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Is Boccia XR an enjoyable and effective rehabilitation exercise for older adults?
Background and objectives Maintaining activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults requires muscle strength and physical activity. However, exercise motivation often declines with age. Enjoyable activities can enhance motivation and effectiveness. Boccia is a recreational sport with rehabilitation potential but requires substantial space. This study evaluated the enjoyment and lower limb muscle activity of “Boccia XR,” a virtual adaptation designed for limited spaces, comparing it with traditional Boccia and treadmill walking. Methods Eighteen healthy older adults (mean age 73.3 ± 5.4 years) participated. Each performed Boccia XR, traditional Boccia, and treadmill walking in random order. Mood changes were assessed using the Profile of Mood States 2nd Edition (POMS2), and lower-limb muscle activity was measured via electromyography (EMG). Results Both Boccia XR and traditional Boccia significantly improved positive mood (Vigor-Activity) and reduced negative mood (Total Mood Disturbance) as compared to treadmill walking. Muscle activity analysis revealed that Boccia XR and traditional Boccia imposed muscle loads comparable to treadmill walking. Rectus femoris activity exceeded that of treadmill walking, and medial gastrocnemius activation was sufficient for strengthening in sedentary older adults during Boccia tasks. Conclusion Boccia XR is an enjoyable and effective physical activity for older adults, requiring less space, than traditional Boccia while providing physical benefits similar to treadmill walking. It may enhance exercise adherence and overall function in space-limited settings.
Associations of fluctuations in blood glucose and insulin with hypoglycemic symptoms
Correction: A quantitative comparison between the mHand Adapt passive adjustable hand prosthesis and its predecessor, the Delft Self-Grasping Hand
Dense-stream YOLOv8n: a lightweight framework for real-time crowd monitoring in smart libraries
Enhancing the compression resistance of buffer cushions using an inner concave negative Poisson’s ratio structure
To enhance the compression resistance of the existing buffer cushions, this paper developed a novel buffer cushion with an inner concave negative Poisson’s ratio (NPR) structure. The structure parameters of buffer cushion were optimized based on orthogonal experimental design and theoretical analysis. Furthermore, the finite element models of the NPR cushion and a comparable hexagonal cushion were established. Then the quasi-static compression and dynamic impact compression simulations and compression experiments using a 3D printed model were conducted to analyze the compression resistance of the NPR cushion. The results showed that the developed NPR cushion exhibited good compressive properties under a uniform load of at most 47 MPa, and its deformation was 73.49% of the deformation of the hexagonal cushion, indicating an improvement in compressive resistance. In the simulation analysis, the stresses of the two buffer cushions in the case of dynamic impact compression were much larger than those in quasi-static compression. The consistency between simulations and experiments results validated the design’s effectiveness in improving compression resistance, offering a valuable reference for the application of NPR structures in cushion design.
Robust estimation methods for addressing multicollinearity and outliers in beta regression models
Population, demographic and socioeconomic characteristics associated with state preemption laws in the United States, 2009–2018
Objective In the United States, preemption laws enacted by state governments can remove local government authority to enact policy and undermine community self-determination and local democracy. No study to date has evaluated the population, demographic, and socioeconomic characteristics associated with state preemption of public health policies. Our study identifies state characteristics associated with preemption of local paid sick leave, food and nutrition, tobacco control, and firearm safety policies. Methods We conducted a Classification and Regression Tree (CART) analysis using state-level demographic, socioeconomic, and population health indicators from 2009 to 2018 to predict state ceiling preemption of local paid sick leave, food and nutrition, tobacco control, and firearm safety policies. Results Several demographic, economic, political, and health factors best distinguish states with and without preemption in each of the four domains. Total state population was an important characteristic in all four trees and the non-Hispanic Black population was important in three trees. All other age- and race/ethnicity-related demographic variables included were important characteristics in at least one tree. Additionally, adult obesity and flu vaccination were relevant in the paid sick leave tree and firearm-deaths, suicide-deaths, and the unemployment rate were relevant in the firearm safety tree. The relationship between specific factors and preemption in each of the four domains varied depending on the location of the factor within the trees. Conclusions and relevance Specific population, demographic and economic characteristics in a state are associated with the adoption of ceiling preemption of paid sick, food and nutrition, tobacco, and firearm safety laws, but these characteristics vary by domain. Our study identified which populations within groups of states may be affected by preemption. The findings can inform whether preemption laws considered or adopted in a state may also require protective measures for population groups that could be adversely affected by these laws.
Relationships between distance from the fovea to the disc and macular retinal layer thickness differ between normal and glaucomatous eyes
The reliability of cold region tunnels considering deterioration of the insulation layer
Frost heave is a most common form of tunnel defect in cold regions. Installing an insulation layer is a key solution. However, the insulation layer deteriorates with freeze-thaw cycles and temperature changes. These significantly impact tunnel reliability in these areas. To determine the influence of insulation layer deterioration and temperature change to reliability of cold region tunnel, this paper examines a tunnel in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It uses projected temperature increases of 2.6 °C and 4 °C over the next 50 years as boundary conditions. The study analyzes the evolution of freeze-thaw thickness, temperature fields, and stress fields in the surrounding rock. It considers both scenarios: with and without insulation layer deterioration. Using the Monte-Carlo method, the study investigates the variation in tunnel reliability. The results indicate that, with insulation layer deterioration, freeze-thaw thickness, temperature fields, and stress fields in the surrounding rock increase under both temperature scenarios. Consequently, tunnel reliability decreases. Specifically, with temperature increases of 2.6 °C and 4 °C, tunnel reliability decreases by approximately 4.5% and 6.3%, respectively, when considering insulation layer deterioration.
An adaptive extended Kalman filter observer-for permanent magnet synchronous motor position sensorless control systems
Effects of organic-inorganic complex fertilizer on the growth and physiological characteristics of ‘Qi-Nan’ agarwood from Aquilaria sinensis (Lour.)
This paper is to study the effects of different levels of fertilization on the growth, physiological characteristic of ‘Qi-Nan’ agarwood seedlings. The experiment was conducted under potted conditions using a single factor experiment. Organic-inorganic complex fertilizer was used as the basal fertilizers, and 7 fertilizer gradients ranging from 0 g/plant to 23 g/plant were set up. The result showed that: (1) within a certain range, with the increase of organic-inorganic complex fertilizer application, the growth and physiological activity of ‘Qi-Nan’ had an incremental effect, but this effect would be inhibited when the fertilizer application was too high. (2) After fertilization, the contents of free proline (FP) and malondialdehyde (MDA) decreased, while the contents of osmotic regulatory substances and chlorophyll increased. (3) The correlation analysis showed that seedling height and ground diameter of ‘Qi-Nan’ seedlings were significantly positively correlated with soluble sugar content, peroxidase activity and chlorophyll content. (4) Membership function analysis showed that organic-inorganic complex fertilizer had a significant effect on the growth of ‘Qi-Nan’ seedlings, and the optimal fertilizer level of single application of organic-inorganic complex fertilizer was 7-11g/plant. Therefore, the optimal application level of organic-inorganic complex fertilizer for the seedling cultivation of ‘Qi-Nan’ was 7g/ plant.
PCL scaffold with well-defined hierarchical pores effectively controls cell migration and alignment of human mesenchymal stem cells
Correction: Best-worst scaling preferences among patients with well-controlled epilepsy: Pilot results
LncRNA 4933431K23Rik modulate microglial phenotype via inhibiting miR-10a-5p in spinal cord injury induced neuropathic pain
Correction: Cost comparison of nine-month treatment regimens with 20-month standardized care for the treatment of rifampicin-resistant/multi-drug resistant tuberculosis in Nigeria
Fractional-order computational modeling of pediculosis disease dynamics with predictor–corrector approach
Findings from a qualitative analysis: Social media influencers of color as trusted messengers of HPV vaccination messages
Background Despite HPV vaccination reducing the prevalence of cervical cancer by 90%, vaccination rates remain lower among communities of color due to vaccine hesitancy and mistrust in traditional public health messengers. The emergence of social media influencers, a newer kind of messenger, presents a unique opportunity to share immunization messages in new ways with a variety of communities. This paper reviews the qualitative findings from a study aimed at assessing influencers’ perceptions of and approaches to sharing messaging about the HPV vaccine. Methods Guided by several theories (Theory of Planned Behavior, Narrative Theory, and Opinion Leader Theory), the study team designed an intervention-based study consisting of qualitative interviews and social media influencer-designed and disseminated messaging. We worked closely with an influencer marketing firm to recruit 10 influencers of color who had children aged 9-14 – to write about the vaccine with their followers. Influencers used a provided factsheet to draft social media posts about vaccinating their children against HPV. Influencers were interviewed about their post and posts and interview transcripts were analyzed for key themes. Results Most influencers were hesitant to talk about vaccinations for fear of backlash. Most committed to writing, however, because they were compelled to support important health topics. All used the power of storytelling to convey the messages and highlighted their personal journeys of vaccine decision making. Influencers also highlighted the struggles of parenting and talked emotionally about how making decisions about this vaccine prompted feelings about their child growing up. Influencers also believed that they could help people make the decision to vaccinate. Conclusions The findings from this study elucidates the emotional context within which parents are being asked to vaccinate their children and thus, how personal the decision to vaccinate is. Most influencers noted that they had received a doctor’s recommendation but were taking the time to do their own research. Insights from this study can help inform current and future public health communication programs aimed at supporting immunization efforts. It also can provide lessons for other health topics.