Independent T-test Research Articles

Revealing Public Perceptions of Biodiverse vs. Turf Swales: Balancing Enhanced Ecosystem Services with Heightened Concerns

Green stormwater infrastructure (GSI) is increasingly implemented worldwide to address stormwater issues while providing co-benefits such as habitat provision. However, research on public perceptions of GSI’s ecosystem benefits is limited, and barriers such as perception and maintenance hinder biodiversity promotion in GSI. Through an online survey (n = 781), we explored how residents in four Northeast US urban areas—Prince George’s County and Montgomery County, MD, New York City, and Philadelphia, PA—perceived the benefits and concerns regarding two types of bioswales (biodiverse and turf). Biodiverse swales feature various plants to promote biodiversity, whereas turf swales are primarily grass-covered. Our analyses included paired-samples t-tests, independent t-tests, one-way repeated measures ANOVA tests, and one-way ANOVA tests to compare perceptions across bioswale types, aspects of benefit/concern, and locations. Both bioswale types were recognized for enhancing green spaces and neighborhood aesthetics. Residents perceived greater environmental and social benefits from biodiverse swales than turf swales, particularly for habitat provision. While overall concerns for both bioswale types were low, potential issues like pest cultivation and the unappealing appearance of biodiverse swales remain significant barriers. Notably, implementing biodiverse swales alleviated initial concerns, especially about pests, suggesting familiarity can enhance acceptance. Location-specific differences in perception were observed, with New York City showing higher perceived benefits and concerns and Montgomery County exhibiting the lowest concerns. This variance is likely due to distinct urban environments, levels of environmental awareness, and demographic profiles.

Light and scanning electron microscope characterization of mandibular symphysis tissue as a functional adaptation in the mandible development of human fetuses.

When developing, the mandible presents great plasticity and contains condensed mesenchymal cells that develops into Meckel's cartilage, of which the anterior part forms the mandibular symphysis. Mandible human development studies focus on investigating whether the beginning of mandibular fusion in fetal period is related to symphysis ossification and the tensions imposed on it, considering that tongue movements, mouth opening, and closing can be seen in fetuses. This research analyses tissue modifications during human mandibular symphysis growth using light and scanning electron microscopy to relate them to its functional structure. The study sample consisted of 12 human fetuses distributed into two groups: Group I (GI) of 10-14 weeks old and Group II (GII) of 20-24 weeks old. Fragments of mandibular symphysis were removed en bloc together with the surrounding tissues to preserve the relation with adjacent structures. Decalcified specimens were prepared in semi-serial coronal sections 5-μm-thick and stained with hematoxylin and eosin, Masson՚s trichrome, Verhoeff, and Sirius red for histological analysis with light microscopy. Collagen fibers Type I or III and elastic fibers were quantified by volume fraction (Vv). Coronal sections of the GI and GII symphyseal region were submitted to scanning electron microscopy. Comparison between groups used independent t-test. Our study presents the different endochondral ossification stages in the anterior part of Meckel's cartilage in GI. Both groups showed abundantly vascularized mesenchymal tissue with intense cellular activity forming the mandibular symphysis, such as a source of new osteoblasts adjacent to the newly deposited bone matrix. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed an invasion of the bony trabecula in the transverse direction from the hemimandible, rectilinear in GI and sinuous in GII due to interdigitating bone process, promoting its ossification. In collagen Vv analysis was verified a prevalence of type I in GII and type III in GI, indicating a proportional relation between maturation and tissue arrangement. Functionally, the collagen and elastic fibers in the mandibular symphysis were arranged in a pantographic network, and the fibrillar interconnectivity clearly contributes to resilience capacity and efficiency of the force transfer. This study inferred the functional significance of the knowledge about the tissue composition of mandibular symphysis, and the importance of this tissue for surrounding structures. The mesenchymal tissue of mandibular symphysis participates in bone growth process, revealing an adaptation mechanism of mandibular symphysis in the fetal period investigated.

The Effect of a Realistic Mathematics Education Approach with the Jigsaw Learning Model on Students' Creative Thinking Ability and Self-regulated Learning

This study aims to describe: (1) The effect of a Realistic Mathematics Education Approach with a Jigsaw Type Cooperative Learning Model on Students' Creative Thinking Abilities; (2) The effect of a Realistic Mathematics Education Approach with a Jigsaw Type Cooperative Learning Model on Students' Learning Independence; (3) The effect of a Realistic Mathematics Education Approach with a Jigsaw Type Cooperative Learning Model on Students' Creative Thinking Abilities and Self-regulated Learning. This research is a quasi-experimental study with a pretest and posttest design. The population in this study were all class VIII students of SMP Negeri 1 Kota Bima for the 2023/2024 academic year, consisting of 10 classes. Two classes were randomly selected as the research sample, namely class VIII-2 as the experimental class I, which was treated with realistic mathematics education approach with a jigsaw type cooperative learning, and class VIII-3 as the experimental class II, which was given the realistic mathematics education approach. The instruments used to collect data were creative thinking ability tests and self-regulated learning questionnaires. The validity of the contents of the instrument was determined by asking for the assessment of two experts (expert judgment) who stated that the instrument was suitable for use after revision. The tests used were independent sample t-test and hottelling T2. The results of the study show: (1) Learning using realistic mathematics education approach with a jigsaw type cooperative learning model has a significant effect on students' creative thinking abilities; (2) Learning using a realistic mathematics education approach with a jigsaw type cooperative learning model has a significant effect on self-regulated learning; (3) Learning using a realistic mathematics education approach with a jigsaw type cooperative learning model has a significant effect on students' creative thinking abilities and self-regulated learning.

An open pilot of GROW, a responsive parenting intervention for young children with brain injuries: preliminary efficacy

Purpose Families experience stress and burden following their child’s traumatic brain injury (TBI). Parenting styles are related to parent stress and child behavior problems and executive dysfunction. Parent-child interactions are shown to be a promising intervention target. We aimed to examine the preliminary efficacy of Gaining Real life skills Over the Web (GROW) in improving responsive parenting and reducing parent stress and depression in parents of children ages 0-4 who experienced TBI. Method Participants (n = 11) were parents of children four years old or younger, at the time of enrollment, and previously hospitalized overnight for TBI. Parent-reported measures included the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, Parenting Stress Inventory—Short Form, and Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System. Recordings of parent-child interactions were coded using the Play and Learning Strategies coding scheme. Study hypotheses were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, chi square analyses, and linear mixed models. Results Parental warmth (t=-3.64, p = 0.001, d=.97), responsiveness (t=-2.09, p = 0.047, d = 0.70), and verbal stimulation (t=-2.30, p = 0.029, d = 0.75) increased significantly from pretreatment to posttreatment. Improvements in parental warmth were maintained 3 months posttreatment (t=-3.15, p = 0.004, d = 1.16). There were no significant changes in depression, parental stress, or quality of life. Conclusions Results provide preliminary support for the efficacy of GROW in improving responsive parenting for children following early TBI. Future directions include tailoring GROW to better fit the needs of families and testing the utility through a randomized control trial.

The Effect of Gossiping Group Activities Toward Fluency in Speaking at the 10th Grade Of MAN 3 Agam

This research was motivated by the findings of the researcher during observations and interviews at the 10th grade of MAN 3 Agam. Researcher found that students often used pause fillers such as "hmm" and "eee", and had low vocabulary mastery that hindered fluency in speaking. They also had difficulty expressing ideas and opinions, so the speed and tempo of speaking were affected. The study aimed to determine the effect of gossiping group activities on students' speaking fluency. The study used a type of experimental research, namely a quasi-experiment with a nonequivalent control group design. The sample in this study was selected using a random technique and the selected class was XE.2 class as the control class and XE.4 class as the experimental class. Instruments in the form of oral speaking tests that had been validated with content validity and assessed with inter-rater reliability. Data analysis included prerequisite tests for normality and homogeneity, and utilized Paired sample t-Tests and Independent sample t-Tests to test hypotheses. From the results of data analysis, it was concluded that gossiping group activities had a significant effect on improving students' speaking fluency.

Surgical Outcomes in Thyroidectomy for Patients with Graves’ Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Thyroidectomy is a preferred protocol for patients with Graves’ disease. However, it may be a challenging option in post-surgical management of various factors. There, this study aims to compare the surgical outcomes of total thyroidectomy and subtotal thyroidectomy in patients with Graves’ disease to provide evidence-based surgical decision-making. Methods: This randomized controlled trial was conducted at Sheikh Zaid Hospital, Rahim Yar Khan, October 2023 to April 2024; enrolled 120 patients diagnosed with Graves’ disease using a simple random sampling technique were assigned to Group A (n=60) and B (n=60) who underwent total thyroidectomy, and subtotal thyroidectomy respectively. Preoperative assessments and surgeries were performed while postoperative outcomes, complications, and thyroid function tests were also monitored and represented using independent t-tests while a p<0.05 was considered significant. Results: It was revealed that operative time was significantly higher for total thyroidectomy than subtotal thyroidectomy 125.60±14.56 and 97.54±12.56 respectively, suggesting significantly lower time consumption in subtotal thyroidectomy procedure (p=0.001). Patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy had a significantly shorter hospital stay compared to those who underwent total thyroidectomy (p=0.02). Moreover, levels of triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) were significantly different between the two groups. Patients who underwent subtotal thyroidectomy had significantly lower T3 and T4 levels and higher TSH levels compared to those who underwent total thyroidectomy (p<0.05). Conclusion: Subtotal thyroidectomy demonstrated favorable outcomes, including shorter operative time, lower rates of postoperative complications, and thyroid function tests compared to total thyroidectomy. These findings help and support the consideration of subtotal thyroidectomy as a viable surgical approach for patients with Graves' disease. Keywords: Grave Disease, Thyroidectomy, Thyroxine, Triiodothyronine.

Characterization of Changes in Ripening Process of Volatile Apple Compounds Based on HS-SPME-GC-MS Analysis

The aim of this study was to identify the aromatic compounds present in different apple varieties and to gain insights into the changes in the aromatic compounds during ripening. Three apple varieties (“Red Astrachan”, “Ning Qiu”, and “Golden Delicious”) at different stages of ripening were selected for this study; their peel and pulp were analyzed via headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME)–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), and 30 volatile compounds were identified. The samples’ differences were analyzed using heat map cluster analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), and an independent samples t-test. The results showed that the content of aromatic compounds in the peel was higher than that in the pulp. The relative content of esters in the aromatic compounds of the three apple varieties followed the order of pulp > peel and “Ning Qiu” > “Golden Delicious” > “Red Astrachan”. This suggests that “Ning Qiu” combines the advantages of its parents in terms of its aroma content. The highest concentrations of aroma compounds in “Red Astrachan” and “Ning Qiu” accumulate before the ripening stage, and care should be taken to choose an appropriate harvesting time according to the different needs during production. The main compounds of “Red Astrachan” are aldehydes and C8 esters, while those of “Ning Qiu” and “Golden Delicious” are alkenes and esters. After analyzing the relative odor activity values (rOAVs) of key volatile compounds and their aroma descriptors during the harvest period, acetic acid pentyl ester, butanoic acid hexyl ester, hexanoic acid hexyl ester, and 2-ethyl-1-Hexanol were found to contribute the most to the overall flavor of the peel and pulp. “Ning Qiu” combines the parental advantages of the concentrated peel of “Red Astrachan” and the astringent pulp of “Golden Delicious”, with compounds in its composition that give a pleasing aroma. Mature “Ning Qiu” fruits have a more intense aroma and fruity flavor. The development of flavor-specific varieties has provided the theoretical basis for future research in molecular hybridization, molecular-assisted breeding, and the molecular biology of apple flavor synthesis and metabolism.

Development and validation of a clinical-radiomics nomogram for the early prediction of Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess

Background and aim Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a devastating and potentially life-threatening disease globally, with Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KPLA) being the most prevalent in Asia. This study aims to develop an effective and comprehensive nomogram combining clinical and radiomics features for early prediction of KPLA. Methods 255 patients with PLA from 2013 to 2023 were enrolled and randomly divided into the training and validation cohorts at a 7:3 ratio. The differences between the two cohorts of patients were assessed via univariate analysis. The radiomics features were extracted from imaging data from enhanced CT of liver abscesses. The optimal radiomics features were filtered using the independent sample t-test and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator, and a radiomics score (Rad-score) was calculated by weighting their respective coefficients. Clinically independent predictors were identified from the clinical data and combined with the Rad-score to develop a nomogram by multivariate logistic regression. The predictive performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), calibration curve, and clinical decision curve. Results The nomogram incorporated four clinical features of diabetes mellitus, cryptogenic liver abscess, C-reactive protein level, and splenomegaly, and the Rad-score that was constructed based on seven optimal radiomics features. It had an AUC of 0.929 (95% CI, 0.894-0.964) and 0.923 (95% CI, 0.864-0.981) in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration and decision curves showed that the nomogram had good agreement and clinical applicability. Conclusions The clinical-radiomics nomogram performed well in predicting KPLA, hopefully serving as a reference for early diagnosis of KPLA.

Comparison of the predictive value of multiparametric MRI and prostate-specific membrane antigen PET/CT for pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer

Objective: To compare the diagnostic performance of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) and prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) PET/CT in detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer. Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 115 prostate cancer patients who underwent both mpMRI and PSMA PET/CT before undergoing radical prostatectomy and extended pelvic lymph node dissection at the Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, between March 2020 and September 2023. The age (M(IQR)) was 67(10) years (range: 45 to 84 years), and the body mass index was 24(4) kg/m2 (range: 18 to 30 kg/m2). Pathological and imaging data were obtained from the patients. Lymph node pathology results were used as the gold standard to evaluate the diagnostic performance of mpMRI and PSMA PET/CT for detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis in PCa through diagnostic evaluation tests. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Results: The positive rate for detecting pelvic lymph node metastasis was 18.3% (21/115) with mpMRI and 25.2% (29/115) with PSMA PET/CT. The pathological positive rate for lymph nodes was 28.7% (33/115). In patient-based analysis, the diagnostic sensitivity of PSMA PET/CT was significantly higher than that of mpMRI (63.6% vs. 30.3%, χ2=7.36, P=0.007). In lesion-based analysis, both the sensitivity and positive predictive value of PSMA PET/CT were significantly higher than those of mpMRI (sensitivity: 68.0% vs. 21.6%, χ2=42.20, P<0.01; positive predictive value: 50.0% vs. 23.1%, χ2=7.54, P=0.006). Conclusions: PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI both demonstrates good specificity in predicting pelvic lymph node metastasis in prostate cancer. However, PSMA PET/CT is significantly superior to mpMRI in terms of sensitivity and the detection rate of pathologically positive lymph nodes.

The Influencing Factors of Knowledge Hiding Among Employees in the Construction Industry: A Psychological Contract Perspective

This study explores the factors influencing employee knowledge hiding in construction industry organizations. Utilizing quantitative methods, the research examines the impact of demographic factors, including gender, age, educational level, marital status, and duration of service, as well as psychological contract breaches on employee knowledge hiding. An independent samples t-test and multiple comparisons using the least significant difference (LSD) test were conducted to analyze the demographic factors. At the same time, a simple linear regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between psychological contract breach and knowledge hiding. The results indicate that demographic factors significantly affect employee knowledge hiding, with females, older employees, those with lower educational levels, divorced or widowed individuals, and employees with longer service durations tending to hide knowledge more frequently. Furthermore, psychological contract breach is found to have a strong and positive relationship with employee knowledge hiding, suggesting that employees are more likely to engage in knowledge-hiding behaviors when they perceive a violation of their psychological contract. The findings have important managerial implications, emphasizing the need for tailored strategies to address knowledge hiding among different employee groups and maintaining a strong psychological contract with employees to foster a culture of knowledge sharing and innovation

Therapeutic results of three-dimensional aortic valve anatomic repair for regurgitant bicuspid aortic valve

Objective: To explore the surgical technique and results of three-dimensional aortic valve anatomic repair for bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) with aortic regurgitation (AR). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. From August 2021 to December 2023, 130 consecutive patients with BAV-AR underwent aortic valve anatomic repair at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University,and the data were retrospectively analyzed. There were 115 males and 15 females, aged (38.6±11.7) years (range: 15 to 67 years). All patients received modified aortic root reconstruction, to do three-dimensional root remodeling, including the basal ring, sinus of Valsalva and sino-tubular junction simultaneously. Perioperative and follow-up data were collected and analyzed. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon paired signed-rank test, or χ² test. Results: No patient transferred to valve replacement during the operation. The cardiopulmonary bypass time (M(IQR)) was 109 (34) minutes (range:67 to 247 minutes), and the aortic cross-clamp time was 76 (26) minutes (range: 32 to 158 minutes). Preoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed 123 patients (94.6%) presented with moderate or severe regurgitation. Immediately postoperative transesophageal echocardiography showed no regurgitation in 22 patients (16.9%), trace regurgitation in 81 patients (62.3%) and mild regurgitation in 27 patients (20.8%). Follow up was complete in all patients, with a follow-up of 5.5 (9.4) months (range: 0.1 to 27.6 months). No mortality was observed during follow-up. Echocardiography was obtained in 112 patients at the latest follow-up, including no regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), trace regurgitation in 58 patients (51.8%), mild regurgitation in 45 patients (40.2%), moderate regurgitation in 4 patients (3.6%), and severe regurgitation in 1 patient (0.9%). Conclusion: For patients with BAV-AR who have good valve quality and no severe aortic sinus dilation, the recent outcomes of three-dimensional anatomical repair technique, focusing on overall remodeling of the aortic root, are satisfactory.

The Effect of Tele-Continuous Care on Maternal Functioning and Neonatal Perception among Iranian Primiparous Mothers: A Randomized Field Trial Study

Background/Objectives: New mothers face significant challenges during the postpartum period, which can impact their maternal performance. This study aimed to assess the effect of tele-continuous midwifery care on maternal functioning and neonatal perception in first-time Iranian mothers. Methods: A randomized controlled field trial was conducted from January to May 2023 on 48 first-time mothers in the postpartum ward at Arash Women’s Hospital, Tehran. Participants were randomly assigned to either an intervention or control group. The intervention group received tele-continuous care for six weeks postpartum, while the control group received standard care. The Barkin Index of Maternal Functioning (BIMF) and the Neonatal Perception Inventory (NPI) were used to collect data in the second and sixth weeks after delivery. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26. Results: The mean age was 26.2 ± 4.8 years in the intervention group and 28.0 ± 6.1 years in the control group. An independent t-test revealed a significant difference in maternal functioning (BIMF score) between the intervention and control groups by the sixth week postpartum (p &lt; 0.0001). A significant improvement in BIMF scores was observed within the intervention group from the second to the sixth week (p = 0.007). However, the Mann–Whitney test showed no significant difference in neonatal perception (NPI scores) within the intervention group (p = 0.219), while a significant difference was found in the control group (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Tele-continuous midwifery care effectively enhances maternal functioning during the vulnerable postpartum period, highlighting the necessity of ongoing support for new mothers.

Evaluating the Impact of a Rebt-Based Suicide Prevention Program for Individuals with Alcohol Use Disorders

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a suicide prevention program based on Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder. Theoretical Framework: The study is grounded in the Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT) framework, which aims to reduce irrational beliefs, one of the root causes of emotional disturbances, including depression and suicidal ideation. Methods: A nonequivalent quasi-experimental design was employed, involving participants from two Addiction Management Integrated Support Centers in K Province, South Korea. Forty-eight individuals were divided into two groups: 24 in the experimental group and 24 in the control group, each assigned to a different center. The experimental group underwent 10 REBT sessions over 5 weeks, in addition to standard interventions. The control group received only the usual interventions. Outcome variables measured included irrational beliefs, depression, suicidal ideation, and problem-solving ability. Data were collected at baseline and again five weeks after the program ended. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square, Fisher's exact test, and independent t-tests. Results: Prior to the intervention, no significant differences in demographic characteristics or baseline outcome variables were observed between the two groups. After the intervention, the experimental group exhibited a significant reduction in irrational beliefs (t=2.36, p=.023), depression (t=3.80, p&lt;.001), and suicidal ideation (t=4.59, p&lt;.001) compared to the control group. Additionally, the experimental group demonstrated a significant improvement in problem-solving ability (t=4.59, p&lt;.001). Discussion/Implications: The study demonstrates that the REBT-based suicide prevention program was effective in reducing irrational beliefs, depression, and suicidal ideation, while also enhancing problem-solving ability in individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder. These results underscore the potential benefits of integrating cognitive-behavioral approaches like REBT into suicide prevention programs for this population. Originality/Value: This research contributes to the limited literature on suicide prevention programs tailored for individuals with Alcohol Use Disorder and offers valuable insights into the applicability of REBT in community-based mental health interventions. The findings suggest the importance of developing structured therapeutic programs that address both cognitive distortions and emotional well-being to prevent suicide in vulnerable populations.

Factors affecting unusual postoperative vertical downward movement of mandible after surgery-first approach using intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy

BackgroundIn very rare cases, patients who have undergone surgery-first approach with intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy (IVRO) exhibit unusual downward movements of mandible even up to 1-year post surgery, which makes it difficult for orthodontists to stabilize the occlusion during the postoperative orthodontic period. The aim of this study was to identify factors affecting the unusual downward movement of the mandible 1-year after the surgery-first approach using IVRO, while focusing on cephalometric values.MethodsThis retrospective cohort study sample was divided into two groups based on the amount of vertical movement of the B-point 1-year post surgery (Group S, predictable upward movement; Group U, unpredictable downward movement greater than 2 mm). To evaluate cephalometric changes between the two groups, cephalograms were obtained before surgery, 1 day after surgery, 1 month after surgery, and 1 year after surgery. The data were analyzed using the independent t-test, Mann–Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction, Pearson correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis.ResultsAt the initial examination, Group U showed a shallower anterior overbite. The vertical surgical change in the B-point was statistically different between the two groups (p < 0.001), indicating that group U exhibited more upward movement of the mandible during surgery. Group U showed significant downward movement of the mandible 1 month after surgery, and this finding persisted until 1 year postoperatively. Clockwise rotation of the mandible was also observed. Surgical vertical movement of the B-point showed a strong correlation with postoperative vertical movement of mandible (r = -0.674; p < 0.001) along a linear relationship, indicating that the amount of postoperative vertical downward movement of the mandible increased as the amount of surgical upward movement of the B-point increased (R2 = 0.449; p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study revealed that unusual downward movement of the mandible after a surgery-first approach using IVRO is correlated with the amount of upward movement during the surgery. When planning surgery, in cases in which a significant upward movement of the mandible is anticipated, orthodontists should prepare for the possibility of subsequent unusual downward movement and a tendency for the anterior overjet to decrease during the postoperative orthodontic period.

Knowledge of aging, attitudes toward older people and willingness to engage in geriatric rehabilitation among rehabilitation students in southwestern China: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundAs the global elderly population rises, providing quality care for older adults is increasingly challenging. Rehabilitation technicians are crucial in this effort. Their knowledge and attitudes significantly impact care quality and their willingness to work with the elderly. While many studies have examined healthcare professionals’ attitudes toward older adults, few focus on rehabilitation students. This study assesses Chinese rehabilitation students’ knowledge of aging, attitudes toward older individuals, willingness to care for them, and the factors influencing these aspects.MethodsA sample of 890 rehabilitation students from three colleges and universities in southwestern China was investigated with a self-administered questionnaire, which included socio-demographic information, the Palmore Facts on Aging Quiz, the Kogan’s Attitude towards Older People Scale and the Chinese Version of the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Data analyses were conducted using SPSS version 25.0. Descriptive statistics were used to illustrate the demographic characteristics of the respondents. The frequency and percentage of responses was calculated. Means and standard deviations were computed for general knowledge of aging, attitudes toward older people, and empathy. Independent t-tests and one-way ANOVA assessed differences in FAQ, KAOP, and IRI-C scores between groups. Pearson’s correlation examined correlations among general knowledge of aging, attitudes toward older people and empathy ability. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests compared willingness to engage in geriatric rehabilitation across different respondent characteristics. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis explored the independent effect of different variables on attitudes toward older people.ResultsThe Chinese rehabilitation students from three colleges and universities in southwestern China displayed a relatively low level of knowledge about aging, but a generally positive attitude towards older people. Females had significantly more positive attitudes toward older people than males(p<0.01). The students who had previous experience of being cared for by (maternal) grandparents, living with the elderly, and taking care of the elderly showed significantly more positive attitudes toward older people (p = 0.001, 0.007 and 0.007, respectively) and a significantly stronger willingness to engage in geriatric rehabilitation(p = 0.013, <0.01 and <0.01, respectively) than those who had not had these experiences. Students with good relationships with older people had more positive attitudes toward the elderly (p < 0.01) and greater willingness to engage in geriatric rehabilitation (p < 0.01). Those with frequent contact with the elderly also showed more positive attitudes (p < 0.01) and a stronger willingness to engage in geriatric rehabilitation (p = 0.002) compared to those with less contact. Knowledge of aging and empathy ability were both significantly positively related to attitudes toward older people and both independent predictors of attitudes toward older people(r = 0.143, p<0.01 and r = 0.337, p<0.01).ConclusionsIt is crucial to prepare rehabilitation students with adequate knowledge and positive attitudes to ensure the quality of rehabilitation and care provided to older people. Educators should adopt effective strategies to promote rehabilitation students’ geriatric rehabilitation knowledge and increase their positive attitudes toward older people.

Impact of Loneliness on Life Satisfaction among Students

Loneliness is an unpleasant emotional response to lack of connectedness or communality with others, both in the present and in the future. It is serious issues among students that make them feel hollow or empty inside that further affect their life satisfaction. The sample of the study involved 100 students (male = 50 and female = 50) from 18 to 25 yrs. The Revised UCLA Loneliness Scale and Satisfaction with Life Scale was used to measured loneliness and life satisfaction. The Pearson’s product-moment of correlation and independent t-test was calculated and the result shows a significant negative association for loneliness and satisfaction with life among both male and female.

FREQUENCY OF EASY AND DIFFICULT LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY FOR CHOLELITHIASIS

The prevalence of gallstone disease is influenced by factors such as age, gender, and marital status. Ultrasonography is important for screening. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the standard treatment for symptomatic cholelithiasis, but some cases may require conversion to open surgery (OC). Preoperative ultrasound assessments, particularly the common bile duct (CBD) diameter, may help predict the difficulty of LC and prepare for potential complications. Objective: The objectives of this study are to assess the frequency of easy and difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with cholelithiasis and to compare the mean diameter of the common bile duct between cases of easy and difficult laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Methods: This sctional study was conducted from February 10, 2023, to August 10, 2023, and included 170 patients (ages 18-60 years) undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis. Both genders were included. Variables such as age, gender, diabetes, hypertension, and cholecystectomy status were recorded. The mean and standard deviation (SD) were calculated for age and CBD diameter. An independent t-test was used to compare CBD diameters between easy and difficult LC cases. Chi-square tests were applied to control for effect modifiers. Results: The mean age of the patients was 52.32 ± 4.89 years. Other patient characteristics included an average height of 162.90 ± 9.25 cm, weight of 75.95 ± 12.32 kg, and BMI of 27.47 ± 4.72. The common bile duct diameter was 4.55 ± 1.42 mm. Gender distribution showed 54.7% male and 45.3% female patients. Of the 170 patients, 84 (49.4%) were classified as easy LC cases, while 86 (50.6%) were classified as difficult. The mean CBD diameter was significantly different between the two groups, measuring 3.54 ± 1.03 mm in easy cases and 5.52 ± 1.02 mm in difficult cases (p = 0.001). Conclusion: This study highlights the importance of preoperative assessment of common bile duct diameter in predicting the difficulty of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Patients with a larger CBD diameter are more likely to experience a difficult LC, emphasizing the need for personalized surgical planning. These findings underscore the value of preoperative ultrasonography in optimizing patient outcomes and reducing the risk of conversion to open surgery.

Investigation Of The Relationship Between Empathic Anger And Violence Tendency In Nurses

Introduction: While empathy is generally regarded as a positive trait, the emergence of empathic anger among nurses can have adverse effects on their mental well-being and, more importantly, on their tendency for violence. Aim: This study was conducted to determine the relationship between empathic anger and violence tendencies in nurses. Method: The study was carried out as a cross-sectional study. This study was conducted on 348 nurses who agreed to participate in the research working in a hospital in Erzurum, Turkey. The study data were collected with a personal information form, empathic anger scale, and violence tendency scale. The research data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 22.0). The analyses included the Shapiro-Wilk and Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, as well as descriptive statistics such as frequency percentages, means, standard deviations, medians, percentiles, maximum and minimum values. Additionally, One-Way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests were employed. Results: It was found that the mean Emphatic Anger Scale scores score of the nurses included in the study was 23.20 ± 5.66, and the Violence Tendencies Scale score was 44.35 ± 11.01. It was found that there was a positive, statistically significant relationship between the Emphatic Anger Scale scores and Violence Tendencies Scale mean scores of the nurses (p &lt; 0.001). Regression analysis shows that the Empathic Anger Scale has a significant and positive effect on violent tendencies (B = 0.601, p &lt; 0.0001 ). Conclusion: It was determined that the nurses' empathic anger and violence tendencies levels were above the average. As a result, it shows that empathic anger in nurses has a significant and positive effect on violent tendencies . In addition, it was determined that as the empathic anger levels of the nurses increased, their level of violence tendencies also increased. Keywords: Angry; empathic; nurse; tendencies; violence.

A mechanical comparison of the translational traction of female-specific and male soccer boots

ABSTRACT The studded outsole of a soccer boot provides additional traction to players to minimise the risk of slipping while performing high-speed manoeuvres. As excessive traction can lead to foot fixation and injury risk, there has been significant research surrounding the influence of stud configuration on the level of traction generated. This previous research, however, has predominately focused on the stud patterns, foot morphology and lower limb loading patterns of male players. As the popularity of women’s soccer increases, the aim of this investigation was to examine the differences in translational traction of female-specific soccer boots and male soccer boots currently available. A custom-built apparatus was used to determine the translational traction on both natural and artificial grass for four different movement directions. It was hypothesised that the female-specific boot in each pair would produce lower levels of translational traction as they are designed to be safer for female players who are more at risk of lower limb fixation injuries compared to males. An independent samples T-test showed that while there were some loading conditions where female boots produced lower translational traction compared to male boots, across all loading scenarios there was no significant difference between male and female boots (p = 0.818), thus the null hypothesis was rejected.

Determination of the Internet Decision-Making Status of Risky and Non-Risky Pregnant Women

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the Internet decision-making status of risky and non-risky pregnant women. Method: The research employed an analytical and case-control design. The sample of the study consisted of 214 pregnant women, including 107 in the risky group and 107 in the non-risky group, who applied to the Obstetrics and Gynecology Outpatient Clinic. In the study, the data were collected using The Introductory Information Form and The Internet Decision-Making Scale in Pregnancy (IDMSP) through face-to-face interviews. In the evaluation of the data, Chi-square test, Independent Samples t-Test and Mann Whitney U test were used in addition to descriptive statistics. Results: The mean age of the pregnant women participating in the study was 28.08 ± 6.37 years. It was determined that 56.1% of the pregnant women who participated in the study met their need for information on the Internet, 46.7% checked the blog pages of the doctors while searching on the Internet to receive information about pregnancy, and 49.1% mostly used the Internet for searching about the prenatal development and health of the baby. The overall mean score of the pregnant women at risk obtained from the IDMSP was significantly higher compared to those in the non-risky group (p=0.002). Conclusion: The Internet decision-making status of risky pregnant women has been found to be higher compared to non-risky pregnant women. Accordingly, midwives and nurses should inform pregnant women that information on the Internet is not always safe, and it is important to consult healthcare professionals when making a decision regarding pregnancy.