bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Telenursing on primary family caregivers and children with disabilities: a scoping review
Authors: Nishigaki Kaori , Yamaji Noyuri , Adachi Naho , Kamei Tomoko , Kobayashi Kyoko , Kakazu Shota , Yonekura Yuki
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Despite the need for continued support for children with disabilities and their families, COVID-19 has made the support difficult. Telenursing can monitor daily life and support from a remote location, continuously and at a low cost. However, there are few practical reports on its use in children with disabilities.

Objective

This scoping review aims to summarize the published literature on telenursing for children with disabilities in home care settings.

Methods

We included studies involving children (0–18 years of age) with disabilities and their families and specified telecommunication assessment, monitoring, and intervention such as tele-education, teleconsultation and telementoring involving nurses via information communication technologies. We included studies that used any design written in English or Japanese. A comprehensive search was conducted on March 14, 2021 using six databases: MEDLINE via PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing & Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, PsycINFO, and Ichushi Web. Two or more reviewers individually screened eligible studies according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Data on the characteristics of the included studies, telecommunications technology interventions, and children with disabilities were mapped in tables.

Results

Eleven studies, published between 2003 and 2020, met the inclusion criteria. Only one study used the term “telenursing,” while others used “telehealth” and other terms, which involved multidisciplinary support such as physicians and social workers in addition to nurses. Although there were various types of telecommunications technology interventions, they were categorized as consultation, healthcare provision, monitoring, and education. Most studies have examined telecommunication technology interventions by healthcare professionals, including nurses. Five studies focused on children with medical complexities, and two focused on children with neurodevelopmental disabilities, including developmental delays. There is insufficient information on telecommunications technology interventions, especially assessment tools, trigger points, and the status of the target population.

Conclusion

This scoping review aimed to map the published literature on telenursing for children with disabilities and their families in home care settings. Available evidence indicates a lack of research focusing on the implementation of telecommunications for children with disabilities and their families. Further research is required to assess the effects of telecommunications technology interventions. Additionally, they should provide information for implementing telecommunication technology safety.

Scoping Review Registration

Figshare (https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.21747047.v1).
Genotype-phenotype insights of pediatric dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Dai Ying , Wang Yan , Fan Youfei , Han Bo
Published: January 2025

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in children is a severe myocardial disease characterized by enlargement of the left ventricle or both ventricles with impaired contractile function. DCM can cause adverse consequences such as heart failure, sudden death, thromboembolism, and arrhythmias. This article reviews the latest advances in genotype and phenotype research in pediatric DCM. With the development of gene sequencing technologies, considerable progress has been made in genetic research on DCM. Research has shown that DCM exhibits notable genetic heterogeneity, with over 100 DCM-related genes identified to date, primarily involving functions such as calcium handling, the cytoskeleton, and ion channels. As human genomic variations are linked to phenotypes, DCM phenotypes are influenced by numerous genetic variations across the entire genome. Children with DCM display high genetic heterogeneity and are characterized by early onset, rapid disease progression, and poor prognosis. The genetic architecture of pediatric DCM markedly differs from that of adult DCM, necessitating analyses through clinical phenotyping, familial cosegregation studies, and functional validation. Clarifying the genotype-phenotype relationship can improve diagnostic accuracy, enhance prognosis, and guide follow-up treatment for genotype-positive and phenotype-negative patients identified through genetic testing, providing new insights for precision medicine. Future research should further explore novel pathogenic genes and mutations and strengthen genotype-phenotype correlation analyses to facilitate precise diagnosis and treatment of DCM in children.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate inhibits the collagen accumulation of oral submucous fibrosis induced by arecoline
Authors: Gao Ge , Lin Caipeng , Li Ruibo , Xie Xi , Luo Hai-Bin
Published: January 2025

Objective

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is a chronic oral mucosal disease, which exerts a profound impact on patients’ daily life and currently lacks efficacious therapeutic interventions. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), the abundant polyphenol found in green tea, exhibits remarkable anti-fibrotic effects on the skin. However, the research on OSF regarding EGCG is relatively limited.

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effect of EGCG against OSF using an arecoline (ARE) -induced rat model and primary rat oral fibroblasts.

Methods

Primary rat oral mucosal fibroblasts (ROMF) were isolated and identified. Optimal ARE concentrations were established using the Cell Counting Kit-8. The impact of ARE on extracellular matrix (ECM)-related protein expression was assessed through RT-qPCR and Western blot techniques. Similarly, the effects of EGCG on ARE-induced ECM changes in ROMF were evaluated. The study also established an OSF model in Sprague-Dawley rats, induced by ARE, with pathological changes characterized using HE and Masson’s staining, further assessing the impact of ARE on ECM-related protein expression in rat oral tissues through RT-qPCR and Western blot methods.

Results

EGCG effectively suppressed the ARE-induced ECM components while concurrently improving the OSF pathological process in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the natural product EGCG effectively suppressed the increased ECM components induced by ARE and concurrently improved the OSF pathological process, indicating that EGCG could be potentially a novel anti-fibrotic candidate drug for the treatment of OSF.
Corneal protective effects of a new ophthalmic formulation based on vitamin B12 and sodium hyaluronate
Authors: Lazzara Francesca , Conti Federica , Maugeri Grazia , D’Agata Velia , Sotera Ludovica , Bucolo Claudio
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Corneal damage can happen due to a variety of insults, including environmental factors and iatrogenic issues. For instance, the corneal epithelium is sensitive to oxidative stress caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) or by ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Moreover, the strictly correlated oxidative damage and inflammatory processes impair the corneal reparative wound healing mechanism. Corneal protection after damage remains an unmet medical need that requires urgent management. Sodium hyaluronate is known to protect the cornea against oxidative and inflammatory injury. Additionally, vitamin B12 is a good candidate for counteracting corneal damage, helping preserve visual functions.

Methods

The present study aimed to investigate the potential protective effect of an ophthalmic formulation based on 0.01% vitamin B12% and 0.15% sodium hyaluronate (DROPYAL EVO) compared to other ophthalmic formulations containing sodium hyaluronate and trehalose (TRIMIX and THEALOZ DUO). Two different in vitro models of corneal damage were carried out in corneal epithelial cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2, 1 mM) or UVB (20 mJ/cm2). Cell viability, cytotoxicity, ROS production, and mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α and IL-1β) were assessed by MTT, LDH, 2′,7′–dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFDA) assays and Real-time PCR, respectively. Additionally, the ability of ophthalmic formulations to affect the wound healing process in corneal epithelial cells was assessed at different time points by scratch wound healing assay.

Results

The eye drops containing vitamin B12 were able to significantly counteract oxidative and inflammatory damage in corneal epithelial cells exposed to H2O2 stimulus and UVB radiation, in terms of ROS production and pro-inflammatory cytokines expression. Additionally, the eye drops containing vitamin B12 obtained significantly better outcomes in terms of wound closure at 36 h and 48 h after scratching the corneal epithelial cells, compared to the other two formulations containing trehalose.

Discussion

Vitamin B12 potentially enhances the protective effect of sodium hyaluronate, accelerating the wound healing process and modulating oxidative stress and inflammation. Vitamin B12, in combination with sodium hyaluronate, could represent a promising approach to managing corneal epithelial damage. Further clinical investigations are needed to confirm this data.
Measurement of electromagnetic transients in high voltage substations based on wireless transmission technique under strong electromagnetic interference
Authors: Wang Ceyong , Ou Lezhi , Wu Wenbing , Tan Chenghui , Ding Yi , Zou Jinxing
Published: January 2025

As power grids expand, the insulation performance of electrical equipment becomes crucial for grid reliability. Thus, measuring transient voltage and current at key substation nodes is essential. Traditional methods are cumbersome and pose electric shock risks with faulty grounding. To address this problem, a wireless-based electromagnetic transient measurement method is proposed in this paper. Firstly, distributed intelligent sensors are placed at various substation points for on-site intelligence. Secondly, a compression algorithm with fault tolerance prevents signal distortion. Then, a distributed wireless synchronous sampling strategy ensures accurate sampling under varying conditions. Finally, field tests show the system achieves high accuracy.
Effects of exercise dose based on the ACSM recommendations on depression in hemodialysis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Fang Yang , Xiaoling Bai , Huan Li , Yaping Guan , Binying Zhang , Man Wang , Juan Wu , Xinyu Liu
Published: January 2025

Objective

To explore the impact of various exercise doses on depressive symptoms among hemodialysis patients and offer valuable guidance for the selection of optimal exercise doses in clinical practice settings.

Methods

A comprehensive systematic review was conducted across four major databases, namely, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, covering the period from their inception until August 2024. Exercise interventions were classified based on adherence to American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendations, dividing studies into groups with high and low/uncertain ACSM adherence. A meta-analysis was performed utilising Review Manager5.4.1 to assess the effects of ACSM adherence on depression in hemodialysis patients.

Results

This meta-analysis incorporated a total of 19 randomized controlled trials, involving 1,285 patients. The mean age of the patients ranged from 33.2 to 70 years, and the average body mass index (BMI) fluctuated between 23.3 and 28.81 kg/m2. Males accounted for a relatively larger proportion of the participants. Among these trials, 14 were classified as having high ACSM adherence, while 5 were categorized as having low or uncertain adherence. Overall, exercise markedly improved depression in hemodialysis patients (SMD: −0.63, 95% CI: −0.87, −0.39; p < 0.05). The high ACSM adherence group showed greater improvement relative to the low/uncertain adherence group (SMD: −0.66 vs. −0.56). No notable disparities were noted in the effects of exercise duration or patient age on depression outcomes between the subgroups (p = 0.86, p = 0.48).

Conclusion

Exercise interventions that exhibit high adherence to the ACSM guidelines prove to be more efficacious in alleviating depression among hemodialysis patients as compared to those with low or uncertain adherence levels.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/#myprospero
Surfacing and diving behavior associated with thermal physiology in oceanic habitats of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis) in the western north Pacific Ocean
Authors: Aoki Yoshinori , Kitagawa Takashi , Kiyofuji Hidetada
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Thermal physiology is a pivotal biotic factor for the ecophysiology of commercially valuable tuna, influencing not only horizontal but also vertical behaviors. We aimed to examine how the thermal physiology of skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis, SKJ) can explain the differences in their vertical behavior, focusing on surfacing and diving, among various thermal environments during their northward migration in the western North Pacific.

Methods

We analyzed archival tag data collected during 2012–2015, with individual time series (Fork length: 38–49 cm, N = 38) of swimming depth, water temperature, and peritoneal body temperature during northward migration from subtropical areas to temperate regions around Japan. We quantified surfacing and diving behavior as an index of vertical behavior and estimated the whole-body heat transfer coefficient (λ) during the cooling and warming phases associated with diving using body and water temperature records as indicators of thermal physiology.

Results

In the southern mixed layer areas, SKJ were widely distributed at a depth layer <200 m, whereas they were restricted to the surface in the strong thermocline areas in the north. The dive duration was significantly shortened with a strong thermal gradient during northward migration. We observed minor to no differences in λ values between the cooling and warming phases in the southern areas, whereas the λ values in temperate areas differed by a factor of 2–3 between the phases.

Discussion

Our findings of changes in λ values between the cooling and warming phases represent the first evidence of thermoregulation in SKJ. Surfacing preference behavior and short dive duration in temperate areas may be an avoidance of prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, a behavior commonly exhibited in other tuna. Moreover, we discussed how the changes in vertical behavior driven by thermal physiology can explain spatial heterogeneity in SKJ fishery grounds in the western Pacific Ocean.
Recognition and localization of ratoon rice rolled stubble rows based on monocular vision and model fusion
Authors: Li Yuanrui , Xiao Liping , Liu Zhaopeng , Liu Muhua , Fang Peng , Chen Xiongfei , Yu Jiajia , Lin Jinlong , Cai Jinping
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Ratoon rice, as a high-efficiency rice cultivation mode, is widely applied around the world. Mechanical righting of rolled rice stubble can significantly improve yield in regeneration season, but lack of automation has become an important factor restricting its further promotion.

Methods

In order to realize automatic navigation of the righting machine, a method of fusing an instance segmentation model and a monocular depth prediction model was used to realize monocular localization of the rolled rice stubble rows in this study.

Results

To achieve monocular depth prediction, a depth estimation model was trained on training set we made, and absolute relative error of trained model on validation set was only 7.2%. To address the problem of degradation of model's performance when migrated to other monocular cameras, based on the law of the input image’s influence on model's output results, two optimization methods of adjusting inputs and outputs were used that decreased the absolute relative error from 91.9% to 8.8%. After that, we carried out model fusion experiments, which showed that CD (chamfer distance) between predicted 3D coordinates of navigation points obtained by fusing the results of the two models and labels was only 0.0990. The CD between predicted point cloud of rolled rice stubble rows and label was only 0.0174.
A review of traditional Chinese medicine intervention methods for depression among college students
Authors: Yao Xiyong , Xu Chen , Yang Linlin , Wu Ailin , Xiong Lin
Published: January 2025

Depression has become the most prevalent psychological issue among college students, necessitating urgent intervention measures. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) boasts a long history in the prevention and treatment of psychological and emotional disorders, encompassing non-pharmacological therapies (such as TCM health exercises, Tai Chi, Wu Qin Xi, Ba Duan Jin, acupuncture, etc.) and pharmacological treatments. Key research findings indicate that these TCM interventions can significantly alleviate depressive symptoms and improve sleep quality in college students. However, the studies also acknowledge certain limitations, including varied effectiveness of interventions among individuals and the need for professional diagnosis and treatment in the case of acupuncture and herbal remedies. This provides early prevention and intervention measures for the treatment of depression among college students, and promotes the inheritance of traditional Chinese culture.
Implicit and explicit learning strategies and fatigue: an evaluation of throwing task performance
Authors: Banihosseini Reihaneh , Abdoli Behrouz , Kavyani Maryam
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study aimed to determine the effects of implicit (errorless) and explicit (errorful) training strategies on a throwing task under physiological and mental fatigue conditions.

Methods

Thirty-two participants, equally divided between the explicit and implicit learning groups, participated in a throwing task. The explicit learning group began at a significant distance from the target and gradually moved closer. In contrast, the implicit learning group started close to the target and progressively increased their distance. The initial session referred to as the acquisition phase, comprised 150 throws from five different distances. Subsequent sessions included a retention test and two transfer tests conducted under conditions of both physiological and mental fatigue. Mental fatigue was induced using a 30-minute color-word Stroop task, while physical fatigue was elicited by requiring subjects to maintain 50% of their maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVC) in elbow extension for a 2-minute duration.

Results

The results revealed that the implicit learning group exhibited improved performance under fatigue conditions and outperformed the explicit learning group significantly, regardless of the type of fatigue.

Conclusion

This results suggests that implicit learning may improve motor performance even under fatigue conditions.
Identification and characteristics of distressed patients with coronary heart disease and insufficiently controlled medical risk factors: baseline findings and sex differences from the multicenter TEACH trial
Authors: Herrmann-Lingen Christoph , Sadlonova Monika , Becker Ingrid , Bersch Kristina , Geiser Franziska , Hellmich Martin , Kindermann Ingrid , Michal Matthias , Nöhre Mariel , Petersmann Astrid , Wachter Rolf , Belnap Birgit Herbeck , Albus Christian
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Medical risk factors and psychological distress are important targets for secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). The multicenter randomized controlled TEACH study is the first trial testing a blended collaborative care (BCC) intervention vs. usual care in a cohort of only patients with CHD. The current manuscript analyzes the availability of distressed CHD patients for a BCC intervention trial and the baseline risk profile of the randomized cohort, especially focusing on sex differences.

Methods

Hospitalized CHD patients with positive HADS and/or PSS-4 screening were rescreened three months later and those still distressed were offered participation in the RCT if they had insufficiently controlled medical risk factors (smoking, physical inactivity, elevated blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and/or HbA1c). The current manuscript describes the TEACH screening process and presents baseline data of the randomized cohort.

Results

Of 2,785 screened patients, 457 patients with persistent distress and insufficiently controlled risk factors were randomized. Older age and lower distress but not sex independently predicted dropout before randomization. In the randomized cohort (mean age 62.9 ± 9.5 years, 77.4% men), women were older than men (p=0.025), more likely to be retired (52.4% vs. 38.6%; p=0.012) and to live without a partner (48.6% vs. 24.8%, p<0.001). Compared to men, they had lower diastolic blood pressure (p=0.003) but higher rates of physical inactivity (56.0% vs. 41.8%; p=0.012) and positive family history of premature atherosclerotic disease (45.7% vs. 29.8%; p=0.009). They also had a lower rate of previous coronary bypass surgery (21.0% vs. 39.2%, p<0.001). A mental disorder had been diagnosed in 54% of all randomized patients and 42% had previously received mental health treatment, both reported substantially more frequently by women than men (both p<0.001). Satisfaction with care before the trial did not differ by sex but was far lower for psychosocial care than for treatment of heart disease (p<0.001).

Discussion

TEACH enrolled a patient sample with persisting distress and a typical risk factor profile. Women differed from men in relevant aspects of their RF profiles and mental health and should receive special attention in future analyses and treatment planning for patients with CHD.

Clinical Trial Registration

German Clinical Trials Register, https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00020824, identifier DRKS00020824.
The impact of perceived caregiver anxiety and stress during childhood on late-life depression: evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study
Authors: Jin Liuyin , Wang Dongdong , Yang Dengxian , Jin Qiong , Cao Mengye , Li Yuanyuan , Yang Jiajie , Xie Guoming , Zhang Wenwu
Published: January 2025

Introduction

This study investigates the long-term impact of perceived caregiver anxiety and stress during childhood on late-life depression. Adverse childhood experiences related to caregiver mental health may significantly influence emotional well-being, and this study utilizes data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) to explore these associations.

Methods

CHARLS data were analyzed for individuals who reported perceived caregiver anxiety and stress. Depression was measured using the CES-10 depression scale. Multivariate logistic regression models examined the relationship between caregiver anxiety and stress frequency and late-life depression, adjusting for confounders like socioeconomic status, health behaviors, and demographics.

Results

Childhood exposure to caregiver anxiety and stress significantly increased the risk of depression in later life (p < 0.05), with stronger effects observed among individuals with female caregivers. The risk escalated with the frequency of caregiver anxiety episodes. After adjusting for covariates, the association for male caregivers weakened, highlighting the potential role of other mediators.

Discussion

The results highlight the critical importance of parental mental health, especially maternal anxiety, in mitigating intergenerational mental health risks. Targeted interventions for caregiver mental health, particularly for female caregivers, are crucial. Longitudinal studies are needed to better establish causality and further investigate these mechanisms.
Short-term and long-term effect of non-pharmacotherapy for adults with ADHD: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Xinyue , Zhang Lin , Yu Jing , Wang Meng
Published: January 2025

Background

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition with a global prevalence of 2.5% to 6.7% among adults. Non-pharmacological interventions have demonstrated effectiveness both as standalone treatments and adjuncts to pharmacotherapy in managing adult ADHD. Nevertheless, the comparative efficacy of these interventions, particularly with respect to diverse ADHD-related outcomes and their long-term impacts, remains insufficiently investigated.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate and compare the short-term and long-term effects of various non-pharmacological therapies on core ADHD symptoms (inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity) and emotional disorders (depression and anxiety) in adults with ADHD and to rank these therapies accordingly.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE databases from inception to Sep 2024. Researchers independently screened and extracted data, and the analysis was performed using R version 4.3.2. Cochrane Risk of Bias tool version 2 (ROB2) and Confidence in Network Meta-Analysis (CINeMA) were used to assess the risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence. Standardized mean differences were estimated using network meta-analyses with random effects.

Results

A total of 37 RCTs involving 2,289 participants and 10 non-pharmacological therapies were included. The risk of bias was classified as low in 24.3%, unclear in 27%, and high in 48.6%, while the CINeMA assessment indicated that confidence in the evidence was “very low” or “low” for most of the remaining treatments. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) showed significantly greater effectiveness than the control group/condition in both the short-term (SMD: -4.43, 95%CI: -5.50 to -3.37) and long-term (SMD: -3.61, 95%CI: -4.66 to -2.56) core symptoms. Additionally, CBT shows both short-term and long-term efficacy for depression (SMD: -4.16, 95%CI: -5.51 to -2.81; SMD: -3.89, 95%CI: -5.95 to -1.83) and anxiety (SMD: -2.12, 95%CI: -3.18 to -1.07; SMD: -7.25, 95%CI: -10.57 to -3.94).

Conclusion

CBT may be the most effective intervention for adults with ADHD and associated emotional disorders, while Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy (MC) is recommended as a preferable option for those without comorbidities. Caution is needed in interpreting our results, and high-quality RCTs are urgently required for more reliable insights.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/display_record.php?, identifier CRD42024432912.
Treating Addiction by Stimulating the Brain With Powerful Magnets
Authors: Caglar Ceyda Canan , Ultanir Doga , Lutz Miranda C. , Schulte Mieke H. J.
Published: January 2025

Have you ever wondered why some people cannot stop smoking, even when they really want to? Addiction happens when someone cannot stop using a substance, like cigarettes, even though they know it is harmful and want to quit. This is because of a strong urge that is hard to resist, called a craving. Simultaneously, people with addiction have less control over their actions. These changes in craving and control result from changes in the activity of certain brain areas. Researchers have found a way to restore activity in these brain areas from the outside, using a technique called transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Studies have found that more activation in certain brain areas reduces smoking, but not necessarily craving. So, TMS helps to bring back healthy behavior and can be helpful in treating addiction. Researchers continue to investigate ways to make TMS work better.
Development of a cross-cultural scale on attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity (AGSD)
Authors: Oleas Daniel , Garza-Olivares Xochitl , Teixeira-Filho Fernando Silva , Mascialino Guido , Rodas Jose A.
Published: January 2025

Background

Attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity can range from acceptance to rejection, influenced by various social, psychological, and cultural factors. In Latin America, instruments tailored to measure these attitudes within specific cultural contexts are limited. This study aimed to develop and validate a culturally relevant scale to assess attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity in Ecuador.

Methods

The research was conducted in two studies. In Study 1, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed on data collected from 225 psychology students to identify the scale's structure. In Study 2, a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted with 362 students to confirm the factor structure and assess the scale's validity. The final scale comprised 18 items across three factors: social coexistence, moral and pathological views, and stereotypes.

Results

The scale demonstrated sound psychometric properties, with acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.74–0.77). Factor loadings ranged from 0.56 to 0.87, confirming the robustness of the scale. Three distinct factors were identified, providing a comprehensive measure of attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity in social, psychological, and behavioral contexts.

Conclusion

This scale represents a valuable tool for assessing attitudes toward gender and sexual diversity in Latin American populations. Future research should test its applicability across broader populations and in different Latin American countries to further validate its use and generalizability.
Harnessing coaches' expertise: creating 11 sport-specific profiles for talent orientation
Authors: Ochs Johanna , Hohmann Andreas , Pion Johan
Published: January 2025

Introduction

In Germany, there is no systematic approach to talent orientation that recommends an appropriate sport for children. Talent detection is the first step of the talent process, in which children's motor profiles are assessed using standardized test batteries. In the second step, talent orientation, these profiles are weighted with sport profiles to derive sport recommendations for each child. But how are these sport profiles built? The aim of this study is to engage coaches in the creation of sport profiles.

Methods

German coaches (n = 256) of gymnastics, handball, judo, soccer, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track & field participated in a survey using the German Motor Test 6–18 plus ball throwing and agility test. Eight sports were included. Judo was divided into light and heavy weight categories, and track & field into endurance running, sprinting/jumping, and throwing, resulting in eleven disciplines. Each discipline had a separate standardized questionnaire, with judo categories combined into one.

Results

The results show individual profiles of relevant characteristics for each sport discipline. ANOVA and z-transformed means revealed different ratings of the test items, enabling the development of specific combinations of the most important test items for each discipline. The validity of these sport discipline-specific profiles was tested using discriminant analyses, which assigned coaches to their respective sport discipline. A linear discriminant analysis correctly classified 78.1% of coaches to their respective sport discipline. When comparing one sport discipline to all others, correct classification ranged from 82.2% to 92.7%.

Discussion

Based on the coaches' ratings, eleven different sport discipline profiles were developed, each with its own combination of key test items. Track & field sprinting/jumping was most clearly distinguished from other disciplines. Overlaps were found in the profiles of handball and tennis, as well as judo and swimming. These findings help coaches utilize the profiles for talent orientation.
Social Inequalities in Adolescents’ Psychological and Somatic Complaints: Cross-National Trends Between 2002 and 2022 and the Role of Societal Changes
Authors: Brons Mathilde E. , Berchialla Paola , Helbich Marco , Dierckens Maxim , Lenzi Michela , Inchley Joanna C. , Stevens Gonneke W. J. M.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Cross-national differences in long-term trends in social inequalities in adolescents’ mental health remain poorly understood, as does the impact of societal changes. We tested (1) whether the association between family socioeconomic status and psychological and somatic complaints changed between 2002 and 2022, (2) the extent to which these trends varied across countries, and (3) whether changes in income inequality, schoolwork pressure, and internet activity within countries were related to these trends.

Methods

Using data from 903,344 adolescents across 32 countries from the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) study between 2002 and 2022, we employed multilevel models to investigate the research questions.

Results

We observed a nonlinear increase in psychological and somatic complaints over time. On average, social inequalities in both outcomes remained stable across countries, although the trends varied from one country to another. Only income inequality explained the differences between countries in these trends. In countries where income inequality increased over time, social inequalities in psychological complaints became smaller.

Conclusion

Our study highlights ongoing global disparities in adolescents’ mental health problems, urging for more effective health policies.
Panorama del crédito cooperativo y bancario del Ecuador por provincias y regiones
Authors: Unuzungo-Villa Jhonatan Guillermo , Coello-Loaiza Siamara Patricia
Published: January 2025

El acceso al crédito contribuye a la inclusión financiera y al desarrollo económico. La desigualdad o exclusión a productos y servicios financieros es una problemática que afecta a ciertos lugares de baja densidad poblacional. Bajo estos preceptos, esta investigación analizó la concentración geográfica del crédito ecuatoriano, por provincias y regiones, a través del índice de intensidad de crédito per cápita, año 2022. El estudio fue no experimental de corte transversal apoyado de estadística descriptiva e inferencial, para el análisis correlacional. La información fue recolectada de la Asociación de Bancos del Ecuador y del Instituto Nacional de Estadísticas y Censo. Las variables de estudio fueron montos de créditos de bancos, cooperativas y total, al igual que la densidad poblacional, por provincias y regiones. Los principales hallazgos indicaron una significativa disparidad en la distribución del crédito, con una mayor concentración en las provincias más pobladas como Pichincha y Guayas. Además, se observó que, aunque las cooperativas tienen menor cuota de mercado, juegan un rol fundamental en la inclusión financiera en regiones menos pobladas como la Amazonía. Se determinó evidencia estadística que hay correlación moderada a fuerte entre la densidad poblacional y la distribución de créditos. En conclusión, el estudio destaca la necesidad de políticas que promuevan una distribución más equitativa del crédito, especialmente en áreas menos densamente pobladas. La investigación aporta evidencia sobre la importancia de las cooperativas de crédito en la mitigación de la exclusión financiera y su papel en el desarrollo económico local.
Identifying Human Factors in Aviation Accidents with Natural Language Processing and Machine Learning Models
Authors: Lázaro Flávio L. , Madeira Tomás , Melicio Rui , Valério Duarte , Santos Luís F. F. M.
Published: January 2025

The use of machine learning techniques to identify contributing factors in air incidents has grown significantly, helping to identify and prevent accidents and improve air safety. In this paper, classifier models such as LS, KNN, Random Forest, Extra Trees, and XGBoost, which have proven effective in classification tasks, are used to analyze incident reports parsed with natural language processing (NLP) techniques, to uncover hidden patterns and prevent future incidents. Metrics such as precision, recall, F1-score and accuracy are used to assess the degree of correctness of the predictive models. The adjustment of hyperparameters is obtained with Grid Search and Bayesian Optimization. KNN had the best predictive rating, followed by Random Forest and Extra Trees. The results indicate that the use of machine learning tools to classify incidents and accidents helps to identify their root cause, improving situational decision-making.
Extracting the Spatial Correlation of Wall Pressure Fluctuations Using Physically Driven Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Sun Jian , Chen Xinyuan , Zhang Yiqian , Lv Jinan , Zhao Xiaojian
Published: January 2025

The spatial correlation of wall pressure fluctuations is a crucial parameter that affects the structural vibration caused by a turbulent boundary layer (TBL). Although the phase-array technique is commonly used in industry applications to obtain this correlation, it has proven to be effective only for moderate frequencies. In this study, an artificial neural network (ANN) method was developed to calculate the convective speed, indicating the spatial correlation of wall pressure fluctuations and extending the frequency range of the conventional phase-array technique. The developed ANN system, based on a radial basis function (RBF), has been trained using discrete simulated data that follow the physical essence of wall pressure fluctuations. Moreover, a normalization method and a multi-parameter average (MPA) method have been employed to improve the training of the ANN system. The results of the investigation demonstrate that the MPA method can expand the frequency range of the ANN, enabling the maximum analysis frequency of convective velocity for aircraft wall pressure fluctuations to reach over 10 kHz. Furthermore, the results reveal that the ANN technique is not always effective and can only accurately calculate the wavenumber when the standard wavelength is less than four times the width of the sensor array along the flow direction.
The Spatial Distribution of Nutrients in the Soil, Their Uptake by Plants, and Green Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Yield Under the Strip-Tillage System
Authors: Szczepanek Małgorzata , Błaszczyk Karolina , Piekarczyk Mariusz
Published: January 2025

The cultivation of crops that enhance soil fertility, such as legumes, through the implementation of conservation tillage, is a strategy that may be highly effective in achieving sustainable agricultural objectives. A field study was conducted to examine the impact of soil tillage and fertilisation technology, employing strip-tillage (reduced tillage) and ploughing (conventional tillage), on the content of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) in two soil layers (0–20 and 20–40 cm), as well as in the sowing strip (row) and inter-row. Furthermore, the influence of the tillage on the availability and uptake of NPK and Mg by green beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), as well as on their shoot and root growth and the yield and its components, were evaluated. The experiment was performed in central northern Poland (53°05′6.4′′ N, 19°06′2.6′′ E) over two consecutive growing seasons of green beans in 2016 and 2017. This study revealed significant effects of strip-till and conventional tillage on the spatial distribution of plant-available nutrients in the soil, the content and uptake of these nutrients by plants during the growing season, shoot and root growth, and the pod yield of green beans. Using strip-tillage was demonstrated to increase the nitrogen content within the sowing strip, when compared to the inter-row. Furthermore, the technology resulted in higher nitrogen and potassium concentrations in the topsoil (0–20 cm), thereby enhancing the uptake of these nutrients by plants. The cultivation of P. vulgaris in a strip-till system resulted in more dry matter, longer shoots and roots, a higher number of pods per plant, and a higher yield of bean pods (27.3% greater than with the ploughing system). The impact of tillage was, however, found to be negligible when climatic conditions during the growing season were more conducive to the crop. This suggests that strip-till technology has a beneficial influence on green bean cultivation, particularly in the context of unfavourable meteorological conditions. With the increasing frequency of periods of water scarcity and higher temperatures, the employment of strip-till technology is recommended as a strategy for enhancing crop yields and advancing the sustainability of agricultural practices.
Enhanced Cd Tolerance in Bamboo: Synergistic Effects of Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Fe3O4 Nanoparticles on Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging, Cd Detoxification, and Water Balance
Authors: Emamverdian Abolghassem , Khalofah Ahlam , Pehlivan Necla , Li Yang
Published: January 2025

Nano-hydroxyapatite (n-HAP) and Fe3O4 NPs (Fe3O4 NPs) offer effective and economical approaches for reducing Cd toxicity, which presents considerable risks to both environmental and human health. We examined the mechanisms through which these NPs mitigate Cd toxicity in bamboo, Pleioblastus pygmaeus. The plants were exposed to Cd (0, 50, 100, and 150 mg L−1) and received foliar sprays of 100 mg L−1 n-HAP, 100 mg L−1 Fe3O4 NPs, and a combination of both treatments. The findings indicated that Cd exposure led to oxidized molecules in bamboo, as evidenced by elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipoperoxidation. Foliar treatments utilizing n-HAP and Fe3O4 NPs markedly diminished these effects. H2O2, O2•−, malondialdehyde (MDA), and electrolyte leakage (EL) levels decreased by 56%, 71%, 65%, and 72%, respectively, compared to the controls. The application of n-HAP and Fe3O4 NPs significantly enhanced the enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), with increases observed between 28% and 56%. Furthermore, there was an enhancement in proline accumulation, total phenolic content (TPC), flavonoids (TFC), nitric oxide levels, relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll concentration, and photosynthetic parameters. The combination of n-HAP and Fe3O4 NPs was most effective in improving bamboo tolerance to Cd, especially at moderate Cd concentrations of 50 and 80 mg L−1. The results indicate that n-HAP and Fe3O4 NPs, particularly in combination, may mitigate Cd toxicity by decreasing Cd uptake, improving antioxidant capacity, and preserving plant water balance.
Enhanced Wind Erosion Control by Alfalfa Grassland Compared to Conventional Crops in Northern China
Authors: Qin Qi , Qi Jiaguo , Xin Xiaoping , Xu Dawei , Yan Ruirui
Published: January 2025

Wind erosion poses a significant challenge to agricultural sustainability in Northern China’s arid regions. This study investigated the effectiveness of alfalfa grassland versus conventional cropland in controlling wind erosion across nine study sites in three agroecological regions. Using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) model, we analyzed vegetation cover duration and quantified soil wind erosion from 2018 to 2020. The results showed that alfalfa grassland extended vegetation cover by 80 days annually compared to cropland, with most extension occurring in spring. Alfalfa grassland demonstrated superior erosion control, reducing soil losses by 50% (24.02 versus 50.70 t/ha/yr) and increasing soil retention threefold (1.52 versus 0.59 t/ha/yr) compared to cropland. The northwest region experienced the highest erosion rates, while management practices significantly influenced alfalfa’s soil conservation effectiveness. Multiple regression analysis revealed vegetation cover and annual precipitation as primary factors affecting wind erosion. These findings suggest integrating alfalfa into crop rotations could effectively enhance soil conservation in Northern China’s wind erosion-prone regions.
Açaí Waste Biochar Combined with Phosphorus Fertiliser and Phosphorus Use Efficiency in Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp)
Authors: Braga Ana Rita de Oliveira , John Vinicius , Danielli Criscian Kellen Amaro de Oliveira , Sousa Heiriane Martins , Danielli Filipe Eduardo , Marques-dos-Santos Cláudia Saramago de Carvalho , Oliveira Danielle Monteiro de , Falcão Newton Paulo de Souza
Published: January 2025

Biochar is a multifunctional tool that enhances soil quality, with particularly positive effects on acidic soils with low nutrient content, common in tropical regions worldwide, such as in the Amazon region in Brazil. This study investigates the effects of açaí fruit waste biochar (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) amendment and phosphate fertilisation on the chemical characteristics of a Ferralsol and on the biological components of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp). In a greenhouse setting, a randomised block design was employed, testing five doses of biochar (0, 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 t ha−1) combined with four doses of phosphorus (P) (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha−1), resulting in 20 treatments with three replicates and 60 experimental units. Cowpea responded to inorganic fertilisation, with lower doses of P limiting the biological components (height, leaves, leaf area, dry biomass, and dry root mass). Higher doses of biochar and P increased the soil’s available P content by up to 2.3 times, reflected in the P content of cowpea dry biomass. However, this increase in biochar and P levels led to a maximum increase of 7.7% in agronomic phosphorus efficiency (APE) in cowpea in the short term. The higher doses of biochar promoted increases in pH value, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and the contents of potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and total nitrogen (N). In contrast, a decrease in magnesium (Mg) and aluminium (Al) levels was observed, while the concentration of easily extractable glomalin (EE-GRSP) was not significantly affected during the evaluated period. We conclude that biochar altered the soil environment, promoting the increased solubility and availability of phosphorus.
A Light Field Depth Estimation Algorithm Considering Blur Features and Prior Knowledge of Planar Geometric Structures
Authors: Zhang Shilong , Liu Zhendong , Liu Xiaoli , Wang Dongyang , Yin Jie , Zhang Jianlong , Du Chuan , Yang Baocheng
Published: January 2025

Light field camera depth estimation is a core technology for high-precision three-dimensional reconstruction and realistic scene reproduction. We propose a depth estimation algorithm that fuses blurry features and planar geometric structure priors, aimed at overcoming the limitations of traditional methods in neighborhood selection and mismatching in weak texture regions. First, by constructing a multi-constraint adaptive neighborhood microimage set, the microimages with the lowest blur degree are selected to calculate matching costs, and sparse feature correspondence relationships are used to propagate depth information. Second, planar prior knowledge is introduced to optimize pixel matching costs in weak texture regions, and weights are dynamically adjusted and pixel matching costs are updated during the iterative propagation process within microimages based on matching window completeness. Then, potential mismatched points are eliminated using epipolar geometric relationships. Finally, experiments were conducted using public and real-world datasets for verification and analysis. Compared with famous depth estimation algorithms, such as Zeller and BLADE, the Our method demonstrates superior performance in quantitative depth estimation metrics, scene reconstruction completeness, object edge clarity, and depth scene coverage, providing richer and more accurate depth information.