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Background: Several studies have reported beneficial effects of olfactory training (OT) on the olfactory nervous system. However, the mechanisms underlying the regeneration of the olfactory system induced by OT are still under investigation. Objectives: To determine the key mechanisms involved in the olfactory system recovery and to assess the neuroplastic effects of OT. Methods: Thirty healthy female C57BL/6 mice were randomly allocated to 4 groups: control, n = 6; anosmia (no treatment), n = 8; OT, n = 8; and steroid treatment; n = 8. Except for the control group, mice were administered 3-methylindole. Anosmia was assessed using a food-finding test (FFT). The olfactory neuroepithelium was for histological examinations, gene ontology with pathway analyses, RNA, and protein studies. Results: FFT was significantly reduced at 3 weeks in the OT mice versus steroids (78.27 s vs 156.83 s, P <.008) and controls (78.27 s vs 13.14 s, P <.003), although final outcome in the FFT was similar in these groups. Expression of olfactory and neurogenesis marker was higher in the olfactory neuroepithelium of the OT group than in the anosmia group without treatment. The mechanisms underlying olfactory regeneration might be related to early olfactory receptor stimulation, followed by neurotrophic factor stimulation of neuronal plasticity. Conclusion: OT can improve olfactory function and accelerate olfactory recovery. The mechanisms underlying olfactory regeneration might be related to an initial stimulation of olfactory receptors followed by neurogenesis. Olfactory ensheathing cells might play an important role in olfactory regeneration following OT, based on the observed changes in messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) and protein expression, as well as the findings of the gene analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We identified fit and comfort issues in the hospital patient gown (HPG) that evoke the patients' physical and psychological discomfort caused by wearing an ill-fitting garment. This research inquiry required a holistic perspective to comprehend the research phenomenon from the convoluted individual variance. To achieve the goal, we developed a mixed-methods strategy that consisted of the surveys, 3D body scanning, scenarios activities, and exit interviews, and conducted the study with 85 participants (47 males and 38). The study findings indicated gender and age trends in preferences for clothing fit, anthropometric body dimensions, and perceived discomfort experienced during scenario activities. Exit interviews evinced supplementary insights to the quantitative data. We hope that the findings ofthis study lay useful groundwork for researchers, designers, and manufacturers in exploring and evaluating novel design solutions for a new HPG to serve as many patients as possible for their overall well-being and positive hospitalization experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work explored U.S. mothers’ experiences of parenting young adolescent girls who are perceived by their mothers as overweight or at risk for becoming so. Data were collected via in‐depth interviews with 13 mothers and were analysed using a constructivist grounded theory approach. Many mothers experienced socializing their daughters about issues of the body, weight, diet, and health as marked by uncertainty, ambivalence and struggle, particularly relative to four subthemes: mothers’ embodiment as challenge to ‘good mothering’, negotiating a dilemma of the ‘healthy mind’ versus the ‘healthy body’, managing discipline: how much to intervene?, and the challenge of interpersonal dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated US firefighters’ perceptions and lived experiences with their station uniform worn when they were involved in non-fire activities in the public domain. We developed an online survey questionnaire that included close- and open-ended questions, which allowed to obtain both quantitative and qualitative data, and it was administered to 342 US firefighters. The findings of this study demonstrated the phenomenon associated with US firefighters’ appearance and public confusion in non-fire occupational contexts. The narratives collected from the open-ended questions offered in-depth insights into the confused public identity and challenged occupational safety experienced by US firefighters in their work uniform. This study suggested the findings must be carefully examined to improve the public identity of US firefighters by creating a distinctive look of their work uniform, as well as to establish national regulations, to address the increased risks of potential threats in the contemporary workplace for firefighters. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lotus ( Nelumbo nucifera) root has been used as an edible vegetable in East Asia for thousands of years. The present research was aimed to explore the physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological safety of lotus root fermented sugar syrup as a fermented food supplement or condiment for human health benefits. In this study, the physicochemical, nutritional and microbiological safety properties of lotus root syrup fermented with 57° Brix brown sugar at different time periods until 6 months (180 days) was investigated. There was a significant improvement as compared to 57° Brix brown sugar broth (as a control) in the total acceptability and physicochemical properties of lotus root sugar syrup samples such as pH and color improvement. The red color values of 180 days lotus root fermented sugar syrup samples were significantly enhanced (6.85 ± 0.58) when compared with the control (0.20 ± 0.15). In addition, the total protein content was increased from 8.27 ± 0.86 to 392.33 ± 7.19 μg/mL, along with the increase in fermentation time reaching to the level of consumption acceptability. All the lotus root fermented sugar syrup samples were subjected to microbiological analysis. It was found that the coliform, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus counts were not detected in majority of the samples, confirming the high degree of hygiene processing of lotus root fermented sugar syrup samples for its use as a food supplement or condiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This is the study about the cathode’s solid electrolyte interface (SEI) formation mechanism of salt type additives (STAs) and its function. To address this issue, we performed several types of chemical analysis and computer simulation techniques. In order to reveal the redox nature and oxidative decomposition dynamics, the electrolyte (EL) solution dynamics by Quantum mechanics and Molecular mechanics (QM/MM) method was applied. The estimation of SEI chemical components agrees with our chemical analyses data and other group’s reports. The molecular dynamics simulation of sub micro second sampling indicates that the SEI phase induced from STAs functions as a lithium ion selective translocation media and protective coating layer against the degradation of the solvent molecules. The results give us an insight how to design additive’s chemical structure to improve longevity of the cell in the high voltage regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined how obese individuals acquire their motivation to undergo weight loss surgery and characterized the motivations within the framework of the self-determination theory (SDT). Participants expecting to have bariatric surgery were recruited and participated in semi-structured interviews. Interview accounts characterized different types of motivation for individuals seeking surgical weight loss treatments on the SDT continuum of relative autonomy. This study demonstrated that the more one's motivation was internally regulated, related to one's personal life and supported for competency, the more personal and hopeful were the anecdotes participants mentioned in accounts, thus the more positive the surgical outcomes were anticipated. Study limitations and future research were discussed as was the need for a systematic scheme to categorize types of motivation within the SDT, a longitudinal approach to measure actual weight loss outcomes based on the patient's presurgical motivation, and a further investigation with a larger sample size and balanced gender ratio. Practical implications of the study findings were also discussed as a novel strategy to internalize bariatric patients' motivation, further helping to improve their long-term quality of life post-surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]