Regular Activity Research Articles

A Life Cycle and Economic Assessment of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice for Environmental and Economic Sustainability

This paper applies selected methodologies for the measurement of the environmental and economic sustainability of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (PGC) in Venice with a view to assessing the PGC’s sustainability and commitment to implementing selected SDGs. To assess environmental sustainability, a life cycle assessment (LCA) has been carried out. The museum is conceptualized as a “firm” that produces several outputs and needs several inputs. The results provide the number of annual CO2e (and other pollutants) emissions linked to the regular activity of the museum. The environmental cost (in EUR), linked to the impacts obtained from LCA, has been calculated. To assess economic sustainability, a survey and econometric methods were used to value services directly generated by the museum, and input/output methods were used to compute the direct and indirect impacts on the local economy. Nonetheless, PGC visitors (those who travel to Venice with the main objective of visiting the PGC) contribute to around 1.2%/1.4% of Venice’s GDP. The results from input–output tables show that, although the final demand generated by the PGC’s own activities amounted to about EUR 620 million in 2022, the economic benefits of the PGC beyond this final demand are significant and very positive due to carry-over effects. Specifically, the PGC leads to an increase in GDP of around EUR 1.200 million, with a multiplier of 1.9. In terms of employment, around 8200 jobs are associated with the presence of the PGC. The net public finance revenue also clearly benefits, with a net income of around EUR 150 million in 2022. Comparing both the environmental and economic impacts of the PGC, one can conclude that the annual activities performed by the museum are highly sustainable, with the economic pillar strongly offsetting the costs generated using natural resources. The creation of economic value, therefore, is generated in respect of environmental boundaries, even if some minor flaws can be highlighted. The connection between museums and sustainable development goals is highly recognized. The findings show the PGC’s commitment to achieving and implementing selected SDGs, including SDG 4, SDG 11, and SDG 16, by implementing actions and strategies that are aligned with these goals.

Longitudinal associations of participation in organized and unorganized sports in youth with physical activity in mid-adulthood: The Young Finns Study

ABSTRACT We investigated the longitudinal associations between sports participation patterns in youth and physical activity (PA) in adulthood. PA was self-reported triannually between ages 9–18 (n = 2550, 52% females) and measured by accelerometers in mid-adulthood (n = 1002, 61% females, aged 48 ± 4 years). Three latent classes of youth sports participation emerged for both genders: 1) “organized sports” (persistent high PA with regular sports club activities), 2) “unorganized sports” (persistent high PA without sports club activities and 3) “low activity” (low PA with decreasing sports involvement). These groups comprised 29%, 34% and 37% of males, and 23%, 27% and 50% of females, respectively. Youth “organized sports” was associated with higher adult PA in both males (+1166 steps/day, p = 0.012) and females (+15 min/day moderate-to-vigorous PA [MVPA], +1064 steps/day, +1066 leisure-time steps/day; p ≤ 0.005) compared to “low activity”. In males, youth “organized sports” was associated with higher adult PA (+1103 steps/day, −26 min/day sedentary time and +133 counts/minute higher total PA, p ≤ 0.039) compared to “unorganized sports”. In females, “unorganized sports” in youth was related to higher adult PA (+10 min/day MVPA, p = 0.034) when compared to “low activity”. Sustained participation in youth organized sports, and for females, also in unorganized sports, is positively linked with adult PA.

Identity positioning of experienced school principals when facing critical incidents

The study focused on experienced school principals' identity positions when facing critical incidents that arise over the course of a school year with the aim of better understanding their identity positioning. Ultimately, we intended results to inform on training proposals and school principals’ professional identity development. We used a dialogic framework and a longitudinal design to analyze the positioning processes that allowed four experienced school principals to solve the incidents they faced during their regular activity. Results confirm the dynamic nature of identity and suggest that the positive resolution of critical incidents involved interventions from main positions (core positions, promotor positions, and meta-positions) coalitions with prominent secondary positions, and creation of new positions. Such results indicate to what extent dialogue helped principals deal consciously and strategically with the incidents that configure their professional practice and ultimately contribute to the construction of their identities.

Intelligent non-invasive elderly fall monitoring by designing software defined radio frequency sensing system

The global increase in life expectancy poses challenges related to the safety and well-being of the elderly population, especially in relation to falls. While falls can lead to significant cognitive impairments, timely intervention can mitigate their adverse effects. In this context, the need for non-invasive, efficient monitoring systems becomes paramount. Although wearable sensors have gained traction for monitoring health activities, they may cause discomfort during prolonged use, especially for the elderly. To address this issue, we present an intelligent, non-invasive Software-Defined Radio Frequency (SDRF) sensing system, tailored red for monitoring elderly people's falls during routine activities. Harnessing the power of deep learning and machine learning, our system processes the Wireless Channel State Information (WCSI) generated during regular and fall activities. By employing sophisticated signal processing techniques, the system captures unique patterns that distinguish falls from normal activities. In addition, we use statistical features to streamline data processing, thereby optimizing the computational efficiency of the system. Our experiments, conducted for a typical home environment while using treadmill, demonstrate the robustness of the system. The results show high classification accuracies of 92.5%, 95.1%, and 99.8% for three Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms. Notably, the SDRF-based approach offers flexibility, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability through software modifications, circumventing the need for hardware overhaul. This research attempts to bridge the gap in RF-based sensing for elderly fall monitoring, providing a solution that combines the benefits of non-invasiveness with the precision of deep learning and machine learning.

Effect of a pragmatic lifestyle modification intervention on physical activity levels and body mass index among obese and overweight adolescents in Udupi, India: a cluster randomized trial.

Determine the effects of a multifactorial lifestyle intervention on physical activity (PA), BMI and health-related quality of life (QoL) in obese and overweight adolescents. Nine schools in India were clustered randomly in a 12-month study with students allocated to a multifactorial intervention (MFI), or exercise only (EX) or control (CON) group. Participants were adolescents aged 11-16 years (n=671). In the MFI group, adolescents and their parents received lifestyle education using a validated booklet combined with a PA intervention for school students. The EX group received school-based PA only; the CON group continued regular activities. Primary outcomes were PA levels measured with the PAQ-A, and BMI; the secondary outcome was health-related QoL. A linear regression statistical model was used to analyse time, group effects and interactions, with Bonferroni correction for within-group differences at baseline (T0) and at 12-weeks (T1) (post-intervention), 6-month (T2) and 12-month (T3) follow-ups. Significant time and group effects observed for all groups with PA scores (p<0.001), with MFI group having largest increase in PA; with BMI (p<0.001) and MFI showing the least gain in BMI; and HRQOL (p<0.001), with MFI group showing greatest improvement in scores. There were significant increases in PA at T1 and T3 time-points with the EX group, and at T3 time-point only for MFI and CON, with MFI group showing largest increase in HRQOL scores. BMI increased significantly for all groups at T2 (MFI p=0.001, EX p<0.001) and T3 (p<0.001), while HRQOL increased significantly for both MFI and EX at both follow-ups (p<0.001). School-based lifestyle MFI was more effective for improving PA, lifestyle behaviours and HRQOL than exercise alone for adolescents, although BMI was not reduced. MFI with PA could be an effective school-based approach for behaviour modification but BMI has limitations for measuring body composition changes. CTRI/2019/04/018834 (30/04/2019).

THE ROLE OF DHAKA'S COMMUNITY-BASED PARKS IN IMPROVING CHILDREN’S MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH

This study focused on the significance of Community Park for enhancing children’s mental and physical health at the grassroots level of the community of Dhaka city. To assess the practical scenario both primary and secondary data was used in this study. Convenience sampling techniques have been applied to collect data with a pre-designed structured questionnaire. To reach the study goal, regression analyses have been applied to see the correlation between children’s health and community park activities. Furthermore,categorized the impact to understand the vulnerability. The evidence identified that such community park contributes significantly to children's physical and mental well-being, fostering a positive impact on their holistic development. The study findings demonstrated that ∼ 80% of children think community parks significantly contribute to maintaining their mental wellbeing. Similarly, 61% of children expressed that park activities reduce their stress and anxiety. In addition, regular activities impact on their physical growth which was expressed by 90% of respondents. The result also finds out a strong correlation between the physical and mental health of the children. In addition, it analyzed the correlation of impact between their education and health. Besides, the study also assesses the levels of severity of depression, anxiety, and sleeping disorders in children after covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, results also disclose numerous factors such as infrastructural conditions, greenery stock, safety measures, children's activities and communityparticipation in the community parks. The novelty of the study will help public health experts, psychologists, urban planners, environmentalists, policymakers, public representatives to take an ecofriendly sustainable development plan, thereby fostering a positive impact on children’s holistic development. Furthermore, this study provides some recommendations to increase the overall health conditions of the park’s children's zone.

Efficacy of traditional Thai massage as adjunctive therapy in patients with major depressive disorder.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is the most common mental ailment. Moreover, it is one of the most incapacitating medical conditions. Although antidepressant medication has traditionally been the mainstay of treatment, adjunctive therapy may provide therapeutic advantages that reduce the severity of depression. An experiment using randomization and control groups was undertaken. A total of forty-eight individuals diagnosed with severe depressive illness and undergoing antidepressant medication were selected and randomly assigned to either get traditional Thai massage (TTM) treatment, consisting of 90-minute sessions twice a week for eight weeks, or to be part of the control group, which continued with their regular daily activities. The main assessment tools used were the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D), the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), and the Khon Kaen University Depression Inventory 14 (KKU-DI-14). Secondary outcomes, such as blood pressure (BP) and quality of life measured by The EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L), were assessed both before and after the first therapy, as well as at the last session at the 8th week. The TTM group showed a statistically significant decrease in the HAM-D score within the eighth week of therapy compared to the control group (5.14 points, 95% confidence interval=2.92 to 7.37 points, P<0.001). These findings suggest that combining TTM with antidepressant medication may effectively reduce depression scores and improve quality of life scores.

Framework for analyzing the relationship between supply, demand, and flow of recreational services in urban park green spaces

Regular recreational activities in urban park green spaces are beneficial to the physical and mental health of residents. The supply capacity of, the residents’ demand for, and the actual flow of recreational services must be distinguished and evaluated to promote the fair and reasonable layout of urban park green spaces. However, the unit dimensions of the supply, demand, and flow indexes of recreational services are often inconsistent or only in simple semiquantitative forms, which cannot be directly compared and analyzed. Thus, this study constructed a research framework of “potential supply/demand–pressure/accessibility–actual supply/demand” for recreational services, and the framework was tested using the central urban area of Xuchang as the experimental area. Results show the following: (1) A spatial mismatch exists in the supply–demand relationship of recreational services in the study area; this relationship is reflected in the semicircular layer structure from the central and southern areas to the periphery, changing from shortage of supply to oversupply. (2) The actual supply of recreational services is highly correlated with the number of people served, which can explain 50.38% of the change in the actual supply. (3) The potential demand for recreational services is highly correlated with the actual demand. It can explain 78.96% of the change in the actual demand. (4) Accessibility is a non-critical factor affecting the travel rate of residential quarters, while supply pressure is a key factor affecting the utilization rate of park green space. The framework can effectively identify important or low-utilization service-providing areas, unmet service-demanding areas, and important service-connecting areas. It is suitable for the study of the relationship between the supply, demand, and flow of user movement-related services.

From communal places to comfort zones: Familiar stranger encounters in everyday life as a form of belonging

Familiar strangers, individuals who are visually recognisable yet do not engage in verbal conversations, emerge in communal urban places on the way and in between regular daily activities in the home and workplace. Described as invisible social ties and light touch community, familiar strangers represent an understudied and untapped source of sociality that offer promise by way of an antidote to the global increase in reports of loneliness. In this study, we examine the extent to which familiar stranger encounters in communal everyday places might act as an important source of social identity, belonging and perceived attachment. We estimate regression models using data from a 2022 intercept survey of 278 residents in Brisbane, Australia conducted in situ at public parks, transit stations, retail environments, and thoroughfares to estimate the influence of familiar strangers and frequency of visitation on sense of belonging and place attachment. Our results show belonging emerges through familiar stranger encounters in everyday communal places outside of the residential neighbourhood and suggest that coupling urban design features that enhance visible proximity with scheduling that encourages repeated, synchronised visitation can contribute to bounded communities of belonging at everyday communal places.

Perceptions of safety during everyday travel shaping older adults’ mobility in Bengaluru, India

BackgroundIn the context of socially sustainable urban development, comfortable, safe, and accessible public transport is crucial to motivating people to travel more sustainably. Using the framework given by Masoumi and Fastenmeier (2016) to examine the concepts of safety and security, we explore how perceptions of safety about different transport modes shaped the mobility of older adults in Bengaluru, India.MethodsIn-depth telephonic interviews were conducted with 60 adults, aged 50 years and over, residing in urban Bengaluru, using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide to explore the perceptions of safety in different transport modes. Observations were conducted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying thematic analysis, we present how the perceptions of safety during their everyday travel shaped their mobility.ResultsAccording to our research, older adults’ perception of safety during their everyday travel is shaped by past negative experiences with accidents, pickpocketing, theft of mobile phones, and chain snatching. In addition, the Covid-19 pandemic exacerbated the already existing inequalities, further limiting older adults’ mobility to carry out regular activities such as buying groceries, socialising, making a hospital visit, or going to work due to the fear of getting infected.ConclusionOur findings indicate that the use of public transport needs to be encouraged among older adults by enhancing necessary safety features following the age-friendly cities framework. Furthermore, it can help policymakers develop transport polices, which suit the mobility needs of older adults.

Increasing Student Success in Mathematics and Statistics through Sustainable Faculty Professional Development

Inclusive and student-centered approaches to teaching are crucial for student success in mathematics and statistics courses. However, faculty need ongoing support and education to effectively implement active learning strategies that address issues such as equitable participation, to ensure all students meet their learning objectives. At California State University Monterey Bay, we have implemented a professional development model focusing on regular professional development activities that meet the ongoing needs of our faculty that will help their students succeed. This model supports both new and experienced faculty, drawing on existing campus expertise while building faculty teaching skills and a stronger teaching and learning community over time. In this paper, we discuss the lessons learned from the first year of implementing our professional development model, as well as considerations for other departments that are interested in creating a similar model for professional development aimed at increasing student success, building community in the department, and improving teaching and learning for students and faculty.

Oxidative stress-mediated epigenetic remodeling, metastatic progression and cell signaling in cancer

Abstract Cancer is a serious public health issue and cases are rising at a high rate around the world. Altered production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes oxidative stress (OS) which plays a vital role in cancer development by disrupting signaling pathways and genomic integrity in the cellular microenvironment. In this study, we reviewed the regulation of noncoding RNAs, histone modifications, and DNA methylation which OS is involved in. These mechanisms promote cancer growth, metastasis, and resistance to chemotherapeutic agents. There is significant potential to improve patient outcomes through the development of customized medications and interventions that precisely address the role of OS in the onset and progression of cancer. Redox-modulating drugs, antioxidant-based therapies, and measures to restore regular cellular activity and OS-modulated signaling pathways are some examples of these strategies. One other hypothesis rationalizes the cancer-suppressing effect of OS, which acts as a two-edged condition that warns against the use of antioxidants for cancer treatment and management. The present study was executed to review the impact of OS on epigenetic machinery, the evolution of metastatic cancer, and how OS mediates cellular signaling. Along with, insights into the potential of targeting OS-mediated mechanisms for cancer therapy.

Activity Based Cost Calculation Decision Making Tool

This research aims to determine the relevant cost calculations carried out by companies in selling or further processing. Routine decision making generally occurs and is related to regular company operational activities. Relevant costs arise in situations where decision makers must choose between two or more options. Decision making will require information on relevant costs. When choosing between different alternatives, managers should concentrate only on costs and revenues that are among the decision systems.

Riboflavin-Induced DNA Damage and Anticancer Activity in Breast Cancer Cells under Visible Light: A TD-DFT and In Vitro Study.

Targeted treatments for breast cancer that minimize harm to healthy cells are highly sought after. Our study explores the potentiality of riboflavin as a targeted anticancer compound that can be activated by light irradiation. Here, we integrated time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) calculations and an in vitro study under visible light. The TD-DFT calculations revealed that the electronic charge transferred from the DNA base to riboflavin, with the most significant excitation peak occurring within the visible light range. Guided by these insights, an in vitro study was conducted on the breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The results revealed substantial growth inhibition in these cell lines when exposed to riboflavin under visible light, with no such impact observed in the absence of light exposure. Interestingly, riboflavin exhibited no/minimal growth-inhibitory effects on the normal cell line L929, irrespective of light conditions. Moreover, through EtBr displacement (DNA-EtBr) and the TUNEL assay, it has been illustrated that, upon exposure to visible light, riboflavin can intercalate within DNA and induce DNA damage. In conclusion, under visible light conditions, riboflavin emerges as a promising candidate with a selective and effective potent anticancer agent against breast cancer while exerting a minimal influence on regular cellular activity.

Orthorexic Tendency in Light of Eating Disorder Attitudes, Social Media Addiction and Regular Sporting Among Young Hungarian Women

This study examined a set of background psychological and other variables of orthorexic (ON) tendency in a sample of young women with special interest in healthy lifestyle. The sample consisted of female young adults (N = 310; aged 18–35 years; mean age = 24.3 years; SD = 4.97 years) who were recruited through social media health sites. Besides Orthorexia Nervosa Questionnaire (ORTO‑15), BMI, regular sporting activity, the following scales were used: Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI, drive for thinness, ineffectiveness and maturity fears); Bergen Social Media Addiction Scale (BSMAS); and The Proactive Coping Inventory. In this sample, 37.7% were at risk for ON. Eating disorder attitudes, regular sporting and social media addiction were the most relevant predictors of orthorexic tendency with drive for thinness being the strongest contributor (β = 0.54, p < 0.001). For young women with a special interest in healthy lifestyle, drive for thinness together with regular sporting, ON tendency may serve as a tool for achieving their goal. Social media addiction and other psychological problems (feeling of ineffectiveness or maturity fears) can also contribute to orthorexic rendency. It would be important to ask for support from qualified health professionals when changing nutritional practices.

Cognitive stimulation in socioeconomically disadvantaged children with neurodevelopmental disorders: a case series.

Research shows how conditions in socio-economically disadvantaged environments can be a risk factor for children's cognitive development. Consequently, children with neurodevelopmental disorders growing up in such environments face a double challenge. This study analyzed the effect of a comprehensive cognitive stimulation program on 4 single case studies comprising children with neurodevelopmental disorders from Guatemala. A descriptive study was conducted, using a case series approach, consisting of four participants with neurodevelopmental disorders, and a neurotypical group of 126 children. Participants in the neurotypical group were randomly assigned to either a control or experimental reference group. Cognitive assessments were performed pre- and post-intervention for all participants. Children in the experimental group received a comprehensive cognitive stimulation program between assessments. Two participants with neurodevelopmental disorders also received the stimulation program while the other two children with neurodevelopmental disorders performed the same task as the control group, specifically, regular reading activities. The experimental group exhibited a significant improvement in executive functions (inhibition, flexibility, and planning). The two experimental group children with neurodevelopmental disorders exhibited improved social cognition, showing a larger improvement compared to neurotypical children in their group, as well as compared to the two control children. However, although the reading program improved the language skills of the neurotypical control group, the children with neurodevelopmental disorders did not show as much improvement. These results suggest that specialized interventions are beneficial for children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds, but importantly, may have a larger impact on children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Pilot Study of Home-Based Virtual Reality Fitness Training in Post-Discharge Rehabilitation for Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Randomized Double-Blind Multicenter Trial.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) patients require continuous rehabilitation post-discharge to ensure optimal recovery. This study investigates the effectiveness of home-based virtual reality fitness training (VRFT) as a convenient and accessible rehabilitation method for SCI patients. This randomized, double-blind, multicenter trial will enroll 120 participants, assigning them to either an 8-week VRFT program (exercise group) or a control group engaging in regular daily activities. The outcomes measured include muscle function, cardiopulmonary fitness, body composition, and physical performance. Our study will determine the safety and feasibility of VRFT in a home setting for SCI patients and evaluate whether these patients can effectively participate in such a program post-discharge. The results of this study are expected to inform future exercise protocols for SCI rehabilitation, offering valuable insights into the utility of VRFT as a therapeutic tool.

Enterprise Malware Detection using Digital Forensic Artifacts and Machine Learning

Malware detection is a complex task. Numerous log aggregation solutions and intrusion detection systems can help find anomalies within a host or a network and detect intrusions, but they require precise calibration, skilled analysts, and cutting-edge technology. In addition, processing host-based data is challenging, as every log, event, and configuration can be analyzed. In order to obtain trusted information about a host state, the analysis of a computer’s memory can be performed, but obtaining the data from acquisition and performing the analysis can be challenging. To address this limitation, this paper proposes to collect artifacts within a network environment. This approach involves remotely gathering memory-based and disk-based artifacts from a simulated enterprise network using Velociraptor. The data was then processed using three machine learning algorithms to detect the malware samples against regular user activity generated with a user simulation tool for added realism. With this method, Random Forest and Support Vector Machine achieved a perfect classification of 41 malware samples.

Assessment of the frequency of types and causes of infertility in infertile couples referring to the Bojnurd infertility treatment center during the years 2018 to 2023

Introduction: Infertility is defined as failure to conceive a pregnancy despite a year or more of regular sexual activity without contraception55. Infertility is divided into primary and secondary, and its etiologies include male, female, male and female causes, as well as unexplained. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the types and causes of infertility in couples referring to an infertility treatment center in Bojnurd during 2018-2023. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted using a checklist made by the researcher on all couples who were referred to the infertility clinic in the Bent-Alhoda Hospital, Bojnurd, in North Khorasan, from 2018 to 2023. The information was extracted from the files or contact with the patients in cases of non-registration. Thereafter, data were entered into the SPSS statistical software (version 25). Following that, analysis was performed using descriptive indicators, frequency distribution, and analytical statistical tests, namely Chi-Square, independent t-test, and one-way analysis of variance, at a confidence level of 95%. Results: The mean age scores of women and men were 30.04±6.65 and 34.28±7.14 years, respectively. The mean body mass index of women was 26.10±4.87 Kg/m2. Moreover, 87.3% of women were unemployed, and most men were freelancers. The majority of women (76%) had no underlying disease. The most common types and etiology of infertility were related to primary infertility (55.9%) and unexplained causes (38.5%), retrospectively. Conclusion: Training classes to inform couples about the controllable risk factors of infertility is an essential step towards reducing the incidence of these factors.

Wireless Alerts and Data Monitoring from BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS Composite Film-Based TENG Integrated Inhaler for Smart Healthcare Application.

In recent years, the implementation of energy-harvesting technology in medical equipment has attracted significant interest owing to its potential for self-powered and smart healthcare systems. Herein, the integration of a triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is proposed into an inhaler for energy-harvesting and smart inhalation monitoring. For this initially, barium sodium niobium oxide (Ba2NaNb5O15) microparticles (BNNO MPs) are synthesized via a facile solid-state synthesis process. The BNNO MPs with ferroelectricity and high dielectric constant are incorporated into polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) polymer to make BNNO/PDMS composite films (CFs) for TENG fabrication. The fabricated TENG is operated in a contact-separation mode, and its electrical output performance is compared to establish the optimal BNNO MPs concentration. Furthermore, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), a conductive filler material, are used to enhance the electrical conductivity of the CFs, thereby improving the electrical output performance of the TENG. The robustness/durability of the proposed BNNO-MWCNTs/PDMS CF-based TENG are investigated. The proposed TENG device is demonstrated to harvest electrical energy from mechanical motions via regular human activities and power portable electronics. The TENG is integrated into the inhaler casing to count the number of sprays remaining in the canister, send the notification to a smartphone via Bluetooth, and harvest energy.