bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Glucocorticoids Accelerate Erythropoiesis in Healthy Humans—Should the Use in Sports Be Reevaluated?
Authors: NORDSBORG NIKOLAI BAASTRUP , BONNE THOMAS CHRISTIAN , BREENFELDT ANDERSEN ANDREAS , SØRENSEN HENRIK , BEJDER JACOB 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT

Purpose
The World Anti-Doping Agency prohibits glucocorticoid administration in competition but not in periods out of competition. Glucocorticoid usage is controversial as it may improve performance, albeit debated. A hitherto undescribed but performance-relevant effect of glucocorticoids in healthy humans is accelerated erythropoiesis. We investigated whether a glucocorticoid injection accelerates erythropoiesis, increases total hemoglobin mass, and improves exercise performance.

Methods
In a counterbalanced, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover design (3 months washout), 10 well-trained males (peak oxygen uptake, 60 ± 3 mL O2·min−1·kg−1) were injected with 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide (glucocorticoid group) or saline (placebo group) in the gluteal muscles. Venous blood samples collected before and 7–10 h, 1, 3, 7, 14, and 21 d after treatment were analyzed for hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte percentage. Hemoglobin mass and mean power output in a 450-kcal time trial were measured before as well as 1 and 3 wk after treatment.

Results
A higher reticulocyte percentage was evident 3 d (19% ± 30%, P < 0.05) and 7 d (48% ± 38%, P < 0.001) after glucocorticoid administration, compared with placebo, whereas hemoglobin concentration was similar between groups. Additionally, hemoglobin mass was higher (P < 0.05) 7 d (glucocorticoid, 886 ± 104 g; placebo, 872 ± 103 g) and 21 d (glucocorticoid, 879 ± 111 g; placebo, 866 ± 103 g) after glucocorticoid administration compared with placebo. Mean power output was similar between groups 7 d (glucocorticoid, 278 ± 64 W; placebo, 275 ± 62 W) and 21 d (glucocorticoid, 274 ± 62 W; placebo, 275 ± 60 W) after treatment.

Conclusions
Intramuscular injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide accelerates erythropoiesis and increases hemoglobin mass but does not improve aerobic exercise performance in the present study. The results are important for sport physicians administering glucocorticoids and prompt a reconsideration of glucocorticoid usage in sport.
The Effects of Virtual Zumba® on Functional Outcomes in Adults with Developmental Disabilities
Authors: MUNN EMILY E. , LANG DANIELLE M. , HYNES JANETTE , NORTHCUTT ALICE , PATTEN BETTY S. , WADSWORTH DANIELLE D. , PANGELINAN MELISSA M. 
Published: March 2023

ABSTRACT

Introduction
Few studies have examined the comprehensive impact of adaptive exercise interventions across multiple functional domains (i.e., physical and cognitive health) in adults with developmental disabilities (DD).

Methods
The present study examined the effects of a 10-wk (2 sessions per week, 1 h per session) adapted Zumba® intervention on the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction on Balance, body composition, and executive function in 44 adults with DD age 20.8–69.2 yr. In addition to examining overall differences between control and intervention conditions, the effects of different Zumba® tempos (normal/low) were examined. A crossover design with a 3-month wash-out period was used such that participants in the intervention also served as controls. The participants were quasi-randomized into one of two Zumba® conditions: low-tempo Zumba® (0.75 normal speed; n = 23) and normal-tempo Zumba® (n = 21).

Results
A significant condition–time interaction was observed for the 6MWT and TUG; participants in the low and normal-tempo Zumba® conditions significantly increased the distance walked for the 6MWT and reduced the total time for the TUG. No improvement was observed during the control condition for these measures. There were no significant condition–time interactions for the other outcomes.

Conclusions
These findings have implications on the efficacy and implementation of virtual Zumba® programs to increase abilities related to independent performance of activities of daily living in adults with disabilities.
Assessing the impacts of conservation volunteering on participant wellbeing: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Nuuttila Hanna 
Published: March 2023

Background: Volunteers and citizen scientists have become an essential element of most nature conservation and restoration activities due to lack of resources but also due to the wish to engage and interact with local communities where conservation activities take place. Environmental or conservation volunteering is also considered to be a key resource in achieving much needed, ambitious nature restoration programs. Practical conservation work and various forms of environmental enhancement along with recreational and therapeutic use of natural or green and blue spaces have been studied for some time. The value of volunteers and the work is widely acknowledged but few studies have been carried out on the impacts of participating on the volunteers themselves. Using this protocol, a study will be undertaken to assess how impacts of participation have been assessed and reported in the literature; what these reported impacts are; how these are related to reported barriers and motivations for volunteering and whether they are affected by the region or country of study. Methods: This paper will identify studies that have described and assessed impacts of conservation and restoration volunteering on participants at an individual level, with a specific focus on physical, mental or societal wellbeing of individuals. Representative studies were sought from major search engines and relevant stakeholder publications, including both peer-reviewed and ‘grey literature’ in predominantly English language publications, published between 2000 and 2020. A priori inclusion criteria consisted of those publications and reports on studies with volunteer and community participants and which described impacts of, motivations for and barriers to participation. After a critical appraisal, a total of 105 articles were selected for further analysis to provide a narrative and mixed methods synthesis of the evidence base.
Recognizing human activities using light-weight and effective machine learning methodologies
Authors: Varadhi Keerthi , Someswara Rao Chinta , Sirisha GNVG , katari Butchi Raju 
Published: March 2023

Background Human activity recognition is a dynamic and challenging task. It is a large field of research and development. It involves predicting the movement of a person from the raw sensor data using a machine learning model. To accurately detect human activities for e-health systems, several research attempts have been carried out using data mining and machine learning techniques, but there still is room to improve the performance. To this aim, human activities such as walking, standing, laying, sitting, walking upstairs, walking downstairs are predicted using prominent machine learning models. The aim of human activity recognition is examining actions from photos or video clips. This serves as the driving force behind human activity identification systems' aim to accurately classify input data into the relevant activity category. Methods Six machine learning techniques, including decision tree, random forest, linear regression, Naïve bayes, k-nearest neighbour, and neural networks algorithms, were used for human activity recognition. Results The performance of decision tree, random forest, linear regression, Naïve bayes, k-nearest neighbor, and neural network algorithms was assessed with a human activity recognition dataset. From the results, the random forest classifier and neural network gave good results, whereas the Naïve bayes result was not satisfying. Conclusions We classified the SITTING, STANDING, LAYING, WALKING, WALKING_DOWNSTAIRS, WALKING_UPSTAIRS activities with machine learning techniques with 98% of accuracy
Effect of problem-based learning on Ugandan secondary school physics classroom practices: an observational study
Authors: Kanyesigye Stella T. , Uwamahoro Jean , Kemeza Imelda 
Published: March 2023

Background: Regular class observations are common ways of monitoring what happens inside classrooms during the teaching and learning processes. From the start of 2020, the Ugandan Education System introduced a new curriculum focusing on active learning methods which foster learner-centered approaches, including Problem-Based Learning (PBL). However, this new curriculum is now only emphasized in the lower classes (grades eight and nine), and teachers of the upper classes are still at liberty to use methods of their choice. This study documented the effect of problem-based learning on Ugandan secondary school physics classroom practices using a Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP). Methods: The study followed a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design employing cross-sectional survey techniques. The study was carried in 19 secondary schools, both government and private, in Mitooma District, southwestern Uganda. The participants were 419 13th-grade physics students of 2020/2021 school year together with 22 teachers. Professional training in implementing and assessing PBL lessons were offered to some teachers (experimental group), who were compared to those who did not receive the training (control group). The standard and validated international RTOP was used to observe 152 physics lessons. Microsoft Excel 2016 was used to compute descriptive analysis, while IBM SPSS 25 was used to compute inferential statistics. Results: The results indicated that teachers in the experimental group effectively taught their classes using PBL and learners were more active compared to the control group. Female teachers showed a statistically significant difference compared to their male teachers in reformed teaching of physics, while no significance was found between government and private schools. Conclusion: Giving teachers professional training is key to effective classroom practices. We recommend teachers to use PBL in teaching, policymakers train teachers on its implementations, and researchers investigate its effect on other subjects with RTOP or other standard observation protocols.
Secondary School in Russia: the Collective Portrait and Prospects. Part 2
Authors: Vasil'chenko N. 
Published: March 2023

The article presents the detailed analysis of a secondary school in the Russian Federation. The following blocks have been studied: ‘Strategy for education’, ‘Learners’, ‘Process of education’, ‘Teachers’, ‘Education environment’, ‘Management’, ‘Financial means and Information support’, each of which includes from 5 to 20 indicators. Each indicator was examined separately on the basis of the latest statistical data, political, social, psychological and pedagogical researches and received an assumed index from 1 to 9. It laid the foundation for the design of the secondary education establishment (SEE) model, the major purpose of which is the introduction of the cohesive and detailed portrait of the SEE in order to enhance its development, equity and quality of education. In conclusion, each block of indicators has got the outcome that together permit not only boosting the quality of education, but also upgrading the school design along with raising its social status. Moreover, some scientific deficiencies have been detected that may serve a road map for new research in pedagogy and linked disciplines.
Research Readiness of Military University Teachers Is a Factor in Improving the Level of Training of Highly Qualified Specialists
Authors: Kolomiychenko L. , Plyuhin Aleksandr 
Published: March 2023

The use of new forms and methods of interaction between a teacher and a future officer in the modern educational process is due to their availability, quality and effectiveness. One of the main directions of the cadet’s educational activity is scientific work, which is based on the results of research conducted under the guidance of a teacher. The presented analysis of the guiding documents defining the criteria for the appointment of the teaching staff made it possible to establish the requirements for candidates and the specifics of their selection, in connection with which a problem was identified in the organization of scientific work for a novice teacher. Empirical data obtained during the monitoring of the scientific work of the faculty of the Perm Military Institute of Rosgvardiya for 2021 allowed us to determine its key indicators, which reflect all types of scientific work and have a point equivalent, depending on the level, type and personal contribution of the participant of scientific work.
Formation of Professional Competencies that Ensure the Implementation of Research Activities by Students
Authors: Kostin A. , Dorzheeva A. 
Published: March 2023

The article deals with the results of a theoretical research "Studying the opinion of parents about the need for psychological and pedagogical assistance in an educational organization". The survey revealed that the largest percentage of respondents are interested in cooperation with educational organizations to maintain the psychological health of their child. Parents are also very concerned about the difficulties they face in the process of raising their child. This practice is an example of the organization of changes in the content and technology of individualization and practice-oriented pedagogical training and ensures the implementation of a new professional standard, new federal state educational standards of general and preschool education.
The article deals with the results of a theoretical research "Studying the opinion of parents about the need for psychological and pedagogical assistance in an educational organization". The survey revealed that the largest percentage of respondents are interested in cooperation with educational organizations to maintain the psychological health of their child. Parents are also very concerned about the difficulties they face in the process of raising their child.
The Role of Family Image in Russian And Polish Paroemiac World Views as a Way of Current Intercultural Communication’s Realization
Authors: Baskakova A. 
Published: March 2023

Introduction. The article’s material is dedicated to comparative analysis of peculiarities of Russian and Polish world view through a prism of paroemias.
Aim. Funstional capabilities of paroemias are evaluated at work, opening the manner of thought of Russian and Polish informants for intercultural communication’s achievement.
Methodology and research methods. At the process of Russian and Polish paroemias world view research, descriptive, comparative and solid sample methods were used.
Results. As the result of the work represents the fact of intercultural communication ascertainment through making an analysis of the meanings at pending paroemias structures, search of common and different at the description of family image and the next discovery of main national characteristics at Russian and Polish world views.
Scientific novelty. Scientific novelty of analyzed material consists in search of a new approach of realizing common intercultural communication through search of meanings at paroemias for watching the variants of their interpretation by informants of Russian and Polish lingual cultures starting with an analysis at lexis level and finishing with a realization of their influence on own world view construction and perception of another.
Practical significance. The usage of obtained results can be possibly realized at pedagogics when learners through acquaintance, studying, usage of paroemias at speech come to a perception of speech – thinking relation after being reflected at formation of their own world view; understanding the meanings of Russian and Polish paroemias promotes knowing of world views, indicating about the realization of intercultural communication.
Use of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant depression – review of main stimulation targets
Authors: Tokarzewska Agata , Orczyk Jakub , Ołownia Aleksandra , Małyszek Maciej 
Published: March 2023

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an innovative method using neuromodulation in treatment of various diseases, most commonly used in Parkinson’s disease, tremor and dystonia. Due to method’s minimally invasive nature and very low incidence of severe adverse effects, the research upon its use in other indications is conducted. Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is one of these emerging indications. Currently available data regarding the matter concentrate mainly of electrode placement within seven particular structures of the brain: the subgenual anterior cingulate cortex, the ventral capsule/ventral striatum, the lateral habenula, the nucleus accumbens, the inferior thalamic peduncle, the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial forebrain bundle. It is yet to be determined which stimulation targets bring the most optimal effect. Published clinical trials give basis to theorize that stimulation of each DBS target results in different neurotransmitter modulation. Antidepressant effects vary also depending on stimulation parameters and overall duration. The aim of this review is to compare various targets for stimulation and underlying physiological mechanisms in therapy of TRD. It is needed to keep in mind that there is still high demand on well-designed, randomized, double-blind trials on bigger groups of patients in order to exclude potential inconsistency between results of clinical research.
How does metacognition improve decision-making in healthcare practitioners?
Authors: Church David , Carroll Mark 
Published: March 2023

Background: Metacognition is the process of awareness of the way in which we think. Healthcare practitioners are intrinsically required to make complex and demanding decisions daily—and just as with non-healthcare-related industries, they are susceptible to human error. Human factors (HF) can have catastrophic implications and the use of metacognition is a well-regarded tool to aid decision-making. Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine how metacognition and human factors influence decision-making in healthcare practitioners. Methods: the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Allied and Complementary Medicine (AMED) Database, Dentistry & Oral Sciences Source, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, APA PsycArticles Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection and APA PsychInfo were searched for eligible qualitative studies. The search was carried out in December 2021. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria for the current review. Twenty main themes and twenty-eight subthemes were categorised into twenty-one descriptive themes. These were synthesised into fourteen analytical themes, four of which were determined to be recurrent and one of which held significant implications for clinical practice: (1) Cognitive bias identification; (2) Systematic approach; (3) Holistic approach and creative thinking; (4) Identifying uncertainty; and (5) Drawbacks. Conclusions: This review found that metacognition improves decision-making in healthcare practitioners through cognitive bias identification, facilitation of systematic approaches, holistic approaches, and creative thinking. However, consideration should be made to its limitations. Further research is required to fully understand the findings in relation to specific practice areas and their clinical implications.
A Comparative Study of Recognition Models Based on Fine-Tuning 3D CNNs for Farming Behaviors
Authors: Su Shibin No , Hu Xiaonan No , Li Xiang No 
Published: March 2023

Highlights

Proposed application of 3D CNNS for recognition of farming behavior.

Transfer learning was used to speed up training and improve model accuracy.

A farming behavior dataset was constructed, expanded and compared with previous studies.

An object detection network was used for data preprocessing rather than using traditional methods.

Abstract. The quality and quantity of crop yields in agriculture primarily depend on the timing and precision of various implemented farming behaviors. Basins and hills dominate southwest China. Due to topographical constraints, the rate of agricultural mechanization in the region remains low, and agriculture remains primarily non-mechanized. The acquisition and recognition of information on farming behaviors play an important role in crop production. In this article, transfer learning was used in a current state-of-the-art 3DCNN-based behavior recognition model for farming behavior recognition and classification tasks. The focus was on fine-tuning and evaluating state-of-the-art 3D convolutional neural networks for farming behavior recognition. The evaluated architectures included Res3D, MC3, and R2+1D. The six common farming behaviors recognized include weeding, planting, harvesting, transplanting, fertilizing, and spraying. The accuracy of all models pretrained on Kinetics-400 after fine-tuning exceeded 90%, where MC3 had the best performance, with an accuracy of 0.9628, precision of 0.9647, sensitivity of 0.963, and specificity of 0.9925, which was slightly greater than the other two. MC3 was also the most lightweight of all models; its parameters were only 32.6% of Res3D and 36.7% of R2+1D. The experimental results demonstrated that the fine-tuned MC3 model offers high classification accuracy and effective recognition and classification of farming behaviors, which lays a good foundation for improved crop production. Keywords: Deep learning, Farming behavior recognition, Farm management, Fine-tuning, Precision agriculture, 3D convolutional neural networks, Transfer learning.
A Turbidity Module to Measure Spray Mixture Concentration for Premixing In-Line Injection System
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Zhu Heping , Jeon Hongyoung , Ozkan Erdal , Wei Zhiming , Salcedo Ramon 
Published: March 2023

Highlights

A turbidity sensor module was investigated to monitor concentrations of pesticide mixtures in real time.

A flow-through measurement platform was built to calibrate the turbidity sensor and determine its accuracy.

Optimal location of the turbidity sensor was determined for monitoring in-line mixture concentrations.

Spray mixture uniformity reached acceptable level for the premixing in-line injection system.

Abstract. Monitoring mixture concentrations for precision pesticide spray systems in real time can assure the desired amount of chemicals distributed uniformly to target areas. An in-line turbidity sensor module was investigated to monitor concentrations of spray mixtures produced with a premixing in-line injection system developed for precision variable-rate orchard sprayers. The turbidity sensor was calibrated with simulated pesticides at concentrations ranging from 0% to 30.0%. A cubic polynomial regression model was established for the relationship between sensor output voltages and mixture concentrations. Sensors were mounted at three in-line locations to detect the mixture uniformity differences in the premixing in-line injection system. The module was found to have adequate precision and accuracy to measure concentrations of spray mixtures with simulated pesticides. Relative errors of the sensor were less than 4.70% and the sensor accuracy did not vary with mixture flow rates. Mounting the turbidity sensor downstream of the buffer tank in the premixing in-line injection system would be the optimal location to monitor spray mixture uniformity for variable-rate spray applications. At this location, the relative errors of measured mixture concentrations were between 0.12% and 3.70% which agreed with previous manual measurements. Therefore, there would be a great potential to integrate the in-line turbidity sensor into the variable-rate and even conventional constant-rate sprayers to achieve uniform spray applications in the target field. Keywords: Agitation, Mixture uniformity, Pesticide concentration, Sensor calibration, Variable-rate sprayer.