bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of exercise modalities on decreased blood pressure in patients with hypertension
Authors: Ramis Thiago Rozales , Boeno Franccesco Pinto , Leal-Menezes Rodrigo , Munhoz Samuel Vargas , Farinha Juliano Boufleur , Ribeiro Jerri Luiz , Reischak-Oliveira Alvaro 
Published: October 2022

This study aimed to evaluate the acute effects of aerobic and resistance exercises on blood pressure and endothelial blood markers. We also correlated post-exercise blood pressure response with baseline cardiovascular parameters in middle-aged patients with hypertension. This cross-sectional study randomized 54 volunteers into the aerobic exercise group (AG, n = 27; 45.6 ± 7.7 years) or dynamic resistance exercise group (RG, n = 27; 45.8 ± 8.4 years). Blood marker evaluation, cardiopulmonary exercise tests, resting blood pressure monitoring, ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM), flow-mediated dilatation monitoring, and body composition evaluation were carried out. Exercise sessions were performed to evaluate post-exercise hypotension (PEH) and endothelial marker responses, in addition to post-exercise ABPM (ABPMex). This study is an arm of the study which was approved by the local ethics committee (No. 69373217.3.0000.5347) in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration and was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03282942). The AG performed walking/running at 60% of the reserve heart rate, while the RG performed 10 exercises with two sets of 15–20 repetitions. The mean 24 h ABPM and ABPMex values showed no significant statistical differences. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure hypotension after aerobic and dynamic resistance were −10.59 ± 5.24/−6.15 ± 6.41 mmHg and −5.56 ± 7.61/−6.20 ± 8.25 mmHg, respectively. For an up-to-7 h assessment of resting pressure, there was a positive effect in the aerobic group. The concentrations of nitrites/nitrates (NOx) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) did not change during hypotension. Moreover, PEH and ABPMex were significantly correlated with baseline health variables. Thus, when middle-aged patients with hypertension perform aerobic or resistance exercise, the NOx/ET-1 pathway does not provide the best explanation for PEH. Finally, we found associations between baseline cardiovascular variables and endothelial vasoconstrictors with PEH.
The mediating effect of resilience on pregnancy stress and prenatal anxiety in pregnant women
Authors: Tuxunjiang Xiabidan , Li Ling , Wumaier Gulijianati , Zhang Wei , Sailike Bahedana , Jiang Ting 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between pregnancy stress and prenatal anxiety in pregnant women in Urumqi, Xinjiang, and the mediating effect of mental resilience level on the relationship between pregnancy stress and prenatal anxiety.MethodThe investigation involved 750 pregnant women at a tertiary hospital in Urumqi, and included a questionnaire eliciting general demographic information, a pregnancy stress scale (Pregnancy Pressure Scale, PPS), generalized anxiety disorder scale (Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, GAD-7), and a mental resilience scale (Connor—Davidson resilience scale, CD-RISC). The Bootstrap mediation effect test was used to test the effect relationship between variables, and Amos was used to establish the structural equation model.ResultsAmong the 750 participants, 122 (16.2%) had moderate or greater pregnancy stress (PPS &gt; 1), 372 (49.6%) had mild or greater anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 &gt; 5), and 241 (32.1%) had good or higher mental resilience score. Pregnancy stress negatively affected resilience (β = −0.37, p &lt; 0.01), and resilience also negatively affected prenatal anxiety (β = −0.12, p &lt; 0.01). The mediating effect value of resilience was 8.3%.ConclusionPregnancy stress, mental resilience, and prenatal anxiety were significantly correlated, and mental resilience played a partial mediating role in the influence of pregnancy stress on prenatal anxiety. It is recommended that pregnant women exercise their mental resilience to reduce the incidence of prenatal anxiety and promote physical and mental health.
Risks of suicide among family members of suicide victims: A nationwide sample of South Korea
Authors: Jang Jihoon , Park Seong Yong , Kim Yeon Yong , Kim Eun Ji , Lee Gusang , Seo Jihye , Na Eun Jin , Park Jae-Young , Jeon Hong Jin 
Published: October 2022

ObjectiveIdentifying the risks of completed suicide in suicide survivors is essential for policies supporting family members of suicide victims. We aimed to determine the suicide risk of suicide survivors and identify the number of suicides per 100,000 population of suicide survivors, bereaved families of traffic accident victims, and bereaved families with non-suicide deaths.MethodsThis was a nationwide population-based cohort study in South Korea. The data were taken from the Korean National Health Insurance and Korea National Statistical Office between January 2008 and December 2017. The relationship between the decedent and the bereaved family was identified using the family database of the National Health Insurance Data. Age and gender were randomly matched 1:1 among 133,386 suicide deaths and non-suicide deaths. A proportional hazard model regression analysis was conducted after confirming the cumulative hazard using Kaplan–Meier curves to obtain the hazard ratio (HR) of completed suicide in suicide survivors.ResultsUsing 423,331 bereaved families of suicide victims and 420,978 bereaved families of non-suicide deaths as the control group, HR of completed suicide in suicidal survivors was found to be 2.755 [95% confidence limit (CL): 2.550–2.977]. HR for wives committing suicide after husbands' suicide was 5.096 (95% CL: 3.982–6.522), which was the highest HR among all relationships with suicide decedents. The average duration from suicide death to suicide of family members was 25.4 months. Among suicide survivors, the number of suicides per 100,000 people was 586, thrice that of people in bereaved families of traffic accident victims and in bereaved families of non-suicide deaths.ConclusionThe risk of completed suicide was three times higher in suicide survivors than in bereaved families with non-suicide deaths, and it was highest in wives of suicide decedents. Thus, socio-environmental interventions for suicidal survivors must be expanded.
The impact of vaccine hesitation on the intentions to get COVID-19 vaccines: The use of the health belief model and the theory of planned behavior model
Authors: Li Zeming , Ji Ying , Sun Xinying 
Published: October 2022

ObjectDuring the later period of the COVID-19 pandemic, the public has been at risk of the evolving COVID-19 variants and hesitated to be vaccinated against COVID-19 to a certain extent. In this context, the health belief model (HBM) and the theory of planned behavior model (TPB) were used to compare and summarize the relationship between vaccine hesitation/non-hesitation and the intentions to get COVID-19 vaccines and its influencing factors.MethodsThe cross-sectional, population-based online survey was conducted from 14 April to 30 April 2021, and 1757 respondents were recruited to participate in the survey through the Wenjuanxing online survey platform. The HBM and TPB covariate scores were expressed using means and standard deviations and compared between groups using t-tests. Backward multiple linear regression models were used to explore the factors influencing the public's intentions to receive the COVID-19 vaccines.ResultsThis study found that educational background is one of the factors influencing vaccine hesitation. Most people with high education do not hesitate (65.24%), while a more significant proportion of people with low education have vaccine hesitation (66.00%). According to HBM, for the vaccine hesitation group, self-efficacy, family advice, and doctor's advice were the most critical factors affecting the public's future vaccination intentions; for the vaccine non-hesitation group, self-efficacy, doctor's advice, and perceived benefits are the most important influencing factors. According to the TPB, the subjective norm is the most critical factor affecting the future vaccination intention of the vaccine hesitation group, and the attitude toward behavior is the most critical factor affecting the future vaccination intention of the vaccine non-hesitation group.ConclusionsIn the context of COVID-19, the public's hesitation on the “current” vaccines will still affect future vaccination intentions. Using HBM and TPB would help health policymakers and healthcare providers formulate intervention plans.
Social prescribing for frequent attenders in primary care: An economic analysis
Authors: Lynch Mary , Jones Ceri R. 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundSocial prescribing (SP) is a mechanism to link patients with community groups and third sector organizations. It offers a complimentary approach to the traditional medical models to address psychosocial needs of patients more effectively and in turn aims to reduce demand on the NHS. The aim of this study was to explore the economic benefits related to changes in the use of healthcare resources following a social prescribing intervention in four primary care practices in Wales.MethodsQuantitative data from routine healthcare usage was collected from the 78 participants pre and post-intervention. The participants were grouped into frequent attenders (FA) (n = 21) and frequent (n = 57) non-attenders (FNA), and a cost analysis was conducted to estimate cost variances based on healthcare unit usage over the length of the pilot intervention. These were then extrapolated forward to identify potential healthcare savings.ResultsThe SP as an intervention generated the largest cost saving for FAs. The cost variance when FAs participated in the intervention shows there is a direct cost saving of £6,113 or £78.37 per participant over the 5 months of the intervention.ConclusionsResults suggest there may be a cost saving associated with SP interventions, however caution should be exercised in interpreting the results due to the lack of control group in this study The cost saving were largest for FAs, where the intervention reduced healthcare unit usage as well as actual and inferred impact on associated healthcare costs. This suggests that in practice to generate the maximum cost benefit SP interventions could be targeted at FAs.
Super-multifactorial survey YHAB revealed high prevalence of sleep apnoea syndrome in unaware older adults and potential combinatorial factors for its initial screening
Authors: Tanaka Yuji , Ando Takashi , Mochizuki Kazuki , Igarashi Satoshi , Tsuchiya Kyoichiro , Saito Kozo , Ito Yasumi , Yamagata Zentaro , Iwasaki Masaru , YHAB Health Data Survey Group 2020  
Published: October 2022

Study Objectives: Aging is a risk factor for sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS), which is associated with lower quality of life and sudden mortality. However, SAS is often overlooked in older adults without suspicions. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate SAS incidence and 48 other general factors in older adults.Methods: This cross-sectional study included all non-caregiver-certified, healthy individuals (N = 32) who survived during the long-term cohort study and agreed to participate in apnoea-hypopnoea index (AHI) measurement (aged 83–95 years). AHI and 48 other general factors were evaluated, and simple linear regression analysis was used to identify potential AHI-related factors. Stepwise evaluation was further performed using multiple linear regression analyses.Results: Although no individuals were previously diagnosed with SAS, 30 (93.75%) participants had some degree of SAS (AHI &gt; 5/h), and 22 (68.75%) had severe or moderate SAS (AHI &gt; 15/h). Compared with typical single risk factors represented by body mass index, combining daily steps and other factors improved the fit to the multiple linear regression. Combining daily steps and body mass index improved the fit for males and combining daily steps and red blood cell count improved the fit for females.Conclusion: SAS was highly prevalent in unaware healthy Japanese older adults; combinations of daily steps and body mass index, and daily steps and red blood cell count may predict AHI in such individuals without the need for a specific AHI test.
Improvements in sleep quality and fatigue are associated with improvements in functional recovery following hospitalization in older adults
Authors: Arentson-Lantz Emily J. , Deer Rachel R. , Kokonda Manasa , Wen Chelsey L. , Pecha Thomas A. , Carreon Samantha A. , Ngyen Trung M. , Volpi Elena , Nowakowski Sara 
Published: October 2022

Study objectivesPoor sleep quality, a frequent problem in older adults, has been shown to be associated with reduced physical function and wellbeing. However, little is known about the relationship between sleep quality and the recovery of physical function following hospitalization. Thus, we conducted this study to examine the association between sleep quality and functional recovery after an acute hospitalization in community dwelling older adults.MethodsOlder adult patients (N = 23, mean age = 74 ± 9 years) were recruited during an acute hospitalization (average length of stay 3.9 days) with a cardiovascular (56%), pulmonary (22%), or metabolic (13%) admission diagnosis. Objective physical function was measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and self-reported function was assessed with Katz Index of Independence in Activities of Daily Living (ADL) and Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL). Sleep quality was measured using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) global score and Iowa Fatigue Score (IFS). Testing was performed prior to discharge (baseline) and 4-weeks post-discharge (follow-up).ResultsRegression models showed PSQI Subjective Sleep Quality change scores from baseline to 4-week follow-up predicted a change in ADL (β = −0.22); PSQI Use of Sleep Medications change scores predicted a change in SPPB Total (β = 1.62) and SPPB Chair Stand (β = 0.63); IFS change scores predicted SPPB Total (β = −0.16) and SPPB Chair Stand performance (β = −0.07) change scores.ConclusionsFor older adults, changes in sleep medication use, daytime dysfunction, and fatigue were associated with improvements in functional recovery (including physical performance and independence) from acute hospitalization to 4-week follow-up. These results suggest that interventions focused on improving sleep quality, daytime consequences, and fatigue might help enhance physical functioning following hospitalization.Clinical trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02203656.
Influence of age and industry experience on learning experiences and outcomes in virtual reality mines rescue training
Authors: Pedram Shiva , Palmisano Stephen , Miellet Sebastien , Farrelly Matthew , Perez Pascal 
Published: October 2022

This study examined the effects of age and industry expertise on trainees’ state of mind before, learning experiences during, and outcomes following virtual reality (VR) mines rescue training. The trainees were 284 mine rescue brigadesmen attending group VR training sessions run by Coal Services NSW. They were aged between 24 and 64 years and had up to 40 years of mines rescue experience. Questionnaire data and learning outcome measures showed that these miners were able to effectively engage with, and learn from, this VR training regardless of their age or mining experience. While the older trainees initially reported higher levels of stress and had less gaming experience, their experiences during VR training were very similar (although reports that the VR technology sometimes did not meet the task requirements did increase with age). Crucially, the perceived learning outcomes of this VR training were unaffected by age or field experience.
RAISE: Robotics & AI to improve STEM and social skills for elementary school students
Authors: Hughes Charles E. , Dieker Lisa A. , Glavey Eileen M. , Hines Rebecca A. , Wilkins Ilene , Ingraham Kathleen , Bukaty Caitlyn A. , Ali Kamran , Shah Sachin , Murphy John , Taylor Matthew S. 
Published: October 2022

The authors present the design and implementation of an exploratory virtual learning environment that assists children with autism (ASD) in learning science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills along with improving social-emotional and communication skills. The primary contribution of this exploratory research is how educational research informs technological advances in triggering a virtual AI companion (AIC) for children in need of social-emotional and communication skills development. The AIC adapts to students’ varying levels of needed support. This project began by using puppetry control (human-in-the-loop) of the AIC, assisting students with ASD in learning basic coding, practicing their social skills with the AIC, and attaining emotional recognition and regulation skills for effective communication and learning. The student is given the challenge to program a robot, Dash™, to move in a square. Based on observed behaviors, the puppeteer controls the virtual agent’s actions to support the student in coding the robot. The virtual agent’s actions that inform the development of the AIC include speech, facial expressions, gestures, respiration, and heart color changes coded to indicate emotional state. The paper provides exploratory findings of the first 2 years of this 5-year scaling-up research study. The outcomes discussed align with a common approach of research design used for students with disabilities, called single case study research. This type of design does not involve random control trial research; instead, the student acts as her or his own control subject. Students with ASD have substantial individual differences in their social skill deficits, behaviors, communications, and learning needs, which vary greatly from the norm and from other individuals identified with this disability. Therefore, findings are reported as changes within subjects instead of across subjects. While these exploratory observations serve as a basis for longer term research on a larger population, this paper focuses less on student learning and more on evolving technology in AIC and supporting students with ASD in STEM environments.
First shots of the climate revolution: An untold story
Authors: Roederer Juan G. 
Published: October 2022

This is an account of the history of the “climate revolution of the eighties”, focusing on early discussions and, at times, fierce disputes about what’s wrong with Planet Earth and why, and what to do about it through coordinated research.The paper describes the genesis and initial planning of the Global Change program within the International Council of Scientific Unions, and the early split of participating scientists into two camps: one emphasizing the need for a truly global, widely interdisciplinary and basic-science oriented approach that views the Earth system as one single whole of strongly interacting parts; the other camp defending a much more restricted approach by focusing exclusively on that which has greatest and most immediate impact on society.As a spin-off from the defeat of the “globalists” came the generation of yet another, ultimately international (and politically far less contested) program, centered on what today is called Space Weather—the study of solar-variability- and human-induced changes in the space environment of Earth, and the ensuing effects on technological and human systems in space, as well as the possible physical downward actions of these space perturbations on our more immediate environment of air, water, land and biota.
Esophageal variceal ligation plus sclerotherapy vs. ligation alone for the treatment of esophageal varices
Authors: Yue Xiaofen , Wang Zeyu , Li Jianbiao , Guo Xiaoling , Zhang Xiehua , Li Shengnan , Lv Hongcheng , Hu Dongsheng , Ji Xiangjun , Li Shuang , Lu Wei 
Published: October 2022

BackgroundThis study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and adverse events of esophageal variceal ligation (EVL) vs. EVL combined with endoscopic injection sclerosis (EIS) in the therapy of esophageal varices.MethodsPatients from January 2017 to August 2021 who received EVL alone (control group) or EVL plus EIS (intervention group) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Efficacy, including rebleeding (clinically hematemesis or melena, confirmed by endoscopy as esophagogastric varices bleeding), variceal recurrence rate (the presence of esophagogastric varices which is needed to be treated again) the number of sessions performed to complete eradication of varices, and safety (adverse events) were compared. The variceal recurrence-associated factors were derived by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses.ResultsThe variceal recurrence and rebleeding rate in the intervention group showed significantly lower than the control group (2.6% vs 10.3%, P = 0.006 and 20.7% vs 37.5%, P = 0.029, P = 0.006, respectively, in the 12-month follow-up). The adverse events (fever, chest pain, swallowing, and esophageal stricture) showed no significant difference between the two groups (P &gt; 0.05). Further research showed that the efficacy of the intervention group was better than the control group only achieved in prophylactically endoscopic treatment patients. The diameter of esophageal varices and gastric varices co-exist showed significant effects on variceal recurrence in intervention group [odds ratio (OR) = 15.856; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.709–160.143; P = 0.016 and OR = 4.5; 95% CI, 1.42–20.028; P = 0.021; respectively].ConclusionsThe intervention group may obtain lower recurrence, rebleeding rate, and fewer sessions performed to complete eradication of varices (number of sessions) and similar incidence of adverse events, especially for prophylactically treatment. Among the intervention group, the diameter of esophageal varices and gastric varices were closely associated with variceal recurrence.
COVID-19 Vaccine Attitude and Its Predictors Among People Living With Chronic Health Conditions in Ibadan, Nigeria
Authors: Ojewale Lucia Yetunde , Afolabi Rotimi Felix , Ogunniyi Adesola 
Published: October 2022

Objective: To assess vaccination attitude and its associated factors among people with chronic health conditions.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, participants were 423 patients with chronic medical conditions. Data were collected on socio-demographic and COVID-19-related characteristics, via Open Data Kit software. A Vaccination Attitudes Examination (VAX) Scale was adopted. The main outcome was vaccine attitude status defined as positive if a VAX sum score was above the median value; otherwise, non-positive. Data were analysed using Chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analyses, at 5% level of significance.Results: Overall proportion of patients with a positive attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination uptake was 46.6%. The most influential factor towards positive attitude was rating the government high in handling the pandemic. Other factors were education, income, COVID-19 knowledge and living room arrangement (p &lt; 0.05).Conclusion: Less than half of people living with a chronic medical condition had a positive attitude towards the COVID-19 vaccine. The attitudes are strongly mediated by confidence in the government. The government could promote a positive vaccine attitude by improving the clarity of health instructions that shows government transparency and effective communication. These are critical tools for maintaining public trust and confidence.