bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Factors for Active Use of Rooftop Greenhouses in Korea: Based on Analysis of Foreign Exemplary Cases
Authors: Min Kyunghun , Ahn Jisoo , Lee Eun-Seok
Published: January 2024

Background and objective: There are a growing international consensus regarding the importance of achieving carbon neutrality and ensuring food security, particularly because of the "global boiling." Rooftop greenhouses (RTGs), which reduce carbon emissions from buildings and facilitate urban agriculture, have attracted the attention of the international community as a new form of urban agriculture. Despite considerable interest in RTGs in Korea, their implementation faces limitations owing to a lack of relevant legal bases and policies.Methods: We aimed to investigate exemplary cases to identify the essential factors for greenhouse operations and present these factors and the necessary direction for the active use of RTGs in Korea. A literature review was conducted using RTG and integrated RTG (i-RTG)-related scientific papers, books, news articles, brochures, official websites, and local government guidelines from the United States (US) and Canada where RTGs are actively used.Results: We identified the factors required for the stable operation of RTGs in Korea: long-term support and cooperation from building owners, initial operating capital, differentiated distribution strategies, and a review of relevant laws and regulations. The latter has emerged as an important factor in identifying the legal and policy limitations associated with the operation and management of RTGs in advance. Furthermore, we discuss the need and direction for creating guidelines for RTGs to introduce and review related content. While RTGs are gaining global attention as a new form of urban agriculture, Korea lacks the relevant legal and policy bases.Conclusion: There is a persistent need for guidelines outlining each step in the active use of RTGs at the local government level. In addition, continued discussions among the relevant experts are essential. Establishing legal and policy bases for RTGs should promote their active use, ultimately contributing to achieving carbon neutrality and promoting urban agriculture.
Analysis of Importance of and Satisfaction with the Values and Major Achievements of Urban Agriculture
Authors: Park Yumin , Shin Yong-Wook
Published: January 2024

Background and objective: Urban areas face various challenges due to overcrowding and unsustainable development. As a potential solution, urban agriculture is gaining popularity. This study aims to provide basic data for improving the awareness and promoting urban agriculture. This is achieved by conducting an importance-performance analysis (IPA) on the values and major achievements of urban agriculture. The analysis was conducted on experts involved in the formulation and implementation of urban agricultural policies and systems.Methods: For the final objective, 104 responses were analyzed using SPSS Statistics 25.0 (IBM Corp., USA). Reliability and frequency were analyzed to ensure consistency of the survey tool and understand the demographic characteristics of respondents. Descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, and IPA matrix analysis were conducted to empirically analyze the importance-satisfaction on values and major achievements of urban agriculture.Results: Both the importance of and satisfaction with the values of urban agriculture were highest in health functions, followed by social-cultural functions, environmental-ecological functions, and economic functions. In particular, it was found that awareness of health functions was high while that of economic functions was low, indicating that gradual efforts were needed to strengthen them. Next, for major achievements in urban agriculture, it was recommended to maintain and strengthen education and publicity, gradually improve networks, and manage specialized models with minimal concentration rather than excessive focus.Conclusion: The findings of this study, which explore expert perceptions toward values and major achievements of urban agriculture, serve as a foundation for strategic planning to expand and advance urban agriculture. They offer valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to promote sustainable urban development through effective urban agricultural policies and systems.
Street Tree Management Strategies for Different Special-Purpose Areas: Using Citizen Science Data
Authors: Kim Ye Inn , Park Ji Yeon , Jang Won Seok , Park Woo Hyeon , Choi Yun Eui
Published: January 2024

Background and objective: This study investigated the occurrence characteristics of street tree management factors based on different special-purpose areas with emphasis on citizen participation in data collection.Methods: We collected growth and management data of street tree sections and individual trees within sections using a monitoring form developed for street trees in four special-purpose areas in the urban area of Chuncheon. We used a binary logistic regression model to analyze the probability of occurrence for each management factor (pruning traces, sign blocking, disease and pest, felled trees, piled objects, and broken branches).Results: The probability of occurrence of management factors varied by special-purpose area, which was related to the characteristics of each area.Conclusion: This study suggests the need to develop efficient street tree management strategies by prioritizing management factors in consideration of differences in special-purpose areas
Identifying Institutional Demand to Activate Self-Regulation for Climate Change
Authors: Choi Hae Ok
Published: January 2024

Background and objective: Self-regulation has recently been implemented as an alternative solution to regulatory problems brought on by the inevitable delay of government-led regulations that cannot keep pace with environmental regulatory requirements in the field of climate change. The reality is that there has been insufficient preparation regarding implementing these alternative regulations to ensure that democratic support has been verified, and procedural legitimacy has been ensured.Methods: This study aims to identify institutional demands measures that can stimulate self-regulation in the future by conducting interviews with people who currently engage in self-regulation in the field of climate and the environment.Results: The analysis is categorized into five groups: G1 for technology development, G2 for management and operation, G3 for facility investment, G4 for corporate support, and G5 for government regulation response. By category, public institutions and research institutes show a high demand for issues related to management and operation. The highly centralized management and operation sector confirms that there is demand for greater policy enactment in postevaluation, which assesses the achievement of target levels.Conclusion: Since systematic transitions such as climate change are associated with institutional changes in various fields along with technological development, policy coherence and policy integration are seen as vital to the management and operational aspect of systems established in previous studies.
The Effect of Horticultural Activity Experience in Childhood on Bioethics of University Students
Authors: Lee Eun Seong
Published: January 2024

Background and objective: The experience of caring for plants through horticultural activity makes life valuable and precious. This study was conducted to find out the relationship between horticultural activity experience in childhood and the bioethics of university students.Methods: 159 university students living in Seoul and the metropolitan area were surveyed on general matters, horticultural activity experience, and bioethics. The collected data were analyzed by conducting descriptive analysis on general characteristics and horticultural activity experience using SAS 9.4, and the Mann Whitney U and KrusKal-Wallis Test, as well as Dunn post-hoc test for Kruskal-Wallis were conducted to determine the difference in bioethics depending on horticultural activity experience.Results: First, there was no significant difference in bioethics scores depending on horticultural activity experience in childhood. Second, for type of horticultural activity experience, the bioethics scores of the group that had 'solo experience' of horticultural activity were significantly higher than the other two groups (p < .01). Third, for duration of horticultural activity experience, the bioethics scores showed significant results in the subjects with less than 1 year of solo experience compared to those with less than 1 year of group experience and with at least 1 year of group experience (p < .05). Fourth, as a result of examining the type of plants experienced by the group with less than 1 year of solo experience, vegetables and cacti and succulents accounted for 46.7%. For the type of activity, sowing accounted for the highest ratio (80%), followed by planting seedlings (13.3%) and repotting (6.7%).Conclusion: As a result of examining the relationship between horticultural activity experience in childhood and bioethics of university students, it was found that those with solo experience had higher bioethics than those with group experience, and those who had less than 1 year of experience had higher bioethics than those who had at least 1 year of experience. As for the type of plant and activity experienced by the subjects, the highest ratio was found in vegetables.
A Provincial Community of the Late Dynasty 6. A Preliminary Case Study Based on P. 10500 A and B
Authors: Florès Jérémie
Published: January 2024

This paper presents the community registered in papyrus Berlin P. 10500 A–B, also known as the “Sharuna Papyrus.” It points out the presence of both men and women in the different accounts. People are also socially differentiated based on their titles and personal names (including their classifiers). Results demonstrate that the community from the “Sharuna Papyrus” resembles other groups of people in provincial context, including Sharuna.
What’s in a Name: The Personification of the Royal Name
Authors: Hamden Ahmed
Published: January 2024

Determining the visual metaphors of aesthetic and religious distinctions between the regular royal titulary names and their personified aspects is the fundamental goal of this paper. The study deals with different metaphorical compositions of religious elements in ancient Egypt such as kingship, royal imperialism, and political and religious ideology.
One new species and two new records of the spider wasp genus Telostholus Haupt, 1929 in China, with a key to the world species
Authors: SONG ZHI-YAN , LI QIANG , DONG LI-LI , MA LI
Published: January 2024

The taxonomy of the genus Telostholus (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Pompilinae) from China is studied and one species is newly described and illustrated: T. venarectus Song & Ma, sp. nov. Additionally, two species, T. lao and T. malayensis are newly reported from China. A key to the world species of Telostholus is provided.
Disclosure Concerns and the Correlation Among Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex With Men Living With HIV Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy in Taiwan
Authors: Yao Tzy-Yu , Liou Bo-Huang , Chien Wu-Chien , Wu Fei-Ling
Published: January 2024

Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM) are associated with the widespread human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission in Taiwan. Additionally, little is known about disclosure patterns and rates, as well as factors influencing disclosure, among GBMSM living with HIV in the country. HIV prevention for GBMSM is effective when HIV status is disclosed. For instance, GBMSM disclosing their HIV status can result in early pre-exposure prophylaxis with a serodiscordant partner. In this cross-sectional study of 200 GBMSM living with HIV conducted from June to November 2020, we assessed internalized homophobia (IHP Scale) and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support), as well as self-reported disclosure and non-disclosure. Among the participants, 75.5% revealed their HIV status within 3 months of diagnosis. Younger age, occupation type, and number of sexual partners were some factors associated with disclosure. Those receiving more social support and who experienced less IHP were more likely to reveal their HIV status. On the contrary, older GBMSM and GBMSM living with HIV who worked in educational enterprises still experienced severe IHP. Policymakers and healthcare practitioners should be aware of the problems faced by GBMSM living with HIV and offer practical assistance to improve their mental health.
Prevalence of alcohol and drug use and their impact on adherence among hospitalised TB patients in South Africa
Authors: Rynhoud Leigh , Kagee Ashraf
Published: January 2024

This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the use of alcohol and drugs and the potential impact on adherence to medication for tuberculosis. Adult patients admitted to specialised tuberculosis hospitals in South Africa were assessed for drug use, alcohol use and adherence to tuberculosis medication. A total of 175 patients participated in the study; 32% reported harmful alcohol use, and 44% reported problematic use of drugs. Participants who used drugs were four times as likely (OR = 4.11, 95% CI (1.89, 8.91)) and those using alcohol were twice as likely (OR = 2.06, 95% CI (1.02, 5.08)) to be nonadherent to medication for tuberculosis. Prevalence of harmful/hazardous use of alcohol and other drugs was high and significantly correlated with poorer medication adherence. Routine screening for and treatment of substance use in patients on treatment for tuberculosis and ongoing monitoring of adherence to medication is recommended.
Social media as an e-learning tool for understanding the challenges of COVID-19 for students
Authors: Elenurm Tiit
Published: January 2024

This paper contributes to understanding opportunities to use social media to identify the priorities and challenges of students from different countries in digital and face-to-face learning and networking during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the new reality after this crisis. The COVID-19 crisis resulted in intensive new e-learning and hybrid learning applications in higher education. When there is a shift from a teacher-controlled class environment to a more learner-controlled social media, the role of the educator becomes more of a facilitator. The purpose of the research is to reveal learning preferences and networking challenges that students do not usually share in a class environment. This paper contributes to developing social media activities facilitated by instructors and combined with international learner-driven knowledge sharing in global crisis situations. To study the challenges of COVID-19 for students in online learning and physical interaction, netnography approach combined with educators’ interventions to study students’ preferences in the Facebook group Challenges in Online Learning – COVID-19 was applied. Research outcomes reveal that the most popular Facebook polls for students were questions about group work and exam arrangements during the pandemic and work from anywhere future prospects, cross-border mobility regulations during the COVID-19 pandemic and reasons why some students do not participate in web conferences using their computer cameras. Students shared the view that flexible online work from anywhere solutions will be, for many organisations, one of the trends that will remain after the COVID-19 crisis. The Facebook group enabled international knowledge sharing, where students and educators could share their views on many issues that will also influence the rapidly changing online learning and networking environment after the COVID-19 crisis. Applying social media in international knowledge sharing involving instructors and students from different countries can contribute to learning about the diversity of views in crisis situations and enhance international entrepreneurial collaboration.
Authentic Leadership, Motivating Language, Psychological Empowerment, and Work Engagement: A Serial Mediation Model
Authors: Uluturk Bulent , Yilmaz Altuntas Elgiz , Hürmeriç Pelin
Published: January 2024

The purpose of this study was to develop and test a model to investigate the serial mediating roles of motivating language and psychological empowerment in the relationship between authentic leadership and work engagement. Using a sample of Turkish public hospital nurses, the findings indicate that authentic leadership positively affects work engagement directly and indirectly through motivating language and psychological empowerment. These results suggest that authentic leadership plays a pivotal role in creating working conditions that encourage motivating language and psychological empowerment, thus enhancing work engagement. This study is crucial given the growing exodus of Turkish healthcare workers as a result of increasing demands and a lack of job satisfaction. By integrating multiple theories (i.e., social exchange theory, motivating language theory, self-determination theory, and JD-R theory), the current study advances our knowledge of how authentic leadership influences employee work engagement.
Evaluating the current state of evolution acceptance instruments: a research coordination network meeting report
Authors: Barnes M. Elizabeth , Aini Rahmi Q. , Collins James P. , Dunk Ryan D. P. , Holt Emily A. , Jensen Jamie , Klein Joanna R. , Misheva Taya , Nadelson Louis S. , Reiss Michael J. , Romine William L. , Shtulman Andrew , Townley Amanda L. , Wiles Jason R. , Zheng Yi , Brownell Sara E.
Published: January 2024

Hundreds of studies have explored student evolution acceptance because evolution is a core concept of biology that many undergraduate biology students struggle to accept. However, this construct of “evolution acceptance” has been defined and measured in various ways, which has led to inconsistencies across studies and difficulties in comparing results from different studies. Many studies and essays have offered evaluations and perspectives of evolution acceptance instruments, but publications with a focus on consensus building across research teams is still needed. Further, little attention has been paid to how evolution acceptance instruments may be interpreted differently by students with varied religious backgrounds. Funded by a Research Coordination Network in Undergraduate Biology Education grant from the National Science Foundation, we gathered 16 experts from different disciplinary and religious backgrounds to review current evolution acceptance instruments and create a guide to the strengths and weaknesses of these instruments, including appropriate contexts for using these instruments and their potential weaknesses with different religious populations. Finally, in an attempt to move the field forward, we articulated a consensus definition of evolution acceptance that can be used to guide future instrument development.
History of emergency medicine in Bhutan
Authors: Tshering Ugyen , Kohli Erol , Tenzin Tashi , Chen Oriana
Published: January 2024

Emergency medicine in Bhutan has made significant progress in the past few decades and continues to evolve. In this article, we provide valuable insights into the history of emergency medicine at Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital (JDWNRH) and in Bhutan and highlight some of the future challenges we face as we move forward to meet the demands of increased patient volume and complexity.
Paint has the potential to release microplastics, nanoplastics, inorganic nanoparticles, and hybrid materials
Authors: Fang Cheng , Zhou Wenhao , Hu Jiaqi , Wu Cuiqin , Niu Junfeng , Naidu Ravi
Published: January 2024

Background

When we paint our houses or offices, we might paint plastic, because most paints are generally formulated with polymer binders. After drying and curing, the binders fix the colourants on the painted surface as a film of plastic mixture, which is tested herein using Raman imaging to analyse and directly visualise the hybrid plastic-colourant (titanium dioxide or TiO2 nanoparticles).

Results

For the plastic mixture or hybrid, the co-existence and competition between the Raman signals of plastic and TiO2 complicate the individual analysis, which should be carefully extracted and separated in order to avoid the weak signal of plastic to be masked by that of TiO2. This is particularly important when considering the Raman activity of TiO2 is much stronger than that of plastic. Plastic is observed to coat the TiO2 nanoparticle surface, individually or as a bulk to embed the TiO2 nanoparticles as mixture or hybrid. Once branched, pended, scratched or aged, the paint can also be peeled off from the painted surface, including gyprock, wood and glass, releasing microplastics and nanoplastics (coating onto the individual TiO2 nanoparticle surface or embedding the TiO2 nanoparticles, or individually as particles) in potential.

Conclusions

Our test sends us a warning that we are surrounded by plastic items that might release microplastics and nanoplastics in potential, for which the risk assessment is needed. Overall, Raman imaging is a suitable approach to effectively characterise microplastics and nanoplastics, even from the mixture with the hybrid background and the complicated interference.

Graphical Abstract
Restoring vision after cat bite: a case report on successful diagnostic and therapeutic regimen for Capnocytophaga endophthalmitis
Authors: Wolfram Lasse , Merle David A. , Neubauer Jonas , Dimopoulos Spyridon
Published: January 2024

Background

Capnocytophaga is a bacterium frequently found in the oral flora of dogs and cats (e.g. Capnocytophaga canimorsus) and humans (e.g. Capnocytophaga gingivalis). Among Capnocytophaga related ocular infections, fulminant endophthalmitis is a rare but sight-threatening clinical manifestation.

Case presentation

A 35-year-old previously healthy patient presented after a cat bite into the left upper and lower eyelid and nasal part of the conjunctiva of the left eye. At initial consultation, the corrected visual acuity was 0.8 in decimal scale and a detailed clinical examination revealed no evidence of ocular penetration. However, daily follow-up examinations under local therapy revealed a progressive intraocular inflammation, therefore the decision was made to perform a diagnostic vitrectomy with intravitreal and systemic antibiotic treatment. Capnocytophaga felis was detected as the cause of endophthalmitis and the initiated treatment resulted in quick morphological and functional recovery of the left eye. After surgery of secondary cataract, visual acuity improved from hand motion preoperatively to 1.0 postoperatively.

Conclusions

Early recognition as well as prompt and effective treatment of animal bite associated endophthalmitis is essential for good visual recovery and functional outcome. Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of daily follow-up examinations, even in the absence of signs of ocular penetration and intraocular inflammation, to enable prompt and effective treatment initiation. Given the negative results in bacterial culture, we additionally emphasize the value of sequencing-based microbiological diagnostics in unclear cases.
Genetic diversity and recent ancestry based on whole-genome sequencing of endangered Swedish cattle breeds
Authors: Harish Ajith , Lopes Pinto Fernando A. , Eriksson Susanne , Johansson Anna M.
Published: January 2024

Several indigenous cattle breeds in Sweden are endangered. Conservation of their genetic diversity and genomic characterization is a priority.

Whole-genome sequences (WGS) with a mean coverage of 25X, ranging from 14 to 41X were obtained for 30 individuals of the breeds Fjällko, Fjällnära, Bohuskulla, Rödkulla, Ringamåla, and Väneko. WGS-based genotyping revealed 22,548,028 variants in total, comprising 18,876,115 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 3,671,913 indels. Out of these, 1,154,779 SNPs and 304,467 indels were novel. Population stratification based on roughly 19 million SNPs showed two major groups of the breeds that correspond to northern and southern breeds. Overall, a higher genetic diversity was observed in the southern breeds compared to the northern breeds. While the population stratification was consistent with previous genome-wide SNP array-based analyses, the genealogy of the individuals inferred from WGS based estimates turned out to be more complex than expected from previous SNP-array based estimates. Polymorphisms and their predicted phenotypic consequences were associated with differences in the coat color phenotypes between the northern and southern breeds. Notably, these high-consequence polymorphisms were not represented in SNP arrays, which are used routinely for genotyping of cattle breeds.

This study is the first WGS-based population genetic analysis of Swedish native cattle breeds. The genetic diversity of native breeds was found to be high. High-consequence polymorphisms were linked with desirable phenotypes using whole-genome genotyping, which highlights the pressing need for intensifying WGS-based characterization of the native breeds.
Ultrasound study of right ventricular myocardial perfusion and functional changes in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
Authors: Cao Shan , Yang Lingjie , Liu Liyun , Mu Yuming , Guan Lina
Published: January 2024

Background

To evaluate the changes of right ventricular (RV) myocardial perfusion and function in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) by myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) and speckle tracking (2D-STE), and to explore the relationship between RV myocardial perfusion and strain.

Methods

Conventional ultrasound, MCE and 2D-STE were performed on 29 HCM patients and 21 healthy subjects to analyze RV myocardial perfusion, RV global strain, RV free wall strain, and strain of each segment. The correlation between RV myocardial perfusion and strain was further analyzed in HCM patients.

Results

MCE results showed that the regional myocardial perfusion of the RV in HCM patients was decreased. Compared with the normal control group, the mean slope (β) in the middle and apical segments of the RV free wall, and the peak intensity (A), β, myocardial blood flow (MBF) of the ventricular septum decreased in HCM patients (P < 0.05). RV function was impaired in HCM patients. The RV global strain (RV GLS), and the strain of RV free wall and each segment were lower than those in the normal control group (P < 0.05). Correlation analysis showed that there was a certain correlation between RV myocardial perfusion and strain, such as the β of the whole RV in HCM group had a positive correlation with the strain of the middle segment of the interventricular septum (r = 0.550, P = 0.002).

Conclusions

The regional myocardial perfusion and strain of the RV in HCM patients are reduced, and there is a positive correlation between them, suggesting that the reduction of myocardial strain may be related to the impairment of myocardial microcirculation.
Indoor air pollution and cognitive function among older adults in India: a multiple mediation approach through depression and sleep disorders
Authors: Shaw Subhojit , Kundu Sampurna , Chattopadhyay Aparajita , Rao Smitha
Published: January 2024

Background

Studies across multiple countries reveal that depression and sleep disorders can lead to cognitive decline. This study aims to speculate on the effect of different sources of indoor air pollution on cognition and to explore the mediation effect of depression and sleep disorders on cognition when exposed to indoor air pollution. We hypothesize that an older adult experiences higher cognitive decline from indoor pollution when mediated by depression and sleep disorders.

Methods

We use data from Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI), 2017–2018, and employ a multiple mediation model to understand the relationship between indoor air pollution and cognition through sleep disorders and depression while adjusting for possible confounders. Sensitivity analysis was applied to see the effect of different sources of indoor pollution (cooking fuel, indoor smoke products, and secondhand smoke) on cognitive performance.

Results

The effect of three sources of indoor pollutants on cognition increased when combined, indicating stronger cognitive decline. Unclean cooking practices, indoor smoke (from incense sticks and mosquito coils), and secondhand smoke were strongly associated with sleep disorders and depression among older adults. Indoor air pollution was negatively associated with cognitive health (β= -0.38) while positively associated with depression (β= 0.18) and sleep disorders (β= 0.038) acting as mediators. Sensitivity analysis explained 45% variability while adjusting for confounders.

Conclusion

The study lays a foundation for future investigations into the nexus of indoor pollution and mental health. It is essential to formulate policies to reduce exposure to varying sources of indoor air pollutants and improve screening for mental health services as a public health priority.
Evaluation of relationship between TMPRSS2 p.(Val197Met) variant and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity
Authors: Bashar Nora Ahmed Saleh , Gohar Nadida Mohammed Abdel-Hamid , Tantawy Ahmed A. , Kamel Mai Hamed Mohamed
Published: January 2024

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) a global pandemic on March 11, 2020. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has killed millions of people and had a terrible effect on society. The transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) enzyme is essential in the initial phases of the interplay between the SARSCoV-2 and the host cells by assisting viral entrance.

Methods

This observational case–control study involved 150 participants, 100 adult patients with COVID-19, 50 of whom appeared healthy and had no history of or symptoms of COVID-19 infection when the study was conducted. Between January and April 2022, patients were taken as inpatients in isolation units or through recruitment from the COVID-19 clinic at Kasr Al-Ainy Cairo University Hospitals. According to the National Institutes of Health guidelines (2021), they were categorised into three categories: mild, moderate, and severe. TMPRSS2 p.(Val197Met) variant genotyping was evaluated using TaqMan Real-Time PCR.

Results

The study showed a substantial difference between the mild and severe COVID-19 patient groups regarding their TMPRSS2 (p.Val197Met) genotypes (P value = 0.046). The C allele was significantly more prevalent in the mild, moderate and severe COVID-19 patient categories (77.8%, 89.7% and 91.7%, respectively) and the control group (80%). Meanwhile, the T allele was more prevalent in the mild (22.2%) and control (20%) groups. There was a statistically significant difference in allelic distribution between the mild and severe groups (P value = 0.034).

Conclusion

The study showed a connection between the TMPRSS2 gene variant p.(Val197Met) and the degree of illness. We concluded that the T(mutant) allele was protective against severe COVID-19 because it was linked to lesser disease severity.
Validity and reliability of the Persian version of Recce stigma scale in people with multiple sclerosis and its impact on quality of life
Authors: Habibi Mohammad Amin , Yazdan Panah Mohammad , Vaheb Saeed , Olfatifar Meysam , Shaygannejad Aysa , Mokary Yousef , Ghasemi Majid , Thapa Sangharsha , Shaygannejad Vahid , Mirmosayyeb Omid
Published: January 2024

Background

There is often a fear of social stigma experienced by people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), which negatively impacts the quality of their lives (QoL). Currently, no Persian-validated questionnaire is available to assess this issue in pwMS. This study aimed to assess the validaty and reliability of the Persian version of Reece Stigma Scale Multiple Sclerosis (RSS-MS) questionnaire for pwMS.

Method

This cross-sectional was conducted between January and February 2023 in Isfahan, Iran. The demographic and clinical information and the RSS-MS and Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale-29 (MSIS-29) questionnaires were recorded from pwMS. The content validity index (CVI) and content validity ratio (CVR) have been used to evaluate validity. To identify the factors supporting the MS-related stigma, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted.

Results

The present study recruited 194 pwMS. Based on factor analysis, only two factors had eigenvalues ≥ 1.0 and exhibited high internal consistency. The Cronbach’s α coefficient for internal consistency of the RSS-MS scale was 0.822. More evidence for the construct validity suggested that having higher levels of stigma is significantly correlated with psychological (r = 0.468,p-value < 0.001) and physical dimensions (r = 0.585,p-value < 0.001) of MSIS-29. Expanded Disability Status Scale, disease duration, and treatment duration did not show a significant correlation with stigma (p-value > 0.05).

Conclusion

This study indicated that the modified version of the RSS-MS scale in the Persian language showed acceptable validity and reliability for evaluating the stigma among Persian pwMS. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the cruciality of monitoring and addressing stigma among pwMS, as it can potentially enhance medical, psychological, physical, and QoL outcomes.
Motivating and inhibiting factors influencing the application of mhealth technology in post-abortion care: a review study
Authors: Zolfaqari Zahra , Ayatollahi Haleh , Ranjbar Fahimeh , Abasi Arezoo
Published: January 2024

Background

Abortion and its complications are challenges that endanger women's health, especially in developing countries. It seems that the application of mhealth technology can be useful as a safe and affordable strategy in post-abortion care. The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing the use of mhealth technology in post-abortion care.

Methods

This was a review study conducted in 2023 and articles published in English between 2010 and 1st November 2023 were searched in PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, and Embase databases as well as Google Scholar. Data were collected using a data extraction form and were analyzed narratively.

Results

The influencing factors could be divided into the motivating and inhibiting factors. The motivating factors included the subgroups of the individual factors (e.g., saving time), technical factors (e.g., usability), economic factors (e.g., saving costs), and ethico-legal factors (e.g., improving security and confidentiality of the information). Similarly, the inhibiting factors consisted of individual factors (e.g., fear of expressing abortion), technical factors (e.g., a lack of access to the network and the Internet), economic factors (e.g., inappropriate patient financial status), and ethico-legal (e.g., concerns over the security and confidentiality of information).

Conclusion

This study underscores the importance of considering various technical and non-technical factors influencing the design and implementation of mHealth technology in post-abortion care. Developers need to address these factors to ensure successful technology adoption and mitigate risks. The findings contribute to the enhancement of women's health and offer insights for future technology acceptance models in the mHealth field.
The impact of the 2021 flood on the outpatient care in the North Rhine region, Germany: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wiesehahn Luca Theresa , Kaifie Andrea
Published: January 2024

Background

In the summer of 2021, heavy precipitation led to extreme flooding across Western Europe. In Germany, North Rhine-Westphalia and Rhineland-Palatinate were particularly affected. More than 180 people lost their lives, and over 700 were left injured and traumatized. In the North Rhine district alone, more than 120 practices were only able to operate to a limited extent or had to close their practices completely. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the 2021 flood on the outpatient care in the North Rhine region.

Methods

The cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2022 in practices affected by the flood in the North Rhine region. For this purpose, 210 affected practices were identified using a list of the Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians for North Rhine (KVNO) and via telephone and/or e-mail. These practices were forwarded a questionnaire that addressed, among other things, the local accessibility of the practices before and after the flood, possibilities of patient care in different premises and received support.

Results

A total of 103 practices (49.1%) returned the completed questionnaire, of which 1/4 were general practitioners. 97% of the practices reported power failure, more than 50% water supply damage and nearly 40% the loss of patient records. 76% of the participating practices stated that they needed to close their practice at least temporarily. 30 doctors took up patient care in alternative premises. The average number of patients seen by doctors per week before the flood was 206.5. In the first week working in alternative premises, doctors saw an average of 66.2 patients (-50.3%). Especially elderly/geriatric patients and patients with disabilities were identified as particularly vulnerable in terms of access to health care after the flood.

Conclusions

The flood had a significant negative impact on outpatient care. We determined not only a high number of closed practices and a large decrease in patient numbers but also differences in patient care assessment depending on the type of alternative premises. To address outpatient care disruptions after extreme weather events more effectively, appropriate measures should be implemented pre-emptively.
Excess non-COVID-19 mortality in Norway 2020–2022
Authors: Raknes Guttorm , Fagerås Stephanie Jebsen , Sveen Kari Anne , Júlíusson Pétur Benedikt , Strøm Marianne Sørlie
Published: January 2024

Background

Causes of death other than COVID-19 seem to contribute significantly to the excess mortality observed during the 2020–2022 pandemic. In this study, we explore changes in non-COVID-19 causes of death in Norway during the COVID-19 pandemic from March 2020 to December 2022.

Methods

We performed a population-based cross-sectional study on data from the Norwegian Cause of Death Registry. All recorded deaths from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2022 were included. The main outcome measures were the number of deaths and age-standardised death rate (ASMR) per 100000 population from the major cause of death groups in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The predicted number of deaths and ASMRs were forecasted with a 95% prediction interval constructed from a general linear regression model based on the corresponding number of deaths and rates from the preceding ten prepandemic years (2010–2019). We also examined whether there were deviations from expected seasonality in the pandemic period based on prepandemic monthly data from 2010–2019. The cumulative number of deaths and ASMR were estimated based on monthly mortality data.

Results

There was significant excess mortality (number of deaths) in 2021 and 2022 for all causes (3.7% and 14.5%), for cardiovascular diseases (14.3% and 22.0%), and for malignant tumours in 2022 (3.5%). In terms of ASMR, there was excess mortality in 2021 and 2022 for all causes (2.9% and 13.7%), and for cardiovascular diseases (16.0% and 25,8%). ASMR was higher than predicted in 2022 for malignant tumours (2.3%). There were fewer deaths than predicted from respiratory diseases (except COVID-19) in 2020 and 2021, and from dementia in 2021 and 2022. From March 2020 to December 2022, there were cumulatively 3754 (ASMR 83.8) more non-COVID-19 deaths than predicted, of which 3453 (ASMR: 79.6) were excess deaths from cardiovascular disease, 509 (ASMR 4.0) from malignant tumours. Mortality was lower than predicted for respiratory diseases (-1889 (ASMR: -44.3)), and dementia (-530 (ASMR -18.5)).

Conclusions

There was considerable excess non-COVID-19 mortality in Norway from March 2020 until December 2022, mainly due to excess cardiovascular deaths. For respiratory diseases and dementia, mortality was lower than predicted.
Mapping loneliness through comparative analysis of USA and India using social intelligence analysis
Authors: Shah Hurmat Ali , Househ Mowafa
Published: January 2024

Loneliness, a widespread global public health concern, has far-reaching implications for mental and physical well-being, as well as economic productivity. It also increases the risk of life-threatening conditions. This study conducts a comparative analysis of loneliness in the USA and India using Twitter data, aiming to contribute to a global public health map on loneliness. Collecting 4.1 million tweets globally in October 2022 containing keywords like “lonely”, “loneliness”, and “alone”, the analysis focuses on sentiment and psychosocial linguistic features. Utilizing the Valence Aware Dictionary for Sentiment Reasoning (VADER) for sentiment analysis, the study explores variations in loneliness dynamics across cities, revealing geographical distinctions in correlated topics. The tweets with negative sentiment were further analyzed for psychosocial linguistic features to find a meaningful correlation between loneliness and socioeconomic and emotional themes and factors. Results give detailed top correlated topics with loneliness for each city. The results showed that the dynamics of loneliness through the topics correlated vary across geographical locations. Social media data can be used to capture the dynamics of loneliness which can vary from one place to another depending on the socioeconomic and cultural norms and sociopolitical policies. Social media data to understand loneliness can also provide useful information and insight for public health and policymaking.
The effects of attitudes, norms, and perceived control on the adaptation of elderly individuals and individuals with chronic health conditions to heatwaves
Authors: Mehiriz Kaddour
Published: January 2024

Background

In this study, the theory of planned behaviour (TPB) was used to examine the determinants of the heat protection intentions and actions of elderly individuals and individuals with chronic health conditions. This is an important topic as understanding the motivations for adapting behaviours to heatwaves can inform the design of warning systems and awareness campaigns by public health authorities to mitigate the adverse effects of weather hazards on health.

Methods

Three phone surveys were conducted in 2015 and 2016 to collect data on a large sample of individuals with increased vulnerability to heatwaves in the city of Longueuil, Canada. Prospective and panel fixed effects logit models for ordinal variables were used to analyse the factors that influenced heat protection intentions and actions.

Results

Attitudes, norms, and perceived control have positive effects on intentions to adopt heatwave protection actions and intentions on the effective adoption of these preventive measures. The hypothesis according to which perceived control moderates the effect of attitudes and norms on intentions is rejected. In addition, the results suggest that elderly individuals are less likely than individuals in other age groups to adopt heat protection actions. Health conditions related to vulnerability to hot weather do not seem to significantly improve the adoption of heat protection behaviours.

Conclusions

The adoption of heatwave protection actions can be improved by public health interventions that influence attitudes and social norms related to heat protection behaviours and facilitate their adoption.
Incidence of noninvasive ventilation failure and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: a systematic review and proportion meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Jie , Duan Jun , Zhou Ling
Published: January 2024

Background

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is commonly used in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). However, the incidence and distribution of treatment failure are unclear.

Methods

A comprehensive online search was conducted to select potentially eligible studies with reports of the rate of NIV failure in patients with ARDS. A manual search was also performed to identify additional studies. Data were extracted to calculate the pooled incidences of NIV failure and mortality. Based on oxygenation, the severity of the disease was classified as mild, moderate, or severe ARDS. Based on etiologies, ARDS was defined as being of pulmonary origin or extrapulmonary origin.

Results

We enrolled 90 studies in this meta-analysis, involving 98 study arms. The pooled incidence of NIV failure was 48% (n = 5847, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 43–52%). The pooled incidence of ICU mortality was 29% (n = 2363, 95%CI: 22–36%), and that of hospital mortality was 33% (n = 2927, 95%CI: 27–40%). In patients with mild, moderate, and severe ARDS, the pooled incidence of NIV failure was 30% (n = 819, 95%CI: 21–39%), 51% (n = 1332, 95%CI: 43–60%), and 71% (n = 525, 95%CI: 62–79%), respectively. In patients with pulmonary ARDS, it was 45% (n = 2687, 95%CI: 39–51%). However, it was 30% (n = 802, 95%CI: 21–38%) in those with extrapulmonary ARDS. In patients with immunosuppression, the incidence of NIV failure was 62% (n = 806, 95%CI: 50–74%). However, it was 46% (n = 5041, 95%CI: 41–50%) in those without immunosuppression.

Conclusions

Nearly half of patients with ARDS experience NIV failure. The incidence of NIV failure increases with increasing ARDS severity. Pulmonary ARDS seems to have a higher rate of NIV failure than extrapulmonary ARDS. ARDS patients with immunosuppression have the highest rate of NIV failure.
Enhancing interprofessional education readiness in undergraduate dental students: a scenario-based peer learning programme
Authors: Çelik Gül , Sönmez Ömer Faruk , Başer Aysel
Published: January 2024

Background

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is an educational approach that brings together students from different healthcare professions to foster collaborative learning and teamwork. Before integrating IPE into the curriculum of health preprofessional students, it is necessary to increase their readiness for IPE. Dentistry increasingly values interprofessional collaboration and teamwork for enhanced patient care and healthcare team competencies, an emphasis also echoed by recent dental education authorities. The aim of this quasi-experimental research was to assess the influence of Scenario Based Learning Peer Learning (SBPL) programme, which involved scenarios necessitating interprofessional communication, on the readiness for IPE among a cohort of undergraduate dental students studying within the framework of the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

Methods

This study investigates undergraduate dental students’ readiness for IPE and the influence of SBPL programme on their readiness. Participants (n = 25) from 18 EHEA countries completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) before and after SBPL programme, held at the 70th European Dental Students’ Association (EDSA) meeting. Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test (p = 0.05).

Results

After the SBPT programme, there was a statistically significant increase (p < 0.05) in the mean of the total scale, teamwork and collaboration, roles and responsibilities and professional identity subscale. In general, SBPL programme showed a constructive effect on interprofessional readiness. Although there was no statistically significant increase only in items 9,12,18 of the 19 items of the RIPLS, there was an increase in the averages in all except item 12.

Conclusion

Our research emphasizes the importance of diverse perspectives and IPE in the realm of dental education. Within the limits of this study, it showcases the efficacy of a brief half-day SBPL programme with interprofessional scenarios in enhancing participants’ readiness. The programme notably enhanced dental students’ readiness in grasping crucial aspects of IPE: teamwork and collaboration, professional identity, and roles and responsibilities. However, this study does not delve into the potential impact of a comprehensive, long-term curriculum integrating IPE principles. This gap underscores the need for further exploration into the sustained influence of IPE on the interprofessional skills of dental school graduates.