bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geological and Climatic Factors Affecting the Correlation between Electrical Resistivity and SPT N-Value in Sandy Soils of Phuket, Thailand
Authors: Puttiwongrak Avirut , Keo Solina , Vann Sakanann , Arpornthip Tanwa , Suteerasak Thongchai , Sukontasukkul Piti
Published: June 2023

Understanding the technical properties of the subsurface soil is essential for carrying out any building project correctly. In sandy soils in Phuket, Thailand, a correlation between electrical resistivity and the SPT N-value should be established in design to cut down on the time and expense of engineering field work for site investigation operations. Using the least squares method, the data of electrical resistivity and SPT N-values were fitted for regression analysis, and the behavior of the fitting coefficients was examined under various soil conditions found in the field. The factors affecting the link between electrical resistivity and the SPT N-value were found using data classifications of geology and climate. Phuket is located in a humid tropical region with frequent heavy rainstorms and extended periods of high temperatures and is composed of two main distinct geological areas: (1) igneous rock and (2) sedimentary and metamorphic rocks. According to the geological classification, the regression parameter (R2) of the relationship between the electrical resistivity and SPT N-values somewhat increased from a straightforward plot (R2 = 0.0171) to 0.1721, and the geology and climate data categorization revealed the best fit which is an exponential model (R2 = 0.6175). By re-examining the two VES lines under the identical bedrock and climate characteristics as the original model, the relative R2 of 0.5519 validates the association between electrical resistivity and SPT N-values. It is important to emphasize that the geology and climate of the collected data have an impact on the correlation model. Furthermore, a geotechnical investigation should be used to confirm the findings of an electrical resistivity survey as a preliminary tool to assess any problematic subsurface zones. However, more field test data from diverse places must be acquired in order to establish the relationship between the SPT N-value and electrical resistivity of sandy soils.
Micromorphological Characteristics of Soils in the Chernevaya Taiga (Western Siberia, Russia)
Authors: Abakumov Evgeny , Nizamutdinov Timur , Lapidus Alla , Istigechev Georgy , Loiko Sergey
Published: June 2023

The Chernevaya taiga is a unique ecosystem formed under the influence of a complex of geogenic and bioclimatic factors located in the foothill border of the southeastern part of Western Siberia. The combination of local climatic conditions and the composition of parent material led to the formation of specific soil conditions on the territory of these habitats. The soils of the Chernevaya taiga have unique morphogenesis. They have a thick podzolized horizon and are fertile, unlike the typical soils of the oligotrophic pine forests of Siberia; however, the microstructure of these soils is poorly studied. The purpose of the research is to analyze the micromorphological organization and microstructure of three types of soils in Western Siberia (two typical soils from the Chernevaya taiga (Greyzemic Phaeozem (Albic) and Albic Stagnic Luvisol (Ochric)) and one from oligotrophic pine stand (Eutric Protoargic Arenosol)). It was found that the soils of the Chernevaya taiga differ greatly from the background (zonal) soils of the region on both the macro- and microlevels. In the Phaeozems and Luvisols of the Chernevaya taiga, there are actively formed organomineral aggregates and the quantity of porous media is more than 50%. At the bottom of the podzolized part of the soil profiles, we noted illuvial processes and a sharp change in the type of microstructure. The presence of pyrogenic materials (charcoal) and coprolitic (vermicular) materials in the humus-accumulative horizon indicates a high rate of material transformation and high biological activity and bioturbation in the soil. The skeleton part of the Chernevaya taiga soils is represented by a quartz–feldspar base with an admixture of sericite; augite; biotite; and a minimal admixture of tourmaline, zircon, and glauconite.
Introducing Computerized Technology to Nurses: A Model Based on Cognitive Instrumental and Social Influence Processes
Authors: Tsarfati Becky , Cojocaru Daniela
Published: June 2023

The use of computerized technologies as an integral part of nursing has become a reality in the health care system. Studies present different approaches that range from accepting technology as a health promoter to an approach that opposes computerization. This study, which examined social and instrumental processes that influence nurses’ attitudes toward computer technology, will present a model for the optimal assimilation of computer technology in the nurses’ work environment. The study, which included 224 participants, was designed as a mixed method and included questionnaires and semi-structured interviews of participants. The data were analyzed to understand the factors that influenced nurses’ attitudes toward the use of computer technology. The research findings show that the more clearly nurses understand the positive impact of using technology on the quality of care, the more positive their response to changes in registration and reporting methods. It is not surprising that the research findings found that cognitive instrumental processes and social influence processes have a positive effect on the perceived usefulness of using computer technologies. The unusual finding was the fact that cognitive instrumental processes were the main factor influencing the assimilation of computer technology even though nursing is a social profession.
Computer-Based Intelligent Solutions for the Diagnosis of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Phenotypes and Chicago Classification 3.0
Authors: Doğan Yunus , Bor Serhat
Published: June 2023

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a multidisciplinary disease; therefore, when treating GERD, a large amount of data needs to be monitored and managed.The aim of our study was to develop a novel automation and decision support system for GERD, primarily to automatically determine GERD and its Chicago Classification 3.0 (CC 3.0) phenotypes. However, phenotyping is prone to errors and is not a strategy widely known by physicians, yet it is very important in patient treatment. In our study, the GERD phenotype algorithm was tested on a dataset with 2052 patients and the CC 3.0 algorithm was tested on a dataset with 133 patients. Based on these two algorithms, a system was developed with an artificial intelligence model for distinguishing four phenotypes per patient. When a physician makes a wrong phenotyping decision, the system warns them and provides the correct phenotype. An accuracy of 100% was obtained for both GERD phenotyping and CC 3.0 in these tests. Finally, since the transition to using this developed system in 2017, the annual number of cured patients, around 400 before, has increased to 800. Automatic phenotyping provides convenience in patient care, diagnosis, and treatment management. Thus, the developed system can substantially improve the performance of physicians.
Role of Tele-Physical Therapy Training on Glycemic Control, Pulmonary Function, Physical Fitness, and Health-Related Quality of Life in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) Following COVID-19 Infection—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Nambi Gopal , Alghadier Mshari , Vellaiyan Arul , Ebrahim Elturabi Elsayed , Aldhafian Osama R. , Mohamed Shahul Hameed Pakkir , Albalawi Hani Fahad Ateeq , Chevidikunnan Mohamed Faisal , Khan Fayaz , Mani Paramasivan , Saleh Ayman K. , Alshahrani Naif N.
Published: June 2023

The use of tele-rehabilitation (TR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) following COVID-19 infection remains unexplored. Hence, the purpose of this study was to determine the clinical effects of tele-physical therapy (TPT) on T2DM following COVID-19 infection. The eligible participants were randomized into two groups, a tele-physical therapy group (TPG; n = 68) and a control group (CG; n = 68). The TPG received tele-physical therapy for four sessions a week for eight weeks, and the CG received patient education for 10 min. The outcome measures were HbA1c levels, pulmonary function (forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FEV1/FVC, maximum voluntary ventilation (MVV), and peak exploratory flow (PEF)), physical fitness, and quality of life (QOL). The difference between the groups in HbA1c levels at 8 weeks was 0.26 (CI 95% 0.02 to 0.49), which shows greater improvement in the tele-physical therapy group than the control group. Similar changes were noted between the two groups after 6 months and at 12 months resulting in 1.02 (CI 95% 0.86 to 1.17). The same effects were found in pulmonary function (FEV1, FVC, FEV1/FVC, MVV, and PEF), physical fitness, and QOL (p = 0.001). The reports of this study show that tele-physical therapy programs may result in improved glycemic control and improve the pulmonary function, physical fitness, and quality of life of T2DM patients following COVID-19 infection.
Effectiveness of Workplace Interventions to Improve Health and Well-Being of Health and Social Service Workers: A Narrative Review of Randomised Controlled Trials
Authors: Shiri Rahman , Nikunlaakso Risto , Laitinen Jaana
Published: June 2023

Health and social service workers face high levels of workload and job stressors, which can affect their health and well-being. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the effectiveness of workplace interventions that aim to improve their mental and physical health outcomes. This review summarizes the findings of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that examined the impact of different types of workplace interventions on various health indicators among health and social service workers. The review searched the PubMed database from its inception to December 2022 and included RCTs that reported on the effectiveness of organizational-level interventions and qualitative studies that explored barriers and facilitators to participation in such interventions. A total of 108 RCTs were included in the review, covering job burnout (N = 56 RCTs), happiness or job satisfaction (N = 35), sickness absence (N = 18), psychosocial work stressors (N = 14), well-being (N = 13), work ability (N = 12), job performance or work engagement (N = 12), perceived general health (N = 9), and occupational injuries (N = 3). The review found that several workplace interventions were effective in improving work ability, well-being, perceived general health, work performance, and job satisfaction and in reducing psychosocial stressors, burnout, and sickness absence among healthcare workers. However, the effects were generally modest and short-lived. Some of the common barriers to participation in workplace interventions among healthcare workers were inadequate staff, high workload, time pressures, work constraints, lack of manager support, scheduling health programs outside work hours, and lack of motivation. This review suggests that workplace interventions have small short-term positive effects on health and well-being of healthcare workers. Workplace interventions should be implemented as routine programs with free work hours to encourage participation or integrate intervention activities into daily work routines.
MIH and Dental Caries in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Mazur Marta , Corridore Denise , Ndokaj Artnora , Ardan Roman , Vozza Iole , Babajko Sylvie , Jedeon Katia
Published: June 2023

(1) Background: Molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is a clinical condition affecting permanent teeth in children, with a documented rising trend in the last two decades. The aim of the present study was to analyze and synthesize the available evidence on caries experience (dmft/DMFT) and MIH in children. (2) Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted according to the PRISMA statement. (3) Results: 59 papers published between 2007 and 2022 were included in the qualitative synthesis and 18 in the meta-analysis. The total sample of subjects was 17,717 (mean: 896), of which 2378 (13.4%) had MIH (mean: 119), with a girl/boy ratio of 1:1. The mean age of the enrolled participants was 8.6 (age range 7–10 years). Meta-analysis showed that MIH has a positive correlation with both dmft (effect size of 0.67, 95% CI [0.15, 1.19]) and DMFT (effect size of 0.56, 95% CI [0.41, 0.72]); (4) Conclusions: Children with MIH should be diagnosed correctly and on time. Treatment and management options for moderate and severe forms of MIH should consider prognosis based on known risk factors, and secondary and tertiary prevention policies should also consider the multifactorial nature of caries etiology.
Validation of the Korean Version of the Cancer Fatigue Scale in Patients with Cancer
Authors: Lee Haneul , Park Eun Young , Sung Ji Hyun
Published: June 2023

Cancer-related fatigue is a highly prevalent and distressing symptom that negatively affects the quality of life of patients in all stages of cancer, including survivors. The Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS) is a 15-item multidimensional instrument with the potential to enhance comprehension of fatigue. This study aimed to translate the original English version of the CFS into Korean and establish the validity and reliability of the translated version. A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to translate and validate the CFS in Korean. Factor analyses were performed to understand and establish construct and convergent validity with the Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue (FACT-F), and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core-30 (EORTC QLQ-C30). The CFS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for all 15 items = 0.806); the Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin Measure of Sampling Adequacy was found to be 0.897, and Bartlett’s test of sphericity was significant (p < 0.001). Moderate correlations were found between BFI, FACT-F, and EROTC QLQ-C30, indicating moderate validity. However, there were differences in factorial validity between the original scale and the Korean version, demonstrating a need for further testing in a homogenous population of cancer patients. The findings of this validation and reliability study showed that the Korean version of the CFS is a concise, reliable, feasible, and practical tool for evaluating the multidimensional aspects of cancer-related fatigue in patients with cancer.
Feasibility of a Home-Based Mirror Therapy Program in Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Ortega-Martínez Anna , Palomo-Carrión Rocío , Varela-Ferro Carlos , Bagur-Calafat Maria Caritat
Published: June 2023

Children with Unilateral Spastic Cerebral Palsy (US CP) have motor and somatosensory impairments that affect one side of their body, impacting upper limb functioning. These impairments contribute negatively to children’s bimanual performance and quality of life. Intensive home-based therapies have been developed and have demonstrated their feasibility for children with US CP and their parents, especially when therapies are designed with the proper coaching of families. Mirror Therapy (MT) is being studied to become an approachable intensive and home-based therapy suitable for children with US CP. The aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility of a five-week home-based program of MT for children with US CP that includes coaching by the therapist. Six children aged 8–12 years old performed the therapy for five days per week, 30 min per day. A minimum of 80% of compliance was required. The feasibility included compliance evaluations, total dosage, perceived difficulty of the exercises, and losses of follow-ups. All children completed the therapy and were included in the analysis. The total accomplishment was 86.47 ± 7.67. The perceived difficulty of the exercises ranged from 2.37 to 4.51 out of 10. In conclusion, a home-based program of Mirror Therapy is a safe, cost-efficient, and feasible therapy for children with US CP when the therapist is involved as a coach during the entire program.
A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review of Group Reflective Practice in Medical Students
Authors: Leung Kelvin C. Y. , Peisah Carmelle
Published: June 2023

Background: Used primarily as a pedagogical evaluation tool for didactic teaching and skill development, reflective practice (RP) for its own merits is poorly understood. This study aimed to systematically review the literature regarding the role of group RP in fostering empathy, wellbeing, and professionalism in medical students. Methods: Electronic searches of empirical studies published between 1 January 2010 and 22 March 2022 from Medline, Embase, and PsychINFO databases were conducted. Empirical studies of any design (qualitative or quantitative) which included RP (1) involving medical students; (2) with a focus on fostering empathy, or professionalism, or personal wellbeing; and (3) provided in a group setting were included. Duplicates, non-English articles, grey literature and articles using RP to examine pedagogy and specific technical skills were excluded. Both authors screened articles independently to derive a final list of included studies, with any discrepancies resolved by discussion, until consensus reached. Articles were rated for methodological quality using the Attree and Milton checklist for qualitative studies; the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine criteria, and the Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Standard Quality Assessment Criteria for quantitative studies. Results: Of 314 articles identified, 18 were included: 9 qualitative; 4 quantitative and 5 mixed methodology. Settings included United States (6), United Kingdom (3), Australia (3), France (2), Taiwan (2), Germany (1), and Ireland (1). Themes were (i) professionalism: bridging theoretical paradigms and practice; (ii) halting empathy decline; (iii) wellbeing: shared experience. Additional themes regarding the “successful“ delivery of RP groups in facilitating these outcomes also emerged. Conclusions: This first systematic review of group RP in medical students shows that RP may bring theory to life in clinical dilemmas, while fostering collegiality and mitigating against isolation amongst students, despite the absence of studies directly examining wellbeing. These findings support the value of RP integration focusing on emotive and humanitarian processes into contemporary medical education for medical students. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42022322496.
Phytopathogenic Pseudomonas syringae as a Threat to Agriculture: Perspectives of a Promising Biological Control Using Bacteriophages and Microorganisms
Authors: Córdova Pamela , Rivera-González Juan Pablo , Rojas-Martínez Victoria , Fiore Nicola , Bastías Roberto , Zamorano Alan , Vera Francisca , Barrueto Jaime , Díaz Belén , Ilabaca-Díaz Carolina , Bertaccini Assunta , Higuera Gastón
Published: June 2023

Pseudomonas syringae is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects a wide range of plants, causing significant economic losses in agricultural production. The pathogen exhibits a high degree of genetic and phenotypic diversity, which has led to the classification of P. syringae strains into different pathovars based on their host range and disease symptoms. Copper-based products have traditionally been used to manage infections in agriculture, but the emergence of copper-resistant strains has become a significant concern. Biological control is a promising strategy to manage P. syringae, as it offers an environmentally friendly and sustainable approach to disease management. The review includes an overview of the biology and epidemiology of P. syringae, and of the mechanisms of action of various biological control agents, mainly microorganisms (antagonistic bacteria, and fungi) and bacteriophages. Specifically, this review highlights the renewed interest in bacteriophages (bacteria-infecting viruses) due to their advantages over other eco-friendly management methods, thanks to their bactericidal properties and potential to target specific pathogenic bacteria. The potential benefits and limitations of biological control are also examined, along with research directions to optimize the use of this approach for the management of P. syringae.
Induced Defense in Avocado Fruits Mediated by Secondary Metabolites Produced by Bacillus atrophaeus B5
Authors: Bañuelos-González Miriam del Carmen , Cuéllar-Torres Esther Angélica , López-García Ulises Miguel , Montalvo-González Efigenia , Ortiz-Basurto Rosa Isela , Aguilera-Aguirre Selene , Chacón-López Alejandra
Published: June 2023

Biocontrol agents are an environmentally friendly alternative to chemical pesticides against phytopathogens. The effectiveness of metabolites produced by Bacillus atrophaeus B5 for controlling anthracnose produced by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides in harvested fruit and the possible action mechanisms have been studied. Avocado fruit treated with metabolites reduced 54% of anthracnose incidence and nearly 70% of the lesion than untreated fruit. The treatment enhanced the activities of peroxidase, polyphenol oxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Additionally, the transcription of PAL and EIN3-like genes related to defense were increased. These results suggest that metabolites produced by B. atrophaeus B5 enhance disease resistance against C. gloeosporioides in avocado fruit. In the fruit, the induced resistance is related to the priming of defense responses. Metabolites in the cell-free supernatant could also be a potential biological preservative for avocado protection.
Exploring Influencing Safety and Health Factors among E-Waste Scavengers in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Addae Opoku Agyemang , Fahad Alomirah Haya , Alkhliefi Heba Faisal Sulaiman , Rangarajan Ravi , Moda Haruna Musa
Published: June 2023

The reduced life cycle of electrical goods has contributed to a fast-growing occupational and environmental health issue arising from increased electronic waste (e-waste) in most developing countries. E-waste is processed informally in these countries, and in most cases, it is beyond the reach of official governance and is characterized by a lack of regulation, structure, and any form of license to operate. Assessing the implications of e-waste recycler safety knowledge, awareness, and practice levels is seen as a panacea for developing tailored interventions. We performed a cross-sectional study among 323 e-waste workers located in Agbogbloshie waste dumpsite, Accra, Ghana, to measure their knowledge, awareness, and practice, as well as their perceived safety and behavioral control. A significant negative correlation was found between participants safety knowledge and their safety practices (r (323) = −0.19, p < 0.01), as well as a similar correlation with perceived safety control among the study group (r (323) = −0.27, p < 0.01). In addition, the hygiene rating among the group was adjudged poor as there was no established relationship found with their perceived safety control. To help bridge the gap around e-waste workers safety knowledge, awareness, and practices, it is pertinent for local and international players to take into consideration the shared values and beliefs among the group and work alongside the group in developing a set of policies that will help improve their safety and health.
Developing an In-House Comprehensive Medication Review Training Program for Clinical Pharmacists in a Finnish Hospital Pharmacy
Authors: Kvarnström Kirsi , Niittynen Ilona , Kallio Sonja , Lindén-Lahti Carita , Airaksinen Marja , Schepel Lotta
Published: June 2023

Long-term continuing education programs have been a key factor in shifting toward more patient-centered clinical pharmacy services. This narrative review aims to describe the development of Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) Pharmacy’s in-house Comprehensive Medication Review Training Program (CMRTP) and how it has impacted clinical pharmacy services in HUS. The CMRTP was developed during the years 2017–2020. The program focuses on developing the special skills and competencies needed in comprehensive medication reviews (CMRs), including interprofessional collaboration and pharmacotherapeutic knowledge. The program consists of two modules: (I) Pharmacist-Led Medication Reconciliation, and (II) CMR. The CMRTP includes teaching sessions, self-learning assignments, medication reconciliations, medication review cases, CMRs, a written final report, and a self-assessment of competence development. The one-year-long program is coordinated by a clinical teacher. The program is continuously developed based on the latest guidelines in evidence-based medicine and international benchmarking in cooperation with the University of Helsinki. With the CMRTP, we have adopted a more patient-centered role for our clinical pharmacists and remarkably expanded the services. This program may be benchmarked in other countries where the local education system does not cover clinical pharmacy competence well enough and in hospitals where the clinical pharmacy services are not yet very patient-oriented.
Examining the New-Member Effect to an Established Community-Based Physical Activity Program for Older Adults in England
Authors: Middleton Geoff , Hambrook Robyn , Bishop Daniel C. , Crust Lee , Broom David R.
Published: June 2023

Community-based group physical activity programs promote exercise opportunities for older people. The aim of this study was to examine the short-term, new participant effect after joining Vitality, a community-based group physical activity program available in the East of England for older adults. Two independent groups of participants were assessed before and after an 8 week period: a group recruited from the ‘Vitality’ program (VP) (n 15, age: Age = 69.4 ± 6.4 y), and; a non-intervention control (CON) group (n 14, age: 64.5 ± 5.8 y). Assessment outcomes included basic physical health measures, a fitness test battery, and three psychological scales. The VP group recorded statistically significant improvements on the following outcomes: body mass (VP: −1.39 kg/CON: −0.2 kg), body mass index (VP: −1.5 kg/CON: −0.2 kg), 6 min walk (VP: +42.81 m/CON: −0.45 m), 30 s sit-to-stand (VP: −1.7 s/CON: −0.7 s), the chair sit-and-reach (VP: +3.12 cm/CON: +1.90 cm), and the 30 s arm curl test (VP: + 2 reps/CON: +0.9 reps). No significant differences were found with the other outcomes assessed. New members to the Vitality program achieved several physical and functional benefits without regression on any aspects of physical or psychological health.
A Study of Landscape Features in the Coastal Area of the Seto Inland Sea Based on Landscape Paintings
Authors: Zhang Yichuan , Zhao Shichen
Published: June 2023

Landscape paintings provide an abundant and objective representation of good and distinctive local scenery, which is widely used in local landscape analysis, so the comprehensive research of landscape paintings is fundamental and necessary for the subsequent landscape planning work. Landscape paintings include both planar information and spatial information. However, there has been little previous work on landscape paintings from both a three-dimensional and planar perspective, and the landscape features of landscape paintings have not yet been comprehensively clarified. Therefore, this paper, taking the Seto Inland Sea area as a case study, aims to comprehensively clarify the landscape features of the paintings and provide a valuable index of “good and characteristic landscapes” in this area based on the two planar features of element configuration and color, along with one spatial feature (element arrangement). To deeply clarify the typical landscape features of paintings, we attempt to propose a classification method by combining the similarity of features in different attributions. The results indicate that Sky, Green, and Sea are the most essential landscape elements, and yellow (orange), blue, and green hues are the most used in the paintings. In addition, the paintings were classified into eight typical landscapes, and seascape and field landscapes were the most significant presented in the landscape paintings in this area. This study presents a method to clarify the landscape features from both planar and spatial perspectives, providing more comprehensive guidance and data support for the subsequent landscape planning work and analysis—especially in regional landscape exploration—and for the development of tourism landscape resources in urban planning.
Reactive Agility and Pitching Performance Improvement in Visually Impaired Competitive Italian Baseball Players: An Innovative Training and Evaluation Proposal
Authors: Carretti Giuditta , Bianco Raffaele , Sgambati Eleonora , Manetti Mirko , Marini Mirca
Published: June 2023

Visual input significantly affects kinesthesis skills and, hence, visually impaired individuals show less developed sensorimotor control, especially in an unfamiliar outdoor environment. Regular blind baseball practice can counteract such a deficit but, given the complex kinetic chain model required, a targeted workout proposal is needed to improve the main athletic gesture performance. On these premises, we investigated, for the first time, the running and pitching performance of a competitive Italian blind baseball team through quantitative tools and parameters such as Libra Easytech sensorized proprioceptive board, goniometric active range of motion, chronometric speed, and pitching linear length. Moreover, the perceived physical exertion was assessed by the Borg CR10 scale. Consequently, an adapted athletic training protocol was designed and tested on the field during the competitive season, with the aim to strengthen sport specific-gesture coordination and efficacy as well as to prevent injuries. Quantitative assessments showed an improvement in ankle stability index, bilateral upper limb and hip mobility, reactive agility, running braking phase control during second base approaching, and auditory target-related pitching accuracy along with a decrease in perceived physical exertion. This protocol might therefore represent an effective and easily reproducible training and evaluation approach to tailor management of visually impaired baseball players, and safely improve their athletic performance under the supervision of an adapted exercise specialist.
A Descriptive Qualitative Study of Older Persons and Family Experiences with Extreme Weather Conditions in Northern Thailand
Authors: Junlapeeya Piyatida , Lorga Thaworn , Santiprasitkul Somporn , Tonkuriman Asawinee
Published: June 2023

Extreme weather can cause ill health in older persons due to a direct thermal effect on the body’s thermoregulation and difficulties in maintaining a healthy lifestyle and accessing the health services they need. To understand experiences in relation to their exposures to extreme weather and how they responded to such weather conditions, including cold snaps, heat and air pollution in northern Thai communities, a descriptive qualitative study was conducted to uncover details and the essence of perspectives and experiences of older persons and family members. Three focus group discussions with 15 older persons and 15 family members occurred in three communities in Chiang Rai, a northern province of Thailand. Thematic analysis was performed. Experiences of older persons and families in relation to extreme weather conditions were described in five themes: local actions against weather changes, the double challenges, awareness and reactions to weather changes, protective and comfortable living environments, and mitigation of the impacts of weather conditions. Seasonal adaptability was key for older persons to stay safe and healthy during extreme weather changes.Heat, cold snaps, and air pollution made health and daily living routine maintenance among older persons challenging, especially among those with declining health. Older persons and families employed predictive and adaptive strategies to avoid and minimise extreme weather impacts and maximise their comfort and optimal living.
Emotions in Times of Pandemic Crisis among Italian Children: A Systematic Review
Authors: Bonvino Aurora , Calvio Antonella , Stallone Roberta , Marinelli Chiara , Quarto Tiziana , Petito Annamaria , Palladino Paola , Monacis Lucia
Published: June 2023

Several studies underlined the negative effects of forced social isolation on emotional processes in younger population. The current study aimed to review existing evidence of the pandemic’s impact on the emotional regulation of Italian children aged 0–12 years in order to identify personal and contextual factors that may adversely impact their developmental process. Different electronic databases (Web of Science, APA PsycInfo, APA PsycArticles, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Scopus) were used to identify peer-reviewed studies published in English and Italian. Thirteen studies were included in the review, covering a total of 18.843 children. All studies reported negative effects of the lockdown on a child’s emotional processes. The most affected were children aged 3–5 years, those living in Northern Italy, and those with low socioeconomic status (SES) families. Alterations in emotional processes were associated with sleep disturbances, quality of family relationships, personality structures, the coping strategies used, and time spent with technological devices. Finally, two- (time × parenting) and three-way (time × parenting × environmental sensitivity) interactions resulted significantly in predicting a child’s emotional regulation, respectively, in terms of externalizing and internalizing behaviors. This review remarks that children’s emotional processes were negatively impacted during social lockdown, especially where acute social isolation interacted with a set of dispositional and situational risk factors.
SARS-CoV-2 Survival on Surfaces. Measurements Optimisation for an Enthalpy-Based Assessment of the Risk
Authors: Spena Angelo , Palombi Leonardo , Carestia Mariachiara , Spena Vincenzo Andrea , Biso Francesco
Published: June 2023

The present work, based on the results found in the literature, yields a consistent model of SARS-CoV-2 survival on surfaces as environmental conditions, such as temperature and relative humidity, change simultaneously. The Enthalpy method, which has recently been successfully proposed to investigate the viability of airborne viruses using a holistic approach, is found to allow us to take a reasoned reading of the data available on surfaces in the literature. This leads us to identify the domain of conditions of lowest SARS-CoV-2 viability, in a specific enthalpy range between 50 and 60 kJ/Kgdry-air. This range appears well-superimposed with the results we previously obtained from analyses of coronaviruses’ behaviour in aerosols, and may be helpful in dealing with the spread of infections. To steer future investigations, shortcomings and weaknesses emerging from the assessment of viral measurement usually carried out on surfaces are also discussed in detail. Once demonstrated that current laboratory procedures suffer from both high variability and poor standardisation, targeted implementations of standards and improvement of protocols for future investigations are then proposed.
Analysis of Tourist Market Structure and Its Driving Factors in Small Cities before and after COVID-19
Authors: Wu Lili , Liu Yi , Liu Kuo , Wang Yongji , Tian Zhihui
Published: June 2023

Based on the digital footprint data, exploring the differences in tourist market structure and driving factors before and after COVID-19 is important for identifying tourist market demand and optimizing tourism product supply in the post-pandemic era. Most of the existing studies have explored the impact of the pandemic on the tourist market in well-known or large cities and have provided suggestions for tourism recovery. However, these suggestions are not entirely applicable to smaller cities. Small cities have a single level of tourism product, high homogeneity of tourism resources, small tourist market scale, and high volatility of the tourism industry. Therefore, it is necessary to study the differences in the tourist market structure of small cities and its driving factors before and after the pandemic and to propose targeted measures for the tourism recovery in the post-pandemic period. This paper, taking small cities as the study area and using online travel diaries as the data source, analyzed the differences in the spatial and temporal structures of tourist markets and their driving factors in Dengfeng and Kaifeng, China, before and after the pandemic. Then, countermeasures for tourism industry recovery in the post-pandemic era were proposed. The results were as follows: the difference in the tourism off-peak season increased after the pandemic, and the concentration of tourist market spatial distribution in Dengfeng showed a decreasing trend while that in Kaifeng showed an increasing trend. In addition to region traffic, the driving effects of leisure time, climate comfort and residents’ income level weakened after the outbreak. Dengfeng and Kaifeng can enhance the tourist market tendency and attractiveness by creating special indoor tourism projects, strengthening tourism product promotion and marketing and enhancing the facilities related to self-driving tours.
Efficient Classification of Imbalanced Natural Disasters Data Using Generative Adversarial Networks for Data Augmentation
Authors: Eltehewy Rokaya , Abouelfarag Ahmed , Saleh Sherine Nagy
Published: June 2023

Rapid damage identification and classification in disastrous situations and natural disasters are crucial for efficiently directing aid and resources. With the development of deep learning techniques and the availability of imagery content on social media platforms, extensive research has focused on damage assessment. Through the use of geospatial data related to such incidents, the visual characteristics of these images can quickly determine the safety situation in the region. However, training accurate disaster classification models has proven to be challenging due to the lack of labeled imagery data in this domain. This paper proposes a disaster classification framework, which combines a set of synthesized diverse disaster images generated using generative adversarial networks (GANs) and domain-specific fine-tuning of a deep convolutional neural network (CNN)-based model. The proposed model utilizes bootstrap aggregating (bagging) to further stabilize the target predictions. Since past work in this domain mainly suffers from limited data resources, a sample dataset that highlights the issue of imbalanced classification of multiple natural disasters was constructed and augmented. Qualitative and quantitative experiments show the validity of the data augmentation method employed in producing a balanced dataset. Further experiments with various evaluation metrics verified the proposed framework’s accuracy and generalization ability across different classes for the task of disaster classification in comparison to other state-of-the-art techniques. Furthermore, the framework outperforms the other models by an average validation accuracy of 11%. These results provide a deep learning solution for real-time disaster monitoring systems to mitigate the loss of lives and properties.
The Mechanisms of the Roles of α-Synuclein, Amyloid-β, and Tau Protein in the Lewy Body Diseases: Pathogenesis, Early Detection, and Therapeutics
Authors: Noguchi-Shinohara Moeko , Ono Kenjiro
Published: June 2023

Lewy body diseases (LBD) are pathologically defined as the accumulation of Lewy bodies composed of an aggregation of α-synuclein (αSyn). In LBD, not only the sole aggregation of αSyn but also the co-aggregation of amyloidogenic proteins, such as amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau, has been reported. In this review, the pathophysiology of co-aggregation of αSyn, Aβ, and tau protein and the advancement in imaging and fluid biomarkers that can detect αSyn and co-occurring Aβ and/or tau pathologies are discussed. Additionally, the αSyn-targeted disease-modifying therapies in clinical trials are summarized.
The Link between Diabetes, Pancreatic Tumors, and miRNAs—New Players for Diagnosis and Therapy?
Authors: Kozłowska Małgorzata , Śliwińska Agnieszka
Published: June 2023

Despite significant progress in medicine, pancreatic cancer is one of the most tardily diagnosed cancer and is consequently associated with a poor prognosis and a low survival rate. The asymptomatic clinical picture and the lack of relevant diagnostic markers for the early stages of pancreatic cancer are believed to be the major constraints behind an accurate diagnosis of this disease. Furthermore, underlying mechanisms of pancreatic cancer development are still poorly recognized. It is well accepted that diabetes increases the risk of pancreatic cancer development, however the precise mechanisms are weakly investigated. Recent studies are focused on microRNAs as a causative factor of pancreatic cancer. This review aims to provide an overview of the current knowledge of pancreatic cancer and diabetes-associated microRNAs, and their potential in diagnosis and therapy. miR-96, miR-124, miR-21, and miR-10a were identified as promising biomarkers for early pancreatic cancer prediction. miR-26a, miR-101, and miR-200b carry therapeutic potential, as they not only regulate significant biological pathways, including the TGF-β and PI3K/AKT, but their re-expression contributes to the improvement of the prognosis by reducing invasiveness or chemoresistance. In diabetes, there are also changes in the expression of microRNAs, such as in miR-145, miR-29c, and miR-143. These microRNAs are involved, among others, in insulin signaling, including IRS-1 and AKT (miR-145), glucose homeostasis (hsa-miR-21), and glucose reuptake and gluconeogenesis (miR-29c). Although, changes in the expression of the same microRNAs are observed in both pancreatic cancer and diabetes, they exert different molecular effects. For example, miR-181a is upregulated in both pancreatic cancer and diabetes mellitus, but in diabetes it contributes to insulin resistance, whereas in pancreatic cancer it promotes tumor cell migration, respectively. To conclude, dysregulated microRNAs in diabetes affect crucial cellular processes that are involved in pancreatic cancer development and progression.
TGF-β Signaling in Progression of Oral Cancer
Authors: Guo Yuanyuan , Xu Tiansong , Chai Yujuan , Chen Feng
Published: June 2023

Oral cancer is a common malignancy worldwide, accounting for 1.9% to 3.5% of all malignant tumors. Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), as one of the most important cytokines, is found to play complex and crucial roles in oral cancers. It may act in a pro-tumorigenic and tumor-suppressive manner; activities of the former include cell cycle progression inhibition, tumor microenvironment preparation, apoptosis promotion, stimulation of cancer cell invasion and metastasis, and suppression of immune surveillance. However, the triggering mechanisms of these distinct actions remain unclear. This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of TGF-β signal transduction, focusing on oral squamous cell and salivary adenoid systemic carcinomas as well as keratocystic odontogenic tumors. Both the supporting and contrary evidence of the roles of TGF-β is discussed. Importantly, the TGF-β pathway has been the target of new drugs developed in the past decade, some having demonstrated promising therapeutic effects in clinical trials. Therefore, the achievements of TGF-β pathway-based therapeutics and their challenges are also assessed. The summarization and discussion of the updated knowledge of TGF-β signaling pathways will provide insight into the design of new strategies for oral cancer treatment, leading to an improvement in oral cancer outcomes.
Bioactive and Elastic Emulsion Electrospun DegraPol Tubes Delivering IGF-1 for Tendon Rupture Repair
Authors: Rieber Julia , Meier-Bürgisser Gabriella , Miescher Iris , Weber Franz E. , Wolint Petra , Yao Yang , Ongini Esteban , Milionis Athanasios , Snedeker Jess G. , Calcagni Maurizio , Buschmann Johanna
Published: June 2023

Tendon injuries can result in two major drawbacks. Adhesions to the surrounding tissue may limit the range of motion, while fibrovascular scar formation can lead to poor biomechanical outcomes. Prosthetic devices may help to mitigate those problems. Emulsion electrospinning was used to develop a novel three-layer tube based on the polymer DegraPol (DP), with incorporated insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the middle layer. Scanning electron microscopy was utilized to assess the fiber diameter in IGF-1 containing pure DP meshes. Further characterization was performed with Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, and water contact angle, as well as through the assessment of mechanical properties and release kinetics from ELISA, and the bioactivity of IGF-1 by qPCR of collagen I, ki67, and tenomodulin in rabbit Achilles tenocytes. The IGF-1-containing tubes exhibited a sustained release of the growth factor up to 4 days and showed bioactivity by significantly upregulated ki67 and tenomodulin gene expression. Moreover, they proved to be mechanically superior to pure DP tubes (significantly higher fracture strain, failure stress, and elastic modulus). The novel three-layer tubes intended to be applied over conventionally sutured tendons after a rupture may help accelerate the healing process. The release of IGF-1 stimulates proliferation and matrix synthesis of cells at the repair site. In addition, adhesion formation to surrounding tissue can be reduced due to the physical barrier.
Platelet-Derived Microparticles and Autoimmune Diseases
Authors: Li Xiaoshuai , Wang Qiushi
Published: June 2023

Extracellular microparticles provide a means of cell-to-cell communication and can promote information exchanges between adjacent or distant cells. Platelets are cell fragments that are derived from megakaryocytes. Their main functions are to stop bleeding, regulate inflammation, and maintain the integrity of blood vessels. When platelets are activated, they can perform related tasks by secreting platelet-derived microparticles that contain lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, and even organelles. There are differences in the circulating platelet levels in many autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, and Sjogren’s syndrome. In this paper, the latest findings in the research field of platelet-derived microparticles are reviewed, including the potential pathogenesis of platelet-derived microparticles in various types of immune diseases, their potential as related markers, and for monitoring the progress and prognosis of disease treatment are expounded.