bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Accurate Transmission-Less Attenuation Correction Method for Amyloid-β Brain PET Using Deep Neural Network
Authors: Choi Bo-Hye , Hwang Donghwi , Kang Seung-Kwan , Kim Kyeong-Yun , Choi Hongyoon , Seo Seongho , Lee Jae-Sung
Published: July 2021

The lack of physically measured attenuation maps (μ-maps) for attenuation and scatter correction is an important technical challenge in brain-dedicated stand-alone positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. The accuracy of the calculated attenuation correction is limited by the nonuniformity of tissue composition due to pathologic conditions and the complex structure of facial bones. The aim of this study is to develop an accurate transmission-less attenuation correction method for amyloid-β (Aβ) brain PET studies. We investigated the validity of a deep convolutional neural network trained to produce a CT-derived μ-map (μ-CT) from simultaneously reconstructed activity and attenuation maps using the MLAA (maximum likelihood reconstruction of activity and attenuation) algorithm for Aβ brain PET. The performance of three different structures of U-net models (2D, 2.5D, and 3D) were compared. The U-net models generated less noisy and more uniform μ-maps than MLAA μ-maps. Among the three different U-net models, the patch-based 3D U-net model reduced noise and cross-talk artifacts more effectively. The Dice similarity coefficients between the μ-map generated using 3D U-net and μ-CT in bone and air segments were 0.83 and 0.67. All three U-net models showed better voxel-wise correlation of the μ-maps compared to MLAA. The patch-based 3D U-net model was the best. While the uptake value of MLAA yielded a high percentage error of 20% or more, the uptake value of 3D U-nets yielded the lowest percentage error within 5%. The proposed deep learning approach that requires no transmission data, anatomic image, or atlas/template for PET attenuation correction remarkably enhanced the quantitative accuracy of the simultaneously estimated MLAA μ-maps from Aβ brain PET.
Comprehensive Review on Smart Techniques for Estimation of State of Health for Battery Management System Application
Authors: Surya Sumukh , Rao Vidya , Williamson Sheldon S.
Published: July 2021

Electric Vehicles (EV) and Hybrid EV (HEV) use Lithium (Li) ion battery packs to drive them. These battery packs possess high specific density and low discharge rates. However, some of the limitations of such Li ion batteries are sensitivity to high temperature and health degradation over long usage. The Battery Management System (BMS) protects the battery against overvoltage, overcurrent etc., and monitors the State of Charge (SOC) and the State of Health (SOH). SOH is a complex phenomenon dealing with the effects related to aging of the battery such as the increase in the internal resistance and decrease in the capacity due to unwanted side reactions. The battery life can be extended by estimating the SOH accurately. In this paper, an extensive review on the effects of aging of the battery on the electrodes, effects of Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) deposition layer on the battery and the various techniques used for estimation of SOH are presented. This would enable prospective researchers to address the estimation of SOH with greater accuracy and reliability.
How to Improve Effectiveness of Renewable Space Heating Programs by Better Understanding Homeowner—Installer Interactions
Authors: Freyre Alisa , Cozza Stefano , Rüetschi Matthias , Bürer Meinrad , Sahakian Marlyne , Patel Martin K.
Published: July 2021

In this paper, we perform a literature review on the current state of knowledge about homeowners in the context of the adoption of renewable heating systems. Despite a considerable number of studies about homeowners, homeowner–installer interactions, and ways to improve the effectiveness of renewable heating programs, based on homeowner knowledge, have not yet been studied in much detail. To address these knowledge gaps, we conduct a qualitative study on single-family house owners who installed heat pumps and took part in a renewable heating program in Geneva, Switzerland. We cover homeowner practices in choosing installers and heating system types, homeowners’ feedback about heat pump installation and use, as well as their experience in participation in the renewable heating program. Based on the literature review and the findings from the interviews, we provide the following recommendations on how to increase the effectiveness of renewable heating programs: (a) support for homeowners should not be limited to financial incentives; (b) partnership programs with installers could help to increase the quality of installation services and enable homeowners to choose qualified installers; and (c) assisting homeowners in pre-qualification and ex-post analysis, in learning how to operate their renewable heating systems and in solving problems during the post-installation period, can contribute to improved technology reputation, which can, in turn, increase technology uptake by other homeowners.
AI and Text-Mining Applications for Analyzing Contractor’s Risk in Invitation to Bid (ITB) and Contracts for Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC) Projects
Authors: Choi Su , Choi So , Kim Jong , Lee Eul-Bum
Published: July 2021

Contractors responsible for the whole execution of engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) projects are exposed to multiple risks due to various unbalanced contracting methods such as lump-sum turn-key and low-bid selection. Although systematic risk management approaches are required to prevent unexpected damage to the EPC contractors in practice, there were no comprehensive digital toolboxes for identifying and managing risk provisions for ITB and contract documents. This study describes two core modules, Critical Risk Check (CRC) and Term Frequency Analysis (TFA), developed as a digital EPC contract risk analysis tool for contractors, using artificial intelligence and text-mining techniques. The CRC module automatically extracts risk-involved clauses in the EPC ITB and contracts by the phrase-matcher technique. A machine learning model was built in the TFA module for contractual risk extraction by using the named-entity recognition (NER) method. The risk-involved clauses collected for model development were converted into a database in JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) format, and the final results were saved in pickle format through the digital modules. In addition, optimization and reliability validation of these modules were performed through Proof of Concept (PoC) as a case study, and the modules were further developed to a cloud-service platform for application. The pilot test results showed that risk clause extraction accuracy rates with the CRC module and the TFA module were about 92% and 88%, respectively, whereas the risk clause extraction accuracy rates manually by the engineers were about 70% and 86%, respectively. The time required for ITB analysis was significantly shorter with the digital modules than by the engineers.
Strategic Analysis of Energy Security. Methodological Aspects of the Scenario Approach
Authors: Daniluk Piotr
Published: July 2021

This article presents the research results related to the methodology of threat analysis to implement in energy security. In the conducted studies, the world’s output in scenario planning and the most famous cases of global security and technology scenarios were analysed. These projects were the Lisbon Group analysis, Shell’s scenario planning concepts, and the US National Intelligence Council’s long-term analysis. In this way, I demonstrated the limitations of a scenario-based view of the issues under study, resulting mainly from considering only one type of environment. The formulated conclusions made it possible to build the author’s model of the strategic analysis process for the energy security sector. It goes beyond scenario analysis, complementing it with the sector, portfolio, and integrated analysis methods. The strategic analysis built in this way takes into account the achievements of many scientific disciplines, namely, technology, security, strategic management, foresight, international relations, and military. The multidisciplinary knowledge used to build the proposed concept will allow one to consider the increasing complexity of the global environment. Only such a scientific approach nowadays allows practical analysis and planning in the long term. Areas of special attention in strategic analysis, which constitute directions for developing research methodology, are indicated.
Waste Bread as Main Ingredient for Cookie Elaboration
Authors: Guerra-Oliveira Priscila , Belorio Mayara , Gómez Manuel
Published: July 2021

Food waste is a current global problem. The aim of this work was to investigate the possibility of reintroducing bread discarded by retailers in the preparation of sugar-snap cookies. Bread flours were obtained from stale breads (white and whole wheat) milled with 200, 500 and 1000 μm sieves. Cookies were elaborated using 100% bread flours and combinations of 50% of bread flour and wheat flour. The rheology of the doughs, the dimensions of the cookies, their texture and colour were evaluated. Bread flour doughs presented higher G’ (elastic modulus), G” (viscous modulus) values than the control, especially with increased particle size. Bread flour cookies had a smaller diameter and a harder texture than the control, but in the case of whole bread flours of larger particle sizes, those differences were reduced. Cookies made with bread flour had a darker colour and higher a* values. The 50% mixtures did not present significant differences with respect to the control in terms of dough rheology, hardness, or lightness. Although the spreading factor was reduced, it was more similar to the control than to 100% bread flour cookies. Wasted bread flour can thus be used to replace wheat flour in cookie formulations.
Influence of Sample Matrix on Determination of Histamine in Fish by Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Coupled with Chemometric Modelling
Authors: Filipec Sanja Vidaček , Valinger Davor , Mikac Lara , Ivanda Mile , Kljusurić Jasenka Gajdoš , Janči Tibor
Published: July 2021

Histamine fish poisoning is a foodborne illness caused by the consumption of fish products with high histamine content. Although intoxication mechanisms and control strategies are well known, it remains by far the most common cause of seafood-related health problems. Since conventional methods for histamine testing are difficult to implement in high-throughput quality control laboratories, simple and rapid methods for histamine testing are needed to ensure the safety of seafood products in global trade. In this work, the previously developed SERS method for the determination of histamine was tested to determine the influence of matrix effect on the performance of the method and to investigate the ability of different chemometric tools to overcome matrix effect issues. Experiments were performed on bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) and bonito (Sarda sarda) samples exposed to varying levels of microbial activity. Spectral analysis confirmed the significant effect of sample matrix, related to different fish species, as well as the extent of microbial activity on the predictive ability of PLSR models with R2 of best model ranging from 0.722–0.945. Models obtained by ANN processing of factors derived by PCA from the raw spectra of the samples showed excellent prediction of histamine, regardless of fish species and extent of microbial activity (R2 of validation > 0.99).
Effect of High-Pressure Processing on Physico-Chemical, Microbiological and Sensory Traits in Fresh Fish Fillets (Salmo salar and Pleuronectes platessa)
Authors: Castrica Marta , Pavlovic Radmila , Balzaretti Claudia M. , Curone Giulio , Brecchia Gabriele , Copelotti Emma , Panseri Sara , Pessina Davide , Arnoldi Claudio , Chiesa Luca Maria
Published: July 2021

High-pressure (HP) treatment could lead to several advantages when applied to fish and seafood since it would affect the extension of the shelf life of this highly perishable food. In this regard, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of high-pressure treatment (500 MPa for 2 min at a temperature of 4 °C) on changes in quality on two different kinds of fresh fish fillets (Salmo salar and Pleuronectes platessa). Specifically, physico-chemical (VOCs, untargeted metabolomics spectra, pH and color), microbiological (Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., mesophilic and psychrotrophic bacteria) and sensory traits were evaluated at different days of refrigerated storage. From the results obtained, it is possible to state that the high pressure significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced microbial growth for each investigated microorganism. Regarding the colorimetric coordinates, no remarkable effects on a* and b* indices were found, while a significant effect (p = 0.01) was observed on the colorimetric index L*, making the HP-treated samples lighter than their respective controls. The sensory analysis showed that for the odor attribute, the HP treatment seems to have had a stabilizing action during shelf-life. Moreover, the treated samples obtained a better score than the respective controls (p ≤ 0.05). With regards to texture and appearance attributes, the treatment seems to have had a significant (p ≤ 0.05) effect, making the treated samples more compact and opaque than controls, therefore resulting in the loss of the characteristics of raw fish for the treated samples. Moreover, from a chemical point of view, HP treatment prevents the development of volatile sulfides and delays the formation of histamine (p ≤ 0.05). Very interestingly, the metabolomic approach revealed novel dipeptide markers for the HP procedure.
Fibrodysplasia Ossificans Progressiva: A Challenging Diagnosis
Authors: De Brasi Daniele , Orlando Francesca , Gaeta Valeria , De Liso Maria , Acquaviva Fabio , Martemucci Luigi , Mastrominico Augusto , Di Rocco Maja
Published: July 2021

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an ultrarare genetic condition characterized by extraskeletal bone formation. Most of the musculoskeletal characteristics of FOP are related to dysregulated chondrogenesis, with heterotopic ossification being the most typical feature. Activating mutations of activin receptor A type I (ACVR1), a bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) type I receptor, are responsible for the skeletal and nonskeletal features. The clinical phenotype is always consistent, with congenital bilateral hallux valgus malformation and early-onset heterotopic ossification occurring spontaneously or, more frequently, precipitated by trauma. Painful, recurrent soft-tissue swellings (flare-ups) precede localized heterotopic ossification that can occur at any location, typically affecting regions near the axial skeleton and later progressing to the appendicular bones. A diagnosis of FOP is suspected in a proband presenting with hallux valgus malformation, heterotopic ossification, and confirmed by the identification of a heterozygous pathogenic variant in the ACVR1/ALK2 gene. Avoiding unnecessary surgical procedures, prescribing prophylactic corticosteroids, preventing falls, and using protective headgear represent essential interventions for care management. Different classes of medications to contain acute inflammation flare-ups have been proposed, with high dose corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs usually utilized. Here, we report on two FOP patients, with typical clinical features summarizing the principal aspects of FOP, and we aim to provide comprehensive information outlining some unusual findings, possibly contributing to FOP’s definition and management.
Mechanism of Human Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (hTERT) Regulation and Clinical Impacts in Leukemia
Authors: Yik Mot Yee , Azlan Adam , Rajasegaran Yaashini , Rosli Aliaa , Yusoff Narazah Mohd , Moses Emmanuel Jairaj
Published: July 2021

The proliferative capacity and continuous survival of cells are highly dependent on telomerase expression and the maintenance of telomere length. For this reason, elevated expression of telomerase has been identified in virtually all cancers, including leukemias; however, it should be noted that expression of telomerase is sometimes observed later in malignant development. This time point of activation is highly dependent on the type of leukemia and its causative factors. Many recent studies in this field have contributed to the elucidation of the mechanisms by which the various forms of leukemias increase telomerase activity. These include the dysregulation of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) at various levels which include transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and post-translational stages. The pathways and biological molecules involved in these processes are also being deciphered with the advent of enabling technologies such as next-generation sequencing (NGS), ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-Seq), liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LCMS/MS), and many others. It has also been established that TERT possess diagnostic value as most adult cells do not express high levels of telomerase. Indeed, studies have shown that prognosis is not favorable in patients who have leukemias expressing high levels of telomerase. Recent research has indicated that targeting of this gene is able to control the survival of malignant cells and therefore offers a potential treatment for TERT-dependent leukemias. Here we review the mechanisms of hTERT regulation and deliberate their association in malignant states of leukemic cells. Further, we also cover the clinical implications of this gene including its use in diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic discoveries.
Nurse’s Role from Medical Students’ Perspective during Their Interprofessional Clinical Practice: Evidence from Lithuania
Authors: Blaževičienė Aurelija , Vanckavičienė Aurika , Paukštaitiene Renata , Baranauskaitė Asta
Published: July 2021

Background: Attitudes towards interprofessional education are key factors that shape students’ behaviour during interprofessional practice. An interprofessional approach to training and practice is “unique”, important, and challenging. Interprofessional education allows for a deeper understanding and analysis of problems from perspectives different to those of “us”. The aim of the study was to assess medical students’ attitudes toward the nurse’s role during their interprofessional clinical practice. Methods: This study used a descriptive, correlational design. Results: Lithuanian medical students were statistically significantly more likely to think that the role of a nurse was clear and transparent to other professionals and that nurses exuded a high degree of professionalism, sought a high degree of involvement with the patient, and built deep relationships with the patients. Foreign medical students were statistically significantly more likely to believe that nurses worked more effectively alone than in a team and that they worked with the patients within their own professional field of knowledge rather than referring patients to other professionals. Conclusions: After 6 months of interprofessional training with nurses in the hospital, medical students gain a more clear professional picture of the role of the nurse.
Engagement in Everyday Activities for Prevention of Stroke: Feasibility of an mHealth-Supported Program for People with TIA
Authors: Patomella Ann-Helen , Farias Lisette , Eriksson Christina , Guidetti Susanne , Asaba Eric
Published: July 2021

Most of the risk factors for stroke are modifiable, yet incorporating and sustaining healthy lifestyle habits in daily life that reduce these risk factors is a major challenge. Engaging everyday activities (EEAs) are meaningful activities that are regularly performed that have the potential to contribute to the sustainability of healthy lifestyle habits and reduce risk factors for stroke. The aims of this study were (1) to investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a digitally supported lifestyle program called “Make My Day” (MMD) for people at risk for stroke following a transient ischemic attack, and (2) to describe participants’ stroke risk and lifestyle habits pre- and post-intervention. A multiple case study design using mixed methods was utilized (n = 6). Qualitative and self-reported quantitative data were gathered at baseline, post-intervention, and 12 months post-baseline. The results indicate that MMD can support lifestyle change and self-management for persons at risk for stroke following a TIA. The findings indicate a high acceptability and usability of MMD, as well as a demand for digital support provided via a mobile phone application. Self-management with digital support has the potential to increase participation in EEAs for persons at risk for stroke following a TIA.
Preliminary Investigations into the Alteration of Cadmium Orange Restoration Paint on an Ancient Greek Terracotta Krater
Authors: Rayner Georgina , Costello Susan D. , McClelland Arthur , Akey Austin , Eremin Katherine
Published: July 2021

In preparation for exhibition, an ancient Greek terracotta krater received treatment which included selective in-painting with cadmium orange (CdSSe). After one year on display the object displayed disfiguring alteration in select areas of restoration. Cross-section analysis of samples taken from the object revealed that alteration only occurred in areas where the paint was in direct contact with darkened and abraded areas of the terracotta surface, in which analysis found the presence of chlorine. The alteration was recreated in mock-ups for more in-depth analysis. Using Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-rays (SEM-EDS) it was discovered that selenium-rich structures were forming throughout the paint films. The observed alteration is the result of degradation of the CdSSe pigment which occurs in the presence of chlorine and light. This research highlights the need for careful selection of restoration materials when dealing with objects suspected to contain residual chloride ions if desalination cannot be undertaken.
Disease Susceptibility of Interspecific Cold-Hardy Grape Cultivars in Northeastern U.S.A
Authors: Hazelrigg Ann L. , Bradshaw Terence L. , Maia Gabriella S.
Published: July 2021

Susceptibility to diseases of economically important grapes is critical to the evaluation of germplasm recommended for commercial production and for the development of sustainable production systems. In 2018–2019, the cold-hardy grape cultivars including ‘Brianna’, ‘Crimson Pearl’, ‘Itasca’, ‘Louise Swenson’, ‘Marechal Foch’, ‘Marquette’ ‘Petite Pearl’, ‘St. Pepin’, and ‘Verona’ were evaluated on non-treated vines for susceptibility to downy mildew, powdery mildew, black rot, anthracnose, Phomopsis leaf spot and fruit rot, and Botrytis bunch rot. No cultivars were consistently disease-free, and all exhibited some degree of black rot and powdery mildew infection. Relative susceptibility to disease was not consistent across both years, but ‘Brianna’ had greater incidence of black rot and ‘Louise Swenson’ showed lower incidence of powdery mildew in both years. The relatively new cultivars ‘Crimson Pearl’ and ‘Verona’ exhibited comparatively moderate disease susceptibility overall. Growers typically manage diseases with fungicides on commercial farms, so cultivar susceptibility is just one component of a sustainable pest management and production system.
With Lofty Goals and Familiar Perspectives, Humans Begins
Authors: Kelly Kevin M.
Published: July 2021

The world is confronted by problems that are multi- and interdisciplinary, global, and complex [...]
Functional Assessment and Coordination Characteristics of Production, Living, Ecological Function—A Case Study of Henan Province, China
Authors: Fu Jianchun , Zhang Shaoliang
Published: July 2021

Multifunctional state assessment was the basis of time sequence design of territory spatial development and overall utilisation. This study aimed to identify the ecological-production-living (PLE) territory spatial function to provide a basis for territory spatial planning. It took Henan Province as the research area. This study developed a methodology to assess differentiation characteristics for PLE function, a method that integrates functional merging and geographic information technology. We used the coordination degree model and spatial autocorrelation analysis to reveal the coordination of spatial functions of the province. The results were as follows: (1) During the study period, the land production function of main grain-producing areas decreased slowly, and production and living function values of the Central Plains urban agglomeration with Zhengzhou as the centre were in an upward trend. The characteristics of urban-rural dualization were prominent, and ecological function value decreased year by year. (2) The laws of territorial spatial functions had different manifestations in different stages (1990–2005 and 2005–2018). By different characteristic laws, the change in production function in the later period was bigger than that in the previous period. The living function maintained a good continuity expansion characteristic before and after. The spatial regularity distribution characteristics of ecological function were weak, and the overall environment became worse than before. (3) The territory space of middle and low coordination function types was the most important type, and the aggregation was relatively weak. Xuchang County and Weihui City showed better states of functional coordination aggregation. Lushi County, Xinxian County, and Shangcheng County, which were in the western and southern mountainous and hilly areas, showed low-low aggregation characteristics. Thus, the government will strengthen targeted control over territorial space. This study provides a reference for the overall deployment of the development and utilisation of territory space in Henan Province.
Be Aware of Burnout! The Role of Changes in Academic Burnout in Problematic Facebook Usage among University Students
Authors: Tomaszek Katarzyna , Muchacka-Cymerman Agnieszka
Published: July 2021

Most previous research has examined the relationship between FB addiction and burnout level by conducting cross-sectional studies. Little is known about the impact of changes in burnout on FB addiction in an educational context. Through a two-way longitudinal survey of a student population sample (N = 115), this study examined the influence of changes in academic burnout over time and FB motives and importance (measured at the beginning and the end of the semester) on FB intrusion measured at the end of the academic semester. The findings show that: (1) increases in cynicism and in FB motives and importance significantly predicted time2 FB intrusion; (2) FB importance enhanced the prediction power of changes in the academic burnout total score, exhaustion and personal inefficacy, and reduced the regression coefficient of changes in cynicism; (3) the interaction effects between FB social motive use and changes in academic burnout, as well as between FB importance and personal inefficacy and exhaustion, accounted for a significant change in the explained variance of time2 FB intrusion. About 20–30% of the variance in time2 FB intrusion was explained by all the examined variables and by the interactions between them. The results suggest that changes in academic burnout and FB motives and importance are suppressive variables, as including these variables in the regression model all together changed the significance of the relationship between independent variables and FB intrusion.
The Impact of Foot Orthoses and Exercises on Pain and Navicular Drop for Adult Flatfoot: A Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Hoang Ngoc-Tuyet-Trinh , Chen Shuya , Chou Li-Wei
Published: July 2021

Background: Adult flatfoot leads to injury and decreased quality of life. The most widely applied noninvasive approaches are wearing foot orthoses or exercising. Both interventions raise controversy about reducing pain and neutralizing foot posture. This study investigated the impact of foot orthoses and exercise on pain and navicular drop (present for foot posture). Methods: Four databases were used: MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane, from the earliest records to November 2020. Randomized controlled studies focused on adult flatfoot that evaluated the effect of exercise and foot orthoses on pain and navicular drop were extracted. We used data analysis to estimate the relative effect of heterogeneity using I2 and publication bias using funnel plots. Results: Ten studies were identified through to November 2020. Active interventions (AIs) were exercise and exercise combined with foot orthoses; passive interventions (PIs) were foot orthoses and added stretching. Both AIs and PIs decreased pain significantly (SMD −0.94, 95% CI −1.35, −0.54 and SMD −1.4, 95% CI −1.87, −0.92). The AIs reduced pain level better than PIs. Controversially, no treatment was found to affect navicular drop. Conclusion: Both exercise and foot orthoses can reduce pain but not realign foot posture. Exercise alone or combined with foot orthoses showed a better effect on adult flatfoot than only wearing foot orthoses. Active intervention was shown to have better efficacy in reducing pain than passive intervention.
Assessing Medical Students’ Confidence towards Provision of Palliative Care: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Leung Shih-Ya , Wong Eliza Lai-Yi
Published: July 2021

Under a surging demand for palliative care, medical students generally still show a lack of confidence in the provision in abroad studies. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate the confidence and its association with knowledge, attitude and exposure on providing palliative care among medical undergraduates with a self-administered questionnaire to improve the international phenomenon. Full-time local medical undergraduates were recruited to obtain information regarding the demographics, confidence, knowledge, attitude and exposure on palliative care; the information was collected from July 2020 to October 2020. Questions on confidence (10-items), knowledge (20-items), attitude (10-items) and exposure were referenced from validated indexes and designed from literature review. Confidence level was categorized into “Confident” and “Non-confident” as suggested by studies to facilitate data analysis and comparison. Of the 303 participants, 59.4% were “Non-confident” (95% C.I.: 53.8% to 65.0%) in providing palliative care on average. Among medical students, knowledge (p = 0.010) and attitude (p = 0.003) are significantly positively associated with the confidence to provide palliative care, while exposure to death of family/friends (p = 0.024) is negatively associated. This study begins an investigation on the research area in Hong Kong primarily. The confidence of local medical students should be enhanced to provide palliative care in their future. It thus highlights the importance of the medical curriculum and provides insights to remove barriers responsively to improve the overall confidence and the quality of palliative care.
Reject Rates of Radiographic Images in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology: A Literature Review
Authors: Yeung Andy Wai Kan , Wong Natalie Sui Miu
Published: July 2021

This report surveyed the image reject rates of intra-oral, extra-oral, and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging in the academic literature. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases were queried in mid-April 2021. Manual screening of the reference lists of the identified publications was performed to identify papers missed from the database search. All publications returned by the searches were initially included. Exclusion criteria included irrelevance, no reporting of reject rate, no access to the article, and not original article. The total number of images and the number of rejects were recorded for each type of radiographic images. Factors and commonest errors associated with the rejects were recorded. Twenty-six original articles were identified and reviewed. The average reject rate was 11.25% for bitewings, 16.38% for periapicals, 4.10% for panoramics, 6.08% for lateral cephalography, and 2.77% for CBCT. Positioning error and patient movement were two common reasons for the rejects. The average reject rates computed from data pooled across studies should form the reference values for quality assurance programs to follow. Future reject analysis studies should report more radiographic parameters such as type of collimation for intra-oral radiography and patient posture for CBCT.
The Relationship between Practitioners and Caregivers during a Treatment of Palliative Care: A Grounded Theory of a Challenging Collaborative Process
Authors: Rossi Paolo , Crippa Matteo , Scaccabarozzi Gianlorenzo
Published: July 2021

The possibility of coming to a “good death” is a challenging issue that crosses ethical and religious beliefs, cultural assumptions, as well as medical expertise. The provision of palliative care for relieving patients’ pain is a practice that reshapes the path to the event of death and gives form to a particular context of awareness, recalling the notion proposed by Glaser and Strauss. This decision redesigns the relationships between patients, practitioners and caregivers and introduces a new pattern of collaboration between them. Our study focuses on the implications of the collaboration between practitioners and caregivers, starting from the assumption that the latter may provide support to their loved ones and to the practitioners, but need to be supported too. We provide a qualitative analysis of this collaboration based on an empirical research that took place in four different settings of provision of palliative care, reporting the contrast between the affective engagement of caregivers and the professional approach of practitioners. We claim that this ambivalent collaboration, while embedded in contingent and incommensurable experiences, brings to the fore the broader understanding of the path to a “good death,” outlining its societal representation as a collective challenge.
Parental Migration and Psychological Well-Being of Children in Rural China
Authors: Chen Rui , Zhou Li
Published: July 2021

This paper empirically analyzes the impact of parental migration on the psychological well-being of children using ordered probit models based on a survey conducted among 1680 primary school students and their parents in Majiang County, Guizhou Province, China in 2020. The findings are as follows. First, compared with having no migrant parents, having two migrant parents significantly reduces the psychological well-being of children and having one migrant parent has no significant effect. Second, mediation analysis shows that parental migration reduces child depression by increasing household absolute and relative incomes. It also increases depression and reduces the subjective happiness of children by reducing parental discipline. However, it has no significant impact on parent–child interactions. Third, by dividing the sample by absolute and relative poverty, we find that the effect of parental migration on the psychological well-being of children varies with household economic conditions. Comparatively speaking, children from poor households are more affected by parental migration in terms of depression, whereas children from non-poor households are more affected by parental migration in terms of subjective happiness. This paper examines the transmission mechanism between parental migration and the psychological well-being of children, provides a perspective of household economic conditions for child psychology and offers useful insights for family education and government policymaking in this area.
Analysis of Digital Competence for Spanish Teachers at Pre-University Educational Key Stages during COVID-19
Authors: Pérez-Calderón Esteban , Prieto-Ballester Jorge-Manuel , Miguel-Barrado Vanessa
Published: July 2021

Over time, the role of information and communication technologies (ICT) has become increasingly important in most areas of our lives, including education. So much so, that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of these tools has been essential to continue the teaching process. One of the great challenges facing teachers today is their need to adapt to this new educational scenario by acquiring the necessary digital skills. The aim of this study is to determine the level of competence of teaching in pre-university education key stages. To this end, a questionnaire was distributed among education centres and teachers in the Autonomous Community of Extremadura, obtaining 109 valid responses. The analysis methodology was the formation of clusters using the K-means model. The results confirmed that the teachers perceived a medium-high level of knowledge and use of ICT. Moreover, that this digital competence is conditioned by factors such as age, experience, gender, and level of education. In conclusion, public administrations are encouraged to facilitate teachers’ knowledge and application of ICT according to the profiles identified.
Environmental Safety Analysis of Red Mud-Based Cemented Backfill on Groundwater
Authors: Li Shuai , Zhang Yulin , Feng Ru , Yu Haoxuan , Pan Jilong , Bian Jiwei
Published: July 2021

As one of the main industrial solid wastes, there are a large number of free alkaloids, chemically bound alkaloids, fluoride, and heavy metal ions in Bayer process red mud (BRM), which are difficult to remove and easily pollute groundwater as a result of open storage. In order to realize the large-scale industrial application of BRM as a backfilling aggregate for underground mining and simultaneously avoid polluting groundwater, the material characteristics of BRM were analyzed through physical, mechanical, and chemical composition tests. The optimum cement–sand ratio and solid mass concentration of the backfilling were obtained based on several mixture proportion tests. According to the results of bleeding, soaking, and toxic leaching experiments, the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method was used to evaluate the environmental impact of BRM on groundwater. The results show that chemically bound alkaloids that remained in BRM reacted with Ca2+ in PO 42.5 cement, slowed down the solidification speed, and reduced the early strength of red mud-based cemented backfill (RMCB). The hydration products in RMCB, such as AFT and C-S-H gel, had significant encapsulation, solidification, and precipitation inhibition effects on contaminants, which could reduce the contents of inorganic contaminants in soaking water by 26.8% to 93.8% and the leaching of toxic heavy metal ions by 57.1% to 73.3%. As shown by the results of the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation, the degree of pollution of the RMCB in bleeding water belonged to a medium grade Ⅲ, while that in the soaking water belonged to a low grade II. The bleeding water was diluted by 50–100 times to reach grade I after flowing into the water sump and could be totally recycled for drilling and backfilling, thus causing negligible effects on the groundwater environment.
Mutagenicity Assessment to Pesticide Adjuvants of Toluene, Chloroform, and Trichloroethylene by Ames Test
Authors: Zhang Jing , Wang Wenqiang , Pei Zhoutao , Wu Jingya , Yu Ran , Zhang Yimin , Sun Liwei , Gao Yuexiang
Published: July 2021

Pesticide adjuvants (PAs) denote the general term for auxiliaries in pesticide preparations except for the active components. Toluene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene are the three most commonly used PAs as organic solvents. The residues of the three chemicals in the process of production and application of pesticides may endanger the ecosystem. In the present study, the mutagenicity of toluene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene as well the mixture of the three chemicals was tested by the Salmonella typhimurium reverse mutation test (Ames test) with TA97, TA98, TA100, and TA102 strains in the system with and without rat liver microsomal preparations (S9). The four tester strains have been used for more than 40 years to detect mutagenic compounds in chemicals, cosmetics, and environmental samples. The mutagenicity was detected on tester strains in the separated experiment from the three chemicals. The addition of S9 decreased the mutation ratios of toluene to four strains, except for the TA100 strain, but increased the mutation ratios of chloroform to four strains except for the TA98 strain. Trichloroethylene caused positive mutagenicity to become negative on the TA102 strain. In the mixed experiment, positive effects were detected only on the TA102 strain in the absence of S9. The addition of S9 increased the mutagenicity except for the TA102 strain. The mixture of toluene, chloroform, and trichloroethylene showed antagonism in mutagenicity to tester strains, except for the TA102 strain without S9. However, the mixture showed a synergistic effect to tester strains after adding S9 except for the TA98 strain.
Comparison of Patient Satisfaction in Inpatient Care Provided by Hospitalists and Nonhospitalists in South Korea
Authors: Chae Wonjeong , Kim Juyeong , Park Eun-Cheol , Jang Sung-In
Published: July 2021

Background: A Korean hospitalist is a medical doctor in charge of inpatient care during hospital stays. The purpose of this study is to examine the patient satisfaction of hospitalist patients compared to non-hospitalist patients. Patient satisfaction is closely related to the outcome, quality, safety, and cost of care. Thus, seeking to achieve high patient satisfaction is essential in the inpatient care setting. Design, setting, and participants: This is a case-control study based on patient satisfaction survey by the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. We measured patients’ satisfaction in physician accessibility, consultation and care service skills, and overall satisfaction through logistic regression analyses. A total of 3871 patients from 18 facilities responded to 18 questionnaires and had health insurance claim data. Results: Hospitalist patients presented higher satisfaction during the hospital stay compared to non-hospitalist patients. For example, as per accessibility, hospitalist patients could meet their attending physician more than twice a day (OR: 3.46, 95% CI: 2.82–4.24). Concerning consultation and care service skills, hospitalists’ explanations on the condition and care plans were easy to understand (OR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.89–2.88). Moreover, overall satisfaction was significantly higher (β: 0.431, p < 0.0001). Subgroup analyses were conducted by medical division and region. Hospitalist patients in the surgical department and the rural area had greater patient satisfaction in all aspects of the survey than non-hospitalist patients. Conclusions: Hospitalists’ patients showed higher satisfaction during the hospital stay. Our study discovered that hospitalists could provide high-quality care as they provide onsite care continuously from admission to discharge.
The Relational Fit in Organizational Interventions—What Can Organizational Research Learn from Research in Psychotherapy?
Authors: Andersen Malene Friis , Nielsen Karina , Ajslev Jeppe Zielinski Nguyen
Published: July 2021

There is a growing interest in organizational interventions (OI) aiming to increase employees’ well-being. An OI involves changes in the way work is designed, organized, and managed. Studies have shown that an OI’s positive results are increased if there is a good fit between context and intervention and between participant and intervention. In this article, we propose that a third fit—the Relational Fit (R-Fit)—also plays an important role in determining an intervention’s outcome. The R-Fit consists of factors related to (1) the employees participating in the OI, (2) the intervention facilitator, and (3) the quality of the relation between participants and the intervention facilitator. The concept of the R-Fit is inspired by research in psychotherapy documenting that participant factors, therapist factors, and the quality of the relations explain 40% of the effect of an intervention. We call attention to the importance of systematically evaluating and improving the R-Fit in OIs. This is important to enhance the positive outcomes in OIs and thereby increase both the well-being and productivity of employees. We introduce concrete measures that can be used to study and evaluate the R-Fit. This article is the first to combine knowledge from research in psychotherapy with research on OIs.
Longer Work Shifts, Faster Forward Rotation—More Sleep and More Alert in Aircraft Inspection
Authors: Hakola Tarja , Niemelä Paula , Rönnberg Sari , Ropponen Annina
Published: July 2021

The purpose of this intervention study is to compare sleep, alertness, and work ability among aircraft inspectors working under two different shift schedules. The original schedule was forward rotating: MMM – – EEE – NNN – – – (M = morning, E = evening, N = night, – = day off). The new schedule was fast forward rotating: MEN – – with 10-h shifts. The baseline data were collected before the schedule changed, and the follow-up data 12 months (n = 10, Group A) or 5 months (n = 13, Group B) after the change. Three of subjects were women and average age was 46.6 years (range 31–58). The surveys included questions on sleep quantity, sleep quality, severe sleepiness, alertness, perceived stress, current work ability, and satisfaction with the shift schedule. The results indicated that in the new schedule, the sleeping times were longer and sleep loss was less. Moreover, shift specific severe sleepiness decreased, and alertness during shifts improved. Compared to baseline, perceived stress was lower and work ability was better. Satisfaction with the shift system had also improved. To conclude, the quickly forward rotating shift system might be beneficial in terms of increased sleep length and improved alertness and overall well-being especially among older aircraft inspectors.
Prediction of Urban Area Expansion with Implementation of MLC, SAM and SVMs’ Classifiers Incorporating Artificial Neural Network Using Landsat Data
Authors: Zare Naghadehi Saeid , Asadi Milad , Maleki Mohammad , Tavakkoli-Sabour Seyed-Mohammad , Van Genderen John Lodewijk , Saleh Samira-Sadat
Published: July 2021

A reliable land cover (LC) map is essential for planners, as missing proper land cover maps may deviate a project. This study is focusing on land cover classification and prediction using three well known classifiers and remote sensing data. Maximum Likelihood classifier (MLC), Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM), and Support Vector Machines (SVMs) algorithms are used as the representatives for parametric, non-parametric and subpixel capable methods for change detection and change prediction of Urmia City (Iran) and its suburbs. Landsat images of 2000, 2010, and 2020 have been used to provide land cover information. The results demonstrated 0.93–0.94 overall accuracies for MLC and SVMs’ algorithms, but it was around 0.79 for the SAM algorithm. The MLC performed slightly better than SVMs’ classifier. Cellular Automata Artificial neural network method was used to predict land cover changes. Overall accuracy of MLC was higher than others at about 0.94 accuracy, although, SVMs were slightly more accurate for large area segments. Land cover maps were predicted for 2030, which demonstrate the city’s expansion from 5500 ha in 2000 to more than 9000 ha in 2030.
Phospholipids: Identification and Implication in Muscle Pathophysiology
Authors: Bargui Rezlène , Solgadi Audrey , Prost Bastien , Chester Mélanie , Ferreiro Ana , Piquereau Jérôme , Moulin Maryline
Published: July 2021

Phospholipids (PLs) are amphiphilic molecules that were essential for life to become cellular. PLs have not only a key role in compartmentation as they are the main components of membrane, but they are also involved in cell signaling, cell metabolism, and even cell pathophysiology. Considered for a long time to simply be structural elements of membranes, phospholipids are increasingly being viewed as sensors of their environment and regulators of many metabolic processes. After presenting their main characteristics, we expose the increasing methods of PL detection and identification that help to understand their key role in life processes. Interest and importance of PL homeostasis is growing as pathogenic variants in genes involved in PL biosynthesis and/or remodeling are linked to human diseases. We here review diseases that involve deregulation of PL homeostasis and present a predominantly muscular phenotype.