Prospective randomized study to evaluate and compare the post-procedural sexual function in patients undergoing semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones in three different operating room settings

Objective:To evaluate and compare the effect of semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy on post-procedural sexual function with three different operating room settings.Methods:In this prospective randomized study,consecutive sexually active patients with normal pre-operative sexual function undergoing uncomplicated semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy for distal ureteric stones were randomized into three groups,with three different operating room settings.Procedure-related anxiety and sexual function were assessed pre-operatively using Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale and Brief Sexual Function Inventory(in males)and Female Sexual Function Index-6(in females),respectively.All the participants were stented following the procedure,and the stent was removed after 3 weeks.Post-procedural sexual function and general discomfort were assessed and compared between three groups at 1 week,3 weeks,and 12 weeks.The effect of surgery-related anxiety,preoperative sexual function,age,and general discomfort(including stent-related discomfort)on post-procedural sexual function were analyzed using multiple regression analysis.A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Totally,327 eligible patients were randomized into three groups.The group of patients who underwent the procedural with a screen separating the operating area from the patient vision,while the patient could watch the endoscopy through a separate monitor,had better post-procedural sexual function compared to those who had total vision of the operating area as well as to those whose eyes were blocked.This difference was statistically significant.This post-procedural reduction in sexual function could not be attributed to in situ stent alone.Conclusions:Our study showed that semi-rigid ureterorenoscopy can have significant negative effect on sexual function,which can be reduced with proper preoperative counseling and an ideal operating room settings.

Arterial Hypertension-Related Factors within Custodial Settings of Southern Benin in 2023

Introduction: Hypertension, a non-communicable disease, is a major public health threat worldwide, accounting for a high level of morbidity and mortality. Although it has been extensively published among the general population, further research is needed to understand the reality of hypertension within the custodial setting. This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with arterial hypertension in custodial settings in southern Benin in 2023. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive, analytical study held in prisons in southern Benin from March to April 2023, involving inmates selected by two-stage random sampling. In the first stage, four prisons out of the six in the southern region of Benin were selected by simple random sampling. In the second stage, the prisoners were selected by systematic random sampling, with the sampling frame being the numbered list of eligible prisoners in each prison selected. Data collected by observation and questionnaire survey were analyzed using Stata 11 software. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg and diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg. Overweight was defined by a body mass index (weight/height2 (kg/m2) ≥ 25. Factors associated with hypertension were identified by multiple logistic regression, at a 5% threshold of significance. Results: Altogether 336 inmates aged 37.55 ± 1.72 years were surveyed. The prevalence of hypertension in custodial settings in southern Benin in 2023 was 31.32% (95% CI [17.06;52.57]). Associated factors were inmate age (ORa = 3.36 95% CI: [1.94;5.85]) and abnormal waist circumference (ORa = 2.61 95% CI [1.27;5.40]). Conclusion: The prevalence of arterial hypertension in prisons of southern Benin (31.32%) is high when compared with the national average (25.9% (22.5-29.3)). The ministries of the Interior and Health need to collaborate to involve inmates in preventive strategies for non-communicable diseases, including hypertension.

Phase-Based Optical Flow Method with Optimized Parameter Settings for Enhancing Displacement Measurement Adaptability

To enhance the applicability and measurement accuracy of phase-based optical flow method using complex steerable pyramids in structural displacement measurement engineering applications, an improved method of optimizing parameter settings is proposed. The optimized parameters include the best measurement points of the Region of Interest (ROI) and the levels of pyramid filters. Additionally, to address the issue of updating reference frames in practical applications due to the difficulty in estimating the maximum effective measurement value, a mechanism for dynamically updating reference frames is introduced. Experimental results demonstrate that compared to representative image gradient-based displacement measurement methods, the proposed method exhibits higher measurement accuracy in engineering applications. This provides reliable data support for structural damage identification research based on vibration signals and is expected to broaden the engineering application prospects for structural health monitoring.

Delivering substance use prevention interventions for adolescents in educational settings:A scoping review

Currently,a proportion of adolescents use alcohol,tobacco,and illicit drugs,which inevitably harms their health and academic progress.Adolescence is a peak period for substance use initiation and a critical time for preventing substance use problems.Various entities,such as families,schools,and communities,have implemented a variety of interventions to alleviate adolescent substance use problems,and schools play a unique role.To explore the types,characteristics,and effectiveness of substance use interventions in educational settings for adolescents,we conducted a scoping review and identified 32 studies after screening.We divided the 32 studies according to intervention type,including curriculum interventions focusing on cognitive-behavioral skill enhancement,exercise interventions,peer interventions and family-school cooperation,and electronic interventions.Except for the mixed results on electronic interventions,the results showed that the other interventions were beneficial to different extents in alleviating adolescent substance use problems.In addition,we analyzed and summarized the advantages and challenges of intervening in adolescent substance use in educational settings.Schools can use equipment and human resources to provide adolescents with various types of intervention measures,but they also face challenges such as stigmatization,ineffective coordination among multiple resources,and poor implementation effects.In the future,school-based intervention measures can fully utilize big data and artificial intelligence technology and collaborate with families and communities to intervene appropriately while paying attention to the comorbidity risks of substance use disorders and psychological health issues.

Access to novel anti-diabetic agents in resource limited settings:A brief commentary

The prevalence of diabetes mellitus is increasing in resource limited settings.Simultaneously,there has been an increase in the number of novel therapies for the management of diabetes mellitus.However,use of novel antidiabetic therapies is limited because of major market access challenges in resource limited settings.Niching products to those patients with the highest absolute risk for major adverse cardiovascular outcomes,and thus most likely to benefit from the therapy,are less likely to have negative budget impact for funders.To improve access,and reduce morbidity and mortality,requires alignment amongst key stakeholders including patient advocacy groups,health care professional councils,national departments of health,the pharmaceutical industry,treasury and finance departments.

The Application of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs to Educational Settings

Hierarchy of Needs,one of the most influential motivation theories,was developed by Abraham Maslow in 1940-50's USA.Hi erarchy of Needs theory has great significance in understanding human motivation,management training and personal development.The purpose of this paper is to investigate briefly the application of the theory to educational settings so as to guide a more effective education.

The Geology and Tectonic Settings of China's Mineral Deposits by Franco Pirajno

China is the third largest country in the world, with a land area of about 9.6 million km2. It is endowed with abundant mineral resources, and the metal mining activity can be traced back to ca. 8000 years ago. However, due to language barrier, little has been known about the geology and tectonics to the outside world until 1980s. In the last three decades, a great deal of knowledge has been gained, enhanced by a vigorous cooperation between Chinese and Western geologists. Research papers about geological, geochemical, and geochronological features of mineral deposits of China are widely published and cited in international journals. A comprehen- sive and comprehensible English literature that summarises the features of mineral deposits in China, however, is still lacking.

Geodynamic Development of Eurasian Active Margin during Closing of Thetys Ocean, Depending on the Scale of Mantle-Crustal Sources Influence at Pre- and Post-collision Settings, Controlled by Geological and Geochemical Indicators

Phanerozoic geodynamic evolution development of Tethys Ocean,its collision and closing,revealed at the Eurasian active margin in pre-and post-collision stages during convergence of Afro-Arabian and Eurasian continents.Subduction of oceanic slab under continental margin revealed in steady state subduction and steepening of subducting slab provoked the incursion of mantle diapir.The steady state subduction is related with island arc setting whereas steepening provoked incursion of mantle diaper interarc-backarc and minor ocean settings.They are controlled by geological indicators—volcagenic,petrochemical,geochemical,tectonic and metallogenic.Each of them is determined by scale of mantle-crustal influence,controlled by intensity and level of mantle diapir incursion in the crust rising from interarc-backarc to minor oceanic setting.The island arc setting is characterized by blocking,which as others by extension of rifting(interarc-backarc)caused spreading out from zone of volcanic activity and mineralization sialic crusts,whereas minor ocean setting caused by spreading out from zone of volcanic activity and mineralization sialic and basaltic crusts.So mantle crustal influence rising from island arc to minor ocean settings controlled type of volcanism and mineralization in pre-collision development.At the closing of ocean occurred the precollision setting which is transferred in post-collision revealed in orogenesis.It is divided in two stages.The first initial stage occurred in penetration hot fluids from the mantle in sialic crust smelted from in granitoid melt and leached the gold and trace melts Sb,W,Mg and Hg from sialic crust.The latter are geochemical indicators of post-collision setting.The second final stage revealed in shoshonite-basalt volcanism activity occurred with penetrated mantle material into deep volcanic chambers and characterized with increasing of mantle influence than initial stage of post-collision activity.

Task sharing in psychotherapy as a viable global mental health approach in resource-poor countries and also in high-resource settings

A global disparity exists between the burden of mental ill-health and the resources available to address this issue.Common mental disorders,such as mild-to-moderate depression,anxiety disorders and post-traumatic stress disorder,are associated with a significant decline in health and functioning and contribute significantly to the overall burden of disease.In view of a shortage of mental health professionals in most low-and middle-income countries,task sharing(task shifting)can make an important contribution to improving access to mental health services.Task sharing involves non-specialists in the delivery of health care.The use of lay health workers is premised on the assumption that the shorter training required for non professionals will allow an increase in the provision of required care without the need for an increase in resources and will strengthen and scale-up sustainable health systems.The need for low-tech support in the management of conunon mental disorders is widespread,and the core resource is humans trained to identify and treat those requiring mental health care.There is a strong evidence base for the effectiveness of task sharing in psychotherapy,and talk therapies,e.g.cognitive behavioral therapy,can easily be delegated to non-specialists,including non-specialist health workers,peer helpers and lay people.A(cost-)effective model of mental health care in low-resource settings as well as in high-income countries may include the medical school-based training of some psychiatrists and clinical psychologists in the treatment of referred patients with serious mental illness.These professional mental health specialists would also be trainers and supervisors of non-specialist health workers who would identify common mental health disorders and provide psychotherapy to people with these conditions in a community-based setting.Community-based generalism including task sharing rather than centralized specialism may be capable of preventing and treating many common mental disorders with minor financial expenditure.

On the Construction of Multidimensional Language Settings for EFL Students

This paper discusses the construction of multidimensional language settings for EFL students.Various settings can beconstructed to provide students enough linguistic input to ensure that they learn English better.

Obstacles in employing evidence-based practice by nurses in their clinical settings: a descriptive study

Objective: The challenge of employing evidence-based practice (EBP) is multifarious and varied. Nursing interventions supported by research evidence have been exposed to progress positive patient outcomes, while its implementation is faced with various obstacles. This study aimed to identify obstacles in employing EBP by nurses in their clinical settings. Methods: This descriptive design study was conducted at Benha University Hospital with a convenient sample of 154 nurses. Two tools were utilized: (Ⅰ) sociodemographic data sheet, which included sociodemographic characteristics of the participants, and (Ⅱ) interview scale, which contained two parts: (1) obstacles scale, which contained obstacles that impede nurses from the utilization of EBP, and (2) questions to rank the three greatest obstacles in employing EBP by nurses. Results: The greatest EBP obstacle ranked by nurses was the organizational limitations (90.9%), followed by research quality (86.9%) and research accessibility (51.0%), while individual characteristics (35.9%) were ranked as the least obstacle. There was a significant statistical correlation between organizational limitations, research quality as well accessibility-related obstacles and nurses' age, level of education, as well their years of work experience (P<0.05). Conclusions: Findings of this study showed series of obstacles in employing EBP by nurses in their clinical settings, stressing the call for expansion of nurses' capabilities related to EBP utilization in patients' care.

A Social Intervention Approach to Rehabilitate the Health Psychology of Leftbehind Children with Psychological Problems in Healthcare Settings

Background:Left-behind children are more inclined to generate psychological problems relative to non-leftbehind children,thus how to rehabilitate their health psychology and promote the psychological health development of this special disadvantaged group in healthcare settings should be paid more attention to.Objective:This paper attempts to present a social intervention approach and explore its impact on the rehabilitation of rural leftbehind children’s psychological problems in healthcare settings.Methods:This study firstly designed a social intervention program based on the health psychology theory and the generation causes of left-behind children’s psychological problems,and then three groups were applied to test the effectiveness of the program with comparison analysis.Results:Compared with the control left-behind children(group 2),the left-behind children in the experimental group 1 had positive changes in learning anxiety,physical symptoms,anxiety about people,loneliness tendency,self-blame tendency,allergy tendency,terror tendency and impulse tendency.And their mental health can be rehabilitated to the level of non-left-behind children in group 3.Conclusion:This study revealed positive effects of specially designed social intervention program on the rehabilitation of left-behind children’s psychological problems in healthcare settings.The results have both theoretical and practical implications.

Geochemistry and Tectonic Settings of Felsic Dykes in the Neoproterozoic Nagar Parkar Igneous Complex, SE Sindh, Pakistan

The Nagar Parkar complex consists of Neoproterozoic igneous and metamorphic rocks dissected by episodic mafic and felsic dykes.The latter can be classified broadly into porphyritic felsic dykes and aplitic felsic dykes(minor)

An approach to optimize the settings of actuated signals

Traffic-actuated signal employs relatively complex control logic to regulate traffic flow. Introduction of control variables into the traffic-actuated system contributes to system operational flexibility and complexity, and also complicates the system with uncertainties. The paper proposes two tentative methods to optimize the actuated signal parameters： basic requirements of controller parameters and analytical model, and macroscopic computer simulation. It is concluded that when the actuated signal operates within the volume/capacity range of 0.4 to 0.6, it will create the most significant benefits; the research suggests that minimum green time in the main street shall be set long enough to meet the required demand, preferably at the 60% of the main street capacity. In order to ensure less control delay in a semi-actuated intersection, relatively small values of vehicle extension （e.g., 2.5 s） and maximum green time are recommended to be assigned to the less important street.

A Hybrid Simulation Test Platform for Verifying the Protection Settings of SPS

To verify the effectiveness and correctness of the protection settings in ring structure Shipboard Power System (SPS), a digital-physical hybrid simulation platform at China Ship Development and Design Center (CSDDC) has been built, which aims to give double verification effect of design scheme and physical device. The platform consists of eMEGAsim digital simulator, signal power amplifiers and digital-analog interface equipments. With this platform, the multiple protection device of ring structure grid can be accessed to form a close-loop test system. Since eMEGAsim model-simulated faults and actual protection device actions are on real time, the tripping settings of each device as well as their coordinate performance between multiple devices can be verified in this close-loop test.

A New Adaptive Technique for Enhancement of Zone-2 Settings of Distance Relay

This paper presents a technique that increases the second-zone coverage of distance relays without causing overreach problems. The technique is based on the impedance seen by distance relays when faults are simulated on the reach of zone-1 relays. The approach checks the relay operation for the maximum as well as the minimum generation outputs of the power system. The proposed technique can be used for different reach setting for zone-1. Results show that it is possible to increase the coverage provided by zone-2 distance relays without causing coordination problems with the primary relays that protect the lines emanating from the remote bus. The proposed method is modified for use in an adaptive protection system. It is shown that further improvements can be achieved when settings are calculated using the proposed method and the prevailing system conditions. The proposed method and its adaptive version were applied to a part of the Power system. The simulation of the system is done by using PSCAD-EMTDC software. The simulated results are observed and compared with the conventional and proposed technique.

Intensive TB Case Finding in Unsafe Settings: Testing an Outreach Peer Education Intervention for Increased TB Case Detection among Displaced Populations and Host Communities in South-Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo

Introduction: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the high-burden TB countries in the world. The most affected provinces were North and South Kivu where displacements of the population favor transmission of infections. Delays in diagnosis are often causes for excessive mortality among TB patients. Aim of the Study: The study aimed to test an intervention designed to increase detection of TB cases in internally displaced persons and their host communities in South Kivu province. Methods: The project used a quasi-experimental method, with prospective data collection every six months. Two peri-urban districts were selected and designated as intervention and control districts respectively. Twenty peer educators were selected among prospective TB suspects who sought care in health facilities. The peer educators were trained and encouraged to actively influence, identify and refer potential TB suspects to health centers. The data on new TB suspects seen and cases diagnosed in both districts were collected and compared over two and a half years period. Results: This pilot study has demonstrated that the intervention has had some positive effects on both the number of persons suspected with TB who were diagnosed using either microscopy or clinical assessment. Even in terms of case detection, the study demonstrated that the number of cases detected in the intervention district was at least twice the number of cases detected in the control district. Conclusion: Nonprofessional educators can influence TB case detection even in unstable settings, but their effectiveness is dependent on the security situation. National TB control programs need to adapt community mobilization strategies to local developments even in unsafe settings.

Challenge of managing hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus infections in resource-limited settings

The global burden of hepatitis B virus(HBV)and hepatitis C virus(HCV)infections and coinfection represents a major public health concern,particularly in resource-limited settings.Elimination of HCV by 2030 has become foreseeable,with effective direct-acting antiviral oral therapies and the availability of affordable generics in low-and-middle-income countries(LMICs).However,access to oral nucleos(t)ide therapy for HBV remains critical and is limited outside the existing global HIV program platforms despite affordable prices.Prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HBV through scaling up of birth dose implementation in LMICs is essential to achieve the 2030 elimination goal.Most individuals living with HBV and/or HCV in resource-limited settings are unaware of their infection,and with improved access to medications,the most significant barrier remains access to affordable diagnostics and preventive strategies.The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic interrupted hepatitis elimination programs,albeit offered opportunities for improved diagnostic capacities and raised political awareness of the critical need for strengthening health care services and universal health coverage.This review underpins the HBV and HCV management challenges in resource-limited settings,highlighting the current status and suggested future elimination strategies in some of these countries.Global efforts should continue to improve awareness and political commitment.Financial resources should be secured to access and implement comprehensive strategies for diagnosis and linkage to care in resource-constrained settings to fulfill the 2030 elimination goal.

Patient-perceived empathy from nurses in Taiwan acute care settings

Purpose: The aim of this study was to understand patient-perceived empathy from nurse among different units of Taiwan acute care settings. Design: A crosssectional study was used with a questionnaire survey in acute care units and intensive care units of a medical center in northern Taiwan. Participants were selected by convenient sampling. A total of 548 patients at 14 acute care units and 4 intensive care units in a large Medical Center participated in this questionnaire survey. Methods: Scale of patient-perceived empathy from nurse including 15 item Likert scale was used in this study. The statistical software SPSS 15.0 for Windows was applied and Cronbach’s α, factor analysis, Pearson’s correlation, t-test and one way ANOVA were conducted to analyze the data. Findings: Patients who were first-time hospitalization had higher scores of patient-perceived empathy from nurse than patients who have had hospitalizing experiences. The patient in surgical unit had the highest score of patient-perceived empathy from nurse. The empathy scale score of patient without ICU experience was significantly higher than patient with ICU experience. Also, patients without depressive history had higher score than patients with depression history. Conclusion: Patients with multiple admissions of hospitalization, ICU experience, and depressive history had lower score than other patients. It is suggested that the perception of patients with complicated disease or condition might be different. Thus, an in-depth caring knowledge of both emotions and disease was needed to support patients’ perception of empathy. Clinical Relevance: The care of complicated patients especially with ICU experience needs strong knowledge based both on emotion and disease.

Disclosure and Use of Privacy Settings in Facebook^TMProfiles: Evaluating the Impact of Media Context and Gender

The present study examined disclosure and use of privacy settings in online social networking profiles as a function of the media context (i.e., online versus hard copy (paper and pencil) FacebookTM profiles). Gender was also examined. Overall, participants disclosed more information when constructing a profile for another person when using a hard copy paper and pencil format than an online context. Gender differences were not uniform across media contexts, however, in contrast to traditional disclosure theory, females censored their disclosures more so than males but only for some topics. Only 20% of the sample increased their use of privacy settings. Consistent with patterns of disclosure, descriptive comparison suggests that more settings were employed in the paper and pencil than online context and more privacy settings were employed by females.