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Purpose: Monitoring player readiness to train and perform is an important practical concept in football. Despite an abundance of research in this area in the male game, to date, research is limited in female football. The aims of this study were, first, to summarize the current literature on the monitoring of readiness in female football; second, to summarize the current evidence regarding the monitoring of the menstrual cycle and its potential impact on physical preparation and performance in female footballers; and third, to offer practical recommendations based on the current evidence for practitioners working with female football players. Conclusions: Practitioners should include both objective (eg, heart rate and countermovement jump) and subjective measures (eg, athlete-reported outcome measures) in their monitoring practices. This would allow them to have a better picture of female players' readiness. Practitioners should assess the reliability of their monitoring (objective and subjective) tools before adopting them with their players. The use of athlete-reported outcome measures could play a key role in contexts where technology is not available (eg, in semiprofessional and amateur clubs); however, practitioners need to be aware that many single-item athlete-reported outcome measures instruments have not been properly validated. Finally, tracking the menstrual cycle can identify menstrual dysfunction (eg, infrequent or irregular menstruation) that can indicate a state of low energy availability or an underlying gynecological issue, both of which warrant further investigation by medical practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been extensive, disproportionately affecting various vulnerable populations. In addition to traditional vulnerable groups (TVGs) such as the elderly, women, people with lower education, disabled individuals, and low-income groups, new vulnerable groups (NVGs) have emerged, including essential workers, face-to-face workers, temporary workers, and the self-employed. This study focuses on exploring the economic and psychological effects of the pandemic on both traditional and newly recognized vulnerable groups within Korea. Methods: The study employed multiple logistic regression using micro-level social survey data from Statistics Korea to calculate the odds ratio relating to two categories of vulnerable groups and their economic and mental health impacts. Additionally, through interaction term analysis, we tried to uncover the complex interrelationship between these non-vulnerable groups and target vulnerable groups. Results: Both the newly identified and traditional vulnerable groups showed higher likelihood of facing economic and mental health challenges compared to non-vulnerable groups. The likelihood of encountering a decrease in income and work-related stress was 2.17 times higher (95% CI = 1.90–2.47) for NVGs, while those belonging to TVGs had a 1.75-fold increase (95% CI = 1.47–2.08). Moreover, female self-employed workers faced higher overall stress at 1.36 times greater risk (95% CI = 1.08–1.71), whereas elderly individuals who are self-employed exhibited lower odds of experiencing such stress at the intersection between TVGs and NVGs. Conclusion: This research offers in-depth understanding of the diverse impacts of COVID-19 on at-risk groups. Furthermore, examinations that take into account interactions between NVGs and TVGs uncovered subtle effects within subgroup dynamics, suggesting that intersecting factors play a role in different levels of vulnerability. This provides valuable evidence for informing policy decisions and allocating resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Academic stress is prevalent among final-year students, with thesis preparation being a significant source of this stress. Coping are essential as they effectively represent the body’s conscious adaptive responses to reduce stress through self-adaptation. This research determines the relationship between coping and stress levels in students from the class of 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, Palangka Raya University, during their thesis preparation. Methods: The study employs a quantitative analytical observational design with a cross-sectional approach. Simple random sampling was utilized for participant selection. The research instruments comprised coping questionnaires and the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Data were analyzed using Charles Spearman’s correlation analysis with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Out of all 96 respondents, 49 individuals (51%) had good coping skills, and 80 individuals (83.3%) experienced moderate stress levels. Notably, among the 49 participants exhibiting good coping, a majority (42 individuals or 85.71%) experienced moderate stress levels. The Charles Spearman test findings revealed a significant value of 0,013 (p < 0.05) with a weak correlation and the opposite direction (r = -0.252). Conclusion: There is a significant relationship between coping and stress levels in students from the class of 2020 at the Faculty of Medicine, Palangka Raya University, during their thesis preparation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gastritis, a significant public health concern worldwide, involves inflammation or irritation of the gastric mucosa. This condition is influenced by various factors such as health behaviors, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, living conditions, and habits. It can be acute, chronic, or severe and is often associated with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Contributing factors to gastritis include smoking, alcohol consumption, spicy foods, medications, stress, and infections. In India, the prevalence of gastritis is notable, with recent studies indicating a high incidence of H. pylori infection. This study aims to investigate the prevalence and contributing factors of gastritis among patients in a tertiary care hospital. Methodology: A descriptive, observational, noninterventional study was conducted with 150 subjects aged 14-65 years diagnosed with gastritis at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering socio-demographic details, dietary habits, economic status, family history, stress levels, drug use, and medical history. Ethical approval was obtained, and written consent was provided by each participant. Results: Out of 150 subjects, 73% were male and 27% female, indicating a male predominance. The age groups 14-25 and 36-45 years had the highest prevalence. A significant proportion (75%) had a mixed diet, and 54% were alcoholics, predominantly males. Urban residents (68%) exhibited a higher incidence of gastritis. Blood group A Rh+ was predominant (46%), and 6% were hypertensive. Spicy food consumption (73%) and frequent NSAID use (61%) were notable risk factors. High stress levels were reported by 47% of the participants. Associations were found between gastritis and psychological stress, menstrual history, sleeping patterns, and educational levels. Discussion: Gastritis prevalence is influenced by male gender, urban residence, alcohol consumption, spicy food intake, and frequent NSAID use. The findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions to address these risk factors. Physical labor, particularly among males, and stress are significant contributors. The study underscores the need for preventive strategies focusing on lifestyle modifications and stress management to reduce gastritis incidence. Conclusion: This study provides a comprehensive overview of the prevalence and contributing factors of gastritis in the hospital. Males, urban residents, and individuals consuming spicy food and alcohol are at higher risk. The findings call for public health initiatives to address these risk factors through education, lifestyle changes, and stress reduction programs. Future research should explore tailored preventive strategies to mitigate the burden of gastritis in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between anxiety symptoms and stress among adolescents has received considerable attention in psychological research. Nonetheless, traditional studies predominantly employ a variable-centered approach, overlooking the potential existence of distinct subgroups within the adolescent population that exhibit unique patterns of anxiety and stress. This study aimed to uncover such subgroupings among Chinese adolescents through latent profile analysis (LPA), utilizing the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC) and the Adolescent Life Events Questionnaire (ALEQ). The sample comprised 1,027 students aged 14-19 years (M = 16.26, SD= 0.90) from two middle schools in China. The analysis revealed a three-class solution as the most fitting model, delineating subgroups with Low stress/Low symptoms (51.6%), Low stress/High symptoms (37.2%), and High stress/Low symptoms (11.2%). Subsequent multinomial logistic regression analyses explored the associations between subgroup membership and various demographic and psychological factors, including gender, age, residential background, depression levels, family income, and parents' marital status and educational levels. The findings indicated a higher prevalence of girls in the "Low stress/High symptom" group and boys in the "High stress/Low symptom" group. Moreover, adolescents from urban areas were more likely to fall into the "High stress/Low symptoms" group, and a strong correlation was observed between higher levels of depression and increased stress or anxiety. These results underscore the importance of incorporating assessments of stress and anxiety into the clinical evaluation of adolescents to enhance the efficacy of psychotherapeutic and preventive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Military personnel suffer from stress‐induced temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD). No previous studies have evaluated the oral habits and TMD in military personnel based on their stress levels. Objectives: To examine the correlation between oral habits and TMD based on stress levels. In addition, we assessed the relationship between stress levels and TMD by military rank as well as the impact of oral habits on TMD. Method: This cross‐sectional survey included 89 military personnel who visited the Armed Forces Medical Center in Korea with discomfort in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) discomfort. Oral habits, stress level, TMD and general characteristics of the subjects were investigated. A questionnaire was distributed to the subjects who agreed to the study, and they were asked to respond in a self‐written form. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed to examine the factors that affect oral habits and TMJ symptoms. Results: Stress scores and oral habits were highest in the 'Private' rank. In contrast, temporomandibular joint symptoms were highest in the 'Corporal' rank. Additionally, the high‐risk stress group exhibited higher scores in oral habits and TMD compared to the potential stress group. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between an increase in high‐risk stress scores and a rise in oral habits. And individuals with more oral habits are at an increased likelihood of experiencing TMD. Conclusion: Our study findings suggest that military personnel with prevent TMD and improve oral habits by addressing stress levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study looks into pharmaceutical employees' intentions to telecommute following the pandemic, with an emphasis on their current work experiences. The expectation-confirmation hypothesis proposes that a variety of factors influence the decision to continue telecommuting. These aspects include the frequency of telecommuting, the quality of technological support provided, productivity perception, stress levels, intention to continue telecommuting in the digital workplace, job satisfaction, and work-life balance. To determine the effect of worklife balance on employees' sustained preference for telecommuting, the study examined the integration of worklife balance into the expectation confirmation theory. To test the proposed paradigm, 260 employees from the Indian pharmaceutical business were surveyed. The findings supported the notion that characteristics such as work-life balance, contentment, confirmation of expectations, and perceived usefulness influence employees' willingness to continue telecommuting beyond the epidemic. This study adds to the current body of information by identifying a link between work-life harmony and employee behavior in the pharmaceutical business, building on work-life balance literature. This study could provide crucial insights for firms considering the implementation of hybrid work environments. Based on the study's findings, hybrid work models can be developed and changed to reflect the uncertain nature of the growing workplace. It is critical to ensure the well-being of employees and to aid enterprises in running their operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A two-year longitudinal study examining the association between intrinsic motivation, academic demands, and stress in collegiate athletes uses a mixed-methods design that pairs quantitative data from biannual surveys with qualitative responses in annual semi-structured interviews. Participants: A stratified random sample of 200 collegiate athletes from five universities was chosen based on year in school, sport, and gender to be as diverse as a sample of interest groups. Quantitative measures consisted of the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory (IMI), Academic Demands Questionnaire (ADQ), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Researchers found that stress levels were much lower in athletes who demonstrated high motivation despite increased academic demands. The institutional review boards approved the study, which complies with the specifications of ethical considerations, including informed consent and confidentiality. The results relate to targeted interventions designed to assist athletes in coping with academic demands and restoring intrinsic motivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aims to determine the relationship between cognitive jealousy and stress levels in emerging adulthood individuals who are in romantic relationships. Lazarus & Folkman's theory and Pfeiffer and Wong's theory are used as a framework for understanding how cognitive jealousy can influence stress levels. The research method used is quantitative with a correlational approach. Data was collected through an online survey using an adapted questionnaire of the Multidimensional Jealousy Scale (MJS) and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). The results of data analysis show that there is a relationship between cognitive jealousy and stress levels in 290 participants. These findings highlight the importance of awareness of the emotional impact of romantic relationships in emerging adulthood individuals. The research results show that there is a significant and directly proportional relationship between cognitive jealousy and stress levels in emerging adults who are in a romantic relationship. This means that the higher the level of cognitive jealousy experienced by emerging adulthood individuals who are in a romantic relationship, the higher the level of stress experienced by the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, cluster analyses are widely used in mental health research to categorize student stress levels. However, conventional clustering methods experience challenges with large datasets and complex issues, such as converging to local optima and sensitivity to initial random states. To address these limitations, this research work introduces an Improved Grey Wolf Clustering Algorithm (iGWCA). This improved approach aims to adjust the convergence rate and mitigate the risk of being trapped in local optima. The iGWCA algorithm provides a balanced technique for exploration and exploitation phases, alongside a local search mechanism around the optimal solution. To assess its efficiency, the proposed algorithm is verified on two different datasets. The dataset-I comprises 1100 individuals obtained from the Kaggle database, while dataset-II is based on 824 individuals obtained from the Mendeley database. The results demonstrate the competence of iGWCA in classifying student stress levels. The algorithm outperforms other methods in terms of lower intra-cluster distances, obtaining a reduction rate of 1.48% compared to Grey Wolf Optimization (GWO), 8.69% compared to Mayfly Optimization (MOA), 8.45% compared to the Firefly Algorithm (FFO), 2.45% Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), 3.65%, Hybrid Sine Cosine with Cuckoo search (HSCCS), 8.20%, Hybrid Firefly and Genetic Algorithm (FAGA) and 8.68% Gravitational Search Algorithm (GSA). This demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in minimizing intra-cluster distances, making it a better choice for student stress classification. This research contributes to the advancement of understanding and managing student well-being within academic communities by providing a robust tool for stress level classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Annali di Igiene, Medicina Preventiva e di Comunità is the property of Societa Editrice Universo s.r.l. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The impact of the semester system on students' academic performance in higher education has garnered significant interest due to its potential implications for student outcomes. This study aims to develop and validate the Semester System Academic Performance Survey (SSAPS) to measure various dimensions influencing academic performance under the semester system. The SSAPS initially comprised 50 items categorized into four factors: Student Engagement, Academic Performance, Stress Levels, and Time Management Skills. Expert opinions were solicited from 14 experts, resulting in the removal of 17 items due to poor content validity (CVR < 0.45). Data were collected via a Google Form distributed through WhatsApp groups to university students. Exploratory factor analysis using varimax rotation validated the scale. The KMO measure was 0.748, and Bartlett's test was significant (p < 0.001). The Cronbach’s alpha for the instrument was 0.902, indicating high reliability. These results demonstrate that the SSAPS is a robust tool for assessing the impacts of the semester system, paving the way for more targeted academic interventions. Future studies could utilize this validated survey to explore the longitudinal effects on student performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Female students are being admitted to institutions at a higher rate than ever before, but they are also experiencing a variety of stress levels. The primary goal of the study was to investigate female university students' stress levels, its causes and also to investigate the impact of stress on various levels of their life. Furthermore, the aim of study was to investigate the female students' family stress and its sources in university life by conducting a thorough evaluation of stressors and their effects. All female undergraduate students of the first and final semesters from the faculty of social sciences were part of the population. More than 75% of students in the faculty of Social Sciences were females. The sample consisted of 350 female students, 50 were selected randomly from each of seven departments. A self-developed questionnaire was verified by five experts and pilot tested on 100 students, with a Cronbach Alpha reliability rate of 82. The data was collected personally, and the response rate was 92%. To examine the data, t-test, mean, standard deviations, and frequencies were used. The study found that while most female university students experienced modest levels of stress, a significant minority experienced moderate to high levels. Additionally, urban female students reported higher levels of stress than their rural counterparts. It is recommended that department heads should establish counseling services and peer support networks for anxious female students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding beliefs about corporal punishment is crucial, as evidence suggests that positive beliefs in its effectiveness predict its use. High parental stress, especially in those valuing corporal punishment, increases the potential for child abuse. Factors such as having many children or low education and socioeconomic status contribute to parental tensions, leading to the use of corporal punishment for behavior correction. We posit that the accumulation of such variables results in heightened stress levels. Our focus aimed to determine the moderating role of stress levels among parental beliefs about corporal punishment and its reported use through quantitative research. In our study, 853 Colombian parents of low, middle, and high socioeconomic status, and from four different regions of Colombia, with children aged 0 to 17 participated. They provided information about their beliefs on corporal punishment, using the Beliefs and Punishment Scale. Correlations indicated that older parents with better socioeconomic status were less inclined to believe that strictness improves children. Regressions suggested that increased belief in corporal punishment modifying behavior, along with higher parental stress, increases corporal punishment use. Moderation models highlighted that when more stressors were present, corporal punishment was used due to stress rather than parental beliefs. Ultimately, stress emerged as a crucial factor influencing corporal punishment use among Colombian parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stressful circumstances presented by the Covid-19 pandemic led to reduced levels of study concentration among students, and these conditions had been linked with dopamine levels. Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of aromatherapy gelatin cold compress in increasing the study concentration of students by decreasing stress levels and elevating dopamine levels during the Covid-19 pandemic online class. Methods: The study participants consisted of 42 students, who were selected using the simple random sampling method. Subsequently, the participants were comparably divided into control and treatment groups. Compress intervention was given to the treatment group on the forehead for 10 min before studying online. The Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Stroop test were then used to determine stress and concentration levels of the students, respectively. The catecholamine fractionated urine was used to measure dopamine levels. Analysis was carried out using Paired T-test and Independent T-test with α = 0.05 and CI = 95%. Results: The mean value of the VAS before and after treatment was 5.81 ± 2.48 and 5.28 ± 2.61 in the control (p = 0.205), as well as 6.28 ± 1.62 and 4.38 ± 1.89 in the treatment group (p = 0.000). The mean interference score of the Stroop test before and after treatment was 13.16 ± 1.05 and 13.22 ± 1.31 among the controls (p = 0.947), while 13.35 ± 6.94 and 8.92 ± 5.91 were recorded in the treatment group (p = 0.000). The average dopamine levels before and after the intervention were 145.50 ± 7.94 mg/mL and 146.65 ± 8.23 mg/mL creatinine among the controls (p = 0.542), while 145.35 ± 1.03 mg/mL and 265.18 ± 1.27 mg/mL creatinine were obtained in the treatment group (p = 0.01). Furthermore, the results showed that the creatinine levels were within the normal ranges. The Independent T-test of stress, concentration, and dopamine levels obtained p = 0.024, p = 0.010, and p = 0.090, respectively. Conclusion: Aromatherapy gelatin cold compress was effective in increasing study concentration by decreasing stress levels and increasing dopamine levels during the Covid-19 pandemic online class. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Central South University is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This document is a list of references for various research articles related to the management of type 2 diabetes. The articles cover a range of topics including the role of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) in self-management, interventions for self-management, management of hyperglycemia, and the effectiveness of different therapies and interventions. The document also includes articles on the impact of education, social support, and lifestyle changes on diabetes management. Additionally, there are references to studies on health coaching, acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), and the use of wearable activity trackers. The articles provide valuable insights into the challenges and strategies for managing type 2 diabetes. [Extracted from the article]

Background and Aims: Health care workers (HCWs) are caught in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic storm and are exposed to a large degree of physical and emotional stress. This study was planned to describe the stressors, stress levels, emotional responses, and coping strategies adopted by HCWs amidst this pandemic. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional, web-based survey was conducted after ethics approval, using a structured performa incorporating standardized stress (PSS-10 C), emotional responses (PANAS-10), and coping strategy (Brief COPE) scales. The snowball sampling technique was used to conduct the study and collect data. Data were analyzed using SPSS 26 version (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) statistical software. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 402 participants (65% doctors and 35% nurses), 87% perceived moderate stress levels, and nearly half of the participants were interns, residents, and medical officers. Infection to self or family members (77.1%), survival of sick patients (75.6%), aggression by patients and relatives (70.3%), and long duty hours (67%) were some of the major stressors as reported by HCWs. The most common positive emotion felt was being alert (19.17 ± 5.57) and negative emotion perceived was being upset (15.6 ± 6.06). Many participants adopted emotion and problem-focused coping strategies such as planning and strategization (68%) and positive reframing (67.6%), whereas dysfunctional coping strategies such as venting and denial were adopted less commonly. Conclusion: Moderate stress levels perceived by HCWs are a cause for concern. Emotional responses of HCWs to stress vary; however, appropriate coping strategies including emotional and problem-focused coping strategies are the need of the hour to tackle pandemic-related stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Arab Journal of Psychiatry is the property of Arab Federation of Psychiatrists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: Stress among prison inmates is a neglected psychological health issue, but this phenomenon seems worse in Ghana's prisons. This study examined the stress levels, predictors and management strategies utilized among inmates at Ankaful Prison Complex. Method: This survey sampled 1160 inmates using the census approach at the Ankaful Prison Complex with a self-developed questionnaire for the data collection. Frequency counts, one-way ANOVA, and multiple regression analysis were applied to the data. Results: The findings indicate that more than half of the inmates were moderately or highly stressed. Specifically, inmates at the Maximum Security Prison were the most stressed, followed by Annex Prison, Communicable Disease Prison, and the least, Main Camp Prison inmates. Inmate engagement in exercises, sporting activities, visit and chat with colleagues, and family connectedness outside the prison were stress-management strategies. Inmates' self-reported stress levels were influenced by the prison of custody and state of depression. Conclusion: The moderate to high stress levels identified among inmates of Ankaful Prison Complex are influenced by person–environment factors. Management of the Ankaful Prison Complex is encouraged to initiate health screening services for inmates on common mental health challenges such as stress and to promote functional stress reduction interventions to improve prisoners' mental health and overall well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the impact of stress on twenty interpreters during simultaneous interpreting with objectively measurable parameters recorded using Alive Clinical Version physiological monitoring software, using a Somatic Vision 8-channel GP8 Amp biofeedback system. The purpose of the article is to describe the model developed to functionally investigate stress in interpreters by recording skin conductance levels during simultaneous translation from English into Bulgarian and how stress levels correlate with interpreters English proficiency levels and how stress affects language production during translation. The purpose of testing and implementing this model is to develop individualized protocols to reduce interpreters’ stress. The target group includes 20 undergraduate and postgraduate students studying at the Faculty of Philology of the South-West University of whom 11 are women and 9 are men with at the age of 21 to 37. The study design included measurement of skin-galvanic conductance variability (which is an objective measure of stress level), during rest 1 (start, about 2 min), simultaneous translation (up to 5 min), rest 2 (finish, about 2 min). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subgrades that are constructed from fine-grained cohesive soils undergo large settlements; therefore, the study of their deformation behavior is important to avoid early deterioration in the traffic infrastructure. In this study, the deformation behavior of two different types of cohesive subgrade soils at different compaction states has been addressed that considered the effect of influencing factors, such as water content, deviatoric stress, and confining pressure (σ3). The results from the unconsolidated undrained cyclic triaxial tests show that the deformation behavior of soil is highly influenced by the level of applied deviatoric stresses and moisture content on the wet side of optimum (WS) and is slightly affected by σ3 and moisture content on the dry side of optimum (DS). The elastic strain (ɛe) component showed a decreasing trend with an increase in the number of load cycles (N) and then attained a steady value toward a higher N; however, the plastic strain (ɛp) component continuously increased for a given magnitude of applied cyclic deviatoric stresses (σd,c). From the test results, logarithmic strain models were proposed to predict the long-term total (ɛt) strain and ɛp that developed in cohesive subgrade soils, which were subjected to various combinations of variations in moisture content and stresses. The proposed model has been compared with the existing model and shows better prediction ability with a coefficient of correlation (R2) of >95% in most cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Aims: Parents of children with cerebral palsy face higher levels of stress, anxiety and depression, sadness, exhaustion and burnout. Parent-based therapies have been found to increase parents' satisfaction with therapy, parent–child interactions and reduced parental stress. This study examined the effects of parent-based occupational therapy on stress levels, coping skills, and emotional skills and competencies of parents of children with cerebral palsy. Methods: A total of 15 children and their parents who were admitted to the paediatric rehabilitation unit for occupational therapy were divided into two groups (control group: n=7, study group: n=8) using the coin toss randomisation method. The control group received standard occupational therapy, while the study group received parent-based occupational therapy for 45 minutes a session, twice a week, until 10 sessions had been completed. Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention. Results: The study group showed a decrease in stress levels (P=0.034) and increases in coping skills (P=0.016), and emotional skills and competencies (P=0.036). In addition, only an improvement in parents' stress levels (P=0.046) was observed in the control group. Conclusions: The parent-based occupational therapy programme was more effective regarding stress levels, coping skills, emotional skills and competencies of the families of children with cerebral palsy compared to classical occupational therapy. This study is important in terms of demonstrating the benefits of parent-based occupational therapy for parents of children with cerebral palsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using pre-stressed carbon fibre reinforced polymer/plastic (CFRP) to strengthen bridge structures is currently considered a promising technology and the durability of the structure is closely related to the material property. CFRP have good corrosion resistance, but they also experience different degrees of swelling, corrosion and hydrolysis in water immersion environments. Stress accelerates this effect and leads to deterioration of the mechanical properties of the materials. This work aims to investigate the durability of CFRP grids under water, wet-dry cycles of seawater, seawater immersion and 0% f u (f u is the ultimate tensile strength of the tested CFRP grids and it is constant stress in this paper), 30% f u, 60% f u coupled environments.Test aging time at room temperature (25°C) of 30, 60, 120, 180, 270, 360 days. The results indicate that the surface of epoxy resin is smooth at the initial moment by comparing of scanning electron microscope (SEM) image. With the increase of deterioration degree with aging time, the cavities and cracks appeared in the matrix. The epoxy resin content between the fibers decreased, and the adhesion force decreased. When the aging time is short, the tensile damage section of CFRP grid is flaky and the matrix is tightly bonded with the fiber. The later damage is mainly blow-up damage, which the fracture section is typical filiform. After CFRP grids aged for 360 days, the tensile strength decreased by 6.2%, 10.2%, 10.9% in the water, seawater solution and seawater wet-dry cycle environments. The tensile strength decreased by 10.2%, 12.3% and 20.2% under the coupling of seawater and different stress levels. A semi-empirical model of durability is proposed to provide a good reference value for the durability prediction of FRP materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica is the property of Acta Materiea Compositae Sinica Editorial Department and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Family Sciences is the property of IPB University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction: The present study aims at analysing how social support received and provided by parents of children, adolescents and young adults (AYA) diagnosed with cancer, as well as their sociodemographic and clinical variables, affect those parents' stress levels and life and family satisfaction. Materials and Methods: A total of 112 parents of children and AYAs who had been diagnosed with cancer and who received treatment in Malaga participated in the study. In the study, participated all parents who voluntarily agreed to fulfil the questionnaire. The main inclusion criterion was that their child had cancer. Instruments used were Questionnaire on the Frequency of and Satisfaction with Social Support (QFSSS), Paediatric Inventory for Parents (PIP), Life Satisfaction Scale and Family Satisfaction Scale. Results: In the mean difference analyses, male parents showed 3.38 (SD = 0.56) in social support received and female parents showed M = 3.08 (SD = 0.72). Conversely, in social support provided, female parents showed 3.22 and male parents showed M = 3.55 (p = 0.020). Significant differences were also found in family satisfaction, where female parents (M = 3.64) feel more satisfied than male parents (M = 3.06; p = 0.027). Parents of children aged between 0 and 14 years (M = 3.06) feel more stress than those parents of children aged 15–21 (M = 2.61; p = 0.021). The correlation analysis shows that there is a negative and significant relation between stress levels experienced by parents when facing different situations related to the child's disease and both types of support, received r = −0.411, p < 0.001 and provided r = −0.282, p < 0.01. There is also a positive and significant relation between life satisfaction and social support received r = 0.292, p < 0.01, and social support provided r = 0.409, p < 0.001. There is a positive and significant relation between family satisfaction and social support received r = 0.330, p < 0.01, in the same way as with social support provided r = 0.222, p < 0.05. The regression analysis related to stress levels of parents indicates that social support received predicts levels of stress significantly p < 0.001, with the variable of number of children being the one that showed to be significant p < 0.05. Social support provided showed the most significant results p = 0.001, meaning that social support provided increased life satisfaction. Social support received explains family satisfaction (p = 0.50), as it increases the family satisfaction of parents of children with cancer. Discussion: Analysing social support received and provided, as well as sociodemographic and clinical variables, allowed us to broaden the knowledge on the effect social support has on stress levels, life satisfaction and family satisfaction in parents of children and AYAs diagnosed with cancer. This may have relevant practical implications for the design of interventions that would improve parents' lives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the study reported on here we examined the relationship between irrational beliefs and stress levels among orphans in public secondary schools in Kenya. Rational Emotive Behaviour Theory was adopted. In the study we adopted a cross-sectional correlation research design. A sample size of 350 double orphaned students in secondary schools was obtained using stratified and simple random sampling techniques. The Irrational Belief Inventory and Perceived Stress Scale were used to collect data. The reliability results indicate the Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.672 to 0.756. Quantitative data from questionnaires were analysed using inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation and regression analysis. The findings established a weak positive (n = 314, r = .149; p = .008 < .05) Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between demandingness and stress levels; a weak positive (n =314, r = .243; p < .05) correlation between awfulizing and stress levels; a weak positive (n = 314, r = .191; p < .05) correlation between irrational belief for low frustration tolerance and stress levels; and a weak positive (n = 314, r = .167; p = .003) correlation between irrational belief of worthlessness and stress levels. The implication of these findings is that orphaned students are overwhelmed with stress because of their state of irrational beliefs. It is recommended that school counsellors should train orphans in secondary schools on rational beliefs through therapy techniques such as positive self-talk to counter the irrational beliefs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Stress is one of the most important issues among medical students, often defined as the "wear and tear" the body experiences and multiple factors contribute to its prevalence. It can exert a negative impact on the emotional/psychological well-being of an individual, if not treated at the proper time. Proper management and timely interventions will lessen the negative effects of stress, thereby enhancing their academic performance and skill development as medical graduates. Aim: To measure and compare the perceived stress level among medical students studying in three main medical colleges located at Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla (in the government sector). Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was multiinstitutional, conducted in the first and second year medical students of Government Medical College (GMC)-Srinagar/GMCAnantnag and GMC-Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, India in the age group of 18-25 years who voluntarily consented to participate. Data as per structured/standard questionnaire was collected on Google form in a password-protected electronic format. Perceived stress, the already validated and reliable Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)-Cohen et al., 1983, was used to analyse the stress levels. Categorical data were analysed using the Pearson Chi-square test. Results: Overall maximum students, 145 (54.9%) had moderate stress, followed by 83 (31.5%) who had high or perceived stress and 36 (13.6%) had low stress levels. College analysis indicated that perceived high stress was highest in GMC-Srinagar students with 38.1%, followed by 31.6% from GMC-Baramulla and 22.22% from GMC-Anantnag. Conclusion: Present study indicate an overall high prevalence of moderate stress followed by perceived high stress among the medical students of three medical colleges located in Kashmir, India. Interestingly, the location of the medical colleges had little impact on the stress level among such undergraduate students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of International Journal of Social Sciences (IJSS) / Uluslararasi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi is the property of International Journal of Social Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background: We assessed the effects of gender, in association with a four-week small-sided games (SSGs) training program, during Ramadan intermitting fasting (RIF) on changes in psychometric and physiological markers in professional male and female basketball players. Methods: Twenty-four professional basketball players from the first Tunisian (Tunisia) division participated in this study. The players were dichotomized by sex (males [GM = 12]; females [GF = 12]). Both groups completed a 4 weeks SSGs training program with 3 sessions per week. Psychometric (e.g., quality of sleep, fatigue, stress, and delayed onset of muscle soreness [DOMS]) and physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate frequency, blood lactate) were measured during the first week (baseline) and at the end of RIF (post-test). Results: Post hoc tests showed a significant increase in stress levels in both groups (GM [− 81.11%; p < 0.001, d = 0.33, small]; GF [− 36,53%; p = 0.001, d = 0.25, small]). Concerning physiological parameters, ANCOVA revealed significantly lower heart rates in favor of GM at post-test (1.70%, d = 0.38, small, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our results showed that SSGs training at the end of the RIF negatively impacted psychometric parameters of male and female basketball players. It can be concluded that there are sex-mediated effects of training during RIF in basketball players, and this should be considered by researchers and practitioners when programing training during RIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We assessed the effects of gender, in association with a four-week small-sided games (SSGs) training program, during Ramadan intermitting fasting (RIF) on changes in psychometric and physiological markers in professional male and female basketball players. Methods: Twenty-four professional basketball players from the first Tunisian (Tunisia) division participated in this study. The players were dichotomized by sex (males [GM = 12]; females [GF = 12]). Both groups completed a 4 weeks SSGs training program with 3 sessions per week. Psychometric (e.g., quality of sleep, fatigue, stress, and delayed onset of muscle soreness [DOMS]) and physiological parameters (e.g., heart rate frequency, blood lactate) were measured during the first week (baseline) and at the end of RIF (post-test). Results: Post hoc tests showed a significant increase in stress levels in both groups (GM [− 81.11%; p < 0.001, d = 0.33, small]; GF [− 36,53%; p = 0.001, d = 0.25, small]). Concerning physiological parameters, ANCOVA revealed significantly lower heart rates in favor of GM at post-test (1.70%, d = 0.38, small, p = 0.002). Conclusions: Our results showed that SSGs training at the end of the RIF negatively impacted psychometric parameters of male and female basketball players. It can be concluded that there are sex-mediated effects of training during RIF in basketball players, and this should be considered by researchers and practitioners when programing training during RIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to examine the coping with stress levels of women participated in sports activities. Material and Method. The universe of this study consisted of women participating in sports activities organized within the scope of the "Mother City" project implemented in Kocaeli. The sample consisted of 171 women who regularly participate in these sports activities. The coping with stress scale developed by Moos (1993) and prepared specifically for adults to measure coping with stress levels was used. Besides, an information form containing demographic characteristics was used. In this study, SPSS statistical 21.0 package program was used to analyse the data obtained through the personal information form. Frequency and percentage analyses were used to determine the descriptive characteristics of the women participating in the study. Mean and standard deviation analyses were used to determine women's coping with stress levels. Moreover, Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and nonparametric correlation analyses were used to examine the differentiation of coping with stress levels according to their descriptive characteristics. The significance level in the study was accepted as 0.05. Results. Significant differences were found in the scale total scores of women participated in sports and positive evaluation, guidance and support seeking and solving-problems sub-dimensions (p <0.05). Significant differences were found in the scale total score and sub-dimensions according to education level (p <0.05). A highly positive relationship was found between age, the total and sub-dimensions of the coping with stress scale (p <0.05). According to marital status, a significant difference was found in the total score and positive evaluation and solving-problem sub-dimensions of the scale (p <0.05). There was a significant difference in support seeking subdimension according to drug use status (p <0.05). No significant difference was found in scale total score and subdimensions according to the duration of doing sports (p> 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction ‒ Several studies have shown the consequences of COVID-19 pandemic on perceived stress of different populations, but none of them analyzed urological patients who underwent elective surgery. Methods ‒ We enrolled prospectively patients who underwent elective surgery between March and October 2020. A survey on COVID-19 and the 4-item Perceived Stress Scale (PPS-4) questionnaire were administered at hospital admission. Demographic and medical history data were also collected. Uni- and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictors of higher PSS-4 values (≥7). Results ‒ A total of 200 patients were enrolled. Mean PSS-4 value resulted 6.04. Patients with PSS-4 value ≥7 resulted 43.5% (87/200). In multivariate analysis, PSS-4 value ≥7 was independently associated (p < 0.05) with female gender (OR 6.42), oncological disease (OR 2.87), high (>5 in a range between 0 and 10) fear of intrahospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection (OR 4.75), history of bladder instillation (OR 0.26), and current smokers (OR 0.27) Conclusion ‒ High PSS-4 values at hospital admission in urologic surgical patients are positively correlated with female gender, fear of intrahospital transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and oncological disease. PSS-4 questionnaire could be useful to select patients for whom a preadmission counselling is necessary to improve the management of their high stress level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent reports suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown resulted in changes in mental health, however, potential age-related changes and risk factors remain unknown. We measured COVID-19 lockdown-induced stress levels and the severity of depressive symptoms prior to and during the COVID-19 lockdown in different age groups and then searched for potential risk factors in a well-characterized general population-based sample. A total of 715 participants were tested for mental distress and related risk factors at two time-points, baseline testing prior to COVID-19 and follow-up testing during COVID-19, using a battery of validated psychological tests including the Perceived Stress Scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Longitudinal measurements revealed that the prevalence of moderate to high stress and the severity of depressive symptoms increased 1.4- and 5.5-fold, respectively, during the COVID-19 lockdown. This surge in mental distress was more severe in women, but was present in all age groups with the older age group exhibiting, cross-sectionally, the lowest levels of mental distress prior to and during the lockdown. Illness perception, personality characteristics such as a feeling of loneliness, and several lifestyle components were found to be associated with a significant increase in mental distress. The observed changes in mental health and the identified potential risk factors underlying these changes provide critical data justifying timely and public emergency-tailored preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic mental health interventions, which should be integrated into future public health policies globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although lives of parents of girls with Rett syndrome (RTT) are centred on the process of care, in the current literature their perceived levels of stress have been rarely investigated. Methods: We analysed levels of stress in a sample of 79 fathers and mothers parenting girls with RTT, who were required to compile the Parenting Stress Index (PSI) questionnaire. Results: We found clinical levels of stress in about 39% of fathers, as compared with 44% of the mothers. Severity of RTT, but not other factors such as the genetic domain, presence of epilepsy or scoliosis, predicted Total Stress scores in both fathers' subsample and mothers' subsample. A cumulative effect of caring, that is association of higher levels of stress with longer process of care, did also emerge from estimation of smoothing splines. Conclusions: Fathers' resources should be taken more into account, especially in the rehabilitation and socialization process of adults with RTT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To quantify the noise levels in a veterinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and ascertain how they compare to current recommendations in the human literature. Design: A Larson Davis SoundTrack LXT Sound Meter device measured noise levels in a veterinary ICU for 41 days. Setting: Specialty referral academic small animal teaching hospital ICU. Animals: Passive involvement of dogs and cats housed in the ICU during the study period of 41 days. Interventions: No alterations to the hospital environment or patient care were made. Measurements: A‐weighted average (LAeq) and maximum decibel measurements (LFmax) were recorded. The data were analyzed to look for correlations in elevated noise levels with the number and type of patients hospitalized, the time of day, and whether it was a weekday or weekend. Main Results: The average, median, and maximum decibel levels measured in our ICU were 76.97 dB(A), 76.13 dB(A), and 86.54 dB(A), respectively, for the duration of this study. The time frames of 6:00 am to 9:00 am and 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm were associated with higher decibel levels in this study. Conclusions: The noise levels recorded in this study exceed the World Health Organization recommendations for noise levels in hospital care settings and are higher than the previously reported elevated noise levels in 2 veterinary referral private practice ICUs. Increased noise levels in veterinary ICUs may have adverse effects on our veterinary patients and staff and warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer is the leading cause of death in developed countries and the number two cause of death in developing countries. Parents who dealing with a child who diagnosed cancer can be well accepted through the perspective of making adaptive meanings. In United States percentage children who died in hospital with cancer that did not have Palliative Care died in the ICU is 72% compared to 21% of those who have Palliative Care. Purpose: This paper aims at Family Center Care in children with cancer Method: This literature uses inclusion and exclusion criteria, articles obtained and then get reviewed the articles obtained from databases namely Pubmed (2016 - 2020) and Science Direct (2012 - 2020). The keyword used in searching the article in English are: "family center" and "care" and "children" and "cancer ". Results: From three articles that have collected the role of parents is very important in the quality of life in children with cancer, these three articles said parents need the latest information or methods like website to monitor their child's development or reduce errors in the provision of care, these three articles say parents have cumulative stress levels both in financial and child care terms, and in two articles say the involvement of a doctor or nurse is very important in treating children in cancer at home. Conclusion: Parents or families who are caregiver for children with cancer can provide quality of life for pediatric patients with cancer, parent involvement is always preferred and collaborated with doctors or nurses to provide solutions in care and reduce stress levels on the family or parents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational stress among teachers has become a matter of increasing concern. It is not only evidenced from the large body of studies on the subject but also through factors that predispose educators to work related stress. The present study also tends to identify demographic patterns of workplace stress as well as examine the role of correlates like socio-economic status and work experience on stress levels. It further explores specific workplace stressors reported by Indian teachers. The sample consisted of 398 teachers, 31.9% males and 68.1% females, from urban centre, New Delhi, India. The measures included the National Stress Awareness Day Stress Questionnaire and a self-report questionnaire designed for the purpose of the research. Results showed that with 52% public and rest private school employees, stress levels were found to be high among 28% (111 participants) of the sample. All demographic variables, Socio Economic Status (SES) categories, promotional and experience factors were contributing significantly to the stress prediction model but age group, work experience and promotion opportunities were reported as prime explanatory variables for the model (B = 2 approx.; p < 0.05). For every unit/category change in these variables, the stress score was seen to increase by 2. The optimal stress score that culminates to larger stressor of affecting general health was 10.8 and was 88% sensitive while a stress score beyond 11.5 is seen to affect work deliverables to students as reported by teachers. Findings were also reviewed in the context of practical implications they may render with probable reasoning. We recommend a constant evaluation of stress levels, for teachers, and providing appropriate counselling may be the stepping stone to reduce stress and improve quality of life for the teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a university's psychological counselling approach, based mainly on a form of dialogue known as an "Elicitation Interview". It is a technical conversational situation in which a counsellor helps a student to raise his or her awareness of his/her educational experiences. It is a conversational approach that provides students with a reflective activity by means of guided reenactments of experiences of his or her relational difficulties, feelings of low self-efficacy, risky behaviours, physical and mental symptoms. This reflective activity seems to be a relevant step for helping them to consolidate coping and resilience skills. This paper present clinical examples of this type of interview. The data have been collected at the University of Salerno's counselling service, Italy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Married working women can be victims of stress both at home and at the work place. The ability of these women to cope and adapt to stressors has an important influence on their physical and psychological well-being. This is a questionnaire based assessment of the perceived stress levels and coping strategies for the same among married female clerical employees in a tertiary care teaching hospital. The assessment of perceived stress among 162 married female clerical staffs reflects that the majority(72.8%) were moderately stressed. About 2.5% were in severe stress,21.6% had mild stress and 3.1% had no stress .A majority of the participants of the study are suffering from moderate stress. Most of them(72.4%) were under graduates .70.3% of the participants are junior staff .A majority(72.4%) of the subjects suffering from moderate stress belonged to the income group of Rs10,001-15,000.72.3% of the staff worked for 40 hours per week.70.5% of the staff belonged to a nuclear family. It was observed that 72.5% were residing at home. Furthermore,70.4% have not attended any stress management program and 70.6% of subjects who are suffering from moderate stress have work experience of 1-2 years .There is no association between stress and coping strategies among married female clerical staff (p=0.829).Since p>0.05 level of significance,null hypothesis is rejected and alternate hypothesis is accepted. From this result we can infer that there is no association between stress and coping strategies .This study can be used as a precursor to further assess the magnitude of stress among staff belonging to different hierarchical levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Social Sciences Research / Sosyal Bilimler Arastirmalari Dergisi is the property of ODU Journal of Social Sciences Research and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

We explored stress levels and alcohol use amongst first year students at a peri-urban university in South Africa. A cross sectional survey design using stratified random sampling was utilised (n = 217; females = 60%, males = 40%; age range 17 to 31 years). The students completed the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Alcohol Use Identification Disorder Test (AUDIT). Descriptive statistics and independent t-tests were used to analysed data. Forty-one percent of the sample reported being fairly to very upset often, while 39% self-reported that they were fairly or very often unable to control important things in their life. Females self-reported significantly more stress than males. About 50% of the sample reported that they drank alcohol two or three times a day and 10% of males and 9% of females self-reported risky and/or harmful levels of alcohol use. Results suggested a need for student substance use safety education by students' counselling services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents human and operational factors related to risk assessment during the operations of crude oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas transfer between ships, called Ship to Ship (STS) operations. The lessons learned from accidents during STS when both ships are underway show that the most frequent accidents occur due to ship handling errors. Several influencing factors have already been identified, however there is still a need to investigate the human factor. Both human and operational factors are interrelated as the operational factors influence the human stress level. This paper identifies the stressors related to the external pressures imposed on the ship's staff, which can be limited to improve safety. The preliminary study of the influence of particular elements of human factors, e.g., personality traits and stress levels, on the probability of ship handling error is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies is the property of Editorial Department of Practical Pharmacy & Clinical Remedies and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Folia Medica Indonesiana (2355-8393) is the property of Universitas Airlangga and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Partitioning of resources by competing species of seabirds may increase during periods of food shortages and elevated energy demands. Here, we examined whether food resource partitioning (differential use of foraging habitat or the consumption of different prey species) between common murres (COMU, Uria aalge) and thick-billed murres (TBMU, U. lomvia) breeding on the same colony in the Bering Sea increases with a predictable increase in energy demands between the incubation and chick-rearing stages of reproduction. We assessed the seasonal dynamics of food availability via corticosterone (CORT) levels and examined adult diet (via stable isotope analysis of nitrogen and carbon, SI) and chick diets (based on nest observations). We compared chick provisioning patterns and examined the characteristics of parental foraging habitat via deployment of bird-borne temperature-depth recorders. We found that CORT levels remained low and similar between the species and reproductive stages, reflecting relatively stable and favorable foraging conditions for both murre species during the study period. Comparisons of SI between murres and their potential prey indicated that diets were similar between the species during incubation and diverged during chick-rearing. Chick-rearing common and thick-billed murres also used different foraging habitats, as reflected in travel distances to foraging areas and sea surface temperature distributions of their foraging dives. TBMUs performed shorter foraging trips, deeper dives and delivered squid to their chicks, while COMUs foraged farther from the colony, performed shallower dives, and delivered fish species to their chicks. These results suggest that food resource partitioning between murre species increased during chick-rearing under favorable foraging conditions. Whether the dietary segregation reflected species-specific differences in adults' foraging efficiency, differences in chicks' dietary requirements, or was a way of reducing competition remains unknown. Regardless of the causal mechanism( s), food resource partitioning might ameliorate interspecific competition between sympatrically breeding birds during periods of increased energy demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]