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Organophosphates esters (OPEs) have become a preferred alternative in nail polish as plasticizers due to health concerns over previously used additives like dibutyl phthalate. However, the true extent of nail technicians' exposure to OPEs is largely unknown. This study shows that nail salon workers are significant exposed to OPEs, with varied concentrations found in air, dust, masks, and urine. The total concentrations of 11 OPEs in ultrasonic personal air samplers (UPAS) ranged from 251 to 1007 ng/m³, and in air conditioner filter dust from 371 to 14473 ng/g. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP) was the most abundant compound found in the nail polishes used in these salons. On average, the concentrations of TPHP and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) in workers' urine after work were 5.2 and 1.8 times higher than those before work, respectively. Two nail salons that had the highest nail polish usage also had very high concentrations of TPHP in surgical masks, dust, and UPAS. TPHP concentrations in workers' urine after work were 19 and 13 times those before work, respectively, in these two salons. Human internal exposure assessment showed that the average exposure dose of TPHP after work was 1.8 times higher than that before work. On average, use of masks reduced OPEs in urine by 77%. In conclusion, frequent mask replacement is highly recommended, especially in long working circumstances. Without regular replacement, masks may accumulate OPEs from the air, potentially becoming another source of human exposure to OPEs. Therefore, more attention should be paid to the occupational exposure of nail salon workers to OPEs, particularly considering that most practitioners in this industry are young women of reproductive age.

BackgroundDespite being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 due to a lack of structural support, marginalized communities have been largely ignored in the politically polarized debate over school masking. In response to this, we sought to explore masking attitudes by centering the voices of parents and children at historically marginalized, predominantly Hispanic schools in southern California.MethodsWe conducted a mixed-methods study with parents and children attending 26 low-income predominantly Hispanic-serving elementary schools. A random sample of parents was asked to provide a freelist of words they associate with masking. A subset of parents with children aged 4-6 was recruited from these surveys to participate in parent-child interviews (PCI). We calculated Smith's salience index for all unique items, stratifying by language (English/Spanish). Item salience guided PCI thematic analysis for additional context and meaning.Results648 participants provided 1118 unique freelist items in English and Spanish. 19 parent-child pairs were interviewed, 11 in Spanish and 8 in English. The most salient words were "safety"(0.37), "protection"(0.12), "prevention"(0.05), "health"(0.04), "good"(0.03), "can't breathe"(0.03), "necessary"(0.02), "care"(0.02), "precaution"(0.02), and "unnecessary"(0.02). Spanish speakers had a more favorable view of masking than English speakers, particularly regarding "protection" (0.20 vs 0.08) and "prevention" (0.10 vs 0.02).DiscussionMasking is an affordable individual-level risk mitigation that protects the communities that have inequitably shouldered the burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend that policymakers prioritize the views of those most impacted when deciding on risk mitigation policies like school masking.

Community mask wearing and personal hand hygiene behaviors are emphasized as among the primary ways to impede the transmission of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, there is a lack of studies on the efficacy of masks in ensuring safety. This pilot study was designed to investigate the proper use of masks by estimating the changes in temperature and humidity inside masks and examining the bacterial culture of used masks. Two points were set 100 m apart. Two masked participants were made to stand side by side then walk from the first to the second point. When the subjects arrived at the designated destination, we measured the temperature and humidity of each mask and recorded the subjective degree of discomfort on a scale of 10 points. This experiment use the same mask (cotton mask, KF94, anti-droplet mask, dental mask) was repeated ten times. Our results showed that irrespective of the mask used, the inside temperature of a mask was at an average of 2 to 3 degrees higher than the atmospheric temperature, and the humidity inside the mask was twice that on the outside. In all four types of masks investigated, bacterial culture experiments detected similar bacteria found mainly on the skin and mouth for that of the participant. For the walking test, the subjective discomfort was the highest 7.8 ± 1.2 with the anti-droplet mask (p = 0.005). Power walking test, the subjective discomfort was the highest 9.4±0.5 with the KF94 (p = 0.063). Proper mask ventilation is advised, especially in case of subjective discomfort, but only when there is no other person within social distance or while outdoors. For hygienic reasons, discarding a used mask is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to develop a novel design method to make personalized masks for the effective prevention of pandemic respiratory infectious disease. Design/methodology/approach: The changes in facial shape during speaking were analyzed using a three-dimensional (3D) scanning technique. In total, 13 anthropometric items were measured, and mask patterns were generated using a parametric pattern design method. Three sizing methods were proposed to reflect not only static but also dynamic body dimensions on the mask patterns. Findings: A significant increase or decrease was observed in 10 out of 13 measurement items. Based on this, four items were selected to be used in the mask pattern design. The nose and cheek areas of a mask were fixed to protect the respiratory tract against viruses. The lower jaw area was deformed to improve the fit. Social implications: This study is expected to provide fundamental data to understand the changes in facial shape during movement. In addition, it is expected that the development of individualized personal protective equipment with movement adaptability will facilitate an effective response to various pandemic respiratory diseases. Originality/value: In order to develop a personal protective equipment (PPE) that has a good fit and can protect against pandemic respiratory infectious diseases, morphological analysis was attempted using 3D facial data. It would be possible to design various products and equipment to be worn on the face by using the method proposed in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As service members transition from deployment to civilian life, they are also expected to reintegrate into society. An important part of this process is to "soften up" veteran or warrior identities and open up the self for both existing and new identities, mindsets, and ways of life. Past research has shown that the warrior mindset, in particular, can have negative health implications in the long run. The mindset can be costly, not only for the individual and their loved ones, but also for the healthcare services and other agencies. This article draws from a recent interview study with 24 deployed Swedish veterans suffering from deteriorating mental health without receiving a clinical diagnosis. Purposeful sampling was conducted with the support of the medical staff at the Veterans' Clinic at Uppsala University Hospital. Participants had been screened for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but had not received a clinical diagnosis. This constitutes a large and understudied patient group in the clinic. The medical staff selected patients based on the following criteria: deteriorating mental health, increased suffering related to PTSD symptoms, and issues related to moral issues, existential concerns, and identity. The sample included veterans from both the Swedish Armed Forces and other deploying agencies. Of the 24 interviewees, 19 were from the Swedish Armed Forces (16 men and three women), and five (four women and one man) were deployed by other agencies. The number of overseas deployments varied widely, with some interviewees having completed 1-2 deployments, while others had completed 3-8. Additionally, some interviewees had interrupted planned or ongoing deployments for various reasons. At the time of the interviews, none were serving full-time in the armed forces; all were veterans. The interviews took place during an intense wave of COVID-19 infections in Sweden in early 2022, so the majority were conducted via videoconference. The participants' veteran identities were abductively analyzed through the mask of secrecy, the stoic mask, and the mask of denial, which are elements of the "Mask of the Warrior." This mask functions to safeguard mission focus, to endure, to execute tasks in extremely stressful situations, and to solve operational tasks during deployments and combat operations. The analysis of the interviews suggests that certain elements in these powerful veteran identities can serve as breeding grounds for suffering later in life. The veterans in the study tended to be stoic about their deteriorating mental health, kept the suffering to themselves, and denied the harmful aspects of their deployments. Thus, the Mask of the Warrior played a counterproductive role for the individual, their friends and family, and life in the aftermath of deployments. Another implication of secrecy and denial occurred on the societal or macro and system levels due to the absence of sufficient insight, knowledge, and understanding of veterans among personnel within the healthcare system and other agencies. This made it difficult for the healthcare system, and other relevant agencies, to offer adequate care and to understand the participants' health issues during sick leave. The perceived absence of societal and organizational rewards and benefits for veterans who risk their mental health and lives during deployment can be seen as a failing implicit work contract. This lack of recognition may lead to the corrosion of character. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The selection of a target when training deep neural networks for speech enhancement is an important consideration. Different masks have been shown to exhibit different performance characteristics depending on the application and the conditions. This paper presents a comprehensive comparison of several different masks for noise reduction in cochlear implants. The study incorporated three well-known masks, namely the Ideal Binary Mask (IBM), Ideal Ratio Mask (IRM) and the Fast Fourier Transform Mask (FFTM), as well as two newly proposed masks, based on existing masks, called the Quantized Mask (QM) and the Phase-Sensitive plus Ideal Ratio Mask (PSM+). These five masks are used to train networks to estimate masks for the purpose of separating speech from noisy mixtures. A vocoder was used to simulate the behavior of a cochlear implant. Short-time Objective Intelligibility (STOI) and Perceptual Evaluation of Speech Quality (PESQ) scores indicate that the two new masks proposed in this study (QM and PSM+) perform best for normal speech intelligibility and quality in the presence of stationary and non-stationary noise over a range of signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs). The Normalized Covariance Measure (NCM) and similarity scores indicate that they also perform best for speech intelligibility/gauging the similarity of vocoded speech. The Quantized Mask performs better than the Ideal Binary Mask due to its better resolution as it approximates the Wiener Gain Function. The PSM+ performs better than the three existing benchmark masks (IBM, IRM, and FFTM) as it incorporates both magnitude and phase information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, masks proved to be an effective measure in preventing virus transmission. However, many people have reported discomfort and negative perceptions toward wearing masks, especially during physical activity. This study aims to evaluate the discomfort and adverse perceptions related to various mask types among young, healthy adults during light exercise, including sitting, stationary stepping, and stair climbing. The study also examines the extent to which masks influence physiological indicators of physical well-being. Methods: The study was conducted in two stages at the campus hospital of Shantou University. In Stage 1, 20 healthy college students (10 males, 10 females) were recruited to identify the mask with the most substantial physiological and psychological impact among four types: KN95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth masks, and 3D medical masks. These specific types were chosen due to their widespread use and varying levels of filtration and breathability. In Stage 2, 14 healthy college students (7 males, 7 females) were included to examine the effects of the identified mask across various levels of physical exertion. Subjective perceptions were measured using the Mask-Related Discomfort and Perception Score (MRDPS), and physiological parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and vital capacity were recorded. Results: The KN95 respirator and cloth mask were associated with the highest MRDPS, indicating significant discomfort among wearers (p < 0.05). The use of KN95 respirators had the largest impact on MRDPS during stair stepping (β = 10.357, 95% CI [5.755, 14.959]). Physiological parameters showed minor variations across different masks, with KN95 respirators significantly associated with reduced diastolic blood pressure (β=-7.806, 95% CI [-12.294, -3.318]) and pulse rate (β=-10.661, 95% CI [-18.896, -2.425]) in Stage 1. However, after controlling for exercise pace in Stage 2, wearing a KN95 respirator did not significantly affect these parameters. Conclusions: KN95 respirators and cloth masks were found to cause the most discomfort during light physical activity, with males reporting higher discomfort levels than females. While these masks are associated with varying levels of perceived discomfort, their impact on physiological indicators is relatively modest. Future research should include larger and more diverse samples , continuous monitoring of physiological parameters during exercise, and exploration of the underlying mechanisms of gender differences in mask discomfort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Agri: Journal of the Turkish Society of Algology / Türk Algoloji (Ağrı) Derneği'nin Yayın Organıdır is the property of KARE Publishing 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.)

This paper introduced the developmental history of masks and reviewed the latest research advancements in polymer nonwoven filter materials and corresponding electret technologies. These electret techniques included corona charging, hydrocharging, and electrospinning, which were required for the addition of electret additives. The commonly used polymer nonwoven filter materials mainly included polypropylene and polylactic acid. Meanwhile, the prospect of the future trends in this field were proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Side-channel analysis is a type of cryptanalysis that utilizes the physical leakage of a cryptographic device. An adversary exploits the relationship between a physical leakage and the secret intermediate value of an encryption algorithm. In order to prevent side-channel analysis, the masking method was proposed. Several masking methods of the ISO/IEC 18033-3 standard encryption algorithm SEED have been proposed, as the Korean financial IC (integrated circuit) card standard (CFIP.ST.FINIC-01-2021) mandates using a robust implementation of SEED as an encryption algorithm against side-channel analyses. However, vulnerabilities were reported, except for with only one masking method. This study proposes the first-order vulnerability of that masking method. That is, an adversary is able to perform a side-channel analysis with the same complexity as an unprotected implementation. In order to fix this vulnerability, we revise the masking method with negligible additional overhead. Its vulnerability and security are theoretically verified and experimentally demonstrated. The round key of the existing masking method is revealed with only 210 power consumption traces, while that of the proposed masking method is not disclosed with 10,000 traces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep learning technology can automatically learn features from large amounts of data, with powerful feature extraction and pattern recognition capabilities, thereby improving the accuracy and efficiency of object detection. [The objective of this study]: In order to improve the accuracy and speed of mask wearing deep learning detection models in the post pandemic era, the [Problem this study aimed to resolve] was based on the fact that no research work has been reported on standardized detection models for mask wearing with detecting nose targets specially. [The topic and method of this study]: A mask wearing normalization detection model (towards the wearing style exposing the nose to outside, which is the most obvious characteristic of non-normalized style) based on improved YOLOv5s (You Only Look Once v5s is an object detection network model) was proposed. [The improved method of the proposed model]: The improvement design work of the detection model mainly includes (1) the BottleneckCSP (abbreviation of Bottleneck Cross Stage Partial) module was improved to a BottleneckCSP-MASK (abbreviation of Bottleneck Cross Stage Partial-MASK) module, which was utilized to replace the BottleneckCSP module in the backbone architecture of the original YOLOv5s model, which reduced the weight parameters' number of the YOLOv5s model while ensuring the feature extraction effect of the bonding fusion module. (2) An SE module was inserted into the proposed improved model, and the bonding fusion layer in the original YOLOv5s model was improved for better extraction of the features of mask and nose targets. [Results and validation]: The experimental results indicated that, towards different people and complex backgrounds, the proposed mask wearing normalization detection model can effectively detect whether people are wearing masks and whether they are wearing masks in a normalized manner. The overall detection accuracy was 99.3% and the average detection speed was 0.014 s/pic. Contrasted with original YOLOv5s, v5m, and v5l models, the detection results for two types of target objects on the test set indicated that the mAP of the improved model increased by 0.5%, 0.49%, and 0.52%, respectively, and the size of the proposed model compressed by 10% compared to original v5s model. The designed model can achieve precise identification for mask wearing behaviors of people, including not wearing a mask, normalized wearing, and wearing a mask non-normalized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic (2020-2022) transformed the face mask from a medical device into a communicative tool. This study analyses the multimodal nature of community masks in the United States, demonstrating how their design elements convey political, social, and personal messages. Through a semiotic analysis of mask images, the research reveals the use of colors, patterns, slogans, and wordplay to express political affiliation (e.g., pro-Trump, pro-Biden), social stance (e.g., Black Lives Matter, vaccination status), and individual identity (e.g., mood, fashion). The findings highlight the mask's evolution into a platform for public expression, comparable to profile pictures and slogans on social media, contributing to our understanding of communication in the digital age. The study also underscores the interdiscursive nature of mask-wearing practices, intersecting with discourses on identity, politics, and public health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pós: Revista do Programa de POS-Graduacao Em Artes - EBA/UFMG is the property of Pos - Programa de Pos-graduacao em Artes (PPG-Artes) 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.)

Copyright of Pós: Revista do Programa de POS-Graduacao Em Artes - EBA/UFMG is the property of Pos - Programa de Pos-graduacao em Artes (PPG-Artes) 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.)

Copyright of Pós: Revista do Programa de POS-Graduacao Em Artes - EBA/UFMG is the property of Pos - Programa de Pos-graduacao em Artes (PPG-Artes) 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.)

Copyright of Pós: Revista do Programa de POS-Graduacao Em Artes - EBA/UFMG is the property of Pos - Programa de Pos-graduacao em Artes (PPG-Artes) 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.)

Whether in the field of medical care, or in people's daily life and health protection, the importance of masks has been paid more and more attention. Acne, the most common complication after wearing masks, which is also called maskne, has been successfully introduced into the common language as a common topic of dermatologist consultations. This study aims to study the changes of microflora in maskne patients and healthy controls before and after wearing masks. In the summer of 2023, we collected a total of 50 samples from 15 maskne patients and 10 healthy controls before and after wearing surgical masks for a long time. 16 S ribosomal DNA sequencing and identification technology with V3-V4 variable region were adopted to explore the microbiome changes caused by mask wearing, analyze the changes in microbial diversity, and make interaction network. LDA effect size analysis was used to identify which bacteria showed significant changes in their relative abundance from phylum to genus. After wearing a mask, the microbiome of the maskne patients changed significantly more than that of the healthy controls, with both α diversity and β diversity lower than those of maskne patients before wearing masks and those of healthy controls after wearing masks. Co-occurrence network analysis showed that compared with other groups, the network of maskne patients after wearing masks for a long time had the lowest connectivity and complexity, but the highest clustering property, while the opposite was true for healthy controls. Many microbes that are potentially beneficial to the skin decreased significantly after wearing a mask. There was almost no difference in healthy controls before and after wearing a mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background During the COVID-19 pandemic, masks proved to be an effective measure in preventing virus transmission. However, many people have reported discomfort and negative perceptions toward wearing masks, especially during physical activity. This study aims to evaluate the discomfort and adverse perceptions related to various mask types among young, healthy adults during light exercise, including sitting, stationary stepping, and stair climbing. The study also examines the extent to which masks influence physiological indicators of physical well-being. Methods The study was conducted in two stages at the campus hospital of Shantou University. In Stage 1, 20 healthy college students (10 males, 10 females) were recruited to identify the mask with the most substantial physiological and psychological impact among four types: KN95 respirators, surgical masks, cloth masks, and 3D medical masks. These specific types were chosen due to their widespread use and varying levels of filtration and breathability. In Stage 2, 14 healthy college students (7 males, 7 females) were included to examine the effects of the identified mask across various levels of physical exertion. Subjective perceptions were measured using the Mask-Related Discomfort and Perception Score (MRDPS), and physiological parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure, pulse rate, and vital capacity were recorded. Results The KN95 respirator and cloth mask were associated with the highest MRDPS, indicating significant discomfort among wearers (p

The article discusses the basic semantic and compositional principles of the location of ancient-themed mascarons in the space of the Russian architecture of the 19th — early 20th centuries on the example of buildings in Moscow and St Petersburg. They have appeared in the focus of the search for artistic expression by Russian sculptors and architects. Nevertheless, mascarons have never been the subject of specialized scientific research. The accents they bring to the figurative concept of structures are very instructive for understanding the system of meanings of some works of Russian architecture. All this determines the relevance of addressing this issue. The study uses formal stylistic and comparative methods of analysis.

The coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) threatens people's health. During the COVID-19 outbreak, people are encouraged to wear masks to reduce the spread of the virus. With the strong demand for masks, it has come a boom in counterfeit production. Combating counterfeit masks is vital and urgent to reduce the risks for public health. Motivated by the actual practices during the COVID-19, we examine how quality inspection and blockchain adoption help combat counterfeit masks. We find that quality inspection may not be always effective, as the government will tolerate the presence of counterfeit masks if the presence of the counterfeits is not significant. Comparing quality inspection with blockchain adoption, when the spread of COVID-19 is mild, authentic mask sellers may be encouraged to use the blockchain technology, which can increase their profits and reduce the social health risk. Furthermore, we extend our model to investigate the impacts of endogenous quality. Both quality inspection and blockchain adoption can induce low-quality mask sellers to enhance thequality level. When the number of counterfeit masks is increasing, encouraging the high-quality mask sellers to adopt the blockchain technology is effective to reduce social health risk when the spread of the coronavirus is rapid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effects of bodily states on emotions based on embodied cognition theories of conceptual metaphor and feelings‐as‐information theory. Specifically, it investigates how physical suffocation induced by mask‐wearing affects perceptions of emotional suffocation related to one's romantic relationship and financial situation. In this quantitative online experiment, we employed a convenience sampling method through a crowdsourcing platform. Adult participants (N = 180, 25 years or older and involved in a romantic relationship) were randomly assigned to three conditions: wearing COVID‐19 masks properly, wearing masks on their chins, or not wearing masks. After completing a puzzle meant to prolong mask‐wear, participants filled out digital questionnaires assessing their experiences of physical and psychological distress. The results supported our proposed mechanisms, revealing that increased feeling of physical suffocation while wearing masks properly, compared to the other conditions, was linked to heightened feelings of financial and romantic distress, supporting the conceptual metaphor account. This link was partially mediated by elevated state anxiety, aligning with the feelings‐as‐information theory. This study demonstrates how bodily experiences can impact emotional states, and highlights the complex interplay between everyday behaviours like mask‐wearing and emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing face masks became mandatory in our country to prevent the spread of the virus, as in many other countries. Objective: We aimed to examine whether wearing face masks during the pandemic created a microenvironment for Demodex mites. Material and Methods: The study included three groups: (i) those who wore N95/FFP2 masks, (ii) those who wore a 3-ply surgical mask, and (iii) a control group (who rarely wore masks). The age, gender, occupation, smoking status, alcohol consumption, past medical history, and face-washing habits were questioned, and dermatological examination was performed. The presence of Demodex mites was detected by the standard superficial skin biopsy (SSSB) from three regions of the face. Results: Sociodemographic characteristics and the findings of dermatological examination of the three groups were similar (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference across the groups concerning the presence of Demodex mites in corresponding regions (the right cheek, nose, forehead) and corresponding numbers of Demodex mites (>5 D/cm2); the total number of Demodex mites in each region; presence of Demodex mites in any area on the face, number of Demodex mites in any region >5 D/cm2 on the face, the total number of Demodex mites found on the face, and the presence of Demodex mites in the areas under the mask (the nose and the right cheek together) (p> 0.05). Conclusion: We can conclude that wearing masks by healthy adults with no known skin diseases during the pandemic does not create a proper microenvironment for the lives of Demodex mites.

Abstract Background Influenza infections pose significant risks for nursing home (NH) residents. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the cantonal influenza campaign, and influenza vaccination coverage of residents and healthcare workers (HCWs) on influenza burden in NHs in a context of enhanced infection prevention and control measures (IPC) during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods We extracted data from epidemic reports provided by our unit to NHs over two consecutive winter seasons (2021-22 and 2022-23) and used linear regression to assess the impact of resident and HCW vaccination coverage, and participation in the campaign, on residents’ cumulative influenza incidence and mortality. Results Thirty-six NHs reported 155 influenza cases and 21 deaths during the two winter seasons corresponding to 6.2% of infected residents and a case fatality ratio of 13.5%. Median vaccination coverage was 83% for residents, 25.8% for HCWs, while 87% of NHs participated in the campaign. Resident vaccination was significantly associated with a decrease in odds of death (odds ratio (OR) 0.96, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.93–0.99). There was no significant effect of HCW vaccination coverage on resident infections and deaths. Campaign participation was associated with decreased odds of infection and death among residents (OR: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.06–0.47 and OR: 0.06, 95% CI: 0.02–0.17 respectively). Conclusion Our analysis suggests that in a context of reinforced IPC measures, influenza still represents a significant burden for NH residents. The most effective measures in decreasing resident influenza burden in NHs was participation in the cantonal influenza vaccination campaign and resident vaccination.

In the field of labor protection, the real-time monitoring of workers’ physical health status has received a lot of attention. Because breathing contains a lot of physiological information, the development of wearable devices with sensing functions for monitoring the wearer’s respiratory status has become a research hotspot. Traditional commercial respiratory monitoring devices are expensive, bulky, and not easy to be carried, limiting their use in front-line production sites, such as high dust mass concentration mines’ operating environments. In view of this situation, based on the piezoelectric properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), a flexible PVDF nanofiber membrane with sensing properties was prepared using electrospinning technology. The high permeability carbon fiber felt and PVDF nanofiber membrane were designed as a sandwich structure. The sensing module was embedded in the mask. The sensor module converted the mechanical energy generated by the respiratory airflow into electrical energy. Through the collection and analysis of electrical signal data, the real-time monitoring of respiratory intensity and respiratory frequency was completed. The results show that the piezoelectric signals generated by the mask embedded with the sensing module are significantly different under different breathing states. Under the three breathing states of low intensity (15 L/min), medium intensity (50 L/min) and high intensity (85 L/min), the output piezoelectric voltage peaks are 300, 700 and 1 100 mV, respectively, and the frequency of voltage peaks is 18, 16 and 14 times/min, respectively. Therefore, based on the analysis of the peak voltage and its frequency of the piezoelectric signal, the real-time monitoring of respiratory parameters such as the wearer's respiratory intensity and respiratory frequency can be realized. In addition, the piezoelectric properties of PVDF nanofiber membranes were determined to be related to the content of β-phase crystals by XRD, FT-IR, TG and other analysis methods, which provided a basis for further improving the piezoelectric properties of PVDF nanofiber membranes. The developed mask with sensing function can be used for the real-time respiratory monitoring of mine workers’ working conditions, and the feedback to managers when workers’ working conditions are abnormal to facilitate some timely treatment measures.

Background: The mask is defined as a cloth mask, medical mask, and N95 respiratory worn over the face, covering the bridge of the nose, mouth, and chin. Correct use of masks is essential. Mask usage is an important concern when visiting high-risk area as hospitals where the risk of cross-contamination is predominant. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence of mask usage among patients attending the Rural Health and Training Center (RHTC). The aim of this study was to assess the association of mask usage with sociodemographic factors among patients attending RHTC and to determine the handling of face masks among patients attending RHTC. Methods: The study was directed to 287 patients in the outpatients. Using a semi-structured questionnaire, sociodemographic characteristics and mask usage details were collected from the study participants. Results: The prevalence of mask usage was 68.3%. The usage of mask was significantly higher among females (OD = 1.383, 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.836–2.286, P = 0.206), younger individuals (OD = 2.569, 95% CI = 1.423–4.636, P = 0.206), literate individuals (OD = 4.073, 95% CI = 2.040–6.892), employed (OD = 2.256, 95% CI = 1.292–3.940, P = 0.013), and upper and middle socioeconomic class (OD = 3.764, 95% CI = 2.219–6.385, P = 2.219–6.385). Handling of face mask with proper wearing and disposal were 18.5% and 25.1%, respectively. Conclusion: The prevalence of mask usage was observed to be 68.3%. The study results emphasize that mask usage is a primordial prevention and mode of intervention as health education and specific protection in the general population would necessarily improve compliance and flatten the epidemiological curve.

Objective To explore the mediating effect of facial emotion recognition on prosocial behavior of medical students in mask-obscured scenes. Methods Fifty-three medical students from a medical university in Chongqing were enrolled from July to September 2023 to complete the facial emotion recognition task, the dictator gaming task and the state empathy test. Spearman correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between mask wearing and state empathy, trait empathy and prosocial behaviours, and the PROCESS procedure was used to test the mediation of state empathy and the moderating effect of mask wearing or not. Results ① mask wearing, state empathy and prosocial behaviour were significantly correlated (P < 0.01); ②State empathy exerted mediated effect between facial emotion recognition and prosocial behavior, with the largest effect size (47%) for the relative mediating effect of sadness; ③The interaction terms of facial emotion recognition and mask wearing had a significant effect on state empathy (P < 0.05). Conclusion Facial emotion recognition can influence prosocial behavior directly and also exert indirect effect on prosocial behavior through state empathy. Compared to the condition without mask wearing, mask wearing can significantly facilitate the effect of happy, sad and neutral emotions on state empathy.

Abstract Facial features are important sources of information about perceived trustworthiness. Masks and protective clothing diminish the visibility of facial cues by either partially concealing the mouth and nose or covering the entire face. During the pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment affected and redefined who trusts whom in society. This study used the classical investment game of interpersonal trust with Chinese participants to explore the impact of occlusion on interpersonal trust. Faces with moderate initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask or protective clothing in Experiment 1 and were digitally occluded by a square in Experiment 2, and faces with three levels of initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask in Experiment 3. Results showed that both undergraduates (Experiment 1a) and non-student adults (Experiment 1b) perceived the faces with protective clothing as more trustworthy than faces wearing standard masks and faces not wearing masks. Faces with the top halves showing were perceived as trustworthy as full faces, while faces with the bottom halves showing were perceived as less trustworthy. The effect of masks is weak and complex. Masks reduced participants’ trust in faces with high initial trustworthiness, had no effect on faces with low and moderate initial trustworthiness, and only slightly increased the trust of undergraduates in faces with moderate initial trustworthiness. Our findings indicate that the lack of information caused by occlusion and the social significance associated with occlusion collectively affect people’s trust behavior in Chinese society. We believe the findings of this study will be useful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment usage on perceptions of trustworthiness.

Background/objective: Despite the high efficacy of using Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) in reversing upper airway obstruction in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), the efficiency of this treatment is limited due to the low adherence. Mask pressure is suggested to play a significant role in adherence. In this study, we intend to investigate the effect of Lidocaine-prilocaine cream CPAP mask on pressure sensation. Methods: In this study, 75 patients referred to CPAP titration were divided into three groups. In groups one and two, Lidocaine-prilocaine cream and Petroleum jelly were used respectively. The third group had no intervention. Results: VAS discomfort immediately (VAS0), after 15 min (VAS15), and the next day (VAS all) in three groups were compared. VAS0, VAS15, and VAS all were not significantly different among the three groups (P > 0.05). Among participants with VAS0 above 5, VAS15 was significantly lower in intervention groups than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: This study shows that both Petroleum jelly and Lidocaine-prilocaine cream can be used for decreasing pressure sensation during CPAP titration among patients who suffer excessive facial discomfort immediately after putting on a CPAP mask. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID pandemic has necessitated mask-wearing by inpatient providers; however, the impact of masks on the acute care surgeon-patient relationship is unknown. We hypothesized that mask-wearing, while necessary, has a negative impact by acting as a barrier to communication, empathy, and trust between patients and surgeons. A cross-sectional study was performed by administering a written survey in English or Spanish to trauma, emergency general surgery, burn, and surgical critical care inpatients aged ≥18 y at a University Level 1 Trauma Center between January 2023 and June 2023. Patients were asked seven questions about their perception of mask effect on interactions with their surgery providers. Responses were scored on a five-point Likert scale and binarized for multivariable logistic regression. There were 188 patients who completed the survey. The patients were 68% male, 44% Hispanic, and 17% Spanish speaking, with a median age of 45-54 y. A third of patients agreed that surgeon mask-wearing made it harder to understand the details of their surgical procedure and made them less comfortable in giving consent. Twenty three percent agreed that it was harder to trust their provider; increasing age was associated with lower levels of trust, odds ratio 1.36 (confidence interval 1.10-1.71, P = 0.006). Findings were consistent among patients of different sex, race/ethnicity, language, and pre-COVID hospital experience. Mask-wearing, while important, has a negative impact on the patient-surgeon relationship in trauma and acute care surgery. Providers must be conscious of this effect while wearing masks and strive to optimize communication with patients to ensure high-quality trauma-informed care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leakage from improper mask wear can significantly reduce the effectiveness of a mask. Existing mask fit test results only tell whether there is gas leakage while wearing the mask, but not where the airflow is leaking, and they do not allow for real-time adjustment of the mask wearing style. A mask fit test device is designed using schlieren technology. The technique utilizes the perturbation of light waves by airflow to visualize airflow changes that are invisible to the naked eye by converting them into images that can be seen. The mask fit test device can be used to observe the leakage of airflow from masks under different masks and different wearers, and measure the striation area of the leaked airflow. The device was used to test the fit of masks when worn by a head model or a real person. The schlieren of the leaking airflow was most pronounced when the head model wore a medical surgical mask. The leakage airflow also varies among individuals wearing the same type of mask. The effectiveness of the device was verified using a medical surgical mask, and the results obtained from the test showed that the edge leakage rate was 36.83% when the mask was worn correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Wool Textile Journal is the property of National Wool Textile Science & Technology Information Center 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.)

With the development of data mining technology, the analysis of event-related potential (ERP) data has evolved from statistical analysis of time-domain features to data-driven techniques based on supervised and unsupervised learning. However, there are still many challenges in understanding the relationship between ERP components and the representation of familiar and unfamiliar faces. To address this, this paper proposes a model based on Dynamic Multi-Scale Convolution for group recognition of familiar and unfamiliar faces. This approach uses generated weight masks for cross-subject familiar/unfamiliar face recognition using a multi-scale model. The model employs a variable-length filter generator to dynamically determine the optimal filter length for time-series samples, thereby capturing features at different time scales. Comparative experiments are conducted to evaluate the model's performance against SOTA models. The results demonstrate that our model achieves impressive outcomes, with a balanced accuracy rate of 93.20% and an F1 score of 88.54%, outperforming the methods used for comparison. The ERP data extracted from different time regions in the model can also provide data-driven technical support for research based on the representation of different ERP components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In few-shot learning, the Brownian distance covariance improves classification accuracy by enhancing feature embeddings, but it does not focus on the issue of sample-related features in classification. This paper proposed the deep masked Brownian distance covariance method that generated query-guided masks based on high-dimensional semantic relationships between each pair of query and support samples, and employed the masked Brownian distance covariance matrix as the image features. Under the 5way-1shot and 5way-5shot scenarios, it carried out validation and evaluation on CUB-200-211, MiniImageNet, and Tiered-ImageNet datasets. The experiments show that this method achieves superior classification accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed our understanding of aerosol transmissible disease and the measures required to minimise transmission. Anaesthesia providers are often in close proximity to patients and other hospital staff for prolonged periods while working in operating and procedure rooms. Although enhanced ventilation provides some protection from aerosol transmissible disease in these work areas, close proximity and long duration of exposure have the opposite effect. Surgical masks provide only minimal additional protection. Surgical patients are also at risk from viral and bacterial aerosols. Despite having recently experienced the most significant pandemic in 100 yr, we continue to lack adequate understanding of the true risks encountered from aerosol transmissible diseases in the operating room, and the best course of action to protect patients and healthcare workers from them in the future. Nevertheless, hospitals can take specific actions now by providing respirators for routine use, encouraging staff to utilise respirators routinely, establishing triggers for situations that require respirator use, educating staff concerning the prevention of aerosol transmissible diseases, and providing portable air purifiers for perioperative spaces with low levels of ventilation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Chongqing University of Technology (Natural Science) is the property of Chongqing University of Technology 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.)

Studies utilizing eye‐tracking methods have potential to promptly capture real‐world dynamics of one of the core areas of vulnerability in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), selective social attention. So far, no studies have successfully reported utilizing the method to examine social attention in toddlers with neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities in real world and challenging settings such as an interactive face‐to‐face. This study examined the feasibility and validity of live eye‐tracking method in response to live interaction occurring in several contexts in toddlers with and without ASD. Forty‐seven toddlers with ASD, with atypical development (ATYP), or typically developing (TD), underwent a 30‐s live eye‐tracking procedure during a face‐to‐face interaction with a masked stranger using child‐directed‐speech (16 ASD, 14 ATYP, 17 TD; Mage = 23.44 months, SD = 6.02). Out of this group of toddlers, 29 (10 ASD, 8 ATYP, 11 TD, Mage = 21.97 months, SD = 5.76) underwent the same procedure with one of their maskless parent. Task completion rate, calibration accuracy, and affective response (feasibility measures) as well as attention to the task and the social partner (validity measures) were examined. Task completion rate and calibration accuracy were excellent. Despite the challenging context of face‐to‐face interaction, the toddlers exhibited a neutral affect, and high attention to the task and the speaker. As anticipated, toddlers with ASD looked less at the social partner compared with control groups. However, attention was comparable between the Stranger and Parent conditions, indicating that the effect was consistent regardless of presence of face covering or the familiarity of the interactive partner. The study demonstrates the high feasibility and validity of a live eye‐tracking task involving face‐to‐face interaction in neurodiverse toddlers with social vulnerabilities. The effect of diminished attention to social partners in toddlers with autism is robust and present when interacting with an unfamiliar person and parent. The results suggest that a brief live eye‐tracking method constitutes a promising ecologically valid candidate biomarker and potential intervention outcome in autism. Lay Summary: This study addresses some of the limitations of prior work by investigating the feasibility and validity of live, interactive, conversational eye tracking, with an unfamiliar examiner and for more than half the sample with one parent as well, in a neurodiverse sample of toddlers with and without autism. Task completion rate and calibration accuracy were excellent. Despite the challenging social setting, the toddlers maintained a neutral affect, and high attention to the task and the speaker. As predicted, toddlers with autism spectrum disorder looked less at the social partner compared with control groups. The results suggest that a brief live eye‐tracking method constitutes a promising ecologically valid candidate biomarker in autism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper adopts Sunnie Ododo’s ‘Facekurade Theatre’ as a framework for interrogating the stage performance of Eliagu Ameh’s Displaced as Directed by Olagoke Ifatimehin. The paper highlights issues of corruption, oppression, sex slavery, deceit, destitution and suicide as dehumanizing experiences which permeates the lives of people living in Internally Displaced Persons’ camps. Drawing from the theoretical exigencies of Sunny Ododo’s facekuerade theatre aesthetics, the paper explores the semiotic use of mask (both the presence and absence of it) as a technique which aids the conveyance of double intentionality and the artistic transformation of performers/actors into multiple roles. This paper further contends ideologically that the corruption associated with the provision of aid to Internally Displaced Persons in their camps is orchestrated by inhumane and faceless individuals who profit at the expense of those in desolation and such practices should be curtailed. Women and children suffer most from displacement as they become victims of sexual predators and several oppressive conditions. This paper reveals that the deliberate aesthetic use of mask in the performance especially by the antagonist aided in enhancing and consolidating the meanings intended in the performance text. It concludes that the use of performance aesthetics such as Facekuerade theatre in framing the portrayal of social issues in theatre offer audiences the opportunity reflects on their prevailing realities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facial features are important sources of information about perceived trustworthiness. Masks and protective clothing diminish the visibility of facial cues by either partially concealing the mouth and nose or covering the entire face. During the pandemic, the use of personal protective equipment affected and redefined who trusts whom in society. This study used the classical investment game of interpersonal trust with Chinese participants to explore the impact of occlusion on interpersonal trust. Faces with moderate initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask or protective clothing in Experiment 1 and were digitally occluded by a square in Experiment 2, and faces with three levels of initial trustworthiness were occluded by a mask in Experiment 3. Results showed that both undergraduates (Experiment 1a) and non-student adults (Experiment 1b) perceived the faces with protective clothing as more trustworthy than faces wearing standard masks and faces not wearing masks. Faces with the top halves showing were perceived as trustworthy as full faces, while faces with the bottom halves showing were perceived as less trustworthy. The effect of masks is weak and complex. Masks reduced participants' trust in faces with high initial trustworthiness, had no effect on faces with low and moderate initial trustworthiness, and only slightly increased the trust of undergraduates in faces with moderate initial trustworthiness. Our findings indicate that the lack of information caused by occlusion and the social significance associated with occlusion collectively affect people's trust behavior in Chinese society. We believe the findings of this study will be useful in elucidating the effects of personal protective equipment usage on perceptions of trustworthiness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The protection for different skin types with impaired skin barrier in the market is insufficient. Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a panthenol‐enriched mask (La Roche‐Posay Mask Pro) in addressing various skin barrier impairment subgroups, including dry sensitive, oily sensitive, and oily acne skin. Methods: A total of 177 participants were enrolled in the study and divided into three subgroups based on their skin type. Participants used the mask following the specified protocol, with measurements taken for skin hydration, transepidermal water loss (TEWL), sebum content, and skin redness—factors that are directly influenced by skin barrier function. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after 1 day (tested 15 min post‐application), 7 days, and 14 days of application using Sebumeter, Tewameter, Corneometer, Mexameter, and VISIA. Results: Results showed significant improvements in skin parameters across all subgroups. In the dry sensitive skin subgroup, the mask increased skin hydration, sebum content, and reduced redness. For the oily sensitive skin subgroup, the mask regulated sebum production and improved skin hydration. In the oily acne skin subgroup, the mask reduced sebum content, redness, TEWL, and post‐inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation. Tolerance was excellent for all skin types, with no adverse reactions observed. Conclusions: This study highlights the efficacy and safety of the panthenol‐enriched LRP Mask Pro for individuals with distinct skin barrier impairment subgroups. The mask's versatile formulation and proven efficacy make it a valuable skincare product for addressing various skin concerns and achieving healthier, more balanced skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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An adequate provision of medical supplies is critical in the battle against pandemics, such as the ongoing one against COVID-19. First, this paper proposes a generalized analysis based on the fluctuation period of emergency material demand. Second, the nonlinear problem in the low-dimensional space is transformed into a linear problem in the high-dimensional feature space by using the support vector machine method, constructing a combined forecasting model of time series and support vector machines. Lastly, the daily demand of specific protective masks donated by the Wuhan COVID-19 Epidemic Prevention and Control Headquarters in the period from February 1 to March 16, 2020 is predicted through the use of data from the Wuhan Red Cross. Compared with traditional linear time series forecasting models, the proposed forecasting model sees its accuracy increased by 37.55%, with the relative errors of mean square error, average absolute error, and average absolute error percentage being respectively reduced by 37.57%, 60.88%, and 37.86%. It transpires that the ARIMA–SVM combined model is able to make full use of the potential information implied in the original data. The decision-making process provides a reference point for the forecast of the demand of medical emergency materials in future major public health emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Palíndromo is the property of Universidade do Estado de Santa Catarina 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.)

Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, wearing a mask not only serves a functional purpose in reducing the spread of the virus but also carries a symbolic value of social responsibility. There may be cultural differences in people's understanding of such symbolic value. Results from three experimental studies have shown that wearing a medical mask increases other people's willingness to have interpersonal contact with the mask-wearer. This is because people believe that the mask-wearer has a stronger sense of social responsibility (Experiment 1 and Experiment 2). However, such effect is moderated by cultural values of individualism/collectivism, and this moderating effect exhibits different patterns at the individual level and the group level of cultural values. Specifically, individuals with interdependent self-construal value the trait of social responsibility more in interpersonal communication than individuals with independent self-construal (Experiment 2), while groups with collectivistic values were further more able to recognize the social responsibility symbol value of wearing masks than those with individualistic values (Experiment 3). The research reveals how cultural values shape the mask's symbolic value in group level and moderate people's response in individual level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As service members transition from deployment to civilian life, they are also expected to reintegrate into society. An important part of this process is to “soften up” veteran or warrior identities and open up the self for both existing and new identities, mindsets, and ways of life. Past research has shown that the warrior mindset, in particular, can have negative health implications in the long run. The mindset can be costly, not only for the individual and their loved ones, but also for the healthcare services and other agencies. This article draws from a recent interview study with 24 deployed Swedish veterans suffering from deteriorating mental health without receiving a clinical diagnosis. Purposeful sampling was conducted with the support of the medical staff at the Veterans’ Clinic at Uppsala University Hospital. Participants had been screened for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) but had not received a clinical diagnosis. This constitutes a large and understudied patient group in the clinic. The medical staff selected patients based on the following criteria: deteriorating mental health, increased suffering related to PTSD symptoms, and issues related to moral issues, existential concerns, and identity. The sample included veterans from both the Swedish Armed Forces and other deploying agencies. Of the 24 interviewees, 19 were from the Swedish Armed Forces (16 men and three women), and five (four women and one man) were deployed by other agencies. The number of overseas deployments varied widely, with some interviewees having completed 1–2 deployments, while others had completed 3–8. Additionally, some interviewees had interrupted planned or ongoing deployments for various reasons. At the time of the interviews, none were serving full-time in the armed forces; all were veterans. The interviews took place during an intense wave of COVID-19 infections in Sweden in early 2022, so the majority were conducted via videoconference. The participants’ veteran identities were abductively analyzed through the mask of secrecy, the stoic mask, and the mask of denial, which are elements of the “Mask of the Warrior.” This mask functions to safeguard mission focus, to endure, to execute tasks in extremely stressful situations, and to solve operational tasks during deployments and combat operations. The analysis of the interviews suggests that certain elements in these powerful veteran identities can serve as breeding grounds for suffering later in life. The veterans in the study tended to be stoic about their deteriorating mental health, kept the suffering to themselves, and denied the harmful aspects of their deployments. Thus, the Mask of the Warrior played a counterproductive role for the individual, their friends and family, and life in the aftermath of deployments. Another implication of secrecy and denial occurred on the societal or macro and system levels due to the absence of sufficient insight, knowledge, and understanding of veterans among personnel within the healthcare system and other agencies. This made it difficult for the healthcare system, and other relevant agencies, to offer adequate care and to understand the participants’ health issues during sick leave. The perceived absence of societal and organizational rewards and benefits for veterans who risk their mental health and lives during deployment can be seen as a failing implicit work contract. This lack of recognition may lead to the corrosion of character.

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Purpose: Investigate whether a cloth facemask could affect physiological and perceptual responses to exercise at distinct exercise intensities in untrained individuals. Methods: Healthy participants (n = 35; 17 men, age 30 [4] y, and 18 women, age 28 [5] y) underwent a progressive square wave test at 4 intensities: (1) 80% of ventilatory anaerobic threshold; (2) ventilatory anaerobic threshold; (3) respiratory compensation point; and (4) exercise peak (Peak) to exhaustion, 5-minute stages, with or without a triple-layered cloth facemask (Mask or No-Mask). Several physiological and perceptual measures were analyzed. Results: Mask reduced inspiratory capacity at all exercise intensities (P <.0001). Mask reduced respiratory frequency (P =.001) at Peak (−8.3 breaths·min−1; 95% confidence interval [CI], −5.8 to −10.8), respiratory compensation point (−6.9 breaths·min−1; 95% CI, −4.6 to −9.2), and ventilatory anaerobic threshold (−6.5 breaths·min−1; 95% CI, −4.1 to −8.8), but not at Baseline or 80% of ventilatory anaerobic threshold. Mask reduced tidal volume (P <.0001) only at respiratory compensation point (−0.5 L; 95% CI, −0.3 to −0.6) and Peak (−0.8 L; 95% CI, −0.6 to −0.9). Shallow breathing index was increased with Mask only at Peak (11.3; 95% CI, 7.5 to 15.1). Mask did not change HR, lactate, ratings of perceived exertion, blood pressure, or oxygen saturation. Conclusions: A cloth facemask reduced time to exhaustion but had no major impact on cardiorespiratory parameters and had a slight but clinically meaningless impact on respiratory variables at higher intensities. Moderate to heavy activity is safe and tolerable for healthy individuals while wearing a cloth facemask. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04887714. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]