bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Keypoints to Successful Newborn Hearing Screening. Thirty Years of Experience and Innovations
Authors: Sequi-Canet Jose Miguel , Brines-Solanes Juan
Published: October 2021

Congenital deafness is a major pediatric problem, affecting about 1.5–3 per 1000 newborns. The early treatment through cochlear implantation and auditory rehabilitation has been a historic milestone. Early diagnosis of congenital deafness is an essential requirement to obtain the best results, which is achieved through neonatal screening, a diagnostic practice that we began systematically at the Hospital Clínico in Valencia (Spain) 30 years ago. Neonatal hearing screening is successful in most developed countries. Its implementation has been slow due to the multiple difficulties that its universal application entails since it involves several health professionals and must be carried out, in a short time interval after birth. In addition, it must have a good performance that prevents the overload of other services and that requires experience and continuous adjustments in search of proper protocols. The aim of this review is to shed some light on some key points of neonatal hearing screening, highlighting our experience in the solutions to common problems. We will discuss about techniques, protocols and neonatal or nutritional factors that can influence the screening results. To a summary of our work, an update on the subject is provided with the intention of sharing experiences and facilitating the start-up of the new units.
Prothrombotic and Inflammatory Markers in Elderly Patients with Non-Alcoholic Hepatic Liver Disease before and after Weight Loss: A Pilot Study
Authors: Gidaro Antonio , Manetti Roberto , Delitala Alessandro Palmerio , Salvi Emanuele , Bergamaschini Luigi , Vidili Gianpaolo , Castelli Roberto
Published: October 2021

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a pathological condition, ranging from fatty liver to chronic steatohepatitis (NASH), liver cirrhosis, and eventually to hepatocellular carcinoma. Recent findings suggest that patients with NAFLD have an increased risk of cardiovascular events and thromboembolism, which is independent of metabolic diseases that are frequently associated with NAFLD, such as diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and obesity. Methods: We evaluated 30 NAFLD patients, before and after weight loss. Plasma levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), von Willebrand factor (VWF), homocysteine, coagulation protein S, Thrombin activable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), and factor VII (FVII) were assessed to evaluate whether they should be responsible of the prothrombotic state of NAFLD after weight loss. Results: At baseline, patients affected by NAFLD had a significantly higher levels of CRP, fibrinogen, PAI-1, VWF antigen, and FVII levels. After weight reduction, we observed a significant drop of inflammatory and prothrombotic markers, as well as glucometabolic, lipid profile. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence for a link between NAFLD/NASH and thromboembolism. The association seems to be linked with primitive thrombotic state and hypercoagulation due to increased levels of coagulation factors and reduced levels of PAI-1. This hypercoagulation state might explain increased levels of thrombosis and splanchnic thrombosis observed in NASH correlated cirrhosis.
Shaft Fractures in Patients Requiring Primary or Revision Total Knee Arthroplasty Can Be Successfully Treated with Long-Stemmed Implants without Additional Fixation
Authors: Grzelecki Dariusz , Marczak Dariusz , Kwolek Kamil , Dudek Piotr , Tyrakowski Marcin , Olewnik Łukasz , Czubak-Wrzosek Maria , Kowalczewski Jacek
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bone union, complication rate, clinical and functional outcomes of long-stemmed total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in patients with periprosthetic femoral or tibial shaft fractures and in patients with femoral or tibial shaft fractures with coexisting advanced knee osteoarthritis (OA). This retrospective study comprised 25 patients who underwent surgery due to tibial or femoral shaft fractures: (1) with coexisting severe knee OA or (2) with a periprosthetic fracture requiring implant exchange. In all cases, fracture stabilization was performed intramedullary with the use of long-stemmed implants without the use of additional fixation material (plates, screws, or cerclage). Bone union was achieved in 22/25 patients (88%). One patient required revision with additional plate stabilization due to non-union, and asymptomatic partial bone union was observed in two cases. The group with periprosthetic fractures demonstrated good clinical (mean 73.1 ± 13.3) and moderate functional (mean 59.2 ± 18.8) outcomes in the Knee Society Scoring system (KSS). In the group with shaft fracture and coexisting OA significantly higher clinical (excellent results, mean 84.1 ± 11; p = 0.03) and functional (good results, mean 76.2 ± 20.6; p = 0.04) results were noted. There were no statistically significant differences in terms of range of motion (ROM) or complication rate between these two groups. One-stage TKA with a long-stemmed implant without the use of additional fixation material is an effective method for the treatment of femoral or tibial shaft fractures in patients who require joint replacement. Despite being technically demanding, the approach yields bone union and moderate to excellent clinical and functional outcomes with a relatively low complication rate.
Acute Kidney Injury Following Admission with Acute Coronary Syndrome: The Role of Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Shiyovich Arthur , Skalsky Keren , Steinmetz Tali , Ovdat Tal , Eisen Alon , Samara Abed , Beigel Roy , Gleitman Sagi , Kornowski Ran , Orvin Katia
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To evaluate the role of diabetes mellitus in the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes of AKI (acute kidney injury) in patients admitted with ACS (acute coronary syndrome). Methods: We performed a comparative evaluation of ACS patients with vs. without DM who developed AKI enrolled in the biennial ACS Israeli Surveys (ACSIS) between 2000 and 2018. AKI was defined as an absolute increase in serum creatinine (≥0.5 mg/dL) or above 1.5 mg/dL or new renal replacement therapy upon admission with ACS. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and 1-year all-cause mortality. Results: The current study included a total of 16,879 patients, median age 64 (IQR 54–74), 77% males, 36% with DM. The incidence of AKI was significantly higher among patients with vs. without DM (8.4% vs. 4.7%, p < 0.001). The rates of 30-day MACE (40.8% vs. 13.4%, p < 0.001) and 1-year mortality (43.7% vs. 10%, p < 0.001) were significantly greater among diabetic patients who developed vs. those who did not develop AKI respectively, yet very similar among patients that developed AKI with vs. without DM (30-day MACE 40.8% vs. 40.3%, p = 0.9 1-year mortality 43.7 vs. 44.8%, p = 0.8, respectively). Multivariate analyses adjusted to potential confounders, showed similar independent predictors of AKI among patients with and without DM, comprising; older age, chronic kidney disease, congestive heart failure, and peripheral arterial disease. Conclusions: Although patients with DM are at much greater risk for AKI when admitted with ACS, the independent predictors of AKI and the worse patient outcomes when AKI occurs, are similar irrespective to DM status.
The Use of Tocilizumab in Patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis of Randomized Controlled Studies
Authors: Maraolo Alberto Enrico , Crispo Anna , Piezzo Michela , Di Gennaro Piergiacomo , Vitale Maria Grazia , Mallardo Domenico , Ametrano Luigi , Celentano Egidio , Cuomo Arturo , Ascierto Paolo A. , Cascella Marco
Published: October 2021

Background: Among the several therapeutic options assessed for the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), tocilizumab (TCZ), an antagonist of the interleukine-6 receptor, has emerged as a promising therapeutic choice, especially for the severe form of the disease. Proper synthesis of the available randomized clinical trials (RCTs) is needed to inform clinical practice. Methods: A systematic review with a meta-analysis of RCTs investigating the efficacy of TCZ in COVID-19 patients was conducted. PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register were searched up until 30 April 2021. Results: The database search yielded 2885 records; 11 studies were considered eligible for full-text review, and nine met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 3358 patients composed the TCZ arm, and 3131 the comparator group. The main outcome was all-cause mortality at 28–30 days. Subgroup analyses according to trials’ and patients’ features were performed. A trial sequential analysis (TSA) was also carried out to minimize type I and type II errors. According to the fixed-effect model approach, TCZ was associated with a better survival odds ratio (OR) (0.84; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.75–0.94; I2: 24% (low heterogeneity)). The result was consistent in the subgroup of severe disease (OR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.74–0.93; I2: 53% (moderate heterogeneity)). However, the TSA illustrated that the required information size was not met unless the study that was the major source of heterogeneity was omitted. Conclusions: TCZ may represent an important weapon against severe COVID-19. Further studies are needed to consolidate this finding.
Variable-Gain Higher-Order Sliding Mode Pitch Control of Floating Offshore Wind Turbine
Authors: Li Shuzhen , Han Yaozhen , Pan Weigang , Liu Shuang , Hou Mingdong
Published: October 2021

A variable-gain higher-order sliding mode pitch control strategy is proposed for a strongly nonlinear and coupled floating offshore wind power system. The main goal of the proposed strategy is to suppress platform motion caused by random disturbances such as waves and wind speed and to reduce fatigue loads and power fluctuations. Feedback control and super-twisting second-order sliding mode algorithm were adopted to carry out collective pitch control and track the rated rotor speed, which involves the factor of platform pitch. To adaptively adjust the collective pitch control parameters according to random wave and wind speed disturbances, the barrier function method was used to conceive adaptive sliding mode control gains. For comparison purposes, the proposed control strategy and PI control were executed under different wind and wave conditions on a FAST and MATLAB/Simulink platform. Furthermore, the fatigue load was calculated by Mlife. The results demonstrate that the proposed scheme is effective and robust. Moreover, it has advantages in resisting external disturbances, especially in suppressing the platform pitch and roll, as well as reducing the power fluctuations and the fatigue load on the blade root.
Applications of Chitin in Medical, Environmental, and Agricultural Industries
Authors: Dave Uday , Somanader Esther , Baharlouei Parnian , Pham Linh , Rahman M. Azizur
Published: October 2021

Chitin is a universal biopolymer that is found in microbes, plants, fungi, the exoskeleton of insects, various species of algae, and bottom-feeding crustaceans. This (1–4)-linked N-acetyl-ß-D-glucosamine polysaccharide can be readily processed with simple chemical procedures without putting a species at risk. Chitin has garnered interest as an alternative substance that can be used in the medical, environmental, and agricultural sectors. Indeed, chitin’s unique nature of biocompatibility, being environmentally safe, and having innate water-solubility allows the polymer to be used in a wide range of applications. In this review, we discuss the possible applications of chitin in the medical, environmental, and agricultural sectors through an extensive search of the latest literature. Moreover, the following review summarizes and explores the new and current studies surrounding the practical uses of chitin to solve issues that are commonly induced by various chemicals which are invasive to the surrounding environment and species co-existing in that area.
Effects of Algorithmic Music on the Cardiovascular Neural Control
Authors: Raglio Alfredo , De Maria Beatrice , Perego Francesca , Galizia Gianluigi , Gallotta Matteo , Imbriani Chiara , Porta Alberto , Dalla Vecchia Laura Adelaide
Published: October 2021

Music influences many physiological parameters, including some cardiovascular (CV) control indices. The complexity and heterogeneity of musical stimuli, the integrated response within the brain and the limited availability of quantitative methods for non-invasive assessment of the autonomic function are the main reasons for the scarcity of studies about the impact of music on CV control. This study aims to investigate the effects of listening to algorithmic music on the CV regulation of healthy subjects by means of the spectral analysis of heart period, approximated as the time distance between two consecutive R-wave peaks (RR), and systolic arterial pressure (SAP) variability. We studied 10 healthy volunteers (age 39 ± 6 years, 5 females) both while supine (REST) and during passive orthostatism (TILT). Activating and relaxing algorithmic music tracks were used to produce possible contrasting effects. At baseline, the group featured normal indices of CV sympathovagal modulation both at REST and during TILT. Compared to baseline, at REST, listening to both musical stimuli did not affect time and frequency domain markers of both SAP and RR, except for a significant increase in mean RR. A physiological TILT response was maintained while listening to both musical tracks in terms of time and frequency domain markers, compared to baseline, an increase in mean RR was again observed. In healthy subjects featuring a normal CV neural profile at baseline, algorithmic music reduced the heart rate, a potentially favorable effect. The innovative music approach of this study encourages further research, as in the presence of several diseases, such as ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and heart failure, a standardized musical stimulation could play a therapeutic role.
Standardized Comparison of Cardiovascular Risk Factors Prevalence in Spanish Women and Men Living with HIV and in the General Population
Authors: Camps-Vilaró Anna , Pérez-Fernández Silvia , Subirana Isaac , Teira Ramon , Estrada Vicente , Domingo Pere , Dégano Irene R. , Marrugat Jaume
Published: October 2021

People living with HIV (PLWH) have an increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease, likely due to a higher prevalence of CV risk factors. We compared the age-standardized prevalence and management of CV risk factors in PLWH to that of the general population in Spain. Blood pressure, lipid, glucose, and anthropometric profiles were cross-sectionally compared along with the treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes in a general population cohort and a PLWH cohort. Prevalence rates were standardized by the direct method by 10-year age groups in European standard populations and stratified by gender. We included 47,593 individuals aged 35 to 74 years, 28,360 from the general population cohort and 19,233 from the PLWH cohort. Compared to the general population, PLWH had a higher concentration of triglycerides (>35 mg/dL in women and >26 mg/dL in men) and a higher prevalence of smoking (>23% and >17%) and diabetes (>9.9% and >8.5%). The prevalence of treated diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were up to three-fold lower in both women and men living with HIV. There was a significant difference in PLWH compared to the general population in the lipid, glucose, and anthropometric profile. In addition, PLWH were less often treated for diagnosed diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.
Vaccinated Patients Admitted in ICU with Severe Pneumonia Due to SARS-CoV-2: A Multicenter Pilot Study
Authors: Estella Ángel , Cantón Mª Luisa , Muñoz Laura , Higueras Isabel Rodriguez , Recuerda Núñez María , Tejero Aranguren Julia , Zaya Benito , Gómez Carmen , Amaya Rosario , Hurtado Martinez Ángela , del Valle Odero Bernal María , De la Fuente Carmen , Alados Juan Carlos , Garnacho-Montero Jose ,   on behalf of the Group of Infectious Diseases of the Andalusian Society of Intensive Care and Coronary Units SAMIUC
Published: October 2021

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze the percentage of patients admitted to the ICU having received the vaccine against COVID-19, to describe the clinical profile of vaccinated patients admitted to the ICU, and to assess the humoral immune response to vaccination. Methods: In this multicenter prospective descriptive cohort study, consecutive critically ill patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who received at least one dose of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine were included. The time of study was from 1 July to 10 August of 2021. Results: Of the 94 consecutive patients from seven Andalusian ICUs admitted during the time of study, 50 (53.2%) received at least one dose of anti SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. No patient was admitted having previously had SARS-CoV-2 infection. The B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant was the most frequently identified, in 80.76% of cases. Patients with a complete vaccination with non-optimal antibody levels were immunocompromised. Fifteen patients were admitted to the ICU with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) without having completed their vaccination; the clinical profile was younger and with less comorbidities compared to patients with full vaccination. There were no differences in severity of ARDS. Conclusions: Most of the patients who were admitted to the ICU having received a dose of the vaccine were not optimally vaccinated; fully vaccinated patients who did not obtain optimal serum antibody levels were patients considered immunocompromised.
“When Paradigms Are Out of Place”: Embracing Eclecticism in Legal Scholarship by Academic Turns
Authors: Jiang Shisong
Published: October 2021

As with the progress of social sciences in which the notion of turn has gradually taken a central position in academic discourse, we have often seen the blended application of “paradigm shift talk” and “turn talk” to delineate the construction of progress in legal scholarship. Unlike “paradigm shift talk” that is based on the sufficient intellectual accumulation of understanding Kuhn’s paradigm theory, the connotations, as well as implications, of the notion of turn have been radically ignored in legal scholarship. Therefore, questions tackling turn’s underlying teleology, epistemology, methodology, and ethics are especially significant and indispensable. As a response, this article delves into the notion of turn in legal scholarship by mainly embedding it in a general context of the knowledge production of social sciences. It primarily argues that the notion of turn is more compatible with the construction of socio-legal knowledge than that of paradigm due to its interdisciplinary disposition. Accordingly, rather than maintaining the taken-for-granted status quo, legal scholars should pay heed to this compatibility in question and employ the notion of turn consciously and seriously.
Fascia Lata Alterations in Hip Osteoarthritis: An Observational Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Fantoni Ilaria , Biz Carlo , Fan Chenglei , Pirri Carmelo , Fede Caterina , Petrelli Lucia , Ruggieri Pietro , De Caro Raffaele , Stecco Carla
Published: October 2021

The present study compares the structure and composition of fascia lata in healthy subjects and in patients with hip osteoarthritis (OA), to evaluate any differences in the amount of Collagen type I, Collagen type III, and Hyaluronan. Fascia lata samples from voluntary healthy subjects and patients with OA were harvested during surgery. Collagen type I (COL I), III (COL III) antibody, and biotinylated hyaluronan binding protein (HABP) immunohistochemistry stainings were used to evaluate fascial morphology and COL I, COL III, and Hyaluronan (HA) content in both groups. Ten samples from healthy subjects and 11 samples from OA patients were collected. COL I was significantly more abundant in the OA group (p = 0.0015), with a median percentage positivity of 75.2 (IQR 13.11)%, while representing only 67 (IQR: 8.71)% in control cases. COL III, with median values of 9.5 (IQR 3.63)% (OA group) and 17.10 (IQR 11)% (control cases), respectively, showed significant reduction in OA patients (p = 0.002). HA showed a median value of 10.01 (IQR 8.11)% in OA patients, denoting significant decrease (p < 0.0001) with respect to the control group median 39.31 (IQR 5.62)%. The observed differences suggest a relationship between fascial pathology and hip OA. The observed increase in COL I in OA patients, along with the reduction of COL III and HA, could lead to fascial stiffening, which could alter fascial mechanics and be linked to the development and symptoms of OA.
Some Inequalities of Extended Hypergeometric Functions
Authors: Jain Shilpi , Goyal Rahul , Agarwal Praveen , Guirao Juan L. G.
Published: October 2021

Hypergeometric functions and their inequalities have found frequent applications in various fields of mathematical sciences. Motivated by the above, we set up certain inequalities including extended type Gauss hypergeometric function and confluent hypergeometric function, respectively, by virtue of Hölder integral inequality and Chebyshev’s integral inequality. We also studied the monotonicity, log-concavity, and log-convexity of extended hypergeometric functions, which are derived by using the inequalities on an extended beta function.
Dynamics of Tumor-Immune System with Random Noise
Authors: Rihan Fathalla A. , Rajivganthi Chinnathambi
Published: October 2021

With deterministic differential equations, we can understand the dynamics of tumor-immune interactions. Cancer-immune interactions can, however, be greatly disrupted by random factors, such as physiological rhythms, environmental factors, and cell-to-cell communication. The present study introduces a stochastic differential model in infectious diseases and immunology of the dynamics of a tumor-immune system with random noise. Stationary ergodic distribution of positive solutions to the system is investigated in which the solution fluctuates around the equilibrium of the deterministic case and causes the disease to persist stochastically. In some conditions, it may be possible to attain infection-free status, where diseases die out exponentially with a probability of one. Some numerical simulations are conducted with the Euler–Maruyama scheme in order to verify the results. White noise intensity is a key factor in treating infectious diseases.
Irregularity and Modular Irregularity Strength of Wheels
Authors: Bača Martin , Imran Muhammad , Semaničová-Feňovčíková Andrea
Published: October 2021

It is easily observed that the vertices of a simple graph cannot have pairwise distinct degrees. This means that no simple graph of the order of at least two is, in this way, irregular. However, a multigraph can be irregular. Chartrand et al., in 1988, posed the following problem: in a loopless multigraph, how can one determine the fewest parallel edges required to ensure that all vertices have distinct degrees? This problem is known as the graph labeling problem and, for its solution, Chartrand et al. introduced irregular assignments. The irregularity strength of a graph G is known as the maximal edge label used in an irregular assignment, minimized over all irregular assignments. Thus, the irregularity strength of a simple graph G is equal to the smallest maximum multiplicity of an edge of G in order to create an irregular multigraph from G. In the present paper, we show the existence of a required irregular labeling scheme that proves the exact value of the irregularity strength of wheels. Then, we modify this irregular mapping in six cases and obtain labelings that determine the exact value of the modular irregularity strength of wheels as a natural modification of the irregularity strength.
Effect of Post-Weld Heat Treatment on the Fatigue Behavior of Medium-Strength Carbon Steel Weldments
Authors: Goo Byeong-Choon
Published: October 2021

Railway vehicle makers manufacture the bogie frame by welding medium-strength carbon steel sheets. It has been a long-standing practice to perform post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) to remove welding-residual stress, but rail car manufacturers are moving toward producing bogie frames without PWHT. Since securing the fatigue strength of the bogie frame is essential for vehicle operation safety, it is necessary to systematically evaluate the effects of PWHT on hardness, microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion, fatigue strength, etc. In this study, small-scale welding specimens and full-size components were produced using S355JR used in general structures, automobiles, shipbuilding, railroad vehicles, etc. The effect of PWHT on material properties-the hardness of the base material, heat-affected zone and weld metal, microstructure, shock absorption energy, yield strength, tensile strength, and fatigue were investigated. When the weld specimen was annealed at 590 °C and 800 °C for 1 h, the yield strength and tensile strength of the specimen decreased, but the elongation increased. For specimens not heat-treated, the parent material’s yield strength, the yield strength in HAZ, and the yield strength of the weld metal were 350 MPa, 345 MPa, and 340 MPa. For specimens heat-treated at 590 °C, they were 350 MPa, 345 MPa, and 340 MPa. For specimens heat-treated at 800 °C, they were 350 MPa, 345 MPa, and 340 MPa. Annealing heat treatment of the specimen at 800 °C homogenized the structure of the weldments similar to that of the base material and slightly improved the shock absorption energy. For specimens not heat-treated, the Charpy impact absorption energies at 20 °C of the parent material and weld metal were 291.5 J and 187 J. For specimens heat-treated at 590 °C, they were 276 J and 166 J. For specimens heat-treated at 800 °C, the Charpy impact absorption energy at 20 °C of the parent material was 299 J. PWHT at 590 °C had the effect of slightly improving the fatigue limit of the specimen but lowered the fatigue limit by 10.8% for the component specimen.
Seroprevalence of Antibodies against Tick-Borne Pathogens in Czech Patients with Suspected Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome
Authors: Sloupenska Kristyna , Dolezilkova Jana , Koubkova Barbora , Hutyrova Beata , Racansky Mojmir , Horak Pavel , Golovchenko Maryna , Raska Milan , Rudenko Natalie , Krupka Michal
Published: October 2021

The hypothesized importance of coinfections in the pathogenesis of post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS) leads to the use of combined, ongoing antimicrobial treatment in many cases despite the absence of symptoms typical of the presence of infection with specific pathogens. Serum samples from 103 patients with suspected post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome were tested for the presence of antibodies to the major tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella henselae/Bartonella quinatana, and Babesia microti. Although the presence of anti-Anaplasma antibodies was detected in 12.6% of the samples and anti-Bartonella antibodies in 9.7% of the samples, the presence of antibodies against both pathogens in the same samples or anti-Babesia antibodies in the selected group of patients could not be confirmed. However, we were able to detect autoantibodies, mostly antinuclear, in 11.6% of the patients studied. Our results are in good agreement with previously published studies showing the presence of a wide spectrum of autoantibodies in some patients with complicated forms of Lyme disease and post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome, but they do not reveal a significant influence of co-infections on the development of PTLDS in the studied group of patients.
Functionalized MoS2 Nanoflowers with Excellent Near-Infrared Photothermal Activities for Scavenging of Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria
Authors: Liu Lulu , Wu Wanfeng , Fang Yan , Liu Haoqiang , Chen Fei , Zhang Minwei , Qin Yanan
Published: October 2021

Presently, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) have been commonly found in environment, such as air, soil and lakes. Therefore, it is urgent and necessary to prepare antimicrobial agents with excellent anti-antibiotic resistant bacteria. In our research, poly-ethylene glycol functionalized molybdenum disulfide nanoflowers (PEG-MoS2 NFs) were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method. As-prepared PEG-MoS2 NFs displayed excellent photothermal conversion efficiency (30.6%) and photothermal stability. Under 808 nm NIR laser irradiation for 10 min, the inhibition rate of tetracycline-resistant Bacillus tropicalis and Stenotrophomonas malphilia reached more than 95% at the concentration of 50 μg/mL. More interestingly, the photothermal effect of PEG-MoS2 NFs could accelerate the oxidation of glutathione, resulting in the rapid death of bacteria. A functionalized PEG-MoS2 NFs photothermal anti-antibiotic resistant system was constructed successfully.
Silver Nanoparticle-Mediated Synthesis of Fluorescent Thiolated Gold Nanoclusters
Authors: Chang Cheng-Yeh , Tseng Tzu-Hsien , Chen Bo-Ru , Wu Yi-Ru , Huang Cheng-Liang , Chen Jui-Chang
Published: October 2021

A new strategy using silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to synthesize thiolated Au NCs is demonstrated. The quasi-spherical Ag NPs serve as a platform, functioning as a reducing agent for Au (III) and attracting capping ligands to the surface of the Ag NPs. Glutathione disulfide (GSSG) and dithiothreitol (DTT) were used as capping ligands to synthesize thiolated Au NCs (glutathione-Au NCs and DTT-Au NCs). The glutathione-Au NCs and DTT-Au NCs showed red color luminance with similar emission wavelengths (630 nm) at an excitation wavelength of 354 nm. The quantum yields of the glutathione-Au NCs and DTT-Au NCs were measured to be 7.3% and 7.0%, respectively. An electrophoretic mobility assay showed that the glutathione-Au NCs moved toward the anode, while the DTT-Au NCs were not mobile under the electric field, suggesting that the total net charge of the thiolated Au NCs is determined by the charges on the capping ligands. The detection of the KSV values, 26 M−1 and 0 M−1, respectively, revealed that glutathione-Au NCs are much more accessible to an aqueous environment than DTT-Au NCs.
The Journey of Saudi Male Nurses Studying within the Nursing Profession: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Banakhar Maram , Bamohrez Maha , Alhaddad Raghad , Youldash Reema , Alyafee Rwan , Sabr Sufanah , Sharif Loujain , Mahsoon Alaa , Alasmee Nofaa
Published: October 2021

Background: Nursing is considered to be a primarily female profession, particularly in Saudi Arabia, despite the fact that male nurses have contributed to the advancement of the nursing profession in various specialties, such as military nursing, mental health, and critical care. Purpose: We explore the factors influencing Saudi male nursing interns to study within the nursing profession in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A descriptive qualitative study was conducted. A convenience sample of 12 Saudi male nursing interns from different nursing colleges were recruited, alongside four hospital internship coordinators. The data were collected by conducting two semi-structured focus group interviews and four individual interviews. All the interviews were analyzed using a comparative analytical approach. Results: Role models and the role of the internship year were identified as factors influencing Saudi male nurses’ decision to study nursing. However, hospital placements, cultural preferences, and the preferences of patients and their families for female nurses were the key challenges encountered. Importantly, this study demonstrated that social media plays a critical role in raising awareness regarding the importance of Saudi male nurses. Conclusion: Awareness needs to be raised of the nursing profession as a gender-diverse field through volunteering programs for the community. It is recommended that Saudi male nurses act as role models for students in the Academic Orientation Forum and on social media.
Fast Measurement of Brillouin Frequency Shift in Optical Fiber Based on a Novel Feedforward Neural Network
Authors: Xiao Fen , Lv Mingxing , Li Xinwan
Published: October 2021

Brillouin scattering-based distributed optical fiber sensors have been successfully employed in various applications in recent decades, because of benefits such as small size, light weight, electromagnetic immunity, and continuous monitoring of temperature and strain. However, the data processing requirements for the Brillouin Gain Spectrum (BGS) restrict further improvement of monitoring performance and limit the application of real-time measurements. Studies using Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) to measure Brillouin Frequency Shift (BFS) have been performed in recent years to validate the possibility of improving measurement performance. In this work, a novel FNN that is 3 times faster than previous FNNs is proposed to improve BFS measurement performance. More specifically, after the original Brillouin Gain Spectrum (BGS) is preprocessed by Principal Component Analysis (PCA), the data are fed into the Feedforward Neural Network (FNN) to predict BFS.
Targeting the B1 Gene and Analysis of Its Polymorphism Associated with Awned/Awnless Trait in Russian Germplasm Collections of Common Wheat
Authors: Shcherban Andrey B. , Kuvaeva Diana D. , Mitrofanova Olga P. , Khverenets Svetlana E. , Pryanishnikov Alexander I. , Salina Elena A.
Published: October 2021

The presence of awns on the ear is associated with a number of important plant properties, such as drought resistance, quality of the grain mass during processing, etc. The main manifestations of this trait are controlled by the B1 gene, which has recently been identified and encodes the C2H2 zinc finger transcription factor. Based on the previously identified SNPs in the promoter region of this gene, we constructed markers for dominant and recessive alleles which determine awnless and awned phenotypes, respectively. The markers were successful for use in targeting the respective alleles of the B1 gene in 176 varieties of common wheat, accessions of T. spelta L., as well as on F2/F3 hybrids from crosses between awned and awnless forms of T. aestivum. We first identified a new allele, b1mite, which has both an insert of a miniature Stowaway-like transposon, 261 bp in length, and 33 novel SNPs in the promoter region. Despite these changes, this allele had no effect on the awned phenotype. The possible mechanisms of the influence of the analyzed gene on phenotype are discussed.
Modeling the Effects of the Environment and the Host Plant on the Ripe Rot of Grapes, Caused by the Colletotrichum Species
Authors: Ji Tao , Salotti Irene , Dong Chaoyang , Li Ming , Rossi Vittorio
Published: October 2021

Ripe rot caused by Colletotrichum spp. is a serious threat in many vineyards, and its control relies mainly on the repeated use of fungicides. A mechanistic, dynamic model for the prediction of grape ripe rot epidemics was developed by using information and data from a systematic literature review. The model accounts for (i) the production and maturation of the primary inoculum; (ii) the infection caused by the primary inoculum; (iii) the production of a secondary inoculum; and (iv) the infection caused by the secondary inoculum. The model was validated in 19 epidemics (vineyard × year combinations) between 1980 and 2014 in China, Japan, and the USA. The observed disease incidence was correlated with the number of infection events predicted by the model and their severity (ρ = 0.878 and 0.533, respectively, n = 37, p ≤ 0.001). The model also accurately predicted the disease severity progress during the season, with a concordance correlation coefficient of 0.975 between the observed and predicted data. Overall, the model provided an accurate description of the grape ripe rot system, as well as reliable predictions of infection events and of disease progress during the season. The model increases our understanding of ripe rot epidemics in vineyards and will help guide disease control. By using the model, growers can schedule fungicides based on the risk of infection rather than on a seasonal spray calendar.
Persistence of the Effects of Se-Fertilization in Olive Trees over Time, Monitored with the Cytosolic Ca2+ and with the Germination of Pollen
Authors: Del Pino Alberto Marco , Regni Luca , D’Amato Roberto , Di Michele Alessandro , Proietti Primo , Palmerini Carlo Alberto
Published: October 2021

Selenium (Se) is an important micronutrient for living organisms, since it is involved in several physiological and metabolic processes. Biofortification with Se increases the nutritional and qualitative values of foods in Se-deficient regions and increases tolerance to oxidative stress in olive trees. Many studies have shown that Se, in addition to improving the qualitative and nutritional properties of EVO oil, also improves the plant’s response to abiotic stress. This study addressed this issue by monitoring the effects of Se on cytosolic Ca2+ and on the germination of olive pollen grains in oxidative stress. The olive trees subjected to treatment with Na-selenate in the field produced pollen with a Se content 6–8 times higher than the controls, even after 20 months from the treatment. Moreover, part of the micronutrient was organic in selenium methionine. The higher selenium content did not produce toxic effects in the pollen, rather it antagonized the undesirable effects of oxidative stress in the parameters under study. The persistence of the beneficial effects of selenium observed over time in pollens, in addition to bringing out an undisputed adaptability of olive trees to the micronutrient, suggested the opportunity to reduce the number of treatments in the field.
Hyperspectral Characteristics of an Individual Leaf of Wheat Grown under Nitrogen Gradient
Authors: Jung Jae Gyeong , Song Ki Eun , Hong Sun Hee , Shim Sang In
Published: October 2021

Since the application of hyperspectral technology to agriculture, many scientists have been conducting studies to apply the technology in crop diagnosis. However, due to the properties of optical devices, the reflectances obtained according to the image acquisition conditions are different. Nevertheless, there is no optimized method for minimizing such technical errors in applying hyperspectral imaging. Therefore, this study was conducted to find the appropriate image acquisition conditions that reflect the growth status of wheat grown under different nitrogen fertilization regimes. The experiment plots were comprised of six plots with various N application levels of 145.6 kg N ha−1 (N1), 109.2 kg N ha−1 (N2), 91.0 kg N ha−1 (N3), 72.8 kg N ha−1 (N4), 54.6 kg N ha−1 (N5), and 36.4 kg N ha−1 (N6). Hyperspectral image acquisitions were performed at different shooting angles of 105° and 125° from the surface, and spike, flag leaf, and the second uppermost leaf were divided into five parts from apex to base when analyzing the images. The growth analysis conducted at heading showed that the N6 was 85.6% in the plant height, 44.1% in LAI, and 64.9% in SPAD as compared to N1. The nitrogen content in the leaf decreased by 55.2% compared to N1 and the quantity was 44.9% in N6 compared to N1. Based on the vegetation indices obtained from hyperspectral reflectances at the heading stage, the spike was not suitable for analysis. In the case of the flag leaf and the 2nd uppermost leaf, the vegetation indices from spectral data taken at 105 degrees were more appropriate for acquiring imaging data by clearly dividing the effects of fertilization level. The results of the regional variation in a leaf showed that the region of interest (ROI), which is close to the apex of the flag leaf and the base of the second uppermost leaf, has a high coefficient of determination between the fertilization levels and the vegetation indices, which effectively reflected the status of wheat.
Proteome Mapping of South African Cassava Mosaic Virus-Infected Susceptible and Tolerant Landraces of Cassava
Authors: Ramulifho Elelwani , Rey Marie Emma Christine
Published: October 2021

The production of cassava is threatened by the geminivirus South African cassava mosaic virus (SACMV), which causes cassava mosaic disease. Cassava landrace TME3 shows tolerance to SACMV, while T200 is highly susceptible. This study aimed to identify the leaf proteome involved in anti-viral defence. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS) identified 2682 (54 differentially expressed) and 2817 (206 differentially expressed) proteins in both landraces at systemic infection (32 days post infection) and symptom recovery (67 days post infection), respectively. Differences in the number of differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the two landraces were observed. Gene ontology analysis showed that defence-associated pathways such as the chloroplast, proteasome, and ribosome were overrepresented at 67 days post infection (dpi) in SACMV-tolerant TME3. At 67 dpi, a high percentage (56%) of over-expressed proteins were localized in the chloroplast in TME3 compared to T200 (31% under-expressed), proposing that chloroplast proteins play a role in tolerance in TME3. Ribosomal_L7Ae domain-containing protein (Manes.12G139100) was over-expressed uniquely in TME3 at 67 dpi and interacts with the ribosomal protein Sac52 (RPL10). RPL10 is a known key player in the NIK1-mediated effector triggered immunity (ETI) response to geminivirus infection, indicating a possible role for Sac52 in SACMV recovery in TME3. In conclusion, differential protein expression responses in TME3 and T200 may be key to unravel tolerance to CMD.
Urban Vertical Farming as an Example of Nature-Based Solutions Supporting a Healthy Society Living in the Urban Environment
Authors: Zaręba Anna , Krzemińska Alicja , Kozik Renata
Published: October 2021

The subject of the article concerns vertical urban farms that play an important role in nature-based solutions and ecosystem services for the city. In the face of a changing climate, progressive environmental degradation, and the related loss of agricultural land, vertical farms can be seen as an alternative to traditional agriculture. Woven into the blue-green infrastructure of cities, they may not only constitute a base for food production, but can also create a new valuable ecological, social, and economic hub in contemporary cities, changed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective of this paper is to show whether it is possible to introduce various functions which support ecosystem and social services, and whether they affect measurable benefits for urban residents in a large-scale system of solutions in the field of vertical urban agriculture. This research shows that urban vertical farms can perform many functions and bring diverse benefits to the inhabitants of cities. In a multi-scale system, they allow for the creation of patchwork connections, which stabilise a specific city biome in the vertical space.
Physical Education and Sport between Human Rights, Duties, and Obligations—Observations from Germany
Authors: Krüger Michael Fritz
Published: October 2021

The starting point entails the declarations of the International Olympic Committee, as well as UNESCO and the Council of Europe on sport as a human right. This article adopts a philosophical and historical perspective on the question of which duties, obligations, and constraints stand in the way of realising this utopian perspective of fair and humane sport as a general human right. The work is based on central historical documents and writings. Two strands of argumentation are pursued. Firstly, the introduction of compulsory physical education, particularly in Germany and on the European continent, in the context of nation-building since the 19th century. Secondly, the idea of a world of sport of its own, which emerged from Olympism and was intended to assert itself against political and economic appropriations. Compulsory physical education is not a human right but a duty. The idea of a world of sports of its own has produced further regulations and obligations in certain fields of sports like professional and commercial sports. Doing sport for health and fitness may become a social obligation.
Building Collective Ownership of Single-Use Plastic Waste in Youth Communities: A Jamaican Case Study
Authors: Clayton C. Andrea Bruce
Published: October 2021

Plastic pollution is a global environmental challenge with serious implications for human health. Most of the work on plastic waste to date has focused on assessing and mapping impacts and remedial activities, which are important but do not attempt to understand the attitude and behaviour of the consumer. The problem will only be resolved by changing behaviour to eliminate non-essential use of plastics and switch to less harmful alternatives, especially for Single-Use Plastic (SUP), which makes a disproportionate contribution to plastic waste. This study examines the attitudes and behaviour of teachers and parents/guardians in school communities as a step towards building collective ownership of SUP towards reducing the use of SUP. It establishes baseline data about attitudes and behaviour in four Jamaican primary schools. It examines the attitude of teachers and parents/guardians towards SUPs and uses cluster analysis to segment them based on attitude. The results identify the heterogeneous nature of groups within the same population and highlights the need for targeted interventions. This research can contribute towards the design of strategic interventions that will build a sense of collective ownership of the SUP problem and motivate effective changes in behaviour to minimise the use of SUPs in Jamaica.
Do Health, Environmental and Ethical Concerns Affect Purchasing Behavior? A Meta-Analysis and Narrative Review
Authors: Nie Wan , Medina-Lara Antonieta , Williams Hywel , Smith Richard
Published: October 2021

Much attention has been given to how we can make consumption more responsible—better for the planet and society. However, research on the associations between consumer purchasing behavior and their psychological concern for health, the environment and ethics lacks consensus on the significance and directionality of these concerns. This study aims to examine how (relatively) important these concerns are in determining consumer purchasing behavior. Systematic searches were conducted in PubMed, EconLit, Web of Science and Scopus databases from 2000 to 2020. Results were summarized through narrative synthesis of the evidence and meta-analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between health, environmental and ethical concerns and purchasing behavior, indicating that changes in health, environmental and ethical concerns will result in a consistent shift in purchase behavior towards choices consistent with the concern. This association is susceptible to moderating factors including types of products (food, non-food and non-specific products) and country’s level of economic development. In addition, the health, environmental and ethical concerns appear to have a weaker impact on the actual purchase behavior than on purchase intention, suggesting that interventions should focus on translating these “purchasing intentions” into actual purchasing behaviors. Narrative review of the studies that were not subject to meta-analysis showed good agreement, with almost all relationships reported having the same direction as those indicated by the meta-analysis. Overall, this study suggests that there is substantial potential for marketing strategies aimed at encouraging pro-health, pro-environment and ethical purchasing behaviors.