bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The competitive strategies of poisonous weeds Elsholtzia densa Benth. on the Qinghai Tibet Plateau: Allelopathy and improving soil environment
Authors: Zhou Xijie , Xiao Yunxing , Ma Danwei , Xie Yusi , Wang Yu , Zhang Hong , Wang Yanan 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionThe competitive strategies of plants play a crucial role in their growth. Allelopathy is one of the weapons that plants use to improve their competitive advantage.MethodsIn order to explore the competitive strategy of a poisonous weed Elsholtzia densa Benth. (E. densa) on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP), the effects of decomposing substances of E. densa on growth, root border cells (RBCs) characteristics of highland crop highland barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and soil environment were determined.ResultsThe decomposing allelopathic effect of E. densa on the germination and seedling growth of highland barley mainly occurred in the early stage of decomposing. The allelopathic effects were mainly on seed germination and root growth of highland barley. After treatment with its decomposing solution, the RBC’s mucilage layer of highland barley thickened, and the RBC’s activity decreased or even apoptosis compared with the control. However, only the above-ground part of the treatment group showed a significant difference. The effects of E. densa decomposed substances on the soil environment were evaluated from soil physicochemical properties and bacterial community. The results showed that soil bacteria varied greatly in the early stage of decomposion under different concentrations of E. densa. In addition, E. densa decomposing substances increased the soil nutrient content, extracellular enzyme activities, and bacterial community diversity. In the process of decomposition, the bacterial community structure changed constantly, but Actinobacteriota was always the dominant phylum.DiscussionThese results indicated that E. densa might adopt the following two strategies to help it gain an advantage in the competition: 1. Release allelochemicals that interfere with the defense function of surrounding plants and directly inhibit the growth and development of surrounding plants. 2. By changing the physical and chemical properties of soil and extracellular enzyme activity, residual plant decomposition can stimulate soil microbial activity, improve soil nutrition status, and create a more suitable soil environment for growth.
Adjustment to disease and quality of life in people with vascular Ehlers-Danlos and Loeys-Dietz syndromes: A mixed-method study
Authors: Baeza-Velasco Carolina , Rodriguez Nuria , Parra Laura , Gutiérrez-Rosado Teresa 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundVascular Ehlers-Danlos (vEDS) and Loeys-Dietz syndromes (LDS) are hereditary disorders of connective tissue having severe vascular complications (HDCTv) which lead to an increased risk of premature death. Little is known about the impact of the disease in patient’s daily life.MethodSixteen HDCTv patients (vEDS = 9 and LDS = 7), 16 age and sex-matched hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos syndrome patients (hEDS) and 18 healthy subjects (HS), responded to self-questionnaires assessing psychosocial adjustment, quality of life (QoL), anxiety, depression, pain, fatigue and sleep problems. Patients with HDCTv were also interviewed in order to explore qualitatively their experience with the disease.ResultsCompared with HS, patients with HDCTv scored significantly higher on anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep problems, and lower on QoL. Most HDCTv patients (93.8%) have optimal psychosocial adjustment. In addition, HDCTv patients scored higher on QoL and psychosocial adjustment, but lower in pain, fatigue, sleep problems, and depressive symptoms than hEDS patients. Four main themes were identified in qualitative analyses: living with HDCTv, knowledge/ignorance of the disease, health behaviors/self-care and coping strategies.ConclusionOur results suggest that despite the negative impact of HDCTv on the patients’ daily lives, overall, they present an optimal disease adjustment which points to appropriate coping strategies. More research in psychosocial aspects of people with these rare diseases are needed to confirm these results and better understand their needs.
T-pattern detection in the scientific literature of this century: A systematic review
Authors: Anguera M. Teresa , Jonsson Gudberg K. , Escolano-Pérez Elena , Sánchez-Lopez Carmen Rosa , Losada José Luis , Portell Mariona 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionScientific literature contains mainly systematic reviews focused on substantial aspects, but there are also approaches that have combined both substantial and methodological aspects, which is our preferred option since it undeniably adds value. The aims of this study were: (1) to carry out a systematic review of the literatura on T-Pattern analysis (TPA), and (2) to explore the possible contribution of mixed methods research to the integration of qualitative and quantitative elements on a synthesis level.MethodsBased on PRISMA guidelines, searches were carried out in the Scopus, PsycINFO, and Web of Science databases. The general search syntax was: “THEME” AND (“T-Patterns” OR “T Patterns”) carried out in title, keywords and abstract. In addition, we included empirical articles on THEME and T-Patterns collected in other sources based on citations in several empirical works and consultations with different authors. This selection process resulted in 125 primary documents making up this systematic review.ResultsThe results showed that the detection of structures in behavior patterns forms a nexus between studies carried out in very diverse fields and contexts. Most studies are observational, whilst the applicability and power of T-Pattern detection are extraordinary. It allows the researcher to go deeper in a robust analysis that responds to the integration of qualitative and quantitative elements which constitutes the leit motive of mixed methods; and also to discover the deep, hidden structure that underlies the respective databases, regardless of the methodology used in each study. The possibilities in assigning parameters notably increase the options for obtaining results and their interpretation.DiscussionIt is relevant the extraordinary strength and applicability of T-pattern detection. There is a high presence of T-pattern detection and analysis in studies using observational methodology. It is necessary commit to consolidating the methodological analysis of selected works, as taking individual and collective responsibility for improving methodological quality of TPA studies, taking advantage of the resources provided by the THEME program.
Ecological contexts associated with early childhood curiosity: Neighborhood safety, home and parenting quality, and socioeconomic status
Authors: Shah Prachi E. , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy , Spinelli Maria , Ozor Jenny , Weeks Heidi M. , McCaffery Harlan , Kaciroti Niko 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionCuriosity is an important social-emotional process underlying early learning. Our previous work found a positive association between higher curiosity and higher academic achievement at kindergarten, with a greater magnitude of benefit for children with socioeconomic disadvantage. Because characteristics of the early caregiving and physical environment impact the processes that underlie early learning, we sought to examine early environmental experiences associated with early childhood curiosity, in hopes of identifying modifiable contexts that may promote its expression.MethodsUsing data from a nationally representative sample of 4,750 children from the United States, this study examined the association of multi-level ecological contexts (i.e., neighborhood safety, parenting quality, home environment, and center-based preschool enrollment) on early childhood curiosity at kindergarten, and tested for moderation by socioeconomic status.ResultsIn adjusted, stratified models, children from lower-resourced environments (characterized by the lowest-SES tertile) manifested higher curiosity if they experienced more positive parenting, higher quality home environments, and if they lived in “very safe” neighborhoods.DiscussionWe discuss the ecological contexts (i.e., parenting, home, and neighborhood environments) that are promotive of early childhood curiosity, with an emphasis on the role of the neighborhood safety and the “neighborhood built environment” as important modifiable contexts to foster early childhood curiosity in lower-resourced families.
Cross-sectional associations between adolescents' physical literacy, sport and exercise participation, and wellbeing
Authors: Melby Paulina S. , Elsborg Peter , Bentsen Peter , Nielsen Glen 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundAdolescence is a significant period in one's development of positive emotional and social wellbeing. Physical literacy (PL) is considered a determinant of physical health and wellbeing and is thought to be the foundation for an individual's engagement in physical activities. Yet, limited evidence exists on PL's association with adolescents' health and physical activity behavior. This study aims to (1) explore the associations between Danish adolescents' PL and their emotional and social wellbeing, (2) examine whether these associations are mediated by sport and exercise participation (SEP), and (3) consider if the associations differ across sex.MethodsCross-sectional data from a national population survey were collected in 2020. The sample consisted of 1,518 Danish adolescents aged 13–15 years. PL was assessed with the validated MyPL questionnaire. The weekly time engaged in sports and exercise was self-reported. Self-esteem, life satisfaction, body satisfaction, and loneliness were measured with items from the standardized HBSC questionnaire, and a wellbeing composite score was calculated from these four measures. We constructed structural equation models with PL and sports and exercise participation as independent variables and the five aspects of wellbeing as dependent variables.ResultsPositive associations were observed between PL and SEP (β = 0.33, p &lt; 0.001) and between PL and the five aspects of wellbeing with β-values between 0.19 and 0.30 (p &lt; 0.001). These associations were greater among girls. The association between PL and four of the five wellbeing outcomes were partly mediated by SEP with indirect effects (β) between 0.03 and 0.05.ConclusionsResults from this study support the hypotheses that PL is important for children and adolescents' wellbeing and physical activity behavior.
The causal relationship between COVID-19 and increased intraocular pressure: A bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Lin Yi , Jiang Bingcai , Cai Yuanqing , Luo Wangdu , Zheng Changwei , Zhu Xiaomin , Lin Qianyi , Tang Min , Li Xiangji , Xie Lin 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has brought great challenges to the global public health system and huge economic burdens to society, the causal effect of COVID-19 and intraocular pressure was blank.ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the causal association between coronavirus disease (COVID-19) susceptibility, severity and criticality and intraocular pressure (IOP) by bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.Materials and methodsGenetic associations with COVID-19 susceptibility, severity and criticality were obtained from the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative. Genetic associations with IOP were obtained from GWAS summary data. The standard inverse variance weighted (IVW) method was used in the primary assessment of this causality. Other methods were also implemented in supplementary analyses. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the reliability and stability of the results.ResultsThe results showed that COVID-19 susceptibility had null effect on IOP (β = 0.131; Se = 0.211; P = 0.533) as assessed by the IVW method. Moreover, the results revealed that COVID-19 severity, specifically, hospitalization due to COVID-19, had a positive effect on IOP with nominal significance (β = 0.228; Se = 0.116; P = 0.049). However, there were null effect of COVID-19 criticality on IOP (β = 0.078; Se = 0.065; P = 0.227). Sensitivity analysis showed that all the results were reliable and stable. The reverse MR analysis revealed that there was null effect of IOP on COVID-19.ConclusionsWe demonstrated that hospitalization due to COVID-19 might increase IOP; therefore, greater attention should be given to monitoring IOP in inpatients with COVID-19.
Changes in mortality of Polish residents in the early and late old age due to main causes of death from 2000 to 2019
Authors: Burzyńska Monika , Pikala Małgorzata 
Published: March 2023

PurposeThe aim of the study was to assess mortality trends in Poland between 2000 and 2019 in the early and late old age population (65–74 years and over 75 years).MethodsThe work used data on all deaths of Polish residents aged over 65 years (N = 5,496,970). The analysis included the five most common major groups of causes of death: diseases of the circulatory system, malignant neoplasms, diseases of the respiratory system, diseases of the digestive system and external causes of mortality. The analysis of time trends has been carried out with the use of joinpoint models. The Annual Percentage Change (APC) for each segments of broken lines, the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC) for the whole study period (95% CI), and standardized death rates (SDRs) were calculated.ResultsThe percentage of deaths due to diseases of the circulatory system decreased in all the studied subgroups. Among malignant neoplasms, lung and bronchus cancers accounted for the largest percentage of deaths, for which the SDRs among men decreased, while those among women increased. In the early old age, the SDR value increased from 67.8 to 76.3 (AAPC = 0.6%, p &gt; 0.05), while in the late old age group it increased from 112.1 to 155.2 (AAPC = 1.8%, p &lt; 0.05). Among men, there was an upward trend for prostate cancer (AAPC = 0.4% in the early old age group and AAPC = 0.6% in the late old age group, p &gt; 0.05) and a downward trend for stomach cancer (AAPC −3.2 and −2.7%, respectively, p &lt; 0.05). Stomach cancer also showed a decreasing trend among women (AAPC −3.2 and −3.6%, p &lt; 0.05). SDRs due to influenza and pneumonia were increasing. Increasing trends in mortality due to diseases of the digestive system in women and men in the early old age group have been observed in recent years, due to alcoholic liver disease. Among the external causes of mortality in the late old age group, the most common ones were falls.ConclusionsIt is necessary to conduct further research that will allow to diagnose risk and health problems of the elderly subpopulation in order to meet the health burden of the aging society.
The impact of pandemic-related social distancing regulations on exercise performance—Objective data and training recommendations to mitigate losses in physical fitness
Authors: Zieschang Tania , Otto-Sobotka Fabian , Shakoor Abdul , Lau Sandra , Hackbarth Michel , Koschate Jessica 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionIn the context of the COVID-19 pandemic in Germany, governmental restrictions led to the closure of sports facilities for several months. To date, only subjective and fitness-tracking related data on physical activity during the pandemic are available. Using data of a chip-controlled fitness circuit, training data as a measure of physical performance before and after the lockdown during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic will show the impact of the training interruption on exercise performance in middle-aged and older adults. The re-training data are analyzed, to extract practical recommendations.MethodsObjective training data of 17,450 participants [11,097 middle-aged (45–64 yrs), 6,353 older (≥65 yrs)] were exported from chip-controlled milon® fitness circuit systems before and after the first COVID-19 related lockdown in Germany. The change in the product of training weight (sum of lifting and lowering the training weight) and repetitions on the leg extension resistance exercise device (leg score) between the last three training sessions before the lockdown and the first ten training sessions after individual training resumption as well as the last training session before the second lockdown in October 2020 was analyzed.ResultsParticipants who trained with high intensity before the lockdown, experienced deleterious effects of the training interruption (middle-aged group: −218 kg, older group: ~−230.8 kg; p &lt; 0.001 for change in leg score from to post-lockdown) with no age effect. Participants training with a leg score of more than 3,000 kg did not resume their leg score until the second lockdown.ConclusionThe interruption of training in a fitness circuit with combined resistance and endurance training due to the lockdown affected mainly those participants who trained at high intensity. Apparently, high-intensity training could not be compensated by home-based training or outdoor activities. Concepts for high-intensity resistance training during closure of sports facilities are needed to be prepared for future periods of high incidence rates of infectious diseases, while especially vulnerable people feel uncomfortable to visit sports facilities.Trial registrationIdentifier, DRKS00022433.
A rapid review of evidence relating to service use, experiences, and support needs of adults from minority ethnic communities along the eyecare pathway in the United Kingdom
Authors: Heinze Nikki , Jones Lee , Makwana Bhavini 
Published: March 2023

BackgroundThere is growing awareness of the health inequalities experienced by minority ethnic communities, who make up an increasing proportion of the United Kingdom (UK) population and have been found to be at increased risk of visual impairment (V.I.). V.I. impacts on a wide range of life domains including employment, social functioning and activities of daily living. Considering existing health inequalities, the increased risk of V.I. and its wide-ranging impact, it is important to understand the experiences of adults from minority ethnic communities living with V.I. in the UK.MethodsA rapid evidence review of academic and gray literature published since 2005 and in English was performed. A search of AMED, CINAHL Plus and MEDLINE via EBSCOhost identified 969 articles. Articles were included in the review if they reported findings relating to the UK-context, to adults from minority ethnic communities living with V.I., and to experiences of V.I. and the eyecare pathway.ResultsA total of 11 academic articles and 4 charity reports presented findings relating to perceptions of V.I. and eye disease (n = 3), access to services and service use (n = 5), impact of interventions (n = 7), the wider impact of V.I. (n = 2), and registration status (n = 1). Much of the literature focused on primary eyecare resulting in a comprehensive list of barriers and recommendations to increase eye tests. Less research addressed experiences and use of services further along the eyecare pathway although use of services may be low. Overall, the research on the experiences of adults with V.I. from minority ethnic communities in the UK remains anecdotal, outdated or unavailable. There are substantial gaps in the evidence relating to the wider impact of V.I., the impact of perceptions of V.I., and the use of services beyond primary eyecare.ConclusionsThis review summarizes our current knowledge of the experiences of adults from minority ethnic communities living with V.I. in the UK and highlights substantial gaps in the evidence. The findings provide practical implications for practitioners and researchers committed to addressing health inequalities in the field of eyecare in the UK.
Trend in health-related physical fitness for Chinese male first-year college students: 2013–2019
Authors: Dong Xiaoxi , Huang Fan , Starratt Gerene , Yang Zheyi 
Published: March 2023

IntroductionPhysical fitness is a health indicator contributing to the prevention of non-communicable diseases that threaten public health. Studies across a number of global populations indicate that physical fitness is generally declining. This study investigated the trend in physical fitness of Chinese male first-year college students from 2013 to 2019 to offer critical information for fostering individual and public health.MethodsThis study used archival data and a natural experiment design capturing 4 years of data prior to implementation of the Healthy China 2030 initiative and 3 years following. Physical fitness tests were based on the Chinese national student physical fitness standards for males including body mass index, vital capacity, standing-long-jump, sit-and-reach, pull-ups, 50 m sprint, and 1,000 m run. Because the physical fitness tests set different standards for males and females, female data will be reported separately. Data from a total of 3,185 Chinese male first-year college students from a private university in Hebei Province of China were included in the study. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance was used for analyzing the research data.ResultsThe results indicated an overall significant difference in health-related physical fitness of Chinese male first-year college students, with scores on health indicators generally declining from 2013 to 2019. Despite improvement on some fitness variables in some years, performance on virtually all indicators was diminished compared to baseline years.DiscussionThese findings can contribute to the existing global literature in the field of public health showing general declines in physical fitness. Chinese universities have the opportunity to support Healthy China 2030 goals and cultivate individuals' physical fitness by offering physical education course that encourage college students to participate in moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activities in order to support physical fitness development.
Role of the variable solar wind in the dynamics of small-scale magnetosheath structures
Authors: Rakhmanova Liudmila , Riazantseva Maria , Zastenker Georgy , Yermolaev Yuri 
Published: March 2023

Varying solar wind plays a crucial role in the processes inside the magnetosphere. Statistical studies generally reveal the geoeffectiveness of solar wind streams of different origins and types, characterized by various parameters such as dynamic pressure and magnetic field orientation. However, the predictions of the space weather are still not completely reliable. Small-scale structures (observed as high-amplitude variations with frequencies above 0.01 Hz) involved in the turbulent flow of the solar wind and in the magnetosheath may contribute to the models’ inaccuracies. Spacecraft measurements obtained during last 2 decades provide a great amount of new information about small-scale plasma processes in near-Earth space. However, the influence of solar wind on the dynamics of the small-scale structures in the magnetosheath has been rarely addressed. The present review summarizes experimental studies on this influence including features of turbulence around ion scales. The study aims to give a general picture of the problem and underline the gaps in current understanding of the role of the dynamics of the small-scale structures and turbulence in the solar–terrestrial relations.