bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Λ-Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Lazopoulos Konstantinos A.
Published: September 2022

Λ-fractional differential equations are discussed since they exhibit non-locality and accuracy. Fractional derivatives form fractional differential equations, considered as describing better various physical phenomena. Nevertheless, fractional derivatives fail to satisfy the prerequisites of differential topology for generating differentials. Hence, all the sources of generating fractional differential equations, such as fractional differential geometry, the fractional calculus of variations, and the fractional field theory, are not mathematically accurate. Nevertheless, the Λ-fractional derivative conforms to all prerequisites demanded by differential topology. Hence, the various mathematical forms, including those derivatives, do not lack the mathematical accuracy or defects of the well-known fractional derivatives. A summary of the Λ-fractional analysis is presented with its influence on the sources of differential equations, such as fractional differential geometry, field theorems, and calculus of variations. Λ-fractional ordinary and partial differential equations will be discussed.
DNA Polymerase ζ without the C-Terminus of Catalytic Subunit Rev3 Retains Characteristic Activity, but Alters Mutation Specificity of Ultraviolet Radiation in Yeast
Authors: Siebler Hollie M. , Cui Jian , Hill Sarah E. , Pavlov Youri I.
Published: September 2022

DNA polymerase ζ (pol ζ) plays a central role in replicating damaged genomic DNA. When DNA synthesis stalls at a lesion, it participates in translesion DNA synthesis (TLS), which helps replication proceed. TLS prevents cell death at the expense of new mutations. The current model indicates that pol ζ-dependent TLS events are mediated by Pol31/Pol32 pol ζ subunits, which are shared with replicative polymerase pol δ. Surprisingly, we found that the mutant rev3-ΔC in yeast, which lacks the C-terminal domain (CTD) of the catalytic subunit of pol ζ and, thus, the platform for interaction with Pol31/Pol32, retains most pol ζ functions. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we studied TLS in normal templates or templates with abasic sites in vitro in primer extension reactions with purified four-subunit pol ζ versus pol ζ with Rev3-ΔC. We also examined the specificity of ultraviolet radiation (UVR)-induced mutagenesis in the rev3-ΔC strains. We found that the absence of Rev3 CTD reduces activity levels, but does not alter the basic biochemical properties of pol ζ, and alters the mutation spectrum only at high doses of UVR, alluding to the existence of mechanisms of recruitment of pol ζ to UVR-damaged sites independent of the interaction of Pol31/Pol32 with the CTD of Rev3.
Evaluation of the Available Variant Calling Tools for Oxford Nanopore Sequencing in Breast Cancer
Authors: Helal Asmaa A. , Saad Bishoy T. , Saad Mina T. , Mosaad Gamal S. , Aboshanab Khaled M.
Published: September 2022

The goal of biomarker testing, in the field of personalized medicine, is to guide treatments to achieve the best possible results for each patient. The accurate and reliable identification of everyone’s genome variants is essential for the success of clinical genomics, employing third-generation sequencing. Different variant calling techniques have been used and recommended by both Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) and Nanopore communities. A thorough examination of the variant callers might give critical guidance for third-generation sequencing-based clinical genomics. In this study, two reference genome sample datasets (NA12878) and (NA24385) and the set of high-confidence variant calls provided by the Genome in a Bottle (GIAB) were used to allow the evaluation of the performance of six variant calling tools, including Human-SNP-wf, Clair3, Clair, NanoCaller, Longshot, and Medaka, as an integral step in the in-house variant detection workflow. Out of the six variant callers understudy, Clair3 and Human-SNP-wf that has Clair3 incorporated into it achieved the highest performance rates in comparison to the other variant callers. Evaluation of the results for the tool was expressed in terms of Precision, Recall, and F1-score using Hap.py tools for the comparison. In conclusion, our findings give important insights for identifying accurate variants from third-generation sequencing of personal genomes using different variant detection tools available for long-read sequencing.
The PoLACS4 Gene May Participate in Drought Stress Resistance in Tree Peony (Paeonia ostii ‘Feng Dan Bai’)
Authors: Zhang Hongye , Zhang Shan , Li Meng , Wang Juan , Wu Tian
Published: September 2022

The tree peony (Paeonia ostii ‘Feng Dan Bai’) has excellent drought tolerance. Although it has already been reported that the cuticle is an essential barrier against drought stress, the critical genes for cuticle resistance to drought remain unclear. However, the long-chain acyl-CoA synthetases (LACS) family of genes may be significant for the synthesis of cuticle wax. To test whether the LACS gene family is involved in cuticle response to drought stress in tree peony, we measure the thickness of cuticle stems and leaves alongside LACS enzyme activity. It is found that the cuticle thickens and the LACS enzyme increases with the maturation of stems and leaves, and there is a positive correlation between them. The LACS enzyme increases within 12 h under drought stress induced by polyethylene glycol (PEG). The transcriptome sequencing result (BioProject accession number PRJNA317164) is searched for, and a LACS gene with high expression is cloned. This gene has high homology and similarity with LACS4 from Arabidopsis thaliana. The gene is named PoLACS4. It is show to be highly expressed in mature leaves and peaks within 1 h under drought and salt stresses. All these results suggest that the LACS family of genes may be involved in cuticle response to drought stress and that PoLACS4 is a crucial gene which responds rapidly to drought in the tree peony.
Breast Cancer Genetics: Diagnostics and Treatment
Authors: Criscitiello Carmen , Corti Chiara
Published: September 2022

Breast cancer (BC) genetics has become a fundamental aspect of BC management [...]
Qualitative Focus Groups with Professionals of Special Education and Parents of Young Females with Intellectual Disability Exploring Experiences with Menstrual Hygiene Management and the Trigger for the Non-Therapeutic Hysterectomy in Mexico
Authors: Flores-Medina Maria del Rosario , Valdez-Martinez Edith , Márquez-González Horacio
Published: September 2022

How primary carers, physicians, health education professionals, and others see or understand the subject of menstruation in women with intellectual disability (ID) is rooted in the socio-cultural context and in the socio-economic structures in which all of them live. The aim of this study was to explore how parents of young females with ID and special education professionals perceive and experience menstrual hygiene management, which coping strategies are applied; and what triggers the performance of a hysterectomy. A qualitative focus group study design was conducted with 69 parents and 11 special education professionals, in 14 schools and one Down syndrome clinic, in Mexico City. Data were analysed using the method of thematic analysis. The main concern of parents was how to cope with the underlying disease. They perceived menstrual bleeding positively. Their psychological distress had to do with the reproductive health of their daughters, with their wish to avoid pregnancy, and with their fear of death and leaving their daughters alone and helpless without them. None of them favoured hysterectomy. Medical indication of hysterectomy was identified as the trigger for its performance. There is an urgent need of policy development/review on best practices for hysterectomy in the females in question.
Effects of Extensor Digitorum Longus and Tibialis Anterior Taping on Balance and Gait Performance in Patients Post Stroke
Authors: Cho Kyun-Hee , Park Shin-Jun
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of extensor digitorum longus taping (EDLT) and tibialis anterior taping (TAT) on balance and gait performance in patients post-stroke. The study included 40 stroke patients randomly assigned to two intervention groups: the EDLT group and the TAT group. Therapeutic taping was applied to the extensor digitorum in the EDLT group and applied to the tibialis anterior in the TAT group. Balance variables were measured using BioRescue equipment, and gait variables were measured using G-walk equipment. Balance and gait variables were significantly increased in both the EDLT and TAT groups after the intervention, but there were no significant differences between the two groups. Therefore, we concluded that eversion (EDLT) or inversion (TAT) through taping did not affect the outcome. Only dorsiflexion affects gait speed increase post-stroke. As a result of this study, extensor digitorum longus taping and tibialis anterior taping were taping methods with no difference in the improvement of balance ability and gait performance.
Resistance Training Improves Physical Fitness and Reduces Pain Perception in Workers with Upper Limb Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders: A Pilot Study
Authors: Bullo Valentina , Gobbo Stefano , Sciusco Salvatore , Cugusi Lucia , Di Blasio Andrea , Cruz-Díaz David , Bortoletto Alessandro , Priolo Giampaolo , Bocalini Danilo Sales , Bergamin Marco
Published: September 2022

Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) are a cause of productivity loss and disability. Resistance training (RT) and stretching seems to relieve pain, reducing the relative workload via an improvement in range of motion. Sixteen women (age: 48.69 ± 5.88 years old, working career duration as a packager: 22.75 ± 2.18 years) were recruited to participate in a 14-week work-based RT and stretching program. Specific exercise training (SET) targeting all body areas affected by WRMDs was performed after week 6. Physical fitness was measured via the 2 min step test (2MST), the back scratch test and the handgrip test (HG). To evaluate the level of pain in the cervical spine, shoulder, elbow and wrist, the visual analogue scale (VAS) was used. Differences were verified with a t-test. The cervical spine (p = 0.02) and left wrist (p = 0.04) VAS decreased, whereas the HG for both right (p = 0.01) and left (p = 0.01) hands and the 2MST (p = 0.01) improved. Participants with WRMDs affecting the cervical spine reported a 3.72 higher VAS score for the neck at the beginning of the protocol (p = 0.03). The protocol improved the physical fitness of participants but showed a limited effect on WRMD pain. The mean adherence was 86.2%, which indicated that exercise performed in the workplace is well accepted and could be used for pain management.
Learning Multiple Movements in Parallel—Accurately and in Random Order, or Each with Added Noise?
Authors: Apidogo Julius B. , Burdack Johannes , Schöllhorn Wolfgang I.
Published: September 2022

Traditionally, studies on learning have mainly focused on the acquisition and stabilization of only single movement tasks. In everyday life and in sports, however, several new skills often must be learned in parallel. The extent to which the similarity of the movements or the order in which they are learned influences success has only recently begun to attract increased interest. This study aimed to compare the effects of CI in random practice order (high CI) with differential learning (DL) in learning three volleyball skills in parallel. Thirty-two advanced beginners in volleyball (mean age = 24, SD = 2.7) voluntarily participated in the study. Within a pre-, post-, retention test design, an intervention of six weeks and one week retention phase, the effects of three practice protocols of a CI, DL, and control (CO) group were compared. Three different volleyball skills (underhand pass, overhand pass, and overhand serve) were trained with emphasis on accuracy. Results showed statistically significant higher rates of improvement in the acquisition and learning phases for the DL group compared to the CI and CO groups. The differences were associated with moderate to high effect sizes in all individual skills and in the combined skills. The findings show more agreement with DL than with CI theory.
Dry Needling Alone or in Combination with Exercise Therapy versus Other Interventions for Reducing Pain and Disability in Subacromial Pain Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Para-García Gonzalo , García-Muñoz Ana María , López-Gil José Francisco , Ruiz-Cárdenas Juan Diego , García-Guillén Ana Isabel , López-Román Francisco Javier , Pérez-Piñero Silvia , Abellán-Ruiz María Salud , Cánovas Fernando , Victoria-Montesinos Desirée
Published: September 2022

This systematic review and meta-analysis examined the effects of dry needling alone or in combination with exercise therapy for reducing pain and disability in people with subacromial pain syndrome. Systematic searches of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were performed in five different databases. A meta-analysis was carried out with the data obtained, and the risk of bias and quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane ROB 2.0 and GRADE tools. Finally, five RCTs (n = 315) were included in the meta-analysis and qualitative analysis. Our results determine that dry needling alone or combined with exercise therapy showed improvements in pain in the short-term (5RCTs: SMD: −0.27; [−0.49, −0.05]; low-quality) and mid-term (4RCTs: SMD: −0.27; [−0.51, −0.04]; low-quality) compared to a range of interventions. However, no differences were shown for disability at short-term (3 RCTs: SMD: −0.97; [−2.04, 0.11]; very-low quality) and mid-term (3 RCTs: SMD: −0.85; [−1.74, 0.04]; very-low quality). Dry needling alone or in combination with exercise therapy may result in a slight reduction in pain in the short-term and mid-term. However, the evidence about the effect of this therapy on disability in the short- or mid-term is very uncertain compared to the range of interventions analyzed in this systematic review (Registration: INPLASY202260112).
The Effect of Rainfall on Aquatic Nitrogen and Phosphorus in a Semi-Humid Area Catchment, Northern China
Authors: Shou Chen-Yang , Tian Ye , Zhou Bin , Fu Xu-Jin , Zhu Yun-Ji , Yue Fu-Jun
Published: September 2022

The impact of rainfall on water quality may be more important in semi-arid regions, where rainfall is concentrated over a couple of months. To explore the impact of rainfall changes on water quality, e.g., nitrogen (TN) and phosphorous (TP), the diversion from Luan River to Tianjin Watershed in the northern semi-humid area was selected as the study area. TN and TP concentrations in rivers and the Yuqiao Reservoir during the three-year high-flow season (2019–2021) were analyzed. The response relationship and influencing factors among the watershed’s biogeochemical process, rainfall, and water quality were clarified. The results showed that rainfall in the high flow season mainly controlled the river flow. The concentration of TN and TP in the inflow rivers is regulated by rainfall/flow, while the concentration of TN and TP in the water diversion river has different variation characteristics in the water diversion period and other periods. The lowest annual concentrations of TN and TP were observed in the normal year, while the highest annual concentration was observed in the wet year, indicating that the hydrological process drove the nutrient transport in the watershed. For the tributaries, the Li River catchment contributed a large amount of N and P to the aquatic environment. For the reservoir, the extreme TN concentrations were the same as the tributaries, while the extremes of TP concentrations decreased from the dry year to wet year, which was in contrast to the tributaries. The spatial variation of TN and TP concentrations in the reservoir showed that the concentration decreased following the flow direction from the river estuary to the reservoir outlet. Considering climate change, with the increase of rainfall in North China in the future, the TN and TP transport fluxes in the watershed may continue to increase, leading to the nitrogen and phosphorus load of the downstream reservoir. To ensure the impact of the increase of potential N and P output fluxes in the watershed on the water quality of the reservoir area, it is necessary to strengthen the effective prevention and control of non-point source pollution in the watershed.
General Mapping of the Environmental Performance in Climate Change Mitigation of Spanish Universities through a Standardized Carbon Footprint Calculation Tool
Authors: Guerrero-Lucendo Antonio , García-Orenes Fuensanta , Navarro-Pedreño Jose , Alba-Hidalgo David
Published: September 2022

Higher education institutions (HEIs) can be considered role models of small cities that contribute to the fight against climate change. Therefore, assessing their own carbon footprints (CFs) and drawing conclusions gives significance to this study. In this study, 77 CFs from 14 HEIs were obtained through a tool developed by the Spanish Government. They were analyzed along with different variables and recalculated using the same standardized activity ratios. As a result, a general mapping of the environmental performance in climate change mitigation of Spanish universities has been obtained. Although there is an overall decrease in total CF (72.7%), direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Scope 1) remain stable, while the decrease is due to the reduction of emissions caused by electricity consumption (Scope 2) through the use electricity suppliers that guarantee the energy provided is generated from renewable sources. A lack of consensus in the definition of “student” and “employee”, used for the activity ratios, causes large variations in the relative CF values. For worldwide benchmarking of HEIs’ climate change performance, CF can be a valid indicator only if they: (1) include standardized Scope 1 and 2 emission sources, (2) use the same emission factors, and (3) calculate activity ratios from standardized functional units.
Psychometric Properties of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire in University Students
Authors: Sosa-Cordobés Elena , García-Padilla Francisca María , Ortega-Galán Ángela María , Sánchez-Alcón Miriam , Garrido-Fernández Almudena , Ramos-Pichardo Juan Diego
Published: September 2022

Emotional Eating (EE) patterns have been shown to play a relevant role in the development of overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to analyze the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Emotional Eater Questionnaire (EEQ) in university students from Huelva. The EEQ was administered to 1282 students (age 22.00 (±5.10), BMI 23.59 (±6.74)), belonging to the University of Huelva. An exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were carried out. The internal structure of the questionnaire, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and convergent validity were analyzed. Principal component analysis of the questionnaire showed two dimensions, explaining 56% of the variance. Internal consistency showed a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.859 globally, and of 0.841–0.855 if the items were removed. The corrected item-total correlation yielded values of 0.444–0.687. The test-retest stability was ICC = 0.924 (p < 0.001). The data showed significant correlations between EEQ and the rest of the variables, and a Spearman’s Coefficient ranging from −0.367 to 0.400. The fit indexes were good for the confirmatory factor analysis. The results obtained with this structure found an adequate reliability and validity of the questionnaire in comparison with previous studies.
Using Stable Sulfur Isotope to Trace Sulfur Oxidation Pathways during the Winter of 2017–2019 in Tianjin, North China
Authors: Ding Shiyuan , Chen Yingying , Li Qinkai , Li Xiao-Dong
Published: September 2022

After the implementation of the Coal Replacing Project (CRP) in the northern parts of China in 2017, its effect on PM2.5 composition is still unclear. In the study, water-soluble ionic components (WSICs) and stable sulfur isotope ratios (δ34S) of SO42− in PM2.5 collected during the domestic heating period before and after the implementation of CRP in Tianjin were analyzed. Results showed that the average concentrations of both PM2.5 and WSICs have dropped dramatically after the CRP, especially for the SO42− (by approximately 57–60%). After the CRP, the range of δ34Ssulfate was significantly narrowed to 4.1–7.5‰ in January 2018 and 1.4–6.1‰ in January 2019, which suggested that the sulfur source was becoming simple. It was interesting that the δ34Ssulfate value in the pollution period before the CRP was higher than that in the clean period, whereas it showed the opposite tendency after the CRP, which implied that the contribution of sea salt was high during the pollution period before the CRP. The MIXSIAR model calculated that the contributions of the transition-metal ion (TMI) oxidation and NO2 oxidation pathways in the three sampling stages were higher than those of the OH radical oxidation and H2O2/O3 oxidation pathways, indicating that the formation pathway of sulfate was mainly dominated by heterogeneous oxidation. Before the CRP, the NO2 oxidation pathway was the dominant sulfate oxidation pathway during a haze episode, and the TMI oxidation pathway dominated the formation of sulfates after the CRP.
Time-Dependent Toxicity and Health Effects Mechanism of Cadmium to Three Green Algae
Authors: Mo Lingyun , Yang Yilin , Zhao Danna , Qin Litang , Yuan Baikang , Liang Nan
Published: September 2022

As algae are extremely sensitive to heavy-metal ions and can be critical biological indicators in the heavy-metal toxicity analyses conducted by environmental health researchers, this paper explores the sensitivity to temporal toxicity of three species of green algae: Scenedesmus obliquus, Chlorella pyrenoidosa, and Selenastrum capricornutum. The method of time-dependent microplate toxicity analysis was used to systematically investigate the changes in the toxicities of the three green-algae species induced by different concentrations of cadmium (Cd). The chlorophyll a content, antioxidant enzyme activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the algae were analyzed to explore the mechanism of Cd toxicity after 96 h of exposure. The results showed that the toxic effects of Cd on the three algae species were time-dependent. By comparing the toxic effect of Cd, indicated by pEC50 (the negative logarithm of EC50), on the algae species at four durations of exposure (24, 48, 72, and 96 h), this study found that the indicator organisms had different sensitivities to Cd. The order of sensitivity was C. pyrenoidosa > S. obliquus > S. capricornutum. Cd exposure had significant effects on the chlorophyll a and MDA content and on the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the algae species. The chlorophyll a content in the cells of the algae decreased with increasing Cd concentration. The enzyme activity of CAT and content of MDA increased with increasing Cd concentration, which indicated that Cd had an oxidative stress effect on the three algae species.
Leadership Effectiveness in Healthcare Settings: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional and Before–After Studies
Authors: Restivo Vincenzo , Minutolo Giuseppa , Battaglini Alberto , Carli Alberto , Capraro Michele , Gaeta Maddalena , Odone Anna , Trucchi Cecilia , Favaretti Carlo , Vitale Francesco , Casuccio Alessandra
Published: September 2022

To work efficiently in healthcare organizations and optimize resources, team members should agree with their leader’s decisions critically. However, nowadays, little evidence is available in the literature. This systematic review and meta-analysis has assessed the effectiveness of leadership interventions in improving healthcare outcomes such as performance and guidelines adherence. Overall, the search strategies retrieved 3,155 records, and 21 of them were included in the meta-analysis. Two databases were used for manuscript research: PubMed and Scopus. On 16th December 2019 the researchers searched for articles published in the English language from 2015 to 2019. Considering the study designs, the pooled leadership effectiveness was 14.0% (95%CI 10.0–18.0%) in before–after studies, whereas the correlation coefficient between leadership interventions and healthcare outcomes was 0.22 (95%CI 0.15–0.28) in the cross-sectional studies. The multi-regression analysis in the cross-sectional studies showed a higher leadership effectiveness in South America (β = 0.56; 95%CI 0.13, 0.99), in private hospitals (β = 0.60; 95%CI 0.14, 1.06), and in medical specialty (β = 0.28; 95%CI 0.02, 0.54). These results encourage the improvement of leadership culture to increase performance and guideline adherence in healthcare settings. To reach this purpose, it would be useful to introduce a leadership curriculum following undergraduate medical courses.
Airborne Sound Power Levels and Spectra of Noise Sources in Port Areas
Authors: Schiavoni Samuele , D’Alessandro Francesco , Borelli Davide , Fredianelli Luca , Gaggero Tomaso , Schenone Corrado , Baldinelli Giorgio
Published: September 2022

Airborne port noise has historically suffered from a lack of regulatory assessment compared to other transport infrastructures. This has led to several complaints from citizens living in the urban areas surrounding ports, which is a very common situation, especially in countries facing the Mediterranean sea. Only in relatively recent years has an effort been made to improve this situation, which has resulted in a call for and financing of numerous international cooperation research projects, within the framework of programs such as EU FP7, H2020, ENPI-CBC MED, LIFE, and INTERREG. These projects dealt with issues and aspects of port noise, which is an intrinsically tangled problem, since several authorities and companies operate within the borders of ports, and several different noise sources are present at the same time. In addition, ship classification societies have recently recognized the problem and nowadays are developing procedures and voluntary notations to assess the airborne noise emission from marine vessels. The present work summarizes the recent results of research regarding port noise sources in order to provide a comprehensive database of sources that can be easily used, for example, as an input to the noise mapping phase, and can subsequently prevent citizens’ exposure to noise.
“At the Root of COVID Grew a More Complicated Situation”: A Qualitative Analysis of the Guatemalan Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response System during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Vahedi Luissa , Seff Ilana , Olaya Rodriguez Deidi , McNelly Samantha , Interiano Perez Ana Isabel , Erskine Dorcas , Poulton Catherine , Stark Lindsay
Published: September 2022

A growing body of literature has documented an increased risk of gender-based violence (GBV) within the context of COVID-19 and service providers’ reduced capacity to address this vulnerability. Less examined are the system-level impacts of the pandemic on the GBV sector in low- and middle-income countries. Drawing on the perspectives of 18 service providers working across various GBV-related sectors in Guatemala, we explored how the Guatemalan GBV prevention and response system operated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings highlight that the pandemic reinforced survivors’ existing adversities (inadequate transportation access, food insecurity, digital divides), which subsequently reduced access to reporting, justice, and support. Consequently, the GBV prevention and response system had to absorb the responsibility of securing survivors’ essential social determinants of health, further limiting already inflexible budgets. The pandemic also imposed new challenges, such as service gridlocks, that negatively affected survivors’ system navigation and impaired service providers’ abilities to efficiently receive reports and mobilize harm reduction and prevention programming. The findings underscore the systemic challenges faced by GBV service providers and the need to incorporate gender mainstreaming across public service sectors—namely, transportation and information/communication—to improve lifesaving GBV service delivery for Guatemalan survivors, particularly survivors in rural/remote regions.
Cluster Analysis to Distinguish Patients Most Likely to Benefit from Outpatient Cardiac Rehabilitation—A Prospective, Multicenter Study
Authors: Hincz Jacek , Sterliński Maciej , Kostrzewa Dariusz , Dąbrowski Rafał , Smolis-Bąk Edyta
Published: September 2022

Offering cardiac rehabilitation to people who can benefit most could improve the outcomes in the context of limited availability. We used cluster analysis to distinguish three patient groups based on clinical and laboratory variables and then compared the outcomes of 6-month outpatient cardiac rehabilitation between these groups. The outcomes included blood pressure, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, and uric acid concertation in serum. Group 1 consisted primarily of men with obesity, increased blood pressure, favourable lipid profiles and increased fasting glucose. Group 2 consisted of men or women with normal weight, normal blood pressure, favourable lipid profiles, and normal fasting glucose. Group 3 consisted primarily of women with overweight, normal blood pressure, unfavourable lipid profiles, and normal fasting glucose. After 6 months of cardiac rehabilitation, blood lipids improved in group 3, whereas blood pressure improved in groups 1 and 3, but the outcomes did not change significantly in group 2. We did not see any effect of cardiac rehabilitation on fasting blood glucose and serum uric acid concentration in any group. Concentrations of glucose and uric acid did not change significantly in any group. In conclusion, an adequate selection of patients should maximise the benefits of cardiac rehabilitation.
Social Isolation, Hospitalization, and Deaths from Cardiovascular Diseases during the COVID-19 Epidemic in São Paulo Metropolitan Area in 2020
Authors: Lima Lucas Rodrigues de , Ponte Paulo Francisco Auricchio da , Dias Lucca Novais , Silvestre Marcelo Henrique Lima , Suen Paulo Jeng Chian , Mansur Antonio de Padua
Published: September 2022

Background: The COVID-19 epidemic overloaded the São Paulo metropolitan area (SPMA) health system in 2020. The leading hospitals directed their attention to patients with COVID-19. At the same time, the SPMA Health Secretary decreed social isolation (SI), which compromised the care for cardiovascular diseases (CVD), even though higher cardiovascular events were expected. Methods: This study analyzed mortality from CVD, ischemic heart disease (IHD), and stroke, along with hospital admissions for CVD, IHD, stroke, and SI in the SPMA in 2020. Data regarding hospitalization and mortality from CVD were obtained from the SPMA Health Department, and data regarding SI was obtained from the São Paulo Intelligent Monitoring System. Time-series trends were analyzed by linear regression, as well as comparisons between these trends. Results: there was an inverse correlation between SI and hospitalizations for CVD (R2 = 0.70; p < 0.001), IHD (R2 = 0.70; p < 0.001), and stroke (R2 = 0.39; p < 0.001). The most significant hospitalization reduction was from March to May, when the SI increased from 43.07% to 50.71%. The increase in SI was also associated with a reduction in CVD deaths (R2 = 0.49; p < 0.001), IHD (R2 = 0.50; p < 0.001), and stroke (R2 = 0.26; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Increased social isolation was associated with reduced hospitalizations and deaths from CVD, IHD, and stroke.
The Mediation Role of an Individual’s and Couple’s Psychological Factors, Including Parenting in the Prediction of Relational and Marital Satisfaction
Authors: Chiș Roxana , Ignat Sonia , Rad Dana , Macsinga Irina
Published: September 2022

The goal of this study was to widen the scope of the social component of family sustainability. The fundamental goal of this non-experimental, quantitative study was to look at the links between parenting correlates, personality characteristics, marital satisfaction, and well-being in couples, as well as to construct explanatory prediction models for relational and marital satisfaction. The study focused on the effects of personality traits, parental self-efficacy, and attachment to marital and relational satisfaction. The test instruments applied were: the Experiences in Close Relationships-Revised, Marital Adjustment Test, Couple Satisfaction Index, Relationship Satisfaction Scale, Family Distress Index, Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale (adapted to the role of a parent), Mowen’s Personality Scale, and demographic data. A total of 238 Romanians answered the online survey, recruited based on a convenience sampling method. Participants in this research were individuals who were both married and had at least one child. The main findings show that agreeableness, openness, conscientiousness, anxious and avoidant attachment, and marital adjustment predict the satisfaction in the relationship, and openness partially mediates the association between marital adjustment and relationship satisfaction. Parental self-efficacy appears to influence the association between relationship satisfaction and marital satisfaction. An increased parental self-efficacy score predicts an increased relationship satisfaction and marital satisfaction. The higher the parental self-efficacy, the higher the satisfaction in the relationship, which leads to an increase in satisfaction in the couple. These results show that marital adjustment and adaptation are related to relational satisfaction, and these relationship are partially mediated by an individual’s openness. Despite some limitations, the current study significantly contributes to couples therapies and interventions in terms of physical and mental health, and the study provides insight into the experiences and perspectives of married individuals with children in Romania.
The Role of Psychobiotics to Ensure Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic—A Current State of Knowledge
Authors: Zielińska Dorota , Karbowiak Marcelina , Brzezicka Aneta
Published: September 2022

Psychobiotics are defined as probiotics, mainly of the genus Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, that confer mental health benefits to the host when consumed in a particular quantity through the interaction with commensal gut microbiota. The gut microbiota, which means a diverse and dynamic population of microorganisms harboring the gastrointestinal tract, communicates with the brain and vice versa through the brain–gut axis. The mechanisms of action of psychobiotics may be divided into four groups: synthesis of neurotransmitters and neurochemicals, regulation of the HPA axis, influence on the immune system, and synthesis of metabolites. Recent years showed that the COVID-19 pandemic affected not only physical, but also mental health. Social isolation, fear of infection, the lack of adequate vaccine, disinformation, increased number of deaths, financial loss, quarantine, and lockdown are all factors can cause psychiatric problems. The aim of this review was to discuss the potential role of psychobiotic in light of the current problems, based on in vitro and in vivo studies, meta-analyses, clinical trials evidence, and registered studies assessing probiotics’ therapeutic administration in the prevention or treatment of symptoms or side effects of COVID-19.
Molecular Alterations and Severe Abnormalities in Spermatozoa of Young Men Living in the “Valley of Sacco River” (Latium, Italy): A Preliminary Study
Authors: Perrone Pasquale , Lettieri Gennaro , Marinaro Carmela , Longo Valentina , Capone Simonetta , Forleo Angiola , Pappalardo Sebastiana , Montano Luigi , Piscopo Marina
Published: September 2022

The Valley of Sacco River (VSR) (Latium, Italy) is an area with large-scale industrial chemical production that has led over time to significant contamination of soil and groundwater with various industrial pollutants, such as organic pesticides, dioxins, organic solvents, heavy metals, and particularly, volatile organic compounds (VOCs). In the present study, we investigated the potential impact of VOCs on the spermatozoa of healthy young males living in the VSR, given the prevalent presence of several VOCs in the semen of these individuals. To accomplish this, spermiograms were conducted followed by molecular analyses to assess the content of sperm nuclear basic proteins (SNBPs) in addition to the protamine-histone ratio and DNA binding of these proteins. We found drastic alterations in the spermatozoa of these young males living in the VSR. Alterations were seen in sperm morphology, sperm motility, sperm count, and protamine/histone ratios, and included significant reductions in SNBP–DNA binding capacity. Our results provide preliminary indications of a possible correlation between the observed alterations and the presence of specific VOCs.
Communicating Unexpected and Violent Death: The Experiences of Police Officers and Health Care Professionals
Authors: De Leo Diego , Congregalli Benedetta , Guarino Annalisa , Zammarrelli Josephine , Valle Anna , Paoloni Stefano , Cipolletta Sabrina
Published: September 2022

Background: The notification of unexpected and violent death represents a challenging experience for police officers and health workers. These professionals are exposed to very intense emotions during this task. Aim: We aimed to investigate the degree of preparation, and the emotions and attitudes of police officers and health professionals while communicating such a death. Method: An ad hoc online questionnaire was created and disseminated through Qualtrics software. The participants were recruited through the institutional channels of Police, the College of Physicians, the ONG De Leo Fund and the Department of General Psychology of the University of Padua. In this qualitative study, thematic content analysis was used to examine the responses. Results: A total of 155 individuals participated in the study (44 females, 111 males): 102 individuals were police officers, 23 were doctors and were 30 nurses. Five main themes were identified: (1) how the communication took place; (2) the experiences during the communication; (3) the difficulties encountered; (4) coping strategies, and (5) forms of support. Most communications were performed in person, and most represented an intense emotional experience for the notifiers. There is a generalised lack of specific preparation and training for this practice. The recipient’s characteristics (culture of origin, language, age, health conditions, psychological vulnerability) may add to the difficulties of the notification process. Professionals unload their tension by practicing sport, relying on their hobbies or interacting socially. The presence of other colleagues during and after the death notification is usually able to alleviate the burden of the communication. Conclusions: Communication modalities can have a profound impact on the recipients and intensify the trauma of the loss; however, they also have the possibility of mitigating it. The notification of a violent and unexpected death remains a difficult and challenging task for the notifier, which is potentially stressful and emotionally charged. The topic is of great relevance and more research should be promoted in this area.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis on the Effects of Neurofeedback Training of Theta Activity on Working Memory and Episodic Memory in Healthy Population
Authors: Yeh Wen-Hsiu , Ju Ya-Ju , Liu Yu-Ting , Wang Ting-Yi
Published: September 2022

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neurofeedback training (NFT) of theta activity on working memory (WM) and episodic memory (EM) in healthy participants via a systematic review and meta-analysis. A total of 337 articles obtained from electronic databases were assessed; however, only 11 articles met the criteria for meta-analysis after manually screening and eliminating unnecessary studies. A meta-analysis calculating the Hedges’ g effect size metric with 95% confidence intervals using random effects models was employed. Heterogeneity was estimated using I2 statistics. Theta NFT is effective in improving memory outcomes, including WM with a Hedges’ g of 0.56 [0.10; 1.02] (I2 = 62.9% and p = 0.02), and EM with a Hedges’ g of 0.62 [0.13; 1.10] (I2 = 42.04% and p = 0.01). Overall, the results suggest that theta NFT seems to be useful as nonpharmacological/adjunct training to improve WM and EM in healthy participants.
Neurodevelopment Outcome in Children with Fetal Growth Restriction at Six Years of Age: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Benítez Marín María José , Blanco Elena Juan Antonio , Marín Clavijo Jesús , Jiménez López Jesús , Lubián López Daniel María , González Mesa Ernesto
Published: September 2022

Objective: This study aimed to describe neurodevelopment in fetal growth restriction children at the age of six. Secondly, we tried to demonstrate influencing factors that can improve or exacerbate this development, as well as predictive factors that might select a population at risk to assist with early childhood support. Method: It was a study of 70 children affected with FGR. FGR was based on these definitions: birth weight below the 3rd percentile or birth weight below the 10th percentile with an abnormal hemodynamic Doppler study. Neurodevelopment was assessed at 6 years old by means of Batelle Development Inventory. A global development quotient under a 100 score was considered a neurodevelopment delay. All variables regarding pregnancy care, delivery episode, postpartum, neonatal care, sociodemographic issues, and the need for support in the first years were studied. Results: The mean gestational age at diagnosis was 33.14 weeks (standard deviation (SD = 4.31), with 32.9% of early-onset diagnoses. The mean gestational age at delivery was 35.61 (SD = 3.21), and the cesarean rate was 64.3%. The average age of the children at the moment of the evaluation was 76.20-month-old (SD = 3.70). The mean global development quotient was 97.28 (SD = 13.97). We were able to record a 57.1% of global development delay. In the cases of cognition, only 17.1% of the children registered a delay. Motor and communication skills were the most frequently affected. We discovered that socioeconomic status was positively related to the global development quotient, as well as both gestational age at delivery and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index was positively related to the global development quotient. Conclusions: We found a higher neurodevelopment delay rate (57.1%). We could relate a higher gestational age at delivery and a higher MCA percentile with better global neurodevelopment quotients.
Dynamic Game Analysis of Enterprise Green Technology Innovation Ecosystem under Double Environmental Regulation
Authors: Li Yan , Shi Yi
Published: September 2022

In the context of China’s “double carbon” target, an urgent problem that remains to be solved is how to drive the construction of an enterprise green innovation ecosystem through effective environmental regulations to alleviate the pressure of energy saving and emission reduction. Based on this, we constructed a tripartite evolutionary game model of enterprises, governments and financial institutions, and used the evolutionary game theory and MATLAB simulation to analyze the evolutionary process of the interaction of the subjects of the green technology innovation of enterprises under the dual environmental regulation. The research finds that: (1) Both formal and informal environmental regulations can promote green technology innovation in enterprises, provided that the enforcement is controlled within an appropriate range; (2) Informal environmental regulations are a weaker driver of green technology innovation in firms than formal environmental regulations; (3) Six types of environmental regulation strategies, namely, the “penalty enterprises mechanism“, “financial support mechanism“, “public supervision mechanism”, “punishes financial institutions mechanism”, “financial subsidy mechanism” and “carbon tax mechanism“, have a decreasing effect on promoting the development of the green technology innovation ecosystem of enterprises; (4) Combining the implementation of a middle-intensity subsidy mechanism, a high-intensity penalty mechanism, a low-intensity public supervision mechanism and a middle-intensity carbon tax mechanism is the optimal strategy combination to encourage collaborative green technology innovation between companies and financial institutions.
The Impact of Training on the Loss of Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Aging Masters Endurance Athletes
Authors: Burtscher Johannes , Strasser Barbara , Burtscher Martin , Millet Gregoire P.
Published: September 2022

Elite masters endurance athletes are considered models of optimal healthy aging due to the maintenance of high cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) until old age. Whereas a drop in VO2max in masters athletes has been broadly investigated, the modifying impact of training still remains a matter of debate. Longitudinal observations in masters endurance athletes demonstrated VO2max declines between −5% and −46% per decade that were closely related to changes in training volume. Here, using regression analyses, we show that 54% and 39% of the variance in observed VO2max decline in male and female athletes, respectively is explained by changes in training volume. An almost linear VO2max decrease was observed in studies on young and older athletes, as well as non-athletes, starting a few days after training cessation, with a decline of as much as −20% after 12 weeks. Besides a decline in stroke volume and cardiac output, training cessation was accompanied by considerable reductions in citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase activity (reduction in mitochondrial content and oxidative capacity). This reduction could largely be rescued within similar time periods of training (re)uptake. It is evident that training reduction or cessation leads to a considerably accelerated VO2max drop, as compared to the gradual aging-related VO2max decline, which can rapidly nullify many of the benefits of preceding long-term training efforts.
How Work-Family Conflict Influenced the Safety Performance of Subway Employees during the Initial COVID-19 Pandemic: Testing a Chained Mediation Model
Authors: Zhang Jingyu , Fu Yao , Guo Zizheng , Li Ranran , Guo Qiaofeng
Published: September 2022

This study examined the impact of work-family conflict on subway employees’ safety performance during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We proposed a chain mediation model in which job burnout and affective commitment play mediating roles in this process. Using questionnaire data from 632 Chinese subway employees during February 2020, structural equation modeling analyses were performed. The analyses showed that work-family conflict had a significant negative impact on subway employee safety performance. Moreover, job burnout completely mediated the influence of work-family conflict on safety performance, while affective commitment only partially mediated the influence of job burnout on safety performance. These findings suggest the important role played by Work-Family balance during the pandemic and contribute to a deeper understanding of the inner mechanisms. We also discussed several practical implications for organizations to reduce the negative impact of work-family conflict on safety performance.