bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life and depressive symptoms of patients with chronic diseases and the general population before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea
Authors: Park Yeeun , Park Kyong
Published: February 2023

Objective

The unprecedented coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has resulted in a global crisis that negatively impacted physical well-being and mental health. Our goal was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and depressive symptoms in patients with chronic diseases and the general population in Korea.

Methods

Data from 8341 patients with chronic diseases and 12,395 general population aged ≥20 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2017–2020) were analyzed. Patients with hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes, cerebrovascular disease (stroke), heart disease (myocardial infarction or angina pectoris), or cancer were classified as patients with chronic diseases. The general population was defined as those not suffering from corresponding chronic diseases. A modified EuroQol-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D), with three levels (0: extreme problems; 0.5: some problems; 1: no problems) for each dimension in EQ-5D, was used to assess HRQoL. To analyze depressive symptoms among patients with chronic diseases and the general population, we used the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and defined a PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 as having a depressive symptom. Multivariate linear and logistic regression analyses were used to analyze HRQoL and depressive symptoms before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results

The HRQoL level was significantly lower in patients with chronic diseases compared to the general population on all dimensions both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (all value of p < 0.05). Patients with chronic diseases had significantly lower HRQoL levels associated with the anxiety/depression dimension during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period (0.940 ± 0.002 vs. 0.929 ± 0.004, value of p = 0.041). In addition, patients with chronic diseases were more likely to report depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period (Odds ratio (OR): 1.755, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.209–2.546, value of p = 0.003). However, this association was not observed in the general population (OR: 1.275, 95% CI: 0.933–1.742, value of p = 0.13).

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic affected the HRQoL and psychological health in patients with chronic diseases with higher anxiety/depression during the pandemic than in the pre-pandemic period. These results suggest that it is urgent to establish continuous management guidelines, including psychosocial management for high-risk groups, and to improve the existing healthcare system.
The role of emotional quotients and adversity quotients in career success
Authors: Zhao Yuyang , Sang Biao
Published: February 2023

Career success has been considered equally important for both personal and organizational development. The purpose of the current study was to examine how trait emotional quotient (EQ) and adversity quotient (AQ) contribute to individuals’ objective career success (job position) and subjective career success (organizational commitment). Participants included 256 Chinese adults who completed four measurements—the Self-Reported Emotional Intelligence Test, Resilience Scale, Grit Scale, and the Affective, Continuance, and Normative Commitment Scale—and provided demographic information. After validating the four scales used in this study, multiple regression analysis revealed that only one aspect of trait EQ (regulation of emotion) positively predicted one component of organizational commitment (affective commitment). Adversity quotient was measured on two dimensions: resilience and grit. Only consistency of interest (grit) positively predicted affective commitment. Perseverance of effort (grit) and acceptance of self and life (resilience) positively predicted normative commitment. Personal competence (resilience) positively predicted continuance commitment but negatively predicted normative commitment. Only acceptance of self and life (resilience) positively predicted job position. Overall, these findings demonstrate the specific influence of trait EQ and AQ on career success for organizational professionals who want to improve organizational productivity as well as individuals who want to achieve success at work.
Walking at the edge: How tempo-spatial nexus forms HRM practices in project-based organizations
Authors: Samimi Ehsan
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Research has scrutinized the role of different HRM practices in Project-based Organizations (PBOs) mostly in terms of project success and articulated the challenges of traditional HRM to reconcile with the project context. Nevertheless, HRM practices have been addressed less in PBOs with a practice-based research lens. Particularly, the role of tempo-spatial nexus in shaping such practices in this organizational form has been under-researched, although PBOs provide a very suitable context for doing so.

Methods

Drawing upon a comparative case study in the oil and gas industry of Scotland and adopting a practice-based approach, this research aims to shed light on how HRM practices are shaped and re-shaped in the project-based context. The study, specifically, scrutinizes the role of temporality and space in the formation, adoption and adaptation of HRM practices in these organizational forms.

Results and discussion

The findings reveal that project characteristics, specifically their duration, size and technical properties, induce different temporalities that along with different work locations and inter-organizational relationships, impact HRM practices as a threefold structure.
Pathways to antisocial behavior: a framework to improve diagnostics and tailor therapeutic interventions
Authors: De Wit-De Visser Brenda , Rijckmans Madeleine , Vermunt Jeroen K. , van Dam Arno
Published: February 2023

The Antisocial Personality Disorder (ASPD), and antisocial behavior (ASB) in general, is associated with significant impact on individuals themselves, their environment, and society. Although various interventions show promising results, no evidence-based treatments are available for individuals with ASPD. Therefore, making informed choices about which treatment can be applied to an individual patient is complicated. Furthermore, contradictory findings on therapy effectiveness and underlying factors of ASB, such as cognitive impairments and personality traits, fuel the debate whether the conceptualization of ASPD in the DSM-5 is accurate and whether this population can be seen as homogeneous. A conceptual framework, based on the reciprocal altruism theory, is presented in which we propose different pathways to ASB. These pathways suggest underlying dynamics of ASB and provide an explanation for previous contradictory research outcomes. This framework is intended to serve as a clinically relevant model that provides directions for improving diagnostics and matching treatments to underlying dynamics in the antisocial population.
Medication preventing postictal hypoperfusion and cognitive side-effects in electroconvulsive therapy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Verdijk Joey P. A. J. , Schuur Gijsbert , Pottkämper Julia C. M. , ten Doesschate Freek , Hofmeijer Jeannette , van Waarde Jeroen A.
Published: February 2023

Background

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is associated with postictal confusion and cognitive side-effects. In rats, acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and calcium antagonists decreased postictal cerebral hypoperfusion along with reduction in postictal symptoms. In this study, in ECT-patients, we explore associations between use of these potentially protective medications and occurrence of postictal confusion and cognitive outcome.

Materials and methods

In this retrospective, naturalistic cohort study, patient-, treatment-, and ECT-characteristics, were collected from medical files of patients treated with ECT for major depressive disorder (MDD) or bipolar depressive episode. To test for associations of use of these medications with occurrence of postictal confusion, 295 patients could be included. Cognitive outcome data were available in a subset of 109 patients. Univariate analyses and multivariate censored regression models were used to test for associations.

Results

Occurrence of severe postictal confusion was not associated with use of acetaminophen, NSAIDs or calcium antagonists (n = 295). Regarding the cognitive outcome measure (n = 109), use of calcium antagonists was associated with higher post-ECT cognitive scores (i.e., better cognitive outcome; β = 2.23; p = 0.047), adjusted for age (β = −0.02; p = 0.23), sex (β = −0.21; p = 0.73), pre-ECT cognitive score (β = 0.47; p < 0.0001), and post-ECT depression score (β = −0.02; p = 0.62), but use of acetaminophen (β = −1.55; p = 0.07) as well as NSAIDs (β = −1.02; p = 0.23) showed no associations.

Conclusion

This retrospective study does not find arguments for protective effects of acetaminophen, NSAIDs or calcium antagonists against severe postictal confusion in ECT. As a preliminary finding, the use of calcium antagonists was associated with improved cognitive outcome after ECT in this cohort. Prospective controlled studies are necessary.
Ghrelin receptor agonist MK0677 and overnight fasting do not rescue deficient fear extinction in 129S1/SvImJ mice
Authors: Fritz Eva Maria , Pierre Anouk , De Bundel Dimitri , Singewald Nicolas
Published: February 2023

The hunger hormone ghrelin has been implicated in the modulation of anxiety- and fear-related behaviors in rodents and humans, while its dysregulation may be associated with psychiatric illness. Along these lines, the ghrelin system has been suggested as a potential target to facilitate fear extinction, which is the main mechanism underlying cognitive behavioral therapy. So far, this hypothesis has not been tested in individuals that have difficulties to extinguish fear. Thus, we investigated pharmacological (ghrelin receptor agonist MK0677) and non-pharmacological (overnight fasting) strategies to target the ghrelin system in the 129S1/SvImJ (S1) mouse strain, which models the endophenotype of impaired fear extinction that has been associated with treatment resistance in anxiety and PTSD patients. MK0677 induced food intake and overnight fasting increased plasma ghrelin levels in S1 mice, suggesting that the ghrelin system is responsive in the S1 strain. However, neither systemic administration of MK0677 nor overnight fasting had an effect on fear extinction in S1 mice. Similarly, our groups previously reported that both interventions did not attenuate fear in extinction-competent C57BL/6J mice. In summary, our findings are in contrast to several studies reporting beneficial effects of GHSR agonism and overnight fasting on fear- and anxiety-related behaviors in rodents. Rather, our data agree with accumulating evidence of divergent behavioral effects of ghrelin system activation and underscore the hypothesis that potential benefits of targeting the ghrelin system in fear extinction may be dependent on factors (e.g., previous stress exposure) that are not yet fully understood.
Can glutathione be a biomarker for suicide risk in women 18 months postpartum?
Authors: da Silva Schmidt Paula Michele , Trettim Jéssica Puchalski , Longoni Aline , Grings Mateus , de Matos Mariana Bonati , de Avila Quevedo Luciana , Ardais Ana Paula , Nedel Fernanda , Ghisleni Gabriele , Leipnitz Guilhian , Pinheiro Ricardo Tavares , de Assis Adriano Martimbianco
Published: February 2023

Background

Suicide risk is prominent among the problems affecting populations, mainly due to the broad family, psychosocial and economic impact. Most individuals at suicidal risk have some mental disorder. There is considerable evidence that psychiatric disorders are accompanied by the activation of neuro-immune and neuro-oxidative pathways. The aim of the study is to evaluate the serum levels of oxidative stress biomarkers in women at risk of suicide after 18 months of postpartum.

Methods

This is a case-control study, nested within a cohort study. From this cohort, 45 women [15 without mood disorders and 30 with mood disorders (Major depression and Bipolar disorder)] were selected at 18 months postpartum, the depression and suicide risk were assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview Plus (MINI-Plus) instrument, module A and C, respectively. Blood was collected and stored for later analysis of the reactive species (DCFH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione reduced (GSH). For data analysis, the SPSS program was used. To compare the nominal covariates with the outcome GSH levels, the Student’s t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used. Spearman’s correlation was performed for analysis between the quantitative covariates and the outcome. To analyze the interaction between the factors, multiple linear regression was performed. Bonferroni analysis was used as an additional/secondary result to visualize differences in glutathione levels according to risk severity. After the adjusted analysis, p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

Results

The percentage of suicide risk observed in our sample of women at 18 months postpartum was 24.4% (n = 11). After adjusting for the independent variables, only the presence of suicide risk remained associated with the outcome (β = 0.173; p = 0.007), low levels of GSH at 18 months after postpartum. Likewise, we verified the difference in GSH levels according to the degree of suicide risk, observing a significant association between the differences in glutathione means in the group of women with moderate to high risk compared to the reference group (no suicide risk) (p = 0.009).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that GSH may be a potential biomarker or etiologic factor in women at moderate to high risk of suicide.
Omicron COVID-19 variant outcomes and vaccination in non-severe and non-critical patients at admission
Authors: Zhao Hong , Ye Wenyi , Yu Xia , Shi Yu , Sheng Jifang
Published: February 2023

The clinical data of patients infected with the Omicron variant virus in Zhejiang Province from January to 14 May 2022 were collected retrospectively. We analyzed the differences in symptoms, clinical categories of COVID-19, length of hospital stay, and time for clearance of Omicron variant viral RNA in the sputum among the groups receiving a different number of vaccine doses. The analysis showed that as the number of vaccine doses increased, the frequency of clinical symptoms, such as fever and fatigue, decreased and the frequency of patients with moderate infections gradually decreased. At the same time, the length of hospital stay was significantly shortened. Based on the multivariate analysis, one vaccine dose [odds ratio (OR): 0.21, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.08–0.56, p = 0.002], two vaccine doses (OR: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.33–0.88, p = 0.013), and three vaccine doses (OR: 0.40, 95% CI: 0.24–0.64, p < 0.001) shortened the length of hospitalization than those with no vaccination. The persistence of the virus in the sputum was significantly shortened with one vaccine dose (OR: 0.36, 95% CI: 0.15–0.89, p = 0.027), two vaccine doses (OR: 0.46, 95% CI: 0.27–0.78, p = 0.004), and three vaccine doses (OR: 0.38, 95% CI: 0.22–0.64, p < 0.001) than those with no vaccination. Therefore, we concluded that vaccination was an effective way to protect people against infection with the Omicron variant. Indeed, on the premise of the current routine recommendation of vaccination, three vaccines were necessary for people to be protected against the Omicron variant.
The effectiveness of an internet-based support program on maternal self-efficacy, postpartum depression and social support for primiparous women during the COVID-19 pandemic: Randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Yuting , Zhu Jiemin , Li Sen , Huang Lingling , Fang Qiyu , Zheng Xujuan
Published: February 2023

Background

Many primiparous women usually encounter various parenting and mental health issues after childbirth. The effects of intervention based on internet platform on parenting and mental health outcomes for Chinese first-time mothers remain unknown during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, our research aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an internet-based support program (ISP) on maternal self-efficacy (MSE), postpartum depression (PPD) and social support for primiparous women amid the pandemic.

Methods

A multicenter randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted. From May 2020 to March 2021, 242 primiparous women were recruited in the maternity wards of two hospitals in Shenzhen City, China and randomly assigned to the intervention group and the control group. Women in control group (n = 118) received the routine postpartum care, and women in intervention group (n = 118) accessed to the ISP intervention (expert education and peer support) and routine postpartum care. Intervention outcomes were measured at baseline before randomization (T0), post-intervention (T1), and three-month follow up (T2) through questionnaires. The chi-square (χ2), the independent sample t-test and the repeated measures multivariate analysis of covariance were performed, and the two-tailed p-value <0.05 was regarded as statistically significant.

Results

In comparison with women in the control group, women in the intervention group had a significantly higher score of MSE at T1 (mean: 73.53, standard deviation [SD]: 6.21) and at T2 (mean: 72.90, SD: 6.73); and a lower score of PPD at T1(mean: 6.03, SD: 2.50) and T2 (mean: 5.70, SD: 2.23); and a higher score of social support at T1 (mean: 45.70, SD: 3.73), but no significant difference at T2 (mean: 42.90, SD: 3.29).

Conclusions

The effect of ISP was evaluated to significantly increase the levels of MSE, social support, and to alleviate PPD symptoms for Chinese first-time mothers. As an effective and easily accessible intervention, ISP could become a significant source for health professionals to support primiparous women on parenting and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trial registration

The trial is registered at the Chinese Clinical Trials Registry (ChiCTR2000033154).
Barriers to COVID-19 vaccine uptake among resource-limited adults diagnosed with chronic illness
Authors: Spees Lisa P. , Biddell Caitlin B. , Angove Rebekah S. M. , Gallagher Kathleen D. , Anderson Eric , Christenbury Ashley , Rocque Gabrielle , Wheeler Stephanie B.
Published: February 2023

Background

Despite the use of interventions (e.g., monetary incentives, educational campaigns, on-site workplace vaccination) to increase COVID-19 vaccination, differences in uptake persist by poverty level, insurance status, geography, race, and ethnicity, suggesting that these interventions may not be adequately addressing the barriers faced by these populations. Among a sample of resource-limited individuals with chronic illnesses, we (1) described the prevalence of different types of barriers to the COVID-19 vaccination and (2) identified associations between patients' sociodemographic characteristics and barriers to vaccination.

Methods

We surveyed a national sample of patients with chronic illness and demonstrated healthcare affordability and/or access challenges about barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in July 2021. We categorized participant responses into cost, transportation, informational, and attitudinal barrier domains and assessed the prevalence of each domain, both overall and by self-reported vaccination status. Using logistic regression models, we examined unadjusted and adjusted associations between respondent characteristics (sociodemographic, geographic, and healthcare access) and self-reported barriers to vaccination.

Results

Of 1,342 respondents in the analytic sample, 20% (264/1,342) reported informational barriers and 9% (126/1,342) reported attitudinal barriers to COVID-19 vaccination. Transportation and cost barriers were reported much less commonly, by only 1.1% (15/1,342) and 0.7% (10/1,342) of the sample, respectively. Controlling for all other characteristics, respondents with either a specialist as their usual source of care or no usual source of care had an 8.4 (95% CI: 1.7–15.1) and 18.1 (95% CI: 4.3–32.0) percentage point higher predicted probability, respectively, of reporting informational barriers to care. Compared to females, males had an 8.4% point (95% CI: 5.5–11.4) lower predicted probability of reporting attitudinal barriers. Only attitudinal barriers were associated with COVID-19 vaccine uptake.

Conclusion

Among a sample of adults with chronic illnesses who had received financial assistance and case management services from a national non-profit, informational and attitudinal barriers were more commonly reported than logistical or structural access barriers (i.e., transportation and cost barriers). Interventions should target attitudinal barriers among patients with chronic illness, who may have particular concerns about the interaction of the vaccine with ongoing medical care. Additionally, interventions targeting informational barriers are particularly needed among individuals without a usual source of care.
Industry-specific prevalence and gender disparity of common mental health problems in the UK: A national repetitive cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Shanquan , Wang Yuqi
Published: February 2023

Aims

The aim of the study was to evaluate the prevalence and temporal trend of common mental health problems (CMHPs) in the UK by industrial classification from 2012–2014 to 2016–2018 while evaluating the corresponding gender disparities.

Methods

We used data from the Health Survey for England. CMPH was judged by a 12-item General Health Questionnaire. Industrial classifications were defined using the UK Standard Industrial Classification of Economic Activities. Data were fitted by the logistic models.

Results

In this study, 19,581 participants covering 20 industries were included. In total, 18.8% of participants screened positive for CMHP in 2016–2018, which significantly increased from 16.0% in 2012–2014 [adjusted OR (AOR) = 1.17, 95% CI 1.08–1.27]. In 2016–2018, the prevalence of CMHP ranged from 6.2% in the industry of mining and quarrying to 23.8% in the industry of accommodation and food service activities. From 2012–2014 to 2016–2018, none of the 20 industries studied experienced significant decreases in the above prevalence; conversely, three industries saw significant increases, including wholesale and retail trade, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (AOR for trend = 1.32, 95% CI 1.04–1.67), construction (AOR for trend = 1.66, 95% CI 1.23–2.24), and other service activities, which cannot be classified (AOR for trend = 1.94, 95% CI 1.06–3.55). In total, 11 of the 20 industries studied had significant gender disparities against women, with the smallest gap being in the industry of transport and storage (AOR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.09–2.0) and the highest in the industry of arts, entertainment, and recreation (AOR = 6.19, 95% CI 2.94–13.03). From 2012–2014 to 2016–2018, gender disparities were narrowed only in two industries, including human health and social work activities (AOR for trend = 0.45, 95% CI 0.27–0.74), and transport and storage (AOR for trend = 0.5, 95% CI 0.27–0.91).

Conclusion

The prevalence of CMHPs has increased and had a wide variation across industries in the UK. There were disparities against women, and the gender disparities have been keeping almost no improvement from 2012–2014 to 2016–2018.
Change of home visit frequency by public health nurses predicts emergency escorts for psychiatric patients living in the community: A retrospective medical record review
Authors: Wu Meng-Chieh , Hung Chia-Chun , Fang Su-Chen , Lee Tony Szu-Hsien
Published: February 2023

Background

Improper or insufficient treatment of mental health illness harms individuals, families, and society. When psychiatric treatment shifts from a hospital-based to a community-based health care system, risk management is essential to the provision of effective care.

Objective

We examine whether an upgrade in home visit frequency of psychiatric patients as identified by public health nurses can predict the subsequent need for emergency escort services for medical treatment.

Design

A 2-year retrospective medical record review.

Setting(s)

A district of New Taipei City in Taiwan.

Participants

A total of 425 patients with a diagnosed mental health illness cared for through home visits by public health nurses from January 2018 to December 2019.

Methods

We accessed the Ministry of Health and Welfare's psychiatric care management information system to identify a set of medical records, and analyzed these records using chi-square and regression analyses.

Results

The analyses indicated that the groups experiencing the greatest need for emergency escort services were: male, 35–49 years old, with a senior high school level of education, without a disability identification card, with a schizophrenia diagnosis, and had been reported by the nurse as having progressed to a serious level. Nurses' increased frequency of home visits (an indicator that the patient's overall condition was worsening) and nurses' reports of increased severity of problems were significant predictors of the need for emergency escort services.

Conclusions

The nurses' adjustment of visit frequency based on the results of the visit assessment predicts the need for emergency escort services for mental patients. The findings support not only the professional roles and functions of public health nurses, but also the importance of strengthening psychiatric health community support services.
COVID-19 and parents of children with epilepsy: Experiences and positive changes
Authors: Koliouli Flora , Andrianakou Marianna
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The aim of this study is to explore the ways that parents with children or adolescents with epilepsy (CAWE) experienced the restrictive measures, as well as the stressors and challenges that they had to face.

Methods

We employed an experiential approach and fifteen Greek-speaking parents answered to an in-depth semi-structured interview, during the second lockdown period. Data were analyzed through the Thematic Analysis (TA).

Results

The emerging themes were the challenges encountered in terms of medical monitoring, the “stay-home” impact on their everyday lives as a family, their psycho-emotional responses. More specifically, parents identified the irregular doctor appointments and their struggle to access the hospital services as the most important challenges. Moreover, parents reported that the “stay-home” impact has disrupted their children's daily routines among others. Finally, parents highlighted their emotional strain and worries experienced during the lockdown along with the positive changes that occurred.
School-based intervention on behavioral intention of adolescents regarding healthy diet in India
Authors: Jha Sweety Suman , Dobe Madhumita , Taklikar Chandrashekhar , Lahiri Arista
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Adolescence is a distinctive period of life when intense physical, psychological, and cognitive development occurs. A healthy diet helps prevent various forms of malnutrition and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer. The current study aimed to assess the change in behavioral intentions (measured based on the TPB) toward healthy dietary practices through health promotion intervention among adolescents studying in selected schools in an urban area of West Bengal, India

Methods

The current study was a non-randomized controlled interventional study conducted among adolescents in either seventh, eighth, ninth, or tenth grades and aged between 12 and 16 years. Two-step cluster analysis with maximum likelihood estimation identified the intenders of a healthy diet. The intervention effect was measured using Relative Risk (RR) for being in the higher intention cluster through Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with a log-linear link under Poisson distribution assumptions and robust standard errors. A P-value of 0.05 or lesser was considered statistically significant.

Results

There was no statistically significant difference in the mean score of “Attitude” in both groups. The mean score of “Subjective Norm” among the intervention group increased after intervention, and the difference was statistically significant. The mean score of “Perceived behavioral control” in the intervention group increased after the intervention, but the difference was statistically not significant. The intervention group's post-intervention proportion of intenders increased, and the difference was statistically significant. The relative risk of becoming an intender for healthy diet consumption in the Intervention group compared to the Control group was 2.07 (1.44–2.97).

Conclusions

The intervention package effectively brought about a positive change in behavioral intention toward healthy dietary practices among adolescents. Model-based and construct-oriented intervention packages can be adopted in school-setting to promote behavioral intention toward a healthy diet.
Development and initial validation of questionnaire on predictors for the use of hearing protection devices among noise exposed manufacturing workers in Tanzania: A methodological study
Authors: Nyarubeli Israel Paul , Tungu Alexander Mtemi , Pallesen Ståle , Moen Bente Elisabeth , Mamuya Simon Henry David
Published: February 2023

Introduction

The use of hearing protection devices (HPDs) has been an intervention of choice in many workplaces such as in the construction industry for quite some time due to impractical effects of engineering and administrative interventions. Questionnaires for assessment for HPDs use among construction workers have been developed and validated in developed countries. However, there is limited knowledge of the same, among manufacturing workers in developing countries that are assumed to have a different culture, work organizations and production processes.

Methods

We conducted a stepwise methodological study to develop a questionnaire to predict the use of HPDs among noise exposed workers in manufacturing factories in Tanzania. The questionnaire included 24 items and was developed through rigorous and systematic procedures involving three steps; (i) item formulation that involved two experts, (ii) expert content review and item rating that involving eight experts with vast experience in the field, and (iii) a field pre-test that involved 30 randomly selected workers from a factory with similar characteristics as a planned study site. A modified Pender's Health Promotion Model was adopted in the questionnaire development. We analyzed the questionnaire in terms of content validity and item reliability.

Results

The 24 items were categorized into seven domains i.e., perceived self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, interpersonal influences, situational influences and safety climate. The score for content validity for each item was satisfactory as the content validity index ranged between 0.75 to 1.00 for clarity, relevance, and essentiality criteria. Similarly, the scores for the content validity ratio (for all items) were 0.93, 0.88 and 0.93 for clarity, relevance, and essentiality, respectively. In addition, the overall value for Cronbach's alpha was 0.92 with domain coefficients: perceived self-efficacy 0.75; perceived susceptibility 0.74; perceived benefits 0.86; perceived barriers 0.82; interpersonal influences 0.79; situational influences; 0.70; and safety climate 0.79. The mean inter-item correlation was 0.49 suggesting good internal consistency.

Discussion and conclusion

The developed and preliminary validated questionnaire can be used to predict the HPDs use among noise exposed manufacturing factory workers. Future surveys using this questionnaires warranted for further validation of the scale developed.
Pension level, subjective wellbeing, and preference of care model among elderly people: An empirical study based on structural equation modeling
Authors: Shao Chenyang , Li Wenshun
Published: February 2023

The problem of population aging is becoming increasingly serious, and the elderly care model has become the social focus in China. It is urgent to improve the traditional home based elderly care model and increase the recognition of the residents for the socialized elderly care model. Based on the data of the 2018 China Longitudinal Aging Social Survey (CLASS), this paper uses structural equation model (SEM) to empirically test the impact of the elderly group's social pension level and subjective well–being on their choice of various care models. The results show that the improvement of elderly's pension level can significantly inhibit their choice of home–based care model, and promote their choice of community and institution care model. Subjective well–being can play a mediating role in the home–based and community care model choices, but the indirect approach mediated by subjective well–being only plays a supplementary role. In addition, the heterogeneity analysis shows that there are discrepancies in the impact and path for the elderly with different gender, age, household registration, marital status, health status, education level, number of children, and gender of children. The results of this study will help the improvement and development of social pension policy, optimizing the structure of residents' elderly care model and the process of “active aging”.
Study on sustainable development of pharmaceutical health industry under ecological coordination
Authors: Fu Gan , Zhao Zhao
Published: February 2023

Particularly in the post-pandemic period, where public health emergencies offer a greater risk of supply disruptions, the operational hazards of pharmaceutical supply chains are uncertain. One of the main concerns for businesses is how to handle the risk of supply disruption and take the necessary precautions to lower the chance of loss. Pharmaceutical raw material suppliers, pharmaceutical manufacturers and medical institutions constitute a complete three-tiered supply chain. On the basis of this, in Materials and methods part, a share contract based on buyback proceeds is created as a result, and a combination contract based on centralized decision-making and decentralized decision-making is employed to maximize the order volume of pharmaceutical supply chain participants. An out-of-stock cost pharmaceutical supply chain model is created, and a related solution is provided and measurable examples. In Results and discussion part, to confirm the accuracy of the model and algorithm, numerical examples are employed. Buyback prices and order volumes were subjected to sensitivity analysis, and discussion is had over how various parameters affect a model's performance. Due to supply disruptions, the study's findings show that there is “double sourcing” between upstream pharmaceutical raw materials and downstream major suppliers, necessitating the establishment of a supply chain with numerous standby suppliers. At the same time, modifying the contract parameters can improve the supply motivation of backup suppliers and guarantee the profitability of downstream medical institutions.
UAV multispectral multi-domain feature optimization for the air-to-ground recognition of outdoor injured human targets under cross-scene environment
Authors: Qi Fugui , Xia Juanjuan , Zhu Mingming , Jing Yu , Zhang Linyuan , Li Zhao , Wang Jianqi , Lu Guohua
Published: February 2023

Objective

UAV-based multispectral detection and identification technology for ground injured human targets, is a novel and promising unmanned technology for public health and safety IoT applications, such as outdoor lost injured searching and battlefield casualty searching, and our previous research has demonstrated its feasibility. However, in practical applications, the searched human target always exhibits low target-background contrast relative to the vast and diverse surrounding environment, and the ground environment also shifts randomly during the UAV cruise process. These two key factors make it difficult to achieve highly robust, stable, and accurate recognition performance under the cross-scene situation.

Methods

This paper proposes a cross-scene multi-domain feature joint optimization (CMFJO) for cross-scene outdoor static human target recognition.

Results

In the experiments, we first investigated the impact severity of the cross-scene problem and the necessity to solve it by designing 3 typical single-scene experiments. Experimental results show that although a single-scene model holds good recognition capability for its scenes (96.35% in desert scenes, 99.81% in woodland scenes, and 97.39% in urban scenes), its recognition performance for other scenes deteriorates sharply (below 75% overall) after scene changes. On the other hand, the proposed CMFJO method was also validated using the same cross-scene feature dataset. The recognition results for both individual scene and composite scene show that this method could achieve an average classification accuracy of 92.55% under cross-scene situation.

Discussion

This study first tried to construct an excellent cross-scene recognition model for the human target recognition, named CMFJO method, which is based on multispectral multi-domain feature vectors with scenario-independent, stable and efficient target recognition capability. It will significantly improve the accuracy and usability of UAV-based multispectral technology method for outdoor injured human target search in practical applications and provide a powerful supporting technology for public safety and health.
Vague language and context dependence
Authors: Lim Wooyoung , Wu Qinggong
Published: February 2023

In this paper, we broaden the existing notion of vagueness to account for linguistic ambiguity that results from context-dependent use of language. This broadened notion, termedliteral vagueness, necessarily arises in optimal equilibria in many standard conversational situations. In controlled laboratory experiments, we find that, despite the strategic complexity in its usage, people can indeed use literally vague language to effectively transmit information. Based on the theory and the experimental evidence, we conclude that context dependence is an appealing explanation for why language is vague.

JEL classification numbers

C91, D03, D83.
Posttraumatic checkrein deformity following isolated Lauge–Hansen pronation external rotation stage IV malleolar fracture—a case report and literature review
Authors: Chen Wen-tao , Liu Zhen-yu , Wang Bao-jun
Published: February 2023

The checkrein deformity is characterized by flexion contracture of the interphalangeal joint and extension contracture of the metatarsophalangeal joint. It is a rare condition occurring after lower extremity trauma, especially a malleolar fracture. Little is known about the possible cause and therapeutic strategy. This unique case presents a 20-year-old male patient with a diagnosis of the checkrein deformity secondary to open reduction and internal fixation of a Lauge–Hansen pronation external rotation stage IV malleolar fracture. After performing a detailed physical examination, radiographic evaluation, and ultrasonography, open exploration was performed to remove the hardware and correct the deformity with sole tenolysis of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL). In the 4-month follow-up, no recurrence of the checkrein deformity was observed. This deformity was caused by FHL adhesion. Interosseous membrane injury and fibular fracture together with local hematomas increases the risk of FHL adhesion. Open exploration and tenolysis of the FHL are feasible options to correct the checkrein deformity.
Veterinary professional identity: Conceptual analysis and location in a practice theory framework
Authors: Scholz Emma , Trede Franziska
Published: February 2023

Professional, social, and cultural issues and phenomena of veterinary practice are now established areas of commentary and interest in research, education, professional publications and even in the mainstream media. Despite the availability of theoretically informed literature in diverse relevant domains and disciplines including professional practice, workplace learning, and medical sociology and anthropology, commentary and research on veterinary practice issues and phenomena remains dominated by clinician-educators and clinician-policymakers. Reflecting the clinical disciplinary traditions, there is a resulting over-representation of individualistic, positivist perspectives and under-theorized research studies. In this paper we provide an interdisciplinary theoretical framework for veterinary practice and veterinary professional identity grounded in a practice theory perspective. We begin by arguing for the need for such a framework by scoping veterinary practice in its contemporary social context. We go on to provide a sociocultural framing of veterinary practice, underlining the mutual constitution of individuals and the social world through participation in practices and taking into consideration important concepts including knowledge, institutions, ethics, and embodiment. We assert the importance of professional identity as a core phenomenon of veterinary practice, constituted by making meaning of professional practice experiences, especially through narrative and dialogue. This practice theory framework for veterinary practice and veterinary professional identity development provides rich opportunities for understanding, researching, and enacting diverse activities and phenomena, especially learning, development and change within and beyond formal educational settings.
A Post-Lockdown Assessment of Albendazole Treatment Coverage in Mass Drug Administration Campaigns Implemented Before and During COVID-19 Pandemic in Ekiti, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Mogaji Hammed O. , Okoh Hilary I. , Lawal Abiodun M. , Ojo Kayode H. , Marcus Ayodele J. , Aaron Nwana O. , Adeleye Damilola R. , Olamiju Francisca O. , Ekpo Uwem F.
Published: February 2023

Objective: This study assessed the coverage of albendazole (ALB) in mass drug administration (MDA) programs implemented before (2019) and during the (2020 and 2021) COVID-19 pandemic in Ekiti State, Nigeria.

Methods: Standardized questionnaires were administered to 1,127 children across three peri-urban communities to ascertain if they received and swallowed ALB across the years. Reasons, why ALB was not received, were documented and analyzed in SPSS. 20.0.

Results: In 2019, the medicine reach was between 42.2%–57.8%, however, during the pandemic, the reach significantly reduced to 12.3%–18.6%, and increased to 28.5%–35.2% in 2021 (p < 0.000). About 19.6%–27.2% of the participants have missed 1 MDA, while 26.9%–37.8% and 22.4%–32.8% have missed 2 and 3 MDAs, respectively. The majority who did not receive ALB (60.8%–75%) claimed drug distributors never came, while about 14.9%–20.3% mentioned they did not hear about MDA. However, individual compliance towards swallowing was above 94% across the study years (p < 0.00).

Conclusion: These results highlight the need to explore the perceptions of those who have consistently missed MDAs, and also understand the health-system-related issues including those imposed by the pandemic affecting MDA.
Strain Characteristics of PLZT-Based Ceramics for Actuator Applications
Authors: Limpichaipanit Apichart , Ngamjarurojana Athipong
Published: February 2023

Lead lanthanum zirconate titanate (PLZT) ceramics exhibit excellent dielectric, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties, and they can be used in many applications, including actuators. In this review, the processing and properties of PLZT-based ceramics will be the main focus of the first part. An introduction to PLZT ceramics is given and the methods to improve processing of PLZT-based ceramics are explained in terms of the addition of sintering aids, fabrication in the form of composites, and the application of dopants. The second part will be related to strain measurement to investigate converse piezoelectric properties (actuating effect). Strain measurement techniques by Michelson interferometry and case studies in PLZT-based ceramics (aging effect, temperature dependence and magnetic field effect) are included.
Adaptive Gait Generation for Hexapod Robots Based on Reinforcement Learning and Hierarchical Framework
Authors: Qiu Zhiying , Wei Wu , Liu Xiongding
Published: February 2023

Gait plays a decisive role in the performance of hexapod robot walking; this paper focuses on adaptive gait generation with reinforcement learning for a hexapod robot. Moreover, the hexapod robot has a high-dimensional action space and therefore it is a great challenge to use reinforcement learning to directly train the robot’s joint angles. As a result, a hierarchical and modular framework and learning details are proposed in this paper, using only seven-dimensional vectors to denote the agent actions. In addition, we conduct experiments and deploy the proposed framework using a real hexapod robot. The experimental results show that superior reinforcement learning algorithms can converge in our framework, such as SAC, PPO, DDPG and TD3. Specifically, the gait policy trained in our framework can generate new adaptive hexapod gait on flat terrain, which is stable and has lower transportation cost than rhythmic gaits.
Genetic Dissection of Tiller Number qTN4 in Rice
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Fan Yongyi , Li Dian , Sun Zhihao , Ruan Zheyan , Yang Huali , Kang Yiwei , Wu Weixun , Liu Qunen , Zhan Xiaodeng , Cao Liyong , Zhou Ming , Cheng Shihua , Zhang Yingxin
Published: February 2023

Tiller number (TN) is an important trait that contributes to yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). A set of 76 chromosome segment substitution lines (CSSLs) derived from the super-hybrid cross between Zhonghui 9308 (ZH9308) and Xieqingzao B (XQZB) was used to map quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling tiller number (TN). A total of four QTLs were detected in Fuyang, Zhejiang Province (30.15° N, 120° E). Two QTLs were detected in Lingshui, Hainan Province (18.5° N, 110° E) in our previous study. To further map the QTL on chromosome 4, namely qTN4, the line CSSL29 with a lower tiller number was selected to cross with ZH9308 to develop the secondary F2 population. In the F2:3 population, the qTN4 was validated and subsequently narrowed down to a 4.08 Mb region. What is more, combined phenotype with genotype, qTN4 was dissected into two QTLs, qTN4.1 and qTN4.2, in the F4:5 population. The qTN4.1 and qTN4.2 explained 34.31% and 32.05% of the phenotypic variance, with an additive effect of 1.47 and 1.38, respectively. Finally, the qTN4.1 and qTN4.2 were fine-mapped into a 193.55 Kb and 175.12 Kb intervals on chromosome 4, respectively. Based on genotype and phenotype, four near-isogenic lines (NILs) were selected in the mapping populations. Compared with NILCSSL29, tiller number (TN), grain setting rate, grain length (GL), the ratio of grain length to width (LWR) and grain yield per plant of NILZH9308, NIL-qTN4.1ZH9308 and NIL-qTN4.2ZH9308 were increased, and the heading date of these three lines were earlier than that of NILCSSL29. Interestingly, among the candidate genes of qTN4.1 and qTN4.2, except for LOC_Os04g23550, none of the other genes has been cloned, indicating the existence of a novel gene-controlling tiller number. These results lay a foundation for the analysis of QTL controlling tiller number in ZH9308 and provide a theoretical basis for the application of ZH9308 in super-hybrid breeding.