bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning Approaches for Skin Cancer Classification from Dermoscopic Images: A Systematic Review
Authors: Grignaffini Flavia , Barbuto Francesco , Piazzo Lorenzo , Troiano Maurizio , Simeoni Patrizio , Mangini Fabio , Pellacani Giovanni , Cantisani Carmen , Frezza Fabrizio
Published: November 2022

Skin cancer (SC) is one of the most prevalent cancers worldwide. Clinical evaluation of skin lesions is necessary to assess the characteristics of the disease; however, it is limited by long timelines and variety in interpretation. As early and accurate diagnosis of SC is crucial to increase patient survival rates, machine-learning (ML) and deep-learning (DL) approaches have been developed to overcome these issues and support dermatologists. We present a systematic literature review of recent research on the use of machine learning to classify skin lesions with the aim of providing a solid starting point for researchers beginning to work in this area. A search was conducted in several electronic databases by applying inclusion/exclusion filters and for this review, only those documents that clearly and completely described the procedures performed and reported the results obtained were selected. Sixty-eight articles were selected, of which the majority use DL approaches, in particular convolutional neural networks (CNN), while a smaller portion rely on ML techniques or hybrid ML/DL approaches for skin cancer detection and classification. Many ML and DL methods show high performance as classifiers of skin lesions. The promising results obtained to date bode well for the not-too-distant inclusion of these techniques in clinical practice.
Significance of Sustainable Packaging: A Case-Study from a Supply Chain Perspective
Authors: Asim Zeeshan , Shamsi Ibrahim Rashid Al , Wahaj Mariam , Raza Ahmed , Abul Hasan Syed , Siddiqui Sohaib Ahmed , Aladresi Alaeldeen , Sorooshian Shahryar , Seng Teck Tan
Published: November 2022

The present case study-based research provides insights of the current packaging practices with a supply chain perspective and proposed sustainable packaging options that would cut down the environmental impact from supply chain operations at Midas Safety. The case study is based on qualitative research that used semi-structured open-ended interviews and observations to understand the current processes of the packaging and supply chain department of Midas Safety and how they are planning to adapt sustainability to their processes. Considering the current packaging practices, the study aimed to develop improved sustainable packaging practices with a supply chain aspect in order to cut down the negative environmental aspect such as standardization in packaging for all customers, elimination of wood pallets, developing local suppliers, change in packaging design, making the packaging more compact and lightweight, reducing carbon footprint and fuel consumption by encouraging trade through sea instead of air. The results concluded that internal factors such as alternate packaging material (like Mondi’s Aegispaper, Arjowiggins’ and Corrugated Bubble Wrap) along with the suggested sustainable packaging practices discussed above and external factors such as availability of local vendors are important requirements for successful sustainable packaging development.
Characterisation of Amyloid Aggregation and Inhibition by Diffusion-Based Single-Molecule Fluorescence Techniques
Authors: Polanco David , Carrancho Alejandra , Gracia Pablo , Cremades Nunilo
Published: November 2022

Protein amyloid aggregation has been associated with more than 50 human disorders, including the most common neurodegenerative disorders Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Interfering with this process is considered as a promising therapeutic strategy for these diseases. Our understanding of the process of amyloid aggregation and its role in disease has typically been limited by the use of ensemble-based biochemical and biophysical techniques, owing to the intrinsic heterogeneity and complexity of the process. Single-molecule techniques, and particularly diffusion-based single-molecule fluorescence approaches, have been instrumental to obtain meaningful information on the dynamic nature of the fibril-forming process, as well as the characterisation of the heterogeneity of the amyloid aggregates and the understanding of the molecular basis of inhibition of a number of molecules with therapeutic interest. In this article, we reviewed some recent contributions on the characterisation of the amyloid aggregation process, the identification of distinct structural groups of aggregates in homotypic or heterotypic aggregation, as well as on the study of the interaction of amyloid aggregates with other molecules, allowing the estimation of the binding sites, affinities, and avidities as examples of the type of relevant information we can obtain about these processes using these techniques.
Emulsifiers from White Beans: Extraction and Characterization
Authors: Lentzi Paraskevi , Georgiou Despoina , Kalogianni Eleni P. , Kyriakoudi Anastasia , Ritzoulis Christos
Published: November 2022

This paper studies the emulsification capacity of aqueous extracts from white beans and reports the relations between the composition and structure of the extracts’ macromolecular components and their exerted emulsification ability. The extracts comprise of three distinct populations: one of large (few MDa) polysaccharides, proteins (tens of kDa), and smaller molecular entities (oligopeptides and oligosaccharides, polyphenols, and salts, among other molecules); the proteins and the smaller molecules adsorb onto oil–water interfaces, providing some emulsification capacity at pH 3 and adequate emulsification at pH 7. Unabsorbed polysaccharides, such as starch, cause depletion flocculation. Pickering phenomena are involved in the stabilization mechanism. The findings are supported by SEC–MALLS/UV, confocal microscopy, zeta potential measurements, and FT–IR data. A discussion is made on the particular attributes of each population in emulsion stability, on their relevance to culinary practice, and in their potential as replacers of artificial emulsifiers.
Patient Self-Performed Point-of-Care Ultrasound: Using Communication Technologies to Empower Patient Self-Care
Authors: Kirkpatrick Andrew W. , McKee Jessica L. , Couperus Kyle , Colombo Christopher J.
Published: November 2022

Point-of-Care ultrasound (POCUS) is an invaluable tool permitting the understanding of critical physiologic and anatomic details wherever and whenever a patient has a medical need. Thus the application of POCUS has dramatically expanded beyond hospitals to become a portable user-friendly technology in a variety of prehospital settings. Traditional thinking holds that a trained user is required to obtain images, greatly handicapping the scale of potential improvements in individual health assessments. However, as the interpretation of ultrasound images can be accomplished remotely by experts, the paradigm wherein experts guide novices to obtain meaningful images that facilitate remote care is being embraced worldwide. The ultimate extension of this concept is for experts to guide patients to image themselves, enabling secondary disease prevention, home-focused care, and self-empowerment of the individual to manage their own health. This paradigm of remotely telementored self-performed ultrasound (RTMSPUS) was first described for supporting health care on the International Space Station. The TeleMentored Ultrasound Supported Medical Interventions (TMUSMI) Research Group has been investigating the utility of this paradigm for terrestrial use. The technique has particular attractiveness in enabling surveillance of lung health during pandemic scenarios. However, the paradigm has tremendous potential to empower and support nearly any medical question poised in a conscious individual with internet connectivity able to follow the directions of a remote expert. Further studies and development are recommended in all areas of acute and chronic health care.
Biodegradable Temporising Matrix for Lower Limb Reconstruction following the Resection of Giant Marjolin’s Ulcer
Authors: MacDiarmid Samuel , Butler Daniel
Published: November 2022

NovoSorb® Biodegradable Temporising Matrix (BTM) is a synthetic matrix used as an adjunct in the reconstruction of certain complex wounds. We present a gentleman who sustained severe full-thickness lower limb burns as a child which were treated with split-thickness skin grafts. In later life, he went on to develop bilateral non-healing ulcers, resulting in a left above-knee amputation and a giant circumferential right lower limb squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) encompassing the majority of the lower leg. Surgical resection and salvage of the single remaining limb was achieved with the successful application of a BTM. BTM has proven to be successful in reconstructing a small number of SCC wounds; however, to the best of our knowledge, we are the first authors to test its application in the reconstruction of a circumferential defect associated with a giant lower limb Marjolin’s ulcer.
What You Clean Is What You Get: A Novel Chemical Cleaning Technique and the Interpretation of Corrosion Products Found in Late Roman Copper Alloy Coins Retrieved from the Sea
Authors: Cohen Maayan , Inberg Alexandra , Ashkenazi Dana , Cvikel Deborah
Published: November 2022

Thirteen Late Roman copper alloy coins with a dark concretion layer from the Early Islamic period Ma‘agan Mikhael B shipwreck were chosen to undergo an experimental chemical cleaning and polishing procedure for removing the concretion while limiting the damage to the surviving metal. These coins, and two more without concretion discovered on the beach nearby, were then subjected to a series of non-destructive analyses–visual testing, XRF, multi-focal light microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy–to determine their state of preservation, identify their corrosion products, and acquire information regarding their core material. An additional coin was examined by destructive metallographic light microscopy and SEM-EDS analyses to gain further information concerning the concretion cover. Preservation varied: For some chemically cleaned coins, a shiny orange-coloured metallic surface was exposed, while others were poorly preserved. Moreover, evidence of the stamping process was also observed. The results show that the suggested chemical cleaning treatment could be useful for processing other copper alloy objects retrieved from underwater environments; we propose a 12-step methodology to this effect.
The Impact of Viticulture on Soil Characteristics and Microbial Communities in the Ningxia Region of Northwest China
Authors: Xue Tingting , Yang Fan , Li Ruyi , Li Yue , Xu Guoqian , Zhang Liang
Published: November 2022

Winegrape cultivation has become increasingly common throughout northwest China over the past 20 years, and such viticulture can profoundly impact the properties of the utilized soil and the associated soil microbial communities. To explore these effects in the present study, samples of soil were collected from control desert soil and from vineyards planted in different years: Cabernet Sauvignon (CS, 2014), Merlot (M, 2012), and Italian Riesling (IR, 2008). The properties of this soil and the microbial communities therein were assessed through a series of physicochemical, enzymatic, and high-throughput sequencing analyses. Compared to the control soil, respective 1033.06 U/g, 398.28 U/g, and 240.56 U/g increases in alkaline phosphatase activity levels were observed in the CS, M, and IR soil samples. Stable soil bacterial richness was observed in the control, CS, and M samples, but decreased in the 11-years old IR soil, whereas no noticeable changes in soil fungi were observed across these samples. The network analyses highlighted correlations among soil microbes, and soil organic carbon and microbial biomass carbon were found to strongly influence variability in these soil microbial communities. Overall, these findings thus provide strong evidence that the prolonged monoculture of winegrapes can contribute to the deterioration of soil quality.
Social Inequalities: Do They Matter in Asthma, Bronchitis, and Respiratory Symptoms in Children?
Authors: Wypych-Ślusarska Agata , Krupa-Kotara Karolina , Niewiadomska Ewa
Published: November 2022

Background: Social inequalities (e.g., poverty and low level of education) generate inequalities in health. Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the relationships between indicators of social inequalities and the frequency of respiratory symptoms, asthma, and bronchitis in children. Material and Methods: In 2019, an epidemiological cross-sectional study on 3237 students from elementary schools in Silesia Voivodships (South Poland) was conducted. The students’ parents completed a questionnaire based on the International Study on Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC). Social inequalities in the children’s families were determined according to parents’ education and professional status (working vs. unemployed), self-assessment of economic status, and housing conditions. To determine the influence of social factors on the occurrence of asthma, bronchitis, and respiratory symptoms, the odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: Children living in apartments with traces of mold had a higher risk of developing asthma (OR = 1.5, 95%CI: 1.17–1.96; p = 0.002) or bronchitis (OR = 1.4, 95%CI: 1.13–1.72; p = 0.002), wheezing attacks at nights (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.01–1.93), wheezy in the last 12 months (OR = 1.6; 95%CI:1.24–2.08; p < 0.001), and chronic cough (OR = 1.9; 95%CI: 1.49–2.46; p < 0.001). Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) was associated with higher risk of cough (OR = 1.5 95%CI: 1.22–1.96; p < 0.001) and dyspnea in the last 12 months (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.04–2.00; p = 0.02). Low socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with increased risk of chronic cough (OR = 1.5; 95%CI: 1.09–2.03; p = 0.009) and increased risk of wheezy in the last 12 months (OR = 1.4; 95%CI: 1.06–1.97; p = 0.008). Asthma and bronchitis were not dependent on parents’ education or professional status. Conclusions: Social inequalities have significant impacts on the occurrence of respiratory symptoms, bronchitis, and asthma in children. Interventions aimed at preventing bronchitis and childhood asthma should also focus on social health determinants.
The Effects of Particulate Matter Alert on Urban Park Visitation in Seoul, Korea: Using Segmented Regression
Authors: Choi Yongsoo , Byun Garam , Lee Jong-Tae
Published: November 2022

To reduce the health burden from particulate matter (PM), the Korean government implemented a nationwide PM10 (particles less than 10 µg/m3 in diameter) alert system in 2015. The policy was intended to reduce PM exposure by advising people to refrain from outdoor activities on highly polluted days. The present study aimed to estimate the effect of the PM10 alert system on people’s daily outdoor activity patterns using urban park (specifically, Children’s Grand Park) visitation data from Seoul, South Korea, from 2014–2019. Segmented regression was fitted to estimate whether the number of visitors to the park decreased on the days with PM10 alerts. PM10 concentration of 80 µg/m3, the cut-off point for a “Bad” alert, was set as a threshold, and discontinuity at the threshold and change in the relative risk after the threshold was tested. Time series regression was used to estimate the dose–response line between the ambient PM10 concentration and the daily number of park visitors. The number of park visitors decreased by 11.8% (relative risk: 0.881, 95% confidence interval: 0.808, 0.960) when a “Bad” alert was issued (PM10 level above 80 µg/m3) compared to when the alert level was “Normal” (PM10 level less than 80 µg/m3). The present study found evidence that the PM10 alert influenced people’s daily outdoor activities in Seoul, Korea. As the main purpose of the PM alert is to encourage people to refrain from outdoor activities, evaluating the relationship between PM alerts and behavior patterns can help to grasp the effectiveness of the policy. Further efforts should be made to investigate whether the observed behavioral change leads to reductions in health outcomes caused by PM.
Expanding the Focus of Occupational Safety and Health: Lessons from a Series of Linked Scientific Meetings
Authors: Schulte Paul A. , Delclos George L. , Felknor Sarah A. , Streit Jessica M. K. , McDaniel Michelle , Chosewood L. Casey , Newman Lee S. , Bhojani Faiyaz A. , Pana-Cryan Rene , Swanson Naomi G.
Published: November 2022

There is widespread recognition that the world of work is changing, and agreement is growing that the occupational safety and health (OSH) field must change to contribute to the protection of workers now and in the future. Discourse on the evolution of OSH has been active for many decades, but formalized support of an expanded focus for OSH has greatly increased over the past 20 years. Development of approaches such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)’s Total Worker Health® concept and the World Health Organization (WHO)’s Healthy Workplace Framework are concrete examples of how OSH can incorporate a new focus with a wider view. In 2019, NIOSH initiated a multi-year effort to explore an expanded focus for OSH. This paper is a report on the outputs of a three-year cooperative agreement between NIOSH and The University of Texas School of Public Health, which led to subject matter expert workshops in 2020 and an international conference of global interest groups in 2021. This article traces the background of these meetings and identifies and assesses the lessons learned. It also reviews ten thematic topics that emerged from the meetings: worker health inequalities; training new OSH professionals; future OSH research and practice; tools to measure well-being of workers; psychosocial hazards and adverse mental health effects; skilling, upskilling and improving job quality; socioeconomic influences; climate change; COVID-19 pandemic influences; and strategic foresight. Cross-cutting these themes is the need for systems and transdisciplinary thinking and operationalization of the concept of well-being to prepare the OSH field for the work of the future.
Do Gamers Play for Money? A Moderated Mediation of Gaming Motives, Relative Deprivation, and Upward Mobility
Authors: King Anthony , Wong-Padoongpatt Gloria
Published: November 2022

Past research indicates strong monetary motives for gambling often elevate an individual’s risk of experiencing symptoms of gambling disorder, with personal relative deprivation (PRD) and upward mobility (UM) identified as key factors in this relationship. Nevertheless, few studies have examined how financial motives, PRD, and UM might interact for people playing modern video games—many of which offer financial incentives to encourage participation. Due to the overlap between gambling and (video) gaming, evidence suggests disordered gambling and disordered gaming might also share similarities. Therefore, the present study explored whether PRD influences associations between playing video games for financial motives, symptoms of Internet gaming disorder (IGD), and UM in two samples: 797 college students (Study 1) and 179 adult gamers over 25 years old (Study 2). Results from Study 1 revealed more PRD predicted more IGD symptoms, with higher financial gaming motives mediating the relationship. In Study 2, PRD also predicted IGD severity, but only coping motives appeared to mediate the positive association between PRD and IGD severity. In both samples, perceived UM inversely moderated the effect of PRD on one’s financial or coping gaming motives. These findings suggest financial motives for video games might lead to more problematic forms of participation for younger adults and negative perceptions of PRD and UM might interact, similar to gambling, to elevate a gamer’s vulnerability for IGD.
Match Loads May Predict Neuromuscular Fatigue and Intermittent-Running Endurance Capacity Decrement after a Soccer Match
Authors: Marqués-Jiménez Diego , Calleja-González Julio , Arratibel-Imaz Iñaki , Terrados Nicolás
Published: November 2022

How the match-derived load metrics relate to post-match fatigue in soccer is scarcely researched. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the associations between soccer match-related internal and external loads, neuromuscular performance decrease and intermittent-running endurance capacity decrement immediately post-match. Vertical jump (countermovement jump), straight-line sprinting (10- and 20-m sprint), change of direction ability (T-test) and intermittent-running endurance capacity (YO-YO intermittent recovery level 2) were measured one day before and immediately after a friendly match in male soccer players. During the match, players’ internal and external loads were also monitored, including heart rate-derived indices, total distance at various speed thresholds, average running velocity, maximal running velocity, number of sprints and number of accelerations and decelerations at various intensity thresholds. The results show that match-induced fatigue was reflected on neuromuscular performance and intermittent-running endurance capacity immediately post-match (p < 0.05). The quantification of percentage change of match external-load metrics, particularly accelerations and decelerations, provides a useful non-invasive predictor of subsequent neuromuscular fatigue status in soccer players immediately post-match (p < 0.05). However, only internal load metrics present a practical application for predicting intermittent-running endurance capacity impairment (p < 0.05). In summary, internal and external load metrics may allow for predicting the extent of acute fatigue, and variability between halves may represent a valuable alternative to facilitate the analysis of match-related fatigue both for research and applied purposes.
Violent Video Game Exposure and Problem Behaviors among Children and Adolescents: The Mediating Role of Deviant Peer Affiliation for Gender and Grade Differences
Authors: Wei Mingchen , Liu Yanling , Chen Shuai
Published: November 2022

Based on problem behavior theory, a mediation model for gender and grade differences is explored in this study. The study examined gender and grade differences in the effects of violent video games and deviant peer affiliation on problem behaviors among children and adolescents. A total of 2118 children and adolescents from four primary and middle schools in China (M age = 13.08, SD = 2.17) were surveyed using an anonymous questionnaire on basic information, exposure to violent video games, deviant peer affiliation, and problem behaviors. The results showed that exposure to violent video games significantly positively predicted problem behaviors, and deviant peer affiliation played a mediating role. Significant gender and grade differences were found in the mediating effect. This finding helps understand the individual differences in the influencing factors of problem behaviors. Further, it has important implications for interventions to reduce problem behaviors among children and adolescents.
Services as a Determinant of Botswana’s Economic Sustainability
Authors: Phiri Joseph , Malec Karel , Sakala Aubrey , Appiah-Kubi Seth Nana Kwame , Činčera Pavel , Maitah Mansoor , Gebeltová Zdeňka , Otekhile Cathy-Austin
Published: November 2022

In 2015, the services sector contributed about 58 percent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), which was a significant increase from the 47.6 percent observed in 2005, and a shift from the mining, agriculture, and manufacturing sector. This increase calls to support services as the catalyst for sustained economic development as indicated by the structural transformation and modernization theories. The main objective of this paper was to examine the relationship between and the impact of services on the economic development in Botswana and make recommendations on how Botswana can apply well-directed policies to improve its services sector and diversify its impact on other sectors and GDP, making it less reliant on mining which is vulnerable to price volatilities. The paper applied econometric modeling and results of the Autoregressive-Distributed Lag (ARDL) Bounds test for cointegration indicate that services and other industries services, agriculture, industry, mining, and investment impact GDP over the short and long run. These variables impacted GDP and converged to equilibrium at the speed of 46.89 percent, with a percent change in services in the short and long run impacting GDP by 0.328 and 0.241 percentages, respectively, and the outcome of the Wald test indicated causality from services to GDP growth. The services sectors have contributed over 40 percent to the country’s GDP from 1995 to the present, though the sectors have not gone without challenges with limitations such as limited infrastructure development; poverty and inequality; unemployment of over 20 percent; disease, which has dampened productivity; and lack of proper governance and accountability, which has created a habitat for an increase in cases of corruption in state and private entities. The findings of the study with the lessons learned from other studies with similar findings recommend that the government of Botswana should formulate suitable policies and strategies for services diversification. This is by expanding the market for the sector in areas such as tourism that were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, escalating investments by instituting strategies to attract and grow domestic and foreign investments, and improve on management of institutions and resources.
Exploratory Analysis of Sprint Force-Velocity Characteristics, Kinematics and Performance across a Periodized Training Year: A Case Study of Two National Level Sprint Athletes
Authors: Hicks Dylan Shaun , Drummond Claire , Williams Kym J. , van den Tillaar Roland
Published: November 2022

Objective: This case study aimed to explore changes to sprint force-velocity characteristics across a periodized training year (45 weeks) and the influence on sprint kinematics and performance in national level 100-meter athletes. Force-velocity characteristics have been shown to differentiate between performance levels in sprint athletes, yet limited information exists describing how characteristics change across a season and impact sprint performance, therefore warranting further research. Methods: Two male national level 100-meter athletes (Athlete 1: 22 years, 1.83 m, 81.1 kg, 100 m time: 10.47 s; Athlete 2: 19 years, 1.82 cm, 75.3 kg, 100 m time: 10.81 s) completed 12 and 11 force-velocity assessments, respectively, using electronic timing gates. Sprint mechanical characteristics were derived from 30-meter maximal sprint efforts using split times (i.e., 0–10 m, 0–20 m, 0–30 m) whereas step kinematics were established from 100-meter competition performance using video analysis. Results: Between the preparation (PREP) and competition (COMP) phase, Athlete 1 showed significantly large within-athlete effects for relative maximal power (PMAX), theoretical maximal velocity (v0), maximum ratio of force (RFMAX), maximal velocity (VMAX), and split time from 0 to 20 m and 0 to 30 m (−1.70 ≤ ES ≥ 1.92, p ≤ 0.05). Athlete 2 reported significant differences with large effects for relative maximal force (F0) and RFMAX only (ES: ≤ −1.46, p ≤ 0.04). In the PREP phase, both athletes reported almost perfect correlations between F0, PMAX and 0–20 m (r = −0.99, p ≤ 0.01), however in the COMP phase, the relationships between mechanical characteristics and split times were more individual. Competition performance in the 100-meter sprint (10.64 ± 0.24 s) showed a greater reliance on step length (r ≥ −0.72, p ≤ 0.001) than step frequency to achieve faster performances. The minimal detectable change (%) across mechanical variables ranged from 1.3 to 10.0% while spatio-temporal variables were much lower, from 0.94 to 1.48%, with Athlete 1 showing a higher ‘true change’ in performance across the season compared to Athlete 2. Conclusions: The estimated sprint force-velocity data collected across a training year may provide insight to practitioners about the underpinning mechanical characteristics which affect sprint performance during specific phases of training, plus how a periodized training design may enhance sprint force-velocity characteristics and performance outcomes.
Predictors of Psychological Distress across Three Time Periods during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Poland
Authors: Chudzicka-Czupała Agata , Chiang Soon-Kiat , Grabowski Damian , Żywiołek-Szeja Marta , Quek Matthew , Pudełek Bartosz , Teopiz Kayla , Ho Roger , McIntyre Roger S.
Published: November 2022

Background: Since the onset of COVID-19, public health policies and public opinions changed from stringent preventive measures against spread of COVID-19 to policies accommodating life with continued, diminished risk for contracting COVID-19. Poland is a country that demonstrated severe psychological impact and negative mental health. The study aims to examine psychological impact and changes in levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among three cross-sectional samples of Polish people and COVID-19-related factors associated with adverse mental health. Methods: In total, 2324 Polish persons participated in repeated cross-sectional studies across three surveys: Survey 1 (22 to 26 March 2020), Survey 2 (21 October to 3 December 2020), and Survey 3 (3 November to 10 December 2021). Participants completed an online survey, including Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), demographics, knowledge, and concerns of COVID-19 and precautionary measures. Results: A significant reduction of IES-R scores was seen across surveys, while DASS-21 scores were significantly higher in Survey 2. There was significant reduction in the frequency of following COVID-19 news, recent COVID-19 testing, and home isolation from Survey 1 to 3. Being emale was significantly associated with higher IES-R and DASS-21 scores in Surveys 1 and 2. Student status was significantly associated with higher DASS-21 across surveys. Chills, myalgia, and fatigue were significantly associated with high IES-R or DASS-21 scores across surveys. Frequency of wearing masks and perception that mask could reduce risk of COVID-19 were significantly associated with higher IES-R and DASS-21 scores. Conclusion: Conclusions: The aforementioned findings indicate a reduction in the level of the measured subjective distress andin the frequency of checking COVID-19 news-related information across three periods during the pandemic in Poland.
Changes in Socioeconomic Status as Predictors of Cardiovascular Disease Incidence and Mortality: A 10-Year Follow-Up of a Polish-Population-Based HAPIEE Cohort
Authors: Kozela Magdalena , Polak Maciej , Stepaniak Urszula , Bobak Martin , Pająk Andrzej
Published: November 2022

Although the inverse association between socioeconomic status (SES) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) is well established, research on the effect of changes in the SES throughout life on CVD risk in populations with different social backgrounds remains scarce. This study aimed to assess the relationship between childhood SES, adulthood SES, and changes in SES over time, and CVD incidence and mortality in a Polish urban population. In addition, the predictive performance of the SES index was compared with education alone. A cohort study with a 10-year follow-up was conducted, in which a random sample of 10,728 residents in Kraków aged 45–69 years were examined. The SES was assessed at baseline using data on education, parents’ education, housing standard at the age of 10 years, professional activity, household amenities, and difficulties in paying bills and buying food. SES categories (low, middle, and high) were extracted using cluster analyses. Information on new CVD cases was obtained from questionnaires in subsequent phases of the study and confirmed by reviewing clinical records. Data on deaths and causes were obtained from the residents’ registry, Central Statistical Office, and the participants’ families. The effect of the SES index on the risk of CVD was assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. In male and female participants, the CVD incidence and mortality were observed to be 27,703 and 32,956 person-years (384 and 175 new CVD cases) and 36,219 and 40,048 person-years (159 and 92 CVD deaths), respectively. Childhood SES was not associated with CVD incidence and mortality. A protective effect of high adulthood SES against CVD mortality was observed in men and women (HR = 0.59, 95% CI = 0.31–0.97; HR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.14–0.75, respectively). In women, downward social mobility was related to 2.24 and 3.75 times higher CVD incidence and mortality, respectively. In men, a protective effect against mortality was observed in upward mobility (HR = 0.50, 95% CI = 0.29–0.84). Model discrimination was similar for the SES index and education alone for the association with CVD incidence. In women, the SES index was a slightly better predictor of CVD mortality than education alone (C-index = 0.759, SE = 0.0282 vs. C-index = 0.783, SE = 0.0272; p = 0.041). In conclusion, high adulthood SES, but not childhood SES, may be considered to be a protective factor against CVD in urban populations in high-CVD-risk regions. No effects of critical periods in early life were observed on CVD risk. In later life, social mobility was found to affect CVD mortality in both men and women. In men, a protective effect of upward mobility was confirmed, whereas in women, an increased CVD risk was related to downward mobility. It can be concluded that CVD prevention may be beneficial if socioeconomic potentials are strengthened in later life.
Effects of Household Resource Utilization Behaviors on Giant Panda Habitat under the Background of Aging: Evidence from Sichuan Province
Authors: Song Zhenjiang , Wu Baoshu , Huang Yue , Zhu Shubin , Gao Lan , Li Yi
Published: November 2022

The Giant Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a flagship species for endangered wildlife conservation and is a specific relic species in China. Its habitat conservation has received widespread attention around the world. Since 2010, the phenomenon of an aging labor force gradually appeared within the Giant Panda Nature Reserve and its surrounding communities. Under the new labor force structure, households’ resource utilization behavior has had different characteristics, which has led an evolution in giant panda habitats. This study is based on a questionnaire and geographic data. It reveals the internal mechanisms of households’ resource utilization behavior impacting giant panda habitat patterns under the ongoing trend of labor force aging. The study shows that labor force aging has promoted rising ecological niche widths and falling ecological niche overlaps. These could drive a growth in giant panda habitat globally. From a spatial perspective, nature reserves with lower comprehensive ecological niche widths and higher ecological niche overlaps face greater conflict between conservation and development. However, the phenomenon of labor force aging mitigates these ecological conflicts to a certain extent.
Development of a New Procedure for Evaluating Working Postures: An Application in a Manufacturing Company
Authors: Gattamelata Davide , Fargnoli Mario
Published: November 2022

Musculoskeletal diseases represent a constant phenomenon in occupational health and safety (OHS) despite the large effort at governmental and technical levels. In the industrial context, numerous studies have dealt with the evaluation of the physical demand of workers. Moreover, numerous studies have investigated the problem, providing tools for ergonomics analysis. However, practical approaches aimed at integrating ergonomics issues in risk assessment activities are still scarce. To reduce such a gap, the current study proposes a procedure for the evaluation of the static working postures of workers to be included in the risk assessment activities. Such an approach is based on the ISO 11226 standard, providing a practical checklist that can be used both at the workstation’s design stage and during risk assessment activities. Its effectiveness was verified through a case study at a manufacturing company. The results achieved showed that as well as the non-conformity of the workstations’ design, the lack of training of the operators on how to maintain a neutral posture while working can also lead to awkward postures of the trunk and head. Additionally, the proposed methodology allowed us to verify the correctness of each workstation based on the physical characteristics of the workers, providing a useful guideline for the company managers on how to properly assign working tasks.
Wellness Impacts of Social Capital Built in Online Peer Support Forums
Authors: Kilpatrick Sue , Emery Sherridan , Farmer Jane , Kamstra Peter
Published: November 2022

The study reported in this paper sought to explore whether and how social capital resources were generated on online peer support mental health forums, and how they were used by rural users to influence mental health outcomes. Interviews with rural users of three Australian online peer support mental health forums were analysed to identify interactions that accessed social capital resources and mental wellness outcomes that flowed from these. Analysis drew on a model of simultaneous building and using of social capital to uncover the nature of the social capital resources present on the forum and how they were built. Findings show that forums were sites for building ‘knowledge resources’ including archives of users’ experiences of navigating mental illness and the mental health service system; and ‘identity resources’ including a willingness to contribute in line with forum values. The knowledge and identity resources built and available to rural users on the forums are facilitated by forum characteristics, which can be viewed as affordances of technology and institutional affordances. Operation by trusted organisations, moderation, a large network of users and anonymity created a safe space that encouraged reciprocity and where users exchanged information and social support that helped them maintain better mental wellness.
Spatial Effect of Ecological Environmental Factors on Mumps in China during 2014–2018
Authors: Wen Li , Yang Danling , Li Yanning , Lu Dongjia , Su Haixia , Tang Mengying , Song Xiaokun
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: although mumps vaccines have been introduced in most countries around the world in recent years, mumps outbreaks have occurred in countries with high vaccination rates. At present, China remains the focus of the global fight against mumps. This study aims to observe the epidemic characteristics and spatial clustering patterns of mumps and to investigate the potential factors affecting the disease incidence, which could provide novel ideas and avenues for future research as well as the prevention and control of mumps. (2) Methods: we used ArcGIS software to visualize the spatial distribution and variation of mumps. Spatial autocorrelation analysis was applied to detect the spatial dependence and clustering patterns of the incidence. We applied the Spatial Durbin Panel Model (SDPM) to explore the spatial associations of ecological environmental factors with mumps. (3) Results: overall, the incidence rate showed a significant upward trend from 2014 to 2018, with the highest number of cases in the 10–15-year age group and from May to June. Geographically, the high incidence clusters were concentrated in southern regions, including Hunan, Hubei, Chongqing, Guizhou, Guangdong, and Guangxi. This study also found that mumps has a positive spatial spillover effect in the study area. The average temperature and GDP of the local and adjacent areas have a significant impact on mumps. The increase in PM2.5 contributes to the rise in the incidence of mumps in this region. (4) Conclusions: these results can offer some novel ideas for policymakers and researchers. Local meteorological conditions and economic levels can extend to surrounding areas to affect the occurrence of mumps, so regional cooperation becomes particularly important. We recommend investment of public health funds in areas with a high incidence of mumps and developing economies to reduce and control the incidence of mumps.
Well-Being at Work: Burnout and Engagement Profiles of University Workers
Authors: González-Rico Pablo , Guerrero-Barona Eloísa , Chambel Maria José , Guerrero-Molina Mónica
Published: November 2022

The main objective of this study is to analyze well-being at work, considering burnout and engagement distributed in profiles, and to observe how they relate to well-being outside work. The data came from a representative sample of workers (n = 565) at the University of Extremadura (Spain), both teaching and research academic staff (TRAS) and service and administrative staff (SAS). We performed the data analysis by using latent profile analysis, and the results show evidence that workers from both groups were distributed across four profiles. As expected, we verified that workers in the profile with high burnout and low engagement had lower well-being outside work than workers in the profile with high engagement and low burnout. We also observed that engagement mitigated the negative effects of burnout on workers in profiles with moderate levels of burnout, who showed better well-being outside work when they had higher engagement. These differences are discussed, and their practical implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
Deep Groundwater Flow Patterns Induced by Mine Water Injection Activity
Authors: Chen Ge , Xu Zhimin , Rudakov Dmytro , Sun Yajun , Li Xin
Published: November 2022

Mine water injection into deep formations is one of the effective approaches for reducing the drainage from coal mines in the arid and semi-arid region of the Ordos basin, China. Many coal mines are attempting to execute the related projects. Under the influence of groundwater protection, the understanding of regional groundwater flow is becoming highly important to the mine water monitoring, whereas quite few academic research teams focus on the deep groundwater flow pattern by mine water injection. This paper reveals the spatial distribution of Liujiagou Formation that is in positive correlation with the terrain, and its local thickness is influenced by the dominant W-E and NE-SW directions of geological structures. Only a part of sandstone rocks consists of aquifers, the rest 61.9% of relatively dry rock provide the enhanced storage space and partial mudstone aquicludes decrease the possibility of the vertical leakage for mine water. The dynamic storage capacity is evaluated at 2.36 Mm3 per 1 km2 and over 25.10 billion m3 in this study area. Two hydrogeologic cross-sections of basin-scale identify the W-E and N-S regional groundwater flow directions, with the lower Yellow River catchment becoming the discharged region. The hierarchically and steadily nested flow systems containing coal mining claims are influenced by coal mining activity. The groundwater depression cone in a shallow coal measure aquifer is caused by mine water drainage whereas the groundwater mound in Liujiagou Formation is generated by mine water injection activity. The numerical simulation revealed that the groundwater head rebound is slightly decreased and will not recover to its initial baseline within 500 years due to its low porosity and permeability. This study elucidates the deep groundwater flow patterns induced by mine water injection and provides a practical methodology for the management and pollution monitoring of mine water injection activity.
The Effect of Domestic Sewage Treatment on Islands Using Ecological Treatment Processes: A Case Study of Haimen Island, Fujian Province
Authors: Sun Yuanmin , Tang Kunxian , Song Hui , Jiang Degang , Chen Shan , Tu Wulin , Cai Luchun , Huang Haiping , Zhang Fei
Published: November 2022

Islands are characterized by a lack of land and freshwater resources, public finances, and technical personnel. As a result, domestic sewage may not be effectively treated, which can lead to major pollution on islands and in the surrounding sea areas. In this study, a pilot treatment of domestic sewage was conducted using an ecological treatment process (i.e., a constructed wetland and ecological pond) in an abandoned pond located on Haimen Island, Fujian Province, China. The pollutant indicators were monitored to analyze this treatment method at different treatment stages. The results showed that the combination of multiple ecological treatment processes had favorable treatment effects on various pollutants in the sewage. The treatment rates of the chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) and suspended solids (SS) surpassed 88%. The treatment rate of the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and fecal coliform surpassed 93%, and all the indicators met or were close to the level I B emission standards for urban sewage treatment plants. Different treatment stages have different treatment effects on different pollutants. The constructed wetland played an important role in sewage treatment through plant absorption, substrate adsorption, sedimentation, and microbial decomposition, particularly for the TP, CODCr, and BOD5. In contrast, algal photosynthesis in the ecological pond produced a large amount of dissolved oxygen, and the treatment effect was highest for the TN and NH3-N. The treatment effects on the fecal coliform in the constructed wetland and ecological pond were very significant. Ecological treatment processes based on the combination of a constructed wetland and ecological pond have favorable treatment effects, low construction and maintenance costs, and pollution-free conditions, which are suitable for application in island areas.
Physico-Chemical and Microbiological Control of the Composting Process of the Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste: A Pilot-Scale Experience
Authors: Miguel Natividad , López Andrea , Jojoa-Sierra Sindy D. , Fernández Julen , Gómez Jairo , Ormad María P.
Published: November 2022

The aim of this work was to carry out a pilot experiment to monitor OFMSW (organic fraction of municipal solid waste) composting processes using different types of installations (automatic reactor, aerated static pile and turned pile). To carry out the process, pruning waste was used as structuring material (SM), in a 1:1 and 1:2, v:v, OFMSW:SM ratio. Monitoring was carried out through the control of physico-chemical and microbiological parameters, such as temperature, pH, humidity, Rottegrade, Solvita tests, the presence of Salmonella sp. and Escherichia coli, total coliform, and Enterococcus sp. concentrations. After carrying out the tests, it can be affirmed that the three types of installations used worked correctly in terms of the monitoring of physico-chemical parameters, giving rise to a compost of sufficient stability and maturity to be applied on agricultural soil. In all cases the bacterial concentrations in the final compost were lower than those detected in the mixture of initial components for its preparation, thus complying with the requirements established in RD 506/2013 and RD 999/2017RD on fertilizer products. However, it cannot be affirmed that one of the three types of installation used produces a greater bacterial inactivation than the others. When composting with different types of facilities, it is of interest to optimize the irrigation and aeration system in order to have a better control of the process and to study the possible temperature gradients in the piles to ensure good sanitization without the risk of bacterial proliferation a posteriori. Finally, the different initial mixtures of OFMSW and SM used in this study did not have a significant influence on the functioning of the composting process or on the microbiological quality during the process. The irrigation water can provide a bacterial contribution that can lead to increases in concentration during the composting process. This study is part of the Life-NADAPTA project (LIFE16 IPC/ES/000001), an integrated strategy for adaptation to Climate Change in Navarra, where NILSA participates in water action and collaborates in agricultural action, which includes among its objectives the development of new soil amendments from different organic waste.