bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mortality Risk Factors for Coronavirus Infection in Hospitalized Adults in Brazil: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Guimarães Rafael Alves , Pinheiro Raquel Silva , Paula Hellen da Silva Cintra de , Araújo Lyriane Apolinário de , Gonçalves Ingrid Aline de Jesus , Pedroso Charlise Fortunato , Guilarde Adriana Oliveira , Oliveira Geraldo Andrade de , Batista Karla de Aleluia
Published: October 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has presented high morbidity and mortality, with associated high socioeconomic costs. Brazil ranks third in the number of COVID-19 cases, behind only India and the United States. Objective: To analyze risk factors for mortality in adults hospitalized with COVID-19 in Brazil. Methods: Observational retrospective cohort study including data from all Brazilian states and regions. The study included information from 468,226 in-hospital patients from all regions of Brazil from 1 January 2021 to 31 July 2021. Data from the influenza epidemiological surveillance system were used. The participants were adults hospitalized with COVID-19. A Cox regression model was used to analyze factors associated with mortality in adults with COVID-19. Results: The in-hospital mortality lethality was 37.5%. The risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality were older age, with a linear increase with increments in age, male sex, black or mixed race, low education level, comorbidities, use of ventilatory support, and living in the southeast, north, or northeast regions of the country. Conclusions: Our results illustrate the severity of the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil and reinforce that policies and practices to deal with this disease should focus on groups and regions with higher risk, whereas public policies should promote nonpharmacological measures and vaccination in the Brazilian population.
Young Adult Carers in the UK—New Evidence from the UK Household Longitudinal Study
Authors: Di Gessa Giorgio , Xue Baowen , Lacey Rebecca , McMunn Anne
Published: October 2022

Despite growing interest in young adult carers, little is known about trends in prevalence of caregiving among young adults aged 16–29. Furthermore, few studies have so far investigated demographic, health, and socioeconomic inequalities in the duration of care among young carers as well as demographic differences in caregiving characteristics. Using data from 11 waves of the nationally representative UK Household Longitudinal Study (2009–2021), we first estimated the prevalence of caregiving among 16–29 years-old adults at each wave. Results show that about 9% of those aged 16–29 provided care, and that this prevalence remained stable throughout the 2010s. Then, selecting respondents who participated for three waves of more, we assessed demographic, socioeconomic, and health characteristics associated with duration of care using ordinal regression models. Almost 52% of carers cared at two or more waves. Compared to non-carers, those who cared had more disadvantaged socioeconomic backgrounds, were from ethnic minorities and reported poorer health, particularly if they cared at two or more waves. Finally, focusing on carers, we tested differences by sex, age, and urbanicity in care relationships, intensity, and duration. Overall, women and those aged 25–29 cared for longer hours, for more people, and for more years than men and younger carers respectively. Put together, these findings provide an up-to-date description of young carers in the 2010s in the UK.
Study on the Difference of Human Body Balance Stability Regulation Characteristics by Time-Frequency and Time-Domain Data Processing Methods
Authors: Cui Xinze , Fu Baosen , Liu Siqi , Cheng Yuqi , Wang Xin , Zhao Tianyu
Published: October 2022

This paper aims to investigate the differences in standing balance control ability between freestyle skiing aerials athletes and ordinary graduate students by means of wavelet transform (WT) and the overall stability index (OSI) and to discover the characteristics of the postural control ability of dissimilar subjects and appropriate methods to assess the postural control ability of the human body. Research Methods: In all, 16 subjects were tested, including 8 from the Chinese national team who had won the world championships of freestyle skiing aerials, with 10+ years of training (age: 23 ± 23.1 years, Height: 176 ± 2.1 cm, and weight: 69 ± 3.5 kg), and 8 ordinary graduate students of Shenyang Institute of Physical Education (age: 22.6 ± 4.6 years, Height: 179 ± 3.3 cm, and weight: 73 ± 4.1 kg). When performing the tasks, the research subjects were required to stand on the steady support surface (with eyes closed and legs closed) for 30 s in each testing. The displacement data of the anteroposterior (AP) direction and the mediolateral (ML) direction of their centre of pressure (COP) were recorded. Then, WT and OSI were calculated. Two dissimilar methods were compared to analyse the characteristics of balance ability. Results: (1) The athletes’ WT values in the AP direction and the ML direction were concentrated in the interval of 22~30 s and 0–8 s, respectively, while the ordinary graduate students’ WT values in the AP direction and the ML direction were concentrated in the interval of 10~25 s and 0–7 s, respectively; (2) the WT values of the regular graduate students in the AP direction and the ML direction were higher than those of the athletes (p < 0.01); and (3) the OSI value in the AP direction of the athletes was higher than of the ordinary graduate students, while the OSI value in the ML direction of the athletes was lower than that of regular graduate students. Conclusion: Compared to the OSI, WT can analyse the characteristics of balance control ability more effectively. The COP displacement frequencies of the athletes and ordinary graduate students were concentrated in the low-frequency bands. The athletes had superior adjustment ability in an imbalanced state and could adjust to the best position without effort. In addition, the athletes had a stronger adaptive ability. In comparison, the ordinary graduate students had comparatively poor adaptive ability and weak adjustment ability in the imbalanced state, so it was difficult for them to attain the best angle after adjustment.
Synergistic or Antagonistic Health Effects of Long- and Short-Term Exposure to Ambient NO2 and PM2.5: A Review
Authors: Mainka Anna , Żak Magdalena
Published: October 2022

Studies on adverse health effects associated with air pollution mostly focus on individual pollutants. However, the air is a complex medium, and thus epidemiological studies face many challenges and limitations in the multipollutant approach. NO2 and PM2.5 have been selected as both originating from combustion processes and are considered to be the main pollutants associated with traffic; moreover, both elicit oxidative stress responses. An answer to the question of whether synergistic or antagonistic health effects of combined pollutants are demonstrated by pollutants monitored in ambient air is not explicit. Among the analyzed studies, only a few revealed statistical significance. Exposure to a single pollutant (PM2.5 or NO2) was mostly associated with a small increase in non-accidental mortality (HR:1.01–1.03). PM2.5 increase of <10 µg/m3 adjusted for NO2 as well as NO2 adjusted for PM2.5 resulted in a slightly lower health risk than a single pollutant. In the case of cardiovascular heart disease, mortality evoked by exposure to PM2.5 or NO2 adjusted for NO2 and PM2.5, respectively, revealed an antagonistic effect on health risk compared to the single pollutant. Both short- and long-term exposure to PM2.5 or NO2 adjusted for NO2 and PM2.5, respectively, revealed a synergistic effect appearing as higher mortality from respiratory diseases.
Digital Economy, Environmental Regulation and Corporate Green Technology Innovation: Evidence from China
Authors: Wang Chenggang , Liu Tiansen , Zhu Yue , Lin Meng , Chang Wenhao , Wang Xinyu , Li Dongrong , Wang He , Yoo Jinsol
Published: October 2022

Background: As human beings enter the digital age, the impact of the digital economy on environmental regulation and corporate green technology innovation (CGTI) is expanding. In order to effectively strengthen the efficacy of environmental regulation and improve the green technology innovation ability of corporate, this paper conducts in-depth research on the influence process of the digital economy and environmental regulation on the CGTI. Methods: Based on the mediating variable environmental regulation, this paper explores the influence process of the digital economy on CGTI. Combined with empirical analysis methods such as the fixed-effect model, mediating effect model, spatial model and regression analysis, the authors reveal the influence process of the digital economy on CGTI. Results: The digital economy can directly promote the improvement of the green technology innovation level of CGTI. The digital economy can indirectly affect the CGTI through the mediating variable of environmental regulation, marginal effect and spatial spillover effect. Conclusions: The digital economy and CGTI had a significant spatial correlation among different regions in China. In different regions of China, there are significant differences in the relationship between the digital economy, environmental regulation and CGTI.
Sex-Based Differences in the Association between Serum Copper and Kidney Function: Evidence from NHANES 2011–2016
Authors: Nan Yaxing , Bai Yana
Published: October 2022

Epidemiological evidence on the relationship between copper (Cu) and kidney function is rare, and few studies examine the sex differences in this association. We aimed to explore the overall and sex-based relationship between exposure to Cu and biomarkers of kidney function among 4331 participants of the 2011–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multiple linear regression models were fitted to examine the overall and sex-specific associations between serum Cu and the kidney function indicator-estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urinary albumin–creatinine ratio (UACR). Restricted cubic spline models (RCS) stratified by sex were performed to explore the sex-based dose–response associations. Serum Cu in the highest quartile was associated with higher levels of UACR (β = 0.203, 95% CI: 0.100 to 0.306) among overall participants. In males, there was an association of the highest Cu quartile with decreased eGFR (β = −0.023, 95% CI: −0.042 to −0.003) and increased UACR (β = 0.349, 95% CI: 0.171 to 0.527); serum Cu levels also demonstrated a negative nonlinear dose–response association with eGFR and a positive linear dose–response association with UACR in males, whereas females showed a marginally significant nonlinear positive association of eGFR with serum Cu levels. In conclusion, there were sex-specific and dose–response relationships between serum Cu and kidney function indicators. Further prospective and mechanistic studies are warranted.
Spatial-Temporal Changes and Simulation of Land Use in Metropolitan Areas: A Case of the Zhengzhou Metropolitan Area, China
Authors: Zhao Xiuyan , Miao Changhong
Published: October 2022

Metropolitan areas are the main spatial units sustaining development. Investigating internal factor changes in metropolitan areas are of great significance for improving the quality of development in these areas. As an emerging national central city of China, Zhengzhou has experienced rapid urban expansion and urbanization. In this study, principal component analysis and the model and Geodetector model were used to comprehensively analyze the influencing factors of land use change in Zhengzhou from 1980 to 2015. Based on the CA–Markov model, we improved the accuracy of multi-criteria evaluation of suitability factors and simulated land use change in 2015. The results show that land use conversions in the study area between 1980 and 2015 were frequent, with the areas of farmland, woodland, grassland, water, and unused land decreasing by 5.00%, 17.12%, 21.59%, 18.31%, and 94.48%, respectively, while construction land increased by 53.61%. The key influences on land use change are the urbanization and growth of residential or non-agricultural populations. In 2035, the area of farmland in the study area will decrease by 11.09% compared with that in 2015 and construction land will increase by 38.94%, while the area of other land use types will not significantly change. Zhengzhou, as the center city, forms a diamond-shaped core development area of Zhengzhou–Kaifeng–Xinxiang–Jiaozuo, while Xuchang is considered an independent sub-center uniting the surrounding cities for expansion. With its radiation power of unipolar core development for many years and the developmental momentum of Zhengzhou–Kaifeng integration, Zhengzhou city jointly drives the economic development of the surrounding cities. The protection of farmland and control of the expansion of construction land are the major challenges for the Zhengzhou metropolitan area to achieve sustainable development.
Particulate Matter Emission Factors for Dairy Facilities and Cattle Feedlots during Summertime in Texas
Authors: Habib Mohammad Ruzlan , Baticados El Jirie N. , Capareda Sergio C.
Published: October 2022

Particulate matter (PM) emissions from dairies and feedlot sources require regular emission factor update. Likewise, development of simple measurement technique to accurately measure pollution concentration is warranted to limit the impact of air pollution and take necessary actions. During June of 2020, a dairy facility from central Texas and a feedlot from the Texas Panhandle region, titled as Dairy B and Feedlot C, respectively, were chosen for measurement of PM emissions in the state of Texas to represent dairy facilities and cattle feedlots PM emission rates. Four stations, each assigned with an EPA-approved Federal Reference Method (FRM) sampler, Texas A&M University (TAMU) designed sampler and handheld non-FRM AEROCET (MET One Instruments) sampler for collocation, were selected within each sampling locations. Drones were also utilized mounted with a handheld AEROCET sampler for simultaneously sampling at a certain height. PM2.5 emissions of Dairy B were all below 24-h PM2.5 standard of 35 μg m−3 as specified by National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) even at the 98th percentile. The PM ratio between regulated PM10 to PM2.5 was determined to make an estimate of relative percentage of coarser particles to fine particles in both feedlot and the dairy representative animal facilities. The maximum mean emission factor determined using AERMOD for PM2.5 and PM10 was found to be 0.53 and 7.09 kg 1000-hd−1 d−1, respectively, for the dairy facility while 8.93 and 33.42 kg 1000-hd−1 d−1, respectively, for the feedlot. A conversion factor and correlation matrix were developed in this study to relate non-FRM sampler data from the handheld AERCET samplers with FRM samplers. Cheaper handheld samplers (AEROCETs) may play a potential role in quick and relatively instant measurement of PM emissions to initiate necessary preventive actions to control PM emission from dairy facility and feedlot sources.
Association between Development Assistance for Health and Disease Burden: A Longitudinal Analysis on Official Development Assistance for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria in 2005–2017
Authors: Kim Sumin , Tadesse Ermias , Jin Yan , Cha Seungman
Published: October 2022

From the early stage of the millennium development goals campaign, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria have received huge aid funds. With the datasets published by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Developments, and World Health Organization from 2005 to 2017, we analyzed the association between the total DAH or DAH per capita and the disease burden. We measured the total DAH or DAH per capita as the dependent variable, with six independent variables of disease burden for Disability Adjusted Life Year (DALY), number of infected people, number of deaths, prevalence, incidence, and mortality rate. For the trend in ODA targeting, the likelihood ratio test of the fixed effects models was used to assess any existence of slope changes in linear regression across the years. The total amount of DAH and DAH per capita was found positively related with every aspect of disease burden, with the regression coefficients increasing during 2005–2017. For instance, the slope of association between the DAH per capita and the disease burden of malaria became steeper over time (likelihood ratio, χ2 = 26.14, p < 0.001). Although the selection criteria for the recipient country have been controversial, ODA targeting has been performed based on disease burden in this research.
Determination of Biological and Molecular Attributes Related to Polystyrene Microplastic-Induced Reproductive Toxicity and Its Reversibility in Male Mice
Authors: Liu Tao , Hou Baolian , Zhang Yecui , Wang Zhiping
Published: October 2022

Microplastics exist not only in the natural environment, but also in human tissue such as blood and even placenta. Polystyrene microplastic exposure can cause abnormal sperm quality in mice; however, the mechanism is unclear, and whether sperm abnormalities can be restored has not been reported. ICR mice were exposed to 5 μm polystyrene microplastics through the drinking water. After one spermatogenic cycle, mitochondrial damage was observed to explain the possible cause of sperm damage. After 1–2 spermatogenic cycles of recovery, whether the damaged sperm could be recovered was observed. The results show that polystyrene microplastics caused a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, an imbalance of kinetic homeostasis, a change in genetic characteristics, mitophagy, and a decrease in the ATP content in mouse testicular tissue. Oxidative stress may be the cause of mitochondrial damage. After 1–2 spermatogenic cycles, mitochondrial damage was restored and sperm quality was improved. This study explored the mitochondrial causes of reproductive toxicity of polystyrene microplastics and the reversibility of reproductive toxicity, providing data for further research on the toxicity of microplastics and the prevention and treatment of its harm.
Impact of Visual Elements of Tobacco Packaging on Health Risk Perceptions of Youth Groups
Authors: Guo Yanlong , Xu Yinrui , Chen Denghang
Published: October 2022

Tobacco products are hazardous to public health and are one of the greater public health threats facing the world to date. Although international research on tobacco packaging has been thorough and comprehensive, the risk perception of visual elements in tobacco packaging varies by country, race, and smoking status. Therefore, the study aimed to investigate the risk perceptions of visual elements in tobacco packaging among young and middle-aged people in selected cities in China. This study used a questionnaire to construct an index system for visual elements of tobacco packaging and used it to design a related questionnaire. Our group conducted an online questionnaire survey among 296 young people (18–44 years old) in selected cities in China between 16 June and 26 June 2022. The results of the influence of visual elements of tobacco packaging on the perception of tobacco health risks in the youth group were analyzed by SPSS 26.0. A chi-square test analysis yielded differences in the perception of tobacco package color among youths with different smoking status. A linear regression analysis revealed that age group and visual elements were significant, and five groups of visual element comparisons had an effect on the youth group. First, there were differences in the perceptions of tobacco products among participants with different smoking status. Secondly, the more youthful the respondents were, the greater the probability that they were able to identify that the picture fitness warnings had a greater probability of making them conscious of the fitness dangers of smoking (p < 0.05). The older the participants, the greater the probability that the textual content fitness warnings made them conscious of the fitness risks of smoking (p < 0.05). Third, the percentage of health warnings did not make a good-sized impact for the youth groups (p > 0.05). Fourth, the more youthful the participant, the greater the probability that cigarette products with whole brand images would appeal to buyer(p < 0.01).
30 Year Trends of Reduced Physical Fitness in Undergraduate Students Studying Human Movement
Authors: O’Brien Myles W. , Shivgulam Madeline E. , Wojcik William R. , Barron Brittany A. , Seaman Roxanne E. , Fowles Jonathon R.
Published: October 2022

The physical fitness of Canadian adults has decreased over the past 30 years, while sedentary time has increased. However, it is unknown if university students studying human movement exhibit similar population declines. Physical fitness (i.e., anthropometrics, musculoskeletal fitness, and aerobic fitness) and habitual activity (e.g., physical activity, stationary time, etc.) was measured in a cohort of kinesiology students (Post30; 2010–2016; n = 129 males, 224 females) using standardized fitness testing and accelerometry, respectively. Physical fitness was compared to data collected on a cohort of students from the same institution and program, 30 years prior (i.e., Pre, 1984–1987, n = 103 males, 73 females). Post30 had greater waist circumference (males: 83.6 ± 9.1 cm vs. 77.8 ± 8.3 cm, females: 77.1 ± 9.7 cm vs. 70.3 ± 5.2 cm, both p < 0.001) and lower estimated maximal aerobic fitness (males: 55 ± 11 vs. 63 ± 7, females: 45 ± 10 vs. 50 ± 7 mLO2/kg/min, both, p < 0.001). Compared to Pre, male Post30 vertical jump (53.6 ± 10.2 vs. 57.0 ± 8.4 cm, p = 0.04) and female Post30 broad jump (178.7 ± 22.1 vs. 186.0 ± 15.5 cm, p < 0.001) were lower. A subsample (n = 65) of Post30 whose habitual activity was assessed, met the aerobic portion of Canadian physical activity guidelines (~400 min/week), but spent excessive amounts of time stationary (10.7 h/day). Current kinesiology students may not be immune to population decreases in physical fitness. Relative to previous group of students interested in movement, fitness was lower in our sample, potentially attributed to excessive stationary time. Regular assessment of physical fitness in kinesiology curriculums may be valuable to understand these declining trends in undergraduate students that mimic population declines in fitness.
The Influence of Message Framing on Elderly Tourists’ Purchase Intentions of Health Services: A Case Study of Guangxi Bama
Authors: Wen Ji , Mai Xiaolin , Li Wei , Liu Xin
Published: October 2022

Traveling has become an increasingly important lifestyle for the elderly to realize active aging. The elderly are more inclined to pay attention to wellbeing-related products whilst on vacations, representing a market opportunity for providers of tourism health services. This study conducted an experiment to explore how message framing affects intentions to purchase health services in elderly tourists over the age of 59 years. A total of 216 elderly tourists from Bama, a famous wellness tourism destination in China, were recruited as participants for a single-factor (message framing: positive versus negative) experiment. Our results indicate the following: (1) message framing has a significant impact on elderly tourists’ intentions to purchase health services. Compared with messages that are negatively framed, positive messages are more persuasive. (2) Perceived benefits mediate the above relationship. (3) Perceived susceptibility moderates the impact of message framing around perceived benefits, as well as the indirect effect of perceived benefits on purchase intention. Theoretically, this paper clarifies the mechanism and conditions of message framing in relation to its effects on consumer intentions, enriching knowledge about the intersection between tourism and health consumption. This paper also provides guidance for providers of health tourism who are seeking to capture the market of elderly tourists.
Pregnancy-Specific Stress during the First Lockdown of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Assessing Face-to-Face versus Online Recruitment
Authors: Simó Sandra , Cajiao-Nieto Juanita , Awad-Sirhan Natalia V. , Caparros-Gonzalez Rafael A.
Published: October 2022

The study aims to assess pregnancy-specific stress among pregnant women in Spain during the first lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two samples of pregnant women from the south of Spain (Andalusia) were assessed using the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire (PDQ) and a sociodemographic and obstetric questionnaire. Group 1 (N = 155) was recruited face-to-face, whereas Group 2 (N = 78) was recruited online. Pregnancy-specific stress levels were significantly different in both groups. The face-to-face group (Group 1) had higher pregnancy-specific stress levels than the online group (Group 2). The online sample over-represents young adult pregnant women with high education levels and a high number of previous miscarriages. The face-to-face study seems more accessible to racially and ethnically diverse groups. The main concern among both groups was the risk of having a sick neonate. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic can benefit from using online resources to collect data to screen and identify perinatal mental health problems in a crisis environment. Nevertheless, researchers should be aware of the potential limitations this strategy can have, for example, certain groups of people may have limited access to the internet.
The Effect of Online Supervised Exercise throughout Pregnancy on the Prevention of Gestational Diabetes in Healthy Pregnant Women during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Uria-Minguito Ane , Silva-José Cristina , Sánchez-Polán Miguel , Díaz-Blanco Ángeles , García-Benasach Fátima , Carrero Martínez Vanessa , Alzola Irune , Barakat Ruben
Published: October 2022

(1) Background: to examine the effect of an online supervised exercise program during pregnancy on the prevention of GDM, and on maternal and childbirth outcomes. (2) Methods: we conducted a randomized clinical trial (NCT04563065) in 260 pregnant women without obstetric contraindications who were randomized into two study groups: intervention group (IG, N = 130) or control group (CG, N = 130). An online supervised exercise program was conducted from 8–10 to 38–39 weeks of pregnancy. (3) Results: no significant differences were found at baseline in maternal characteristics; nevertheless, certain outcomes showed a favorable trend towards the IG. A lower number and percentage of GDM cases were found in the IG compared to the CG (N = 5/4.9% vs. N = 17/16.8%, p = 0.006). Similarly, fewer cases of excessive maternal weight gain (N = 12/11.8% vs. N = 31/30.7%, p = 0.001) were found in the IG, and a lower percentage of instrumental deliveries (N = 8/11.3% vs. N = 13/15.1%) and c-sections (N = 7/9.9% vs. N = 20/23.3%, p = 0.046). (4) Conclusions: an online supervised exercise program can be a preventative tool for GDM in healthy pregnant women.
“You Shall Not Pass” without a Jab: An Institutional Theory Perspective to COVID-19 Vaccine Passport Policies
Authors: Arakpogun Emmanuel Ogiemwonyi , Rodrigo Padmali , Olan Femi
Published: October 2022

The recent health crises (e.g., COVID-19, Ebola and Monkeypox) have pointed out huge disparities in vaccine accessibility across the world. Nonetheless, certain governments have instituted vaccine passport policies (VPPs) to manage public health, raising mixed concerns from the public. Focusing on COVID-19 outbreak as an example, this review and commentary article utilises an institutional theory perspective to uncover the factors contributing to the global vaccine divide. We also explore the wider impact of VPPs to determine whether such tools promote freedom or social exclusion. Our insights shed light on a controversial and increasingly divisive policy with an international dimension and institutional implications. For instance, while some argue that VPPs may be relatively better than the blunt instrument of lockdowns, VPPs also implicate access and discrimination concerns. Given the various reasons for global vaccine disparities, a hybrid policy that combines vaccine passports with other public health practices (e.g., rapid lateral flow/affordable polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests and good hygiene) may be more viable. Furthermore, while VPPs may not be desirable and acceptable domestically, they may be inevitable for international travel.
The Effects of Wearing Facemasks during Vigorous Exercise in the Aspect of Cardiopulmonary Response, In-Mask Environment, and Subject Discomfort
Authors: Hong Juntaek , Byun Juahn , Choi Joong-on , Shim Dain , Rha Dong-wook
Published: October 2022

Non-pharmaceutical intervention such as wearing a mask during the pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 is one of the most important ways to prevent the spread of the virus. However, despite high effectiveness and easy to access, the biggest problem is ‘discomfort’. The purpose of this study was to measure the changes of cardiopulmonary response and related factors affecting breathing discomfort when wearing a mask during vigorous exercise. Fifteen healthy male adults participated in this study. The experimental protocol consisted of three conditions: no mask; KF-94 mask; and sports mask. Each condition consisted of three stages: stage I, 2 m/s on even level; stage II, 2 m/s with 5° inclination; and stage III, 3 m/s on even level. Oxygen saturation (SaO2) and heart rate (HR), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), energy expenditure index (EEI), in-mask temperature, humidity, and a five-point scale questionnaire to evaluate subjective discomfort were measured. The results show that there was a significantly higher discomfort score in mask conditions compared with no mask (p < 0.05) and only pCO2 change significantly related to subjective discomfort during exercise (p < 0.05). Moreover, the pCO2 washout was significantly disturbed when wearing a sports mask in stages 2 and 3, which was related to wearer subjective discomfort
New Work Poses New Challenges—The Importance of Work Design Competencies Revealed in Cluster Analysis
Authors: Niebuhr Fiona , Steckhan Greta M. , Voelter-Mahlknecht Susanne
Published: October 2022

The continuous transformation process in the world of work, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, is giving employees more scope to shape their own work. This scope can be experienced as a burden or as a resource for employees. Work design competencies (WDC) describe employees’ experience of their scope for design. Our study draws on existing datasets based on two Germany-wide studies. We used hierarchical cluster analyses to examine patterns between WDC, the age of employees (range: 18–71 years), the amount of weekly work time working from home (WFH), and work ability. In total, the data of N = 1232 employees were analyzed, and 735 of them participated in Study 1. To test the validity of the clusters, we analyzed data from N = 497 employees in Study 2. In addition, a split-half validation was performed with the data from Study 1. In both studies, three clusters emerged that differed in age and work ability. The cluster with the highest mean of WDC comprised employees that were on average older and reported a higher mean of work ability. Regarding WFH, no clear patterns emerged. The results and further theoretical and practical implications are discussed. Overall, WDC appear to be relevant to work ability and, in a broader sense, to occupational health, and are related to sociodemographic factors such as age.
Impact of Physical Activity on COVID-19
Authors: Yang Jia , Li Xiang , He Taiyu , Ju Fangyuan , Qiu Ye , Tian Zuguo
Published: October 2022

Introduction: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, which is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is seriously endangering human health worldwide. This study finds effective intervention modalities of physical activity on COVID-19 through a narrative review. Methods: In this study, 41 papers were selected for a narrative literature review after a comprehensive database search from 20 December 2019, to 30 August 2022. Results: 41 articles meet the established criteria, and in this review, we comprehensively describe recent studies on exercise and COVID-19, including the impact and recommendations of exercise on COVID-19 prevention, patients with COVID-19, and noninfected populations. Conclusions: The literature suggests that physical activity (PA) contributes to the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, can promote recovery of physical function, alleviate post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, and improve patients’ psychological well-being. It is recommended to develop appropriate exercise prescriptions for different populations under the guidance of a physician.
Measuring the State Dependence Effect in Hospital Payment Adjustment
Authors: Liu Lu , Nai Wei , Yang Zan
Published: October 2022

Since FY 2013, as a part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) program, the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing (HVBP) program has adjusted Medicare’s payments to hospitals based on the total performance score of the hospital. First, the program reduces a portion of the hospital’s Medicare payments in a specific fiscal year, and then, by the end of the same fiscal year, the amount of the payment reductions will be awarded to the hospitals based on the total performance score; thus, the hospitals that do not receive the reward will lose the portion of money reduced by Medicare. In this research, we apply the theory of state dependence and use the dynamic random effect probit model to estimate this effect. The results show that the hospital payment adjustment dynamics have a very significant state dependence effect (0.341); this means that hospitals that received a reward in the previous year are 34.1% more likely to receive a reward this year than the ones that received a penalty in the previous year. Meanwhile, we also find that the state dependence effect varies significantly across hospitals with different ownership (proprietary/government owned/voluntary nonprofit), and the results show that voluntary nonprofit hospitals exhibit the largest effect of state dependence (0.370), while government-owned hospitals exhibit the lowest effect of state dependence (0.293), and proprietary hospitals are in the middle. Among the factors that influence the likelihood that a hospital receives a reward, we find that teaching hospitals with a large number of beds (>400) are less likely be rewarded; in terms of ownership, we find that voluntary nonprofit hospitals are more likely be rewarded; in terms of demographic factors, hospitals where the average household income are higher within the region are more likely be rewarded.
An Interwoven Psychological Syndrome of Job Burnout and Work Engagement in Construction Project Management Professionals Due to Work–Family Imbalance
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Wang Runshuang , Zhao Yizhu , Yang Fan , Wang Xinyi
Published: October 2022

Most current studies on the mental health of construction project management professionals (CPMPs) are conducted from a negative psychological perspective, lacking a comprehensive understanding of the positive–negative interwoven mechanism. This study developed a positive–negative dual-process psychological model of CPMPs to explore the interwoven mechanisms among five variables: family-supportive supervisor behavior (FSSB), work–family conflict, work–family enrichment, job burnout, and work engagement. We conducted a large-scale questionnaire survey among Chinese CPMPs. A total of 656 questionnaires were returned; 446 were considered valid. The groups of CPMPs prone to occupational psychological problems were identified, which enhanced the targeted organizational management in the construction industry. The hypothetical model was verified with SEM. The results revealed that the effect of work–family enrichment was more significant than work–family conflict, which implies that the positive psychology process may play a more prominent role than the negative process. There was a significant correlation between FSSB and work–family conflict/ enrichment; but no direct correlation between FSSB and job burnout/work engagement. This implies that the improvement of the work–family relationship plays a full mediating role in improving CPMPs’ occupational psychological health. This research provides a thorough understanding of CPMPs’ interwoven occupational psychological problems and gives suggestions to enhance their occupational psychological health.
Maternal Serum α-Fetoprotein Levels during Pregnancy and Testicular Cancer in Male Offspring: A Cohort Study within a Danish Pregnancy Screening Registry
Authors: Uldbjerg Cecilie S. , Lim Youn-Hee , Glazer Clara H. , Hauser Russ , Juul Anders , Bräuner Elvira V.
Published: October 2022

Testicular cancer is believed to originate from disruptions of normal androgen-estrogen balance in-utero. α-fetoprotein (AFP) may modify fetal response to estrogens via estrogen interaction. In a cohort study, we investigated the association between circulating maternal pregnancy AFP and testicular cancer risk in offspring. Of the 56,709 live-born males from a pregnancy screening registry in 1980–1995, our study included 50,519 singleton males with available second trimester blood samples from their mothers and complete covariate ascertainment. Testicular cancer diagnoses and covariate data were obtained from nationwide Danish health registries. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier analyses estimated the prospective risk of testicular cancer (all, seminoma, nonseminoma) by AFP multiples of the median. During follow-up, 163 (0.3%) of the included males developed testicular cancer, of which 89 (54.6%) were nonseminomas. Maternal serum AFP levels greater than/equal to the median were associated with a relative risk of testicular cancer close to unity (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.76; 1.41) compared to AFP below the median. Associations differed by type of testicular cancer (RRseminoma 0.81, 95% CI 0.51; 1.29, RRnonseminoma 1.31, 95% CI 0.85; 2.02). On balance, our findings do not support that serum AFP in pregnancy can be used as a predictor of testicular cancer in offspring.
Potential Bias in Assessing the Tobacco/Nicotine—COVID-19 Association—How to Improve Our Level of Understanding
Authors: Berlin Ivan
Published: October 2022

The causative agents of COVID-19 are the variants of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) [...]
An Evaluation of the Overall Utility of Measures of Functioning Suitable for School-Aged Children on the Autism Spectrum: A Scoping Review
Authors: Hayden-Evans Maya , Milbourn Benjamin , D’Arcy Emily , Chamberlain Angela , Afsharnejad Bahareh , Evans Kiah , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. , Bölte Sven , Girdler Sonya
Published: October 2022

A diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition (autism) provides limited information regarding an individual’s level of functioning, information key in determining support and funding needs. Using the framework introduced by Arksey and O’Malley, this scoping review aimed to identify measures of functioning suitable for school-aged children on the autism spectrum and evaluate their overall utility, including content validity against the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the ICF Core Sets for Autism. The overall utility of the 13 included tools was determined using the Outcome Measures Rating Form (OMRF), with the Adaptive Behavior Assessment System (ABAS-3) receiving the highest overall utility rating. Content validity of the tools in relation to the ICF and ICF Core Sets for Autism varied, with few assessment tools including any items linking to Environmental Factors of the ICF. The ABAS-3 had the greatest total number of codes linking to the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Autism while the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (Vineland-3) had the greatest number of unique codes linking to both the Comprehensive ICF Core Set for Autism and the Brief ICF Core Set for Autism (6–16 years). Measuring functioning of school-aged children on the spectrum can be challenging, however, it is important to accurately capture their abilities to ensure equitable and individualised access to funding and supports.
Patterns of Active Travel and Physical Activity among Adolescents in Israel
Authors: Levi Sharon , Baron-Epel Orna , Tesler Riki , Harel-Fisch Yossi
Published: October 2022

Active travel (AT) is a core physical activity (PA) indicator for children and youth; contributing to health and wellbeing, at both the individual and societal levels. This analysis explores patterns of adolescent active school travel (AST) and cycling and associations with different PA measures. Secondary analysis of the cross-sectional 2018–2019 Health Behaviour in School Age Children study in Israel included an extended PA module with walking, cycling and e-cycling modes. The nationally representative sample includes students in grades 6–12 (n = 4407). Analysis of weighted data included descriptive analyses, inferential statistics, and regression analyses. AST was reported by 61.9% of adolescents; 39.3% reported 20 min or more daily AST; 27.1% reported habitual cycling (HC) and 17.4% reported habitual e-cycling (HEC). There are mixed results for socio-economic status and environment. AST and HC were associated with less sedentary hours daily (odds ratio [OR] = 1.190 and 1.397, respectively); HC was associated with positive sports self-rating (OR = 2.394). Stepwise regression analysis found that lower AST duration, time in minutes, was associated with watching television with the family. Promotion of adolescent AT may be associated with increased PA and joint parent-adolescent AT, and was utilized across different socio-demographic groups in Israel.
A Preliminary Analysis on the Feasibility and Short-Term Efficacy of a Phase-III RCT on Mindfulness Added to Treatment as Usual for Patients with Chronic Migraine and Medication Overuse Headache
Authors: Grazzi Licia , Raggi Alberto , Guastafierro Erika , Passavanti Marco , Marcassoli Alessia , Montisano Danilo Antonio , D’Amico Domenico
Published: October 2022

This preliminary analysis of a single-blind phase-III RCT aims to compare the feasibility and short-term efficacy of mindfulness as an add-on to treatment as usual (TaU) in the management of patients with chronic migraine (CM) and medication overuse headache (MOH). Patients were randomized to either TaU (structured withdrawal of overused drugs, patient education and pharmacological prophylaxis) or TaU + MIND, wherein patients additionally received six 90 min weekly group sessions of mindfulness-based therapy. Repeated measures analyses were used to test whether patients in the two arms showed different course with regard to headache frequency and medication intake over a three-month period. Drop-out rates were not different between the two groups: 6/89 (6.7%) and 9/88 (10.2%) among those in TaU and TaU + MIND, respectively. A significant effect of time for all variables was shown, together with a significant effect of time by group, favoring TaU + MIND condition for headache frequency (p = 0.025) and NSAID intake (p = 0.007), controlling for age and CM duration. In total, 45/83 (54.2%) and 69/79 (75.9%) of the patients allocated to TaU and TaU + MIND, respectively, achieved 50% or more headache-day reduction (chi-squared 8.38, p = 0.004). Our preliminary analysis indicates that adding six mindfulness-based sessions to TaU was feasible and showed short-term efficacy in the treatment of patients with CM and MOH.
Salty and Savoury Snacks Compliance with 2016 and 2019 Sodium Content Targets—Durban Market, South Africa
Authors: Zama Nomcebo , Ramdass Kemlall , Mokgohloa Kgabo
Published: October 2022

South Africans consume a significantly high amount of sodium from salty snacks. The study aimed to evaluate savoury snacks (ready-to-eat savoury snacks, flavoured potato crisps and flavoured ready-to-eat, savoury snacks and potato crisps—salt and vinegar only) for compliance with the June 2016 and 2019 target date for sodium reduction as set out by the Department of Health in Regulation 214. It also looked at low-sodium claims made by the evaluated products. The study’s research problem is located at the confluence of three critical trends: increasing consumption of sodium-containing salty snacks, increasing sodium-related disease burden and deaths and attempts to regulate sodium intake through regulation as a response. A total sample of 90 products belonging to the above categories was considered. Sodium content information was collected from the selected product packages. The study also applied the Association of Official Analytical Chemists’ (AOAC) official method 984.27 in laboratory tests to verify low-sodium claims on the sampled products. The study showed that out of the 90 selected snacks, 26% of the snacks did not meet their 2019 targets, while 4% did not meet their 2016 targets. Fisher’s exact tests showed that no snack category had a better inclination toward meeting 2019 tests than others. The laboratory tests showed that 4.4% of the products made a compliant low-sodium content claim (sodium levels below 120 mg Na/100 g), while one made a non-compliant sodium content claim. Among other things, the study recommended increased product compliance monitoring and evaluation, using standardised, rigorous sodium testing and measuring systems, using more consumer-friendly labels and consumer education on sodium labelling.
A Method for Locational Risk Estimation of Vehicle–Children Accidents Considering Children’s Travel Purposes
Authors: Matsuo Kojiro , Miyazaki Kosuke , Sugiki Nao
Published: October 2022

The reduction in locational traffic accident risks through appropriate traffic safety management is important to support, maintain, and improve children’s safe and independent mobility. This study proposes and verifies a method to evaluate the risk of elementary school students-vehicle accidents (ESSVAs) at individual intersections on residential roads in Toyohashi city, Japan, considering the difference in travel purposes (i.e., school commuting purpose; SCP or non-school commuting purpose: NSCP), based on a statistical regression model and Empirical Bayes (EB) estimation. The results showed that the ESSVA risk of children’s travel in SCP is lower than that in NSCP, and not only ESSVAs in SCP but also most ESSVAs in NSCP occurred on or near the designated school routes. Therefore, it would make sense to implement traffic safety management and measures focusing on school routes. It was also found that the locational ESSVA risk structure is different depending on whether the purpose of the children’s travels is SCP or NSCP in the statistical model. Finally, it was suggested that evaluation of locational ESSVA risks based on the EB estimation is useful for efficiently extracting locations where traffic safety measures should be implemented compared to that only based on the number of accidents in the past.