bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vermicompost and Vermicompost Leachate Application in Strawberry Production: Impact on Yield and Fruit Quality
Authors: Čabilovski Ranko , Manojlović Maja S. , Popović Boris M. , Radojčin Milivoj T. , Magazin Nenad , Petković Klara , Kovačević Dragan , Lakićević Milena D.
Published: March 2023

Recycling organic waste is most important for preserving natural resources. The research objective was to quantify the effect of the application of vermicompost and vermicompost leachate on the yield and quality of strawberries and compare it with a standard fertilization program with mineral fertilizers during a 3-year production cycle. Five fertilization treatments were studied: control—without fertilizer (Ø); vermicompost (V); vermicompost + foliar application of vermicompost leachate (VL); vermicompost leachate through fertigation and foliar application (L); and mineral NPK fertilizers (NPK). The application of V positively affected strawberry yield only in the first year. In all three years of fruiting, the highest yield was measured for NPK treatment. In the first year, fertilization had no effect on fruit quality, while in the second and third years, the application of leachate led to a significantly higher concentration of total soluble solids, total anthocyanins, antioxidant activity of the fruit, and a lower concentration of total acid. Strawberries are grown for a two- or three-year production cycle, so the application of V and VL cannot maintain the yield level as was with the application of mineral NPK fertilizers. The quality of strawberry fruit, however, can be improved significantly.
Phylogeny, Expression Profiling, and Coexpression Networks Reveals the Critical Roles of Nucleotide-BindingLeucine-Rich Repeats on Valsa Canker Resistance
Authors: Cao Yanan , Yu Hongqiang , Tian Dan , Sun E. , Zuo Longgang , Jiang Daji , Zuo Cunwu , Fan Ruiyi
Published: March 2023

Rosaceae is one of the major families in the plant kingdom with important economic value. However, many of them are attacked by Valsa canker, resulting in serious loss of production and profits. Nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeats (NLRs) play a key role in the plant immune response as the largest class of resistance genes. Currently, we performed a genome-wide identification of NLR genes in Rosaceae and revealed some NLR genes in response to Valsa canker using multispecies bioinformatics including co-expression network analysis and RNASeq data. A total of 3718 NLR genes were identified from genomes of 19 plant species (include 9 Rosaceae plants) and classified them into 15 clades. The NLRs display species- and group-specific expansions that are derived from both the whole genome duplication and the tandem duplication. Additionally, the expression of some NLR members was low under normal growth conditions in various plant tissues, while significantly enhanced after the infection of Valsa canker. Furthermore, co-expression network analysis shows that the 13 NLR members were distributed in key nodes of differentially expressed genes which could be considered as promosing key regulators for the resistance of Valsa canker. Therefore, our findings provide a reference for the evolution of NLR genes in Rosaceae and the key regulators of Valsa canker resistance.
Gift Giving, Reciprocity and Community Survival among Central Alaskan Indigenous Peoples
Authors: Lanoue Guy
Published: March 2023

Inspired by a traditional ritual, the potlatch, Indigenous Dene communities in central-northern Alaska have developed new forms of reciprocity as a response to exogenous political threats to their autonomy. The potlatch involved the ritualized gifting of food and other items to selected guests as a means of creating political equilibrium by inculcating a sense of obligatory reciprocity. Today, people are reluctant to leave their communities and have begun shipping bush food from one community to the next instead of receiving gifts of food as invited guests. This new development is in response to a perceived threat to community survival. Since the 1990s, the Alaskan state government has been threatening to close schools with fewer than 20 students. This would affect most Native communities in the region, which generally have under 200 residents and correspondingly small schools. Closures would force people to move to larger villages with functioning schools or abandon their communities and move to a larger city (Fairbanks, in this case). While the government proposal to close smaller schools has yet to be implemented, it remains a constant threat (it was last revived in 2018). The new form of food redistribution allows people to stay and reaffirm their ties to their communities while reinforcing social ties to people of other communities.
Mediating Effect of Challenges on Demographics and Coping Strategies of Indian Healthcare Workers during COVID-19
Authors: Ali Anahita , Kumar Santosh
Published: March 2023

Healthcare workers (HCWs) including doctors, nurses and allied workers struggled to cope up with the stressful situation as the COVID-19 pandemic unsettled healthcare systems, including India’s. Many factors (commonly called as stressors) acted as major sources of stress and resulted in poor mental health of HCWs. Therefore, this study predicted and explained the mediating effect of challenges on demographic characteristics and coping strategies of HCWs. Data from a cross-sectional study was collected from the district hospital of Rajasthan, India, during the period of August 2022–October 2022. HCW’s experience level, shift type and distance of greenspaces from their accommodation were significantly correlated with the challenges they faced at work, specifically societal challenges. Thus, HCWs were more inclined to adopt a meaning-focused coping strategy to retain good mental health during the pandemic. Therefore, these findings call for interventions requiring a layered response, comprising strategies and actions that are structural. At the organizational level, these actions may provide supportive workplace environments.
Construction of Urban Environmental Performance Evaluation System Based on Multivariate System Theory and Comparative Analysis: A Case Study of Chengdu-Chongqing Twin Cities, China
Authors: Chen Liang , Huang Huan , Yao Dong , Yang Haonan , Xu Shuangshuang , Liu Shiyu
Published: March 2023

Based on the related environmental data of Chengdu and Chongqing from 2011 to 2020, this paper constructs a multivariate environment performance evaluation system, combines the self-built indicator system determination criteria and rules, evaluates and compares the environmental performance of Chengdu and Chongqing, and also discusses the impact of COVID-19 on urban environmental performance. The research results show that the overall environmental performance increased from 2011 to 2020, but there are differences between different subsystems, mainly manifested in the best water environment performance, followed by air environment and solid waste; moreover, the noise environment maintains a relatively stable level. By comparing the average levels of various subsystems of the Chengdu-Chongqing dual cities from 2011 to 2020, it can be seen that Chengdu City has better environmental performance in air environment and solid waste, while Chongqing City has better environmental performance in the water environment and noise environment. In addition, this paper also found that the impact of the epidemic on urban environmental performance mainly comes from the impact on the air environment. At present, the overall environmental performance of the two places has shown a trend of environmentally coordinated development. In the future, Chengdu and Chongqing should further optimize and improve their relatively weak environmental subsystems, deepen the joint action mechanism between the two places, and build a green and high-quality development economic circle for the Chengdu-Chongqing twin cities.
Dynamic Changes and Influencing Factors of Vegetation in the “Green Heart” Zone of the Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration during the Past 21 Years
Authors: Li Chaokui , Zhang Rui , Li Ting , Guo Haibin , Guo Ruirong
Published: March 2023

As a policy, protected green space in the rapidly developing the Chang-Zhu-Tan Urban Agglomeration is of great practical significance to study the vegetation changes and influencing factors in the Green Heart area. In this paper, data processing, grading and area statistics were carried out for the maximum value of normalized differential vegetation index (NDVI) from 2000 to 2020. Combined with Theil–Sen median trend analysis and Mann–Kendall, the change trend of long-time series NDVI was studied, and investigation of NDVI influencing factors, processes and mechanisms using geographical detectors. The results showed that: (1) The spatial distribution characteristics of NDVI in the study area were high in the middle and inlaid transition between adjacent grades. Except for the low grades, the distribution of NDVI in other grades was relatively scattered, and the overall trend of NDVI change was rising. (2) Population density was the main factor affecting NDVI changes, with an explanatory power of up to 40%, followed by elevation, precipitation and minimum temperature. (3) The influence of influencing factors on the change of NDVI was not the result of independent action of a single factor, but the result of the interaction between human factors and natural factors, and the factor combinations with greater interaction had significant differences in the spatial distribution of NDVI.
Quantitative Analysis of Online Labor Platforms’ Algorithmic Management Influence on Psychological Health of Workers
Authors: Sun Gengxin
Published: March 2023

Online labor platforms (OLPs) can use algorithms to strengthen the control of the labor process. In fact, they construct work circumstances with higher work requirements and pressure. Workers’ autonomy in behavior is limited, which will have a great influence on their labor psychology. In this paper, taking the online take-out platform as an example and by using a qualitative study of take-out riders’ delivery processes, which were supplemented by semi-structured, in-depth interviews with online platform executives and engineers, we used grounded theory to explore the influencing factors of OLPs’ algorithmic management on take-out riders’ working psychology. The quantitative analysis results showed that, in the context of conflict between work autonomy and algorithmic management, platform workers experienced psychological tensions relating to work satisfaction, compensation, and belonging. Our research contributes to protect public health and labor rights of OLP workers.
Analysis of Three-Way Game of Straw Return System under the Green Transformation of Agriculture
Authors: Geng Linling , Zhou Li , Zhang Yifeng
Published: March 2023

Open burning of straw is the most significant problem of environmental pollution in rural areas. Returning straw to the fields is beneficial to rural environmental management and rural development. Comprehensive utilization of straw in the field not only reduces environmental pollution, but also benefits food production and farmers’ income. Because planting farmers, enterprises, and local governments have different interests, it is difficult for the straw return system to operate soundly. In this study, a three-party evolutionary game model of farmers, enterprises, and local governments was constructed to analyze the evolutionary stability of the strategic choices of the three subjects, explore the influence of each element on the strategic choices of the three parties, and use Matlab2022b simulation to further analyze the dynamic evolution of the game behavior of the system subjects under the given benefits and the given subjects, respectively. The study findings showed that the higher the preferences given by the local government, the higher the probability of farmers and enterprises participating in the straw return system. Only with the participation of local governments can the straw return system be operated robustly. Our study findings also revealed that the interests of farmers must be fully protected in order to mobilize the main body and stimulate market dynamics. The overall findings of this study provide useful insights for promoting government agencies to govern the local environment, increase local revenues, and build integrated waste utilization systems.
A Brief Overview: Sex Differences in Prevalent Chronic Musculoskeletal Conditions
Authors: Overstreet Demario S. , Strath Larissa J. , Jordan Mackensie , Jordan Indonesia A. , Hobson Joanna M. , Owens Michael A. , Williams Adrian C. , Edwards Robert R. , Meints Samantha M.
Published: March 2023

Musculoskeletal (MSK) pain disorders are some of the most prevalent and disabling chronic pain conditions worldwide. These chronic conditions have a considerable impact on the quality of life of individuals, families, communities, and healthcare systems. Unfortunately, the burden of MSK pain disorders does not fall equally across the sexes. Females consistently demonstrate more prevalent and severe clinical presentations of MSK disorders, and this disparity increases in magnitude with age. The aim of the present article is to review recent studies that have examined sex differences between males and females in four of the most common MSK pain disorders: neck pain, low back pain, osteoarthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Ellagic Acid Prevents Particulate Matter-Induced Pulmonary Inflammation and Hyperactivity in Mice: A Pilot Study
Authors: Jeong Sunyoung , Bae Sungryong , Shin Eui-Cheol , Lee Jong-Hwa , Ha Jung-Heun
Published: March 2023

The inhalation of fine particulate matter (PM) is a significant health-related environmental issue. Previously, we demonstrated that repeated PM exposure causes hyperlocomotive activity in mice, as well as inflammatory and hypoxic responses in their lungs. In this study, we evaluated the potential efficacy of ellagic acid (EA), a natural polyphenolic compound, against PM-induced pulmonary and behavioral abnormalities in mice. Four treatment groups were assigned in this study (n = 8): control (CON), particulate-matter-instilled (PMI), low-dose EA with PMI (EL + PMI), and high-dose EA with PMI (EH + PMI). EA (20 and 100 mg/kg body weight for low dose and high dose, respectively) was orally administered for 14 days in C57BL/6 mice, and after the eighth day, PM (5 mg/kg) was intratracheally instilled for 7 consecutive days. PM exposure induced inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs following EA pretreatment. Moreover, PM exposure induced inflammatory protein expression in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the expression of inflammatory (tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfα), interleukin (Il)-1b, and Il-6) and hypoxic (vascular endothelial growth factor alpha (Vegfα), ankyrin repeat domain 37 (Ankrd37)) response genes. However, EA pretreatment markedly prevented the induction of expression of inflammatory and hypoxic response genes in the lungs. Furthermore, PM exposure significantly triggered hyperactivity by increasing the total moving distance with an increase in moving speed in the open field test. On the contrary, EA pretreatment significantly prevented PM-induced hyperactivity. In conclusion, dietary intervention with EA may be a potential strategy to prevent PM-induced pathology and activity.
Classification, Perception, and Toxicity of Emerging Flavored Oral Nicotine Pouches
Authors: Shaikh Sadiya Bi , Newton Chad , Tung Wai Cheung , Sun Yehao , Li Dongmei , Ossip Deborah , Rahman Irfan
Published: March 2023

Introduction: Oral Nicotine Pouches (ONPs) are the new form of nicotine pouches that have become a type of emerging smokeless tobacco product sold by various tobacco companies. These smokeless tobacco products are marketed for usage all over as snus containing tobacco-derived nicotine (natural) or as tobacco-free nicotine (synthetic) as substitutes for other tobacco products. Based on perception and socio-behavioral aspects, ONPs have become popular tobacco products among adolescents/young adults, and over 50% of young adult users of ONP use flavored ONPs, such as menthol/mint, tobacco, dessert/candy, and fruity, which are the most popular flavors. Various new ONP flavors are currently popular locally as well as in the online market. Tobacco, menthol, and fruit-flavored ONPs could motivate cigarette smokers to change to ONPs. Methods: We expanded our knowledge on natural/synthetic ONP flavor wheels to available data on ONPs, describing, in detail, their flavors and brands (US and Europe) in both natural and synthetic ONP categories. We classified over 152 snus and 228 synthetic ONPs into the following flavor categories: “Tobacco”, “Menthol/Mint”, “Fruity”, “Candy/Deserts”, “Drink”, “Aroma”, “Spices”, and “Mixed Flavors”. Results: Based on total numbers, we found the most popular ONP flavors, sold as tobacco and menthol, to be among natural ONPs; among synthetic ONPs, fruity and menthol are the most prominent flavors, with varying concentrations of nicotine and other flavoring chemicals, including coolant WS-23. We also showed possible molecular targets and toxicities, due to exposure to ONPs, activating several signaling cascades such as AKT and NF-kappaB, which might possibly lead to apoptosis and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conclusions: Considering the marketing of ONP products with various flavor profiles and with most of these products containing tobacco/menthol/fruit flavor, it is likely to have regulation and a marketing disclaimer on some of these products. Further, it would be logical to determine how the market reacts in terms of compliance and non-compliance with flavor restrictions by the regulatory agencies.
Socioeconomic Background and Self-Reported Sleep Quality in Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: An Analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA)
Authors: Collinge Adam N. , Bath Peter A.
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic negatively impacted sleep quality. However, research regarding older adults’ sleep quality during the pandemic has been limited. This study examined the association between socioeconomic background (SEB) and older adults’ sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on 7040 adults aged ≥50 were acquired from a COVID-19 sub-study of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA). SEB was operationalized using educational attainment, previous financial situation, and concern about the future financial situation. Sociodemographic, mental health, physical health, and health behavior variables were included as covariates. Chi-squared tests and binary logistic regression were used to examine associations between SEB and sleep quality. Lower educational attainment and greater financial hardship and concerns were associated with poor sleep quality. The relationship between educational attainment and sleep quality was explained by the financial variables, while the relationship between previous financial difficulties and sleep quality was explained by physical health and health behavior variables. Greater financial concerns about the future, poor mental health, and poor physical health were independent risk factors for poor sleep quality in older adults during the pandemic. Healthcare professionals and service providers should consider these issues when supporting older patients with sleep problems and in promoting health and wellness.
Increased Expression of Autophagy-Related Genes in Alzheimer’s Disease—Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Comorbidity Models in Cells
Authors: Vianello Clara , Salluzzo Marco , Anni Daniela , Boriero Diana , Buffelli Mario , Carboni Lucia
Published: March 2023

The association between Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been extensively demonstrated, but despite this, the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying it are still unknown. In previous work, we discovered a central role for the autophagy pathway in the common alterations observed between AD and T2DM. In this study, we further investigate the role of genes belonging to this pathway, measuring their mRNA expression and protein levels in 3xTg-AD transgenic mice, an animal model of AD. Moreover, primary mouse cortical neurons derived from this model and the human H4Swe cell line were used as cellular models of insulin resistance in AD brains. Hippocampal mRNA expression showed significantly different levels for Atg16L1, Atg16L2, GabarapL1, GabarapL2, and Sqstm1 genes at different ages of 3xTg-AD mice. Significantly elevated expression of Atg16L1, Atg16L2, and GabarapL1 was also observed in H4Swe cell cultures, in the presence of insulin resistance. Gene expression analysis confirmed that Atg16L1 was significantly increased in cultures from transgenic mice when insulin resistance was induced. Taken together, these results emphasise the association of the autophagy pathway in AD-T2DM co-morbidity, providing new evidence about the pathophysiology of both diseases and their mutual interaction.
Association between Outdoor Air Pollution and Fatal Acute Myocardial Infarction in Lithuania between 2006 and 2015: A Time Series Design
Authors: Vaičiulis Vidmantas , Venclovienė Jonė , Miškinytė Auksė , Ustinavičienė Rūta , Dėdelė Audrius , Kalinienė Gintarė , Lukšienė Dalia , Tamošiūnas Abdonas , Seiduanova Laura , Radišauskas Ričardas
Published: March 2023

Background. Air pollution has a significant effect on human health and there is a broad body of evidence showing that exposure to air pollution is associated with an increased risk of adverse health effects. The main objective of this study was to assess the association of traffic-related air pollutants with fatal AMI during the ten-year period. Methods. The study was conducted in Kaunas city, where the WHO MONICA register included a total of 2273 adult cases of fatal AMI cases during the 10-year study period. We focused on the period between 2006 and 2015. The associations between exposure to traffic-related air pollution and the risk of fatal AMI were evaluated by using a multivariate Poisson regression model, RR presented per an increase in IQR. Results. It was found that the risk of fatal AMI was significantly higher in all subjects (RR 1.06; 95% CI 1.00–1.12) and women (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.02–1.22) when the concentration of PM10 in the ambient air was increased 5–11 days before the onset of AMI, adjusting for NO2 concentration. The effect was stronger during spring in all subjects (RR 1.12; 95% CI 1.03–1.22), in men (RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.01–1.26), in younger-aged (RR 1.15; 95% CI 1.03–1.28), and in winter in women (RR 1.24; 95% CI 1.03–1.50). Conclusions. Our findings show that ambient air pollution increases the risk of fatal AMI, and this pertains to PM10 specifically.
“I Don’t Want to Be Known as a Weak Man”: Insights and Rationalizations by Male Students on Men’s Sexual Violence Perpetration against Female Students on Campus
Authors: Sikweyiya Yandisa , Machisa Mercilene , Mahlangu Pinky , Nunze Ncediswa , Dartnall Elizabeth , Pillay Managa , Jewkes Rachel
Published: March 2023

Understanding how men view rape is foundational for rape prevention, but it is not always possible to interview men who rape, especially in a college campus context. We explore male students’ insights into and rationalizations for why men on campus perpetrate sexual violence (SV) against female students by analysing qualitative focus group discussion data with male students. Men contended that SV is a demonstration of men’s power over women, yet they did not perceive sexual harassment of female students as serious enough to constitute SV and appeared to be tolerant of it. Men perceived “sex for grades” as exploitative and rooted in the power asymmetry between privileged male lecturers and vulnerable female students. They were disdainful of non-partner rape, describing it as acts exclusively perpetrated by men from outside campus. Most men felt entitled to have sex with their girlfriends, although an alternative discourse challenged both this entitlement and the dominant masculinity linked to it. Gender-transformative work with male students is needed to support them to think and do things differently while they are on campus.
Comparison of Intimate Partner Violence and Correlates at Urgent Care Clinics and an Emergency Department in a Rural Population
Authors: Davidov Danielle M. , Gurka Kelly K. , Long D. Leann , Burrell Carmen N.
Published: March 2023

This paper describes the prevalence of and factors associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) in the urgent care setting and an academic emergency department in Appalachia. A questionnaire assessing social support, mental and physical health status, substance use, and intimate partner violence was administered to 236 women seeking care in an academic emergency department or two affiliated urgent care clinics. Data collected were compared to IPV screening data from medical records. Separate logistic regression models were fit to estimate the association between sociodemographic and health-related factors and lifetime physical and sexual intimate partner violence, adjusted for the clinical setting. Of the 236 participating women, 63 were seen in the emergency department and 173 were seen in an urgent care clinic. Emergency department patients were significantly more likely to report lifetime threatened physical, physical, or sexual abuse. Based on medical records, over 20% of participants had not been screened for IPV by clinical staff during their healthcare visit. Of those that were screened, none disclosed IPV, despite a substantial proportion reporting IPV on the survey. Although survey reports of IPV were lower in the urgent care clinics, this remains an important location to introduce screenings and resources.
Sampling Considerations for Wastewater Surveillance of Antibiotic Resistance in Fecal Bacteria
Authors: Huijbers Patricia M. C. , Bobis Camacho Julián , Hutinel Marion , Larsson D. G. Joakim , Flach Carl-Fredrik
Published: March 2023

Wastewaters can be analyzed to generate population-level data for public health surveillance, such as antibiotic resistance monitoring. To provide representative data for the contributing population, bacterial isolates collected from wastewater should originate from different individuals and not be distorted by a selection pressure in the wastewater. Here we use Escherichia coli diversity as a proxy for representativeness when comparing grab and composite sampling at a major municipal wastewater treatment plant influent and an untreated hospital effluent in Gothenburg, Sweden. All municipal samples showed high E. coli diversity irrespective of the sampling method. In contrast, a marked increase in diversity was seen for composite compared to grab samples from the hospital effluent. Virtual resampling also showed the value of collecting fewer isolates on multiple occasions rather than many isolates from a single sample. Time-kill tests where individual E. coli strains were exposed to sterile-filtered hospital wastewater showed rapid killing of antibiotic-susceptible strains and significant selection of multi-resistant strains when incubated at 20 °C, an effect which could be avoided at 4 °C. In conclusion, depending on the wastewater collection site, both sampling method and collection/storage temperature could significantly impact the representativeness of the wastewater sample.
Effect of Membrane Pore Size on Membrane Fouling of Corundum Ceramic Membrane in MBR
Authors: Huang Rui , Pan Hui , Zheng Xing , Fan Chao , Si Wenyan , Bao Dongguan , Gao Shanshan , Tian Jiayu
Published: March 2023

Ceramic membrane has emerged as a promising material to address the membrane fouling issue in membrane bioreactors (MBR). In order to optimize the structural property of ceramic membrane, four corundum ceramic membranes with the mean pore size of 0.50, 0.63, 0.80, and 1.02 μm were prepared, which were designated as C5, C7, C13, and C20, respectively. Long-term MBR experiments showed that the C7 membrane with medium pore size experienced the lowest trans-membrane pressure development rate. Both the decrease and increase of membrane pore size would lead to more severe membrane fouling in the MBR. It was also interesting that with the increase of membrane pore size, the relative proportion of cake layer resistance in total fouling resistance was gradually increased. The content of dissolved organic foulants (i.e., protein, polysaccharide and DOC) on the surface of C7 was quantified as the lowest among the different ceramic membranes. Microbial community analysis also revealed the C7 had a lower relative abundance of membrane fouling associated bacteria in its cake layer. The results clearly demonstrated that ceramic membrane fouling in MBR could be effectively alleviated through optimizing the membrane pore size, which was a key structural factor for preparation of ceramic membrane.
The Role of an Individual and a Situation in Explaining Work Addiction: Disclosing Complex Relations
Authors: Morkevičiūtė Modesta , Endriulaitienė Auksė
Published: March 2023

The current study aimed to test the relationships between perfectionism, type A personality, and work addiction via mediator of extrinsic work motivation and moderators of both parent work addiction and demanding organization profiles. A cross-sectional study was carried out using an online self-report questionnaire. A sample consisted of 621 employees working in different Lithuanian organizations that were selected on the basis of the convenience principle. Prior to testing the hypotheses, latent profile analysis (LPA) was conducted in order to identify the subgroups of participants based on situational variables. Two profiles (i.e., ‘less addicted parents’ and ‘more addicted parents’) for parent work addiction and tree profiles (i.e., ‘slightly demanding organization’, ‘moderately demanding organization’, ‘highly demanding organization’) for a demanding organization emerged from LPA. The hypotheses were tested using structural equation modeling. Main results revealed that direct relationships between perfectionism, type A personality, and work addiction were positive and stronger for those working in highly demanding organizations. Indirect relationships between perfectionism, type A personality, and work addiction (via extrinsic motivation) were positive and stronger for employees who have parents with higher levels of work addiction. Future researchers and those who implement preventive practices should be aware that personal factors can be the first impetus for work addiction, and the second one (comprised of situational factors in a family and organization) can enhance the expression of these personal factors and stimulate the development of work addiction.
Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Level of Anxiety and Depression in Caregivers of Children Benefiting from Neurorehabilitation Services
Authors: Perenc Lidia , Podgórska-Bednarz Justyna , Guzik Agnieszka , Drużbicki Mariusz
Published: March 2023

Introduction: At the turn of March and April 2020, due to the occurrence of COVID-19 in Poland, the first restrictions on the provision of rehabilitation services were introduced. Nevertheless, caregivers strived to ensure that their children could benefit from rehabilitation services. Aim of the study: To determine which of the selected data presented in the media reflecting the intensity of the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland differentiated the level of anxiety and depression in caregivers of children benefiting from neurorehabilitation services. Material and methods: The study group consisted of caregivers of children (n = 454) receiving various neurorehabilitation services in the inpatient ward of Neurological Rehabilitation of Children and Adolescents (n = 200, 44%), in the Neurorehabilitation Day Ward (n = 168, 37%), and in the Outpatient Clinic (n = 86, 19%) of the Clinical Regional Rehabilitation and Education Center in Rzeszow. The average age of the respondents was 37.23 ± 7.14 years. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to measure the severity of anxiety and depression in caregivers of children. The questionnaires were distributed from June 2020 to April 2021. As a measure of the severity of the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland, the figures presented in the media were adopted. In addition, data on the COVID-19 pandemic presented in the media (Wikipedia, TVP Info, Polsat Nes, Radio Zet) on the day preceding the completion of the survey were analyzed based on statistical analysis methods. Results: 73 of the surveyed caregivers (16.08%) suffered from severe anxiety disorders, and 21 (4.63%) from severe depressive disorders. The average severity of anxiety (HADS) in the subjects was 6.37 points, and the average severity of depression was 4.09 points. There was no statistically significant relationship between the data presented in the media—such as daily number of infections, total number of infections, daily number of deaths, total number of deaths, total number of recoveries, number of hospitalizations, and people under quarantine—and the level of anxiety and depression of the studied caregivers (p > 0.05). Conclusions: It was not found that the selected data presented in the media, showing the intensity of the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland, significantly differentiated the level of anxiety and depression among caregivers of children using neurorehabilitation services. Their motivation to continue the treatment, caused by concern for their children’s health, resulted in less severe symptoms of anxiety and depression during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Solvothermal In-Situ Synthesis of MIL-53(Fe)@Carbon Felt Photocatalytic Membrane for Rhodamine B Degradation
Authors: Yu Shuyan , Zhang Huiying , Li Congju
Published: March 2023

In this study, MIL-53(Fe) was innovatively incorporated into carbon felt (CF) by growing in-situ using the solvothermal method. MIL-53(Fe)@carbon felt (MIL-53(Fe)@CF) was prepared and used for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). As a new photocatalytic membrane, MIL-53(Fe)@CF photocatalytic membrane has the characteristics of high degradation efficiency and recyclability. Influence of various parameters including MIL-53(Fe)@CF loading, light, electron trapper type, and starting pH on RhB degradation were investigated. The morphology, structure, and degradation properties of MIL-53(Fe)@CF photocatalytic membrane were characterized. Corresponding reaction mechanisms were explored. The results indicated that pH at 4.5 and 1 mmol/L H2O2, 150 mg MIL-53(Fe)@CF could photocatalytically degrade 1 mg/L RhB by 98.8% within 120 min, and the reaction rate constant (k) could reach 0.03635 min−1. The clearance rate of RhB decreased by only 2.8% after three operations. MIL-53(Fe)@CF photocatalytic membrane was found to be stable.
The Effect of Environmental Regulation on the Efficiency of the Green Economy: The Intermediary Role of the Aggregation of Innovative Elements
Authors: Guo Xiaoyang , Zhang Xiuwu
Published: March 2023

Green development is the only way to realize harmonious coexistence between people and nature, so it is of great significance to create a benchmark for high-quality development. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces (except Tibet, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan) in China from 2009 to 2020, the super-efficiency slacks-based measure model was used to calculate the green economic efficiency of various regions in China, and a related statistical model was used to verify the influence of different types of environmental regulation policies on green economic efficiency and the intermediary effect of innovation factor agglomeration. The results show that: (1) during the inspection period, the influence of public-participation environmental regulation on the efficiency of the green economy presents an “inverted U” trend, while command-control and market-incentive environmental regulation policies inhibit the improvement of green economic efficiency; (2) the agglomeration of innovative elements plays a significant intermediary role in the transmission path of environmental regulation affecting green economic efficiency, but the intermediary effects of different types of environmental regulation are slightly different. Finally, we discuss environmental regulation and innovative elements, and some corresponding suggestions are put forward.
Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Healthcare Utilization among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review
Authors: Amsah Norizzati , Md Isa Zaleha , Ahmad Norfazilah , Abdul Manaf Mohd Rizal
Published: March 2023

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, healthcare services have been grossly overwhelmed by the pandemic. Due to this circumstance, routine care for individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has been temporarily disrupted. The purpose of this systematic review was to summarize the evidence regarding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare utilization among patients with T2DM. A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science, Scopus, and PubMed databases. The process of identifying the final articles followed the PRISMA guidelines. The inclusion criteria were articles published between 2020 and 2022, written in English, and studies focusing on the research question. Any proceedings and books were excluded. A total of fourteen articles relevant to the research question were extracted. Following that, the included articles were critically appraised using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT) and the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tool to assess the quality of the studies. The findings were further classified into three themes: reduced healthcare utilization among T2DM patients in routine healthcare services, a surge of telemedicine usage, and delay in the delivery of healthcare services. The key messages include demands for monitoring the long-term effects of the missed care and that better preparedness is crucial for any pandemic in the future. A tight diagnostic workup at the community level and regular follow-ups are crucial in managing the impact of the pandemic among T2DM patients. Telemedicine should be on the agenda of the health system to maintain and complement healthcare services. Future research is warranted to determine effective strategies to deal with the impact of the pandemic on healthcare utilization and delivery among T2DM patients. A clear policy is essential and should be established.
Particle Deposition in Large-Scale Human Tracheobronchial Airways Predicted by Single-Path Modelling
Authors: Ou Cuiyun , Hang Jian , Hua Jiajia , Li Yuguo , Deng Qihong , Zhao Bo , Ling Hong
Published: March 2023

The health effects of particles are directly related to their deposition patterns (deposition site and amount) in human airways. However, estimating the particle trajectory in a large-scale human lung airway model is still a challenge. In this work, a truncated single-path, large-scale human airway model (G3–G10) with a stochastically coupled boundary method were employed to investigate the particle trajectory and the roles of their deposition mechanisms. The deposition patterns of particles with diameters (dp) of 1–10 μm are investigated under various inlet Reynolds numbers (Re = 100–2000). Inertial impaction, gravitational sedimentation, and combined mechanism were considered. With the increasing airway generations, the deposition of smaller particles (dp < 4 μm) increased due to gravitational sedimentation, while that of larger particles decreased due to inertial impaction. The obtained formulas of Stokes number and Re can predict the deposition efficiency due to the combined mechanism in the present model, and the prediction can be used to assess the dose-effect of atmospheric aerosols on the human body. Diseases in deeper generations are mainly attributed to the deposition of smaller particles under lower inhalation rates, while diseases at the proximal generations mainly result from the deposition of larger particles under higher inhalation rates.
Fluid Intake and the Occurrence of Erosive Tooth Wear in a Group of Healthy and Disabled Children from the Małopolska Region (Poland)
Authors: Piórecka Beata , Jamka-Kasprzyk Małgorzata , Niedźwiadek Anna , Jagielski Paweł , Jurczak Anna
Published: March 2023

Background: The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the type and amount of fluid intake and the incidence of erosive tooth wear in a group of healthy children and children with disabilities. Methods: This study was conducted among children aged 6–17 years, patients of the Dental Clinic in Kraków. The research included 86 children: 44 healthy children and 42 children with disabilities. The prevalence of erosive tooth wear using the Basic Erosive Wear Examination (BEWE) index was assessed by the dentist, who also determined the prevalence of dry mouth using a mirror test. A qualitative-quantitative questionnaire on the frequency of consumption of specific liquids and foods related to the occurrence of erosive tooth wear, completed by the children’s parents, was used to assess dietary habits. Results: The occurrence of erosive tooth wear was determined for 26% of the total number of children studied, and these were mostly lesions of minor severity. The mean value of the sum of the BEWE index was significantly higher (p = 0.0003) in the group of children with disabilities. In contrast, the risk of erosive tooth wear was non-significantly higher in children with disabilities (31.0%) than in healthy children (20.5%). Dry mouth was significantly more frequently identified among children with disabilities (57.1%). Erosive tooth wear was also significantly more common (p = 0.02) in children whose parents declared the presence of eating disorders. Children with disabilities consumed flavoured water or water with added syrup/juice and fruit teas with significantly higher frequency, while there were no differences in quantitative fluid intake between groups. The frequency and quantity of drinking flavoured waters or water with added syrup/juice, sweetened carbonated, and non-carbonated drinks were associated with the occurrence of erosive tooth wear for all children studied. Conclusions: The group of studied children presents inappropriate drinking behaviours regarding the frequency and amount of beverages consumed, which, especially in a group of children with disabilities, may contribute to the formation of erosive cavities.
Long-Term Trajectory and Risk Factors of Healthcare Workers’ Mental Health during COVID-19 Pandemic: A 24 Month Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Fattori Alice , Comotti Anna , Mazzaracca Sara , Consonni Dario , Bordini Lorenzo , Colombo Elisa , Brambilla Paolo , Bonzini Matteo
Published: March 2023

Background: Research has shown the substantial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mental health, however, it mostly relies on data collected during the early stages of COVID-19. The aim of this study is to assess the long-term trajectory of HCWs’ mental health and the associated risk factors. Methods: a longitudinal cohort study was carried out in an Italian hospital. At Time 1 (July 2020–July 2021), 990 HCWs took part in the study and completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Impact of Event Scale (IES-R), and the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)questionnaire. McNemar’s test measured changes in symptoms’ trajectories, and random effects models evaluated risk factors associated with scores above the cut-off. Results: 310 HCWs participated to the follow-up evaluation (Time 2; July 2021–July 2022). At Time 2, scores above cut-offs were significantly lower (p < 0.001) than at Time 1 for all scales (23% vs. 48% for GHQ-12; 11% vs. 25% for IES-R; 15% vs. 23% for GAD-7). Risk factors for psychological impairment were being a nurse (IES-R: OR 4.72, 95% CI 1.71–13.0; GAD-7: OR 2.82, 95% CI 1.44–7.17), a health assistant (IES-R: OR 6.76, 95% CI 1.30–35.1), or having had an infected family member (GHQ-12: OR 1.95, 95% CI 1.01–3.83). Compared to Time 1, gender and experience in COVID-19 units lost significance with psychological symptoms. Conclusions: data over more than 24 months from the pandemic onset showed improvement of HCWs’ mental health; our findings suggested the need to tailor and prioritize preventive actions towards healthcare workforce.
Don’t Follow the Smoke—Listening to the Tobacco Experiences and Attitudes of Urban Aboriginal Adolescents in the Study of Environment on Aboriginal Resilience and Child Health (SEARCH)
Authors: Heris Christina L. , Cutmore Mandy , Chamberlain Catherine , Smith Natalie , Simpson Victor , Sherriff Simone , Wright Darryl , Slater Kym , Eades Sandra
Published: March 2023

Preventing smoking among young Aboriginal people is important for reducing health inequities. Multiple factors were associated with adolescent smoking in the SEARCH baseline survey (2009–12) and discussed in a follow-up qualitative study that aimed to inform prevention programs. Twelve yarning circles were facilitated by Aboriginal research staff at two NSW sites in 2019 with 32 existing SEARCH participants aged 12–28 (17 female, 15 male). Open discussion around tobacco was followed by a card sorting activity, prioritising risk and protective factors and program ideas. The age of initiation varied by generation. Older participants had established smoking in their early adolescence, whereas the current younger teens had little exposure. Some smoking commenced around high school (from Year 7), and social smoking increased at age 18. Mental and physical health, smoke-free spaces and strong connections to family, community and culture promoted non-smoking. The key themes were (1) drawing strength from culture and community; (2) how the smoking environment shapes attitudes and intentions; (3) non-smoking as a sign of good physical, social and emotional wellbeing; and (4) the importance of individual empowerment and engagement for being smoke-free. Programs promoting good mental health and strengthening cultural and community connections were identified as a priority for prevention.
A Precautionary Tale: Individual Decision Making in the Time of COVID-19
Authors: Pearman Ann , Hughes MacKenzie L. , Coblenz Clara W. , Smith Emily L. , Neupert Shevaun D.
Published: March 2023

Precaution taking is an important part of managing COVID-19 and has been since the start of the pandemic. Guided by the Health Belief Model, two studies conducted during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic aimed to identify possible individual difference predictors of precautionary actions. Study 1 was an online, cross-sectional study using 763 adults aged 20–79 years old. Study 2, a 30-day daily diary study, examined daily precautions in 261 persons over the age of 55 years old. Study 1 and Study 2 indicated that COVID-19 knowledge predicted precautionary behaviors. Multilevel models from Study 2 indicated that daily increases in in-person interactions and leaving home were associated with decreases in precautions, but increases in disruption to routine were associated with increases in precautions. In both studies, including concurrent and lagged models in Study 2, significant interactions between information seeking and perceived risk suggested higher information seeking was related to higher precautions for those who consider themselves low risk. Findings highlight the burden of daily precautions and potentially modifiable factors of engagement in precautions.