bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chemical and Antioxidant Characterization of the Portuguese Heather Honey from Calluna vulgaris
Authors: Rodrigues da Silva Luís , Campos Chisté Renan , Fernandes Eduarda
Published: October 2021

The Calluna vulgaris honey produced in Portugal, concerning its phenolic compounds and abscisic acids profiles, as well as its antioxidant activity and the protective effect against oxidative damage in human erythrocytes were herein performed for the first time. The phenolic and abscisic acid profiles were tentatively identified by LC-MS/MS (17 compounds). The total content of phenolics and abscisic acids was 15,446.4 µg/g of honey extract, with catechin derivatives and abscisic acids being major constituents. The highest scavenging capacity was found against reactive nitrogen species. Additionally, the honey extract prevented ROO•-induced oxidative damage in erythrocytes collected from human blood, by inhibiting hemolysis, lipid peroxidation and hemoglobin oxidation. In conclusion, C. vulgaris honey contains high content of catechin derivatives and abscisic acids that may be responsible for its biological activity, characterized by a strong antioxidant capacity, which adds up to the nutritional value of this delicacy.
Four Problems in Sexting Research and Their Solutions
Authors: Courtice Erin Leigh , Shaughnessy Krystelle
Published: October 2021

Despite over 10 years of research, we still know very little about people’s sexting behaviours and experiences. Our limited and, at times, conflicting knowledge about sexting is due to re-searchers’ use of inconsistent conceptual definitions of sexting, dubious measurement practices, and atheoretical research designs. In this article, we provide an overview of the history of sex-ting research and describe how researchers have contributed to the ‘moral panic’ narrative that continues to surround popular media discourse about sexting. We identify four key problems that still plague sexting research today: (1) imprudent focus on the medium, (2) inconsistent conceptual definitions, (3) poor measurement practices, and (4) a lack of theoretical frameworks. We describe and expand on solutions to address each of these problems. In particular, we focus on the need to shift empirical attention away from sexting and towards the behavioural domain of technology-mediated sexual interaction. We believe that the implementation of these solu-tions will lead to valid and sustainable knowledge development on technology-mediated sexual interactions, including sexting.
RedHerd: Offensive Cyberspace Operations as a Service
Authors: Pecoraro Giovanni , D’Amico Mario , Romano Simon Pietro
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, time, scope and cost constraints along with knowledge requirements and personnel training constitute blocking restrictions for effective Offensive Cyberspace Operations (OCO). This paper presents RedHerd, an open-source, collaborative and serverless orchestration framework that overcomes these limitations. RedHerd leverages the ‘as a Service’ paradigm in order to seamlessly deploy a ready-to-use infrastructure that can be also adopted for effective simulation and training purposes, by reliably reproducing a real-world cyberspace battlefield in which red and blue teams can challenge each other. We discuss both the design and implementation of the proposed solution, by focusing on its main functionality, as well as by highlighting how it perfectly fits the Open Systems Architecture design pattern, thanks to the adoption of both open standards and wide-spread open-source software components. The paper also presents a complete OCO simulation based on the usage of RedHerd to perform a fictitious attack and fully compromise an imaginary enterprise following the Cyber Kill Chain (CKC) phases.
Bearing Prognostics: An Instance-Based Learning Approach with Feature Engineering, Data Augmentation, and Similarity Evaluation
Authors: Sun Jun , Sun Qiao
Published: October 2021

We propose an instance-based learning approach with data augmentation and similarity evaluation to estimate the remaining useful life (RUL) of a mechanical component for health management. The publicly available PRONOSTIA datasets, which provide accelerated degradation test data for bearings, are used in our study. The challenges with the datasets include a very limited number of run-to-failure examples, no failure mode information, and a wide range of bearing life spans. Without a large number of training samples, feature engineering is necessary. Principal component analysis is applied to the spectrogram of vibration signals to obtain prognostic feature sequences. A data augmentation strategy is developed to generate synthetic prognostic feature sequences using learning instances. Subsequently, similarities between the test and learning instances can be assessed using a root mean squared (RMS) difference measure. Finally, an ensemble method is developed to aggregate the RUL estimates based on multiple similar prognostic feature sequences. The proposed approach demonstrates comparable performance with published solutions in the literature. It serves as an alternative method for solving the RUL estimation problem.
Identifying and Quantifying Factors Determining Dynamic Vanpooling Use
Authors: Tsiamasiotis Konstantinos , Chaniotakis Emmanouil , Qurashi Moeid , Jiang Hai , Antoniou Constantinos
Published: October 2021

Nowadays, the growth of traffic congestion and emissions has led to the emergence of an innovative and sustainable transportation service, called dynamic vanpooling. The main aim of this study is to identify factors affecting the travel behavior of passengers due to the introduction of dynamic vanpooling in the transportation system. A web-based mode choice survey was designed and implemented for this scope. The stated-preference experiments offered respondents binary hypothetical scenarios with an ordered choice between dynamic vanpool and the conventional modes of transport, private car and public transportation. In-vehicle travel time, total travel cost and walking and waiting time or searching time for parking varies across the choice scenarios. An ordered probit model, a multinomial logit model and two binary logit models were specified. The model estimation results indicate that respondents who are aged between 26 and 35 years old, commute with PT or are members of bike-sharing services were significantly more likely to choose dynamic vanpool or PT than private car. Moreover, respondents who are worried about climate change and are willing to spend more for environmentally friendly products are significantly more likely to use dynamic vanpool in comparison with private cars. Finally, to indicate the model estimation results for dynamic vanpool, the value of in-vehicle travel time is found to be 12.2€ per hour (13.4€ for Munich subsample).
Challenges and Positives Caused by Changing Roles during Emergency Remote Education in Estonia as Revealed by Facebook Messages
Authors: Lepp Marina , Luik Piret
Published: October 2021

At the beginning of 2020, education worldwide, including in Estonia, was affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which necessitated the transfer of all levels of education to distance learning. Emergency remote education created both challenges and positives for different stakeholders, especially during the early part of this staggering situation. This study aims to describe the challenges and positives encountered by people in different roles, using data from the Facebook group ‘Homeschooling with technology’ from 6 March–26 April 2020. Members of the Facebook group were divided into eight role groups. A qualitative method study design was used and inductive thematic analysis of 130 messages posted by different roles was conducted. 72 messages were coded as expressing negative sentiments and describing various problems and challenges, which were then used to create a thematic map with seven main themes. Two themes (teachers’ unreadiness and problems related to technology) were reported by all stakeholder groups except members from government institutions, who did not post any messages about challenges. Seven main themes describing positives in the Facebook messages were identified using 58 messages coded as expressing positive sentiments. All role groups posted some messages about the positives but only the theme ‘Stress management’ was mentioned by all roles. Several themes (e.g., digital tools, teachers) included both negative and positive reports. The results help capture the effect of changing roles on challenges and positives experienced by different stakeholders during the implementation of emergency remote education, which can be used for future application of distance learning in education.
Popular Republicanism versus Populism: Articulating the People
Authors: Kraus Peter A.
Published: October 2021

In problematic ways, populism has become a catch-all formula used with discretion to capture all kinds of discontent with democratic politics today. Populism is not only an essentially contested, but also an unavoidably blurred concept. Its recurrent use as a weapon to discredit all kinds of projects that challenge contemporary liberal democracies has led to a situation in which protest movements that aim at democratic renewal end up being conflated with opposite tendencies whose objective is a reactionary scaling down of democracy. Against this background, this article argues that both for political and for analytical purposes, the key point for distinguishing between “progressive” and “regressive” projects that address the crisis of democracy is to determine how such projects conceive of the identity of the people. Invoking the people is not per se an attribute of populism, but ultimately a feature of all kinds of democratic politics. What does make for a critical difference, though, is how peoplehood is articulated in the process of collective mobilization. The distinction becomes particularly relevant with regard to current debates on how to tackle the issue of diversity and democratic integration in Europe and North America. To substantiate this relevance, the article introduces the concept of popular republicanism, which is fleshed out by discussing two recent examples: Catalan sovereignism and the Kurdish-Turkish HDP.
Meta-Analysis of Parent Training Programs Utilizing Behavior Intervention Technologies
Authors: Bausback Kimberly B. , Bunge Eduardo L.
Published: October 2021

Behavioral Parent Training (BPT) traditionally occurs in face-to-face (FTF BPT). Recently, Behavioral Intervention Technology (BIT) has been developed to deliver BPT in lieu of or as an adjunct to FTF BPT using websites, computer software, smartphone applications, podcasts, pre-recorded sessions, and teletherapy. The present meta-analysis reviews BIT BPT randomized control and comparison studies to determine the overall efficacy of BITs, if the level of human support significantly effects BIT BPT treatment outcomes, and which populations BIT BPT are effective for, by analyzing the following study variables: socioeconomic status, race, and clinical population. The analyses indicated that, overall, BIT BPT is an effective treatment (g = 0.62), and did not indicate a significant difference between levels of human support (χ2 (3) = 4.94, p = 0.18). Analysis did indicate a significant difference between studies that used waitlist or education control groups, compared to studies that used active treatment controls (χ2 (1) = 12.90, p = 0.00). The analyses did not indicate a significant difference between clinical population, low socioeconomic status, and racial minority studies. These findings provide preliminary evidence that BIT BPT is effective for treating child and adolescent externalizing behavior in a variety of populations.
Politics of Time and Mourning in the Anthropocene
Authors: Kelz Rosine , Knappe Henrike
Published: October 2021

The Anthropocene thesis makes it necessary for the social sciences to engage with temporality in novel ways. The Anthropocene highlights interconnections between ‘natural’ and ‘social’ non-linear temporal processes. However, accounts of humanity’s Anthropocene history often reproduce linear, progressive narratives of human development. This forecloses the possibilities that thinking with non-linear temporalities would offer to the political sciences. Engaging with the temporal complexity of the Anthropocene as a moment of rupture that highlights non-linearity allows to acknowledge more fully the affective impact of living on a disrupted planet. As a discourse about temporal rupture, the Anthropocene is a stocktaking of the already vast insecurities and losses brought about by exploitative relationships with earth and its inhabitants. In this form, the Anthropocene thesis highlights how material and social legacies of inequality and exploitation shape our present and delimit our imaginaries of the future. By including a reckoning of violent pasts into future practices, a productive politics of mourning could take shape.
Measuring Career Adaptability in a Sample of Italian University Students: Psychometric Properties and Relations with the Age, Gender, and STEM/No STEM Courses
Authors: Mondo Marina , Barbieri Barbara , De Simone Silvia , Bonaiuto Flavia , Usai Luca , Agus Mirian
Published: October 2021

The continuous transformation of the labor market, characterized by great instability and uncertainty, and by rapid technological changes, has strongly influenced the construction and management of career paths. Nowadays, individuals are faced with careers that are fluid and boundaryless, characterized by discontinuity and a variety of organizations to deal with. In this scenario, the ability to adapt and react to continuous changes in the labor market and in organizations is now a priority for workers. This study presents the psychometric properties of the construct of Career Ability measured through Proactive Personality and Boundaryless Mindset as proxy variables in a sample of 579 adults enrolled at the University of Cagliari (Italy), or recently graduated therein. We aim to rate the factorial structure of the items and to evaluate their multi-group invariance regarding the gender variable. Moreover, the criterion and concurrent validity were assessed. The instrument shows good psychometric characteristics; factorial structure, factorial invariance in relation to the gender variable, concurrent, and criterion validities were confirmed.
Long Term Outcomes of Blended CBT Compared to Face-to-Face CBT and Treatment as Usual for Adolescents with Depressive Disorders: Analyses at 12 Months Post-Treatment
Authors: Rasing Sanne P. A. , Stikkelbroek Yvonne A. J. , den Hollander Wouter , Okorn Ana , Bodden Denise H. M.
Published: October 2021

Depression is a major problem in youth mental health and identified as the leading cause of disability worldwide. There is ample research on the acute effects of treatment, with estimated small-to-moderate effect sizes. However, there is a lack of research on long-term outcomes. A total of 129 adolescents with clinical depression (82.2% female), aged 13–22 (M = 16.60, SD = 2.03), received blended CBT, face-to-face CBT or treatment as usual. Data were collected at 12 months after the intervention and compared between treatment conditions. Clinical diagnosis, depressive symptoms, suicide risk, internalizing symptoms and externalizing symptoms decreased significantly over time, from baseline to the 12-month follow-up, and also from post-treatment to the 12-month follow-up in all three conditions. Changes were not significantly different between conditions. At the long-term, improvements following the treatment continued. Due to the large amount of missing data and use of history control condition, our findings need to be interpreted with caution. However, we consider these findings as a clinical imperative. More evidence might contribute to convincing adolescents to start with therapy, knowing it has lasting effects. Further, especially for adolescents for whom it is not possible to receive face-to-face treatment, blended treatment might be a valuable alternative. Our findings might contribute to the implementation of blended CBT.
Effect of Municipal Solid Waste Compost on Antimony Mobility, Phytotoxicity and Bioavailability in Polluted Soils
Authors: Diquattro Stefania , Garau Giovanni , Garau Matteo , Lauro Gian Paolo , Pinna Maria Vittoria , Castaldi Paola
Published: October 2021

The effect of a municipal solid waste compost (MSWC), added at 1 and 2% rates, on the mobility, phytotoxicity, and bioavailability of antimony (Sb) was investigated in two soils (SA: acidic soil; SB: alkaline soil), spiked with two Sb concentrations (100 and 1000 mg kg−1). The impact of MSWC on microbial activity and biochemical functioning within the Sb-polluted soils was also considered. MSWC addition reduced water-soluble Sb and favored an increase in residual Sb (e.g., by 1.45- and 1.14-fold in SA-100 and SA-1000 treated with 2% MSWC, respectively). Significant increases in dehydrogenase activity were recorded in both the amended soils, as well as a clear positive effect of MSWC on the metabolic activity and catabolic diversity of respective microbial communities. MSWC alleviated Sb phytotoxicity in triticale plants and decreased Sb uptake by roots. However, increased Sb translocation from roots to shoots was recorded in the amended soils, according to the compost rate. Overall, the results obtained indicated that MSWC, particularly at a 2% rate, can be used for the recovery of Sb-polluted soils. It also emerged that using MSWC in combination with triticale plants can be an option for the remediation of Sb-polluted soils, by means of assisted phytoextraction.
Soil Health Assessment and Management: Recent Development in Science and Practices
Authors: Guo Mingxin
Published: October 2021

In the past decade soil health has been intensively studied as a science and practiced as a means to help improve the global social, environmental, and economic sustainability. This paper reviews the recent advances of the scientific soil health system. The current understanding and interpretation of soil health from the perspectives of soil functions, processes, and properties is summarized. Multi-tier soil health indicators were selected from relevant soil physical, chemical, and biological parameters. A suite of soil health assessment methods have been developed, such as soil health card, Solvita soil health tests, Haney soil health test, and comprehensive assessment of soil health. An array of soil health management practices have been recommended, including proper land use, crop rotation, cover crops, conservation tillage, soil organic amendment, crop-range-livestock integration, and rotational grazing. Overall, the recommended soil health indicators and assessment methods need further validation and improvement in relevance, scientific validity, practicality, and local adaptation. Continuous research, education, and outreach efforts are warranted to promote localized development, adoption, and implementation of soil health assessment and management.
Changes in Soil Prokaryotic Diversity in Response to Land-Use Changes in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ohigashi Takamitsu , Schloter Michael , Schulz Stefanie , Munthali Kabenuka , Uchida Yoshitaka
Published: October 2021

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the most severely affected regions regarding soil degradation, a global issue with the loss of nutrients caused by inappropriate management, leading to low agricultural productivity. Here we asked the question of how soil prokaryotic communities are affected by shifts in land use management and subsequent losses in soil organic carbon. We sampled soils from three sites in Zambia which have neighboring natural and managed sites. After the measurement of soil properties, soil DNA was sequenced, targeting the 16S rRNA gene. As expected, total carbon in soil was decreased in the managed sites, with significant reductions of bacterial biomass. However, the diversity indices in the managed soils were higher than in natural soils. Particularly, the relative abundance of nitrifiers was increased in the managed soils, most likely as a result of fertilization. However also other bacteria, e.g., those which formed tight interactions with the cultivated crops including the genera Balneimonas, and Bacillus, were increased in the managed soils. In contrast bacteria belonging to the family Chloroflexi, which were high in abundance in the natural soil were outcompeted by other prokaryotes in the managed soils most likely as a result of changes in the amount of soil organic carbon. Overall, our results suggest that we need to discuss the trends of prokaryotic diversity separately from those for prokaryotic abundance. Even when bacterial abundances were decreased in the managed soils, nitrifiers’ relative abundance and diversity increased in our experiment, suggesting the possible alteration of the nitrogen cycle in managed soils in sub-Saharan Africa.
Racing Demands of Off-Road Triathlon: A Case Study of a National Champion Masters Triathlete
Authors: Harnish Christopher R. , Ferguson Hamish A. , Swinand Gregory P.
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: This report examines the unique demands of off-road triathlon (XT) by presenting physiological, field, and race data from a national champion off-road triathlete using several years of laboratory and field data to detail training and race intensity. (2) Methods: Laboratory and field data were collected when the athlete was at near peak fitness and included oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), power output (W), and blood lactate (BLC) during cycling and running, while HR, cycling W, and running metrics were obtained from training and race data files over a period of seven years. Intensity was described using % HR max zones (Z) 1 < 75%, 2 = 75–87%, and Zone 3 > 87%, and W. An ordinary least squares analysis was used to model differences between event types. (3) Results: Weather conditions were not different across events. XT events had twice the elevation change (p < 0.01) and two-three times greater anaerobic work capacity (W’) (p < 0.001) than road triathlon (ROAD), but similar HR intensity profiles (max, avg, and zones); both events are predominately performed at >Z2 or higher intensity. Championship XT events were longer (p < 0.01), with higher kJ expenditure (p < 0.001). Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) modelling suggested three variables were strongly related (R2 = 0.84; p < 0.0001) to cycling performance: event type (XT vs ROAD), total meters climbed, and total bike duration. Championship XT runs were slower than either regional (p < 0.05) or ROAD (p < 0.01) runs, but HR intensity profiles similar. OLS modelling indicates that slower running is linked to either greater total bike kJ expenditure (R2 = 0.57; p < 0.001), or total meters gained (R2 = 0.52; p < 0.001). Race simulation data support these findings but failed to produce meaningful differences in running. Conclusions: XT race demands are unique and mirror mountain bike (MTB) and trail running demands. XT athletes must be mindful of developing anaerobic fitness, technical ability, and aerobic fitness, all of which contribute to off-road cycling economy. It is unclear whether XT cycling affects subsequent running performance different from ROAD cycling.
Resisted Sled Sprint Kinematics: The Acute Effect of Load and Sporting Population
Authors: Osterwald Katja M. , Kelly David T. , Comyns Thomas M. , Catháin Ciarán Ó
Published: October 2021

In this study, we assessed the acute kinematic effects of different sled load conditions (unloaded and at 10%, 20%, 30% decrement from maximum velocity (Vdec)) in different sporting populations. It is well-known that an athlete’s kinematics change with increasing sled load. However, to our knowledge, the relationship between the different loads in resisted sled sprinting (RSS) and kinematic characteristics is unknown. Thirty-three athletes (sprinters n = 10; team sport athletes n = 23) performed a familiarization session (day 1), and 12 sprints at different loads (day 2) over a distance of 40 m. Sprint time and average velocity were measured. Sagittal-plane high-speed video data was recorded for early acceleration and maximum velocity phase and joint angles computed. Loading introduced significant changes to hip, knee, ankle, and trunk angle for touch-down and toe-off for the acceleration and maximum velocity phase (p < 0.05). Knee, hip, and ankle angles became more flexed with increasing load for all groups and trunk lean increased linearly with increasing loading conditions. The results of this study provide coaches with important information that may influence how RSS is employed as a training tool to improve sprint performance for acceleration and maximal velocity running and that prescription may not change based on sporting population, as there were only minimal differences observed between groups. The trunk lean increase was related to the heavy loads and appeared to prevent athletes to reach mechanics that were truly reflective of maximum velocity sprinting. Lighter loads seem to be more adequate to not provoke changes in maxV kinematics. However, heavy loading extended the distance over which it is possible to train acceleration.
Comparison of High and Low Responders to a Cross-Country Skiing Talent Transfer Program: A Coach’s Perspective
Authors: Sæther Stig Arve , Iversen Mats , Talsnes Rune Kjøsen , Sandbakk Øyvind
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To examine how coaches differentiate athletes with successful and non-successful development during a cross-country (XC) skiing talent transfer (TT) program. Methods: We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with seven Norwegian coaches working with a group of 23 Chinese summer endurance athletes transferring from running, rowing, and kayaking to the winter endurance sport XC skiing over a six-month training period. The athletes were grouped as either high (n = 9), moderate (n = 3), or low responders (n = 11) based on objective performance development, quantified using laboratory testing. The interview guide contained six sections: physiological development, technical development, psychological characteristics, training and recovery routines, athlete background, and considerations about the effectiveness of TT initiatives in general. Results: The assessments of the coaches revealed that greater development of both physiological and technical capacities among the high-responding TT athletes were associated with higher motivation, as well as superior ability to deal with adversity in the development process. Conclusion: The coaches considered the TT program to be effective; however, successful transfer of athletes to a world class level in a complex sport such as XC skiing requires a multidisciplinary selection process and a longer time frame than the six-month period used in the current project.
The Influence of Maximal Strength and Knee Angle on the Reliability of Peak Force in the Isometric Squat
Authors: Lynch Arthur E. , Davies Robert W. , Jakeman Philip M. , Locke Tim , Allardyce Joanna M. , Carson Brian P.
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability of peak force in the isometric squat across the strength spectrum using coefficient of variation (CV) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). On two separate days, 59 healthy men (mean (SD) age 23.0 (4.1) years; height 1.79 (0.7) m; body mass 84.0 (15.2) kg) performed three maximal effort isometric squats in two positions (at a 120° and a 90° knee angle). Acceptable reliability was observed at both the 120° (CV = 7.5 (6.7), ICC = 0.960 [0.933, 0.977]) and 90° positions (CV = 9.2 (8.8), ICC = 0.920 [0.865, 0.953]). There was no relationship between peak force in the isometric squat and the test-retest reliability at either the 120° (r = 0.052, p = 0.327) or 90° (r = 0.014, p = 0.613) positions. A subgroup of subjects (n = 17) also completed the isometric squat test at a 65° knee angle. Acceptable reliability was observed in this position (CV = 9.6 (9.3), ICC = 0.916 [0.766, 0.970]) and reliability was comparable to the 120° and 90° positions. Therefore, we deem isometric squat peak force output to be a valid and reliable measure across the strength spectrum and in different isometric squat positions.
A Comprehensive Simulation Study of Estimation Methods for the Rasch Model
Authors: Robitzsch Alexander
Published: October 2021

The Rasch model is one of the most prominent item response models. In this article, different item parameter estimation methods for the Rasch model are systematically compared through a comprehensive simulation study: Different alternatives of joint maximum likelihood (JML) estimation, different alternatives of marginal maximum likelihood (MML) estimation, conditional maximum likelihood (CML) estimation, and several limited information methods (LIM). The type of ability distribution (i.e., nonnormality), the number of items, sample size, and the distribution of item difficulties were systematically varied. Across different simulation conditions, MML methods with flexible distributional specifications can be at least as efficient as CML. Moreover, in many situations (i.e., for long tests), penalized JML and JML with ε adjustment resulted in very efficient estimates and might be considered alternatives to JML implementations currently used in statistical software. Moreover, minimum chi-square (MINCHI) estimation was the best-performing LIM method. These findings demonstrate that JML estimation and LIM can still prove helpful in applied research.
Analysis of Changes in Landslide Susceptibility according to Land Use over 38 Years in Lixian County, China
Authors: Liu Jie , Wu Zhen , Zhang Huiwen
Published: October 2021

Landslides occur frequently in Lixian County, China, and land use has changed significantly in recent decades. We obtained land use data for the years 1980, 2000, and 2018, as well as three landslide susceptibility maps from a Random Forest model. Agricultural land, low coverage grassland, water area, and urban, rural and other construction land were prone to landslides. Landslide susceptibility was low in areas of woodland, moderate and high coverage grassland, bare rock land, desert and tundra. Areas with high landslide susceptibility were mainly located in the catchment of the study region, and a 2.61% decrease in high landslide susceptibility areas over the 38-year period was primarily driven by changes in agricultural and rural land. By contrast, a 1.42% increase in low landslide susceptibility areas over the 38-year period was driven by changes in moderate and high coverage woodland and moderate coverage grassland. There is a need for effective management measures to be implemented because areas with high landslide susceptibility are still present. We also found that human aggregations, or the absence of these, vary in their effects on the areas of Lixian County most susceptible to landslides.
Fulfillment of ESG Responsibilities and Firm Performance: A Zero-Sum Game or Mutually Beneficial
Authors: Chen Liang , Yuan Tian , Cebula Richard J. , Shuangjin Wang , Foley Maggie
Published: October 2021

Focusing on the 311 Chinese firms listed in the global markets from 2008 to 2019, based on the trade-off theory and the resource slack theory, using panel vector autoregressive model and panel threshold model, this paper explores the impact of fulfilling ESG responsibility on firm performance. The study reveals that in the short run, fulfilling ESG responsibility presents a “Substitution Effect,” whereas, in the long run, it presents a “Promotional Effect.” On the other hand, the improvement of firm performance has a significantly positive impact on ESG fulfillment investment, even though there is a strong hysteresis effect. Significant heterogeneity exists regarding the relationship between ESG fulfillment and firm performance. ESG fulfillment has a negative impact on firm performance in the short run, with the most affected firms being those small and mid-sized firms listed in the Mainland China markets. In the near term, the impact of firm performance on ESG fulfillment is positive, with those listed in the overseas markets and large firms being affected the most. The study reveals that firm size and the factors affiliated with ESG fulfillment tend to cause the differentiation effect in the inhibitory influence of ESG fulfillment on firm performance in the short run. This study could be used as a guideline for the social responsibilities of nonprofit organizations.
Sustainability and Transparency—Necessary Conditions for the Transition from Fast to Slow Fashion: Zara Join Life Collection’s Analysis
Authors: Gheorghe Carmen Adriana , Matefi Roxana
Published: October 2021

Starting from the concept of sustainability in fashion, the aim of our research is to analyse to what extent the Zara Join Life collection is sustainable, environmentally friendly (as advertised), and transparent, in terms of the information provided to the consumer, in order to offer Zara’s fashion consumers a set of aspects to take into account when intending to buy responsibly, such as the composition of the product, the percentage of recyclable materials used, its origin, etc. Our practical goal is to generate a gradual change in Zara consumers’ behaviour by creating a set of basic skills to transform one from a fast, superficial consumer into a slow, conscious customer with decision-making power. We analysed the Zara Join Life collection, which is advertised on the company’s website as supporting sustainability as a continuous project. The methodology consisted of a documentation-learning stage in order to reach the stages of data collection, data processing, and information organization—the methods used for the analysis of fashion consumers’ behaviours. The analysis was conducted on 40 Zara Join Life collection garments (10 women’s clothing items, 10 men’s clothing items, and 20 garments for kids, both girls and boys) sold online on Zara’s website. The collected research data were analysed and interpreted within the case study.
Padé Approximants, Their Properties, and Applications to Hydrodynamic Problems
Authors: Andrianov Igor , Shatrov Anatoly
Published: October 2021

This paper is devoted to an overview of the basic properties of the Padé transformation and its generalizations. The merits and limitations of the described approaches are discussed. Particular attention is paid to the application of Padé approximants in the mechanics of liquids and gases. One of the disadvantages of asymptotic methods is that the standard ansatz in the form of a power series in some parameter usually does not reflect the symmetry of the original problem. The search for asymptotic ansatzes that adequately take into account this symmetry has become one of the most important problems of asymptotic analysis. The most developed technique from this point of view is the Padé approximation.
The Protocol and Feasibility Results of a Preliminary Instagram-Based Physical Activity Promotion Study
Authors: Lewis Zakkoyya H. , Danayan Shalis
Published: October 2021

Background: Social media-based interventions are commonly used mode of delivery for physical activity promotion interventions. Instagram is an understudied social media platform and our purpose was to describe a detailed study protocol and report the feasibility of an Instagram-based physical activity promotion intervention. Method: Participants (n = 45) were recruited and randomized to follow one of three Instagram accounts for 3 months. The groups included a control, a popular fitness account, and two intervention groups. Participants were asked to complete weekly surveys for four weeks, at a 2-month follow up, and at a 3-month follow up. Participants were incentivized by being entered into a drawing for a free wearable activity monitor. Results: The intervention rate was 40% while the retention rate after four weeks was 33.3% and 22.2% after three months. Participants in the intervention groups reported higher education from the study account, enjoyment, and satisfaction. Conclusion: Although the study was well-received, more research is needed to determine how to increase retention within an Instagram-based intervention. Researchers should consider methods for participant identification, variations of interactive content, and extending the intervention period when designing their own study.
Bioaccumulation of PCBs and PBDEs in Fish from a Tropical Lake Chapala, Mexico
Authors: Oregel-Zamudio Ernesto , Alvarez-Bernal Dioselina , Franco-Hernandez Marina Olivia , Buelna-Osben Hector Rene , Mora Miguel
Published: October 2021

Lake Chapala is the largest natural freshwater reservoir in Mexico and the third largest lake in Latin America. Lakes are often considered the final deposit of polluting materials; they can be concentrated in the organisms that inhabit them, the water, and the sediments. The PCBs and PBDEs are environmental pollutants highly studied for their known carcinogenic and mutagenic effects. PCB and PBDE bioaccumulation levels were determined in Chirostoma spp., Cyprinus carpio, and Oreochromis aureus. In addition, we monitored the concentrations of PCBs and PBDEs in sediment and water from Lake Chapala were monitored. Samples were collected during two periods, in October 2018 and May 2019. The samples were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. Two bioaccumulation factors were determined in fish, one in relation to the concentration of PCBs and PBDEs in sediments and the other in relation to the concentration of PCBs and PBDEs in water. The PCB levels were 0.55–3.29 ng/g dry weight (dw) in sediments, 1.43–2.98 ng/mL in water, 0.30–5.31 ng/g dw in Chirostoma spp., 1.06–6.07 ng/g dw in Cyprinus carpio, and 0.55–7.20 ng/g dw in Oreochromis aureus. The levels of PBDEs were 0.17–0.35 ng/g dw in sediments, 0.13–0.32 ng/mL in water, 0.01–0.23 ng/g dw in Chirostoma spp., 0–0.31 ng/g dw in Cyprinus carpio, and 0.1–0.22 ng/g dw in Oreochromis aureus. This study provides information for a better understanding of the movement, global distribution, and bioaccumulation of PCBs and PBDEs. The results show that the fish, water, and sediments of Lake Chapala are potential risks to the biota and the local human population.
Association between Blood Mercury Concentration and Prevalence of Borderline Hypercholesterolemia among Adolescents: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010–2013 and 2016
Authors: Jin Taiyue , Park Eun Young , Kim Byungmi , Oh Jin-Kyoung
Published: October 2021

There is limited evidence on the association between blood mercury (Hg) concentration and the risk of borderline dyslipidemia in adolescents. Here, we investigated the association between blood Hg concentration and the prevalence of borderline dyslipidemia among Korean adolescents. A total of 1559 participants (806 boys and 753 girls) aged 10–18 years who cross-sectionally enrolled in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010–2013 and 2016 were included in this study. Hg concentrations (µg/L) in whole blood samples were measured. The geometric mean (GM) of the blood Hg concentration was 1.88 µg/L. It showed a 63% higher prevalence of borderline hypercholesterolemia (total cholesterol (TC) 170–199 mg/dL) per unit of natural log-transformed blood Hg concentration in boys (95% CI = 1.10–2.41), but not in girls. When a categorical model was applied, the positive association with the prevalence of borderline hypercholesterolemia was also persistant in boys (OR (95% CI) for 2nd and 3rd tertiles (Hg concentration 1.532–11.761 µg/L) vs. 1st tertile (Hg concentration 0.192–1.531 µg/L): 1.92 (1.19–3.10)), but not in girls. This finding suggests that blood Hg concentration might result in a higher prevalence of borderline hypercholesterolemia among adolescents and more stringent public health actions should be taken for the reduction of Hg exposure to prevent dyslipidemia from early-childhood, despite the need of further study to evaluate a causal relationship between blood Hg concentration and the risk of dyslipidemia.
Quantitative NanoLC/NSI+-HRMS Method for 1,3-Butadiene Induced bis-N7-guanine DNA-DNA Cross-Links in Urine
Authors: Erber Luke , Goodman Samantha , Jokipii Krueger Caitlin , Rusyn Ivan , Tretyakova Natalia
Published: October 2021

1,3-Butadiene (BD) is a common environmental and industrial chemical widely used in plastic and rubber manufacturing and also present in cigarette smoke and automobile exhaust. BD is classified as a known human carcinogen based on evidence of carcinogenicity in laboratory animals treated with BD by inhalation and epidemiological studies revealing an increased risk of leukemia and lymphohematopoietic cancers in workers occupationally exposed to BD. Upon exposure via inhalation, BD is bioactivated to several toxic epoxides including 3,4-epoxy-1-butene (EB), 3,4-epoxy-1,2-butanediol (EBD), and 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB); these are conjugated with glutathione and excreted as 2-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-1-hydroxybut-3-ene/1-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-2-hydroxybut-3-ene (MHBMA), 4-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)-1,2-dihydroxybutane (DHBMA), and 1,4-bis-(N-acetyl-L-cystein-S-yl)butane-2,3-diol (bis-BDMA). Exposure to DEB generates monoalkylated DNA adducts, DNA-DNA crosslinks, and DNA-protein crosslinks, which can cause base substitutions, genomic rearrangements, and large genomic deletions. In this study, we developed a quantitative nanoLC/NSI+-HRMS methodology for 1,4-bis-(gua-7-yl)-2,3-butanediol (bis-N7G-BD) adducts in urine (LOD: 0.1 fmol/mL urine, LOQ: 1.0 fmol/mL urine). This novel method was used to quantify bis-N7G-BD in urine of mice treated with 590 ± 150 ppm BD for 2 weeks (6 h/day, 5 days/week). Bis-N7G-BD was detected in urine of male and female BD-exposed mice (574.6 ± 206.0 and 571.1 ± 163.4 pg/mg of creatinine, respectively). In addition, major urinary metabolites of BD, bis-BDMA, MHBMA and DHBMA, were measured in the same samples. Urinary bis-N7G-BD adduct levels correlated with DEB-derived metabolite bis-BDMA (r = 0.80, Pearson correlation), but not with the EB-derived DNA adducts (EB-GII) or EB-derived metabolites MHBMA and DHBMA (r = 0.24, r = 0.14, r = 0.18, respectively, Pearson correlations). Urinary bis-N7G-BD could be employed as a novel non-invasive biomarker of exposure to BD and bioactivation to its most mutagenic metabolite, DEB. This method will be useful for future studies of 1,3-butadiene exposure and metabolism.
Analysis of Multi-Pesticide Residues and Dietary Risk Assessment in Fresh Tomatoes (Lycopersicum esculentum) from Local Supermarkets of the Metropolitan Region, Chile
Authors: Elgueta Sebastian , Valenzuela Marcela , Fuentes Marcela , Ulloa Pilar E. , Ramos Cecilia , Correa Arturo , Molinett Sebastian
Published: October 2021

In recent years, the official authorities in Chile have reported transgressions in the maximum residue levels of pesticides in fresh vegetables. There is no official information about traceability, pesticide levels, and potential health risks. The aim of this study was to analyse pesticide residues and their corresponding dietary risk assessments in tomatoes from supermarkets in the Metropolitan Region. Pesticides were extracted using the Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe, QuEChERS method, and their concentrations were determined by using chromatography with HPLC-FL/UV and GC-MS/ECD/NPD, following the Analytical Quality Control and Method Validation Procedures for Pesticides Residues Analysis in Food and Feed, SANTE guide and ISO 17025:2017 standard. In addition, a dietary risk assessment was carried out by comparing Chilean data to international references. The results reported that 9% of the samples had pesticide residue levels above the maximum residue levels permitted in Chile. All the scenarios evaluated revealed the highest estimated daily intake and hazard quotients for methamidophos and chlorpyrifos. Both the active substances used were acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and were neurotoxic under chronic risk assessment. The results showed the highest chronic hazard index in the Chilean scenario for all age groups and genders. The evidence obtained revealed that methamidophos, methomyl, and chlorpyrifos should be restricted for their use in Chilean agriculture.
Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Delta Agonist (PPAR- δ) and Selective Androgen Receptor Modulator (SARM) Abuse: Clinical, Analytical and Biological Data in a Case Involving a Poisonous Combination of GW1516 (Cardarine) and MK2866 (Ostarine)
Authors: Kintz Pascal , Gheddar Laurie , Paradis Camille , Chinellato Mickael , Ameline Alice , Raul Jean-Sébastien , Oliva-Labadie Magali
Published: October 2021

A 43-year-old male, sport coach, presented him-self at the Emergency unit of a local hospital for epigastric pain, myalgia pain and severe headache. He claimed having used for some days a combination of GW1516 (cardarine), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor delta agonist (PPAR- δ) and MK2866 (ostarine), a selective androgen receptor modulator (SARM) to gain skeletal muscles. Cytolysis with marked increase of alanine aminotransferase or ALT (up to 922 UI/L) and aspartate aminotransferase or AST (up to 2558 UI/L) and massive rhabdomyolysis with elevated creatine phosphokinase or CPK (up to 86435 UI/L) were the main unusual biochemistry parameters. Using a specific liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry method, cardarine and ostarine tested positive in blood at 403 and 1 ng/mL, respectively. In urine, due to extensive metabolism, the parent GW1516 was not identified, while ostarine was at 88 ng/mL. Finally, both drugs were identified in hair (2 cm in length, brown in colour), at 146 and 1105 pg/mg for cardarine and ostarine, respectively. This clearly demonstrates repetitive abuse over the last 2 months. Asthenia was persistent for 2 weeks and 6 weeks after the admission, the subject fully recovered.
Mercury Chloride Impacts on the Development of Erythrocytes and Megakaryocytes in Mice
Authors: He Jinyi , Zhao Yifan , Zhu Tingting , Xue Peng , Zheng Weiwei , Yao Ye , Qu Weidong , Jia Xiaodong , Lu Rongzhu , He Miao , Zhang Yubin
Published: October 2021

Inorganic mercury (Hg2+) is a highly toxic heavy metal. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of Hg2+ on the development of erythrocytes and megakaryocytes. B10.S mice (H-2s) and DBA/2 mice (H-2d) were administrated with 10 μM HgCl2 or 50 μM HgCl2 via drinking water for four weeks, and erythro-megakaryopoiesis was evaluated thereafter. The administration of 50 μM HgCl2 increased the number of erythrocytes and platelets in B10.S mice, which was not due to a reduced clearance for mature erythrocytes. The administration of 50 μM HgCl2, but not 10 μM HgCl2, increased the number of progenitors for erythrocytes and megakaryocytes in the bone marrow (BM) of B10.S mice, including erythroid-megakaryocyte progenitors (EMPs), burst-forming unit-erythroid progenitors (BFU-Es), colony-forming unit-erythroid progenitors (CFU-Es), and megakaryocyte progenitors (MkPs). Moreover, 50 μM HgCl2 caused EMPs to be more proliferative and possess an increased potential for differentiation into committed progenies in B10.S mice. Mechanistically, 50 μM HgCl2 increased the expression of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) in EMPs, thus enhancing the Jak2/STAT5 signaling pathway to promote erythro-megakaryopoiesis in B10.S mice. Conversely, 50 μM HgCl2 did not impact erythro-megakaryopoiesis in DBA/2 mice. This study may extend our current understanding for hematopoietic toxicology of Hg.