Intense Activity Research Articles

Automated detection of physical fatigue in transportation maintenance workers through physiological and motion data

Lifting bags of dry concrete mix has caused significant physical fatigue and work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in transportation maintenance workers. Detection of physical fatigue can effectively prevent developing WMSDs. However, there lacks studies exploring the automated detection of physical fatigue in transportation activities. Additionally, previous efforts on physical fatigue detection, primarily focused in the construction sector, may not be directly applicable to transportation activities, due to different activity duration, intensity, and frequency. Also, prior detection methodologies have been examined under laboratory conditions, and their efficacy in real-world environments remains unverified. Therefore, this study explored physical fatigue detection methods by conducting field experiments with 29 transportation maintenance workers lifting bags of dry concrete mix in a highway maintenance facility. Participants’ physical fatigue levels were measured using electromyography (EMG), electrodermal activity, and/or heart rate (HR) and motion data with different machine learning algorithms. Results indicated that the Fully Connected Neural Networks algorithm can achieve the highest accuracy (87.84%) with EMG, HR, and motion data for classifying physical fatigue levels in transportation maintenance workers. This study demonstrated the feasibility of automated physical fatigue detection, which can be implemented as a monitoring tool of physical fatigue for enhancing health of transportation practitioners.

Distribution Characteristics and Ecological Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Roadside Soil of Important National Highways on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau

To clarify the impact of transportation on the sensitive and fragile ecosystems of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau and major ecological safety barrier functions, soil samples within 0-25 m on the roadside were collected from sections of national highways such as G214, G213, G345, G109, G316, and G317, and the contents of six heavy metals were analyzed. Then, the degree of heavy metal pollution and the risk of ecological hazards were evaluated using the single-factor pollution index method （Pi）, Nemero comprehensive index method （PN）, and potential ecological risk index method （RI）. The results showed that the heavy metal contents of As, Cd, Hg, Ni, Pb, and Zn in the soil of important transportation national roads on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau ranged from 5.65 to 176.00, 0.04 to 0.27, 0.01 to 0.14, 9.52 to 113.00, 9.16 to 54.50, and 24.70 to 109.00 mg·kg-1, respectively, showing high variability. In some sections of the soil, the values of the elements As, Cd, and Hg were higher than the local soil background values. The single-factor pollution index of heavy metals in roadside soil was Pi （As） > Pi （Hg） > Pi（Cd） > Pi （Pb） > Pi （Ni） > Pi （Zn）. The Nemero comprehensive pollution index ranged from 0.41 to 9.20, with an average value of 1.53, indicating clean and mild pollution. Some areas showed a moderate or severe pollution. The average potential ecological risk index of the research section was 106.2, and the soil was generally in a state of no pollution and light pollution. Only two road sections had soil heavy metal enrichment reaching moderate and strong ecological hazards. The comprehensive potential risk of the G213a road section indicated moderate to severe ecological risk, mainly contributed by Hg, As, and Cd. The comprehensive pollution risk of the G317 road section indicated mild to moderate ecological risk, mainly contributed by Hg and Cd. The heavy metal content in the soil of the Qinghai Tibet Plateau road area was not significantly correlated with the roadside distance and soil depth but was significantly positively correlated with the annual average temperature （P < 0.05）. In all, there was a trend of heavy metal input into the soil environment in areas with intense human activities and high traffic flow during road construction on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau.

Long-term trends of occupational physical activity intensity in Japan

Objectives Although physical inactivity is a global concern, quantitative data on its long-term trends in physical activity (PA) are limited. This study aimed to estimate long-term trends in the intensity of occupational PA, constituting the largest portion of PA in Japan.Methods Data on the number of workers in Japan by occupational category were obtained from the Labour Force Survey. PA intensity (metabolic equivalents [METs]) was assigned to 329 occupations in the Japanese Standard Occupational Classification based on the methods and data of Tudor-Locke et al. (2011), and representative intensity values for 11 occupational categories were calculated. Based on intensity, occupational categories were reclassified into sedentary (≤1.5 METs), light (1.6-2.9 METs), and moderate (≥3 METs). Trends in the prevalence of workers in each category were analyzed, along with the annual mean occupation-related METs from 1953 to 2022. The mean occupation-related METs represented the weighted average of PA intensity, calculated based on the annual worker population for each occupational category. Results From 1953-2022, the prevalence of moderate-intensity occupations significantly declined, whereas sedentary and light-intensity occupations increased. The mean occupation-related METs decreased continuously for 70 years. During the 48-year period from 1962 to 2010, when there were no major changes in occupational classification methods, there was a decline of 0.25 METs, representing a 9.6% decrease, from 2.60 to 2.35 METs.Conclusion Over the past 70 years, occupations in Japan have transitioned to ones with lower PA intensity. Consequently, the average PA intensity across all occupations decreased by at least one-tenth. Since this study assumes a constant intensity for each occupation, the actual decline in occupational PA intensity may be even more significant because of societal automation.

Hypothetical mechanisms driving physical activity levels in ethnic minority groups living in Europe: a systematically identified evidence-based conceptual systems model

BackgroundIn Europe, physical activity levels tend to be lower in ethnic minority groups than the general population. Interventions and policies based on research examining isolated determinants of physical activity have had limited success in increasing physical activity levels. This study used systems dynamics theory and the capability approach theoretical framework to develop a conceptual model of how individual characteristics, institutional and physical environments and the migration context may interact to promote or hinder physical activity in ethnic minority groups living in Europe.MethodsA systematic update of Langøien et al.’s 2017 review of the determinants of physical activity in ethnic minority groups living in Europe was conducted. Our target population included individuals of all ages who reported a familial migration background from any low- and middle-income countries or belonging to minority indigenous population in Europe. Outcomes pertaining to non-work related physical activity of light, moderate or vigorous intensity performed in any setting were included. Included studies provided an evidence base from which to derive the causal loop diagrams comprising our conceptual model. Sub-system causal loop diagrams were interpreted in co-author review sessions to explicate non-linear system mechanisms, such as reinforcing and balancing feedback loops.ResultsForty-one studies were identified, of which the majority was qualitative. The conceptual model consisted of 4 causal loop diagrams relating to psychosocial constructs; sociocultural constructs; health and health communication and social and material resources, in interaction with environmental/migration context. Four hypothetical mechanisms were identified, e.g. hypothesizing that participation in organised activities leads to increased self-efficacy, thereby enabling further participation.ConclusionsThis study contributes an evidence-based conceptual systems model which elucidates how low levels of physical activity in ethnic minority groups in Europe could be supported by reinforcing and balancing mechanisms involving factors relating to physical and institutional environments, migration context and individuals. A pluralistic approach to literature review, integrating complexity methods such as CLDs into more conventional systematic literature review, supports novel insights into how factors could interact to support persistently low levels of activity, moving beyond the identification of potential relationships between isolated factors to indicating the ways in which these relationships are sustained and could be modified by intervention or policy.

The Impact of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Combined Carbohydrate-Protein Supplementation on Muscle Damage and Oxidative Stress Markers During Prolonged Cycling Performance in the Heat

Background: The impact of oxidative stress (OS) on exercise performance and recovery depends on the mode, intensity, and duration of physical activity, which can lead to inflammation, fatigue, and muscle dysfunction. The effects of carbohydrate (CHO) and protein (PRO) supplementation, as well as their combination (CHO-PRO), on exercise performance remain controversial, particularly under normal and hot environmental conditions. Objectives: The present study examined the influence of locally based isocaloric carbohydrate (CHO) and protein (PRO) supplements on muscle damage and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers during cycling in the heat (31°C, 70% relative humidity), compared to a placebo (PL). Methods: Sago (Sa), Soy (So), and Sago+Soy (SS) were used as the carbohydrate (CHO), protein (PRO), and CHO-PRO supplements, respectively. The Sa, So, and SS supplements contained 7.5% Sa, 7.5% So, and 6.0% Sa+1.5% So, respectively. Twelve well-trained male cyclists (age: 19.0 ± 5.6 years, height: 170.8 ± 7.6 cm, body weight: 60.1 ± 11.2 kg, and VO2max: 56.5 ± 6.5 mL·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹) participated in four experimental trials. Each trial involved 90 minutes of steady-state cycling on an ergometer at 60% VO2max, followed by a 20-km exhaustive cycling time-trial performance. During the steady-state cycling, participants received supplements five times at 0, 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes. Results: Plasma concentrations of creatine kinase and F2-isoprostanes, which are biomarkers of muscle damage and oxidative stress (OS), significantly decreased after the trials (P < 0.05). The reduction in these biomarkers in the placebo group indicated that Sa, So, and SS supplementation did not provide additional benefits, as the placebo exhibited similar effects. Conclusions: In conclusion, despite the unexpected results, endurance athletes exercising in hot and humid conditions may potentially reduce symptoms of muscle damage and oxidative stress by consuming greater amounts of carbohydrate and protein supplements.

Interplay of tectonic and dynamic processes shaping multilayer extensional system in southern-central Apennines

High-hazard seismic zones can remain silent over centuries with meager seismicity rates challenging our understanding of seismic processes. We focus on the comprehensive analysis of cascading episodes of swarms and seismic sequences following the 2009 L’Aquila mainshock (MW 6.3) in the southern-central Apennine that previously experienced ~ M7 earthquakes. We enhance the seismic catalog, unmasking low-magnitude seismicity down to completeness magnitude ML ~ 0, and we unveil that the microseismicity might be secondarily triggered by the L’Aquila mainshock, influencing the frictional properties in the nearby fault zones or opening fault valves generating the intense seismic activity detected from 2009 to 2013. The diffusivity, observed in the most seismic episodes, and the high Vp/Vs values (> 1.88) indicate fluid circulation promoting multilayered extensional seismicity within 11–15 km and 16–23 km depth ranges. Mapping the 3D distribution of seismicity alongside geological data reveals an evident tectonic influence, unveiling unknown geometric aspects and providing the first evidence of a NNE-dipping deformation zone bounding at depths of 11–15 km the overlying fault system. Deeper seismicity suggests a mantellic CO2 ascending shape. These findings enrich the literature on tectonic seismic swarms in extensional domains, providing essential constraints on fluid involvement in the seismic processes and contributing to forthcoming discussions on the seismotectonic setting in high-seismic-risk areas of the Apennines of Italy.

Exploring the association of serum prolactin with serum glucose levels and clinical findings in a cohort of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis

BackgroundIn the context of rheumatoid arthritis and its systemic inflammatory implications, there is an increasing interest in investigating the role of prolactin in the clinical and metabolic aspects of the disease. This study aimed to explore the potential links between serum prolactin levels, serum glucose levels, and the clinical manifestations of arthritis.MethodsThis exploratory, cross-sectional, observational study focused on women diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. The research involved assessing prolactin and blood glucose concentrations, alongside specific clinical traits such as disease-related inflammation, morning stiffness, and fatigue intensity. The presence of changes in serum prolactin (PRL) was initially compared among the groups based on disease activity intensity. Using a multinomial regression analysis, the study analyzed the impact of predetermined clinical and metabolic factors on various categories of prolactin concentration.ResultsOut of the 72 participants included in the study, hyperprolactinemia was detected in 9.1% of the sample. No differences in serum PRL were identified among the evaluated groups based on disease activity. Following multivariate analysis, no statistically significant differences were identified for the outcomes of inflammatory activity and morning stiffness within each PRL category when compared to the reference category for PRL. There was no increased likelihood of encountering blood glucose levels below 100 mg/dl among individuals with higher prolactin concentrations compared to those in the lowest prolactin category (OR 5.43, 95% CI 0.51–58.28). The presence of clinically significant fatigue revealed a higher likelihood of encountering this outcome among patients with intermediate PRL values (prolactin categories 7.76–10.35 with OR 5.18, 95% CI 1.01–26.38 and 10.36–15.29 with OR 6.25, 95% CI 1.2–32.51) when compared to the reference category.ConclusionsThe study found no discernible correlation between prolactin concentrations and worse scores for inflammatory activity of the disease, nor between prolactin concentrations and serum glucose levels. The findings regarding fatigue should be approached with caution given the exploratory nature of this study.

Functionalized Polymeric Micelles for Targeted Cancer Therapy: Steps from Conceptualization to Clinical Trials.

Cancer is still ranked among the top three causes of death in the 30- to 69-year-old age group in most countries and carries considerable societal and macroeconomic costs that differ depending on the cancer type, geography, and patient gender. Despite advances in several pharmacological approaches, the lack of stability and specificity, dose-related toxicity, and limited bioavailability of chemotherapy (standard therapy) pose major obstacles in cancer treatment, with multidrug resistance being a driving factor in chemotherapy failure. The past three decades have been the stage for intense research activity on the topic of nanomedicine, which has resulted in many nanotherapeutics with reduced toxicity, increased bioavailability, and improved pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy employing smart drug delivery systems (SDDSs). Polymeric micelles (PMs) have become an auspicious DDS for medicinal compounds, being used to encapsulate hydrophobic drugs that also exhibit substantial toxicity. Through preclinical animal testing, PMs improved pharmacokinetic profiles and increased efficacy, resulting in a higher safety profile for therapeutic drugs. This review focuses on PMs that are already in clinical trials, traveling the pathways from preclinical to clinical studies until introduction to the market.

Understanding the physical literacy development of 8- to 12-year-old children living with chronic medical conditions: A comprehensive, mixed methods inquiry.

Physical literacy is a concept used to describe the combined physical, affective and cognitive capacities facilitating an active lifestyle. Physical activity participation is essential for children living with chronic medical conditions, but knowledge of physical literacy among this group is scarce. An explanatory, sequential mixed methods design was used to comprehensively describe the physical literacies of children with chronic medical conditions (CMCs). Participants were recruited from paediatric cardiology, respirology/cystic fibrosis, neurology, haematology and endocrinology outpatient clinics. All participants completed the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy (2nd Edition), and those with higher and lower scores were invited to a semi-structured interview. A deductive-inductive thematic analysis was applied using Margaret Whitehead's conceptualization of physical literacy. Using normative strata, 80.0% of the 99 children assessed (mean age = 9.97 ± 1.3years, 48% girls) were considered beginning or progressing in their overall physical literacy (mean score = 56.5 ± 13.8/100). Meanwhile, physical literacy informed participants' approach to new, active experiences and may have contributed to a strong sense of self. There was a significant difference between endocrinology and haematology patients on total physical literacy score (p = 0.03) but not domain scores. Participants scored high on motivation/confidence (mean = 22.9 ± 5.0/30) but obtained low physical competence (mean = 11.8 ± 5.6/30) and daily behaviour scores (n = 72, mean = 15.5 ± 7.1/30). Main themes represent salient experiences of children with CMCs within the domains of physical literacy, including their need to evaluate active contexts, self-regulate activity intensity and manage physical limitations. Children with CMCs can achieve recommended levels of physical literacy without meeting normative standards for physical competence. Participants would benefit from a physical literacy intervention that targets the development of bodily self-regulation skills and risk evaluation in active settings.

Changes recorded in cardiac graphoelements of bees (Apis mellifera) during contact with fipronil

A mortality of bees (Apis mellifera) caused by fipronil intoxication, due to its indiscriminate use in crops, has long been attracting the scientific community’s attention, either due to its acute or residual effects. In this study, we assessed the cardiac activity as a biomarker of fipronil intoxication through electrophysiological recordings of bees. Eighteen foragers, from the apiary of EMBRAPA—Eastern Amazon (Belém-Pará), bees were previously anesthetized at low temperature (− 10 °C) for 5 min and properly restrained and fixed on a stereotaxic base, where electrodes were implanted. All these procedures were carried out within a Faraday cage. Eighteen bees were used in the study. Worker bees engaged in foraging activities were selected. The bees were divided into a control group and a group treated with fipronil at 0.025 mg/bee (n = 9). The recordings lasted for 4 min and were evaluated at 1-s intervals represented by the following letters: A = (2–3 s), B = (59–60 s), C = (119–120 s), D = (179–180 s), and E = (239–240 s). The results showed that fipronil reduced the frequency and intensity of cardiac activity, exhibiting rapidly evolving effects, and promoting a disruption of homeostasis in bee hemodynamics. Through the obtained data, it was observed variation in spike amplitude, with a loss of cardiac strength and magnitude of the electrical impulse in the bee’s heart during exposure to fipronil.

Source Profile Analysis, Source Apportionment, and Potential Health Risk of Ambient Particle-Bound Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Areas of Specific Interest

Ambient particulate matter (PM10) and its chemical composition in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied in areas of specific interest, between September 2015 and July 2016. The principal aim of this study was to assess the different PAH source profiles in each area, as well as their potential health risk. In particular, the studied areas were (a) the semiurban industrialized zone of the Municipality of Peloponnese (Meligalas, Messini) of Messinia prefecture, due to the intensive olive-productive activity in the extensive area, (b) the industrialized zone of Oinofyta in Voiotia prefecture, and (c) the urban/traffic center of Athens (Aristotelous). Intense spatial and seasonal variations in PAH levels were observed among the study areas collectively, but also for each one individually. During the winter period, the total PAHs average concentration was 11.45 and 9.84 ng/m3 at Meligalas–Skala (S1, S2 stations), 8.84 ng/m3 at Messini (S3 station), and 6.30 ng/m3 at the center of Athens (Aristotelous). During the summer campaign, the corresponding levels were 0.99, 1.20, and 0.70 ng/m3 (S1, S2, and S3 stations), and 5.84 ng/m3 (Aristotelous), respectively. The highest potential cancer risk of the PAHs mixture was estimated based on winter season measurements taken at the Municipality of Peloponnese. In order to determine PAH sources, two different source apportionment techniques were applied, i.e., diagnostic ratios (DRs) and the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model.

Progressive and efficient verification for digital signatures: extensions and experimental results

Digital signatures are widely deployed to authenticate the source of incoming information, or to certify data integrity. Common signature verification procedures return a decision (accept/reject) only at the very end of the execution. If interrupted prematurely, however, the verification process cannot infer any meaningful information about the validity of the given signature. This limitation is due to the algorithm design solely, and it is not inherent to signature verification. In this work, we provide a formal framework to extract information from prematurely interrupted signature verification, independently of why the process halts: we propose a generic verification procedure that progressively builds confidence on the final decision. Our transformation builds on a simple but powerful intuition and applies to a wide range of existing schemes considered to be post-quantum secure, including some lattice-based and multivariate equations based constructions. We demonstrate the feasibility of our approach through an implementation on off-the-shelf resource-constrained devices. In particular, an intensive testing activity has been conducted measuring the increase of performance on three IoT boards—i.e., Arduino, Raspberry, and Espressif—and a consumer-grade laptop. While the primary motivation of progressive verification is to mitigate unexpected interruptions, we show that verifiers can leverage it in two innovative ways. First, progressive verification can be used to intentionally adjust the soundness of the verification process. Second, our transformation splits verification into a computationally intensive offline set-up (run once), and an efficient online verification that is faster than the original algorithm. We conclude showing how to tweak our compiler for progressive verification to work on a wide range of signatures with properties, on three real-life use cases, and in combination with efficient verification.

Assessment of geomechanical properties of Sakhalin shelf reservoirs based on modeling results

Background. Due to the complex tectonic structure of the Sea of Okhotsk shelf and intense geodynamic activity in this area, specialized technologies are required to study reservoir properties. In this work, we implement the technology of secondary permeability estimation using the Kirinskoye and Ayashskoye license blocks as an example. The research objects included structural and lithologic traps of different complexes. It was found that the Prisakhalin shelf, including the Kirinsky and Ayashsky license areas, is subject to the modern shear stress field with the sublatitude-oriented axis of maximum compression. This initiates the formation of a local stress field, launches changes in the degree of fracture openness, and determines the secondary porosity and permeability of rocks. 3D modeling allowed us to calculate predicted permeability for each stratigraphic horizon. A significant difference of secondary permeability in the upper and lower stratigraphic horizons is noted.Aim. To evaluate secondary filtration and capacitance properties of reservoirs by geomechanical modeling.Materials and methods. Geomechanical modeling to assess the filtration and capacitance properties of Sakhalin shelf reservoirs was carried out using the ROXAR software package.Results. This work allowed not only the filtration efficiency to be predicted, but also the processes occurring in the geological section of the shelf of the Sea of Okhotsk to be elucidated.

The promotion effect of human activity intensity on displacement ventilation efficiency by the enhancement indoor thermal stratification

In a displacement ventilation system, the human body heat source plays a significant role and should not be overlooked. The intensity of human activity is a crucial factor in determining the amount of heat generated by the human body. In this work, the impact of thermal plumes generated by different levels of human activity intensity on the temperature stratification and ventilation efficiency in displacement ventilation system have been explored with experimental and numerical methods. The airflow patterns in the displacement air supply system under various levels of human activity intensity were simulated. The results show that under the same air supply speed, as the human activity intensity increasing from 125 W to 402 W, the phenomenon of temperature stratification becomes more pronounced. With the promotion of thermal plumes, the air flow velocity on the human body surface increases, leading to an enhancement in ventilation efficiency. Therefore, to elimination of the indoor thermal load, the air supply speed can be reasonably reduced according to the human activity intensity in the room, further enhancing the energy-saving effect of displacement ventilation.

Quantifying future water resource vulnerability in a high-mountain third pole river basin under climate change

Understanding the water resource vulnerability (WRV) in global mountain regions under climate change is crucial for water resources management and socio-economic development. However, the WRV in the high-mountain Third Pole region (with quite a few transboundary river basins) remains largely unclear. Here, we have applied a comprehensive assessment framework of WRV to a Third Pole high-mountain river basin (Nujiang-Salween River, NSR) and its dependent downstream. The framework consisted of sensitivity, exposure, adaptability, hazard, and water stress indices, considering climate change, socio-economics, government effectiveness, natural disasters, and water supply capacity of the target river basin. Our results indicate that the downstream area (with intensive human activities) often exhibited significantly higher WRV than the mountain region; while the WRV shows an M-shaped change with increasing elevation, with the highest vulnerability occurring in a relatively low elevation range (e.g., 500–1500 m for the NSR basin). In the near future, we find that the spatial pattern of WRV in the basin is alternately influenced by adaptation, water scarcity, and exposure; whereas climate change serves as the main driver affecting the WRV in the far future. These findings enhance our understanding of the WRV in high-mountain transboundary basins of the Third Pole under global change.

Lombard speech detection in case of spatial separation between noise source and talkers of different genders

The spatial selectivity of hearing to speech signals was studied when the target signal and interference were separated by distance between their sources and the listener. In the work, the hypothesis about the improvement of hearing selectivity due to more intensive activation of the high-frequency binaural mechanism due to the shift of the speaker’s voice spectrum occurs in noisy environment towards high frequencies, was tested. The thresholds for detecting the target signal – a two-syllable word uttered by male or female, were evaluated in the two-alternative two-interval forced choice paradigm in 4 series. Series differed by the type of target signal (ordinary or Lombard speech) and the location of target source and noise (multi-talker noise) one. The both sources were located at a distance of 1 and 4 m opposite the subject at the level of his head. The detection threshold was defined as the ratio of signal and noise levels at the listener’s place (S/N). The threshold for detecting the target signal (male and female speaker voices together) was -11 dB S/N for ordinary as well as Lombard speech. It did not depend on which of the sources - the target signal or noise, was closer to the listener. In normal speech, the detection thresholds on average differed for male and female voices, but the difference was not significant. In Lombard speech, these thresholds were significantly different: for a male voice, the threshold at a detection level of 0.67 was -10 dB S/N, and for a female voice – -12.5 dB S/N.

Spatiotemporal differentiation of water–carbon–light compound use efficiency and its sensitivity to the dominant factor

Taking the South China karst as an example, this study constructed compound use efficiency (COM) through water, light, and carbon use efficiency (WUE, LUE, and CUE), analysed the divergence characteristics of COM, and clarified the dominant factor of COM variation and their sensitivity. It showed that from 2000 to 2018, WUE, LUE, CUE, and COM showed significant nonlinear characteristics; spatially, which were distributed in a “northeast-southwest” pattern. Different factors on COM exhibited significant spatial heterogeneity. The COM first stabilized and then exhibited a fluctuating decrease with rising elevation and slope. The COM increased sharply and then slightly decreased as the temperature and precipitation increased but decreased with enhanced solar radiation and human activity intensity (HAI). HAI had the greatest effect on COM change, and the COM-HAI sensitivity first decreased and then increased, 2006 was the abrupt year, this may be related to the time-lagged effect of ecological restoration on vegetation.

Active Virtual Reality Games: Comparing Energy Expenditure, Game Experience, and Cybersickness to Traditional Gaming and Exercise in Youth Aged 8-12.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to (1) quantify the oxygen consumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR) of virtual reality (VR) exergaming in youth, (2) compare the physical activity intensity of VR gaming to moderate-intensity thresholds, and (3) quantify the game experience and cybersickness of VR gaming, compared with traditional gaming. Material and Methods: Youth (N = 28; age, 9.4 ± 1.2 years) completed 10-minute conditions: seated rest, seated videogame Katamari Forever (SVG-KF), treadmill walking (TW) (5.6 km/h, 0% grade), and VR exergames Beat Saber (BS) and Thrill of the Fight (TOF) while VO2 and HR were collected. Game experience and Child Simulator Sickness Questionnaires were collected after gameplay. Results: VO2 and HR for BS (9.1 ± 3.0 mL/kg/min and 119 ± 15 bpm), TW (17.1 ± 2.4 mL/kg/min and 135 ± 15 bpm), and TOF (16.9 ± 5.4 mL/kg/min and 145 ± 19 bpm) were significantly higher than that at rest (4.2 ± 1.5 mL/kg/min and 94 ± 12 bpm) and for SVG-KF (4.3 ± 1.3 mL/kg/min and 94 ± 12 bpm). BS was light-to-moderate, whereas TW and TOF were of moderate intensity based on HR and metabolic equivalents (METs). For game experience, SVG-KF (1.6 ± 1.6) was less challenging than BS (3.3 ± 1.0) and TOF (3.1 ± 1.1). BS was more visually satisfying (3.5 ± 0.7 vs 2.7 ± 0.9) and required more concentration than SVG-KF (3.6 ± 0.7 vs 3.1 ± 1.1). TOF (3.4 ± 0.8) was more fun than SVG-KF (2.8 ± 0.7). Two youths (7%) experienced cybersickness symptoms, but neither requested to stop play. Oculomotor symptoms (0.6 ± 0.9), although minimal, were significantly greater than nausea (0.2 ± 0.5) and disorientation (0.3 ± 0.6) in both games. Conclusions: VR exergames provided light- to moderate-intensity exercise, challenge, visual stimulation, attention, and fun with minimal cybersickness symptoms, compared with conventional gameplay in youth.

Are Preference and Tolerance Measured With the PRETIE-Q (Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire) Relevant Constructs for Understanding Exercise Intensity in Physical Activity? A Scoping Review

Individual preference and tolerance can be seen as relevant traits for the understanding of the relationship between exercise intensity and behavioral outcomes. To better understand that relationship, this scoping review aimed to analyze preference for, and tolerance of, exercise intensity constructs in physical activity settings by verifying the contextual utility and feasibility of the subscales in the multiple settings of their application, the interpretation of the subscales, associations with other variables, and the reported limitations of the subscales’ use. The search was conducted through PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, and B-on databases. Inclusion criteria were healthy individuals including athletes, experimental and nonexperimental studies written in English based on the assessment of subjective intensity in exercise; studies including the variables tolerance and/or preference. Exclusion criteria were instrument validation studies with no concurrent data, gray literature, and systematic reviews. Thirty-six studies published between 2005 and 2022 were analyzed. Results indicate that both constructs appear to be useful and feasible in various physical activity settings. No relevant limitations were reported for its use. Preference and tolerance constructs assessed with the PRETIE-Q (Preference for and Tolerance of the Intensity of Exercise Questionnaire) seem to offer a simple but useful understanding of the individual relation with exercise intensity in several physical activity–related outcomes.

Upwelling current and its relationship to the enrichment of organic matter in the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation, northern Chongqing–western Hubei area, southern China

Upwelling currents play a crucial role in the enrichment of organic matter, yet the mechanisms driving this process remain incompletely understood due to methodological and data resolution limitations. In this paper, we employ a combination of biostratigraphic classification, qualitative methods, and quantitative methods to systematically analyze the sedimentological and geochemical characteristics of the Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation in the northern Chongqing–western Hubei area, southern China. The relationship between the upwelling currents and organic matter enrichment in the shale of the Longmaxi Formation is investigated. Results indicate that the upwelling currents in the study area were primarily influenced by the foreland flexure process. From the Rhuddanian (flexure–sedimentation stage) to the Aeronian (flexure–migration stage), the more intense tectonic activity led to gradual opening of the barrier between the South Qinling Ocean and the Yangtze Platform, resulting in an increase in the influx of the oceanic current. The upwelling currents significantly contributed to the organic matter production, albeit without substantially affecting the preservation conditions. Throughout the succession of the Longmaxi Formation, the organic matter content decreased gradually from the passive continental margin to the foreland flexural stagnant basin, which was mainly due to deterioration of the preservation conditions as a result of sea level fall and increased terrigenous input. Despite the increase in the upwelling currents, they did not decisively control the organic matter enrichment. Spatially, during the Rhuddanian to Aeronian period, the organic matter content decreased similarly from the passive continental margin to the foreland flexural stagnant basin, influenced by reduced organic matter production caused by weakening of the upwelling currents and the worsening preservation conditions caused by sea-level fall. The terrigenous input had a relatively minor impact. The results of this study provide new insights into the role of upwelling currents in the organic matter enrichment within the Longmaxi Formation, overcoming previous methodological and resolution barriers.