.
What Patients Prioritize for Research to Improve Their Lives and How Their Priorities Get Dismissed again
Authors: Groot Barbara , Haveman Annyk , Buree Mireille , Zuijlen Ruud van , Zuijlen Juliette van , Abma Tineke
Published: February 2022

Health researchers increasingly work with patients in a participatory fashion. Active patient involvement throughout the research process can provide epistemic justice to patients who have often only had an informant role in traditional health research. This study aims to conduct participatory research on patient experiences to create a solid research agenda with patients and discuss it with relevant stakeholders. We followed a participatory research design in 18 sub-studies, including interviews and group sessions (n = 404 patients), and dialogue sessions (n = 367 professionals and directors in healthcare and social work, municipality civil servants, and funding agencies) on patient experiences with psychiatric care, community care, daycare, public health, and social work. Findings from the eight-year study show that four priorities stood out: attention for misuse of power and abuse; meaningful participation; non-human assistance, and peer support. Moreover, that: (1) patients, based on their experiences, prioritize different topics than experts; (2) most topics are trans-diagnostic and point to the value of a cross-disability approach; and (3) the priorities of patients are all too easily dismissed and require ethics work to prevent epistemic injustice. Long-term investment in a transdisciplinary community of practice offers a solid basis for addressing patient-centered topics and may impact the quality of life of people living with chronic illness, disability, or vulnerability.
Comparisons of Dementia Knowledge and Attitudes among the Youth and Older Adults: Insights from the Construal Level Theory Perspective
Authors: Wu Jianwei , Leong Sok-Man , Che Sok-Leng , Van Iat-Kio , Chuang Yao-Chen
Published: February 2022

Based on Construal Level Theory (CLT), the youth and older adults have different psychological distances towards dementia that may lead to different dementia knowledge and attitudes. A cross-sectional survey among 239 youth and 62 older adults using a two-step sampling approach in Macao aimed to examine the hypothesis. Results showed older adults had a higher score of dementia knowledge (F(1,299) = 45.692, p <0.001) but a lower score of dementia attitudes (F(1,299) = 161.887, p <0.001) compared to the youth. Age group explained the majority of the variances in the hierarchical multiple regressions for dementia knowledge (R2 = 0.178, F = 9.059, p < 0.001) and for dementia attitudes (R2 = 0.399, F = 24.233, p < 0.001), which are β = 0.47 and −0.56, respectively. Thus, the hypothesis was supported and revealed an interesting pattern of dementia knowledge and attitudes among the youth and older adults. From the CLT perspective, the study implies that reducing and bridging the psychological distance of dementia would probably be an effective strategy to increase dementia awareness among young people, and intergenerational programs may be a good option to increase community acceptance and support for people with dementia.
Silicone Wristbands in Exposure Assessment: Analytical Considerations and Comparison with Other Approaches
Authors: Wacławik Małgorzata , Rodzaj Wojciech , Wielgomas Bartosz
Published: February 2022

Humans are exposed to numerous potentially harmful chemicals throughout their lifetime. Although many studies have addressed this issue, the data on chronic exposure is still lacking. Hence, there is a growing interest in methods and tools allowing to longitudinally track personal exposure to multiple chemicals via different routes. Since the seminal work, silicone wristbands (WBs) have been increasingly used to facilitate human exposure assessment, as using WBs as a wearable sampler offers new insights into measuring chemical risks involved in many ambient and occupational scenarios. However, the literature lacks a detailed overview regarding methodologies being used; a comprehensive comparison with other approaches of personal exposure assessment is needed as well. Therefore, the aim of this review is fourfold. First, we summarize hitherto conducted research that employed silicone WBs as personal passive samplers. Second, all pre-analytical and analytical steps used to obtain exposure data are discussed. Third, we compare main characteristics of WBs with key features of selected matrices used in exposure assessment, namely urine, blood, hand wipes, active air sampling, and settled dust. Finally, we discuss future needs of research employing silicone WBs. Our work shows a variety of possibilities, advantages, and caveats associated with employment of silicone WBs as personal passive samplers. Although further research is necessary, silicone WBs have already been proven valuable as a tool for longitudinal assessment of personal exposure.
Sociodemographic Factors Associated with Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Susceptibility, Use, and Intended Future Use of Different E-Cigarette Devices
Authors: Gaiha Shivani M. , Rao Poonam , Halpern-Felsher Bonnie
Published: February 2022

Numerous studies have identified sociodemographic factors associated with susceptibility, ever-use and past-30-day use of e-cigarettes, including JUUL. However, it remains unknown which sociodemographic factors are associated with adolescents’ and young adults’ (AYA) use of the entire spectrum of different types of e-cigarette devices (e.g., disposables, pod/cartridge-based, and other e-cigarettes, like mods or tanks). The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and use, future use intent and susceptibility to use different e-cigarette device types. We conducted a national online survey using a convenience sample of 13–24-year-olds, 50:50 e-cigarette ever- to never-users and sex and race/ethnicity balanced per the U.S. Census (n = 4351). Sociodemographic factors were not associated with ever use of disposables among AYAs or generally with intent to use e-cigarette devices in the future. However, sociodemographic factors were related to the use of pod/cartridge-based and other e-cigarette devices. LGBTQ+ AYAs were more likely to use pod/cartridge-based devices and to be susceptible to using all device types compared to other AYAs. Young adults, males, and other/multiracial non-Hispanic AYAs were more likely to report past-30-day-use of all devices and AA/Black non-Hispanic AYAs were more likely to report past-30-day use of pod/cartridge-based and other devices compared to former users. AA/Black non-Hispanic AYAs were more likely to be susceptible to using all devices and other/multiracial non-Hispanic AYAs were susceptible to using other devices (compared to White non-Hispanic AYAs). AYAs under 21 who were former users were more likely to intend using other devices in the future compared to AYAs 21 years or above. These findings may inform targeted prevention efforts to curb the growing popularity of different devices among AYAs.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Air Quality: A Systematic Review
Authors: Silva Ana Catarina T. , Branco Pedro T. B. S. , Sousa Sofia I. V.
Published: February 2022

With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, several governments imposed severe restrictions on socio-economic activities, putting most of the world population into a general lockdown in March 2020. Although scattered, studies on this topic worldwide have rapidly emerged in the literature. Hence, this systematic review aimed to identify and discuss the scientifically validated literature that evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictions on air quality. Thus, a total of 114 studies that quantified the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air quality through monitoring were selected from three databases. The most evaluated countries were India and China; all the studies intended to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on air quality, mainly concerning PM10, PM2.5, NO2, O3, CO, and SO2. Most of them focused on the 1st lockdown, comparing with the pre- and post-lockdown periods and usually in urban areas. Many studies conducted a descriptive analysis, while others complemented it with more advanced statistical analysis. Although using different methodologies, some studies reported a temporary air quality improvement during the lockdown. More studies are still needed, comparing different lockdown and lifting periods and, in other areas, for a definition of better-targeted policies to reduce air pollution.
Influences of Built Environment at Residential and Work Locations on Commuting Distance: Evidence from Wuhan, China
Authors: Yan Xuexin , Zhou Jie , Sheng Fubin , Niu Qiang
Published: February 2022

Ensuring that commuting distance remains within a certain range has important effect of residents’ quality of life. Although many studies have investigated the relationship between the built environment and residents’ commuting distance, limited evidence has been provided of the impact of job location. As such, in this study, we used data from the Wuhan Metropolitan Development Area in China and applied Bayesian linear regression (BLR) models to examine the impact of the built environment at both residential and job locations on commuting distances for residents. Our findings showed that, for residential locations, the residential density, land use mix, number of intersections, parking service level, and number of companies have a significant negative effect on commuting distance, whereas the plot ratio, distance to sub-employment centers, number of metro stations, and number of bus stops have a significant positive effect on commuting distance. For employment locations, land use mix, parking service level, and number of companies have a significant negative effect on commuting distance, whereas job density, number of intersections, distance to sub-employment centers, number of metro stations, and number of bus stops have a significant positive effect on commuting distance. By describing the influence of the built environment at both residential and job locations on commuting distance, our findings are conducive to the optimization of land use and the formulation of related policies to reduce commuting distance, which has a positive effect on improving residents’ quality of life and reducing energy emissions and air pollution.
Spatial Determinants of Real Estate Appraisals in The Netherlands: A Machine Learning Approach
Authors: Guliker Evert , Folmer Erwin , van Sinderen Marten
Published: February 2022

With the rapidly increasing house prices in the Netherlands, there is a growing need for more localised value predictions for mortgage collaterals within the financial sector. Many existing studies focus on modelling house prices for an individual city; however, these models are often not interesting for mortgage lenders with assets spread out all over the country. That is why, with the current abundance of national geospatial datasets, this paper implements and compares three hedonic pricing models (linear regression, geographically weighted regression, and extreme gradient boosting—XGBoost) to model real estate appraisals values for five large municipalities in different parts of the Netherlands. The appraisal values used to train the model are provided by Stater N.V., which is the largest mortgage service provider in the Netherlands. Out of the three implemented models, the XGBoost model has the highest accuracy. XGBoost can explain 83% of the variance with an RMSE of €65,312, an MAE of €43,625, and an MAPE of 6.35% across the five municipalities. The two most important variables in the model are the total living area and taxation value, which were taken from publicly available datasets. Furthermore, a comparison is made between indexation and XGBoost, which shows that the XGBoost model is able to more accurately predict the appraisal values of different types of houses. The remaining unexplained variance is most probably caused by the lack of good indicators for the condition of the house. Overall, this paper highlights the benefits of open geospatial datasets to build a national real estate appraisal model.
Ectopic Expression of JcCPL1, 2, and 4 Affects Epidermal Cell Differentiation, Anthocyanin Biosynthesis and Leaf Senescence in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Chen Yanbo , Wu Pingzhi , Zhang Chao , Guo Yali , Liao Bingbing , Chen Yaping , Li Meiru , Wu Guojiang , Wang Yaqin , Jiang Huawu
Published: February 2022

The CAPRICE (CPC)-like (CPL) genes belong to a single-repeat R3 MYB family, whose roles in physic nut (Jatropha curcas L.), an important energy plant, remain unclear. In this study, we identified a total of six CPL genes (JcCPL1–6) in physic nut. The JcCPL3, 4, and 6 proteins were localized mainly in the nucleus, while proteins JcCPL1, 2, and 5 were localized in both the nucleus and the cytoplasm. Ectopic overexpression of JcCPL1, 2, and 4 in Arabidopsis thaliana resulted in an increase in root hair number and decrease in trichome number. Consistent with the phenotype of reduced anthocyanin in shoots, the expression levels of anthocyanin biosynthesis genes were down-regulated in the shoots of these three transgenic A. thaliana lines. Moreover, we observed that OeJcCPL1, 2, 4 plants attained earlier leaf senescence, especially at the late developmental stage. Consistent with this, the expression levels of several senescence-associated and photosynthesis-related genes were, respectively, up-regulated and down-regulated in leaves. Taken together, our results indicate functional divergence of the six CPL proteins in physic nut. These findings also provide insight into the underlying roles of CPL transcription factors in leaf senescence.
HOFs Built from Hexatopic Carboxylic Acids: Structure, Porosity, Stability, and Photophysics
Authors: di Nunzio Maria Rosaria , Suzuki Yuto , Hisaki Ichiro , Douhal Abderrazzak
Published: February 2022

Hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) have attracted renewed attention as another type of promising candidates for functional porous materials. In most cases of HOF preparation, the applied molecular design principle is based on molecules with rigid π-conjugated skeleton together with more than three H-bonding groups to achieve 2D- or 3D-networked structures. However, the design principle does not always work, but results in formation of unexpected structures, where subtle structural factors of which we are not aware dictate the entire structure of HOFs. In this contribution, we assess recent advances in HOFs, focusing on those composed of hexatopic building block molecules, which can provide robust frameworks with a wide range of topologies and properties. The HOFs described in this work are classified into three types, depending on their H-bonded structural motifs. Here in, we focus on: (1) the chemical aspects that govern their unique fundamental chemistry and structures; and (2) their photophysics at the ensemble and single-crystal levels. The work addresses and discusses how these aspects affect and orient their photonic applicability. We trust that this contribution will provide a deep awareness and will help scientists to build up a systematic series of porous materials with the aim to control both their structural and photodynamical assets.
Mechanistic Insights into the Polymorphic Associations and Cross-Seeding of Aβ and hIAPP in the Presence of Histidine Tautomerism: An All-Atom Molecular Dynamic Study
Authors: Salimi Abbas , Chatterjee Sompriya , Lee Jin Yong
Published: February 2022

Hundreds of millions of people around the world have been affected by Type 2 diabetes (T2D) which is a metabolic disorder. Clinical research has revealed T2D as a possible risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) development (and vice versa). Amyloid-β (Aβ) and human islet amyloid polypeptide are the main pathological species in AD and T2D, respectively. However, the mechanisms by which these two amyloidogenic peptides co-aggregate are largely uninvestigated. Herein, for the first time, we present the cross-seeding between Amylin1-37 and Aβ40 considering the particular effect of the histidine tautomerism at atomic resolution applying the all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations for heterodimeric complexes. The results via random seed MD simulations indicated that the Aβ40(δδδ) isomer in cross-talking with Islet(ε) and Islet(δ) isomers could retain or increase the β-sheet content in its structure that may make it more prone to further aggregation and exhibit higher toxicity. The other tautomeric isomers which initially did not have a β-sheet structure in their monomeric forms did not show any generated β-sheet, except for one seed of the Islet(ε) and Aβ40(εεε) heterodimers complex that displayed a small amount of formed β-sheet. This computational research may provide a different point of view to examine all possible parameters that may contribute to the development of AD and T2D and provide a better understanding of the pathological link between these two severe diseases.
Neural Crest Stem Cells in Juvenile Angiofibromas
Authors: Schick Bernhard , Pillong Lukas , Wenzel Gentiana , Wemmert Silke
Published: February 2022

The etiology of juvenile angiofibroma (JA) has been a controversial topic for more than 160 years. Numerous theories have been proposed to explain this rare benign neoplasm arising predominately in adolescent males, focusing mainly on either the vascular or fibrous component. To assess our hypothesis of JA’s being a malformation arising from neural crest cells/remnants of the first branchial arch plexus, we performed immunohistochemical analyses of neural crest stem cells (NCSC) and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) candidates. Immunoexpression of the NCSC marker CD271p75 was observed in all investigated JA’s (n = 22), mainly around the pathological vessels. Close to CD271p75-positive cells, high MMP3-staining was also observed. Additionally, from one JA with sufficient material, RT-qPCR identified differences in the expression pattern of PDGFRβ, MMP2 and MMP3 in MACS®-separated CD271p75positive vs. CD271p75 negative cell fractions. Our results, together with the consideration of the literature, provide evidence that JA’s represent a malformation within the first branchial arch artery/plexus remnants deriving from NCSC. This theory would explain the typical site of tumor origin as well as the characteristic tumor blood supply, whereas the process of EMT provides an explanation for the vascular and fibrous tumor component.