Lifelong Challenge Research Articles

LECTURER PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCIES IN IMPROVING STUDENTS' MIND PATTERNS IN THE ERA OF DIGITALIZATION

Lecturers' professional competence in improving students' mindsets, namely evaluating the performance of lecturers who have the qualifications displayed in carrying out their obligations to provide educational services to the community. There are four lecturer competencies, namely (1) having knowledge about learning and human behavior; (2) have knowledge and mastery of the field of study they are studying; (3) have the right attitude about oneself, colleagues and the field of study one is developing; and (4) have technical teaching skills. The research method that the researcher will use is library research with a qualitative method, namely reviewing literature related to the professional competence of lecturers. Qualitative methods prioritize observing phenomena. There are two types of mindset, namely: First, Fixed Mindset. Second, Growth Mindset, namely a mindset (view) that can be developed through practice, training, appropriate ways/methods. The efforts to improve student mindsets, especially in this era of digitalization, are by motivating a mindset that continues to develop, not a mindset that remains in place. for example (1) Study and work, (2) Study will be a lifelong challenge. (3) Learning no longer has to be at school or university. (4) Educational institutions are slow to adapt. (5). Organizational awareness is needed to continue learning.

The Relationship Between Somatization and Depression and Anxiety Levels of Parents with Children Diagnosed with Spina Bifida

IntroductionSpina Bifida, a congenital neural tube defect causing multi-system dysfunction. The birth of a disabled child in the family inevitably affects the family members, their lives, feelings, behavior and social life negatively. A lifelong challenge with the disease may give rise to severe pathologies to the parents or caregivers; such as somatization disorder which is characterized by various functional somatic symptoms that can not be explained by organic pathology. For the DSM-V, the diagnosis of complex somatic symptom disorder is proposed to replace the current diagnoses of somatization disorder, undifferentiated somatoform disorder, hypochondriasis and pain disorder. The proposed diagnostic criteria for complex somatic symptom disorder require the presence of somatic symptoms, together with misattributions, excessive concern or preoccupation with symptoms and illness and increased healthcare use.ObjectivesWe aimed to find out the relationship between somatization, depression and anxiety levels of parents with children diagnosed with SB.MethodsInterview form, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), and the SCL-90-R (Psychological symptoms screening test) were used. 79 individuals were included.ResultsSeverely depresssed and anxietic parents show correlating levels of somatizaton. Depression and anxiety scores were above normal range. SCL-90-R Test the ratio of general somatization level compared to other values was found to be 1.72. Parameters above 1 are considered high. This ratio was found to be 100 % in pie charts, indicating all parents had somatization.ConclusionsSB is not only physical but also a psychological burden to the child as well as the parents. Families often find themselves in despair and feel powerless while giving care to their child with SB. They have a greater tendency for mood and somatization disorder, long term psychiatric follow-up and more frequent evaluations and interventions should be undertaken.Disclosure of InterestNone Declared

TSAW—a lifelong challenge or simply an unsolved mystery?

Abstract The table of standard atomic weights (TSAW) provides of the numbers included in all reprints of the periodic tables of the elements, in all textbooks in schools, high schools and universities, found on the internet, and numerous databases [1]. Whenever one needs to relate masses of an element to molar quantities, standard atomic weights come into the play. They are of fundamental importance in science, education, technology, industries, trade and commerce. It is therefore not surprising that the determination of atomic weights has a central role in chemistry. Also, it is not surprising that it needs a whole commission of experts to set-up such table with highest confidence even though at first sight it seems to be a simple compilation of numbers. That commission of experts is the Commission on Isotopic Abundances and Atomic Weights (referred to as the Commission in the text). (For more information about the Commission visit ciaaw.org).

Ne/kritická reflexe minulosti a přeshraniční spolupráce v trojmezních Euroregionech Nisa a Šumava. Na cestě od nostalgického hledání kořenů k dialogickému vzpomínání?

The research article aims to contribute to the discussion on the process of Europeanization of collective memory. We examine the relationship between non/reflexive memory approaches and cross-border cooperation (CBC) in the triangle Euroregions Nisa and Šumava. We assume that key local agents of CBC defend dialogic remembering approach, therefore contribute to the process of horizontal Europeanization. To test this assumption, we conducted a questionnaire survey with 79 mayors and 52 semi-structured interviews with various agents in CBC in all sides of both Euroregions. Collected statistic data were analysed through the use of crosstabulation. In the interviews were identified multiple discourses on the historical conflicts and CBC. We interpreted both quantitative and qualitative data using the concept of the active border [Müller 2014, 2018] and four models of dealing with the traumatic past [Assman 2010]. We found evidence that traumatic past ceases to be perceived as a barrier and becomes to be seen as a catalyst for CBC. In this process, the following factors were identified as most crucial: structural perception of memory, cross-border socialisation, attachment towards EU project and, above all, generational gap. We prove that the leading supporters of dialogic remembering are representatives of the middle-aged generation of mayors, for whom the re/construction of cross-border relationships have become a lifelong challenge.

Criss-crossing autism spectrum disorder and adult neurogenesis.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behavior. Although the onset is typically in early childhood, ASD poses a lifelong challenge for both patients and caretakers. Adult neurogenesis (AN) is the process by which new functional neurons are created from neural stem cells existing in the post-natal brain. The entire event is based on a sequence of cellular processes, such as proliferation, specification of cell fate, maturation, and ultimately, synaptic integration into the existing neural circuits. Hence, AN is implicated in structural and functional brain plasticity throughout life. Accumulating evidence shows that impaired AN may underlie some of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes seen in ASD. In this review, we approach the interconnections between the molecular pathways related to AN and ASD. We also discuss existing therapeutic approaches targeting such pathways both in preclinical and clinical studies. A deeper understanding of how ASD and AN reciprocally affect one another could reveal important converging pathways leading to the emergence of psychiatric disorders.

Experiences of Being Evangelized by the School's Evangelizing Mission: The Case of Employees in a Philippine Catholic University

One unique function of a Catholic school is developing a campus-based Christian community and nurturing the Christian life of the members of the academe. The Church stresses its importance in the task of evangelization. Hence, this phenomenological study intended to explore the lived experiences of the permanent employees on the evangelizing mission of a Catholic university. Through a purposive sampling method, the data were gathered from five participants through a semi-structured in-depth interview. The data were analyzed using recursive textual analysis adopting the framework of Lichtman's 3C's. The findings of the study revealed that the evangelizing mission of the university through its religious and outreach activities helped the employees have a more meaningful life, enriched and deepened their faith, and strengthened their relationship with God, the Church, and the members of the institution. They also considered their work as part of the evangelizing mission of the school. In addition, the witnessing of the religious administrators and the visible community life in the university inspired and encouraged them to share in the task of evangelization. Generally, the findings suggest a semblance in the employees' experience and the true identity and mission of Catholic schools highlighted by the Church. This charge is a lifelong challenge for all Catholic institutions to carry out.

New therapeutic agents marketed in 2020: Part 2

New therapeutic agents marketed in 2020: Part 2

A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Speaking Dyspnea.

Purpose A conceptual framework is proposed to better understand the experience of people who have dyspnea (breathing discomfort) when speaking: its nature, its physiological mechanisms, and its impacts on their lives. Method The components of the framework are presented in their natural order. They are a Speaking Domain (Speaking Activities and Speaking Variables), a Physiological Domain (Speech Breathing Variables and Physiological Mechanisms), a Perceptual Domain (Dyspnea), a Symptom Impact Domain (Emotional Responses, Immediate Behavioral Responses, and Long-Term Behavioral Response), and a Life Impact Domain (Short-Term Impacts and Long-Term Impacts). Results We discuss literature that most directly supports these components and includes findings from healthy people and those with disorders in whom speaking dyspnea was either evoked or measured. Caveats are noted where information is limited and further study is needed. A case example is provided to illustrate how to apply the framework. Conclusions This framework provides a broader view of the elements that contribute to the experience of speaking dyspnea. It is meant to guide researchers, clinicians, instructors, caregivers, and those for whom speaking dyspnea is a daily or even a life-long challenge.

A Study on Prevalence of Colour Vision Defects and Correlation with Sex, Visual Acuity and Blood Groups of the Study Group

Inherited color blindness is a lifelong challenge. While it may limit prospects for certain jobs, most peoplefind ways to adapt to the condition. Colour vision defect is usually for red-green colour and it is X-linkedrecessive trait. It is mainly homozygous that develop colour vision defects. Female heterozygous usuallyhave normal vision. Colour vision defects also have a strong genetic component , especially if both parentshave colour vision defects , and people with a particular blood group , and very myopic or hypermetropic, there is a good chance their child will be same. Color blindness is often apparent at a young age whenchildren are learning their colours and goes undetected because as they grow they learn to associate specificcolours with certain objects.For example, they come to know that grass is green, so they call the colour theysee green. If symptoms are very mild, a person may not realize that they don’t see certain colours.

Organismal Protein Homeostasis Mechanisms.

Sustaining a healthy proteome is a lifelong challenge for each individual cell of an organism. However, protein homeostasis or proteostasis is constantly jeopardized since damaged proteins accumulate under proteotoxic stress that originates from ever-changing metabolic, environmental, and pathological conditions. Proteostasis is achieved via a conserved network of quality control pathways that orchestrate the biogenesis of correctly folded proteins, prevent proteins from misfolding, and remove potentially harmful proteins by selective degradation. Nevertheless, the proteostasis network has a limited capacity and its collapse deteriorates cellular functionality and organismal viability, causing metabolic, oncological, or neurodegenerative disorders. While cell-autonomous quality control mechanisms have been described intensely, recent work on Caenorhabditis elegans has demonstrated the systemic coordination of proteostasis between distinct tissues of an organism. These findings indicate the existence of intricately balanced proteostasis networks important for integration and maintenance of the organismal proteome, opening a new door to define novel therapeutic targets for protein aggregation diseases. Here, we provide an overview of individual protein quality control pathways and the systemic coordination between central proteostatic nodes. We further provide insights into the dynamic regulation of cellular and organismal proteostasis mechanisms that integrate environmental and metabolic changes. The use of C. elegans as a model has pioneered our understanding of conserved quality control mechanisms important to safeguard the organismal proteome in health and disease.

Translation, rewriting and formation of Singapore’s bilingual education policy

Abstract Individuals inevitably have their own perception of Singapore’s bilingual education policy, especially those who experienced its formation and history from the pre-independence days of the 1950s to the 1980s. The book, My Lifelong Challenge: Singapore’s Bilingual Journey by Lee Kuan Yew, the founding Prime Minister of Singapore, provides much information and insights into this part of history. Through the comparison of the English and Chinese editions, this paper discusses the poetics, patronage and ideological differences related to the reasons for the translation and rewriting by Lee Kuan Yew of the Chinese edition. It suggests that Lee Kuan Yew had different intentions for the English and Chinese editions in relation to the respective readerships; as regards the English readership, the author intends the readers to gain knowledge of the historical background and to emphasize to them the importance of Mother Tongue; as regards the Chinese readership, he seeks to address any misunderstandings and misgivings towards the government that this group of readers may have and to gain their support for the bilingual policy.

Foreign language anxiety – an issue of (Czech) Slovak teachers – critical review

The monograph, “Foreign Language Anxiety, Post – Communist Country Context” was edited by Zdena Kráľová and Jana Kamenická, Verbum Praha, 2019. Anxiety and fear on one hand, unflagging inner responsibility to do one´s best in the position of a role model, on the other… This is the challenge that countless non-native foreign language (FL) teachers experience every time they stand in front of their learners. Teachers, being of different personalities, having undergone various educational systems and being given different opportunities for practical foreign language use, are trying to do their best to fulfil their highest potential. That is why being a teacher automatically predestines representatives of this difficult profession to experience a life-long challenge - professional and personal. Many non-native FL teachers experience feelings of anxiety and fear when it comes to their everyday teaching performance, however, their, often very difficult, situation does not belong to topics of wide discussions. This work provides a unique outlook on the issues that should definitely be more discussed by the experts of the field. Authors try to clarify the issue of anxiety in hope that if it is theoretically understood, it can be coped with it more efficiently. During close reading of this monograph, I, as a non-native English language teacher, have found many issues concerning anxiety not only interesting, but beneficial as well. The content of the work is logically organized which gives readers the opportunity to understand the problem systematically, from the most fundamental issues to more complex ones.

Review

Review

The auditing profession - a lifelong challenge for Balkan’s students

The auditing profession - a lifelong challenge for Balkan’s students

Human NK Cells and Herpesviruses: Mechanisms of Recognition, Response and Adaptation.

NK cells contribute to early defenses against viruses through their inborn abilities that include sensing of PAMPs and inflammatory signals such as cytokines or chemokines, recognition, and killing of infected cells through activating surface receptors engagement. Moreover, they support adaptive responses via Ab-dependent mechanisms, triggered by CD16, and DC editing. Their fundamental role in anti-viral responses has been unveiled in patients with NK cell deficiencies suffering from severe Herpesvirus infections. Notably, these infections, often occurring as primary infections early in life, can be efficiently cleared by NK, T, and B cells in healthy hosts. Herpesviruses however, generate a complicated balance with the host immune system through their latency cycle moving between immune control and viral reactivation. This lifelong challenge has contributed to the development of numerous evasion mechanisms by Herpesviruses, many of which devoted to elude NK cell surveillance from viral reactivations rather than primary infections. This delicate equilibrium can be altered in proportions of healthy individuals promoting virus reactivation and, more often, in immunocompromised subjects. However, the constant stimulus provided by virus-host interplay has also favored NK-cell adaptation to Herpesviruses. During anti-HCMV responses, NK cells can reshape their receptor repertoire and function, through epigenetic remodeling, and acquire adaptive traits such as longevity and clonal expansion abilities. The major mechanisms of recognition and effector responses employed by NK cells against Herpesviruses, related to their genomic organization will be addressed, including those allowing NK cells to generate memory-like responses. In addition, the mechanisms underlying virus reactivation or control will be discussed.

Philosophical determinants of obesity as a disease.

Is obesity a disease? Much ink has been spilled over this debate and for good reasons. The global prevalence of obesity has more than doubled since the 1980s and is now of pandemic proportions. Whether obesity is a disease has consequences for what kind of treatments are appropriate, as well as how we ought to allocate funding and access to healthcare resources. In most cases, there is no dispute over the medical facts, yet disagreement persists. This is because whether obesity is a disease is not determined by medical facts alone; the issue is, in part, conceptual. Science relies on careful argumentation and conceptual analysis as part of its armamentarium. In this review, we will examine the two concepts of disease most often employed in the philosophy of medicine: the naturalistic and constructivist. We will argue that, whichever definition of a disease is used, obesity fits the criteria for disease definition. Those seeking to meet the challenge of managing obesity will, therefore, need to embrace chronic disease models of care suited to addressing the lifelong challenge posed by this disease and its associated complications.

Digital Magnifying Glasses for Low-Vision Learners: Bringing Assistive Technologies to the Developing World.

A student squinting to see the board or holding a textbook inches from his or her nose often provides the first indication of a visual impairment. For most, the cause is a refractive error, readily correctible with eyeglasses. However, for an estimated 40-65 million people globally with functional low vision, the fuzzy words pose a lifelong challenge.

Using Digital Health Technology to Prevent and Treat Diabetes.

This year's article on health information technology (HIT) illustrates the use of digital technology to prevent and treat diabetes by enabling consumer engagement, behavior change, and impact analytics. It provides a snapshot of current thinking about digital technology's capabilities and capacity to deliver personalized interventions at scale. Early results are promising. A growing number of digital programs are clinically proven to improve health and lower the cost of care. And pioneering health-care organizations are offering these programs to members and patients as part of their new models for value-based care. Their success will drive other organizations—payers, providers, and employers—to make similar investments in health. In the modern health-care world, experts agree that “value” will be created by enabling health, not just delivering care. With today's epidemic of diabetes, patients who use digital health technologies can benefit greatly from both short-term health improvements and long-term health self-management. The foundations have been laid with evidence-based programs. Now, more health-care organizations must embrace this population management strategy for health. As adoption increases, the next technology challenge will arise: consumer engagement at scale. This engagement will be digital: content-rich programs filled with social support to activate, educate, and engage consumers. Most of the articles included in this and prior ATTD Yearbook articles address the specifics of digital interventions once the person enrolls. But before enrollment, consumers must engage. And to engage consumers, one must understand their reasons for engaging and their expectations for results. These insights fall into the realm of digital marketing, rather than the domain of clinical programs. Using a multidisciplinary approach, digital engagement will be the next variable to solve in the equation for scalable digital health. Not for a lack of trying, we have been unable to find noteworthy articles presenting best practices for consumer engagement from outreach to enrollment. But the future looks quite bright for the science of marketing digital health interventions. Increasingly, “big data” is providing scientists, innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, health-care providers, and administrators with the insights they need to predict consumer interests and personalize experiences throughout the entire behavior change process—from outreach to outcomes. Over the coming year, we will continue to search the health-care landscape to bring more innovations in digital health and diabetes prevention, from consumer engagement to population impact.

Prevalence, Trend, Determinants and Prediction of Autism Spectrum Disorders among Dubai Population, Diagnostic Approach and Management Contexts

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is becoming a major threat, large public health challenge and most common persistent developing disorder to a public health in Dubai. Most of the families are facing lifelong challenge because of the different nature of disorders like neurodevelopment disorder, which often results in an array of motor impairments. These motor impairments are the main cause of decrease performance of activities of routine life as well as in societal tasks which require specific motor abilities and skills. Aim: To study the prevalence’s, determinants and prediction of Autism among Dubai population. To study some associated factors. Methodology: Retrospective records review approach has been applied; qualitative methodology has been focus on the groups with mental health experts working at: Dubai Autism Centre (DAC), Al-Jalila hospital (AJH), Latifa hospital, Private Sector Healthcare (PSH), Dubai Rehabilitation Centre for Disabilities. Quantitative methodology is based on the, Prevalence, incidence. Prevalence, incidence is associated on international research (a systematic research review) as estimated as well, along with expert interviews have been applied as well. Results: The study showed that 84.9% of the cases were males and 51.9% of the autism cases were females, 30.9% were UAE nationals and 69.1% were expatriate, about 72.4% were diagnosed as Autism spectrum disorders, 9.2% as ASD features and 9.2% were diagnosed as other disorders. Dubai Autism Centre estimates that autism is affected 1 in 146 births (0.68%). By applying these estimates to the total number of births in Dubai for 2014, it was predicted that approximately 199 children of which 58 (29.1%) were nationals and 141 (70.9%) were non– nationals suffering from autism at the same stage. Some of the families of about 16.4% of children searching help for ASD assessment between the age group 6–18+. Most of the families are not going to consult GPs for early diagnosis because of the number of reasons including cultural reasons. So, it became critical to understand late– stage diagnosis as ASD can be diagnosed much earlier and how many of these later presenters are diagnosed with ASD. The study reflected future prediction of the cases based on international standards prevalence and the population density as reflected by the figure which reflected the highest prevalence at the age intervals of 25-29 years, 30-34 years and 35-39 years respectively. Conclusion: Autism is still on-going challenging public health issue in Dubai, in terms of rising up prevalence, incidences, trends, cases sorting out and management context of autism is one of actual national health care system gaps. There is emergence need of the nurses who are qualified and have the experience to identify children with ASD which is required to implement in regular checkup of school health. Early diagnosis of Autism awareness is increased by giving training to GP’s. There is an urgent need of interdisciplinary innovative autism centre for adult when the children leave the safe environment of the school at 18 years. These needs are followed by further studies to cover take care of needed people with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

Lifelong challenge of calcium homeostasis in male mice lacking TRPV5 leads to changes in bone and calcium metabolism.

Trpv5 plays an important role in calcium (Ca2+) homeostasis, among others by mediating renal calcium reabsorption. Accordingly, Trpv5 deficiency strongly stresses Ca2+ homeostasis in order to maintain stable serum Ca2+. We addressed the impact of lifelong challenge of calcium homeostasis on the bone phenotype of these mice.Aging significantly increased serum 1,25(OH)2D3 and PTH levels in both genotypes but they were more elevated in Trpv5−/− mice, whereas serum Ca2+ was not affected by age or genotype. Age-related changes in trabecular and cortical bone mass were accelerated in Trpv5−/− mice, including reduced trabecular and cortical bone thickness as well as reduced bone mineralization. No effect of Trpv5 deficiency on bone strength was observed. In 78-week-old mice no differences were observed between the genotypes regarding urinary deoxypyridinoline, osteoclast number, differentiation and activity as well as osteoclast precursor numbers, as assessed by flow cytometry.In conclusion, life-long challenge of Ca2+ homeostasis present in Trpv5−/− mice causes accelerated bone aging and a low cortical and trabecular bone mass phenotype. The phenotype of the Trpv5−/− mice suggests that maintenance of adequate circulatory Ca2+ levels in patients with disturbances in Ca2+ homeostasis should be a priority in order to prevent bone loss at older age.