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The primary aims of the study were to perform a descriptive analysis of hitting energetics off a pitching machine and to compare between the rear- and lead-side lower and upper extremities. Eighty-five high school to minor league baseball athletes participated. Five full-effort swings off a pitching machine with the fastest exit velocity were used for analysis. Energy flow was quantified using a segment power analysis. Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed significant differences between rear- and lead-side energetics during both swing phases. During the stride, the rear knee and shoulder generated more energy than the lead side. Throughout the swing phase the lead knee, hip, and elbow generated more energy than the rear side, but at the shoulder the rear side generated significantly more energy than the lead. Most intriguing, differing energy transfer directions between the rear and lead knee and shoulder joints were reported. Furthermore, descriptive results revealed energy is predominantly transferred across the knee, shoulder, and elbow joints, while the hips primarily display energy generation. The descriptive nature of the study provides a foundation for future research and can be used as a resource for training personnel to design effective training protocols aimed at maximizing performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Service quality and customers' repurchase intention are essential in the restaurants' successful operation. Thus, this measured the service quality of a local restaurant in a highly urbanized city in Central Philippines in responsive/assurance, empathy/equity, reliability, and tangibility relative to the types of services. Likewise, it determined their repurchase intention in customer satisfaction, customer trust, commitment, and perceived value. Using the descriptive design, this was responded by conveniently sampled 157 customers aged 18 years old and above who had actual dining experience in the restaurant from August to October 2023. It employed the adopted service quality instrument and validated and reliability-tested repurchase intention questionnaire. The data were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. Also, this adhered to the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB) guidelines. Generally, most were dine-in customers. They rated the quality of service higher than buffet and catering customers. Moreover, empathy, reliability, and tangibility were very high across customer types. Meanwhile, high customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions were evident among dine-in customers. With this, their exceptional dine-in experience highlights the importance of maintaining high standards in the restaurant's service quality. Hence, consistent service quality and customer-centric approaches are crucially recommended in enhancing customer satisfaction, loyalty, and repurchase intentions across all service types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing communicative competence is one of the expected outcomes of the Language Arts and Multiliteracies Curriculum (LAMC). This study evaluates the communicative competence among Junior High School students at Vinapor National High School. Employing descriptive quantitative and qualitative methods, it examines the grammatical, sociolinguistic, and discourse competence and identifies factors that either facilitate or hinder these competencies. A combination of grammatical, speaking, and writing tests was used to assess student's performance, which revealed that the majority did not meet expectations across the evaluated competencies. Semi-structured interviews further provided insights into both facilitating and hindering factors from the perspectives of 21 students and four teachers. Facilitating factors included teaching methods, peer interaction, extracurricular activities, access to resources, and teacher support, whereas hindering factors encompassed challenges and barriers such as lack of interest, lack of comprehension, lack of confidence, fear of committing mistakes, negative perception, curriculum and resource limitations, and distractions. The study proposed an intervention program to guide teachers in helping students achieved communicative competence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Parent-infant interaction is highly recommended during the preterm infant hospitalisation period in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Integrating culturally sensitive healthcare during hospitalisation of preterm infants is critical for positive health outcomes. However, there is still a paucity of evidence on parental experience regarding cultural practices that can be integrated into preterm infant care in the NICU. The study explored and described the cultural determinants of parents that can be integrated into the care of preterm infants in the NICU. Methods: A descriptive qualitative research design was followed where twenty (n=20) parents of preterm infants were purposively selected. The study was conducted in the NICU in Limpopo using in-depth individual interviews. Taguette software and a thematic analysis framework were used to analyse the data. The COREQ guidelines and checklist were employed to ensure reporting standardisation. Results: Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: 1) Lived experienced by parents of preterm infants, 2) Interactions with healthcare professionals, 3) Cultural practices concerning preterm infant care, and 4) Indigenous healthcare practices for preterm infants. Conclusions: The study emphasised a need for healthcare professionals to understand the challenges parents of preterm infants face in NICU care. Furthermore, healthcare professionals should know indigenous healthcare practices to ensure relevant, culturally sensitive care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Financial behavior and financial satisfaction are two essential elements in the lives of the human being like non-teaching personnel. Hence, this study assessed the financial behavior of non-teaching personnel in a city schools division in Negros Occidental in terms of spending habits, borrowing practices, repayment practices, savings, and investments relative to age, sex, civil status, position level, and net take-home pay. Likewise, it determined their financial satisfaction in terms of financial solvency and financial knowledge relative to the demographics. Also, it compared their financial behavior and financial satisfaction when grouped according to the demographics. Lastly, it correlated their financial behavior and financial satisfaction. The study utilized the descriptive-comparative and correlational research design. It was responded by 106 non-teaching personnel and was determined using stratified random sampling. The instruments used were adopted-modified questionnaires. In analyzing the data, mean, standard deviation, Mann Whitney U test, and Spearman rank correlation were employed. Meanwhile, the researcher adhered to the guidelines established by the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board (PHREB). Generally, they have a very high financial behavior and high financial satisfaction. In comparing their financial behavior when grouped according to the demographics, only the net take-home pay has the significant difference. In terms of the financial satisfaction, all demographics resulted no significant differences. Regarding the relationship between the two constructs, there was a significant relationship between their financial behavior and financial satisfaction. Hence, to improve their satisfaction financially, their behavior towards finances should be given attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lockdown period has led to a decline in physical activity and fitness among students with increasingly embraced sedentary behaviour. This study aimed to assess the physical activity (PA) level and health-related fitness (HRF) status of students according to sex and academic strand, also determining whether significant differences existed. The study was conducted in a large public high school responding to the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long Form (IPAQ) and the Philippine Physical Fitness Test. The study employed a descriptive-comparative research design and employed stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. The students demonstrated a moderate PA level, regardless of sex and academic strand. Regarding health-related fitness, most students exhibited normal BMI, excellent strength in the basic plank, good cardiovascular endurance in the 3-minute step test, good flexibility in the zipper test, fair flexibility in the sit and reach test, and poor performance in the push-up. Furthermore, significant differences were found in BMI and strength when grouped by sex. In conclusion, most students maintain moderate physical activity, surpassing local restrictions and avoiding sedentary behaviour. Also, most students have shown muscular endurance and flexibility in various tasks but have yet to focus as much on strengthening their arms and core muscles. The FIT-UP YOU program has been developed to address this issue, focusing on improving weight and overall HRF status among young overweight/obese and underweight students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-efficacy is an individual's belief in their ability to perform and accomplish tasks. On the other hand, physical fitness encompasses an individual's comprehensive state of bodily health and well-being. It pertains to the capacity to engage in physical activities effortlessly, efficiently, and without undue exhaustion or strain. The study aimed to determine the level of Physical Fitness and Self-Efficacy in PATHFIT 1 of Education students when grouped according to sex, year level and major field of specialization. This study used a descriptive and correlational research. The respondents were the 234 students using stratified random sampling. A standardized questionnaire used in this study for self-efficacy was taken from the general selfefficacy scale. The physical fitness questionnaire was researcher made and undergone a validation process. The salient results of the study were as follows: the level of physical fitness and self-efficacy were moderate; physical fitness significantly influenced the self-efficacy of Education students; there is no significant difference in the level of physical fitness of education students when grouped according to sex, year level and major field of specialization; and there is no significant difference in the level of self-efficacy of education students when grouped according to sex, year level and major subject. An enhancement program was formulated to better the importance of developing physical fitness and self-efficacy among students to monitor progress and changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heart failure (HF) is a prevalent condition worldwide. HF self-care is a set of behaviors necessary for improving patient outcomes. This study aims to review and summarize the individual and system-related factors associated with HF self-care published in the last seven years (Jan 2015 – Dec 2021) using the Socioecological Model as a review framework. Methods: An experienced nursing librarian assisted authors in literature searches of CINAHL Plus with Full Text, Ovid Nursing, PsychINFO, and PubMed databases for peer-reviewed descriptive studies. Inclusion criteria were HF sample with self-care as the outcome variable, and a quantitative descriptive design describing individual and/or system-level factors associated with self-care. Exclusion criteria were interventional or qualitative studies, reviews, published before 2015, non-English, and only one self-care behavior as the outcome variable. The search yielded 1,649 articles. Duplicates were removed, 710 articles were screened, and 90 were included in the full-text review. Results: A subset of 52 articles met inclusion and exclusion criteria. Study quality was evaluated using modified STROBE criteria. Study findings were quantitated and displayed based on socioecological levels. Self-care confidence, HF knowledge, education level, health literacy, social support, age, depressive symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction were the most frequently cited variables associated with self-care. Most factors measured were at the individual level of the Socioecological Model. There were some factors measured at the microsystem level and none measured at the exosystem or macrosystem level. Conclusion: Researchers need to balance the investigation of individual behaviors that are associated with HF self-care with system-level factors that may be associated with self-care to better address health disparities and inequity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 4Ps aim to strengthen the social protection system and reduce poverty in Philippines. Thus, this determined the 4Ps compliance in health and nutrition and education in a component city in Southern Negros Occidental, Philippines as assessed by the implementers and exit beneficiaries relative to designation and beneficiary location. It also profiled the livelihood support among beneficiaries in terms of medium enterprise development and employment facilitation. Likewise, it identified the challenges in the 4Ps implementation. Also, it investigated the difference in the compliance when grouped to demographics. Using the descriptivecomparative design, 151 implementers and 270 beneficiaries responded to the researcher-made questionnaire and checklist. In analysis, mean, standard deviation, and Kruskal Wallis were employed. Meanwhile, the researcher adhered to the Philippine Health Research Ethics Board. Generally, the compliance is very great. Regarding the livelihood support, few beneficiaries received the seed capital of P15,000.00 and employment facilitation fund of P5,000.00. The lack of vehicle, supplies, venue, and inaccessible roads were among the logistics and personnel issues. In knowledge and communication, challenges are on illiteracy, language barrier, lack of training on family and child-related issues. The inability to use ATM cards and pawning were issues too. Meanwhile, there was no difference in the compliance when grouped to demographics. Hence, the findings are instrumental in the continuous improvement of the program's compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improvements in the quality and safety of patient treatment are enhanced with the use of electronic medical records (EMRs). Despite the use of EMR, no established data existed on perceptions and self-efficacy and their relationship at the local level. The study assessed the interrelationships among personal characteristics, perceptions, and self-efficacy on EMR system use among 306 health professionals of a tertiary private hospital in Pasig, Metro Manila, Philippines, for the second quarter of 2023 who were chosen utilizing a proportionate stratified random sampling. This quantitative research used the descriptive, correlational design. Findings revealed that most respondents were young adults, females, had bachelor's degrees, had good typing ability, and had training in EMR systems. Most belonged to the medical department, used the system moderately, and served for 1-3 years. Overall, perceptions of EMR and self-efficacy were good. All the personal characteristics had a relationship with perceptions of EMR. All personal characteristics, except gender, were correlated with self-efficacy. However, gender was not. Lastly, perceptions of EMR had a relationship with self-efficacy. To address the findings, an action plan for telehealth utilization was created. In conclusion, perceptions of EMR and self-efficacy are influenced by personal characteristics, while perceptions of EMR influence self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the distinction between the dynamic and the descriptive unconscious is in danger of being lost and indicates some of the practical, clinical consequences of this loss. It does so against the background of Freud’s own struggles with his radical conception of the dynamic unconscious as ultimately unknown, as they appear in the revisions of The Interpretation of Dreams, invoking Laplanche’s recognition of Freud’s Copernican Revolution and the temptation he felt to make a Ptolemaic Return. It also comments on confusion about whether feelings can be said to be unconscious and the implications of this confusion for clinical practice, especially for our understanding of the concepts of transference and countertransference. An extended analysis of a dream is presented to show the dynamic unconscious in action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the article is to propose bounded epistemic rationality as a concept that blurs the divide between normative and descriptive approaches to the study of rationality. I illustrate the contrast between philosophy as a normative discipline and psychology as the empirical study of cognition and show that unattainable standards and the arbitration problem pose a challenge for normative theories of rationality. I then outline three possible types of relations between normative and descriptive theories of rationality, the third being the proposal for hybrid concepts, such as bounded epistemic rationality, that include both normative and descriptive elements. I continue by describing Herbert Simon's notion of bounded rationality and Gerd Gigerenzer's ecological rationality, and consider the role of bounded rationality in epistemology. I reflect on the relationship between norms of epistemic and bounded rationality and finally, drawing on the work of David Thorstad, I suggest some features that I believe should be included in an account of bounded epistemic rationality. I aim to show that an understanding of epistemic rationality that is compatible with bounded rationality can help to avoid overly strict, idealized, as-if theories of rationality, narrow the gap between the normative and the descriptive, and bring us closer to a comprehensive understanding of epistemic rationality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• FLNA and FLNB were the two most frequently mutated disulfidptosis cell death genes in cancer. • UCEC and SKCM were the two cancer types that have the highest mutation rates while the mutation of ACTN4 was associated with worse survival of CESC and ESCA. • The correlation between CNV and survival across multiple cancer types found that UCEC, KIRP, LGG, and KIRC were the top cancer types where the CNV level was associated with survival. • There was a negative correlation between expression and methylation for most of the genes. • About half of the disulfidptosis-related cell death proteins were associated with the activation of EMT. • Disulfidptosis genes were correlated to immune cell infiltration levels in cancers. • Multiple compounds were identified as potential drugs that might be affected by disulfidptosis-related cell death for future study. A recent study has identified a novel programmed cell death pathway, termed disulfidptosis, which is based on disulfide proteins. This discovery provides new insight into the mechanisms of cell death and may have implications for therapeutic strategies targeting cell death pathways. This study aimed to evaluate the pan-cancer genomics and clinical association of disulfidptosis and disulfidptosis-related cell death genes, including SLC7A11, INF2, CD2AP, PDLIM1, ACTN4, MYH9, MYH10, IQGAP1, FLNA, FLNB, TLN1, MYL6, ACTB, DSTN, and CAPZB. Using multi-omics profiling data, this study provides a comprehensive and systematic characterization of disulfidptosis genes across more than 9000 samples of over 30 types of cancer. FLNA and FLNB were the two most frequently mutated disulfidptosis cell death genes in cancer. UCEC and SKCM were the two cancer types that have the highest mutation rates while the mutation of ACTN4 was associated with worse survival of CESC and ESCA. Breast cancer was potentially affected by disulfidptosis because its subtypes are different in disulfidptosis gene expression. Similarly, KIRC might also be associated with disulfidptosis. Additionally, the association of disulfidptosis-related cell death genes with survival was analyzed, with MESO and LGG as the top cancer types with survival associated with disulfidptosis cell death genes. The correlation between CNV and survival across multiple cancer types found that UCEC, KIRP, LGG, and KIRC were the top cancer types where the CNV level was associated with survival. There was a negative correlation between expression and methylation for most of the genes and there was only a slight correlation between methylation levels and survival of cancer in LGG. About half of the disulfidptosis-related cell death proteins were associated with the activation of EMT. Disulfidptosis genes were correlated to immune cell infiltration levels in cancers. Multiple compounds were identified as potential drugs that might be affected by disulfidptosis-related cell death for future study. Disulfidptosis cell death genes are potentially involved in many cancer types and can be developed as candidates for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic biomarkers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Poisoning is a major public health problem and due to industrialization and urbanization, its incidence is on a major rise and it may be poisoning, suicidal, accidental, or homicidal. It is extremely important for physicians to have the knowledge of common suicidal poisons in a particular locality as it may help in the early diagnosis and management of acute poisoning case s. Therefore, this study was conducted to know the clinical spectrum of acute poisoning cases in and around Mangaluru and the effectiveness of decontamination procedures. Methods: 100 patients admitted in the intensive care units and wards of the General Medicine department were observed in this study. Details of each of these patients like presenting complaints, time of onset of the symptoms, addictive habits, and the nature of poisons consumed were noted. Clinical parameters such as whether stomach wash was given or not, the time lapse between the consumption of poison and stomach wash, the time lapse between the consumption of poison and stomach wash and death of the patients, duration of hospital stay, psychiatric condition of the patient and overall mortality rate of poisoning cases, were observed in this study. Results and Conclusion: The present study shows that organophosphate poisoning is the commonest type of poisoning. Nausea or vomiting is the most common symptom. There is a significant correlation between the time elapsed between the consumption of poison and stomach wash and mortality. Mortality was highest in patients with paraquat poisoning followed by rat poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We described the impact of alcohol use on longitudinal engagement in HIV care including loss to follow-up, durability of viral suppression, and death. We followed a cohort of 1781 people with HIV from enrolled in care at one of seven US clinics, 2011–2019 through 102 months. We used a multistate, time-varying Markov process and restricted mean time to summarize engagement in HIV care over follow-up according to baseline self-reported alcohol use (none, moderate, or unhealthy). Our sample (86% male, 54% White) had median age of 35 years. Over 102 months, people with no, moderate, and unhealthy alcohol use averaged 62.3, 61.1, and 59.5 months virally suppressed, respectively. People who reported unhealthy or moderate alcohol use spent 5.1 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 0.8, 9.3) and 7.6 (95%CI: 3.1, 11.7) more months lost to care than nondrinkers. Compared to no use, unhealthy alcohol use was associated with 3.4 (95%CI: −5.6, −1.6) fewer months in care, not virally suppressed. There were no statistically significant differences after adjustment for demographic and clinical characteristics. Moderate or unhealthy drinking at enrollment in HIV care was associated with poor retention in care. Alcohol use was not associated with time spent virally suppressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Ambidextrous writers are very rare in a population and comprises less than 1% ambidextrous people in the world. Handwriting is one of the significant parameters, which can aid in identifying the handedness of a person. Since there has not been much research done on the handwriting of ambidextrous writers, more of the studies are required to explore this aspect of handwriting examination in forensic science. Material and Methods: Present descriptive study was done on the ambidextrous writers who can efficiently write with both the hands. The current study is a pilot study to compare the handwriting samples of ambidextrous writers. The handwriting samples from left and right hand were collected from ambidextrous writers. Quantitative data for slant, alignment, size of letters, spacing was extracted from the handwriting samples with the help of Digimizer software, online protractor and ruler. The data analysis was done using SPSS23. Result: There is no significant variations in size, alignment, spacing and slant of left and right handwriting of Ambidextrous writers. Conclusion: Based on the analysis, the study could not find significant variation between the parameters of handwriting from left and right hand of ambidextrous writers. The extended study can be helpful to the investigators when they are collecting the requested handwriting samples and hence to the forensic document examiners when they are examining the handwriting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elective mathematics has been an extra mathematics subject for pilot students of Eduardo Barretto Sr. National High School for quite some time now. Through this, many alumni testified how this helped them understand senior high school and college math. However, the teachers have also been struggling with the resources for specific areas of mathematics, such as Business Math, Statistics, Analytic Geometry, Trigonometry, and Calculus. When the pandemic hit the Philippines, contextualized learning material aligned with the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELC) helped elective mathematics teachers. The contextualized learning material was developed from April to August 2020 and was first validated in February 2021 by the students who participated in the pilot testing. However, following the due process, it was suggested that I revalidate the IDEA-formatted Analytic Geometry and Trigonometry instructional material. It examines Eduardo Barretto Sr. National High School mathematics teachers and SDO Calamba City experts' evaluation of the content's topics, objectives, concepts, directions, and activities and the format's prints, illustrations, design, and layout. Participants' perceptions of learning material were assessed using a 4-point Likert Scale survey. Hence, descriptive quantitative design. Participants were surveyed using a 4-point Likert Scale to assess their learning content impression. The findings reveal that the participants found the format and content of the developed learning material to be very satisfactory. The indicators "localized" and "can be done independently" were viewed as Fair and Satisfactory, respectively. The learning material was enhanced by localizing the activities and giving directions that could facilitate self-learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research delves into the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly on educational institutions, necessitating the temporary closure of schools, which are primary learning environments for a vast number of students worldwide. In response to this challenge, the Department of Education (DepEd) in the Philippines implemented the Modular Distance Learning Modality (MDL), with a preference for this approach in many public schools across the country. MDL relies on printed and digital modules for instructional delivery. The primary objective of this research is to comprehensively assess the implementation of MDL for Grade 1 classes in selected public elementary schools in Santiago, Agusan del Norte. Specific goals include investigating stakeholder perspectives, identifying pedagogical needs for teacher support, measuring pupil competency in reading, writing, and numeracy, and formulating evidence-based recommendations for targeted catching-up programs. These programs aim to better prepare Grade 1 learners to transition to face-to-face classes, contributing valuable insights to educational policies and practices. Utilizing a descriptive research design incorporating both qualitative and quantitative techniques, this study investigates the lived experiences of teachers, tutors, and parents through interviews and focus group discussions. The findings reveal that a majority of Grade 1 pupils exhibit low or very low competencies in reading and numeracy while demonstrating above-average and excellent skills in writing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent years, evolving technologies have increased importance of data analytics and have extended the potential of using data-driven for decision-making process in different sectors as it has also been shown in civil aviation. The aviation industry supports $2.7 trillion (3.5%) of the world's GDP thus, it has always been seen to have an inherently strategic role. Propose of this study is an integrated model that combines descriptive analytics (multidimensional analytics) predictive analytics (data mining and more) and prescriptive analytics (MCDM/DEMATEL) in order to extract the critical factors for the improvement of airline baggage optimizations. The data has taken from Turkish Airlines which is one of the biggest 10 airlines in terms of the passenger number. Descriptive analytics results have set a precedent implication of multidimensional reports for service sector. In addition, rules that arise as outcomes of predictive analytics have really significant knowledge for marketing and planning department in civil aviation. Furthermore, they will help to solve some optimization problem in air transportation sector. Owing to prescriptive analytics, displayed results supported by the MCDM (DEMATEL) methods. Therefore, all stages of the analytics have been shown step by step on the real-world data implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of the managerial efficiency of the heads of offices of DAR, particularly in the DAR municipal offices of Northern Negros Occidental, is found to be an imperative need, hence this study. For the establishment of an efficiently running agency, the level of work performance of the offices is also expected to be at par, and so is the necessity of its evaluation in this study. This descriptive research design used a researcher-made survey questionnaire with 87 personnel to answer and help determine the level of managerial efficiency of the 33 MARPOs. As to the work performance of the DAR offices, the same descriptive design was used utilizing document analysis which is the Office Performance and Commitment Review (OPCR) of the MARPOs and a checklist determined the challenges encountered by the agrarian reform offices in Part III of the questionnaire. As a whole, the level of managerial efficiency of the MARPOs is high, indicating that the MARPOs are capable and competent and have demonstrated excellence in performing their functions. Positively, the result of a high level of managerial efficiency is exhibited by the MARPOs in the discharge of their official functions and outstanding performance of the DARMOs over the years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Islamic analytic theology emerges into an uncharted territory that is dominated by two loosely defined areas: analytic philosophy and analytic theology. As a nascent field, this article argues that for Islamic analytic theology to move forward, it needs to place the Qurʾān at its centre. To have a clear understanding of our terms, I begin by attempting a definition of Islamic analytic theology. Taking a normative approach to the subject, I consolidate the discussion with five methodical questions. Firstly, what has been going on in Islamic theology? (The descriptive task). Secondly, why has this been going on? (The interpretative task). Thirdly, what ought to be going on? (The normative task). Fourthly, how might we, as Muslim theologians, respond? (The pragmatic task). Fifthly, why should Muslim theologians conduct analytic theology? (The functional task). To situate Islamic analytic theology within this wider discussion, I end the article by offering some insights on how Islamic analytic theology relates to old Kalām. By the end of the article, we will have laid the groundwork showing the way forward for a more developed Islamic analytic theology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The discipline of apologetics has always been somewhat controversial in Christian theology. In the early church, the Greek-speaking apologists were often opposed for their attempts to express the gospel in the terms of Greek thought. In more recent times, the critiques of Soren Kierkegaard and Karl Barth, that it is an attempt to appeal to foundations that have nothing to do with the gospel, have cast a shadow over the discipline in recent years. This paper seeks to take those critiques seriously, yet argues that the discipline of apologetics is vital for the ongoing witness of the Church. It offers a new vision of apologetics based on the theological Apocalyptic genre. Rather than attempt to prove the existence of God or the truth of the Christian faith by rational means, Apologetics can be reconceived as an essentially narrative or descriptive discipline. The Apocalyptic genre thinks of the gospel as the result and announcement of the good news as a radical incursion of God into human life and history in the Incarnation and Resurrection. Apocalyptic Apologetics thus becomes an attempt to describe the world of history, politics, relationships and art (in fact, everything created) as lit up by the light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. It becomes a wide-ranging and imaginative venture to redescribe the world in the light of the gospel. This approach re-establishes Apologetics as a crucial part of the Church's witness while avoiding the critique that it smuggles in assumptions and foundations from outside the gospel itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to assess the status of the implementation of Alternative Learning System (ALS) in Jalajala Elementary School during the School Year 2021-2022. The study considered 148 ALS learners in the said school. Purposive sampling technique was used. The respondents were described in terms of their age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, and monthly family income. Descriptive survey research design was used. A researcher-made questionnaire-checklist was utilized to assess the implementation of Alternative Learning System (ALS) in public elementary schools with respect to teaching methodologies, instructional materials, and evaluative techniques. Problems encountered in the status of the implementation of Alternative Learning System were also determined. The study revealed that the ALS learners are mostly on their maturity ages and predominantly males. Most of them are single; have monthly income below Php 10,000 and mostly are high school undergraduates and elementary undergraduates. Alternative Learning System is often implemented with respect to teaching methodologies, instructional materials and evaluative techniques as evaluated by ALS learners. No significant difference exists on the perception of the respondents on the implementation of Alternative Learning System with respect to teaching methodologies, instructional materials, and evaluative techniques in terms of age, sex, civil status, educational attainment, and monthly family income. The most common problems encountered by ALS learners on the implementation of Alternative Learning System are family problems, marital problem, and school too far from home and financial problem as well Some of the recommendations include continuous implementation of the programs in ALS, provision of better co-curricular programs, purchasing of needed facilities and equipment, and provision of opportunities to ALS graduates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a comprehensive analysis of key aspects related to the distribution of Special Education Teachers (SPET) and receiving teachers, their awareness of inclusive education policies, their practices, and the barriers they face. Data collected from diverse educators shed light on age, gender, teaching experience, specialization, policy awareness, and inclusive practices. The study highlights the diverse age distribution among teachers handling the SPED program. Furthermore, it points out the prominence of female teachers in the workforce. A significant proportion of teachers possess limited teaching experience and a limited number of specialized SPED teachers. Regarding policy awareness, both Special Education Teachers (SPET) and receiving teachers clearly understand inclusive education policies. Inclusive practices among teachers were consistently observed, especially in admission, teaching, and modifying learning packages for learners with special needs. Identifying the lack of training as a major barrier in IE, there is a necessity for professional development to support effective inclusive practices. The findings underscore vital family support services, parental engagement in decision-making, and collaborative opportunities. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends targeted professional development for teachers, awareness campaigns on Indigenous Peoples' rights, encouraging specialization in SPED, strengthening collaboration, and expanding effective practices like the "Child Find" approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research objective: The research aims to show the miraculousness of the prophetic revelation in every time and place, and to respond to the modernist thought that tries to abolish the sanctity of revelation in the hearts of Muslims. Results:The research deals with the issue of Western modernist thought, which left a great impact on Arab thought, and has become a well-known position on the revelation (the Qur’an and Sunnah), as they seek to de-sanctify it, and consider it a human source to which the methodology of criticism and reconsideration applies, and compared to the human production of poetry. As a fortune-telling, forgetting what God Almighty singled out for the means of preserving and caring, and the miracles they contained in its words and content, the most incapable of his contemporaries. The Arab modernist whose eyes were blinded and their hearts closed from realizing the obvious and clear facts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To identify and characterise medical consultations to psychiatric inpatients. Method: Retrospective cross-sectional descriptive study of 451 psychiatric inpatients' electronic medical records between 1 January and 30 June 2021 with descriptive statistics. Results: Thirty one percent (n = 131) of inpatients required medical consultation, with 382 total consultations including ward call. Half (57.9%) were telephone advice. Main consulting specialties were general medicine (25%), anaesthetics (12%), neurology (9.9%), cardiology (6.5%) and endocrinology (6.2%). Almost all (99.0%) consultations resulted in documented management plans. Conclusions: This is the first Australian descriptive study quantifying and characterising psychiatric inpatient consultation requests. Physical and psychiatric healthcare integration requires ongoing efforts, including improved referral pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Depression is a common mood disorder, whose recurrence alters its management and prognosis. The aim of the paper is to describe the hospital discharge rate (HED) for recurrent depressive episode (RDE) between 2018-2021 in Chile, according to sex, age and severity. Materials and methods: Observational and cross-sectional study considering hospital discharges due to DRE in the period 2018-2021 in Chile (N=1551). The databases of the Department of Health Statistics and Information and the National Institute of Statistics were used. The variables studied were sex, age group and severity. Ethics committee approval was not required. Results: The lowest HTE was observed in 2020 with 1.91 discharges per 100,000 inhabitants. Females stood out during the entire period with an HTE of 3.68 discharges per 100,000 population. The 15-19 years age group stood out with the highest HTE in both sexes with 5.3 admissions per 100,000 inhabitants. In terms of severity, hospitalizations were concentrated in patients with unspecified diagnosis. Discussion: The COVID 19 pandemic could explain the decrease in HTE in 2020, with a reduction in diagnosis and hospitalization for RDE, presumably due to the bed conversion phenomenon. HTE is higher in the female sex, which is consistent with the literature. The predominance of the 15 to 19 years age group disagrees with the evidence, which indicates that it tends to be concentrated in individuals aged 25 to 64 years. Conclusion: HTE due to DRE was concentrated in young women. It is important to know the local epidemiology in order to focus resources on the timely detection of risk factors to avoid serious episodes and reduce their recurrence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Responsiveness/relevance is perceived as the starting point for determining what constitutes a quality education. Since development is necessary, systems that support development, like education and training systems, must be responsive. This study is focused on the relevance and responsiveness of the Bachelor of Science in Customs Administration (BSCA) program and to determine whether the initiatives currently practiced by the college to make the program relevant/responsive are effective. John B. Lacson Colleges Foundation-Bacolod is a higher education institution that offers a BSCA program and is the only one in Negros Occidental. However, despite the very satisfactory results in the board examination in the past years and the high demand for employment in the import and export industry, only a few are enrolled in the program. Hence, the conduct of this study is to explore opportunities to improve enrolment. This descriptive study used the survey method to gather the data needed, with Mean and Standard Deviation as statistical tools. A discussion with representative stakeholders was made on the initiatives and strategies practiced by the college to calibrate the program. The respondents were 24 BSCA students, 53 alumni, and 22 industry representatives. The findings showed that the BSCA program is relevant and responsive to a very great extent, as assessed by the alumni and students, and relevant/responsive to a great extent by the industry. This implies then that as a Higher Education, JBLCF-Bacolod offers a program that is relevant/responsive and the initiatives practiced by the College of Business are very highly effective based on the four core resources and also affirms that teachers are considered the most valuable pillars in the teaching-learning process. This study could provide valuable insights to introduce development strategies to enhance the current enrolment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: to conduct a survey of the epidemiological, care and causal profile of maternal mortality in the cities of geographical coverage of a Regional Health Superintendence located in inland Minas Gerais in the period from 2004 to 2018. Method: descriptive, quantitative observational epidemiological study with data analysis obtained from the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System, Death Certificates and Maternal Death Investigation Forms. Results: of the 19 maternal deaths analyzed, 8 (42.10%) were women aged 20 to 29 years, white, married, with 8 to 11 years of schooling. Deaths occurred in hospital institutions (100.00%), highlighting direct obstetric maternal death (89.47%) with obstetric embolism as the cause (21.05%). Conclusion: the maternal deaths studied are more related to quality and full access to existing points of care in the maternal-child care network than to the aspects of social vulnerabilities investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: health workers are the ones who remained on the front line of the response to COVID-19, so they were in greater danger in situations of potential exposure. Objective: to characterize health workers sick with COVID-19, from March 2020 to September the 30th, 2021, according to sociodemographic and epidemiological variables. to characterize sociodemographically and epidemiologically health workers sick with COVID-19, from March 2020 to September the 30th, 2021. Methods: Observational, descriptive cross-sectional study carried out in Cienfuegos. The universe was made up of all health workers diagnosed with COVID-19, during the study period. The variables were: age, sex, municipality of origin, occupational profile, clinical status at diagnosis, source of infection. The primary source for obtaining information was the database of the Health Surveillance Department of the Provincial Health Directorate. The processing was done using SPSS version 21.0. Results: the months with the highest diagnosis were July and August. The female sex was the most represented and the age groups of 25-34 and 45-54 years old. The Cienfuegos municipality was the one with the highest number of cases. Doctors and nurses were the most represented. The possible source of infection was extrainstitutional. 83.7% of the total cases showed some symptom. Conclusions: the largest number of health workers were infected in the peak months of the pandemic, but in most of them the infection occurred extra-institutionally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: in the history of humanity, the great pandemics have represented important and terrible scourges for the human race and the development of society. Objective: to describe the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of COVID 19 in the Cumanayagua municipality, Cienfuegos province, during the year 2021. Methods: A retrospective study of a series of cases was carried out, whose universe consisted of 5,710 positive cases for COVID 19. Variables studied: cases according to months, statistical weeks, age, sex, presence or absence of symptoms, clinical manifestations, source of infection, popular council, health area and deceased. Results: The months of August and September predominated with higher positive cases and deaths, more frequent in females, as well as in young adults. The highest percentage presented clinical symptoms, cough and asthenia were the most reported symptoms, followed by headache and runny nose. Being a contact of a positive case prevailed as a source of infection, the mountainous area reported a lower frequency of cases. Conclusions: The pandemic was an event that caused anguish, restlessness and anxiety on the planet. Being aware of your history is essential to differentiate progress from your progress and thus anticipate and take action for more challenging and dire situations. To this end, knowing its clinical and epidemiological characteristics and its constant updating is valuable to conceive the behavior of the COVID-19 disease, which behaved with an increase in the period studied in the municipality of Cumanayagua. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agritourism is the perception of the two sustainable development goals, Goal No. 2 on Zero Hunger and Goal No. 8 on inclusive economic growth, leading to agriculture policy reform that encourages farm operation diversification through tourism to generate income. The integrated farm is very much related to agritourism. Its various existing agricultural enterprises will create different activities and attractions for visitors that are unique and different from other types of tourist attractions, a powerful tool for enhancing profitability. So far, no agritourism study and program has been conducted nor implemented in Toboso, Negros Occidental. Hence, the study assessed the viability of the internal (management, technical, marketing, socioeconomic and environmental) and external (opportunities and challenges) factors of Salamanca Organics Integrated Farm (SOIF) as an agritourism site and to assess the financial performance as an agricultural production farm. The descriptive research design was utilized to determine the viability of Salamanca Organics Integrated Farm (SOIF) as an agritourism site. The primary data was collected using a researcher-made questionnaire which was accomplished by 183 participants composed of tourists selected by random sampling and complete enumeration sample to obtain the data of the barangay council, tourism development experts, farm owners, and SOIF owners. Secondary data analysis on the farm's financial performance was presented in financial ratios (profitability, liquidity, and solvency) from the audited financial statement. The overall findings revealed that all factors (internal factors: management, technical, environmental, marketing and socioeconomics and external factors: opportunities and challenges) were very highly viable that imposed the viability of Salamanca Organics Integrated Farm (SOIF) as an agritourism site. However, the financial performance described by the financial ratios (profitability, solvency, and liquidity) of the farm revealed weak financial performance as a production farm, implying that farm operation was financed by debts and resource translation to profit and wealth was struggling. The findings provide information and data to farm owners and local government officials as a basis for an agritourism viability action plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The clinic operations of primary care physicians experienced an economic downturn affecting the delivery of healthcare services since the start of the pandemic. Thus, this research study determines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinic operations of primary care physicians in Southern Negros Occidental in terms of business operation and marketing viability. The study also intended to discover the opportunities and challenges in primary care facility operations. The descriptive-comparative research design was used. Research findings show that the COVID-19 pandemic had a substantial impact on the clinic operations of primary care physicians. Moreover, age has a significant difference in the degree of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinic operations in both business operations and marketing viability. The study essentially addresses the limited data on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the clinic operations. The medical society may utilize this study to look for strategies to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on primary care physicians and maintain the delivery of health services in a non-hospital-based setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The role of qualitative research in response-shift research has not been well characterized. This scoping review summarizes the status of qualitative studies on response shift.A scoping review of the medical literature was done using the keywords “response shift” and “qualitative” or “interview.” After excluding ineligible works, each retained article was rated by two independent raters according to the modified Critical Appraisal Skill Program (CASP) criteria. A synthesis of adjudicated review results further characterized the articles.The search yielded 50 unique articles published from 1991 to 2023, 39 of which were retained after applying exclusion criteria. Most (69%) had the highest possible CASP score. Studies involved a broad range of patients by diagnosis or therapeutic context, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. While studies were often purely descriptive, many addressed components of response-shift theory or assumptions of response-shift methods. Study goals varied by design, time-focus (i.e., retrospective, present-focus or prospective), and by whether response-shift hypotheses were planned or post-hoc. The theoretical value added by the qualitative process involved examining the cognitive/emotional processes underlying quality-of-life ratings and response shifts. The methodological value added by the qualitative process facilitates understanding measurement error and non-responsiveness, and whether the methods used reflect the researchers’ presumptions.The use of qualitative methods in response-shift research yields a nuanced understanding of what response-shift “looks like” in different patient populations, thereby helping to translate results more directly to clinical experience. Studies contributed to response-shift theory or methods in ways not easily captured by purely quantitative research.Methods: The role of qualitative research in response-shift research has not been well characterized. This scoping review summarizes the status of qualitative studies on response shift.A scoping review of the medical literature was done using the keywords “response shift” and “qualitative” or “interview.” After excluding ineligible works, each retained article was rated by two independent raters according to the modified Critical Appraisal Skill Program (CASP) criteria. A synthesis of adjudicated review results further characterized the articles.The search yielded 50 unique articles published from 1991 to 2023, 39 of which were retained after applying exclusion criteria. Most (69%) had the highest possible CASP score. Studies involved a broad range of patients by diagnosis or therapeutic context, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. While studies were often purely descriptive, many addressed components of response-shift theory or assumptions of response-shift methods. Study goals varied by design, time-focus (i.e., retrospective, present-focus or prospective), and by whether response-shift hypotheses were planned or post-hoc. The theoretical value added by the qualitative process involved examining the cognitive/emotional processes underlying quality-of-life ratings and response shifts. The methodological value added by the qualitative process facilitates understanding measurement error and non-responsiveness, and whether the methods used reflect the researchers’ presumptions.The use of qualitative methods in response-shift research yields a nuanced understanding of what response-shift “looks like” in different patient populations, thereby helping to translate results more directly to clinical experience. Studies contributed to response-shift theory or methods in ways not easily captured by purely quantitative research.Results: The role of qualitative research in response-shift research has not been well characterized. This scoping review summarizes the status of qualitative studies on response shift.A scoping review of the medical literature was done using the keywords “response shift” and “qualitative” or “interview.” After excluding ineligible works, each retained article was rated by two independent raters according to the modified Critical Appraisal Skill Program (CASP) criteria. A synthesis of adjudicated review results further characterized the articles.The search yielded 50 unique articles published from 1991 to 2023, 39 of which were retained after applying exclusion criteria. Most (69%) had the highest possible CASP score. Studies involved a broad range of patients by diagnosis or therapeutic context, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. While studies were often purely descriptive, many addressed components of response-shift theory or assumptions of response-shift methods. Study goals varied by design, time-focus (i.e., retrospective, present-focus or prospective), and by whether response-shift hypotheses were planned or post-hoc. The theoretical value added by the qualitative process involved examining the cognitive/emotional processes underlying quality-of-life ratings and response shifts. The methodological value added by the qualitative process facilitates understanding measurement error and non-responsiveness, and whether the methods used reflect the researchers’ presumptions.The use of qualitative methods in response-shift research yields a nuanced understanding of what response-shift “looks like” in different patient populations, thereby helping to translate results more directly to clinical experience. Studies contributed to response-shift theory or methods in ways not easily captured by purely quantitative research.Conclusion: The role of qualitative research in response-shift research has not been well characterized. This scoping review summarizes the status of qualitative studies on response shift.A scoping review of the medical literature was done using the keywords “response shift” and “qualitative” or “interview.” After excluding ineligible works, each retained article was rated by two independent raters according to the modified Critical Appraisal Skill Program (CASP) criteria. A synthesis of adjudicated review results further characterized the articles.The search yielded 50 unique articles published from 1991 to 2023, 39 of which were retained after applying exclusion criteria. Most (69%) had the highest possible CASP score. Studies involved a broad range of patients by diagnosis or therapeutic context, caregivers, and healthcare professionals. While studies were often purely descriptive, many addressed components of response-shift theory or assumptions of response-shift methods. Study goals varied by design, time-focus (i.e., retrospective, present-focus or prospective), and by whether response-shift hypotheses were planned or post-hoc. The theoretical value added by the qualitative process involved examining the cognitive/emotional processes underlying quality-of-life ratings and response shifts. The methodological value added by the qualitative process facilitates understanding measurement error and non-responsiveness, and whether the methods used reflect the researchers’ presumptions.The use of qualitative methods in response-shift research yields a nuanced understanding of what response-shift “looks like” in different patient populations, thereby helping to translate results more directly to clinical experience. Studies contributed to response-shift theory or methods in ways not easily captured by purely quantitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is a recipe for three crucial ingredients: Bitopological spaces, proximity theory and digital image processing. The notion of LnS - topological spaces and LnS -proximity spaces are introduced as generalizations of topological spaces and proximity spaces respectively. We explicitly compute and visualize descriptive-LnS -open sets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to analyze the real situation of cases and deaths from head and neck cancer (HNC) and to evaluate practices and strategies to improve the population understanding of the main risk factors in Brazil. This was a retrospective descriptive quantitative study that analyzed data on mortality from the HNC in Brazil between 2014 and 2018, from the Atlas of Cancer Mortality. Analyses were carried out for sociodemographic variables, age groups, sex and death rates using the Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) method and descriptive statistics. HNC death rate affecting men was 369.40% higher than in women. The most affected ages were in the group between 60 and 69 years for men and women (n = 14,159; 2,354), respectively. However, the mortality rate increased for women in recent years. Thus, it is possible to confirm that HNC in Brazil deserves public health attention and demands effective actions applied to the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although randomized interventional studies are the gold standard of clinical study designs, they are not always feasible or necessary. In such cases, observational studies can bring insights into critical questions while minimizing harm and cost. There are numerous observational study designs, each with strengths and demerits. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for observational study designs to be poorly designed or reported. In this article, the authors discuss similarities and differences between observational study designs, their application, and tenets of good use and proper reporting focusing on neurosurgery. The authors illustrated neurosurgical case scenarios to describe case reports, case series, and cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control studies. The study design definitions and applications are taken from seminal research methodology readings and updated observational study reporting guidelines. The authors have given a succinct account of the structure, functioning, and uses of common observational study designs in Neurosurgery. Specifically, they discussed the concepts of study direction, temporal sequence, advantages, and disadvantages. Also, they highlighted the differences between case reports and case series; case series and descriptive cohort studies; and cohort and case-control studies. Also, they discussed their impacts on internal validity, external validity, and relevance. This paper disambiguates widely held misconceptions on the different observational study designs. In addition, it uses case-based scenarios to facilitate comprehension and relevance to the academic neurosurgery audience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fournier's gangrene is a serious polymicrobial infection caused by microorganisms that act synergistically and determine a progressive necrotizing fasciitis in the scrotum and perineum with manifestations of sepsis that can progress to septic shock and organ failure. Objective: to characterize clinically and epidemiologically Fournier's gangrene in patients diagnosed in a reference hospital unit. Methods: retrospective, observational and descriptive study based on the analysis of the clinical records of 64 male patients with Fournier's gangrene, diagnosed at the Hospital Militar Principal/Instituto Superior de Luanda, Republic of Angola from January 2016 to December 2020. Study variables were: age, toxic habits, comorbidity, clinical manifestations, extension, location as well as its evolution. The quantitative variables were expressed as means, median and range, while the qualitative variables were expressed in terms of absolute numbers and percentages. Results: the average age was 45.09 years; 36 patients (56.2%) consume alcoholic drink and 14 (21.87%) declared smoking habits. The main comorbidity was diabetes mellitus in 21 (32.8%). Pain with increased scrotal volume predominated in 43 (67.2%) subjects; early surgical debridement with antibiotic therapy was the key to management. Five patients died. Conclusions: Fourner's gangrene is a serious disease that can present systemic repercussions and death. The cornerstone of treatment is early surgical debridement supported by support measures. The series presented showed adequate and effective multidisciplinary management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe and analyze the epidemiological aspects of arboviroses in epidemic and non-epidemic years in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil from 2008 to 2017. Ecological, quantitative and descriptive study with secondary data on dengue, chikungunya and zika, confirmed by clinical, epidemiological and laboratory criteria in epidemic and non-epidemic years. Statistical analysis was performed using software R®. There were 188,617 confirmed cases of dengue, 79,529 of chikungunya and 1,619 of zika. The epidemic years for dengue were 2008, 2011 and 2012; chikungunya 2017 and zika 2016. The critical epidemiological weeks are the 12th to 18th and the diagnostic site was the emergency care unit. In the statistical analysis there was significance of p<0.05 in the variables: confirmed cases of dengue, clinical criteria and cure. Dengue, chikungunya and zika, remain constant in incidence and prevalence in the Brazilian metropolis, constituting a challenge for managers and health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to describe the phonological awareness, reading comprehension, fluent reading levels and types of errors in the reading of individuals with DS who can read and to examine the relationship between these variables. This relational descriptive study consists of 44 individuals with DS aged between 7 and 30 years who can read. 'Early Childhood Phonological Sensitivity Scale (ECPSS)' and the 'Skill of Oral Reading and Reading Comprehension Test (SOBAT-II)' were used for data collection. It was observed that the level of phonological awareness of individuals with DS was moderate, their level of fluent reading and reading comprehension was insufficient, and that the type of reading mistake they did most frequently was letter skipping (80%). It was determined that according to their level of (mild or moderate) intellectual disability, there was a significant difference between phonological awareness, fluent reading, and reading comprehension levels, also, it was found out that there was a statistically significant correlation between these variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several smartwatch vendors have over the past years entered the market with a large range of devices that differ in the design qualities they offer. In this paper, we focus on design qualities that are either perceived, descriptive or physical, and we investigate which of them may lead people to prefer particular smartwatches over others. To do so we conducted a laboratory study with 93 potential smartwatch users and a trained panel study with 8 participants. Results were analysed through a multivariate statistical technique called Preference Mapping. The advantage of this technique is that it can relate a large number of design qualities to users' preferences. Our findings show that participants can be divided into four groups with homogenous preferences, each emphasising a unique combination of design qualities. For example, some groups emphasised device shape, while others prioritised expensiveness for their preferred smartwatch. We conclude with implications of our work on practice and research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Updated epidemiology studies examining sports-related concussions (SRCs) are critical in evaluating recent efforts aimed at reducing the incidence of SRCs in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) sports. Purpose: To describe the epidemiology of SRCs in 23 NCAA sports during the 2014/15-2018/19 academic years. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: SRC and exposure data collected in the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program were analyzed. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to describe injury characteristics by sport, event type (practices, competitions), injury mechanism (player contact, surface contact, equipment/apparatus contact), and injury history (new, recurrent). Injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to examine differential injury rates, and injury proportion ratios (IPRs) were used to examine differential distributions. Results: A total of 3497 SRCs from 8,474,400 athlete-exposures (AEs) were reported during the study period (4.13 per 10,000 AEs); the competition-related SRC rate was higher than was the practice-related SRC rate (IRR, 4.12; 95% CI, 3.86-4.41). The highest SRC rates were observed in men's ice hockey (7.35 per 10,000 AEs) and women's soccer (7.15 per 10,000 AEs); rates in women's soccer and volleyball increased during 2015/16-2018/19. Player contact was the most prevalently reported mechanism in men's sports (77.0%), whereas equipment/apparatus contact was the most prevalently reported mechanism in women's sports (39.2%). Sex-related differences were observed in soccer, basketball, softball/baseball, and swimming and diving. Most SRCs reported in men's sports (84.3%) and women's sports (81.1%) were reported as new injuries. Conclusion: Given the increasing SRC rates observed in women's soccer and volleyball during the latter years of the study, these results indicate the need to direct further attention toward trajectories of SRC incidence in these sports. The prevalence of equipment/apparatus contact SRCs in women's sports also suggests that SRC mechanisms in women's sports warrant further investigation. As most SRCs during the study period were reported as new injuries, the prevalence of recurrent SRCs in men's and women's ice hockey is also noteworthy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards diabetes mellitus (DM) among outpatient diabetic elderly persons attending tertiary healthcare facilities in Nigeria and also to verify the null hypotheses of no significant differences within demographic variables. Methods: The study was based on descriptive research design and was carried out in 36 public tertiary healthcare facilities in Nigeria, from August to December 2019. Using the purposive sampling technique, a total of 360 diabetic elderly persons aged 60 years and above were studied. An adapted KAP questionnaire with 0.86 reliability indexes was used for data collection. Frequency, percentage, and chi square were used for data analysis. All analysis was completed using IBM SPSS version 22. Results: There were 348 (97%) valid copies of the questionnaire used for analysis. The study revealed that the outpatient diabetic elderly persons had high knowledge 303 (87%), positive attitude 265 (76%), and good practice 286 (82%) towards DM. Statistically, there was a significant difference within variables of age (p value=0.001<0.05) and education level (p value=0.018<0.05) while none existed on the variable of gender (p value=0.071>0.05). Conclusion: The participants had high KAP relating to DM. However, the finding of this study is not a complete reflection of the real situation regarding DM among elderly persons in Nigeria. There are overwhelming evidences of high prevalence of DM and thus the need for KAP sustainability and subsequent improvement in the healthcare sector to successfully combat the disease and proffer reliable ways of prevention among the population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most important challenges in the world is climate change causing the warming of oceans and its direct and indirect impacts on ecosystems. This fact makes it important to have and utilize regular data sets to increase understanding. This study, it is aimed to understand the descriptive properties of outer Izmir Bay by using alternative data sets from satellite technology. Remotely sensed data sets of the sea surface temperature, chlorophyll-a, and attenuation coefficient through satellite technology were analyzed over a long time period, between 01/2004 and 12/2021. Results showed stable properties of these variables and a significantly weak increasing trend in chlorophyll-a and attenuation coefficient. Even though no significant trends were detected in sea surface temperature, months from winter to summer showed a significant increasing trend for the temperature. Seasonal warming trends can be the cause of the successful settlement of warm-water species in Izmir Bay, as it is maybe the case in other parts of the Mediterranean Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: severe dengue fever is the most common cause of hospitalization and death among children and adults in Asia. Severe forms are uncommon in Africa, but they are increasingly reported. The purpose of this descriptive study, carried out in the city of Ouagadougou, is to better understand the epidemiology of severe forms of dengue observed during this outbreak. Methods: we conducted a 12-month retrospective, crosssectional, descriptive study of patients with severe dengue in 15 health facilities. The diagnosis of dengue was based on BIOLINE Duo rapid test, and a few samples were found positive for serotype 2 dengue, responsible for the epidemic according to the Pasteur Institute in Dakar. Results: male patients accounted for 57.5% of the study population, with an average age of 38 years. The frequency of severe forms was 33.8%, the main complications were acute renal failure, neurological complications and haemorrhagic dengue, respectively in 20.2%, 19.6%, 17.3% of cases. Malaria was associated with it in 24.6% of cases. Lethality accounted for 7.2% among severe forms. Conclusion: complications of dengue are not uncommon in Africa, and factors associated with dengue severity should be investigated for a better management of dengue cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Placed at the interface between metalexicography and gender studies, this short article discusses issues concerning gender representations in present-day dictionaries. Evoking recent controversies regarding the representation of gender-related terms such as "cisgender" or "woman" in The Oxford English Dictionary, the essay goes on to discuss the prescriptive/descriptive opposition concerning lexicographical representations, taking its cue from previous approaches, which suggest re-envisaging the prescriptive/descriptive dyad as a continuum (Straaijer, 2009; Wilton 2014), or replacing this traditional binary model with a nonbinary approach (Nossem, 2018; Turton, 2020). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 infection can cause psychological distress and profoundly impact patients' lives, but it can also lead to positive changes and post-traumatic growth (PTG), or positive psychological change in response to challenging life circumstances. Current research on the influence of COVID-19 infection has mainly focused on its negative effects. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with COVID-19 in China experienced PTG and, if so, what changed for them during the process of PTG. We used a qualitative descriptive approach to conduct this study. Using the purposive sampling recruitment method, patients with a confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis were recruited from a COVID-19 designated hospital in Shanghai, China, from April to July 2020. Data were collected using semi-structured, in-depth interviews conducted via cell phone or in person while social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Forty confirmed COVID-19 patients (19–68 years old) were recruited. Several prominent themes and subthemes were extracted from the interview responses regarding participants' experiences of PTG. The following are among the positive changesthat occurred for these participants after their diagnosis of COVID-19: (1) Reevaluation of their life priorities, which included a greater appreciation of being alive and re-evaluating their values and goals, (2) Improved relationships within their social circles, which included establishing or maintaining closer relationships with family and friends and a greater willingness to help others, and (3) Perceived changes regarding themselves, which included personal growth and increased awareness of the importance of their health. The study identified potential positive impacts of COVID-19 on patients, which could be helpful in the implementation of interventions to facilitate PTG among COVID-19 survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Malaria is a life-threatening disease. In a non-immune individual, symptoms usually appear between 10 and 15 days after the infective mosquito bite. It is important to know its entomo-epidemiological profile, especially in areas where it is very common. Objective: to describe the entomo-epidemiological profile of malaria in Huambo province during 2018. Methods: a descriptive, retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out. Variables studied: malaria cases, number of deaths, age, infected pregnant women, method of diagnosis and focal point. For data collection, the database of the National Epidemiology Directorate was used and they were processed with SPSS, version 15.0. Results: there was a marked decrease in cases and deaths during the year; those under five years of age reported higher rates of morbidity and mortality; pregnant women are one of the most vulnerable groups; the 65.5% of those diagnosed with malaria underwent a rapid test and there was a decrease in larval populations as a result of the use of the Bactivec and Gliceresf Cuban insecticides. Conclusions: malaria is a health problem in Huambo, its burden is high and causes great morbidity and fatality rates in vulnerable groups such as pregnant women and children under five years of age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Frequent inspection of sports-related injury epidemiology among National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) women's basketball student-athletes is valuable for identifying injury-related patterns. Emerging patterns in epidemiology of NCAA women's basketball injuries are unknown though general sports medicine practices, and playing rules and regulations have evolved in recent years. Athlete exposures (AEs) and injury incidence data were reported to the NCAA Injury Surveillance Program between 2014–2015 and 2018–2019. Injury counts, rates, and proportions were used to examine injury characteristics, and injury rate ratios (IRRs) were used to assess injury rate differences. Practice and competition injury rates were 5.93 and 10.35 per 1000 AEs, respectively. Preseason injury rates were higher than regular (IRR = 1.41; 95% CI = 1.31, 1.53) and postseason (IRR = 3.12; 95% CI = 2.39, 4.07). Ankle sprains (14.3%), concussions (7.5%), and anterior cruciate ligament tears (2.5%) were the most commonly reported injuries. Higher rates of practice and competition injuries, as well as ankle sprains, were observed relative to previous reports; continuous monitoring is necessary to identify potential contributing factors to these trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]