A spectrophotometric analysis of extracted water-soluble phenolic metabolites of lichens.

MAIN CONCLUSION: Rainwater most probably constitutes a relatively effective solvent for lichen substances in nature which have the potential to provide for human and environmental needs in the future. The aims were (i) to test the hypothesis on the potential solubility of lichen phenolic compounds using rainwater under conditions that partly reflect the natural environment and (ii) to propose new and effective methods for the water extraction of lichen substances. The results of spectrophotometric analyses of total phenolic metabolites in rainwater-based extracts from epigeic and epiphytic lichens, employing the Folin-Ciocalteu (F.-C.) method, are presented. The water solvent was tested at three pH levels: natural, 3, and 9. Extraction methods were undertaken from two perspectives: the partial imitation of natural environmental conditions and the potential use of extraction for economic purposes. From an ecological perspective, room-temperature water extraction ('cold' method) was used for 10-, 60-, and 120-min extraction periods. A variant of water extraction at analogous time intervals was an 'insolation' with a 100W light bulb to simulate the heat energy of the sun. For economic purposes, the water extraction method used the Soxhlet apparatus and its modified version, the 'tea-extraction' method ('hot' ones). The results showed that those extractions without an external heat source were almost ineffective, but insolation over 60- and 120-min periods proved to be more effective. Both tested 'hot' methods also proved to be effective, especially the 'tea-extraction' one. Generally, an increase in the concentration of phenolic compounds in water extracts resulted from an increasing solvent pH. The results show the probable involvement of lichen substances in biogeochemical processes in nature and their promising use for a variety of human necessities.

Exploring an athletic talent development environment in China: A case study of a sport-friendly high school.

This case study utilized the holistic ecological approach (HEA) to explore a successful athletic talent development environment (ATDE) in China. As a case, we selected a basketball team in one Shanghai sport-friendly high school with outstanding individual and team achievements and aimed at (a) describing the ATDE, and (b) identifying environmental success factors (ESF). Using participant observations, document analysis, informal talks, and formal interviews with key stakeholders, including coaches, teachers, athletes, and administrators from sports and education departments, we derived the ATDE and ESF empirical models. The findings showed that (a) the ATDE demonstrated effective interactions between macro- and micro-levels, and (b) the experienced head coach, dedicated assistant coach, and support from athletes' parents contributed to overcoming barriers of preconditions (e.g., limited financial and human resources) within the environment. Further, a coherent and robust cultural paradigm led by the head coach helped the environment maintain its success for a long period. Although some features are similar to successful ATDEs in other countries, unique characteristics (e.g., not prioritizing athletes' autonomy) specific to this ATDE within the Chinese cultural context have been identified. Our findings supplement current studies on ATDEs using the HEA and reflect the environment within Chinese context, offering insights for researchers and practitioners.

An ecological and embodied approach for training the racecar driver.

In the dynamic sport of racecar driving, split-second decisions and rapid execution are imperative. Such an environment requires a tight functional coupling of perception and action. This paper introduces an approach for training racecar drivers rooted in ecological and embodied perspectives. It discusses three pivotal affordances of racecar driving: turn-ability, overtake-ability, and defend-ability. The paper also discusses the relevant environment and equipment (i.e., simulators) that can be useful for training racecar drivers. In addition, practice activities relevant for the actual racetrack or to the simulator are discussed. Coaches are encouraged to try and implement the proposed training strategies (or parts of it), evaluating their impact on racing performance. Furthermore, researchers can continue exploring these principles, fostering a fusion of empirical insights with practical expertise from coaches and racing communities. By synergizing empirical research with insights from practitioners, we can refine the strategies employed in the training of racecar drivers.

Developing the Physical Performance in Youth Soccer: Short-Term Effect of Dynamic-Ecological versus Traditional Training Approach for Sub-Elite U13 Players-An Ecological Exploratory Cluster Randomised Trial.

Currently, research in youth soccer consists of methodological choices that can raise activity volumes and exercise intensity to promote proper training for youth soccer demands. Therefore, the present cluster randomised trial aims to evaluate the effects of the dynamic-ecological approach on the physical performance parameters compared with a traditional one in a group of sub-elite U13 players. Thirty-five male children (age 12.16 ± 0.55 years; weight 45.59 ± 7.15 kg; height 145.5 ± 4.2 cm; BMI 15.8 ± 2.1 kg·m-2) were recruited for this trial from two teams belonging to sub-elite soccer schools and randomly assigned to a dynamic-ecological approach (DEA) or a traditional training (TTG) group. The training program lasted six weeks and consisted of 18 training sessions of 90 min each (3 sessions per week). The sample was evaluated by the standing long jump (SLJ), hop test (HT), 10 m sprint (10 m), 10 × 5 m shuttle run test (SRT), and leg raise test (LR). The DEA group showed significantly higher results in the SLJ (p < 0.001), HT left leg (p < 0.001), 10 m sprint (p < 0.001), and SRT (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the dynamic-ecological approach provides higher performance adaptations. Therefore, this approach can be considered a suitable method to optimise pre-pubertal player training, mainly when no fitness or strength coach is available.

Influences on decision-making about disclosure of HIV status by adolescents and young adults living with HIV in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Background: Adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYA) are faced with the challenge of living with a life-long chronic condition. We investigated the influences on the decisions by AYA to disclose their HIV status to family, intimate partners and friends.Methods: Twenty AYA aged between 15 and 24 years were purposely selected through local community-based organisations in eThekwini municipality and uMkhanyakude district in KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. Virtual in-depth interviews were conducted between September 2020 to October 2021 using a topic guide focusing on HIV-status disclosure and the impact of stigma on decision-making capacity. An iterative thematic process was used for analysis.Results: Findings revealed the challenges that AYA experience for disclosure because of stigma and how this impacts their decision-making capacity. Family and friends influenced AYA in processing their discovery of their HIV status offering support needed to manage living with HIV. However, for some AYA disclosing to relatives, friends and intimate partners was difficult because of fears of rejection and recrimination. The act of disclosure was influenced by both internalised and external stigma and the type of relationships and interactions that AYA had with relatives, friends and caregivers.Conclusions: The decision to disclose is challenging for AYA because of the fear of rejection, along with internal and external stigma. The provision of support, whether from family or peers, is important. Enhancing the decision-making capacity of AYA is essential for developing their self-esteem as well as supporting future healthcare choices.

Healthy Social Network Use and Well-Being during Adolescence: A Biopsychosocial Approach.

Screen time and the use of social networks is the most frequent form of leisure time occupation and socializing for adolescents. The present study is aimed at understanding and characterizing, from an ecological perspective, what distinguishes healthy and less healthy or even dependent use of social media in young people and the influence on adolescents' well-being. This paper is based on the Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) from 2022, a survey carried out every 4 years, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation (WHO), following an international protocol. A total of 7643 students from the 6th, 8th, 10th, and 12th school grades responded, of which 53.9% were female, with an average age of 15.05 (SD = 2.36). The sample is representative of the school grades under study. The results allow us to study and identify similarities and differences between three groups related to the level of healthiness in the use of social networks and its relations to well-being from an ecological perspective. What distinguishes adolescents with less healthy use of social networks is that they are more often female, older, have more self-injurious behaviour, higher alcohol consumption, and a worse relationship with teachers. The adolescents with the highest level of dependence on social networks are those who have a higher perception of lack of safety at school and in their area of residence, as well as a higher use of screen time as a leisure activity. The well-being of adolescents using social media in a healthy way is explained by fewer psychological symptoms, better stress management strategies, better body awareness, more physical activity, less time online with friends, and better relationships with family and teachers. Technologies and social networks are important for the well-being of adolescents; it is essential to promote a healthy, critical and balanced use with other "screen-free" activities and to promote socio-emotional skills, a lack of which seems to be one of the biggest risk factors associated with the healthy use of technologies.

Ecological and Specific Evidence-Based Safe Return To Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction In Soccer Players: A New International Paradigm.

Existing return to play (RTP) assessments have not demonstrated the ability to decrease risk of subsequent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury after reconstruction (ACLR). RTP criteria are standardized and do not simulate the physical and cognitive activity required by the practice of sport. Most RTP criteria do not include an ecological approach. There are scientific algorithms as the "5 factor maximum model" that can identify risk profiles and help reduce the risk of a second anterior cruciate ligament injury. Nevertheless, these algorithms remain too standardized and do not include the situations experienced in games by soccer players. This is why it is important to integrate ecological situations specific to the environment of soccer players in order to evaluate players under conditions closest to their sporting activity, especially with high cognitive load. One should identify high risk players under two conditions: Clinical analyses commonly include assessments such as isokinetic testing, functional tests (hop tests, vertical force-velocity, profile), running, clinical assessments (range of motion and graft laxity), proprioception and balance (Star Excursion Balance Test modified, Y-Balance, stabilometry) and psychological parameters (kinesophobia, quality of life and fear of re-injury). Field testing usually includes game simulation, evaluation under dual-task conditions, fatigue and workload analysis, deceleration, timed-agility-test and horizontal force-velocity profiles. Although it seems important to evaluate strength, psychological variables and aerobic and anaerobic capacities, evaluation of neuromotor control in standard and ecological situations may be helpful for reducing the risk of injury after ACLR. This proposal for RTP testing after ACLR is supported by the scientific literature and attempts to approximate the physical and cognitive loads during a soccer match. Future scientific investigation will be required to demonstrate the validity of this approach. Level of Evidence: 5.

Differential influence of first- vs. third-person visual perspectives on segmentation and memory of complex dynamic events.

Until now, most studies investigating the relationship between event segmentation and memory have used videos filmed from a third-person perspective, although people experience their lives from a first-person perspective. The present study aimed to determine whether visual perspective impacts events segmentation and further recall. Fifty-seven participants were recruited and assigned to either first- (1PP) or third-person perspective (3PP) condition, before segmenting videos of daily life activities. Our results showed that the although the number of event boundaries was higher in the 3PP condition than in the 1PP, no differences were observed for event segmentation qualitative abilities and organization. Memory of temporal order was better for events encoded in the 3PP than in the 1PP, while memory content was similar in both conditions. Higher event segmentation rates were correlated with a better recall of small actions and temporal order.

Honeybees Use Multiple Invariants to Control Their Altitude.

How do bees perceive altitude changes so as to produce safe displacements within their environment? It has been proved that humans use invariants, but this concept remains little-known within the entomology community. The use of a single invariant, the optical speed rate of change, has been extensively demonstrated in bees in a ground-following task. Recently, it has been demonstrated that another invariant, the splay angle rate of change, could also be used by bees to adjust their altitude. This study aims to understand how bees use these invariants when they are available simultaneously. This issue has been addressed using an experimental setup providing discordant information to bees. We have shown that when the two invariants were available, bees performed ground-following tasks relying primarily on optical speed rate of change. Conversely, when optical speed rate of change was less easily accessible, splay angle rate of change was prioritized, unless the bees perceive danger. Taken together, these results illustrate how the joint use of several invariants allows bees to produce adaptive behaviors.

Therapeutic Adherence of People with Mental Disorders: An Evolutionary Concept Analysis.

Patient therapeutic adherence lies at the core of mental health care. Health Care professionals and organizations play a major role in promoting adherence among people with mental disorders. However, defining therapeutic adherence remains complex. We used Rodgers' evolutionary concept analysis to explore the concept of therapeutic adherence in the context of mental health. We conducted a systematic literature search on Medline/PubMed and CINAHL for works published between January 2012 and December 2022. The concept analysis showed that major attributes of therapeutic adherence include patient, microsystem and meso/exosystem-level factors. Antecedents are those related to patients, such as their background, beliefs and attitudes, and acceptance of mental illness-and those related to patient-HCP therapeutic engagement. Lastly, three different consequences of the concept emerged: an improvement in clinical and social outcomes, commitment to treatment, and the quality of healthcare delivery. We discuss an operational definition that emerged from the concept analysis approach. However, considering the concept has undergone evolutionary changes, further research related to patient adherence experiences in an ecological stance is needed.

The social environment of talent development in youth sport.

During the last decade, talent identification and development research that favours an individual perspective has been complemented by a focus on young athletes' social environments, termed "athletic talent development environments" (ATDEs). Two major lines of research have created a foundation for an ecological vision of talent development as the mutual accommodation between athletes and their ATDEs and of career development as an athlete's journey through various athletic and non-athletic environments. The Talent Development Environment Questionnaire allows the quantitative screening of athletes' environments, while the holistic ecological approach (HEA) promotes in-depth qualitative case studies of ATDEs. In this chapter, we focus mainly on the HEA, including: (a) two models that combine to illustrate an ATDE; (b) a summary of empirical case studies of successful environments in various sports and countries, culminating in a set of shared features of ATDEs that promote athletes' wellbeing and athletic and personal development; (c) an overview of recent trends within HEA (e.g. interorganisational collaboration in talent development) and (d) recommendations for coaches and sport psychology consultants, emphasising the importance of integrating efforts across the whole environment and building strong and coherent organisational cultures. In the discussion, we elaborate on developing the HEA discourse and point to future challenges for researchers and practitioners.

New Collaborative Research on Suicide Prevention, Practice, and Policy With American Indian and Alaska Native Communities Holds Promise for All Peoples.

Youth suicide is increasing in the United States, with deaths among younger people of color driving this upward trend. For more than four decades, American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) communities have suffered disproportionate rates of youth suicide and years of productive life lost compared to other U.S. Races. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) recently funded three regional Collaborative Hubs to carry out suicide prevention research, practice, and policy development with AIAN communities in Alaska and rural and urban areas of the Southwestern United States. The Hub partnerships are supporting a diverse array of tribally-driven studies, approaches, and policies with immediate value for increasing empirically driven public health strategies to address youth suicide. We discuss unique features of the cross-Hub work, including: (a) long-standing Community-Based Participatory Research processes that led to the Hubs' innovative designs and novel approaches to suicide prevention and evaluation, (b) comprehensive ecological theoretical approaches that contextualize individual risk and protective factors in multilevel social contexts; (c) unique task-shifting and systems of care approaches to increase reach and impact on youth suicide in low-resource settings; and (d) prioritization of strengths-based approaches. The work of the Collaborative Hubs for AIAN youth suicide prevention is generating specific and substantive implications for practice, policy, and research presented in this article at a time when youth suicide prevention is a dire national priority. Approaches also have relevance for historically marginalized communities worldwide.

A longitudinal study of protective factors against substance use in early adolescence. An ecological approach.

BACKGROUND: Adolescent substance use has been widely related to different individual, school, family and community factors. Yet, the number of studies with all these variables together in a model from an ecological perspective is still low, and they rarely used a longitudinal design. The aim of this study was to explore, from an ecological perspective, the prospective impact of different individual, school, family and neighbourhood factors on adolescent substance use. METHODS: This was a longitudinal study with a one-year follow up. There were 881 participants (Mage = 12.57; 48.1% females) at wave 1, of which 686 (Mage = 13.51; 51.8% females) were followed-up at wave 2. Validated questionnaires were used for data collection. RESULTS: Regression analyses showed that higher substance use was predicted by high family socio-economic status cross-sectionally and longitudinally, and it was related to low neighbourhood socio-economic status cross-sectionally only. Participants who disliked school and had a poor academic performance were more likely to use substances, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. CONCLUSIONS: The inclusion of families in substance use prevention programmes could be a key component in these interventions. Moreover, promotion of a positive school climate could protect adolescents from using substances.

Did you hear your action? An ecological approach to the senses of ownership and agency.

The Sense of Ownership (SoO) and the Sense of Agency (SoA) are two key components of bodily self-consciousness. In this experiment, we investigated how they are affected by variations in the ecological validity of the moving Rubber Hand Illusion (mRHI) paradigm, which typically include three movement conditions: active congruent, passive congruent, and active incongruent. These conditions were either in a session in which no auditory feedback associated with finger-tapping was eliminated, or in a session in which such a feedback occurred. Since the presence of the auditory feedback more closely corresponds to what individuals experience in daily life when they tap their finger on a surface, sessions with feedback are more ecologically valid, and should thus result in a more marked SoO. Results indicated that in the active movement condition in which the illusion is typically found (congruent), the effect was enhanced when the feedback was present. This advantage emerged on both on objective and subjective measures of SoO. The SoA, on the other hand, is not affected by the auditory feedback.

Epidemiology of Homicide in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Empirical research investigating older adult homicide is sparse and rarely accumulated for greater insights. This systematic review and meta-analysis quantifies the prevalence and characteristics of homicide victimization among older adults (65 years and older) compared with younger adults (18-64 years). METHOD: We searched Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EMBASE, MEDLINE, ProQuest, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for studies published before December 31, 2018 (International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews registration: CRD42017054536). Included were English-language, original, peer-reviewed studies describing the homicide of older adults. Excluded were studies not meeting age criteria, residence as an institution, or with insufficient outcome variables. The review included 39 studies; 17 were included in the meta-analysis. Data were extracted via open access or from study authors. Heterogeneity was assessed through study-level random effects estimates. RESULTS: Pooled homicide rates per 100,000 population were 2.02 (95% CI [1.23, 3.33]) for older adults (n = 35,325) and 3.98 (95% CI [2.42, 6.53]) for younger adults (n = 607,224; rate ratio = .51, 95% CI [0.37, 0.70], p < .001). Proportion estimates for older adults: victim female 46.3%, location home 71.4%, offender familiar 25.2%, compared to stranger, 24.2%, motive argument 36.1%, compared to felony 30.8%, and weapon firearm 24.5%. Older adults were significantly different to younger adult victims (p = <.001) for female (OR = 2.5, 95% CI [2.02, 3.10]), home (3.87, 95% CI [3.45, 4.35]), stranger (1.81, 95% CI [1.66, 1.98]), argument (0.33, 95% CI [0.28, 0.39]), felony (2.78, 95% CI [2.58, 2.99]), and firearm (0.38, 95% CI [0.36, 0.40]). CONCLUSIONS: Homicide against older adults differs from younger adults and warrants specific research and tailored prevention strategies.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the psychological well-being of migrants and refugees settled in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health inequalities worldwide, having a disproportionately harsh impact on unprivileged populations such as migrants and refugees. These populations are often more exposed to the virus, but less protected, while at the same time being at higher risk of suffering from poor living and working conditions, limited access to healthcare, and discrimination by the host society, all of which is challenging to their mental health. Empirical evidence on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting migrants and refugees is required to design effective actions aimed at ensuring health equity. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse how the pandemic has impacted the psychological well-being of migrants and refugees living in Spain. DESIGN: This study was carried out within the framework of the ApartTogether study sponsored by the World Health Organization. Data collection was carried out during March-November 2020, through an online survey completed by 241 participants (age: M = 37 years; 129 women). RESULTS: The results indicate that 78.7% of participants had suffered a decrease in their psychological well-being since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with number of difficulties and worries experienced being the best individual predictors of this outcome. Enjoying social connections and perceiving positive treatment from the host society were positively associated with psychological well-being at a relational and community level, respectively. CONCLUSION: Based on these findings, we outline priority areas of psychosocial interventions aimed at guaranteeing the mental health of migrants and refugees in the face of the pandemic in Spain.

Oncology health professionals' perspectives of determinants of exercise by cancer patients: A socio-ecological approach.

PURPOSE: Scientific evidence has shown that practicing exercise reduced the risk of overall and cancer-specific mortality for cancer patients. Numerous studies have shown limited support has been provided by cancer and general health professionals. This present study identifies determinants of suggesting of exercise from the oncology health professionals' perspective by using a socio-ecological approach. METHOD: Health professionals from two oncology services in France were contacted, which resulted in 36 semi-structured interviews questioning elements of support for exercise, from individual to political determinants. RESULTS: intrapersonal-level findings revealed that exercise is considered complementary to treatment, not recommended at all times of the disease duration and not to all patients. For interpersonal determinants, health professionals discuss exercise based on their own sport practice and their exercise knowledge. Health professionals interchangeably use exercise, sport, or exercise. Examination of institutional determinants showed that the oncology services did not use tools to evaluate or follow up on exercise. Only one of the services had an exercise referral scheme. Examination of community determinants showed that health professionals identified a diversity of exercise providers, without the ability to differentiate exercise program quality. Public policy findings have shown that despite an exercise prescription law, health professionals do not prescribe exercise, do not know how to prescribe it, and consider that the exercise useless because of no refund system for patients. CONCLUSIONS: The results provide a systemic understanding of the determinants helping cancer patients and health professionals improve adherence to exercise.

An experimental setup for decoupling optical invariants in honeybees' altitude control.

Bees outperform pilots in navigational tasks, despite having 100,000 times fewer neurons. It is commonly accepted in the literature that optic flow is a key parameter used by flying insects to control their altitude. The ambition of the present work was to design an innovative experimental setup that would make it possible to determine whether bees could rely simultaneously on several optical invariants, as pilots do. We designed a flight tunnel to enable manipulation of an optical invariant, the Splay Angle Rate of Change (SARC) and the restriction of the Optical Speed Rate of Change (OSRC) in the optic flow. It allows us to determine if bees use the SARC to control their altitude and to identify the integration process combining these two optical invariants. Access to the OSRC can be restricted by using different textures. The SARC can be biased thanks to motorized rods. This device allows to record bees' trajectories in different visual configurations, including impoverished conditions and conditions containing contradictory information. The comparative analysis of the recorded trajectories provides first time evidence of SARC use in a ground-following task by a non-human animal. This new tunnel allows a precise experimental control of the visual environment in ecological experimental conditions. Therefore, it could pave the way for a new type of ecologically based studies examining the simultaneous use of several information sources for navigation by flying insects.