Article
Forestry
Zhaolin Sun, Peng Tian, Xuechao Zhao, Yanping Wang, Shunzhong Wang, Xiangmin Fang, Qingkui Wang, Shengen Liu
Summary: This study reveals the variation of litter traits and their dependence on plant functional type during litter decomposition. The results show that litter traits play different roles in different stages of decomposition, with physical traits being more important in the early stages and nutrient-related traits being more important in the later stages. Furthermore, litter decomposition rates of deciduous and evergreen species are controlled by different types of litter traits.
Article
Plant Sciences
Rafaella Canessa, Liesbeth van den Brink, Alfredo Saldana, Rodrigo S. Rios, Stephan Hattenschwiler, Carsten W. Mueller, Isabel Prater, Katja Tielboerger, Maaike Y. Bader
Summary: Climate and litter quality are important drivers of litter decomposition, but their relative importance changes over time and depends on the ranges considered for climate and litter traits. Including representative ranges in climate and functional trait values is crucial for understanding the drivers of litter decomposition and predicting climate-change effects on this ecosystem process.
JOURNAL OF ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Keita Wagatsuma, Iain S. Koolhof, Reiko Saito
Summary: The study assessed the effects of ambient temperature and mobility patterns on COVID-19 transmission in Japan, finding a higher risk of transmission associated with colder temperatures and higher retail and recreation mobility. These findings provide valuable insights for public health policies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jen S. Jones, Adam Porter, Juan Pablo Munoz-Perez, Daniela Alarcon-Ruales, Tamara S. Galloway, Brendan J. Godley, David Santillo, Jessica Vagg, Ceri Lewis
Summary: The study in Ecuador's Galapagos Islands revealed the presence and potential harm of plastic pollution in the marine ecosystem, highlighting the urgent need for monitoring and mitigation efforts for 27 vulnerable marine vertebrate species.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Ergonomics
Richard Kent, Joseph Cormier, Timothy L. McMurry, B. Johan Ivarsson, James Funk, Thomas Hartka, Mark Sochor
Summary: Motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) are a leading cause of acute spinal injuries, and understanding the biomechanical mechanism of these injuries is important for distinguishing acute injuries from chronic degenerative disease. This paper describes methods for determining causation of spinal injuries from MVCs based on injury rates and biomechanical analysis. The findings suggest that spinal injuries caused by MVCs are relatively rare, but the injury rates increase with higher impact severity. Additionally, spinal disc injuries are extremely rare in MVCs and typically occur with concomitant trauma.
ACCIDENT ANALYSIS AND PREVENTION
(2023)
Review
Rehabilitation
Jelena N. Svircev, Mikaela M. Raddatz, Audrey S. Leung, Stephen P. Burns
Summary: Care provided by experienced and trained physicians in spinal cord injury medicine (SCIM) is beneficial for individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). However, the number of physicians who are board-certified in SCIM is projected to decrease over the next 15 years unless there is an increase in certification.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mark S. Graham, Carole H. Sudre, Anna May, Michela Antonelli, Benjamin Murray, Thomas Varsaysky, Kerstin Klaser, Liane S. Canas, Erika Molteni, Marc Modat, David A. Drew, Long H. Nguyen, Lorenzo Polidori, Somesh Selvachandran, Christina Hu, Joan Capdevila, Alexander Hammers, Andrew T. Chan, Jonathan Wolf, Tins D. Spector, Claire J. Steves, Sebastien Ourselin
Summary: The study showed that the B.1.1.7 variant did not result in changes in COVID-19 symptoms or duration of illness, and there was no significant increase in reinfection rate compared to previous variants.
LANCET PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Zhifeng You, Xu Gao, Xinyi Kang, Wen Yang, Tiandi Xiong, Yue Li, Feng Wei, Yan Zhuang, Ting Zhang, Yifu Sun, He Shen, Jianwu Dai
Summary: Neural regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI) is closely related to the formation of microvascular endothelial cells (MECs) mediated neurovascular unit. This study established a method for isolating primary spinal cord-derived MECs (SCMECs) with high cell yield and purity to investigate their therapeutic effects on SCI. Transcriptomics and proteomics identified differentially expressed genes and proteins in SCMECs that were involved in angiogenesis, immunity, metabolism, and cell adhesion molecular signaling. SCMECs and brain-derived MECs (BMECs) showed different levels of angiogenesis and promoted proliferation, migration, and differentiation of spinal cord or brain-derived neural stem cells (SNSC/BNSC). SCMECs in combination with the NeuroRegen scaffold showed higher effectiveness in promoting vascular reconstruction and neuronal regeneration compared to BMECs, possibly through the VEGF/AKT/eNOS-signaling pathway.
BIOACTIVE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Chang-geng Shuai, Bu-yun Li, Jian-guo Ma, Zhao-hao Yang
Summary: This article introduces a low stiffness air spring vibration-isolation mounting system that provides high bearing capacity and reduces vibration impact. The design of vertical and lateral air springs enables effective vibration isolation and achieves quasi-zero-stiffness characteristics through optimization of air spring parameters.
SHOCK AND VIBRATION
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Nicole M. Vecin, David R. Gater
Summary: This manuscript reviews the risk of pressure injuries caused by spinal cord injury and discusses the multidisciplinary approach required to prevent and treat these injuries in the vulnerable population.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Neurosciences
Abhishek Roy, Zarna Pathak, Hemant Kumar
Summary: The difficulties in regenerating after CNS injuries, including spinal cord injury, are attributed to factors such as hypertrophic scarring, inhibitory molecules, and the absence of mechanisms responsible for axonal regeneration in the adult CNS. Strategies to improve axon regeneration include neutralizing inhibitors/proteins and stabilizing microtubules. Furthermore, the focus on counteracting inhibitors of axonal growth and their downstream signaling through the RhoA/ROCK pathway is emphasized.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gary J. Farkas, Arthur S. Berg, Alicia Sneij, David R. Dolbow, Ashraf S. Gorgey, David R. Gater Jr
Summary: This study aimed to assess the agreement between energy requirement and protein intake in chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) and found that the SCI-specific method had the best agreement with the estimated energy intake (EEI). Additionally, protein intake decreased with increasing body weight.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Denis Bratelj, Susanne Stalder, Crescenzo Capone, Phillip Jaszczuk, Cristian Dragalina, Tobias Poetzel, Catherine Gebhard, Michael Fiechter
Summary: Posttraumatic spinal cord tethering and syringomyelia can cause progressive neurological loss. This study retrospectively investigated 67 patients who underwent surgical treatment for symptomatic spinal cord tethering and syringomyelia. Age and severity of spinal cord trauma were found to be independent predictors for the development of symptomatic spinal cord tethering and syringomyelia. After surgery, the majority of patients showed improvements in neurological loss and spasticity and/or neuropathic pain. It is crucial to actively screen for and surgically treat symptomatic spinal cord tethering and syringomyelia, especially in younger patients with severe spinal trauma, in order to achieve favorable clinical outcomes.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tamara Sherif, Friederike Twele, Sebastian Meller, Alexandra Mueller-Anders, Holger A. Volk
Summary: This clinical study aimed to determine and quantify the differences in gait characteristics between dogs with spinal ataxia and healthy control dogs using a computer-and treadmill-based gait analysis system. Dogs with thoracolumbar myelopathy showed higher variability in spatio-temporal and kinetic gait parameters mainly in the pelvic and thoracic limbs, but no effect on symmetry indices. Reduced peaks of ground reaction forces could potentially be explained by reduction of muscle strength or alteration of the rhythmogenic spinal circuits.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ben Kaplan, Shulamit Levenberg
Summary: Peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries have significant impacts on patients' lives, with severe cases currently lacking a cure. Biomaterials can be engineered as scaffolds to mimic nerve tissue and promote axonal regeneration, as well as deliver therapeutic agents to the site of injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Itay Coifman, Rodger Kram, Raziel Riemer
Summary: This study aimed to quantify the metabolic cost of running with additional leg mass. The results showed that for every 1000 g of added mass per leg, gross metabolic power increased by approximately 16% (foot) and 11% (shank) for females, which was slightly greater than the 11% and 8% increases for males, respectively. For thigh loading, metabolic power only increased by 4% per 1000 g in both sexes.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Itay Coifman, Rodger Kram, Raziel Riemer
Summary: The study analyzed the biomechanical response to running with added leg mass, finding that joint moments and powers were dramatically affected, particularly during the swing phase. However, kinematic changes were only moderate. These findings have implications for shoe designs, individuals using added leg mass for running or strength training, and the design of wearable devices.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Wenxiu Yang, Tingshu Chen, Renke He, Richard Goossens, Toon Huysmans
Summary: This study collected autonomic response data (heart rate and skin conductance) from 30 landmarks in the head, neck, and face of 31 participants experiencing pressure discomfort and pain. The results showed that pressure stimulation can change heart rate and skin conductance, with skin conductance being more useful in assessing pressure discomfort and possessing a faster arousal rate. There were gender differences in subjective pressure thresholds and autonomic responses, but no linear correlation between them. This study has significant implications for resolving ergonomic issues associated with head-related products.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Kai Huang, Guozhu Jia, Qun Wang, Yingjie Cai, Zhenyu Zhong, Zeyu Jiao
Summary: In the era of Industry 5.0, human-centered smart manufacturing (HSM) has emphasized the role of humans in collaboration with machines. This study proposes a method that combines deep learning-based 3D pose reconstruction with rapid entire body assessment (REBA) to assess the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in HSM. The proposed method improves the accuracy of risk assessment by introducing weights between different risk levels, leading to a precision rate of 99.31% in experiments conducted on an automobile production line.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Jan Healey, Sue Hignett, Diane Gyi
Summary: This study explores the delivery of home care in England and examines the barriers that impact worker performance and whether these barriers affect the quality and safety of care. The findings highlight the importance of an Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) systems perspective in understanding and improving home care.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Jule Bessler-Etten, Leendert Schaake, Jaap H. Buurke, Gerdienke B. Prange-Lasonder
Summary: This article investigates the development of discomfort caused by repetitive and prolonged forces exerted through a rigid cuff. The study found that repetitive force application triggers discomfort but generally does not result in pain and there are no significant differences between different repetitive loading patterns. The design and use of exoskeletons should consider comfort thresholds specific to prolonged repetitive loading.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
S. Thuillard, L. Audergon, T. Kotalova, A. Sonderegger, J. Sauer
Summary: This study compared the effects of human-induced and machine-induced social stress on task performance and subjective state. The results showed that social stress did not directly affect performance, affect, or self-esteem, but human-induced social stress impaired perceived justice.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Stephen Dooley, Sunwook Kim, Maury A. Nussbaum, Michael L. Madigan
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of arm- and back-support exoskeletons on reactive balance after slip-like and trip-like perturbations on a treadmill. The study found that the exoskeletons did not significantly increase the probability of failed recovery after the perturbations, but did make balance recovery more challenging. Reactive balance differed when wearing different types and activation states of exoskeletons.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Eirini Balta, Andreas Psarrakis, Argiro Vatakis
Summary: Research has shown that mental workload modulates time perception, making timing behavior a reliable index of cognitive demand. This study tested the timing behavior of air traffic controllers in a real aviation environment under different levels of cognitive load. Results showed significant overestimation of time intervals during the high-load landing phase and greater overestimation when landing two helicopters compared to one.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Kremer Lisanne, Gehrmann Jonathan, Rohrig Rainer, Breil Bernhard
Summary: This study aims to investigate whether eye movement measures are suitable for measuring mental workload in healthcare settings. The results indicate significant differences in both objective and subjective workload measures across different task levels. Additionally, there are indications of overload and fatigue in pupil data.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
John Kang, Stephanie C. Payne, Farzan Sasangohar, Ranjana K. Mehta
Summary: This exploratory longitudinal field study aimed to examine the changes in subjective, performance-based, and physiological fatigue measures over time across different shift types in offshore environments. The findings revealed that workers' performances on the psychomotor vigilance test deteriorated over time across all shift types. The study also found correlations between different multimodal fatigue measures.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Hayoung Jung, Wonsup Lee, Sujin Moon, Heecheon You
Summary: This study measured 12 palmar dimensions to analyze the impact of wrist posture on hand size changes during power grip. The findings showed that hand dimensions decreased significantly during grip, with wrist posture and finger position also exerting significant effects on hand size.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Ido Morag, Avi Parush
Summary: This study indicates that there is a relationship between gender and wayfinding performance, and verbal instructions can influence this relationship. Male participants perform better in terms of accuracy and speed in wayfinding, while females rely more on specific routes. Additionally, applying survey knowledge to females may improve their indoor wayfinding ability.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
Junfeng Ma, Yu Wang, Sayali Joshi, Haifeng Wang, Carlton Young, Adam Pervez, Yingge Qu, Shey Washburn
Summary: The U.S. is facing a national nurse shortage, and the application of immersive Virtual Reality technology in nursing education is not fully understood. This study explored the effectiveness and efficacy of immersive Virtual Reality nursing education through a comparative pilot study, and the results showed that the method performed well in terms of effectiveness and efficacy.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Industrial
N. Zhang, M. Fard, J. Xu, J. L. Davy, S. R. Robinson
Summary: Driver drowsiness is a significant factor in serious motor vehicle accidents. This study found that specific frequencies of whole-body vibration can induce driver drowsiness and impair attention and driving performance. These findings provide evidence for establishing transportation safety standards.
APPLIED ERGONOMICS
(2024)