Health Management Research Articles

Comprehensive testing technology for new energy vehicle power batteries based on improved particle swarm optimization

As the new energy industry continues to progress, the health management of power batteries has become the key to ensuring the performance and safety of automobiles. Therefore, accurately predicting battery capacity decline is particularly important. A battery capacity degradation prediction model combining unscented particle filtering, particle swarm optimization, and SVR is constructed. It optimizes regression parameters through the introduced optimization strategy. Unscented particle filtering is used to improve particle swarm optimization and battery detection model. The study tested four various models of lithium-ion batteries. The model predicted a mean square error of 0.0011 for battery 5, 0.0007 for battery 6, 0.0022 for battery 7, and 0.0013 for battery 18. In the prediction of different battery types, the mean square error of the NIMH battery was reduced by 0.0008 compared with the particle swarm optimization-support vector regression algorithm, and by 0.0005 compared with the unscented particle filtering-regression vector regression algorithm. The mean square error of lithium-iron phosphate battery was reduced by 0.0008 and 0.0004 respectively compared with comparison models. The mean square error value of lithium titanate battery was reduced by 0.0007 and 0.0003 respectively in the research model compared with comparison models. It improves the prediction accuracy in lithium-ion batteries. Its application in battery health management can provide important technical support for improving battery performance and extending service cycles. The proposed method can be used for battery monitoring and management of power grid energy storage system. By accurately predicting the capacity decline of battery, the operation strategy of energy storage system can be optimized to ensure the efficient operation and long life of the system. The battery management system can be used for drones and aviation equipment to predict battery health and capacity decline in real time, ensuring the safety and reliability of flight missions.

Physical activity and exercise health benefits: cancer prevention, interception, and survival.

Physical activity (PA) has an established role in the promotion of health and fitness and the prevention of disease. Expected overall benefits include reduction of all-cause morbidity and death, weight control, improved quality of life, improved bone health and decreased falls of elderly subjects, , deeper cognition, and reduced risk of depression, anxiety, and sleeplessness. Currently, PA is a mainstay in the management of cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and bone health. Recently, the perception of its role in primary and secondary prevention, interception, and treatment of cancer, however, is also gaining importance. Regular walking, the simplest type of PA, is associated with reduced all-cause and cardiovascular disease mortality, and a role in cancer prevention is of increasing interest. Furthermore, PA improves the quality of life of cancer patients, attenuating side effects of chemotherapy, decreasing sarcopenia, increasing fitness, and inhibiting the recurrence and progression of some cancer types. It promotes emotional and psychological benefits in patients, inducing positive changes. While mechanisms, effective levels and useful amount of PA practice are well established in cardiology, they are yet to be fully determined in oncology. Nevertheless, PA is recommended to reduce cancer risk in the general population, and it has been introduced in programs for the prevention of second cancers. In perspective, it will help as integrative therapy in cancer patients and for cancer survivors. The number of beneficial effects in the cancer continuum is highlighted in this review.

Metabolic obesity phenotypes and all-cause mortality among the Chinese oldest-old population: a prospective cohort study.

The obesity paradox has been reported among older adults. However, whether the favorable effect of obesity is dependent on metabolic status remains largely unknown. We aimed to explore the association of metabolic obesity phenotypes and their changes with all-cause mortality among the Chinese oldest-old population. This prospective cohort study included 1207 Chinese oldest old (mean age: 91.8 years). Metabolic obesity phenotypes were determined by central obesity and metabolic status, and participants were classified into metabolically healthy obesity (MHO), metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO), metabolically healthy non-obesity (MHN), and metabolically unhealthy non-obesity (MUN). The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated by Cox regression models. During 5.3 years of follow-up, 640 deaths were documented. Compared with non-obesity, obesity was associated with a decreased mortality risk among participants with metabolically healthy (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.63-0.91) while this association was insignificant among metabolically unhealthy. Compared to MHO, MHN (HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06-1.53) and MUN (HR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.10-2.02) were significantly associated with an increased mortality risk. Compared to those with stable MHO, those transited from MHO to MUO demonstrated a higher mortality risk (HR, 1.81; 95% CI, 1.06-3.11). MHO predicts better survival among the Chinese oldest-old population. These findings suggest that ensuring optimal management of metabolic health is beneficial and taking caution in weight loss based on the individual body weight for the metabolically healthy oldest-old adults.

Integrating Passive Biomonitoring and Active Monitoring: Spider Web Silk and Portable Instruments for Air Quality in Urban Areas

Urban areas worldwide face significant challenges from increasing air pollution, posing health risks and environmental concerns. Lahore, a major city in Pakistan, is particularly affected by severe air pollution due to rapid industrial growth, high vehicle emissions, and various human activities. Traditional air quality monitoring methods, while effective, are often costly and complex, limiting their widespread use. This study investigates a dual monitoring system combining passive biomonitoring with spider web silk and active measurements using portable instruments to assess airborne pollutants in urban environments. Spider webs, collected from various sites in Lahore, were analyzed for heavy metals, while portable instruments simultaneously measured PM2.5, PM10, total volatile organic contents, formaldehyde, and carbon monoxide at the same locations. A spatial distribution analysis using GIS and statistical analysis revealed a pattern with significant changes as per land use in the urban environment related to anthropogenic activities. The Principal Component Analysis revealed three distinct clusters of pollutants origins consisting of: I) effluent drains and landfills, II) construction sites, and III) residential areas. The concentrations of Hg in spider silk (average ~ 2.66 mg/kg) were found to be significantly higher in the northeastern part of Lahore, with a similar trend observed in Cd, Cu, Ni, and As levels (average ~ 15.45, 102.87, 31.72, and 6.64, respectively). Several-fold changes in levels and spatial distribution of Pb (15.12 to 356.41 mg/kg) showed a higher concentration in the northern and northeastern parts of Lahore. The spatial variation pattern of Cr (average~ 57.04 mg/kg) registered a higher concentration in southwestern Lahore. Ambient air levels of measured pollutants followed almost similar patterns in spatial distribution. PM2.5 and PM10 measured higher levels (195 and 226 μg/m3, respectively) in the southwestern and northwestern areas, with a similar pattern of variation observed in TVOC (average ~ 0.14 μg/m3). The concentration of HCHO (average ~ 0.003 μg/m3) was higher in the southwest of Lahore. All measured pollutants registered higher values than air quality standards. Particulate matter is the most dominant pollutant contributing to air pollution (up to 20x higher than WHO guidelines). The findings support the use of a dual monitoring system, integrating passive spider web silk biomonitoring and active portable instruments, as a scalable and sustainable solution for air quality management. This approach holds potential for global application in diverse urban environments, with future research focusing on further validation and integration with advanced remote sensing technologies to enhance air quality monitoring and contribute to improved public health and environmental management worldwide. Hence, this research work points to the potential use of spider silk as a biomonitoring tool in combination with instrumental measurement of ambient air pollutants.

Impact of Political Ideology on Spending Audiences of Brazilian States

Objective: The present study seeks to verify the extent to which affiliation with parties in different locations on the ideological spectrum explains public spending in Brazilian states (2012-2017). Theoretical framework: To achieve the proposed objective, the article in question has a section where the theoretical framework is exposed, consisting of the discussion regarding the classic distinctions between left and right and the relationship with the provision of public policies. Method: Data were collected using the National Treasury Secretariat (STN) databases. Some expenditure functions were chosen which, in principle, would denote ideological divergences between left and right parties and consequently differentiated public spending, namely: public security, social assistance, health, education, urban planning and environmental management. With the database ready, the Chi-square test was carried out to check whether there was an association between ideologies and spending. The Mann-Whitney U test was subsequently applied to compare the median expenditures of the two terms (2012-2014 and 2015-2017). Finally, panel data were used. Results and Discussion: It can be seen that there is no consistent relationship between ideology (E/D) and public spending, that is, left-wing and right-wing parties tend to spend similarly. The exceptions are spending on education and urbanization, which are higher in states led by managers affiliated with left-wing parties, as expected. Implications of the Research: If ideology is a good predictor of political positioning in the legislature, the same cannot be said in the executive and subnational governments. The ideological component here remains in the background and reveals little explanatory power. Originality/Value: Few studies delve into the impact of political ideology on the provision of public policies.

Impella versus VA-ECMO for the treatment of patients with cardiogenic shock: the Impella Network Project – observational study protocol for cost-effectiveness and budget impact analyses

IntroductionThe treatment of patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) encompasses several health technologies including Impella pumps and venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). However, while they are widely used in clinical practice,...

ANALYSIS OF THE COSTS OF PREVENTING WORK ACCIDENTS IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM IN THE PALOPO CITY ARTS AND SPORTS BUILDING CONSTRUCTION PROJECT

Introduction: The construction industry is characterized by many small companies working with limited resources and substandard safety management systems. The aim of this study: To analyze the costs of preventing work accidents in implementing the work health and safety management system in the arts and sports building construction project in Palopo City. This research uses the method: mixed qualitative and quantitative research with descriptive analysis research design. The selected samples in this research were project contractors, K3 experts and several workers who almost had work accidents. Results: The costs incurred by the company do not meet the requirements of the PUPR ministerial regulations in Circular Letter Number 11/SE/M/2019. Based on the analysis of tangible benefits, the total cost of treatment and the total cost of project delays is IDR 317,859,200. And based on the BCR analysis the results obtained are B/C ≥ 1 for the benefits realized.

Pinnipeds and avian influenza: a global timeline and review of research on the impact of highly pathogenic avian influenza on pinniped populations with particular reference to the endangered Caspian seal (Pusa caspica).

This study reviews chronologically the international scientific and health management literature and resources relating to impacts of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses on pinnipeds in order to reinforce strategies for the conservation of the endangered Caspian seal (Pusa caspica), currently under threat from the HPAI H5N1 subtype transmitted from infected avifauna which share its haul-out habitats. Many cases of mass pinniped deaths globally have occurred from HPAI spill-overs, and are attributed to infected sympatric aquatic avifauna. As the seasonal migrations of Caspian seals provide occasions for contact with viruses from infected migratory aquatic birds in many locations around the Caspian Sea, this poses a great challenge to seal conservation. These are thus critical locations for the surveillance of highly pathogenic influenza A viruses, whose future reassortments may present a pandemic threat to humans.

The Use of Blockchain Technology in Public Health: Lessons Learned.

Blockchain is a new technology utilized to develop creative solutions in different industries, such as health care. Blockchain is a decentralized and distributed encrypted system made up of interconnected blocks containing transaction-related information that can be shared with network participants. A blockchain network is utilized in the healthcare industry to safeguard and share patient information among hospitals, pharmacies, and doctors' diagnostic labs. Blockchain applications can precisely identify serious and potentially harmful mistakes within the medical sector. The objective is to comprehensively explore the potential use, present implementations, challenges, and future possibilities of blockchain in health management systems, and to provide information to researchers, policymakers, and practitioners on how to utilize new technology to enhance data security, efficiency, decentralization of data, authenticity of data, transparency, and verifiability of data compared to conventional databases in health management systems. Key review findings for blockchain technology in public health surveillance might include enhanced data security and accessibility of data, data storage and sharing, ensuring tamper-proof records are accessed, empowering patients, and improving overall healthcare outcomes. Its immutability proves to be important for securing healthcare data. It offers a safeguard for health records and clinical trial outcomes and ensures compliance with regulatory standards. This evaluation focuses on how it has transformed data protection, improved workflows, and safe health information interchange. Despite obstacles, further study and standardization initiatives have the potential to transform health care and guarantee patient care that is resilient and trustworthy. In the present healthcare industry, blockchain technology plays an essential role in healthcare systems. It canlead to computerized processes for collecting and validating data, accurate information collected from multiple sources, anddata that are fixed, transparent to misuse, and secure, with a reduced risk of digital crimes. In addition, the study provides a detailed analysis of the potential applications for including the use of blockchain technology in transforming public health surveillance.

Association between liver fat level and risk of hypertension: evidence from a Chinese health examination dataset.

Hypertension development is predominantly influenced by inflammation, excessive fat deposition, and metabolic irregularities. Among these factors, liver fat accumulation is a critical metabolic disorder. However, the quantification of liver fat levels and its associated risk for hypertension incidence remain ambiguous. This project is designed to explore the association between liver fat levels and the risk of hypertension in a healthy population. This cross-sectional study involved 4955 participants from the Health Management Center at Henan Provincial People's Hospital who were surveyed between February 2020 and February 2023. Participants were categorized into four groups based on liver fat quartiles. Subgroup analyses, restricted cubic spline regression models, and logistic regression were utilized to assess the association between liver fat levels and hypertension risk. The relationships between liver fat levels and inflammatory markers were examined using multiple linear regression models. Additionally, a mediation analysis was conducted to explore the role of inflammatory factors in the relationship between liver fat and hypertension risk. Participants with hypertension exhibited greater liver fat levels than did those without hypertension. An increased risk of hypertension was associated with elevated liver fat levels, even after adjusting for other covariates [Q4 vs. Q1 in model II: odds ratio (OR = 1.28), 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.04-1.59, P = 0.022; P for trend = 0.039]. A nonlinear relationship was observed between liver fat level and hypertension risk, with a notable increase in hypertension risk occurring at liver fat levels greater than 8.65%. Additionally, a positive correlation was found between inflammatory markers and liver fat levels. A mediation effect of 4.76% was noted, linking hypertension risk and liver fat levels through neutrophils. Liver fat levels exceeding 8.65% significantly elevated the risk of hypertension. Inflammatory factors serve as crucial mediators of the relationship between liver fat and hypertension.

Remote Health Management via WeChat to Improve the Quality of Life of Patients After PCI.

The purpose of this research was to assess the effect of telehealth management via WeChat on improving the quality of life of patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). In this study, we retrospectively collected the clinical data of 118 patients who underwent PCI and received remote health management from our hospital via WeChat from June 2021 to September 2021 (WeChat group). The clinical data of 114 patients who underwent PCI but did not receive remote health management from our hospital from September 2020 to December 2020 were also collected (conventional group). Anxiety, depression, and quality of life scale scores were compared between the 2 groups at 6months postdischarge. Six months postdischarge, patients in the WeChat group had significantly lower Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) (55.7±7.2 vs 58.8±6.4, P = .001) and Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) (56.0±5.9 vs 58.2±6.2, P =.007) scores than did those in the conventional group. Compared to those in the conventional group, the patients in the WeChat group had significantly greater 6 months post-discharge The World Health Organization Quality of Life - BREF scores in the following domains: physical (14.3±1.7 vs 13.1±1.7, P < .001 psychological (15.2±1.3 vs 13.5±1.5, P < .001 social relationship (12.9±1.7 vs 12.3±1.8, P =.01) and environmental (12.7±2.0 vs 12.0±1.9, P =.006). The use of WeChat to carry out remote health management for patients who underwent PCI can be an effective way to provide high-quality hospital medical services to patients' families and can effectively alleviate patients' anxiety and depression and enhance their quality of life.

Enhancing Soil Health and Fertility Management for Sustainable Agriculture: A Review

In modern agriculture, ensuring soil health and effective fertility management are paramount for sustainable crop production and environmental stewardship. This review article comprehensively explores a spectrum of strategies aimed at enhancing soil health and fertility management within the context of sustainable agriculture. Beginning with an overview of the pivotal role soil health plays in agricultural systems, the review meticulously examines the significance of adopting sound soil fertility management practices to sustain soil productivity while mitigating adverse environmental impacts. Traditional and innovative approaches to soil management are thoroughly discussed, encompassing a range of practices such as organic amendments, cover cropping, crop rotation, reduced tillage, and integrated nutrient management. These practices, deeply rooted in agricultural traditions, are shown to enhance soil structure, foster nutrient cycling, and promote beneficial soil microbial communities, thereby contributing to long-term soil health and productivity. Furthermore, the review elucidates emerging technologies and methodologies that hold promise for revolutionizing soil health and fertility management in sustainable farming systems. Precision agriculture techniques leveraging GPS, remote sensing, and data analytics are highlighted for their potential to optimize resource use and improve crop management practices. Biochar application, a burgeoning area of research, is explored for its ability to enhance soil fertility, sequester carbon, and improve soil water retention. Additionally, manipulation of the soil microbiome through innovative techniques presents exciting opportunities for enhancing soil health and resilience, the review underscores the importance of continued research, education, and policy support in promoting sustainable soil management practices. Recommendations for future research directions are provided, emphasizing the need for interdisciplinary collaborations, long-term field studies, and farmer participatory research. Practical implications for farmers and policymakers are also delineated, emphasizing the imperative of adopting holistic approaches to soil management that integrate traditional wisdom with cutting-edge technologies. By embracing sustainable soil management practices, farmers and policymakers can safeguard soil health, enhance agricultural productivity, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our food systems and environment.

Enhancing Aviation Safety through AI-Driven Mental Health Management for Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers.

This article provides an overview of the mental health challenges faced by pilots and air traffic controllers (ATCs), whose stressful professional lives may negatively impact global flight safety and security. The adverse effects of mental health disorders on their flight performance pose a particular safety risk, especially in sudden unexpected startle situations. Therefore, the early detection, prediction and prevention of mental health deterioration in pilots and ATCs, particularly among those at high risk, are crucial to minimize potential air crash incidents caused by human factors. Recent research in artificial intelligence (AI) demonstrates the potential of machine and deep learning, edge and cloud computing, virtual reality and wearable multimodal physiological sensors for monitoring and predicting mental health disorders. Longitudinal monitoring and analysis of pilots' and ATCs physiological, cognitive and behavioral states could help predict individuals at risk of undisclosed or emerging mental health disorders. Utilizing AI tools and methodologies to identify and select these individuals for preventive mental health training and interventions could be a promising and effective approach to preventing potential air crash accidents attributed to human factors and related mental health problems. Based on these insights, the article advocates for the design of a multidisciplinary mental healthcare ecosystem in modern aviation using AI tools and technologies, to foster more efficient and effective mental health management, thereby enhancing flight safety and security standards. This proposed ecosystem requires the collaboration of multidisciplinary experts, including psychologists, neuroscientists, physiologists, psychiatrists, etc. to address these challenges in modern aviation.

Risk factors for the development of Thunderstorm-associated asthma among indigenous Ghanaians: A matched case-control study

ObjectivesEpidemic Thunderstorm asthma (TA) is a serious public health threat with a potential to overwhelm health systems. Being the first documented incidence in Ghana, we sought to determine whether the chronic respiratory risk factors for the development of TA as identified in other countries were similar or different from that in Ghana. Study designA matched case-control study involving 41 cases and 82 controls was conducted in two conveniently selected health facilities in the Ashanti Region of Ghana. MethodsData were collected from pre-existing patient records and included general demography, a history of allergies and a history of asthma. A chi-square and multiple logistic regression analysis were conducted to identify risk factors for the development of TA. ResultsOverall, 53.7 % of the TA cases and 7.3 % of controls had a previous history of asthma (AOR = 4.53 p = 0.064, 95 % CI = 0.918–22.365). Also, 29.3 % of the cases and 1.2 % of the controls had a previous history of allergies (AOR = 12.48 p = 0.05, 95 % CI = 0.919–169.305). ConclusionsA previous history of allergy was a significant risk factor for TA. A previous history of asthma though associated with TA, was not a significant risk factor for its development. The recognition and awareness of risk factors for TA, by clinicians and health managers, is essential for health education, case management and preparation for the surge capacity occasioned by the event.

Occupational health risk recognition, evaluation, and management of radiation workers in Gansu province, China

ObjectiveIn order to protect the health of radiation workers, scientific management of radiation workplace protection is implemented, and occupational health risks of radiation workplaces in Gansu Province, China are identified and evaluated through monitoring. MethodsThe basic situation of occupational health management of radiological workers in 1366 radiological diagnosis and treatment institutions was investigated, and 596 monitoring hospitals were selected for occupational health monitoring. Using a 2-IN∗2-in NaI (Tl) scintillation spectrometer and its supporting software, internal thyroid irradiation monitoring was performed. Fifty-one underground workers in a deep mine iron mine were selected to monitor the effect of high radon exposure. Results11 (6%) monitored hospital interventional radiology staff detected lead outside the aprons between 5 mSv and 20 mSv during a single monitoring period; In nuclear medicine, radiation monitoring in the thyroid detected 3(15%) people with doses between 5 mSv and 20msv.The chromosome aberration rate and Detection rate of posterior pole subcapsular opacification of interventional radiation group and nuclear medicine group was higher than that of conventional radiation group, and the difference between interventional radiation group and conventional medicine group was statistically significant. Abnormal detection of tumor markers in serum after sustained radon exposure accounted for 39.2% of NSE(neuron-specific enolase), 22.5% of SCC(squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen), and 5.9% of CyFRA21-1(cytokeratin 19 fragment), respectively, chest low-dose CT showed plaque and stripe shadow in 21 cases (41.2%) and nodules in 16 cases (31.4%). ConclusionIndividual dose monitoring found that radiation workers engaged in interventional radiology were exposed to higher doses and had higher occupational risks. The results of occupational health examination show that there is a certain degree of radiation injury in interventional radiology and nuclear medicine workers. Nuclear medicine radiation monitoring results show that some workplaces have radioactive contamination. The radon exposure of deep mine miners has a higher occupational risk of lung cancer caused by high radon.The analysis of chromosome aberration is an important index of occupational health monitoring of radiation workers.

Accessibility of and barriers to the use of eye health services in Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana.

There is a high prevalence of vision impairment and blindness in Africa. The poor access to eye health services, among other barriers, has been found to have a considerable effect on the burden of avoidable vision loss and blindness, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. To determine the accessibility of and barriers to the utilisation of eye health services in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region in Ghana to identify barriers affecting the utilisation of eye health services. Convenience sampling was used to recruit participants visiting the eye clinics at five selected District Municipal Hospitals for the first time. Data were collected by means of questionnaires and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Barriers faced by participants when accessing eye health services included distance to the clinic, cost of services, time spent away from work and/or school, self-medication and long waiting periods. The study found that eye care services in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana are largely accessible, but underutilised. Improvement of public health education initiatives through engagement with community groups will also enhance uptake at health care facilities.Contribution:Underutilisation of health services in the Metropolis has been identified in the study and must be addressed by health managers in various sectors. Accessibility is relatively good but can further be improved especially for the elderly to be able to utilise health care services with ease.

REDUCE missed oral healthcare: The outcomes of and learnings from an implementation project in an acute geriatric unit.

Oral healthcare is one of the most missed aspects of fundamental care. Failure to provide reliable and effective daily oral healthcare for older patients can lead to hospital-acquired pneumonias, longer hospital stays, increased health costs, and poor patient experience. The objective of this study was to codesign, implement, and evaluate an oral healthcare intervention for older adults in a geriatric unit. This mixed methods implementation project combined the hospital's quality improvement processes with the i-PARIHS knowledge translation framework. Multilevel facilitation guided the development of multidisciplinary implementation strategies, which were co-designed, tailored, and implemented at the ward and organizational level, targeting: awareness/engagement; clinical guideline development; building workforce capacity; access to appropriate products; patient awareness and support; utilization of multidisciplinary/dental referral pathways; and systematizing oral healthcare documentation. Gaps between evidence-based and current oral healthcare practice were identified through audits of practice and interviews with patients. Interviews and surveys with staff evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of the oral healthcare intervention and the success of implementation strategies. At the conclusion of the project, awareness, attitudes, and capacity of staff had increased, however, we could not demonstrate change in multidisciplinary oral healthcare practices or improvements for individual patients. Despite mixed success, the project informed discussions about including oral healthcare as a national healthcare standard for the acute care sector in Australia. Attempts to address oral healthcare may have started locally, but its impact was through policy change, which will empower health practitioners and managers to support practice change more widely.

Congenital syphilis, syphilis in pregnancy and prenatal care in Brazil: An ecological study.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the incidence of congenital syphilis and the ratio between congenital syphilis and syphilis in pregnant women in Brazil according to socioeconomic indicators (inadequate water supply and sanitation; illiteracy at 15 years of age or older; household income per capita; proportion of poor people; Gini index; human development index; and average health expenditure per inhabitant by the health system) and prenatal quality-of-care indicators. We conducted an ecological study using a sample composed of 257 municipalities, each with ≥ 100,000 inhabitants. Data was collected from four public databases: the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, comprising socioeconomical data from the 2010 census; and the data of 2019 available in the databases of the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Health System, Information and Management of Primary Care, and the Electronic Citizen Information System. Descriptive analysis of dependent and independent variables and bivariate analysis by Negative Binomial regression were carried out. The mean incidence of congenital syphilis was 38% higher in municipalities with a Human Development Index up to 0.785 (ratio of means [RM] = 1.38; p = 0.049) and 57% higher among populations where less than 50% of primary healthcare services provided a rapid test for syphilis (RM = 1.57; p < 0.001). The ratio between congenital syphilis and syphilis in pregnant women was 29% higher in municipalities with a low household income per capita (RM = 1.29; p < 0.001) and 28% higher in locations where less than 50% of the primary healthcare services provided a rapid test for syphilis (RM = 1.28; p < 0.001). There was no statistical significance of the quality of prenatal care compared to the outcomes. This result underscores the challenges in detecting syphilis infections among pregnant women during prenatal care, consequently increasing the risk of vertical transmission of the disease to the fetus. Traits of inequality in the occurrence of congenital syphilis also draw attention to strategies to reduce health inequities and improve prenatal care.

Development of flexible multi-phase barium titanate piezoelectric sensor for physiological health and action behavior monitoring

Self-powered wearable piezoelectric sensing devices demand flexibility and high voltage electrical properties to meet personalized health and safety management needs. Aiming at the characteristics of piezoceramics with high piezoelectricity and low flexibility, this study designs a high-performance piezoelectric sensor based on multi-phase barium titanate (BTO) flexible piezoceramic film, namely multi-phase BTO sensor. The substrate-less self-supported multi-phase BTO films had excellent flexibility and could be bent 180° at a thickness of 33 μm, and exhibited good bending fatigue resistance in 1 × 10 4 bending cycles at a thickness of 5 μm. The prepared multi-phase BTO sensor could maintain good piezoelectric stability after 1.2 × 10 4 piezoelectric cycle tests. Based on the flexibility, high piezoelectricity, wearability, portability and battery-free self-powered characteristics of this sensor, the developed smart mask could monitor the respiratory signals of different frequencies and amplitudes in real time. In addition, by mounting the sensor on the hand or shoulder, different gestures and arm movements could also be detected. In summary, the multi-phase BTO sensor developed in this paper is expected to develop convenient and efficient wearable sensing devices for physiological health and behavioral activity monitoring applications.

A Review of Current Digital Mental Health Care Applications for Anxiety Symptoms and Future Prospects.

Since the impact of the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic, the need for efficiency in medical services has become more urgent than ever. The digital treatment market is rapidly growing worldwide and digital therapeutics (DTx), a major part of the digital medical services, is also emerging as a new paradigm for treatment, with its industry growing rapidly as well. Increasing research is done on the effectiveness of mobile DTx in improving mental health conditions such as insomnia, panic, and depression. This review paper investigates 1) the functions and characteristics of mobile digital mental health care applications for the treatment of anxiety symptoms, 2) extracts common attributes of the applications, and 3) compares them with existing traditional treatment mechanisms. Among the 20,000 mental health management applications that have been developed so far, 8 applications that are relatively widely used were selected and reviewed. Check-in, self-help tips, quick relief, journal, courses for practice are common features of the digital mental health care applications for anxiety and are also widely used feature in the cognitive behavioral therapy. Based on this review, we have proposed the essential elements and directions for the development of a Korean digital mental health care applications for anxiety disorders.