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Quality of Life in Higher Education for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities and Family Perceptions
Get PDFBackground: Intellectual disability is a disorder of intellectual development that, due to its characteristics, involves a series of limitations in cognitive functioning and generalization of learning. These difficulties can evolve with appropriate intervention, which can enhance the quality of life of these people and their families.
Objectives: The study seeks to determine the quality of life of people with intellectual disabilities in general and in its different dimensions, taking into account the perception of the person with a disability and that of his/her family.
Methods: This study focuses on a specific field: higher education for people with intellectual disabilities. It uses a sample of 19 young people and their 19 corresponding families to determine whether there are significant differences between the two groups, i.e., parents and children. The INICO-FEAPS tool was used to achieve these objectives.
Results: The data obtained, and their subsequent analysis have allowed us to detect medium-high levels of quality of life and significant differences between the indices of both groups, highlighting higher scores in the case of families. In addition, self-determination has been revealed as the dimension with the lowest scores, followed by social inclusion and interpersonal relationships.
Conclusion: This makes it possible, at the professional level, to focus on these aspects and become aware of the necessary measures to improve intervention in the educational and family environment
Spiritual Nexus: The Interwoven Sacred Sites of the Kailash Region
Get PDFThis article investigates the complex network of sacred sites within the Kailash region, an axis of profound spiritual significance for a multitude of faiths. The central figure of this sacred web is Mount Kailash, surrounded by the mystical Lake Manasarovar and Rakshas Tal, the restorative springs of Tirthapuri, and the reflective sanctuary of the Bon Monastery. This study delves into the spiritual importance, historical connections, and intricate cultural practices maintained across these sites. Darchen, the starting point for the spiritually charged Kailash Kora, marks the pilgrims' journey towards potential enlightenment. Moreover, the paper investigates the ecocultural dynamics, emphasizing the monasteries around Manasarovar, including the Bon Monastery, as enduring custodians of spiritual wisdom despite historical tribulations. Harnessing a variety of interdisciplinary perspectives, the article portrays how these sites collectively constitute a spiritual heritage that continually shapes the socio-religious fabric of the region. It also addresses modern challenges due to increased pilgrimage, advocating for sustainable conservation efforts. By intertwining the cosmic symbolism and earthly presence of these sites, this article contributes a holistic view of the Kailash region's perpetual sacredness and its essential place within the global spiritual domain
COVID-19 Vaccines Humor and Identity Construction in the Arab World
Get PDFIn addition to tracing the themes and stages of humor during COVID-19, the study explores the interaction between COVID-19 vaccines' performance humor and identity construction in the Arab world. It presents a textual and visual qualitative analysis of two solo social media sketches, Egyptian and Lebanese, employing a socio-interactional approach to language use infused with a sociocultural perspective to identity construction and stancetaking. The study shows that humor in these sketches has two functions: to alleviate frustration with COVID-19 through laughter and to convey a serious message. The two functions are interdependent; neither is attainable without the other. To generate humor, both comedians rely on shared sociocultural values, repertoires, and knowledge of how vaccines became available to Arabs, public reactions, as well as the hesitancy and controversy surrounding vaccines and boosters. They utilize language mixing and Westernized physical appearance to construct glocalized identities as a positioning mechanism of their stances that advance the humor
Elimination Diet Guided by Food-Specific IgG Antibodies Measurements in Chronic Adult Acne in Thailand: A Prospective RCT Study
Get PDFBackground: Adult female acne is increasingly prevalent and significantly affects quality of life. Current treatments, including antibiotics and hormonal therapies, often yield varied efficacy and risks. While adult acne shares similarities with adolescent acne, its pathogenesis involves genetic, hormonal, immune, and dietary factors. Emerging research implicates high glycemic load diets, milk proteins, and insulin/IGF1 signaling in exacerbating acne. Despite growing understanding, dietary influences remain poorly understood, overshadowed by persistent myths. Inflammation, preceding follicular plugging and hyperkeratinization, suggests a potential shift towards addressing gut inflammation and digestive issues. IgG-mediated food reactions, linked to conditions like IBS and migraines, are controversial in diagnosing acne but warrant investigation, especially in Thai patients.
Objective: Evaluate the efficacy of elimination diets guided by food-specific IgG antibodies measurement in chronic adult acne.
Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled trial and prospective cohort study enrolled 75 participants with chronic acne aged 19 to 45 years, meeting stringent inclusion criteria. Participants were randomized into three groups: one receiving elimination diets based on reversed IgG antibody measurements, another on common food-specific IgG antibodies, and a third on individual IgG antibody measurements. Elimination diets were informed by Genarrayt™ 200+ Food IgG kit results, with compliance monitored through dietary checklists. Primary outcomes were assessed using the Global Acne Grading System (GAGS) Score, with secondary outcomes including the Thai version of the Dermatology Life Quality Index Questionnaire and a Multiorgan-Symptoms Checklist. Follow-ups were conducted at 2, 4, 8, and 12 weeks.
Results: The study cohort, predominantly female (74.7%), exhibited a mean age of 29.3 ± 5.3 years and an average GAGS Score indicating moderate acne severity. Significant differences in GAGS Scores were found among groups (P<0.001), indicating reduced acne severity in the elimination diet groups. Statistically significant reductions in weight and BMI were observed in one group (p-values = 0.048), but not in the other groups. Compliance with follow-up criteria was high.
Conclusion: Elimination diets guided by food-specific IgG antibodies measurement show promise in reducing chronic adult acne severity, as indicated by GAGS Scores. This study sheds light on the relationship between diet and adult acne pathophysiology, emphasizing the potential of personalized treatment approaches. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and elucidate underlying mechanisms
Evaluating the Psychological Impact of Forest Bathing: A Meta-Analysis of Emotional State Outcomes
Get PDFBackground: Forest bathing, a therapeutic practice involving immersion in natural forest environments, has gained attention for its potential mental health benefits. This meta-analysis evaluates the impact of forest bathing on psychological parameters such as tension-anxiety, depression, anger-hostility, fatigue, confusion, and vigor.
Methods: A meta-analysis was conducted on studies assessing forest bathing's effects on psychological states. Six studies were included, analyzing data using fixed and random effects models.
Results: The analysis of six studies with 296 participants revealed a strong positive correlation between forest bathing and reduced tension-anxiety, with correlation coefficients of 0.634 (fixed effects) and 0.613 (random effects). Both models were statistically significant (p < 0.001), despite moderate to high heterogeneity (I² = 67.57%). For depression, five studies (277 participants) showed a significant reduction, with a stronger correlation in the random effects model (0.557) compared to the fixed effects model (0.432). Anger-hostility was similarly reduced, with high heterogeneity (I² = 90.12%) and correlation coefficients of 0.741 (fixed) and 0.767 (random). Fatigue, assessed in six studies (296 participants), also showed significant reductions, with moderate heterogeneity (I² = 45.16%). Confusion was moderately reduced (I² = 29.52%), with correlation coefficients of 0.339 (fixed) and 0.323 (random). Lastly, vigor showed a weak positive association, with a correlation coefficient of 0.269.
Conclusion: The findings confirm the therapeutic potential of forest environments in promoting mental health. Given the observed positive effects, forest bathing could be integrated into public health strategies as a non-pharmacological intervention for stress and mood disorders
Building Professional Competence of Prison Staff: Psychological, Pedagogical, and Legal Aspects
Get PDFConsidering the war in Ukraine, the study of the main aspects of building the professional competence of the prison staff is a current priority task of the State Penitentiary Service of Ukraine. The objective of the study is to determine the components of professional competence of the prison staff in Ukraine. Methods. The Social Readjustment Rating Scale, the Bass Personality Orientation Test, and the Coping Strategy Indicator (CSI). Statistical analysis involves the use of descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. Results. Graduates of the penitentiary system have formed general and special professional competencies, including partial stress resistance, coping with problem solving, and motivational focus on the task. It has been proven that general professional competencies are directly related to professionally important qualities (р≤0.01). Conclusions. The results can be used by higher education institutions (HEIs) to adjust professional training programs for prison staff. Heads of penal institutions can consider the obtained results when selecting staff for positions. The results are useful for the professional self-development of specialists, as they indicate the qualities and competencies that they need to develop. Prospects. Further study may focus on determining how the professional competencies of the prison staff are built at different stages of their professional activities
Effect of Mixing Methods and Black Conductive Fillers on Properties of Natural Rubber Composites
Get PDFCarbon black, graphite, carbon nanofibers, carbon nanotubes, and metal fillers increase composite conductivity in natural rubber, which is electrically insulating. Depending on dispersion, conductive filler lowers insulating material resistivity. These materials are frequently used for electromagnetic/radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) shielding, conductive flexible seals gaskets, and conductive mats used to prevent electrostatic damage to electronic devices. These elastomers could be used to make flexible solar cells or mechanical-to-electricity devices. Temperature, mixing time, shear rate, and cross-linking during vulcanization affect rubber electrical conductivity of composite. To study shear rate effects, vulcanizate of Natural Rubber-based composites filled with carbon black, millable carbon fiber powder, and synthetic graphite powder was prepared by open mixing (two roll mill) and close mixing (internal mixer). We compared how shear rate affects cure, stress-strain, and volume resistivity of conductive filler-based Natural Rubber composites. Increment in clearance of two roll mill during addition of rubber additives along with rubber of reduced the shearing force resulted in less dispersive and distributive mixing and stagnant points due to band formation on roll surface compared to intermix where compound movement had no stagnation point and long wings pushed material axially and two nogs pushed material in other chamber. Compared to two roll mill samples, the compound reached every point of the mixing chamber for best homogeneity, reducing cure time and improving stress-strain and volume resistivity
From Nollywood to the World: A Cultural Studies and Critical Discourse Analysis of Nollywood Films on Netflix
Get PDFThis study examines the transnationalization of the Nollywood industry in the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix. As nonwestern film industries begin to find global audiences beyond their local space, ideological underpinnings of these industries also continue to shift and become more apparent. The need to compete for global capital while retaining the cultural flavor of the South has been a major challenge of many transnational media industries. Taking Nollywood as a case study, this study argues that the production of Nollywood films on Netflix goes beyond the quest to find global market, instead economic interest, the need to appeal to global audience by producing multicultural relevant content and promulgating a Nigerian identity that non-African audience can understand are important areas that should be considered. Contextualized within the theories of cultural studies and political economy and the method of critical discourse analysis, the study accentuates the changing discourse of the new Nollywood cinema and what it means for critical cultural scholarship of media and communication, especially in the Global South
Smart Buff Manager: A Co-Designed Mobile Application for Enhancing Buffalo Farm Management in Thailand
Get PDFThis study focuses on the co-design and development of a smartphone application, the "Smart Buff Manager," especially for smallholder buffalo farmers in Thailand. The application aims to meet the needs of buffalo farmers by providing an effective and user-friendly tool for record-keeping and farm management. We employed the ADDIE (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation) instructional design method to ensure the application addressed the practical needs and preferences of the farmers. The primary features of the app include record-keeping, health monitoring, and breeding management, focusing on various issues faced by smallholder farmers. The user-centered design method provides an intuitive interface that gathers feedback from users, resulting in increased satisfaction and a higher tendency to recommend apps. Implementation of the app significantly improved farm management by enhancing operational efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare. Users of the application reported much greater compliance with vaccination schedules than non-users, potentially improving herd health and long-term production. This case study confirms the potential of mobile technology to improve farm operations and decision-making while also highlighting the essential role of involving end-users in the design process to develop appropriate and effective digital farming systems
Assessment of Food Safety Knowledge among School-Going Adolescents: An Interventional Study
No full textBackground: Recognizing the complex health issues that school-going adolescents face due to ignorance of proper food handling techniques, which impact their general development and severely threaten the health of both the present and future generations in all developing nations. This interventional study aimed to compare food safety knowledge among school-going teenagers (13–15 years) before and after intervention, taking into account the significance of students' health importance in the early adolescent stages.
Materials and Methods: The cluster sampling method was used to choose 400 students from four different schools. A food safety intervention education was given online using the Google Meet platform. The World Health Organization's food safety questionnaire was used to gauge participant knowledge of food safety before and after the intervention. A committee of subject matter experts evaluated the research tool's relevance for content validity.
Results: Following the implementation of the intervention, significant increases in food safety knowledge were noticed among school-going adolescents in the post-test. A maximum of 81.5% of subjects gained a high-level knowledge regarding food safety after the food safety intervention. Statistics showed that the differences were substantial. After the intervention program, school-aged teenagers' overall understanding of food safety dramatically increased.
Conclusion: In order to reduce the health problems caused by unsafe food among school-going teenagers, awareness of food safety must be greatly raised through a variety of food safety training programs in the early stages of adolescence