Personal Life Research Articles

The value of lives in New Zealand.

There is currently a pronounced lack of uniformity in the values placed on a life or a QALY by different New Zealand government entities taking actions designed to save lives or QALYs. With some limited exceptions, equity suggests that all QALYs be equally valued, and therefore likewise for all lives with the same residual life expectancy and quality of life. Prima facie, this is attainable by adopting the best (and only credible) New Zealand estimate of the value of life (the NZTA's $12.5m value of the life of a median age person in good health), and using that or its QALY equivalent as a cutoff figure to determine interventions throughout the public sector. This provides opportunities for large welfare gains, from curtailing existing interventions that currently use much larger cutoff values (such as earthquake strengthening regulations) and expanding interventions that currently use much smaller cutoff values (such as public health spending). However, the NZTA's figure is only applicable to small increases in lives saved, and must decline as the number of additional lives saved increases. This relationship should be estimated.

Strategies teachers use to maintain motivation

This paper examines how teachers sustain their motivation for teaching in challenging times. Teachers (N=209) primarily from Australia and the US nominated 606 strategies to maintain their motivation within online modules designed to enhance capacity for resilience. Inductively coded higher-order categories were: Intrapersonal (e.g. remember original motivation for teaching); Interpersonal (e.g. focus on the students); Professional (e.g. create exciting lessons); and Personal Life (e.g. maintain health and wellbeing). Strategies align with social-ecological understandings of resilience and motivation where both personal and contextual resources are harnessed. Findings provide a basis for employers, leaders and teachers to support teacher motivation and resilience.

Peter Falkai: In order to understand the neurobiological origins of psychoses we need to understand the genetic underpinnings of brain plasticity and its modulation due to environmental risk factors

Peter Falkai stands as one of the world's leading authorities in psychiatric research, particularly in understanding the neurobiology of schizophrenia. As a Scientific Member of the Max Planck Society and Director and Head of the Hospital at the Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry since October 2024, he continues to advance our understanding of mental health disorders. His distinguished career spans over three decades, during which he has held multiple prestigious leadership positions, including President of the European Psychiatric Association (2021–2023) and current President of the World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry. A member of the German Academy of Sciences Leopoldina, where he served as Senator of the Neurosciences Section, Prof. Falkai has been instrumental in shaping modern psychiatric research and treatment approaches. His groundbreaking work on brain plasticity and innovative treatment combinations has opened new pathways for understanding and treating psychotic disorders. As site spokesperson for the German Centre for Mental Health and former President of the German Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Psychosomatics and Neurology, he continues to bridge the gap between basic research and clinical application. In this Genomic Press Interview, Prof. Falkai graciously shares insights into his remarkable professional journey and personal life, offering readers a glimpse into the mind of one of psychiatry's most influential figures.

Феміністичні аспекти життєпису Елізи Ожешко та Олени Пчілки

The purpose of the publication is to determine the origins of feminist views based on specific facts from the biographies of Ukrainian Olena Pchilka and Polish Eliza Orzeszkowa. The results. In the 19th century, views on the role and place of women in family and society began to change radically. It is outlined that these changes start with family upbringing, which, according to both writers, plays a crucial role in preparing girls for adult life, laying the foundation for the realization of their personal needs and desires, and developing a clear civic position. An important role in this process is assigned to the mother, who should contribute to teaching her daughter not only good manners, crafts, singing, and dancing but also to cultivate a love for the native language and respectful attitude towards folk traditions. It is clarified that in the family of the Dragomanovs, the role of women and mothers went beyond the traditional boundaries of patriarchal society. Olena Pchilka is a vivid example of a new woman-mother, a woman-citizen. It is determined that the lack of understanding with her mother prompted Eliza Orzeszkowa to pay much attention to family issues and its role in shaping the next generations of Poles, giving rise to the conviction that the fate and future of the nation are in the mothers’ hands. A woman-mother should not forget that having a family is not just a privilege, but above all a duty. On her shoulders lies the burden of raising the next generations, and therefore, the responsibility for the fate of future Poland. It is noted that for the full fulfilment of these functions, women lack appropriate education, knowledge in solving household problems, and financial independence since women cannot realize themselves in many professions. The conclusions emphasize that the personal life experience of Olena Pchilka and Eliza Orzeszkowa influenced the formation of feminist views in them, which undermined patriarchal notions of women and their purpose.

MASTERY-HUMILITY MODEL: FROM CONVERGENCE TO INTEGRATION

The perpetuation of dualism has permeated the field of engineering education, resulting in professional outputs not synchronised with personal life. The absence of a spiritual value system persists in the curriculum, which relies on pragmatism, positivism, constructivism, and relativism. This highlights the pressing need for the integration of spiritual values. This two-step process develops a convergent mastery-humility model using a sequential exploratory design approach. The construct validity, a key aspect of this research, achieved CFI .963≥. 95, TLI .956> .90 and RMSEA .068 < .08, validating the model's reliability. Upon verifying the measurement model, SEM then confirmed the theoretical proposition that mastery and humility form the converging variable. The converging platform is at the state of Al-Adl, the correct position of knowledge is mastery where all things should be, and for man, the proper position is in the ‘sujud’ position, as ‘Abd’. The Islamisation of Knowledge (IOK) takes place when any theoretical development, derivations of formulation, and application is based on the governing concept of Bil-Mizan (balance, equilibrium, justice) towards the state of Al-Adl and then Al-Khaliq. The next step involves this cognisance of meaning. The latter concerns the meaning of our existence with the humility of an Abd who must respect the truth. Hence, cognisance is required to seek the truth and differentiate between the Creator and the created. Thus, integration occurs at the same phase, though, in cognitive and affective domains. In conclusion, for this two-part process, the IOK is given a more defined form preceding the integration in the thought process, invigorating the spiritual dimension in the engineering curriculum.

Towards becoming a transnational language educator

The issues surrounding the personal and professional lives of TESOL educators in transnational landscapes have gained increased attention in the past decade. Existing research on transnationalism underscores the significance of expatriates’ experiences, particularly those who originate from ‘non-center’ and whose careers lead them to work in ‘periphery’ countries, setting their experiences apart from those of (im)migrants. This study examines the experiences of ‘non-native’ English-speaking (NNEST) teachers working in transnational contexts, their motivations for relocation, and the challenges they face in adapting to new societies. Guided by the concept of ‘becoming’, the research investigates the key turning points and types of becomings encountered by these expatriate teachers in their journeys towards a transnational identity. Drawing on theories of the ‘Third Space’, the article attempts to understand the ideological transformations that occur within transnational spaces. The findings offer insights into the complex and evolving process of becoming transnational for expatriate ‘non-native’ language educators. By understanding their journeys of self-transformation, this study contributes to the literature on transnationalism and offers valuable perspectives for policymakers and educational bodies. The outcomes of this study endeavor to enhance support for NNESTs by recognizing their transnational experiences as pedagogical resources.

EFFECTIVENESS OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON QUALITY OF WORK LIFE OF THE EMPLOYEES IN MSME SECTOR IN COIMBATORE DISTRICT, TAMIL NADU, INDIA

Quality of work life (QWL) of employees is necessary in MSME sector because it is significantly influencing performance, competitiveness, profitability and reputation of MSMEs and it is affected significantly by working conditions, fulfillment of personal requirements of the employees, security of job, better compensation, proper training and development, performance and satisfaction in their jobs and balancing personal and work life in MSME sector. Meanwhile, efficient implementation of HRM practices is providing better QWL to the employees working in MSMEs. The findings reveal that significant difference is found in HRM practices in MSME sector amidst profile of the employees. Significant difference is also prevailed in QWL in MSME sector amidst profile of the employees. Besides, recruitment and selection, performance appraisal, compensation and career planning are significantly and positively affecting QWL of the employees in MSME sector. Further, interaction between training and development and career planning and interaction between performance appraisal and career planning are also positively and significantly affecting QWL of the employees in MSME sector. Thus, it is also concluded that career planning moderates the relation between training and development and QWL and performance appraisal and career planning and QWL of the employees in MSME sector. Therefore, all the hypotheses are proved by the findings. Therefore, all the hypotheses are proved by the findings and limitation of the study is also presented.

The Influence of Phytoconstituents for the Management of Antipsoriatic Activity in Various Animal Models.

It is possible for psoriasis to manifest at any point in a person's life, regardless of their age, gender, or geographic location. It is a chronic immune-linked inflammatory skin ill-ness that affects individuals of various racial and ethnic origins. It is recognized to be a long-lasting condition. Because of the significant contribution that natural products have made, there has been a significant advancement in the treatment of skin illnesses such as psoriasis. The biggest number of phytochemicals derived from a wide range of plants and herbs are now being used in a variety of applications throughout the whole world. Additionally, a number of phyto-chemicals, including aloe-emodin, psoralen, curcumin, and others, have been effectively ex-tracted in pure or clear form, and they have shown a great deal of efficacy in the treatment of psoriasis illness. There is evidence that a few herbal remedies are effective, and the occurrence of these phytochemicals provides more proof. When synthetic medications are used for chronic therapy, they may cause a variety of adverse consequences; hence, the exploration of natural pharmaceuticals can give a successful natural treatment with a minimal amount of adverse ef-fects. Within the scope of this concise review, a number of plant sources that possess anti-pso-riatic activity are investigated, and the antipsoriatic effects of these plant sources are shown on a number of animal models using particular pathways.

PENDAMPINGAN PUBLIC SPEAKING PADA RISMA (REMAJA ISLAM MASJID) SMPN 45 BANDUNG)

Public speaking is an important skill that can affect one's performance in public. The ability to speak confidently, clearly and convincingly is key to success when speaking in public, including to academic, professional and social audiences. This activity highlights the importance of mastering Public Speaking in improving speaking performance and delivering material in public.This activity was carried out at SMPN 45 Bandung with participants from the extracurricular activities of the Islamic Youth Mosque. This training aims to improve the Public Speaking performance of extracurricular members of the Islamic Youth Mosque who are still not maximized in delivering material in public. This activity was attended by 30 participants with resource persons and activity assistants from the Telkom University Lecturer Team with a background in Communication Science expertise. By mastering public speaking, good public speaking skills can boost confidence, influence audiences more effectively, and deliver messages more clearly and convincingly. In addition, public speaking skills help reduce anxiety, boost confidence and eliminate the fear of public speaking, and open up opportunities to achieve success in various career fields. Thus, investing in the development of public speaking skills is an important step towards achieving good performance and an important asset in personal and professional life.

Financial Literacy for the Future: Preparing Individuals for Economic Success

Financial literacy encompasses the knowledge and skills essential for making informed financial decisions, impacting both personal and professional lives. This study explores the significance of financial literacy in navigating today's complex financial landscape, emphasizing its role in budgeting, saving, investing, debt management, retirement planning, and understanding financial products. It highlights the necessity of financial literacy for achieving financial stability, independence, and overall well-being, as well as its contribution to a stronger economy. Case studies, such as a family's successful debt reduction strategy and a business's effective budgeting process, illustrate how financial literacy leads to improved outcomes. The findings highlight the need for targeted financial education programs and policies that can bridge knowledge gaps and empower individuals to make better financial choices. The study reviews existing literature on financial literacy, noting disparities in knowledge across demographics and the challenges in translating knowledge into effective financial behavior. Ultimately, improving financial literacy is integral to enhancing economic well-being and fostering more equitable financial systems.

A systematic review of multi-level intervention to enhance the quality of life patient with human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are still challenges worldwide. Improvement in quality of life (QoL) is crucial for HIV-infected people. The QoL of HIV-infected patients has been improved by the use of multilevel interventions in various circumstances. This study evaluates the evidence for interventions that target the quality of life of persons with HIV. A systematic review was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines. Science Direct, the Cochrane Library database, and Pubmed were also searched. Three independent reviewers extracted the data. Searches were conducted for articles published from 2013 to 2023. Searching procedures and data abstraction techniques were standardized. The 27 research examined the effects of interventions on HIVinfected people's quality of life. China is the most frequently mentioned country in the 27 studies, appearing as the setting in 8 (29.6%). Following South Africa (14.8%), New York (11.11%) and Kenya (7.4%) were the next most often mentioned countries. For analysis purposes, the interventions used in the 27 reviewed studies were classified into three main categories: individual intervention, family-community intervention, and health service intervention. Significant intervention innovations in quality-of-life research combining several interventions, including individual, family, community, and health system intervention, show the most promising results

Homelessness and Organ Donor-Derived Bartonella quintana Infection.

Louseborne Bartonella quintana infections in the United States occur almost exclusively among persons experiencing homelessness because of inadequate access to hygiene resources. Homelessness is increasing, and persons experiencing homelessness can be organ donors, despite barriers to receiving donated organs themselves. Recent reports have documented B. quintana transmission via organs transplanted from donors who had recently experienced homelessness. Those reports demonstrate the threat of severe bartonellosis in immunosuppressed organ transplant recipients after donor-derived B. quintana infection. Addressing the root causes of B. quintana transmission could improve the quality of life for persons experiencing homelessness and simultaneously mitigate risk for donor-derived B. quintana transmission. Interventions include improved access to housing, consistent access to hot water for showers and laundry, early treatment of body lice infestation and B. quintana infection, and B. quintana testing and prophylactic treatment of recipients of organs from donors who have experienced risk factors for B. quintana, including homelessness.

The Effectiveness of a Poly-herbal Formulation from Traditional Persian Medicine (TPM) in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), a Double-Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial

Introduction:: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) leads to increased contact of the acidic refluxate with the esophageal mucosa. Nearly 10- 20 % of the world's population is affected by GERD. Due to the complications associated with GERD, as well as complications of long-term treatment with current medications, and global demand toward Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), this study evaluated the efficacy of a poly-herbal formulation known as Mastic pill (Habb-e-Mastaki) from traditional Persian medicine (TPM), previously reformulated and standardized, in a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. Method:: 34 patients in the drug group received 4 capsules of Mastic pill plus Omeprazole capsule 20 mg daily. 34 patients in the placebo group received the same dosing of Omeprazole and placebo. The medication was given to patients for a total duration of 4 weeks. All patients were requested to fill out the modified GERD-HRQL questionnaire at the beginning and every two weeks for a total duration of six weeks. Result:: Reflux, and heartburn severity score as well as disruption of personal life score significantly reduced in both groups, but it was more remarkable in the drug group (P-value = 0.0001). Dysphagia, early satiation, and nausea significantly reduced in the drug group while the placebo group showed no improvement. Our results suggest that constipation, bloating, belching, and odynophagia did not significantly improve in none of the groups. Conclusion:: This study showed that Habb-e-Mastaki is effective against GERD. Further detailed in vitro and in vivo studies aimed at discovering the mechanism of action of this formulation and clinical studies involving a larger population will be necessary to explain and confirm the results obtained in the present study.

Work-Life Balance and Career Advancement: A Dual Perspective

Abstract: As organizations increasingly prioritize work-life balance to attract and retain talent, the interplay between work-life balance and career advancement has become a crucial area of study. This article examines the complex relationship between maintaining a balanced professional and personal life and advancing in one's career. Through a dual perspective—focusing on both employees and employers—this study explores how work-life balance influences career progression and how career ambitions impact work-life balance. The findings reveal that while work-life balance can enhance job satisfaction and reduce burnout, it may also affect career advancement opportunities. Conversely, career advancement can strain work-life balance but offer long-term rewards. This article provides insights into balancing these competing demands and offers recommendations for both employees and employers.

Trends in Intermittent Scanning Continuous Glucose Monitoring Usage in The Netherlands—An Opportunity for Elderly Individuals with Diabetes

Background: Intermittent scanning continuous glucose monitoring (is-CGM) technology has gained widespread adoption and is known to improve glycemic control and quality of life for persons with diabetes. The elderly may lag behind in their adoption of the technology, which could be a potential avenue for improving quality of care. In this study, we investigated the adoption of is-CGM technology in the Dutch population, including effects of age. Methods: A retrospective observational study was performed using data from the Drug Information Project, a public database hosted by the Dutch National Health Care Institute. The database contained information concerning healthcare reimbursements from 2017 until 2022 and covered approximately 95% of the total population. Data concerning is-CGM and fast-acting insulin reimbursements were extracted, identifying actual and potential is-CGM users, who were subdivided into the categories 0–24, 25–44, 45–64, 65–74 and ≥75 years old. Results: From 2017 until 2022, is-CGM usage rapidly increased: from 38 to 82.050 actual users. The age categories 0–24 and 25–55 showed the highest is-CGM usage (62% and 84% of the potential population in 2022, respectively), and 65–74 and ≥75 the least (38% and 33%, respectively). However, the elderly had higher growth rates (+75% in the category ≥75 from 2021 to 2022) compared to the youngest (+54% in the category 0–24 in the same period). Conclusions: Data from this study demonstrate that the elderly lag behind in is-CGM adoption. Given the potential advantages of is-CGM for elderly persons with diabetes, we argue that strategies should be developed to address this (paradoxical) underutilization of is-CGM.

The Role of Objective Financial Situation and Psychological Outlook in the Relationship Between Personal Life Shocks and Financial Well‐Being

ABSTRACTExisting research examines the relationship between personal life shocks and financial well‐being primarily through the lens of objective markers of the individual's financial situation (e.g., liquidity). Little attention has been paid to the relative roles of these objective markers and more intuitive or affect‐based factors in how an individual makes sense of their financial situation post‐shock. Using longitudinal data from 1745 Australian adults, we take a dual‐process perspective to examine the roles of objective financial situation and psychological outlook as explanations for the association between the experience of a personal life shock and change in the current and future dimensions of financial well‐being. We found that the experience of a personal life shock (i.e., job loss, health emergency, occurrence of any personal shock) is associated with a decrease in present and future financial well‐being. Objective financial situation significantly mediated the association for present and future financial well‐being, while psychological outlook significantly mediated the association only for future financial well‐being. These findings suggest that an individual relies primarily on analytical, deliberative thought, especially when making sense of their situation, for their sense of current money management stress. For expected future financial security, they are more likely to use dual‐process thought, although analytical, deliberative thought plays a larger role than intuitive, affect‐based thought. These results suggest that the typical individual relies on relevant information (i.e., objective facts) in assessing their financial well‐being, an inherently subjective assessment. However, more intuitive considerations (i.e., psychological outlook) play a role when the individual attempts to anticipate their future state.

The Role of Attributes Organizational Commitment as mediators Between Work-Life Balance on Employee Performance

Work-life balance contributes to a healthy, satisfying, and successful life. An imbalance in work-life dynamics can negatively impact both employee performance and their personal lives. This study employs exchange relationship theory to explore organizational commitment as a mediating variable, which includes affective commitment, continuance commitment, and normative commitment, in the relationship between work-life balance and employee performance. The research focuses on employees of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Salatiga Regency. Data were collected through questionnaires distributed to 111 respondents, and the analysis was conducted using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that affective and continuance commitments are crucial in linking work-life balance to employee performance. In contrast, normative commitment does not significantly influence this relationship. Theoretically, social exchange theory highlights that continuance commitment is a key mediator in the connection between work-life balance and employee performance.

Recent progress of black phosphorene from preparation to diversified bio-/chemo-nanosensors and their challenges and opportunities for comprehensive health.

The introduction of comprehensive health, related to human living environment and mental state, helps people to improve human health literacy and accept scientific health guidance. The unique structure and properties of black phosphorene (BP) provide potential opportunities for rapid development and versatile applications of high-performance sensors serving comprehensive health. The review begins with the preparation from bulk black phosphorous crystals via transforming requirements of phosphorous allotropes and BP nanosheets via preparative strategies using both "top-down" and "bottom-up" methods. Then the diversified modification of BP and versatile fabrication of diversified bio-/chemo-nanosensors for sensitive detection of analytes are discussed. Besides, the challenges including the preparation of BP, diversified modification, devices for improving performance defects and chemo-/bio-nanosensors for enhancing performance are outlined together with potential opportunities for the BP preparation and applications in comprehensive health from agricultural environments, food safety, personal life, physical and mental life, and finally to medical care.

Professor I.M. Ionenko’s Personality and Destiny in the Context of His Times [Review: Kabytov P.S., Fedorova N.A. Professor Ivan Mikhailovich Ionenko: His Personality and Times. 2nd ed., revis. and expanded. Kazan, Izd. Kazan. Univ., 2024. 224 p. (In Russian)

This article reviews the second (revised and expanded) edition of the book “Professor Ivan Mikhailovich Ionenko: His Personality and Times” by P.S. Kabytov and N.A. Fedorova, with a detailed analysis of its main sections, which trace I.M. Ionenko’s life path, pedagogical and scholarly experience, public work, personal life, and relationships with students. The relevance of the book is discussed in the context of current historiographical trends. The key strengths of the book are highlighted, including its credibility, quality and diversity of the source materials used, thorough reconstruction of the pivotal moments in the life of the researcher, and precise definition of the role his works played in the development of Russian historiography. Therefore, the book offers valuable insights into the life of Professor I.M. Ionenko of Kazan Federal University and is a meaningful contribution to preserving the corporate memory of historians over time.

Return to work after parenting in thoracic surgery: a call to action.

Women in our modern era are facing considerable challenges in the workplace, particularly in Cardiothoracic Surgery where women are underrepresented in leadership and academic roles. Returning to work after parental leave may potentially uncover or exacerbate existing gender biases within the workplace, with important consequences on professional and personal lives. Our goal was to characterize the experiences and the impact of return-to-work after parenting on Thoracic Surgery careers across Europe. All the participants to the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting in 2023 were invited to complete this 32-items questionnaire. The Survey was subsequently distributed through the ESTS social media platform from November to January 2024. A descriptive and specific group analysis was performed according to the distribution. There were 152 participants, 92 of whom were female (61.0%) and 66 (43%) were between 31 and 40 years, constituting the most heavily represented age group. More women parents reported their role as the primary care provider of their child (89% vs 34%; P < 0.00001). Moreover, presence of In-Hospital childcare facilities was evaluated as more important by women. Approximately half of the parent-respondents reported breastfeeding (42, 52%), but only 26% (11) of this group indicated having any type of flexible hours for breast-feeding. Compared to men, women more often agreed that parenting might affect their career (81% vs 53%; P = 0.040) and felt less supported by their employers when having children (45% vs 68%; P = 0.37). This survey study identified main challenges to return to surgical work after parental leaves. Lack of structural or system-level support, and limited resources for childcare and breastfeeding were considerably affecting women surgeons. Institutional initiatives for new parents and breast-feeding colleagues are crucial for supporting a diverse workforce and any kind of discrimination derived by parental leaves should not be tolerated.