bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Subjective assessment of occupational stress and mental health of nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic period
Authors: Kowalczuk Krystyna , Tomaszewska Katarzyna , Chilińska Joanna , Krajewska-Kułak Elżbieta , Sobolewski Marek , Hermanowicz Justyna M.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Health status, sickness absence, and nurses’ attrition have a direct impact on the quality of care provided and patients’ health outcomes. The Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated issues that existed within the Polish healthcare system prior to the pandemic, including staff shortages, low wages, and system inadequacies. The aim of this study was to investigate how nurses during the Covid-19 pandemic period rated the burdensomeness of job characteristics and their mental health status, as well as the correlations between factors directly caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and nurses’ subjective assessments of job characteristics and mental health.

Method

The cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2022, in Poland and involved 796 registered nurses working in hospitals.

Results

Despite the pandemic’s sweeping societal effects, this research finds limited alteration in nurses’ perceptions of job stress and self-assessed mental health. Factors such as contact with infected patients, quarantine, and isolation do not appear to substantially modify mental health perceptions among nurses. Intriguingly, nurses subjected to COVID-19 testing report heightened stress and compromised mental health.

Conclusion

The interplay of diverse factors influencing the well-being of nurses is intricately complex. It is advisable to prudently execute interventions and strategies to address the pandemic, aiming to alleviate its potential adverse effects on the mental health of nurses.
How to deal with sickness absence among primary school pupils? Adaptation of the “Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students” intervention
Authors: Pijl Esther K. , Vanneste Yvonne T. M. , Mathijssen Jolanda J. P. , Feron Frans J. M. , de Rijk Angelique E.
Published: November 2023

Background

Missing school impacts both education and health. The purpose of this study was to address sickness absence in primary schools by adjusting the ‘Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students’ intervention for secondary schools. This was necessary because of fundamental differences in relation to the children’s age and in the schools’ organizational structure.

Methods

The intervention mapping approach steps 1 through 4 were used to adapt ‘Medical Advice for Sick-reported Students’ to primary schools (MASS-PS), including a literature search, stakeholder interviews, establishing a planning group and pre-testing.

Results

In step 1, a planning group was formed and a logic model of the problem was created. In step 2, a logic model of change was created. In step 3, a theoretical basis and practical strategies were determined. In step 4, practical support materials were designed, and two pre-tests of the materials were performed.

Conclusion

Intervention mapping was successfully used to adapt MASS to primary schools. The main changes were the lowering of the threshold for extensive sickness absence, consultations between teacher and attendance coordinator, and addition of two experts. With MASS-PS, sickness absence can be addressed as a “red flag” for underlying problems.
Responsibility of education in improving medical college students’ ability to prevent and respond to public health emergencies in China – A systematic review
Authors: Fang Xin , Zhao Lei , Pang Ran , Li Huarong , Ye Pian
Published: November 2023

Background

The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has highlighted the critical importance of sufficient preparedness for public health emergencies. This places higher requirements on the ability of medical staff to deal with such emergencies. Nonetheless, education courses on public health emergencies in China are usually aimed at public health students, and not at all medical college students. Importantly, these medical students will become medical workers who are generally the first-contact personnel and play an irreplaceable role in responding to most public health emergencies. Therefore, it is urgent to strengthen educational courses to enable these students to adequately prevent and respond to public health emergencies.

Objectives

The purpose of this systematic review was to reveal the current unsatisfactory status of Chinese medical college students’ knowledge and skills in dealing with public health emergencies and their training needs.

Methods

We searched EMBASE, PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, CNKI, Wan Fang, and VIP Information Network for all associated original studies written in English and Chinese from the inception of these databases until March 12, 2022.

Results

This systematic review screened out 15 eligible studies that met the inclusion criteria. These studies demonstrated that Chinese medical college students generally have a low ability to deal with public health emergencies. Most students believe it is essential to master coping with public health emergencies and desire to acquire this knowledge. But the participation rate is low, and only a few students actively seek relevant knowledge.

Conclusion

The findings of this review illustrate the importance of improving medical college students’ education to prevent and deal with public health emergencies. It is necessary to improve medical college students’ education in responding to public health emergencies.

Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO, Identifier [CRD42023467374].
Family caregiver’s willingness to care from the perspective of altruism
Authors: Li Jun , Zhan Jing-Chun , Xie Cui-Hua , Han Shao-Yong
Published: November 2023

Objectives

The willingness of family members to take care of older relatives directly affects the quality of life of disabled older adults, so it is necessary to understand the status quo of willingness to care and its influencing factors. This has been extensively studied in other countries, but, it is rarely studied in China. Based on the theory of altruism, employing a unique sample from Shanghai, China in 2017 and 2022, we attempt to reveal the influencing factors of the care willingness of family caregivers during the transition period.

Methods

To measure caregiver burden and functional disability of the care recipient, we employ the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI) and the Barthel Index, respectively. Then we utilized the ordinary least squares (OLS) methodology and estimated four regression models. Models 1, 2, and 3 examined the impact of the variables of the caregiver burden, responsibility and love, and the quality of the caregiver-caregiver recipient relationship, respectively, on family caregivers’ willingness to care. Model 4 was the full model. To testify whether the caregiver burden is likely to act as a mediator, path analysis was used, and the path was adjusted and verified.

Results

According to the survey, in Shanghai, only half of the caregivers had a very high care willingness to care for disabled older relatives, while nearly one-tenth of the caregivers had a low willingness. It was the caregiver burden rather than the functional disability of older adults that harms family caregivers’ willingness to care. Responsibility and caring out of love were positively related to care willingness. Relationship quality was the most important influencing factor, explaining 10.2% of the variance in care willingness. Path analysis demonstrated that responsibility, caring out of love, and relationship quality directly and through the mediation of caregiver burden indirectly affected care willingness.

Conclusion

Our results revealed that reciprocal altruism presented by the quality of the caregiver-care recipient relationship had a significantly positive impact on family caregivers’ willingness to care. In addition, the caregiver burden was found not only directly affected care willingness, but also acted as a mediator. To promote the perfection of laws and policies, comprehensive samples of different types of cities should be included and the measurement of key variables could be further improved in future studies.
Phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of Escherichia coli strains isolated during a longitudinal follow-up study of chronic urinary tract infections
Authors: Hernández-Chiñas Ulises , Ahumada-Cota Ricardo E. , Navarro-Ocaña Armando , Chávez-Berrocal María E. , Molina-López José , Rocha-Ramírez Luz M. , Navarro-Cid del Prado Armando , Eslava Carlos A.
Published: November 2023

Worldwide, Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are an important health problem with many cases reported annually, women being the most affected. UTIs are relevant because they can become a recurrent condition, associated with different factors that contribute to the chronicity of the disease (cUTI). cUTI can be classified as persistent (peUTI) when the causative agent is the same each time the infection occurs or as reinfection (reUTI) when the associated microorganism is different. The purpose of this work was to characterize Escherichia coli isolates obtained in two prospective studies of patients with cUTI, to define which of them corresponded to peUTI and which to reUTI. A total of 394 isolates of E. coli were analyzed by agglutination with specific sera, antimicrobial susceptibility by diffusion disc test, and the phylogroups and presence of genes associated with virulence by PCR assays. Additionally, in some characterized strains adherence, invasiveness, and biofilm formation were analyzed by in vitro assays. The results showed that the peUTI strains belonged mainly to the classical UPEC serogroups (O25, O75, O6), were included in the B2 phylogroup, carried a great number of virulence genes, and were adherent, invasive, and biofilm-forming. Meanwhile, reUTI strains showed great diversity of serogroups, belonged mainly in the A phylogroup, and carried fewer virulence genes. Both peUTI and reUTI strains showed extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) profiles in the antimicrobial susceptibility test. In conclusion, it appears that peUTIs are caused principally by classical UPEC strains, while reUTIs are caused by strains that appear to be a part of the common E. coli intestinal biota. Moreover, although both peUTI and reUTI strains presented different serotypes and phylogroups, their antimicrobial resistance profile (XDR and MDR) was similar, confirming the importance of regulating prophylactic treatments and seeking alternatives for the treatment and control of cUTI. Finally, it was possible to establish the features of the E. coli strains responsible for peUTI and reUTI which could be helpful to develop a fast diagnostic methodology.
Stakeholders' views and opinions on existing guidelines on “How to Choose Mental Health Apps”
Authors: Khan Wishah , Jebanesan Bertina , Ahmed Sarah , Trimmer Chris , Agic Branka , Safa Farhana , Ashraf Aamna , Tuck Andrew , Kavic Kelsey , Wadhawan Sapna , Abbott Maureen , Husain Omair , Husain Ishrat , Akhter Hamid Muhammad , McKenzie Kwame , Quintana Yuri , Naeem Farooq
Published: November 2023

Background

Mental health Applications (Mhealth Apps) can change how healthcare is delivered. However, very little is known about the efficacy of Mhealth Apps. Currently, only minimum guidance is available in Assessment and Evaluation Tools (AETs). Therefore, this project aims to understand AET developers' perspectives and end users' experiences and opinions on “how to choose a Mhealth App”.

Objective

The primary objectives were: (1) obtaining stakeholder's opinions and experiences of development and use of AETs for Mhealth Apps, their weaknesses and strengths, and barriers in their implementation of Mhealth Apps; (2) the experiences of App users, their analyzation and, obstacles in the use of apps; and (3) to quantify themes related to choosing a Mhealth App.

Methods

This qualitative study, used a sampling method to recruit six stakeholders (one App developer, two AET developers, an individual with lived experience of mental health illness, and two physicians) who were interviewed using a topic guide. These were examined by researchers (CT, WK, & FN) using thematic content analysis. Additionally, an anonymous online survey of 107 individuals was conducted.

Findings

Our analyses revealed six main themes: (a) needs and opportunities; (b) views on Mhealth apps; (c) views & opinions on AETs; (d) implementation barriers; (e) system of evaluation and; (f) future directions. The first key concept was, all stakeholders agreed that Apps could significantly impact mental health and that end-users were unaware of mental health AETs and Apps. Secondly, due to commercial interests, end-users reliability of App evaluations requires clear conflict-free guidelines. Thirdly, AETs should be evaluated and developed through a rigorous methodology. Finally, stakeholders shared insights into future developments for AETs and Mhealth Apps. Additionally, online survey respondents chose a “health professional” as their preferred source of guidance in selecting a Mhealth app (84%) and best suited to develop guidelines (70%).

Conclusion

The interviews and survey highlight the need for Mhealth Apps to be regulated and the importance of health professionals' engagement in the implementation process. Similarly, without well-defined roles for App evaluations within the health care system, it is unlikely that AETs will have wider spread use and impact without risk.
Barriers and enablers to the implementation of one health strategies in developing countries: a systematic review
Authors: Yopa Daniele Sandra , Massom Douglas Mbang , Kiki Gbètogo Maxime , Sophie Ramde Wendkoaghenda , Fasine Sylvie , Thiam Oumou , Zinaba Lassane , Ngangue Patrice
Published: November 2023

Introduction

One Health is a concept that establishes the link between humans, animals and the environment in a collaborative approach. Since One Health’s inception, several interventions have been developed in many regions and countries worldwide to tackle complex health problems, including epidemics and pandemics. In the developed world, many collaborative platforms have been created with an international strategy to address issues specific or not to their environment. Unfortunately, there is a lack of synthesis on the challenges and opportunities Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) face.

Methods

Following The Preferred Reporting Elements for PRISMA Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), we conducted a systematic review. We applied a search strategy to electronic bibliographic databases (PubMed, Embase, Global Health, Web of Science and CINAHL). We assessed the included articles’ quality using the Mixed Methods Appraisal tool (MMAT).

Results and discussion

A total of 424 articles were initially identified through the electronic database search. After removing duplicates (n = 68), 356 articles were screened for title and abstract, and 16 were retained for full-text screening. The identified barriers were the lack of political will, weak governance and lack of human, financial and logistics resources. Concerning the enablers, we listed the existence of a reference framework document for One Health activities, good coordination between the different sectors at the various levels, the importance of joint and multisectoral meetings that advocated the One Health approach and the Availability of funds and adequate resources coupled with the support of Technical and Financial partners.

Conclusion

One Health strategy and interventions must be implemented widely to address the rising burden of emerging infectious diseases, zoonotic diseases, and antimicrobial resistance. Addressing those challenges and reinforcing the enablers to promote managing global health challenges is necessary.

Systematic Review Registration

https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/record_email.php, Unique Identifier: CRD42023393693.
Critical factors influencing visitor emotions: analysis of “restorativeness” in urban park visits in Fuzhou, China
Authors: Wu Yu , Liu Jian , Quevedo Jay Mar D. , Cheng Huishan , Yu Kunyong , Kohsaka Ryo
Published: November 2023

Objective

To date, a comprehensive analysis of urban green space (UGS) visitors’ emotional remains largely unexplored. In this study, we focus on how UGS environmental preferences, restorativeness, other physical factors (sound, air, and thermal environments), and individual characteristics affecting visitor emotions. Such a comprehensive analysis would allow relevant practitioners to check the environmental quality of UGSs and improve certain conditions to promote visitor emotions.

Methods

A total of 904 questionnaire responses with concurrently monitored physical factors were analyzed by independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVA and path analysis.

Results

The thermal evaluation had the largest impact on positive emotions (β = 0.474), followed by perceived restorativeness (β = 0.297), which had β values of −0.120 and −0.158, respectively, on negative emotions. Air evaluation was more effective for increasing positive emotions (β = 0.293) than reducing negative emotions (β = −0.115). Sound evaluation also had similar results (β = 0.330 vs. β = −0.080). Environmental preference significantly influenced only positive emotions (β = 0.181) but could still indirectly impact negative emotions. Moreover, objective physical factors can indirectly affect visitors’ emotions by enhancing their evaluations..

Conclusion

The influence of different UGS environmental factors on visitors’ emotions vary, as does their impacts on positive versus negative emotions. Positive emotions were generally more affected than negative emotions by UGS. Visitor emotions were mainly influenced by physical and psychological factors. Corresponding suggestions are proposed for UGS design and management in this study.
Trends and prescribing patterns of oral anti-neoplastic drugs: a retrospective longitudinal study
Authors: Lv Xiaoqun , Ren Weifang , Ran Shan , Zhao Yuhan , Zhang Jihong , Chen Jun , Zhang Ning
Published: November 2023

Background

Cancer as a global public health problem, imposes a heavy disease burden. With the rapid development of oral anti-neoplastic drugs, there has been a paradigm shift in the treatment of cancer from intravenous to oral administration.

Objective

This study was conducted to investigate the trends and prescribing patterns of oral anti-neoplastic drugs in an academic tertiary hospital in China.

Methods

A single-center and retrospective analysis was performed based on the prescriptions of outpatients treated with oral anti-neoplastic drugs from 2017 to 2022. Yearly prescriptions and expenditure were calculated according to their pharmacological classes, and trends were further analyzed. Defined daily doses (DDDs) and defined daily cost (DDC) of oral targeted anti-neoplastic drugs were also determined.

Results

Both the number of prescriptions and expenditure of oral anti-neoplastic drugs increased progressively. There was a significant upward trend in the number and proportion of prescriptions for the older adult group, male group, and patients with gynecologic/genitourinary and respiratory cancer. Hormonal therapy agents accounted for the highest proportion of prescriptions, and letrozole was initially the most frequently prescribed drug. The number of DDDs of total oral targeted anti-neoplastic drugs showed a continuously ascending trend, primarily driven by the usage of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and BCR-ABL TKIs.

Conclusion

The prescriptions and expenditure of oral anti-neoplastic drugs, and the number of DDDs of oral targeted anti-neoplastic drugs all showed a progressively ascending trend. Further studies are needed to evaluate the long-term health and financial outcomes, and the factors influencing these prescribing patterns.
Mechanisms connecting square dance to sleep quality among middle-aged and older Chinese females: serial mediation roles of social support and depressive symptoms
Authors: Wu Jun , Yu Yong , Qin Keke , Ou Zhiwen
Published: November 2023

Background

Square dance is gaining increasing popularity among middle-aged and older Chinese women who are also at high risk of sleep disturbance. Although previous studies have shown exercise could improve sleep quality, the association between square dance and sleep quality remains to be discussed, and even less is known about the potential mechanism underlying this association.

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between square dance and sleep quality and test if social support and depressive symptoms together play a serial mediating role in the influence of square dance on sleep quality.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 549 middle-aged and older Chinese females from September to December 2020 in Shao Yang City, Hunan Province of China, with ethics approval granted (SYU [2020]002). Square dance involvement was assessed by three questions about the time participants spent in square dance. Social support, depressive symptoms, and sleep quality were measured using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Social Support Self-Rating Scale (SSRS), and 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. The serial mediation model was analyzed by the bootstrapping method to assess whether social support and depressive symptoms mediate the relationship between square dance and sleep quality.

Results

Two-thirds of the participants had high involvement in square dance and most reported a moderate and high level of social support (98.54%). The prevalence of depressive symptoms and sleep disturbance was 19.49 and 26.78%, respectively. The serial mediation model showed a significant association between square dance and sleep quality, which was fully mediated by social support and depressive symptoms in a serial model (total effect c = −0.114, 95%CI = −0.227 to −0.001; direct effect c’ = −0.036, 95% CI = −0.138 to 0.065; total indirect effect ab = −0.077, 95% CI = -0.139 to-0.016).

Conclusion

Our study extends the understanding of how square dance is associated with sleep quality through the serial mediating roles of social support and depressive symptoms. It provides crucial implications for developing square dance interventions to improve sleep quality among middle-aged and older Chinese females.
The unique challenges of AYA cancer care in resource-limited settings
Authors: Hovsepyan Shushan , Hoveyan Julieta , Sargsyan Lilit , Hakobyan Lusine , Krmoyan Lusine , Kamalyan Alisa , Manukyan Narek , Atoyan Stepan , Muradyan Armen , Danelyan Samvel , Tamamyan Gevorg , Bardakhchyan Samvel , Papyan Ruzanna
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer represent a distinct group with exceptional and unique characteristics. The survival rates for this age group are worse than in children or adults. Cancer care for this population is a challenge, not only for low-income countries but also for the developed world. This review addresses the unique challenges adolescents and young adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer in low-income countries face.

Methods

Two individual authors conducted the literature review to present the global burden of AYAs in resource-limited settings. The articles selected focused on AYA care from Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

Results

Among the challenges of managing AYAs with cancer are the absence of national and/or hospital cancer registries, and a lack of adequate infrastructure, AYA-dedicated programs, appropriate psycho-social support, fertility preservation, and genetic counseling services. Furthermore, education and training activities specifically dedicated to the care of AYAs diagnosed with cancer are scarce in those countries.

Conclusion

Implementing a dedicated AYA program in resource-limited settings will be critical in providing patient-centered care bolstered by age-appropriate infrastructure and comprehensive clinical, psycho-social, and allied health support. It will significantly reduce the treatment abandonment rate, diminish the duration of diagnosis delay, and alleviate emotional detachment and disarray.
Honey bee Apis mellifera L. responses to oxidative stress induced by pharmacological and pesticidal compounds
Authors: Tahir Faizan , Goblirsch Michael , Adamczyk John , Karim Shahid , Alburaki Mohamed
Published: November 2023

The western honey bee, Apis mellifera L., is a eusocial insect that plays a significant role in ecosystem balances and the pollination of plants and food crops. Honey bees face multiple biotic and abiotic stressors, such as pathogens, diseases, chemical pesticides, and climate change, which all contribute to honey bee colony loss. This study investigated the impacts of multiple pharmacological and pesticidal molecules on honey bee survival and gene regulation responses. In an 11-day cage experiment, sublethal doses of tunicamycin, thapsigargin, metformin, paraquat, hydrogen peroxide, and imidacloprid were administered to newly emerged sister bees. Daily treatment consumption and mortality were recorded, as well as the transcription expression of 12 major genes (AChE-2, Apisimin, Apidaecin, mrjp1, Sodq, cp450, SelT, SelK, Ire1, Xbp1, Derl-1, and Hsc70), some of which are markers of oxidative and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stresses in honey bees. At day 9 of the treatments, protein damage was quantified in caged bees. A Kaplan–Meier model indicated significant (p < 0.001) toxicological effects of paraquat, H2O2, and tunicamycin on bee survivorship compared with controls with better survival for other molecules. Post-ingestive aversion responses were recorded only for tunicamycin, hydrogen peroxide, and imidacloprid. Nonetheless, significantly higher protein damage on day 9 was identified only in bees exposed to paraquat and imidacloprid. Some antioxidant genes were significantly regulated vis-à-vis specific treatments. Our results reveal age-related regulation of other major genes with significant inter-gene positive correlations.
Elevated gonadotropin levels are associated with increased biomarker risk of Alzheimer's disease in midlife women
Authors: Nerattini Matilde , Rubino Federica , Jett Steven , Andy Caroline , Boneu Camila , Zarate Camila , Carlton Caroline , Loeb-Zeitlin Susan , Havryliuk Yelena , Pahlajani Silky , Williams Schantel , Berti Valentina , Christos Paul , Fink Matthew , Dyke Jonathan P. , Brinton Roberta Diaz , Mosconi Lisa
Published: November 2023

Introduction

In preclinical studies, menopausal elevations in pituitary gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), trigger Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology and synaptic loss in female animals. Herein, we took a translational approach to test whether gonadotropin elevations are linked to AD pathophysiology in women.

Methods

We examined 191 women ages 40–65 years, carrying risk factors for late-onset AD, including 45 premenopausal, 67 perimenopausal, and 79 postmenopausal participants with clinical, laboratory, cognitive exams, and volumetric MRI scans. Half of the cohort completed 11C-Pittsburgh Compound B (PiB) amyloid-β (Aβ) PET scans. Associations between serum FSH, LH and biomarkers were examined using voxel-based analysis, overall and stratified by menopause status. Associations with region-of-interest (ROI) hippocampal volume, plasma estradiol levels, APOE-4 status, and cognition were assessed in sensitivity analyses.

Results

FSH levels were positively associated with Aβ load in frontal cortex (multivariable adjusted P ≤ 0.05, corrected for family wise type error, FWE), an effect that was driven by the postmenopausal group (multivariable adjusted PFWE ≤ 0.044). LH levels were also associated with Aβ load in frontal cortex, which did not survive multivariable adjustment. FSH and LH were negatively associated with gray matter volume (GMV) in frontal cortex, overall and in each menopausal group (multivariable adjusted PFWE ≤ 0.040), and FSH was marginally associated with ROI hippocampal volume (multivariable adjusted P = 0.058). Associations were independent of age, clinical confounders, menopause type, hormone therapy status, history of depression, APOE-4 status, and regional effects of estradiol. There were no significant associations with cognitive scores.

Discussion

Increasing serum gonadotropin levels, especially FSH, are associated with higher Aβ load and lower GMV in some AD-vulnerable regions of midlife women at risk for AD. These findings are consistent with preclinical work and provide exploratory hormonal targets for precision medicine strategies for AD risk reduction.
Vision-based safe autonomous UAV docking with panoramic sensors
Authors: Nguyen Phuoc Thuan , Westerlund Tomi , Peña Queralta Jorge
Published: November 2023

The remarkable growth of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) has also sparked concerns about safety measures during their missions. To advance towards safer autonomous aerial robots, this work presents a vision-based solution to ensuring safe autonomous UAV landings with minimal infrastructure. During docking maneuvers, UAVs pose a hazard to people in the vicinity. In this paper, we propose the use of a single omnidirectional panoramic camera pointing upwards from a landing pad to detect and estimate the position of people around the landing area. The images are processed in real-time in an embedded computer, which communicates with the onboard computer of approaching UAVs to transition between landing, hovering or emergency landing states. While landing, the ground camera also aids in finding an optimal position, which can be required in case of low-battery or when hovering is no longer possible. We use a YOLOv7-based object detection model and a XGBooxt model for localizing nearby people, and the open-source ROS and PX4 frameworks for communication, interfacing, and control of the UAV. We present both simulation and real-world indoor experimental results to show the efficiency of our methods.
Enhancing postural stability in a musculoskeletal hopping robot through stretch reflex application on biarticular thigh muscles
Authors: Takahashi Ryu , Murakami Yuki , Hosoda Koh
Published: November 2023

Postural stabilization during rapid and powerful hopping actions represents a significant challenge for legged robotics. One strategy utilized by humans to negotiate this difficulty is the robust activation of biarticular thigh muscles. Guided by this physiological principle, this study aims to enhance the postural stability of a hopping robot through the emulation of this human mechanism. A legged robot powered by pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) was designed to mimic human anatomical structures. A critical aspect of this development was creating a tension-oriented stretch reflex system engineered to initiate muscle activation in response to perturbations. Our research encompassed three experiments: 1) assessing the trunk pitch angle with and without the integration of stretch reflexes, 2) evaluating the consistency of hops made with and without reflexes, and 3) understanding the correlation between the reflex strength equilibrium in the biarticular thigh muscles and trunk pitch angle. The results indicated that the integration of the stretch reflex minimized perturbations, thereby allowing the robot to perform double the continuous hops. As hypothesized, adjusting the reflex strength equilibrium caused a shift in the angle. This reflex mechanism offers potential application to PAM-driven robots and signifies a promising avenue for enhancing postural stability in diverse forms of locomotion, including walking and running.
VALID: a perceptually validated Virtual Avatar Library for Inclusion and Diversity
Authors: Do Tiffany D. , Zelenty Steve , Gonzalez-Franco Mar , McMahan Ryan P.
Published: November 2023

As consumer adoption of immersive technologies grows, virtual avatars will play a prominent role in the future of social computing. However, as people begin to interact more frequently through virtual avatars, it is important to ensure that the research community has validated tools to evaluate the effects and consequences of such technologies. We present the first iteration of a new, freely available 3D avatar library called the Virtual Avatar Library for Inclusion and Diversity (VALID), which includes 210 fully rigged avatars with a focus on advancing racial diversity and inclusion. We also provide a detailed process for creating, iterating, and validating avatars of diversity. Through a large online study (n = 132) with participants from 33 countries, we provide statistically validated labels for each avatar’s perceived race and gender. Through our validation study, we also advance knowledge pertaining to the perception of an avatar’s race. In particular, we found that avatars of some races were more accurately identified by participants of the same race.
Maternalism and new imperialism in Russia: “good mothers” for a militarizing state—expectations, implications, and resistances
Authors: Gradskova Yulia
Published: November 2023

This article explores maternalism in Russia in the context of the contemporary Russian authoritarian state. In particular, I analyze what implications maternalism has for women, mothers, and families on the one hand and how it is connected to the Russian state's new imperial ambitions on the other. I also explore how maternalism is challenged and employed by those resisting state politics, including militarism. Historically, maternalism was used for the analysis of the development of the welfare state in Europe and beyond and for studying women's activism that contributed to significant changes in the state's welfare politics. Maternalism in European history could be seen as “a progressive heterosexual maternal womanhood”; according to Mary Daly, it could be explained as a recognition of the “existence of a uniquely feminine value system based on care and nurturing” and as the assumption that women are performing “a service to the state by raising citizen-workers”. Gender historians of Latin America showed that speaking from the position of a mother was quite important for claiming both the right to be accepted as an equal citizen and the improvement of maternity care, welfare, and living conditions for mothers and children. Furthermore, maternalism was widely used in protests against state militarism, wars, and military dictatorships, not least as a part of the campaign against the Vietnam War or the crimes of the Argentinian military dictatorship. However, maternalism was also widely used by several totalitarian regimes, including fascism and Stalinism. Maternalism was an important political instrument used by the state socialist discourse in order to show the superiority of the “socialist” welfare system over the “capitalist” one and to make this system appear attractive to women from “developing” countries.
The high energy X-ray probe: resolved X-ray populations in extragalactic environments
Authors: Lehmer Bret D. , Garofali Kristen , Binder Breanna A. , Fornasini Francesca , Vulic Neven , Zezas Andreas , Hornschemeier Ann , Lazzarini Margaret , Moon Hannah , Venters Toni , Wik Daniel , Yukita Mihoko , Bachetti Matteo , García Javier A. , Grefenstette Brian , Madsen Kristin , Mori Kaya , Stern Daniel
Published: November 2023

We construct simulated galaxy data sets based on the High Energy X-ray Probe (HEX-P) mission concept to demonstrate the significant advances in galaxy science that will be yielded by the HEX-P observatory. The combination of high spatial resolution imaging (<20 arcsec FWHM), broad spectral coverage (0.2–80 keV), and sensitivity superior to current facilities (e.g., XMM-Newton and NuSTAR) will enable HEX-P to detect hard (4–25 keV) X-ray emission from resolved point-source populations within ∼800 galaxies and integrated emission from ∼6,000 galaxies out to 100 Mpc. These galaxies cover wide ranges of galaxy types (e.g., normal, starburst, and passive galaxies) and properties (e.g., metallicities and star-formation histories). In such galaxies, HEX-P will: 1) provide unique information about X-ray binary populations, including accretor demographics (black hole and neutron stars), distributions of accretion states and state transition cadences; 2) place order-of-magnitude more stringent constraints on inverse Compton emission associated with particle acceleration in starburst environments; and 3) put into clear context the contributions from X-ray emitting populations to both ionizing the surrounding interstellar medium in low-metallicity galaxies and heating the intergalactic medium in the z > 8 Universe.
Tracking devices and physical performance analysis in team sports: a comprehensive framework for research—trends and future directions
Authors: Ferraz António , Duarte-Mendes Pedro , Sarmento Hugo , Valente-Dos-Santos João , Travassos Bruno
Published: November 2023

Background

Tracking devices, such as global (GPS) and local (LPS) positioning systems, combined with physiological measurements, have become reliable tools to characterize movement patterns, assessing the external load (EL), internal load (IL), fatigue, and performance of athletes in team sports. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the applicability of tracking systems in physical performance analysis within team sports and the wellbeing of athletes based on research strategies and combined variables.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Knowledge, and Scopus databases according to PRISMA guidelines. The 79 studies that were reviewed met the following criteria: (1) contained relevant data regarding elite athletes′ performance; (2) athletes' EL and IL; (3) were written in the English language; (4) were related only to team sports.

Results

The findings indicate that tracking technology has been engaged in several research areas, including performance analysis, training vs. match load management, injuries, and nutrition, through characterization and correlational studies. Metrics, primarily focused on kinematic and mechanical EL aspects, have been employed in combination with IL data to analyze the performance of athletes. However, the lack of an integrative model for the analysis and integration of EL and IL metrics within each team sport suggests an interesting direction for further research.

Conclusion

There is a need for coherence between the methods and the research goals on performance analysis. The development of a framework that guides experimental studies is highly recommended, particularly on manipulating metrics analyzed between training and match sessions, injury prevention, and nutrition. This will lead to the development of the most applied sports science research to improve the preparation and decision-making of athletes based on reliable data.

Systematic Review Registration

https://inplasy.com/?s=2022120039, identifier 2022120039.
Molecular mechanisms underlying the impact of muscle fiber types on meat quality in livestock and poultry
Authors: Mo Meijie , Zhang Zihao , Wang Xiaotong , Shen Wenjin , Zhang Li , Lin Shudai
Published: November 2023

In the past, the primary emphasis of livestock and poultry breeding was mainly on improving the growth rate, meat production efficiency and disease resistance. However, the improvement of meat quality has become a major industrial focus due to the ongoing advancements in livestock and poultry breeding. Skeletal muscles consist of multinucleated myofibers formed through the processes of myoblast proliferation, differentiation and fusion. Muscle fibers can be broadly classified into two main types: slow-twitch (Type I) and fast-twitch (Type II). Fast-twitch fibers can be further categorized into Type IIa, Type IIx, and Type IIb. The proportion of Type I and Type IIa muscle fibers is positively associated with meat quality, while the presence of Type IIb muscle fibers in skeletal muscle tissue is inversely related to meat quality. Consequently, muscle fiber composition directly influences meat quality. The distribution of these fiber types within skeletal muscle is governed by a complex network, which encompasses numerous pivotal regulators and intricate signaling pathways. This article aims to succinctly outline the parameters utilized for assessing meat quality, elucidate the relationship between muscle fiber composition and meat quality as well as elaborate on the relevant genetic factors and their molecular mechanisms that regulate muscle fiber types in livestock and poultry. This summary will enrich our comprehension of how to improve meat quality in livestock and poultry, providing valuable insights for future improvements.
Development of Wearable Finger Prosthesis with Pneumatic Actuator for Patients with Partial Amputations
Authors: Kim Hyunho , Jang Sujin , Do Phuoc Thien , Lee Chang Kee , Ahn Bummo , Kwon Suncheol , Chang Handdeut , Kim Yeongjin
Published: November 2023

As the number of patients with amputations increases, research on assistive devices such as prosthetic limbs is actively being conducted. However, the development of assistive devices for patients with partial amputations is insufficient. In this study, we developed a finger prosthesis for patients with partial amputations. The design and mathematical modeling of the prosthesis are briefly presented. A pneumatic actuator, based on the McKibben muscle design, was employed to drive the finger prosthesis. We characterized the relationship between the actuator’s force and axial length changes with varying pressure. An empirical model derived from conventional mathematical modeling of force and axis length changes was proposed and compared with experimental data, and the error was measured to be between about 3% and 13%. In order to control the actuator using an electromyography (EMG) signal, an electrode was attached to the user’s finger flexors. The EMG signal was measured in relation to the actual gripping force and was provided with visual feedback, and the magnitude of the signal was evaluated using root mean square (RMS). Depending on the evaluated EMG signal magnitude, the pressure of the actuator was continuously adjusted. The pneumatic pressure was adjusted between 100 kPa and 250 kPa, and the gripping force of the finger prosthesis ranged from about 0.7 N to 6.5 N. The stiffness of the prosthesis can be varied using the SMA spring. The SMA spring is switched to a fully austenite state at 50 °C through PID control, and when the finger prosthesis is bent to a 90° angle, it can provide approximately 1.2 N of assistance force. Finally, the functional evaluation of the finger prosthesis was performed through a pinch grip test of eight movements.
Calcium, Potassium, and Magnesium Affect the Nutritional Value of Tomato Grafted Fruits Grown in a Nutrient Film Technique System
Authors: Peralta Manjarrez Rocío Maricela , Delgado Martínez Rafael , Benavides Mendoza Adalberto , Juárez Maldonado Antonio , Cabrera De la Fuente Marcelino
Published: November 2023

Solanum lycopersicum is a vegetable with a high mineral, nutraceutical, and vitamin content. It is a basic ingredient in the human diet, and its use is diverse within the kitchen. Grafting and Ca, K, and Mg applications can be used to increase production and raise the mineral contents of tomato fruit. An experiment was established with tomato plants using the “CID F1” variety with the “FORTAMINO” rootstock, established in the NFT system, determining the influence on the agronomic yield and mineral composition of the fruit. Grafted and non-grafted plants were considered, with five concentrations (0-0-0, 9-0-0, 0-12-0, 0-0-9, and 9-12-9 mEq L−1) of Ca, K, and Mg, respectively. A highly significant difference was obtained in the grafted plants on high plants, number of leaves, number of fruits, polar diameters of fruits, equatorial diameters of fruits, and weight of fruits, with an increase in variables, FW 19% and NF 18%, and an improvement for the mineral composition in elements such as Ca 10%, P 1%, Mn 6%, Zn 7%, Cu 6%, Fe 64%, K 21%, and Mg 19%. The 9-12-9 meq formula improved Ca 6%, P 4%, Mn 12%, Zn 14%, Cu 8%, Fe 74%, and Mg 25%. The graft and the addition of calcium, potassium, and magnesium increased the mineral content in tomato fruits and improved the agronomic performance of the plants.
Application of Machine Learning Algorithms for On-Farm Monitoring and Prediction of Broilers’ Live Weight: A Quantitative Study Based on Body Weight Data
Authors: Lyu Peng , Min Jeongik , Song Juwhan
Published: November 2023

A non-invasive automatic broiler weight estimation and prediction method based on a machine learning algorithm was developed to address the issue of high labor costs and stress responses caused by the traditional broiler weighing method in large-scale broiler production. Machine learning algorithms are a data-driven strategy that enables computer systems to make predictions and judgments based on patterns and regularities that they have learned. To estimate the current weight of individual live broilers on farms, machine learning algorithms such as the Gaussian mixture model, Isolation Forest, and Ordering Points To Identify the Clustering Structure (OPTICS) are used to filter and extract data features using a two-stage clustering and noise reduction process. Real-time weight prediction was also achieved by combining polynomial fitting and the gray models and adjusting the model parameters based on prediction accuracy feedback. The symmetric mean absolute percentage error (SMAPE) value is a metric that is commonly used to evaluate the predictive performance of a model by comparing the degree of error between the model’s predicted value on the day of slaughter and the true value measured manually, and the results of the experiments on 111 datasets showed that 7.21% were less than or equal to 0.03, 28.83% were less than or equal to 0.1 and greater than 0.03, and 31.53% were less than or equal to 0.2 and greater than 0.1. This method can be used as a prediction scheme for broiler weight monitoring in a large-scale rearing environment, considering the cost of implementation and the accuracy of estimation.
Agronomic Analysis of the Replacement of Conventional Agricultural Water Supply by Desalinated Seawater as an Adaptive Strategy to Water Scarcity in South-Eastern Spain
Authors: Martínez-Álvarez Victoriano , Imbernón-Mulero Alberto , Maestre-Valero José Francisco , Ben Abdallah Saker , Gallego-Elvira Belén
Published: November 2023

Climate change is affecting water resources in south-eastern Spain, and this mainly affects irrigated agriculture. In this context, seawater desalination is an adaptive strategy that has provided increasing water allotments to agriculture for the last decade, to replace decreasing conventional resources. Farmers are concerned about the agronomic effects of this substitution and its economic consequences. This study focuses on the potential agronomic impacts of the progressive replacement of the irrigation water from the Tagus–Segura transfer (TST) with desalinated seawater (DSW) on the main crops of south-eastern Spain. To that end, five main agronomic concerns were selected and analyzed under three water supply scenarios using increasing rates of DSW (0, 50, and 100%). The results indicated that, in addition to other economic or environmental considerations, sufficiently relevant agronomic aspects exist that need to be considered when replacing the TST supply with DSW. This study evidences the risks of phytotoxicity and soil alkalinization, due to the increase in boron concentration and the imbalance between monovalent and divalent cations in the DSW, respectively, and also a slight increase in the cost of fertilizers. In addition, the irrigation water salinity effect on production and total irrigation requirements was negligible, as both water sources present sufficiently low salinity. The detrimental effects were mitigated under a partial replacement scenario, so the blended use of DSW with conventional resources seems the most recommendable option for its agricultural management, rather than irrigating with DSW alone.