bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Current Advancements in Pectin: Extraction, Properties and Multifunctional Applications
Authors: Chandel Vinay , Biswas Deblina , Roy Swarup , Vaidya Devina , Verma Anil , Gupta Anil
Published: September 2022

Pectin is a heterogeneous hydrocolloid present in the primary cell wall and middle lamella in all dicotyledonous plants, more commonly in the outer fruit coat or peel as compared to the inner matrix. Presently, citrus fruits and apple fruits are the main sources for commercial extraction of pectin, but ongoing research on pectin extraction from alternate fruit sources and fruit wastes from processing industries will be of great help in waste product reduction and enhancing the production of pectin. Pectin shows multifunctional applications including in the food industry, the health and pharmaceutical sector, and in packaging regimes. Pectin is commonly utilized in the food industry as an additive in foods such as jams, jellies, low calorie foods, stabilizing acidified milk products, thickener and emulsifier. Pectin is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for the preparation of medicines that reduce blood cholesterol level and cure gastrointestinal disorders, as well as in cancer treatment. Pectin also finds use in numerous other industries, such as in the preparation of edible films and coatings, paper substitutes and foams. Due to these varied uses of pectin in different applications, there is a great necessity to explore other non-conventional sources or modify existing sources to obtain pectin with desired quality attributes to some extent by rational modifications of pectin with chemical and enzymatic treatments.
Evidence from a Choice Experiment in Consumer Preference towards Infant Milk Formula (IMF) in the Context of Dairy Revitalization and COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Zhang Jing , Waldron Scott , Dong Xiaoxia
Published: September 2022

China is the largest global consumer of infant milk formula (IMF). Chinese consumer preferences towards IMF have evolved over time but have also been rocked in recent years by COVID-19 with major implications for the IMF industry, globally and within China. This study is the first to document parents’ preferences toward IMF since the outbreak. We used novel methods to do so, through an online choice experiment of 804 participants that included risk perceptions and socio-demographic variables. Our study finds that Chinese parents continue to prioritize quality and safety attributes of IMF represented by functional ingredients, organic labelling and traceability information. Notably, it also finds greatly increased confidence in Chinese domestically produced IMF and an underlying preference away from expensive products. This implies that the era of ‘go for foreign’ and ‘go for the most expensive’ in IMF purchasing may be coming to an end. The shift in sentiment is driven by the longer-term revitalization of the Chinese dairy industry, accelerated by COVID-19. Understanding these trends will be of major benefit to both Chinese producers and non-Chinese exporters of IMF.
Optimization of a Calcium-Based Treatment Method for Jellyfish to Design Food for the Future
Authors: Ramires Francesca Anna , De Domenico Stefania , Migoni Danilo , Fanizzi Francesco Paolo , Angel Dror L. , Slizyte Rasa , Klun Katja , Bleve Gianluca , Leone Antonella
Published: September 2022

Edible jellyfish are a traditional Southeast Asian food, usually prepared as a rehydrated product using a salt and alum mixture, whereas they are uncommon in Western Countries and considered as a novel food in Europe. Here, a recently developed, new approach for jellyfish processing and stabilization with calcium salt brining was upgraded by modifying the pre-treatment step of freshly caught jellyfish and successfully applied to several edible species. Treated jellyfish obtained by the application of the optimized version of this method respected both quality and safety parameters set by EU law, including no pathogenic microorganisms, absence or negligible levels of histamine and of total volatile basic nitrogen, no heavy metals; and the total bacterial, yeast, and mold counts were either negligible or undetectable. Jellyfish treated by the presented method exhibited unique protein content, amino acid and fatty acid profiles, antioxidant activity, and texture. The optimized method, initially set up on Rhiszostoma pulmo, was also successfully applied to other edible jellyfish species (such as Cotylorhiza tuberculata, Phyllorhiza punctata, and Rhopilema nomadica) present in the Mediterranean Sea. This study discloses an innovative process for the preparation of jellyfish-based food products for potential future distribution in Europe.
Effects of Auricularia auricula Polysaccharides on Gut Microbiota and Metabolic Phenotype in Mice
Authors: Liu Qian , An Xin , Chen Yuan , Deng Yuxuan , Niu Haili , Ma Ruisen , Zhao Haoan , Cao Wei , Wang Xiaoru , Wang Meng
Published: September 2022

Personalized diets change the internal metabolism of organisms, which, in turn, affects the health of the body; this study was performed to explore the regulatory effects of polysaccharides extracted from Auricularia auricula on the overall metabolism and gut microbiota in normal C57BL/6J mice. The study was conducted using metabolomic and microbiomic methods to provide a scientific basis for further development and use of Auricularia auricula resources in the Qinba Mountains and in nutritional food with Auricularia auricula polysaccharides (AAP) as the main functional component. Based on LC-MS/MS metabolomic results, 51 AAP-regulated metabolites were found, mainly enriched in the arginine biosynthesis pathway, which had the highest correlation, followed by the following metabolisms: arginine and proline; glycine, serine and threonine; and glycerophospholipid, along with the sphingolipid metabolism pathway. Furthermore, supplementation of AAP significantly changed the composition of the mice intestinal flora. The relative abundance levels of Lactobacillus johnsonii, Weissella cibaria, Kosakonia cowanii, Enterococcus faecalis, Bifidobacterium animalis and Bacteroides uniformis were markedly up-regulated, while the relative abundance of Firmicutes bacterium M10-2 was down-regulated. The bioactivities of AAP may be related to the regulatory effects of endogenous metabolism and gut microbiota composition.
Comparison of Nutrition and Flavor Characteristics of Five Breeds of Pork in China
Authors: Zhang Yin , Zhang Yingjie , Li Hui , Guo Tianrong , Jia Jianlin , Zhang Pengcheng , Wang Linguo , Xia Ning , Qian Qin , Peng Haichuan , Pan Zhongli , Liu Dayu , Zhao Liming
Published: September 2022

To characterize the quality of widely consumed pork in China, the chemical compositions and other indexes of five breeds of pork were compared. The results indicated that the moisture content, sensory flavor, and overall acceptability of Pipa pork (PPP) were superior to other breeds. The fat content and essential amino acids (EAA) of Yihao native pork (YNP) were significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in other breeds. The protein content, the total amount of amino acids, and perceptible flavor of Tibetan black pork (TBP) were higher than in other breeds. The protein nutrition profiles of manor black pork (MBP) and TBP were better than in others. The equivalent umami concentration (EUC) value of white pork (WP) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in others; however, the health risk of its fatty acid content was higher. There were unique protein and flavor chemicals in YNP, TBP, and PPP, which may be useful for distinguishing their authenticity.
The Effects of Phosphorylation and Microwave Treatment on the Functional Characteristics of Freeze-Dried Egg White Powder
Authors: Jafari Zahra , Goli Mohammad , Toghyani Majid
Published: September 2022

The effects of phosphorylation pre-treatments at 1.5, 2.5, and 3.5% levels, as well as microwave application at 200, 400, and 700 watts levels for 2 min, on the functional parameters of egg white powder obtained by the freeze dryer procedure were investigated. P1.5-M200 had the highest oil-holding capacity, emulsion stability, and emulsion activity, while P2.5-M200 had the highest foam capacity. The P2.5-M400 had the largest particle size, and P3.5-M200 had the highest degree of phosphorylation and protein solubility. On the other hand, P3.5-M200 had the highest solution viscosity by 1% (w/v), water-holding capacity, and foam stability, in the treatments that used phosphorylation and microwave treatment simultaneously. FTIR spectroscopy of the unfolding structure of egg white protein revealed changes in the protein’s secondary structure, such as the development of β-sheets and β-turns, as well as the binding of negatively charged phosphate groups on the serine, threonine, and tyrosine side chains. The phosphorylation and microwave treatments reduced the particle size of the egg white protein powder while increasing the surface area of the protein molecules, according to SEM analyses.
Comprehensive Quality and Bioactive Constituent Analysis of Celery Juice Made from Different Cultivars
Authors: Yan Jun , Yang Xiaofeng , He Lizhong , Huang Zhiwu , Zhu Mingfen , Fan Linhua , Li Han , Wu Lingyun , Yu Li , Zhu Weimin
Published: September 2022

Celery juice is rich in bioactive constituents, has good health properties, and is becoming much more popular, with its demand continuing to rise. The results of this study show that celery juice from Chinese cultivars contains more bioactive constituents, whereas celery cultivars from the United States and European countries have a higher juice yield. Compared with the other juices, the juices of five cultivars may taste sweeter, and the juices of three cultivars had a higher antioxidant capacity. The juices of six cultivars (three with the highest antioxidant capacity and three with the lowest antioxidant capacity) were selected to analyze bioactive constituents by LC/MS and GC/MS. A total of 71 phenolic acids, 38 flavonoids, 18 coumarins, 41 terpenoids, and 11 phthalides were detected in the juices of the six celery cultivars. The contents of 14 compounds had a more than 10-fold difference among these celery juices. This study first evaluated the comprehensive quality of the juices made from 26 celery cultivars and then analyzed the differences in bioactive constituents in the juices of6 celery cultivars. These findings provide information for the further study on the health functions of celery juice and can also guide celery juice production and celery breeding.
Hermite Fitted Block Integrator for Solving Second-Order Anisotropic Elliptic Type PDEs
Authors: Adeyefa Emmanuel , Omole Ezekiel , Shokri Ali , Yao Shao-Wen
Published: September 2022

A Hermite fitted block integrator (HFBI) for numerically solving second-order anisotropic elliptic partial differential equations (PDEs) was developed, analyzed, and implemented in this study. The method was derived through collocation and interpolation techniques using the Hermite polynomial as the basis function. The Hermite polynomial was interpolated at the first two successive points, while the collocation occurred at all the suitably chosen points. The major scheme and its complementary scheme were united together to form the HFBI. The analysis of the HFBI showed that it had a convergence order of eight with small error constants, was zero-stable, absolutely-stable, and satisfied the condition for convergence. In order to confirm the usefulness, accuracy, and efficiency of the HFBI, the method of lines approach was applied to discretize the second-order anisotropic elliptic partial differential equation PDE into a system of second-order ODEs and consequently used the derived HFBI to obtain the approximate solutions for the PDEs. The computed solution generated by using the HFBI was compared to the exact solutions of the problems and other existing methods in the literature. The proposed method compared favorably with other existing methods, which were validated through test problems whose solutions are presented in tabular form, and the comparisons are illustrated in the curves.
Visionary Architects: Barbara Guest, Frederick Kiesler, and the Surrealist Poetics of the Galaxy
Authors: Rosenbaum Susan
Published: September 2022

In this essay I demonstrate how Barbara Guest’s experiments in visual poetry were influenced by Frederick Kiesler’s architectural designs: both artists, inspired by Surrealist poetics, sought to build visionary structures that took shape on the page but moved beyond it. Following Kiesler’s 1965 death, Guest published a poem in 1968 inspired by Kiesler’s “Galaxy” structures, titled “Homage”, and included a shortened version in Durer in the Window (2003). Kiesler composed a number of works under the name “Galaxies”, all of which shared an interest in merging architecture with other art forms, including sculpture, mobiles, drawing, and painting. In “Homage”, Guest was less interested in describing Kiesler’s “Galaxies” than in building a commensurate architecture of the page, dependent on the spatial arrangement of lines and stanzas, the visual impact of white space, and the reader’s imaginative navigation of both. Putting Kiesler’s “Galaxies” and Guest’s “Homage” in dialogue illuminates a model of inter-arts reception as co-creation or what Kiesler called “Correalism” that depends on the spatial dimensions of the poetic imagination. Both works can be understood as open, mobile, “museums without walls” that anticipate the future by inviting dynamic collaboration and future transformation. Finally, I argue that the relationship between these works models the kind of affiliation important to experimental women artists and poets such as Guest, affiliations that helped form an En Dehors Garde “in the shadow” of the avant-garde.
Measuring the Impact of Virtual Communities on the Intention to Use Telemedicine Services
Authors: Priescu Iustin , Oncioiu Ionica
Published: September 2022

Digital marketing has given new life to healthcare services by enhancing their visibility in the online space. People choose online healthcare services because they can receive instant answers and communicate with specialists in their comfortable environment at the right time. The purpose of this study was to understand the impact of virtual communities on the intention to use telemedicine. The model is based on a combination of consumer desire (psychological objective) and loyalty through promotional formats (economic objective), as well as data collected from 442 respondents analyzed using structural equation modeling. The research results show that by analyzing target groups in social networks, content can be individualized, and an accurate measurement of e-patient satisfaction must be conducted in order to improve the experience of future consumers of telemedicine services. The results of this study explain what makes people want to use digital healthcare services and can serve as a guide for people who run virtual communities and help digital healthcare service providers figure out how to market their services.
ICT Application and Use in Health Sciences Research at the Global Level: A Scientometric Study
Authors: Ahmad Naved , Atoum Ibrahim , Khan Jalaluddin , Alqahhas Yazeed
Published: September 2022

The growing use of information and communication technology has now expanded to health professionals in practice. This study aimed to highlight the current status of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) use in health sciences as reported in journal papers between 2002 and 2021. This paper presents the annual trends, top institutes and countries, citations, h-index, keywords distribution, and top authors in this research domain. The data were extracted from the Web of Science database, and R studio and Bibexcel tools were used for analysis. The study analyzed a total of 140 documents published over a span of two decades. Health Care Sciences Services (34) and Computer Science published the most health science articles (29). The USA (19) was the most productive country, followed by England (16) and the Netherlands (15). Berg M was the most productive author, with 36 articles. The results show that institutions such as Erasmus University and Duke University have published numerous articles on the topic, encouraged by specific R&D funding schemes, and made a significant contribution to the development of health sciences research. The findings of this study offer valuable information about international initiatives and projects relevant to the advancement of ICT in health science research, which may be utilized to pinpoint potential future study topics such as artificial intelligence development.
Association between Alexithymia and Depression among King Khalid University Medical Students: An Analytical Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Aleisa Mohammed Ahmed , Abdullah Naif Saud , Alqahtani Amar Abdullah A. , Aleisa Jaber Ahmed J , Algethami Mohammed R. , Alshahrani Najim Z.
Published: September 2022

Alexithymia is a condition in which a person is unable to explain his/her emotions, bodily sensations, or discuss sentiments. This study aims to determine the prevalence of alexithymia and its relationships with socio-demographics and depression among medical students. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among medical students at King Khalid University (KKU), Saudi Arabia. A stratified random sampling technique was utilized for data collection using the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). A multiple logistic regression model was used to identify the factors associated with alexithymia. A total of 333 students participated in this study, almost two-thirds (64.6%) were from clinical years, and 51.4% were females. The prevalence of alexithymia and depression was 47.4% and 88.9%, respectively. Regression analysis showed females had a doubled risk (OR = 2.09), and students with high-income status showed less probability of having alexithymia (OR = 0.39), whereas people with chronic health problems showed a doubled risk for alexithymia (OR = 2.04). Moreover, depression was significantly associated with alexithymia (OR = 1.91). Our study revealed that the prevalence of alexithymia was high along with depression among studied samples. This raises attention towards finding measures to reduce it for the better performance of students and to avoid psychological problems in the future.
The Relationship of Technoference in Conjugal Interactions and Child Smartphone Dependence: The Chain Mediation between Marital Conflict and Coparenting
Authors: Shao Tingting , Zhu Chengwei , Quan Xi , Wang Haitao , Zhang Cai
Published: September 2022

With the increasing use of smartphones in our lives, technoference has become a new threat to family relationships and child development. The present study explored the impact of technoference in conjugal interactions on child smartphone dependence and its underlying mechanism. The participants were 6923 fourth grade children (55.0% boys; the average age was 10.60 years) in 545 primary schools and their parents (35.3% fathers). We found that technoference in conjugal interactions was significantly associated with child smartphone dependence. Technoference in conjugal interactions indirectly affected child smartphone dependence through marital conflict or coparenting and a chain mediation between marital conflict and coparenting. These findings support the spillover theory and provide relevant empirical evidence and advance our understanding of parental functioning on child smartphone dependence within the Chinese culture.
Working Conditions and Wellbeing among Prison Nurses during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Comparison to Community Nurses
Authors: Guardiano Megan , Boy Paul , Shapirshteyn Grigoriy , Dobrozdravic Lisa , Chen Liwei , Yang Haiou , Robbins Wendie , Li Jian
Published: September 2022

The psychological health and work challenges of nurses working in prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic are understudied. We evaluated the work and wellbeing characteristics of a California prison nurse group, with a comparison to those of a community nurse group. From May to November 2020, an online survey measured psychosocial and organizational work factors, sleep habits, psychological characteristics, COVID-19 impacts, and pre-pandemic recall among 62 prison nurses and 47 community nurses. Prison nurses had significantly longer work hours (54.73 ± 14.52, p < 0.0001), higher pandemic-related work demands, and less sleep hours (5.36 ± 1.30, p < 0.0001) than community nurses. Community nurses had significantly higher pandemic-related fear levels (work infection: p = 0.0115, general: p = 0.0025) and lower perceived personal protective equipment (PPE) supply (p = 0.0103). Between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods, both groups had significantly increased night shift assignments and decreased sleep hours, but the prison group had increased work hours. Although not statistically significant, both groups had high occupational stress and prevalence of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Our results indicate that prison nurses experienced work and wellbeing challenges during the pandemic. Future research and practice ought to address nurses’ workload, PPE, and psychological resources in correctional facilities and healthcare organizations.
Nutrition Support Practices for Infants Born <750 Grams or <25 Weeks Gestation: A Call for More Research
Authors: Thoene Melissa , Anderson-Berry Ann
Published: September 2022

With advances in medical care and efforts to care for continually smaller and younger preterm infants, the gestational age of viability has decreased, including as young as 21 or 22 weeks of gestation [...]
Source, Distribution, and Risk Estimation of Hazardous Elements in Farmland Soils in a Typical Alluvial–Lacustrine Transition Basin, Hunan Province
Authors: Chen Zihan , Wang Bingguo , Shi Chongwen , Ding Yonghui , Liu Tianqi , Zhang Junshuai
Published: September 2022

Increased concentrations of heavy metals in soil due to anthropogenic activities pose a considerable threat to human health and require constant attention. This study investigates the spatial distribution of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Zn, Sb) and metalloids (As) in a typical alluvial–lacustrine transition basin and calculates the bioavailable forms of elements posing a direct threat. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used to identify the sources of contaminants, after which an ecological risk assessment was conducted. Total (T) As, Pb, and Zn decreased with the depth, whereas Cd and Sb increased in surface (0–20 cm) soil. Bioavailable (Bio) Cd and Pb in the topsoil were regulated by pH and organic matter, whereas Bio-Zn was regulated by soil pH. Within deeper soil layers, the combined effects of pH, organic matter, and clay contents regulated the bio-elements. The results of multiple methods and local investigation showed that TSb (65.3%) was mainly derived from mining activities, TCd (53.2%) and TZn (53.7%) were derived from direct pollution by industrial production and agricultural fertilizers, respectively, and TA (55.6%) was mainly derived from the soil parent material. TPb was related to vehicle exhaust emissions and atmospheric deposition from industrial activities. Although the potential ecological risk in the study area remains relatively low, there is a need for continuous monitoring of the potential ecological risks of Cd and Sb. This study can act as a reference for the prevention and mitigation of heavy metal contamination of alluvial–lacustrine transition basins.
Mental Fatigue Effects on the Produced Perception of Effort and Its Impact on Subsequent Physical Performances
Authors: Hakim Hassen , Khemiri Aymen , Chortane Oussema , Boukari Samia , Chortane Sabri , Bianco Antonino , Marsigliante Santo , Patti Antonino , Muscella Antonella
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between mental fatigue induced by a demanding cognitive task and impaired physical performance in endurance due to a higher perception of effort. A total of 12 healthy adults and volunteers, who had previously practiced endurance activities for 4 to 8 h per week, performed a one-hour cognitive task involving either the process of response inhibition (Stroop task) or not (visualization of a documentary as control task), then 20 min of pedaling on a cycle ergometer at a constant perception of effort while cardio-respiratory and neuromuscular functions were measured. The Stroop task induces subjective feelings of mental fatigue (vigor: 3.92 ± 2.61; subjective workload: 58.61 ± 14.57) compared to the control task (vigor: 5.67 ± 3.26; p = 0.04; subjective workload: 32.5 ± 10.1; p = 0.005). This fatigue did not act on the produced perceived effort, self-imposed, and did not affect the cardio-respiratory or neuromuscular functions during the subsequent physical task whose type was medium-term endurance. Regardless of the mental condition, the intensity of physical effort is better controlled when the participants in physical activity control their perception of effort. Mental fatigue does not affect subsequent physical performance but estimated perceived exertion, which increases with the intensity and duration of the exercise.
Improving City Water Quality through Pollution Reduction with Urban Floodgate Infrastructure and Design Solutions: A Case Study in Wuxi, China
Authors: Feng Lan , Hu Pan , Wang Haisen , Chen Ming-ming , Han Jiangang
Published: September 2022

Floodgate operation is one of the main forms of river regulation in the development and utilization of river basins. It changes the natural structure, flow process, and correlative environment of rivers. However, there is little analysis of the multiple impacts of small floodgate operation on the water environment in river networks and of the regulation patterns of urban floodgate infrastructure on pollution. In this paper, a one-dimensional hydrodynamic–water quality model, MIKE 11, was used, taking Wuxi’s two main pollutant indicators—the permanganate index (CODMn) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N)—to simulate the water quality response of Wuxi’s river network based on different design solutions of urban floodgate infrastructure. The results show that among the three design scenarios, the order of the decreasing amplitude of the CODMn and NH3-N concentrations was as follows: 1.4 m design solution scenario > 2.1 m design solution scenario > 0.7 m design solution scenario. Meanwhile, under the 1.4 m scenario, the maximum decrease in the CODMn concentration reached 37.57%, and the maximum decrease in the NH3-N concentration reached 206%. In the entire river network system, the improvement in the water quality in the downstream area was significantly better than that in the upstream area. In addition, under the three scenarios of floodgate operation, the changes in pollutant concentrations during the flood season (June–September) were significantly lower than those during the dry season (October–February) and the flat water season (March–May). The research results can provide theoretical support and new ideas for future research on the ecological operation of small floodgates and related research on the water environment effect.
Adherence to Hand Hygiene among Nurses and Clinicians at Chiradzulu District Hospital, Southern Malawi
Authors: Nzanga Monica , Panulo Mindy , Morse Tracy , Chidziwisano Kondwani
Published: September 2022

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are a burden in many countries especially low-income countries due to poor hand hygiene practices in the healthcare settings. Proper hand hygiene in the healthcare setting is an effective way of preventing and reducing HAIs, and is an integral component of infection prevention and control. The objective of this study was to determine adherence to hand hygiene guidelines and associated factors among nurses and clinicians. A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at Chiradzulu District Hospital (Malawi) where stratified random sampling was used to obtain the sample of 75 nurses and clinicians. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires (n = 75), observation checklists (n = 7) and structured observations (n = 566). The study findings confirmed low adherence to hand hygiene practice among healthcare workers (HCWs) in Malawi. Overall, higher hand hygiene practices were reported than observed among nurses and clinicians in all the World Health Organization’s (WHO) five critical moments of hand hygiene. This calls on the need for a combination of infrastructure, consumables (e.g., soap) and theory driven behavior change interventions to influence adoption of the recommended hand hygiene behaviors. However, such interventions should not include demographic factors (i.e., age, profession and ward) as they have been proven not to influence hand hygiene performance.
Colour Preference and Healing in Digital Roaming Landscape: A Case Study of Mental Subhealth Populations
Authors: Huang Tao , Zhou Shihao , Chen Xinyi , Lin Zhengsong , Gan Feng
Published: September 2022

From the perspective of emotional preference, studies have been conducted about landscape healing for subhealth people in the National High-Tech Zone (the study area). Combined with a preliminary practice investigation, Unity 2019 was used to make a digital roaming landscape, and 91 subjects with a history of mental subhealth diseases were randomly invited to participate in the immersive experimentation of the Human–Machine Environment Synchronisation (ErgoLAB) platform. After the experiment, the subjects were invited to fill in a Likert scale as the control group. The interest preference, emotion fluctuation, and healing effect of landscape colour were verified. The results show that: (1) The variation trend of interest reflected the concentration of interest in landscape, and the order of degree of interest, ranging from high to low, went Green > Yellow > Blue > Red > Orange > Purple > Cyan. (2) The subjects’ interest in landscape colour was correlated with the arousal of positive emotions. The correlation between interest in landscape colour and positive emotions, from high to low, went Blue > Green > Yellow, while the correlation between red, cyan, orange, and purple was not significant. (3) The mean skin conductance (SC) fluctuation variance of subjects was 5.594%, which confirmed that the healing effect of digital roaming landscape scenes was significant under the state of low arousal. According to the Likert scale data, subjects’ scores of the healing effect of landscapes, from high to low, went as follows: Green > Yellow > Red > Blue > Cyan > Orange > Purple. The results provide a new method for demonstrating the logical relationship between the digital landscape interest experience–emotional awakening–healing effect and providing a theoretical method and construction scheme for landscape colour configuration in the implementation of landscape healing projects.
Hamstring Muscle Injuries and Hamstring Specific Training in Elite Athletics (Track and Field) Athletes
Authors: Edouard Pascal , Pollock Noel , Guex Kenny , Kelly Shane , Prince Caroline , Navarro Laurent , Branco Pedro , Depiesse Frédéric , Gremeaux Vincent , Hollander Karsten
Published: September 2022

Objective: We aimed to describe hamstring muscle injury (HMI) history and hamstring specific training (HST) in elite athletes. A secondary aim was to analyse the potential factors associated with in-championships HMI. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study to collect data before and during the 2018 European Athletics Championships. Injury and illness complaints during the month before the championship, HMI history during the entire career and the 2017–18 season, HST (strengthening, stretching, core stability, sprinting), and in-championship HMI were recorded. We calculated proportions of athletes with HMI history, we compared HST according to sex and disciplines with Chi2 tests or ANOVA, and analysed factors associated with in-championship HMI using simple model logistic regression. Results: Among the 357 included athletes, 48% reported at least one HMI during their career and 24% during the 2017–18 season. Of this latter group, 30.6% reported reduced or no participation in athletics’ training or competition at the start of the championship due to the hamstring injury. For HST, higher volumes of hamstring stretching and sprinting were reported for disciplines requiring higher running velocities (i.e., sprints, hurdles, jumps, combined events and middle distances). Five in-championship HMIs were recorded. The simple model analysis showed a lower risk of sustaining an in-championships HMI for athletes who performed more core (lumbo-pelvic) stability training (OR = 0.49 (95% CI: 0.25 to 0.89), p = 0.021). Conclusions: Our present study reports that HMI is a characteristic of the athletics athletes’ career, especially in disciplines involving sprinting. In these disciplines, athletes were performing higher volumes of hamstring stretching and sprinting than in other disciplines. Further studies should be conducted to better understand if and how HST are protective approaches for HMI in order to improve HMI risk reduction strategies.
The Order Allocation Problem and the Algorithm of Network Freight Platform under the Constraint of Carbon Tax Policy
Authors: Jiang Changbing , Xu Jiaming , Li Shufang , Zhang Xiang , Wu Yao
Published: September 2022

In order to solve the problems of improper order allocation and the lack of a carbon emission constraint system in the road freight transportation industry, this paper proposed an order allocation mechanism of network freight transportation with carbon tax constraints and established an order allocation optimization model with carbon tax constraints. Based on the basic characteristics of the problem, this paper redesigns the ant colony labor division expansion model, and designs a corresponding algorithm to solve the problem. By improving the update rules of the stimulus value and the threshold value, the matching difference between the order and the driver of the network freight platform is enlarged, and the matching relation-ship is dynamically adjusted, the order allocation scheme is optimized, and a more appropriate carbon tax rate range in this industry is explored. Furthermore, the problem is solved by a 0-1 integer programming algorithm, which is compared with the algorithm designed in this paper. Through multiple numerical simulation experiments, the effectiveness and feasibility of the algorithm are verified. The experimental results show that the order allocation arrangement of the online freight platform with carbon tax constraints is more economical and environmentally friendly.
Mental Health Status of French School-Aged Children’s Parents during the COVID-19 Lockdown and Its Associated Factors
Authors: Bourion-Bédès Stéphanie , Rousseau Hélène , Batt Martine , Tarquinio Pascale , Lebreuilly Romain , Sorsana Christine , Legrand Karine , Machane Rabah , Tarquinio Cyril , Baumann Cédric
Published: September 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread social isolation. This study aimed to determine anxiety levels among parents of school-aged children and investigate the associated factors. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, living and working conditions, family relationships, social support (MSPSS) and health status (SF-12) were collected from French parents through an online survey. The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7) was used to assess anxiety. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the factors associated with moderate to severe anxiety. Among 698 parents, 19.2% experienced moderate to severe anxiety. A low level of resilience (OR = 4.3, 95% CI: 2.7–6.7) and confirmed COVID-19 cases involving hospitalization (OR = 3.8, 95% CI: 2.0–7.3) among individuals in one’s household or in the family circle were found to be the main risk factors for moderate to severe anxiety. Other factors were also identified: a level of education less than high school (OR = 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3–3.2), conflicts at home (OR = 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4–3.7), noises outside the home (OR = 2.0, 95% CI: 1.0–3.9), confirmed cases not involving hospitalization (OR = 1.8, 95% CI: 1.0–3.1) and suspected cases (OR = 1.9, 95% CI: 1.0–3.8). Family support was a protective factor. These findings suggest some need for support programs to help parents cope with public health crises and work-family challenges.
Depression and Anxiety Symptoms Are Associated with Mean Platelet Volume in Autoimmune Disorders
Authors: Fábián Balázs , Horváth Ildiko Fanny , Shemirani Amir Houshang , Csiki Zoltán
Published: September 2022

Platelets are increasingly considered a bridge between mental and immunological disorders. However, data relating to platelet parameters in patients with autoimmune disorders are limited. The aim of the present study was to investigate, for the first time, the association of platelet parameters with the symptoms of affective disorders in patients with autoimmune conditions. In this cross-sectional study, we measured the complete blood count (CBC), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale for anxiety (GAD-7), and the Beck Depression Inventory for depression (BDI) in 121 patients with autoimmune disorders. Mean platelet volume (MPV) was positively correlated with both anxiety and depression. Platelet distribution width (PDW) was negatively correlated with anxiety and depression. Before adjustment for covariates, logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association of MPV with depression and anxiety. After adjustment for covariates, only depression was associated with MPV. The area under the ROC curve of MPV for GAD-7 determined anxiety and BDI determined depression was 0.63. Our study showed that among the CBC hematological parameters, the MPV might be a useful biomarker of depression and anxiety in patients with autoimmune disorders. Further investigations of platelet parameters in controlled prospective studies are warranted to confirm our preliminary results.
Sex Differences in Age-Associated Rate of Decline in Grip Strength When Engaging in Vigorous Physical Activity
Authors: Huebner Marianne , Lawrence Frank , Lusa Lara
Published: September 2022

Handgrip strength (GS) is used as an indicator of overall muscle strength and health outcomes for aging adults. GS has also been evaluated as a potential link with sport performances. We quantified the age-associated decline in grip strength for males and females engaged in weekly vigorous physical activity, differentiated by body mass, and investigated whether there was an acceleration of decline at any age. The Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe is a multinational complex panel data survey with a target population of individuals aged 50 years or older. Data from 48,070 individuals from 20 European countries, collected from 2004 to 2015, were used in multivariable regression models to study the association of age and body weight with grip strength for individuals engaged in vigorous physical activity at least once a week. The annual rate of change in GS differed for males and females; it was constant from ages 50 to 55 years and then accelerated for females, possibly due to the menopausal transition. In contrast, the decline in GS accelerates with each year of increase in age for males. Higher body mass was associated with an increase in GS, but the increase was less pronounced for older males. The increase in GS diminished with a body mass above the median even with engagement in weekly vigorous physical activities. GS reference values for individuals engaged in vigorous physical activity add to existing reference values for general populations.
Multivariate Analysis on Physical Activity, Emotional and Health Status of University Students Caused by COVID-19 Confinement
Authors: Merchán-Sanmartín Bethy , Brocel-Bajaña Mayra , Pambabay-Calero Johny , Bauz-Olvera Sergio , Montalván-Burbano Néstor , Aguilar-Aguilar Maribel , Carrión-Mero Paúl
Published: September 2022

Confinement as a result of COVID-19 had a strong impact around the world and restricted mobility. The university community started to take routine classes in a virtual and sedentary way, causing negative effects on their health and habits. The objective of this research is to analyze the impact of confinement through surveys of students and interviews with university professors, in order to study the effects of confinement on physical activity, emotional state, and health. The methodology was as follows: (i) preliminary data; (ii) survey development, interviews, and information collection; (iii) data processing and multivariate presentation of the results, using multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) and multiple factor analysis (MFA). The results of 375 respondents show that there is a low level of physical activity (<300 METs, 49.6%), where women register sedentary behavior (73%). Emotionally, most of them show feeling bored. Some express anxiety, depression, discomfort, and frustration. In terms of health, there are rheumatic, circulatory, respiratory, and other diseases related to obesity. It is essential to create programs that promote physical exercise to reduce the consequences of sedentary lifestyles on the physical, social, and mental health of university students, especially engineering students, who experienced greater effects of confinement than those studying nutrition and social sciences.
Competence and Attitude of Family Physicians towards Sexuality Regarding Their Sexual Orientation, Age, or Having a Partner—Survey Study and Validation
Authors: Ramírez-Santos Javier , Castro-Luna Gracia , Lucas-Matheu Manuel , Parrón-Carreño Tesifón , Nievas-Soriano Bruno
Published: September 2022

Background: The main objective of this study was to assess different aspects of family physicians (sex, age, sexual orientation, or having a partner) regarding their competencies, attitudes, and procedures towards their patients’ sexuality. We also sought to develop a valid questionnaire to perform this task. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed among family and community medicine physicians in southeast Spain. Results: A total of 259 family physicians participated. Overall, 69.9% were women, 80.7% were heterosexual, 80.7% had a partner, and 50.6% had not received specific sexology training. Homosexual physicians showed a slightly more positive attitude toward sexuality. Training in sexuality established differences in competencies and procedures, but no differences were found in the attitude regarding whether the physicians had a partner or their training. While younger ages were correlated with a more positive attitude, the global score was positively correlated with the age of the professionals. Conclusions: Competences, attitudes, and knowledge of procedures do not depend on whether the professional has a partner, but there may be slight differences regarding attitude when considering the sexual orientation of the physicians. The attitude toward sexuality may not depend on previous training. Albeit younger family physicians have a more positive attitude, all providers become more involved with sexuality as they gain professional experience.
Anthropometric and Physiological Profiles of Hungarian Youth Male Soccer Players of Varying Ages and Playing Positions: A Multidimensional Assessment with a Critical Approach
Authors: Soós Imre , Borysławski Krzysztof , Boraczyński Michał , Ihasz Ferenc , Podstawski Robert
Published: September 2022

Background: This study aimed to create preliminary anthropometric and physiological profiles of Hungarian male soccer players belonging to different age categories (14, 15, 16, and 17–18-years) and assigned to different playing positions (forward, defender, midfielder, goalkeeper). Methods: Anthropometric and physiological profiles were created for four age groups: 14- (n = 20), 15- (n = 16), 16- (n = 22) and 17–18-year-olds (n = 23) representing the Hungarian soccer academy. Additionally, the variables were analyzed across the four player positions mentioned above. Results: The mean values of body mass, fat mass and BMI were within normal limits, although in some cases the anthropometric and body composition values were too high, particularly among the 17–18-year-olds. The mean values of HRrest were lowest among the 15-year-olds. The highest mean and maximal values of rVO2max and rVO2/AT [57.6 ± 8.12 (43.8–68.3) and 51.2 ± 7.24 (38.9–60.8) mL/kg/min, respectively] were noted in 14-year-olds. Goalkeepers performed significantly better than the remaining soccer players in terms of the most anthropometric and physiological characteristics, except for the Yo-Yo test (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The values of anthropometric parameters increased with age. As expected, the oldest group achieved the best results in the performance tests. Goalkeepers outperformed the players representing other playing positions in the tests when assessing lower limb strength, sprint performance (5- and 10-m distance), and agility tests. From a practical point of view, the presented anthropometric and physiological profiles of players representing different age groups and playing positions can be useful for soccer coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, and athletic trainers of other soccer clubs in terms of the individualization and optimalization of soccer training.
Work-Related Traumatic Stress Response in Nurses Employed in COVID-19 Settings
Authors: Karanikola Maria , Mpouzika Meropi , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth , Kaikoushi Katerina , Hatzioannou Anna , Leontiou Ioannis , Livadiotis Chris , Christophorou Nicos , Chatzittofis Andreas
Published: September 2022

Nurses may be at a higher risk of experiencing work-related traumatic stress response during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other clinicians. This study aimed to investigate the correlations between work-related trauma symptoms and demographic factors, psychosocial hazards and stress response in a census sample of nurses working in COVID-19 settings in Cyprus. In this nationwide descriptive and cross-sectional study, data were collected between April and May 2020 using a questionnaire that included sociodemographic, educational and employment and work-related variables, as well as a modified version of the Secondary Traumatic Stress Scale (STSS) for the assessment of work-related trauma symptoms during the pandemic. Overall, 233 nurses participated (with a response rate of 61.3%) and 25.7% of them reported clinical work-related trauma symptoms (STSS-M > 55; actual scale range: 17–85). The mean value for emotional exhaustion was 7.3 (SD: 2.29; visual scale range: 1–10), while the value for distress that was caused by being avoided due to work in COVID-19 units was 6.98 (SD: 2.69; visual scale range: 1–10). Positive associations were noted between trauma symptoms and both emotional exhaustion and distress from being avoided by others due to work in a COVID-19 setting and a negative association was also found between trauma symptoms and satisfaction from organizational support variables (all p < 0.002). Working in COVID-19 settings during the pandemic is a stressful experience that has been linked to psychologically traumatic symptoms Thus, supportive measures are proposed for healthcare personnel, even in countries with low COVID-19 burden.
Access to the COVID-19 Vaccine
Authors: Zavras Dimitris
Published: September 2022

As of 31 August 2022, 599,825,400 confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases and 6,469,458 deaths have been reported globally [...]