bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tobacco shred varieties classification using Multi-Scale-X-ResNet network and machine vision
Authors: Niu Qunfeng , Liu Jiangpeng , Jin Yi , Chen Xia , Zhu Wenkui , Yuan Qiang
Published: August 2022

The primary task in calculating the tobacco shred blending ratio is identifying the four tobacco shred types: expanded tobacco silk, cut stem, tobacco silk, and reconstituted tobacco shred. The classification precision directly affects the subsequent determination of tobacco shred components. However, the tobacco shred types, especially expanded tobacco silk and tobacco silk, have no apparent differences in macro-scale characteristics. The tobacco shreds have small size and irregular shape characteristics, creating significant challenges in their recognition and classification based on machine vision. This study provides a complete set of solutions aimed at this problem for screening tobacco shred samples, taking images, image preprocessing, establishing datasets, and identifying types. A block threshold binarization method is used for image preprocessing. Parameter setting and method performance are researched to obtain the maximum number of complete samples with acceptable execution time. ResNet50 is used as the primary classification and recognition network structure. By increasing the multi-scale structure and optimizing the number of blocks and loss function, a new tobacco shred image classification method is proposed based on the MS-X-ResNet (Multi-Scale-X-ResNet) network. Specifically, the MS-ResNet network is obtained by fusing the multi-scale Stage 3 low-dimensional and Stage 4 high-dimensional features to reduce the overfitting risk. The number of blocks in Stages 1–4 are adjusted from the original 3:4:6:3 to 3:4:N:3 (A-ResNet) and 3:3:N:3 (B-ResNet) to obtain the X-ResNet network, which improves the model’s classification performance with lower complexity. The focal loss function is selected to reduce the impact of identification difficulty for different sample types on the network and improve its performance. The experimental results show that the final classification accuracy of the network on a tobacco shred dataset is 96.56%. The image recognition of a single tobacco shred requires 103 ms, achieving high classification accuracy and efficiency. The image preprocessing and deep learning algorithms for tobacco shred classification and identification proposed in this study provide a new implementation approach for the actual production and quality detection of tobacco and a new way for online real-time type identification of other agricultural products.
Role of FaSOC1 and FaCO in the seasonal control of reproductive and vegetative development in the perennial crop Fragaria × ananassa
Authors: Muñoz-Avila Julio C. , Prieto Concepción , Sánchez-Sevilla José F. , Amaya Iraida , Castillejo Cristina
Published: August 2022

The diploid woodland strawberry (F. vesca) represents an important model for the genus Fragaria. Significant advances in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms regulating seasonal alternance of flower induction and vegetative reproduction has been made in this species. However, this research area has received little attention on the cultivated octoploid strawberry (F. × ananassa) despite its enormous agronomical and economic importance. To advance in the characterization of this intricated molecular network, expression analysis of key flowering time genes was performed both in short and long days and in cultivars with seasonal and perpetual flowering. Analysis of overexpression of FaCO and FaSOC1 in the seasonal flowering ‘Camarosa’ allowed functional validation of a number of responses already observed in F. vesca while uncovered differences related to the regulation of FaFTs expression and gibberellins (GAs) biosynthesis. While FvCO has been shown to promote flowering and inhibit runner development in the perpetual flowering H4 accession of F. vesca, our study showed that FaCO responds to LD photoperiods as in F. vesca but delayed flowering to some extent, possibly by induction of the strong FaTFL1 repressor in crowns. A contrasting effect on runnering was observed in FaCO transgenic plants, some lines showing reduced runner number whereas in others runnering was slightly accelerated. We demonstrate that the role of the MADS-box transcription factor FaSOC1 as a strong repressor of flowering and promoter of vegetative growth is conserved in woodland and cultivated strawberry. Our study further indicates an important role of FaSOC1 in the photoperiodic repression of FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) genes FaFT2 and FaFT3 while FaTFL1 upregulation was less prominent than that observed in F. vesca. In our experimental conditions, FaSOC1 promotion of vegetative growth do not require induction of GA biosynthesis, despite GA biosynthesis genes showed a marked photoperiodic upregulation in response to long days, supporting GA requirement for the promotion of vegetative growth. Our results also provided insights into additional factors, such as FaTEM, associated with the vegetative developmental phase that deserve further characterization in the future.
Genomic insights of the WRKY genes in kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) reveal that HcWRKY44 improves the plant’s tolerance to the salinity stress
Authors: Chen Meixia , She Zeyuan , Aslam Mohammad , Liu Ting , Wang Zerong , Qi Jianmin , Niu Xiaoping
Published: August 2022

The WRKY transcription factors (TFs) are among the most diverse TF families of plants. They are implicated in various processes related to plant growth and stress response. Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), an important fiber crop, has many applications, including the phytoremediation of saline-alkaline soil. However, the roles of WRKY TFs in kenaf are rarely studied. In the present study, 46 kenaf WRKY genes were genome-widely identified and characterized by gene structure, phylogeny and expression pattern analysis. Furthermore, the HcWRKY44 gene was functionally characterized in Arabidopsis under salinity and drought stresses. HcWRKY44 is a nuclear-localized protein that is positively induced by salinity and drought, with roots showing maximum accumulation of its transcripts. Under NaCl and abscisic acid (ABA) stress conditions, plants overexpressing HcWRKY44 had higher germination rates, better root growth and increased survival than control plants; however, it did not improve the ability to withstand drought stress. Moreover, ABA signaling genes (ABI1, ABI2, and ABI5), ABA-responsive genes (ABF4, RD29B, COR15A, COR47, and RD22), stress-related genes (STZ, P5CS, and KIN1), and ionic homeostasis-related genes (SOS1, AHA1, AHA2, and HKT1) were positively induced in HcWRKY44 transgenic plants under NaCl treatment. These results suggest that HcWRKY44 improved plant’s tolerance to salt stress but not osmotic stress through an ABA-mediated pathway. In summary, this study provides provided comprehensive information about HcWRKY genes and revealed that HcWRKY44 is involved in salinity tolerance and ABA signaling.
Approach to impaired corollary discharge in patients with schizophrenia: An analysis of self-induced somatosensory evoked potentials and fields
Authors: Yagyu Kazuyori , Toyomaki Atsuhito , Hashimoto Naoki , Shiraishi Hideaki , Kusumi Ichiro , Murohashi Harumitsu
Published: August 2022

Background

Difficulty in distinguishing between self-generated actions and those generated by others is a core feature of schizophrenia. This is thought to be underpinned by the failure of corollary discharge. However, few studies have investigated these events using somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and somatosensory evoked magnetic fields (SEFs).

Methods

The study included 15 right-handed patients with schizophrenia and 16 healthy controls. SEP and SEF were elicited by electrical stimuli to the left median nerve at intervals of 1–3 s. In the external condition, stimuli were externally induced by a machine. In the self-condition, stimuli were induced by tapping the participants’ own right index finger. Peak amplitude at C4’ in SEP and root mean square in 10 channels on the right primary somatosensory area in SEF were analyzed.

Results

Although there was a significant main effect of condition at N20m, and a significant main effect of condition and group at P30m, no significant interactions of condition and group were found in either N20m or P30m. The post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed that the peak value of P30m in the external condition was significantly higher than that in the self-condition in the healthy control group only. In addition, there was a significant positive correlation between the peak value of P30m in the self-condition and a positive symptom score.

Conclusion

In the current study, we did not find abnormalities of corollary discharge in primary sensory areas in patients with schizophrenia. Further investigations with more cases may reveal the possibility of corollary discharge disturbance in the primary sensory cortex.
Becoming a Distance Manager: Managerial Experiences, Perceived Organizational Support, and Job Satisfaction During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Ipsen Christine , Kirchner Kathrin , Andersone Nelda , Karanika-Murray Maria
Published: August 2022

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic having radically changed the way we now work, many recent studies have focused on employees’ experiences and well-being, their performance and job satisfaction (JSA), and ways to ensure the best support for them when working from home (WFH). However, less attention has been given to managers’ experiences in adapting to the new role of distance management and supporting them with this transition. This study aims to explore how managers experienced distance management, and the perceived organizational support (POS), and the effect of organizational support has on their JSA during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from 1,016 line, middle and top managers in Danish workplaces were collected in March 2021, 1 year after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. We applied descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and partial least square structural equation modeling to investigate the relation of perceived organizational support (POS) and the JSA of distance managers. Control variables were the respondents’ demographic characteristics, specifically gender, age, and management level. The study offers insights into the managerial experiences of becoming a distance manager, helps to understand the relationship between POS and managers’ JSA, and shows a positive relationship similarly for the managers as for employees. The study shows that most managers found their work as distance managers more demanding and worked more hours. The data demonstrate that managers received the most support from their own employees and manager peers, whereas administrative support was largely lacking. The data also show that the majority (67%) of the managers prefer to manage from the office, but similarly, they can continue managing from a distance if needed post-pandemic. The study adds to the literature on workplaces’ transitioning to distance management and hybrid work and contributes to understanding the role of POS and managers’ JSA during this transition. Consequently, if an organization aims to offer hybrid work, improving support from top management and in-house support functions would help maintain or increase managers’ JSA.
An individual perspective on psychological safety: The role of basic need satisfaction and self-compassion
Authors: Wouters-Soomers Lies , Van Ruysseveldt Joris , Bos Arjan E. R. , Jacobs Nele
Published: August 2022

Psychological safety is important for the well-being and productivity of people in the workplace. Psychological safety becomes even more important and even more difficult to maintain in times of uncertainty. Previous research mainly focused on the influence of and on interpersonal relationships. This study applies an individual perspective by investigating what is needed on an individual level in order to build psychological safety. The expectation was that self-compassion induces an individual to experience higher positive affect, and this advances the development of positive relations and social acceptance. Moreover, we assumed that the mediation of the relationship between self-compassion and positive relations and social acceptance by positive affect is moderated by the level of basic need satisfaction. Participants (N = 560) from the Netherlands and Belgium completed an online questionnaire about their level of self-compassion, basic need satisfaction, positive affect and positive relations and social acceptance. Using hierarchical regression analyses for moderated mediation analysis, results showed that self-compassion and positive affect had a significant positive effect on positive relations and social acceptance. Positive affect significantly mediated the relationship between self-compassion and positive relations and social acceptance, when basic need satisfaction was low, but not when basic need satisfaction was high. Our research showed that individuals need either their basic needs satisfied or self-compassion so they can build the high-quality relations needed to stimulate psychological safety. This finding shifts attention from the dyadic relationship to the individual and highlights important factors at the individual level which advance the development of high-quality relationships with others.
Psychometric assessment of individual differences in second language reading anxiety for identifying struggling students in classrooms
Authors: Hamada Akira , Takaki Shuichi
Published: August 2022

Assessing learners’ individual differences helps identify students who need teacher support in classrooms. Previous studies have examined second language (L2) achievement based on reading anxiety because reading is an input-based activity essential for successful L2 learning. This study applied a latent rank model to identify L2 learners who are likely to be struggling or successful in classrooms according to their L2 reading anxiety symptoms. Moreover, a psychometric function was developed to determine the cutoff anxiety scores that discriminate against their substantial differences. The model was applied to responses from the Foreign Language Reading Anxiety Scale (FLRAS) provided by 335 Japanese learners of English. The results showed that the FLRAS classified students into three ranked groups with ordinal information regarding L2 reading anxiety. Rank 1 exhibited good conditions in L2 reading anxiety. Rank 2 reported high anxiety toward unfamiliar grammar during L2 reading. Rank 3 had even higher anxiety levels, especially for vocabulary and grammatical knowledge deficits and reading difficulty. The cutoff anxiety scores estimated by the model detected students who failed their L2 class with 79% accuracy. Theoretical, methodological, and pedagogical issues in language anxiety were discussed in terms of diagnosis and different approaches to teaching L2 reading.
The utility of the integrated behavior change model as an extension of the theory of planned behavior
Authors: More Kimberly R. , Phillips L. Alison
Published: August 2022

Introduction

There are several widely used theories of health behavior change, which mostly utilize the social cognitive approach. These theories tend to posit that intention is a direct predictor of behavior, do not include automatic influences on behavior, and propose a one-size-fits-all theory for both initiators and maintainers. However, the intention-behavior gap is a well-observed phenomenon, researchers have highlighted that both automatic and reflective factors promote behavioral engagement, and predictors of behavior have been shown to differ between initiators and maintainers—three issues that necessitate theory advancement. To that end, the present research compares the utility of the Integrated Behavior Change Model (IBCM) – a social cognitive model that includes automatic factors involved in behavioral engagement and a moderator of the intention-behavior gap – to its theoretical predecessor, the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB). Further, the relevance of the IBCM factors for predicting exercise behavior is compared in initiators versus maintainers.

Method

Participants were 494 US undergraduates. Participants reported on variables from the IBCM (and TPB) at baseline and reported on their exercise behavior in two surveys at seven- and 14-days post-baseline.

Results

Findings supported the first hypothesis that the IBCM would be more relevant for initiators in comparison with maintainers, using structural equation modeling. Specifically, only the paths between intrinsic motivation and affective attitude, affective attitude and intention, and intention and behavior were reliably found for maintainers. For initiators, the aforementioned paths were also reliably supported and the additional following paths were also supported: intrinsic motivation and perceived behavioral control, perceived behavioral control and intention, and intention and action planning. However, results did not support the second hypothesis that the IBCM would predict significantly more variance in behavior than its theoretical predecessor, the TPB. Specifically, the addition of action planning, implicit attitude, implicit motivation, and the interaction between intention and action planning only predicted an additional 0.3% (p < 0:05) of the variance in exercise behavior above and beyond intention.

Conclusion

Results highlight the continued need for theoretical refinement in terms of delineating mechanisms of initiation and maintenance and the need for further development in terms of improving upon current predictions of behavior engagement and change.
Slovak parents’ mental health and socioeconomic changes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Vargová Lenka , Mikulášková Gabriela , Fedáková Denisa , Lačný Martin , Babjáková Jaroslava , Šlosáriková Martina , Babinčák Peter , Ropovik Ivan , Adamkovič Matúš
Published: August 2022

The changes in people’s mental health have become one of the hot topics during the COVID-19 pandemic. Parents have been said to be among the most vulnerable groups in terms of the imposed anti-pandemic measures. The present paper analyzes the trends in mental health indicators in a sample of Slovak parents (N = 363) who participated in four waves of data collection over a year and a half of the COVID-19 pandemic. The mental health indicators were represented by general levels of depression and anxiety as well as COVID-related stress and anxiety. While there were only minor changes in depression and anxiety, the dynamic in COVID-related stress and especially anxiety was more noteworthy. Besides some exceptions, the results hold even after controlling for the socioeconomic situation. The gender differences in the mental health trends were found to be negligible. Overall, we observed no substantial deterioration in the mental health indicators across the four waves of the study.
Circulating microRNA associated with future relapse status in major depressive disorder
Authors: Li Qingqin S. , Galbraith David , Morrison Randall L. , Trivedi Madhukar H. , Drevets Wayne C.
Published: August 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is an episodic condition with relapsing and remitting disease course. Elucidating biomarkers that can predict future relapse in individuals responding to an antidepressant treatment holds the potential to identify those patients who are prone to illness recurrence. The current study explored relationships between relapse risk in recurrent MDD and circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) that participate in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Serum samples were acquired from individuals with a history of recurrent MDD who were followed longitudinally in the observational study, OBSERVEMDD0001 (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02489305). Circulating miRNA data were obtained in 63 participants who relapsed (“relapsers”) and 154 participants who did not relapse (“non-relapsers”) during follow-up. The miRNA was quantified using the ID3EAL™ miRNA Discovery Platform from MiRXES measuring 575 circulating miRNAs using a patented qPCR technology and normalized with a standard curve from spike-in controls in each plate. The association between miRNAs and subsequent relapse was tested using a linear model, adjusting for age, gender, and plate. Four miRNAs were nominally associated with relapse status during the observational follow-up phase with a false discover rate adjusted p-value < 0.1. Enrichment analysis of experimentally validated targets revealed 112 significantly enriched pathways, including neurogenesis, response to cytokine, neurotrophin signaling, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling, relaxin signaling, and cellular senescence pathways. These data suggest these miRNAs putatively associated with relapse status may have the potential to regulate genes involved in multiple signaling pathways that have previously been associated with MDD. If shown to be significant in a larger, independent sample, these data may hold potential for developing a miRNA signature to identify patients likely to relapse, allowing for earlier intervention.
The acceptability, adoption, and feasibility of a music application developed using participatory design for home-dwelling persons with dementia and their caregivers. The “Alight” app in the LIVE@Home.Path trial
Authors: Berge Line Iden , Gedde Marie Hidle , Torrado Vidal Juan Carlos , Husebo Bettina , Hynninen Kia Minna , Knardal Solgunn Elisabeth , Madsø Kristine Gustavsen
Published: August 2022

Background

Music interventions for persons with dementia can improve health and interaction with caregivers, yet the reach is often restricted to institutions. We describe the participatory design process of a prototype music application for patients affiliated with a gerontopsychiatric hospital and evaluate the acceptability, adoption, and feasibility of use for dyads of home-dwelling persons with dementia and their informal caregivers.

Methods

The application “Alight” was developed following an iterative, expert-driven participatory design approach, which includes a requirement elicitation phase and two rounds of prototyping and testing in real-world settings. End users and stakeholders were involved in all steps, that is, workshops, interviews, field observation, ethnographic inquiries, and beta testing sessions with music therapists, patients, and caregivers in collaboration with a commercial music and technology company. The last prototyping and testing took place in the LIVE@Home.Path trial, a stepped-wedge multicomponent randomized controlled trial to improve resource utilization and caregiver burden in municipal dementia care during 2019–2021.

Results

Mean age of the person with dementia in the LIVE@Home.Path trial was 82 years, 62% were female, and the majority had Alzheimer's dementia (44%) of mild severity (71%). Sixty-three dyads were offered Alight in the multicomponent intervention, of which 13% (n = 8) accepted use. The dyads accepting Alight did not differ in demographic and clinical characteristics compared to those not interested. The feasibility was high among those accepting Alight, 75% (n = 6) reported a positive impact on mood, 50% (n = 4) experienced a positive impact on activity, and 50% (n = 4) gooduser-friendliness. The adoption was high with daily use or use several times a week reported by 63% (n = 5). Obstacles emerged when updating the application in homes without wireless Wi-Fi, and some participants were unfamiliar with using touchscreens.

Conclusion

The feasibility and adoption of the application were high and accepting dyads did not differ on demographic and clinical variables from those not reached. This suggests a high potential for utilization in dementia care. This study contributes methodologically to the field of participatory design and mHealth interventions by demonstrating a specific design approach that throughout the process successfully involved researchers, industry partners, health care practitioners, and end users.

Clinical trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04043364.
Media multitasking, depression, and anxiety of college students: Serial mediating effects of attention control and negative information attentional bias
Authors: Li Shiyi , Fan Lifang
Published: August 2022

Background

The COVID-19 epidemic provides an environment for frequent media multitasking, which might associate with an increase in depression and anxiety. Since many studies have found that media multitasking negatively affects cognitive capacity, we propose a cognitive perspective to explore how media multitasking may associate with mental health. This study examined the potential mediating role of attention control and negative information attentional bias in the relationship between media multitasking and anxiety and depression.

Methods

Participants (n = 567) were recruited from college students in China. They completed an online survey that included the Media Multitasking Inventory (MMI), Attention Control Scale (ACS), Attention to Positive and Negative Information Scale (APNI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). After exploring the correlations between the measures, serial mediation models were examined.

Results

The results indicated significant positive correlations between media multitasking and anxiety and depression. Media multitasking, anxiety, and depression were negatively correlated with attention focusing, while positively correlated with negative information attention bias. Media multitasking did not correlate with attention shifting. Mediation modeling demonstrated that attention focusing and negative information attention bias played a serial mediating role in the relationship between media multitasking and anxiety and depression. However, the results did not support the serial mediation model through attention shifting and negative information attention bias.

Conclusion

Media multitasking does not directly influence anxiety and depression, while attention focusing and negative information attention bias play serial mediating roles in their relationship. This study highlights the potential cognitive mechanisms between media multitasking and anxiety and depression, providing theoretical support for interventions in individual mental health during the epidemic.
Factors and Predictors of Health Related Quality of Life of the General Population of Pakistan
Authors: Nasim Aqeel , Haq Noman Ul , Riaz Sohail , Khan Sumaira Irum , Khuda Fazli , Sipra Muhammad Faraz , Tariq Bazil , Tahir Maria , Saood Muhammad , Yasmin Riffat , Manzoor Kiran , Zeeshan Danish Muhammad
Published: August 2022

Background and Objective

The standards of living, improvement in public health, and medical care in Pakistan are increasing day by day, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has been increasingly acknowledged in various patient's reported outcomes in Pakistan. However, a large-scale general population-based study on assessing HQRoL in Pakistan was not conducted. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate HRQoL for the general Pakistani population.

Material and Methods

A cross-sectional study with a population sample (n = 16,672) was selected from all Pakistan provinces using a stratified sampling approach. The EQ-5D-3L tool was used to measure the HRQoL of the general population of Pakistan. The descriptive and inferential statistics have been done by using SPSS version 20.

Results

Overall, 121 health states were reported in this study. EQ-5D index and EQ-VAS scores were 0.74 ± 0.32 and 0.75 ± 0.25, respectively. The percentage of people responding to any problems increased with age. Males have better health as compared to females in all age groups. All demographics were significantly associated (P < 0.01) with the mean EQ5D index and VAS scores except residence (p > 0.05). The regression model reported that age was the best predictor of the EQ-5D index scores after adjusting for the covariates (beta = 0.19; p < 0.001). This study provides Pakistani population HRQoL data measured by the EQ-5D tool, based on a national representative sample.

Conclusion

The current study concluded that Age, City, Gender, Education, Occupation, Residence, and House occupancy are significantly affecting HRQOL. The socioeconomically deprived groups and females have inferior health status than more advantaged. The trends detected in high-income nations were usually similar to Pakistan.
Explore pre-hospital emergency challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic: A quality content analysis in the Iranian context
Authors: Hadian Marziye , Jabbari Alireza , Abdollahi Mahdieh , Hosseini Elaheh , Sheikhbardsiri Hojjat
Published: August 2022

Background

pre-hospital emergency is a community-oriented system that responds to the medical needs of the injured or patients with acute and emergency illnesses outside of health care facilities until they are transferred to a medical center. This study aimed to explore pre-hospital emergency challenges in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Material and methods

This study was conducted as a qualitative content analysis in Iran. Using the purposive sampling method, data were collected through in-depth individual interviews with 28 prehospital paramedic personnel from November 2020 to November 2021. Graneheim and Lundman's conventional content analysis methods were used to analyze the data and for the trustworthiness of the data, this study used Lincoln and Guba's recommendations.

Results

After multiple rounds of analyzing and summarizing the data and taking into consideration similarities and differences, four main categories and 10 subcategories were created based on the results of the data analysis and including (1) Culture and Community. (2) Service delivery (3) Human resources; (4) Medical supplies and equipment.

Conclusion

According to the findings of this study emergency medical system employees are suffering from a range of psychiatric problems as a result of a lack of equipment and job overload, which has a detrimental impact on the quality of pre-hospital emergency care. Therefore, emergency care senior management should develop comprehensive guidelines, provide more equipment and minimize professional challenges to improve the quality and safety of pre-hospital emergency care services.
Tattoo discrimination in Mexico motivates interest in tattoo removal among structurally vulnerable adults
Authors: Ojeda Victoria D. , Magana Christopher , Shalakhti Omar , Vargas-Ojeda Adriana Carolina , Burgos Jose Luis
Published: August 2022

Tattoos are less prevalent in Mexico and tattooed persons are frequently stigmatized. We examine the prevalence and correlates of interest in receiving tattoo removal services among 278 tattooed Mexican adults living in Tijuana, Mexico who responded to interviewer-administered surveys, including open-ended questions. Overall, 69% of participants were interested in receiving free tattoo removal services, 31% reported facing employment barriers due to their tattoos, and 43% of respondents regretted or disliked some of their tattoos. Having a voter identification card, reporting moderate/severe depression symptoms and believing that tattoo removal would remove employment barriers were independently associated with interest in tattoo removal. Our findings suggest that there is substantial interest in tattoo removal services. Publicly financed tattoo removal services may help disadvantaged persons gain access to Mexico's labor market and it may positively impact other life domains such as mental well-being and interactions with law enforcement.
The know-do gap in quality of health for chronic non-communicable diseases in rural China
Authors: Meng Sha , Wang Qingzhi , Wu Yuju , Xue Hao , Li Linhua , Ye Ruixue , Chen Yunwei , Pappas Lucy , Akhtar Muizz , Dill Sarah-Eve , Sylvia Sean , Zhou Huan , Rozelle Scott
Published: August 2022

Proper management of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) is a severe challenge to China's rural health system. This study investigates what influences the poor medical treatment of NCDs (diabetes and angina) by evaluating the “know-do gap” between provider knowledge and practice. To determine whether low levels of provider knowledge low quality of patient care is the primary constraint on the quality of NCDs diagnosis and treatment in rural China. Providers from Village Clinics (VC) and Township Health Centers (THC), and Standardized Patients (SP) were selected by a multi-stage random sampling method. Clinical vignettes were administered to 306 providers from 103 VCs and 50 THCs in rural Sichuan Province. SPs presented diabetes symptoms completed 97 interactions with providers in 46 VCs and 51 THCs; SPs presented angina symptoms completed 100 interactions with providers in 50 VCs and 50 THCs. Process quality, diagnosis quality, and treatment quality were assessed against national standards for diabetes and angina. Two-tailed T-tests and tests of proportions for continuous outcomes and tests of proportions for binary dependent variables were used to compare vignette and SP results. Differences between vignette and SP data calculated the know-do gap. Regression analyses were used to examine the providers/facility characteristics and knowledge/practice associations. THC providers demonstrated significantly more knowledge in vignettes and better practices in SP visits than VC providers. However, levels of knowledge were low overall: 48.2% of THC providers and 28.2% of VC providers properly diagnosed type 2 diabetes, while 23.8% of THC providers and 14.7% of VC providers properly diagnosed angina. With SPs, 2.1% of THC providers and 6.8% of VC providers correctly diagnosed type 2 diabetes; 25.5% of THC providers and 12.8% of VC providers correctly diagnosed angina. There were significant know-do gaps in diagnosis process quality, diagnosis quality, and treatment quality for diabetes (p < 0.01), and in diagnosis process quality (p < 0.05) and treatment quality for angina (p < 0.01). Providers in rural China display low levels of knowledge when treating diabetes and angina. Despite low knowledge, evidence of the know-do gap indicates that low-quality healthcare is the primary constraint on the quality of NCD diagnosis and treatment in rural China. Our research findings provide a new perspective for the evaluation of the medical quality and a technical basis for the development of new standardized cases in the future.
Mitigation strategies for heat-related illness during mass gatherings: Hajj experience
Authors: Almuzaini Yasir , Alburayh Marriyah , Alahmari Ahmed , Alamri Fahad , Sabbagh Abdulrahman Y. , Alsalamah Majid , Khan Anas
Published: August 2022

Introduction

To mitigate morbidity, mortality, and impacts of heat-related illnesses (HRIs) on health, it was vital to implement a comprehensive framework for HRI prevention and control. A recognized tool from the field of trauma prevention known as the Haddon matrix was applied. The matrix states that any event is affected by three factors: host, agent, and environment. In addition, another recognized tool known as the combined model was used in this study. The combined model is a three-dimensional model that includes the idea for the three axes of Haddon's matrix with the methodology of the community risk reduction (CRR) model.

Aim of the study

To identify the environmental and individual risk factors of HRIs based on the Haddon matrix and the recommended prevention strategies by the CRR tool by using the combined model.

Methodology

An extensive literature review was conducted to assess all the risk factors associated with HRI, as well as preventive measures. Then the Haddon matrix was used to structure, separating human factors from technical and environmental details and timing. After that, the combined model was used to set all responses and mitigation measures for each element obtained from the Haddon matrix tool.

Conclusion

Projected increases in heat stress over the globe require the formulation and implementation of evidence-based HRI mitigation and preventive measures. In this study, we implemented the combined model that was utilized as a systematic strategy for the more theoretical framework of Haddon's matrix. Using the Haddon matrix to determine the HRI risk factors and the combined model to mitigate its impact was practical and helpful in planning, preparedness, and mitigating the HRIs during Hajj, provided a broad approach equivalent to the Swiss cheese model, and would facilitate an informed decision.
Experiences of community-dwelling older adults with chronic low back pain in Hong Kong and Switzerland – A qualitative study
Authors: Schoeb Veronika , Misteli Marceau , Kwan Crystal , Wong Chris W. Y. , Kan Mandy M. P. , Opsommer Emmanuelle , Wong Arnold Y. L.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The prevalence of chronic low back pain (LBP) increases with age and older adults are more vulnerable to develop chronic LBP. A recent Swiss study has shown that 78% of community-dwelling older adults aged ≥65 years experienced chronic LBP. Similarly, a study in Hong Kong found that approximately 30% of people aged above 60 years experienced chronic LBP. The aim of this collaborative research project was to illuminate older adults' experiences of living with chronic LBP and its implication on older adults' daily life in Western and Eastern cultures.

Methods

Twenty-five older people experiencing chronic LBP living in Switzerland or Hong Kong were recruited through health professionals or community centres. Using semi-structured interviews, participants shared their experiences regarding chronic LBP and its implications on their daily life. The interviews were recorded and transcribed “ad verbatim” in the original language. An inductive thematic analysis was used, using a qualitative data analysis software program (NVivo) and a shared code book in English. The Swiss and Hong Kong research teams engaged in collaborative analysis until a consensus was established, taking into consideration of cultural specificities. Ethical approval was obtained from the local ethic committees in both regions.

Results

Themes were related to negative perceptions/experiences: (1) interferences of daily function; (2) pessimistic attitudes toward their conditions/prognosis; and (3) self-perceived burden related to families. Conversely, four themes revealed attributes to social roles: (1) maintaining their roles in families; (2) experiencing supports from family and friends; (3) being content despite LBP; and (4) enjoying social activities. Cultural differences between Switzerland and Hong Kong were related to social circles and offers from the healthcare system, influencing individual experiences and perceptions.

Discussion

Although chronic LBP may negatively impact older adults, individual approaches as well as social and health system supports influence older adults' attitude toward their pain and self-management strategies. Developing effective and culturally sensitive interventions for an elderly population with chronic LBP can be challenging but essential for the development of innovative healthcare services tailored to the population's needs. The methodological approach used for this research project establishes the framework for developing and evaluating complex interventions.
Dolphin communication during widespread systematic noise reduction-a natural experiment amid COVID-19 lockdowns
Authors: Gagne Emma , Perez-Ortega Betzi , Hendry Andrew P. , Melo-Santos Gabriel , Walmsley Sam F. , Rege-Colt Manali , Austin Maia , May-Collado Laura J.
Published: August 2022

Underwater noise from human activities is recognized as a world-wide problem, with important repercussions on the acoustic communication of aquatic mammals. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government of Panama went into a nationwide lockdown to limit the spread of the virus. This lockdown resulted in the closing of tourism infrastructure and limited mobility in both land and coastal areas. We used this “natural experiment” as an opportunity to study the impact of tour-boat activities on dolphin communication by using passive acoustic monitoring data collected before and during the lockdown at Dolphin Bay, Bocas del Toro, Panama. During the lockdown, tour-boat activity was absent, but boats transporting people and supplies were allowed to circulate. The shift in type of boat activity within the lockdown resulted in lower ambient noise levels and more frequent detections of dolphin sounds. We also detected a more diverse whistle repertoire during the lockdown than in the pre-lockdown period, even when accounting for variation in sample coverage. A Random Forest Analysis classified whistles between the two periods with high accuracy (92.4% accuracy, κ = 0.85) based primarily on whistle modulation and duration. During the lockdown, whistles were longer in duration and less modulated than pre-lockdown. Our study shows that a shift in boat traffic activity can generate significant changes in dolphin habitat, and in their communicative signals, an important consideration given ongoing unregulated ecotourism in the region.
Rain Field Retrieval by Ground-Level Sensors of Various Types
Authors: Messer H. , Eshel A. , Habi H. V. , Sagiv S. , Zheng X.
Published: August 2022

Rain gauges (RGs) have been utilized as sensors for local rain monitoring dating back to ancient Greece. The use of a network of RGs for 2D rain mapping is based on spatial interpolation that, while presenting good results in limited experimental areas, has limited scalability because of the unrealistic need to install and maintain a large quantity of sensors. Alternatively, commercial microwave links (CMLs), widely spread around the globe, have proven effective as near-ground opportunistic rain sensors. In this study, we study 2D rain field mapping using CMLs and/or RGs from a practical and a theoretical point of view, aiming to understand their inherent performance differences. We study sensor networks of either CMLs or RGs, and also a mixed network of CMLs and RGs. We show that with proper preprocessing, the rain field retrieval performance of the CML network is better than that of RGs. However, depending on the characteristics of the rain field, this performance gain can be negligible, especially when the rain field is smooth (relative to the topology of the sensor network). In other words, for a given network, the advantage of rain retrieval using a network of CMLs is more significant when the rain field is spotty.
Improving compostable plastic disposal: An application of the Behaviour Change Wheel intervention development method
Authors: Allison Ayşe Lisa , Purkiss Danielle , Lorencatto Fabiana , Miodownik Mark , Michie Susan
Published: August 2022

Compostable plastics have great potential environmental benefits, however, the damage caused by incorrect waste management offsets them. This study aims to develop a behavior change intervention aimed at improving compostable plastic disposal. We illustrate application of the Behaviour Change Wheel framework to design an intervention in this context. First, the target behavior was understood by specifying it and identifying potential behavioral influences. Second, behavioral influences were systematically linked to potential intervention strategies and refined by evaluating the likely affordability, practicability, effectiveness, acceptability, equity and potential for side-effects (APEASE criteria) in a UK implementation context. Finally, intervention content and implementation options were selected by systematically selecting specific Behavior Change Techniques and refining them by evaluating them against APEASE criteria. The target behavior was identified as UK citizens disposing of compostable plastic waste in the food waste bin meant for collection by local authorities. Influences on compostable plastic disposal were identified as “psychological capability” (i.e., attention and knowledge), “reflective motivation” (i.e., beliefs around environmental impact of compostable plastics) and “physical opportunity” (i.e., access to appropriate waste management). “Education” and “environmental restructuring” were the intervention types selected. “Communications/marketing”, “guidelines” and “restructuring the physical and social environment” were the policy options selected. Selected behavior change techniques were: instruction on how to perform the behavior, prompts/cues, adding objects to the environment and restructuring the physical environment. The resulting intervention is a disposal instruction label for compostable packaging, comprising of instructions and a logo. The next step is user testing the developed disposal instruction labels in terms of their effect on promoting the desired disposal behavior. The novelty of this study includes the development of an intervention to reduce compostable plastic waste and the explicit, step-by-step documentation of the intervention development process. The scientific significance is therefore both applied and theoretical. When evaluated, our intervention has the potential to yield insights relating to what improves compostable plastic disposal amongst citizens. This, in turn, has key policy implications for product and package labeling. By openly documenting our method, we demonstrate a systematic and transparent approach to intervention design, providing an adaptable template and model for others.
Microplastic occurrence after conventional and nanofiltration processes at drinking water treatment plants: Preliminary results
Authors: Barbier Jean-Sebastien , Dris Rachid , Lecarpentier Caroline , Raymond Vivien , Delabre Karine , Thibert Sylvie , Tassin Bruno , Gasperi Johnny
Published: August 2022

Microplastics (MP) have been detected in almost all matrices, including drinking water, and assessing the contamination of drinking water with this type of pollution is of the utmost sanitary importance. This study aims to evaluate MP contamination of inlet river water and drinking water at three drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) in the Paris region in France. Each plant performs water treatment processes that are efficient for particulate matter removal such as coagulation-flocculation, sand filtration, and granular activated carbon filtration. One of the plants also has a parallel water treatment file that uses microfiltration and nanofiltration processes. This file was investigated to assess its efficiency compared to the others. To our knowledge, this study is the first to investigate MP contamination in a DWTP using nanofiltration processes. The drinking water distribution network was also investigated, with samples taken at three network points. Microplastics contamination of sizes 25–5,000 μm was characterized using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) in large volume samples (500 L) with complete mapping of each sample. Concentrations ranging from 7.4 to 45.0 MP/L were found in inlet water while concentrations ranging from blank level (0.003 MP/L) to 0.260 MP/L were found in outlet drinking water (overall removal rate above 99%). Polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate were the main polymers found both at the inlet and outlet, but ratios varied significantly at the outlet. No MP were detected in four out of the six samples from the nanofiltration file, and were not found to have significantly different concentrations compared to blank level. Concentrations in the distribution network were higher overall than at the corresponding DWTP outlet, although a high degree of variation between samples was observed. Our results suggest that membrane processes of microfiltration and nanofiltration are more efficient than typical treatment processes, and also that a MP re-contamination within the distribution network itself might occur.
Lessons from a career in space physics
Authors: Rostoker Gordon
Published: August 2022

Frameworks for describing magnetospheric substorms are as good as the data on which they are based. While disturbances in the ionosphere are well described by existing data bases, the plasma and field data acquired by satellites in the magnetosphere are sparse and unable to lend an element of uniqueness to any model for substorm activity. This paper describes the voyage of discovery experienced by the author from the leadup to his career to the time of his retirement. Perhaps it will provide young scientists with a sense of how space physics developed and what needs to be done before the solar wind-magnetosphere-ionosphere interaction becomes fully understood.