Life Of People Research Articles

Timor-Leste: preliminary assessment of a rapidly eroding landscape in the Coral Triangle

Context Sedimentation in the rivers and on the coasts of Timor-Leste has increased since deforestation, affecting floods and probably living aquatic resources. Aims To provide scientifically based estimates of long-term and short-term erosion rates to assess the apparent role of deforestation, a topic that has not received sufficient quantitative attention in the Coral Triangle. Methods Short-term erosion rates have been estimated from regional relationships between river sediment yield and catchment areas and cosmogenic nuclides for long-term rates. An attempt has also been made to estimate changes in rates of delta progradation to determine whether recent increases have occurred following deforestation. Key results The major scientific finding is that reduction in vegetation cover for agriculture and timber harvesting, particularly in the mountains, increased sediment yield by factors up to 120, mainly by landsliding. And there has been a large amount of sediment exported to the delta and offshore from river-channel change. Implications Impacts on living resources are likely both in rivers and on the coast, but require assessment. Revegetation of hillslopes is likely to reduce these impacts and improve the livelihoods of local people.

Relevance of Ramayana in our Daily Lives in the Context of the Present Situation

Rishi Valmiki was the first to forge the grand form of Itihasa and to create a unique prosodic pattern for the epic literary genre of the Ramayana. As time goes on, people experience stress, frustration, mental and physical illnesses, a lack of brotherhood, a lack of religious practice, a lack of love for the natural world and its creatures, and a lack of moral and ethical principles. Objectives: The study aims to determine how applicable the Ramayana is to modern society and how it affects our daily lives. Methods: This study has taken a qualitative approach and is descriptive, drawing on secondary data for its design. Results and Discussion: Several key takeaways from the Ramayana are examined, including how Dharma affects our lives. People acquire skills such as accountability, social duty, authenticity, and other related ones. Findings: The computerised lives of people in the modern era can be drastically changed by the timeless relevance of ancient epics such as the Mahabharata and the Ramayana. Conclusion: In actuality, the Ramayana offers insightful lessons that we can apply to to our day-to-day existence without any complicity. All situations—individual, familial, and broader aspects of social and professional ambiguities—can benefit from these solutions.

Telerehabilitation with a Patient Diagnosed with Acromegaly and Bilateral Total Loss of Vision Secondary to Pituitary Macroadenoma: A Case Report

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused unprecedented disruptions in the lives of people, inducing a change in social behavior because of quarantine and physical distancing measures for health safety. It greatly affected not only the general population but also the healthcare system, forcing healthcare providers and consumers to adjust from the traditional mode of in-person consultation to telemedicine to enable safe and prompt delivery of adequate and efficient patient care. A 35-year-old female was diagnosed with acromegaly secondary to pituitary macroadenoma, presenting as a 10-year history of weight gain, amenorrhea, hand and feet enlargement, coarse facial features, and bilateral vision loss. Patient then underwent craniotomy, right petrosal cranialization of frontal sinus, and tumor excision during the height of the pandemic in a COVID-19 referral center. Post-operatively, she was assisted in all activities of daily living. She was discharged after a few days of in-patient rehabilitation in order to decrease risk of contracting COVID-19. Telerehabilitation was then done using both asynchronous and synchronous methods while the patient stayed at home. Given the patient’s functional and visual disabilities, it was a challenge to do the traditional telerehabilitation techniques that highly rely on intact visual senses. We hereby share our experiences in providing virtual care amid these challenges towards achieving the patient’s optimal rehabilitation goals.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Cancer Therapy: Anticancer Activities and Their Mechanisms

Cancers are characterized by rapid development of abnormal cells that multiply uncontrollably, leading to invasive tumors. By 2040, new cancer cases worldwide are expected to reach 30.2 million. In response, research focuses on the anti-cancer properties of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), used in traditional Indian medicine. Ashwagandha exhibits anti-inflammatory effects by modulating pathways like NF-kB, Nrf2/HO-1, JAK-STAT, MAPK, and NLRP3, reducing cancer-related inflammation. It also has strong antioxidant properties due to compounds like withanolides, increasing antioxidant enzyme activity and reducing oxidative stress, potentially lowering cancer risk. Ashwagandha extract shows cytotoxic effects against cancer cells, inducing apoptosis and arresting cells in the resting phase, leading to DNA damage in cancer cells. It inhibits angiogenesis, the process of forming new blood vessels that supply tumors, through mechanisms such as VEGF inhibition and reduced macrophage infiltration. Additionally, ashwagandha modulates T lymphocytes and cytokine production, enhancing the immune response against cancer, and stimulates NK cell activity, crucial for controlling tumor growth and development. Supplementation with ashwagandha reduces cortisol levels and improves cognitive functions and quality of life in people experiencing stress, potentially lowering cancer risk. Research suggests ashwagandha may be a valuable addition to anti-cancer therapy, acting on various levels of cancer pathogenesis. However, further clinical studies are needed to fully understand its mechanisms of action and to evaluate its efficacy and safety in cancer treatment.

What is the Relationship Between Older People's Housing Characteristics and Their Care Needs?

ABSTRACT Housing conditions and quality are well-established structural or social determinants of health. Poor quality housing also has the potential to affect care needs, but there is much less research on the topic, particularly on nonspecialist housing. Based on analysis of in-depth interviews with 44 people aged 65 and older living in England, their unpaid carers (N = 22), or as a carer-care recipient dyad (N = 6), (total N = 72), this study sought to explore the perceived relationship between people’s housing conditions and characteristics and their care needs. Findings indicate three key themes within this relationship: condition of home (cold and damp; state of repair; cleanliness and clutter); space and design (space, access); and legal relationship with the home (ability to carry out remedial work; precarity). There was variation in how and whether housing affected care needs by housing tenure, financial resources, and the type and level of care need. Care needs can increase requirement for warmer, less damp homes and be a barrier to improving homes. In turn, housing has a role to play in preventing the occurrence or worsening of care needs. Improving housing through policy and practice actions could reduce care needs and improve the lives of older people now and in the future.

Mengorganisir Sampah yang Tercemar di TPS Masyarakat Dusun Karanglangon Desa Leran Wetan Kecamatan Palang Kabupaten Tuban

Waste is leftover material that is considered to have no economic value, but its existence cannot be avoided in people's social life. In Karanglangon Hamlet, the increase in population that occurs every year increases the volume of waste produced. As the population increases, household waste production and other activities also increase, thereby exacerbating waste management problems in the region. If not managed properly, the increasing amount of waste can have various negative impacts, both on public health and the surrounding environment, such as air, land and water pollution. This problem demands more attention from various parties to find appropriate and sustainable solutions. This research aims to identify in more depth the problems related to waste management at the Dusun Karanglangon TPS using the PAR (Participatory Action Research) approach method. The research results revealed that the condition of the waste at the TPS had a significant negative impact on the surrounding environment. The main causes are limited facilities, minimal budgets, and inadequate waste management standards, resulting in the accumulation of waste and increasingly severe environmental pollution.

Imagine Denoising Methods Based on GANs

Abstract. With the continuous development of technology, peoples demand for image clarity is also constantly increasing. Whether in the fields of medical imaging, aerospace, or people's daily lives, noise in images seriously affects their clarity. Therefore, how to remove noise on the premise of preserving image details has now become a hot research topic. In the domain of image denoising, both early spatial domain filtering methods and recently proposed convolutional neural network models have certain limitations. Compared to other denoising methods, GANs can better remove noise from images and improve image quality. Therefore, this article summarizes and organizes image denoising methods based on GAN models. This article explains four GAN based image denoising methods, namely GAN, WGAN, DNGAN, and GCBD, from the perspectives of framework structure, advantages and disadvantages, and application fields. At the same time, this article also analyzes the development trend of GAN application in image denoising and makes prospects.

Self-Management Among People Living With Endometriosis: A Qualitative Study.

Self-management is pivotal for effective chronic disease management. However, this concept remains unexplored among people with endometriosis, who often experience chronic pain and significant impacts on their quality of life. This research explored participants' experience managing endometriosis and their understanding and integration of self-management into their lives. Inductive reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze transcripts from 15 semi-structured interviews among people with endometriosis. The themes captured many aspects of self-management and included (1) perceptions of control, (2) engaging in self-management behaviors, (3) active decision-makers versus recipients of care, (4) establishing a patient-provider partnership, and (5) support is vital. The extent to which participants engaged in self-management varied, however, is consistent with self-management literature for other chronic conditions suggesting that there is a role for self-management among people living with endometriosis.

"How can we help you?": results of a scoping review on the perceived needs of people living with chronic pain regarding physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy is effective to reduce pain and improve the quality of life of people living with chronic pain. To offer high-quality physiotherapy services, these services must be patient-centred and respond to patients' needs. However, few studies seem to target patients' perceived needs, whereas more studies tend to focus on needs assessed by healthcare experts, which are not always in line with patients' perceived needs. In addition, people living with chronic pain are often faced with several health inequities and may have varied perceived needs depending on their personal conditions. To offer services that truly meet patients' needs, it is therefore crucial to understand these needs. This scoping review aims to identify and map the perceived needs of people living with chronic pain towards physiotherapy services. To conduct this review, we followed the six stages framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley. We searched four databases (Medline, Embase, CINHAL and APA PsycINFO) as well as the grey literature. We included all studies describing the needs, demands, preferences or expectations of adults living with chronic pain towards physiotherapy. We then performed an inductive thematic analysis of the results and discussion sections of these studies to identify the perceived needs. Once those needs were identified, we mapped them into the seven dimensions of the patient-centred healthcare delivery framework. Our review included 96 studies. Various perceived needs were identified through the thematic analysis, such as the needs for an empathetic relationship; for a clear, adapted and supervised exercise program; and for personalized treatment. Our mapping into the patient-centred healthcare delivery framework showed that most studies reported needs associated with the dimensions of interpersonal care, individualized healthcare and professional care. Needs associated with the other dimensions of the framework (access; coordination and continuity; services and facilities; data and information) were less frequently mentioned. The results of this review have enabled us to identify and better understand multiple needs perceived by people living with chronic pain regarding physiotherapy services. The perceived needs identified through this scoping review were mapped within the seven dimensions of the Patient-centred healthcare delivery framework.

Barriers and Facilitators Associated With Remote Concussion Physical Assessments From the Perspectives of Clinicians and People Living With Workplace Concussions: Focus Group Study.

Evaluating the clinical status of concussions using virtual platforms has become increasingly common. While virtual approaches to care are useful, there is limited information regarding the barriers and facilitators associated with a virtual concussion assessment. This study aims to identify the barriers and facilitators associated with engaging in virtual concussion assessments from the perspective of people living with workplace concussions; identify the barriers and facilitators to completing virtual concussion assessments from the perspectives of clinicians; and identify the clinical measures related to 4 clinical domains that would be most appropriate in virtual practice: general neurological examination and vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical spine assessment. We also evaluated effort. Separate online focus groups were conducted with expert concussion clinicians and people living with workplace concussions. A moderator led the focus groups using a semistructured interview guide that targeted a discussion of participants' experiences with virtual assessments. The discussions were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed by 2 reviewers using content analysis. Barriers and facilitators associated with completing the physical concussion examination were categorized based on the domain of the concussion examination and more general barriers and facilitators. Clinician-selected measures believed to work best in a virtual practice were described using frequency counts. A total of 4 focus groups with 15 people living with workplace concussions and 3 focus groups with 14 clinicians were completed using Microsoft Teams. Barriers were identified, such as triggering of symptoms associated with completing an assessment over video (mentioned 13/162 (8%) and 9/201 (4%) of the time for patient and clinician participants, respectively); challenges with location and setup (mentioned 16/162 (10%) of the time for patient participants); communication (mentioned 34/162 (21%) and 9/201 (4%) of the time for patient and clinician participants, respectively); and safety concerns (mentioned 11/162 (7%) of the time for patient and 15/201 (7%) for clinician participants). Facilitators were identified, such as having access to support (mentioned 42/154 (27%) and 21/151 (14%) of the time for patient and clinician participants, respectively); implementing symptom management strategies throughout the assessment (mentioned 11/154 (7%) of the time for patient participants); and having access to resources (mentioned 25/151 (17%) of the time for clinician participants). From the perspective of the clinician participants included in this study, the clinical measures recommended most for a virtual practice were finger to nose testing; balance testing; the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening tool; saccades; and cervical spine range of motion within their respective domains (ie, neurological examination, vestibular, oculomotor, and cervical spine assessment). Virtual assessments appear to be useful for both people living with workplace concussions and clinicians. While barriers were identified, such as challenges associated with exposure to screens, virtual assessments have benefits such as improved access to care. The clinician-selected measures that were considered best in a virtual practice will be investigated in an upcoming evaluative study. RR2-10.2196/40446.

The Lived Experience of People With Intellectual Disability in Community Settings: A Comparison of Self‐Reports and Staff Reports

ABSTRACTBackgroundThere is a need for more qualitative research focusing on the lived experiences of people with an intellectual disability and a better understanding of how these experiences align with other voices in their lives, such as family and support staff.MethodsIn this qualitative study, we asked people with an intellectual disability (N = 87) and their support workers (N = 120) similar questions about factors contributing positively and negatively to the lives of those with an intellectual disability. We conducted a thematic analysis combining data across respondents, while also identifying areas of similarities and divergence between self‐reports and staff reports. The setting was community‐supported living schemes and group homes in the UK.FindingsQualitative themes, representing key positive and negative factors in the lives of people with an intellectual disability, were (1) Positive impact of social relationships on well‐being, (2) positive impact of participation and roles on self‐determination and well‐being and (3) negative impacts of difficulties affecting day‐to‐day life. These three themes are all linked to a broader sense of identity, purpose and self‐determination. These were broadly consistent across self‐reports and staff reports, although there were some points of divergence, particularly in Theme 3.ConclusionsThese findings reveal areas that are key to maximising the quality of life of people with an intellectual disability and suggest that self‐reports and proxy reports can sometimes offer unique perspectives. Our findings can be used to ensure that the priorities of people with an intellectual disability are considered in their care.

Lost in translation: error analysis of texts translated from Arabic into English by Saudi translators

Biographic translation is crucial in today’s globalized world to preserve histories or shed light on the lives of people who influenced their nations or the world. The literature on biographic translation and the factors hindering such translation in an English as a foreign language (EFL) setting, especially in the Saudi context, is relatively limited. In the present study, the author analyzed the errors made by Saudi EFL learners when they translated a biography from Arabic into English. The data were drawn from a short text translated by female final-year university students as part of their course evaluations. The author conducted a qualitative analysis and classified errors according to Pospescu’s taxonomy. The results showed that the students committed all the three error types: linguistic, comprehensive, and translation. Within these three types, the students made diverse errors, ranging from misusing tenses to misspelling words. Consequently, their overall translations were unsatisfactory. This finding is helpful for both learners and educators, as the identified translation errors can be used as teaching aids in translation classes. The findings put emphasis on the importance of practice and prompt feedback as essential aids educators can use to support their students during their translation learning.

Translation and cultural adaptation of the Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Symptom and Impact Tools for the Chilean population.

The Long Coronavirus Disease (COVID) Symptom and Impact Tools (ST and IT) were published in English in 2022 to monitor the symptoms and impact of persistent COVID-19. ST includes 53 symptoms selected by the patient. IT includes six aspects of life that the patient must rate from 1 to 10 points. We aim to report the results of the cultural adaptation of both instruments for the Chilean population, together with the content validity of the adapted instrument. The cultural adaptation was carried out in five steps: 1) translation from English to Spanish, 2) synthesis, 3) back-translation, 4) review by the editorial board, and 5) testing the questionnaire with ten patients; they answered both questionnaires and seven questions assessing their understanding of the TI and their opinion on whether the instrument reflected the impact of prolonged COVID-19 on their lives. The content validity of the final version of the IT was assessed by 14 experts. The main outcome is the two final questionnaires adapted for use in Chile. Most patients responded with the best concept or approval for all items. Content validity showed acceptable results, with an average content validity index of 0.9 and Aiken's V for the relevance of the questionnaire in general of 0.83 (95% CI 0.69 to 0.92). For one item, Aiken's V was less than 0.7 (95% CI 0.5 to 0.8). This study provides Chilean health authorities and health providers with an instrument for assessing the impact of prolonged COVID-19 on core aspects of people's lives.

The Modification of Waste Polystyrene and Its Application as a Heavy Oil Flow Improver

The widespread use of polystyrene has brought great convenience to people's lives, but inappropriate recycling practices can also have a significant negative impact on the environment and public health. In this work, waste polystyrene was refined using maleic acid anhydride to produce flow improvers. The effect of the modified polystyrene perception of viscosity reduction and pour point depression of Henan oil was evaluated. The results show that modified polystyrene reduces the viscosity of Henan oil by 96.5% at most and depresses the pour point by 6.1 °C at most. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HH NMR) were used to investigate the modified polystyrene. The mechanism of modified polystyrene that improves the fluidity of heavy oil was proposed and analyzed through the study of wax crystal morphology (at 20 °C below the pour point).

Based on the Principle Component Analysis of the Level of Cultural and Tourism Integration in a Place and Obstacles Analysis

China’s culture is one of the oldest and most complex in the world, with a history that spans thousands of years. Rooted in Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, Chinese culture emphasizes harmony, respect for tradition, and the importance of family. These philosophies have profoundly influenced the social values, customs, and daily life of the Chinese people. This study aimed to identify 10 different dimensions and the perception of quality amongst tourists based on the rural tourism experience. Perceived value and tourism satisfaction are seen as two constructs that bridge the gulf between these quality perceptions and the tourists’ future behavior — that is, the intent of tourists to revisit, spread positive word-of-mouth, and their propensity to splurge on unique rural products. Furthermore, we also examined the respondents’ areas where they lived in urban or rural areas which would affect their perceptions and behaviors. The analysis was identified using data from 650 respondents’ four key quality dimensions: tourism environment and transportation, companionship and learning, culture and local items, and rural environment as perceived by the tourists. Indeed, the findings lend considerable empirical support to the relationship of perceived quality with perceived value, satisfaction, and the dimensions of the behavioral intentions of tourists. Interestingly, the study showed residents — the urban and rural residents of tourists — as a very important moderator of these relationships. These are important insights that would be invaluable in explaining the driving factors of tourists’ intentions and the imperative for the sustainable growth of rural tourism in China.

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Photogrammetry for Monitoring the Geometric Changes of Reclaimed Landfills

Monitoring reclaimed landfills is essential for ensuring their stability and monitoring the regularity of facility settlement. Insufficient recognition of the magnitude and directions of these changes can lead to serious damage to the body of the landfill (landslides, sinkholes) and, consequently, threaten the environment and the life and health of people near landfills. This study focuses on using UAV photogrammetry to monitor geometric changes in reclaimed landfills. This approach highlights the advantages of UAVs in expanding the monitoring and providing precise information critical for decision-making in the reclamation process. This study presents the result of annual photogrammetry measurements at the Słabomierz–Krzyżówka reclaimed landfill, located in the central part of Poland. The Multiscale Model to Model Cloud Comparison (M3C2) algorithm was used to determine deformation at the landfill. The results were simultaneously compared with the landfill’s reference (angular–linear) measurements. The mean vertical displacement error determined by the photogrammetric method was ±2.3 cm. The results showed that, with an appropriate measurement methodology, it is possible to decide on changes in geometry reliably. The collected 3D data also gives the possibility to improve the decision-making process related to repairing damage or determining the reclamation direction of the landfill, as well as preparing further development plans.

Which Characteristics are Associated With Going Outside for People Living With Dementia in Nursing Homes? A Cross-Sectional Study.

This cross-sectional study explores the frequency of going outside and characteristics that are associated with going outside for people living with dementia in nursing homes in the Netherlands. A subsample of a national survey in 353 nursing homes was used (N = 693). Two-thirds (66.5%) go outside often. Compared to those who rarely or never go outside, participants who go outside often receive visits more often (odds ratio (OR) 1.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-2.75), have less severe physical impairments (severe vs. mild: OR 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.73; very severe vs. mild: OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.03-0.49), use less pain medication (OR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.98), experience higher positive affect (OR 1.10, 95% CI 1.03-1.17), and feel less at home (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.97). These findings are the first step in developing effective interventions that will contribute to people living with dementia going outside more often.

HARMONIZING RELIGIOUS COEXISTENCE THROUGH EDUCATION AND POLITICAL ECONOMY: A CASE STUDY OF PANDOWOHARJO VILLAGE

<p><em>The life of the Pandowoharjo people in the framework of harmony has been going on for a long time. Pandowoharjo Village is 1 of 75 villages in Bantul district, which administratively consists of 16 hamlets and 94 RTs, with a population in 2023 of 22,818 people. In this village, the majority of people are Muslim, reaching 93%, Catholics 3%, Christians 1% and Hindu-Buddhists below 1%. However, people can live side by side without conflict and are able to construct religious coexistence in daily life. The aim of this research is to find out how education and political economy can build coexistence in society. The research method used is a qualitative method. The research results show that; 1) Education has an important role in building coexistence, this is to provide understanding and a basic foundation for society. So far, there are various religious organizations that are active in community religious activities, and there are also religious leaders who call for the importance of maintaining religious coexistence. 2) Political economy is an important sector in efforts to maintain a harmonious life. In Pendoharjo Village, the entire community can access various sectors, including economic, political and educational, regardless of religious background. This is proof that Pandowoharjo Village has been able to construct coexistence in all aspects of life.</em></p>

The effects of free dance versus hatha yoga on quality of life and motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease: protocol study for a randomized clinical trial

Objective: To describe a protocol comparing the effects of free dance, hatha yoga, and a control group on quality of life, motor and non-motor symptoms in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP). Methods: This is a randomized three-arm study. Inclusion criteria will be people with clinically diagnosed Parkinson's disease (PD), ≥ 45 years old, and in stages I to IV of the Hoehn and Yahr Disability Scale (HY). Who do not reach the cut-off point of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and classified in stage V of the HY will be excluded. The interventions will last 60 minutes, twice a week, progressing from light to vigorous intensity. The primary outcome will be quality of life assessed by the Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ39). Secondary outcomes will include the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the evaluation of motor and physical function such as shoulder and hip range of motion (goniometer), cardiorespiratory fitness (six-minute walk test), balance (MiniBESTest), as well as non-motor aspects such as anxiety (Beck Anxiety Inventory), self-esteem (Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale), cognition (MoCA), hope (Herth Hope Scale), fecal incontinence (Fecal Incontinence Quality of life), urinary incontinence (International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire - Short Form), and depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory). Data will be collected at baseline and post-intervention. Discussion: If study interventions are deemed effective compared to standard of care (i.e. control group), the present study will advance current knowledge on non-pharmacological therapeutic strategies for People with Parkinson. Study registered RBR-54s92mh on 02/29/24.

Linking the Right to Electricity as a Contractual, Derivative and Human Right through the Undisclosed Principal Agency Law

The South African Constitution in its Bill of Rights does not explicitly detail a human right to electricity, as with other socio-economic rights. This, however, does not change the fact that electricity is a sought-after commodity that is essential to the everyday life of people in the modern era and essential to the development of a nation's economy. The only instruments that detail electricity as a right are international instruments such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women and the United Nations Sustainable Developmental Goals, that emphasise electricity as a right that states must fulfil towards their citizens. This discussion hypothesises that the company law agency model of the undisclosed principal can be used to better explain the relationship between Eskom, municipalities or private municipal service providers and citizens. It discusses a three-way legal relationship among these stakeholders when providing electricity. Due to the three-way legal relationship, three forms of rights exist: contractual, derivative and human rights. By using undisclosed principal agency law, this discussion will explain how the legal relationship between the state, municipalities and citizens, and the resultant duties herein, create contractual, constitutional and human rights duties for the state to adhere to for the ultimate benefit of citizens.