Significant Positive Correlation Research Articles

Correlation Between Prostate Volume and Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: A Hospital-Based Study

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are manifestations of storage and voiding disorders involving the urinary bladder, urethra and the prostate gland. This study aimed to correlate prostate volume and lower urinary tract symptoms.  Materials and methods: This study was a prospective cross-sectional study carried out among 120 males aged 40 years and above who presented with LUTS for prostate ultrasonography at the Radiology department within a period of six months. Informed consent and ethical approval were obtained from participants before commencement of the study. Severity of LUTS was evaluated using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS). Each question was scored between 0 to 5 and the sum recorded as total IPSS score. The total score was graded as mild (0-7), moderate (8-19) or severe (20-35). Quality of life due to urinary symptoms was also evaluated and scored between 0 (delighted) and 6 (terrible). Prostate volume estimation was done by transabdominal ultrasonography using an ultrasound scanner fitted with a 3.5-MHz curvilinear transducer (Logic F6, General Electric, USA, 2017). Measurements were taken and the average values computed; volume calculation was obtained by default using the inbuilt computer algorithm in the ultrasound machine. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 24 (International Business Machines, USA, 2016), and the results presented in tables, charts, and percentages. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to correlate between variables with P-values < 0.05 considered significant.  Results: Results showed that the cumulative mean age of the participants was 65.1 ± 9.6 years with majority of the participant’s between 60 and 69 years. The most common presenting LUTS was nocturia (98.0%), followed by frequency (92.7%). Overall, the mean IPSS score was 13.2 ± 4.6 while quality of life (QoL) was 4.1 ± 1.2. The mean prostate volume was 69.8 ± 63.5cm3, with 79.2% of the subjects having a prostate volume ≥ 30cm3. Pearson correlation between prostate volume and IPSS was significant (r = 0.304, p = 0.001). Conclusion: The study established a positive significant correlation between prostate volume and International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS). This implies that sonographic PV assessment could be useful in objective assessment of LUTS severity and should be considered in management decisions and follow-up of patients with lower urinary tracts symptoms. 

Study of the Relationship Between Insulin Resistance, Iron Status Markers, and Body Weight in a Sample of Egyptian Population.

Iron plays a key role in the regulation of body iron homeostasis and is used as a clinical marker for iron deficiency (ID) and hemochromatosis. The idea that iron dysregulation may contribute to various metabolic diseases, such as obesity, insulin resistance, MetS, and T2DM, is a hot topic of discussion. The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship insulin resistance, iron status markers, and body weight in a sample of Egyptian population. A case control study was conducted on 90 subjects with age ranging from 18 to 70 years old from a diabetes outpatient clinic, and they were divided to three groups: Group I, non-obese-non-diabetic as the control group; Group II, obese-non-diabetic; and Group III, obese-diabetic. In our study, there was no statistically significant difference between the three studied groups regarding the different iron parameters. Similarly, we found that neither HOMA-IR nor body weight had a significant correlation with iron status markers. On the contrary, we detected significant positive correlations between the TIBC and the fasting blood glucose, between the serum iron and the LDL, between the TSAT and the systolic blood pressure, and between the HOMA-IR and hematocrit. Our study demonstrated no direct statistical significant relationship between the different iron parameters, obesity, and insulin resistance, either in the diabetic or non-diabetic subjects. This may be due to the complex metabolic dysregulation and the small number of the sample for future investigations.

Resilience and psychosocial factors in adult with epilepsy: A longitudinal study

PurposeResilience is conceptually characterized as a dynamic process encompassing positive adaptation in the context of significant adversity. Our goal was to assess the resilience in people with epilepsy (PWE) and how it impacts longitudinally on psychosocial factors, with a particular focus on the manifestation of stigmatization-related feelings. MethodsWe consecutively enrolled 78 adults PWE (42.5 ± 16.2 years old); among them 36 (46.1 %) were seizure-free. All subjects completed at baseline (T0) the Resilience Scale (RS-14) and questionnaires for the assessment of depressive symptoms, anxiety and quality of life: respectively, Beck Depression Inventory-II (BD-II), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and QOLIE-31 (Q31). All patients were followed up prospectively and re-evaluated after 6–22 months (T1; mean: 14 ± 8 months; median 14 months); at follow up they also completed the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE) for the assessment of the stigma associated with epilepsy. We correlated resilience values with all psychosocial scores at T0 and T1. Factors associated with resilient and vulnerable outcomes were identified. Finally, a multiple stepwise regression analysis was applied to identify predictors for resilience and stigma perception. ResultsThe results showed for the RS-14 score a significant direct correlation with the Q31 (p < 0.001) and an inverse correlation with the depressive and anxiety symptoms at both times (T0 and T1), as evaluated with BDI-II (p < 0.001) and GAD-7 (p < 0.001). Finally, we found a significant inverse correlation between RS-14 at T0 and the levels of stigmatization assessed with SSE at T1 (p =.015). Using a multiple stepwise regression analysis separately for resilience and stigma perception, depressive symptoms turned out as the best predictors for both variables. Finally, considering longitudinal evaluation we did not observe significant changes in depressive and anxious symptoms, despite a significant reduction in the total number of seizures at follow up. ConclusionsOur study showed that depressive symptoms, anxiety and quality of life were significantly associated with resilience in PwE. Finally, as a novel finding resilience was proved to affect the perception of stigma related to epilepsy more than seizures.

Friendship Quality and Its Relationship to School Engagement and Academic Achievement among High School Students in Jordan

This study aimed to explore the relationship between friendship quality and school engagement, and academic achievement and their levels among high school students for academic year 2020- 2021 in Amman. The sample of the study consisted of (300) male and female students, whose schools were chosen randomly. The results showed: highest level of friendship qualities was for help dimension (mean 3.98), followed by closeness (mean 3.94), highest level of school engagement was for behavioral (mean 3.93), cognitive engagement was second (3.46), and lowest level was for emotional (mean 3.40), level of academic achievement was very good (mean 81.57). Moreover, a positive significant correlation between companionship, security, closeness with behavioral engagement, while a significant negative correlation between conflict and behavioral engagement. A positive significant correlational relationship was found between all dimensions of friendship qualities except for conflict dimension. And all friendship dimensions correlated positively with cognitive engagement. As for academic achievement, it correlated with three dimensions of friendship (closeness, help, security).

The Predictive Ability of Moral Identity with Moral Emotions among the Students of the University of Jordan

This study aimed to identify the level of moral identity and emotions, in addition to predictive ability of the capacity of moral identity in moral emotions among a sample of University of Jordan students. The study was applied to a convenience sample from the study population, consisting of 800 students: 398 male and 402 female students. The study used the descriptive correlational methodology, and used the scales of: moral identity, and moral emotions to achieve the study's objectives, which have been developed by the two researchers, and the reliability and validity for them were extracted; in order to ensure their relevance to the study, as the two scales had appropriate validity and reliability indications. The results of the study revealed that the level of emotional identity was in medium level by arithmetic mean of (3.03) at the overall level, and level of moral emotions was in medium level too, with arithmetic average (6.15) at the overall level.  The results also showed that there was a positive significant  correlation between the moral identity and moral emotions, as it is statistically significant at the level (α ≤ .05), where the results of the regression analysis showed that the value of the correlation coefficient between emotional identity and moral emotions was (0.741) it is a statistical function at (α ≤ .05), and the emotional identity has explained the ration (54.9%) of variation in moral emotions, which is a predictor of moral emotions. The study recommended including the curriculum and syllabus with topics related to moral identity and moral emotions.

The Impact of Medical Physical Training and a Structured Personalized Exercise Training Program on Hemodynamic Parameters and Arterial Stiffness in Pregnant Women

Introduction: In developed countries, heart disease is the primary cause of maternal mortality during pregnancy. Arterial stiffness, an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular complications, can be assessed using the augmentation index (AIx) and pulse wave velocity (PWV). In this prospective study, we aimed to evaluate diverse hemodynamic parameters and arterial stiffness in pregnant women before and after participating in a structured, personalized exercise training program. Materials and methods: Forty healthy pregnant women, non-smokers, who agreed to participate daily for 12 weeks in a physical exercise training program under the supervision of a team made up of an obstetrician, a cardiologist, and a physiotherapist were included. Anthropometric characteristics, arterial function, and physical activity data were collected from the participants at two different time points: at the beginning of the exercise training program (T0) and at the end, after 12 weeks (T1). Results: Upon conducting a statistical analysis, it was discovered that there were noteworthy disparities (p = 0.05) in body mass index, brachial AIx, systolic blood pressure, and pulse pressure values between the two time points. The regression analysis for the AIx brachial values and the PWVao values from Trim II (T0) and Trim III (T1) showed major differences between these two time points; the association between the AIx brachial values in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy revealed a strong direct significant correlation (p &lt; 0.001), and the correlation between the PWVao values in the second (T0) and third trimester (T1) of pregnancy was weak and insignificant (p = 0.12). Conclusions: The findings of our study indicate that a personalized exercise training program positively impacts the physical and psychological well-being of pregnant women, leading to a reduction in PWV.

The associations of oxidative stress and inflammatory markers with obesity in Iranian population: MASHAD cohort study

BackgroundLow-grade inflammation and stress oxidative condition play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity, and the serum levels of these markers, such as pro-oxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and uric acid may indicate obesity progression. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between obesity with PAB, hs-CRP, and uric acid in the Iranian population.MethodsThis study was derived from the Mashhad Stroke and Heart Atherosclerotic Disorder (MASHAD) study. A total of 7985 subjects aged 35 to 65 years were divided into three groups according to body mass index (BMI) as: normal, overweight and obese groups. Anthropometric indices and biochemical parameters such as PAB, superoxide dismutase type 1 (SOD1), hs-CRP, and uric acid were measured in all the participants. We evaluated the association of obesity with inflammatory factors by using multivariate regression analysis. Also, those participants with hypertension, an endocrine disorder, history of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus were excluded from the study.ResultsThere was a positive significant correlation between BMI and serum PAB, hs-CRP and uric acid (p < 0.001). While no statistically significant relation was observed between BMI and SOD1 (p = 0.85). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the risk of overweight and obesity increased 1.02 and 1.03-fold according to increase 10 units of PAB raise in comparison to reference group (normal weight) [(odds ratio (OR): 1.02, 95% CI (1.01–1.03)] and [OR: 1.03, 95% CI (1.01–1.04)], respectively). In addition, hs-CRP serum concentration was significantly associated with a high risk of obesity [(OR: 1.02; 95% CI (1.01–1.03)]. While the high levels of serum uric acid were associated with increased odds of overweight and obesity risk [OR: 1.4; CI (1.39–1.58) and OR: 1.76; CI (1.63–1.89), respectively].ConclusionsGenerally, we showed a significant association between BMI and serum PAB, hs-CRP values and uric acid levels, suggesting the role of these factors as risk stratification factors for obesity.

Individual vital rates respond differently to local‐scale environmental variation and neighbour removal

Abstract Understanding how plant fitness varies along natural gradients is critical for predicting responses to environmental change. However, individual vital rates are often used as fitness proxies without knowing how other vital rates vary along the same gradients. We investigated how canopy cover, plant–plant interactions, water availability and soil properties influenced the emergence, survival, seed production and population growth rates of eight annual plant species in semi‐arid Western Australia. We sowed seeds into sun‐exposed and shaded blocks across a reserve, removed all neighbouring plants from half of the interaction neighbourhoods, and used rainout shelters to reduce and increase precipitation relative to ambient plots. Canopy cover had strong negative effects on emergence, but few direct impacts on other vital rates and population growth rates. Direct competitive effects on survival and seed production were rare, although evident for population growth rate for 3/8 species. Competition was stronger in open than shaded plots for half of the species. Canopy cover also interacted with the watering treatment to influence survival of half of the species, but watering alone had few direct impacts on species' vital and population growth rates. We found only positive significant correlations between pairs of rates, and survival and seed production were far more frequently correlated with population growth rate than emergence. Synthesis. Our study illustrates that vital rates can respond to the same local‐scale environmental variation in different ways that are likely not driven by life history trade‐offs. We caution against using emergence as a proxy for population growth rate and emphasise that no single vital rate was a reliable fitness proxy overall. Interactions among abiotic and biotic factors were important drivers of vital and population growth rates for some species, highlighting the need to account for plant–plant interactions when predicting population responses to environmental change.

The role of 3D speckle-tracking echocardiography in predicting long-term outcomes after a first myocardial infarction

Aim. To determine the role of 3D echocardiography parameters in the prognosis of long-term cardiovascular complications in patients with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Materials and methods. А prospective, single-center, observational study included 46 patients with a first AMI and successful PCI without a history of heart failure (HF) and shortness of breath upon admission. The examination of patients was performed in accordance with the Russian standards of medical care provision. Additionally, 3D echocardiography was performed, and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was determined. The main outcomes assessed were hospitalization with HF, sudden cardiac death, and combined endpoint. Median follow-up was 554 days (IQR 550–785).Results. During the follow-up period, 9 hospitalizations with HF, 3 sudden cardiac deaths, and 12 combined endpoints were registered. The effect of 3D echocardiography parameters on the development of sudden cardiac death and combined endpoint has not been revealed. The effect of the studied parameters on the development of HF during the follow-up period that required hospitalization was evaluated. A statistically significant increase in the LV sphericity index was revealed in the group of patients with the registered outcome. We found significant direct correlations of left ventricular volume indices with prescription of diuretics in the post-discharge period; hospitalization with HF in the post-infarction period with the level of NT-pro-BNP, left atrial volume with the duration of index hospitalization, duration of eventless survival with ST elevation. We found a negative correlation of radial strain with prescription of diuretics in the post-discharge period. Predictors of hospitalization with HF in the post-infarction period were identified – parameters of radial strain, area strain, and circumferential strain, which were included in the model for calculating the risk of the outcome under study.Conclusion. In patients with the first AMI in the absence of clinical signs of HF, to calculate the risk of hospitalization with HF within 550 days after MI, it is advisable to take into account the level of radial strain and use a prognostic model (1), including parameters of circumferential and area strain (according to 3D echocardiography data).

Development of an Incest Scale in the Turkish Language and Culture: Validity and Reliability Study

AbstractThis study aims to develop a valid and reliable tool for measuring beliefs and attitudes regarding incest. Incest can be considered a widespread social problem. Despite the prevalence of incest, a tool that can measure knowledge of and attitudes toward incest in Turkey is still a necessity. In this study, 457 adults participated in the first and 255 adults in the second stage. To collect the data, Incest Scale, Childhood Emotional Incest Scale and demographic form were used. Exploratory/Confirmatory factor analysis, parallel analysis, reliability analysis were performed, and criterion validity was tested. A 23-item and 5-factor scale was obtained. The fit indexes obtained as a result of confirmatory factor analysis were satisfactory. Positive significant correlations were found between incest and childhood emotional incest. The reliability coefficients ​​were found to be within acceptable limits. This study is expected to fill a significant gap in the field, promote awareness regarding incest, and make an important contribution to the field to combat incest effectively.

Physical therapy interventions for people experiencing homelessness to improve pain and self-perceived health status

BackgroundHomeless shelters have emerged as components of the social services network, playing an important role in providing health care to the homeless population. The aim of this study was to evaluate an individualized physical therapy intervention for people experiencing homelessness and to determine the relationship between self-perceived variables.MethodsPre and post study, setting at the “Santa y Real Hermandad de Nuestra Señora del Refugio y Piedad” homeless shelter in Zaragoza, Spain. Participants were people experiencing homelessness with musculoskeletal disorders who attended a physical therapy service at shelter facilities. A physical therapy program was implemented including health education, exercise and manual therapy, electrotherapy, thermotherapy and bandaging. Demographic variables (age and gender), nationality, employment situation, educational level, pain location, number of painful areas, feeling of loneliness (3-Item Loneliness Scale; values from 3 to 9), pain intensity (Numerical Pain Rating Scale [NPRS]; from 0 to 10) and self-perceived health (Clinical Global Impression [CGI]; from 1 to 7).ResultsSixty-four homeless people (age of 46.4 ± 10.9 years) participated in the study. Musculoskeletal pain was reported by 98.4% of subjects, with moderate pain intensities (6.1), and 48.4% presenting with pain at multiple sites. Perceptions of loneliness were low (3.7 ± 2.5) and self-perceived health status was moderately ill (3.5 ± 1.7). Positive significant correlations were identified between pain intensity and self-perceived health. The average number of sessions was 1.5 (± 0.8), with manual therapy (35.6%) followed by health education (23.5%) being the most frequently used techniques. Both pain and self-perceived health improved after treatment, even following a brief intervention.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates the potentially negative impact of untreated pain on the self-perceived health of homeless individuals with musculoskeletal disorders that should be targeted for consideration. The findings suggest that a paradigm shift in pain management, including a physical therapy service in shelters, is needed to address the rehabilitation demands of these individuals in a real-life context. This study was approved by the Aragon Ethics Committee (PI19/438) and performed according to the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs (TREND) statement.

Phenotypic plasticity of okra for yield and associated traits

Background: The genetic improvement of okra for the agro-ecological conditions requires adequate genetic background for understanding the inheritance of the traits and genetic control.Aim: To evaluate collection of okra accessions for their phenotypic plasticity and their relationships among tested accession.Setting: Field trail laid in a randomised complete block design of three replication.Methods: A total of 24 okra accessions were planted at Loskop Research Station in Limpopo province, South Africa, during the 2020 and 2021 cropping seasons.Results: The analysis of variance showed significant differences among the accessions for yield and related traits measured. The principal components analysis revealed 68.85% total variation. The genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was higher than phenotypic coefficient of variance (PCV) for all the measured parameters. The study revealed medium heritability for yield (33%), high (≥ 60%), for hundred-seed weight and number of fruits per plant. A positive significant correlation between grain yield and fruit yield per plant (r = 0.39) was observed.Conclusion: The study recommended accessions Acc No. 1859.2.3.1, Acc No. 1181.2.1.1 and Acc No. 1900.2.3.1 to be used as breeding lines in future okra breeding programme.Contribution: The accessions identified as potential parents for okra improvement programme, based on complementary agronomic traits could be used for direct cultivation by small-scale farmers and parental lines for breeding population.

The role of circulating neutrophils in the progression of kidney cancer

Introduction. Currently, the question of the role of neutrophils in the progression of kidney cancer remains relevant. Neutrophils are capable of exhibiting protumor properties through the secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, which is determined by the expression of genes for these molecules. And the functional heterogeneity of neutrophils is characterized by differences in gene expression patterns.Aim. To assess the role of circulating neutrophils in the progression of kidney cancer.Materials and methods. In circulating neutrophils of patients with verified clear cell kidney cancer at stages I–III according to Tumor, Nodus and Metastasis (TNM) (n = 88) before surgical treatment and conditionally healthy donors (control group) (n = 20), the expression of NGAL genes was determined using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, MMP-13 and VEGF-A.Results. There was an increase in NGAL gene expression in circulating neutrophils (p = 0.05) at the initial stage and a decrease in it at advanced stages of kidney cancer (p = 0.03). High expression of the MMP-13 gene by circulating neutrophils was detected at all stages of kidney cancer relative to control values (at stage I p = 0.005; at stage II p = 0.003; at stage III p = 0.0008). A significant direct correlation was observed between the expression of the NGAL and MMP-13 genes in neutrophils at stage I kidney cancer (r = 0.696; p = 0.003). In the group of patients with kidney cancer, a direct correlation was found between the expression of the NGAL and VEGF-A genes (r = 0.322; p = 0.049). A multivariable Cox regression model for disease-free survival revealed the predictive value of VEGF-A and NGAL genes expression in circulating neutrophils. With an increase in the expression of the VEGF-A and NGAL genes in neutrophils by 1 unit, the risk of metastases increases by 0.80 (0.65–0.99; p = 0.043) and 1.42 (1.01–2.00; p = 0.046) times, respectively. The Kaplan–Meier analysis of disease-free survival in patients with kidney cancer showed the influence of NGAL expression in circulating neutrophils on progression-free time. In the group of patients with high NGAL expression, the median follow-up was 31.7 months, and in the group with low NGAL expression – more than 36 months (log-rank-test; p = 0.017).Conclusion. Thus, the data obtained suggest that circulating neutrophils play a leading role in the progression of kidney cancer. The level of expression of NGAL in circulating neutrophils can be used to predict the relapse-free period in patients with kidney cancer.

Prognostic Significance of Lymph Node Ratio in Predicting the Outcome of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma – A Retrospective Study

Abstract Introduction: The lymph node status is a very important prognostic factor in head-and-neck cancer. The presence of metastatic lymph nodes will reduce the overall survival by 50%. Lymph node ratio (LNR) is defined as the ratio of the number of positive lymph nodes to the total number of lymph nodes dissected. The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic value of LNR in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Materials and Methods: Medical records of pathologically confirmed OSCC patients who reported with loco-regional recurrence from January 2017 to January 2022 were analysed. LNR and disease-free survival (DFS) were calculated for each patient. The endpoint of the study was disease-free survival. Spearman’s correlation was used to establish a correlation between DFS and LNR. Results: A total of 33 patients were included in the study. DFS was calculated for all the patients. LNR was calculated in patients with pathological N+ neck. There was a negative significant moderate correlation between LNR and DFS (Spearman’s rho = −0.593, P &lt; 0.001). A higher LNR value of more than 0.01 was associated with a shorter DFS period. T4 tumour stage had significantly higher LNR. A positive significant moderate correlation was found between LNR and tumour stage (Spearman’s rho = 0.703, P = 0.01). As the T stage increased, the LNR ratio also increased. In the present study, tumour subsite tongue was associated with significantly higher LNR (P = 0.001). Discussion: LNR can be considered an independent prognostic parameter for DFS in OSCC patients with cervical lymph node metastasis.

Evaluation of Common Bean (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Phaseolus vulgaris &amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;L) Cultivars for Yield and Yield-Related Traits at Sekoru District, South Western Ethiopia

The low productivity of common beans is attached to many yield constraints such as lack of improved varieties; poor management practices, biotic and abiotic factors. This study was conducted to evaluate the performance of improved common bean varieties for yield and yield related traits in the Sekoru district of the Jimma zone and identify high-yielding varieties for the study area. Eleven released and one local common bean variety were tested in two locations (Yero Sekoru and Inkure), using a randomized complete block design with three replications. Data were collected for 12 quantitative traits and subjected to analysis using SAS software. The interaction effect of genotype by location showed a highly significant variation for all traits except for plant height, dry biomass yield, and hundred seed weight. The phenotypic coefficient of variation was higher than the genotypic coefficient of variation for all traits. Higher The phenotypic coefficient of variation was recorded for 100 seed weight (52.78), pod length (28.9), pods per plant (27.63), harvest index (25.94) and seed yield (24.6) and also a high genotypic coefficient of variance (GCV) was observed for 100 seed weight (20.24) and pods per plant (20.34). Low (20) and high (93.5) heritability in broad sense were recorded in days to 50% flowering and dry biomass yield, respectively. At the phenotypic level, all traits had a positive phenotypic significant correlation with seed yield per hectare except for primary branches per plant day to 95% physiological maturity and hundred seed weight, while a negative significant correlation with seed yield per hectare was observed for days to 50% flowering. Genotypic path coefficient analysis indicates that the traits studied showed a positive direct effect on seed yield per hectare, while plant height, primary branches and secondary branches per plant, days to 50% flowering, days to 95% physiological maturity and 100 seed weight exhibited a negative direct effect. However, a positive direct phenotypic effect was observed for traits such as dry biomass yield, pod length, primary branches per plant, seeds per pod, and days to 95% physiological maturity. Among the varieties tested in both locations, the highest yield was recorded for the Ser119 variety (2865.2 kg/ha) followed by the Ser125 variety (2699.2 kg/ha). Therefore, recommending these varieties to farmers in the study area is very important to increase production and income.

Note on volume and distribution of fresh water in the Amazon River plume under low discharge conditions

In this research communication, we report the results of a field survey conducted in a part of the plume of the Amazon River between 0° and 5°N and offshore of the 28 m isobaths in November of 2022, during the low river discharge season. By comparing the observed vertical salinity profiles ‘disturbed’ by continental discharges within the plume with the virtually ‘undisturbed’ ones outside the plume, we estimated the total content of fresh water in the area covered by the measurements as 203 ± 22 km3, which equals to less than 3% of the average annual Amazon River discharge. Furthermore, we argue that the river-borne continental water was not confined to the upper mixed layer and show that about 37%, or 76 km3, of its volume was entrained into the plume-underlying layer between the mixed layer and the salinity maximum. This point is additionally supported by analysis of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) fluorescence in water samples, demonstrating significant concentrations of terrigenous CDOM to depths up to 140 m. We also observed that there was a significant direct correlation between the volume of freshwater accumulated in the affected layer and background stratification (expressed as buoyancy frequency) in the unaffected layer below it.

Future anxiety among media professionals and its relationship to utilizing artificial intelligence techniques: The case of Egypt, France, and UAE

This article aims to study professional future anxiety differences among media professionals and its relationship to utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) techniques in media institutions in Egypt, France, and United Arab Emirates (UAE); and to know the effect of the intensity of employing AI techniques in various media institutions on the professional future anxiety of the sample. A convenience sample was drawn from the three countries, with a total of 300 media professionals. It included 100 participants from each country, to whom the questionnaire and the professional future anxiety scale were applied. The methodology regarding data collection is quantitative research. Descriptive analysis was used to extract the results. Pearson correlation coefficient, ANOVA, and simple linear regression analysis to test the research hypotheses. The study revealed that there is a statistically significant direct correlation between the employment of AI techniques in media institutions and professional future anxiety among media professionals in Egypt, France, and UAE. It was also evidenced that there are differences in the degree to which media institutions employ AI technologies in favor of France, while no differences were found in the level of professional future anxiety among media professionals based on the variable of the country. The respondents’ degree of professional future anxiety was moderate. The results also confirmed that media institutions’ extensive employment of AI techniques contributes to effecting professional future anxiety among media professionals participating in the study. The most prominent technologies and applications employed by media institutions and were used by the respondents were techniques for verifying the accuracy of sources, information, and content, and techniques for increasing the efficiency of news coverage and processing, ChatGPT application.

Age Estimation Based on Computed Tomography Analysis of the Scapula.

Background and Objectives: Age estimation from skeletal remains and in living individuals is an important issue for human identification, and also plays a critical role in judicial proceedings for migrants. Forensic analysis of ossification centers is the main evaluation method for age estimation, and ossification degree can be determined using computed tomography analysis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the applicability of CT (computed tomography) in the analysis of left scapula ossification centers, for forensic age estimation in Turkish society. Materials and Methods: We analyzed six ossification centers of the left scapula and these ossification centers are the coracoid, subcoracoid, coracoid apex, acromial, glenoid, and inferior angle ossification centers. A pediatric radiologist analyzed these six ossification centers of the scapula by using a staging method defined by Schmeling et al. in 2004. Two months after the first assessment, 20 randomly selected cases was reanalyzed by the first observer and by another pediatric radiologist. Correlation between the age and ossification stage was assessed using Spearman's nonparametric correlation test. Linear regression analysis was performed using a backwards model. Cohen's kappa coefficient was used for evaluating interobserver and intraobserver variability. Results: In this retrospective study, 397 (248 male and 149 female) cases were evaluated. Ages ranged between 7.1 and 30.9. The mean age was 19.83 ± 6.49. We determined a positive significant correlation between the age and the ossification stages of ossification centers analyzed in both sexes. In each ossification center, except inferior angle, all of the stage 1 and 2 cases in both sexes were under 18 years old. Intraobserver and interobserver evaluations showed that reproducibility and consistency of the method was relatively good. Conclusions: The present study indicated that CT analysis of scapula ossification centers might be helpful in forensic age assessment of living individuals and dry bones.

Career Persuasion Attitude and Anuptaphobia: The Moderating Role of Exposure to Romantic Media Contents

The aim of the study was to explore the association between career persuasion attitude and anuptaphobia and to see the moderating role of exposure to romantic media content between these variables among unmarried women. Unmarried women (n=282) aged 25-35 (M = 26.24, SD = 1.45) were collected from universities. The sample was purposive taken from Lahore, Pakistan. A correlational research design was used for the study. Career aspiration scale-R (Gregor &amp; O'Brien, 2015), perceived realism scale (Rubin, 1985), fantasy rumination scale (Segrin &amp; Nabi, 2002) and fear of being single scale (Speilmann et al., 2013) were used to collect data. Results revealed a non-significant correlation between career persuasion attitude and anuptaphobia. However, a significant positive correlation between romantic media content and anuptaphobia was found. Regression analysis showed that the number of hours spent on romantic media and its exposure to romantic content was the predictors of anuptaphobia. Regarding the moderation analysis, exposure to romantic media was not a moderator between career persuasion attitude and anuptaphobia. However, findings of the t-test revealed significant educational aspiration and anuptaphobia among the PhD and M Phil groups. The research highlighted the importance of balanced media consumption as this could potentially help reduce anxieties related to being unmarried.

Examination of the Relationship Between Physical Activity, Perceived Stress and Sleep Quality of Nursıng Students: A Cross-Sectional and Correlational Study

Nursing students often experience challenges related to sleep quality, which can have implications for their overall well-being and academic performance. The aim of this study is to examine the relationships between physical activity, perceived stress, and sleep quality among senior nursing students. This study employed a cross-sectional and correlational design. The study was conducted between September and Ocober 2021, involving senior nursing students who were undergoing practical training in a state hospital. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using the "Introductory Information Form," "International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Short)/IPAQ" "Perceived Stress Scale/PSS" and "Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index/PSQI". Out of 42 students, 40 students participated in the study. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, minimum and maximum scores, mean scores, standard deviation, and Pearson correlation test. The mean score for physical activity assessed using the IPAQ was 1051.38±890.17 MET (metabolic equivalent), the average score on the PSS was 27.88±8.72, and the average score on the PSQI was 14.10±2.38. The correlation analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between sleep quality and physical activity levels (p≤0.05). Furthermore, a positive and moderate relationship was observed between sleep quality and perceived stress levels (p≤0.05). The findings indicate that nursing students have moderate levels of physical activity and perceived stress, and their sleep quality is considerably low.