bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Promotion of Hearing Health through Wikipedia Campaigns: Article Quality and Reach Assessment
Authors: Montilha Alexandre Alberto Pascotto , Morata Thais Catalani , Flor Daiana Ávila , Machado Maria Aparecida Andrade Moreira , Menegon Fabrício Augusto , Zucki Fernanda
Published: May 2023

This case study examined the feasibility, reach, and potential impact of using Wikipedia as a tool for hearing health promotion. Activities involved editing existing Portuguese-language Wikipedia hearing health articles, as well as translating English-language hearing health articles to Portuguese during the Wiki4WorldHearingDay2019 and Wiki4YearOfSound2020 online campaigns. The Wikipedia efforts that took place in Brazil were carried out by 10 volunteer undergraduate students in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology at the Federal University of Santa Catarina, in Brazil. Among new and existing Wikipedia articles, the group edited 37 articles, which attracted more than 220,000 views during the set tracking period. Students were responsible for 60% of the Portuguese-language edits during the Wiki4WorldHearingDay2019 campaign and more than 90% of the Portuguese-language edits during the first half of the Wiki4YearOfSound2020 campaign. Moreover, the quality indexes for pages either created or edited were improved in all situations by registering an increase rate ranging from 33% to 100%. Wikipedia-centered activities expanded the availability of quality scientific content, written in plain language, to the public. Students worked together in order to select topics, assess existing information, validate it, create new content, and share information—steps that contributed to the mission of health promotion and knowledge dissemination for the benefit of society.
Elevating Healthcare: Rapid Literature Review on Drone Applications for Streamlining Disaster Management and Prehospital Care in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Wathinani Ahmed M. , Alhallaf Mohammad A. , Borowska-Stefańska Marta , Wiśniewski Szymon , Sultan Mohammed Ali Salem , Samman Omar Y. , Alobaid Abdullah M. , Althunayyan Saqer M. , Goniewicz Krzysztof
Published: May 2023

Saudi Arabia’s health sector faces pressing challenges in disaster and prehospital care delivery, such as prolonged response times, limited access to remote areas, and strained medical resources. Integrating drone technology has emerged as an innovative approach to address these challenges and revolutionize healthcare delivery. Drones can significantly enhance response times, increase access to underserved areas, and reduce the burden on existing medical infrastructure. A detailed analysis of global case studies demonstrates the successful use of drones in healthcare delivery, emphasizing the importance of regulatory frameworks and public–private partnerships. These examples provide valuable insights into Saudi Arabia’s health sector transformation. The potential benefits of integrating drone technology include improved patient outcomes, increased efficiency, and cost savings. To ensure the successful implementation of this transformative approach, it is crucial to establish clear regulatory guidelines, invest in research and development, and foster collaboration between the government, private sector, and healthcare stakeholders. The aim of this study is to explore the potential of drone technology in transforming healthcare delivery in Saudi Arabia, particularly within disaster response and prehospital care services.
Physician’s Knowledge and Attitudes on Antibiotic Prescribing and Resistance: A Cross-Sectional Study from Hail Region of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Almansour Khaled , Malik Jonaid Ahmad , Rashid Ishfaq , Ahmed Sakeel , Aroosa Mir , Alenezi Jehad M. , Almatrafi Mohammed A. , Alshammari Abdulmajeed A. , Khan Kashif Ullah , Anwar Sirajudheen
Published: May 2023

Background: Antibiotic (AB) resistance is caused partly by overuse, varies by region, and is influenced by prescriber perspectives. This study sought to determine physicians’ knowledge and attitudes toward AB prescribing, particularly in the Hail region of Saudi Arabia. Methods: An interdisciplinary team created and validated an electronic questionnaire via the test–retest method that measured reliability and consistency. The 19 questions covered the following subjects: demographic information (7), experience with AB resistance in daily work (3), AB prescribing behavior (2), communication with patients regarding AB resistance (3), and prescribing practices (4). The revised questionnaire was prepared and distributed to physicians in the Hail region via multiple electronic communication channels. Inferences were drawn based on descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis. Results: The questionnaire responses of 202 participants were eligible for analysis. A total of 70 (34.80%) participants were general practitioners, 78 (38.12%) were engaged in daily work that was only mildly related to AB resistance, and 25 (12.37%) performed work that was substantially related to AB resistance. A total of 88 (43.56%) physicians believed that prescribing behavior contributed to the emergence of AB resistance, whereas 68 (33.66%) did not. Regarding exposure, 51 (25.24%) physicians reported encountering instances of AB resistance monthly, whereas 104 (51.48%) reported seeing cases of AB resistance very rarely. In terms of prescribing practices, 99 (49.0%) physicians prescribed ABs to patients daily and 73 (36.13%) weekly. Regarding AB-resistance-related communication with patients, 73 (36.13%) physicians frequently discussed AB resistance with patients suffering from infections, whereas 13 (6.4%) never discussed it with patients. Conclusion: General practitioners in the Hail region exhibited comprehensive awareness of the elements that contribute to AB resistance but only rarely communicated about the issue with their patients, presuming the latter to be oblivious to the science behind AB resistance. Our findings suggest that the features underlying practitioners’ AB prescribing behavior could be a powerful strategy for lowering AB resistance.
The Effects of a Mandibular Overdenture on Edentulous Patients’ Quality of Life: A Clinical Study
Authors: Rella Edoardo , De Angelis Paolo , Papetti Laura , Damis Giovanni , D’Addona Antonio , Manicone Paolo Francesco
Published: May 2023

Edentulous patients’ quality of life can be greatly diminished by the use of a badly fitting removable prosthesis, as many aspects of social life become notably impaired. The object of this study was to evaluate if treating these patients with a two implants mandibular overdenture could improve their quality of life as measured with the Italian version of the OHIP-14 (Oral Health Impact Profile). Edentulous patients, in good clinical condition, were selected. Two implants were placed following the recommended guidelines and three months after new mandibular dentures were manufactured, implants were uncovered and connected to the prosthesis using LOCATOR abutments. OHIP-14 was measured at baseline, one month after delivery and one year after delivery. An improvement was observed even after one month (with a mean reduction of 17 points in OHIP) and that improvement appeared to be stable at the one-year follow-up. Mandibular overdentures can improve a patient’s quality of life when compared to a tissue-supported removable complete denture, as long as the patient is subjected to an appropriate follow-up as the retentive rings of the attachment can deteriorate even after two years and lose a great deal of retentive capabilities.
SARS-CoV-2 Immunity in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant and Cell Therapy Recipients: What Do We Know, and What Remains to Be Determined?
Authors: Piñana José Luis , Guerreiro Manuel , Solano Carlos
Published: May 2023

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) results in profound immunosuppression for the first few months after the procedure, requiring patients to be revaccinated against childhood vaccine-preventable infectious diseases. Patients who undergo allo-HSCT are at high risk of bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, with infectious complications responsible for at least one third of deaths. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, respiratory virus infections were known to be more severe in HSCT recipients. The pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of HSCT recipients, who experience an increased risk of morbidity and mortality after COVID-19 compared with healthy populations due to their severe immunodeficiency status. However, the current pandemic has also provided an exceptional scenario to better understand the immune response to SARS-CoV-2 cases and mRNA vaccines in HSCT recipients, including those receiving CD19-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapy. Researchers have focused on the role of the immune system in protecting against severe SARS-CoV-2 in patients with hematologic malignancies, including HSCT recipients. Insights gained during the pandemic will likely soon be used to improve preventive strategies in this population against viral infections in the near future. This narrative review summarizes the current knowledge on SARS-CoV-2 immunity in HSCT and cell therapy recipients following SARS-CoV-2 cases or vaccination.
Historical Buildings and Monuments as Cultural Heritage In Situ—Perspectives from a Medium-Sized City
Authors: Vîlcea Cristiana , Popescu Liliana , Niță Amalia
Published: May 2023

The research presents the results of a survey carried on in Craiova, one of the largest Romanian cities, which contains numerous buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, some of which were reconsolidated and brought back to use, while others are still decaying. The aim was to spatially investigate residents’ perceptions of the built heritage in the historical city center of Craiova based on questionnaires and mapping perceptions using the Emotional GIS (EGIS) methodology proposed by Wang (2021) and the extent to which this heritage could be a valuable asset for cultural tourism. The alteration of function as well as the context for part of the historical area of the city center testify to the musealization of the study area. The large number of buildings included on the heritage list outlines the characteristics of a living open-air museum, capitalizing on the heritage in situ.
Material and Imaging Analysis Procedure for the Investigation of Paintings in the Archbishop’s Palace of Seville
Authors: Moreno-Soto Javier , Križnar Anabelle , Ager Francisco José , Gómez Auxiliadora , Gamero-Osuna Antonio , Martín-de-Soto Agustín , Respaldiza Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2023

The Archbishop’s Palace of Seville harbours an important art collection with mostly works by great Renaissance and Baroque artists. However, the authorship of some paintings is unknown, and, in a few cases, there is an interest in discovering the painter due to the quality of the artwork. As a first step for this purpose, a systematic analysis procedure has been established using non-destructive techniques, such as UV photography and IR reflectography, to locate interventions and underpaintings, as well as X-ray fluorescence to identify original pigments and those of later interventions. The study following this established protocol is presented with the example of two paintings by unknown authors. They were made in different centuries representing, consequently, different styles. UV images showed several retouches, while IR reflectography revealed under-drawing and composition corrections (pentimenti). Furthermore, XRF identified the pigments applied in the production of the different colours and tonalities, allowing to characterise the artist’s palette, whose pigments generally agree with the dates when the artworks were produced. This study resulted in valuable information on painting materials and techniques, which will be useful in the search for authorships, among others.
Brassinosteroids Improve Postharvest Quality, Antioxidant Compounds, and Reduce Chilling Injury in ‘Arrayana’ Mandarin Fruits under Cold Storage
Authors: Gutiérrez-Villamil Diego Alejandro , Balaguera-López Helber Enrique , Álvarez-Herrera Javier Giovanni
Published: May 2023

‘Arrayana’ mandarin is one of the most cultivated citrus species in Colombia, but this fruit has a short postharvest life and is sensitive to chilling injury (CI) during cold storage. Generating strategies that decrease CI to mandarin can reduce quantitative and qualitative losses postharvest. Brassinosteroids (BR) have been used as a sustainable technology to alleviate CI in fruits and improve postharvest quality. This study evaluated the effect of applying the 24-epibrasinolide analogue (EBR), at doses of 5 mg L−1; DI-31 analogue, at 5 and 10 mg L−1; and control, on the main physical and biochemical characteristics of ‘Arrayana’ mandarin stored at 4 °C for 40 days and, subsequently, 7 days at room temperature (shelf life). The application of EBR and DI-31 analogues reduced the appearance of CI in the exocarp of ‘Arrayana’ mandarin fruits by reducing electrolyte leakage, maintaining membrane integrity, and increasing antioxidant activity and phenol content at the end of cold storage and shelf life. This was especially pronounced with 5 mg L−1 of EBR. Similarly, the BR maintained the postharvest quality of mandarins by reducing weight loss, respiratory intensity, and chlorophyll degradation; increasing β-carotene; and maintaining titratable acidity and soluble solids. Our research reports, for the first time, CI tolerance in Arrayana mandarin using natural (EBR) and spirostanic (DI-31) analogues and illustrates the tolerance functionality of the DI-31 analogue on CI in the fruit postharvest.
Biodegradation Rate of EDTA and IDS and Their Metal Complexes
Authors: Beltyukova Maria , Kuryntseva Polina , Galitskaya Polina , Selivanovskaya Svetlana , Brusko Vasiliy , Dimiev Ayrat
Published: May 2023

Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), when used as a main chelator for complex plant microfertilizers, causes many negative environmental effects; therefore, new compounds or new use of the known compounds to replace EDTA have been widely studied. In the present study, biodegradation rate, plant (Raphanus sativus) growth stimulation and ecotoxicity towards Daphnia magna and Chlorella vulgaris of iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), considered as an alternative for EDTA in agriculture, has been investigated. It was demonstrated that IDS’ biodegradation rate over 28 days was 28.1%, which is 4.5 times higher than that of EDTA. Similar to EDTA, complexation with metals led to an increase in the degradation rate by 1.8-fold. The majority of compounds were degraded within first 7 days. The GI values for IDS implemented at concentrations of 100 mg/L (both in pure form and in combination with microelements) were 2.4–2.6 times higher than those of EDTA. The ecotoxicity index EC10 of IDS was estimated to be 2.0 g/L and 5.8 g/L towards D. magna and Ch. vulgaris which are 4.1- and 10-fold higher than those for EDTA, respectively. It can be concluded that IDS is a promising agent to chelate microelements used in plant nutrition.
Effects of Low-Temperature Accumulation on Flowering of Prunus mume
Authors: Zhang Yuhan , Ma Kaifeng , Li Qingwei
Published: May 2023

Low-temperature accumulation is one of the essential stages in the growth process of woody ornamental plants. In this study, two different low-temperature treatments, 6 °C and 10 °C, were used to analyze the effects of different low-temperature treatments on dormancy release and flowering of the ‘Gulihong’ plant using artificial low temperatures. Based on the experimental results, four typical early-blooming Prunus mume cultivars widely planted in Yangling area of Henan Province, China, including ‘Zaoyudie’, ‘Zaohualve’, ‘Nanjing gongfen’, and ‘Gulihong’, were selected as the experimental materials. The effects of low-temperature accumulation on the flowering characteristics of different cultivars were analyzed using a 6 °C artificial low-temperature treatment. The suitable cultivation temperature for early-blooming cultivars was screened to provide a theoretical basis for further exploration of P. mume bonsai cultivation techniques. The results showed that the flowering rate, flower diameter, flowering quantity, flowering uniformity, and bud development in the 6 °C treatment were significantly better than those in the 10 °C treatment. Furthermore, under 6 °C low-temperature treatment, the flowering rate and quality of different cultivars showed an increasing trend with the accumulation of low temperature, with ‘Gulihong’ exhibiting the highest flowering rate. Therefore, chill accumulation plays a significant role in promoting flowering quality.
Effects of Citric Acid and Humic-like Substances on Yield, Enzyme Activities, and Expression of Genes Involved in Iron Uptake in Tomato Plants
Authors: Pérez-Labrada Fabián , Benavides-Mendoza Adalberto , Juárez-Maldonado Antonio , Solís-Gaona Susana , González-Morales Susana
Published: May 2023

Iron (Fe) deficiency is a common abiotic stress on plants growing in calcareous soils where low organic matter content, high carbonate–bicarbonate concentration, and high pH precipitate Fe in unavailable forms. Enzymatic activity is a mechanism for plants to access soil nutrients; enzymes such as H+-ATPase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), and the intracellular enzyme ferric reduction oxidase (FRO) are involved in Fe absorption. The effects of the application of citric acid (CA) and humic-like substances (HLS) on the yield, H+-ATPase, PEPC, and FRO enzyme activity, and expression of LeHA1, LePEPC1, and LeFRO1 genes in tomato plants grown under calcareous soil were studied. CA and HLS improved the SPAD units and increased the number of harvested fruits and yield per plant. Temporary alterations in enzyme activity, which reduced PEPC and FRO activity in roots, were documented. In leaf tissue, CA resulted in lower expression of LeHA1 and LePEPC1 and the induction of LeFRO1 expression, whereas HLS application resulted in higher expression of LePEPC1 and LeFRO1. In roots, LeHA1 expression increased with HLS, whereas LePEPC1 and LeFRO1 showed lower expression with CA and HLS, respectively. The application of CA and HLS through a nutrient solution in combination with Fe-chelate can improve Fe nutrition in tomato plants potted in calcareous soil by inducing temporal alterations in PEPC and FRO enzyme activity and LeFRO1 and LeHA1 gene expression.
Eudaimonic Well-Being of Italian Young Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Predictive and Mediating Roles of Fear of Death and Psychological Inflexibility
Authors: Calvo Vincenzo , Masaro Chiara , Fusco Chiara , Pellicelli Camilla , Ghedin Simona , Marogna Cristina
Published: May 2023

The literature has widely acknowledged the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young adults. Despite extensive research, eudaimonic well-being, which focuses on self-knowledge and self-realization, has been scarcely investigated. This cross-sectional study aimed to add knowledge on the eudaimonic well-being of young adults one year after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, verifying its potential linkages with fear of death and psychological inflexibility. A total of 317 young Italian adults (18–34 years), recruited through a chain sampling method, completed measures of psychological inflexibility, fear of death, and eudaimonic well-being included in an online survey. The study’s hypotheses were tested with multivariate multiple regression and mediational analyses. Results showed that psychological inflexibility was negatively associated with all the dimensions of well-being, while fear of the death of others was associated with autonomy, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance. Furthermore, in the association between fear of death and well-being, the mediation role of psychological inflexibility was verified. These results contribute to the extant literature on the factors associated with eudaimonic well-being, providing clinical insights into the work with young adults within challenging times.
One-Hour Post-Load Plasma Glucose and Altered Glucometabolic Profile in Youths with Overweight or Obesity
Authors: Di Bonito Procolo , Valerio Giuliana , Licenziati Maria Rosaria , Corica Domenico , Wasniewska Malgorzata , Di Sessa Anna , Miraglia del Giudice Emanuele , Morandi Anita , Maffeis Claudio , Mozzillo Enza , Calcaterra Valeria , Franco Francesca , Maltoni Giulio , Faienza Maria Felicia
Published: May 2023

In youths, two cut-offs (133 and 155 mg/dL) have been proposed to identify high glucose levels at the 1 h (G60) mark during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). We evaluated which cut-off was more closely associated with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and cardiometabolic risk (CMR) in 1199 youth with overweight/obesity (OW/OB) and normal fasting glucose and/or HbA1c. The disposition index (DI) was available in 724 youths. The sample was divided by two cut-offs of G60: <133 mg/dL (n = 853) and ≥133 mg/dL (n = 346), or G60 < 155 mg/dL (n = 1050) and ≥155 mg/dL (n = 149). Independent of the cut-off, youths with high levels of G60 showed higher levels of G120, insulin resistance (IR), triglycerides to HDL ratio (TG/HDL), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and lower insulin sensitivity (IS) and DI than youths with lower levels of G60. The percentage of youths showing IGT, IR, low IS, high TG/HDL ratio, high ALT, and low DI was 50% higher in the G60 ≥ 133 mg/dL group than in the G60 ≥ 155 mg/dL one. In youths with OW/OB and IGT, a cut-off of G60 ≥ 133 mg/dL is more useful than G60 ≥ 155 mg/dL to identify those at high risk of IGT and altered CMR profile.
Prevention of Type 1 Diabetes in Children: A Worthy Challenge?
Authors: Ingrosso Diletta Maria Francesca , Quarta Maria Teresa , Quarta Alessia , Chiarelli Francesco
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, the development of new immuno-therapeutic drugs has made it possible to alter the course of many autoimmune diseases. Type 1 diabetes is a chronic disease with a progressive dependence on exogenous insulin administration. The ability to intercept individuals at high risk of developing type 1 diabetes is the first step toward the development of therapies that can delay the process of β-cell destruction, thus permitting a better glycemic control and reducing the incidence of ketoacidosis. The knowledge of the main pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the three stages of the disease may be helpful to identify the best immune therapeutic approach. In this review, we aim to give an overview of the most important clinical trials conducted during the primary, secondary and tertiary phases of prevention.
Mixed Method Evaluation of My Vital Cycles®: A Holistic School-Based Ovulatory Menstrual Health Literacy Program
Authors: Roux Felicity , Chih HuiJun , Hendriks Jacqueline , Burns Sharyn
Published: May 2023

There is a high prevalence of ovulatory menstrual (OM) dysfunctions among adolescents, and their menstrual health literacy is poor. The OM cycle can be used as a personal health monitor provided that the skills to understand it are correctly taught. My Vital Cycles®, a holistic school-based OM health literacy program, was trialed with a Grade 9 cohort in one single-sex school in Western Australia using the Health Promoting School framework. A validated OM health literacy questionnaire was administered pre- and post-program with 94 participants. Functional OM health literacy improved overall, with 15 out of 20 items showing improvement post-program (p < 0.05). In addition, 19 out of 53 items for interactive OM health literacy, and 18 out of 25 items for critical OM health literacy improved (p < 0.05). The improvement in mood concerns (p = 0.002) was unexpected. Thematic analysis of three focus groups of 18 girls revealed four themes of increasing comfort levels; finding the program informative; inclusion of non-teaching support such as healthcare professionals; and suggestions for future refinements. Overall, this Western Australian PhD project which developed and trialed My Vital Cycles® improved OM health literacy and was positively received. Future research possibilities include understanding the program’s impact on mental health and further trials in co-educational settings; amongst different populations; and with extended post-program testing.
Reliability and Validity of the Japanese Version of the Short Form of the Expanded Version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X-SF-J): A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Oshiro Rei , Soejima Takafumi , Kita Sachiko , Benson Kayla , Kibi Satoshi , Hiraki Koichi , Kamibeppu Kiyoko , Taku Kanako
Published: May 2023

A Japanese version of the short form of the expanded Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X-SF-J) was developed in this study, as the extended version captures broader, more diverse personal growth perspectives, such as existential spiritual growth. We collected cross-sectional data from 408 (first sample) and 284 (second sample) Japanese university students using the expanded version of the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI-X-J). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was performed with the first sample and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with the second; reliability and validity were examined. The short-form version resulting from the EFA and CFA comprised 10 items and five factors. Cronbach’s alpha for the PTGI-X-SF-J total and subscale scores ranged from 0.671 to 0.875. The intraclass correlation coefficient for the total and subscale scores between the PTGI-X-J and PTGI-X-SF-J ranged from 0.699 to 0.821. Regarding external validity, no significant correlation was found between posttraumatic growth and posttraumatic stress disorder checklists. Due to its brevity, the PTGI-X-SF-J can help assess diverse spiritual and existential personal growth experiences among clients, patients, and trauma survivors while reducing physical and psychological burdens.
Impacts of Urban Green on Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Bianconi Alessandro , Longo Giulia , Coa Angela Andrea , Fiore Matteo , Gori Davide
Published: May 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a leading cause of mortality globally. In particular, ischemic heart diseases (IHDs) and cerebrovascular diseases (CBVDs) represent the main drivers of CVD-related deaths. Many literature examples have assessed the association between CVD risk factors and urban greenness. Urban green (UG) may positively affect physical activity, reduce air and noise pollution, and mitigate the heat island effect, which are known risk factors for CVD morbidity. This systematic review aims to assess the effects of urban green spaces on CVD morbidity and mortality. Peer-reviewed research articles with a quantitative association between urban green exposure variables and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular outcomes were included. Meta-analyses were conducted for each outcome evaluated in at least three comparable studies. Most of the included studies’ results highlighted an inverse correlation between exposure to UG and CVD outcomes. Gender differences were found in four studies, with a protective effect of UG only statistically significant in men. Three meta-analyses were performed, showing an overall protective effect of UG on CVD mortality (HR (95% CI) = 0.94 (0.91, 0.97)), IHD mortality (HR (95% CI) = 0.96 (0.93, 0.99)), and CBVD mortality (HR (95% CI) = 0.96 (0.94, 0.97)). The results of this systematic review suggest that exposure to UG may represent a protective factor for CVDs.
Age, Loneliness, and Social Media Use in Adults during COVID-19: A Latent Profile Analysis
Authors: Mckniff Moira , Simone Stephanie M. , Giovannetti Tania
Published: May 2023

Loneliness has been linked to morbidity and mortality across the lifespan. Social media could reduce loneliness, though research on the relation between social media and loneliness has been inconclusive. This study used person-centered analyses to elucidate the inconsistencies in the literature and examine the possible role technology barriers played in the relation between social media use and loneliness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants (n = 929; M age = 57.58 ± 17.33) responded to a series of online questions covering demographics, loneliness, technology barriers, and social media use (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, etc.) across a range of devices (e.g., computer, smartphone, etc.). A latent profile analysis was conducted to identify distinct profiles of social media use, loneliness patterns, and age. Results yielded five distinct profiles characterized that showed no systematic associations among age, social media use, and loneliness. Demographic characteristics and technology barriers also differed between profiles and were associated with loneliness. In conclusion, person-centered analyses demonstrated distinct groups of older and younger adults that differed on social media use and loneliness and may offer more fruitful insights over variable-centered approaches (e.g., regression/correlation). Technology barriers may be a viable target for reducing loneliness in adults.
“Where Creator Has My Feet, There I Will Be Responsible”: Place-Making in Urban Environments through Indigenous Food Sovereignty Initiatives
Authors: Miltenburg Elisabeth , Neufeld Hannah Tait , Perchak Sarina , Skene Dave
Published: May 2023

There is a growing emergence of Indigenous Food Sovereignty (IFS) initiatives across urban centers within many regions of Canada. Urban Indigenous communities are leading these efforts to revitalize Indigenous foods and agricultural practices while promoting food security and increasing Land-based connections within cities. However, the socio-ecological environments within these urban contexts affect IFS initiatives in unique ways which have not been previously explored. This study addresses these gaps by drawing on qualitative interviews with seven urban Indigenous people leading IFS initiatives within Grand River Territory (situated within southern Ontario, Canada). Applying community-based participatory methods, this research explored how place impacts IFS initiatives within urban environments. Thematic analysis generated two overarching thematic categories: Land access, and place-making practices, revealing a bi-directional, dynamic interaction between place and urban IFS initiatives. Relationships with landowners, control of land, and external factors determined how Land was accessed in urban environments. Place-making practices involved fostering relationships with Land, upholding responsibilities, and cultivating Land-based knowledges. Therefore, IFS initiatives are impacted by Land access, but also facilitate place-making for urban Indigenous Peoples. These findings demonstrate pathways towards Indigenous self-determination and IFS within urban contexts, which can be applicable to other urban Indigenous communities.
Mental Health of the Russian Federation Population versus Regional Living Conditions and Individual Income
Authors: Maksimov Sergey A. , Kotova Marina B. , Gomanova Liliya I. , Shalnova Svetlana A. , Balanova Yulia A. , Evstifeeva Svetlana E. , Drapkina Oksana M.
Published: May 2023

The objective of our study was to assess the impact of regional living conditions on the Russian population’s mental health. For the analysis, we used data from the cross-sectional stage of a 2013–2014 study, “Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases in the Regions of the Russian Federation (ESSE-RF)”. The final sample included 18,021 men and women 25–64 years of age from 11 regions of Russia. Using principal component analysis, we performed an integral simultaneous assessment of stress, anxiety, and depression. To describe the regional living conditions, we utilized five regional indices, which were computed from publicly available data of the Federal State Statistics Service of Russia. Overall, mental health indicators were improved, on the one hand, with the deterioration of social conditions and an aggravation of the demographic depression in the region, but on the other hand, they were improved with an increase in economic and industrial development, along with economic inequality among the population. In addition, the impact of regional living conditions on mental health increased with a higher individual wealth. The obtained results provided new fundamental knowledge on the impact of the living environment on health, using the case study of the Russian population, which has been little studied in this regard.
Evolving Approaches to Meet Clinical Hours for Undergraduate Nursing Students during COVID-19
Authors: Rumsey Kimberly , Joy Shinu , Leger John Michael
Published: May 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic challenged all healthcare professionals to re-think how patient care is provided. Faculty in nursing schools faced similar challenges in offering adequate clinical hours to nursing students, because of the limited availability of clinical placements. Methods: A faculty in one school of nursing introduced virtual simulation resources to supplement in-person clinical hours. The faculty developed a revised clinical curriculum for students that included weekly objectives and deliverables for virtual simulations. The Simulation Effectiveness Tool-Modified (SET-M) was utilized to evaluate the effectiveness of the virtual simulations. Results: 130 students (88.4%) completed the post-implementation survey. After using the virtual simulations, 50% of the students reported feeling confident in providing interventions that foster patient safety. Furthermore, students reported a sound understanding of disease pathophysiology (60%) and medications (53.8%). The qualitative data indicated that students found the virtual simulations beneficial and a safe learning environment. Conclusion: Pre-pandemic virtual simulations were not used by this school of nursing to replace the traditional in-person clinical experiences. However, the pandemic demonstrated that the utilization of innovative virtual simulations are effective methods for student learning to augment traditional clinical experiences.
Specialized Care Resources for Diagnosis and Management of Patients Who Have Suffered Falls: Results of a National Survey in Geriatric Units
Authors: Bartolomé Martín Irene , Esteve Arríen Ainhoa , Neira Álvarez Marta , Cristofori Giovanna , Cedeno-Veloz Bernardo Abel , Esbrí Víctor Mariano , Pérez Pena Bárbara , González Ramírez Alfonso , Caballero-Mora María Ángeles ,   on behalf of the Falls Study Group of Sociedad Española de Medicina Geriátrica (SEMEG)
Published: May 2023

Introduction: Clinical guidelines recommend comprehensive multifactorial assessment and intervention to prevent falls and fractures in older populations. Methods: A descriptive study was conducted by the Falls Study Group of the Spanish Geriatric Medicine Society (SEMEG) to outline which types of healthcare-specific resources were assigned for fall assessment in Spanish geriatric departments. A self-reported seven-item questionnaire was delivered from February 2019 to February 2020. Where geriatric medicine departments were not available, we tried to contact geriatricians working in those areas. Results: Information was obtained regarding 91 participant centers from 15 autonomous communities, 35.1% being from Catalonia and 20.8% from Madrid. A total of 21.6% reported a multidisciplinary falls unit, half of them in geriatric day hospitals. Half of them reported fall assessment as part of a general geriatric assessment in general geriatric outpatient clinics (49.5%) and, in 74.7% of cases, the assessment was based on functional tests. A total of 18.7% reported the use of biomechanical tools, such as posturography, gait-rides or accelerometers, for gait and balance analysis, and 5.5% used dual X-ray absorptiometry. A total of 34% reported research activity focused on falls or related areas. Regarding intervention strategies, 59% reported in-hospital exercise programs focused on gait and balance improvement and 79% were aware of community programs or the pathways to refer patients to these resources. Conclusions: This study provides a necessary starting point for a future deep analysis. Although this study was carried out in Spain, it highlights the need to improve public health in the field of fall prevention, as well as the need, when implementing public health measures, to verify that these measures are implemented homogeneously throughout the territory. Therefore, although this analysis was at the local level, it could be useful for other countries to reproduce the model.
Analysis of Walkable Street Networks by Using the Space Syntax and GIS Techniques: A Case Study of Çankırı City
Authors: Şahin Körmeçli Pelin
Published: May 2023

Nowadays, city forms are changing due to rapid urbanization and increasing population. In urban morphology studies, walkable street network is examined through the city form to create sustainable cities. This study aims to examine accessibility of street network that shapes the city form by using central street line retrieved from OSM. Accessibility of the street network, one of the criteria of walkability, was evaluated in Çankırı, a micro city in Turkey. The space syntax and GIS methods were used to examine the physical accessibility of the street network. As differences in the topography are not taken into consideration in the space syntax, it was integrated with the GIS in this study. With this method, spatial accessibility, the correlation between integration and choice values of street network, was examined at first. Secondly, land slope was classified according to the standards of pedestrian accessibility and the study area was analyzed using the GIS. Finally, streets with low slope percentage and high integration value were overlaid. The results revealed that the longest, continuous, and main axes located in the area with low slope and high integration values are accessible. The accessible streets obtained by a collaborative integration of the space syntax and GIS methods are lower than the area obtained just from the space syntax method. The use of a combination of these methods is beneficial in terms of understanding the land in three dimensions, but focusing on land surface slopes is only one of the possible synergies between the two tools. The walkable street network obtained by using this method gives an idea about urban mobility. While this method works with hilly lands, other GIS data may be needed for different land types. However, it should also be extended to multi-source information and quantitative analysis methods in bigger cities, as urban walkability is at the core of the 15-minute city model, which is of high actuality of the agenda of urban planning and sustainable urban development.
Verification of Geographic Laws Hidden in Textual Space and Analysis of Spatial Interaction Patterns of Information Flow
Authors: Liu Lin , Li Hang , Pei Dongmei , Liu Shuai
Published: May 2023

The rapid development of Internet technology has formed a huge virtual information space. In the information space, information flow has become a link of communication between objects. Information flow is an alternative or supplement to the traditional physical flow for the study of the spatial interaction of geographical entities. The research uses toponym co-occurrence and search index as information flow data, verifies the geographical laws hidden in the information space by spatial autocorrelation analysis and gravity model fitting, and analyzes the spatial interaction patterns of provinces in China in the information space by complex network analysis methods. The results show that: (1) information flow in the information space obeys Tobler’s first law of geography and Goodchild’s second law of geography. The spatial interaction represented by information flow has a distance decay effect. The best distance decay coefficients for toponym co-occurrence and the search index are 0.189 and 0.186, respectively. (2) The inter-provincial spatial interaction network of China shows a hierarchical pattern of the triangular primary network and diamond secondary network, and the ranking of provinces in the centrality analysis is basically stable, but the network hierarchy is deepening. The gravity center of spatial interaction is located in the east-central region of China. (3) The information flow-based interaction network is of higher asymmetry than the population mobility network, and its spatial structure is also obvious. This research provides a new idea for studying the spatial interaction of geographical entities in the physical world from the perspective of information flow.
An Object-Oriented Deep Multi-Sphere Support Vector Data Description Method for Impervious Surfaces Extraction Based on Multi-Sourced Data
Authors: Wan Yiliang , Fei Yuwen , Jin Rui , Wu Tao , He Xinguang
Published: May 2023

The effective extraction of impervious surfaces is critical to monitor their expansion and ensure the sustainable development of cities. Open geographic data can provide a large number of training samples for machine learning methods based on remote-sensed images to extract impervious surfaces due to their advantages of low acquisition cost and large coverage. However, training samples generated from open geographic data suffer from severe sample imbalance. Although one-class methods can effectively extract an impervious surface based on imbalanced samples, most of the current one-class methods ignore the fact that an impervious surface comprises varied geographic objects, such as roads and buildings. Therefore, this paper proposes an object-oriented deep multi-sphere support vector data description (OODMSVDD) method, which takes into account the diversity of impervious surfaces and incorporates a variety of open geographic data involving OpenStreetMap (OSM), Points of Interest (POIs), and trajectory GPS points to automatically generate massive samples for model learning, thereby improving the extraction of impervious surfaces with varied types. The feasibility of the proposed method is experimentally verified with an overall accuracy of 87.43%, and its superior impervious surface classification performance is shown via comparative experiments. This provides a new, accurate, and more suitable extraction method for complex impervious surfaces.
Roles of Virtual Screening and Molecular Dynamics Simulations in Discovering and Understanding Antimalarial Drugs
Authors: Duay Searle S. , Yap Rianne Casey Y. , Gaitano Arturo L. , Santos June Alexis A. , Macalino Stephani Joy Y.
Published: May 2023

Malaria continues to be a global health threat, with approximately 247 million cases worldwide. Despite therapeutic interventions being available, patient compliance is a problem due to the length of treatment. Moreover, drug-resistant strains have emerged over the years, necessitating urgent identification of novel and more potent treatments. Given that traditional drug discovery often requires a great deal of time and resources, most drug discovery efforts now use computational methods. In silico techniques such as quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR), docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) can be used to study protein-ligand interactions and determine the potency and safety profile of a set of candidate compounds to help prioritize those tested using assays and animal models. This paper provides an overview of antimalarial drug discovery and the application of computational methods in identifying candidate inhibitors and elucidating their potential mechanisms of action. We conclude with the continued challenges and future perspectives in the field of antimalarial drug discovery.
Impact of Non-Covalent Interactions of Chiral Linked Systems in Solution on Photoinduced Electron Transfer Efficiency
Authors: Magin Ilya M. , Pushkin Ivan A. , Ageeva Aleksandra A. , Martianova Sofia O. , Polyakov Nikolay E. , Doktorov Alexander B. , Leshina Tatyana V.
Published: May 2023

It is well-known that non-covalent interactions play an essential role in the functioning of biomolecules in living organisms. The significant attention of researchers is focused on the mechanisms of associates formation and the role of the chiral configuration of proteins, peptides, and amino acids in the association. We have recently demonstrated the unique sensitivity of chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP) formed in photoinduced electron transfer (PET) in chiral donor–acceptor dyads to non-covalent interactions of its diastereomers in solutions. The present study further develops the approach for quantitatively analyzing the factors that determine the association by examples of dimerization of the diastereomers with the RS, SR, and SS optical configurations. It has been shown that, under the UV irradiation of dyads, CIDNP is formed in associates, namely, homodimers (SS-SS), (SR-SR), and heterodimers (SS-SR) of diastereomers. In particular, the efficiency of PET in homo-, heterodimers, and monomers of dyads completely determines the forms of dependences of the CIDNP enhancement coefficient ratio of SS and RS, SR configurations on the ratio of diastereomer concentrations. We expect that the use of such a correlation can be useful in identifying small-sized associates in peptides, which is still a problem.
Comparative Physiological and Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Potential Pathways and Specific Genes Involved in Waterlogging Tolerance in Apple Rootstocks
Authors: Zhang Kunxi , Chen Xiaofei , Yuan Penghao , Song Chunhui , Song Shangwei , Jiao Jian , Wang Miaomiao , Hao Pengbo , Zheng Xianbo , Bai Tuanhui
Published: May 2023

Apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) is one of the most cultivated fruit crops in China. Apple trees frequently encounter waterlogging stress, mainly due to excess rainfall, soil compaction, or poor soil drainage, results in yellowing leaves and declined fruit quality and yield in some regions. However, the mechanism underlying the response to waterlogging has not been well elucidated. Therefore, we performed a physiological and transcriptomic analysis to examine the differential responses of two apple rootstocks (waterlogging-tolerant M. hupehensis and waterlogging-sensitive M. toringoides) to waterlogging stress. The results showed that M. toringoides displayed more severe leaf chlorosis during the waterlogging treatment than M. hupehensis. Compared with M. hupehensis, the more severe leaf chlorosis induced by waterlogging stress in M. toringoides was highly correlated with increased electrolyte leakage and superoxide radicals, hydrogen peroxide accumulation, and increased stomata closure. Interestingly, M. toringoides also conveyed a higher ethylene production under waterlogging stress. Furthermore, RNA-seq revealed that a total of 13,913 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were differentially regulated between M. hupehensis and M. toringoides under waterlogging stress, especially those DEGs involved in the biosynthesis of flavonoids and hormone signaling. This suggests a possible link of flavonoids and hormone signaling to waterlogging tolerance. Taken together, our data provide the targeted genes for further investigation of the functions, as well as for future molecular breeding of waterlogging-tolerant apple rootstocks.