Search Results (630)

This study examined the effect of a psycho-education program on the awareness levels of teachers regarding child abuse and neglect. The study was conducted with teachers working in regions characterized by the presence of at-risk groups. Within the scope of the study, 18 teachers were assigned to the experimental group and 18 teachers to the control group. The experimental group participated in a structured psycho-education program on child abuse and neglect, while no intervention was implemented for the control group. Prior to the intervention, pre-test measurements were conducted using the Child Abuse Awareness Scale for both groups. The psycho-education program consisted of 10 weekly online sessions, each lasting approximately 100–120 min. The findings revealed a significant difference between the pre-test and post-test scores of the experimental group compared with the control group, indicating the effectiveness of the psycho-education program in increasing teachers’ awareness levels. The results suggest that such training programs may play an important role in enhancing teachers’ knowledge and awareness of child abuse and neglect, particularly in recognizing signs of abuse and understanding reporting procedures. Full article

Fentanyl is a potent analgesic widely used in clinical practice. Fentanyl and its analogues are seriously abused and are emerging in the illegal drug market, leading to numerous intoxication cases. However, assessment of the potency of the pharmacological effect of these novel fentanyl analogues remains limited and inconsistent across studies. The development of novel analgesics has largely relied on the assessment of mu opioid receptor (MOR) binding affinity, with insufficient verification through the assessment of antinociceptive effects. This study evaluated the antinociceptive effects of 25 fentanyl analogues to investigate the relationship between chemical structure and antinociceptive effect. In this study, hot plate tests were conducted in mice to generate time–effect and dose–effect curves for the evaluation of the antinociceptive effect of fentanyl and its analogues. The results demonstrated that the antinociceptive effects of fentanyl analogues were dose- and time-dependent. The potency of the antinociceptive effect observed in this study generally aligned with the corresponding MOR binding affinities reported in the literature, although several analogues exhibited discrepancies. Structural modifications in different regions of the fentanyl scaffold affect the antinociceptive potency to different degrees, and the duration of action also varied across fentanyl analogues. Furthermore, opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) was observed following administration of several fentanyl analogues, raising potential concerns regarding their abuse liability and development for analgesic purposes. Taken together, this study systematically evaluated and compared the antinociceptive effects of fentanyl analogues. The findings clarify the relationship between chemical structure and the antinociceptive effect, providing valuable insights for drug regulation and the development of novel analgesics. Full article

This study examines how abusive leadership influences non-green behavior among employees in five-star hotels in Egypt, drawing on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and the Job Demands–Resources (JD–R) model. Using survey data collected from 400 full-time hotel employees, the study investigates the mediating roles of emotional exhaustion and presenteeism, as well as the moderating role of perceived co-worker support. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the proposed relationships. The results indicate that abusive leadership increases emotional exhaustion and presenteeism, both of which contribute to higher levels of non-green behavior. Emotional exhaustion mediates the relationship between abusive leadership and non-green behavior, while presenteeism partially mediates the link between abusive leadership and emotional exhaustion. Additionally, perceived co-worker support buffers the negative effect of presenteeism on emotional exhaustion. By integrating COR and JD–R perspectives, this study advances understanding of the psychological mechanisms through which abusive leadership undermines environmentally responsible behavior. The findings offer practical insights for hospitality managers seeking to promote employee well-being and sustainability in high-pressure service environments. Full article

While prior research shows that subordinates’ attributions can amplify or buffer the negative effects of abusive supervision on performance outcomes, it remains unclear whether similar moderating effects extend to subordinate well-being. Drawing on attribution theory and conservation of resources (COR) theory, this study investigates whether performance-promotion and injury-initiation attributions moderate the relationship between abusive supervision and emotional exhaustion. Applying a time-lagged research design, we surveyed full-time employees (N = 224) within a single Chinese transportation company and tested the proposed hypotheses using structural equation modeling (SEM). Contrary to the expectations and prior evidence, the moderating effect of injury-initiation attribution between abusive supervision and emotional exhaustion is nonsignificant. Moreover, performance-promotion attribution significantly moderates this relationship, in the opposite direction to the expectations: It exacerbates (rather than buffers) the positive association between abusive supervision and emotional exhaustion. These findings complicate the assumption that performance-promotion attributions are protective whereas injury-initiation attributions are destructive, instead suggesting a different pattern of attributional effects. The study advances the understanding of abusive supervision attributions and provides implications for management practice. Full article

Introduction: This study was conducted to determine whether specific emergency physician (EP) diagnoses and/or neurological signs/symptoms upon admission to the Emergency Department (ED) were associated with normal/non-informative emergency electroencephalogram (emEEG). Methods: Data from consecutive patients admitted to the ED of our tertiary hospital over a two-year period (1 January 2023–31 December 2024) were analyzed retrospectively. We evaluated the correlation between normal/non-specific emEEGs and EP admission diagnoses and neurological signs/symptoms on admission. Epileptic discharges and sharp waves with triphasic morphology were considered specific patterns. Results: A total of 2008 patients underwent emEEG recording during the study period. EmEEGs were considered non-informative in 100% of global amnesia diagnoses, 100% of cases of mild head trauma, 100% of cases of migraine with aura, 98.3% of transient ischemic attacks (TIAs), 95.6% of transient losses of consciousness (TLCs) when seizure was not the primary suspected diagnosis, and in 92.7% of falls of unknown dynamics. Epileptic patterns were detected in 4% of patients presenting with TLC and in 2.4% of those with falls of unknown dynamics, with approximately half of these patients having a pre-existing diagnosis of epilepsy. Triphasic waves were detected in 4.9% patients with falls of unknown dynamics, in 1.7% with TIA, and in 0.4% with TLC. All of these patients had fever/sepsis or metabolic/electrolyte disorders. Overall, across all clinical scenarios, emEEGs were considered non-informative in 385 (19.1%) tested patients. Conclusions: emEEGs are almost non-informative in the diagnostic pathway for patients with global amnesia, mild head trauma, and migraine with aura, and in patients with TIA, TLC, or falls of unknown dynamics. EPs can safely consider avoiding emEEGs in the absence of previous epilepsy diagnosis, fever/sepsis, metabolic/electrolyte disturbances, or drug abuse. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mental disorders are a growing public health concern in Latin America, particularly among marginalized populations. This study aimed to identify the prevalence and associated risk factors of mental disorders in Afro-descendant communities of the Río Chota Basin, a historically excluded population facing persistent social and economic inequalities. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in several rural communities using random sampling. A total of 557 participants were assessed for sociodemographic factors and mental health status using the following validated instruments: the Global Mental Health Assessment Tool–Primary Care (GMHAT/PC), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and the WHO STEPS questionnaire. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential tests to determine associations between psychosocial, behavioral, and socioeconomic variables and the presence of mental disorders. Results: The overall prevalence of mental disorders was extremely high (60.7%), exceeding national and regional estimates. The most prevalent conditions were major depressive disorder (15.6–17.9%), anxiety disorders (10.2–12.3%), and psychosis with depressive symptoms (8.3–11.5%), with higher rates among women. Low fruit and vegetable intake and income below the minimum wage were significantly associated with greater prevalence. Severe stress and experiences of abuse or maltreatment showed the strongest associations with mental disorders (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Afro-descendant communities in the Río Chota Basin experience a disproportionately high burden of mental illness influenced by intertwined socioeconomic, psychosocial, and behavioral determinants. Culturally sensitive interventions that promote resilience, community support, and reduction in structural inequalities are urgently needed. Full article

Inorganic nitrate (NO₃⁻) has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in several populations characterised by cardiovascular risk. However, it is unknown whether increasing nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability affects vascular and cardiovascular responses in men with androgenic–anabolic steroid (AAS) abuse. Objective: To investigate the effects of dietary NO₃⁻ on cardiovascular, autonomic, and strength performance in men with AAS abuse. Methods: In this double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled crossover trial, participants consumed beetroot juice (12.8 mmol [800 mg] NO₃⁻) or a placebo (0.3 mmol NO₃⁻). After two hours, assessments included saliva collection, endothelial function, heart rate, and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure at rest, during, and after an isometric handgrip test. Results: Thirteen resistance-trained males [mean (standard deviation) age: 31 (9) y; body mass index (BMI): 30 (4) kg/m²; SBP: 132 (3) mmHg; DBP: 70 (2) mmHg] completed the protocol. NO₃⁻-rich juice significantly increased salivary NO₃⁻ (40.6 μM, p < 0.001) and nitrite (NO₂⁻) (3.1 μM, p = 0.002) versus placebo. Flow-mediated dilation was greater with NO₃⁻ both at pre-exercise (2.37%, p = 0.02) and post-exercise (2.57%, p = 0.01). No between-group differences were observed in isometric strength (0.02 kgf, p = 0.99) or systolic/diastolic blood pressure across conditions. Conclusions: Dietary NO₃⁻ enhanced salivary NO₂⁻ and NO₃⁻ concentrations and modestly improved endothelial function but did not reduce the elevated blood pressure or alter cardiac autonomic responses associated with AAS abuse. Full article

Background/Objectives: Viral hepatitis A–E represents a significant public health problem. Data on the prevalence of viral hepatitis markers among alcoholics are inconsistent. Methods: The study included 151 patients treated for alcohol abuse in one Croatian center. The control group consisted of 110 individuals from the general population tested for a routine check-up. The prevalence of viral hepatitis markers was assessed using serology and molecular methods. Results: The prevalence rates of hepatitis markers among patients were as follows: anti-HAV, 15.2%; anti-HBs, 11.9%; anti-HBc/anti-HBs, 2.6%; anti-HCV, 4.0%; and anti-HEV, 14.6%. HCV RNA was detected in one patient (0.6%). Compared with the control group, patients showed significantly higher HCV seroprevalence (4.0 vs. 0%), while the prevalence of other hepatitis markers did not differ significantly between the groups. The anti-HAV prevalence was associated with age (from 0% in patients aged <40 years to 42.9% in patients aged 60+ years), employment status (highest among retired individuals at 46.2%), and age of occasional alcohol consumption (highest seroprevalence of 26.3% in those who reported consumption between 22 and 25 years). The association between anti-HEV and educational level was of borderline significance. Logistic regression showed that older and retired patients and those who consumed alcohol occasionally between 22 and 25 years showed higher odds for HAV seropositivity (OR = 11.454–49.400, OR = 6.857, and OR = 4.464, respectively). Patients with university degrees were at lower risk for HEV seroprevalence (OR = 0.083). Conclusions: Alcoholic patients showed a higher HCV seroprevalence than the general population, while the prevalence of other viral hepatitis markers did not differ between the groups. Further studies on a larger cohort of patients are needed to confirm these findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals experience disproportionately high rates of childhood trauma and depression; however, the mechanisms linking gender identity and depressive symptoms remain insufficiently understood. This study examines differences in depressive symptoms and childhood trauma between cisgender (CG) and TGD adults. It investigates whether specific subtypes of childhood maltreatment mediate the association between gender identity and depression. Methods: The cross-sectional online study included 249 participants aged 18–72 years (M = 30.85, SD = 12.72), including 144 CG (75 women and 69 men) and 105 TGD individuals (44 transgender and 61 gender diverse individuals). Depression symptoms were assessed using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), while childhood trauma experiences were measured using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire–Short Form (CTQ-SF). Results: The independent-sample Student’s t-test showed that TGD participants reported significantly higher levels of depressive symptoms and all forms of childhood trauma than cisgender individuals. Mediation analyses indicated that overall childhood trauma partially mediated the association between gender identity and depression. In parallel mediation models, emotional abuse emerged as the primary statistical mediator, with sexual abuse showing a smaller indirect effect. Conclusions: The findings extend prior prevalence-focused research by identifying specific childhood trauma pathways associated with depressive symptoms in TGD adults. Experiencing traumatic events during childhood may be a key factor contributing to an increased risk of depression in adulthood, particularly among the TGD population. Therefore, intervention and prevention programs should target TGD individuals and their families to minimize the risk of adverse childhood experiences and mental health disorders. The results underscore the importance of trauma-informed and gender-affirming mental health care and highlight emotional abuse as a particularly salient correlate of depression in this population. Full article

Introduction: Extranodal extension (ENE) is a well-established adverse prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), associated with reduced survival and the need for intensified therapy. Nutritional status—commonly assessed using the Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI) and Body Mass Index (BMI)—also influences outcomes in HNSCC. However, whether or not ENE correlates with nutritional status has not been previously investigated. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 109 treatment-naïve HNSCC patients with pathologically confirmed nodal metastases who underwent primary tumor resection and neck dissection between 2014 and 2025 at a national tertiary center. ENE status was determined histologically. Nutritional status was evaluated using BMI, PNI, serum albumin, and percentage of weight loss at diagnosis. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Chi-square tests, ANOVA, Cox regression, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Full Factorial General Linear Models. Results: ENE was present in 54.1% of patients and significantly reduced overall survival (Kaplan–Meier p = 0.006; Cox regression RR = 1.927, p = 0.008). No significant differences in BMI, PNI, weight loss, or serum albumin were observed between ENE-positive and ENE-negative groups. ENE prevalence varied significantly by tumor origin (p = 0.018), being highest in hypopharyngeal cancers (75.8%) and lowest in oral cavity tumors (25.0%). ENE status was independent of tobacco use, alcohol abuse, and all nutritional markers across TNM 8/9 subgroups. Conclusions: ENE is a strong prognostic marker in HNSCC, appearing to be independent of nutritional status. The demonstrated heterogeneity of ENE prevalence among tumor subsites supports the need for individualized management approaches. Full article

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are pivotal in electric vehicles (EVs), grid storage, and portable electronics, but their high energy density introduces safety risks, particularly thermal runaway (TR). TR can lead to fires, explosions, and hazardous emissions, posing severe health and environmental threats. Experimental investigation of TR commonly relies on abuse testing methods, among which mechanical abuse via nail penetration (NP) and thermal abuse (TA) are widely used to simulate crash-induced and heat-driven failure scenarios, respectively. This review provides a comprehensive and comparative synthesis of NP and TA testing methodologies, examining how variations in test configuration, cell parameters (capacity, state of charge, and chemistry), and environmental conditions influence TR behavior and emission characteristics. Particular emphasis is placed on comparing reported emission profiles from NP- and TA-triggered TR events, including CO₂, CO, HF, hydrocarbons, and solvent vapors, and identifying the methodological origins of discrepancies across studies. By systematically linking emission variability to gas collection methods, analytical techniques, and data normalization approaches, this review highlights key limitations in current testing standards related to emission characterization. Finally, recommendations are offered for harmonizing abuse testing protocols and improving experimental design to enhance reproducibility, enabling meaningful cross-study comparison, and supporting safer deployment of LIBs in high-risk applications such as EVs and grid-scale energy storage. Full article

In recent years, xylazine has emerged as a cutting agent combined with illicit drugs to extend their effects. The present study aimed to discover drug use patterns associated with xylazine-positive and -negative urine toxicology drug screens and to assess whether xylazine can be used as a marker for exposure to designer drugs/new psychoactive substances in our study population. This is a retrospective analysis of urine toxicology results from two different analytical platforms: a targeted, structurally confirmatory, high-performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) assay that quantifies 136 drugs and metabolites including xylazine; and a non-targeted ThermoFisher Orbitrap Tribrid mass spectrometry system (Thermo Scientific^TM, Bremen, Germany) in combination with database searches for the identification of drugs not captured by the targeted assay. All participants were patients receiving care through the Addiction Research and Treatment Services (ARTS), with documented substance misuse, undergoing routine urine drug toxicology testing at the iC42 Clinical Toxicology. Data analysis was performed using Sciex OS version 2.2.0.5738 after extraction using the targeted, structurally confirmatory and quantitative LC-MS/MS platform (SCIEX, Framingham, MA, USA). The drug patterns found in xylazine-positive and -negative urine samples were statistically significantly different (p < 0.001), indicating different consumption patterns associated with xylazine. Moreover, the overall concentrations of drugs (normalized to creatinine) were also statistically significantly different with higher concentrations in the urine samples that tested negative for xylazine. In contrast, samples that were positive for xylazine contained significantly higher concentrations of various designer drugs/new psychoactive substances as detected by the untargeted platform (p < 0.0001). The results indicated that xylazine has become increasingly common in Denver’s drug circulation and that xylazine may be used as a marker to prompt reflex testing with non-targeted high-resolution mass spectrometry assays in combination with database searches to test for the exposure to designer drugs/new psychoactive substances in our patient population. Full article

Based on Conservation of Resources (COR) theory and a socio-technical systems perspective, this study examines how technology-enacted abusive supervision (TAS) influences employees’ counterproductive work behavior (CWB) in digitalized organizational contexts. Conceptualizing TAS as a system-embedded form of digitally mediated control, we argue that technology-amplified supervisory power constitutes a persistent resource threat that reshapes employees’ behavioral regulation strategies. Using three-wave time-lagged survey data from 428 employees working in digital-intensive enterprises in China, we develop and test a moderated mediation model. The results indicate that TAS is positively associated with CWB, with defensive silence serving as a critical mediating mechanism. Although defensive silence may temporarily reduce interpersonal risk, it disrupts feedback and resource replenishment processes, leading to cumulative resource depletion and a higher likelihood of counterproductive behavior over time. Moreover, power distance significantly moderates this indirect effect, such that the mediating role of defensive silence is stronger among employees with higher-power-distance orientations. By integrating leadership research, COR theory, cultural value orientations, and a socio-technical systems perspective, this study advances our understanding of covert resistance and behavioral risk in technology-driven work systems and offers important implications for digital governance and sustainable organizational performance. Full article

Ensuring safety in energy storage systems increasingly relies on advanced diagnostic tools, among which magnetic field mapping plays a critical role. This work aims to develop and validate a high-sensitivity magnetic field sensor array for accurate field mapping and preliminary battery diagnostics. We present a 4 × 4 array of magnetic sensors integrated with a calibration procedure to ensure accurate output. The system was experimentally tested by characterizing the magnetic field generated by two planar copper conductors. Finite element simulations were performed for comparison and validation. Experimental measurements exhibited strong agreement with the simulation results, confirming the reliability of the sensor array. Next, the system was employed to map the magnetic field distribution of a pouch-type lithium-ion battery, demonstrating its capability for noninvasive diagnostics. Although this study focuses on magnetic field measurement rather than direct battery diagnosis, the results suggest that the proposed system—capable of measuring magnetic fields in batteries operating under normal conditions—could also perform these measurements under abusive conditions, thereby enabling diagnostic assessments. The proposed sensor array provides a scalable and precise solution for low-intensity magnetic field mapping, with potential applications in battery health monitoring and safety assessment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Justice-involved (JI) youth frequently endorse a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI, even mild TBI, can have substantial implications for long-term neurocognitive and psychosocial functioning. However, reliable, noninvasive biological indicators of chronic brain changes remain elusive. Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNAs) are small non-coding segments of RNA that regulate a host of cellular processes. miRNAs are perturbed immediately following TBI but may continue to show changes in the chronic phase of TBI recovery. Methods: We investigated miRNA expression in a group of JI youth (n = 42, ages 12–17 [M = 14.42, SD = 1.21; 57.1% male]) with (n = 22) and without reported histories of TBI. Results: After controlling multiple comparisons, independent samples t-tests revealed five miRNAs (miR-425-3p, miR-30b-5p, miR-582-5p, miR-200c-3p, and miR-150-5p) were significantly different between youth with and without a history of TBI. Among these, four (miR-425-3p, miR-30b-5p, miR-582-5p, and miR-200c-3p) showed higher expression in youth with TBI history, whereas miR-150-5 showed lower expression in youth with TBI history. Three miRNAs (miR-584-5p, miR-10b-5p, and miR-30b-5p) were significantly different between youth with and without a history of loss of consciousness (LOC). MiR-584-5p was lower in youth with LOC history, whereas miR-30b-5p and miR-10b-5p were higher in youth with a history of LOC. Many of these miRNAs have been implicated in prior studies as being involved with inflammatory processes, including neuroinflammation. Conclusions: These results, although preliminary, provide a starting point for understanding the cellular processes related to long-term TBI outcomes within adolescents. For example, they suggest that molecular pathways involved in stress and inflammation (as well as in certain types of behavioral disorders such as substance abuse) may be implicated in long-term brain changes following TBI during development. If replicated, it may suggest future targets for pharmacological intervention. Full article