bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Usage of the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire: A Systematic Review of a Comprehensive Job Stress Questionnaire in Japan from 2003 to 2021
Authors: Watanabe Kazuhiro , Imamura Kotaro , Eguchi Hisashi , Hidaka Yui , Komase Yu , Sakuraya Asuka , Inoue Akiomi , Kobayashi Yuka , Sasaki Natsu , Tsuno Kanami , Ando Emiko , Arima Hideaki , Asaoka Hiroki , Hino Ayako , Iida Mako , Iwanaga Mai , Inoue Reiko , Otsuka Yasumasa , Shimazu Akihito , Kawakami Norito , Tsutsumi Akizumi
Published: January 2023

The Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ) is used widely in occupational health studies and practice. Summarizing scientific production based on measurement is crucial. This study aimed to systematically review observational studies that used the BJSQ and the New BJSQ to show their usability. A systematic search was conducted for studies investigating relationships between the BJSQ or the New BJSQ subscales and other validated measurements on 13 September 2021, in various literature databases. The BJSQ subscales, scoring methods, and other validated measurements in the studies were qualitatively summarized. In total, 145 published reports between 2003 and 2021 were included. Among the BJSQ subscales, job stressors (n = 95) such as quantitative job overload (n = 65) and job control (n = 64) were most often used. The subscales were utilized to investigate the relationships with several other measurements. Five reports used subscales from the New BJSQ. In the last two decades, the BJSQ and the New BJSQ help measure psychosocial factors (PF) at work and contribute to the publication of scientific papers in the occupational health field. This study would encourage the utilization of the questionnaires for future research and practice.
Factors Associated with Symptoms of Depression among People with Obesity: Analysis of a 3-Year-Peruvian National Survey
Authors: Vera-Ponce Víctor Juan , Torres-Malca Jenny Raquel , Ramos Willy , Espinoza Rojas Rubén , Guerra Valencia Jamee , Loayza-Castro Joan A. , Zuzunaga-Montoya Fiorella E. , Zeñas-Trujillo Gianella Zulema , Cruz-Ausejo Liliana , De La Cruz-Vargas Jhony A.
Published: January 2023

Introduction: Obesity and depression contribute to the global burden of economic cost, morbidity, and mortality. Nevertheless, not all people with obesity develop depression. Objective: To determine the factors associated with depressive symptoms among people aged 15 or older with obesity from the National Demographic and Family Health Survey (ENDES in Spanish 2019–2021). Methods: Cross-sectional analytical study. The outcome of interest was the presence of depressive symptoms, assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Crude (cPR) and adjusted (aPR) prevalence ratios were estimated using GLM Poisson distribution with robust variance estimates. Results: The prevalence of depression symptoms was 6.97%. In the multivariate analysis, a statistically significant association was found between depressive symptoms and female sex (PRa: 2.59; 95% CI 1.95–3.43); mountain region (PRa: 1.51; 95% CI 1.18–1.92); wealth index poor (PRa: 1.37; 95% CI 1.05–1.79, medium (PRa: 1.49; 95% CI 1.11–2.02), and rich (PRa: 1.65; 95% CI 1.21–2.26); daily tobacco use (PRa: 2.05, 95% CI 1.09–3.87); physical disability (PRa: 1.96, 95% CI 1.07–3.57); and a history of arterial hypertension (PRa: 2.05; 95% CI 1.63–2.55). Conclusion: There are several sociodemographic factors (such as being female and living in the Andean region) and individual factors (daily use of tobacco and history of hypertension) associated with depressive symptoms in Peruvian inhabitants aged 15 or older with obesity. In this study, the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with an increase in depressive symptoms.
The Sizes of Spine Curvatures of Children That Practice Selected Sports
Authors: Twarowska-Grybalow Natalia , Truszczyńska-Baszak Aleksandra
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the shape of the spine curves in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar sections of children that practice selected sports. (2) Methods: The body posture of the examined children was assessed using the digital photography method, i.e., the Moiré method. Selected parameters characterizing the curvature of the spine (the Alpha, Beta and Gamma angles, the size of kyphosis in the thoracic spine and the size of lordosis in the lumbar spine) were analyzed. (3) Results: The study of the body posture using the Moiré method allowed for the assessment of the angles that determine the size of the spine’s curvature. The analysis of differences among the groups included in the study (football, swimming, biathlon/taekwondo, volleyball) was carried out on the basis of one-dimensional models that take into account the distributions of individual parameters. On the basis of the Alpha, Beta and Gamma angles, it was possible to calculate the size of kyphosis in the thoracic section and the size of lordosis in the lumbar spine. There was a statistically significant difference in the size of the Alpha, Beta and Gamma parameters among the groups. (4) Conclusions: Most of the respondents had the correct body posture in the sagittal plane, regardless of the type of sport they practiced. Our results did not allow us to unequivocally state whether practicing various sports and having different training loads resulting from these sports have a negative or positive effect on the size of the anterior–posterior curvatures of the spine.
Association between Body Mass Index and Diabetes Mellitus Are Mediated through Endogenous Serum Sex Hormones among Menopause Transition Women: A Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: He Li , Fan Bingbing , Li Chunxia , Qu Yanlin , Liu Ying , Zhang Tao
Published: January 2023

Objective: To explore whether and to what extent endogenous sex hormones mediate the association between overweight and diabetes risk in menopausal transition women. Methods: Premenopausal women were from the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation, with measurements of serum sex hormone including sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHAS) in first postmenopausal follow-up. At the last postmenopausal follow-up, hyperglycemia status was confirmed. The partial least squares (PLS) regression method was used to extract hormonal signals associated with body mass index (BMI). Hyperglycemia was defined as individuals with prediabetes or diabetes; overweight was defined as BMI ≥ 25 kg/m2. Causal mediation analysis was used to examine the mediation effect on the association between perimenopause overweight and post-menopause hyperglycemia through PLS score and individual sex hormones. Results: The longitudinal study included 1438 normal glucose women with a baseline mean age (SD) of 46.5 (2.6) years and a mean follow-up period of 9.9 years. During the follow-up period, 145 (10.1) cases of hyperglycemia occurred. Compared with normal-weight participants, overweight women were associated with a higher hyperglycemia risk during the transition period (OR = 4.06, 95% CI: 2.52 to 6.80). Overweight women had higher T, E2, and lower SHBG, FSH, and DAHS concentrations (β = 0.26, 0.38, −0.52, −0.52, and −0.13, p < 0.05 for all). After adjusting for overweight and covariates, lower SHBG and FSH levels were associated with higher hyperglycemia risk (OR = 0.70 and 0.69, all p < 0.05). As a linear combination of sex hormones, the PLS score was positively associated with T, E2, and negatively with SHBG, FSH, and DHAS. PLS score interpreted 36.50% (p < 0.001) of the overweight-hyperglycemia association. Considering single-sex hormones, the mediation proportion of SHBG and FSH were 21.38% (p < 0.001) and 24.08% (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Sex hormones mediated the association of overweight and diabetes risk in menopause transition women. SHBG and FSH have the dominant mediation effect.
The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Lockdowns on Self-Poisoning and Suicide in Sri Lanka: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis
Authors: Rajapakse Thilini , Silva Tharuka , Hettiarachchi Nirosha Madhuwanthi , Gunnell David , Metcalfe Chris , Spittal Matthew J. , Knipe Duleeka
Published: January 2023

Evidence from high-income countries suggests that the impact of COVID-19 on suicide and self-harm has been limited, but evidence from low- and middle-income countries is lacking. Using data from a hospital-based self-poisoning register (January 2019–December 2021) and data from national records (2016–2021) of suicide in Sri Lanka, we aimed to assess the impact of the pandemic on both self-poisoning and suicide. We examined changes in admissions for self-poisoning and suicide using interrupted time series (ITS) analysis. For the self-poisoning hospital admission ITS models, we defined the lockdown periods as follows: (i) pre-lockdown: 01/01/2019–19/03/2020; (ii) first lockdown: 20/03/2020–27/06/2020; (iii) post-first lockdown: 28/06/2020–11/05/2021; (iv) second lockdown: 12/05/2021–21/06/2021; and (v) post-second lockdown: 22/06/2021–31/12/2021. For suicide, we defined the intervention according to the pandemic period. We found that during lockdown periods, there was a reduction in hospital admissions for self-poisoning, with evidence that admission following self-poisoning remained lower during the pandemic than would be expected based on pre-pandemic trends. In contrast, there was no evidence that the rate of suicide in the pandemic period differed from that which would be expected. As the long-term socioeconomic impacts of the pandemic are realised, it will be important to track rates of self-harm and suicide in LMICs to inform prevention.
Retraction of Clinical Trials about the SARS-CoV-2 Infection: An Unaddressed Problem and Its Possible Impact on Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 Treatment
Authors: Valencise Felipe Eduardo , Palamim Camila Vantini Capasso , Marson Fernando Augusto Lima
Published: January 2023

We are presenting an overview of the retracted clinical trials about the Coronavirus Disease (COVID)-19 published in PubMed using the descriptors ((COVID-19 OR SARS-CoV-2) AND (Clinical Trial)). We collected the information for i) the first author’s country; ii) the journal name where the study was published; iii) the impact factor of the journal; iv) the main objective of the study; v) methods including population, intervention, study design, and outcomes; and vi) results and conclusions. We collected complete information from the retraction notes published by the journals and the number of publications/retractions related to non-COVID-19 clinical trials published simultaneously. We also included the Altmetric index for the clinical trials and the retraction notes about COVID-19 to compare the accessibility to both studies’ indexes. The retraction of clinical trials occurred in four countries (one in Lebanon, one in India, one in Brazil, and five in Egypt) and six journals (one in Viruses, one in Archives of Virology, one in Expert Review of Anti-infective Therapy, one in Frontiers in Medicine, two in Scientific Reports, and two in The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene). Eight drugs were tested (Ivermectin, Vitamin D, Proxalutamide, Hydroxychloroquine, Remdesevir, Favipiravir, and Sofosbuvir + Daclatasvir) in the studies. One of the retractions was suggested by the authors due to an error in the statistical analysis, which compromised their results and conclusions. Also, the methods, mainly the allocation, were not well conducted in the two studies, and the studies were retracted. In addition, the studies performed by Dabbous et al. presented several issues, mainly including several raw datasets that did not prove their findings. Moreover, two studies were retracted due to data overlap and copying. Significant concerns were raised about the integrity of the data and reported results in another article. We identified a higher Altmetric index for the original studies, proving that the retracted studies were accessed more than the retraction notes. Interestingly, the impact of the original articles is much higher than their retraction notes. The different Altmetric indexes show that possibly people who read those retracted articles are not reading their retraction notes and are unaware of the erroneous information they share. COVID-19- related clinical trials were ~two-time times more retracted than the other clinical trials performed during the same time.
Impact of Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation in an Infant Treated with Vancomycin: A Case Report
Authors: Shiraishi Chihiro , Kato Hideo , Imai Hiroshi , Iwamoto Takuya
Published: January 2023

Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used for prophylaxis and treatment of infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Although major organ sizes and functions mature during infancy, pharmacokinetic studies, especially those focused on infants, are limited. Changes in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation-related drug disposition largely contribute to changes in pharmacokinetics. Here, pharmacokinetic profiles of vancomycin in an infant receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy are presented. A two-month-old Japanese infant with moderately decreased renal function was started on 12.0 mg/kg vancomycin every 8 h from day X for prophylaxis of pneumonia during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation therapy. As the trough concentration of vancomycin observed on day X+3 was 27.1 μg/mL, vancomycin was then discontinued. The trough concentration decreased to 18.6 μg/mL 24 h after discontinuation, and 9.0 mg/kg vancomycin every 12 h was restarted from day X+5. On day X+6, the trough concentration increased to 36.1 μg/mL, and vancomycin therapy was again discontinued. On day X+7, the trough concentration decreased to 22.4 μg/mL. The pharmacokinetic profiles of vancomycin based on first-order conditional estimation in this infant were as follows: plasma clearance = 0.053 L/kg/hour, distribution volume = 2.19 L/kg, and half-life = 29.5 h. This research reported the prolonged half-life of vancomycin during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in infants with moderately decreased renal function.
Impacts of Digital Information Management Systems on Green Transformation of Manufacturing Enterprises
Authors: Miao Zeyan , Zhao Guohao
Published: January 2023

Under the background of increasingly prominent environmental problems, the establishment and application of digital information management systems established by the digital economy have brought new opportunities and challenges to the green transformation of manufacturing enterprises. Considering the micro level of Chinese manufacturing enterprises, does the adoption of information management systems really promote the improvement of the green transformation level of manufacturing enterprises? This paper takes the adoption of digital information management systems by China’s enterprises as a “quasi natural” experiment and uses the Difference-in-Difference and Propensity Score Matching model (PSM-DID) to explore its impact on the green transformation of manufacturing enterprises and its mechanism. The study found that the adoption of digital information management systems by enterprises significantly improved the green transformation level of manufacturing enterprises, especially the symbolic green transformation level, and had no significant positive effect on the substantive green transformation level. The mechanism analysis shows that manufacturing enterprises can achieve green transformation by adopting information management systems to improve the digital level, strengthen green innovation ability, and increase the redundant resources of enterprises. The heterogeneity analysis based on the internal governance and external environment of enterprises shows that the adoption of digital information management systems by manufacturing enterprises has significantly improved the green transformation level of non-state-owned enterprises, enterprises with high corporate governance, non-heavily polluting enterprises, and enterprises in the eastern region. The research conclusion enriches the research related to digitalization and green transformation of enterprises and has important inspiration for Chinese manufacturing enterprises to use digitalization capabilities to seek green sustainable development under the wave of digital economy development.
Similar Cognitive Skill Impairment in Children with Upper Limb Motor Disorders Due to Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita and Obstetrical Brachial Plexus Palsy
Authors: Blagovechtchenski Evgeny , Koriakina Maria , Bredikhin Dimitri , Agranovich Olga , Kadieva Dzerassa , Ermolovich Evgenia , Jääskeläinen Iiro P. , Shestakova Anna N.
Published: January 2023

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) and obstetrical brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) are motor disorders with similar symptoms (contractures and the disturbance of upper limb function). Both conditions present as flaccid paresis but differ from each other in the pathogenesis: AMC is a congenital condition, while OBPP results from trauma during childbirth. Despite this difference, these diseases are identical in terms of their manifestations and treatment programmes. We compared the cognitive skills of children with AMC and OBPP diagnoses with those of healthy children; we also compared the motor skills of impaired children with those of healthy ones. The patients in both groups significantly differed from the healthy children with regard to psychological parameters, such as ‘visual memory capacity’ and ‘thinking’. Moreover, the two groups with children with AMC and OBPP significantly differed from each other in motor skill parameters, such as ‘delayed motor development’, ‘general motor development’, and the ‘level of paresis’. Upper limb motor function in the OBPP children was less impaired compared to that of the AMC children. However, we did not find any significant differences in cognitive deficits between the AMC children and the OBPP children. This may indicate that motor impairment is more significant than the underlying cause for the development of cognitive impairment; however, the factors causing this phenomenon require further study (e.g., social environment, treatment, and rehabilitation programme).
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Socioeconomic Aspects in Greece
Authors: Stylianou Tasos , Ntelas Konstantinos
Published: January 2023

The global outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has spread worldwide, affecting almost all countries and territories. COVID-19 continues to impact various spheres of our life, such as the economy, industries, global market, agriculture, human health, health care, and many others. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of the COVID-lockdowns on people’s mental health in Greece. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in several urban, semi-urban and rural areas. The survey of 252 Greek people was conducted in spring 2022, and 46.8% of them were female and the other 53.2% were male. Ages were between 19 and 60 years old. Some of the main findings were that most of the participants feel their mental health got worse than before (about 80%), participants with kids were more affected than those who did not have any kids because they had bigger responsibilities and the pandemic might have caused them a lot of problems to deal with. The higher the income, the less they are affected, and people whose jobs did not change dramatically were also less likely to not be much mentally affected. Moreover, the percentage of smokers whose mental health became worse was greater than that among those who did not smoke. The same happened with those who consumed alcohol. Finally, we used the GBM algorithm to find three important predictors and we applied k-means to have a clear picture of the different clusters and how a number of participants are connected according to their answers.
Improvements in Compassion and Fears of Compassion throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Multinational Study
Authors: Matos Marcela , McEwan Kirsten , Kanovský Martin , Halamová Júlia , Steindl Stanley R. , Ferreira Nuno , Linharelhos Mariana , Rijo Daniel , Asano Kenichi , Vilas Sara P. , Márquez Margarita G. , Gregório Sónia , Brito-Pons Gonzalo , Lucena-Santos Paola , da Silva Oliveira Margareth , de Souza Erika Leonardo , Llobenes Lorena , Gumiy Natali , Costa Maria Ileana , Habib Noor , Hakem Reham , Khrad Hussain , Alzahrani Ahmad , Cheli Simone , Petrocchi Nicola , Tholouli Elli , Issari Philia , Simos Gregoris , Lunding-Gregersen Vibeke , Elklit Ask , Kolts Russell , Kelly Allison C. , Bortolon Catherine , Delamillieure Pascal , Paucsik Marine , Wahl Julia E. , Zieba Mariusz , Zatorski Mateusz , Komendziński Tomasz , Zhang Shuge , Basran Jaskaran , Kagialis Antonios , Kirby James , Gilbert Paul
Published: January 2023

During large-scale disasters, social support, caring behaviours, and compassion are shown to protect against poor mental health outcomes. This multi-national study aimed to assess the fluctuations in compassion over time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents (Time 1 n = 4156, Time 2 n = 980, Time 3 n = 825) from 23 countries completed online self-report questionnaires measuring the flows of compassion (i.e., Compassionate Engagement and Action Scales) and fears of compassion toward self and others and from others (i.e., Fears of Compassion Scales) and mental health at three time-points during a 10-month period. The results for the flows of compassion showed that self-compassion increased at Time 3. Compassion for others increased at Time 2 and 3 for the general population, but in contrast, it decreased in health professionals, possibly linked to burnout. Compassion from others did not change in Time 2, but it did increase significantly in Time 3. For fears of compassion, fears of self-compassion reduced over time, fears of compassion for others showed more variation, reducing for the general public but increasing for health professionals, whilst fears of compassion from others did not change over time. Health professionals, those with compassion training, older adults, and women showed greater flows of compassion and lower fears of compassion compared with the general population, those without compassion training, younger adults, and men. These findings highlight that, in a period of shared suffering, people from multiple countries and nationalities show a cumulative improvement in compassion and reduction in fears of compassion, suggesting that, when there is intense suffering, people become more compassionate to self and others and less afraid of, and resistant to, compassion.
Empathic Skills Training As a Means of Reducing Cyberbullying among Adolescents: An Empirical Evaluation
Authors: Salem Ashraf Atta M. S. , Al-Huwailah Amthal H. , Abdelsattar Mahfouz , Al-Hamdan Nadiah A. H. , Derar Esraa , Alazmi Sheikhah , Abu Al-Diyar Mosaad , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: January 2023

Cyberbullying is a form of aggression in which electronic communication such as e-mails, mobile phone calls, text messages, instant messenger contacts, photos, social networking sites and personal webpages are used to threaten or intimidate individuals. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) counselling based on empathic training may reduce cyberbullying among adolescents. The present study investigated the impact of developing empathy skills in reducing cyberbullying among a sample of adolescents using two groups (i.e., an experimental group and control group). The experimental group received counselling intervention based on CBT with special focus on improving empathy whereas the control group received CBT general counselling. The participants comprised 217 adolescents (experimental group = 98 adolescents, control group = 119 adolescents) with a mean age of 15.1 years (SD ± 1.5). The measures included the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) and the Bullying, Cyberbullying Scale for Adolescents (BCS-A). Results showed that there were statistically significant differences on TEQ scores and BCS-A scores in the experimental and control groups after the intervention but more so in favor of the experimental group in terms of reduced levels of cyberbullying (both victimization and perpetration). Positive gains among the experimental group in both empathy and reduced cyberbullying remained at two-month follow-up. It is recommended that teachers and school counselors tackling cyberbullying should use empathy training as part of their cyberbullying prevention programs.
Understanding Mothers’ Worries about the Effects of Disaster Evacuation on Their Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Yamazaki Chisato , Nakai Hisao
Published: January 2023

In Japan, there is an imminent threat of major earthquakes and floods. Children’s health is increasingly at risk from climate-change-related disasters. The purpose of this study was to identify factors related to mothers’ worries about the effects of evacuation on their children. Participants were mothers whose children attended a childcare center in one municipality in Ishikawa, Japan. A cross-sectional design was used. A questionnaire was developed based on previous studies, and it was used to conduct a survey. A total of 1298 individuals who provided valid data were included in the analysis. The following factors were related to mothers’ worries about the effects of evacuation on their children: not having prepared a grab bag as a disaster risk reduction strategy, having no neighbors to help them in case of disaster, having children aged <3 years, and having children with allergies. The mothers of children <3 years old with allergies who are unprepared and have no social support are likely to worry about evacuating their children. Policymakers must be aware that the mothers of children aged <3 years and the mothers of children with allergies experience substantial concerns about the effects of evacuation on their children.
Does China’s Pilot Carbon Market Cause Carbon Leakage? New Evidence from the Chemical, Building Material, and Metal Industries
Authors: Cong Jianhui , Wang Huimin , Hu Xiaoxiao , Zhao Yongbin , Wang Yingying , Zhang Weiqiang , Zhang Ling
Published: January 2023

The carbon market is an effective market for reducing greenhouse gas emissions; however, the existence of carbon leakage affects the emissions reduction effect of the carbon market. Using the multiregional input–output (MRIO) model and the difference-in-differences (DID) methodology, this study examined whether the chemical, building materials, or metals industries in China’s pilot carbon market have caused carbon leakage, the extent of the carbon leakage, and the areas to which the industries with carbon leakage have transferred their carbon emissions. The results showed that the pilot carbon market caused carbon leakage in the chemical, building materials, and metal industries. The building materials industry had the most serious carbon leakage, followed by the chemical industry, and the metal industry was the weakest. In addition, regardless of the industry, most of the areas affected by carbon leakage were concentrated in regions with relatively backward economic development and weak in-place environmental regulations, such as in the central and western regions. Compared with the other pilot areas, Guangdong was the area most likely to be affected by carbon leakage from other pilot areas. This study provides new evidence for the existence of carbon leakage in China’s pilot carbon market from an industrial perspective.
Muscle Activity and Co-Activation of Gait Cycle during Walking in Water and on Land in People with Spastic Cerebral Palsy
Authors: Phothirook Pariyaporn , Amatachaya Sugalya , Peungsuwan Punnee
Published: January 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in the muscle activity and co-activation index (CoA) of the rectus femoris (RF), biceps femoris (BF), gastrocnemius medialis (GM,) and tibialis anterior (TA) during walking on land and in water in healthy adolescents compared with those with spastic diplegia cerebral palsy (CP) adolescents. Methods: Four healthy individuals (median; age: 14 years, height: 1.57 cm, BMI: 16.58 kg/m2) and nine CP individuals (median; age: 15 years, height: 1.42 cm, BMI: 17.82 kg/m2) participated in this study and performed three walking trials under both conditions. An electromyography (EMG) collection was recorded with a wireless system Cometa miniwave infinity waterproof device, and the signals were collected using customized software named EMG and Motion Tools, Inc. software version 7 (Cometa slr, Milan, Italy) and was synchronized with an underwater VDO camera. Results: A significant decrease in the muscle activity of all muscles and CoA of RF/BF muscles, but an increase in TA/GM was observed within the CP group while walking in water during the stance phase. Between groups, there was a lower CoA of RF/BF and a greater CoA of TA/GM during the stance phase while walking in water and on land in the CP group. A non-significant difference was observed within the healthy group. Conclusion: Walking in water can decrease muscle activity in lower limbs and co-activation of thigh muscles in people with spastic CP, whereas CoA muscles around ankle joints increased to stabilize foot weight acceptance.
Change to a Plant-Based Diet Has No Effect on Strength Performance in Trained Persons in the First 8 Weeks—A 16-Week Controlled Pilot Study
Authors: Isenmann Eduard , Eggers Laura , Havers Tim , Schalla Jan , Lesch Alessio , Geisler Stephan
Published: January 2023

Over the past few years, the number of people who have avoided animal products has been rising steadily. A plant-based diet is associated with a healthier lifestyle and has positive effects on various diseases. More and more healthy active people and performance-orientated athletes are giving up animal products for various reasons, such as for an improved performance or faster regeneration. However, the data in this context are limited. This study aimed to obtain initial findings on the influence of a diet change to veganism on the performance of strength-trained individuals. For this study, a total of 15 omnivorous individuals were recruited. They documented their dietary food intakes over 16 weeks. Every four weeks, the strength performance was tested via a leg press and bench press. In the first 8 weeks, the participants maintained their omnivorous diet, followed by 8 weeks of a vegan dietary phase. In total, 10 subjects participated successfully, and their data were part of the statistical analyses. There was no difference in the absolute and relative strength performance for the leg and bench press after changing to a vegan diet. For the total calorie intake and carbohydrates, only a small treatment effect, but no time effect, was observed. However, for the protein intake, a time and group effect were detected. In addition, the relative protein intake decreased significantly and was lower than the current recommendations for athletes. The results demonstrate that a change to a vegan diet has no beneficial nor negative effect on the strength performance when the total calorie intake and carbohydrate content are covered in the first 8 weeks.
Convergence Analysis of Cross-Province Human Well-Being in China: A Spatiotemporal Perspective
Authors: Jiang Lei , Chen Yuan , Liang Wenjie , Zhang Bo
Published: January 2023

China’s economy has been experiencing a new development mode that emphasizes an environmentally friendly green economy and high living standards. The concept of human well-being has become increasingly prominent in recent years to replace GDP per capita as an important indicator for evaluating happiness. In the context of the green economy, it is of great significance to incorporate environmental indicators for evaluating human well-being. To this end, this paper constructs a new human well-being evaluation indicator system including environmental sustainability, and then evaluates the well-being levels of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2020 using a comprehensive evaluation method. Then, various statistical methods and visualization methods are used to deeply analyze the spatiotemporal changes in the well-being scores of Chinese provinces during the sample period. Finally, the spatial convergence model was used to verify if cross-province well-being scores would converge to a common steady state. The findings are as follows. (1) The scores of the environmental sustainability subsystem greatly vary from province to province. This is because the local governments have attached great importance to the construction of green ecological civilization in recent years, thus increasing the investment in protecting the ecological environment. (2) From temporal dimensions, overall human well-being scores of 30 provinces slightly increased year after year. In geography, eastern provinces have the highest human well-being scores, followed by northeast, northwest, and southwest provinces. (3) In terms of the scores of the four subsystems, we find that nearly all provinces have their advantages and disadvantages. (4) From the results of the spatial convergence models, both absolute and conditional β convergence have been verified, indicating that the human well-being of all provinces will converge to the common steady state in the future.
Development and Validity of an Intrapartum Self-Assessment Scale Aimed at Instilling Midwife-Led Care Competencies Used at Freestanding Midwifery Units
Authors: Inoue Naomi , Nakao Yuko , Yoshidome Atsuko
Published: January 2023

Building experience in midwife-led care at freestanding midwifery units is needed to enhance assessment, technical, and care competencies specific to midwives. This study aimed to develop a self-assessment scale for midwifery practice competency based on the characteristics of midwife-led care practices in freestanding midwifery units. This study was conducted at 65 childbirth facilities in Japan between September 2017 and March 2018. The items on the scale were developed based on a literature review, discussion at a professional meeting, and a preliminary survey conducted at two timepoints. The validity and reproducibility of the scale were evaluated based on item analysis, compositional concept validity, internal consistency, stability, and criterion-related validity using data from 401 midwives. The final version of the scale consisted of 40 items. Cronbach’s α for the overall scale was 0.982. The results for compositional concept validity, internal validity, and criterion-related validity demonstrated that this scale is capable of evaluating a midwife’s practice competencies in intrapartum care. Repeated self-assessment using this scale could improve the competencies of midwives from an early stage, maximize the roles of physicians and midwives, and create an environment that provides high-quality assistance to women.
Extracting Useful Emergency Information from Social Media: A Method Integrating Machine Learning and Rule-Based Classification
Authors: Shen Hongzhou , Ju Yue , Zhu Zhijing
Published: January 2023

User-generated contents (UGCs) on social media are a valuable source of emergency information (EI) that can facilitate emergency responses. However, the tremendous amount and heterogeneous quality of social media UGCs make it difficult to extract truly useful EI, especially using pure machine learning methods. Hence, this study proposes a machine learning and rule-based integration method (MRIM) and evaluates its EI classification performance and determinants. Through comparative experiments on microblog data about the “July 20 heavy rainstorm in Zhengzhou” posted on China’s largest social media platform, we find that the MRIM performs better than pure machine learning methods and pure rule-based methods, and that its performance is influenced by microblog characteristics such as the number of words, exact address and contact information, and users’ attention. This study demonstrates the feasibility of integrating machine learning and rule-based methods to mine the text of social media UGCs and provides actionable suggestions for emergency information management practitioners.
Colorectal Cancer—The Worst Enemy Is the One We Do Not Know
Authors: Furtak-Niczyporuk Marzena , Zardzewiały Witold , Balicki Dawid , Bernacki Radosław , Jaworska Gabriela , Kozłowska Marta , Drop Bartłomiej
Published: January 2023

Background: Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in humans. It is the third most frequently diagnosed malignant neoplasm and is the second highest cause of cancer mortality in the world. Every year, more and more people die of colorectal cancer because the diagnosis is conducted too late. This shows how important a role screening tests and the awareness of the population about the symptoms play in this aspect. This article aimed to determine the knowledge of the Polish population about morbidity, symptoms, prevention, and subjective feelings about the level of availability of knowledge about colorectal cancer. Methods: In 2020, a study was conducted using an online questionnaire assessing the awareness of the Polish population about colorectal cancer. A self-authored questionnaire including questions about socio-demographic characteristics, and 18 questions related to substantive issues, was used. A research group was selected (n = 633). The substantive part of the questionnaire included questions examining the respondents’ knowledge about morbidity, symptoms, prevention, and subjective feelings about the level of availability of knowledge about colorectal cancer. Results: The respondents’ awareness level was influenced by demographic factors, such as gender: (p < 0.05) and age (p < 0.05) and social factors, such as: level of education (p < 0.05) or professional situation (p < 0.05). Compared to thematic articles from other countries, the research group was divided into smaller subgroups due to the abovementioned factors, due to which it was possible to stratify and analyze the significance of differences between them.
Reliability and Repeatability of a Postural Control Test for Preterm Infants
Authors: Kniaziew-Gomoluch Katarzyna , Szopa Andrzej , Łosień Tomasz , Siwiec Jan , Kidoń Zenon , Domagalska-Szopa Małgorzata
Published: January 2023

Background: the current study aims to evaluate the reliability and repeatability of a new PT based on Center of Pressure (CoP) movement analysis in a repeated measures design. Methods: the examination consisted of two parts: (1) the videotaping of General Movements (GMs) and GMs assessment (GMA) and (2) Posturometric Tests (PT) in supine and prone positions. PTs were performed twice (by two investigators) in the supine and prone positions using a force plate. Based on the GMA results, infants were stratified into two groups: (1) infants with normal FMs (indicating normal future motor outcomes) (n = 18) and (2) infants with abnormal FMs (indicating later neurological dysfunction) (n = 19). Results: the comparative analysis between the groups of infants with normal FMs and abnormal FMs in PT in supine showed significant differences for all parameters that described spontaneous CoP displacement. The reliability analysis determined that all ICCs of the outcomes presented at least a moderate level of reliability. The ICCs were higher for outcomes of PT performed in the supine position than in the prone position. The ICCs were higher for outcomes of PT performed in infants with abnormal vs. normal FMs. Conclusions: although the current study yielded promising results, further longitudinal research in preterm infants should identify whether altered postural control parameters prognose future motor outcomes.
Whole-Process Risk Management of Soil Amendments for Remediation of Heavy Metals in Agricultural Soil—A Review
Authors: Feng Hanlin , Cheng Jiemin
Published: January 2023

Reducing the mobility and bioavailability of heavy metals in soils by adding exogenous materials is a technology for remediating soils contaminated with heavy metals. Unlike industrial sites, the use of such techniques in agricultural soils requires consideration of not only reducing the mobility of heavy metals but also avoiding adverse effects on soil fertility and the growth of plants. Due to the uncertainty of the stability of amendments applied to agricultural soil, the application of amendments in farmland soil is controversial. This article reviewed the field studies in which amendments were used to immobilize heavy metals, and identified the potential environmental impacts of all aspects of soil amendment usage, including production and processing, transportation, storage, application to soil, long-term stability, and plant absorption. Results of the study indicated that after identifying the environmental risks of the whole process of the application of improvers in agricultural fields, it is necessary to classify the risks according to their characteristics, and design differentiated risk control measures for the safe application of this type of technology.
Examining Predictors of Psychological Well-Being among University Students: A Descriptive Comparative Study across Thailand and Singapore
Authors: Thanoi Wareerat , Vongsirimas Nopporn , Sitthimongkol Yajai , Klainin-Yobas Piyanee
Published: January 2023

Background: Psychological well-being (PWB) is a significant indicator of positive psychology. Thus far, the predictors of PWB are not well-understood among university students in Asian countries. Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the relationships between PWB and its predictors (stress, resilience, mindfulness, self-efficacy, and social support) in Thai and Singaporean undergraduates. Stress is perceived to have a negative influence on PWB, but mindfulness, resilience, self-efficacy, and social support indicate positive influences. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive predictive research design was used with 966 Thai and 696 Singaporean university students. After calculating an adequate sample size and performing convenience sampling, we administered the following six standard scales: the Perceived Stress Scale, the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale, the Mindfulness Awareness Scale, the General Self-Efficacy Scale, the Multi-dimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and the Psychological Well-being Scale, along with a demographic questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and structural equation modeling were performed for participants’ PWB. Results: Mindfulness had significant effects on both factors of PWB, including autonomy and growth, and cognitive triad, across two samples. In the Thai sample, resilience most strongly predicted autonomy and growth and perceived stress did so the cognitive triad, whereas in the Singaporean sample, perceived control most strongly predicted autonomy and growth and support from friends did so the cognitive triad. Conclusion: These findings provide specific knowledge towards enhancing psychosocial interventions and promoting PWB to strengthen mindfulness, resilience, perceived control of stress, and social support.
Correction: Mat Rifin, M.; Danaee, M. Association between Burnout, Job Dissatisfaction and Intention to Leave among Medical Researchers in a Research Organisation in Malaysia during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 10017
Authors: Mat Rifin Halizah , Danaee Mahmoud
Published: January 2023

In the original publication [...]
Oral Health Promotion under the 8020 Campaign in Japan—A Systematic Review
Authors: Takehara Sachiko , Karawekpanyawong Raksanan , Okubo Hikaru , Tun Tin Zar , Ramadhani Aulia , Chairunisa Fania , Tanaka Azusa , Wright F. A. Clive , Ogawa Hiroshi
Published: January 2023

(1) Background: The aim of this study is to review the benefits of the 8020 Campaign since its inception. (2) Methods: We followed the PRISMA guideline and collected information regarding the 8020 Campaign through online database searches. (3) Results: Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and were eligible for analysis. The main outcomes of the 25 included studies were reviewed. The quality evaluation demonstrated a range of studies showing a credible relationship between masticatory function, number of teeth, salivary secretion, frequent dental check-ups, and general health concerns. Due to the risk of bias, publication bias, and indirectness, 22 studies were considered that only had “fair” quality. (4) Conclusions: The 8020 Foundation funded several of the studies, and other research papers noted the 8020 Campaign in their papers, however there were no clear explanations for any direct relationship between their findings and the 8020 Campaign. As a result, evidence for the direct effectiveness and benefits assessment of the 8020 Campaign positive outcomes were compromised by confounding social and economic variables over the 30-year period. To fully elucidate how improvement in Japan’s oral health was directly related to the 8020 Campaign, a more informed and systematic explanation of the campaign’s structure and activities is required.
Chronic Kidney Disease: Combined Effects of Gene Polymorphisms of Tissue Inhibitors of Metalloproteinase 3, Total Urinary Arsenic, and Blood Lead Concentration
Authors: Lin Ying-Chin , Huang Ya-Li , Shiue Horng-Sheng , Hsu Sheng-Lun , Hsueh Yu-Mei
Published: January 2023

The tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) is known to be an anti-fibrotic factor. Arsenic, lead, and cadmium exposure and selenium intake may affect TIMP3 expression. The downregulation of TIMP3 expression is related to kidney fibrosis. Genotypes of TIMP3 are related to hypertension and cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this study explored whether TIMP3 polymorphism is associated with hypertension-related chronic kidney disease (CKD). In addition, the combined effects of TIMP3 polymorphism and total urinary arsenic, blood lead and cadmium, and plasma selenium concentrations on CKD, were investigated. This was a case-control study, with 213 CKD patients and 423 age- and sex-matched controls recruited. Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism was used to determine TIMP3 gene polymorphisms. The concentrations of urinary arsenic species, plasma selenium, and blood lead and cadmium were measured. The odds ratio (OR) of CKD in the TIMP3rs9609643 GA/AA genotype was higher than that of the GG genotype at high levels of total urinary arsenic and blood lead; the OR and 95% confidence interval (CI) were 0.57 (0.31–1.05) and 0.52 (0.30–0.93), respectively, after multivariate adjustment. High blood lead levels tended to interact with the TIMP3rs9609643 GG genotype to increase the OR of CKD, and gave the highest OR (95% CI) for CKD of 5.97 (2.60–13.67). Our study supports a possible role for the TIMP3rs9609643 risk genotype combined with high total urinary arsenic or with high blood lead concentration to increase the OR of CKD.
Uncertainty Shocks and Corporate Borrowing Constraints
Authors: Kamara Ahmed , Koirala Niraj P.
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we study the effects of uncertainty shocks in a quantitative framework where firms in the corporate sector are constrained by credit. Specifically, we formulate borrowing constraints as a nested function that features both earnings and capital as alternative instruments for assessing credit worthiness, in line with recent trends in corporate finance. We find that the quantitative framework that incorporates only one instrument (capital or earnings) in the borrowing constraint falls short in matching the business cycle properties of the US economy in terms of the behavior of output, inflation, and the price markup which are an essential part of the literature on uncertainty shocks. Rather, a hybrid formulation of the borrowing constraint which accounts for both capital and earnings helps us bring the results in the quantitative model closer to the data.