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Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Life Skills Scale for Physical Education

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to develop and assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Life Skills Scale for Physical Education (P-LSSPE). Method: During Study 1, which included four translators, eight physical education experts, and 45 physical education students, the LSSPE was translated and adapted into Persian, and its content validity was assessed. Study 2 assessed evidence for the factorial validity and reliability of the scale with a sample of 1,004 students. Study 3, which included 462 students, assessed nomological validity evidence. Results: In Study 1, the content validity analyses indicated that the P-LSSPE items and their dimensions were clear in language, practical in application, and represented the life skills in question. In Study 2, a bifactor confirmatory factor analysis model was the best representation of the data and provided evidence for the construct validity of the scale. In Study 3, evidence for the nomological validity of the P-LSSPE was provided, with the correlation coefficients indicating that teacher autonomy support was associated with students’ development of all eight life skills and total life skills. Discussion/Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this research suggest that the P-LSSPE can be used to accurately measure the life skills development of Iranian physical education students.

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Recent Insights into the Angioregulatory Role of Long Non-coding RNAs and Circular RNAs in Gliomas: From Signaling Pathways to Clinical Aspects.

The most prevalent and severe malignancy of the central nervous system within the brain is glioma. Glioma is a vascularized cancer, and angiogenesis is necessary for glioma growth, invasion, and recurrence. It is also believed that this factor is this factor to be accountable for therapy resistance in many cancers, including glioma. The process of angiogenesis, which plays a crucial role in both health and disease situations such as cancer, involves the creation of new blood vessels from pre-existing ones. Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are unique molecules that have been found to possess a wide range of abilities to modify the expression of various genes. They carry out their gene-modulating roles at a variety of distinct levels, including post-transcriptional and post-translational levels. Long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a group of ncRNA that have attracted particular attention and are involved in the angiogenesis mechanism in cancer. Understanding the regulatory mechanisms of these RNAs in the angiogenesis process in gliomas provides unique fundamental information about the process of tumor-associated neovascularization. On the other hand, due to developments in the characterisation of lncRNAs and circRNAs, these novel structures may potentially be used in clinics as possible biomarkers for treatment strategies that target tumor angiogenesis. Throughout the review, new knowledge and views about the angioregulatory function of circRNAs and lncRNAs in gliomas have been presented. Additionally, we talk about the novel idea of ncRNA-based therapeutics for gliomas in the future.

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Theoretical Insights into Bifurcated Intramolecular Dihydrogen Bonds.

Two-ring intramolecular π-electron delocalization assisted dihydrogen bonds existing in (1Z,4Z)-1,4-dipentene-3-bora-1,5-diol and its symmetrically substituted derivatives have been analysed here since the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) calculations on these systems were performed. The influence of the coexistence of two intramolecular dihydrogen bonded rings in these molecular structures on properties of intramolecular dihydrogen bonds as well as on the π-electron delocalization within these rings was investigated. The comparison with corresponding structures of typical two-ring, so-called resonance-assisted, RAHB, systems was performed. The results of calculations show that such rings' coexistence leads to the weakening of dihydrogen bonds, similarly as for the typical two-ring RAHB systems. The Quantum Theory of ''Atoms in Molecules'' (QTAIM) was also applied here to get more details about the nature of dihydrogen bonds. Correlations between dihydrogen bond strength measures and other energetic, geometrical and topological parameters were also analysed. It was found that characteristics of bond critical points as well as of ring critical points are useful to estimate the strength of intramolecular dihydrogen bonds in two-ring dihydrogen bonded systems discussed here. The Natural Bond Orbital, NBO, approach parameters are also discussed as useful ones to describe properties of dihydrogen bonded systems.

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Advancing our understanding of humble leadership in healthcare: a scoping review.

This study aims to advance the understanding of humble leadership (HL) in health care. This study presents a scoping review to explore and synthesize the existing knowledge in the literature. The search process encompassed three main online databases, PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science. Due to the novelty of the topic of HL in health care and the lack of research in this area, all articles published until the end of February 2023 were considered in this study. A total of 18 studies were included. The results showed that in the period of 2019-2023 more attention was paid to HL in health care than in previous years. The research design used in these articles included quantitative (n = 13) and qualitative (n = 5) methods and the statistical population included nurses, hospital employees and health-care department managers. Based on the results obtained, the definition of HL can be divided into two general approaches, including self-evaluation and the way one treats others. In addition, humble leaders in the health-care sector should exhibit certain behavioral characteristics and finally, the results indicated that HL has several positive consequences; however, little attention has been paid to the factors influencing HL in health care. This research will help practitioners gain a deeper understanding of the various applications of HL in health care. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no comprehensive research review has yet been conducted on the application of HL in health care.

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Fabrication of a packaging film based on <scp>PLA</scp> blends: The evolution of physical, mechanical, and rheological properties

AbstractToday, the use of biodegradable polymers has become widespread in a wide range of industries. This research scrutinized the physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of poly (lactic acid)/poly (ethylene oxide)/carbon nanotube (PLA/PEO/CNTs) blend nanocomposites, as a good candidate for usage in the packaging industry. PEO and CNTs were added at various concentrations to improve the flexibility, toughness, gas permeability, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of PLA via solution blending. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), water contact angle (WCA), rheometric mechanical spectrometer (RMS) test, gas permeability, and tensile characterization were performed to characterize the properties of the prepared blends and nanocomposites. The experimental results revealed that the addition of 25 wt% PEO to the PLA matrix made a partially miscible blend with a droplet‐matrix morphology. PEO at this concentration increased the elongation at break (from 2.2% to 18%) while reducing the modulus (from 25 to 6 MPa). Also, the experimental results indicated that the miscibility of PLA and PEO was enhanced by the addition of 1 wt% CNTs to the prepared blend, associated with diminished entropy of mixing in the LCST phase diagram. Theoretical calculations predicted that the CNTs would be localized in the PLA phase which increased the total crystallinity of the sample by 28%, considerably reducing the amount of gas permeation into the nanocomposite. In addition, the introduction of the CNTs to the blend increased the elongation at break and tensile strength by 13% compared to pure PLA and lowered the rate of thermal degradation effectively. Also, the final results showed that the COOH‐CNTs located in the PEO phase caused a decline in the crystallinity and an increase in the gas permeability of the prepared nanocomposite.Highlights Improvement of physical properties of PLA by blending with PEO and CNTs. A deep investigation on rheological behavior of the prepared nanocomposite. Increasing the crystallinity degree of PLA/PEO blend by adding CNTs. Improvement of the miscibility between PLA and PEO in the presence of CNTs. Controlling the CNTs localization by surface modification.

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The effect of acarbose on inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials.

Although a large number of trials have observed an anti-inflammatory property of acarbose, the currently available research remains controversial regarding its beneficial health effects. Hence, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of acarbose on inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in adults. PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus were systematically searched until April 2023 using relevant keywords. The mean difference (MD) of any effect was calculated using a random-effects model. Weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated via the random-effects model. The current meta-analysis of data comprised a total of 19 RCTs. Meta-analysis showed that acarbose significantly decreased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) (weighted mean difference [WMD]) = -4.16 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval (CI) -6.58, -1.74; P = 0.001) while increasing adiponectin (WMD = 0.79 ng/ml, 95% CI 0.02, 1.55; P = 0.044). However, the effects of acarbose on TNF-α concentrations were observed in studies with intervention doses ≥ 300 mg/d (WMD = -4.09; 95% CI -7.00, -1.18; P = 0.006), and the adiponectin concentrations were significantly higher (WMD = 1.03 ng/ml, 95%CI 0.19, 1.87; P = 0.016) in studies in which the duration of intervention was less than 24 weeks. No significant effect was seen for C-reactive protein (CRP; P = 0.134), interleukin-6 (IL-6; P = 0.204), and leptin (P = 0.576). Acarbose had beneficial effects on reducing inflammation and increasing adiponectin. In this way, it may prevent the development of chronic diseases related to inflammation. However, more studies are needed.

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A Qualitative Study on Iranian EFL Teachers’ Perceptions of a Diversified Education

Abstract One characteristic of societal changes is the emergence of societies that possess a diverse and pluralistic orientation towards digital platforms. These societies recognize the importance of implementing pluralistic educational approaches within their educational programs. The objective of this research was to investigate the perspectives of Iranian English as a Foreign Language teachers regarding a diverse digital education. To achieve this goal, a qualitative thematic analysis and a semi-structured interview were employed. The study participants consisted of 20 Iranian English teachers, both male and female, who were selected through convenience sampling. The results of the analysis revealed several key themes, including the utilization of diverse teaching methods, materials, tools, and activities; the development of curricula that cater to the interests, needs, and opinions of students; the provision of equal opportunities for all students to maximize their potential; the promotion of individual and group pride and identity; the encouragement of critical thinking skills in students; the establishment of a fair distribution of power within society; the recognition and utilization of individual and group differences; the emphasis on personal growth and development; the creation of inclusive classrooms that value all perspectives, experiences, and thought processes; the teaching of effective responses to cultural and ethnic differences; the incorporation of diversity in evaluation procedures; the importance of fairness in the evaluation process; the evaluation of learning outcomes and achievements; the promotion of multicultural awareness among students; and the encouragement of gender equality. These findings hold important implications for EFL learners, teachers, and curriculum planners.

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