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Background: Both the development of various countries and people’s health were impacted by the unforeseen global COVID-19 outbreak. Many countries prefer to do their daily business online. Although it was incredibly useful at the time, it still had a problem that was not properly addressed, especially among the student population. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of upper extremity neural mobility among students who were using smart devices during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: 458 students who had previously taken home-based online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic and used a smart device for more than six hours were included in this study. The study was conducted in three phases. After being examined in the first two stages of the study, a total of 72 people were chosen for the final phase. Peripheral nerve mobility tests were performed on these 72 subjects. Results: This study observed that 15.72% of smart device users have been affected by forward neck posture and impaired peripheral nerve mobility in the cervical spine. Conclusion: The study concludes that forward neck posture is associated with impaired peripheral nerve mobility among smart device users who were in home-based online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. Hence, we suggest an appropriate treatment strategy focusing on preventing the forward neck posture through timely analysis and self-care therapies.

Introduction and Aim: The patients who have been suffered with stroke have severe balance problems, it is difficult to tell with certainty how balance performance in stroke patients is impacted by vestibular impairment. The study's purpose was to determine if oculomotor and gaze stability exercises may help post-stroke individuals improve their balance. Materials and Methods: This study includes all articles of various databases from 2000 to 2020 was included for study selection. The google scholar, research gate databases were comprehensively studied. 100 articles were searched and out of which 60 articles were selected to be assessed for eligibility in full text. Finally, 9 articles were chosen for inclusion and for analysis, although 7 of them did not match our proposed inclusion criteria. Results: Exercises for the vestibular system have been demonstrated to be effective for stroke patients whose balance has been compromised. Conclusion: The study finds that more high -quality experimental research on vestibular exercises and balance impairment after stroke is necessary because there is very little evidence from earlier experimental studies to draw firm conclusions about their effects.

BACKGROUND: In today’s fast-paced world, both men and women have to be equally competent to handle their responsibilities in order to look after their family members and children. In this pace of competency women tend to forget to take care of their own health and face many health issues, including pelvic floor dysfunction. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to analyse the prevalence rate of pelvic floor dysfunction among the working women in regards to their age and body mass index as well as their quality of life. METHODS: One hundred sixty one post-partum working female participants from the medical fraternity were involved in this study after their consent was obtained. Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed and their quality of life measured using King’s health questionnaire. RESULTS: There was a strong correlation between the pelvic floor muscle dysfunction and its impact on the quality of life among the females with increasing age. Significant statistical significant difference of P(

BACKGROUND: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are one of the main causes of morbidity among healthcare professionals. It has various secondary consequences on productivity by diminishing the quantity and quality of work completed by the affected personnel, in addition to having a primary impact on the individual with pain and discomfort. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to determine the overall prevalence rate of WRMSD among dentists, physiotherapists, and surgeons and also identify the commonly affected regions of the body about specific health care professions among each of the three professions, as recorded by the cross-sectional studies performed in various countries and regions of the world. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was framed following the PRISMA guidelines based on the present inclusion and exclusion criteria. A critical search of articles was conducted during June 2020 in CINAHL (DOAJ), PubMed, Google Scholar Scopus, PEDro databases and SAGE journals. RESULTS: Out of the 42 articles that met the eligibility criteria, there were 39 cross-sectional studies, 2 pilot cross-sectional surveys and 1 prospective cohort study with one-year follow-up. All studies included in this review used various survey tools for recording the demographic details and measuring the prevalence of WRMSDs and other outcome factors. CONCLUSION: We conclude that all three health care professionals (dentists, physiotherapists and surgeons) are highly prone to develop WRMSDs with surgeons and dentists being more vulnerable when compared to physiotherapists. The lower back and neck are identified as the two most commonly affected regions among all three professionals.

BACKGROUND: Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive stress. Burnout weakens the energy of an individual which reduces productivity and leaves this individual helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Thus, an early diagnosis of this syndrome has to be done and ways to prevent the level of progression and complication of burnout syndrome has to be planned. OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of self-supervised Jacobson’s relaxation technique along with Bhastrika Pranayama in reducing the level of burnout among the work-from-home IT professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: Thirty participants with burnout syndrome were randomly divided into two groups (15 participants in each group) using random allocation. The experimental group received Jacobson’s relaxation technique along with Bhastrika Pranayama, whereas the control group received diaphragmatic breathing exercises and chest expansion exercises. Pre-test and post-test values using Maslach Burnout Inventory were used to interpret the results. RESULTS: Data collected were analyzed statistically by the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test. It shows that there is a significant reduction in the level of burnout in the experimental group when compared to the control group at a p-value of 0.001. CONCLUSION: From the results, it is concluded that Jacobson’s relaxation technique along with diaphragmatic breathing exercises showed significant improvement in the reduction of burnout levels.

Idiopathic Parkinson’s disease is the second most debilitating and progressive neurodegenerative disease affecting the functional activities in day-to-day life. The motor and non-motor symptoms have shown to be a huge functional loss for the subject which has led to compromise their independence. There are varieties of treatment programs proposed as pharmacological, surgical, rehabilitation, allied therapies but none have proven to be the disease modifying treatments in managing the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease patients. Research has shown that discontinuity in the treatment and diminished effects of treatments have drained care givers physically, emotionally, and financially. In this study we explore the available physiotherapy treatment strategies highlighting the research gaps in articles (n=36). The articles were taken from the databases such as PubMed, Science Direct and Google Scholar by considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Though the present research has shown to be significant in improving the motor and non-motor symptoms there are still unanswered questions on the rehabilitation protocols whether they can modify the disease and improve the quality of life among Parkinson’s disease in long term. Exercise have proven to be beneficial, cost effective and low risk which improves the overall health and independence of the patient, however, the mechanism involved are less understood.

Domain translation is the task of finding correspondence between two domains. Several deep neural network (DNN) models, e.g., CycleGAN and cross-lingual language models, have shown remarkable successes on this task under the unsupervised setting--the mappings between the domains are learned from two independent sets of training data in both domains (without paired samples). However, those methods typically do not perform well on a significant proportion of test samples. In this article, we hypothesize that many of such unsuccessful samples lie at the fringe--relatively low-density areas--of data distribution, where the DNN was not trained very well, and propose to perform the Langevin dynamics to bring such fringe samples toward high-density areas. We demonstrate qualitatively and quantitatively that our strategy, called Langevin cooling (L-Cool), enhances state-of-the-art methods in image translation and language translation tasks.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 emerged as a serious pandemic in 2019 and billions of people were infected. Various precautionary methods were taken to contain the spread of virus such as social distancing, public lockdown, sanitation, and closure of schools and colleges. Many colleges started online classes to resume their syllabus and to complete the course curriculum. These evening online sessions resulted in late night sleep, long term mobile/computer exposure, and disturbed sleep pattern. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to determine the impact of COVID-19 online classes on morningness- eveningness personality and to compare it with different age groups, gender, and body mass index. METHODS: The cluster sampling method was used to collect the subjects from the total of 1153 adult college students, 897 subjects were selected based on the selection criteria and instructed to submit an online survey consists of the Morningness-eveningness Questionnaire and demographic and anthropometric data through mail, social media, or through a researcher by direct interview. RESULTS: The mean score for the 897 participants is 56.7, indicating intermediate morningness-eveningness personality type. On comparing the different groups, the youngest group (18–20 years) scored 4.23%(mean = 46.7), female subjects scored 6.13%(mean = 58.1), the underweight 2.67%(mean = 59.2) and overweight groups scored 2.89%(mean = 59.7) indicating definite eveningness. Among the 897 collected samples of the population 8.13%of the subjects experienced definite eveningness, 14.93%has moderate eveningness, 17.38%are under intermediate category, 22.4%have moderate morningness, and 37.11%have definite morningness. CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with eveningness personality have high risk of developing mental illness, thus it’s important to determine the eveningness personality among student population to avoid serious complications in later age.

This paper proposes a novel approach to facilitate air quality aware decision making and to support planning actors to take effective measures for improving the air quality in cities and regions. Despite many improvements over the past decades, air pollutants such as particulate matter (PM), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ground-level ozone (O3) pose still one of the major risks to human health and the environment. Based on both a general analysis of the air quality situation and regulations in the EU and Germany as well as an in-depth analysis of local management practices requirements for better decision making are identified. The requirements are used to outline a system architecture following a co-design approach, i.e., besides scientific and industry partners, local experts and administrative actors are actively involved in the system development. Additionally, the outlined system incorporates two novel methodological strands: (1) it employs a deep neural network (DNN) based data analytics approach and (2) makes use of a new generation of satellite data, namely Sentinel-5 Precursor (Sentinel-5P). Hence, the system allows for providing areal and high-resolution (e.g., street-level) real-time and forecast (up to 48 hours) data to inform decision makers for taking appropriate short-term measures, and secondly, to simulate air quality under different planning options and long-term actions such as modified traffic flows and various urban layouts.

BACKGROUND: Many countries adopted a complete or partial lockdown to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and various professions started to work-from-home. People who work-from-home experience constant stress which leads to burnout syndrome. Burnout can be defined as a chronic stress-induced occupational syndrome resulting in fatigue, decreased job productivity, and poor motivation towards the job. OBJECTIVE: This research work primarily focuses on exploring the prevalence of burnout syndrome among IT professionals who work-from-home and to determine the impact of burnout in different gender and age-groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Using snowball sampling method 934 IT professionals were selected based on selection criteria, explained about the study processes, and instructed to submit an online survey consist of Maslach Burnout Inventory scale (MBI) through mail, social media, or through a researcher by direct interview. RESULTS: Descriptive statistics were used to interpret the data. In 25–30 years age-group, men were affected (93%) less than women (94%) and also in 31–35 years age-group, men were affected (96%) less than women (98%). Overall burnout scores of men were 94% and women were 96%. Results indicate female IT professionals were more prone experience burnout syndrome than Male population. CONCLUSIONS: From the results, it is concluded that 95% of the IT professionals are suffering from burnout, where women are more prevalent to burnout when compared to male. It is also suggested that an early, routine and frequent assessment of physical status, mental status and burnout syndrome is essential to maintain mental health.

Aim The aim of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to identify the best irrigant activation technique (IAT) for the removal of accumulated hard tissue debris (AHTD) from the mesial root of mandibular molars evaluated using micro-CT studies. Methods The research question was based on the PICO format. Four electronic databases - PubMed, Scopus, Embase and Web of Science - were searched for articles up to June 2020. Selected articles were assessed for bias using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical appraisal tool. The network meta-analysis using a fixed-effects model and SUCRA ranking were performed. The quality of the evidence was assessed using the CINeMA framework. Results Eleven studies were included for qualitative synthesis while seven were included for quantitative synthesis. The risk of bias of all included articles was low. The results based on SUCRA values revealed the IAT shock wave-enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming (100%) resulted in the greatest reduction of the volume of AHTD from mesial roots of mandibular molars. Ranking of the other IATs was as follows: photon-induced photoacoustic streaming (87%), laser-activated irrigation (79.3%), XP EndoFinisher (71.2%), ultrasonically activated irrigation (59.6%), apical negative pressure (42.3%), EasyClean (37.4%), EDDY (26.2%), EndoActivator (24.2%), self-adjusting file (11.6%) and needle irrigation (11.3%). Conclusion None of the IATs rendered the root canals completely free of AHTD. The laser-activated irrigation groups fared better than all other interventions in reducing AHTD from the mesial roots of mandibular molars. The confidence rating ranged from low to high for indirect evidence and moderate to high for mixed evidence. Results must be interpreted with caution due to the laboratory nature of the included studies.

Introduction and Aim: Therapeutic low-level laser therapy aids in managing pain and inflammation in musculoskeletal ailments. Its effect on peripheral nervous system and its function are not yet clearly studied. The study aims to analyze the neurophysiological effect of therapeutic laser irradiation on ulnar nerve. Materials and Methods: Sixty healthy subjects with age groups between 20-30 years of both genders were recruited in this experimental study. The procedure was clearly explained to the subjects and informed consent was obtained. Random allocation was done to participants to either as laser group or sham laser group. All the subjects were positioned in supine lying with the irradiated dominant hand kept at 135 degrees of flexion. The electrode for recording was placed on the hypothenar muscle and the stimulating electrode was placed 4 cm away distally from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and was secured with tape. The subject's skin (electrode placement area) was degreased for proper transmission of laser. A 904nm diode laser was chosen to irradiate the ulnar nerve behind the medial epicondyle of the humerus for 20 secs through the overlying skin. The laser delivered continuous energy at 4.0 J/cm². Antidromically action potential, peak to peak amplitude, onset latency, nerve conduction velocity were recorded before and after irradiation of the ulnar nerve. Results: The study revealed significant difference in peak-to-peak amplitude (P=0.0021) and distal peak latency(P=0.0100) but there was no significant difference in nerve conduction velocity (P=0.2738) between laser group and sham laser group. Conclusion: Low-level laser irradiation to the ulnar nerve resulted in increase in peak to peak amplitude and distal latency in this study. This increase corresponds to a decrease in sensory nerve conduction velocity and further studies may reveal its analgesic effects which can be induced in inflammatory conditions of the Nerve.

As world is moving towards renewable energy sources for sustainable energy, Concentrated solar power systems with thermal energy storage present significant opportunities for generating electricity. This paper describes an effort to develop an analytic platform for Brayton cycle and connect it to Central receiver CSP system to form a complete system. Already analytical model for Central receiver CSP system with Rankine cycle was developed and available with us (Edman, 2015; Windahl, 2015). This paper describes the development of a Supercritical CO2 recompression Brayton cycle based on the information available in literature [Dennis, 2017]. Effect of change in turbine inlet temperature on the performance and efficiency of Brayton cycle are shown. Integration of Brayton cycle with CSP system is done and the solar power requirement based on turbine inlet temperatures is studied.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) is a master regulator of mitochondria biogenesis and cell stress playing a role in metabolic and degenerative diseases. In the brain PGC-1α expression has been localized mainly to GABAergic interneurons but its overall role is not fully understood. We observed here that the protein levels of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor-α2 subunit (GABARα2) were increased in hippocampus and brain cortex in transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing PGC-1α in neurons. Along with this, GABARα2 expression was enhanced in the hippocampus of the PGC-1α Tg mice, as shown by quantitative PCR. Double immunostaining revealed that GABARα2 co-localized with the synaptic protein gephyrin in higher amounts in the striatum radiatum layer of the hippocampal CA1 region in the Tg compared with Wt mice. Electrophysiology revealed that the frequency of spontaneous and miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) was increased in the CA1 region in the Tg mice, indicative of an augmented GABAergic transmission. Behavioral tests revealed an increase for anxiety-like behavior in the PGC-1α Tg mice compared with controls. To study whether drugs acting on PPARγ can affect GABARα2, we employed pioglitazone that elevated GABARα2 expression in primary cultured neurons. Similar results were obtained using the specific PPARγ agonist, N-(2-benzoylphenyl)-O-[2-(methyl-2-pyridinylamino) ethyl]-L-tyrosine hydrate (GW1929). These results demonstrate that PGC-1α regulates GABARα2 subunits and GABAergic neurotransmission in the hippocampus with behavioral consequences. This indicates further that drugs like pioglitazone, widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, can influence GABARα2 expression via the PPARγ/PGC-1α system.

Childhood obesity is a rapidly growing health problem in several developed and developing countries. Long-term obesity leads to other non-communicable diseases. Thus, babies and children (as well as adults) should receive a balanced diet that creates healthy eating patterns. Food products should thus be formulated considering factors such as attractiveness, cost, healthiness, nutrient content, among others. Childhood obesity can be combated by following healthy cooking methods, eating nutrient-rich foods, avoiding junk food and not consuming in excess. It is thus important to develop food products that attract babies and children by providing a wide variety of flavors and attractive packaging, but without compromising on nutritional quality.

Lipid-induced toxicity is part of several human diseases, but the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Fatty liver is characterized by the expression of different growth and tissue factors. The neurotrophin, nerve growth factor (NGF) and its pro-form, pro-NGF, are present in fatty liver together with p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR). Stimulation of human Huh7 hepatocyte cells with NGF and pro-NGF induced Sterol-regulator-element-binding protein-2 (SREBP2) activation and increased Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor (LDLR) expression. We observed that phosphorylation of caspase-2 by p38 MAPK was essential for this regulation involving a caspase-3-mediated cleavage of SREBP2. RNA sequencing showed that several genes involved in lipid metabolism were altered in p75NTR-deficient mouse liver. The same lipogenic genes were downregulated in p75NTR gene-engineered human Huh7 cells and reciprocally upregulated by stimulation of p75NTRs. In the knock-out mice the serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were reduced, suggesting a physiological role of p75NTRs in whole-body lipid metabolism. Taken together, this study shows that p75NTR signaling influences a network of genes involved in lipid metabolism in liver and hepatocyte cells. Modulation of p75NTR signaling may be a target to consider in various metabolic disorders accompanied by increased lipid accumulation.

Providing force feedback as a feature in current Robot-Assisted Minimally Invasive Surgery systems still remains a challenge. In recent years, Vision-Based Force Sensing (VBFS) has emerged as a promising approach to address this problem. Existing methods have been developed in a Supervised Learning (SL) setting. Nonetheless, most of the video sequences related to robotic surgery are not provided with ground-truth force data, which can be easily acquired in a controlled environment. A powerful approach to process unlabeled video sequences and find a compact representation for each video frame relies on using an Unsupervised Learning (UL) method. Afterward, a model trained in an SL setting can take advantage of the available ground-truth force data. In the present work, UL and SL techniques are used to investigate a model in a Semi-Supervised Learning (SSL) framework, consisting of an encoder network and a Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) network. First, a Convolutional Auto-Encoder (CAE) is trained to learn a compact representation for each RGB frame in a video sequence. To facilitate the reconstruction of high and low frequencies found in images, this CAE is optimized using an adversarial framework and a L1-loss, respectively. Thereafter, the encoder network of the CAE is serially connected with an LSTM network and trained jointly to minimize the difference between ground-truth and estimated force data. Datasets addressing the force estimation task are scarce. Therefore, the experiments have been validated in a custom dataset. The results suggest that the proposed approach is promising.