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The present study aimed to investigate the hydrogeochemical patterns and contamination of the radiogeology, especially radon activity, related to geothermal aquifer properties and to perform a risk assessment of annual effective doses covering all hydrothermal spring attractions in Southern Thailand. Radon is an established lung carcinogen; especially longer term exposure to radioactive radon through inhalation could be a cause of lung cancer risk. Altogether 22 hydrothermal spring samples were collected from the six hydrothermal provinces in Southern Thailand in early November of 2023. Geochemical data represented by calcium chloride and sodium chloride type, most of which were influenced by seawater intrusion. In addition, the hydrothermal springs that located along local fault zones were mainly controlled by water‒rock interactions, indicating that hydrothermal spring quality was influenced by weathering. Hydrothermal springs located along the coastlines of the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea were dominated by evaporation. Radon activity concentrations show value levels from 9 Bq/L (PG1) to 7,070 Bq/L (SR3), with an average of 580 Bq/L. Radon levels of hydrothermal spring attractions can be divided into three categories: (a) low radon levels below 100 Bq/L, (b) moderate to high radon levels between 100 and 580 Bq/L, and (c) very high radon levels greater than 580 Bq/L. The total annual effective doses for adults due to ingestion and dominantly inhalation of radon at hydrothermal spring attractions varied from 0.01 to 19.30 mSv/year. These results highlight the usefulness of this method as an essential tool for delineating radon concentrations, which could be used to introduce guidelines for health risk assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wind power prediction is of significant value to the stability of the power grid. Employing the Informer model for wind power prediction yields better results than traditional neural networks, yet issues such as slow speed and insufficient accuracy persist. By utilizing a health assessment algorithm to optimize the Informer model, both prediction accuracy and speed can be concurrently enhanced. Initially, a health matrix is obtained by performing a health assessment of wind turbines based on operational data. Subsequently, this health matrix is used to optimize the encoding method of the Informer, improving prediction speed. Simultaneously, the decoding method, embedding vectors and prediction process of the Informer are refined to increase prediction accuracy. Finally, conventional Informer models and optimized Informer models are tested and compared using four distinct wind power datasets. The results indicate that the optimized Informer model achieves an approximately 15% increase in prediction accuracy and about a 100% increase in prediction speed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a powerful method for monitoring aquatic biodiversity and evaluating ecosystem health. In this study, we applied eDNA metabarcoding and a multi-species biotic integrity index (Mt-IBI), constructed by selecting and screening core metrics to capture key ecological responses, to assess the Irtysh River Basin in Xinjiang, China, analyzing samples from 52 sites. The community structure showed high sensitivity to environmental stressors, with dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen (TN), and elevation being key factors, while alien fish richness negatively impacted ecosystem health. These findings highlight the importance of maintaining environmental parameters and controlling invasive species, demonstrating the potential of the Mt-IBI for early detection of ecological degradation and guiding freshwater conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe NF concept was first established by Regulation (EC) 258/97 and includes any food that has not been used to a significant extent for human consumption in the EU before 15 May 1997. Synthetic novel foods (SNF) are a currently undefined group of NF without a universal definition. The objectives of this work are to perform an analysis of those currently authorized in the EU, identify their potential adverse effects and health benefits, and their health claims. For that, an extensive review of the available legislative documents and scientific literature regarding SNF was performed, and a market analysis was performed regarding their commercial availability. This review considers SNF as those that are obtained by chemical synthesis, excluding genetically modified foods. A total of 29 SNF were identified and classified into 9 categories, and their potential risks and benefits were described. All SNF were considered safe and different health benefits were studied and suggested for various categories. Currently, 22 SNF are available on the EU market. This work characterizes a previously unexplored food group and expands the knowledge in a new and promising research area combining health and toxicological perspectives with legislation for more optimal risk management in the EU. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The most effective way to solve urban traffic congestion in mega cities is to develop rail transit, which is also an important strategy for sustainable urban development. Improving the service performance of rail transit equipment is the key to ensuring the sustainable operation of urban rail transit. Automatic fare collection (AFC) is an indispensable system in urban rail transit. AFC directly serves passengers, and its condition directly affects the sustainability and safety of urban rail transit. This study proposes remaining useful life (RUL) prediction framework for AFC systems. Firstly, it proposes the quantification of AFC health state based on health degree, and proposes a health state assessment method based on digital analog fusion, which compensates for the shortcomings of single data-driven or model driven health methods. Secondly, it constructs a multi feature extraction method based on multi-layer LSTM, which can capture long-term temporal dependencies and multi-dimensional feature, overcoming the limitation of low model accuracy because of the weak data features. Then, the SSA-XGBoost model for AFC RUL prediction is proposed, which effectively performs global and local searches, reduces the possibility of overfitting, and improves the accuracy of the prediction model. Finally, we put it into practice of the AFC system of Shanghai Metro Line 10. The experiment shows that the proposed model has an MSE of 0.00111 and MAE of 0.02869 on the test set, while on the validation set, MSE is 0.00004 and MAE is 0.00659. These indicators are significantly better than other comparative models such as XGBoost, random forest regression, and linear regression. In addition, the SSA-XGBoost model also performs well on R-squared, further verifying its effectiveness in prediction accuracy and model fitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of South Architecture / Nanfang Jianzhu is the property of South Architecture Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Leafy plants are commonly consumed as vegetables in India due to their high nutrient and vitamin content. This study, conducted in Ambagarh Chowki (India), investigated the accumulation potential of 52 elements (including Al, As, Ba, Be, Bi, Ca, Cd, Ce, Co, Cr, Cu, Dy, Er, Eu, Fe, Ga, Gd, Ge, Ho, K, La, Li, Lu, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Nb, Nd, Ni, P, Pb, Pr, Rb, Sb, Sc, Se, Sm, Sn, Sr, Tb, Te, Th, Ti, Tl, Tm, U, V, W, Y, Yb, and Zn) in seven leafy vegetable species, namely Amaranthus tricolor L., Corchorus olitorius L., Cordia myxa L., Hibiscus sabdariffa L., Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Moringa oleifera Lam., and Spinacia oleracea L. Technique: Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was employed for analysis. The maximum concentrations of elements such as Al, Ba, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Ge, Li, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Th, Tl, U, V, W, and REEs were observed in S. oleracea leaves, indicating their highest accumulation potential. In contrast, the maximum concentrations of As were found in H. sabdariffa leaves; Ca and Si in M. oleifera leaves; Mg, Sr, and Mo in A. tricolor leaves; and P, K, Cu, and Zn in C. myxa leaves, respectively. Twenty-one elements (Cr, Cd, Pb, Ni, Co, V, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Th, Sb, Ba, Be, Li, Sr, Tl, U, Se, Sn, and REEs) exceeded permissible limits set by the WHO. The elevated hazard index values indicated significant non-carcinogenic effects. The sources of these elements could be attributed to a combination of geological factors and agricultural practices. This study highlights the need for further investigation into the potential health implications of consuming these vegetables in the aforementioned region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: In the framework of the ValueCare project (funded by EC, ref 875215), the Valencia pilot site assessed the comprehensive health of 240 older people with frailty. ValueCare aims to deliver personalised integrated health and social care and better outcomes for older people. Methods: For the health evaluation, a comprehensive approach was adopted, based on validated questionnaires that address not only mental and physical health but also other key dimensions in older people's well-being, namely unwanted loneliness and nutrition. Results: This study provides an overview of the overall health status of 60-year-old people from March to December 2022 in the city of Valencia, allowing for a comparison between national and European health indicators. Conclusions: Older people in the city of Valencia reported good health, quality of life, independency, nutrition and social wellbeing, with some differences between gender. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, machine learning techniques have been available to predict and interpret the structural behavior of dams. Continuous monitoring of dam structure safety is vital in preventing possible damage. This study aims to predict the structural behavior by considering data collected for 13 years from instruments in the dam structure. Various machine learning methods are performed to account for the multi-non-linear relationships between dam displacement and the influential factors, thereby exploring the displacement laws of the dam. Three error metric indicators are employed for prediction, validation, and verification techniques to ensure the performance of models. Validation techniques include historical data validation, prediction validation, and the residual behavior over time. Predicting the structural behavior of the dam using the selected model requires data related to the input variables of the model. For this reason, the long short-term memory (LSTM) model, a robust algorithm for predicting time series variables, was used to predict the input variables. LSTM model provided acceptable predictions of changes in the input variables for these years. Additionally, the Boosted Regression Trees model, selected as the most accurate in the evaluation process, was employed to predict the structural behavior of the dam for periods not yet experienced by the dam, using these input variables. The predicted behavior of the dam demonstrated a strong ability to interpret the health of the dam structure and prevent possible damages. The effectiveness of the LSTM model was confirmed as a promising method in predicting time series input variables for ML models to predict dam displacements in the next years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: Studies assessing the costs of the immunobiological cold chain (CC) are scarce. Therefore, the factors that influence the allocation of resources in this process are not known. The objective of this study is to determine the cost of the immunobiological CC. Methods: The Health Economic Assessment study was carried out in Minas Gerais, Brazil, between 2021 and 2022. The unit of analysis was the municipal level of the CC. The perspective of the Public Health System (Sistema Único de Saúde) was considered as a funder, the year 2021 was considered as the time frame, and the period of 1 year was considered as the time horizon of the analysis. Direct medical, nonmedical, and indirect costs were included. A mixed technique was used involving micro- and macrocosting and sensitivity analysis to identify the influence of the main categories on the final cost. Results: The total cost was U.S. dollars 20,014,545, with nonmedical direct costs being the most representative (61.24%). Human resources were the most influential items, representing 76.43% of the total cost. Conclusions: The most influential items should be those of greatest concern and planned by managers to make the CC more efficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Beijing University of Technology is the property of Journal of Beijing University of Technology, Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objective To analyse interrater reliability of four RheuMetric checklist 0–10 visual numerical scales (VNSs) of physician global assessment (DOCGL), inflammation or reversible findings (DOCINF), organ damage or irreversible findings (DOCDAM) and patient distress or findings explained by fibromyalgia, depression or anxiety (DOCDIS). Methods A retrospective study was performed of data from a rheumatology fellows' continuity clinic at Rush University. Each rheumatology patient seen in routine care with any diagnosis completed a multidimensional health assessment questionnaire (MDHAQ). Both the rheumatology fellow and attending rheumatologist independently completed RheuMetric estimates at the same visit for DOCGL, DOCINF, DOCDAM, DOCDIS and the proportion of DOCGL explained by each subglobal estimate (totalling 100%). Agreement between the two assessors was compared using paired t -tests, Spearman correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Lin's concordance correlation coefficients (LCCCs) and Bland–Altman plots. Results In 112 patients, mean levels of DOCINF were highest in inflammatory diseases, DOCDAM in osteoarthritis (OA) and DOCDIS in primary fibromyalgia (FM). However, mean DOCDAM was as high as DOCINF in inflammatory diseases. No statistically significant differences were seen between scores from attending rheumatologists and fellows. Agreement within 2/10 ranged from 60% for DOCGL to 71% for DOICINF and DOCDAM. Spearman correlations were 0.49–0.65, ICCs were 0.46–0.63 and LCCCs were 0.46–0.62 between rheumatologist and fellow, indicating moderate agreement; reliability was slightly higher for each subglobal VNS than for DOCGL. Conclusion RheuMetric 0–10 DOCGL, DOCINF, DOCDAM and DOCDIS have moderate interrater reliability and are feasible in routine care to estimate patient status beyond DOCGL for improved management decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mangroves are the salt tolerant forest ecosystems found mainly in tropical and subtropical intertidal regions of the world. Coastal areas have the highest population density and are among the most heavily used around the world. Therefore, strong pressure is exerted on coastal environments by pollution, habitat destruction and fragmentation and overexploitation of natural resources. This study encompasses the development of methodology for the health assessment of mangroves and its ground truthing in Kadalundi-Vallikkunnu Community Reserve (KVCR), Kozhikode. A multi-disciplinary as well as integrated approach was developed for the Health Assessment of the mangroves. The health assessment study was carried out along three sites of Kadalundi mangroves and it showed that site 3 is more vulnerable to degradation compared to the other two sites. The study has brought out a methodology which can be applied to any mangrove forest of India for its health assessment and the same if followed uniformly, can be used for the conservation, management and policy making by the authorities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The health of complex systems continues to decline as they operate over long periods of time, so it is important to assess the health state of complex systems. Belief rule base (BRB) is widely used in the field of health state assessment of complex systems as a semi-quantitative method that can address uncertainty effectively and with interpretability. In practical engineering, BRB still has problems: the incompleteness of expert knowledge and the inconsistency of the cognitive abilities of each expert have an effect on the construction of the model and interpretability. To address this problem, a complex system health state assessment method is proposed based on a joint multiexpert belief rule base (BRB-ME). Experts first build their own models, and a new multiexpert knowledge fusion algorithm is designed for the fusion of different expert models. The ER is used as the inference machine for the model. Next, a multi-population evolution whale optimization algorithm with multiexpert knowledge constraints (C-MEWOA) is used to optimize the BRB-ME model. Finally, the effectiveness of the BRB-ME model in health state assessment is verified through case studies of lithium-ion batteries and flywheels. Comparative studies have shown that the BRB-ME model can fuse multiexpert knowledge and has advantages in terms of the stability and accuracy of assessment results.

Background: Cognitive function in older adults is a crucial aspect of overall health and well-being, particularly as the global population continues to age. Rural areas often face unique challenges that can impact cognitive health, including limited access to health-care services, lower educational opportunities, and lifestyle factors that may differ significantly from urban counterparts. By identifying the predictors of cognitive function and understanding the geographical disparities, the study seeks to inform targeted public health strategies and interventions to support cognitive health in rural populations. Aim: This study aims to investigate the level of cognitive function among older adults in four different rural areas, examining how demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors contribute to cognitive health. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 800 participants (200 from each rural area). Cognitive function was assessed using the mini–mental state examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle variables were recorded. Correlation analyses, analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, and multivariable regression analyses were performed to identify significant relationships and differences. Results: The study’s participants had a mean age of 72.4 years, with females comprising 55% of the sample. A quarter of participants reported education beyond primary school, and 42.5% had low socioeconomic status. Smoking was reported by 28.75% of participants, while 46.25% engaged in regular physical activity. Significant differences were observed in MMSE and MoCA scores between rural areas (P < 0.001), with rural area D scoring the highest (MMSE: 27.5, MoCA: 24.2) and rural area C scoring the lowest (MMSE: 24.1, MoCA: 20.7). Positive correlations were found between cognitive scores and education level (MMSE: r = 0.35, MoCA: r = 0.40) and physical activity (MMSE: r = 0.21, MoCA: r = 0.22), while negative correlations were observed with age (MMSE: r = −0.15, MoCA: r = −0.12), smoking status (MMSE: r = −0.28, MoCA: r = −0.27), and alcohol use (MMSE: r = −0.25, MoCA: r = −0.23). ANOVA indicated significant differences in MMSE scores between areas (F[3, 796] =12.34, P < 0.001). ANCOVA, adjusting for confounders, confirmed these differences (F[3, 792] =10.47, P < 0.001). Post hoc Tukey tests revealed that rural area D had significantly higher MMSE scores than Areas B and C (P < 0.01), and Area A had higher scores than Area C (P < 0.05). Significant factors associated with MMSE scores included age (β = −0.12, P = 0.01), education level (β =0.35, P < 0.001), physical activity (β =0.21, P < 0.05), smoking status (β = −0.28, P < 0.01), and alcohol use (β = −0.25, P < 0.01). Conclusion: Cognitive function among older adults varies significantly across different rural areas. Higher education levels and regular physical activity are associated with better cognitive performance, while older age, smoking, and alcohol use are negatively associated. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions to improve cognitive health in rural aging populations.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to investigate the reach of a large-scale health assessment delivered by the occupational health service in Sweden for almost 30 years. METHODS: A total of 418 286 individuals who participated in a health assessment (Health Profile Assessment, HPA) between 1995–2021 were included. A comparative sample was obtained from Statistics Sweden, comprising the entire working population for each year (4 962 127–6 011 829 unique individuals per time period). Sociodemographic and work organization characteristics were compared between the HPA and comparative population for six different periods. Under- and overrepresented groups in the private and public sectors were identified using the most recent data (2015–2021). RESULTS: With negative per cent indicating underrepresentation, the most notable changes over time in representation in the HPA population compared to the comparative were observed for women (-1.2% to -12.8%), private sector employees (-9.4% to 14.9%), individuals with ≥3 years of employment (14.5% to 0.9%), in personal care (0.8% to -8.8%) and manufacturing (0.7% to 6.4%) occupations. Consistently overrepresented groups (median representation across periods) included individuals who had a single income source (6.3%) and were middle-aged (10.8%), born in Sweden (5.9%), associate professionals (8.7%), and employed in companies with high operating profit (17.9%) and low staff turnover (14.3%). Conversely, individuals with low income (-34.0%) and employed in small companies/organizations (-10.9%) were consistently underrepresented. Middle-aged women in education occupations were most underrepresented in the public sector, while in the private sector, it was young women in service and shop sales occupations. CONCLUSIONS: This health assessment has reached many professionals, including hard-to-reach groups, but did not fully represents the Swedish workforce throughout the years.

Influenced by the rapid pace of economic growth and urbanization, the ecological environment of urban rivers is exceptionally delicate. Despite their relatively small basin areas, small-to-medium rivers are abundant in highly urbanized areas, making their health status a matter of considerable importance that warrants thorough attention and in-depth research. Taking the Yangmei River in Guangzhou as a case study, this research conducted field investigations on environmental factors and macroinvertebrates. Biological indicator method and structural equation modeling (SEM) were employed to conduct health assessment and analyze the driving forces behind its health issues of the Yangmei River. The findings reveal that pollution tolerant species dominate the macroinvertebrates community in the Yangmei River. A rapid macroinvertebrate bioassessment index (RBI) comprising seven indicators was established. According to the RBI results, two sampling sections were identified as good, three as fair, and the remaining three as poor. Based on the redundancy analysis results, NO2-N, TP, Cond, and Built-up land were identified as the primary factors influencing the distribution of macroinvertebrates in the Yangmei River. In terms of health assessment, considering SEM results and the water quality characteristics, it is concluded that high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus pollution are the driving forces behind the current health issues of the Yangmei River. This study not only provides strong data support for the health assessment and ecological governance of the Yangmei River but also offers references and theoretical guidance for the health assessment and ecological governance of small-to-medium rivers in other highly urbanized areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Refugee minors are considered particularly vulnerable to negative health consequences from war, flight and resettlement. Offering health assessments after arrival in a host country could uncover unmet health needs and provide access to treatment. In Norway, a national guide describes these assessments, but little is known about its implementation especially for refugee minors. Thus, the aim of this study was first to explore how health assessments of refugee minors are carried out, second how health professionals perceive the needs of refugee minors and third, the competencies they perceive as necessary to meet the needs of refugee minors. Method A modified Delphi study in three rounds was conducted using online surveys and one focus group to collect data on the needs and resources of refugee minors, essential factors for a good and health assessment practice. Participants were 54 health professionals responsible for early health assessments of refugee minors, throughout the Norwegian municipalities, working in primary care settings. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively, and qualitative data with content analysis. Results Health assessments of refugee minors were predominantly conducted by public health nurses, but the organisational structures surrounding assessments varied greatly according to the size of the municipalities and to how much resources were allocated. The feeling of safety was found to be paramount to ensure a good start in a new country for refugee minors. The top four competences professionals should have, were ‘general communication skills’, a ‘health professional background’, ‘expertise in children’s health’ and ‘knowledge about the national guide’. To ensure good health services for refugee minors, improved, more comprehensive, and mandatory directives for children and young individuals was highlighted. Conclusion Although most refugee minors were invited and attend health assessments, one third of participating municipalities did not offer health assessments to all newcomers and the organisation and content of the assessments were diverse. Several topics, especially mental health, were postponed or not routinely addressed, contrasting with current knowledge of unmet health needs for this group. Missing documentation, practical barriers and providing general health information took time away from doing the actual assessments. The perceived needs of refugee minors were safety and stability, combined with meaningful activities, thus a coordinated effort from several services is necessary. Suggestions for improvements were more time given to assessments, better organisation and co-operation, improved competence and guidelines adjusted for age.

Abstract Background A voluntary and free initial health assessment is offered to all asylum seekers upon arrival in Finland. The central aim of this initial health assessment is early identification of service needs. There is, however, limited information on how effective the initial assessment is in fulfilling its aims. This study explores the viewpoints of asylum seekers, reception centre nurses, and health authorities regarding the objectives of the initial health assessment. It serves as a starting point for effectiveness research, where effectiveness is defined as the achievement of intended aims. Methods This qualitative descriptive study is based on 31 semi-structured individual interviews (13 asylum seekers, 14 nurses, and four asylum health authorities) conducted in January and February 2019. Reflective thematic analysis was employed for data analysis, involving initial separate analyses for each group, followed by an assessment of differences and similarities between the groups. Results The importance of a comprehensive initial health assessment and preventing infections was emphasized by all groups. The main differences were views on service needs assessment in relation to persons in vulnerable situation and information provision. All groups described both individual and public health perspectives. Conclusions This study provides valuable insights for developing a more effective assessment. Asylum seekers require comprehensive health assessment and details about their rights. To address these needs, it is crucial to update reception centre nurses’ practices. Additionally, authorities responsible for planning and guiding services should refine their instructions concerning the information provided to asylum seekers and persons in vulnerable situations. The findings of this study can be used to enhance information provision and develop targeted training programs for nurses, as well as to evaluate the achievement of established aims.

Simple Summary: Leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) are abundant, coastal, eastern Pacific, mesopredatory sharks and are frequently managed in aquariums and zoos. Medical examinations are a routine part of good husbandry practices, but the handling protocols vary greatly between facilities. In this study, we compared the physiological stress responses of T. semifasciata associated with manual restraint and sedation under parallel holding and handling procedures in a 10 min interval. Blood was collected and analyzed for common physiological measurements used in shark and ray stress studies. Overall, a negligible stress response was observed in both experimental groups. This study indicates that manual restraint is comparable to the described sedation in T. semifasciata for minimally invasive procedures. The overall results show that this species had low stress responses to both methods. Background: Leopard sharks (Triakis semifasciata) are abundant, coastal, eastern Pacific, mesopredatory sharks and are frequently managed in aquariums and zoos. Medical examinations are a routine part of good husbandry practices, but the handling protocols vary greatly between facilities. In this study, we compared the physiological stress responses of T. semifasciata associated with manual restraint and sedated handling under parallel holding and handling procedures in a 10 min interval. Methods: Blood was collected and analyzed for the hematocrit (Hct), lactate, glucose, beta-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), pH, blood gasses, 1α-hydroxycorticosterone (1α-OHB), and corticosterone (B). Results: Overall, a minimal physiological stress response was observed in both groups. However, statistically significant increases in the PCO2, β-HB and lactate occurred, while the pHTC, SO2, and BE decreased over time in the manual-restraint group. In the sedated group, the B, PCO2, and lactate increased while the pHTC, SO2, and base excess (BE) decreased over time. When comparing treatments, the sedated group had a higher B and PCO2 TC and a lower pHTC, BE, and SO2 than the manual-restraint group at the second time point. Conclusions: This study indicates that manual restraint is comparable to the described sedation in T. semifasciata for minimally invasive procedures. The overall results show that this species had low physiological stress responses to both methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary Health Care (PHC) in Brazil has become stronger in recent decades, thus increasing the demand for workers in the area. Using a cross-sectional design (n=492), this study aimed to evaluate the longitudinal tie of adult users and their relationship with the Family and Community Medicine Residency Program (Programa de Residência em Medicina de Família e Comunidade - PRMFC) in a region of the municipality of Rio de Janeiro from the perspective of adult users. To this end, we used the reduced version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool (PCATool) questionnaire, combined with the extended version of the "longitudinality" attribute. This study was conducted in two family clinics, one participating in the PRMFC for over 10 years and the other non-participatory. The overall PHC score for the entire study population was 5.63 [4.56; 5.80]. Comparatively, the performance in the family clinic with PRMFC was higher (6.32 [6.12; 6.53]) than that with no residency program (4.94 [4.70; 5. 19]). Regarding longitudinality, the former also obtained a higher score (7.02 [6.81; 7.23]) when compared to the latter (5.43 [5.17; 5.68]). The results of this study suggest to administrators that the PRMFC can be a useful tool for improving the quality of services through the qualification of Family Doctors and, thus, calls for investments in the area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this mixed-methods study was to examine the relationship between virtual reality simulation (VRS) and student satisfaction and self-confidence in a health assessment laboratory course. Methods: Second-year students (n = 37) completed a postoperative respiratory distress scenario using Elsevier's Simulation Learning System with Virtual Reality. All participants completed the Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Scale; a subset participated in 1:1 semistructured interviews. Results: Satisfaction and self-confidence scores were strongly correlated. VRS experiences of fidelity, communication confidence and competence, learning with peers, integrated learning and critical thinking, and a safe space to learn were related to students' satisfaction and self-confidence. Conclusions: VRS experiences are correlated with high student satisfaction and self-confidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malnutrition often remains undetected in older persons, leading to increased health problems and comorbidity, prolonged hospital stays and readmissions. In 2020, data from the interRAI Home Care (interRAI HC) instrument was used to determine malnutrition status according to some of the criteria of the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM). The interRAI HC instrument showed to be effective as a screening tool for the risk of malnutrition. The goal of the present study is to use the interRAI Long Term Care Facilities (interRAI LTCF) instrument for nursing home residents to identify factors related to older people's health that are significantly associated with the development of malnutrition. This study analyzes data collected in the period 2019–2023 from nursing home residents, 65 or older, with a follow-up period of 1 year. After applying the GLIM criteria to the available interRAI LTCF data, a cross-sectional sample a longitudinal sample were analyzed by means of bivariate analysis. Factors included in the bivariate analysis were based in previous studies and expert opinion. Unadjusted and adjusted regression models were built to explore associations between several potential risk factors and nutritional status. The sample consisted of 5598 older people with a mean age of 83.98 ± 7.30 years old and 71.2 % being female. Most people needed extensive assistance with activities of daily living (70.9%) and had at least a mild cognitive impairment (63.9%). According to the GLIM definition using the interRAI items, 8.43% of the residents were malnourished and 4.67% of the residents became malnourished over the period of 1 year. The final adjusted logistic regression yielded significant odds ratios for seven determinants: age (O.R. 1.03; C.I.: 1.01; 1.04), depressive symptoms (O.R.: 1.32; 1.01; 1.73), assistance needed for walking (O.R. 1.49; C.I.: 1.13; 1.95), wandering behavior (O.R. 1.16; C.I.: 1.01; 1.33), falls (O.R. 1.17; C.I.: 1.02; 1.35), visual impairment (O.R. 1.22; C.I.: 1.05; 1.42) and diabetes (protective factor - O.R.: 0.67; C.I.: 0.46; 0.98). The study showed the main risk factor for malnourishment in nursing home residents, such as age, depressions, assistance for walking, wandering and visual impairment. These significant factors can be used to identify people at risk of malnourishment. Periodically screening residents with the interRAI LTCF can help identify malnourished residents or residents at risk of malnourishment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Standard Design is the property of Railway Standard Design Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Ludhiana, a pollution hot spot in North India, has seen a rapid deterioration in air quality over the years due to urbanization and industrialization. This study interprets the variations of particulate matter (PM) and gaseous pollutants (Nitrogen oxide, Nitrogen dioxide, NOX, Sulphur dioxide, Carbon monoxide, Benzene, Toluene, Ozone, and Ammonia) for the data observed from 2017 to 2023 in Ludhiana. This also covers the analysis focused on capturing the changes that occurred at the times of lockdown imposed during the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19). The maximum 24-h averaged mass concentration values exceeded the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) of 100 µg/m3 for PM10 concentration and 60 µg/m3 for PM2.5 concentration in 2018 by the factor of 5 and 8. With the onset of the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 year, PM10 and PM2.5 reached the minimum level while CO, T, O3, and NO2 increased by the factor of 3.9, 1.9, 1.4, and 1.3 from their previous year. This NO2 is a precursor of ozone formation, a higher NO2 to NO ratio observed during the lockdown, confirms the role of nitrogen compounds in the higher ozone formation rate. Based on the NO2/NO ratio, the probability rate of ozone formation determined using survival analysis is observed to be 94% from 2017 to 2023. The local sources' contribution to these air pollutants during Pre-Lockdown, Lockdown, and Post-Lockdown are analyzed using principal component analysis. The impact of the lockdown on ozone concentration sources has been observed. During the Pre- and Post-Lockdown phases, three sources (PC1, PC2, and PC3) were positively identified. Ozone levels are linked to PC3 in these phases, but during the lockdown, a negative loading in PC3 and positive loadings in PC1 and PC2 indicate a decrease in ozone from reduced emissions and an increase from secondary reactions involving nitrogen compounds. Moreover, the Toluene to Benzene concentration ratio is > 2, indicating the source of their origin from industrial emission or other non-traffic sources. Health assessment for the years 2017–2019 reveals a significant decrease in the number of cases of all-cause mortality, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with reducing PM2.5 concentrations to national and international standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health assessments have long been a significant research topic within the field of health psychology. By analyzing the results of subject scales, these assessments effectively evaluate physical and mental health status. Traditional methods, based on statistical analysis, are limited in accuracy due to their reliance on linear scoring methods. Meanwhile, machine learning approaches, despite their potential, have not been widely adopted due to their poor interpretability and dependence on large amounts of training data. Recently, large language models (LLMs) have gained widespread attention for their powerful natural language understanding capabilities, offering a viable solution to these issues. This study investigates the application of LLMs in enhancing physical and mental health assessments, introducing ScaleLLM. ScaleLLM employs language and knowledge alignment to turn LLMs into expert evaluators for health psychology scales. Experimental results indicate that ScaleLLM can improve the accuracy and interpretability of health assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vitamin A deficiency is one of the nutritional deficiencies that most affect children under five years of age in developing countries. Despite the important problem in the Brazilian nutritional scenario, there are still some studies on the evaluation of actions for its prevention. Objective: To evaluate the context of implementation of the National Vitamin A Supplementation Program in municipalities in Minas Gerais. Method: Qualitative study in associations with different degrees of implementation of the Program, identified in a previous study. 10 Basic Health Units were visited and 42 people were interviewed, including managers, professionals, and users. For the analysis of the testimonies, Content Analysis was used. Results: Actions to support breastfeeding, the performance of competent health agents, and the dynamics of primary care are potentialities of the Program. Limitations on access and implementation of educational actions were important weaknesses. Conclusion: It is necessary to plan strategies that minimize losses to the user's access to the service and investments in permanent education, especially on food and nutrition education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Medical Education Technology is the property of China Medical Education Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: Multiple factors, including human disturbance and environmental change, have caused a significant global mangrove resource loss. Therefore, the Chinese government has restructured mangrove habitats and restored the ecosystem functionality through establishing naturally protected mangrove areas. Despite efforts spanning several years, over 90% of mangrove forests in China have been now integrated into the natural protected area system, with the health status and influencing factors of mangrove ecosystem remaining a pertinent subject for further exploration. Given the intricacies of mangrove ecosystems with complex nonlinear relationships among evaluation factors, it is imperative to adopt scientific methodologies to assess their health status. Methods: To illustrate this, we conducted a mangrove ecosystem health assessment of natural protected areas of Guangdong Province, China. By employing a fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method and establishing an index system for mangrove ecosystem health assessment. Results: The results revealed the following findings. (1) Various factors exert differing degrees of influence on mangrove ecosystem health. Notably, the mangrove habitat pattern (weight 47.95%), bird diversity (weight 20.97%), mangrove community (weight 14.31%), water environment (weight 11.76%), and soil sedimentary environment (weight 5.01%) were identified. (2) Overall, the mangrove ecosystem within protected areas of Guangdong exhibited unhealthy signs. There were 4 healthy protected areas (20.00%), 4 areas classified as sub-healthy (20.00%), and 12 were deemed unhealthy (60.00%). (3) Key factors contributing to the compromised health of mangrove ecosystems included the homogenization of mangrove plants, decreased habitat diversity, and exogenous pollution. Discussion: By planting local mangrove species, scientifically managing the ratio of mangrove cover area to mudflat area, and controlling pollution sources and treating pollutants, the structure of the mangrove ecosystem can be optimized, and the quality of mangrove forest can be improved. These findings can enhance mangrove ecosystem management practices, assist mangrove natural reserve managers in performing targeted mangrove ecological protection and restoration, promote effective management, and contribute to the realization of "harmonious symbiosis" between humanity and nature within mangrove ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: A voluntary and free initial health assessment is offered to all asylum seekers upon arrival in Finland. The central aim of this initial health assessment is early identification of service needs. There is, however, limited information on how effective the initial assessment is in fulfilling its aims. This study explores the viewpoints of asylum seekers, reception centre nurses, and health authorities regarding the objectives of the initial health assessment. It serves as a starting point for effectiveness research, where effectiveness is defined as the achievement of intended aims. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study is based on 31 semi-structured individual interviews (13 asylum seekers, 14 nurses, and four asylum health authorities) conducted in January and February 2019. Reflective thematic analysis was employed for data analysis, involving initial separate analyses for each group, followed by an assessment of differences and similarities between the groups. Results: The importance of a comprehensive initial health assessment and preventing infections was emphasized by all groups. The main differences were views on service needs assessment in relation to persons in vulnerable situation and information provision. All groups described both individual and public health perspectives. Conclusions: This study provides valuable insights for developing a more effective assessment. Asylum seekers require comprehensive health assessment and details about their rights. To address these needs, it is crucial to update reception centre nurses' practices. Additionally, authorities responsible for planning and guiding services should refine their instructions concerning the information provided to asylum seekers and persons in vulnerable situations. The findings of this study can be used to enhance information provision and develop targeted training programs for nurses, as well as to evaluate the achievement of established aims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As is now well-known, COVID-19 is a highly contagious disease, which for some can cause symptoms that last long after initial infection. In 2021, a clinical set of symptoms referred to as long-COVID was identified. For many patients, long-COVID is a confusing and frightening multisystem disease, with the potential for myriad negative psychosocial effects, including significant impacts on employment and mental health, and requiring ongoing care. Research and treatment of long-COVID will be facilitated by a sound measure that addresses aspects of well-being, symptom experiences, and psychosocial impacts among long-COVID patients. The present work addresses this need by presenting the results of the development and preliminary psychometrics for the Long-COVID Well-Being Scale (LCOVID-WBS). In an exploratory factor analysis with a panel of 236 participants, researchers identified four factors: Emotional Strain, Physical Ability Strain, Control of Life, and Overall Evaluation of Health. The nascent measure represents the first step to measuring the impacts of long-COVID. • Long-COVID is a multisystem disease, with negative psychosocial effects • A sound measure of long-COVID is needed • This paper presents the Long-COVID Well-Being Scale (LCOVID-WBS) • Researchers identified four factors: Emotional Strain, Physical Ability Strain, Control of Life, and Overall Evaluation of Health [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Refugee minors are considered particularly vulnerable to negative health consequences from war, flight and resettlement. Offering health assessments after arrival in a host country could uncover unmet health needs and provide access to treatment. In Norway, a national guide describes these assessments, but little is known about its implementation especially for refugee minors. Thus, the aim of this study was first to explore how health assessments of refugee minors are carried out, second how health professionals perceive the needs of refugee minors and third, the competencies they perceive as necessary to meet the needs of refugee minors. Method: A modified Delphi study in three rounds was conducted using online surveys and one focus group to collect data on the needs and resources of refugee minors, essential factors for a good and health assessment practice. Participants were 54 health professionals responsible for early health assessments of refugee minors, throughout the Norwegian municipalities, working in primary care settings. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively, and qualitative data with content analysis. Results: Health assessments of refugee minors were predominantly conducted by public health nurses, but the organisational structures surrounding assessments varied greatly according to the size of the municipalities and to how much resources were allocated. The feeling of safety was found to be paramount to ensure a good start in a new country for refugee minors. The top four competences professionals should have, were 'general communication skills', a 'health professional background', 'expertise in children's health' and 'knowledge about the national guide'. To ensure good health services for refugee minors, improved, more comprehensive, and mandatory directives for children and young individuals was highlighted. Conclusion: Although most refugee minors were invited and attend health assessments, one third of participating municipalities did not offer health assessments to all newcomers and the organisation and content of the assessments were diverse. Several topics, especially mental health, were postponed or not routinely addressed, contrasting with current knowledge of unmet health needs for this group. Missing documentation, practical barriers and providing general health information took time away from doing the actual assessments. The perceived needs of refugee minors were safety and stability, combined with meaningful activities, thus a coordinated effort from several services is necessary. Suggestions for improvements were more time given to assessments, better organisation and co-operation, improved competence and guidelines adjusted for age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Body condition (BC) can affect the reproductive output and hatchling survival of nesting olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea). However, little is known about the BC of nesting females during the arrival event at nesting sites. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the BC of females nesting in La Escobilla Beach Sanctuary (La Escobilla) during the 2021 nesting season. Nesting females were measured and weighed. The mean size for nesting L. olivacea was 60.41 ± 2.98 cm for straight carapace length, 52.69 ± 2.57 cm for straight carapace width, and 34.35 ± 3.94 kg for weight (n = 483). The mean (± standard deviation, SD) Fulton's/Bjorndal BC index estimated for nesting females was 1.54 ± 0.15, while the mean (± SD) of body mass index was 2.18 ± 0.23. Based on these indexes, 28 individuals were classified as in bad condition, 315 in good condition, and 19 in excellent condition. This first estimation of the olive ridley turtle body condition in a nesting colony showed that BC is a good body condition for most nesting females in La Escobilla. This study is a valuable baseline for nesting L.olivacea's health condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to intensified human activities like hydropower development, biodiversity in the upper Yellow River faces severe threats. In 2019, we conducted a survey across all reservoirs in the river section from Longyangxia to Liujiaxia in the upper Yellow River, focusing on key aquatic organisms such as benthic macroinvertebrates and fish. The benthic index of biotic integrity (B-IBI) and the fish stocking index (FSI) were used to assess the river's biotic integrity. We collected 54 macroinvertebrate species with an average biomass of 1.28g/m², predominantly featuring species like Gammarus sp. and Palaemon modestus. Additionally, 39 fish species were captured, with Gymnocypris eckloni, Pseudorasbora parva, and Triplophysa pappenheimi being the most common, with an average weight of 43.27 g per individual. The B-IBI scores ranged from 1.06 to 3.04, averaging 78; the number of native fish species varied from 3 to 15 per location, resulting in an FSI score of 69. This indicated that the biotic integrity of the Longyangxia to Liujiaxia section was common yet still significantly impacted by human activities. This study highlights the impacts of human activities on the river's ecosystem and aims to guide ecological protection and restoration efforts in the upper Yellow River. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Die Urologie is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Health assessment is necessary to ensure that lithium-ion batteries operate safely and dependably. Nonetheless, there are the following two common problems with the health assessment models for lithium-ion batteries that are currently in use: inability to comprehend the assessment results and the uncertainty around the chemical reactions occurring inside the battery. A rule-based modeling strategy that can handle ambiguous data in health state evaluation is the belief rule base (BRB). In existing BRB studies, experts often provide parameters such as the initial belief degree, but the parameters may not match the current data. In addition, random global optimization methods may undermine the interpretability of expert knowledge. Therefore, this paper proposes a lithium-ion battery health assessment method based on the double optimization belief rule base with interpretability (DO-BRB-I). First, the belief degree is optimized according to the data distribution. Then, to increase accuracy, belief degrees and other parameters are further optimized using the projection covariance matrix adaptive evolution strategy (P-CMA-ES). At the same time, four interpretability constraint strategies are suggested based on the features of lithium-ion batteries to preserve interpretability throughout the optimization process. Finally, to confirm the efficacy of the suggested approach, a sample of the health status assessment of the B0006 lithium-ion battery is provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructed parks for mangrove wetlands are considered crucial for preserving coastal ecosystems. However, several challenges confront the construction and maintenance of existing mangrove parks in the Great Bay Area of China, such as the survival rates of newly planted plants, declining plant diversity, and fluctuating quality of water and soil. While various methods exist for restoring mangrove wetland parks, there is a need for a health assessment of mangrove parks to quantify related health indicators. Previous studies mainly focused on individual species and the ecological functions of mangroves, neglecting the complexity of the overall health of communities. Based on the current situation of mangrove parks in the Great Bay Area, this paper proposes a methodology and workflow with Zhenhai Bay National Wetland Park as a study area, aimed at identifying potential health factors through field surveys on ecological communities and structures, biosafety, water and soil, and external threats and disturbances. Experiments and indicators were carried out for the evaluation, and the quantified results showed that the mangrove park had an average level of health, with the central area being more sensitive than the north and south parts. The assessment results can guide further landscape design, wetland restoration, and tourism planning, and serve as a reference for other health assessments for mangroves in similar urban areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]