Research Institute Research Articles

Beyond Gender and Race: The Representation of Concealable Identities Among College Science Instructors at Research Institutions.

Concealable stigmatized identities (CSIs) are identities that can be kept hidden and carry negative stereotypes. To understand the potential influence instructors have as role models, we must first explore the identities instructors have and whether they disclose those identities to undergraduates. We surveyed national samples of science instructors (n = 1248) and undergraduates (n = 2428) at research institutions to assess the extent to which instructors hold CSIs, whether they reveal those identities to undergraduates, how the prevalence of CSIs among instructors compares to their prevalence among undergraduates, and the reasons instructors reveal or conceal their CSIs. The most common CSIs instructors reported were having anxiety (35%) and being a first-generation college student (29%). Relatively few instructors revealed CSIs to students. The largest mismatches of CSI prevalence were for struggling academically in college (-30%) and having anxiety (-25%); all mismatches grew when accounting for instructor CSI disclosure, highlighting that students perceive fewer role models of scientists with CSIs than actually exist.

Proposed threshold-based and rule-based approaches to detecting duplicates in bibliographic database

Bibliographic databases are used to measure the performance of researchers, universities and research institutions. Thus, high data quality is required and data duplication is avoided. One of the weaknesses of the threshold-based approach in duplication detection is the low accuracy level. Therefore, another approach is required to improve duplication detection. This study proposes a method that combines threshold-based and rule-based approaches to perform duplication detection. These two approaches are implemented in the comparison stage. The cosine similarity function is used to create weight vectors from the features. Then, the comparison operator is used to determine whether the pair of records are grouped as duplication or not. Three research databases: Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Google Scholar (GS) on the Science and Technology Index (SINTA) database are investigated. Rule 4 and Rule 5 provide the best performance. For WoS dataset, the accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-measure values were 100.00%. For Scopus dataset, the accuracy and precision values were 100.00%, recall: 98.00%, and the F1-measure value is 98.00%. For GS dataset, the accuracy value was 100.00%, precision: 99.00%, recall: 97.00%, and the F1-measure value is 98.00%. The proposed method is potential tool for accurate detection on duplication records in publication databases.

The potential of ChatGPT technology in education: advantages, obstacles and future growth

<span lang="EN-US">Information and communication technology is becoming increasingly prevalent in our daily lives, with interactive communication modes such as social networks and instant messaging reaching unprecedented popularity. These tools are now widely utilised in various academic and research institutions by both faculty and students for communication and distance learning purposes. <a name="_Hlk155360394"></a>Chat generative pre-trained transformer (ChatGPT) and artificial intelligence tools hold the potential to revolutionise the way that students obtain knowledge and support. ChatGPT is a cutting-edge language technology capable of constructing intelligent, coherent texts, making it a valuable tool for writing and communication across different fields, including education. However, universities that incorporate ChatGPT as a teaching tool must address concerns regarding plagiarism and academic integrity. This investigation focuses on the advantages and obstacles of applying ChatGPT technology in the education field and its potential for future development. Findings reveal that through careful consideration of the ethical dilemmas and issues, academic institutions can leverage the maximum potential of ChatGPT to provide a more accessible, successful, and personalised learning experience for learners. The development prospects for ChatGPT appear promising, given its potential to grow and enhance its capabilities through on-going research and innovation.</span>

Evaluation of Select Monarda Taxa in Montane and Piedmont Regions of Georgia: I. Horticultural Performance and Disease Tolerance

We evaluated several horticultural cultivars and species of Monarda, a genus native to North America with a center of diversity in the Southeast and advertised as beneficial to wildlife, to assess landscape performance with respect to vegetative habit, flower production, and disease tolerance in Georgia Piedmont and montane habitats. We established two experimental sites: the State Botanical Garden of Georgia in Athens (USDA Zone 8b) and the Georgia Mountain Education and Research Center in Blairsville (USDA Zone 7b). We then tracked plant performance over 2 years after establishment. Our study included 10 samples of Monarda, representing five cultivars and four species. Estimated height and width at flowering showed M. bradburiana, M. Sugar Buzz® Grape Gumball, and the M. punctata ecotypes were smaller than other tested taxa. M. fistulosa had the most flowers at the Blairsville site and equal flowering with M. punctata at the Athens location, but most taxa flowered for 2 to 3 months with ∼100 flowering stems per stand. All samples were susceptible to powdery mildew, but M. bradburiana displayed the highest level of tolerance. Otherwise, cultivars tended to be more tolerant to powdery mildew than species. The observed variations in horticultural characteristics and performance highlight the high value of this genus for Georgia landscapes.

Direct Support Professionals: Diversity, Disparities, and Deepening Crisis.

In the United States, direct support professionals (DSPs) support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) so they can live in the community. Thirty years of deinstitutionalization and the development of community living options would not have been possible without DSPs. Although life for people with IDD improved greatly, working conditions, wages/benefits, demands, stress/burnout, and trauma experienced by DSPs have worsened. Turnover and vacancy rates threaten the availability of community supports for too many people with IDD. DSPs from diverse racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds face significant workplace disparities. These issues were discussed during the Research and Training Center on Community Living's 2022 State of the Science Conference. We propose important research questions needing solutions to continue constructively addressing these critical issues.

Race and ethnicity and pharmacy dispensing of SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists in type 2 diabetes

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitors (SGLT2i) and Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists (GLP-1 RA) improve cardiorenal outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes. Equitable use of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA has the potential to reduce racial and ethnic health disparities. We evaluated trends in pharmacy dispensing of SGLT2i and GLP-1 RA by race and ethnicity. Retrospective cohort study of patients (≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes using 2014-2022 electronic health record data from six US care delivery systems. Entry was at earliest pharmacy dispensing of any type 2 diabetes medication. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between pharmacy dispensing of SGLT2i and GLP1-RA and race and ethnicity. Our cohort included 687,165 patients (median 6 years of dispensing data; median 60 years; 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN), 16.6% Asian, 10.5% Black, 1.4% Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (HPI), 31.1% Hispanic, 3.8% Other, and 36.3% White). SGLT2i was lower for AI/AN (OR 0.80, 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.94), Black (0.89, 0.86-0.92) and Hispanic (0.87, 0.85-0.89) compared to White patients. GLP-1 RA was lower for AI/AN (0.78, 0.63-0.97), Asian (0.50, 0.48-0.53), Black (0.86, 0.83-0.90), HPI (0.52, 0.46-0.57), Hispanic (0.69, 0.66-0.71), and Other (0.78, 0.73-0.83) compared to White patients. Dispensing of SGLT2is, and GLP-1 RAs was lower in minority group patients. There is a need to evaluate approaches to increase use of these cardiorenal protective drugs in patients from racial and ethnic minority groups with type 2 diabetes to reduce adverse cardiorenal outcomes and improve health equity. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute and National Institutes of Health.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of Exome Sequencing Diagnosis in Patients With Neurologic Phenotypes Facing Barriers to Clinical Testing.

Exome sequencing (ES) demonstrates a 20-50 percent diagnostic yield for patients with a suspected monogenic neurologic disease. Despite the proven efficacy in achieving a diagnosis for such patients, multiple barriers for obtaining exome sequencing remain. This study set out to assess the efficacy of ES in patients with primary neurologic phenotypes who were appropriate candidates for testing but had been unable to pursue clinical testing. A total of 297 patients were identified from the UCLA Clinical Neurogenomics Research Center Biobank, and ES was performed, including bioinformatic assessment of copy number variation and repeat expansions. Information regarding demographics, clinical indication for ES, and reason for not pursuing ES clinically were recorded. To assess diagnostic efficacy, variants were interpreted by a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, bioinformaticians, and genetic counselors in accordance with the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics variant classification guidelines. We next examined the specific barriers to testing for these patients, including how frequently insurance-related barriers such as coverage denials and inadequate coverage of cost were obstacles to pursuing exome sequencing. The cohort primarily consisted of patients with sporadic conditions (n = 126, 42.4%) of adult-onset (n = 239, 80.5%). Cerebellar ataxia (n = 225, 75.8%) was the most common presenting neurologic phenotype. Our study found that in this population of mostly adult patients with primary neurologic phenotypes that were unable to pursue exome sequencing clinically, 47 (15.8%) had diagnostic results while an additional 24 patients (8.1%) had uncertain results. Of the 297 patients, 206 were initially recommended for clinical exome but 88 (42.7%) could not pursue ES because of insurance barriers, of whom 14 (15.9%) had diagnostic findings, representing 29.8% of all patients with diagnostic findings. In addition, the incorporation of bioinformatic repeat expansion testing was valuable, identifying a total of 8 pathogenic repeat expansions (17.0% of all diagnostic findings) including 3 of the common spinocerebellar ataxias and 2 patients with Huntington disease. These findings underscore the importance and value of clinical ES as a diagnostic tool for neurogenetic disease and highlight key barriers that prevent patients from receiving important clinical information with potential treatment and psychosocial implications for patients and family members.

Improving the quality of performing in-service inspections using manipulators

Many in-service inspections, mainly carried out by the ultrasonic method, were until recently carried out manually or semi-automated with the use of encoders. These types of inspections usually lack data recording and are dependent on the experience of the operator performing these inspections. For these reasons, in recent years one of the important activities carried out within the Research Centre Rez has been the development and production of manipulators for non-destructive testing. This article will describe in more detail the manipulators used for ultrasonic testing of the reactor head nozzles, nozzles of the emergency power supply system of steam generators treated with weld overlay, inspection of low-pressure blade dovetails and others. The developed manipulators will make it possible to refine and improve the repeatability of inspections that were previously carried out manually (more precise guidance of probes, etc.) or were not carried out at all due to inaccessibility for operators. Among other examples of the use of manipulators is in conditions where manual testing is not possible. One of the applications can be measurement using the phased array technique on pipelines during service, when the temperature on the surface of the pipeline can be up to 320°C (the maximum temperature of the primary pipeline of a nuclear power plant).

Đặc điểm lâm sàng và hiệu quả điều trị của liệu pháp oxy cao áp ở bệnh nhân chóng mặt ngoại biên

This paper presents “Clinical characteristics and therapeutic efficacy of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in patients with peripheral vertigo” to determine the clinical features of peripheral vertigo and its therapeutic efficacy. The study was carried out at Hyperbaric Oxygen Center (Southern Branch of Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center) from October 2021 to December 2022, with 60 patients, divided into 2 groups. Group 1 consisted of 30 patients was treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and group 2 consisted of 30 patients was treated with HBOT and drugs (vestibular inhibitors, antiemetics and brain tonics). The results showed that: vertigo often occured when changing head position, vertigo accompanied by nausea, loss of balance. After the treatment, the group treated with HBOT and drugs, the patient's condition improved better, the level gradually increased with HBOT. In the group treated with HBOT and drugs, the mean score before treatment was 12.5 points, after 10 days of treatment was 4.37 points, after 20 days of treatment decreased to 0.63 points and after 30 days of treatment to 0.27 points. Particularly, in the group treated with HBOT, this rate was 12.33 points, respectively; 6.37 points; 2.1 points and 0.97 points (p < 0.05).

CORRELATION OF CARDIAC MARKERS WITH THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE IN SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDELDERLY

Cardiac markers (CPK-MB and TroponinT (TnT)) are often used to differentiate between cardiac and non cardiac chest pain. Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) has increased incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and disease. Elderly have an increased incidence of SCH. However, no study has specifically examined the association between cardiac markers and SCH in elderly population. Aims and Objectives: To determine the association of cardiac markers with thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in elderly patientswith subclinical hypothyroids and euthyroid. Method: The present study was designed as a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted in Biochemistry department of Adesh institute of medical sciences and research (AIMSR) Bathinda from a period of May 2023 to April 2024.The data was obtained from the lab computers and the subjects were divided into four groups. Group 1 included patients who had MI and SCH. Group 2 consisted of patients who had MI and were euthyroid. Group 3 were those who presented with chest pain only (no MI) and SCH. Group 4 were those who had acute chest pain (no MI) and were found to be euthyroid. Results:Our study showed significant correlation of TSH with CPK-MB (r=0.69, p=0.001)and Troponin T ( r=0.201, p= 0.04) in Group 1 while a non significant correlation was found in Group 2, CPK-MB (r=0.06, p=0.67) and Troponin T (r= 0.156, p= 0.57). There was a significant correlation of TSH with CPK-MB (r=0.71, p=0.02) and Troponin T (r=0.84, p= 0.001) in Group 3. A nonsignificant correlation was found in Group 4, between TSH and CPK-MB (r=0.116, p=0.68) and Troponin T (r= 0.001, p= 0.99). Conclusion: Elevations of TSH levels may cause a significant rise in the cardiac markers in SCH elderly as compared to euthyroid.

Environmental Blindspots: Identification and Mitigation using Technologies, Education, and Policies

Objectives:“Environmental Blindspots” are newly defined as a type of social problem within the realm of various environmental pollution and climate issues, wherein they are pushed down in priority due to factors such as corporate profit, consumer preferences, and government regulations, consequently remaining unresolved. This ultimately leads citizens to experience a sense of guilt. Despite the significant influence they wield on the welfare of current and future generations, various environmental social issues characterized by environmental blindspots (such as micro-hazardous substances like microplastics and environmental hormones) fail to become major considerations in societal decision-making. Consequently, they are not actively discussed within the social community. This absence of social consensus on these issues reflects the current situation. As a result, citizens repeatedly make choices that do not prioritize environmental values due to a perception of powerlessness stemming from the absence of environmentally friendly options, the belief that the issue is too immense to tackle individually, and lack of knowledge about specific actions to take for environmental problem-solving, among other factors. In this process, they experience involuntary and deliberate emotions of guilt. Since environmental blindspots are issues collectively experienced by the societal community comprising citizens, businesses, and government, solutions must also be derived collectively through collective thinking. This review has endeavored to incorporate such efforts.Methods:In this review, to develop a more effective interdisciplinary research methodology for addressing the previously mentioned environmental social issues, ten interdisciplinary researchers from the Environmental Engineering and Social Sciences fields at the center for convergence research (SEBIS) collaborated, leveraging their respective expertise to document literature survey results. Firstly, they reported on the environmental behavior, toxicity, distribution, and regulatory status of micro-hazardous substances, namely (micro)plastics and volatile organic compounds, which are the research subjects of the Environmental Blindspot Research Center. Secondly, they compiled relevant treatment technologies. Subsequently, they described the socio-structural causes of environmental blindspots and various solutions to environmental social issues through social science methodologies.Results and Discussion:To address the environmental blindspots, a key environmental social issue, it is necessary to advance various environmental technologies alongside responsible production by businesses and the enhancement of citizen environmental awareness. It is crucial for the government to institutionalize policies in the public domain to achieve this. Understanding the structural roles of citizens, businesses, and government is essential. It requires ethical consumer awareness and active participation, public campaigns and education, as well as effective government environmental policies to incentivize environmental friendly technological innovations by companies.Conclusion:In this review, the issue of environmental blindspots as an environmental social issue is being addressed comprehensively for the first time. Through this, we aim to establish an effective communication and cooperation system among social entities to explore solutions to environmental blindspots, and to propagate this ability to address social issues to future academic generations.

Centennium of collegiate real estate education: a prospection on “the search for a discipline” in the American school of business

PurposeThis study reviews the teaching of real estate in the USA for the first 100 years after the foundational curriculum was laid down in 1923 by three key institutions: the National Association of Real Estate Boards (NAREB), the Institute for Research in Land Economics and Public Utilities (The Institute) and the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). Its line of investigative pursuit is the persistent lamentation by American real estate scholars that real estate is not getting the respect it deserves as an academic discipline compared to its peers in the school of business such as accounting, finance and marketing. The study addresses a fundamental question: What is the cause of this endless “search for a discipline”? This is motivated by the belief that identification of the root cause of this “search for a discipline” will lead to the requisite solution: the intellectual foundation of the real estate discipline.Design/methodology/approachThe study used qualitative document analysis to review two primary documents published in 1959 as reports on business education in the USA: (1) Higher Education for Business, financed and sponsored by the Ford Foundation, and (2) The Education of American Businessmen – financed and sponsored by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The impacts of the publications on the teaching of real estate to date have been reviewed in the context of scholarly actions and literature that has been generated in relation to the two documents.FindingsThe two primary documents impacted negatively on the teaching of real estate. The committee members who produced the two reports had indicated that real estate did not fit into the business curriculum hence should not be taught in business school. This conclusion led to unintended negative outcomes for real estate education. The negative impact of the reports arose principally because the teachers of real estate misinterpreted the outcome to mean that they should tweak the real estate curriculum to fit in the pedagogical framework of the business school. This reaction is responsible for perpetuating the identity crisis that has plagued real estate as an academic discipline since its inception as a subject of study in 1923. Secondly, at the inception of the real estate education in 1923, while the AACSB accepted real estate as a discipline in the school of business, Richard T. Ely wrote the curriculum under land economics which has led to the persistent collegiate dilemma regarding the teaching of the discipline.Social implicationsThe study sheds light on the situation of business education in the USA and AACSB-accredited colleges internationally. It draws attention to the incoherent body of knowledge of business education and will help schools of business to redesign their curricula to include course contents that rightly reflects the business oriented academic disciplines.Originality/valueThe study is timely as it has been done 100 years since the development of the first standard collegiate real estate curriculum following the 1923 conference at Madison. The study has reviewed the first 100 years in terms of the persistent quest: “in search of a discipline”. In so doing, it has uncovered the root cause of this search during the first centennium; and to end the search, it proposes that real estate should not be taught as a business discipline.

Promoting high health, safety, and environmental standards during subsea operations

Subsea operations play a vital role in various industries, including oil and gas, renewable energy, and telecommunications. However, these operations come with inherent risks to human lives, the environment, and operational integrity. This abstract presents a comprehensive approach to promoting high health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards during subsea operations. The importance of adhering to HSE standards cannot be overstated, as they serve as a safeguard against potential accidents, environmental damage, and reputational harm. This paper outlines the regulatory framework and industry standards governing subsea operations, emphasizing the necessity of compliance and the consequences of non-compliance. Risk assessment and management are essential components of ensuring safety in subsea operations. Strategies for identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks are discussed, alongside the importance of continuous improvement through training and competency development. Furthermore, technology and innovation play a crucial role in enhancing safety and efficiency in subsea operations. From remote monitoring systems to autonomous vehicles, advancements in technology offer new opportunities to minimize risks and improve operational performance. Collaboration among stakeholders, including industry players, government agencies, and research institutions, is essential for driving progress in HSE standards. Effective communication and information sharing facilitate the exchange of best practices and lessons learned, fostering a culture of continuous improvement. In conclusion, prioritizing high HSE standards in subsea operations is paramount for sustainable and responsible development. By embracing collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement, stakeholders can collectively ensure the safety of personnel, protect the environment, and uphold operational integrity in subsea operations.

Neutron emission characterization of IPR 14 MeV neutron generator

Accelerator-based neutron sources are being developed worldwide due to their wide applications. Institute for Plasma Research in India has developed an accelerator-based high-yield 14 MeV neutron generator based on deuterium-tritium (D-T) reaction to perform fusion-related benchmark experiments. This neutron generator is designed to produce 1012 neutrons per second in both mode continuous and pulse. The emission of neutrons from an accelerator-based neutron generator is not isotropic due to target geometry and angular dependency of reaction cross-section. A detailed and accurate description of neutron source emission and distribution is required to use such a neutron generator for various experiments. The neutron generator is characterized using experiments and simulations to accomplish the request. Energy and angular distributions of emitted neutrons are measured using a calibrated single crystal diamond (SCD) detector. Experimental data of neutron distributions are used to validate source neutron definition for Monte Carlo N Particle (MCNP) simulation. An accurate model of the Titanium Tritide (TiT) target and its holder geometry is prepared for the simulation. Finally, to validate the simulation model, simulated neutron fluxes are compared with measured ones by the SCD detector. This paper discusses the methodology adopted to characterize emitted neutrons and its results.

On the need to better integrate the social environment in research on climate change and health: recommendations and thinking tools

Social inequality impacts health, is aggravated by the consequences of climate change, and may be influenced by inappropriate policy responses. These interdependent effects create a self-perpetuating loop exacerbating the impact of climate dysregulation on health in an uncontrolled and poorly understood way. Holistic approaches to public health such as One Health, EcoHealth or Planetary Health are well suited to tackling the considerable and complex environmental and social issues underlying climate dysregulation. However, the extent to which research using such frameworks investigates social determinants of health is not clear. In this paper we discuss the ways in which the social environment has so far been considered in the literature to problematize and analyze the relationship between climate dysregulation and health within holistic frameworks and provide tools and recommendations to facilitate their apprehension. Social factors are investigated empirically only in a minor fraction of studies addressing the relation between climate and health in holistic frameworks, and not systematically. Barriers to such approaches are discussed. This work also provides two analytical tools (a process diagram and a knowledge framework) and a set of recommendations to help include the social environment more meaningfully in such frameworks. They are meant to facilitate our understanding of the current status of this type of research and to encourage trans-disciplinary and trans-sectorial endeavors towards directions which need to be taken to ensure societal factors and inequalities are placed at the center of research on climate and health and the ensuing policy response.

Research funding in the Middle East and North Africa: analyses of acknowledgments in scientific publications indexed in the Web of Science (2008–2021)

AbstractFunding acknowledgments are important objects of study in the context of science funding. This study uses a mixed-methods approach to analyze the funding acknowledgments found in 2.3 million scientific publications published between 2008 and 2021 by authors affiliated with research institutions in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The aim is to identify the major funders, assess their contribution to national scientific publications, and gain insights into the funding mechanism in relation to collaboration and publication. Publication data from the Web of Science is examined to provide key insights about funding activities. Saudi Arabia and Qatar lead the region, as about half of their publications include acknowledgments to funding sources. Most MENA countries exhibit strong linkages with foreign agencies, mainly due to a high level of international collaboration. The distinction between domestic and international publications reveals some differences in terms of funding structures. For instance, Turkey and Iran are dominated by one or two major funders whereas a few other countries like Saudi Arabia showcase multiple funders. Iran and Kuwait are examples of countries where research is mainly funded by domestic funders. The government and academic sectors mainly fund scientific research in MENA whereas the industry sector plays little or no role in terms of research funding. Lastly, the qualitative analyses provide more context into the complex funding mechanism. The findings of this study contribute to a better understanding of the funding structure in MENA countries and provide insights to funders and research managers to evaluate the funding landscape.

Family firms and the collaborative advantage: unveiling innovation efficiency across partnership types

PurposeBased on the resource orchestration perspective, this paper aims to examine whether family firms are more efficient in their collaboration for innovation process than non-family firms, considering different types of collaboration for innovation depending on the kind of partner.Design/methodology/approachThis study empirically develops and tests the hypotheses based on a panel data sample of 14,937 firm-year observations from 1,867 Spanish manufacturing firms over the period 2007–2014, performing a Propensity Score Matching (Propensity score matching)-based analysis.FindingsResults reveal that family firms outperform non-family firms, despite less collaboration and innovation inputs, thereby extending the ongoing debate surrounding the innovation efficiency of family firms. Family firms obtained better results through vertical collaborations for innovation, both in terms of product and process innovations. For horizontal collaborations, family firms only outperform their non-family counterparts in process innovation. When collaborating with universities and other research centers, there are no significant differences in the innovation outcomes between the two groups.Originality/valueRecent literature points out that more research is needed to know when, how and under what circumstances family firms show superior innovative efficiency. This work empirically proves that family firms outperform non-family firms in collaboration for innovation. However, not all collaboration partners help family firms to reach this superior innovative efficiency. Family firms obtained better results just through vertical and horizontal collaborations.

Health-related quality of life in adults with hematological cancer: a 2023 cross-sectional survey from Qatar

BackgroundHematological cancers impose a complex burden on individuals, affecting their physical health and mental and emotional well-being. This study evaluated the health-related Quality of Life (HRQOL) and its determinants among adults with hematological cancers in Qatar in 2023.MethodsA cross-sectional study used a validated structured questionnaire conducted among adult patients diagnosed with hematological cancers. All adult patients who attended The National Centre for Cancer Care and Research (NCCCR) in Qatar during the Data collection period (January to March 2023) and agreed to participate were included in the study.ResultsA total of 257 participants were enrolled in the study. The highest median (IQR) score of the HRQOL domain was observed in the functionating score of 90.6 (13.8), followed by the global health score of 83.3(25. 0). The median (IQR) of the symptoms burden score was 07.4(12.3). Gender significantly affects HRQOL, with males reporting better functioning and lower symptom burden than females. Employment status is positively associated with functioning scores. Regular exercise correlates with higher global health and functioning scores and lower symptom burden, while depressive symptoms are linked to poorer HRQOL outcomes. Patients experiencing cancer recurrence or active disease report lower global health and functioning scores and higher symptom burden. Treatment modalities such as chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant (BMT) timing also influence HRQOL, with recent treatment recipients showing lower global health and higher symptom burden scores. Depressive symptoms were the primary factor, lowering the global health score by 15.2%. Regarding the low functioning score predictors, female gender, depressive symptoms, and cancer recurrence emerged as significant predictors of the low functioning score. Furthermore, Regular exercise increased the functioning score by 03.4 units (p-value=0.018). Finally, Multiple linear regression analysis reinforced the significance of depressive symptoms, active disease status, and recurrence within the past five years as substantial predictors of higher symptom scores.ConclusionsThe study emphasizes the profound impact of depressive symptoms on all aspects of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL), mainly affecting global health. It highlights the positive role of regular exercise in enhancing global health, functioning, and symptom burden scores.

The statistical and dynamic modeling of the first part of the 2013-2014 Euromaidan protests in Ukraine: The Revolution of Dignity and preceding times.

Ukraine's tug-of-war between Russia and the West has had significant and lasting consequences for the country. In 2013, Viktor Yanukovych, the Ukrainian president aligned with Russia, opted against signing an association agreement with the European Union. This agreement aimed to facilitate trade and travel between the EU and Ukraine. This decision sparked widespread protests that coalesced in Kyiv's Maidan Square, eventually becoming known as the Euromaidan protests. In this study, we analyze the protest data from 2013, sourced from Ukraine's Center for Social and Labor Research. Despite the dataset's limitations and occasional inconsistencies, we demonstrate the extraction of valuable insights and the construction of a descriptive model from such data. Our investigation reveals a pre-existing state of self-excitation within the system even before the onset of the Euromaidan protests. This self-excitation intensified during the Euromaidan protests. A statistical analysis indicates that the government's utilization of force correlates with increased future protests, exacerbating rather than quelling the protest movement. Furthermore, we introduce the implementation of Hawkes process models to comprehend the spatiotemporal dynamics of the protest activity. Our findings highlight that, while protest activities spread across the entire country, the driving force behind the dynamics of these protests was the level of activity in Kyiv. Furthermore, in contrast to prior research that emphasized geographical proximity as a key predictor of event propagation, our study illustrates that the political alignment among oblasts, which are the distinct municipalities comprising Ukraine, had a more profound impact than mere geographic distance. This underscores the significance of social and cultural factors in molding the trajectory of political movements.

The characteristics of CALR mutations in myeloproliferative neoplasms: a clinical experience from a tertiary care center in Qatar and a literature review

ABSTRACT Background Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are hematological disorders characterized by abnormal production of myeloid cells due to genetic mutations. Since 2013, researchers have identified somatic mutations in the Calreticulin (CALR) gene, primarily insertions or deletions, in two Philadelphia chromosome-negative MPNs; essential thrombocytosis (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), and occasionally in chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML). This study aims to identify the various types of CALR mutations and their impact on CALR-positive MPN patients’ clinical manifestations and outcomes. Methods A single-center retrospective study was conducted. The data was collected from pre-existing records. The study was carried out on Philadelphia-negative MPN patients who were being followed up on at the NCCCR (National Center for Cancer Care and Research) to assess the clinical manifestation and outcome of disease treatment. All patients included, were followed in our center between January 1, 2008, and November 20, 2021. Results A total of 50 patients with CALR-positive MPN were reviewed with a median follow-up of three years (1–11). This cohort included 31 (62%) patients with ET, 10 (20%) patients with PMF, and 9 (18%) patients with prefibrotic myelofibrosis (pre-MF). The study involved 38 (76%) male and 12 (24%) female patients. There were 16 (32%) patients diagnosed before the age of 40, 24 (48%) patients diagnosed between the ages of 40 and 60; and 10 (20%) patients diagnosed after the age of 60. Molecular analysis showed 24 (48%) patients with CALR type 1, 21 (42%) patients with CALR type 2, and 5 (10%) patients with none Type 1, none Type 2 CALR mutations. Two patients have double mutations; 1(2%) with none Type 1, none Type 2 CALR and JAK2 mutations, and 1(2%) with CALR type 1 and MPL mutations. The thrombotic events were 3 (6%) venous thromboembolisms, 3 (6%) abdominal veins thromboses, 2 (4%) strokes, and 4 (8%) ischemic cardiac events. Only 4 (8%) patients progressed to Myelofibrosis and were carrying CALR 1 mutations, and 1 (2%) patient progressed to AML with CALR 2 mutation. Conclusion The data shows a significant rise in CALR-positive MPN diagnoses in younger people, emphasizing the need for a better assessment tool to improve disease management and reduce complications.