bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of Aging and Fitness on Hopping Biomechanics
Authors: Sanchez-Trigo Horacio , Zange Jochen , Sies Wolfram , Böcker Jonas , Sañudo Borja , Rittweger Jörn
Published: October 2022

Physical exercise promotes healthy aging and is associated with greater functionality and quality of life. Muscle strength and power are established factors in the ability to perform daily tasks and live independently. Stiffness, for mechanical reasons, is another important constituent of running performance and locomotion. This study aims to analyze the impact of age and training status on one-legged hopping biomechanics and to evaluate whether age-related power decline can be reduced with regular physical exercise. Forty-three male subjects were recruited according to their suitability for one of four groups (young athletes, senior athletes, young controls and senior controls) according to their age (young between 21 and 35, vs. older between 59 and 75) and training status (competing athletes vs. non-physically active). The impact of age and training status on one-legged hopping biomechanics were evaluated using the two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Significant differences among groups were found for hopping height (p < 0.05), ground contact time (p < 0.05), peak ground reaction force (p < 0.05) and peak power (p < 0.01). No differences among groups were found in ground-phase vertical displacement and vertical stiffness (p > 0.05). Young athletes and older non-physically active people achieved the best and worst performance, respectively. Interestingly, there were not any differences found between young non-physically active people and senior athletes, suggesting that chronic training can contribute to partly offset effects that are normally associated with aging.
The Furr-Recovery Method: Interacting with Furry Co-Workers during Work Time Is a Micro-Break That Recovers Workers’ Regulatory Resources and Contributes to Their Performance
Authors: Junça-Silva Ana
Published: October 2022

Drawing on the conservation of resources theory and the recovery step model our research expands on a cognitive (regulatory resources) mechanism that links human–animal interactions and employee performance. This study aimed to explore whether daily human–animal interactions during worktime would be conceived as a daily-recovery process that restores the individual’s daily regulatory resources and, as a result, improves daily adaptive and task performance. To test this, a daily diary study during 10 working days, with 105 teleworkers was performed (N = 105 × 10 = 1050). Multilevel results demonstrated that daily interactions between human and their pets served to recover their daily regulatory resources that, in turn, improved daily task-and-adaptive performance. This research not only expands our theoretical understanding of regulatory resources as a cognitive mechanism that links human-animal interactions to employee effectiveness but also offers practical implications by highlighting the recovery role of interacting with pets during the working day, as a way to restore resources needed to be more effective at work.
Are Natural or Anthropogenic Factors Influencing Potentially Toxic Elements’ Enrichment in Soils in Proglacial Zones? An Example from Kaffiøyra (Oscar II Land, Spitsbergen)
Authors: Kowalska Joanna Beata , Nicia Paweł , Gąsiorek Michał , Zadrożny Paweł , Węgrzyn Michał Hubert , Waroszewski Jarosław
Published: October 2022

Arctic soils may hold potentially toxic elements (PTE); PTE can provide evidence of past or recent pollution. In this study, five soil profiles located on Oscar II Land (Kaffiøyra) were studied to (i) evaluate the ecological status of Kaffiøyra’s soils based on the determination of the possible accumulation of PTE using pollution indices; and (ii) determine the possible origin of PTE enrichment (local factors vs. long-range sources) depending on the distance from the sea. The soils were tested with standard soil science methods. The contamination of five soils was assessed by a wide spectrum of pollution soil indices: Enrichment Factor (EF), Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Potential Ecological Risk (RI), Pollution Load Index (PLI), and Probability of Toxicity (MERMQ). EF values calculated based on Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn content indicated an anthropogenic origin of the pollution. Values of Igeo showed the highest pollution with Cd, while CSI and MERMQ values indicated the highest Cd and Pb levels, but only in the soils located closest to the coast. RI values suggested that soils were under a strong or very strong potential ecological risk, whereas PLI confirmed the high probability of soil quality reduction. Enrichment with PTE has been conditioned by both local (natural) and long-distance (anthropogenic) factors. Among the local factors, parent material was highly relevant. The effect of long-distance anthropogenic factors, especially from European, large industrial centres, was manifested by the high content of PTE in soils located closest to the coastlines, delivered by a wet deposition and sea aerosols. The monitoring and assessment of arctic soil quality are useful practices for the verification of the sources of PTE pollution and the development of methods that can contribute to the protection and maintenance of these vulnerable ecosystems.
The Effectiveness of Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) Irradiation on the Viability of Airborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Nguyen Thi Tham , He Congrong , Carter Robyn , Ballard Emma L. , Smith Kim , Groth Robert , Jaatinen Esa , Kidd Timothy J. , Nguyen Thuy-Khanh , Stockwell Rebecca E. , Tay George , Johnson Graham R. , Bell Scott C. , Knibbs Luke D.
Published: October 2022

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) is the predominant bacterial pathogen in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and can be transmitted by airborne droplet nuclei. Little is known about the ability of ultraviolet band C (UV-C) irradiation to inactivate Pa at doses and conditions relevant to implementation in indoor clinical settings. We assessed the effectiveness of UV-C (265 nm) at up to seven doses on the decay of nebulized Pa aerosols (clonal Pa strain) under a range of experimental conditions. Experiments were done in a 400 L rotating sampling drum. A six-stage Andersen cascade impactor was used to collect aerosols inside the drum and the particle size distribution was characterized by an optical particle counter. UV-C effectiveness was characterized relative to control tests (no UV-C) of the natural decay of Pa. We performed 112 tests in total across all experimental conditions. The addition of UV-C significantly increased the inactivation of Pa compared with natural decay alone at all but one of the UV-C doses assessed. UV-C doses from 246–1968 µW s/cm2 had an estimated effectiveness of approximately 50–90% for airborne Pa. The effectiveness of doses ≥984 µW s/cm2 were not significantly different from each other (p-values: 0.365 to ~1), consistent with a flattening of effectiveness at higher doses. Modelling showed that delivering the highest dose associated with significant improvement in effectiveness (984 µW s/cm2) to the upper air of three clinical rooms would lead to lower room doses from 37–49% of the 8 h occupational limit. Our results suggest that UV-C can expedite the inactivation of nebulized airborne Pa under controlled conditions, at levels that can be delivered safely in occupied settings. These findings need corroboration, but UV-C may have potential applications in locations where people with CF congregate, coupled with other indoor and administrative infection control measures.
Exploring the Intersections of Migration, Gender, and Sexual Health with Indonesian Women in Perth, Western Australia
Authors: Gray Corie , Crawford Gemma , Maycock Bruce , Lobo Roanna
Published: October 2022

This paper explores the intersections of migration, gender, and sexual health with Indonesian women living in Perth, Western Australia. The study was part of a larger participatory action research project to co-design an intervention to increase HIV testing in migrant Indonesian women. Unstructured interviews were conducted with adult Indonesian women (n = 10) on their experiences of migration and sexual health. Zimmerman’s migration phases (pre-departure and travel, destination, and return) provided a framework to conceptualize women’s migration journeys. We found that women’s migration journeys were shaped by gender, with male-led migration often reinforcing gender norms. Structural and sociocultural factors (including visa status) influenced women’s sense of belonging while living in Australia, such as help-seeking behaviour and engagement in sexual relationships. Intersecting factors of gender, culture, and the migration process should be considered when designing public health interventions to improve women’s sexual health, in particular migration policies and procedures.
Difficulties in Managing Children’s Learning among Caregivers of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Taiwan: Association with Worsened Behavioral and Emotional Symptoms
Authors: Chen Chao-Ying , Chen Jung-Sheng , Lin Chung-Ying , Hsiao Ray C. , Tsai Ching-Shu , Yen Cheng-Fang
Published: October 2022

School closures during the COVID-19 pandemic have interfered with children’s learning. The aim of this study was to investigate the difficulties in managing children’s learning at home and attending afterschool learning programs and their related factors among caregivers of children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 252 caregivers of children with ADHD completed a questionnaire collecting difficulties in managing children’s learning, parenting styles, children’s worsened symptoms of ADHD, oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) and emotion, and increased Internet use. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine the factors related to caregiver difficulties in managing children’s learning and children’s worsened ADHD, ODD, and emotional symptoms. In total, 85.3% of the caregivers had difficulty in asking their children to learn at home; 28.2% had difficulty in taking children to afterschool learning programs. Children’s worsened anger was significantly associated with higher caregiver difficulty in asking children to learn at home, whereas parental overprotection was significantly associated with lower caregiver difficulty in asking children to learn at home. Worsened hyperactivity and opposition were significantly associated with higher caregiver difficulty in taking children to attend afterschool learning programs. Interventions for enhancing caregivers’ skills to manage children’s learning and children’s behavioral and emotional symptoms should take the related factors found in this study into consideration.
Differences in the Perceived Likelihood of Receiving COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Adzrago David , Sulley Saanie , Ormiston Cameron K. , Mamudu Lohuwa , Williams Faustine
Published: October 2022

There are limited studies on the perceived likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine among the general US population and its subpopulations. We examined the association between the perceived likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine with the self-reported likelihood of contracting COVID-19, social-distancing stress, COVID-19 diagnosis status, mental health disorders, and sociodemographic characteristics. The data were collected using a national cross-sectional survey (N = 5404) between 13 May 2021 and 9 January 2022. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed. Setting: United States. Participants: Adults aged ≥ 18 years. The majority of US adults (67.34%) indicated they intended to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. There was a decreased perceived likelihood of getting vaccinated associated with those aged 18–49 years (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 0.29–59; 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 0.20–0.85); with a less than college education (AOR = 0.37–58; 95% CI = 0.28–0.68); with no health insurance (AOR = 0.48; 95% CI = 0.40, 0.58); with no perceived likelihood of contracting COVID-19 (AOR = 0.78; 95% CI = 0.68, 0.89); and with anxiety/depression (AOR = 0.67; 95% CI = 0.59, 0.76). Black/African Americans had a lower perceived likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (AOR = 0.84; 95% CI = 0.71, 0.98), while Asians (AOR = 1.92; 95% CI = 1.35, 2.74) and Hispanics/Latinos (AOR = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.03, 1.74) had a higher perceived likelihood compared with Whites. Individuals reporting social distancing as stressful (AOR = 1.21; 95% CI = 1.01, 1.45) were associated with an increased perceive likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Our study showed that younger adults, Black/African Americans, and those with a less than college education, no health insurance, or anxiety/depression may be less likely to receive vaccination. Future research should examine the explanatory mechanisms contributing to the lower perceived likelihood of vaccination among these groups, such as barriers to vaccine education or vaccine access. Public health interventions should prioritize these populations to improve vaccination rates.
Exercise Training Program Improves Subjective Sleep Quality and Physical Fitness in Severely Obese Bad Sleepers
Authors: Delgado-Floody Pedro , Caamaño Navarrete Felipe , Chirosa-Ríos Luis , Martínez-Salazar Cristian , Vargas Claudia Andrea , Guzmán-Guzmán Iris Paola
Published: October 2022

Background: Sleep quality is an important modulator of neuroendocrine function, as sleep problems are related to metabolic and endocrine alterations. Objective: The main objective was to determine the effects of an exercise training program on the sleep quality of severely obese patients with sleep problems. The secondary objective was to determine the relationship between fitness and anthropometric parameters with sleep quality scores. Methods: Thirty severely obese patients participated in 16 weeks of PA intervention (age: 39.30 ± 11.62 y, BMI: 42.75 ± 5.27 kg/m2). Subjective sleep quality, anthropometric parameters, and fitness (i.e., handgrip strength and cardiorespiratory fitness) were measured. Results: Two groups were defined as good sleepers (n = 15, 38.06 ± 12.26, men = 1) and bad sleepers (n = 15, 40.53 ± 11.23, men = 3). The good sleeper group reported improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness (61.33 ± 68.75 m vs. 635.33 ± 98.91 m, p = 0.003) and handgrip strength (29.63 ± 9.29 kg vs. 31.86 ± 7.17 kg, p = 0.049). The bad sleeper group improved their cardiorespiratory fitness (472.66 ± 99.7 m vs. 611.33 ± 148.75 m, p = 0.001). In terms of sleep quality dimensions, the bad sleeper group improved their subjective sleep quality (p < 0.001), sleep latency (p = 0.045), sleep duration (p = 0.031), and habitual sleep efficiency (p = 0.015). Comparing the changes in both groups (∆), there were differences in subjective sleep quality scores (∆ = 2.23 vs. ∆ = −3.90, p = 0.002), where 86.6% of the bad sleeper group improved sleep quality (p = 0.030). An increase in handgrip strength was correlated to improving sleep quality scores (r = −0.49, p = 0.050). Conclusions: Severely obese bad sleepers improved their subjective sleep quality, the components of sleep, and cardiorespiratory fitness through an exercise training program. Improvement in subjective sleep quality was linked to an increase in handgrip strength.
Long-Term Lower Respiratory Symptoms among World Trade Center Health Registry Enrollees Following Hurricane Sandy
Authors: Locke Sean H. , Gargano Lisa M. , Alper Howard E. , Brite Jennifer
Published: October 2022

Several studies showed an association between lower respiratory tract symptoms (LRS) and exposure to the 9/11 terrorist attack. However, few studies have examined the long-term impact of natural disasters on those with prior respiratory distress. The present study aims to assess the impact of Hurricane Sandy on persistent LRS among people exposed to the World Trade Center (WTC) terrorist attack. The analytic sample consisted of WTC Health Registry enrollees who completed survey waves 1, 3, and 4 and the Hurricane Sandy Survey and did not report LRS before the WTC terrorist attack. The log binomial was used to assess the association between the impact of Hurricane Sandy and persistent LRS. Of 3277 enrollees, 1111 (33.9%) reported persistent LRS post-Sandy. Participants of older age, males, lower household income, current smokers, and those with previous asthma were more likely to report persistent LRS. In separate adjusted models, multiple Sandy-related inhalation exposures (relative risk (RR): 1.2, 95% CI: 1.06–1.37), Sandy-related PTSD (RR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.15–1.4), and Sandy LRS (RR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.48–1.81) were associated with persistent LRS post-Sandy. Our findings suggest that respiratory protection is important for everyone performing reconstruction and clean-up work after a natural disaster, particularly among those with previous respiratory exposures.
Improvement of Ultrasound Image Quality Using Non-Local Means Noise-Reduction Approach for Precise Quality Control and Accurate Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Kim Kyuseok , Chon Nuri , Jeong Hyun-Woo , Lee Youngjin
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to improve the quality of ultrasound images by modeling an algorithm using a non-local means (NLM) noise-reduction approach to achieve precise quality control and accurate diagnosis of thyroid nodules. An ATS-539 multipurpose phantom was used to scan the dynamic range and gray-scale measurement regions, which are most closely related to the noise level. A convex-type 3.5-MHz frequency probe is used for scanning according to ATS regulations. In addition, ultrasound images of human thyroid nodules were obtained using a linear probe. An algorithm based on the NLM noise-reduction approach was modeled based on the intensity and relative distance of adjacent pixels in the image, and conventional filtering methods for image quality improvement were designed as a comparison group. When the NLM algorithm was applied to the image, the contrast-to-noise ratio and coefficient of variation values improved by 28.62% and 19.54 times, respectively, compared with those of the noisy images. In addition, the image improvement efficiency of the NLM algorithm was superior to that of conventional filtering methods. Finally, the applicability of the NLM algorithm to human thyroid images using a high-frequency linear probe was validated. We demonstrated the efficiency of the proposed algorithm in ultrasound images and the possibility of capturing improved images in the dynamic range and gray-scale region for quality control parameters.
Monitoring and Assessment of Indoor Environmental Conditions in Educational Building Using Building Information Modelling Methodology
Authors: Aguilar Antonio J. , de la Hoz-Torres María L. , Ruiz Diego P. , Martínez-Aires Mª Dolores
Published: October 2022

Managing indoor environmental quality (IEQ) is a challenge in educational buildings in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Adequate indoor air quality is essential to ensure that indoor spaces are safe for students and teachers. In fact, poor IEQ can affect academic performance and student comfort. This study proposes a framework for integrating occupants’ feedback into the building information modelling (BIM) methodology to assess indoor environmental conditions (thermal, acoustic and lighting) and the individual airborne virus transmission risk during teaching activities. The information contained in the parametric 3D BIM model and the algorithmic environment of Dynamo were used to develop the framework. The IEQ evaluation is based on sensor monitoring and a daily schedule, so the results show real problems of occupants’ dissatisfaction. The output of the framework shows in which range the indoor environmental variables were (optimal, acceptable and unacceptable) and the probability of infection during each lecture class (whether or not 1% is exceeded). A case study was proposed to illustrate its application and validate it. The outcomes provide key information to support the decision-making process for managing IEQ and controlling individual airborne virus transmission risks. Long-term application could provide data that support the management of ventilation strategies and protocol redesign.
Shared Destiny in the Digital Era: Sensation Seeking, Loneliness, and Excessive Internet Use among Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Mainland China
Authors: Yang Heng , Jin Jianbin
Published: October 2022

With digital infrastructures becoming the foundation of modern life and a shared lifestyle, the internet has become a popular leisure tool for middle-aged and elderly individuals. However, inappropriate use of the internet can jeopardize their health and quality of life, and excessive internet use by middle-aged and older adults is a cause for concern. This study found that middle-aged and older adults are vulnerable to excessive internet use. One predictor of excessive use is loneliness, but its effect is relatively limited. It is a mediating variable rather than the essential cause of excessive internet use by middle-aged and older adults. The effect of sensation seeking is a strong predictor of middle-aged and older adults’ excessive internet use, which means they have a strong desire to use the internet to satisfy their emotional needs, thus, resulting in excessive internet use. The social nature of digital infrastructure in a relational framework and the impact of the internet on different populations are likely more complex than we imagine and have the potential to cause many unintended effects.
The Evaluation of Rural Outdoor Dining Environment from Consumer Perspective
Authors: Yang Mian , Fan Wenjie , Qiu Jian , Zhang Sining , Li Jinting
Published: October 2022

The quality of the environment should be measured by the satisfaction of the public and guided by the issues of public concern. With the development of the internet, social media as the main platform for people to exchange information has become a data source for planning and management analysis. Nowadays, the rural catering industry is becoming increasingly competitive, especially after the pandemic. How to further enhance the competitiveness of the rural catering industry has become a hot topic in the industry. From the perspective of consumers, we explored consumers’ preferences in a rural outdoor dining environment through social media data. The research analyzed the social media data through manual collection and object detection, divided the landscape of the rural outdoor dining environment into eight categories with 35 landscape elements, and then used BP (Back Propagation) neural network nonlinear fitting and least square linear fitting to analyze the 11,410 effective review pictures from eight rural restaurants’ social media comments in Chengdu. We derived the degree of consumer preference for the landscape quality of the rural outdoor dining environment and analyzed the differences in preference among three different groups (regular customers, customers with children, and customers with the elderly). The study found that agricultural resources are an important factor in the competitiveness of rural restaurant environments; that children’s emotions when using activity facilities can positively influence consumers’ dining experiences; that safety and hygiene environment are important factors influencing the decisions of parent–child dining; and that older people are more interested in outdoor nature, etc. The research results provide suggestions and knowledge for rural restaurant managers and designers through human-oriented needs from the perspective of consumers, and clarify the preferences and expectations of different consumer groups for rural restaurant landscapes while achieving the goal of rural landscape protection.
Vehicle Company’s Decision-Making to Process Waste Batteries: A Game Research under the Influence of Different Government Subsidy Strategies
Authors: Zhan Menglin , Chen Yan
Published: October 2022

With the increase in the number of waste power batteries and the occurrence of related environmental problems, battery recycling is receiving extensive attention. Driven by economic benefits, many companies have begun to deploy the waste battery processing market and government subsidies also play an essential role in battery recycling. Considering the vehicle company outsources processing tasks or invests in research and development (R&D), this paper studies the optimal decision-making problem of the supply chain under government subsidy to the battery manufacturer or the battery manufacturer. The research finds that: (1) For the government, when the vehicle company outsources processing tasks, compared with subsidizing the vehicle company, the total recycling volume when subsidizing the battery manufacturer is higher. When the vehicle company invests in R&D, the total recycling volume under different government subsidy strategies is equal. (2) The vehicle company’s decision is only related to its processing costs; when the unit processing cost is low, the vehicle company’s profit under the strategy of investing in R&D is higher. However, when the unit processing cost is high, the profit of outsourcing processing tasks is higher. (3) With increase in unit subsidy and decrease in unit processing cost, the total recycling volume will increase. These findings can provide decision-making help for the government in formulating subsidy policies and the vehicle company in determining processing strategies in the future.
Pulsed-Xenon Ultraviolet Light Highly Inactivates Human Coronaviruses on Solid Surfaces, Particularly SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Bello-Perez Melissa , Esparza Iris , De la Encina Arancha , Bartolome Teresa , Molina Teresa , Sanjuan Elena , Falco Alberto , Enjuanes Luis , Sola Isabel , Usera Fernando
Published: October 2022

In the context of ongoing and future pandemics, non-pharmaceutical interventions are critical in reducing viral infections and the emergence of new antigenic variants while the population reaches immunity to limit viral transmission. This study provides information on efficient and fast methods of disinfecting surfaces contaminated with different human coronaviruses (CoVs) in healthcare settings. The ability to disinfect three different human coronaviruses (HCoV-229E, MERS-CoV, and SARS-CoV-2) on dried surfaces with light was determined for a fully characterized pulsed-xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) source. Thereafter, the effectiveness of this treatment to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 was compared to that of conventional low-pressure mercury UVC lamps by using equivalent irradiances of UVC wavelengths. Under the experimental conditions of this research, PX-UV light completely inactivated the CoVs tested on solid surfaces since the infectivity of the three CoVs was reduced up to 4 orders of magnitude by PX-UV irradiation, with a cumulated dose of as much as 21.162 mJ/cm2 when considering all UV wavelengths (5.402 mJ/cm2 of just UVC light). Furthermore, continuous irradiation with UVC light was less efficient in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 than treatment with PX-UV light. Therefore, PX-UV light postulates as a promising decontamination measure to tackle the propagation of future outbreaks of CoVs.
Operative Protocol for Testing the Efficacy of Nasal Filters in Preventing Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Semeraro Sabrina , Gaetano Anastasia Serena , Zupin Luisa , Poloni Carlo , Merlach Elvio , Greco Enrico , Licen Sabina , Fontana Francesco , Leo Silvana , Miani Alessandro , Broccolo Francesco , Barbieri Pierluigi
Published: October 2022

Background: Standardized methods for testing Viral Filtration Efficiency (VFE) of tissues and devices are lacking and few studies are available on aerosolizing, sampling and assessing infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in controlled laboratory settings. NanoAg-coated endonasal filters appear a promising aid for lowering viable virus inhalation in both adult and younger populations (e.g., adolescents). Objective: to provide an adequate method for testing SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosol VFE of bio-gel Ag nanoparticles endonasal filters, by a model system, assessing residual infectivity as cytopathic effect and viral proliferation on in vitro cell cultures. Methods: A SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission chamber fed by a BLAM aerosol generator produces challenges (from very high viral loads (105 PFU/mL) to lower ones) for endonasal filters positioned in a Y shape sampling port connected to a Biosampler. An aerosol generator, chamber and sampler are contained in a class II cabinet in a BSL3 facility. Residual infectivity is assessed from aliquots of liquid collecting bioaerosol, sampled without and with endonasal filters. Cytopathic effect as plaque formation and viral proliferation assessed by qRT-PCR on Vero E6 cells are determined up to 7 days post inoculum. Results: Each experimental setting is replicated three times and basic statistics are calculated. Efficiency of aerosolization is determined as difference between viral load in the nebulizer and in the Biosampler at the first day of experiment. Efficiency of virus filtration is calculated as RNA viral load ratio in collected bioaerosol with and without endonasal filters at the day of the experiment. Presence of infectious virus is assessed by plaque forming unit assay and RNA viral load variations. Conclusions: A procedure and apparatus for assessing SARS-CoV-2 VFE for endonasal filters is proposed. The apparatus can be implemented for more sophisticated studies on contaminated aerosols.
Kefir and the Gut–Skin Axis
Authors: Alves Emília , Gregório João , Rijo Patrícia , Rosado Catarina , Monteiro Rodrigues Luis
Published: October 2022

The human gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a dynamic system influenced by various environmental factors, including diet and exposure to ingested probiotics, and prone to various functional impairments. These impairments are mostly related to any combination of motility alterations, visceral hypersensitivity, and changes in the mucosa, immune function, and intestinal microbiota. Intestinal microbial imbalance and immunological dysfunction have been linked to several chronic inflammatory disease states, including atopic dermatitis (AD). Disruption of the intestinal microbial balance, known as gut dysbiosis, has been demonstrated to negatively impact skin function by increasing the intestinal permeability. Consequently, the gut–skin axis may be receptive to modulation via dietary modification, namely, via ingestion of probiotics, thus representing interesting potential as an AD therapy. Kefir is an ancient probiotic food that has been demonstrated to positively impact the general condition of the digestive system, including the intestinal microbiota. However, the literature is still scarce on the impact on the gut–skin relationship of a diet containing kefir. This study, continuing research in our group, aimed to evaluate the impact of kefir intake on GI symptoms in healthy and AD skin subjects. Results showed a significant improvement in GI status, namely, in functional constipation, abdominal pain intensity, and abdominal distension, thus supporting the hypothesis that kefir intake is positively associated with improvement in GI status. The existence of a relationship between the improvement in skin parameters and the improvement in GI status after kefir consumption was established, thus reinforcing the role of homemade kefir as a potential modulator of the gut–skin axis in both healthy and atopic individuals.
Comparison of the Physical, Physiological, and Psychological Responses of the High-Intensity Interval (HIIT) and Small-Sided Games (SSG) Training Programs in Young Elite Soccer Players
Authors: Ouertatani Zied , Selmi Okba , Marsigliante Santo , Aydi Bilel , Hammami Nadhir , Muscella Antonella
Published: October 2022

We investigated the effects of high-intensity interval (HIIT) and small-sided games (SSG) training programs on physiological and psychological responses in young soccer players. Twenty-four male soccer players (age 16.7 ± 0.9 years) were divided into two groups (HIIT and SSG) and completed a 6-week training programs consisting of two training sessions a week. HIIT consisted of intermittent runs lasting 15 s at the 110% maximum aerobic speed followed by a passive recovery lasting 15 s; SSG was instead structured in a 4 versus 4 players games on a playing field of 25 × 35 m. The muscular power of the lower body was assessed before and after each training session using the 5-jump test to leg length, and two incremental field tests (VAMEVAL test and modified agility t-test). Our results show that HIIT and SSG have similar beneficial effects on the variables connected to the soccer-specific performance and the endurance with little influence on neuromuscular performances. Psychological responses were assessed using the “physical activity enjoyment scale”, the Hooper index and the POMS variables. Results showed that SSG offers greater perceived enjoyment than what can be achieved with HIIT. In conclusion, SSG can be considered an effective, more motivating, and fun soccer-specific training that brings about physiological responses and neuromuscular adjustments in young soccer players.
Agricultural Production Space Suitability in China: Spatial Pattern, Influencing Factors and Optimization Strategies
Authors: Pan Yuxin , Lin Yuancheng , Yang Ren
Published: October 2022

The paper uses the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), spatial autocorrelation analysis, and geographic detectors to reveal the spatial pattern of agricultural production space suitability in China, explores the impact mechanism of agricultural production development, and explores the optimization and promotion strategies for the development of regional agricultural production in various regions in the future. The results show that the resource and environmental carrying capacity, and the agricultural production space suitability under the direction of China’s agricultural production function, show a ‘polarization’ development trend in space, with high levels in the southeast and low levels in the northwest, with significant spatial agglomeration. The factors influencing the suitability of agricultural production have significant spatial differentiation laws in the Nine Agricultural Areas of China. Climate change factors are the dominant factors affecting the areas with poor resource endowment and traditional agricultural areas in the northwest. Factors that reflect the level of urbanization are the main factors that affect the agricultural production space suitability in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and South China. China’s agricultural production spatial suitability areas can be divided into nine types of suitable geographical areas. In the future, the impacts of climate change and urbanization on agricultural production space should be considered, and strategies should be taken, according to local conditions, in different regions to improve their suitability.
A Meta-Analysis on the Influence of Age-Friendly Environments on Older Adults’ Physical and Mental Well-Being
Authors: Zhou Jia-Jia , Kang Rui , Bai Xue
Published: October 2022

The importance of age-friendly environments (AFEs) for older adults has been empirically and theoretically highlighted by the extant literature. However, the strength of the association between environments and older adults’ well-being has not been comprehensively quantified. Given the different attributes of the physical and mental dimensions, this meta-analysis aims to synthesise and quantify the association between AFEs and the physical and mental well-being of older adults. Fourteen eligible studies were included in this analysis: among which eight explored the link between AFEs and physical well-being, and eleven investigated AFEs in association with mental well-being. A random-effects model showed a small but significant correlation between AFEs and the mental well-being of older adults (r = 0.160, 95% CI [0.084, 0.224], p < 0.001), and the correlation between AFEs and physical well-being was also significant (r = 0.072, 95% CI [0.026, 0.118], p < 0.01). The number of environmental factors involved in AFEs moderated the association with physical well-being, from which the association was only significant among studies focusing on fewer environmental factors (n < 6). Results of this meta-analysis indicated that AFEs may be more effective in promoting the emotions of older adults, compared to ameliorating their physical functioning. The limitations of current empirical studies and directions for future research in the field of environmental gerontology were also discussed.
How Urinary Incontinence Affects Sexual Activity in Polish Women: Results from a Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Burzynski Bartlomiej , Gibala Piotr , Soltysiak-Gibala Zuzanna , Jurys Tomasz , Przymuszala Piotr , Rzymski Pawel , Stojko Rafal
Published: October 2022

Urinary incontinence (UI) in women can cause a number of sexual dysfunctions and reduce their quality of life. Sexual health is essential to the self-esteem, emotional state, and overall quality of life. We aimed to assess the quality of sexual life of women with UI. The study included a group of 145 sexually active women diagnosed with UI. The research was conducted using the diagnostic survey method with authorial and validated questionnaires. As many as 49.1% of the respondents reported a deterioration of sexual relations in comparison with the time before the onset of UI symptoms. According to the FSDS-R results, 83.45% of respondents were dissatisfied with their sex life. The higher the result obtained by respondents in the FSDS-R scale, the lower was their quality of life in the IIQ-7 scale (p ≤ 0.002, R = 0.53). The greatest impact was observed in the domains of emotional health and physical activity. The more incontinence symptoms reported by the respondent in the UDI-6 scale, the worse was her sexual satisfaction in the FSDS-R (p = 0.003, R = 0.39). UI in women contributes to the development of sexual dysfunctions, including decreased interest in sexual life, limited intercourse, and dissatisfaction with sexual life.
Knowledge about COVID-19 and Associated Factors Early in the Outbreak among the Brazilian Population
Authors: Rosa Davi Amaral Cesario , de Sousa Stéfanny Santos , da Silva Murillo Nasser Rayol , Gamboge Lauanda Raissa Reis , Deusdará Rodolfo , Lapa Juliana
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: In Brazil, the first case of the novel coronavirus occurred on the 25 February 2020, and since then, it has spread rapidly over the entire country. During a pandemic, knowledge, attitudes, and practices are expected to largely influence the adherence to non-pharmacological interventions (NPIs). We evaluated the knowledge about COVID-19 and associated factors early in the outbreak among the Brazilian population. (2) Methods: A Brazilian cross-sectional study was carried out using an online questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the following topics: isolation, caring for someone sick at home, cleaning habits, disinfecting habits, and true and fake news. Logistic regression was conducted using sociodemographic and associated factors as the independent variables and a knowledge score as the dependent variable to estimate factors associated with knowledge about COVID-19. Crude, sex-, and age-adjusted odds ratios (OR) were calculated. (3) Results: Participants with a better educational status had higher odds of having a higher knowledge score (OR = 2.49, 95% CI = 1.15–5.37). Similarly, healthcare providers (health students and professionals) had higher odds of having higher scores regarding knowledge about COVID-19 (OR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.05–2.48) than other counterparts. Of the wrong answers, the most frequent was the isolation period, followed by household recommendations to prevent COVID-19 and cleaning habits. (4) Conclusions: In conclusion, our study suggests that a higher educational status and being a healthcare provider are conditions associated with superior knowledge about COVID-19. In addition, inadequate knowledge related to isolation, COVID-19 prevention, and cleaning habits were found in our study. We believe that improving awareness to address these specific COVID-19 issues through a health education campaign is a significant approach for public health policymakers to fight against COVID-19 in Brazil.
Long-Term Recovery from Intimate Partner Violence: Recovery and Hope
Authors: Carman Mary Jean , Kay-Lambkin Frances
Published: October 2022

Recovery is a preferred outcome for assessing intervention effectiveness in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV), but measurement tools are in nascent form. It is therefore unclear what the recovery potential of survivors may be. A national online survey explored the self-rated recovery progress of Australian women (n = 1116), using visual analog scales (VAS) for recovery, hope, and other demographic variables. Findings show that many women rated themselves as completely recovered (14% of the eligible sample and 22% of the women who had left their partner > 10 years previously). However, most women experienced recovery as an ongoing process of healing (81%) and some women made little recovery progress (5%). Nevertheless, 77% of women who had separated >10 years ago rated their recovery as significant (scores of >70/100). Surprisingly, hope and recovery scores were only moderately correlated. This requires further investigation to determine what impacts on hope in long-term recovery, and how subjective and objective measures of hope and recovery vary in the context of IPV. The VAS was an efficient unidimensional measure for an online survey and is proposed for use in clinical and service contexts requiring subjective measures.
Modeling the Effect of Streetscape Environment on Crime Using Street View Images and Interpretable Machine-Learning Technique
Authors: Xie Huafang , Liu Lin , Yue Han
Published: October 2022

Street crime is a common social problem that threatens the security of people’s lives and property. Understanding the influencing mechanisms of street crime is an essential precondition for formulating crime prevention strategies. Widespread concern has contributed to the development of streetscape environment features as they can significantly affect the occurrence of street crime. Emerging street view images are a low-cost and highly accessible data source. On the other hand, machine-learning models such as XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) usually have higher fitting accuracies than those of linear regression models. Therefore, they are popular for modeling the relationships between crime and related impact factors. However, due to the “black box” characteristic, researchers are unable to understand how each variable contributes to the occurrence of crime. Existing research mainly focuses on the independent impacts of streetscape environment features on street crime, but not on the interaction effects between these features and the community socioeconomic conditions and their local variations. In order to address the above limitations, this study first combines street view images, an objective detection network, and a semantic segmentation network to extract a systematic measurement of the streetscape environment. Then, controlling for socioeconomic factors, we adopted the XGBoost model to fit the relationships between streetscape environment features and street crime at the street segment level. Moreover, we used the SHAP (Shapley additive explanation) framework, a post-hoc machine-learning explainer, to explain the results of the XGBoost model. The results demonstrate that, from a global perspective, the number of people on the street, extracted from street view images, has the most significant impact on street property crime among all the street view variables. The local interpretability of the SHAP explainer demonstrates that a particular variable has different effects on street crime at different street segments. The nonlinear associations between streetscape environment features and street crime, as well as the interaction effects of different streetscape environment features are discussed. The positive effect of the number of pedestrians on street crime increases with the length of the street segment and the number of crime generators. The combination of street view images and interpretable machine-learning techniques is helpful in better accurately understanding the complex relationships between the streetscape environment and street crime. Furthermore, the readily comprehensible results can offer a reference for formulating crime prevention strategies.
Modeling of the Chinese Dating App Use Motivation Scale According to Item Response Theory and Classical Test Theory
Authors: Ren Fen , Wang Kexin
Published: October 2022

Dating apps are popular worldwide among young adults, and the Tinder use motivation scale is widely used to measure the primary motives for dating app use. In light of the increasing prevalence of dating apps among young Chinese adults, this study applied both item response theory and traditional classical test theory to examine the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the dating app use motivation scale that is applicable across different dating apps. In total, 1046 current or former dating app users (age range: 18–30, M = 26.20, SD = 4.26, 52.30% girls) completed the online survey. From the original item pool, this study selected 25 items according to item response theory analysis, retracted six factors based on exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and conducted confirmatory factor analysis for further validation. The motivations were seeking a relationship, self-worth validation, the thrill of excitement, ease of communication, emotion-focused coping, and fun. The first four motivations were consistent with the original scale, and two new motivations were found in the present sample. All six motivations were validated among the Chinese sample. Not consistent with the Tinder use motivation scale, casual sex was not identified as a primary motivation among young Chinese adults. One related measure was used to obtain convergent validity. The discussion focused on the cultural and methodological factors that may explain the differences between the original scale and the Chinese version of the scale.
Oncolyic Virotherapy for Prostate Cancer: Lighting a Fire in Winter
Authors: Wang Gongwei , Liu Ying , Liu Shuoru , Lin Yuan , Hu Cheng
Published: October 2022

As the most common cancer of the genitourinary system, prostate cancer (PCa) is a global men′s health problem whose treatments are an urgent research issue. Treatment options for PCa include active surveillance (AS), surgery, endocrine therapy, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, immunotherapy, etc. However, as the cancer progresses, the effectiveness of treatment options gradually decreases, especially in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), for which there are fewer therapeutic options and which have a shorter survival period and worse prognosis. For this reason, oncolytic viral therapy (PV), with its exceptional properties of selective tumor killing, relatively good safety in humans, and potential for transgenic delivery, has attracted increasing attention as a new form of anti-tumor strategy for PCa. There is growing evidence that OV not only kills tumor cells directly by lysis but can also activate anticancer immunity by acting on the tumor microenvironment (TME), thereby preventing tumor growth. In fact, evidence of the efficacy of this strategy has been observed since the late 19th century. However, subsequently, interest waned. The renewed interest in this therapy was due to advances in biotechnological methods and innovations at the end of the 20th century, which was also the beginning of PCa therapy with OV. Moreover, in combination with chemotherapy, radiotherapy, gene therapy or immunotherapy, OV viruses can have a wide range of applications and can provide an effective therapeutic result in the treatment of PCa.