Search Results (177)

This follow-up study investigates the long-term environmental sustainability and remediation outcomes of the UPPER (‘Urban Productive Parks for Sustainable Urban Regeneration’-UIA04-252) project in Latina, Italy, focusing on Nature-Based Solutions (NbS) applied to urban green infrastructure. By integrating proximal and satellite-based remote sensing methodologies, the research evaluates persistent improvements in vegetation health, soil moisture dynamics, and overall environmental quality over multiple years. Building upon the initial monitoring framework, this case study incorporates updated data and refined techniques to quantify temporal changes and assess the ecological performance of NbS interventions. In more detail, ground-based data from meteo-climatic, air quality stations and remote satellite data from the Sentinel-2 mission are adopted. Ground-based measurements such as temperature, humidity, radiation, rainfall intensity, PM10 and PM2.5 are carried out to monitor the overall environmental quality. Updated satellite imagery from Sentinel-2 is analyzed using advanced band ratio indices, including the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) and the Normalized Difference Moisture Index (NDMI). Comparative temporal analysis revealed consistent enhancements in vegetation health, with NDVI values significantly exceeding baseline levels (NDVI 2022–2024: +0.096, p = 0.024), demonstrating successful vegetation establishment with larger gains in green areas (+27.0%) than parking retrofits (+11.4%, p = 0.041). However, concurrent NDWI decline (−0.066, p = 0.063) indicates increased vegetation water stress despite irrigation infrastructure. NDMI improvements (+0.098, p = 0.016) suggest physiological adaptation through stomatal regulation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of meteo-climatic variables reveals temperature as the dominant environmental driver (PC2 loadings > 0.8), with municipality-wide NDVI-temperature correlations of r = −0.87. These multi-scale findings validate sustained NbS effectiveness in enhancing vegetation density and ecosystem services, yet simultaneously expose critical water-limitation trade-offs in Mediterranean semi-arid contexts, necessitating adaptive irrigation management and continued monitoring for long-term urban climate resilience. The integrated monitoring approach underscores the critical role of continuous, multi-scale assessment in ensuring long-term success and adaptive management of NbS-based interventions. Full article

This study examines a seven-week informal familycentric rocketry pilot program designed for Latina girls in grades 5 and 6 and their parents. Grounded in Community Cultural Wealth and Culturally Sustaining Pedagogy, the program integrated Family Problem-Based Learning to position families as co-educators in science learning. Through activities such as designing NASA-style mission patches, constructing egg-drop devices, and launching rockets, the program sought to center family knowledge, bilingual practices, and cultural values within physical science experiences. Data reported here were collected through mid- and post-program surveys with both parents and daughters. Responses indicate strong engagement from families, with parents reporting increased high confidence in supporting their daughters’ science learning and daughters expressing enjoyment and strong interest in science learning. Both groups valued the use of English and Spanish and the program’s emphasis on collaborative, family-centered participation. Responses highlight the potential of culturally sustaining, familycentric approaches to address the underrepresentation of Latina women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) by fostering a sense of belonging. This study contributes to informal science education by demonstrating how families can be centered in a program focused on physical science. School-based outreach of this kind may also strengthen families and parent–child relationships. Full article

Background: Socioeconomic disparities may drive cancer inequities in Hispanic/Latino populations. We examined associations of perceived access to healthy foods (AHF) and food insecurity (FI) with diet and body mass index (BMI) changes in Latina breast cancer (BC) survivors. Methods: Latina BC survivors in a 12-month intervention trial aiming to increase fruit/vegetable intake and physical activity were analyzed. AHF was from a modified, validated neighborhood environment scale and dichotomized (low–medium vs. high). FI was defined as eating less and/or going hungry due to a lack of money. AHF and FI surveys were self-reported. Outcomes included dietary intake, diet quality, and BMI. Fruit/vegetable intake was log-transformed. Relationships between AHF and FI and changes in diet and BMI were evaluated using generalized estimating equations. Results: Of women with AHF data (n = 86), 58% reported low–medium access and 42% reported high access. Fruit/vegetable (FV) intake declined overall from baseline to 12 months, with greater reductions among low–medium AHF women (−32%, 95% CI: −51%, −7%) compared with high AHF women (−17%, 95% CI: −40%, +13%). Statistically significant 12-month decreases in total calories, carbohydrates, sugars, and fat occurred in low–medium AHF women but not high AHF women, and changes in total energy density, carbohydrates, sugars, and BMI at 12 months were statistically significantly different between women with low–medium AHF and women with high AHF, p ≤ 0.05. Among 157 women, 23% reported FI. Reductions in fruit/vegetable intake were larger in women with FI (−39%, 95% CI: −57%, −14%) than in women without FI (−10% reductions, 95% CI: −25%, +8%) and between-group differences were significant at both 6 and 12 months, p ≤ 0.05. Most diet measures decreased for both FI and non-FI women, with greater decreases among those with FI. Conclusions: Latina BC survivors with FI or perceived limited AHF experienced greater declines in indicators of healthy diets including FV intake. Future interventions should integrate strategies to measure AHF and FI to address disparate access to healthy food options. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) positively impacts health safety and quality while also empowering nursing as a discipline. A useful strategy for promoting EBP is to build learning paths adapted to the individuality of nurses. These elements establish the framework for effective learning, determining the availability of specific content at certain times and influencing the design of learning objects to ensure optimal efficacy in the teaching-learning process. It is essential to identify effective strategies in evidence-based nursing education to advance EBP and thereby enhance the quality and safety of nursing care. This review aims to summarize the evidence on the effectiveness of learning paths in the acquisition of EBP competencies by nurses. Methods: A systematic review of the literature will be carried out in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. The results of the review will be reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses protocols (PRISMA-P). The protocol is registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD4202453155). The search will be performed using the EBSCOhost search engine in the following databases: CINAHL Plus, MedicLatina, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, Academic Search Complete, eBook Collection, and Education Resources Information Center. The inclusion of studies, data extraction, and analysis will be carried out by two reviewers independently. Disagreements will be resolved by a third reviewer. All studies involving nurses, learning paths, EBP competencies, regardless of geographical area and context, with no time limit or language constraints, will be included. Results: Not applicable; this is a protocol. Findings will be synthesized as specified in the Methods. Conclusions: This review will provide a better understanding of the effectiveness of a learning path in the acquisition of EBP competencies by nurses. It will also assist in the identification of knowledge gaps in the literature and potential areas for future research and development. Full article

Food insecurity disproportionately affects Hispanic households in the US. This study examines food access perceptions among rural Latinos, acknowledging that food environments are complex systems influenced by factors such as availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability, and accommodation. This phenomenological qualitative study was conducted with adult Latinas living in Nebraska’s rural areas. Data was collected through participatory mapping, semi-structured interviews guided by the five dimensions of food access, and demographic surveys. Eighteen women participated in in-person interviews, and 68.3% of participants met the criteria for food insecurity. While chain stores were the primary shopping option in rural areas, challenges included limited availability of foods that are culturally relevant and accommodate special dietary needs. Ethnic stores were valued for cultural relevance despite concerns about quality and pricing. Overall, affordability was a significant barrier due to high rural costs, worsened by challenges in navigating nutrition program benefits and documentation status. Research or interventions targeting improvements in rural food security must extend beyond mere store availability, focusing on economic development, policy reform, and enhanced education in assistance programs to address these complex challenges. Full article

Background/Objectives: Wound management remains a clinical challenge, particularly in chronic and refractory conditions. Ozone, due to its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and tissue-regenerative properties, has emerged as promising adjuvant therapy. This integrative re-view aimed to critically analyze the therapeutic effects, routes of administration, benefits, and limitations of ozone in wound treatment. Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs In-stitute methodology and the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Studies were identified through compre-hensive search in the SCOPUS, CINAHL Ultimate, MEDLINE Ultimate, and MedicLatina data-bases, with no time restrictions. Inclusion criteria encompassed primary studies involving adults (≥18 years) with wounds treated with ozone. The methodological quality of the selected studies was assessed using the tools recommended by JBI. Results: Nine reports published between 2019 and 2025 met the inclusion criteria. The findings consistently demonstrated clinical benefits of ozone therapy, including accelerated wound healing, pain reduction, and infection control. The forms of application included ozonated water, ozonated olive oil, and gaseous ozone. However, heterogeneity was observed in ozone concentration, frequency, and treatment duration. The methodological quality of the included studies ranged from moderate to high. Conclusions: The available evidence indicates that ozone may represent promising adjuvant treatment for certain types of wounds; however, the quality and independence of the existing studies are limited, and the lack of standardized protocols as well as methodological variability restrict the generalizability of the findings. Therefore, more robust clinical trials are needed to strengthen the evidence base and support its clinical implementation. Full article

Background: Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory, autoimmune and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system that leads to the progressive loss of motor and sensory functions. Cognitive dysfunction is a common symptom that significantly affects quality of life and daily activities. The MS diagnosis involves progressive disability due to its neurodegenerative nature. Objective: to analyze the relationship between the Latin Norm Neuropsychological Assessment and Disability in Multiple Sclerosis (NLNAMS) battery and physical disability in patients with MS. Methods: A retrospective review of 100 medical records was conducted. Three sections of clinical information were analyzed: (1) sociodemographic data and medical history, (2) neurological examination including disability measures using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and the Multiple Sclerosis Severity Score (MSS), and (3) neuropsychological assessment results obtained through the NLNAMS battery to evaluate cognitive functioning across multiple domains. Results: High correlations were observed between EDSS scores and performance on the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) and the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test–Revised (HVLT-R), which assess attention, processing speed and memory. Strong correlations were also found between EDSS and performance on verbal fluency tests, Trail Making Test (TMT), Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure copy (ROCF), and the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST). No significant correlation with MSS was found. Conclusions: The neuropsychological evaluation conducted with the NLNAMS battery showed a relationship between physical disability in multiple sclerosis and the domains of attention, processing speed, and memory. Therefore, this battery may provide valuable information for disease monitoring and prognosis. Full article

Objectives: Latinx Americans represent the largest ethnic minority group (nearly 19% of the U.S. population). Their behavioral health has received increasing attention as they exhibit elevated prevalence rates of anxiety (ANX), depression (DEP), and substance use disorders (SUDs). The National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) is the first national population-based mental health study of Latinx Americans and is the most comprehensive resource for understanding their behavioral health. This systematic review aims to synthesize peer-reviewed publications using the NLAAS dataset to identify psychosocial determinants of the three key outcomes. Method: We followed PRISMA to search for English peer-reviewed articles published in EBSCO, Embase, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and PubMed. Inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) Latinx in the NLAAS database; (2) ANX, DEP, or SUD; (3) risk or protective factors; and (4) peer-reviewed publications in English. Search terms such as Latino, Latina, anxiety, depressive symptoms, substance abuse, and NLAAS were used to search for relevant articles. Two authors screened the articles independently and extracted data from each study. Results: Thirty-two studies published between 2007 and 2024 were included in our final review. Among them, 12 studies investigated ANX, and 17 studies examined DEP and SUD, respectively. Sixteen studies assessed protective factors. Ten articles assessed multiple key outcomes. All risk factors were grouped into three categories: Trauma and negative relationships (e.g., childhood maltreatment, negative family relationship, traumatic life experience), acculturation- and immigration-related factors (e.g., nativity, acculturation experience, English proficiency, discrimination), and sociodemographic and social participation factors (e.g., gender, education, income level). Protective factors such as family cohesion, religious activity, gender, and education were also identified. Conclusion: This first systematic review provided comprehensive NLAAS findings on multifaceted cultural, social, and intrapersonal factors that were either negatively or positively associated with three behavioral health outcomes within the U.S. Latinx population. Potential mechanisms by which risk and protective factors influence their mental health, as well as limitations of this review, were discussed. Findings of this review can inform culturally responsive prevention strategies and interventions to reduce behavioral health disparities and to improve mental health outcomes among Latinx Americans. Full article

Coastal erosion represents a pervasive issue affecting numerous coastal regions, stemming from both natural phenomena and anthropogenic activities. Notably, a substantial proportion, approximately 70%, of sandy beaches globally exhibit a retreating trend. This study aims to clarify the coastal erosion dynamics that have undergone significant transformation in recent decades, exerting a profound impact on the coastal systems along the Italian peninsula. Specifically, this study investigates a segment of the Lazio coastline corresponding to the Foce Verde—Rio Martino beach area in the Latina municipality. Geographic Information System (GIS) software, such as ArcGIS Pro 3.5.0, was employed for geospatial data acquisition, enabling the precise delineation and documentation of shoreline fluctuations within this coastal expanse spanning from 2003 to 2019 (the inclusion criteria for the core research period of the Bachelor’ s thesis, along with the graduation year). The principal objective of this investigation is to furnish a comprehensive overview of the metamorphosis observed in the Latina coastline during the specified temporal interval. This analysis will encompass an evaluation of the coastal defense mechanisms employed, encompassing both “hard” (engineered structures) and “soft” (natural or nature-based) interventions, within this temporal context. Full article

In the interface of Christian ethics, autoethnography and Indigenous knowledge, I propose a Christian moral imagination of cohabitation based on interdependence and enablement. I use non-archival community knowledge and oral memory to excavate moral wisdom from my grandmother’s garden. I argue that to be interdependent is to be human, and the creation of a “social condition of livable lives” is a necessary requirement of cohabitation. Methodologically, this paper builds on liberative ethics and its emphasis on moral oughts as “derivatives of survivals”. I conclude that the deep-seated intentionality to live well and be fully human is the soul of Christian ethics. Though the story centers on my grandmother and her kitchen garden, the paper is transnational and contributes to the global discussion on what it means to live well. It adds moral knowledge centered on Indigenous people’s world-making paradigm. This paper is not an Indigenous perspective of Christian ethics. Rather, it is a paradigmatic paper built on the way that Indigenous people engage with the world (relationality) and with each other. Full article

Latinas have graduated from college at an increasing rate over the last decade, but they are still underrepresented in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degree programs and careers. One method to tackle challenges that can affect the persistence of Latinas in STEM programs is mentorship. The mentorship program in the following study was part of a larger project focused on studying Latinas in STEM undergraduate success, which utilized a Latina/o resilience model as its conceptual framework. Through the use of focus groups and written reflections, we were guided by the following research question: What types of successful peer mentoring strategies do Latinas develop in their pursuit of a college STEM degree at a Hispanic Serving Institution in Texas? Three strategies emerged from the data: (a) connection through shared cultural experiences, (b) seeking other Latinas in STEM, and (c) moving from mentorship into friendship. We identified that mentorship rooted in shared cultural identity, peer support, and emotional connection served as key mechanisms of resilience and persistence. Resilience, through shared culture and context, was brought to the forefront during this mentorship experience. Full article

Background/Objectives: Current estimates suggest that 6% of COVID-19 survivors develop a post-viral sequela known as Long COVID. Among those at risk for this sequela, pregnant individuals are a vulnerable patient population, but they are understudied as to the nature of their symptomology and potential adverse outcomes. Methods: This retrospective study evaluated a cohort of 150 pregnant individuals with a history of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy, observing for Long COVID symptoms and assessing for adverse outcomes. Of this cohort, 64% identified as Black and/or Latina, which provides a more diverse representation compared to previously published studies. Results: Within this cohort, 26.7% of individuals experienced at least one symptom of Long COVID; subcohorts, which were categorized based on presence or absence of Long COVID symptomology, presented with varying phenotypes. Pain, mental health dysfunction or psychological problems, and fatigue were the predominant symptoms documented for patients who averaged two Long COVID symptoms after at least 30 days following a COVID-19 diagnosis. Different adverse outcomes were higher in frequency among subcohorts, highlighting a need for continued study to explore the nuances of the impact of COVID-19 on this unique and vulnerable population. The most notable trends between subcohorts related to treatment patterns for acute COVID-19, vaccine status, and cesarean delivery rates. Conclusions: By providing a description of the documented health experience for a predominantly non-White cohort of individuals who were diagnosed with an acute SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy, our study contributes to a foundation upon which future studies can build. Full article

Consumer wearables are increasingly used in physical activity (PA) interventions, but their validity as a measurement tool among low PA groups, like adolescent girls, is unclear. We assessed the minute- and day-level agreement between PA measures among adolescent Latinas from an intervention. Participants wore a Fitbit Inspire HR and an ActiGraph GT3X+ for overlapping epochs. ActiGraph data were classified using two different cut points and aligned with Fitbit data to produce 1,149,169 matched minutes of wear across 137 adolescent girls (M = 15.73 yrs). Confusion matrices were calculated for pairwise comparisons to determine minute-level Moderate-Vigorous PA (MVPA) classification. Data were aggregated to 1007 days for Bland–Altman analyses. ActiGraph cut points showed moderate agreement for minute-level MVPA classification (Balanced Accuracy = 0.71, AC1 = 0.98), while Fitbit showed fair agreement (Balanced Accuracy = 0.50, AC1 = 0.95–0.97) largely driven by non-MVPA observations. The Freedson cut point overestimated daily MVPA relative to Treuth by 14.7 min/day and Fitbit by 14.2 min/day in Bland–Altman space. The daily Treuth and Fitbit comparison did not significantly differ. Findings suggest systematic differences between cut points that warrant further consideration. Fitbit showed moderate agreement with ActiGraph, but heteroscedasticity and the epoch of aggregation significantly impacted agreement. Understanding device differences has implications for promoting/researching public health among adolescents. Full article

Hispanic, Asian, and African Americans are disproportionately affected by liver cancer, viral hepatitis B (HBV), and viral hepatitis C (HCV), in part because of barriers to liver cancer awareness and prevention. We implemented a community-based, culturally tailored initiative to raise awareness and promote uptake of behaviors for liver cancer prevention, early diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment. Guided by community-based participatory research (CBPR) principles and built on well-established collaboration with community-based organizations, we actively engaged the community advisory board (CAB), community health workers, and community members in multiple phases of (1) a community-based educational initiative, (2) a city-wide bus campaign, and (3) community health fairs. This multilevel initiative saw notable changes in community members’ knowledge of liver cancer, viral hepatitis, lifestyle behaviors like dietary patterns, and uptake of screening tests for HBV/HCV. Additionally, the comprehensive engagement of CAB, healthcare workers, and community members significantly benefited community capacity building on cancer research and health promotion. These CBPR-guided community initiatives had remarkable positive impacts on promoting liver cancer awareness and prevention among underserved racial/ethnic minorities. The academic–community relationships built on and strengthened through shared power, mutual respect, and trust serve as the foundation for sustainable community growth and empowerment. Full article

Background: The new challenges facing the healthcare sector require nursing leaders who are prepared to respond to patients’ healthcare needs and keep professionals motivated and satisfied while meeting the organisation’s objectives. To overcome these challenges, interest has grown in positive leadership styles, which in turn has sparked interest in authentic leadership. This line of thought on leadership has been predictive of various positive outcomes in the hospital context. Objective: Examine the characteristics of authentic leadership among nurses in the hospital context based on scientific evidence. Methods: Scoping review according to the Joanna Briggs Institute, consisting of three stages of research. First, a search was conducted in MEDLINE Ultimate, CINHAL Ultimate and MedicLatina through the EBSCOHost platform, LILACS and RCAAP for grey literature. Then, using the same keywords, we conducted a search in Scopus and ScienceDirect. Both searches covered the period between 2019 and 2024. Studies were included if they focused on authentic leadership in nurses working in hospital contexts; non-empirical studies, reviews, and those outside the nursing field were excluded. Results: Sixteen articles were included, 13 of which were cross-sectional, descriptive and/or correlational, 2 were quasi-experimental and 1 employed an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis approach. The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire was used in a total of 11 articles. The studies showed that authentic leadership by nurses in a hospital context is significantly associated with relevant organisational and individual variables, such as team performance, organisational commitment, job satisfaction, reduced burnout, and the promotion of healthy work environments. The data also revealed discrepancies between the perceptions of leaders and their subordinates. Conclusion: Authentic leaders have a positive impact on the quality of nursing care, patient health outcomes, professional satisfaction and motivation to lead and the achievement of healthcare institution goals. Consequently, authentic leadership is a fundamental pillar for strengthening nursing teams, promoting trust, well-being and improvements in the quality of care. Nevertheless, the strength of the evidence is limited, given the predominance of cross-sectional studies and potential contextual biases, which should be considered when interpreting the findings. Full article