Negative Consequences Research Articles

The effect of antitumor therapy on the reproductive system, the possibility of preserving female fertility

The influence of malignant neoplasms and their treatment methods on the reproductive function of women is one of the significant problems of oncogynecology. The mechanisms of ovarian follicle loss caused by chemotherapy have their own characteristics depending on the characteristics of the cytotoxic agent and act differently on different populations of ovarian cells. The toxic effect on fertility of the main groups of antitumor drugs is considered. Reproductive dysfunction has negative consequences for a woman’s physical and mental health. The use of methods that reduce the effect of cytotoxic agents on the ovary helps to prevent premature ovarian insufficiency, leading to infertility. The article discusses modern methods of fertility preservation using assisted reproductive technologies. All cancer patients of reproductive age should receive full oncofertility counseling as early as possible, during the treatment planning process, regardless of the type and stage of the disease.

A mixed-method approach on the glass cliff phenomenon: a case of public sector service organizations in Iran

Purpose This study aims to develop and test a model of the antecedents, mediators and consequences of the glass cliff phenomenon through public sector service organizations in Iran to explore more insights on gender inequality in managerial positions. Design/methodology/approach The current research was conducted based on a mixed-method approach, using both qualitative and quantitative research designs. First, the qualitative method includes content analysis by conducting semi-structured interviews with 20 university professors and expert managers working in public sector service organizations in Iran. The outcomes of the qualitative phase lead to designing the conceptual framework and research hypothesis. Then, through a quantitative phase, 384 female managers working in public sector service organizations in Iran are selected using stratified random sampling and fill out the research questionnaire. The exploratory factor analysis was used to verify the model. Moreover, structural equation modeling, using AMOS 24, was used to test the research hypothesis. Findings The findings of the qualitative phase were represented in three categories including antecedents (e.g. the characteristics of women’s leadership, the selection of women based on meritocracy criteria, women’s preferences and organizational factors), mediation effect (e.g. succession planning, personal development planning and support networks) and consequences of the glass cliff phenomenon (e.g. positive and negative consequences). The results of the exploratory factor analysis show there are ten components, explaining 88.5% of variances. Moreover, the test of the structural model supports the direct effect of antecedents on the glass cliff phenomenon. The results also show the effect of the glass cliff phenomenon on consequences through mediation effects. Research limitations/implications There are some limitations that can be addressed by other researchers. Accordingly, the limited number of female managers in Iran prevented larger quantitative research. Moreover, the current research only found casual and mediation consequences of the glass cliff phenomenon, and potential moderators were not considered in this study. Originality/value The present study’s innovations may include using a mixed-method approach to investigate the antecedents, mediators and consequences of the glass cliff phenomenon in this study and examining the model constructs in some public sector service organizations. This research may provide a deep understanding of the antecedents, mediators and consequences of the glass cliff phenomenon by finding new factors using a mixed-method approach.

Recent insights in the correlation between social media use, personality traits and exercise addiction: a literature review

Introduction and aimThe excessive involvement in physical activity without stopping in between sessions despite injuries, the continuous thinking to exercise feeling insane thoughts and experiencing withdrawal symptoms are all characteristics of the Exercise Addiction (EA), an addictive behavior. While the primary exercise addiction is directly caused by compulsive exercise, many studies highlighted the relationship between Eating Disorders (ED) and EA, defining the secondary EA. The correlation between EA, social media use (SMU) and other individual traits remains a relatively underexplored domain. Therefore, this review aimed to examine the latest evidence on the relationship between EA, SMU, and some personality traits such as perfectionism and body image.MethodsElectronic databases including PubMed, Medline, PsycARTICLES, Embase, Web of Science were searched from January 2019 to October 2023, following the PRISMA guidelines.ResultsA total of 15 articles were examined and consolidated in this review. EA was found to be related to different individual traits such perfectionism, body dissatisfaction, depression, obsessive-compulsive personality disorders. While controversial results were found regarding the relationship between EA and SMU.ConclusionThe interaction between mental health, exercise addiction and social media use is complex. Excessive engagement in these latter may result in negative mental health consequences despite their potential benefits. Understanding individual differences and developing effective interventions is crucial to promoting healthy habits and mitigating the EA risks, ultimately enhancing mental well-being. Further research should focus on the identification of risks and protective factors with the eventual aim of developing and implementing effective prevention strategies.

Understanding digital transformation challenges for online learning and teaching in higher education institutions: a review and research framework

PurposeThe widespread uptake of digital technology tools for online teaching and learning reached its peak during the nationwide lockdown triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic. It transformed the higher education institutions (HEIs) marketplace both in developed and developing countries. However, in this process of digital transformation, several HEIs, specifically from developing countries, faced major challenges. That threatened to affect their sustainability and performance. In this vein, this study conducts a bibliometric review to map the challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and suggest strategies for HEIs to cope with post-pandemic situations in the future.Design/methodology/approachThis comprehensive review encompasses 343 papers published between 2020 and 2023, employing a systematic approach that combines bibliometrics and content analysis to thoroughly evaluate the articles.FindingsThe investigation revealed a lack of published work addressing the specific challenges faced by the faculty members affecting their well-being. The study underscores the importance of e-learning technology adoption for higher education sustainability by compelling both students and teachers to rely heavily on social media platforms to maintain social presence and facilitate remote learning. The reduced interpersonal interaction during the pandemic has had negative consequences for academic engagement and professional advancement for both educators and students.Practical implicationsThis has implications for policymakers and the management of HEIs, as it may prove useful in reenvisioning and redesigning future curricula. The paper concludes by developing a sustainable learning framework using a blended approach. Additionally, we also provide directions for future research to scholars.Originality/valueThis study has implications for policymakers and HEI management to rethink the delivery of future courses with a focus on education and institute sustainability. Finally, the research also proposes a hybrid learning framework for sustainability and forms a robust foundation for scholars in future research.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Social Responsibility and Geopolitics Influences on Sports Sponsorship

Through bibliometric analysis, this study offers a thorough investigation of the connection between geopolitics, sports sponsorship, and social responsibility. We investigate the degree of unhealthy sponsorship in junior community sports teams, taking into account policy implications, public health issues, and regional and socioeconomic inequities. We used a multidisciplinary approach, gathering relevant papers using bibliometric analysis and conducting a literature review to assess the state of the field. While qualitative approaches were utilized to look into public opinion, quantitative techniques were applied to examine data on sponsorship agreements. We also looked at the laws and policies that are in place right now regarding sports sponsorship. Legislative adjustments are necessary to lessen the negative consequences of geopolitics on public health and social responsibility, as our synthesis and interpretation of the data show.

Synthetic Degradable Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer and Its Blends with Starch and Cellulose—A Comprehensive Overview

Approximately 50% of global plastic wastes are produced from plastic packaging, a substantial amount of which is disposed of within a few minutes of its use. Although many plastic types are designed for single use, they are not always disposable. It is now widely acknowledged that the production and disposal of plastics have led to a plethora of negative consequences, including the contamination of both groundwater and soil resources and the deterioration of human health. The undeniable impact of excessive plastic manufacturing and waste generation on the global plastic pollution crisis has been well documented. Therefore, degradable polymers are a crucial solution to the problem of the non-degradation of plastic wastes. The disadvantage of degradable polymers is their high cost, so blending them with natural polymers will reduce the cost of final products and maximize their degradation rate, making degradable polymers competitive with industrial polymers that are currently in use daily. In this work, we will delineate various degradable polymers, including polycaprolactone, starch, and cellulose. Furthermore, we will elucidate several aspects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and its blends with natural polymers to show the effects of adding natural polymers on PVA properties. This paper will study cost-effective and ecologically acceptable polymers by combining inexpensive natural polymers with readily accessible biodegradable polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA).

Asymmetry of the economic development of the Eurasian Economic Union: analysis and recommendations

The article analyses the asymmetry of the development of the Eurasian Economic Union countries (hereinafter referred to as the EAEU). The objective of the work is to analyse the symmetrical development of countries within the framework of the EAEU and to formulate measures and recommendations for increase of the economic potential of the countries. In order to achieve the purpose, the objective of comparative assessment on the basis of three indicators was set and overcome. The three indicators include gross domestic product per capita, investments per capita and average accrued salary. The corresponding calculations were done for each indicator, and graphs were constructed showing the general state of the economic development. During the study, the methods of factor and system analysis were applied. The initial data for the study were the official sources of the statistical authorities of the EAEU countries, the Interstate Statistical Committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States as well as publications and scientific articles related to this topic. The main problem is the uneven economic development of the EAEU member states which leads to negative consequences for strengthening the integration process. As a result of the study, some measures were proposed to achieve the symmetrical development of the countries within the framework of the EAEU, and recommendations were prepared for the effective development of interaction between the member countries of the integration association. Following the results of this work, a conclusion was formulated on strengthening ties between the countries by focusing on a mixed economy with government regulation, infrastructure development and increased investment activity.

CSR Disclosure and Bank’s Financial Performance Nexus: Evidence from Pakistan.

Present research intends to evaluate the nexus among the corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosure and financial effectiveness of banking industry in Pakistan. This investigation applies a quantitative research approach using panel data from a sample of Pakistan’s commercial banking institutions over timeframe limited from 2009 to 2020. The outcomes of mixed effect model visualize that there is inverse significant association among CSR disclosure ROE. Whereas no statistically significant linked in the context of short-term financial performance, by using a proxy of ROA. The results suggesting that the focus on CSR events and initiatives may have a detrimental effect on financial effectiveness. It is generally acknowledged that CSR offers numerous non-financial benefits, such as enhancing social media campaigns and luring ethical investors from both domestic and foreign markets. In developing countries context (i.e., Pakistan), we can conclude that the “cost of the CSR initiatives” and “shift of focus view” can affect the performance of banking industry. The lack of a positive correlation among corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance in the Pakistani financial services sector can be attributed to a lack of interest and engagement in socially conscious investing. These findings indicate that the adoption of socially responsible investment has not gained significant cultural traction in Pakistan. The results emphasize the importance of banks, regulators, and stakeholders reassessing the balance between social responsibility and financial performance, considering the possible negative consequences of revealing CSR initiatives.

Measurement of perceived pressures in psychiatry: paper-and-pencil and computerized adaptive version of the P-PSY35 scale

PurposeFormal coercion in psychiatry is widely studied yet much less is known about pressures patients may experience, partly because of the very few measures available. The goal of this study was to validate the P-PSY35 (Pressures in Psychiatry Scale) and provide a paper-and-pencil and a computerised adaptive test (CAT) to measure pressures experienced by patients in psychiatry.MethodsThe P-PSY35 items were developed with users. Patients were evaluated during psychiatric hospitalisation or through an online survey. Mokken scale analysis and Item response theory (IRT) were used to select and estimate the items parameters. A Monte-Carlo simulation was performed to evaluate the number of items needed to transform the paper-and-pencil test into a reliable psychometric CAT.ResultsA total of 274 patients were assessed. The P-PSY35 demonstrated good internal validity, internal consistency, convergent and divergent validity. The P-PSY35 could be substantially shortened while maintaining excellent reliability using the CAT procedure.ConclusionThe P-PSY35 was developed in collaboration with users. It is a psychometrically rigorous tool designed to measure experienced pressures in French-language. The development and successful validation of the P-PSY35 represent a welcome step towards implementing and evaluating programs aimed at reducing negative consequences of coercion.

A Psychological, Historical Analysis of Post-Slavery Trauma and Post-Slavery Growth: Are They Viable Constructs?

Around the turn of the 20th century, two sociologists, W. E. B. Du Bois, and E. Franklin Frazier, produced separate narratives depicting the legacy of slavery. Du Bois documented both the apparent negative consequences as well the way many ex-slaves achieved “uplift” within a short period of time, following Emancipation. Frazier claimed that exiting slavery the ex-slaves were a broken and damaged community in dire need of assimilation. In the 1930s, when Black psychologists entered the picture, their contribution tended to favor and extend Frazier’s work, resulting in a series of studies documenting racial self-hatred and damage to the self-concept. Inspired by contemporary biological and genealogical research showing trauma can become embedded in DNA structures and transmitted from one generation to another, Joy DeGruy theorized that most African Americans suffer from a Post-Traumatic Slave Syndrome [PTSS]. Missing from DeGruy’s theorizing was mention of theory and research on the way trauma can result in positive psychological outcomes or Post-Traumatic Growth [PTG]. The current work attempts to summarize theory and research for both PTSS and PTG, as each may apply to an analysis of the psychological legacy of slavery.

Characterising methamphetamine/amphetamine use among opioid agonist therapy-seeking adults with prescription-type opioid use disorder in Canada.

There has been a significant increase in methamphetamine/amphetamine use in North America, particularly among people who use opioids. Despite its association with several negative health consequences, the population of people who use methamphetamine/amphetamine with opioids is not well characterised. The aim of this study was to investigate correlates of methamphetamine/amphetamine use among adults with prescription-type opioid use disorder (POUD) starting methadone or buprenorphine/naloxone as part of a pragmatic randomised treatment trial in Canada. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to determine factors associated with baseline methamphetamine/amphetamine use (measured by urine drug test [UDT]) among participants of a pan-Canadian pragmatic trial conducted between 2017 and 2020 comparing supervised methadone versus flexible take-home dosing buprenorphine/naloxone models of care in people with POUD (e.g., licit or illicit, including fentanyl, prescribed or not). The sample included 269 participants, of which 142 (52.8%) had positive baseline methamphetamine/amphetamine UDT. In the multivariable model, positive fentanyl UDT (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 13.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.45, 28.30), non-fatal overdose in the last 6 months (AOR 2.26, CI 1.01, 5.17) and a lifetime history of opioid agonist therapy exposure prior to study entry (AOR 2.30, CI 1.09, 4.87) remained positively associated with baseline methamphetamine/amphetamine use. In this sample of people with POUD, methamphetamine/amphetamine use was associated with markers of complex and severe OUD, including overdose risk. This suggests the need for targeted interventions to optimise treatment outcomes and prevent future overdoses in this population. Available at: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03033732.

Reducing childhood mortality extends mothers’ lives

During the twentieth century, childhood mortality was dramatically reduced globally, falling by more than 90% in the United States and much of Europe. Total fertility also fell, with the combined result that many parents who otherwise would have experienced the loss of a child were spared the trauma and negative health consequences that accompany such a loss. Here I use mathematical modeling to argue that the reduction in the frequency of child death that occurred in the twentieth century indirectly led to a substantial reduction in female mortality, resulting in an extension of female lifespan. I estimate that the reduction in maternal bereavement in the US during the twentieth century indirectly increased mean female lifespan after age 15 by approximately 1 year. I discuss implications for our understanding of the persistence of the sex gap in longevity and approaches to improving maternal health outcomes in countries that still face high levels of childhood mortality.

A review on evaluating mental stress by deep learning using EEG signals

AbstractMental stress is a common problem that affects individuals all over the world. Stress reduces human functionality during routine work and may lead to severe health defects. Early detection of stress is important for preventing diseases and other negative health-related consequences of stress. Several neuroimaging techniques have been utilized to assess mental stress, however, due to its ease of use, robustness, and non-invasiveness, electroencephalography (EEG) is commonly used. This paper aims to fill a knowledge gap by reviewing the different EEG-related deep learning algorithms with a focus on Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Long Short-Term Memory networks (LSTMs) for the evaluation of mental stress. The review focuses on data representation, individual deep neural network model architectures, hybrid models, and results amongst others. The contributions of the paper address important issues such as data representation and model architectures. Out of all reviewed papers, 67% used CNN, 9% LSTM, and 24% hybrid models. Based on the reviewed literature, we found that dataset size and different representations contributed to the performance of the proposed networks. Raw EEG data produced classification accuracy around 62% while using spectral and topographical representation produced up to 88%. Nevertheless, the roles of generalizability across different deep learning models and individual differences remain key areas of inquiry. The review encourages the exploration of innovative avenues, such as EEG data image representations concurrently with graph convolutional neural networks (GCN), to mitigate the impact of inter-subject variability. This novel approach not only allows us to harmonize structural nuances within the data but also facilitates the integration of temporal dynamics, thereby enabling a more comprehensive assessment of mental stress levels.

Prevalence and factors associated with diabetes-related distress in type 2 diabetes patients: a study in Hong Kong primary care setting

Diabetes-related distress (DRD) refers to the psychological distress specific to living with diabetes. DRD can lead to negative clinical consequences such as poor self-management. By knowing the local prevalence and severity of DRD, primary care teams can improve the DRD evaluation in our daily practice. This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 3 General Out-patient Clinics (GOPCs) from 1 December 2021 to 31 May 2022. A random sample of adult Chinese subjects with T2DM, who regularly followed up in the selected clinic in the past 12 months, were included. DRD was measured by the validated 15-item Chinese version of the Diabetes Distress Scale (CDDS-15). An overall mean score ≥ 2.0 was considered clinically significant. The association of DRD with selected clinical and personal factors was investigated. The study recruited 362 subjects (mean age 64.2 years old, S.D. 9.5) with a variable duration of living with T2DM (median duration 7.0 years, IQR 10.0). The response rate was 90.6%. The median HbA1c was 6.9% (IQR 0.9). More than half (59.4%) of the subjects reported a clinically significant DRD. Younger subjects were more likely to have DRD (odds ratio of 0.965, 95% CI 0.937–0.994, p = 0.017). Patients with T2DM in GOPCs commonly experience clinically significant DRD, particularly in the younger age group. The primary care clinicians could consider integrating the evaluation of DRD as a part of comprehensive diabetes care.

Griefbots, Deadbots, Postmortem Avatars: on Responsible Applications of Generative AI in the Digital Afterlife Industry

To analyze potential negative consequences of adopting generative AI solutions in the digital afterlife industry (DAI), in this paper we present three speculative design scenarios for AI-enabled simulation of the deceased. We highlight the perspectives of the data donor, data recipient, and service interactant – terms we employ to denote those whose data is used to create ‘deadbots,’ those in possession of the donor’s data after their death, and those who are meant to interact with the end product. We draw on the scenarios to map out several key ethical concerns posed by ‘re-creation services’ and to put forward recommendations on the ethical development of AI systems in this specific area of application. The recommendations, targeted at providers of AI-enabled re-creation services, include suggestions for developing sensitive procedures for retiring deadbots, ensuring meaningful transparency, restricting access to such services to adult users only, and adhering to the principle of mutual consent of both data donors and service interactants. While we suggest practical solutions to the socio-ethical challenges posed by the emergence of re-creation services, we also emphasize the importance of ongoing interdisciplinary research at the intersection of the ethics of AI and the ethics of the DAI.

Steady undermining of the UK National Health Service underlies industrial action by doctors and other staff

Erosion of standard of healthcare in the United Kingdom underlies the industrial action taken recently by staff in the publicly provided National Health Service. Underfunding and understaffing, largely as a consequence of neoliberal government “austerity” policies implemented following the 2007-08 banking crisis, together with lack of long-term planning and a drive towards outsourcing, have led to a deterioration in the quality of services. Reduction in bed numbers and neglect of community and social support have compounded problems by making it more difficult both to admit and to discharge patients in a timely fashion. Access to services has been compromised with negative consequences for the sick. Reduction of doctors’ real wages together with stress at work, moral injury caused by feelings of not being able to do the best for patients, burnout from the Covid-19 pandemic and uncertainty about the future have led to the longest ever strike action by junior doctors in England.

Thermal analysis of fire effects on fire doors using the finite element method

The goal of this paper is to use the finite element method and computer simulation to prove the effectiveness in assessing the fire resistance of building construction elements, specifically on the example of the fire resistance of fire doors. For that purpose, data from the building where fire doors with defined characteristics were installed were used. For simulation purposes, numerical modelling with thermal and structural analysis will be used. In this way, the parameters of the temperature distribution on the fire door and the contact material due to fire will be obtained, as well as the distribution of strain and stresses, which will indicate the fire resistance of the used structure. Computer simulation with numerical modelling offers a number of advantages both in the speed of providing results of a larger number of variants of the simulation model and in the accuracy of the results obtained once the model is calibrated. Also, the mentioned type of predicting the effect of fire can be applied to other elements of the structure of the construction object, which can significantly influence the decision-making that will prevent the negative consequences of the occurrence of a possible fire.

The Role of the Public Sphere of Science in Fostering Public Trust in Science in Ukraine

Introduction. The war in Ukraine has created a challenging environment for scholarly research, as many researchers and institutions have found themselves in constrained conditions and resources. Furthermore, there has been a decline in public trust in institutions in Ukraine, including the scholarly community.Problem Statement. In Ukraine, public trust in science has been consistently low in recent years. This may have negative consequences for the development of science and technology in the country, as well as for public policy decisions that rely on scientifi c evidence. Therefore, there is a need to foster public trust in the science of Ukraine.Purpose. The purpose of this research is to identify the key tools and technologies of the public sphere of science, which can contribute to building trust in science among the Ukrainian public.Material and Methods. There have been used the methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, structural, functional, system analysis, and integration.Results. The importance of the role of the public sphere of science in shaping public trust in scholarly research in Ukraine has been established. The main tools and technologies in the public sphere of science that can be used to engage the public and to enhance trust in science in Ukraine have been analyzed. The role of social media platforms, scientifi c webinars, scientifi c platforms, and scientifi c festivals in this process and their potential for engaging the public in scientifi c knowledge and research have been discussed.Conclusions. The importance of involving the public in scientifi c decision-making processes and engagement through organizing public discussions and debates has been concluded. Another crucial step is ensuring open access to scientifi c information and promoting greater transparency. Collaboration among research organizations, the public, the government, and other stakeholders is also vital to the development of eff ective scientifi c policies. The use of innovation technologies and digital tools facilitates interaction between science and the public. Ensuring access to scientifi c knowledge and scientifi c education contributes to increasing trust in science.

Increased screen time and its association to migraine and tension-type headache: a cross-sectional investigation among Bangladeshi students

BackgroundIncreasing prevalence of screens among young people is a notable characteristic of the modern digital era. The study aimed to explore the prevalence and associated factors of migraine headache (MH)...

Environmental Impact of Business Freedom and Renewable Energy: A Global Perspective

This research has examined the impact of business freedom on environmental degradation in developed and developing countries from 2000 to 2022. Panel least squares and generalized method of moments have been applied for empirical analysis. Our findings show that both business freedom and renewable energy consumption have a significant and detrimental influence on environmental degradation in both developed and developing nations. Furthermore, our findings highlight the significant influence of financial development on environmental degradation in both the whole sample and developing nations. Urbanization, on the other hand, has a significant impact on environmental degradation in both developed and developing nations. Interestingly, financial development has a negative and significant impact on environmental degradation in developed nations, while energy consumption has a notable positive and significant relationship with environmental degradation across the board. These findings suggest that the encouragement of entrepreneurial independence and the use of renewable energy sources might be helpful ways for mitigating environmental damage. Addressing the negative consequences of urbanization on the environment is also critical. The short-run dynamics give useful insight for developing tailored strategies to establish a sustainable balance between economic expansion and environmental preservation at the same time.