bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causal Modelling of Factors Influencing Quality of Nursing Care in China
Authors: Xue Xiaolu , Kunaviktikul Wipada , Abhicharttibutra Kulwadee , Wichaikhum Orn-Anong
Published: August 2023

The quality of nursing care is essential and contributes to restoring people’s health and well-being, especially when people are hospitalized. Various factors relating to the quality of nursing care have been identified, including nursing shortages. However, in China, there has been little research undertaken on factors influencing nursing care quality. This cross-sectional study aimed to develop and test the Chinese Model of Quality Nursing Care. A multi-stage, proportional stratified random sampling was used to recruit 784 registered nurses in three affiliated hospitals of a medical university in the People’s Republic of China. Eight Instruments were used for data collection: a demographic data form, the Good Nursing Care Scale, the Nurse Staffing Item, the Practice Environment Scale of the Nursing Work Index, the 3-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, the Psychological Empowerment Scale, the High-performance Work Systems Scale, the 8-item Survey of Perceived Organizational Support. In addition, the Analysis of Moment Structure software program was used to test the hypothesized model. Results indicated that the modified model fitted the empirical data and explained 31% of the variance in the quality of nursing care. Nursing practice environment, psychological empowerment and work engagement had positive direct effects on the quality of nursing care, with the nursing practice environment having the strongest total effect. Nursing practice environment, high-performance work systems, and perceived organizational support indirectly positively affected the quality of nursing care through psychological empowerment and work engagement. Unexpectedly, the patient-to-nurse ratio had no significant influence on the quality of nursing care. The results support the need for hospital managers to take action to improve the organizational support and work environment and create high-performance work systems to retain more nurses and midwives to enhance the quality of nursing care. The model requires further testing in practice and possible refinement.
Satisfaction of Women with Labor and Delivery in Rural Punjab, Pakistan: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Ilyas Nazia , Sansiriphun Nantaporn , Nantsupawat Apiradee , Chaloumsuk Nonglak , Turale Sue
Published: August 2023

Women’s satisfaction with the quality of care during pregnancy and childbirth can impact their access to and utilization of healthcare services. Since many women live in rural regions in developing nations, it is crucial to secure their access to and use of basic healthcare services to reduce maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality. This cross-sectional study is part of a first-time, sizeable, mixed-method study involving women and midwives’ quantitative and qualitative perspectives on the quality of mid- wifery care in rural Pakistan. The aim was to describe women’s satisfaction with the quality of midwifery care during labor and delivery at basic health units in rural Punjab, Pakistan. Simple random sampling was used to select 328 women from 96 basic health units. Data were collected between December 2020-March 2021. The Labor and Delivery Satisfaction Index measured women’s satisfaction with childbirth. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented in frequencies and percentages.
Results indicated that the majority, 277 (84.5%), were satisfied with the quality of midwifery care during labor and delivery, whereas the remaining 51 (15.5%) were unsatisfied. Appropriate tools to monitor labor and delivery and non-pharmacological pain management during labor need much improvement. The women must also be treated with respect, given accurate information about their labor status, and given control over it. Midwives and other health service providers and administrators can use the findings of this study to improve services available to rural women.
Factors Predicting Coping of Pregnant Women Working in the Manufacturing Industry: A Cross-sectional Study
Authors: Buddharak Pongsri , Sansiriphun Nantaporn , Kaewthummanukul Thanee , Nantsupawat Apiradee
Published: August 2023

Pregnant women working in the manufacturing industry are at risk of experiencing stress both from pregnancy itself and from their occupation. Supporting them to cope effectively with this stress is an important role of the nurse-midwife. This cross-sectional study investigated the predictive power of job strain, pregnancy-specific stress, sense of coherence, self-esteem, religious belief, and social support in predicting coping among pregnant women working in the manufacturing industry. The participants were 288 women visiting the antenatal department of five provincial hospitals in Thailand. The research instruments were a demographic data recording form, and the Thai versions of the Job Content Questionnaire, the Revised Prenatal Distress Questionnaire, the 13-item Sense of Coherence, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, the Buddhist Belief Questionnaire, the Social Support Questionnaire, and the Ways of Coping Checklist-Revised. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression.
The study results revealed that job strain, pregnancy-specific stress, sense of coherence, self-esteem, religious belief, and social support altogether could explain 60% of the variance in problem-focused coping and 57% of the variance in emotion-focused coping of pregnant women working in the manufacturing industry. Social support was the strongest predictorof problem-focused coping, while the sense of coherence was the strongest predictor of emotion-focused coping. The findings can be used by nurse-midwives in planning interventions to promote coping of pregnant women working in the manufacturing industry, focusing on enhancing social support and a sense of coherence and reducing pregnancy-specific stress.
Designing Simulation Scenarios to Enhance Nursing Students’ Clinical Judgment: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Uppor Wassana , Klunklin Areewan , Viseskul Nongkran , Skulphan Sombat , Turale Sue
Published: August 2023

Clinical judgment is the cognitive process that emerges from critical thinking or clinical reasoning that affects patient safety. For example, not noticing clients’ deterioration signs while making a clinical judgment may cause inaction errors. Therefore, nursing students must have sound clinical judgment before entering professional nursing practice. Simulation-based learning has become a vital pedagogy used widely to develop students’ clinical judgment. However, to date, simulation-based learning in Thailand has focused on theoretical content and clinical practices rather than the development of cognitive ability. Nursing instructors are vital in developing the thinking process of nursing students. Therefore, a deep understanding of nursing instructors’ perspectives on the essential components of designing a simulation scenario for enhancing clinical judgment among nursing students remains important. This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore the critical components in the design characteristics of nursing simulation scenarios for improving nursing students’ clinical judgment based on the perception of nursing instructors. Participants were 23 nursing instructors purposively selected from a nursing college in Thailand. Data were collected during March 2021 in focus group discussions with all participants, then five participants with simulation-based learning expertise undertook individual in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using content analysis.
From the findings, four themes emerged: 1) fostering instructor support, 2) recognizing students’ strengths, 3) enhancing specificity in scenarios, and 4) promoting cognitive development. Nursing instructors can apply the findings in creating simulation-based activities to develop their clinical judgment to support nursing students’ cognitive processes. Such actions will help to ensure patient safety and quality of care.
Two-way SMS Reminders for Medication Adherence and Quality of Life in Adults with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Tria
Authors: Chiaranai Chantira , Chularee Saranya , Prawatwong Warithorn , Srithongluang Sujirat
Published: August 2023

Non-adherence to a medication regime often has a negative impact on patient outcomes. With a relatively low cost, many countries are using short messaging services to reduce non-adherence rates. In Thailand, research using a short messaging service reminder for people to take their medications is understudied. This multi-center randomized controlled trial, 2-arm, parallel-group research aimed to determine the effects of 2-way SMS reminders on the medication adherence and quality of life of adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Data were collected from 63 participants with diabetes in a treatment group (33) and a control group (30). The sample consisted of adults aged 18 and older who were diagnosed with diabetes living in a northeast province of Thailand. All participants received standard care, but those in the treatment group also received a tailored 2-way short message service as a mobile health (mHealth) treatment for four months. Medication adherence was measured by the level of hemoglobin A1c. Quality of life was measured using the Thai version of a Quality-of-Life Questionnaire developed by the World Health Organization and the Diabetes-39 Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. One-way repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare hemoglobin A1c levels and quality of life mean scores across three-time points (0, 2, and 4 months).          The results revealed that at the completion of the study, the participants in the treatment group had significantly lower hemoglobin A1c than those in the control group and significantly better health-related quality of life, demonstrating that the 2-way SMS reminder service improved their health outcomes. Thus, it is recommended that nurses should employ mHealth, such as 2-way SMS reminder solutions tailored to patients’ daily routines. A future investigation comparing the cost-effectiveness and patient outcomes of different mHealth technologies is suggested.
Application of Range of Motion in Stroke Patients with Impaired Physical Mobility
Authors: Suprapto Suprapto , Mulat Trimaya Cahya , Asmi A. Syamsinar , Muridah Muridah
Published: August 2023

Stroke is one of the serious diseases and can cause impaired physical mobility in patients. This impaired physical mobility can negatively impact the patient's daily life, including the ability to walk, stand, or perform other physical activities. The study aims to find out how the application of a range of motion in stroke patients with impaired physical mobility. Descriptive qualitative research design with a case study approach. The results of the application of passive ROM techniques carried out on non-hemorrhagic stroke patients with weaknesses in extremities are effective and ineffective, this is because the first patient and family are very enthusiastic and eager to move independently while the second patient and family lack motivation and surrender to the disease. It can be concluded that the response of the two patients is different due to the psychological factors of the patient and the family's understanding of the range of motion exercise given
Effect of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Kupang Branch
Authors: Setyorini Tuti , Yolandari Marni
Published: August 2023

This study aims to aim to determine the influence of service quality factors on customer satisfaction at PT. Pos Indonesia (Persero) Kupang Branch either partially or simultaneously. The number of samples taken in this study amounted to 50 respondents. The method used to test the hypothesis is to perform the t-test and F-test procedures. Based on the data from the research results, it can be concluded that the service quality factors that have a significant effect on customer satisfaction partially are reliability and empathy. While simultaneously, service quality has a significant effect on customer satisfaction
Hubungan Kompleksitas Laporan Keuangan dengan Non-Compliant Audit Delay
Authors: Putra I Putu Krisna Bayu , Sukartha Putu D’Yan Yaniartha
Published: August 2023

Dengan adanya globalisasi menyebabkan berkembangnya dunia bisnis internasional, untuk itu munculah perusahaan multinasional. Perusahaan go public yang terdaftar di BEI wajib melaporkan laporan keuangannya kepada Otoritas Jasa Keuangan untuk menghindari terjadinya keterlambatan pelaporan keuangan. Hal ini merujuk pada aturan OJK nomor 14/POJK.04/2022. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui hubungan kompleksitas laporan keuangan dengan non-compliant audit delay. Jumlah data pengamatan yang digunakan sebanyak 641 perusahaan, diperoleh dengan teknik purposive sampling. Metode pengumpulan data dilakukan dengan metode obeservasi non partisipant. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa adanya indikasi skoring kompleksitas laporan keuangan perusahaan terhadap non-compliant audit delay. Perusahaan dengan skor kompleksitas laporan keuangan perusahaan yang lebih tinggi terbukti memiliki non-compliant audit delay dan profitabilitas yang lebih kecil, serta memiliki solvabilitas, ukuran perusahaan dan loss yang lebih besar. Kesimpulannya kompleksitas laporan keuangan berhubungan negatif dan signifikan pada non-compliant audit delay.
Pengaruh Kualitas Layanan Internal Terhadap Kepuasan Kerja Pegawai pada Politeknik Negeri Kupang
Authors: Wabang Syella Septrianina , Batilmurik Ridolof
Published: August 2023

Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menginvestigasi pengaruh kualitas layanan internal terhadap kepuasan karyawan di Politeknik Negeri Kupang. Masalah utama yang diteliti dalam penelitian ini adalah sejauh mana layanan internal mempengaruhi kepuasan kerja karyawan di Politeknik Negeri Kupang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menguji pengaruh kualitas layanan internal terhadap kepuasan kerja karyawan. Penelitian dilakukan di Kampus Politeknik Negeri Kupang. Populasi penelitian ini adalah semua karyawan Politeknik Negeri Kupang, dengan sampel sebanyak 60 responden. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa kualitas layanan internal memiliki hubungan dengan kepuasan kerja dan hubungan tersebut termasuk dalam kategori sedang. Selain itu, juga disimpulkan bahwa kualitas layanan internal memiliki pengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap kepuasan kerja karyawan.
Paper mills in medical research: a serious ethical issue
Authors: Hanif Asif
Published: August 2023

Ethical research is an integral part of institutional and professional integrity, both for scientist her/himself as well as the associated institution. Maintaining ethics and truthfulness in research manuscripts not only adds valuable information in global body of knowledge but also encourages and inspires other researchers as well. With passage of time, these practices have become complex in nature and hard to identify. One of such research dereliction is termed as “Paper Mills”.
Uncovering the monkeypox mystery: Pakistan faces a new health challenge
Authors: Islam Rabia
Published: August 2023

Recently, there has been an uptick in the number of cases of the disease occurring in non-endemic regions. The majority, but not all, of these cases have been reported among homosexual men.  Transmission on a local level has not been established as of yet. There are presently no treatments that are known to be effective against mpox infection. Management of symptoms, often known s supportive care, is the treatment technique for viral infections. There are three vaccines available to prevent mpox,  MVA-BN, LC16, and OrthopoxVac. Vaccination should only be considered for those who are at risk (such as those who have had intimate contact with someone who has mpox or those who are members of a high-risk group). At this time, widespread immunization is not suggested.
Assessment of rotator cuff tears among bodybuilders in Lahore
Authors: Waleed Jameel  , Ahmad Irfan , Aftab Asad Ali , Arooj Ilyas  , Faiz Uzma , Muhammad Fasih  , Asif Tania , Awais Dua , Ali Mehboob , Sulaman Muhammad
Published: August 2023

Background: The current was performed on bodybuilders to see the shoulder rotator cuff injuries among them. A bodybuilder is a person who strengthens and enlarges the muscles of their body through strenuous exercise. The chances of injury in shoulder is much more than any other region of body because of excessive workout of upper body shoulder and chest than lower region. Objective: To determine the Assessment of rotator cuff tears among bodybuilders in Lahore. Methodology: It was the cross-sectional study. Data was collected by 161 bodybuilders on basis of inclusion and exclusion criteria. Convenient sampling technique was used in this study. Oxford shoulder score questionnaire along with manual physical testing for assessing the rotator cuff injury was used in this study. Data was analyzed by using SPSS. Results: In current study the mean age of respondents was 30.12 with SD 5.85. Minimum age was 20 and maximum age was 45 years.72.6% of the bodybuilders had right side dominant and 27.3 had left side dominant. 22.98% had 1-3 years of experience, 49.68 had 4-6 years of experience and 27.3 had 7-10 years of experience.31.67 had discomfort in their right shoulder and 58.3% had discomfort in left shoulder and 9.93 % had discomfort in both shoulders. 18.51% of the bodybuilders had positive lift of test for subscapularis injury, 40.71 positive drop arm test for supraspinatus and infraspinatus injury, 9.87% had positive horn blower test for teres minor and 30.86% of the bodybuilder had all the rotator cuff tests were negative its mean the other type of shoulder injury rather than rotator cuff. Conclusion: From current study, it was concluded that rotator cuff injury was the commonest injury among all the shoulder injuries. Among the rotator cuff the supraspinatus and infraspinatus was the commonest injured muscle. There should be proper trainer for muscle building so that injury can be prevented. As there was much high prevalence of rotator cuff injury was found in current study. Clinicians and strength and conditioning professionals should consider the biomechanical stresses and adaptations associated with weight training when prescribing upper extremity exercises.
Keywords: Rotator cuff, Injury, Oxford shoulder score.
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy For Cholelithiasis In Situs Inversus Totalis - A Case Report
Authors: Ali Muhammad Saad , Bajwa Luqman , Farooqa Muhammad Waris , Javed Numan , Arfeen Abdul Mateen , Khan Abdul Wahab
Published: August 2023

Situs inversus is an uncommon congenital abnormality with mirror-image viscera. Diagnosing and treating cholelithiasis in these patients is difficult. These instances need a modified laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A 45-year-old guy with Situs Inversus and Cholelithiasis was discovered on ultrasonography abdomen. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy went well. In individuals with cholelithiasis, changes in SIT might delay identification and treatment by altering the location of symptoms. It is safe to do laparoscopic cholecystectomy on these people. However, it is a technically difficult process that often necessitates adjustments to the approach.
Keywords: Situs Inversus, Cholelithiasis, Laparoscopic cholecystectomy, Right handed surgeon
Occupational Health and Safety in Drug Manufacturing Industry: A Short Review
Authors: Muhammad Maaz Arif
Published: August 2023

Background: Not much is known about the health risks of workplace in the drug manufacturing industry. While the pharmaceutical industries seem safe superficially, the production of medicines demand a well maintained and clean working atmosphere and the typical depiction of employees wearing white coats add to the illusion. Objective: To document occupational health and safety in drug manufacturing industry. Methods: Large-scale research was conducted to assess the health, safety and efficacy of specific drugs before their marketing and distribution, however only a few surveys have examined the occupational health and safety of employees who manufacture these drugs. Results: There are many irritants and drugs that cause risk to health, these include powdered penicillin, nicotinic compounds, Local anaesthetics, chloroform, sulfonechloramides, benzene, mepacrine, acriflavine and sulfonating agents. The most crucial aspects of efficient pharmaceutical safety management are knowing and recognising the danger of hazardous facility and hazard discharge. The easiest method to avoid difficulties is to eliminate the danger or employ substitution (choosing the least toxic or safest product or process available). Furthermore, it appears plausible to anticipate that chemical-related health impacts of pharmaceutical industry activity, long-term effects, in particular, are likely under-reported and understated. Other dangers (for example, ergonomic design and stressors) are reported more frequently in internal company systems, but are rarely acknowledged in public. Conclusion: General safety guidelines and rules for drug manufacturing safety should be followed. These include; not to work alone in the laboratory, never use pipette with mouth, wear goggles or safety glasses in the laboratory, practice personal hygiene rules, do not eat or drink in the laboratory, use PPE and the practice of good housekeeping techniques.Keywords: Occupational health and safety, drug manufacturing, Pharma industry, international standards
Attitudes Towards Mental Illness among Healthcare Providers in Punjab: A Survey
Authors: Moazzam Muhammad , Bashir Afisa , Tahir Humera , Atique Suleman
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT
Background: The stigma associated with mental illness creates a significant barrier to effectively managing medical care. This study examines the attitudes of healthcare professionals in Punjab province towards individuals with mental illnesses. Objective: To find attitudes towards mental illness among healthcare providers in Punjab, Pakistan. Methodology: In various hospitals across Punjab, a cross-sectional survey was carried out, in which 120 questionnaires were disseminated, and 105 individuals consented to partake, resulting in a response rate of 87.5%. The study employed a standardized questionnaire known as the "Opening Minds Scale for Healthcare Providers (OMS-HC)" and data was collected between September 2019 and December 2019. Data were analyzed using SPSS-20.0. Results: Participants aged from 20 to 58 years with mean age were 31.66 ± .782. Most participants 46 (43.8%) were doctors, 43 (41%) were Nurses and 16 (15.2%) were consultant. Healthcare providers reported the highest level of stigma in the domain of "Attitude," followed by relatively lower levels in "Help-seeking and Disclosure" and even lower levels in "Social Distance." Conclusion: In summary, healthcare providers commonly experience stigma related to mental illness.
Keywords: Mental health conditions; Stigmatization; Healthcare professionals; Beliefs; Social acceptance; Help-seeking behavior; Disclosure.
Word count 191
Funding: No
Conflict of interest: No
Prevalence of Shisha Smoking and Factors Associated with the Initiation of Shisha Smoking among Students of University of the Punjab, Lahore
Authors: Yasmin Iram , Nawaz Yasar , Rasool Uzma
Published: August 2023

Background: Smoking is a significant menace to the public’s health because it directly causes more than seven million deaths worldwide each year. Smoking shisha is a type of tobacco consumption in which smoke is filtered by way of water before being inhaled. It's a common misconception that shisha smoking is healthier than cigarettes because it contains fruits flavour, but this is false belief. Objective: To determine the prevalence of shisha smoking and associated factors to initiate shisha smoking among students of University of the Punjab. Methods: This cross sectional study included 435 university students aged 20-40 years from New Campus, university of the Punjab Lahore. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from students. The data was analyzed through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. The frequency distribution and mean± standard deviation were calculated for categorical variables, and continuous variables, respectively. The comparison of categorical variables across groups was done by Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test. The p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In this sampled population, majority of the students (92%) had heard about shisha smoking and the overall prevalence of shisha smoking was (23.9%).Statistically significant difference was observed between shisha smoker and non-shisha smoker regarding factors starting shisha smoking including; family member uses shisha,  pleasures seeking and boredom (p- value < 0.05). Whereas no statistical significant difference was found between shisha smoker and non-shisha smoker regarding; factors starting shisha smoking; curiosity, fashion, status symbol, stress, and peer pressure (p- value >0.05). Conclusion: This study concluded that the prevalence of shisha smoking was higher in male than female students. Most of the study participants had ever heard about shisha smoking and a significant number of participants ever smoked shisha in their life. The present study results revealed that having a  shisha smoker family member , pleasure seeking and  reducing  boredom had a significant impact on initiation of shisha smoking among students of University of the Punjab. Society has to make efforts to reduce shisha smoking.
Keyword: Shisha smoking, Prevalence, University Students
Association between the plantar fasciitis and isolated contracture of gastrocnemius in Lahore
Authors: Jameel Waleed , Ahmad Irfan , Asad Ali Aftab  , Muhammad Fasih  , Tania Asif  , Uzma Faiz  , Arooj Ilyas
Published: August 2023

Background: Plantar fasciitis, reportedly the most common cause of pain in the inferior heel, is estimated to account for 11 to 15 percent of all foot symptoms requiring professional care among adults. Objective: The objective is to determine the Association between the plantar Fasciitis and Isolated Contracture of Gastrocnemius. Methods: It was the cross-sectional study; convenient sampling technique was used to collect data. Study was completed within four months after the approval of synopsis. Sample size was 168. Participants was selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Self-made questionnaire used for this study. Silfverskiold test was used for isolated contractures of gastrocnemius. Data was analyzed by SPSS. Results: The mean age of the respondents was 39.4 years with SD value of 3.74. in this study, there was 32.1% was male and 67.9% were female respondents which showed that planter fasciitis is more common among female that males. The p value less than 0.05 indicate that there is a positive association between the limitation of range of ankle dorsiflexion and duration or planter fasciitis (acute or chronic). 41.1% of the participants with acute planter fasciitis and 58.9 with chronic planter fasciitis. Conclusion: Limitation in the dorsiflexion of ankle is mostly linked with the planter fasciitis. In current study, it was concluded that more than half of the patients with planter fasciitis had isolate gastrocnemius contracture. The findings of current work can be applied to develop and further refine non-operative and operative treatment strategies for those with recalcitrant plantar fasciitis.
Key Words: Planter fasciitis, Contracture, Flat foot
Naegleria fowleri: An emerging issue of significant concern in Pakistan
Authors: Hanif Asif , Ashraf Tahira
Published: August 2023

There is thermophilic flagellate amoeba that is known as Naegleria fowleri and it is labelled as brain-eating amoeba. This is a causative agent for primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), a dangerous waterborne disease affecting humans and animals. Pakistan is ranked the 2nd most affected country, where most of the cases are reported from the biggest city of Pakistan i.e. Karachi. An immediate epidemiologic examination of the relevant environmental issues is required in order to determine the causes of this abrupt increase in PAM cases. Furthermore, many people in Pakistan do not have access to medical services, and those that do exist are inaccessible. Lack of potable water, sanitation, and knowledge exacerbates water-borne illness outbreaks. Authorities must detect widespread health issues and take action to alleviate suffering. Furthermore, there is an immediate need to educate individuals on the significance of using boiling water for nasal cleaning, particularly after swimming.
Level of confidence among undergraduate students in Lahore
Authors: Ashraf Saira
Published: August 2023

Background: Student’s self-confidence about their study is important indicator to judge their ability to choose a good career and decisions about themselves. No local study is present to assess confidence of undergraduate students in Pakistan. Objective: To assess level of self-confidence about study among undergraduate students. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross sectional survey done on 359 undergraduate students in community of Lahore, Pakistan. After taking consent, their demographic information was taken. “Academic Confidence Scale ACS” scale was used to assess confidence level in 15 items. Data was entered and analyze using SPSS 24. Mean and standard deviation was given for numbered and frequency and percentage was given for categorical data. Results: Among 359 students, there were 231 (64%) females and 128 (46%) males with an average age of 21.23 years. They were “confident” in confidence in giving a presentation to a small group of fellow students or friends (80.77%), in completing the assignment based on required criteria (69%) and in their confidence in seeking help for unclear concepts (65%). Overall, mostly they were either confident or more confident, followed by less confident in all questions. Conclusion: This study concludes that undergraduate students are generally confident about their studies including their ability to understand, communicate, teamwork and examination.
Keywords: Grades, Students, Confidence, Lecture, Scale, Undergraduate, Career
Representation of the German in the Discursive Field of the Russian Classical Literary Canon
Authors: Kuzmina Yulia Alekseevna
Published: August 2023

The article presents literary, sociological and cultural points of view on the problem of the literary canon, describes the mechanisms of canonization and defines the boundaries of the Russian classics. The author discovers a connection between the texts claiming the status of the canonical hierarchy and the question of ethnicity. The article establishes that the construction of both a national self-portrait and the image of a foreigner (the Other) are the most important functions of the classical canon. The object of this research is a unified discursive field of Russian classical literature. The subject is the generalized image of the German that forms in this field. The author, resorting references to current research practices of discourse analysis, establishes that the portrait of a German is based on such conceptual categories as: 1) the connection with the soil and nature, 2) the connection with roots, 3) reliance on reality and "mundanity", 4) planning, 5) positivism and subordination, 6) perception of life as a mechanism. The construction of the Other creates an opposition to the "Russian" in the structure of the classical text and builds a series of binary pairs: heredity / freedom, stability on the ground / ability to jump, clear planning / dreaminess, legalism / Paschality, self-aggrandizement / self-abasement, godlessness / Orthodoxy. The article reveals that the German hero acts as a constituent of the Other, provoking self-determination and self-identification.
POLITICAL COMMUNICATION IN DIGITAL MEDIA AND ONLINE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION OF GENERATION Z
Authors: GÜREL Edanur , EYÜBOĞLU Ezgi
Published: August 2023

POLITICAL COMMUNICATION IN DIGITAL MEDIA and ONLINE POLITICAL PARTICIPATION of GENERATION Z

ABSTRACT

Today, thanks to the use of data mining and machine learning on social media platforms, all personal data of individuals has become accessible. The effective use of this data has also started to transform political communication. In this study, data was collected from 356 social media user university students aged 18-24 studying in Istanbul through an online survey to analyze the impact of the use of personalized digital data and post-truth content in political communication on Generation Z's online political participation. According to the findings, the participants are not indifferent to the political agenda, but they show a passive online political participation behavior, as well as they worry that their personal digital data will be used in situations they do not consent to, and they are not completely sure about the accuracy of the online political content they encounter. These results, in relation to each other, show that young people both enter the spiral of silence of the digital age and feel the pressure created by the concept of surveillance society.

Keywords: Generation z, Data mining, Personalized digital data, Online political participation.
How AI Could Reshape Health Care—Rise in Direct-to-Consumer Models
Authors: Mandl Kenneth D.
Published: February 2025

This Viewpoint examines how artificial intelligence could reshape health care, as new technologies enable the move from traditional health care organizations to direct-to-consumer models.
Emulating a Target Trial Using Observational Data
Authors: Dib Basma N. , Swanson Sonja A.
Published: February 2025

This Guide to Statistics and Methods discusses target trial emulation, including why to use it, limitations of the method, and how to interpret target trial emulation findings.
Acute Alcohol Use and Suicide
Authors: Yim Minkyung , Kim Hayoung , Kim Gyumyoung , Hur Ji-Won
Published: February 2025

Importance

While acute alcohol use (AAU) is known to increase the risk of suicide significantly, the underlying mechanisms of this association are still understudied.

Objective

To examine the association between AAU and the risk factors for suicide, focusing on the association between AAU and choice of suicide methods.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cross-sectional study included data from the Korean National Investigations of Suicide Victims Study (KNIGHTS). The KNIGHTS dataset comprises nationally representative data encompassing nearly all suicide deaths in South Korea from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2020. The study was analyzed from November 2 to 10, 2023.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The main outcome was whether decedents who died by suicide had consumed alcohol before their death. Trained investigators conducted psychological autopsies by reviewing police reports of suicide deaths. Whether the decedent who died by suicide had consumed alcohol before death was determined from 3 sources: (1) confirmation by informants, (2) autopsy reports indicating a positive blood alcohol concentration, and (3) observations from police officers. Demographic characteristics, premortem psychiatric symptoms, and suicide characteristics, including method of suicide and presumed reasons for suicide, were examined. Hierarchical logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the contributing factors and AAU.

Results

This study included 55 226 decedents who died by suicide (65.5% male), of whom 21 998 (39.8%) were under the influence of alcohol at the time of death. AAU was associated with being male (odds ratio [OR], 1.37 [95% CI, 1.31-1.44]); being middle aged (eg, from age 30 to 39 years: OR, 1.20 [95% CI, 1.06-1.35]); and having alcohol use disorder symptoms (OR, 13.28 [95% CI, 12.38-14.24]). Among suicide methods, gas, drug, and pesticide poisoning showed a positive association with AAU, with gas poisoning showing the highest OR (OR, 1.88 [95% CI, 1.61-2.20]). An interaction was found between age and suicide method, with older adults (eg, aged 80 years or older) having higher odds of AAU when using methods such as drug (OR, 6.28 [95% CI, 3.53-11.17]), pesticide (OR, 6.56 [95% CI, 3.86-11.13]), and gas (OR, 2.48 [95% CI, 1.52-4.04]) poisoning.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cross-sectional study suggest that AAU was associated with gas poisoning, as indicated by the ORs. Given that charcoal burning involves substantial preparation time, alcohol may have been deliberately used to facilitate planned suicide attempts. Furthermore, the deaths of older adults who consumed alcohol prior to suicide, even when using less lethal methods, highlight the critical need for monitoring and effectively managing alcohol use within this population.
Luminescent Biogenic Selenium Nanoparticles From Indigofera aspalathoides Vahl ex DC: A Novel Hepatoprotective Strategy for Enhancing Liver Health
Authors: Raman Sukirtha , Kasirajan Suguna , Chinnapandi Bharathiraja , Karthikeyan Kandasamy , Pandian Arjun , Chandrasekaran Kumar , Al‐Ansari Mysoon M. , Sugumar Vimal , Srinivasan P.
Published: February 2025

Indigofera aspalathoides is a medicinal plant with significant traditional importance, known for its anti‐inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hepatoprotective properties. In this study, the green synthesis of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) was performed using I. aspalathoides ethanolic extract and characterized through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analytical techniques. The synthesized SeNPs were evaluated for antioxidant activity using 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays, cytotoxicity using the MTT assay against the MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line, and hepatoprotective potential against the HepG2 liver cancer cell line. Characterization confirmed that the SeNPs possessed a stable, spherical structure with an optimal size range of 50–80 nm, enhancing their bioavailability and biological interactions. The SeNPs demonstrated remarkable antioxidant activity, achieving 70.32% DPPH scavenging and 73.68% hydroxyl radical scavenging, significantly surpassing the activity of the plant extract alone. The hepatoprotective effects were dose dependent, with maximum protection of HepG2 liver cells observed at 88 μg/mL (100% viability), but higher concentrations (100 μg/mL) showed some cytotoxicity. These results underscore the potential of I. aspalathoides‐derived SeNPs as innovative nanomedicine solutions for addressing oxidative stress, hepatic disorders, and infections.
Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances in untreated and treated sludge/biosolids from 27 water resource recovery facilities across the United States and Canada
Authors: Oza Shubhashini , Li Hui , Huang Qingguo , Norton John W. , Winchell Lloyd J. , Wells Martha J. M. , Nangle Thomas , Perez Natalia , DeLaughter Dan , Hauser Jan M. , Taylor Malcolm , English Zonetta E. , Melnyk Mike , Truong Phuong , Bell Katherine Y.
Published: February 2025

Per‐ and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are being studied in all environmental matrices because of their ubiquitous presence and adverse human health impacts. This study conducted a surveillance of 27 water resource recovery facilities throughout the United States and Canada to screen the range of PFAS concentrations in pre‐stabilized sludge and post‐stabilized product. Among the 27 water resource recovery facilities, 82% use anaerobic digestion and the rest use chemical stabilization and/or incineration for sludge stabilization. Forty PFAS compounds were evaluated by US Environmental Protection Agency Method SW846/537.1, and four and nine compounds were reported in the pre‐stabilized sludge and post‐stabilized product, respectively. Concentrations of reported compounds in pre‐stabilized sludge and post‐stabilized product varied from 5 to 33 ng/g dry basis and 2 to 220 ng/g dry basis, respectively. 3‐Perfluoropentylpropanoic acid (5:3 FTCA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) were the most frequently observed compounds, and PFAS concentrations in the post‐stabilized products were generally higher than the corresponding pre‐stabilized sludge.

Practitioner Points

Among the 40 target PFAS, four were above reporting limit in the pre‐stabilized sludge and nine in the post‐stabilized product.

Incineration ash (post‐stabilized product) samples did not have any reportable PFAS.

5:3 FTCA and PFOS were the two frequently observed compounds; concentrations were higher in the post‐stabilized product compared to the pre‐stabilized sludge.

PFPeA and PFHxA were the only two short chain perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids reported.

PFOA was reported in only one of the 54 samples evaluated.
Planetary Boundaries, Polycrisis and Politics in the Anthropocene: Climate Pathways, Tipping Cascades and Transition to Sustainable Peace in Integrative Geography
Authors: Scheffran Jürgen
Published: February 2025

Buildingonconceptionsof human-nature relationships and the discourse on the limits to growth since Malthus and Marx, this chapter investigates the impacts of the “great acceleration” in humandevelopmenton planetary boundaries and the polycrisis in the Anthropocene. AnIntegrative Geography perspective connects geographical concepts of landscapeand interspace with multiple limits and pathways in the complex interaction between global expansion, multiplecrisesandgeopolitical conflicts challenging the existing world order, leading to interconnected instabilities, compounding risks and tippingcascades. Major areas of risk and conflict are highlighted, including environmental and resource conflicts, the climate-migration-conflict nexus, disastersand extreme events, the Corona crisis, the Russia-Ukraine war, impacts of violent conflict on biodiversity and ecocides. Future trends challenging the world order include the transformationof fossilcapitalism, power shifts in the North-South relationship, the influenceof social networksand civil society on democracy. To address the multiple challenges, humanity can enforce a transformationto sustainable peace, merging solution concepts and synergies to stabilize expansive human development within the available environmental space in the common house of planet earth. To balance human needs and available natural resources, an efficient, sufficient and fair use and distribution is required. A key question is whether a transition can be achieved mainly by technical innovations within the existing capitalist economy or requires societal innovations and a fundamental system change of fossilcapitalism towards a new socio-economic and political world order. Possible futures are shaped by critical thresholds between pathways of disruption and construction, conflict and cooperation, war logicand peacelogic, riskand resilience, exclusion and coexistence, identity and diversity, tradeoffs and synergies. Adaptiveand anticipative governanceintegrates social-ecological transformationand conflict transformation, sustainable and environmental peacebuilding, climatemitigationand adaptation, conflict-sensitive and resilient climate policies, climate justice and climate matching in North-South climate cooperation and the global energy transition.
Women’s Cross-Community Activities, Agonistic Dialogue and Transversal Politics in Belfast
Authors: Eitrem Holmgren Linda
Published: February 2025

This chapter analyses women’s cross-community work in Belfast through the lens of transversal politics and agonistic dialogue. It looks at the premises of this work and how women unite and organise around an identity as women across ethno-national lines in different settings. Three types of cross-community activities are explored: educational and recreational classes; feminist activism and conflict-legacy activities. These activities tend to utilise different strategies to deal with difference—by strategically avoiding it, openly discussing it and/or employing strategic silences. As such, the chapter studies how these different types of activities relate to the practice of transversalism and agonism. The chapter also explores the possibilities and challenges of women building coalitions based on shared values and goals across the ethno-national divide.
Moving Forward–Trajectories Towards Gender-Just Transversal Citizenship in Northern Ireland
Authors: Eitrem Holmgren Linda
Published: February 2025

This chapter explores how transversal politics in women’s cross-community activities in contemporary Northern Ireland can be utilised to inform a multi-tier citizenship that promotes gender-equal citizen participation. It discusses ways of moving forward—both in terms of channelling women’s voices and political grassroots work into formal politics, and by bridging the gap between the region’s feminist and women’s sectors. The impact of Brexit on women’s rights and funding for grassroots organising is problematised, together with the shrinking community space for women. The potential for legacy-based activities, constitutional conversations and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda to inspire shared learning and activism among the feminist and women’s sectors is also discussed. Different party-political and civic routes to bridging the formal/informal political divide are evaluated in terms of their potential to promote a transversal gender-just citizenship that can (a) recognise and accommodate multi-tier intersectional identities, (b) encourage multi-sited citizen participation and (c) facilitate coalitions across (ethno-national) difference.
Modellierung von Umgebungseinflüssen
Authors: Kumar Tharun Suresh , Naumann Christian , Geist Alexander , Glänzel Janine
Published: February 2025

Die Berücksichtigung der Umgebungseinflüsse ist für eine zuverlässige Analyse und Korrektur des thermischen Maschinenverhaltens ebenfalls erforderlich. Bedeutsam sind insbesondere die Temperatur der Umgebungsluft, Strahlungseinflüsse und die Fundamenttemperatur. Die Reaktion der Maschine auf eine Änderung der Umgebungseinflüsse kann simulativ über numerische Simulationen oder durch thermische Vermessung bestimmt werden. Die exakte Quantifizierung der Wärmeübertragung erfolgt über die Wärmeübergangskoeffizienten, die vereinfacht analytisch oder exakter über CFD-Simulationen berechnet werden. Das Kapitel beschreibt effiziente Wege zur Bestimmung dieser Koeffizienten und demonstriert das Vorgehen beispielhaft für die DMU 80 eVo.
Aufwandsarmer Abgleich parametrischer Maschinenmodelle: Parameterabgleich im Betrieb
Authors: Wiemer Hajo , Benesch Manfred , Müller Jens
Published: February 2025

Viele Verfahren für die Korrektur von thermisch bedingten Ungenauigkeiten von Werkzeugmaschinen (WZM) setzen auf die Verwendung von Maschinenmodellen, welche das thermo-elastische Verhalten der realen Maschinen simulieren und auf diese Weise nicht direkt messbare thermisch induzierte Abweichungen des TCP bestimmen können. Diese simulierten Abweichungen bilden die Grundlage für die Korrekturverfahren und benötigen deswegen eine hohe Modellgüte, d. h., sie müssen dem Verhalten der realen Maschine so genau wie möglich entsprechen. Die hierfür eingesetzten Maschinenmodelle haben üblicherweise eine Vielzahl Parameter, die für eine exakte Abbildung des realen Maschinenverhaltens durch das Maschinenmodell sehr genau bestimmt werden müssen.
Rechenzeitsparende Modellierung
Authors: Vettermann Julia , Aumann Quirin , Saak Jens , Benner Peter
Published: February 2025

Prädiktive Simulationsmodelle, die auch als digitale Zwillinge bezeichnet werden, finden sowohl in der Designphase als auch während des Betriebs von Werkzeugmaschinen zunehmend Verwendung. Für die jeweiligen Simulationen werden Teil- bzw. Gesamtmaschinenmodelle benötigt, wie sie üblicherweise in der FEM entstehen. Der Einsatz dieser hochdimensionalen Modelle ist allerdings auch mit hohen Rechenzeiten sowie großen Speicheranforderungen und einer daraus resultierenden kostenintensiven Nutzung verbunden.