bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of intelligence and approximate number system on the non-symbolic division ability in preschoolers
Authors: Kwon Nayun , Kim So-Yeon
Published: June 2023

Recently, it has become evident that cognitive abilities such as the approximate number system (ANS), number knowledge, and intelligence affect individuals’ fundamental mathematical ability. However, it is unclear which of these cognitive abilities have the greatest impact on the non-symbolic division ability in preschoolers. Therefore, in the present study, we included 4- to 6-year-old Korean preschoolers without prior formal education of division in order to test their ability to solve non-symbolic division problems, ANS acuity, and intelligence, and to determine the interrelationships among those functions (N = 38). We used the Panamath Dot Comparison Paradigm to measure the ANS acuity, employed non-symbolic division tasks to measure the ability to solve non-symbolic division problems, and measured the intelligence using the Korean version of the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool Primary Scale of Intelligence-IV). Our results showed that, in all conditions of the non-symbolic division tasks, the 4- to 6-years old children were able to perform better than chance level. Additionally, in a relatively easy condition, the children’s performance showed a significant positive correlation with full-scale intelligence quotient (FSIQ) and ANS acuity; however, in a more complex condition, only FSIQ was significantly correlated with their performance. Overall, we found significant relationships between the children’s performance in the non-symbolic division tasks and verbal comprehension, fluid reasoning, and processing speed index. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that preschoolers without formal education on the arithmetic problem solving can solve non-symbolic division problems. Moreover, we suggest that both FSIQ and ANS ability play essential roles in children’s ability to solve non-symbolic division problems, highlighting the significance of intelligence on children’s fundamental mathematical ability.
The association between workload, alcohol use, and alcohol misuse among psychiatrists in China
Authors: Li Wenzheng , Chen Long , Hsu Michael , Mo Daming , Xia Lei , Min Kaiyuan , Jiang Feng , Liu Tingfang , Liu Yuanli , Liu Huanzhong , Tang Yi-lang
Published: June 2023

Aim

Survey alcohol use and workload among Chinese psychiatrists and explore their associations.

Methods

We conducted an online questionnaire among psychiatrists working in large psychiatric institutions across the country. We collected data including demographic factors, alcohol use, and workload. Alcohol use was assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C), and workload-related questions included working hours, night shifts, and caseloads.

Results

In total, 3,549 psychiatrists completed the survey. Nearly half (47.6%) reported alcohol use, and the percentage of alcohol use in males (74.1%) was significantly higher than in females. 8.1% exceeded the AUDIT-C cutoff scores for probable alcohol misuse (19.6%in males and 2.6%in females). AUDIT-C scores were significantly correlated with working hours per week (p = 0.017) and the number of outpatient visits per week (p = 0.006). Regressional analysis showed that alcohol use was significantly associated with the following factors: longer working hours (Working more than 44 h/week, OR = 1.315), having an administrative position (OR = 1.352), being male (OR = 6.856), being single (OR = 1.601), being divorced or widowed (OR = 1.888), smoking (OR = 2.219), working in the West (OR = 1.511) or the Northeast (OR = 2.440). Regressional analysis showed that alcohol misuse was significantly associated with the following factors: fewer night shifts (Three to four night shifts/month, OR = 1.460; No more than 2 night shifts/month, OR = 1.864), being male (OR = 4.007), working in the Northeast (OR = 1.683), smoking (OR = 2.219), frequent insomnia (OR = 1.678).

Conclusion

Nearly half of the psychiatrists in China reported alcohol use and 8.1% had probable AUD. Alcohol consumption is significantly associated with several workload-related factors, such as long working hours, heavy caseload, and administrative duties. Alcohol misuse was inversely associated with the number of night shifts per month. While the direction of causality is unclear, our findings may help identify vulnerable professional groups and develop more targeted interventions to improve healthcare professionals’ well-being.
Family psychoeducation to improve outcome in caregivers and patients with schizophrenia: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Tessier Arnaud , Roger Karine , Gregoire Alexandra , Desnavailles Pauline , Misdrahi David
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Schizophrenia is recognized for its severe impact on both patients and caregivers. In a 12-month follow-up randomized clinical trial, we aimed to measure the efficacy of a brief family psychoeducation program in terms of reducing relapse risk and improving medication adherence in patients, as well as reducing caregiver burden, depression and increasing knowledge of the illness.

Methods

A total of 25 days of patients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV-TR) and family primary caregivers were recruited in a single regional psychiatric outpatient facility located in Bordeaux. In the active group, caregivers received a psychoeducational intervention consisting of six sessions spread over 1.5 months, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Sociodemographic, symptom severity (PANSS) and medication adherence (MARS) from patients were assessed at baseline and relapse rates was recorded during the 12 months follow-up period. Caregivers’ burden (ZBI), depression (CES-D), quality of life (S-CGQoL), knowledge of the disease (KAST) and therapeutic alliance (4PAS-C) were assessed at baseline, three and 6 months.

Results

On the 25 patients included, the mean age was 33.3 years (SD = 9.7) with a mean duration of disease of 7.48 years (SD = 7.1). On the 25 caregivers included, the mean age was 50.6 years (SD = 14.0). Twenty-one were female (84.0%), 12 were married (48.0%) and 11 lived alone (44.0%). For patients, the family psychoeducation intervention significantly reduced the risk of relapse with a significant effect found at 12 months follow-up (p = 0.014). No change was observed on medication adherence. For caregivers, the intervention reduced the burden (p = 0.031), decreased the depression (p = 0.019), and increased the knowledge on schizophrenia (p = 0.024). Analyzes for repeated measures showed a statistically significant difference in therapeutic alliance (p = 0.035).

Conclusion

As confirmed by previous studies, the brief multifamily program (consisting of six sessions over a period of 1.5 months) was found to be effective in improving outcomes for caregivers (e.g., burden, depression, knowledge) and patients (e.g., preventing relapse) in the context of routine care. Given its short duration, this program is expected to be easily implementable within the community.

Clinical trial registration

https://clinicaltrials.gov/, NCT03000985.
Navigating the complex landscape of benzodiazepine- and Z-drug diversity: insights from comprehensive FDA adverse event reporting system analysis and beyond
Authors: Koniuszewski Filip , Vogel Florian D. , Dajić Irena , Seidel Thomas , Kunze Markus , Willeit Matthäus , Ernst Margot
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Medications which target benzodiazepine (BZD) binding sites of GABAA receptors (GABAARs) have been in widespread use since the nineteen-sixties. They carry labels as anxiolytics, hypnotics or antiepileptics. All benzodiazepines and several nonbenzodiazepine Z-drugs share high affinity binding sites on certain subtypes of GABAA receptors, from which they can be displaced by the clinically used antagonist flumazenil. Additional binding sites exist and overlap in part with sites used by some general anaesthetics and barbiturates. Despite substantial preclinical efforts, it remains unclear which receptor subtypes and ligand features mediate individual drug effects. There is a paucity of literature comparing clinically observed adverse effect liabilities across substances in methodologically coherent ways.

Methods

In order to examine heterogeneity in clinical outcome, we screened the publicly available U.S. FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS) database for reports of individual compounds and analyzed them for each sex individually with the use of disproportionality analysis. The complementary use of physico-chemical descriptors provides a molecular basis for the analysis of clinical observations of wanted and unwanted drug effects.

Results and Discussion

We found a multifaceted FAERS picture, and suggest that more thorough clinical and pharmacoepidemiologic investigations of the heterogenous side effect profiles for benzodiazepines and Z-drugs are needed. This may lead to more differentiated safety profiles and prescription practice for particular compounds, which in turn could potentially ease side effect burden in everyday clinical practice considerably. From both preclinical literature and pharmacovigilance data, there is converging evidence that this very large class of psychoactive molecules displays a broad range of distinctive unwanted effect profiles - too broad to be explained by the four canonical, so-called “diazepam-sensitive high-affinity interaction sites”. The substance-specific signatures of compound effects may partly be mediated by phenomena such as occupancy of additional binding sites, and/or synergistic interactions with endogenous substances like steroids and endocannabinoids. These in turn drive the wanted and unwanted effects and sex differences of individual compounds.
Role of personal aptitudes as determinants of incident morbidity, lifestyles, quality of life, use of health services, and mortality (DESVELA cohort): quantitative study protocol for a prospective cohort study in a hybrid analysis
Authors: Martí-Lluch Ruth , Bolíbar Bonaventura , Llobera Joan , Maderuelo-Fernández José A , Magallón-Botaya Rosa , Sánchez-Pérez Álvaro , Fernández-Domínguez Ma José , Motrico Emma , Vicens-Pons Enric , Notario-Pacheco Blanca , Alves-Cabratosa Lia , Ramos Rafel ,   the DESVELA Cohort Investigators
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The healthcare and well-being of the population depend on multiple factors and should adapt to societal changes. The opposite is also occurring; society has evolved concerning the individuals’ approach to their care, which includes participation in decision-making processes. In this scenario, health promotion and prevention become crucial to provide an integrated perspective in the organization and management of the health systems.

Health status and well-being depend on many aspects, determinants of health, which in turn may be modulated by individual behavior. Certain models and frameworks try to study the determinants of health and individual human behaviors, separately. However, the interrelation between these two aspects has not been examined in our population.

Our main objective is to analyze whether personal aptitudes related to behaviors are independently associated with the incidence of morbidity. A secondary objective will enquire whether these personal aptitudes are independently associated with lower all-cause mortality, enhanced adoption of healthy lifestyles, higher quality of life, and lower utilization of health services during follow-up.

Methods

This protocol addresses the quantitative branch of a multicenter project (10 teams) for the creation of a cohort of at least 3,083 persons aged 35 to 74 years from 9 Autonomous Communities (AACC). The personal variables to evaluate are self-efficacy, activation, health literacy, resilience, locus of control, and personality traits. Socio-demographic covariates and social capital will be recorded. A physical examination, blood analysis, and cognitive evaluation will be carried out.

Several sets of six Cox models (one for each independent variable) will analyze the incidence of morbidity (objective 1); all-cause mortality and the rest of the dependent variables (objective 2). The models will be adjusted for the indicated covariates, and random effects will estimate Potential heterogeneity between AACC.

Discussion

The analysis of the association of certain behavioral patterns and determinants of health is essential and will contribute to improving health promotion and prevention strategies. The description of the individual elements and interrelated aspects that modulate the onset and persistence of diseases will allow the evaluation of their role as prognostic factors and contribute to the development of patient-tailored preventive measures and healthcare.

Clinical Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04386135. Registered on April 30, 2020.
Estimating the economic impact of COVID-19 disruption on access to sexual and reproductive health and rights in Eastern and Southern Africa
Authors: Kipchumba Kipruto Hillary , Cyprian Karamagi Humphrey , Ngusbrhan Kidane Solyana , Mwai Daniel , Njuguna David , Droti Benson , Muthigani Wangui , Olwanda Easter , Kirui Elvis , Adegboyega Ayotunde Adenola , Onyiah Amaka Pamela , Nabyonga-Orem Juliet
Published: June 2023

Background

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) resulted in the disruption of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) services in the Eastern and Southern Africa region. To date, studies estimating the impact of COVID-19 disruptions have mainly focused on SRHR services without estimating the economic implication.

Method

We used national service coverage data on the effectiveness of interventions from the lives saved tool (LiST), a mathematical modeling tool that estimates the effects of service coverage change in mortality. We computed years lost due to COVID-19 disruption on SRHR using life expectancy at birth, number of years of life lost due to child mortality, and life expectancy at average maternal death. We calculated the economic value of the lives saved, using the values of statistical life year for each of the countries, comparing 2019 (pre-COVID-19) to 2020 (COVID-19 era).

Findings

The total life-years lost were 1,335,663, with 1,056,174 life-years lost attributed to child mortality and 279,249 linked to maternal mortalities, with high case-fatality rates in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and Tanzania. The findings show COVID-19 disruptions on SRHR services between 2019 and 2020 resulted in US$ 3.6 billion losses, with the highest losses in Angola (USD 777 million), South Africa (USD 539 million), and Democratic Republic of Congo (USD 361 million).

Conclusion

The monetized value of disability adjusted life years can be used as evidence for advocacy, increased investment, and appropriate mitigation strategies. Countries should strengthen their health systems functionality, incorporating and transforming lessons learned from shock events.
Effects of dynamic zero COVID-19 policy on anxiety status and lifestyle changes of pregnant women in rural South China: a survey-based analysis by propensity score matching method
Authors: Ding Ye , Shi Xi , Li Genyuan , Liang Qingfen , Yang Ziqi , Peng Yanxia , Deng Huiqin , Wang Zhixu
Published: June 2023

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic triggered a global public health crisis and has brought an unprecedented impact on pregnant women. The problems faced by pregnant women in the rural areas of China during the epidemic are different from those in urban areas. Although the epidemic situation in China has gradually improved, studying the impact of the previous dynamic zero COVID-19 policy on the anxiety status and lifestyle of pregnant women in rural areas of China, is still necessary.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of pregnant women in rural South China was conducted from September 2021 to June 2022.Using questionnaires, sociodemographic characteristics, anxiety status, physical activity, sleep quality, and dietary status of the population were collected. Using the propensity score matching method, the effect of the dynamic zero COVID-19 strategy on the anxiety status and lifestyle of pregnant women was analyzed.

Results

Among the pregnant women in the policy group (n = 136) and the control group (n = 680), 25.7 and 22.4% had anxiety disorders, 83.1 and 84.7% had low or medium levels of physical activity, and 28.7 and 29.1% had sleep disorders, respectively. However, no significant difference (p > 0.05) was observed between the two groups. Compared with control group, the intake of fruit in the policy group increased significantly (p = 0.019), whereas that of aquatic products and eggs decreased significantly (p = 0.027). Both groups exhibited an unreasonable dietary structure and poor compliance with the Chinese dietary guidelines for pregnant women (p > 0.05). The proportion of pregnant women in the policy group, whose intake of stable food (p = 0.002), soybean, and nuts (p = 0.004) was less than the recommended amount, was significantly higher than that in the control group.

Discussion

The dynamic zero COVID-19 strategy had little impact on the anxiety status, physical activity, and sleep disorders of pregnant women in the rural areas of South China. However, it affected their intake of certain food groups. Improving corresponding food supply and organized nutritional support should be addressed as a strategic approach to improve the health of pregnant women in rural South China during the pandemic.
A review of data abstraction
Authors: Cima Gianluca , Console Marco , Lenzerini Maurizio , Poggi Antonella
Published: June 2023

It is well-known that Artificial Intelligence (AI), and in particular Machine Learning (ML), is not effective without good data preparation, as also pointed out by the recent wave of data-centric AI. Data preparation is the process of gathering, transforming and cleaning raw data prior to processing and analysis. Since nowadays data often reside in distributed and heterogeneous data sources, the first activity of data preparation requires collecting data from suitable data sources and data services, often distributed and heterogeneous. It is thus essential that providers describe their data services in a way to make them compliant with the FAIR guiding principles, i.e., make them automatically Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). The notion of data abstraction has been introduced exactly to meet this need. Abstraction is a kind of reverse engineering task that automatically provides a semantic characterization of a data service made available by a provider. The goal of this paper is to review the results obtained so far in data abstraction, by presenting the formal framework for its definition, reporting about the decidability and complexity of the main theoretical problems concerning abstraction, and discuss open issues and interesting directions for future research.
Toward the analysis of functional proteoforms using mass spectrometry-based stability proteomics
Authors: Kang Ji , Seshadri Meena , Cupp-Sutton Kellye A. , Wu Si
Published: June 2023

Functional proteomics aims to elucidate biological functions, mechanisms, and pathways of proteins and proteoforms at the molecular level to examine complex cellular systems and disease states. A series of stability proteomics methods have been developed to examine protein functionality by measuring the resistance of a protein to chemical or thermal denaturation or proteolysis. These methods can be applied to measure the thermal stability of thousands of proteins in complex biological samples such as cell lysate, intact cells, tissues, and other biological fluids to measure proteome stability. Stability proteomics methods have been popularly applied to observe stability shifts upon ligand binding for drug target identification. More recently, these methods have been applied to characterize the effect of structural changes in proteins such as those caused by post-translational modifications (PTMs) and mutations, which can affect protein structures or interactions and diversify protein functions. Here, we discussed the current application of a suite of stability proteomics methods, including thermal proteome profiling (TPP), stability of proteomics from rates of oxidation (SPROX), and limited proteolysis (LiP) methods, to observe PTM-induced structural changes on protein stability. We also discuss future perspectives highlighting the integration of top-down mass spectrometry and stability proteomics methods to characterize intact proteoform stability and understand the function of variable protein modifications.
Postponed healthcare in The Netherlands during the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on self-reported health
Authors: Visscher Kirsten , Kouwenberg Lisanne H. J. A. , Oosterhoff Marije , Rotteveel Adriënne H. , de Wit G. Ardine
Published: June 2023

Background

Healthcare services have been seriously disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to examine the extent to which Dutch citizens have experienced postponed healthcare and how this affected their self-reported health. In addition, individual characteristics that were associated with experiencing postponed healthcare and with self-reported negative health effects were investigated.

Methods

An online survey about postponed healthcare and its consequences was developed, and sent out to participants of the Dutch LISS (Longitudinal Internet Studies for the Social Sciences) panel (n = 2.043). Data were collected in August 2022. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were carried out to explore characteristics associated with postponed care and self-reported negative health outcomes.

Results

Of the total population surveyed, 31% of the panel experienced postponed healthcare, either initiated by the healthcare provider (14%), on their own initiative (12%) or as a combination of both (5%). Postponed healthcare was associated with being female (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.32; 1.96), presence of chronic diseases (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.24; 1.95), high income (OR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.48; 0.80) and worse self-reported health (poor vs. excellent OR = 2.88, 95% CI = 1.17; 7.11). Overall, 40% experienced temporary or permanent self-reported negative health effects due to postponed care. Negative health effects as a result of postponed care were associated with presence of chronic conditions and low income levels (p < 0.05). More respondents with worse self-reported health and foregone healthcare reported permanent health effects as compared to those with temporary health effects (p < 0.05).

Discussion

People with an impaired health status are most likely to experiencing postponed healthcare and negative health consequences as a result. Furthermore, those with negative health consequences decided to forego health by themselves more often. As part of long-term plans to maintain the accessibility of healthcare services, specific attention should be paid to reaching out to people with an impaired health status.
Role of automated detection of respiratory related heart rate changes in the diagnosis of sleep disordered breathing
Authors: Maresh Scott , Athikumar Adhithi Keerthana , Ahmed Nabila , Chandu Shivapriya , Prowting Joel L. , Tumah Layth , Najjar Abed A. , Khan Hamza , Sankari Muna , Lasisi Oluwatobi , Ravelo Laurel A. , Peppard Paul E. , Badr M. Safwan , Sankari Abdulghani
Published: June 2023

Study objectives

The objective of this study was to determine whether electrocardiogram (ECG) and heart rate accelerations that occur in the vicinity of respiratory events could predict the severity of sleep-disordered breathing (SDB).

Methods

De-identified polysomnogram (NPSG) recordings from 2091 eligible participants in the Sleep Heart Health Study (SHHS) were evaluated after developing and validating an automated algorithm using an initial set of recordings from 1,438 participants to detect RR interval (RRI) dips in ECG and heart rate accelerations from pulse rate signal. Within-subject comparisons were made between the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and both the total RRI dip index (total RRDI) and total heart rate acceleration index (total HRAI).

Results

The estimated AHIs using respiratory-related HRAI correlated with NPSG AHI both in the unadjusted and adjusted model (B: 0.83 and 0.81, respectively P < 0.05). Respiratory-related HRAI had a strong agreement with NPSG AHI (intraclass correlation coefficient-ICC: 0.64, whereas respiratory-related RRDI displayed weaker agreement and ICC: 0.38). Further assessment of respiratory-related HRAI (≥5 events/h) showed a strong diagnostic ability (78, 87, 81, and 56% agreement for traditional AHI cutoffs 5, 10, 15, and 30 events/h, respectively). At the AHI cutoff of 5 events/h the receiver operating curves (ROC) revealed an area under the curve (AUCs) of 0.90 and 0.96 for RE RRDI and RE HRAI respectively.

Conclusion

The automated respiratory-related heart rate measurements derived from pulse rate provide an accurate method to detect the presence of SDB. Therefore, the ability of mathematical models to accurately detect respiratory-related heart rate changes from pulse rate may enable an additional method to diagnose SDB.
RealityMedia: immersive technology and narrative space
Authors: Jang So-Youn , Park Jisu , Engberg Maria , MacIntyre Blair , Bolter Jay D.
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we treat VR as a new writing space in the long tradition of inscription. Constructing Virtual Reality (VR) narratives can then be understood as a process of inscribing text in space, and consuming them as a process of “reading” the space. Our research objective is to explore the meaning-making process afforded by spatial narratives—to test whether VR facilitates traditional ways of weaving complex, multiple narrative strands and provides new opportunities for leveraging space. We argue that, as opposed to the linear space of a printed book, a VR narrative space is similar to the physical space of a museum and can be analyzed on three distinct levels: (1) the architecture of the space itself, (2) the collection, and (3) the individual artifacts. To provide a deeper context for designing VR narratives, we designed and implemented a testbed called RealityMedia to explore digital remediations of traditional narrative devices and the spatial, immersive, and interactive affordances of VR. We conducted task-based user study using a VR headset and follow-up qualitative interviews with 20 participants. Our results highlight how the three semantic levels (space, collection, and artifacts) can work together to constitute meaningful narrative experiences in VR.
Farmer perspectives about cover crops by non-adopters
Authors: Myers Robert L. , Wilson Kelly R.
Published: June 2023

The SARE/CTIC national farmer survey has assessed farmer experiences and perceptions about cover crops six times from early 2013 to early 2020. In most years, approximately 2,000 farmers responded to the survey questions, a majority of which were cover crop adopters, but a significant fraction (7% to 16%) were non-adopters: farmers not yet using cover crops. Survey reports previously focused on the experiences of cover crop adopters. In this paper, we synthesize responses of non-adopters to examine what factors influence or constrain adoption of cover crops. The non-adopters had similar farm sizes and land tenure situations compared to cover crop adopters, but were more likely to make use of conventional tillage and less likely to use continuous no-till compared to cover crop adopters. Non-adopters identified a number of concerns about cover crops, with the top concern being the time to plant and manage cover crops. Approximately 80% of non-adopters reported being open to considering cover crops. Factors cited to encourage non-adopters to adopt cover crops included incentive payments, tax breaks, crop insurance discounts, and soil carbon payments. Non-adopters wanted to gain a better understanding of how cover crops would benefit their particular farming operation and were interested to gain training through local cover crop workshops, local cover crop field demonstrations and one-on-one technical assistance. Non-adopters were particularly interested in how cover crops could boost soil organic matter and also wanted to know how cover crops could help with yields and reducing input costs.
Oil palm boom: its socioeconomic use and abuse
Authors: Sibhatu Kibrom T.
Published: June 2023

Oil palm cultivation has experienced explosive expansion in recent decades. Although the oil palm boom has serious environmental and socioeconomic consequences, only environmental issues have garnered attention in public discussion and synthesis studies. In this study, we synthesize the literature on the socioeconomic impacts of oil palm expansion across various observation units and spatial and temporal scales, which is of significant relevance to policymakers, researchers, and the wider public. Our review demonstrates that oil palm expansion is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it has significantly helped both producing and non-producing countries’ economies by facilitating the (re)export of crude palm oil and its byproducts and by creating employment opportunities. This has stimulated rural economies, led to rural poverty reduction, and improved food security and diets for rural households in producer countries. On the other hand, it has increased conflicts and tension between local communities and agro-industrial companies, worsened workers’ conditions, and widened domestic economic inequality between producing and non-producing areas within a given producer country. Monetary quantification of the costs of oil palm’s negative environmental and social impacts indicates that the loss of ecosystem services and social services far outweighs the benefits derived from the increased production of oil palm. The direct income benefits through harvest sales and employment are more evident in the Southeast Asia production frontier, where oil palm cultivation and marketing are relatively advanced and well-integrated into global value chains. The negative outcomes are observed in all oil palm production regions, with more negative effects on food security in the African production frontiers. We propose multiple actionable research and policy recommendations that may jointly lead to inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic (and environmental) outcomes in oil palm cultivation. The socioeconomic consequences of oil palm expansion at the global level, in the African and American production frontiers, and the role of gender in oil palm production systems remain understudied. Hence, studies should be conducted.
Climate Change Challenges for Extension Educators: Technical Capacity and Cultural Attitudes
Authors: Becerra Terrie , Middendorf Gerad , Campbell Amber , Tomlinson Peter
Published: June 2023

We surveyed Extension educators in the southern Great Plains about their attitudes and beliefs regarding climate change, their interactions with constituents surrounding climate change, and challenges they face in engaging constituents on the topic of climate change. Production-oriented and sociocultural challenges in meeting constituents' information needs exist. Educators reported (a) lacking capacity for addressing climate change issues and (b) needing information, especially regarding drought and extreme or unseasonable weather events and related management practices. Educators also identified a need for more educational resources, including print materials and online decision aids. Implications are relevant to educators working beyond the study area and in any agricultural production system.
Putting Pesticides into Perspective: Demonstrations for Educating Extension Clientele
Authors: Young Curtis
Published: June 2023

Extension educators address diverse audiences about pesticides and pesticide uses. Audience members have varying attitudes about using pesticides. A fear of pesticides has been instilled in the public via emotionally charged topics, such as child development and pet health. As a result, the use of pesticides has become taboo in some people's eyes. Legitimate reasons exist to justify the removal of pesticides from the market (e.g., extreme toxicity). However, not all pesticides have these negative characteristics. Exercises described in this article help audiences better understand pesticides and put them into proper perspective relative to other products that are used regularly.
A Modified Importance-Performance Framework for Evaluating Recreation-Based Experiential Learning Programs
Authors: Pitas Nicholas , Murray Alison , Olsen Max , Graefe Alan
Published: June 2023

This article describes a modified importance-performance framework for use in evaluation of recreation-based experiential learning programs. Importance-performance analysis (IPA) provides an effective and readily applicable means of evaluating many programs, but the near universal satisfaction associated with recreation inhibits the use of IPA in this area. Two specific modifications to the traditional IPA framework are proposed: (a) a reorganized matrix and (b) the inclusion of statistical variance. Sample data from a recreation-based experiential learning program are used to illustrate both the traditional and modified frameworks. Suggestions for Extension evaluators are provided.
Extension's Role in Developing Opinion Leaders to Drive Water Conservation
Authors: Ryan Christopher , Lamm Alexa
Published: June 2023

With concern over the future of water availability in Florida increasing, Extension professionals targeting water conservation behaviors must use the most effective approaches possible. Florida population survey data obtained by the Center for Public Issues Education at the University of Florida's Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences demonstrated that both willingness to engage in water conservation behaviors and voting behavior serve as predictors of opinion leadership. Extension professionals may be able to maximize the impact of water conservation initiatives by focusing on these indirect variables in developing relevant opinion leaders.
Evaluation of Components of Volunteerism in Master Horseman Program Graduates
Authors: Walker Neely , Cater Melissa , Davis Debra , Fox Janet
Published: June 2023

Providing volunteers with training opportunities affects the overall success of programs with which they are involved. This article describes a study of 98 Louisiana Master Horseman Program graduates. The study addressed their perceived self-efficacy related to equine technical and management skills, their changes in confidence regarding teaching relevant skills to others, and their willingness to teach those skills to others. Results indicated that the training positively affected graduates' horsemanship skills and their confidence and willingness related to teaching such skills. Findings suggest that the Louisiana Master Horseman Program is useful for creating a highly trained volunteer workforce and is a master volunteer program option that could be replicated successfully in other states.
Healthful Homes for Urban Youths and Families
Authors: Bothell Joan , Gaudio Mary
Published: June 2023

The concept of a healthful home offers the basis for a comprehensive approach to addressing the well-established relationship between health and housing. Many environmental health hazards found in homes—such as lead, mold, environmental tobacco smoke, and pesticides—can be reduced or eliminated through the use of scientifically validated (yet sometimes quite simple) interventions that improve health outcomes for residents. A team from the University of Connecticut's Department of Extension developed an effective curriculum for teaching urban 4-H youth leaders, youths, and others in their communities about the importance of healthful homes and practical ways of improving home environments.
Fork2Farmer: Enabling Success of Small Farms Through Partnerships with Well-Known Chefs and the Tourism Sector
Authors: Morais Duarte , Jakes Susan , Bowen Becky , Lelekacs Joanna
Published: June 2023

A team of economic development, local foods, and tourism specialists from North Carolina Cooperative Extension is pursuing an initiative titled Fork2Farmer. The goal is to increase visits to local farms and diversify farm income by leveraging the high visibility of well-known farm-to-table chefs who support local small farms. To do this, those involved in the initiative are (a) producing and disseminating short videos about collaborative relationships between chefs and the farmers who supply their restaurants and (b) developing educational programs to facilitate agritourism microentrepreneurship and to nurture and leverage farmers' partnerships with chefs.
Strengthening Families Through a Re-envisioned Approach to Fatherhood Education
Authors: Bates James , Wilkinson Deanna , McCartan Jason , Remley Daniel , Light Mark , Crawford David , Dellifield Jami
Published: June 2023

Fatherhood education has the potential to affect not only fathers' nurturant behaviors but also multiple dimensions of family life. The weGrill program blends fatherhood, youth development, and nutrition education, with food grilling as the focal activity. Grounded in multiple learning theories, the program helps fathers and their adolescent children learn broadly about family life topics, planning for the future, and nutrition and healthful food behaviors. The program represents a re-envisioned approach to fatherhood education.
Defining and Developing Curricula in the Context of Cooperative Extension
Authors: Smith Martin , Worker Steven , Meehan Cheryl , McQuitty Lynn , Ambrose Andrea , Brian Kelley , Schoenfelder Emily
Published: June 2023

Effective curricula are considered to be the cornerstone of successful programming in Extension. However, there is no universal operationalized definition of the term curriculum as it applies to Extension. Additionally, the development of curricula requires a systematic process that takes into account numerous factors. We provide an operational definition of curriculum by describing the parts of a curriculum, discussing the organization of those elements, and recommending theoretical frameworks that complement the learn-by-doing approach used in Extension. We also describe strategies to guide curriculum development, adaptation, and evaluation that will help advance the potential of Extension curricula to achieve their intended outcomes.
An Extension Application of the RE-AIM Evaluation Framework
Authors: Downey Laura , Peterson Donna , Donaldson Joseph , Hardman Alisha
Published: June 2023

RE-AIM is an evaluation framework that has been widely used by public health professionals for over 15 years and is well documented in public health literature. RE-AIM evaluates health promotion programs on five dimensions—reach, effectiveness, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Although some Extension professionals have used the framework, it has been undocumented in Extension literature. To encourage wider use of RE-AIM in Extension, we briefly describe the framework and present an application of it to a two-state, grant-funded 4-H Healthy Living program. We conclude by identifying benefits of more widespread use of RE-AIM within Extension.
MRI Features of Neurological Complications During the Postpartum Period: Think beyond CVT and PRES
Authors: Singh Rambir , Ralot Tarun Kumar , Sharma Rajaram , Goyal Gaurav , Kritika Kritika
Published: June 2023

Background: The assessment of the individual magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) features provides vital clues about the diagnosis of neurological complications during the postpartum period assists in the determination of the common neurological complications, differentiates these neurological disorders on basis of the MRI features, and helps with the early treatment planning. This study aimed to describe various complications that occur during the postpartum period to describe the MRI features of these neurological complications and the differentiating features from each other. Materials and Methods: The study was a retrospective hospital-based analysis study conducted in the Department of Radiodiagnosis and modern imaging, Maharana Bhopal government hospital and RNT Medical College Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, from October 2017 to September 2018 (All the patients presented during this time frame were included in the study). A total of 58 postpartum cases of neurological disorders who were referred to the department for radiological evaluation and who had positive MRI imaging findings were included in the study. Results: Most common neurological symptoms were seizures followed by headache and focal neurological deficit (FND). Moreover, the most typical neurological complication was cerebral vein thrombosis, followed by posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES). Other common complications were intracranial hemorrhage, ischemic infarcts, infections, acute hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, and metabolic encephalopathy. Rare but important findings included postpartum hypernatremic encephalopathy with extra pontine myelinolysis and rhabdomyolysis and postpartum reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome (PRCVS). Conclusion: MRI, along with angiography and venography, is the modality of choice to evaluate postpartum neurological symptoms and plays a crucial role in the early diagnosis of neurological complications. Furthermore, MRI helps establish this diagnosis early to avoid further complications.
Could Basal Uric Acid Levels Be an Important Biomarker for Prediction of Acute Renal Injury in Patients With Sepsis in the Intensive Care Unit?
Authors: Düğeroğlu Harun , Özgenoğlu Murat
Published: June 2023

Background: Sepsis is an important risk factor for the development of acute renal injury (ARI) among patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). There are limited studies showing that increased uric acid level is an important risk factor for the development of ARI. The present study was carried out to find out whether increased basal uric acid levels play an important role in predicting the development of ARI and whether it could be used as a biomarker for this. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study included patients aged≥18 years who were admitted to the ICU of Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty Hospital from September 2018 to December 2020. Group 1 comprised 100 patients developing ARI and group 2 comprised 110 patients who did not develop ARI. Laboratory test values and Simplified Acute Physiologic Score II (SAPS II) data on the first day of ICU admission were obtained from archive records. Results: During the 10-day follow-up of patients included in the study, the ARI development rate was 57.3%. Basal serum uric acid levels were higher in group 1 compared to group 2 (P=0.001). Based on the results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis, basal serum uric acid values and albumin and SAPS II values had independent correlations with ARI (P<0.001). Conclusion: We believe that increased basal uric acid levels examined in patients admitted to the ICU with sepsis diagnosis may be an important biomarker for the prediction of ARI.
Intestinal Parasites in Diarrheal Patients in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran
Authors: Najafi-Asl Majid , Hosseini Teshnizi Saeed , Sarani Maryam , Teremahi Ardestani Majid , Sharifi-Sarasiabi Khojasteh
Published: June 2023

Background: Diarrheal diseases are the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries and the second most common cause of death in children under five years. The main objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites in diarrheal patients in Bandar Abbas, Southern Iran. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections and associated factors among patients with diarrhea in the major hospitals of Bandar Abbas. A single fecal specimen was collected from 170 diarrheic patients from October 2018 to May 2019. The diagnosis was made based on the direct wet mount and formalin-ether concentration method. Trichrome and modified acid-fast staining methods were used for the better detection of protozoa. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software. Results: A total of 170 stool specimens were collected from diarrheic patients. Of these, 57.6% were males and 42.4% were females. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 12.9%. The most prevalent parasite was Blastocystis spp. 10 (5.9%), followed by Giardia lamblia 7 (4.1%), Cryptosporidium spp. 3 (1.8%), Entamoeba coli 1 (0.6%), and Hymenolepis nana 1 (0.6%). Conclusion: Overall, the results showed that intestinal parasites, especially helminth infections, have significantly decreased in recent years.
Analysis of Malaria Situation in Jask County During the Implementation of the Elimination Programme in 2010-2020
Authors: Hosseinpoor Mahmood , Fekrijaski Sajjad , Zare Shahram , Soleimani-Ahmadi Moussa
Published: June 2023

Background: Currently, Iran has entered the malaria elimination phase, and no malaria cases have been observed in this country during the last two consecutive years. Continuous monitoring and analysis of the malaria situation are necessary to achieve the elimination goals set to be achieved in 2025. This study aimed to determine the malaria situation analysis during the implementation of the elimination programme in Jask county, one of the most important malaria foci in Iran. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in Jask county of Hormozgan province in the southeast of Iran from 2010 to 2020. Data were collected from the national malaria surveillance system and special forms that were completed by malaria focal points in Jask county. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21 software and descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 347 confirmed malaria cases were recorded, and the total number of cases was found to decrease from 114 cases in 2010 to 11 in 2020. The mean age of the patients was 23.4±19.6 years, and most cases (74.06%) belonged to 15-year-old or older people. Plasmodium vivax was the most prevalent species (83.86%). Based on the results, males were more infected (81.84%) than females, and the majority of the patients were from rural areas (86.4%). Conclusion: Malaria incidence has significantly decreased during the past eleven years in Jask county. The considerable drop in the incidence of malaria may be related to the implementation of comprehensive malaria control measures and intensive entomological and parasitological monitoring.
The Impact of Smoking on Anti-COVID-19 Antibody Titers After Vaccination: A Narrative Review in Some Asian Countries
Authors: Fakhre Yaseri Amirhossein
Published: June 2023

According to 2019 worldwide statistics, there were more than 1 billion tobacco smokers, making smoking one of the top significant preventable causes of disease and early death. Smoking poses a considerable problem to healthcare systems throughout the world. The coronavirus outbreak, which is now sweeping the world, is causing extensive concern. Since December 2020, several COVID-19 vaccines have been produced and approved, and an efficient immunologic response to vaccination is essential to limiting the pandemic’s harmful health effects. According to several of these research studies, smokers’ vaccine antibody (Ab) titers are lower or decrease more quickly than non-smokers. Thus, this narrative review article was conducted aiming at finding the impact of smoking on anti-severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 immunoglobulin G Ab titers after COVID-19 vaccination in some Asian countries, including China, Japan, Jordan, and Turkey. Relevant English publications from the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched and extracted using keywords such as COVID-19, smoking, vaccination, China, Japan, Jordan, and Turkey. This review revealed that smoking is one of the significant risk factors for COVID-19 infection that emerges after vaccination. Present smoking could promote lower Ab titers, and quitting smoking before immunization increased the ability to respond to the vaccine. Moreover, cigarette smoking and the use of tobacco products could be predictors of a reduced immunological response to the COVID-19 vaccination. To develop a more individualized strategy for vaccination, additional research on the relationships between Ab titers and the thorough histories of people, including smoking history, is necessary.