Psychological problems affecting the prognosis of stroke patients

BACKGROUND： It is believed that mental disorder influences the morbility and prognosis of cardio-cerebrovascular disease by biological factors. OBJECTIVE： To observe the characteristics of stroke patients complicated by psychological problems and the prognosis of such patients. DESIGN： Observational study. SETTING： Department of Neurology, Beijing Longfu Hospital. PARTICIPANTS： Totally 160 inpatients （46 males and 114 females） with stroke admitted to Department of Neurology, Beijing Longfu Hospital between June 2005 and June 2006 were recruited in this study. The involved patients all corresponded to the diagnosis criteria of cerebrovascular disease formulated in the 1995 National Conference of Cerebrovascular Disease and confirmed by skull CT or MRI examination. The age range was between 43 and 74 years. They all signed the informed consent for the detection and therapeutic regimen, and the application of this technique also gave the approval of the Ethics Committee of the hospital. METHODS： On admission, the patients were investigated on psychological problems using Hopkin symptom checklist. After admission, all the patients received oral administration of aspirin anti-platelet drugs and intravenous infusion of Fufang Danshen. Motor relearning program was used in the rehabilitation treatment for disability rehabilitation. Mental intervention was carried out in the end of observation period. On day 30 after admission, the recovery of two groups of patients was compared using activities of daily living scale, Scandinanvian Stroke Scale （SSS） and disability level. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： The activities of daily living were assessed with Barthel index. Higher scores of patients suggested better activities of daily living. For SSS, the higher points, the severer defect degree. The reduction of scores of neurologic impairment suggested that neurological function improved. Disability level was graded according to the method formulated in the Second National Cerebrovascular Conference. RESULTS： All the 160 involved stroke patients participated in the final analysis. （1） Hopkin symptom checklist assessment results： Of the 160 stroke patients, 94 （58.7%） were assessed as having any psychological problems. In this study, psychological problems were more likely to be seen in female patients （74.4%） than in male patients （26.1%）. Major psychological problems were depression （53.8%）, compulsion （52.5%） and anxiety （46.2%）. （2） Comparison of prognosis of patients： Significant differences in activities of daily living-Barthel index, SSS scores and disability level were found between pre- and post-treatment periods. It indicates that stroke patients complicated by mental disorder had poor prognosis. CONCLUSION： The incidence of complicated psychologic obstacle is high in stroke patients, and its prognosis is inferior to that of patients who have no psychological problems.

Psychological Problems and Countermeasures of Boarding Students in Rural Primary Schools——Based on the Investigation of County L in Shaanxi Province

With the implementation of the school relocation policy in the 1990s,the number of rural primary schools has dropped sharply. In order to better solve the problem of schooling for rural students,the development of boarding schools has become a realistic choice. However,for pupils lacking self-reliance,premature boarding can have an adverse effect on their mental development. In the investigation of county L in southern Shaanxi,the physical and mental development of boarding students is influenced by such factors such as the family's economic status,the supervision of primary boarding schools,and the isolation of social contacts under the boarding system. Therefore,trying to make recommendations to care for boarding students from the duties and responsibilities of the family,the school and the government is of positive significance in advancing education equity.

Psychological problems in China in the era of transformation

The purpose of this study is to reach a better understanding of how minor psychological problems (MPP) are perceived in China by well-educated Chinese. An exploratory qualitative design is used. The results are based on interviews with professionals and students practicing Chinese medicine (TCM) and lay people from three urban sites. Minor psychological problems have traditionally not been labelled as disorders or illnesses but challenges in daily living or as “heart problems” and seemed to have less serious consequences than we are accustomed to think from a modern western outlook. “Problems of life” rather than sickness was the category that best summarized perceptions of such problems among the Chinese. It points to a salutogenetic perspective reflecting perception of mental health and MPP as processes of adaption and interpretation of meaning rather than medical conditions or sickness. Due to the influence from the West these problems are, however, more often comprehended as a health problems or even sickness, and not solely natural problems of life.

Problems and Strategies:A Study of Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Chinese Undergraduates in the Philippines

Investigating the intercultural adaptation of Chinese undergraduates in the Philippines provides an effective example of bridging the gap between theories of intercultural adaptation.A questionnaire and interviews were conducted to explore the problems and challenges faced by Chinese undergraduates in the Philippines,thereby providing some first-hand information for subsequent studies on cultural adaptation.Chinese undergraduates in the Philippines faced four main challenges,namely interpersonal communication,living environment,social services,and course study.As coping strategies,four suggestions are presented,including cultural integration,life experience,bridge building,and rational docking.

On Adaptation Measures to Solve Tel-Aviv’s Environmental Problems with “Sunny Rain”

Adaptation measures were proposed using“Sunny Rain”to solve Tel Aviv’s environmental problems to cool the air in the city and save humanity from climate catastrophe and fight air pollution;the Yarkon,“Tel Aviv’s main river”will no longer be a dirty ditch;the fog from Ben-Gurion Airport was cleaned;neighborhoods,parks,around Tel Aviv were greened and all green spaces were irrigated with“Sunny Rain”.

Artificial Neural Network Methods for the Solution of Second Order Boundary Value Problems

We present a method for solving partial differential equations using artificial neural networks and an adaptive collocation strategy.In this procedure,a coarse grid of training points is used at the initial training stages,while more points are added at later stages based on the value of the residual at a larger set of evaluation points.This method increases the robustness of the neural network approximation and can result in significant computational savings,particularly when the solution is non-smooth.Numerical results are presented for benchmark problems for scalar-valued PDEs,namely Poisson and Helmholtz equations,as well as for an inverse acoustics problem.

Increase in the functional capacity and quality of life among stroke patients by family caregiver empowerment program based on adaptation model

Purpose:The family caregiver's role is an important influence factor of patient's adaptation behaviour and quality of life after stroke.The purpose of this research was to identify the effect of caregiver empowerment program based on the adaptation model(CEP-BAM)on functional capacity and quality of life of patients after stroke.Methods:This research was a quasi-experimental research with a pre-and post-test control group design.The total participants who completed the research were 80 patients and their families,40 participants in the intervention group and 40 participants in the control group.We conducted home visits to perform the intervention.The measurement of functional capacity and quality of life performed four times(pre-test and three times post-test).Data analysis was performed using the repeated measurement ANOVA or general linear model repeated measure(GLM-RM).Results:This research proves a significant difference in functional capacity and quality of life between the two groups and between pre-test and sixth months after intervention(P<0.05).The quality of life of the intervention group in the sixth month after intervention was better than that of the control group(33.40±3.65 vs 30.60±2.78)with a significant difference(P<0.05).Conclusion:It is concluded that CEP-BAM effectively increased patients'functional capacity and quality of life after a stroke in the sixth month after intervention.

THE ADAPTIVE PARAMETER INCREMENTAL METHOD FOR THE ANALYSIS OF SNAPPING PROBLEMS

By the improvement of Riks’and Crisfield’s arc-length method,the adaptiveparameter incremental method is preasted for predicting the snapping response ofstructures. Its justification is fulfilled. Finally,the effectiveness of this method isdemonstrated by solving the snapping response of spherical caps subjected to centrallydistributed pressures.

Research on the Physiological and Psychological Ability Indexes of Coal Tunneling Workers

Studies have shown that accidents caused by human error account for 70-80% of the total number of accidents,and are the primary cause of casualties.In order to reduce the risk of safety accidents and reduce the human-caused accident rate,the evaluation index of safety occupational adaptability of coal excavation workers has been studied.Questionnaire survey method was used to conduct 13 physical and psychological abilities tests on 50 coal tunneling workers,and select the core ability indicators that reflect the mental load of the workers and the individual priority allocation of psychological resources.Secondly,using the Delphi method and the quartile method,the opinions of 20 experts in related fields were sought anonymously,and the main physical and mental ability indicators were screened and filtered through scoring methods.Finally,six indicators of"accuracy,attention,rapid response ability,proficiency,judgment,and foresight" were determined as the main physical and psychological indicators of coal tunneling workers.This study fills up the gap of safety occupational adaptability in the field of mining construction,and has important theoretical value and practical significance.

Psychosocial and spiritual needs of patients with chronic diseases: validation of the Chinese version of the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire

OBJECTIVE： Even in secular societies, a small portion of patients find their spirituality to help cope with illness. But for the majority of patients, psychosocial and spiritual needs are neither addressed nor even considered a relevant factor by health care professionals. To measure such specific needs, the Spiritual Needs Questionnaire （SpNQ） was developed. The aim of this study was to validate the Chinese version of the SpNQ （SpNQ-Ch） and thus to measure psychosocial and spiritual needs of Chinese patients. METHODS： This was a cross-sectional study among 168 patients with chronic diseases who were recruited in the Changhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China using standardized questionnaires. We performed reliability and factor analyses, as well as analyses of variance, first order correlations and regression analyses. RESULTS： The 17-item SpNQ-Ch had a similar factorial structure as the original version with two main and three minor factors which accounted for 64% of variance, and internal consistency estimates （Cronbach＇s a） ranging from 0.51 to 0.81. Included were the 4-item scale Inner Peace Needs, the 5-item scale Giving/Generativity （with 2 sub-constructs, Praying and Sources）, and a Needs, the 5-item scale Religious Needs 3-item scale Reflection/Release Needs. In Chinese patients with cancer （63%）, pain affections （10%）, or other chronic conditions （23%）, the needs for Giving/Generativity （which refer to categories of Connectedness and Meaning） and Inner Peace Needs scored highest, while Religious Needs and the Reflection/Release Needs scored lower. CONCLUSION： The SpNQ-Ch is congruent with its primary version, and can be used in future studies with the mostly nonreligious patients from China. First findings indicate specific psychosocial and spiritual needs which should be addressed by health care professionals to support patients in their struggle with chronic illness in terms of psycho-emotional stabilization, finding hope and meaning, and thus achieving peaceful states of mind despite chronic illness.

Stress and coping styles among nursing students during the initial period of the clinical practicum:A cross-section study

Objectives:This study aimed to explore the level of stress,types of stressors,type of coping styles,and factors influencing stress levels and coping styles among nursing students during the initial period of the clinical practicum.Methods:A cross-sectional survey design was used.In September 2017,participants were recruited from a tertiary hospital in Zhejiang Province,China,using a convenience sampling method.A demographic characteristics questionnaire,the Intern Nursing Student Stressor Scale,and the Simple Coping Style Questionnaire were used to collect data.Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis,independent sample t-tests,one-way analysis of variance,Pearson’s correlation analysis,and multiple linear regres-sion analysis.Results:A total of 158 nursing students were recruited,most of whom were female,undergraduates,and from rural areas.The nursing students perceived a moderate level of stress during the initial period of the clinical practicum.The need for knowledge and skills was the most common source of stress.Positive coping styles were most commonly adopted.Nursing students who were undergraduates,only children,and chose nursing major involuntarily experienced higher stress levels than those who were junior college students,not only children,and chose nursing major voluntarily.Nursing undergraduates were more likely to use positive coping styles than junior college students.Male nursing students and those experiencing higher stress levels related to the“environment and equipment of the wards”and the“nature and content of the work”were more likely to use negative coping styles.Conclusion:Nursing educators should offer targeted guidance based on the stress reported during the clinical practicum and the demographic characteristics of the nursing students.Guidance should be provided to encourage nursing students to adopt effective coping strategies and reduce stress.

The effect of life events, personality and coping strategies on depressive of undergraduates

AIM:To study the effect of life events,personality and coping strategies on depression of undergraduates.METHOD:Fifteen hundred students were selected in the three schoolyards of Central South University.Life Events Scale,Coping Strategies Scale,Eysenck Personality Questionnaire(EPQ)and Self rating Depressive Scale (SDS) were used to assess all samples.RESULTS:The score of SDS was (42±8).The life events came from relationship of person,stress of study,loss,punishment,health and adaptation,love and family were higher in the SDS group of higher score,which the SDS group of higher score took more negative coping strategies than the normal score.CONCLUSION:The rate of depression was higher in undergraduates,which need more attention on it.More life events, introversive instability personality and negative coping strategies may be the main risk factors that caused depression.

Improved Adaptive Differential Evolution Algorithm for the Un-Capacitated Facility Location Problem

The differential evolution algorithm is an evolutionary algorithm for global optimization and the un-capacitated facility location problem (UFL) is one of the classic NP-Hard problems. In this paper, combined with the specific characteristics of the UFL problem, we introduce the activation function to the algorithm for solving UFL problem and name it improved adaptive differential evolution algorithm (IADEA). Next, to improve the efficiency of the algorithm and to alleviate the problem of being stuck in a local optimum, an adaptive operator was added. To test the improvement of our algorithm, we compare the IADEA with the basic differential evolution algorithm by solving typical instances of UFL problem respectively. Moreover, to compare with other heuristic algorithm, we use the hybrid ant colony algorithm to solve the same instances. The computational results show that IADEA improves the performance of the basic DE and it outperforms the hybrid ant colony algorithm.

Informal caregivers'quality of life and management strategies following the transformation of their cancer caregiving role:A qualitative systematic review

Objectives:Globally,informal caregivers caring for cancer patients meet challenges within their caregiving role,which significantly influence their quality of life.This qualitative systematic review aimed to analyze how cancer caregiving influence the quality of life of informal caregivers and the management strategies of informal caregivers for their role as cancer caregivers.Methods:Following the enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research(ENTREQ)statement,Wanfang database,the China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),CINAHL,MEDLINE,PubMed,Cochrane Library,PsycARTICLES and PsycINFO,and grey literature in English and Chinese from 1 May 2009 to 31 December 2019 were searched.Quality of included studies was assessed by the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme(2018)Qualitative Checklist and thematic synthesis was conducted.Results:Of the 8,945 studies identified,6 studies met the inclusion criteria.One analytical theme relating to the QoL of informal caregivers following cancer caregiving was identified:"challenges of caregiving".In terms of the management strategies to the role of cancer caregivers,two analytical themes were identified:"self-adjustment"and"seeking for formal and informal support".Conclusions:Cancer caregiving influences informal caregivers'QoL significantly and informal caregivers develop diverse coping strategies to deal with the difficulties occurred while balancing the relationship between their own lives and caregiving.However,professional and policy support remain inadequate for informal caregivers that require the need for improvement in terms of health care professionals and policymakers.

Physiological, Anatomical, Psychological and Cultural-Ethnic Aspects of Indian Students Adaptation during Study in Kyrgyzstan Medical Universities

This article is investigating the comparative analysis of anatomical, physiological, and psycho-emotional adaptation indicators of 100 male and 100 female first-year students of the international medical faculty in Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Control groups have consisted of 100 male and 100 female local students of the same age, residing in the Osh city and region. Anthropometry is determined by 50 indicators, such as bio-impedance analysis of body composition, functional tests with exercise, and breathe holding. In addition, the girls underwent an assessment of sexual development according to Tyner. The psychological state was assessed using the Lüschers color test and Spielberger’s questionnaire. The features of anthropometric indicators for students from India are shown as a shorter length of the body, shoulder, and legs, greater waist coverage, an increase in the thickness of the skin folds of the abdomen, increased fat mass and delayed sexual development, anxiety, frequent and longer colds. Functional tests for breath holding and physical activity revealed less reserve capacity in foreign students. This requires the development of rehabilitation programs for foreign students, starting from the first year.

Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence, Core Self-Evaluations, and Psychological Adaptation of Chinese Adolescents

This study aimed to investigate the link between the exposure to intimate partner violence(IPV),core self-evaluations(CSE),and psychological adaptation of Chinese adolescents,through analysis of the results from the Survey of Children’s Exposure to Domestic Violence Scale,Core Self-Evaluations Scale,and Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire,involving a total of 597 Chinese middle school students.It is indicated that the exposure to IPV is positively correlated with lower levels of psychological adaptation and CSE,and CSE is positively correlated with higher levels of psychological adaptation.Mediation analysis revealed that CSE partially mediated the association between the exposure to IPV and psychological adaptation.These results suggest that educators and parents should help adolescents tackle their emotional and behavioral problems by reducing the risk of IPV exposure and increasing their CSE.

On the E-Valuation of Certain E-Business Strategies on Firm Performance by Adaptive Algorithmic Modeling： An Alternative Strategic Managerial Approach

This paper describes an innovative adaptive algorithmic modeling approach, for solving a wide class of e-business and strategic management problems under uncertainty conditions. The proposed methodology is based on basic ideas and concepts of four key-field interrelated sciences, i.e., computing science, applied mathematics, management sciences and economic sciences. Furthermore, the fundamental scientific concepts of adaptability and uncertainty are shown to play a critical role of major importance for a （near） optimum solution of a class of complex e-business/services and strategic management problems. Two characteristic case studies, namely measuring e-business performance under certain environmental pressures and organizational constraints and describing the relationships between technology, innovation and firm performance, are considered as effective applications of the proposed adaptive algorithmic modeling approach. A theoretical time-dependent model for the evaluation of firm e-business performances is also proposed.

Self-Adaptive Algorithms for the Split Common Fixed Point Problem of the Demimetric Mappings

The split common fixed point problem is an inverse problem that consists in finding an element in a fixed point set such that its image under a bounded linear operator belongs to another fixed-point set. In this paper, we present new iterative algorithms for solving the split common fixed point problem of demimetric mappings in Hilbert spaces. Moreover, our algorithm does not need any prior information of the operator norm. Weak and strong convergence theorems are given under some mild assumptions. The results in this paper are the extension and improvement of the recent results in the literature.

The Impact of Creative Group Teaching and Educational Booklet Methods on Interpersonal Communications among Midwives in Clinical Setting

Group discussion teaching technique for small groups and encouragement of critical but constructive and creative thinking for finding new and efficient solutions can lead to provision of better health and medical services that is defined in clinical setting, as the clinical psychology finds a way for curing and education. The present study was conducted with the aim to compare the effects of creative group teaching and educational booklet on interpersonal skills of midwives in a clinical setting. The present study was conducted on 97 midwifery graduates working in hospitals in Kerman Province, in two groups of educational booklet (49 midwives) and educational workshop (48 midwives) who participated in a 3-day creative teaching workshop in summer 2015. Creative problem-solving teaching intervention group was taught through educational workshop method, including small group and team working, group discussion and mini lectures. Midwifery 1 intervention group was provided with an educational booklet validated by professors of Nursing and Midwifery School for independent and individual study by midwives working in Kerman Province hospitals. The two groups were matched in terms of personal details. Hospitals were randomly selected, and midwives were selected by quota sampling. Interpersonal communication skills of both groups were assessed before and after intervention, and two months later using Interpersonal Communication Skills Test. The results obtained were analyzed in SPSS-16 using descriptive statistics, including frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, and inferential statistics including U-Mann-Whitney, paired t, independent t, repeated measures ANOVA tests at significance level of P P P P P < 0.001). Both teaching methods improved midwives’ interpersonal communication skills. Therefore, standardized educational booklets which produce cost-effective similar results are recommended.

DIVERGENCE - FREE WAVELET SOLUTION TO THE STOKES PROBLEM

In this paper, we use divergence-free wavelets to give an adaptive solution to the velocity field of the Stokes problem. We first use divergence-free wavelets to discretize the divergence-free weak formulation of the Stokes problem and obtain a discrete positive definite linear system of equations whose coefficient matrix is quasi-sparse; Secondly, an adaptive scheme is used to solve the discrete linear system of equations and the error estimation and complexity analysis are given.