bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate circulating levels in women with and without polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ulloque-Badaracco Juan R , Al-kassab-Córdova Ali , Hernández-Bustamante Enrique A , Alarcón-Braga Esteban A , Cabrera-Guzmán Juan C , Horruitiner-Mendoza Andres A , Robles-Valcárcel Pamela , Benites-Zapata Vicente A , Pérez-López Faustino R
Published: September 2024

Background:

Some studies have reported that homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folic acid levels are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), whereas other studies yielded controversial results.

Objectives:

This study aimed to systematize the available evidence of homocysteine, vitamin B12, and folate levels in women with and without PCOS.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis

Data Sources and Methods:

A systematic search without language restrictions was performed on PubMed, Ovid/Medline, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science. In addition, the reference lists of the selected studies were reviewed. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was employed to evaluate the quality of studies. The means and standard deviations of the outcomes were pooled as standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Furthermore, the DerSimonian and Laird method was employed for the quantitative synthesis.

Results:

A total of 75 studies met the eligibility criteria for at least one outcome. Patients with PCOS had higher circulating homocysteine levels than those without (SMD: 0.82; 95% CI: 0.62–1.02, n = 70 studies, p < 0.001). This trend remained in the sensitivity and subgroup analyses by world regions of studies, assay methods, and insulin resistance. No significant differences were observed in circulating vitamin B12 (SMD: −0.11; 95% CI: −0.25 to 0.03; n = 17 studies, p = 0.13) and folate levels (SMD: −0.2; 95% CI: −0.68 to 0.27; n = 17 studies, p = 0.41) between patients with and without PCOS.

Conclusions:

(i) Patients with PCOS exhibited significantly higher homocysteine levels than those without, and (ii) no significant differences were observed in both vitamin B12 and folate levels in women with and without PCOS.

Registration:

PROSPERO ID (CRD42023432883)
Validity of the PROMIS® Early Childhood Physical Activity Scale among toddlers
Authors: Kwon Soyang , Armstrong Bridget , Wetoska Nina , Capan Selin
Published: September 2024

Background

The PROMIS® Early Childhood Physical Activity (PROMIS EC PA) scale is a recently developed PROMIS Early Childhood measure to assess PA among children aged 1–5 years. The purpose of this study was to examine test-retest reliability and convergent validity of the PROMIS EC PA scale among toddlers.

Method

An ancillary study was conducted in the toddler-mother dyad sample of the Child and Mother Physical Activity Study. Mothers completed the 7-item PROMIS EC PA scale twice: during a study visit (test) and on the last day when their child’s wore an ActiGraph accelerometer on the hip for 7 days (retest). The PROMIS EC PA summed score was calculated by totaling scores from items 1–5. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for test and retest PROMIS EC PA. Convergent validity was assessed using rank correlation coefficients (rho) between PROMIS EC PA scores and accelerometer-measured moderate- and vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA).

Results

Among 74 participants (56% female; 19 ± 4 months of mean age with range of 12–30 months), average accelerometer-measured MVPA was 76 ± 24 min/day. The median number of days between PROMIS EC PA test and retest was 8 days (IQR = 6 to 8), with an average PROMIS EC PA summed score of 11.0 ± 3.5 at test and 10.5 ± 3.4 at retest. ICC for the test-retest PROMIS EC PA summed scores was 0.72 (95% CI = 0.59–0.82). The rank correlation between the PROMIS EC PA summed score and accelerometer-measured MVPA was 0.13 (95% CI=-0.10 to 0.35; p = 0.28).

Conclusion

In a sample of children aged 12–30 months, test-retest reliability for the PROMIS EC PA scale was moderate and its convergent validity against accelerometer-measured MVPA was poor. Prior to a widespread use of the PROMIS EC PA scale in large-scale research and clinical practice, the tool should be further refined and validated to elucidate how young children’s lived PA experience as measured in the PROMIS EC PA scale is relevant to their health and wellbeing outcomes.
Do personality profiles contribute to patterns of physical activity and sedentary behavior in adulthood? A prospective cohort study
Authors: Ahola Johanna , Kekäläinen Tiia , Chastin Sebastien , Rantalainen Timo , Kinnunen Marja-Liisa , Pulkkinen Lea , Kokko Katja
Published: September 2024

Background

Despite the observed associations of personality traits with levels of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB), studies exploring whether the personality profiles differ in terms of the pattern of accumulation of physical behavior are lacking. The aim of this study was to identify adults’ personality profiles and to characterize and investigate how these profiles differ in physical behavior.

Methods

The study utilized the longitudinal data of the participants of the Jyväskylä Longitudinal Study of Personality and Social Development (n = 141–307). Information on the five-factor model of personality, including the traits of neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness, openness, and agreeableness, was collected at ages 33, 42, 50, and 61 years, and used to create latent personality profiles. Physical behavior, operationalized as the amount and accumulation of MVPA and SB bouts, was captured using a triaxial accelerometer worn during waking hours at age 61 years. The differences in the behavior between the personality profiles were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test.

Results

Five personality profiles were identified: resilient (20.2%), brittle (14.0%), overcontrolled (9.8%), undercontrolled (15.3%), and ordinary (40.7%). Although there were no statistically significant differences between the personality profiles in the time spent in MVPA relative to SB (MVPA per hour of daily SB), individuals with resilient (low in neuroticism and high in other traits) and ordinary (average in each trait) profiles had MVPA-to-SB ratios of 0.12 (7 min) and those with a brittle (high in neuroticism and low in extraversion) profile had a ratio of 0.09 (5.5 min). The individuals in the resilient group exhibited a longer usual MVPA bout duration than those in the overcontrolled (low in extraversion, openness, and agreeableness) (8 min vs. 2 min) and undercontrolled (high in openness and low in conscientiousness) groups (8 min vs. 3 min). They also exhibited a longer usual SB bout duration than those in the ordinary group (29 min vs. 23 min).

Conclusions

The resilient group displayed the most prolonged MVPA and SB bout patterns. The results suggest that personality characteristics may contribute to how MVPA and SB are accumulated.
Human activities reshape the spatial overlap between North Chinese leopard and its wild ungulate prey
Authors: Wang Yidan , Liu Mingzhang , Xia Fan , Li Sheng
Published: September 2024

Background

Rapidly expanding human activities have profoundly changed the habitat use of both large carnivores and their prey, but whether and how human activities affect the interactions between them has received relatively less attention. In this study, we conducted a systematically designed camera-trapping survey on an endangered large carnivore (North Chinese leopard Panthera pardus japonensis) and its wild ungulate prey (Siberian roe deer Capreolus pygargus and wild boar Sus scrofa) in the Taihang Mountains of central North China. Using conditional two-species occupancy model based on data derived from the extensive sampling effort (15,654 camera-days at 102 camera sites), we examined the relationship of spatial use between leopards and each prey species under the effects of human presence, free-ranging cattle, roads and settlements.

Results

Humans and cattle had contrasting effects on the relationship of spatial use between leopard and roe deer, with higher and lower spatial segregation between them at human and cattle-frequented sites, respectively. Roads might create a shelter for wild boar from leopard predation, with less spatial segregation between them at sites close to the roads.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that human activities are reshaping the spatial overlap between large carnivores and their prey, and have non-equivalent effects among different types of human activity. Such effects may further alter the strength of interspecific interactions between predator and prey, with far-reaching influences on the community and ecosystem that require more research.
The German research consortium for the study of bipolar disorder (BipoLife): a quality assurance protocol for MR neuroimaging data
Authors: Vogelbacher Christoph , Sommer Jens , Bopp Miriam H. A. , Falkenberg Irina , Ritter Philipp S. , Bermpohl Felix , Attar Catherine Hindi , Einenkel Karolin E. , Gruber Oliver , Juckel Georg , Flasbeck Vera , Hautzinger Martin , Pfennig Andrea , Matura Silke , Reif Andreas , Grotegerd Dominik , Dannlowski Udo , Kircher Tilo , Bauer Michael , Jansen Andreas
Published: September 2024

Background

The German multicenter research consortium BipoLife aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying bipolar disorders. It focuses in particular on people at high risk of developing the disorder and young patients in the early stages of the disease. Functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data was collected in all participating centers. The collection of neuroimaging data in a longitudinal, multicenter study requires the implementation of a comprehensive quality assurance (QA) protocol. Here, we outline this protocol and illustrate its application within the BipoLife consortium.

Methods

The QA protocol consisted of (1) a training of participating research staff, (2) regular phantom measurements to evaluate the MR scanner performance and its temporal stability across the course of the study, and (3) the assessment of the quality of human MRI data by evaluating a variety of image metrics (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio, ghosting level). In this article, we will provide an overview on these QA procedures and show exemplarily the influence of its application on the results of standard neuroimaging analysis pipelines.

Discussion

The QA protocol helped to characterize the various MR scanners, to record their performance over the course of the study and to detect possible malfunctions at an early stage. It also assessed the quality of the human MRI data systematically to characterize its influence on various analyses. Furthermore, by setting up and publishing this protocol, we define standards that must be considered when analyzing data from the BipoLife consortium. It further promotes a systematic evaluation of data quality and a definition of subject inclusion criteria. In the long term, it will help to increase the chance of achieving clinically relevant results.
Beyond the bulk: overview and novel insights into the dynamics of muscle satellite cells during muscle regeneration
Authors: Byun Woo Seok , Lee Jinu , Baek Jea-Hyun
Published: September 2024

Skeletal muscle possesses remarkable regenerative capabilities, fully recovering within a month following severe acute damage. Central to this process are muscle satellite cells (MuSCs), a resident population of somatic stem cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation. Despite the highly predictable course of muscle regeneration, evaluating this process has been challenging due to the heterogeneous nature of myogenic precursors and the limited insight provided by traditional markers with overlapping expression patterns. Notably, recent advancements in single-cell technologies, such as single-cell (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), have revolutionized muscle research. These approaches allow for comprehensive profiling of individual cells, unveiling dynamic heterogeneity among myogenic precursors and their contributions to regeneration. Through single-cell transcriptome analyses, researchers gain valuable insights into cellular diversity and functional dynamics of MuSCs post-injury. This review aims to consolidate classical and new insights into the heterogeneity of myogenic precursors, including the latest discoveries from novel single-cell technologies.
Functional evaluation of joint in moderate to severe hemophilia patients treated with on-demand factor replacement: insights from a single hemophilia treatment center in Bangladesh
Authors: Ghosh Sujan , Tory Sanzina Sadia , Nazneen Humayra , Farhad Nurul , Islam Salwa , Hasan Mohammad Jahid , Biswas Akhil Ranjan
Published: September 2024

Background

Hemophilia patients are prone to spontaneous or post-traumatic bleeding, particularly in joints and various other body sites. The high incidence of joint hemorrhages in hemophilia patients underscores the importance of routine joint assessments in clinical care to monitor the condition and evaluate the efficacy of hemophilia treatments.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the joint health of hemophilia patients receiving FVIII or FIX on-demand replacement therapy treatment at a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh.

Methods

This single-center study involved 93 patients diagnosed with moderate (n = 72;77.4%) and severe (n = 21;22.6%) hemophilia. The assessment of joint health was carried out on six key joints—both elbows, knees, and ankles—using the Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) version 2.1. Clinical and laboratory data were meticulously documented in a structured questionnaire.

Results

Among the 93 hemophilic patients, the majority had hemophilia A (96.8%). The median HJHS of the patients was 15 (IQR:9.5–20) with the knee joint being mostly affected (88.2%). A significant positive correlation was observed between HJHS and age (r = 0.385, p < 0.001) and total number of joints involved (r = 0.405, p < 0.001). No significant association was found between factor level, education status, and socio-economic status with HJHS score.

Conclusion

Early assessment and monitoring of joint health are essential in clinical practice to prevent severe complications in hemophilia patients.
Tubercular tracheobronchial amyloidosis: a rare complication presenting as an endobronchial mass — a case report
Authors: Dsouza Juvena Jebeleen Tony , Samdesi Abhishek , Mohapatra Aswini Kumar
Published: September 2024

Background

Pulmonary amyloidosis often occurs as a part of systemic AL (amyloid light chain) amyloidosis. Localized tracheobronchial amyloidosis is a very rare entity. Most often, it is asymptomatic, or if symptomatic, it usually presents with vague symptoms such as cough, dyspnoea, hoarseness, wheezing, haemoptysis, and rarely respiratory failure. It is commonly misdiagnosed as asthma, tuberculosis, COPD, malignancy, or pneumonia.

Case presentation

We are presenting a case of an elderly male, aged 64 years, who presented with symptoms of productive cough, dyspnoea, wheezing, and significant weight loss over a period of 6 months. Investigations such as bronchoscopy, histopathology, and imaging studies showed an endobronchial mass and left-sided pleural effusion.

Conclusions

Endobronchial amyloidosis generally has a nodular appearance which can imitate an endobronchial tumour. The quality of life is decreased in these patients, and the life expectancy is approximately 8–10 years. Therefore, the early diagnosis of this disease is essential.
Effect of strength-based physical exercise on telomere length as a marker of premature ageing in patients with schizophrenia: study protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial
Authors: Sánchez-González Juan Luis , Juárez-Vela Raúl , Dutil Muñoz de la Torre Virginia , Andrés-Olivera María del Pilar , Martín-Vallejo Javier , Morán-Bayón Álvaro , Gonçalves-Cerejeira Joana Isabel , Gestoso-Uzal Nerea , González-Sarmiento Rogelio , Pérez Jesús
Published: September 2024

Background

Patients with schizophrenia die decades earlier than the general population. Among the factors involved in this mortality gap, evidence suggests a telomere length shortening in this clinical population, which is associated with premature ageing. Recent studies support the use of strength-based training exercise programmes to maintain, or even elongate, telomere length in healthy elderly populations. However, studies aiming at modifying telomere length in severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, are still very scarce.

Aims

To investigate the effect of a strength-based physical exercise programme on the telomere length of individuals with schizophrenia.

Method

We propose a pragmatic, randomised controlled trial including 40 patients aged ≥18 years, with a stable diagnosis of schizophrenia, attending the Complejo de Rehabilitación Psicosocial (CRPS, Psychosocial Rehabilitation Centre) in Salamanca, Spain. These patients will be randomly assigned (1:1) to either receive the usual treatment and rehabilitation programmes offered by CRPS (treatment-as-usual group) or these plus twice weekly sessions of an evidence-based, strength-based training exercise programme for 12 weeks (intervention group). The primary outcome will be effect on telomere length. Secondary outcomes will include impact on cognitive function, frailty and quality of life.

Results

We expect to show the importance of implementing strength-based physical exercise programmes for patients with schizophrenia. We could find that such programmes induce biological and genetic changes that may lengthen life expectancy and decrease physical fragility.

Conclusions

We anticipate that our trial findings could contribute to parity of esteem for mental health, reducing premature ageing in patients with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia.
Organizational Implementation of Exercise Is Medicine® On Campus Programs
Authors: Howie Erin K. , Harden Samantha M. , Jett Kristin M. , Gallagher Kaitlin M. , Tompkins Connie L. , Leininger Lisa J. , Peterson Neil E.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

The Exercise is Medicine® On Campus (EIM-OC) program, a physical activity initiative for universities, has a high potential for scalability and sustainability. Through EIM-OC’s recognition program, campuses achieve Gold-level status through the implementation of exercise referral. The current implementation and effectiveness of EIM-OC referral programs to increase student physical activity or health is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the implementation of the EIM-OC referral process and current assessments of effectiveness.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of EIM-OC representatives currently at Gold-level campuses was conducted between April 1 and August 1, 2023, using the Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) framework.

Results

Thirty-three of 85 contacted campuses submitted complete responses. Of the eight campuses reporting all physical activity screening information, a total of 5682 individuals were screened. Of those who were screened, 356 (6.3%) individuals were referred to an exercise professional, with 135 (38.0%) following through with the referral. Half of campuses collected additional physical activity information (e.g., self-report surveys or accelerometers), 30% collected physical health (e.g., anthropometrics or blood) and/or mental health (e.g., depression symptoms or quality of life) measures, and 15% collected educational outcomes (e.g., grades). Approximately 20% of campuses reported a willingness to share data in a repository, depending on the measure, with others sharing concerns of confidentiality and institutional review board limitations. Only 36% of responding campuses tracked physical activity or health outcomes following the initial visit to assess effectiveness. Exercise programs included personal training only (n = 10), exercise prescription/health coaching (n = 12), or both (n = 8).

Conclusion

Although Gold-level campuses are generally successful in the assessment of physical activity, strategies are needed to improve the reach of EIM-OC programs, specifically implementation strategies to increase the number of individuals screened and successful follow-ups. Additional standardized measures and tracking are needed to determine the effectiveness of EIM-OC programs on improving student physical activity and health.
The passions as seen through the lens of Greimassian semiotics and cognitive science
Authors: Biglari Amir , Danesi Marcel
Published: September 2024

This paper aims to incorporate Greimassian semiotics of passions in current cognitive science. Concepts such as passional codes, the canonical passional schema, and other central Greimassian notions in the domain of passions are mapped against ideas such as frames and layers of meaning within cognitive science. By integrating the two fields artificially kept apart, the authors endeavour to show how the resulting synergy could shed new light on the study of passions.
The silent war on signs: Unpacking the concept of semiocide and its implications for the Baha’i community in Iran
Authors: Fatehi Erfan
Published: September 2024

Within the field of conflict and violence studies, there exists a range of subtle yet profound forms of violence that often remain underexplored. This paper addresses the concept of semiocide, which refers to the destruction of culturally significant signs, stories, symbols, and narratives. Through unpacking of the theoretical foundations of semiocide, the study highlights its distinct nature and potential for further exploration in cultural violence and conflict studies. Utilizing content analysis of various media sources, the study examines the semiocidal practices perpetrated against the Baha’i community in Iran. The findings illustrate the systematic erasure and manipulation of the Baha’i cultural identity through three semiocidal mechanisms. These insights shed light on the complex dynamics of cultural violence, not only within the specific context of Iran but also providing valuable implications for understanding similar phenomena in other socio-cultural contexts. By bridging the gap between theory and practice, this study offers a nuanced discussion of semiocide, contributing to a broader comprehension of cultural violence and cultural hegemony, and thereby enriching the discourse in conflict and violence studies.
The Concept of «Embedded Agency» As a Solution to the Problem of Defining Technological Sovereignty in the Context of the Globalisation Crisis
Authors: Namadov V.
Published: September 2024

In this research paper discusses the conceptualization of the processes of achieving technological sovereignty. The role of the state in maintaining control over critical and cross-cutting technologies is emphasized. The significance of technological sovereignty in the crisis of globalist approach and free international trade is concretized. The author of the article initiates the concept of technological sovereignty from the perspective of ‘embedded agency’ and emphasizes the importance of the interdependence of internal and external technological processes. Based on this concept, a framework for further strategic planning for achieving technological sovereignty is proposed.
Comparison of Machine Learning Models for Stock Price Forecasting
Authors: Borcova Dina , Aleshechkina T.
Published: September 2024

The article presents a comparative analysis of machine learning models for stock price forecasting. The process of algorithmic trading is characterized. The use of artificial intelligence in the stock market, the advantages and disadvantages of its application are considered. The models of the machine learning model are selected: linear regression and random forest, and their characteristics are given. Metrics for assessing the quality of forecasts are defined and their mathematical description is presented. Training and testing of models were performed, predicted values were obtained, and the necessary metrics were found. All calculations, analysis, and machine learning are performed in the Python programming environment using the Pandas, Numpy, Matplotlib, and Sklearn libraries. As a result, the random forest model turned out to be the most reliable, taking into account high accuracy and error minimization, for the linear regression model, the standard error and the average absolute error are almost 90% greater
Code and Data Repository for Multi-Objective Linear Ensembles for Robust and Sparse Training of Few-Bit Neural Networks
Authors: Bernardelli Ambrogio Maria , Gualandi Stefano , Milanesi Simone , Lau Hoong Chuin , Yorke-Smith Neil
Published: September 2024

The goal of this script is to train neural networks with integer weights with MILP models and to test their accuracy.
Code and Data Repository for An Efficient Node Selection Policy for Monte Carlo Tree Search with Neural Networks
Authors: Liu Xiaotian , Peng Yijie , Zhang Gongbo , Zhou Ruihan
Published: September 2024

The software and data in this repository are a snapshot of the software and data that were used in the research reported on in the paper An Efficient Node Selection Policy for Monte Carlo Tree Search with Neural Networks by Xiaotian Liu, Yijie Peng, Gongbo Zhang, and Ruihan Zhou.
The impact of techno complexity on work performance through emotional exhaustion
Authors: Yasinta Tiurma , Firdaus Firdaus , Haqq Zulkifli Nurul , Run Pharatt
Published: September 2024

Technology has become an integral part of work life, providing significant benefits for increasing productivity and competitiveness. However, the use of technology also carries risks, especially in the form of technostress, namely, the stress that arises from using technology. This study aimed to investigate the impact of technological complexity as a technostress trigger on work performance among employees in micro, small, and medium enterprises in Semarang, Indonesia, with emotional exhaustion as a potential mediator. The sample for this study consisted of 315 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprise workers in various sectors. Data were collected through surveys and analyzed using structural equation modeling and partial least squares. The research results show that technological complexity negatively affects emotional exhaustion, but does not significantly affect work performance. By contrast, emotional exhaustion negatively influenced work performance. However, there is insufficient evidence to support the mediation of emotional exhaustion between technological complexity and workplace performance. These findings emphasize the importance of considering additional factors beyond techno complexity in shaping work performance as well as the importance of organizational support in mitigating the negative impact of techno complexity on employee well-being and performance in micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises.
Exploring the effect of guest experience on guest loyalty: Mediating role of guest satisfaction
Authors: Rahmiati Filda , Dewi Putu Gede Lila Gargamunih , Othman Norfaridatul Akmaliah , Madden Ketwadee , Advincula Geraldine B. , Sitorus Yohana
Published: September 2024

Indonesia is known as an archipelago of islands with a wide variety of cultures and natural beauty, providing many options for tourists to visit. This research aims to investigate the influence of guest experiences on guest loyalty within the accommodation sector, focusing on Indonesian Generation Z. The study employs a quantitative method, utilizing an online survey distributed through Google Forms, to gather data from 146 valid respondents who had stayed in Indonesian accommodations within a year. The data was processed using partial least squares structural equation modeling with Smart PLS 3.2.9. The results reveal that guest experiences in pre-trip, on-trip, and post-trip directly influence guest satisfaction. Guest satisfaction significantly influences guest loyalty. Moreover, guest loyalty is indirectly influenced by guest experiences (in pre-trip, on-trip, and post-trip) that are mediated by guest satisfaction. Guest experiences in pre-trip, on-trip, and post-trip have no direct influence towards guest loyalty. These findings highlight the importance of providing excellent services and products before, during, and after the trip to increase guest loyalty through guest satisfaction. The results contribute to the development of effective strategies for enhancing guest loyalty and satisfaction, ultimately benefiting accommodation providers and the broader hospitality industry.
The Life of Adolescents of Alcoholic Fathers
Authors: Kim Myang Ah
Published: September 2024

A phenomenological methodology was used to identify the life of adolescents of alcoholic fathers. Nine adolescents participated in in-depth interviews, done between October and December 2001. The Colaizzi's method was used for data analysis.The results of this study are as follows.Two themes and thirteen meanings were identified. The first theme is Living Alone: living abusively as partner to an alcohol dependent parents, living dangerously like an explosive fury, living as an object that has no self, living with rejection of fatherly being, living with felt responsibility but having no power to help mother who suffers patiently with pain and abuse, living alone with no shoulder to lean on, and living with the prejudice of sex discrimination. The second theme is sustaining life. The meanings are ambivalence between revenge on parents and pity, struggle for desirable self against fear of parents-like image, understanding parents through self reflection, hope to find fatherly being through father's recovery, being able to stand through emotional control and cognitive restructuring, nurturing the seed of hope for the future while in a situation of desperation.The results of this study can provide a foundation for the development of programs for children of alcohol dependent parents.
Burden, Self-esteem and Hope in the Family Caregivers of Mentally Ill Persons.
Authors: Lee Jong Eun , Hyun Mi Yeul
Published: September 2024

Purpose: This study was to investigate the relationships between the burden, self-esteem and hope of family caregivers of mentally ill persons. Methods: Data were drawn from a representative sample of family caregivers to mentally ill persons (N=142). For the survey tool, it was used that the Burden Scale, Self-Esteem Scale and HHI.Results: Burden was affected by family caregivers' socio-demographic variables: age, spouse, education, income and relation to care-recipients and by care-recipients' socio-demographic variables: job, diagnosis, present treatment, duration of illness, frequency of admission, and the handicapped. Self-esteem was affected by family caregivers' socio-demographic variables: age, spouse, education, job, and income and by care-recipients' socio-demographic variables: age, diagnosis, present treatment, and the handicapped. Hope was directly affected by family caregivers' socio-demographic variables : age, spouse, education, and income and by care-recipients* socio-demographic variables: job, diagnosis, and present treatment. Significant positive correlation was found between selfesteem and hope. Significant negative correlation was found between burden and hope. Also, significant negative correlation was found between burden and self-esteem. Conclusions: The finding that perceived burden and self-esteem are strongly related to family caregivers' hope. To help the caregivers to discover their own unique source of hope, we need a diminishing burden and fostering self-esteem strategy.
¿Tiene sentido aún hablar del perdón político?
Authors: Eva Hamamé  , Sebastián Peredo
Published: September 2024

¿Tiene sentido hablar del perdón político en el Siglo XXI? Sostenemos que es posible reivindicar un sentido del político del perdón que ha sido eclipsado por leyes de amnistía en las últimas décadas en Latinoamérica y que constituyen, a nuestro juicio, un abuso del perdón. A partir de las reflexiones de Hannah Arendt y Jacques Derrida sobre el perdón, y aplicando postulados de la teoría de los actos de habla de J. L. Austin y J. Searle, se propone rescatar un sentido del perdón político que se diferencia sustantivamente de la amnistía. Para ello, se identifican las condiciones procedimentales y contextuales que posibilitan que el perdón contribuya a un acto de verdadera reconciliación política.
The use of sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors in heart failure: a practical overview
Authors: Brennan Emma Jane
Published: September 2024

Heart failure is a major global healthcare concern. The condition is associated with high morbidity, high mortality and a reduced quality of life. The prognosis of heart failure is poor, with a 5-year survival rate close to 50%. Pharmacological treatment is a cornerstone of heart failure care, helping to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with the condition. The sodium–glucose co-transporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors dapagliflozin and empagliflozin have been approved for patients who have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, mildly reduced ejection fraction and preserved ejection fraction. This article discusses the evidence base, mechanism of action, clinical indications and practical considerations for the use of SGLT2 inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure.
Highlighting the latest research: September 2024
Authors: Palmer Sarah Jane , Cowan Helen
Published: September 2024

Sarah Jane Palmer presents a selection of recently published articles of interest to nurses working in cardiovascular nursing, while Helen Cowan explores their application to practice. The aim of this roundup is to provide a brief overview of the research papers selected and highlight their relevance to cardiac nursing practice. A full reference is provided for those who wish to look at the research in further detail.
Chyme reinfusion in a clinical setting
Authors: Steensgaard Maja , Cooper Laura , Staub Ditte , Salling Ida , Bager Palle
Published: September 2024

Background:

Patients with ileostomies may develop intestinal failure and high stoma output. Chyme reinfusion (CR) was considered an alternative to parenteral nutrition. The Insides System, a closed system for CR, was introduced to allow complete patient control and management. In this paper the authors used the system for 3 years and aimed to describe its use in clinical practice.

Methods:

A cohort of patients considered for the system was included in the study. They were followed from screening until discontinuation of the system. Data on health-related quality of life were collected, and journal audits were performed.

Results:

A total of 14 patients were included in the results. Two did not receive the system, four answered the questionnaires one time or less and four had the system discontinued before discharge. Answers from the remaining four patients were inconclusive. The audit revealed that evaluating patient compliance and motivation was key before introducing the system. With the system in place, pain and discomfort levels were found to be important for the patients.

Conclusion:

The Insides System was feasible in a clinical practice setting. However, comprehensive screening was necessary, with specialised nurses playing a key role.
Effect of Personalized Nutrition Combined with Acceptance and Commitment Therapy on Psychological Resilience, Quality of Life and Side Effects of Chemotherapy in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: Hu Haiping , Li Hefa , Xu Huixia , Liu Jiayin , Qi Yue
Published: September 2024

Aims/Background Gastric cancer is a common and life-threatening cancer, which predisposes patients to certain psychological problems. Implementation of both personalized nutrition and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) have shown unique advantages in the treatment of cancer patients. This study aims to evaluate the effects of this comprehensive therapy on psychological resilience, quality of life and side effects of chemotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC), yielding findings that can inform the development of holistic and effective treatment methods.

Methods The clinical data of 240 AGC patients who underwent chemotherapy in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from February 2021 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. After excluding 15 patients who did not meet the inclusion criteria, 225 patients were included in the study. According to the management methods, the patients were divided into three groups: group A receiving routine management (n = 76), group B receiving routine management plus personalized nutrition (n = 75), and group C receiving routine management, personalized nutrition and ACT (n = 74). The psychological resilience, quality of life and side effects of chemotherapy were evaluated in the three groups.

Results There was no difference in the Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) scores and quality of life questionnaire-core 30 (QLQ-C30) scores among the three groups at admission (p > 0.05). After chemotherapy, compared with the group C, the CD-RISC scores of group A and group B were significantly lower (p < 0.001), and the scores of physical function, cancer-related symptoms and overall health in group A and group B were significantly lower (p < 0.001). The incidence of side effects of chemotherapy in group C was 25.68%, which was significantly lower than that in group A and group B (p < 0.05); there was no statistical difference in this regard between group A and group B (p > 0.05), and the same parameter was significantly different between group A and group C (p < 0.05).

Conclusion Personalized nutrition management plus ACT has a significant favorable effect on improving psychological resilience, alleviating the side effects of chemotherapy, and enhancing the quality of life in patients with AGC undergoing chemotherapy.
On the convergence of Kac–Moody Eisenstein series
Authors: Carbone Lisa , Garland Howard , Lee Kyu-Hwan , Liu Dongwen , Miller Stephen D.
Published: September 2024

abstract: Let $G$ be a representation-theoretic Kac--Moody group associated to a nonsingular symmetrizable generalized Cartan matrix. We first consider Kac--Moody analogs of Borel Eisenstein series (induced from quasicharacters on the Borel), and prove they converge almost everywhere inside the Tits cone for arbitrary spectral parameters in the Godement range. We then use this result to show the full absolute convergence everywhere inside the Tits cone (again for spectral parameters in the Godement range) for a class of Kac--Moody groups satisfying a certain combinatorial property, in particular for rank-2 hyperbolic groups.
Diffuse traces and Haar unitaries
Authors: Thiel Hannes
Published: September 2024

abstract: We show that a tracial state on a unital \ca{} admits a Haar unitary if and only if it is diffuse, if and only if it does not dominate a tracial functional that factors through a finite-dimensional quotient. It follows that a unital \ca{} has no finite-dimensional representations if and only if each of its tracial states admits a Haar unitary. More generally, we study when nontracial states admit Haar unitaries. In particular, we show that every state on a unital, simple, infinite-dimensional \ca{} admits a Haar unitary. We obtain applications to the structure of reduced free products. Notably, the tracial reduced free product of simple \ca{s} is always a simple \ca{} of stable rank one.
Zero distribution of power series and binary correlation of coefficients
Authors: Benatar Jacques , Borichev Alexander , Sodin Mikhail
Published: September 2024

abstract: We study the distribution of zeroes of power series with infinite radius of convergence. The coefficients of the series have the form $\xi(n)a(n)$, where $a$ is a smooth sequence of positive numbers, and $\xi$ is a sequence of complex-valued multipliers having binary correlations and no gaps in the spectrum. We show that under certain assumptions on the smoothness of the sequence $a$ and on the binary correlations of the multipliers $\xi$, the zeroes of the power series are equidistributed with respect to a radial measure defined by the sequence $a$. We apply our approach to several examples of the sequence $\xi$: (i) IID sequences, (ii) sequences $e(\alpha n^2)$ with Diophantine $\alpha$, (iii) random multiplicative sequences, (iv) the Golay--Rudin--Shapiro sequence, (v) the indicator function of the square-free integers, (vi) the Thue--Morse sequence.
Between a Scalpel and a Touch, or, Foucault's Ways of Writing the Dead
Authors: Sheehey Bonnie
Published: September 2024

Abstract: This essay draws on Michel Foucault's reflections on his writing practice to develop a reading of his historical inquiries as exercises of what I call "death-writing." Death-writing is a type of writing that is predicated on death, both the death of the past and the death of others, comprising a way of orienting oneself toward the dead. I argue that Foucault mobilizes the theme of death and writing already since his earlier work in the 1970s. As a practice of death-writing, genealogy aims to diagnose the death of others by tracing their conditions of possibility in death's entwinement with power. Finally, I suggest that Foucault began experimenting with another practice of death-writing in his Parallel Lives series, a writing that assumes a different affective bearing toward obscure and brief lives.
State Capital Expenditures for Higher Education: "Where the real politics happens"
Authors: Tandberg David A. , Ness Erik C.
Published: September 2024

Little empirical attention has been paid to state capital expenditures for higher education. While some anecdotal evidence exists that the process of appropriating capital dollars to higher education institutions is a particularly political process, no study has systematically examined the determinants of higher education state capital spending. This study counters this scholarly oversight by employing a longitudinal analysis of the factors associated with state capital expenditures for higher education. Panel data is used including political, higher education sector, and economic and demographic variables from 1988–2004 on all 50 states. Our fixed effects analysis reveals that the process is indeed political. Numerous political factors were significantly associated with capital expenditures for higher education, including political culture, electoral competition, budgetary powers of the governor, higher education governance structures, interest groups, legislative professionalism, and voter turnout. Although some higher education sector factors, such as private giving and tuition rates, proved to have a significant influence on state capital expenditures for higher education, the results provide substantial evidence that politics matters in the appropriation of these capital dollars. These findings suggest that more research is needed to understand how the determinants of state capital spending differ from other state expenditures on higher education.
A Reversal of Fortune : Georgia Legislative Update 1992–2012
Authors: Sielke Catherine C.
Published: September 2024

In the 1990s, teachers’ and other educators’ salaries increased enough to make Georgia number one in salaries in the South and solidly in the Midwest across the nation. Since 2004, school districts have been trying to make do with much less as this recession continues to force more cuts. Georgia has a very high unemployment rate of 10.25%, a high foreclosure rate of 3.25%, and a drop in revenues statewide from $17.7 billion in FY2008 to $14.5 billion in FY2012. The decline in state revenues has greatly impacted education finance. Whereas the state is supposed to fund 80% of the Quality Basic Education Act (QBE) funding, in FY2010 the State funded only 64.98%—leaving a gap of 15% that will either force local school districts to cut more or find more local funding. In 2010, Governor Purdue appointed a Special Council on Tax Reform and Fairness for Georgians. While the recommendations have been made, the legislature decided it needed more time to discuss the issues. Newly elected Governor, Nathan Deal, appointed a taskforce to review the QBE, Georgia’s K-12 funding system. The taskforce is set to begin its work in July of 2011.
An Analysis of Michigan Charter Schools: Enrollment, Revenues, and Expenditures
Authors: Izraeli Oded , Murphy Kevin
Published: September 2024

Though charter schools are a relatively new phenomenon in American education, they have been in existence long enough now to allow for evaluation of operational outcomes relative to traditional public schools. Using a comprehensive data set for the State of Michigan that spans the years 1995 through 2006, this article aims to provide such an evaluation in several dimensions. Specifically, we address four questions with our dataset: (1) To what degree do charter schools compete with local public schools? (2) Are charter schools underfunded relative to public schools? (3) What is the effect on state education finances of operating a system of charter schools? (4) Judging from expenditure from revenue patterns, do charter schools behave more as profit maximizing entities than do public schools?
Lottery Funded Scholarships in Tennessee: Increased Access but Weak Retention for Minority Students
Authors: Menifield Charles E.
Published: September 2024

Student retention and low graduation rates are the most significant problems associated with state provided student aid. Evidence suggests that the problems are chronic to certain populations in state colleges and universities. This research examines lottery scholarship data to determine those factors that affect scholarship retention and graduation. Specifically, the fall 2007 lottery scholarship and financial aid data from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission indicate that low income African Americans and students who score low on the ACT are most likely to lose their scholarship at every undergraduate level. In addition, the data shows that high school GPA, undergraduate GPA, gender, Pell grant eligibility, adjusted gross family income, and student major are positively correlated with scholarship retention. These findings strongly suggest that while lottery funded scholarships promote access to higher education, they are insufficient for academic success for certain populations. Thus, if state and higher education institutions want to maintain higher levels of retention and a diverse student body, they should do much more than simply provide lottery scholarship funding. On the contrary, they should provide institutional support by creating mechanism that will positively affect student achievement. This includes establishing support groups, specialized learning communities, and innovative faculty/student relationships that accentuate the learning experience.
Justifying the Ivory Tower: Higher Education and State Economic Growth
Authors: Baldwin J. Norman , McCracken William A.
Published: September 2024

As the U.S. continues to embrace a comprehensive plan for economic recovery, this article investigates the validity of the claim that investing in higher education will help restore state economic growth and prosperity. It presents the findings from a study that indicates that the most consistent predictors of state economic growth related to higher education are state and local spending on higher education research and development (R&D) from 1988 to 1996 and number of junior colleges for every million persons in a state population from 1997 to 2008. However, per capita highway spending tends to be the most consistent predictor of economic growth during all of the time periods investigated.