bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Invasion of the Common Slider on a Mediterranean Island (Lesvos, Greece): A Potential Threat to Native Terrapin Populations?
Authors: Christopoulos Apostolos , Zevgolis Yiannis G.
Published: November 2022

Island wetlands are considered crucial to biodiversity due to their unique ecological, biogeographical, and socioeconomic dynamics. However, these habitat types are particularly vulnerable to invasion; invasive species can cause severe ecological, evolutionary, and epidemiological impacts on native species. One of the most important invasive species, the common slider Trachemys scripta, an opportunistic inhabitant of freshwater habitats, has been released in multiple localities across Greece in recent years, and has expanded its range through random and unintentional releases in the Aegean islands. Since its first documented record on the island of Crete in 1998, the species has been observed on six more islands. Here, we report, for the first time, two subspecies of the common slider (T. scripta scripta and T. scripta elegans) on the wetlands of the island of Lesvos. We discuss the potential threats to native terrapins and we examine whether the introduction of this invasive species has affected native terrapins by monitoring their populations for 12 consecutive years (2010–2022). We found the common slider in 3 out of 110 wetlands surveyed. At one site, we document the presence of invasive terrapins belonging to two different subspecies. In all surveyed wetlands, we found stable populations of the two native freshwater terrapins, Mauremys rivulata and Emys orbicularis, with the first species found in much larger populations than the second. Despite these reassuring findings, the presence of this introduced species on the island of Lesvos raises serious concerns regarding its negative effects on the local terrapin populations. We propose that systematic and thorough monitoring of insular wetlands, as in the case of Lesvos, should be adopted on other islands as well, with priority on those where the common slider has been recorded.
Embryo Morphokinetic Activity Evident in Short Videos of In Vitro Bovine Embryos
Authors: Wells Cara , Wiik Anders , Hanks John , Zavareh Amir , Killingsworth Russell
Published: November 2022

Embryo transfer (ET) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) are increasing in use by dairy producers as a means to breed their animals as these assisted reproductive techniques can optimize the genetics of the dairy breed or enable “beef on dairy” programs to increase the profitability of the dairy. Due to the advantages of ET and IVF, it is anticipated that their use will continue to increase despite the status of underwhelmingly low pregnancy outcomes. Pregnancy rates of bovine ET/IVF remain below 56%, with many dairy producers implementing beef on dairy programs reporting pregnancy to be lower than 23%. The inability to objectively evaluate embryo health prior to transfer into a recipient is a contributing factor to this problem as 20% of transferred embryos are inviable at the time of transfer and have little chance of establishing a pregnancy. The objective of this research was to evaluate bovine embryo real-time morphokinetic activity based on 30 s video recordings of day 7.5 morulas and correlate morphokinetic activity to developmental outcomes. Eighty-eight embryos were recorded in standard embryo culture conditions with an SMZ-1000 Stereo zoom microscope and TE-300 Nikon inverted microscope. The difference in the embryo’s morphokinetic activity was measured frame-by-frame and correlated to embryo hatching outcomes. It was found that embryos with lower morphokinetic activity demonstrated higher hatching rates and developmental outcomes, suggesting measurement of embryo morphokinetic activity is a noninvasive and non-subjective method to evaluate embryo competency prior to transfer and can be used to improve the reproductive efficiency and profitability of IVF/ET of dairy cattle.
COVID-19: Relative Risk of Non-Vaccinated to Vaccinated Individuals
Authors: Barbieri Davide , Halasz Geza , Bertellini Elisabetta , Gaspari Arianna , Melegari Gabriele
Published: November 2022

Following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Italy has implemented an extensive vaccination campaign involving individuals above the age of 12, both sexes. The public opinion and the medical community alike questioned the usefulness and efficacy of the vaccines against SARS-CoV-2. The widespread opinion was that the vaccines protected individuals especially against serious conditions which could require intensive care and may lead to the death of the patient rather than against the possibility of infection. In order to quantify the effect of the vaccination campaign, we calculated the relative risks of non-vaccinated and vaccinated individuals for all possible outcomes of the disease: infection, hospitalization, admission to intensive care and death. Relative risk was assessed by means of likelihood ratios, the ratios of the probability of an outcome in non-vaccinated individuals to the probability of the same outcome in vaccinated individuals. Results support the hypothesis that vaccination has an extensive protective effect against both critical conditions and death. Nonetheless, the relative magnitude of the protection in vaccinated individuals compared to those non-vaccinated appears to be higher against the former outcome than the latter, for reasons which need to be investigated further.
ROC Analyses Based on Measuring Evidence Using the Relative Belief Ratio
Authors: Al-Labadi Luai , Evans Michael , Liang Qiaoyu
Published: November 2022

ROC (Receiver Operating Characteristic) analyses are considered under a variety of assumptions concerning the distributions of a measurement X in two populations. These include the binormal model as well as nonparametric models where little is assumed about the form of distributions. The methodology is based on a characterization of statistical evidence which is dependent on the specification of prior distributions for the unknown population distributions as well as for the relevant prevalence w of the disease in a given population. In all cases, elicitation algorithms are provided to guide the selection of the priors. Inferences are derived for the AUC (Area Under the Curve), the cutoff c used for classification as well as the error characteristics used to assess the quality of the classification.
Quantifying CO2 Emissions and Energy Production from Power Plants to Run HVAC Systems in ASHRAE-Based Buildings
Authors: Alrebei Odi Fawwaz , Obeidat Bushra , Al-Radaideh Tamer , Le Page Laurent M. , Hewlett Sally , Al Assaf Anwar H. , Amhamed Abdulkarem I.
Published: November 2022

Recent evidence available in the literature has highlighted that the high-energy consumption rate associated with air conditioning leads to the undesired “overcooling” condition in arid-climate regions. To this end, this study quantified the effects of increasing the cooling setpoint temperature on reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions to mitigate overcooling. DesignBuilder software was used to simulate the performance of a generic building operating under the currently adopted ASHRAE HVAC criteria. It was found that increasing the cooling setpoint temperature by 1 °C will increase the operative temperature by approximately 0.25 °C and reduce the annual cooling electricity consumption required for each 1 m2 of an occupied area by approximately 8 kWh/year. This accounts for a reduction of 8% in cooling energy consumption compared to the ASHRAE cooling setpoint (i.e., t_s = 26 °C) and a reduction in the annual CO2 emission rate to roughly 4.8 kg/m2 °C. The largest reduction in cooling energy consumption and CO2 emissions was found to occur in October, with reduced rates of approximately–1.3 kWh/m2 °C and −0.8 kg/m2 °C, respectively.
Greenspaces and Human Well-Being: Perspectives from a Rapidly Urbanising Low-Income Country
Authors: Nawrath Maximilian , Elsey Helen , Rijal Moti Lal , Dallimer Martin
Published: November 2022

Compelling evidence demonstrates links between greenspaces and human well-being. However, the existing evidence has a strong bias towards high-income countries. Rapidly urbanising cities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain largely unexplored. The rising prevalence of mental disorders in LMICs highlights the need to better understand the role greenspaces can play in mitigating mental ill-health. We carried out a cross-sectional household survey to investigate links between measures of greenspace exposure and human well-being, and tested pathways that could underpin any such interactions in Kathmandu, a rapidly urbanising low-income city in Nepal. While we found no consistent relationship between measures of greenspace exposure and human well-being outcomes, we provide evidence that greenspaces in a rapidly urbanising low-income setting could be important for encouraging physical activity and fostering social cohesion. Further, we revealed that a medium perceived variety of biodiversity attributes of greenspaces was associated with the highest levels of physical activity and social cohesion. Our findings support the view that greenspaces in LMICs may be less likely to provide well-being benefits. Moreover, medium levels of biodiversity may best promote well-being in LMICs. More research is needed to understand how greenspaces can support human well-being in LMICs.
Evolutionary Computation for Sparse Synthesis Optimization of CCAAs: An Enhanced Whale Optimization Algorithm Method
Authors: Tang Bohao , Cai Lihua , Yang Shuai , Xu Jiaxing , Yu Yi
Published: November 2022

Concentric circular antenna arrays (CCAAs) can obtain better performance than other antenna arrays. However, high overhead and excessive sidelobes still make its application difficult. In this paper, we consider the sparse synthesis optimization of CCAAs. Specifically, we aim to turn off a specific number of antennas while reducing the sidelobe of CCAAs. First, we formulate an optimization problem and present the solution space. Then, we propose a novel evolutionary method for solving the optimization problem. Our proposed method introduces hybrid solution initialization, hybrid crossover method, and hybrid update methods. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm and the proposed improvement factors.
Advancing the Care of Delirium and Comorbid Dementia
Authors: Morandi Alessandro , Wittmann Maria , Bilotta Federico , Bellelli Giuseppe
Published: November 2022

Delirium is defined as an acute neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by a disturbance in attention and awareness, which develops over a short period of time, with additional disturbances in cognition which are not explained by a pre-existing cognitive impairment [...]
Diagnosis of the Spatial Variability of Soil Nutrients and Economics of Precision Management in Degraded Pastures
Authors: da Silva Carneiro Jefferson Santana , da Costa Leite Rubson , Ferreira Junior José Moisés , Gomes de Faria Álvaro José , Godinho Silva Sérgio Henrique , Clementino dos Santos Antonio , Ribeiro da Silva Rubens
Published: November 2022

Most Brazilian pastures are in some stage of degradation, either by the reduction of soil fertility or inadequate management. The objective of this study was to diagnose the stage of pasture degradation and the diagnosis and management of the spatial variability of available phosphorus (P) and potassium (K+). A total of 100 soil samples were collected at a depth of 0–20 cm for available P and K+ contents determination. Geostatistical analyses of the obtained data were carried out to produce maps of the spatial distribution of available P and K+, using kriging, and allow the recommendation of fertilizers doses. The cost/benefit ratio of fertilizer recommendation and application was evaluated at fixed and variable rates. The different stages of pasture degradation were directly related to the reduction of soil fertility, as well as to the adopted management. The variability of soil available P and K+ presented spatial dependence, and the pattern of distribution resulted in the stage of the pasture degradation. The diagnosis of the level of pasture degradation associated with the use of geostatistical techniques under a precision agriculture perspective favors the efficient use of fertilizers, as well as correct decision-making and cost reduction regarding soil management.
Barefoot Running on Grass as a Potential Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: MacGabhann Stephen , Kearney Declan , Perrem Nic , Francis Peter
Published: November 2022

Background: Foot characteristics and running biomechanics in shod populations are associated with the aetiology of plantar fasciitis, the most common musculoskeletal disease of the foot. Previous Case reports have demonstrated improvements in the symptoms of plantar fasciitis after a period of barefoot running on grass. Methods: Recreational runners with symptomatic plantar fasciitis were prospectively enrolled into a 6-week grass based barefoot running programme. Duration of symptoms, previous management and current pain scores (NRS, VAS) were recorded at entry. Daily pain scores were recorded during the 6-week period and 12 weeks from entry to the programme. Results: In total, 20 of 28 patients (71.4%) enrolled were included in the analysis. Relative to the entry point, pain at 6-weeks was lower (2.5 ± 1.4 vs. 3.9 ± 1.4, p < 0.001) and pain at the 12-week point was lower (1.5 (1.8), p = 0.002). 19 out of 20 patients had improved at week-6 (mean ± SD % change in pain score, −38.8 ± 21.5%) and at week-12 (median (IQR) % change in pain score, −58.3 (34.8) %). Conclusion: Barefoot running on grass improved pain associated with plantar fasciitis at the 6-week and 12-week follow up points. This type of barefoot running has the ability to improve symptoms whilst allowing patients to continue running, the intervention may also address some impairments of the foot associated with plantar fasciitis.
Evolution of Research on Global Soil Water Content in the Past 30 Years Based on ITGinsight Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Zhang Xifeng , Liang Shuiming , Lu Jiaqi , Cui Xiaowei
Published: November 2022

Research on soil water content (SWC) has involved a wide range of disciplines and attracted constant attention. Current literature reviews primarily focus on a specific type of research on SWC and few systematic studies have been performed to fully evaluate the development and changes in hotspots of SWC research. In this study, a bibliometric analysis and visualization are used to understand the development of SWC research in countries of Europe, Asia, Oceania, and North America. The research data came from the Web of Science database and the time span was 1987–2021. Since 1987, the numbers of international SWC research papers have increased rapidly. The United States and China have the closest exchanges and most publications in the field of SWC. Keyword network maps indicated that early research on SWC was mostly in small-scale farmlands and woodlands, with diverse research hotspots including those focused on SWC stress, soil physical modeling, soil hydrothermal processes, and SWC measurement. Due to climate change, remote sensing technology development, and policies, research on SWC gradually focused on watershed, regional, and global scales, with research hotspots including those focused on evapotranspiration, land–air energy exchange, and remote sensing satellite inversion of SWC products. In addition, in recent years, the research of SWC and SMAP has attracted considerable attention worldwide. The United States has more influence in the SWC sector than China. Although the number of articles that have been published by European countries was small, the influence of those papers should not be underestimated.
The Mediating Role of Cumulative Fatigue on the Association between Occupational Stress and Depressive Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study among 1327 Chinese Primary Healthcare Professionals
Authors: Lu Yushi , Li Zhi , Fan Yuting , Wang Jin , Zhong Tian , Wang Ling , Xiao Ying , Zhang Dongmei , Chen Qingsong , Yu Xi
Published: November 2022

Occupational stress and depressive symptoms are common among professionals in the primary healthcare system, and the former can lead to a more severe level of the latter. However, there are few studies on the mediating effect of occupational stress on depressive symptoms using cumulative fatigue as a mediating variable. The Core Occupational Stress Scale, the Self Diagnosis Scale of Workers’ Cumulative Fatigue, and the Patient Health Questionnaire were used in the proposed study. To analyze and test the mediating effect, the hierarchical regression analysis method and the Bootstrap method were applied. Our results showed that occupational stress was positively correlated with the level of cumulative fatigue (p < 0.01) and depressive symptoms (p < 0.01). Cumulative fatigue played a partial, mediating role between the four dimensions of occupational stress and depressive symptoms, and the effect size of occupational stress and each dimension was 0.116 (95% CI: 0.096–0.135, p < 0.001), −0.204 (95% CI: −0.245–−0.166, p < 0.001), 0.179 (95% CI: 0.143–0.218, p < 0.001), 0.333 (95% CI: 0.283–0.385, p < 0.001), and −0.210 (95% CI: −0.292–−0.132, p < 0.001), respectively, while the percentages of the mediating effects were 43.56%, 44.46%, 48.58%, 71.26%, and 45.80%, respectively. Occupational stress can directly or indirectly affect depressive symptoms through the mediating effect of cumulative fatigue. Therefore, primary healthcare professionals can reduce occupational stress, which in turn relieves depressive symptoms, and thus reduce cumulative fatigue levels.
Structured Observations of Child Behaviors during a Mastery-Motivational Climate Motor Skill Intervention: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Palmer Kara K. , Cox Emily R. , Scott-Andrews Katherine Q. , Robinson Leah E.
Published: November 2022

This exploratory study aimed to quantify children’s engagement behaviors during a mastery-motivational climate intervention. We also completed an exploratory factor analysis to elucidate if child engagement changed across intervention sessions. Method: 35 children (17 boys; 18 girls) completed a 10-week mastery-motivational climate motor skill intervention. Engagement was operationalized as the time children were appropriately involved in the intervention and was assessed using momentary time sampling during the motor skill practice portion of the intervention. Results: Overall, children were engaged 36% of the motor skills practice time (37% for boys; 36% for girls). Children who initially had below-average skills engaged for 36% (36% for boys; 35% for girls) of the motor skills practice time, and children who were average or above-average at the start of the intervention engaged in skill practice for 39% (39% for boys; 36% for girls). Differences in engagement in skill type (e.g., locomotor vs. ball skills) and trends over time were observed. Conclusion: These findings support that children engage in mastery-motivation climates, but the amount of participation may be influenced by individual factors of sex and initial skill level.
Neurostimulation for Chronic Low Back Pain during Pregnancy: Implications for Child and Mother Safety
Authors: Innamorato Massimo Antonio , Cascella Marco , Bignami Elena Giovanna , Perna Paolo , Petrucci Emiliano , Marinangeli Franco , Vittori Alessandro
Published: November 2022

Pain therapy for low back pain in pregnancy is a very topical issue. In fact, it is necessary to balance the patient’s needs to control pain with the need to manage a pregnancy without negative effects on the fetus. We report a case of a 37-year-old woman with low back pain treated with neurostimulation before pregnancy. She described severe chronic low back pain unresponsive to pharmacologic treatments. We first implanted a subcutaneous stimulator into the patient, and then a definitive stimulator resulting in excellent pain control. The improvement in her quality of life allowed the woman to become pregnant. We decided to stop neurostimulation with the patient during pregnancy. The patient completed her pregnancy without complications and the baby was born healthy. During the pregnancy, the woman took only paracetamol when needed. However, this painful symptomatology, completely anecdotal, is not attributable solely to the previous spine problem but probably also to the changes occurring during pregnancy. At the end of pregnancy, the neurostimulator was reactivated without any discomfort for the patient, who is now pain free. This case report provides a first line of evidence of a possible treatment of low back pain in women intending to become pregnant, with risk-free management for both the patient and the child.
The Sustainability Narrative: A Multi Study Using Event Studies to Analyse the American Energy Companies Shareholder’s Reaction to Sustainability News
Authors: Barroso Del Toro Alberto , Vivas Crisol Laura , Tort-Martorell Xavier
Published: November 2022

This study investigates how shareholders of leading US energy companies value sustainability narratives. Leveraging the Global Database of Events (GDELT) from 2017 to 2019, 207,386 news items were extracted, 4101 event studies were performed, 3393 cumulative average abnormal returns (CAAR) were analysed, and 708 Abnormal volatilities (AV) were analysed. The magnitude of the analysis and further segmentation of the viral news by tone, type of energy, and environmental consequence help us to understand shareholders’ investment decisions and narrative. We proved that the sustainability narrative has a significant impact on shareholder value. There is a clear negative bias on sustainability news, impacting negatively on the market. More importantly, we’ve identified positive news about fossil fuels impacting the market more than positive renewable energy news. These results provide empirical evidence for the case of greenwashing in businesses. There must be a common shareholder’s narrative to penalise and reduce incentives for highly polluting investments to push forward an effective ecological transition. These results provide an objective for regulators to develop further regulations and incentives to fight against false sustainability news.
The Response of Different-Levels Public Hospitals to Regional Global Budget with a Floating Payment System: Evidence from China
Authors: Xiang Li , Zhong Zhengdong , Jiang Junnan
Published: November 2022

Background: Regional Global Budget with a Floating Payment System (RGB-FPS) is a global budget widely used in medical insurance payments. However, existing studies on hospitals’ responses to RGB-FPS have limitations. First, existing studies have paid little attention to RGB-FPS’s macro effects. Theoretical studies did not analyze differences between different levels of hospitals. Secondly, studies did not reveal whether RGB-FPS has the same impact on the public-hospital-dominated market. Methods: First, we refine the research hypotheses through theoretical analysis. We then test the hypotheses empirically through interrupted time series analysis. Results: Theoretical analysis found that small hospitals were easier to transfer costs. The empirical analysis found that after RGB-FPS, the proportion of inpatients (PI)and the average times of inpatients in large hospitals increased (p < 0.001), and the proportion of non-reimbursable expenses (PNE) remained stable (p > 0.05). PI in secondary hospitals decreased (p < 0.01), and PNE increased (p < 0.01). PI in the primary hospital decreased (p < 0.05), and PNE increased (p < 0.001). Conclusion: This study verifies theoretically and empirically that large hospitals are easier to increase service volume and small hospitals are easier to transfer costs under the influence of RGB-FPS. Chinese public hospitals’ response to RGB-FPS is similar to that of private hospitals.
Pedagogical Contexts When Gender and Emotions Intersect with the Body: Interviews with Feminist PE Teachers and Associated Professionals
Authors: Leon Irati , Gamito Rakel , Vizcarra María Teresa , López-Vélez Ana Luisa
Published: November 2022

The importance of approaching school physical education from the perspective of body and identity diversity is currently receiving increased recognition generally, and this is perhaps especially true in the Basque Country, Spain. A number of involved professionals are committed to emotional education from a gender perspective with the objective of facilitating emotional awareness through the body. The aim of this research project was to compile the experiences and reflections of relevant professionals in the field of education and, on the basis of this testimony, identify limitations with respect to current engagement in this area. We conducted fourteen in-depth interviews with key informants, and their transcripts were analysed using Nvivo software release 1.4, contrasting the coding two by two. The results provide a snapshot of the current context and highlight some of the existing discourses and challenges in the education system around this topic. We conclude that physical activity is a key area in which to work on emotional education and reinforce a gender perspective.
Using Arts-Based Methodologies to Understand Adolescent and Youth Manifestations, Representations, and Potential Causes of Depression and Anxiety in Low-Income Urban Settings in Peru
Authors: Hidalgo-Padilla Liliana , Vilela-Estrada Ana L. , Toyama Mauricio , Flores Sumiko , Ramirez-Meneses Daniela , Steffen Mariana , Heritage Paul , Fung Catherine , Priebe Stefan , Diez-Canseco Francisco
Published: November 2022

Background: Arts-based methodologies can be beneficial to identify different representations of stigmatized topics such as mental health conditions. This study used a theater-based workshop to describe manifestations, representations, and potential causes of depression and anxiety as perceived by adolescents and young adults. Methods: The theater company Teatro La Plaza conducted three online sessions with a group of adolescents and another with a group of young adults from Lima, Peru. The artistic outputs, which included images, similes, monologues, and narrations, were used to describe the experiences of depression and anxiety symptoms following a content analysis using posteriori categories. Results: Seventeen participants joined the sessions. The artistic outputs showed: physical, behavioral, cognitive, and emotional manifestations of depression and anxiety; a perception that both disorders have a cyclical nature; and an awareness that it is often difficult to notice symptom triggers. The mandatory social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted as an important symptom trigger, mostly linked to anxiety. Conclusions: The findings are consistent with the literature, especially with regard to the manifestations, representations, and potential causes that trigger depression and anxiety. Using arts-based methods allowed adolescents and young adults to expand the articulation of their representations of mental disorders.
The Effect of Perceived Social Support on the Mental Health of Homosexuals: The Mediating Role of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Pan Weigang , Zhao Yujie , Long Yihong , Wang Ying , Ma Yingzhi
Published: November 2022

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the mental health of homosexual adults in China and to explore the effects of perceived social support and self-efficacy on mental health. Methods: Two hundred and nine homosexuals were recruited to participate in the online survey. The Perceived Social Support Scale, General Self-efficacy Scale, Self-rating Anxiety Scale and Self-rating Depression Scale were completed through a questionnaire website. Correlation analysis and mediation analysis were used to investigate the relationship between perceived social support, self-efficacy and mental health of homosexuals. Results: Description analysis showed the following: (1) In this study, 53.9% of the participants had depression symptoms and 46.7% had anxiety problems; (2) perceived social support, self-efficacy, anxiety and depression were significantly related to each other. The mediation effect analysis found that self-efficacy mediates between perceived social support and depression but does not mediate between perceived social support and anxiety. Conclusions: The results demonstrated that in the context of Chinese collectivist culture, homosexuals have certain mental health problems, and their perceived social support and self-efficacy are critical protective factors for mental health. Our findings highlight the need to further strengthen social support and self-efficacy in mental health services for Chinese homosexuals.
Psychological Contract Breach and Outcomes: A Systematic Review of Reviews
Authors: Topa Gabriela , Aranda-Carmena Mercedes , De-Maria Berta
Published: November 2022

A psychological contract is a set of individual beliefs that a person has about the reciprocal obligations and benefits established in an exchange relationship, such as an employment relationship in an organizational setting. A psychological contract breach is a subjective experience referred to the perception of one of the parties that the other has failed to adequately fulfill its obligations and promises. Breaches have been systematically connected to employees’ attitudes and behaviors that hamper the employment relationship. Despite its apparent clarity, some relevant topics about psychological contract breach, psychological contract fulfillment and the relationships with their consequences still remain unclear. The main objective of this review of reviews is to conduct a review of reviews on psychological contract breaches, considering both systematic reviews and metanalytical papers with the purpose of synthesizing the evidence to date under the psychological contract theory. Using the SPIDER tool, our systematic review of reviews focuses on: (a) Sample; (b) Phenomenon of Interest; (c) Design; (d) Evaluation; and (e) Research type. Finally, only eight systematic reviews and meta-analyses met the inclusion criteria. Of the eight reviews included, seven were meta-analyses while the other was a systematic quantitative review. This study describes the available empirical research on psychological contract breaches and fulfillment and summarizes the meta-analytical evidence on their relationships with attitudinal and behavioral outcomes, as well as the role of potential moderator variables. Due to the methodological caveats of the reviews themselves and of the primary studies they were based on, our conclusions about the impact of psychological contract breaches on outcomes still remain tentative.
Root Vegetables—Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants
Authors: Knez Eliza , Kadac-Czapska Kornelia , Dmochowska-Ślęzak Kamila , Grembecka Małgorzata
Published: November 2022

Root vegetables are known all over the world, but they are being less and less consumed by individuals. The main purpose of this article was to summarize the benefits, health effects, and threats associated with the consumption of carrot, celery, parsley, beetroot, radish, turnip, and horseradish. They are characterized by high nutritional value due to their richness in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One of their most important features is their high content of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, phenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. These compounds are responsible for antioxidant potential. Comparison of their antioxidant effects is difficult due to the lack of standardization among methods used for their assessment. Therefore, there is a need for a reference method that would allow for correct interpretation. Moreover, root vegetables are characterized by several health-promoting effects, including the regulation of metabolic parameters (glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure), antioxidant potential, prebiotic function, and anti-cancer properties. However, due to the type of cultivation, root vegetables are vulnerable to contaminants from the soil, such as toxic metals (lead and cadmium), pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, and nitrates. Regardless, the low levels of toxic substances present in root vegetables do not pose health risks to the average consumer.
Factors Related to HPV Vaccination Intention among MSM in China: A Bayesian Network Model
Authors: Chen Qiao , Zhou Tianyi , Zhong Xiaoni
Published: November 2022

(1) Background: Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at high risk of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, and HPV vaccination is the best strategy to prevent HPV infection. Accepting HPV vaccination is an essential factor affecting vaccine promotion among MSM. We aimed to explore the factors related to HPV vaccination intention among MSM and analyze the potential relationship between these factors. (2) Methods: We adopted a nonprobability sampling method to recruit MSM volunteers. Information collection included general demographics, personal behavioral characteristics, knowledge of HPV/vaccine attitudes, and risk threat perception. Bayesian networks (BNs) were used to analyze the data statistically. (3) Results: The BNs showed that perceived HPV risk and attitudes toward vaccine promotion were directly correlated factors, whereas knowledge of HPV/vaccines, a history of HIV testing, and the number of male sexual partners in the past 6 months were indirectly correlated factors. (4) Conclusions: The results of this study illustrate that MSM have a relatively high propensity to receive HPV vaccines. The proposal that strengthening the propagation of HPV and its relevant vaccines, encouraging MSM to undergo regular corresponding tests, and improving their risk perception of HPV infection can be raised to promote HPV vaccination among MSM.
Sensitivity of Pathogenic Bacteria Strains to Treated Mine Water
Authors: Stoica Catalina , Dinu Laurentiu Razvan , Lucaciu Irina Eugenia , Oncu Voicu , Gheorghe Stefania , Nita-Lazar Mihai
Published: November 2022

Mine water as a result of meteoric and/or underground water’s contact with tailings and underground workings could have an elevated content of metals associated with sulfate, often acidic, due to the bio-oxidation of sulfides. When entering aquatic ecosystems, the mine water can cause significant changes in the species’ trophic levels, therefore a treatment is required to adjust the alkalinity and to remove the heavy metals and metalloids. The conventional mine water treatment removes metals, but in many cases it does not reduce the sulfate content. This paper aimed to predict the impact of conventionally treated mine water on the receiving river by assessing the genotoxic activity on an engineered Escherichia coli and by evaluating the toxic effects generated on two Gram-negative bacterial strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. Although the main chemical impact is the severe increases of calcium and sulfate concentrations, no significant genotoxic characteristics were detected on the Escherichia coli strain and on the cell-viability with a positive survival rate higher than 80%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was more resistant than Escherichia coli in the presence of 1890 mg SO42−/L. This paper reveals different sensitivities and adaptabilities of pathogenic bacteria to high concentrations of sulfates in mine waters.
Health Risk Assessment of Inhalation Exposure to Airborne Particle-Bound Nitrated Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Urban and Suburban Areas of South China
Authors: Gao Peng , Deng Feng , Chen Wei-Shan , Zhong Yi-Jia , Cai Xiao-Lu , Ma Wen-Min , Hu Jian , Feng Shu-Ran
Published: November 2022

Airborne particulates (PM2.5 and TSP) were collected from outdoor and indoor areas at urban (Haizhu District) and suburban (Huadu District) sites from 2019 to 2020 in Guangzhou. Three nitro-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAHs) in the airborne particulates were identified by a gas chromatograph equipped with a triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. In the Haizhu District and Huadu District, the nitro-PAH concentrations in PM2.5 and TSP did not show a significant decrease from winter to summer. From 2019 to 2020, the difference in the average concentration of nitro-PAHs in PM2.5 and TSP in Guangzhou was relatively low and had no statistical significance. The diagnostic ratios of 2-nitrofluorene (2-NF)/1-nitropyrene (1-NP) in TSP are less than five, while for 2-NF/1-NP in outdoor PM2.5 in the summer of 2019 and 2020 are more than five, which indicates that nitro-PAHs in the atmospheric PM2.5 in Guangzhou during summer mainly originated from the secondary formation of atmospheric photochemical reactions between parent PAHs and oxidants (·OH, NO3, and O3). 9-Nitroanthracene (9-NT) made the most significant contribution to the total nitro-PAH concentration. The incremental lifetime cancer risks (ILCRs) of nitro-PAHs in PM2.5 and TSP by inhalation exposure indicated low potential health risks in the urban-suburban of Guangzhou.
Clustering and Stochastic Simulation Optimization for Outpatient Chemotherapy Appointment Planning and Scheduling
Authors: Hadid Majed , Elomri Adel , Padmanabhan Regina , Kerbache Laoucine , Jouini Oualid , El Omri Abdelfatteh , Nounou Amir , Hamad Anas
Published: November 2022

Outpatient Chemotherapy Appointment (OCA) planning and scheduling is a process of distributing appointments to available days and times to be handled by various resources through a multi-stage process. Proper OCAs planning and scheduling results in minimizing the length of stay of patients and staff overtime. The integrated consideration of the available capacity, resources planning, scheduling policy, drug preparation requirements, and resources-to-patients assignment can improve the Outpatient Chemotherapy Process’s (OCP’s) overall performance due to interdependencies. However, developing a comprehensive and stochastic decision support system in the OCP environment is complex. Thus, the multi-stages of OCP, stochastic durations, probability of uncertain events occurrence, patterns of patient arrivals, acuity levels of nurses, demand variety, and complex patient pathways are rarely addressed together. Therefore, this paper proposes a clustering and stochastic optimization methodology to handle the various challenges of OCA planning and scheduling. A Stochastic Discrete Simulation-Based Multi-Objective Optimization (SDSMO) model is developed and linked to clustering algorithms using an iterative sequential approach. The experimental results indicate the positive effect of clustering similar appointments on the performance measures and the computational time. The developed cluster-based stochastic optimization approaches showed superior performance compared with baseline and sequencing heuristics using data from a real Outpatient Chemotherapy Center (OCC).
Moving towards Environmental Sustainability: Can Digital Economy Reduce Environmental Degradation in China?
Authors: Zhong Shunbin , Shen Huafu , Niu Ziheng , Yu Yang , Pan Lin , Fan Yaojun , Jahanger Atif
Published: November 2022

In the context of environmental sustainability and accelerated digital technology development, China attaches great importance to the prominent role of digital economy in addressing environmental degradation. Utilizing Chinese provincial panel data from 2011 to 2019, this study investigates whether the digital economy can improve China’s environmental sustainability proxy by reducing carbon emission intensity. Based on the fixed effects model, the findings reveal that the digital economy has a significant negative effect on carbon emission intensity and the conclusion remains robust after conducting several robustness checks. However, this impact shows regional heterogeneity, which is more effective in resource-based eastern regions and the Belt and Road provinces. Moreover, mediating effect analyses indicate that the transmission mechanisms are energy consumption structure, total factor energy productivity, and green technology innovation. Furthermore, the results based on the spatial Durbin model (SDM) demonstrate that digital economy development has a significant spatial spillover effect. Finally, on the basis of results analysis and discussion, policy recommendations are provided for achieving environmental sustainability.
Overcrowding and Hazardous Dwelling Condition Characteristics: A Systematic Search and Scoping Review of Relevance for Health
Authors: Lorentzen Johnny C. , Johanson Gunnar , Björk Folke , Stensson Sofia
Published: November 2022

Crowding in dwellings is an important public health issue. We hypothesize that overcrowding may cause indirect health effects by adversely affecting the dwelling itself, for example, by increasing dampness leading to mold. We therefore performed a systematic search and a scoping review on overcrowding leading to dwelling condition characteristics of relevance for health. A literature search was performed using the PubMed and Scopus databases up to 5 March 2021. The search yielded 100 records with relevant information. We found that overcrowding is defined in numerous ways and often address “socially deprived” populations. Six studies report associations of overcrowding with at least one dwelling condition characteristic, namely lead, cadmium, microorganism distribution, dust mite and cockroach allergens in dust, cockroach infestation, peeling paint, and mold. One of the studies reports associations between several characteristics, e.g., association of mold with cleanliness and rodent infestation, and points out the common use of pesticides. Additional characteristics were extracted from the remaining 94 records, without data on statistical associations with overcrowding. Our review suggests that multiple potentially hazardous dwelling condition characteristics often coincide in overcrowded dwellings. The epidemiological attribution of health effects to any characteristic is therefore difficult. Causal relationships are even more difficult to establish, as overcrowding is also associated with a range of social and other circumstances that may affect health. The complexity should be considered by scientists and practitioners dealing with overcrowding in dwellings.
A Novel Metaphor Graph Drawing Method for Multidimensional Data Visualisation and Its Case Study on COVID-19 Vaccination Analysis
Authors: Chi Xin , Hua Jie , Ren Xiao
Published: November 2022

Visualisation techniques have been one of the best data processing and analysis methods in recent decades, and they have assisted in data understanding efforts in various fields. Visualisation techniques for low-dimensional data are well developed and applied in multiple sectors; however, multidimensional data visualisation techniques still present some limitations, such as inaccurate data comparison and perception, exaggerated visual differences, label occlusion, and overlap. This study addresses the pros and cons and proposes a novel graphical drawing method, the multidimensional rose chart. It adopts the design idea of the Nightingale rose chart, but overcomes relevant limitations. The main challenges of this area include the incomplete presentation of multidimensional data, the neglect of the linkage of multiple attributes, the inefficient use of space, and the lack of simplicity of the interface. Contributions include enriching the representations of multidimensional data through the use of colour shades, area, and height sizes to represent values; straightforward data attribute comparisons via graph nesting; and detailed attributes showing the use of specific value labels. To verify the preliminary validity of this method, we imported COVID-19 data into experiments and further compared the final layouts with traditional methods, such as the line chart, bar chart, tree, parallel coordinate chart, and Nightingale rose chart, as well as their structures, functionalities, clear advantages, and disadvantages. The experimental results show that multidimensional rose diagrams perform effectively in presenting multidimensional data when comparing other graph drawing methods in our case, and the outcomes match existing works’ conclusions in related COVID-19 research sectors. This work has the potential to provide a suitable supplemental approach to the multidimensional data analysis.
Impact and Analysis of the Renovation Program of Dilapidated Houses in China on Poor Peasant Households’ Life Satisfaction: A Survey of 2617 Peasant Households in Gansu Province
Authors: Zhang Tianyi , Xu Qianqian , Zhang Qi , Wan Jun
Published: November 2022

In developing countries, housing difficulties and environmental problems for poor peasants are prominent. In 2008, China began to explore pilot projects for the renovation of dilapidated houses in rural areas and has achieved remarkable results. This paper examines the impact of China’s Renovation Program of Dilapidated Houses on the life satisfaction of poor peasant households. Using firsthand survey data of four poverty-stricken counties in Gansu Province and the Propensity Score Matching method, we find that the program significantly improves the poor peasant households’ life satisfaction, with a greater impact on non-poverty-stricken villages and general-assurance households. In the mechanism analysis, we find that these positive treatment effects are mainly driven by the increases in wage income and operating income. In addition, we relax the assumption of parallelism and use the Generalized Ordered Logit model to further explore how this impact varies between groups. We show that people with a high level of life satisfaction are more significantly affected by the program. This study provides evidence that a sustainable living environment can improve the overall wellbeing of rural residents.
Influence of Respiratory Tract Infections on Vocabulary Growth in Relation to Child’s Sex: The STEPS Study
Authors: Nylund Annette , Toivonen Laura , Korpilahti Pirjo , Kaljonen Anne , Lyberg Åhlander Viveka , Peltola Ville , Rautakoski Pirkko
Published: November 2022

Common health issues have been less examined in studies of early language development, particularly in relation to the child’s sex. Respiratory tract infections, often complicated by acute otitis media, are common in children during the first years of life, when early vocabulary development takes place. The present study, conducted in Finland, aimed to investigate whether possible associations between recurrent respiratory tract infections, background factors, and vocabulary growth differ in boys and girls aged 13 to 24 months. The participants (N = 462, 248 boys and 214 girls) were followed for respiratory tract infections and acute otitis media from 0 to 23 months of age. The parents completed daily symptom diaries of respiratory symptoms, physician visits, and diagnoses. The expressive vocabulary was measured with parental reports. We found that recurrent respiratory tract infections were not associated with slower vocabulary development in boys or girls. In fact, boys with recurrent respiratory tract infections had more vocabulary growth during the second year than boys who were less sick. We found that vocabulary growth was associated differently with respiratory tract infections and background factors as a function of the child’s sex. The vocabulary growth of boys seems to be more influenced by environmental factors than that of girls.