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Fragile Independence, 1960–1963
No full textThis chapter draws linkages between the domestic and the international legal frameworks of the Republic of Cyprus. It initially maintains an emphasis on international law through a detailed historical-legal analysis of the three multilateral treaties which are constitutive and remain integral to Cypriot independence to this day. It then offers an overview of the Constitution and the Principle of Bi-communality, before turning to a historical examination of the political and legal issues that led to the constitutional deadlock of 1963. The chapter also makes concrete reference to the criminal justice system and the impunity observed during this period
Examining the Impact of Brief Mindfulness Practice on Sustained Attention, Attentional Inhibition and Convergent Thinking
No full textThere remains little understanding of how short-term mindfulness interventions influence creative cognition. We report an experiment that examined the impact of a brief mindfulness intervention on sustained attention, attentional inhibition and convergent thinking, relative to a control group. Participants (N = 117) were assigned to either a brief mindfulness practice (n = 60) or an active control task (n = 57), before completing: (i) a Sustained Attention to Response Task (SART), to assess sustained attention; (ii) a flanker task, to assess attentional inhibition; and (iii) a convergent thinking task (a series of rebus puzzles). The mindfulness group showed faster reaction times than the control group on the SART, along with fewer task-unrelated mind-wandering thoughts, suggestive of better sustained attention. The mindfulness group also demonstrated improved reaction times and accuracy relative to the control group during the flanker task, indicating enhanced inhibitory control. However, rebus puzzle scores did not differ between groups, indicating that although a brief mindfulness practice enhances sustained attention and attentional inhibition, this improved attentional control does not facilitate convergent thinking in solving rebus puzzles
DXMODE: A Dynamic Explorative Multi-Operator Differential Evolution Algorithm for Engineering Optimization Problems
No full textTraditional methods often struggle with complex, real-world problems, while Differential Evolution (DE) offers more robust and adaptable solutions. However, many DE variants intertwine exploration and exploitation within mutation operators and rely on static or blind population reduction, leading to premature diversity loss. This paper proposes Dynamic Explorative Multi-Operator Differential Evolution (DXMODE), a novel DE variant featuring Error-based Linear Population Decay (ELPD) for adaptive sizing, considering both the error improvement and the iteration count. A decoupled exploration phase is also introduced with two new operators, Aggressive Gaussian Exploration (AGE) and Multiple Nested Chaotic Exploration (MNCE), enhancing diversity and search efficiency. DXMODE is validated on CEC2020/2021 and CEC2022 benchmarks against 30 state-of-the-art algorithms, including advanced DE variants and CEC winners. Statistical analyses indicate that DXMODE consistently outperforms competing methods, securing first place across all tests with statistically significant p-values; it surpasses IMODE with a confidence of 99.29%. DXMODE is also validated on 13 Engineering optimization problems, outperforming all algorithms with significant p-values, proving its superiority across real-world problems. The source code of DXMODE is available at: [GitHub/Mathworks repository link will be provided upon publication]
Who’s got the power?: A social pedagogical exploration of power, the important element within relationship-based practice
No full textThis article introduces the reader to the Danish social pedagogy concept of the 3 Ps, which assists in helping social workers to set out the boundaries between the Professional. Personal and Private in relationship-based practice. A key aspect of relationship-based practice is the ability to work in an anti-oppressive way, and a critical awareness and ability to understand and analyze power is central to this. The author and her colleague have developed the 3 Ps framework to focus in more detail on the issue of power, to assist social workers and students to address this within their everyday practice. This focuses on a social worker’s approach to the purpose of their work, being aware of the needs and whose needs are being met as well as formal and informal power dynamics. The framework aims to assist social workers and students to consider their everyday practice, addressing the issue of power and supporting anti-oppressive practice
Correction to: Aging and word predictability during reading: Evidence from eye movements and fixation-related potentials
Get PDFBiofortified Cereals Increase Dietary Zinc Intake: Wheat and Maize as Case Studies
Get PDFThe World Health Organisation estimates that dietary zinc deficiency affects 31% of the global population, with rates as high as 73% in some low- and middle-income countries. Zinc biofortification of staple crops, such as maize in Guatemala and wheat in Pakistan has the potential to offer a sustainable, low-cost strategy to increase dietary zinc intake on a population scale. This chapter reviews the efficacy and effectiveness studies conducted with biofortified wheat and maize, exploring the strengths and weaknesses of this strategy alongside supplementation and food fortification. Biofortified cereals stand out, particularly due to their minimal behavior disruption, potential for sustainable scale-up and accessibility to vulnerable groups. Trials have demonstrated that consuming biofortified cereals can increase daily zinc intake by amounts ranging from 21% to 169% compared with consuming standard varieties. However, there is limited evidence regarding the translation of this increase into improved human health. Challenges stem from a high phytate intake, a major inhibitor of zinc absorption associated with plant-rich diets, and a lack of sensitive biomarkers to detect subtle changes in dietary zinc intake through biofortification. Mechanical methods such as micro-milling that aim to boost mineral bioavailability are being explored. Investigating novel biomarkers remains a priority for better monitoring of interventions to increase zinc intake. Functional indicators such as anthropometric data have generally failed to show measurable impacts from consuming biofortified foods, but there are some positive findings related to self-reported morbidities. Long-term interventions are recommended for tracking functional outcomes resulting from incremental zinc intakes through biofortification
Dysregulation of Ceruloplasmin, α2‐Macroglobulin, and Alpha‐2‐HS‐Glycoprotein in Transfusion‐Dependent Thalassemia
Get PDFTransfusion-dependent thalassemia (TDT) is a severe inherited anemia characterized by impaired synthesis of hemoglobin chains. Disease progression and TDT severity are potentially linked to oxidative stress and protein damage. This study aimed to explore the expression patterns of ceruloplasmin (CP), α2-macroglobulin (A2M), and alpha-2-HS-glycoprotein (AHSG) in TDT serum through quantitative proteomic profiling. The results were validated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). The study participants were divided into three groups based on the duration of blood transfusion. Age and gender-matched normal individuals served as controls. The results revealed the downregulation of these proteins. The reduced levels of these proteins may contribute to tissue damage in TDT patients, primarily due to increased oxidative stress. For example, decreased CP levels can disrupt iron and copper metabolism, leading to heightened oxidative stress and rendering red blood cell membranes more susceptible to rupture due to active oxygen radicals. In summary, CP, A2M, and AHSG association with iron metabolism, inflammation, and oxidative stress underscores their potential relevance in understanding TDT’s pathogenesis and progression. These findings may pave the way for improved diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for TDT patients
Factors predicting the response to vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in pediatric patients with drug- resistant epilepsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
No full textObjective
Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been found to significantly reducses seizure frequency in both generalised and focal epilepsy of various aetiologies, however its benefits in the paediatric population are less well understood. Hence, this systematic review and meta-analysis aims to critically evaluate the effectiveness of VNS in children, and identify potential prognostic factors for patient selection.
Methods
A comprehensive literature search was performed on PubMed, Embase and Medline for full-text articles up until 25th June 2025, according to the PRISMA 2020 statement (PROSPERO CRD42024610201). A random-effects meta-analysis was performed to estimate the pooled effect of VNS on % Significant Seizure Reduction (%SSR), defined as the percentage of patients achieving > 50% seizure reduction at least 3-months after VNS implantation. Subgroup analyses and meta-regression were used to explore predictors of treatment response.
Results
A total of 1863 articles were identified, of which 47 were included, involving 1685 patients. Overall, %SSR post-VNS was 55% (95% CI:51%-59%, I2 = 40%, p-value < 0.001). Generalised epilepsies were more likely to show a greater %SSR compared to focal epilepsies (Generalised:56%, 95% CI:50.0%- 62.0%, versus Focal: 46%, 95% CI:0.34–0.59,, p-value < 0.001). Older age at seizure onset was the only significant positive predictor in multivariate meta-regression (estimate = 0.0086, p-value = 0.0324). Stimulation amplitude accounted for greatest between-study heterogeneity according to multimodal inference analysis.
Conclusion
VNS is an effective treatment for paediatric drug-resistant epilepsy when surgical resection is not possible. %SSR following VNS was significantly associated with both stimulation amplitude, a modifiable treatment parameter, and age at seizure onset, a non-modifiable patient characteristic.
Systematic review registration
PROSPERO CRD42024610201
Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Structured Dietary Programs and Risk of Mortality and Major Cardiovascular Events in Patients at Increased Cardiovascular Risk
No full textIntroduction: There is much evidence that fat-modified and low-fat diets rich in vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts as well as either olive oil or mustard oil are protective against cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and all causes of cardiovascular-induced mortality. This communication aims to ascertain the relative efficacy of structured named diet and for prevention of major cardiovascular events and death in patients at high risk of CVDs.
Study Design and Synthesis of Data: This is a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. The study searched Medline, Embase, AMED (Allied and Complementary Medicine Database), CENTRAL (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials), CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), and ClinicalTrials.gov up to Jan 2025. The comparison was made between dietary patterns with minimal intervention, such as healthy diet information sheet or alternative patterns with at least nine months of follow-up and reporting data on mortality or major cardiovascular events, such as stroke or non-fatal myocardial infarction in randomized trials. In addition to dietary intervention, dietary patterns could also include other behavioral risk factors and other secondary interventions such as drug therapy. The endpoints were individual cardiovascular events, including stroke, non-fatal myocardial infarction (NFMI), CVD mortality, all-cause mortality, and unplanned cardiovascular interventions.
Results: Of the 42 eligible trials (n = 36, 954), nine trials (n = 17, 632) studied a primary prevention population, and 33 trials (n = 17 916) studied a secondary prevention population. The study examined low fat (18 studies), Mediterranean (14), very low fat (6), modified fat (4), combined low fat and low sodium (3), Ornish (3), Pritikin (1) and Indo-Mediterranean (2) dietary patterns. Based on evidence of moderate certainty, follow-up revealed that the Mediterranean dietary pattern proved superior to minimal intervention for the prevention of all-cause mortality (odds ratio = 0.72, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.56 to 0.92; patients at intermediate risk: risk difference 17 fewer per 1000 followed over five years), cardiovascular mortality (0.55, 0.39 to 0.78; 13 fewer per 1000), stroke (0.65, 0.46 to 0.93; 7 fewer per 1000), and non-fatal myocardial infarction (0.48, 0.36 to 0.65; 17 fewer per 1000). Based on moderate certainty evidence, low fat programs proved superior to minimal intervention for prevention of all-cause mortality (0.84, 0.74 to 0.95; 9 fewer per 1000) and NFMI (0.77, 0.61 to 0.96; 7 fewer per 1000). The results for the Indo-Mediterranean diet were much more pronounced. The absolute effects for these dietary patterns were greater for patients at high risk. There were no convincing differences between Mediterranean and low-fat programs for mortality or NFMI, however, the remaining five dietary patterns showed only minor benefit compared with minimal intervention.
Conclusions: It is concluded that evidence with moderate certainty shows that dietary patterns promoting Indo-Mediterranean and Mediterranean compared with low fat diets can reduce all-cause mortality and NFMI in patients with higher risk of CVDs. Moreover, Mediterranean-type diets may also decrease the risk of stroke
Health Behavior and Older Adults’ Experiences Using Health Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Rural Nigeria: A Qualitative Study Using the Socio-Ecological Model of Health Behavior
No full textA bstract Background: Older adults are disproportionately impacted during public health crises, especially in rural settings where healthcare access is limited. Understanding their health behaviors and healthcare utilization is essential for improving geriatric care. Objectives: This study investigates the understanding of health behavior and the healthcare experiences of older adults using outpatient services in a rural Nigerian hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. Materials and Methods: The study employed an exploratory qualitative research design through 13 face-to-face semi-structured interviews with older adults aged 60–80 using outpatient health services in a University Teaching Hospital in rural south-eastern Nigeria. The data generated from these interviews were then analyzed using qualitative content analysis, which led to two overarching themes. Results: Our findings revealed a complex interplay of personal, interpersonal, societal, and environmental factors that influence health behavior and healthcare utilization among older adults in rural Nigeria during the COVID-19 pandemic. While negative behaviors, such as heightened emotions, poor help-seeking behavior, self-medication for COVID-19 symptoms, and poor diets, were observed due to ignorance and misinformation, there were also positive influences. These included an increased focus on hygiene and enhanced family relationships through staying active, consequently improving physical activity behavior. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a resilient healthcare system in rural Nigeria may encourage a proactive stance toward positive behavior and increase healthcare utilization among older adults during crises. We recommend intensifying health literacy campaigns, including digital health literacy, eliminating the digital divide, and creating care protocols tailored for older adults to facilitate optimum healthcare access during crises in rural settings