The concept of source-sink dynamics as a potentially important component of metapopulation dynamics was introduced in the 1980's. The objective of this paper is to review the considerable body of work that has been developed to consider its theoretical implications as well as to understand how source-sink dynamics may manifest under field conditions to the specific case of non-target arthropods in

ABSTRACT The abundant presence and extensive use of polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) has recently become a serious environmental concern, as impact of exposure to these substances on human health remains unknown. While in vitro studies yield data on adverse effect of PSMPs, in vivo approaches are more relevant for risk assessment. Drosophila melanogaster is one of the most genetically and experimentally

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine the effects of traffic-related particulate matter (PM) on allergic inflammation of ocular surfaces. BALB/c mice were sensitized with ovalbumin (OVA) and aluminum hydroxide via intraperitoneal injection. Two weeks later, mice were challenged with eye drops containing OVA concomitant with either traffic-related PM2.5 or vehicle eye drops. Topical OVA challenges

ABSTRACT Human exposure to wildfire-derived particulate matter (PM) is linked to adverse health outcomes; however, little is known regarding the influence of biomass fuel type and burn conditions on toxicity. The aim of this study was to assess the irritant potential of extractable organic material (EOM) of biomass smoke condensates from five fuels (eucalyptus, pine, pine needle, peat, or red oak)

The study aimed to find out whether the imagery ability within the two subcomponents of motor imagery (visual and kinesthetic) allows predicting the results in simple response time task and eye–hand coordination task in a group of young male soccer players (9–15 years old). Non-specific simple response time and eye–hand coordination play a key role in predicting specific sports performance level. Participants

Apathy, defined as a lack of motivation, is a prevalent and persistent behavioural and psychological symptom of dementia. Limited research suggests that apathy is associated with increased carer burden, but there are no studies investigating carers’ subjective experiences of apathy. This study aimed to fill this gap and explore the lived experience of apathy in dementia from the perspectives of the

Background: Lockdown measures because of COVID-19 are likely to result in deteriorating physical and mental health. In this study, our aim was to assess the impact of media exposure on increases in substance use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A nationally representative online survey of 1264 adults was collected during the pandemic in the United States. Logistic regression was used to explore

Sexual health communication warrants greater attention as it may help to reduce the rates of HIV incidence among youth. A growing body of literature suggests that conversations about sexual health among Black and Latino youth may serve as a potential strategy for HIV prevention. The current study investigates whether sexual health communication—in particular, conversations about sexual health and HIV—influences

The educational climate and culture in our schools present a variety of environmental (contextual) factors that influence teacher wellbeing, job satisfaction, and work-related stress. The magnitude of contextual factors cannot be ignored, and directing attention towards the environment teachers face daily is essential. Primary (organisational)-level interventions are documented in organisational health

Cervical cancer (CC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. CC is mainly caused by human papilloma virus (HPV), which can be prevented by vaccination. We conducted a cross-sectional study in secondary occupational health school (SOHS) through a questionnaire aimed to assess the awareness and knowledge regarding HPV infection of students. A total of 2248 students participated

A care pathway constitutes a complex care strategy for decision-making and the organization of processes in the care of complex chronic patients, avoiding the fragmentation of care. Health professionals play a decisive role in the implementation, development, and evaluation of care pathways. This study sought to explore nurses’ opinions on the care pathway for complex chronic patients three years after

Sport-related injuries are the leading cause of injury in youth and are costly to the healthcare system. When body checking is disallowed in non-elite levels of Bantam (ages 13–14 years) ice hockey, the injury rate is reduced, but the impact on costs is unknown. This study compared rates of game injuries and costs among non-elite Bantam ice hockey leagues that disallow body checking to those that did

Although family physicians (FPs) are community-oriented primary care generalists and should be the entry point for the population’s interaction with the health system, they are underrepresented in research on the climate change, migration, and health(care) nexus (hereafter referred to as the nexus). Similarly, FPs can provide valuable insights into building capacity through integrating health-determining

The Rana Plaza building collapse occurred on 24 April 2013 in Savar, near the capital city of Bangladesh, killing more than 1130 garment workers and injured about 2500, mostly females. Those who survived face ongoing challenges, including socio-cultural constraints, economic hardship, post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD), depression, and critical health issues, which may lead to suicidal ideation

Global concerns about the environmental effects (e.g., pollution, land use, noise) of last-mile deliveries are increasing. Parcel lockers are seen as an option to reduce these external effects of last-mile deliveries. The contributions of this paper are threefold: firstly, the research studies simulating the emissions caused by parcel delivery to lockers are summarized. Secondly, a demand model for

For most signalized at-grade intersections, exclusive lanes for non-motorized vehicles have been applied to improve the level of service, capacity and safety of both motorized vehicles and non-motorized vehicles. However, because of various factors, riders of non-motorized vehicles have been observed using lanes for motorized vehicles instead of lanes for non-motorized vehicles, which usually negatively

In this paper, we provide an overview of how Safe-by-Design is conceived and applied in practice in a large number of engineering disciplines. We discuss the differences, commonalities, and possibilities for mutual learning found in those practices and identify several ways of putting those disciplinary outlooks in perspective. The considered engineering disciplines in the order of historically grown

This study was conducted to verify the perceived restorativeness of citizens visiting forests on social–psychological stress and psychological resilience according to forest space type. The study involved a questionnaire survey conducted on citizens who visited forests between 1 May and 15 July 2020, when social distancing in daily life was being implemented. Three types of forest spaces (urban forest

The importance of pollution in determining human health is becoming increasingly clear, also given the dramatic consequences it has had on recent geopolitical events. Yet, the consequences of contamination are not always straightforward. In this paper, we will discuss the effects of different pollutants on different aspects of human health, in particular on the immune system and inflammation. Different

Assistants serve an essential role in special education to support children with disabilities, but they should be properly trained and supervised. The coaching approach represents one trend that has been gradually implemented in occupational therapy (OT) and rehabilitation services. Still, few studies clearly define the coaching intervention, measure the fidelity of coaching practices, or evaluate

During pregnancy, a woman’s enlarged uterus and the developing fetus lead to symptom distress; in turn, physical and psychological aspects of symptom distress are often associated with adverse prenatal and birth outcomes. This study aimed to identify the trends in the trajectory of these symptoms. This longitudinal study recruited 95 pregnant women, with a mean age of 32 years, from the prenatal wards

The validity of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in migrants is questionable, as sociodemographic factors and the migration process may influence performance. Our aim was to evaluate possible predictors (age, education, sex, depression, and migration) of MoCA results in Turkish migrants and Germans living in Germany. Linear regression models were conducted with a German (n = 419), a Turkish

Poor health literacy in the Western Cape Province of South Africa is one of the main factors hampering methamphetamine (MA) use prevention efforts in the area, where the abuse of this drug is a major health and social problem affecting especially previously disadvantaged communities. In the first part of a two-part study, we compared a health-related fotonovela about MA to an existing brochure group

The enormous public health burdens of the COVID-19 pandemic are not distributed equally. Inequalities are noticeable along socio-economic and socio-cultural fault lines. These social determinants of health affect both the prevalence and severity of COVID-19 infections as well as the magnitude of negative impacts of the measures taken to slow the spread of the virus. This perspective paper summarizes

Note: In lieu of an abstract, this is an excerpt from the first page. This Special Issue provides the readers of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health a multidimensional overview of recent developments in the field of socio-economic gerontological research [...]

This paper develops an analytical framework using process thinking to achieve sustainable healthcare services. Healthcare is characterised by low economic efficiency. At the same time, it is embedded in ethical concerns related to society and nature. Healthcare is thus conceptualised as functionality in an ecosystem. The patient is woven into both nature and society. Given the complex nature of healthcare

Paracetamol is the one of the most commonly used medications during pregnancy. However, its potential antiandrogenic effect has been suggested. The objective of this study was to evaluate associations between maternal paracetamol use during pregnancy and anogenital distance (AGD) in male newborns from a Spanish birth cohort. The study included two hundred and seventy-seven mother-male child pairs with

Science may be failing to convince a significant number of people about COVID-19 scientific facts and needed public health measures. Individual and social factors are behind believing conspiracy theories. Adults (N = 1001) were asked to rate their beliefs in various conspiracy theories circulating in social media, rate their psychological distress relating to COVID-19, rate their trust in science to

Background: People with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases report lower levels of physical activity and well-being than the general population, which potentially is exacerbated through the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the international literature on physical activity, sedentary behavior and well-being in adults with physical disabilities and/or chronic diseases during the first

In recent years, patient mistreatment of healthcare workers, especially nurses, has been frequent, endangering the interests of organizations while also threatening nurses’ own development. This study aims to examine from the perspective of nurses’ personal interests whether mistreatment by patients decreases nurses’ workplace well-being and career commitment, and how their susceptibility to emotional

Women with excessive gestational weight gain are at increased risk of postpartum weight retention and potentially also unfavorable body composition. Insight into the lifestyle behaviors that play a role in the evolution of postpartum weight and body composition among these women could aid identification of those at highest risk of long-term adverse outcomes. This secondary analysis of the INTER-ACT

Cognitive decline with normal aging varies widely among individuals. This study aimed to investigate predictors of longitudinal changes in cognitive function in community-dwelling Korean adults aged 65 years and older. Data from 727 older adults who participated in the Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging (KLoSA) survey from 2006 (baseline) until 2018 (seventh wave) were used. Cognitive performance was

The increasing number of endoscopic procedures performed and their increasing invasiveness mean that endoscopy of the gastrointestinal tract is associated with the risk of transmitting pathogenic microorganisms through infected equipment or contact with other patients and medical staff. In order to ensure protection of the health of both patients and medical staff, endoscopy laboratories should meet

This study demonstrated that a microbial community dominated by fungi can be selected and maintained in the long-term under non-sterile conditions, in a pilot-scale packed-bed reactor fed with tannery wastewater. During the start-up phase, the reactor, filled with 0.6 m3 of polyurethane foam cubes, was inoculated with a pure culture of Aspergillus tubingensis and Quebracho tannin, a recalcitrant compound

Several countries nowadays are facing a tough social challenge caused by the aging population. This public health issue continues to impose strain on clinical healthcare, such as the need to prevent terminal patients’ pressure ulcers. Provocative approaches to resolve this issue include health information technology (HIT). In this regard, this paper explores one technological solution based on a smart

Sexual health education is an essential part of quality-oriented education for college students. It aims to help these students to acquire knowledge of sexual physiology, sexual psychology, and sexual social norms that is consistent with the maturity of the students. Along with college students’attitudes toward sex, their perceptions regarding sexual behavior have also undergone profound changes. The

The COVID-19 pandemic has rapidly evolved into an acute health crisis with extensive socioeconomic and demographic consequences. The severity of the COVID-19 pandemic requires a refined (and more comprehensive) understanding of virus dissemination over space, transmission mechanisms, clinical features, and risk factors. In line with this assumption, the present study illustrates a comparative, empirical

In 2020, Taiwan’s healthcare system faced a notable burden imposed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Emergency department (ED) is a high-risk area for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 transmission. The effect of COVID-19 on the utilization of ED services among frequent ED users remains unknown. This cohort study determined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-seeking

As a response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Vietnam enforced strict quarantine, contact tracing and physical distancing policies resulting in one of the lowest numbers of individuals infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) globally. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibody positivity among high-risk populations in

Given the global public health burden of mental illness, there is a critical need for culturally validated psychopathology assessment tools that perform well in diverse societies. This study examines the psychometric properties of the Adult Self-Report (ASR) and Adult Behavioral Checklist (ABCL) from the Achenbach System of Empirically Based Assessments in adults in China. Chinese adults (N = 1276)

The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations of rotating night shift work with body fat percentage (BF%) and fat mass index (FMI). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 435 female steelworkers, aged 26–57 years in Tangshan, China. BF% was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis and FMI was calculated. Different exposure metrics of night shift work were used to examine the effects

Background: In mixed dentition analysis, estimation of the mesiodistal width of unerupted permanent canines and premolars is essential for successful diagnosis and treatment planning. The present study aimed to develop a simple linear equation to predict permanent tooth sizes from mixed dentition analysis for Taiwanese people. Methods: The sample comprised 200 dental casts, derived from Taiwanese patients

The COVID-19 pandemic is a defining global health crisis of our time. While the impact of COVID-19, including its mental health impact, is increasingly being documented, there remain important gaps regarding the specific consequences of the pandemic on particular population groups, including refugees and migrants. This study aims to uncover the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of

Changes in perinatal care occurring during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may negatively affect mothers’ mental health and breastfeeding. This study, performed between April and May 2020, aimed to investigate the effect of restricted partners’ visiting policies on non-infected mother’s anxiety symptoms, the perceived postpartum support, and the breastfeeding outcomes at discharge

The need to remotely monitor people with disabilities has increased due to growth in their number in recent years. The democratization of Internet of Things (IoT) devices facilitates the implementation of healthcare-monitoring systems (HMSs) that are capable of supporting disabilities and diseases. However, to achieve their full potential, these devices must efficiently address the customization demanded

Purpose: many researchers have already established that the 2019 COVID-19 pandemic poses a threat to adolescent psychological health. Studies on the COVID-19 pandemic mainly focus on individual psychological consequences, such as anxiety, depression or stress. The presented study added a family context to psychological analyses of the COVID-19 pandemic in adolescence. We examined the mediational effects

To enhance understanding of the interplay between unemployment and sickness absence and disability retirement, the aim of this study was to examine how changes in area-level unemployment rates are associated with changes in sickness absence and disability retirement rates in a longitudinal setting. Municipality-level time-series data were collected on unemployment, sickness absence, disability retirement

The world population is rapidly aging. In older people, age-related biological decline in most body systems causes functional decline, an increase in dependence, and an increased need for support, especially by their family members. The aim of this study was to explore the main aspects of family support for older parents in home care. This qualitative study was conducted using a deductive qualitative

Background: To assess gender differences in the prevalence of self-reported mental disorders, psychological distress and psychotropic drug consumption, and to identify sociodemographic and health-related variables associated with these conditions in the male and female population (aged ≥ 18 years). Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried on 22,141 subjects aged 18 and over, using data from the

Strain sw-1, isolated from 7619-m seawater of the Mariana Trench, was identified as Acinetobacter pittii by 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequencing. A. pittii sw-1 was able to efficiently utilize long-chain n-alkanes (C18–C36), but not short- and medium-chain n-alkanes (C8–C16). The degradation rate of C20 was 91.25%, followed by C18, C22, C24, C32, and C36 with the degradation rates of 89.30%, 84

(1) Background: Research on patterns of risky driving behaviors (RDBs) in adolescents is scarce. This study aims to identify distinctive patterns of RDBs and to explore their characteristics in a representative sample of adolescents. (2) Methods: this is a cross-sectional study of a representative sample of Tuscany Region students aged 14–19 years (n = 2162). The prevalence of 11 RDBs was assessed

The connection between indigenous peoples and Country (a multidimensional concept including land and water) enabled communities to thrive and survive over millennia. This has been eroded by colonisation, dispossession and increasing food and water insecurity due to climate change and supply constraints. Globally, indigenous peoples experience a disproportionate burden of chronic disease and poor nutrition

Knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding infectious diseases are key elements that ensure practitioners’ health and safety. It is important to carry out such a survey in hotels. This study aims to determine the levels of knowledge, beliefs, and practices regarding infectious diseases among practitioners and their associations with the environmental quality of hotels in Wuhan, China. We surveyed

Background: Alcohol consumption places a significant burden on emergency services, including ambulance services, which often represent patients’ first, and sometimes only, contact with health services. We aimed to (1) improve the assessment of this burden on ambulance services in Scotland using a low-cost and easy to implement algorithm to screen free-text in electronic patient record forms (ePRFs)

(1) Background: In South Korea, far from their homeland, Nepalese migrant workers often face tremendous challenges. The most severe outcome for migrant workers is death by suicide—a major cause of premature death among migrant workers. Nevertheless, in the literature, key factors associated with suicide among Nepalese migrant workers are not specifically identified. Thus, we aimed to delineate the

There is strong evidence that effective fall prevention elements exist, but the implementation into society remains difficult. The aim of the current study is to describe and evaluate the implementation of the fall prevention programme “Thuis Onbezorgd Mobiel” (TOM). This novel approach combines effective components into a multidisciplinary group-based programme for adults aged 65 years or older with

United Kingdom Police custody is one of the most challenging of work environments, liable to excessive demands and reduced well-being. Being difficult to access, it is also a much-neglected area of research that has focused on one or two roles, rather than the full range available, and on individual-level research, rather than a more comprehensive multilevel understanding of how organizational culture

Introduction: Phthalates are substances that are added to plastic products to increase their plasticity. These substances are released easily into the environment and can act as endocrine disruptors. Epidemiological studies in children have showed inconsistent findings regarding the relationship between prenatal or postnatal exposure to phthalates and the risk of allergic disease. Our hypothesis is

Large-scale vegetation restoration greatly changed the soil erosion environment in the Loess Plateau since the implementation of the “Grain for Green Project” (GGP) in 1999. Evaluating the effects of vegetation restoration on soil erosion is significant to local soil and water conservation and vegetation construction. Taking the Ansai Watershed as the case area, this study calculated the soil erosion