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Literature studies have found that caregivers play a vital role in children's outdoor play activities. In view of the limitations and the low level of outdoor play (OP) of children in Chinese cities, the present study attempted to reveal the constraints of caregivers on children's OP based on the leisure constraints theory. Through two on-site questionnaire surveys distributed in Hefei, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were used to explore the constraint dimensions of caregivers on children's outdoor play (COP) and to test the adaptability of each in the leisure constraints theory. The study also evaluated the moderating effect of demographic, behavioral and preference variables in using public open spaces on these constraint dimensions. Results showed that: (1) There was a four-dimensional leisure constraint structure for caregivers' constraints on COP, namely "intra-personal," "inter-personal," "structure" and "safety;" (2) Demographics (e.g. age of caregiver, relationship with children, family structure, career, monthly income, etc.), behavioral and preference (e.g. type of site, ways of travel, frequency of visit, etc.) variables of the respondents showed significant differences in these four constraint dimensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The digit ratio (2D:4D) is a possible marker of prenatal hormone exposure. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between digit ratio (2D:4D) and anthropometric indexes in Chinese children and adolescents., Methods: This study is a cross-sectional study. A school-based survey among 685 children and adolescents aged 8-15 years were conducted by stratified cluster sampling. The length of index finger (2D) and ring finger (4D) of the left hand, height, sitting height (ST), weight, chest circumference (CC), waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC), and abdominal skinfold thickness (AST) were measured. Pearson correlation and multivariate linear regression were used to analyze associations between 2D:4D and above indexes., Results: In girls, 2D:4D was positively related to WC, AST, waist-to-height (WHtR), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) after adjusting for ages (p < 0.05). The WC, AST, WHtR, and WHR among girls with 2D:4D ≥ 1 were significantly higher than those among girls with 2D:4D < 1, respectively (p < 0.05). However, there was no correlations between digit ratio (2D:4D) and above anthropometric indexes in boys (p > 0.05)., Conclusions: The 2D:4D was related to anthropometric indexes in girls, which suggests that the maternal prenatal hormone exposure might be related to the anthropometric indexes of their female offspring., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) combined with Kinesio Tape (KT) for plantar fasciitis (PF) is lacking in the literature. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of ESWT combined with KT on foot pain and function in patients with PF based on ultrashort wave therapy and stretching. METHODS: A total of 91 patients with PF were randomly divided into the ESWT group (ETG, n = 23), KT group (KTG, n = 23), combined treatment group (CTG, n = 22) and control group (CG, n = 23). Herein, changes in visual analysis scale (VAS) score, plantar fascia thickness (PFT) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score were examined. RESULTS: The groups were compared after 4 weeks and the results showed that the VAS scores of ETG, KTG and CTG were significantly smaller than that of CG (P < 0.05). In addition, the VAS score of CTG was significantly smaller than that of KTG (P < 0.001). Meanwhile, the AOFAS scores of ETG and CTG were significantly greater than that of CG (P < 0.001). Moreover, the AOFAS score of CTG was significantly greater than those of ETG and KTG (P < 0.01). Comparisons within groups were also conducted at weeks 0 and 4 and the results showed that the VAS scores of ETG, KTG and CTG significantly decreased (P < 0.001); the PFT of ETG and CTG significantly decreased (P < 0.05); and the AOFAS score of ETG, KTG and CTG significantly increased (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Based on ultrashort wave therapy and stretching, ESWT and KT therapy could improve the foot pain and function of patients with PF, and the combined modality therapy is more effective. ESWT and combined treatment has a positive effect on patients' PFT. However, single KT treatment has a limited effect on PFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid method based on the structural equation model (SEM) and a fuzzy cognitive map (FCM) was developed to study the influences of the construction safety risks (CSR) of metro tunnels constructed by the mining method on the project risk (PR). An SEM was used to identify and verify the correlations between the CSR and PR. An FCM was developed adopting the verified standardized causality and path coefficient in the SEM. On this basis, predictive reasoning and diagnostic reasoning were performed in the framework of an FCM to simulate the CSR and PR. The feasibility of the developed method was validated based on the construction project of a metro tunnel in Wuhan City, China. The results show that (1) the cause concept node C2 (tunnel excavation) shows the strongest positive correlation with the target concept node CT (PR). According to their risks, the construction stages are ranked in descending order as C2 (tunnel excavation), C1 (advanced support), C6 (auxiliary measures), C4 (structure waterproofing), C3 (primary support), and C5 (secondary lining). (2) The target concept node CT is most sensitive to changes in the cause concept nodes C2 and C1. (3) Close attention should be paid to key risks, such as X9 (over-excavation and under-excavation) and X8 (unreasonable determination of excavation footage and sequence) in stage C2. Originality and significance: (1) A hybrid method that can simulate the dynamic interaction between the CSR and PR is proposed. (2) A new perspective for the dynamic evaluation of a PR is provided. (3) The method can be used as a decision-making tool for controlling the PR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most prevalent type of scoliosis affecting children between the ages of 10–16 years. However, risk factors for AIS, particularly the modifiable ones, are still largely unknown. This study aims to investigate the associations of lifestyle and social environment factors with AIS in Chinese schoolchildren. Methods: This is a matched case–control study based on survey data collected from school-based scoliosis screening program. We used conditional logistic regression models to describe the relative risk of AIS incidence for each variable in the analyses. To examine the independent effect of each factor on developing AIS, a multivariate conditional logistic regression was conducted and odds ratios (ORs) were adjusted for age and other significant variables. Results: Overall, 2538 participants from 49 schools were included in this study, comprising 1269 AIS cases and 1269 controls. Mean age of the study population was 13.4 years ± 1.06 (range 10–18). One thousand five hundred and fifty (61.1%) of the study subjects were girls. After adjusting for other significant factors, inappropriate desk heights, either too low (OR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.04–1.90) or too high (OR = 1.61, 95% CI 1.09–2.38), standing with anterior pelvic tilt (OR = 2.73, 95% CI 1.41–5.28), and sleeping on the right side (OR = 1.38, 95% CI 1.00–1.91), remained associated with elevated AIS risks. In contrast, sitting normally and classroom sitting positions change regularly were associated with lower odds of AIS. The adjusted ORs were 0.69 (95% CI 0.50–0.96) for sitting normally, and 0.72 (95% CI 0.53–0.98) for sitting positions change. Conclusions: This is the first study to address the associations between desk heights and AIS and showed inappropriate desk heights were related to increased AIS risks. To protect school children from developing AIS, stakeholders are advised to consider introducing height-adjustable desks in the class, changing students' sitting positions in the classroom on a regular basis, and implementing educational programs to help students maintain correct sitting postures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aiming at the problems of the poor passing capacity of machines and low cleaning rate of seed strip during wheat no-tillage sowing in annual double cropping areas of North China, a spiral discharge anti-blocking and row-sorting device (SDARD) was designed and is reported in this paper. After the straw was cut and chopped by the high-velocity rotating no-till anti-blocking knife group (NAKG), the straw was thrown into the spiral discharging mechanism (SDM) behind the NAKG. The chopped straw was discharged to the non-sowing area to reach the effect of seed strip cleaning through the interaction between the SDM and the row-sorting of straw mechanism (RSM). Based on a theoretical analysis for determining the parameters of crucial components, the quadratic rotation orthogonal combination test method was adopted, and the operating velocity of machines (OVM), the rotary velocity of the spiral shaft (RVSS), and the height of the holding hopper from the ground (HHHG) were selected as the test factors. The straw cleaning rate (SCR) was taken as the test index. The discrete element simulation test was carried out, the regression model of the SCR was established, and parameters optimization and field test were carried out. The results show that the significant order of the three influencing factors on the SCR was HHHG > OVM > RVSS. The optimal combination of operating parameters was that OVM was 5 km/h, RVSS was 80 r/min, and HHHG was 10 mm. Under the optimal parameter combination, the average SCR was 84.49%, which was 15.5% higher than the no-till planter without the device, and the passing capacity of machines was great, which met the agronomic requirements of no-tillage sowing of wheat in annual double cropping areas. This study could provide a reference for the design of no-tillage machines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is believed that parents have a great influence on their children's dietary behaviours. However, it is not clear whether parental food patterns are associated with children's nutritional status in China, which includes a vast territory with rich, diverse cultures. The goal of this project is to systematically study the associations between parental food intake and children's overweight and obesity in China, according to children's ages and regional differences.Methods: Based on individual food consumption data from the China Health and Nutrition Survey (CHNS) package in 2011, cross-sectional studies have previously been conducted to analyse the association between different categories of food intake of parents and children. The current study extends this research by directly.Results: Our analysis results show that parental food intake is highly correlated with children's food intake, with the estimated coefficients of most food intake categories being greater than 0.5. Furthermore, this association between parental food intake and children's overweight and obesity is most significant in young children, but it begins to weaken in relation to children aged between 13 and 18. Additionally, the associations between parental food intake and children's overnutrition are more significant in rural areas than they are in urban areas.Conclusions: The association between parental food intake and childhood overweight and obesity is significant, although it varies considerably according to food categories, children's ages and area differences. These results show promise for intervening in the overnutrition of children by controlling household dietary patterns according to children's developmental stages and regional differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the influence of social support on perceived stress and online support activities in two relationship contexts. In 2013, we surveyed 366 first-time mothers between the ages of 26 and 30 years from mainland China about their social support experiences with their mothers and mothers-in-law in regard to child rearing. Women who received higher levels of support from their mothers reported lower levels of perceived stress and higher levels of online support activities. Receiving support from mothers-in-law was not associated with either perceived stress or online support activities. The findings demonstrate the importance of considering relationship contexts when examining social support outcomes. Implications for future research on social support and interpersonal relationships are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Concentrations and distributions of selected fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin) in water, sediments and nine kinds of fish species collected from 6 sites in two marine aquaculture regions of the Pearl River Delta, China, were analyzed by using high-performance liquid chromatography with fluorescence detector (HPLC). The results showed that the concentrations of ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin were below the limits of quantification (LOQ) in all water samples except for norfloxacin. Norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin concentrations ranged from 1.88 to 11.20 ng g dry wt, 0.76-2.42 ng g dry wt in sediments collected from the Dapeng'ao region (sites 1-3) and ranged from 2.31 to 4.75 ng g dry wt, 1.26-1.76 ng g dry wt in sediments collected from the Hailing Island region (sites 4-6), respectively. However, no enrofloxacin was found in all sediment samples. The three fluoroquinolones (FQs) were detected in all fish samples, and the concentrations were higher in liver tissues than those in muscle tissues. The levels of norfloxacin were higher than ciprofloxacin and enrofloxacin in both liver and muscle tissues. Among the nine marine fish species, Siganus fuscescens from Hailing Island had a significantly high level of norfloxacin in liver tissue (254.58 ng g wet wt), followed by Sparus macrocephalus (133.15 ng g wet wt) from Dapeng'ao, and the lowest value was Lutianus argentimaculatus (5.18 ng g wet wt) from Hailing Island. The obtained results of FQs in present study do not represent a risk to the human health in Guangdong coastal area, based on the maximum residue limits (MRLs) established by Chinese Government and the acceptable daily intake (ADI) recommended by the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization (FAO/WHO). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]