bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Carbonyl Compounds in Different Work Environments: Comparison between LC-UV/DAD and LC–MS/MS Detection Methods
Authors: Castellani Federica , Antonucci Arianna , Pindinello Ivano , Protano Carmela , Vitali Matteo
Published: September 2022

There were two analytical methods for the determination of 12 carbonyl compounds (CCs) by using liquid chromatography (LC) coupled with mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and diode array detector (UV/DAD) that were developed and applied to 52 samples that were collected in 10 workplaces. Linearity (0.996 < R2 < 0.999), intra-day repeatability (0.7 < RSD% < 10), and inter-day repeatability (5 < RSD% < 16) were acceptable for both techniques, but the highest sensibility of the MS/MS method allowed us to correctly quantify 98% of the samples (versus 32% by UV/DAD). The comparison of the concentrations that were obtained by quantifying the same sample with both techniques showed good agreement for acetaldehyde and formaldehyde (0.1 < % deviation < 30) but much higher for the less abundant congeners. In real samples, formaldehyde was the most abundant congener (concentrations between 2.7 and 77 µg m−3), followed by acetaldehyde (concentrations between 1.5 and 79 µg m−3) and butyraldehyde (concentrations between 0.4 and 13 µg m−3). In all the beauty salon samples, instead, the most abundant congener was acetaldehyde (concentrations between 19 and 79 µg m−3), probably associated with the use of beauty products. Principal components analysis (PCA) confirms the ubiquitous character of formaldehyde and highlights the influence of minority CCs on different workplaces.
HMM-Based Action Recognition System for Elderly Healthcare by Colorizing Depth Map
Authors: Htet Ye , Zin Thi Thi , Tin Pyke , Tamura Hiroki , Kondo Kazuhiro , Chosa Etsuo
Published: September 2022

Addressing the problems facing the elderly, whether living independently or in managed care facilities, is considered one of the most important applications for action recognition research. However, existing systems are not ready for automation, or for effective use in continuous operation. Therefore, we have developed theoretical and practical foundations for a new real-time action recognition system. This system is based on Hidden Markov Model (HMM) along with colorizing depth maps. The use of depth cameras provides privacy protection. Colorizing depth images in the hue color space enables compressing and visualizing depth data, and detecting persons. The specific detector used for person detection is You Look Only Once (YOLOv5). Appearance and motion features are extracted from depth map sequences and are represented with a Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG). These HOG feature vectors are transformed as the observation sequences and then fed into the HMM. Finally, the Viterbi Algorithm is applied to recognize the sequential actions. This system has been tested on real-world data featuring three participants in a care center. We tried out three combinations of HMM with classification algorithms and found that a fusion with Support Vector Machine (SVM) had the best average results, achieving an accuracy rate (84.04%).
Teratogenic Effects of Organohalogen Contaminants Extracted from Whale Bacon in a Whole-Rat-Embryo Culture System
Authors: Akita Masaharu , Kimura Osamu , Atobe Kazutaka , Endo Tetsuya , Yamada Shizuo , Haraguchi Koichi , Kato Yoshihisa
Published: September 2022

Marine foods can be contaminated with organochlorines and the risk to human beings who consume these foods needs to be evaluated. We examined the teratogenic effects of contaminants extracted from whale bacon on rat embryos using a whole-embryo culture system. Embryonic day 11.5 embryos were cultured for 48 h with organohalogens extracted from whale bacon at low (polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs): 0.32 ppm, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs): 0.16 ppm, chlordanes (CHLs): 0.02 ppm) and high (PCBs: 2.15 ppm, DDTs: 1.99 ppm, CHLs: 0.20 ppm) doses. The levels of organohalogen compounds in cultured embryos were determined. The organochlorine contaminants extracted from whale products were readily transferred to the cultured rat embryos. The number of heartbeats, yolk sac circulation score, and embryonic body circulation score of embryos did not change during the culture period in either exposure group. Cultured embryos treated with the low-dose contaminated medium for 48 h showed abnormalities of the mandible, and craniofacial or forelimb hematomas with an incidence of 50%. All embryos treated with the high-dose medium showed craniofacial abnormalities and cleft lip, and limb abnormalities and hematomas. These results indicate that the organohalogen contaminants in whale bacon may be teratogenic in a dose-dependent manner. Further studies are necessary to determine the dose–effect relationship.
Tourism at the Crossroads between Well-Being, Public Health and the Environment: Panel Data Evidence from the European Union
Authors: Badulescu Daniel , Simut Ramona , Simut Ciprian , Badulescu Andrei-Vlad
Published: September 2022

The recent pandemic crisis led to a drop in tourism, and it highlighted the connection between tourism, healthcare, environmental concerns and well-being. In this context, the purpose of the research is to clarify the relationship between tourism, happiness, healthcare and environmental expenditure. Statistical data provided by the World Bank, Eurostat and the World Happiness Database from the EU27 countries, from 2000 to 2019, were used. In order to investigate the relationship between these indicators, the panel Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method was used. In the long run, happiness and environmental and healthcare expenditure have a statistically significant and positive impact on tourism arrivals and receipts. It follows that a 1% increase in happiness supports between 4% and 9% of international tourism, while a 1% increase in environmental expenditure supports an increase of 2% in international tourism. Additionally, there is a significant interaction between happiness and either environmental or healthcare expenditure in the long run. This means that increasing happiness diminishes the effect of the later on tourism arrivals and receipts. No short-term relationship was identified between arrivals and any of the above-mentioned variables. In the same context, healthcare expenditure has a negative short-term effect on tourism receipts. The research contributes to the literature by suggesting that increasing national happiness, healthcare and environmental expenditure has a beneficial spillover effect on tourism arrivals and receipts in the long run.
Regional Inequalities and Influencing Factors of Residents’ Health in China: Analysis from the Perspective of Opening-Up
Authors: Gao Guozhen , Hu Jinmiao , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Guofeng
Published: September 2022

While opening-up promotes regional economic development, its impact on the residents’ health level cannot be ignored. Based on provincial data of China from 2009 to 2020, the Gini Coefficient and Theil Index are used to analyze the regional inequalities in residents’ health in China. The Difference-in-Difference model is constructed to study the impact of China’s opening-up policies and other factors on residents’ health. The results show that, firstly, the health levels of Chinese residents have steadily improved and regional inequalities have been gradually narrowing. Secondly, the Belt and Road Initiative has significantly improved the residents’ health along the route, while the Pilot Free Trade Zone, which is another important opening-up policy in China, has had an inhibitory effect on the health of residents. Thirdly, it is proven that the Belt and Road Initiative improves the health of residents in provinces along the route by increasing the degree of opening-up and improving the regional environmental quality. This study will support and advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially SDG3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Internet Use and Subjective Well-Being of the Elderly: An Analysis of the Mediating Effect Based on Social Capital
Authors: Yang Yang , Zeng Dan , Yang Fan
Published: September 2022

At present, the Internet has a profound impact on the lifestyle and ideas of the elderly and has an important impact on the subjective well-being of the elderly. Based on the data of 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), 4463 elderly people aged 60 years and above were selected in the empirical research, including 2321 males and 2142 females. The average age was 68.07 (SD = 5.75). The ordinary least square regression (OLS) model was used to test the effect of Internet use on the subjective well-being of the elderly; the structural equation model was used to analyze the influence path of social capital in the process of Internet use affecting the subjective well-being of the elderly, and the Sobel test is used to further verify the mediating effect of social capital. The results indicated the important positive effect of Internet use on the improvement of the subjective well-being of the elderly and confirms the mediating role of social capital in the process of Internet use affecting the subjective well-being of the elderly. Among them, the mediating effects of bonding social capital and bridging social capital accounted for 18.69% and 28.17%, respectively. It can be seen that the mediating effect of bridging social capital is significantly higher than that of bonding social capital. Marital status moderates the latter half of the mediation mechanism of “Internet use–bridging social capital–subjective well-being of the elderly”, that is, “bridging social capital–subjective well-being of the elderly.”
The Impact of Climate Change Risks on Residential Consumption in China: Evidence from ARMAX Modeling and Granger Causality Analysis
Authors: Niu Miaomiao , Li Guohao
Published: September 2022

Estimating the impact of climate change risks on residential consumption is one of the important elements of climate risk management, but there is too little research on it. This paper investigates the impact of climate change risks on residential consumption and the heterogeneous effects of different climate risk types in China by an ARMAX model and examines the Granger causality between them. Empirical results based on monthly data from January 2016 to January 2019 suggest a significant positive effect of climate change risks on residential consumption, but with a three-month lag period. If the climate risk index increases by 1 unit, residential consumption will increase by 1.29% after three months. Additionally, the impact of climate change risks on residential consumption in China mainly comes from drought, waterlogging by rain, and high temperature, whereas the impact of typhoons and cryogenic freezing is not significant. Finally, we confirmed the existence of Granger-causality running from climate change risks to residential consumption. Our findings establish the linkage between climate change risks and residential consumption and have some practical implications for the government in tackling climate change risks.
Evaluation and Projection of Surface PM2.5 and Its Exposure on Population in Asia Based on the CMIP6 GCMs
Authors: Xu Ying , Wu Jie , Han Zhenyu
Published: September 2022

This paper evaluates the historical simulated surface concentrations of particulate matter small than 2.5 µm in diameter (PM2.5) and its components (black carbon (BC), dust, SO4, and organic aerosol (OA)) in Asia, which come from Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6). In addition, future projected changes of surface PM2.5 and its components, as well as their exposure to population, under the different Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios are also provided. Results show that the simulated spatial distribution of surface PM2.5 concentrations is consistent with the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications version 2 (MERRA-2) and Socioeconomic Data and Applications Center (SEDAC). The model spreads are small/large over the regions with low/high climatic mean surface PM2.5 concentrations, i.e., Northern Asia/Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Xinjiang Province of China. The multi-model ensemble of CMIP6 reproduces the main features of annual cycles and seasonal variations in Asia and its sub-regions. Under the scenarios of SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5, compared to the present-day period of 1995–2014, annual mean surface PM2.5 concentrations are projected to decrease in Asia, with obvious differences among the scenarios. Meanwhile, the magnitudes and timings of changes at the regional scale are quite different, with the largest decreases in South Asia (SAS). Under SSP3-7.0, the increase of surface PM2.5 concentrations in SAS is the largest, with the increase value of 8 μg/m3 in 2050; while under SSP370-lowNTCF, which assumes stronger levels of air quality control measures relative to the SSP3-7.0, the decreases of surface PM2.5 concentrations in SAS, East Asia (EAS) and Southeast Asia (SEAS) are the largest. The characteristics of seasonal trends are consistent with that of the annual trend. The trends in the concentrations of surface PM2.5 and its components are similar. The population-weighted average values of surface PM2.5 concentrations are projected to decrease in Central Asia (CAS), EAS, North Asia (NAS), and SEAS, and it indicates that the surface PM2.5 concentrations over the most populated area of Asia will decrease. In SAS, because of its large population, the impact of air pollutants on human health is still disastrous in the future. In summary, the surface PM2.5 concentrations over the most area of Asia will decrease, which is beneficial to air quality and human health; under SSP370-lowNTCF, the reduction of short-lived climate forcers (SLCFs) will further improve air quality.
Factors Influencing Preventive Behavior of COVID-19 among Nursing Students in South Korea
Authors: Yang Seung-Kyoung , Kim Minji
Published: September 2022

We aimed to identify factors influencing the preventive behavior of COVID-19 among nursing students. A survey was conducted through an online questionnaire in December 2021 for students in the department of nursing at a university located in C city. An online questionnaire was distributed to 189 nursing students who voluntarily agreed to participate in the study, and data from 179 of them were used for the final analysis. The research tools used were COVID-19 stress scale for Korean people, COVID-19 risk-perception scale, self-efficacy scale, and COVID-19 prevention behavior scale. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney and Kruskal–Wallis test, as well as Spearman correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression with SPSS 23.0 program. Factors significantly influencing the preventive behavior of COVID-19 were self-efficacy (β = 0.53, p < 0.001) and COVID-19 stress (β = 0.25, p = 0.001). The explanatory power of related variables was 45.0%. We found that self-efficacy and COVID-19 stress had a significant effect on the preventive behavior of nursing students. Therefore, to promote the preventive behavior of COVID-19, it is necessary to improve the self-efficacy of nursing students and manage COVID-19 stress well.
Using Convolutional Neural Networks to Derive Neighborhood Built Environments from Google Street View Images and Examine Their Associations with Health Outcomes
Authors: Yue Xiaohe , Antonietti Anne , Alirezaei Mitra , Tasdizen Tolga , Li Dapeng , Nguyen Leah , Mane Heran , Sun Abby , Hu Ming , Whitaker Ross T. , Nguyen Quynh C.
Published: September 2022

Built environment neighborhood characteristics are difficult to measure and assess on a large scale. Consequently, there is a lack of sufficient data that can help us investigate neighborhood characteristics as structural determinants of health on a national level. The objective of this study is to utilize publicly available Google Street View images as a data source for characterizing built environments and to examine the influence of built environments on chronic diseases and health behaviors in the United States. Data were collected by processing 164 million Google Street View images from November 2019 across the United States. Convolutional Neural Networks, a class of multi-layer deep neural networks, were used to extract features of the built environment. Validation analyses found accuracies of 82% or higher across neighborhood characteristics. In regression analyses controlling for census tract sociodemographics, we find that single-lane roads (an indicator of lower urban development) were linked with chronic conditions and worse mental health. Walkability and urbanicity indicators such as crosswalks, sidewalks, and two or more cars were associated with better health, including reduction in depression, obesity, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Street signs and streetlights were also found to be associated with decreased chronic conditions. Chain link fence (physical disorder indicator) was generally associated with poorer mental health. Living in neighborhoods with a built environment that supports social interaction and physical activity can lead to positive health outcomes. Computer vision models using manually annotated Google Street View images as a training dataset were able to accurately identify neighborhood built environment characteristics. These methods increases the feasibility, scale, and efficiency of neighborhood studies on health.
Dark Tourists: Profile, Practices, Motivations and Wellbeing
Authors: Magano José , Fraiz-Brea José A. , Leite Ângela
Published: September 2022

This work aims to address whether knowing what dark tourism is (or not) impacts rumination on sadness, self-hatred, hostility, psychological vulnerability, and tourist wellbeing, as well as practices and motivations for dark tourism. A quantitative approach, based on a survey of 993 respondents, reveals that women and more educated participants know more about dark tourism; people who know what dark tourism is have visited more Holocaust museums, sites of human tragedy and natural disasters, concentration camps, and prisons; show more curiosity, need to learn and understand, and need to see morbid things. A model was found showing that gender, age, know/do not know dark tourism, and motivations (curiosity, the need to learn, the need to understand, and pleasure) explained 38.1% of a dark tourism practice index. Most findings also indicate that rumination on sadness, self-hatred, hostility, and psychological vulnerability are associated with darker practices. Greater wellbeing was not found in participants who knew in advance what dark tourism was. Interestingly, participants who visit tragic human sites present higher values in hostility and tourist wellbeing than those who do not. In summary, people who visit more dark places and score higher on negative personality characteristics have higher values of tourist wellbeing.
Students’ Perceived Well-Being and Online Preference: Evidence from Two Universities in Vietnam during COVID-19
Authors: Tran Nam Hoang , Nguyen Nhien Thi , Nguyen Binh Thanh , Phan Quang Ngoc
Published: September 2022

University education is still being impacted two years after the COVID-19 outbreak. We performed a rapid survey in February 2022 at two public universities in Vietnam to examine the effects of the pandemic on well-being and the factors that may associate with online class preference among university students as well as to investigate the need for support to improve resilience. A web-based survey included 1589 undergraduate students in total. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis was carried out. Overall, approximately a quarter of respondents said that they perceived an influence on their health, 42.9% expressed stress, and more than 70% reported worrying about the future. In total, 61.9% of the respondents reported having satisfaction with online classes, while over half of them preferred a program of 50% online classes. Students who live in an urban area, are female, have had pre-COVID-19 campus life experience, have decreased income, and/or experience low online satisfaction and over-information may be in need of more support. The results show implications for universities to consider policies addressing well-being and post-pandemic online education. Providing support to university students to improve their resilience against the impact on their studying, campus life, health, and well-being should be prioritized during and post-pandemic.
“Ya Luk Ka Tan Yoo”: An Ethnography of Filial Piety Culture, Medication Usage, and Health Perceptions of the Elderly in Rural Southern Thailand
Authors: Sringernyuang Luechai , Sottiyotin Tida
Published: September 2022

Filial piety is a Buddhist virtue, and its meaning varies across cultures. In Thailand, filial piety refers to an appreciation of one’s indebtedness to others. Previous studies showed that filial piety is deeply grounded in longstanding culture values and related to the health of the elderly. Information from some literature revealed that medicinal products given to the elderly by their children, called “Ya-Luk-Ka-Tan-Yoo”, were apparent in the communities of rural southern Thailand. This study aims to explore in depth how “Ya-Luk-Ka-Tan-Yoo” is perceived, valued, and functions in southern Thailand’s socio-cultural contexts. Ethnography methodology is used, and a researcher was embedded in the field for six months, gathering data through participant observation and ethno-graphic interviews with fifty-two respondents. The findings reveal that filial piety medication is related to the local meanings of medicine, children, and gratitude. “Ya-Luk-Ka-Tan-Yoo,” in the eyes of both the elderly and their children, encompasses more than just health. Implicit herein are the concepts of a means of care and gratitude and a symbol of life. Filial piety medication is thus a carrier/medium of physical, financial, and emotional support. This research reveals how the ill health of the elderly is transformed to a commodity. Nonetheless, the negative impact of the efficacy of filial piety medication remains an issue of concern among professionals. The findings indicate that people are aware of the risks associated with self-medication. However, they insisted that their use was still necessary and justifiable.
What Factors Affect Farmers’ Levels of Domestic Waste Sorting Behavior? A Case Study from Shaanxi Province, China
Authors: Yuan Yalin , Xu Minyue , Chen Hanxin
Published: September 2022

Waste sorting is a key element for solving the current predicament of rural waste management. In the pilot areas of China, farmers’ domestic waste sorting behavior (DWSB) varies significantly, whereas there are few studies exploring the mechanism of its formation. To fill this research gap, this study constructs a research model of the internal logic of farmers’ waste sorting levels (i.e., no sorting; sorting recyclable waste; sorting recyclable and kitchen waste; and sorting recyclable, kitchen, harmful, and other waste) by considering circumstantial constraints (social norms in external factors) and psychological behavioral antecedents (personal norms and group identity in internal factors). Based on pilot survey data from farmers in Shaanxi Province, China, the results of the ordered logit model indicate that social norms and personal norms were the most significant predictors of the level of DWSB, while group identity was found to have no significant influence. Furthermore, the results of the grouping regression analysis showed that personal norms had a positive moderating effect on the relationship between social norms and farmers’ DWSB. Therefore, a more positive social atmosphere, better education, and personal environmental moral responsibility for domestic waste sorting should be established to enhance their levels of waste sorting behavior.
The Mediation Role of Self-Control in the Association of Self-Efficacy and Physical Activity in College Students
Authors: Yu Hongyan , Yang Li , Tian Jianing , Austin Larry , Tao Yiming
Published: September 2022

Global COVID-19 lockdown measures have led to an apparent decrease in physical activity. This study aimed to explore the explanatory function of self-control’s mediating role between self-efficacy and physical activity among college students. The analysis used the data of 1627 university students (aged 19.41 ± 0.66, range 17–28, 40.5% males) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Self-efficacy, self-control, and physical activity were tested, respectively, by the general self-efficacy scale, the new brief self-control scale, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scale, which were analyzed by SPSS software. Correlation analysis showed that self-efficacy, self-control, and physical activity were related in pairs. Comparing the two dimensions of self-control, we found that self-discipline mediated the relationship between self-efficacy and PA, and impulse control did not mediate the relationship. Regarding the gender difference according to multi-group analysis, findings showed that females need higher self-discipline from the path of self-efficacy to physical activity improvement than males.
Seasonal Differences in Physiological Responses to Walking in Urban Parks
Authors: Song Chorong , Ikei Harumi , Miyazaki Yoshifumi
Published: September 2022

The aim of the current study was to assess seasonal differences in physiological responses to walking in urban parks. In total, 51 Japanese male university students participated in this research. During each season, the participants walked for 15 min in an urban park and a city area, which was used as the control site. Heart-rate variability and heart rate were used as physiological indicators. The mean values of each indicator in a comparison between walking in an urban park and a city area were compared according to each season. In addition, to show the physiological effect of walking in an urban park, differences (between walking in an urban park and walking in a city area) were calculated. Then, differences according to each season were compared. The results showed that the participants had increased parasympathetic nervous system activity in all seasons except summer. Moreover, they had decreased sympathetic nervous system activity in spring and fall and decreased heart rate in all seasons. Compared with walking in urban parks in summer, walking in urban parks in spring, fall, and winter had a greater relaxation effect on parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system activities; hence, the physiological effects of walking in urban parks vary based on season.
Personality, Preoperative Anxiety, and Postoperative Outcomes: A Review
Authors: Ji Wentao , Sang Chao , Zhang Xiaoting , Zhu Keming , Bo Lulong
Published: September 2022

Research has shown that personality is associated with anxiety levels in the general population. However, little is known about the relationship between personality and preoperative anxiety and the subsequent health outcomes in patients undergoing surgery. Therefore, this review aimed to identify studies that explored the relationship between personality traits and preoperative anxiety, as well as their association with postoperative outcomes. Existing literature shows that anxiety may play an intermediary role in the relationship between personality and postoperative outcomes. Severe anxiety may partially explain the adverse effects of certain personality traits, such as neuroticism, on postoperative outcomes. However, the relationship between personality traits, preoperative anxiety, and postoperative outcomes remains unclear. Interventions such as clinical evaluation, preoperative counseling, and management strategies can be of great value in identifying and resolving patients’ anxiety and negative emotions to improve postoperative outcomes.
The Mediating Effect of Self-Efficacy and Coping Strategy in Relation to Job Stress and Psychological Well-Being of Home-Visiting Care Workers for Elderly during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Kim Hee-Kyung , Seo Jeong-Hyo , Park Cheol-Hee
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the mediating effect of self-efficacy and coping strategy in the relationship between job stress and the psychological well-being of care workers. The subjects were 112 home-visiting care workers, and data were collected at four home-visiting nursing centers in a metropolitan city and a small and medium-sized city from July to August 2022. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation co-efficient, multiple linear regression, and Sobel test. The mean score of psychological well-being was 3.33 ± 0.46 out of a possible 5. The subject’s psychological well-being was correlated with self-efficacy (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), problem-solving-focused coping (r = 0.58, p < 0.001), social-support-seeking coping (r = 0.34, p < 0.001), job stress (r = −0.31, p = 0.001), avoidance-focused coping (r = −0.37, p < 0.001). Self-efficacy (Z = −4.92, p < 0.001), problem-solving-focused coping (Z = −2.56, p = 0.010), and avoidance-focused coping (Z = −3.07, p = 0.002) had a mediating effect in the relationship between job stress and psychological well-being of the subjects during the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on these results, the psychological well-being nursing intervention program for home-visiting care workers need to include job stress, problem-solving-focused coping, and avoidance-focused coping.
On the Road to Net Zero Health Care Systems: Governance for Sustainable Health Care in the United Kingdom and Germany
Authors: Weimann Léa , Weimann Edda
Published: September 2022

Health care lies at the forefront of the impacts of climate change. Since the health sector is a major polluting and emission intensive sector, it remains a crucial challenge to address sustainability. The English National Health System (NHS) aims to be the first in the world to achieve net zero in all emission classes (Scope 1–3). In Germany, sustainability in health care is being driven bottom-up, while the Federal Ministry of Health at the time of the research in early 2021 takes no active stance on a net zero health care system. This article analyses the approaches to sustainability in the two different health care systems, explores common challenges, and draws recommendations to support the transition of the sector to a net zero future. An exploratory mixed method approach was taken applying qualitative and quantitative methods. This includes high-level expert interviews and an online survey from the United Kingdom (UK) and Germany. Results reveal the complex nature of health care systems and the need for engraining a systems-thinking approach. The findings call for the legal embedding of sustainability into the key principles of health care in Germany, endorses the ambition of the national health care systems in the UK, recommends collaborative cross-sector approaches for sustainability, and highlights the need for increased public awareness on the interrelation between human and planetary health to enable governance for sustainable health care.
Spatial Modeling of COVID-19 Prevalence Using Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System
Authors: Tabasi Mohammad , Alesheikh Ali Asghar , Kalantari Mohsen , Babaie Elnaz , Mollalo Abolfazl
Published: September 2022

This study is dedicated to modeling the spatial variation in COVID-19 prevalence using the adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) when dealing with nonlinear relationships, especially useful for small areas or small sample size problems. We compiled a broad range of socio-demographic, environmental, and climatic factors along with potentially related urban land uses to predict COVID-19 prevalence in rural districts of the Golestan province northeast of Iran with a very high-case fatality ratio (9.06%) during the first year of the pandemic (2020–2021). We also compared the ANFIS and principal component analysis (PCA)-ANFIS methods for modeling COVID-19 prevalence in a geographical information system framework. Our results showed that combined with the PCA, the ANFIS accuracy significantly increased. The PCA-ANFIS model showed a superior performance (R2 (determination coefficient) = 0.615, MAE (mean absolute error) = 0.104, MSE (mean square error) = 0.020, and RMSE (root mean square error) = 0.139) than the ANFIS model (R2 = 0.543, MAE = 0.137, MSE = 0.034, and RMSE = 0.185). The sensitivity analysis of the ANFIS model indicated that migration rate, employment rate, the number of days with rainfall, and residential apartment units were the most contributing factors in predicting COVID-19 prevalence in the Golestan province. Our findings indicated the ability of the ANFIS model in dealing with nonlinear parameters, particularly for small sample sizes. Identifying the main factors in the spread of COVID-19 may provide useful insights for health policymakers to effectively mitigate the high prevalence of the disease.
Placial-Discursive Topologies of Violence: Volunteered Geographic Information and the Reproduction of Violent Places in Recife, Brazil
Authors: Moura de Souza Cléssio , Kremer Dominik , Walker Blake Byron
Published: September 2022

Knowledge and experiences of violence transform the ways in which individuals perceive the urban landscape, construct and reproduce (un)safety, and make everyday decisions regarding mobility and the use of space. This knowledge and these experiences are placially anchored and are shaped by everyday regionalisations. In the context of interpersonal violence in Recife, Brazil, we examine the ways in which volunteered geographic information (VGI), formal and informal information exchange networks, and individual experience contribute to the reproduction of violent spaces. During interviews with civilian residents and police officers, we explore the knowledge and information flows and their spatial anchorings before and after presenting informants with a VGI-based map of firearms violence. Following coding, interviews were also analysed using a novel, semiautomated text mining algorithm to produce context-sensitive co-occurrence graphs of key arguments within participant narratives. The results indicate strong differences in the placial anchorings between police officers and civilians, and highlight key dynamics in the flows of VGI amongst residents and local news organisations, as well as through social media. These forms of placial knowledge exchange are in constant negotiation with individuals’ perceptions and experiences of the study area and reflect cognitive-discursive reproductions of everyday geographies of (un)safety.
Effects of Dietary Glycinin on Oxidative Damage, Apoptosis and Tight Junction in the Intestine of Juvenile Hybrid Yellow Catfish, Pelteobagrus fulvidraco ♀ × Pelteobaggrus vachelli ♂
Authors: Yi Linyuan , Liu Jingwen , Yang Huijun , Mo Aijie , Zhai Yuxiang , Wang Siru , Yuan Yongchao
Published: September 2022

The objective of this study was to examine the influences of glycinin for growth and intestinal structural integrity related to oxidative damage, apoptosis and tight junction of juvenile hybrid yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco ♀ × Pelteobaggrus vachelli ♂). Fish (initial weight, 1.02 ± 0.01 g) were fed diets containing five different levels of glycinin at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% for 8 weeks. The results demonstrated that dietary glycinin levels had a negative correlation with final weight, feed intake, protein efficiency ratio and survival rate of the experiment fish. When the level of dietary glycinin exceeded 4%, the structural integrity of the posterior intestine was observably impaired, characterized by disordered and exfoliated margin of intestinal villi, blurred and broken boundaries of tight junctions, damaged organelles and cell vacuolation. Levels of 4–8% dietary glycinin depressed the total antioxidant capacity and total superoxide dismutase activities of posterior intestine. Furthermore, a high level of dietary glycinin linearly and quadratically down-regulated the mRNA expressions of Claudin-1, Occludin and ZO-1, while it linearly and significantly up-regulated the mRNA expressions of Bax, Cyt C, Caspase 3, Caspase 9 and p53 in the posterior intestine. In conclusion, dietary 4–8% glycinin impaired the morphological structure of the posterior intestine by inducing oxidative stress and cell apoptosis, and eventually impeded the growth performance of juvenile hybrid yellow catfish.
Age-Related Low Bone Mineral Density in C57BL/6 Mice Is Reflective of Aberrant Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 Signaling Observed in Human Patients Diagnosed with Osteoporosis
Authors: Halloran Daniel , Pandit Venu , MacMurray Connor , Stone Victoria , DeGeorge Kailey , Eskander Mark , Root Denise , McTague Sean , Pelkey Heather , Nohe Anja
Published: September 2022

Osteoporosis (OP) is a bone disorder characterized by decreased bone mineral density (BMD). Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 (BMP-2) injections are used to promote bone formation in OP patients. However, patients are unresponsive to BMP-2 while displaying an upregulation of BMP Receptor Type 1a (BMPRIa) and protein kinase CK2α (CK2α). A synthetically produced peptide named casein kinase 2.3 (CK2.3) utilizes the BMP-signaling pathway as it enhances osteogenesis of primary osteoblasts isolated from OP patients, whereas BMP-2 does not. Although shown in OP patients, there is currently no reliable mouse model to study BMP-2 and CK2.3 signaling. In this publication, we show that BMPRIa was required for CK2.3-mediated osteogenesis in C2C12 cells with a CRISPR-Cas9-mediated gene knockout for BMPRIa. We utilized the C57BL/6 (B6) mouse strain as an aging-model to study aberrant BMP-2 signaling, demonstrating that, like OP patients, in 15 and 20-month mice, BMP-2 did not increase bone growth and displayed upregulated BMPRIa and CK2α protein expression. Furthermore, CK2.3 enhanced osteogenesis and decreased osteoclastogenesis in all age groups, whereas BMP-2 only increased mineralization in 6-month mice while increasing osteoclast formation in all age groups. These data demonstrated that aging B6 mice were a reliable model and mimicked data obtained from OP patients.
An Integrative Transcriptional Network Revealed Spatial Molecular Interplay Underlying Alantolactone and Inulin Biosynthesis in Inula racemosa Hook f.
Authors: Seth Romit , Devi Amna , Sharma Balraj , Masand Mamta , Singh Gopal , Pal Poonam , Holkar Ashlesha , Sharma Shikha , Sharma Vishal , Negi Shivanti , Sharma Ram Kumar
Published: September 2022

Inula racemosa Hook. f. (Pushkarmula), a perennial Himalayan herb known for its aromatic and phytopharmaceutical attributes, is not yet explored at genomic/transcriptomic scale. In this study, efforts were made to unveil the global transcriptional atlas underlying organ-specific specialized metabolite biosynthesis by integrating RNA-Seq analysis of 433 million sequenced reads with the phytochemical analysis of leaf, stem, and root tissues. Overall, 7242 of 83,772 assembled nonredundant unigenes were identified exhibiting spatial expression in leaf (3761), root (2748), and stem (733). Subsequently, integration of the predicted transcriptional interactome network of 2541 unigenes (71,841 edges) with gene ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed isoprenoid, terpenoid, diterpenoid, and gibberellin biosynthesis with antimicrobial activities in root tissue. Interestingly, the root-specific expression of germacrene-mediated alantolactone biosynthesis (GAS, GAO, G8H, IPP, DMAP, and KAO) and antimicrobial activities (BZR1, DEFL, LTP) well-supported with both quantitative expression profiling and phytochemical accumulation of alantolactones (726.08 μg/10 mg) and isoalantolactones (988.59 μg/10 mg), which suggests “roots” as the site of alantolactone biosynthesis. A significant interaction of leaf-specific carbohydrate metabolism with root-specific inulin biosynthesis indicates source (leaf) to sink (root) regulation of inulin. Our findings comprehensively demonstrate the source-sink transcriptional regulation of alantolactone and inulin biosynthesis, which can be further extended for upscaling the targeted specialized metabolites. Nevertheless, the genomic resource created in this study can also be utilized for development of genome-wide functionally relevant molecular markers to expedite the breeding strategies for genetic improvement of I. racemosa.
Necroptosis Contributes to LPS-Induced Activation of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis in a Piglet Model
Authors: Zhou Bei , Xu Qilong , Guo Junjie , Chen Qinliang , Lv Qingqing , Xiao Kan , Zhu Huiling , Zhao Jiangchao , Liu Yulan
Published: September 2022

Stressors cause activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and a systemic inflammatory response. As a newly proposed cell death manner in recent years, necroptosis occurs in a variety of tissue damage and inflammation. However, the role of necroptosis in HPA axis activation remains to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of necroptosis and its role in HPA activation in a porcine stress model induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Several typical stress behaviors like fever, anorexia, shivering and vomiting were observed in piglets after LPS injection. HPA axis was activated as shown by increased plasma cortisol concentration and mRNA expression of pituitary corticotropin-releasing hormone receptor 1 (CRHR1) and adrenal steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR). The mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal gland was elevated by LPS, accompanied by the activation of necroptosis indicated by higher mRNA expression of necroptosis signals including receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIP) 1, RIP3, and phosphorylated mixed-lineage kinase domain-like protein (MLKL). Furthermore, necrostatin-1 (Nec-1), an inhibitor of necroptosis, inhibited necroptosis indicated by decreased mRNA levels of RIP1, RIP3, MLKL, and phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5 (PGAM5) in the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and adrenal gland. Nec-1 also decreased the mRNA expression of TNF-α and IL-β and inhibited the activation of the HPA axis indicated by lower plasma cortisol concentration and mRNA expression of adrenal type 2 melanocortin receptor (MC2R) and StAR. These findings suggest that necroptosis is present and contributes to HPA axis activation induced by LPS. These findings provide a potential possibility for necroptosis as an intervention target for alleviating HPA axis activation and stress responses.
Use of Steaming Process to Improve Biochemical Activity of Polygonatum sibiricum Polysaccharides against D-Galactose-Induced Memory Impairment in Mice
Authors: Bian Zhijuan , Li Congting , Peng Daiyin , Wang Xuncui , Zhu Guoqi
Published: September 2022

Polysaccharide from Polygonatum sibiricum (PSP) possesses antioxidant, antiaging, and neuroprotective activities. However, whether and how the steaming process influences the biological activities of PSP, especially against aging-related memory impairment, is not yet known. In this study, Polygonatum sibiricum rhizome was subjected to a “nine steaming and nine drying” process, then PSPs with different steaming times were abstracted. Thereafter, the physicochemical properties were qualified; the antioxidant activities of PSPs were evaluated in a D-gal-induced HT-22 cell model, and the effects of PSPs (PSP0, PSP5 and PSP9) on memory was evaluated using D-gal-injured mice. Our results showed that while the steamed PSPs had a low pH value and a large negative charge, they shared similar main chains and substituents. Cellular experiments showed that the antioxidant activity of steamed PSPs increased. PSP0, PSP5, and PSP9 could significantly ameliorate the memory impairment of D-gal-injured mice, with PSP5 showing the optimal effect. Meanwhile, PSP5 demonstrated the best effect in terms of preventing cell death and synaptic injury in D-gal-injured mice. Additionally, the steamed PSPs increased anti-oxidative stress-related protein expression and decreased inflammation-related protein expression in D-gal-injured mice. Collectively, the steaming process improves the effects of PSPs against D-gal-induced memory impairment in mice, likely by increasing the antioxidant activity of PSPs.
Methamphetamine Induces Systemic Inflammation and Anxiety: The Role of the Gut–Immune–Brain Axis
Authors: Davidson Majid , Mayer Marina , Habib Amanda , Rashidi Niloufar , Filippone Rhiannon Talia , Fraser Sarah , Prakash Monica D. , Sinnayah Puspha , Tangalakis Kathy , Mathai Michael L. , Nurgali Kulmira , Apostolopoulos Vasso
Published: September 2022

Methamphetamine (METH) is a highly addictive drug abused by millions of users worldwide, thus becoming a global health concern with limited management options. The inefficiency of existing treatment methods has driven research into understanding the mechanisms underlying METH-induced disorders and finding effective treatments. This study aims to understand the complex interactions of the gastrointestinal–immune–nervous systems following an acute METH dose administration as one of the potential underlying molecular mechanisms concentrating on the impact of METH abuse on gut permeability. Findings showed a decreased expression of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and EpCAm in intestinal tissue and the presence of FABP-1 in sera of METH treated mice suggests intestinal wall disruption. The increased presence of CD45+ immune cells in the intestinal wall further confirms gut wall inflammation/disruption. In the brain, the expression of inflammatory markers Ccl2, Cxcl1, IL-1β, TMEM119, and the presence of albumin were higher in METH mice compared to shams, suggesting METH-induced blood–brain barrier disruption. In the spleen, cellular and gene changes are also noted. In addition, mice treated with an acute dose of METH showed anxious behavior in dark and light, open field, and elevated maze tests compared to sham controls. The findings on METH-induced inflammation and anxiety may provide opportunities to develop effective treatments for METH addiction in the future.
Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Prevents Retinal Dysfunction in a Mouse Model of Retinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Lee Deokho , Tomita Yohei , Miwa Yukihiro , Shinojima Ari , Ban Norimitsu , Yamaguchi Shintaro , Nishioka Ken , Negishi Kazuno , Yoshino Jun , Kurihara Toshihide
Published: September 2022

Retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury can cause severe vision impairment. Retinal I/R injury is associated with pathological increases in reactive oxygen species and inflammation, resulting in retinal neuronal cell death. To date, effective therapies have not been developed. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a key nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) intermediate, has been shown to exert neuroprotection for retinal diseases. However, it remains unclear whether NMN can prevent retinal I/R injury. Thus, we aimed to determine whether NMN therapy is useful for retinal I/R injury-induced retinal degeneration. One day after NMN intraperitoneal (IP) injection, adult mice were subjected to retinal I/R injury. Then, the mice were injected with NMN once every day for three days. Electroretinography and immunohistochemistry were used to measure retinal functional alterations and retinal inflammation, respectively. The protective effect of NMN administration was further examined using a retinal cell line, 661W, under CoCl2-induced oxidative stress conditions. NMN IP injection significantly suppressed retinal functional damage, as well as inflammation. NMN treatment showed protective effects against oxidative stress-induced cell death. The antioxidant pathway (Nrf2 and Hmox-1) was activated by NMN treatment. In conclusion, NMN could be a promising preventive neuroprotective drug for ischemic retinopathy.