bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BUILDING AN ELEPHANT BRAIN DATABASE: ADVANCING INSIGHTS INTO COGNITIVE AGING IN ELEPHANTS
Authors: Chusyd Daniella , Hof Patrick , Risacher Shannon , Cheng Hu , Sherwood Chet 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Cognitive aging is a complex phenomenon, and a comparative approach leverages the strengths of various species to identify conserved and divergent mechanisms associated with cognitive health. Elephants are an informative species for cognitive aging research because they are analogous to humans in that they live to comparable ages, display complex cognition, have strong long-term memory, and rely on social bonds. They differ, however, in their evolutionary path to arrive at these same outcomes. Studying elephants can potentially reveal different trajectories for cognitive performance maintenance and impairment compared to humans, and provide information on brain aging in elephants, contributing missing knowledge on aspects of well-being in a long-lived species. We initiated the Elephant Brain Database to enhance the use of elephants as a comparative species to further understand the structure, function, and evolution of the brain, and to increase the availability of elephant postmortem brain tissue, MRI scans, and related datasets for investigators. This repository is for postmortem fixed and frozen brain specimens and when possible, postmortem structural MRI scans and diffusion tensor images. In collaboration with North American zoos and partners in Zambia, we obtained fixed or frozen brain specimens from 23 individuals (age: stillborn to 75 years). Of those, 12 are from Asian elephants (Elephas maximus; 8 females, 4 males) and 11 are from African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana; 4 females, 7 males). A structural MRI scan was conducted on one left hemisphere from a 52-year-old female Asian elephant. This collection represents the largest consolidation of elephant brain resources.
PERCEIVED DISCRIMINATION ON DEPRESSION IN OLDER ADULTS: MODERATING EFFECT OF GEOGRAPHIC ACCESS TO SOCIAL SERVICES
Authors: Choi Seo-Yun , Chung Soondool 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Age discrimination against older adults represents a significant issue in South Korea, with notable implications for their mental health and well-being. Addressing ageism is critical as it limits resources for detecting and treating depression in older adults, affecting their health behaviors and willingness to seek help. On the other hand, despite a high prevalence of depression among this population, only 2.2% utilize mental health services. This study examined how geographic accessibility to social services for diagnosing and treating depression can improve mental health service utilization among older adults experiencing age discrimination. About 9,920 individuals 65 and above from the National Survey of Older Persons were included. It explored the moderating effect of geographic accessibility on the relationship between perceived age discrimination and depression. Correlation and moderating effect analyses using SPSS PROCESS Macro Model 1 were computed, and the results demonstrated that perceived ageism is positively associated with depression (r=.220, p&lt;.01). More importantly, geographic access to social services significantly moderated this relationship (B=-.180, p&lt;.05), reducing the impact of perceived ageism on depression. These findings underscore the importance of enhancing geographic access to social services to mitigate the effects of ageism on depression among older adults. The study recommends direct measures, such as expanding social service infrastructure in rural areas, and indirect measures, like improving public transportation connectivity and introducing age-friendly technology. Further research will be necessary to understand regional characteristics better and enhance access to adequate social services.
PERSONALITY TRAITS, SCREEN TIME, AND MOBILE PHONE DEPENDENCE ACROSS THE LIFESPAN
Authors: Washburn Stephanie , Andrews Hailey , Roque Nelson 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Digital technologies have become integral to daily life worldwide, with many individuals increasingly dependent on mobile devices like smartphones and tablets. The widespread growth of technology use worldwide highlights the need to understand how individual traits contribute to mobile device dependence and its potential impacts on mental health, paving the way for interventions to mitigate these effects. This study examined the association between self-reported screen time, mobile phone dependence (Nomophobia Questionnaire), and personality traits (Ten Item Personality Inventory), across the lifespan. Data were collected from 550 adults (Mage=39yrs, Rangeage=19-77; 54% female; 59% non-Hispanic White) through an online survey, delivered on Prolific. Linear regression models, adjusted for age and gender, assessed the relationship between personality traits and two outcomes: self-reported screen time and mobile phone dependence. For screen time (N = 299), significant predictors were age (β = -0.06, p =.001), conscientiousness (β = -0.44, p =.013), and agreeableness (β = -0.47, p =.014). For mobile phone dependence (N = 550), significant predictors were age (β = -0.33, p =.001), emotional stability (β = -5.07, p &lt;.001), and agreeableness (β = 2.59, p =.021). These results suggest that three of the Big Five personality traits influence screen time and mobile phone dependence. Understanding these factors may guide interventions to reduce dependency and its mental health effects. Future longitudinal studies are needed to explore these relationships over time and establish causality.
STRESS AND IDENTITY FOR LGBTQ+ HEALTH: MODELING RISK AND RESILIENCE
Authors: Clancy Erin , Guest M Aaron , Dhawan Aanika , Koffer Rachel 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Marginalized communities, including lesbian and gay populations, may experience unique experiences and expectations associated with growing older. The present study aimed to provide a preliminary model of how lesbian and gay adults view their own aging and identify psychosocial risk and resilience factors specific to this community. Data are from a pilot study of social perceptions of aging in lesbian and gay middle-aged and older adults, in which 45 gay and 46 lesbian adults participants (ages = 55-87, 70% white) completed questionnaires on their health, perceptions of aging, community engagement and identity congruence, and stressful experiences. Self-perceptions of aging were measured with an 8 item scale ranging from 1 to 6, where higher scores indicate greater agreement with positive perceptions of aging (e.g., “So far, I am satisfied with the way that I am aging.”). In a regression model accounting for self-rated health, subjective socioeconomic status, and race/ethnicity, lesbian women reported better self-perceptions of aging than gay men (b = 0.50, SE = 0.16, p &lt;.01). Further, greater outness was associated with better self-perceptions of aging (b = 0.04, SE = 0.01, p &lt;.01), LGBTQ+ community engagement did not relate to self-perceptions of aging (b = -0.10, SE = 0.12, p =.40), and more stressful experiences in daily life were associated with worse self-perceptions of aging (b = -0.15, SE = 0.05, p &lt;.01). Results will be discussed in the context of a model of risk and resilience for “accelerated social aging” among LGBTQ+ populations.
TRANSITION INTO RECEIVING CARE AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG KOREAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Yoo Haeun , Kim Kyungmin 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Although transitioning into receiving care in late life is common, its psychological impact remains underexplored. Adaptation theory suggests that depressive symptoms may peak when individuals start receiving care but diminish over time as they adapt. On the other hand, they may become more depressed over time as their health conditions decline. Furthermore, the availability of a larger care resource network, including formal and informal caregivers, may buffer the negative impact of receiving care on depressive symptoms. This study aims to examine how transitioning into receiving care is associated with changes in depressive symptoms, and how the association varies by perceived care resources. Utilizing panel data from the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing (biennial surveys; 2008–2022), we compared two groups of older adults (aged 65–105; observation N = 3,739), based on care status at two consecutive waves: (a) received care at both waves and (b) newly received care at later wave. We found that older adults who transitioned into receiving care showed greater increases in depressive symptoms than those who continued receiving care, adjusting for participants’ sociodemographic/health characteristics as well as depressive symptoms at prior wave. Moreover, the association between transitioning into receiving care and changes in depressive symptoms differed depending on perceived care resources; thus, the negative psychological impact of transitioning into receiving care was significant only for participants with fewer perceived care resources at prior wave. The findings highlight the importance of a well-established support network in the context of disability.
TRANSNATIONAL PARENT-CARE AND FILIAL PIETY: THE PARADOX OF IDEALIZED TRADITIONAL IMMIGRANT VALUES
Authors: Yoon Joonsik 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
For families from highly filial societies, such as those from East Asian countries, providing care to parents in later life has long been considered an important value and duty. However, providing parent-care to older adults in modern societies can present many practical challenges for families. When adult children emigrate abroad while the parents stay, the physical distance separating the transnational families presents additional difficulties in meeting filial expectations and providing practical care. In this qualitative ethnographic study, ten first-generation Korean Americans were interviewed in depth using an open-ended, semi-structured protocol. These interviews focused on respondents’ experiences and concerns surrounding transnational parent-caregiving for parents living back in South Korea. A grounded theory approach was used to adapt the research focus to accommodate emerging thematic elements as the interviews progressed. Most respondents expressed a strong preference for idealized and traditional models of filial piety. They not only felt a strong obligation to support and care for their parents as they aged, but many even stated that they wanted to co-reside with their parents. This is notable since the practice is not only outdated in the West, but it has rapidly fallen out of favor and use in Korea. This preference for seemingly outdated traditional filial values stood in stark contrast to the respondents’ acknowledgement that there were significant obstacles in achieving their preferred care goals. I conclude with a discussion of the respondents’ preferences for seemingly outdated and unachievable filial ideals.
UNDERSTANDING THE ROLE OF CULTURE IN SHAPING ATTITUDES AND BELIEFS ON URINARY INCONTINENCE: A SCOPING REVIEW
Authors: Panesar Simran , Rajabali Saima , Wagg Adrian 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition among older adults with diverse consequences for health and well-being. Shame, stigma, and cultural perspectives can prevent treatment-seeking behaviour. There is a scarcity of literature that explores the role that culture, beyond stigma, plays in shaping attitudes to, beliefs about, and management practices of UI. This review investigates and describes what is known about the role of culture in shaping the attitudes and beliefs on UI to identify gaps in the literature and direct future research. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) method for scoping reviews, the MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO, CINAHL, EBSCOhost, and SCOPUS databases were searched, without any restriction on language and publication date. A full extraction was conducted of seventeen articles that met the inclusion criteria. Key themes revealed were the stress of managing UI and devout cleanliness for religious activities among Muslim women, a norm of secrecy/silence around UI for Latina women, the potent role of caste discrimination on pelvic health-seeking behaviours in parts of India, and the intersection of UI with cultural belief systems like Confucianism, which prioritize maintaining respectability, challenged by the taboo condition of UI. Although several studies emphasized the surface-level stigma of UI, there is a dearth of literature exploring culture and UI. Further research is needed to inform health promotion efforts regarding UI, which consider the severe emotional toll of UI stemming from the isolation it can create, segregating those that experience it from full participation in society.
WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL AFRAID OF DYING: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF DEATH ANXIETY AMONG KOREAN OLDER ADULTS
Authors: Kim Haeun , Lee Yeonjung 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Death anxiety (DA) refers to negative emotional responses such as anxiety, fear, and denial toward death that result from the inevitability of death. Studies have suggested that older adults experience higher levels of DA than other age groups in Korea, and DA is related negatively with suicidality. Given that the suicide rate among Korean older adults is extremely high as about 39.9 suicides per 100,000 people aged 65 and older as of 2022, DA and related studies need to be appraised and synthesized. This study aims to examine recent research and provide a theoretical basis for various intervention programs by conducting a systematic literature review on factors influencing DA among Korean older people. The three key electronic databases in Korea (e-Article, KCI, and RISS) were extensively searched using the selected keywords. Among the peer-reviewed articles written in Korean since 2015, a total of 21 eligible articles were included for analysis after excluding qualitative studies, dissertations, overlapping studies, and gray literature. Findings show that the factors influencing DA can be classified as followings: sociodemographic, psychological, and medical factors, intervention programs, attitudes toward death, and preparation for death. Among the psychological factors, depression was found to relate significantly and positively with DA. Regarding the DA interventions, some programs implemented at the community such as positive psychology improvement program, dance sports, music and physical activities have a significant effect on reducing DA. Findings provide a theoretical basis for developing the intervention programs and practical strategies and thus, alleviating DA among older adults.
A CLIENT-CENTERED HOME TRAINING APP OF MUSIC-BASED THERAPY FOR UPPER EXTREMITY FUNCTIONS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH STROKE
Authors: Chen Yi-An , Johnstone Sara Lynn , Solomon Annie , Norgaard Martin , Weinberg Gil , Pargai Dhruv , Szypulski Evan , Sanford Jon 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Music-based therapy (MBT) has been shown to be effective in improving upper extremity (UE) functions for older adults with stroke in clinical settings. To expand the MBT benefits to home, we designed a client-centered, stroke-specific MBT app and examined the app feasibility with stroke survivors in this study. During the 2-week pilot home testing, the participants (n=5, mild to moderate UE motor impairments) actively used the app for rehab exercises around 71% of the time, which equals 26.6 ± 16.7 min per day, 5 days per week, over 2 weeks. Motor outcomes portrayed a positive trend from pre- to post-intervention. Participants’ average Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores increased from 53 to 57, and Nine-Hole Pegboard Test time decreased from 38 seconds to 32 seconds. Additionally, participants provided generally positive feedback, commenting on the app user-friendliness (e.g., easy to navigate, clear exercise instructions, convenience) and motivational music feature (e.g., engaging and a new way to experience therapy). They also enjoyed the flexibility of training scheduling – participants could do rehab exercises at any time they wanted. Based on the positive findings, we anticipate that the app will serve as a feasible tool for older adults with stroke to engage in a personalized program to improve UE functions at home. This will minimize the burden of travel and wait times to healthcare clinics and increase rehab access for older adults. We are currently continuing the data collection and app refinement to optimize the app to support stroke recovery in older adults.
ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE AND DISPARITY: A RURAL UNDERCOUNTING
Authors: Brenman Noah , Cheng Mengyuan , Ferdows Nasim 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Rising life expectancy has led to an increasing prevalence of age-related diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia. The more rapid increase of the older population in rural areas, combined with a higher prevalence of dementia risk factors, and limited access to healthcare services, may lead to higher rates of dementia in these communities. This project examines the differences in dementia mortality rates between rural and urban areas over a three-year period. We used county-level data on age-adjusted mortality rates from the CDC Wonder Database, merging it with County Health Rankings from 2018-2020. Using Rural-Urban Commuting Area (RUCA) we defined the level of rurality as: Urban, rural-adjacent to an urban area, and rural non-adjacent to an urban area. We found that rural areas had higher dementia age-adjusted death rates compared to urban areas, even after accounting for select county characteristics. The percent difference between rural and urban dementia mortality ranged between 7.1 to 9.8%, showing a persistent widening gap in rural-urban dementia mortality rates.
ARE WE WAREHOUSING PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS? EXPLORING US NURSING HOMES IN 2000 AND 2021
Authors: Hadson Kim , Bergh Marissa , Travers Jasmine 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision reaffirmed people with serious mental illness (SMI) have the right to care integrated into community settings. The growth of SMI in nursing homes (NHs) suggests care has instead shifted to NHs. Insufficient attention has been given to the facility characteristics and state environments to understand if individuals with SMI in NHs are receiving high quality, equitable care. We used cross-sectional LTCFocus data from 2000 and 2021 to identify NHs with high volumes of SMI (more than 50% of residents with a diagnosis of schizophrenia or bipolar) and compared them to those below this cutoff. High volume NHs grew from 1.00% (161) of all NHs in 2000 to 3.10% (461) in 2021. While most states gained one or fewer high volume NHs, California gained 54, Illinois 44, Missouri 42, and Ohio 35, suggesting state policies play a role. High volume facilities were fundamentally different from other facilities. Wilcoxon rank sum tests and Pearson’s Chi-squared test of the 2021 data showed significantly (p&lt; 0.001) lower acuity and higher restraint use, 13 year lower average resident age, 0.21, 0.13, and 0.29 fewer registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, and certified nursing assistant hours per resident day respectively, 20% fewer female residents, 16% fewer White residents, 7% fewer residents with dementia, 22% more residents on Medicaid and 22% more facilities being for-profit. More investigation is needed to determine if high volume NHs offer appropriate care for people with SMI, or if they are warehouses for inappropriate segregation from community living.
OLDER PEDESTRIANS’ PERSPECTIVES ON WALKING SAFETY IN KAMPALA: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY INTO THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Namukasa Juliet , Mulkey Heather 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Safe, accessible, and inclusive urban environments are important elements in walking as a means of transport. Limited studies are focusing on the walking safety of older people especially in African cities. This study explored the older pedestrians’ perceptions and experiences about walking safety in the built environment of Kampala. A qualitative design was used where purposive and convenience sampling methods were used to recruit fifteen participants from the streets of Kampala and its neighbourhood. Findings showed that older pedestrians had negative perceptions and experiences of walkability and safety in Kampala and its neighbourhoods citing inadequate pedestrian facilities e.g. the lack of sidewalks on most roads, insufficient lighting, uncovered drainage systems, and uneven surfaces. Additionally, the general lack of respect for pedestrians and traffic rules, including speed driving affects the older pedestrians’ sense of safety. Despite these challenges, older pedestrians valued safe mobility within their neighbourhoods for accessing services and sustaining social connections similar to other community members. The study concludes that enhancing the safety of older pedestrians is essential for promoting equitable road access for all members of the community, it urges city policymakers to prioritize improvements in pedestrian infrastructure. Keywords: older pedestrians, walking safety, Kampala City, built environment, perceptions, experiences, qualitative study, equitable road access.
POPULATION AGING AND INCREASING CHRONIC DISEASE BURDEN AMONG UNAUTHORIZED AGRICULTURAL WORKERS
Authors: Bishop Nicholas , Campos Baltazar , Martinez Daniel , Yahirun Jenjira 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The US and Mexico are experiencing rapid population aging and increased chronic disease burden. We hypothesize these dynamics are magnified among undocumented farmworkers who work in challenging conditions and have limited access to healthcare. We used data from the National Agricultural Workers Survey (2001–2018) to examine whether 1) the age of undocumented farmworkers has increased over time (n=19,434), and 2) chronic disease burden has increased among undocumented workers aged 50+ (n=1,463). Multiple regression was used to examine the association between respondent age and survey year, and Poisson regression was used to estimate the association between number of doctor-diagnosed conditions (asthma, diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease) and survey year among respondents aged 50+. Models were adjusted for covariates (sex, migrant type, health service use, region, and age (in the chronic disease model)), and person weights. The mean age of the sample in survey years 2001–2002 was 28 (SD=9.7), which increased to 39 (SD=11.0) by 2017–2018. After adjusting for covariates and weights, there was a monotonic positive increase in age across survey years (e.g., respondents surveyed in 2017–2018 were on average 8.36 years older (95% CI:7.61–9.12, p&lt;.001) than those surveyed in 2001–2002). Among undocumented agricultural workers aged 50+, respondents in the 2017–2018 survey waves had an expected condition count 202% greater than respondents in the 2001–2002 waves (IRR=3.02, 95% CI:1.45–6.29, p=0.003). An aging population of undocumented farmworkers with increasing chronic disease burden represents a significant health equity issue and strain on US agricultural output.