bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Chinese version of the family accommodation scale for obsessive-compulsive disorder self-rated: reliability, validity, factor structure, and mediating effect
Authors: Liao Zhenhua , Ding Lijun , You Ciping , Chen Ying , Zhang Wenchang
Published: August 2022

Background

Family accommodation (FA) in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is a common phenomenon. Based on the cost of training interviewers and the time required to administer the scale, the Family Accommodation Scale for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Interviewer-Rated (FAS-IR) has been restricted to specific settings. A self-rated version of the family accommodation scale may solve these problems. The aim of this study was to examine the reliability, validity and factor structure of the Family Accommodation Scale Self-rated version (FAS-SR), and the relationship among FA, symptom severity and functional impairment.

Methods

In total, 171 patients with OCD and 145 paired relatives participated in this study. The Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS), Obsessive-Compulsive Inventory Revised (OCI-R), Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (Zung-SDS), 12-item Family Assessment Devices (FAD-12), Clinical Global Impression of Severity Scale (CGI-S), Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF), and Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS) were used as tools for patients. The FAS-SR, FAS-IR, FAD-12, and the patients’ symptom severity of Y-BOCS compulsion were used as tools for relatives. The psychometric properties of the FAS-SR were evaluated using Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, test-retest reliability and validity. Mediation analysis was used to determine the relationship among FA, symptom severity and functional impairment.

Results

A total of 97.9% of relatives of OCD patients reported at least one kind of FA behavior, and 56.6% of participants engaged in FA every day in the past week. The FAS-SR includes a three-factor structure: (1) providing reassurance and participation; (2) facilitation; and (3) modification. The scale’s Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest coefficients were 0.875 and 0.970, respectively. The total FAS-SR score was significantly positively associated with the Y-BOCS, FAD-12, CGI-S, FAS-IR, and SDS scores, and negatively associated with the total GAF score. FA partially mediated the relationship between symptom severity and functional impairment.

Conclusion

The FAS-SR was proven to have satisfactory psychometric properties, and can play an important role in the evaluation and early intervention of OCD. This result indicates the importance of assessing symptom severity in conjunction with FA when evaluating OCD patients’ functional impairment.
High-risk population's knowledge of risk factors and warning symptoms and their intention toward gastric cancer screening in Southeastern China
Authors: Huang Zhiwen , Liu Wei , Marzo Roy Rillera , Hu Zhijian , Wong Li Ping , Lin Yulan
Published: August 2022

Background

As the incidence of gastric cancer (GC) increases sharply in adults aged over 40 years, screening of this high-risk population is important. This study aimed to explore knowledge level of GC related risk factors and symptoms, and to identify influencing factors associated with intention toward GC screening among people aged 40 years old and above in China.

Methods

A cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted among people aged 40 years old and above between October 2021 and March 2022 in Southeastern China. The participants' knowledge was assessed by a series of questions about risk factors (24-item scale) and warning symptoms (14-item scale).

Results

A total of 2547 complete responses were received. The mean age was 47.72 (±7.20) years and near 60% were male. Respondents had a moderate level of knowledge about risk factors and warning symptoms of GC. The total mean knowledge score was 23.9 (±9.8) out of a possible score of 38. Majority (80%) of respondents reported intention to be screened for GC in the next 5 years. The most influential predictors of screening intention were income level (OR = 2.13, 95% CI: 1.36–3.32), perceived benefits (OR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.33–2.73), perceived severity (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.20–2.34), ever took GC screening (OR = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.28–2.08), perceived poor overall health (OR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19–2.11), and perceived barriers (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.17–2.09). Other significant factors were ever diagnosed with chronic gastric diseases, total knowledge score, and cues-to-action. The major reasons for not willing to take screening were “endoscopy is uncomfortable” (29.6%), “worry about screening results” (23.6%), and “have no symptoms” (21.3%).

Conclusion

High-risk population aged 40 years and above expressed high intention to receive GC screening. Intervention to improve health promotion and reduce the barriers to uptake of GC screening among high-risk populations in China is warranted.
Direct domain adaptation through reciprocal linear transformations
Authors: Alkhalifah Tariq , Ovcharenko Oleg
Published: August 2022

We propose a direct domain adaptation (DDA) approach to enrich the training of supervised neural networks on synthetic data by features from real-world data. The process involves a series of linear operations on the input features to the NN model, whether they are from the source or target distributions, as follows: (1) A cross-correlation of the input data (i.e., images) with a randomly picked sample pixel (or pixels) of all images from the input or the mean of all randomly picked sample pixel (or pixels) of all input images. (2) The convolution of the resulting data with the mean of the autocorrelated input images from the other domain. In the training stage, as expected, the input images are from the source distribution, and the mean of auto-correlated images are evaluated from the target distribution. In the inference/application stage, the input images are from the target distribution, and the mean of auto-correlated images are evaluated from the source distribution. The proposed method only manipulates the data from the source and target domains and does not explicitly interfere with the training workflow and network architecture. An application that includes training a convolutional neural network on the MNIST dataset and testing the network on the MNIST-M dataset achieves a 70% accuracy on the test data. A principal component analysis (PCA), as well as t-SNE, shows that the input features from the source and target domains, after the proposed direct transformations, share similar properties along the principal components as compared to the original MNIST and MNIST-M input features.
Social and environmental determinants of health among children with long-term movement impairment
Authors: Hollin Ilene L. , Bonilla Bethney , Bagley Anita , Tucker Carole A.
Published: August 2022

The healthcare research community increasingly recognizes the need to address social (SDOH) and environmental determinants of health (EDOH) to optimize health and healthcare. This is particularly relevant to disability and functioning and to those with child onset conditions that impair mobility and impact functioning and participation. Using the World Health Organization (WHO)'s International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a comprehensive framework, this paper aims to discuss our understanding of the relationships between social and EDOH and outcomes among people with impaired mobility that impacts functioning. This paper offers suggestions for future developments and guidance to use SDOH and EDOH in research and clinical practice.
Effects of exercise on sleep spindles in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Memon Adeel Ali , Catiul Corina , Irwin Zachary , Pilkington Jennifer , Memon Raima A. , Joop Allen , Wood Kimberly H. , Cutter Gary , Bamman Marcas , Miocinovic Svjetlana , Amara Amy W.
Published: August 2022

Background

In a randomized, controlled trial, we showed that high-intensity rehabilitation, combining resistance training and body-weight interval training, improves sleep efficiency in Parkinson's disease (PD). Quantitative sleep EEG (sleep qEEG) features, including sleep spindles, are altered in aging and in neurodegenerative disease.

Objective

The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to determine the effects of exercise, in comparison to a sleep hygiene, no-exercise control group, on the quantitative characteristics of sleep spindle morphology in PD.

Methods

We conducted an exploratory post-hoc analysis of 24 PD participants who were randomized to exercise (supervised 3 times/week for 16 weeks) versus 26 PD participants who were assigned to a sleep hygiene, no-exercise control group. At baseline and post-intervention, all participants completed memory testing and underwent polysomnography (PSG). PSG-derived sleep EEG central leads (C3 and C4) were manually inspected, with rejection of movement and electrical artifacts. Sleep spindle events were detected based on the following parameters: (1) frequency filter = 11–16 Hz, (2) event duration = 0.5–3 s, and (3) amplitude threshold 75% percentile. We then calculated spindle morphological features, including density and amplitude. These characteristics were computed and averaged over non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep stages N2 and N3 for the full night and separately for the first and second halves of the recording. Intervention effects on these features were analyzed using general linear models with group x time interaction. Significant interaction effects were evaluated for correlations with changes in performance in the memory domain.

Results

A significant group x time interaction effect was observed for changes in sleep spindle density due to exercise compared to sleep hygiene control during N2 and N3 during the first half of the night, with a moderate effect size. This change in spindle density was positively correlated with changes in performance on memory testing in the exercise group.

Conclusions

This study is the first to demonstrate that high-intensity exercise rehabilitation has a potential role in improving sleep spindle density in PD and leading to better cognitive performance in the memory domain. These findings represent a promising advance in the search for non-pharmacological treatments for this common and debilitating non-motor symptom.
Dialing up the danger: Virtual reality for the simulation of risk
Authors: McIntosh Verity
Published: August 2022

There is a growing interest the use of virtual reality (VR) to simulate unsafe spaces, scenarios, and behaviours. Environments that might be difficult, costly, dangerous, or ethically contentious to achieve in real life can be created in virtual environments designed to give participants a convincing experience of “being there.” There is little consensus in the academic community about the impact of simulating risky content in virtual reality, and a scarcity of evidence to support the various hypotheses which range from VR being a safe place to rehearse challenging scenarios to calls for such content creation to be halted for fear of irreversible harm to users. Perspectives split along disciplinary lines, with competing ideas emerging from cultural studies and games studies, from psychology and neuroscience, and with industry reports championing the efficacy of these tools for information retention, time efficiency and cost, with little equivalence in information available regarding impact on the wellbeing of participants. In this study we use thematic analysis and close reading language analysis to investigate the way in which participants in a VR training scenario respond to, encode and relay their own experiences. We find that participants overall demonstrate high levels of “perceptual proximity” to the experience, recounting it as something that happened to them directly and personally. We discuss the impact of particular affordances of VR, as well as a participant’s prior experience on the impact of high-stress simulations. Finally, we consider the ethical mandate for training providers to mitigate the risk of traumatizing or re-traumatizing participants when creating high-risk virtual scenarios.
Change in microplastic concentration during various temporal events downstream of a combined sewage overflow and in an urban stormwater creek
Authors: Forrest Shaun A. , McMahon Darryl , Adams William A. , Vermaire Jesse C.
Published: August 2022

Changes in microplastic concentrations were examined during various temporal events including heavy rain and snowmelt in a river and an urban stream receiving stormwater. Additionally, microplastic concentrations were measured in an urban river during an active combined sewage overflow event. Microplastic concentrations downstream of a combined sewage outfall were observed to increase seven times compared to ambient conditions. During heavy rainfall an increase of 50 times the microplastic concentration was observed in the urban creek with microplastic concentrations doubling in the urban river. However, the largest increase in microplastic concentration at both locations was observed during the primary snowmelt of spring, with microplastic concentrations increasing 114 times in the urban creek and 11 times in the urban river. These results suggest that more research is required to further establish the influence of both combined sewage overflows and snowmelt as a major temporal conduit of microplastics to freshwater environments.
Racial identity as a moderator of the association between socioeconomic status and quality of life
Authors: Adedeji Adekunle , Buchcik Johanna , Akintunde Tosin Yinka , Idemudia Erhabor S.
Published: August 2022

Research in social and humanitarian science has identified socioeconomic status (SES) as one of the essential determinants of quality of life (QoL). Similarly, racial identity is assumed to predict SES outcomes in multiracial settings. Therefore, understanding how racial identity moderates the association between SES and QoL may provide essential insights into the mechanisms generating socioeconomic inequalities and their implication on life outcomes. The current study employs a cross-sectional study designed to investigate the moderating effect of racial identity on the association between SES and QoL in a sample of 1,049 South Africans. A correlation matrix was computed to explore the bivariate associations between QoL, socioeconomic, and sociodemographic features. ANOVA was used to evaluate racial differences in QoL and SES. A moderator analysis was adopted to determine a possible moderating effect of racial identity on the connection between SES and QoL. Findings show a significant difference in QoL and SES based on race. While racial identity was a significant moderator of the association between QoL and SES for Black Africans, no significant moderating effect was reported for other racial groups. These results highlight the importance of racial identity for life outcomes and emphasis the unique experience associated with Black racial identity and its implications for SES, QoL, and their association in South Africa. This study explains the necessity to improve the QoL of minority groups, such as Black South Africans, and offers detailed explanations of their perceived disadvantage.
Particle acceleration in an MHD-scale system of multiple current sheets
Authors: Nakanotani Masaru , Zank Gary P. , Zhao Lingling
Published: August 2022

We investigate particle acceleration in an MHD-scale system of multiple current sheets by performing 2D and 3D MHD simulations combined with a test particle simulation. The system is unstable for the tearing-mode instability, and magnetic islands are produced by magnetic reconnection. Due to the interaction of magnetic islands, the system relaxes to a turbulent state. The 2D (3D) case both yield −5/3 (− 11/3 and −7/3) power-law spectra for magnetic and velocity fluctuations. Particles are efficiently energized by the generated turbulence, and form a power-law tail with an index of −2.2 and −4.2 in the energy distribution function for the 2D and 3D case, respectively. We find more energetic particles outside magnetic islands than inside. We observe super-diffusion in the 2D (∼ t2.27) and 3D (∼ t1.2) case in the energy space of energetic particles.
Women's Volunteering and Voluntary Leadership Positions in Sport—Secondary Analyses of the German Survey on Volunteering
Authors: Burrmann Ulrike , Sielschott Stephan
Published: August 2022

For decades, the German sports policy mission statement “Sport for All” has been aimed at attracting women to voluntary work in the sports sector. Nevertheless, women are consistently underrepresented in volunteering within sports organizations and especially on boards. One-dimensional gender analyses that exclude other factors like class and ethnicity cannot, however, adequately describe different modes of disadvantage. In order to analyze the unequal access to volunteering and leadership positions in sport, we refer to inequality theory and intersectional approaches, which include different factors of disadvantage. Our study is based on a quantitative population survey on volunteering in Germany with more than 25,000 respondents conducted in 2014 and 2019. We examine factors and interactions that can predict women's volunteering and leadership in sport. The results show that the proportion of women who volunteer is lower than the proportion of men and that fewer women than men take on leadership positions. The gender differences were not as pronounced in 2019 as they were in 2014. Independent of gender, the likelihood of volunteering increases with higher income, A-levels, no immigration status, marriage and the presence of children in the household. Part-time and marginal employment is more often associated with volunteering among women than among men; however, the likelihood of volunteering decreases more for women than for men when they are not employed at all. Moreover, higher income for women is less likely to be associated with voluntary work than for men while volunteering in other areas has a more positive effect on volunteering in sports for women than for men. Independent of gender, the likelihood of holding a leadership position increases with higher income, with marriage, and decreases with immigration background and with the presence of children in the household. Part-time and marginal employment increase the likelihood of having a leadership position to a greater extent for men than for women. In terms of leadership positions men benefit more than women if there are no children in the household. The results suggest that practical and policy efforts should focus more on improving the conditions for women to gain voluntary leadership positions.
Perspective: Advancing spectator behavior research in youth sports through a closer examination of racial differences
Authors: Reynolds Jerry F. , Chaney Cassandra D. , Huffman Olivia
Published: August 2022

Inappropriate spectator behaviors are a recognized challenge within both amateur and youth sport settings. These behaviors occur during youth sports contests and involve several sources of interaction, and impact the experience of child athletes, coaches, parents, and referees Spectator misconduct reflects a failure to self-regulate amidst disagreement with the coaching practices, officials, and poor performance from children. Despite widespread recognition of spectator misconduct and an emphasis by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to improve parent behavior, limited empirical research is available to promote understanding of both contributors to these actions, more specifically, what parents are observing from others and the frequency of such behaviors. A path to enhance research in this area is a closer examination of intersectionality, especially race and its influence upon parent observations and their personal behaviors as youth sport spectators. Based on research conducted in Louisiana, this perspective piece reflects on a study that found race as a contributing factor to differences in spectating behaviors of parents. The authors unpack the nuances of these findings through a lens of both Critical Race Theory (CRT) and implicit bias and provide a platform for future study, especially in states such as Louisiana where laws and the role of police have been advanced to mitigate spectator behaviors in youth sport settings.
Standardisation and international adoption of defined approaches for skin sensitisation
Authors: Casati Silvia , Asturiol David , Browne Patience , Kleinstreuer Nicole , Régimbald-Krnel Michèle , Therriault Pierre
Published: August 2022

In the absence of stand-alone one-to-one replacements for existing animal tests, efforts were made to integrate data from in silico, in chemico and in vitro methods to ensure sufficient mechanistic coverage of the skin sensitisation Adverse Outcome Pathway (AOP) and generate predictions suitable for hazard identification and potency sub-categorisation. A number of defined approaches (DAs), using fixed data interpretation procedures (DIP) to integrate data from multiple non-animal information sources, were proposed and documented using a standard reporting template developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Subsequent international activities focused on the extensive characterisation of three of these DAs with respect to the reference in vivo data, applicability domains, limitations, predictive performances and characterisations of the level of confidence associated with the predictions. The ultimate product of this project was an OECD Guideline that provides information equivalent to that provided by the animal studies and that can be used to satisfy countries’ regulatory data requirements for skin sensitisation. This Defined Approach Guideline was the first of its kind for the OECD, and provides an important precedent for regulatory adoption of human biology-relevant new approach methodologies with performances equivalent to, or better than, traditional animal tests. This mini review summarizes the principal features of the defined approaches described in OECD guideline 497.
Job Leaving Intentions of Dentists Associated With COVID-19 Risk, Impact of Pandemic Management, and Personal Coping Resources
Authors: Pacutova Veronika , Madarasova Geckova Andrea , Majernikova Sara Maria , Kizek Peter , de Winter Andrea F. , Reijneveld Sijmen A.
Published: August 2022

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused risks and burdens for health professionals and might result in job leaving intentions. To assess the potential risks, we explored the association of the job leaving intentions with exposure to COVID-19 risk, impact of pandemic management on professional and personal life, and personal coping resources among Slovak dentists in the first wave of the outbreak.

Methods: We obtained data from 500 dentists (66.8% females, M/SD = 43.8) registered with the Slovak Chamber of Dentists using an online questionnaire. Data were analysed using logistic regression models adjusted for age and gender.

Results: Nearly 40% of dentists reported job leaving intentions after the first wave of the pandemic outbreak. Job leaving intentions were associated with exposure to COVID-19 risks (odds ratios, ORs, varying from 1.6 to 4.7), impact of pandemic management on professional and personal life (Ors from 1.6 to 2.9), and personal coping resources (Ors from 0.4 to 0.6).

Conclusion: Better management of exposures to risks and impact on professional and personal life, as well as building better personal coping resources may prevent the loss of a valuable workforce in dental care.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Resistance of Virulent Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter sakazakii in Dairy Cattle, the Environment, and Dried Milk with the In Vitro Application of Natural Alternative Control
Authors: Badawy Basma , Gwida Mayada , Sadat Asmaa , EL-Toukhy Marwa , Sayed-Ahmed Mohamed , Alam Nawazish , Ahmad Sarfaraz , Ali MD Sajid , Elafify Mahmoud
Published: August 2022

This study aims to detect the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance of Listeria monocytogenes and Cronobacter sakazakii in three dairy households and dried milk from different suppliers, and evaluate the antimicrobial effect of rose water, rose, and orange essential oils. In total, 360 samples were collected from cattle, the environment, and dried milk (n = 30). Antimicrobial activity was evaluated with twofold microtube dilution and the time-kill method. L. monocytogenes was identified in all households (13.3%) with a prevalence in the range of 5.8–17.5%, while C. sakazakii was identified in one household (5.3%). The former and latter pathogens were highly isolated from the feces at 20% and 2.5% and bedding at 12.5% and 1.6%, respectively. L. monocytogenes was isolated only from milk at 7.5%, but C. sakazakii was not detected in either milk or dried milk. L. monocytogenes strains were screened for virulence genes (iap, hylA, and actA). All strains were positive for the iap gene, while for hlyA and actA, the percentages were (35.4% 16.6%, respectively). L. monocytogenes strains showed high resistance against sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim (100%), followed by gentamicin, penicillin, and imipenem (95.8%, 95.8%, and 91.6%, respectively). All C. sakazakii strains were susceptible to all tested antibiotics. The bactericidal activity of orange oil was the strongest, appeared after 1 h for both pathogens, followed by rose oil and then rose water.
Neonatal Early Onset Sepsis (EOS) Calculator plus Universal Serial Physical Examination (SPE): A Prospective Two-Step Implementation of a Neonatal EOS Prevention Protocol for Reduction of Sepsis Workup and Antibiotic Treatment
Authors: Cavigioli Francesco , Viaroli Francesca , Daniele Irene , Paroli Michela , Guglielmetti Luigi , Esposito Elena , Cerritelli Francesco , Zuccotti Gianvincenzo , Lista Gianluca
Published: August 2022

Current neonatal early-onset sepsis (EOS) guidelines lack consensus. Recent studies suggest three different options for EOS risk assessment among infants born ≥35 wks gestational age (GA), leading to different behaviors in the sepsis workup and antibiotic administration. A broad disparity in clinical practice is found in Neonatal Units, with a large number of non-infected newborns evaluated and treated for EOS. Broad spectrum antibiotics in early life may induce different short- and long-term adverse effects, longer hospitalization, and early mother-child separation. In this single-center prospective study, a total of 3002 neonates born in three periods between 2016 and 2020 were studied, and three different workup algorithms were compared: the first one was based on the categorical risk assessment; the second one was based on a Serial Physical Examination (SPE) strategy for infants with EOS risk factors; the third one associated an informatic tool (Neonatal EOS calculator) with a universal extension of the SPE strategy. The main objective of this study was to reduce the number of neonatal sepsis workups and the rate of antibiotic administration and favor rooming-in and mother–infant bonding without increasing the risk of sepsis and mortality. The combined strategy of universal SPE with the EOS Calculator showed a significant reduction of laboratory tests (from 33% to 6.6%; p < 0.01) and antibiotic treatments (from 8.5% to 1.4%; p < 0.01) in term and near-term newborns. EOS and mortality did not change significantly during the study period.
Effect of Polyphenolic Complements on Cognitive Function in the Elderly: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rodrigo-Gonzalo María José , González-Manzano Susana , Mendez-Sánchez Roberto , Santos-Buelga Celestino , Recio-Rodríguez Jose Ignacio
Published: August 2022

Polyphenols have been shown to be effective against many chronic diseases. These compounds could have a beneficial effect at the cognitive level. The exact mechanism by which they provide positive effects at the cognitive level is not well known, but it is believed that they could counteract neuroinflammation. The objective of this study is to review nutritional interventions that include foods or supplements rich in flavanols, flavonols, or stilbenes to the usual diet on cognitive deterioration in people over 50 years of age. Clinical trials published in PubMed and Web of Science from 1 March 2010 to 1 March 2020 were explored, from which 14 studies were selected. All of them showed some improvement after the intervention. In interventions with flavanols and stilbenes, relevant improvements have been observed both in healthy patients and in patients with established cognitive impairment. Most studies agree that the greatest benefits are found with high doses and longer duration treatments. The changes were fundamentally assessed through cognitive tests, and in some of the studies, through magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The type of cognitive test used to assess the effect of the intervention was revealed to be critical. Several studies have also shown improvements in analytical parameters and blood pressure.
Affordable Projector-Based AR Experimental Platform with Fitting Simulation Asset for Exploring Thermal Management
Authors: Long Xingming , Chen Yujie , Zhou Jing
Published: August 2022

Augmented reality (AR) applied in education provides learners a possible way for better understanding and thorough learning. Although the traditional projector is used to integrate the augmented information with real objects without wearing AR glasses, the projector-based AR system is unlikely to be adopted widely in education due to the cost, heavy weight, and space issues. In this paper, an alternative projector-camera AR platform, utilizing a digital light processing (DLP) module matched with a Beaglebone Black (BB) controller, is proposed for AR physical experiments. After describing the DLP-based AR learning design method, the algorithm of pre-deforming projection content with simulation-based poly fitting is presented to keep the virtual asset consistent with the user action; and then a prototype with the content regarding the thermal management of power devices is illustrated to validate the performance of the AR experimental platform. The result shows that the DLP-based AR platform is an accurate and interactive AR system with a response time of 1 s, and a registration deviation of 3 mm. It is also an affordable AR learning design tool with a bill of materials of about $200, and thus casts light on creating AR-based physical experiments to explore more physical phenomena.
Revalorizing a Pyrolytic Char Residue from Post-Consumer Plastics into Activated Carbon for the Adsorption of Lead in Water
Authors: Solís Rafael R. , Martín-Lara María Ángeles , Ligero Ana , Balbís Josefa , Blázquez Gabriel , Calero Mónica
Published: August 2022

This work focuses on the use of a char produced during the pyrolysis of a mixture of non-recyclable plastics as a precursor for the preparation of porous activated carbon with high developed adsorption uptake of lead in water. Physical and chemical activation was used to enhance the porosity, surface area, and surface chemistry of char. The final activated carbon materials were deeply characterized through N2 adsorption isotherms, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy, analysis of the metal content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy, and pH of point zero charge. The native char displayed a Pb adsorption uptake of 348 mg Pb·g−1 and considerably high leaching of carbon, mainly organic, ca. 12%. After stabilization with HCl washing and activation with basic character activators, i.e., CO2, NaOH, and KOH, more stable adsorbents were obtained, with no organic leaching and a porous developed structure, the order of activation effectiveness being KOH (487 m2·g−1) > NaOH (247 m2·g−1) > CO2 (68 m2·g−1). The activation with KOH resulted in the most effective removal of Pb in water with a saturation adsorption uptake of 747 mg Pb·g−1.
Economic Assessment of Photovoltaics Sizing on a Sports Center’s Microgrid Equipped with PEV Chargers
Authors: Karapidakis Emmanuel , Konstantinidis George , Vidakis Nectarios , Yfanti Sofia
Published: August 2022

Large sports centers are characterized by special energy demand profiles compared to other facilities. The aim of this work is to assess the economic investment of photovoltaics (PVs) on a sport center microgrid using different charging methods and by efficiently exploiting the PV generation. The overall work is performed in the following three steps. The first step is the energy requirement analysis, the second focuses on a PEV charging strategy proposition in order to exploit the PV generation, grid electricity price, and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), and the third step is the net present value (NPV) analysis of the PV investment in the different scenarios. The simulations showed that the proposed charging strategy increases the NPV. In addition, the increment of PEV penetration rate leads to the maximization of the NPV. The energy and costs analysis are carried out for an application case in the Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens.
Scientometric Analysis for Cross-Laminated Timber in the Context of Construction 4.0
Authors: Martinez Villanueva Emanuel , Cardenas Castañeda Jennifer Alejandra , Ahmad Rafiq
Published: August 2022

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has been one of the principal materials in mass timber construction, and now it is possible to find mid-rise and high-rise projects around the globe. This study makes a scientometric review comparison between CLT and the impact of the fourth industrial revolution (formally known as Industry 4.0) in the construction industry, focusing on worldwide academic publications between 2006 and 2022. The analysis considers keywords, co-author, co-citation, and clustering analysis. This study used 1320 documents, including journals and conference proceedings from the Scopus database, where 753 were for cross-laminated timber and 567 for Industry 4.0. Key researchers, research institutions, journals, publications, citation patterns, and trends are some of the results obtained from the scientometric analysis. Once the knowledge mapping was conducted for both fields, scrutiny of the interconnection of both areas was performed to find possible research gaps from a manufacturing perspective. Among the conclusions, it is logical to say that Industry 4.0 implementation in cross-laminated timber is still in its infancy. One of the most popular technologies impacting construction is the digital twin concept; however, no work is reported for CLT on this topic. Additionally, digital automation is a necessity in any research practice, and the use of industrial robots is shown to be an essential asset for CLT as these robots can handle complex shapes.
Pharmacological Properties and Molecular Targets of Alisol Triterpenoids from Alismatis Rhizoma
Authors: Bailly Christian
Published: August 2022

More than 100 protostane triterpenoids have been isolated from the dried rhizomes of Alisma species, designated Alismatis rhizoma (AR), commonly used in Asian traditional medicine to treat inflammatory and vascular diseases. The main products are the alisols, with the lead compounds alisol-A/-B and their acetate derivatives being the most abundant products in the plant and the best-known bioactive products. The pharmacological effects of Ali-A, Ali-A 24-acetate, Ali-B, Ali-B 23-acetate, and derivatives have been analyzed to provide an overview of the medicinal properties, signaling pathways, and molecular targets at the origin of those activities. Diverse protein targets have been proposed for these natural products, including the farnesoid X receptor, soluble epoxide hydrolase, and other enzymes (AMPK, HCE-2) and functional proteins (YAP, LXR) at the origin of the anti-atherosclerosis, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-fibrotic, and anti-proliferative activities. Activities were classified in two groups. The lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerosis effects benefit from robust in vitro and in vivo data (group 1). The anticancer effects of alisols have been largely reported, but, essentially, studies using tumor cell lines and solid in vivo data are lacking (group 2). The survey shed light on the pharmacological properties of alisol triterpenoids frequently found in traditional phytomedicines.
Measurement of Interfacial Adhesion Force with a 3D-Printed Fiber-Tip Microforce Sensor
Authors: Zou Mengqiang , Liao Changrui , Chen Yanping , Gan Zongsong , Liu Shen , Liu Dejun , Liu Li , Wang Yiping
Published: August 2022

With the current trend of device miniaturization, the measurement and control of interfacial adhesion forces are increasingly important in fields such as biomechanics and cell biology. However, conventional fiber optic force sensors with high Young’s modulus (>70 GPa) are usually unable to measure adhesion forces on the micro- or nano-Newton level on the surface of micro/nanoscale structures. Here, we demonstrate a method for interfacial adhesion force measurement in micro/nanoscale structures using a fiber-tip microforce sensor (FTMS). The FTMS, with microforce sensitivity of 1.05 nm/μN and force resolution of up to 19 nN, is fabricated using femtosecond laser two-photon polymerization nanolithography to program a clamped-beam probe on the end face of a single-mode fiber. As a typical verification test, the micronewton-level contact and noncontact adhesion forces on the surfaces of hydrogels were measured by FTMS. In addition, the noncontact adhesion of human hair was successfully measured with the sensor.
Comparison of Industrial and Lab-Scale Ion Exchange for the DeNOx-SCR Performance of Cu Chabazites: A Case Study
Authors: Rizzotto Valentina , Bajić Stefan , Formenti Dario , Wu Xiaochao , Sauerbeck Silke , Werner Jonas , Weirich Thomas E. , Janke Tobias , Mauermann Peter , Pischinger Stefan , Palkovits Regina , Simon Ulrich
Published: August 2022

The efficiency and robustness of selective catalytic reduction (SCR) by NH3 catalysts for exhaust gas purification, especially of heavy-duty diesel engines, will continue to play a major role, despite the increasing electrification of powertrains. With that in mind, the effect of the synthesis scale on commercially available Cu-exchanged chabazite catalysts for SCR was investigated through physicochemical characterizations and catalytic tests. During hydrothermal aging, both industrial and lab-scale prepared catalysts underwent structural dealumination of the zeolite framework and redistribution of the Al sites. Although both catalysts demonstrated similar NO conversion activity under SCR conditions, the lab-scale catalyst showed higher selectivity and lower activity in NH3 oxidation. Variations in N2O formation and NH3 oxidation rate were found to correlate with the formation of different copper species, and the compositions become less controllable in industrial-scale process. This case study focused on routes of ion exchange, and the results provide new insights into catalytic performance of the industrially-produced zeolites.
Beyond the Black Box—Practical Considerations on the Use of Chemometrics Combined with Sensing Technologies in Food Science Applications
Authors: Dayananda Buddhi , Cozzolino Daniel
Published: August 2022

An increase in interest in the use of sensing technologies (e.g., electrochemistry, fluorescence, thermal, surface plasmon resonance, piezo, reflectometry, chemo or bioluminescence, and optics) as analytical methods to be implemented in a wide range of fields, including agriculture and food has been witnessed in recent years. Most of these applications have been evaluated and developed targeting a wide range of samples (e.g., raw materials, commodities, soils, water, food ingredients, natural products). Sensing technologies must be integrated with different data analytical techniques (e.g., pattern recognition, modelling techniques, calibration development) to develop a target application. The increasing availability of modern and inexpensive sensors, together with access to easy-to-use software is determining a steady growth in the number of applications and uses of these technologies. This short review underlined and briefly discussed practical considerations that support the robust development and implementation of applications that combine the use of sensing technologies with chemometrics.
Why We Need Sex-Gender Medicine: The Striking Example of Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Seghieri Giuseppe , Franconi Flavia , Campesi Ilaria
Published: August 2022

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a widespread and a chronic disease associated with micro- and macrovascular complications and is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular disease, which are among the most important causes of death in diabetic patients. This disease is strongly affected by sex and gender: sex-gender differences have been reported to affect diabetes epidemiology and risk factors, as well as cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes. This suggests the need for different therapeutic approaches for the management of diabetes-associated complications in men and women. In this review, we describe the known sex-gender differences in diabetic men and women and discuss the therapeutic approaches for their management. The data reported in this review show that a sex-gender approach in medicine is mandatory to maximize the scientific rigor and value of the research. Sex-gender studies need interdisciplinarity and intersectionality aimed at offering the most appropriate care to each person.
Detection of Anti-Vimentin Antibodies in Patients with Sarcoidosis
Authors: Starshinova Anna , Malkova Anna , Zinchenko Ulia , Lapin Sergey , Mazing Alexandra , Kudlay Dmitry , Yablonskiy Piotr , Shoenfeld Yehuda
Published: August 2022

There is a need to further characterize the antibody response to vimentin in relation to its possible involvement in pathogenicity of sarcoidosis and other lung disorders. Objectives: We investigated serum samples from patients with sarcoidosis, healthy controls and controls with other non-infectious lung diseases., to evaluate levels and frequency of these antibodies. Materials and methods: A retrospective-prospective comparative study was performed in the years 2015–2019. Sera from 93 patients with sarcoidosis, 55 patients with non-infectious lung diseases and 40 healthy subjects was examined for presence of autoantibodies to mutated citrullinated vimentin (anti-MCV). Patients with elevated anti-MCV levels were tested for antibodies to a cyclic citrullinated peptide (anti-CCP) and citrullinated vimentin (anti-Sa). In all cases ELISA assays was used. The results were considered statistically significant at p-value less than 0.05. Results of the study: The high concentrations of anti-MCV antibodies were more frequent in patients with sarcoidosis (40.9% of the cases, 38/93), compared to the control groups (23.6% and 25.0% of cases, respectively). In sarcoidosis, clinical symptoms similar to the autoimmune pathology were described. A moderate positive correlation between the anti-MCV and anti-Sa antibodies (r = 0.66) was found in 13 patients with sarcoidosis. There was no significant difference between the levels of the anti-MCV and the anti-CCP in patients with non-infectious lung diseases and the healthy control group. Conclusion: Antibodies to citrullinated cyclic peptides are not significant in the pathogenesis of sarcoidosis and other investigated pulmonary diseases (COPD, granulomatosis with polyangiitis, alveolitis) and based on their low concentration, it can be assumed that citrullination and modification of vimentin is not a key factor in the development of an autoimmune response in patients with sarcoidosis.
The HDIN Dataset: A Real-World Indoor UAV Dataset with Multi-Task Labels for Visual-Based Navigation
Authors: Chang Yingxiu , Cheng Yongqiang , Murray John , Huang Shi , Shi Guangyi
Published: August 2022

Supervised learning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAVs) visual-based navigation raises the need for reliable datasets with multi-task labels (e.g., classification and regression labels). However, current public datasets have limitations: (a) Outdoor datasets have limited generalization capability when being used to train indoor navigation models; (b) The range of multi-task labels, especially for regression tasks, are in different units which require additional transformation. In this paper, we present a Hull Drone Indoor Navigation (HDIN) dataset to improve the generalization capability for indoor visual-based navigation. Data were collected from the onboard sensors of a UAV. The scaling factor labeling method with three label types has been proposed to overcome the data jitters during collection and unidentical units of regression labels simultaneously. An open-source Convolutional Neural Network (i.e., DroNet) was employed as a baseline algorithm to retrain the proposed HDIN dataset, and compared with DroNet’s pretrained results on its original dataset since we have a similar data format and structure to the DroNet dataset. The results show that the labels in our dataset are reliable and consistent with the image samples.
Can I Keep My Religious Identity and Be a Professional? Evaluating the Presence of Religious Literacy in Education, Nursing, and Social Work Professional Programs across Canada
Authors: Patrick Margaretta , Chan W. Y. Alice
Published: August 2022

In much of the world, education, nursing, and social work are human-centred professions that aim to engage with individuals holistically. Yet, how much of their training prepares them for this manifold reality? In this article, we provide an overview of three Canadian societal contexts, examine the literature on religious literacy in higher education and in the Canadian context, and study the professional programs of education, nursing, and social work offered in the top-ranked universities in the three largest English-speaking provinces in Canada. We describe the incorporation of the Calls to Action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and the limited evidence of religious literacy evident in the online information provided about the chosen programs and then argue that religious literacy is a necessary component of the university preparation programs for those entering these human-centred professions. Student requests for religious literacy workshops provided by the Centre for Civic Religious Literacy (CCRL), a non-religious and non-profit organization that works with partners in communities across Canada, demonstrate a demand for such education.
Interpersonal Adaptation, Self-Efficacy, and Metacognitive Skills in Italian Adolescents with Specific Learning Disorders: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Commodari Elena , La Rosa Valentina Lucia , Sagone Elisabetta , Indiana Maria Luisa
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to explore interpersonal adaptation, generalized self-efficacy, and metacognitive skills in a sample of Italian adolescents with and without a specific learning disorder (SLD). A total of 564 secondary and high school students (males = 236; females = 328; age range: 11–19; M = 16.14, SD = 1.70) completed a set of standardized tests assessing social and interpersonal skills (non-affirmation, impulsiveness, narcissism, social preoccupation, and stress in social situations), general self-efficacy, and metacognition. Students with SLD reported a lower interpersonal adaptation than students without SLD. Furthermore, students with SLD were more impulsive and had more problems handling social situations. They also reported lower levels of self-efficacy but higher metacognition scores than peers without SLD. The use of compensatory tools was associated with better interpersonal skills and higher levels of self-efficacy in students with SLD. Finally, using these instruments is predictive of high levels of metacognitive skills in adolescents with SLD. In line with the previous literature, this study showed the presence of a gap between adolescents with and without an SLD in terms of interpersonal adaptation, general self-efficacy, and metacognitive skills in the school context. Further studies are needed on the psychological well-being of adolescents with SLD and especially on the protective role of personal, social, and environmental characteristics.