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Search Results (1,358)

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Keywords = dispositions

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22 pages, 3641 KiB  
Article
Affinity Affects the Functional Potency of Anti-GD2 Antibodies by Target-Mediated Drug Disposition
by Sascha Troschke-Meurer, Maxi Zumpe, Peter Moritz Ahrenberg, Torsten Ebeling, Nikolai Siebert, Piotr Grabarczyk and Holger N. Lode
Cancers 2025, 17(15), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17152510 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 274
Abstract
Background/Objectives: High-risk neuroblastoma patients are treated with approved anti-ganglioside GD2 antibodies of moderate (dinutuximab beta; DB) and higher binding affinity (naxitamab; NAXI). We evaluated the functional potency of DB compared to NAXI and investigated the target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD). Methods: Tumor spheroids were [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: High-risk neuroblastoma patients are treated with approved anti-ganglioside GD2 antibodies of moderate (dinutuximab beta; DB) and higher binding affinity (naxitamab; NAXI). We evaluated the functional potency of DB compared to NAXI and investigated the target-mediated drug disposition (TMDD). Methods: Tumor spheroids were generated from neuroblastoma cells with varying GD2 expression, stably expressing iRFP680 as a viability marker. Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) were assessed in a long-term life-cell viability assay using serial dilutions of the GD2 antibodies. Binding activity was determined by flow cytometry. Processes involved in TMDD were analyzed, including antibody binding to dead tumor cells and to soluble GD2 (sGD2), antibody internalization into tumor and immune cells and the impact of sGD2 on DB and NAXI-mediated ADCC. Results: DB and NAXI mediated a concentration-dependent ADCC response against GD2-positive spheroids and no response against GD2-negative spheroids. DB showed a significantly higher ADCC potency than NAXI in all GD2-positive spheroid models. Binding activity of DB and NAXI was not significantly different. However, the decrease of anti-GD2 antibody binding to viable GD2-positive tumor cells following co-incubation with dead GD2-positive tumor cells or sGD2 was significantly higher for NAXI than DB. Additionally, we found an increased internalization of NAXI compared to DB by tumor cells and particularly CD64+ monocytes. Finally, sGD2 impaired NAXI-mediated ADCC to a significantly greater extent than DB-mediated ADCC. Conclusions: DB has a higher ADCC potency over NAXI at clinically relevant concentrations, attributed to stronger TMDD effects of NAXI compared to DB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Precision Medicine and Targeted Therapies in Neuroblastoma)
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11 pages, 359 KiB  
Article
Assessing Pain and Anxiety Impact in Smokers with Spine Fractures Managed Without Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
by Jose Castillo, James Zhou, Gabriel Urreola, Michael Nhien Le, Omar Ortuno, Matthew Kercher, Kee Kim, Richard L. Price and Allan R. Martin
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(15), 5332; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155332 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 305
Abstract
Background/Objective: Smoking is known to impair fracture healing and worsen surgical outcomes, but its effect on psychological recovery in spine trauma patients remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess how smoking affects pain and anxiety in patients with spine fractures [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: Smoking is known to impair fracture healing and worsen surgical outcomes, but its effect on psychological recovery in spine trauma patients remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to assess how smoking affects pain and anxiety in patients with spine fractures treated either conservatively or surgically. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis looking at spine fracture patients > 18 years old seen at a single institution between 11/2015 and 9/2019. Patient variables such as age, sex, race, ethnicity, mechanism of injury, fracture location, presence of spinal cord injury, surgical intervention, hospital and ICU LOS, disposition, and EQ-5D-3L at 3 and 12 months were collected and analyzed. Results: Non-operative management was selected for 403 patients, of which 304 never smoked and 99 were smokers. Surgical management was utilized for 126 patients, of which 90 never smoked and 36 were smokers. Studying non-smokers and current smokers, higher levels of extreme pain and anxiety at 3 and 12 months were reported in smokers managed conservatively. Smokers managed surgically reported higher levels of pain and anxiety than non-smokers at 3 months but not at 12 months. No significant differences were seen with regards to changes in pain or anxiety between the 3- and 12-month follow-up. Conclusions: Smoking is independently associated with higher levels of pain and anxiety in conservatively managed spine fracture patients. These findings suggest a need for early intervention and cessation efforts in the trauma setting. Further investigation is warranted to clarify whether underlying psychological or physiological phenomena are impacting patient outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Spine Surgery: Clinical Advances and Future Directions)
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20 pages, 346 KiB  
Article
Skeptical Optimism Scale (SkO): Initial Development and Validation
by Cătălina Oțoiu, Petru Lucian Curșeu and Lucia Rațiu
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 1017; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15081017 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 235
Abstract
This study introduces the Skeptical Optimism Scale (SkO) and presents preliminary evidence of its content, construct, and criterion validity. Skeptical optimism refers to dispositional tendencies of having general positive expectations about the future, conditional on critical analysis and in-depth exploration of (potential negative) [...] Read more.
This study introduces the Skeptical Optimism Scale (SkO) and presents preliminary evidence of its content, construct, and criterion validity. Skeptical optimism refers to dispositional tendencies of having general positive expectations about the future, conditional on critical analysis and in-depth exploration of (potential negative) outcomes. We developed an initial pool of 31 items that explore positive expectations in three main life domains (finding solutions to difficult problems, mastering novel and challenging tasks, and effectively dealing with general life challenges) that were subject to content analysis by eight independent raters. The remaining items were tested for criterion and predictive validity in two samples (N = 198 and N = 417 participants). Factor analyses supported a three-factor structure and the refined 17-item version of the scale showed good reliability and validity. To support applications in settings requiring brief instruments, we also developed a 9-item version, preserving the factorial structure and psychometric qualities of the original scale. The results show that the 17 as well as 9-item SkO scales have a good criterion validity as they positively and significantly correlate with the core self-evaluation scale, critical thinking disposition, and grit. Moreover, our results show that the SkO has good predictive validity as it is the only significant predictor of the creativity quotient in our sample. Full article
11 pages, 216 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors and Clinical Outcomes of Deep Surgical Site Infections in Trauma Patients: A National Database Analysis
by Musaed Rayzah
Healthcare 2025, 13(15), 1808; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151808 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 215
Abstract
Background: Deep surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a serious complication following abdominal trauma surgery; however, comprehensive risk factor analysis in large trauma populations remains limited. Although surgical site infections are recognized as preventable complications, little is known about the specific risk factors and [...] Read more.
Background: Deep surgical site infections (SSIs) represent a serious complication following abdominal trauma surgery; however, comprehensive risk factor analysis in large trauma populations remains limited. Although surgical site infections are recognized as preventable complications, little is known about the specific risk factors and clinical outcomes associated with deep SSIs in trauma patients at the national level. Methods: A retrospective cohort study analyzed data from the National Trauma Data Bank from 2020–2022, including 1,198,262 trauma patients with complete demographic, injury severity, and surgical procedure data. Deep SSI development, length of hospital stay, intensive care unit utilization, duration of mechanical ventilation, discharge disposition, and in-hospital mortality were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors and quantify associations between patient characteristics and deep SSI occurrence. Results: Deep SSIs occurred in 601 patients (0.05%). Affected patients were younger (median 41 vs. 54 years, p < 0.001), predominantly male (73.7% vs. 61.8%, p < 0.001), and exhibited higher injury severity scores (median 17.0 vs. 5.0, p < 0.001). Major abdominal surgery was the strongest independent predictor (OR 3.08, 95% CI: 2.21–4.23, p < 0.001), followed by injury severity score (OR 1.05, 95% CI: 1.04–1.06, p < 0.001) and ICU length of stay (OR 1.04 per day, 95% CI: 1.03–1.05, p < 0.001). Patients with deep SSIs demonstrated dramatically increased hospital stays (89.5% vs. 4.5% exceeding 21 days, p < 0.001), reduced home discharge rates (28.5% vs. 48.9%, p < 0.001), and higher mortality (4.2% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Major abdominal surgery and injury severity are primary risk factors for deep SSIs in trauma patients, with profound impacts on clinical outcomes and healthcare resource utilization. These findings highlight the importance of targeted prevention strategies for high-risk trauma patients undergoing major abdominal procedures and emphasize the significant burden that deep SSIs place on healthcare systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Critical Care)
28 pages, 2334 KiB  
Perspective
Critical Thinking and Epistemic Sophistication in Science Education
by Oscar Eugenio Tamayo Alzate
J. Intell. 2025, 13(8), 93; https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence13080093 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 868
Abstract
One of the central purposes of education at different educational levels is to contribute to the formation of critical thinking in students. There are many theoretical perspectives from which critical thinking is conceptualized, such as those centers on the development of students’ capacities [...] Read more.
One of the central purposes of education at different educational levels is to contribute to the formation of critical thinking in students. There are many theoretical perspectives from which critical thinking is conceptualized, such as those centers on the development of students’ capacities and those based on competences, skills, dispositions and criteria, among others. We consider that in the school context the critical thinking perspective that should come first is the domain-specific one; consequently, we present a conceptual model for the formation of critical thinking in the context of science teaching and learning in the classroom constituted by the integration of four dimensions: languages and argumentation, metacognition, emotions, and problem solving and decision making. Our focus of reflection is epistemic cognition with the processes of epistemic sophistication, metacognitive sophistication, and metaemotional sophistication, determinants of critical thinking in relation to each of the dimensions and the relationships between them. We conclude with the proposal of a conceptual model for the development of critical thinking based on students’ epistemic cognition. Full article
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19 pages, 2141 KiB  
Article
Augmented Reality 3D Multibase Blocks at the Future Classroom Lab Through Active Methodology: Analyzing Pre-Service Teachers’ Disposition in Mathematics Course
by Ana Isabel Montero-Izquierdo, Jin Su Jeong and David González-Gómez
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15080954 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 272
Abstract
The use of augmented reality (AR) tools and innovative learning environments in education have increased over the last few years due to the rapid advancement of technology. In this study, an AR mathematics learning intervention has been proposed which consisted of the creation [...] Read more.
The use of augmented reality (AR) tools and innovative learning environments in education have increased over the last few years due to the rapid advancement of technology. In this study, an AR mathematics learning intervention has been proposed which consisted of the creation of 3D multibase blocks to perform AR arithmetic calculations conducted through active methodologies in the future classroom lab (FCL). The aim of this study was to analyze pre-service teachers’ (PSTs) affective domain (emotion, self-efficacy, and attitude), engagement, motivation, and confidence. The sample consisted of 97 PSTs enrolled on the second year of the Primary Education degree, who were attending the “Mathematics and its Didactics” subject. The findings revealed a significant increase in PSTs’ satisfaction, fun, confidence, and pride, and a decrease in uncertainty, nervousness, and concern. Regarding PSTs’ self-efficacy, a significant improvement was observed in knowing the necessary steps to teach mathematical concepts and work in the FCL. No significant differences were found in attitude, engagement, and motivation; however, the PSTs showed a high disposition in all of them before starting the intervention. Additionally, the PSTs reported to be more confident, and it enhanced their knowledge in the use of 3D design and AR applications to create multibase blocks to support the teaching–learning content of arithmetic operations. Full article
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12 pages, 354 KiB  
Article
Comparison of Intravenous and Oral Meloxicam Pharmacokinetics in Female and Male Saanen Goats
by Zeynep Ozdemir Kutahya, Busra Aslan Akyol, Selen Mamuk, Petek Piner Benli and Cengiz Gokbulut
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 686; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080686 - 23 Jul 2025
Viewed by 336
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goats following intravenous (IV, 0.5 mg/kg) and oral (PO, 1.0 mg/kg) administration. A crossover design was used with 12 clinically healthy Saanen goats (six females and six males). [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the effect of gender on the pharmacokinetics of meloxicam in goats following intravenous (IV, 0.5 mg/kg) and oral (PO, 1.0 mg/kg) administration. A crossover design was used with 12 clinically healthy Saanen goats (six females and six males). Plasma samples were collected up to 96 h post-administration and analyzed with an HPLC for meloxicam concentrations. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated and statistically compared between genders and administration routes. The results show that male goats exhibited significantly longer terminal half-life (T1/2λz), a greater mean residence time (MRT0–∞), and higher systemic exposure (AUC0–∞) than females, particularly after oral administration. Oral bioavailability was calculated as 77.43% in females and 104.73% in males. These differences may be linked to gender-based variations in hepatic metabolism, enterohepatic recirculation, and the hormone-mediated modulation of cytochrome P450 activity. The findings are consistent with previous research demonstrating that gender can influence drug disposition through hormonal and enzymatic mechanisms. This study underscores the importance of considering gender as a biological variable in pharmacokinetic assessments of veterinary drugs, especially those used in food-producing animals, to optimize dosing strategies and ensure both therapeutic efficacy and food safety. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology)
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31 pages, 7290 KiB  
Article
Freight Rate Decisions in Shipping Logistics Service Supply Chains Considering Blockchain Adoption Risk Preferences
by Yujing Chen, Jiao Mo and Bin Yang
Mathematics 2025, 13(15), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13152339 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 230
Abstract
This paper explores the strategic implications of technological adoption within shipping logistics service supply chains, with a particular focus on blockchain technology (BCT). When integrating new technologies, supply chain stakeholders evaluate associated risks alongside complexity, profitability, and operational challenges, which influence their strategic [...] Read more.
This paper explores the strategic implications of technological adoption within shipping logistics service supply chains, with a particular focus on blockchain technology (BCT). When integrating new technologies, supply chain stakeholders evaluate associated risks alongside complexity, profitability, and operational challenges, which influence their strategic behaviors. Anchored in the concept of technology trust, this study examines how different risk preferences affect BCT adoption decisions and freight rate strategies. A game-theoretic model is constructed using a mean-variance utility framework to analyze interactions between shipping companies and freight forwarders under three adoption scenarios: no adoption (NN), partial adoption (BN), and full adoption (BB). The results indicate that risk-seeking agents are more likely to adopt BCT early but face greater freight rate volatility in the initial stages. As the technology matures, strategic variability declines and the influence of adaptability on pricing becomes less pronounced. In contrast, risk-neutral and risk-averse participants tend to adopt more conservatively, resulting in slower but more stable pricing dynamics. These findings offer new insights into how technology trust and risk attitudes shape strategic decisions in digitally transforming supply chains. The study also provides practical implications for differentiated pricing strategies, BCT adoption incentives, and collaborative policy design among logistics stakeholders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mathematical Optimization in Operational Research)
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15 pages, 336 KiB  
Article
Affective Governance Through Ritual Praxis: A Comparative Study of Confucian Sacrificial Systems and Western Social Cohesion Theories
by Chao Jia and Jingting Zhang
Religions 2025, 16(7), 940; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel16070940 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 327
Abstract
Sacrificial rituals provide a critical perspective for examining the fundamental characteristics and evolutionary trajectory of Chinese civilization. The Functionalist and Annales schools, through theoretical frameworks such as “natural necessity theory” and “social-centric theory”, have explored the origins of sacrificial practices and their role [...] Read more.
Sacrificial rituals provide a critical perspective for examining the fundamental characteristics and evolutionary trajectory of Chinese civilization. The Functionalist and Annales schools, through theoretical frameworks such as “natural necessity theory” and “social-centric theory”, have explored the origins of sacrificial practices and their role in social cohesion. When these schools investigate Chinese sacrificial rituals, they identify significant differences in the humanistic and ethical dimensions compared to in Western intellectual traditions, thereby revealing how these distinctions propelled China onto a unique civilizational path. The sacrificial system underwent a process of humanization and moralization during the Shang and Zhou dynasties, culminating in the recognition of benevolence–righteousness attributes within human nature, primarily characterized by affection and reverence. The interplay between intrinsic human dispositions and ritualized sacrificial practices established the foundational structure for the social order, spanning from familial units to political society in China. This synthesis ultimately shaped the distinctive philosophical characteristics of Chinese civilization, emphasizing the principles of benevolent love, reciprocal loyalty, and harmonious coexistence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Sociological Study of Religion)
15 pages, 942 KiB  
Article
The Role of Sustainable Education and Digital Competence in the Relationship Between Teachers’ TPACK Levels and Performance Self-Assessments
by Fatih Veyis and Fatih Mehmet Ciğerci
Sustainability 2025, 17(14), 6585; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17146585 - 18 Jul 2025
Viewed by 407
Abstract
Teachers’ 21st century technological pedagogical content knowledge affects their performance self-evaluations, and it is considered that their attitudes towards sustainable education disposition and their digital competencies may also have an impact on their performance self-evaluations and thus may significantly affect these relationships. In [...] Read more.
Teachers’ 21st century technological pedagogical content knowledge affects their performance self-evaluations, and it is considered that their attitudes towards sustainable education disposition and their digital competencies may also have an impact on their performance self-evaluations and thus may significantly affect these relationships. In this study, it was aimed to examine the effect of teachers’ 21st century technological pedagogical content knowledge on their performance self-evaluations, and the moderating role of digital competencies mediated by sustainable educational disposition in the model established for this purpose was examined. The research sample consisted of 478 teachers (305 female (63.8) and 173 (36.2) male teachers) working in various fields in schools in Türkiye. Within the scope of the research, data analyses were carried out in SPSS 21 and PROCESS Macro package programs using Model 4 and Model 58 developed by Hayes (2022). As a result of the analyses, it was seen that sustainable education tendencies had a mediating role in the relationship between teachers’ 21st-century technological pedagogical content knowledge and their performance self-evaluations. In addition to this, it was seen that 21st-century technological pedagogical content knowledge, sustainable educational dispositions and performance self-evaluations depend on the level of digital competencies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Sustainable Teaching and Learning Strategies in the Digital Age)
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27 pages, 986 KiB  
Article
Quality of Reflections on Teaching: Approaches to Its Measurement and Low-Threshold Promotion
by Katrin Arendt, Lisa Stark, Anja Friedrich, Roland Brünken and Robin Stark
Educ. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15070884 - 10 Jul 2025
Viewed by 283
Abstract
The present study introduces a multidimensional approach to describing the composition of reflections, addressing previous inconsistencies in operationalization. The multidimensional approach was empirically explored in comparison to unidimensional reflection quality measures and examined in relation to reflection-related dispositions. Given the challenges of promoting [...] Read more.
The present study introduces a multidimensional approach to describing the composition of reflections, addressing previous inconsistencies in operationalization. The multidimensional approach was empirically explored in comparison to unidimensional reflection quality measures and examined in relation to reflection-related dispositions. Given the challenges of promoting reflection in teachers’ daily practice, low-threshold interventions—repeated practice and structuring prompts—were investigated regarding their potential to foster reflective competence. Using an integrated model of reflection, five proposed dimensions—describing, evaluating, naming alternatives, justification, and self-reference—were identified and assessed alongside the quality measures reflection depth and breadth, and holistic grading. N = 29 teachers reflected verbally on two teaching videos, first openly and then with structuring prompts. The transcribed reflections underwent qualitative and evaluative content analysis to extract quantitative data. Compared to existing quality measures, the multidimensional approach provided deeper insights into the complexity of the reflections. The correlations between different approaches to reflection measurement and the reflection-related dispositions were only partially as expected. While repeated practice did not yield a training effect, structuring prompts improved reflection quality. Overall, the findings confirm the usefulness of the multidimensional approach as a valuable means to describe the composition of reflections and highlight its potential for quality measurement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Role of Reflection in Teaching and Learning)
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57 pages, 2043 KiB  
Article
From Transformative Agency to AI Literacy: Profiling Slovenian Technical High School Students Through the Five Big Ideas Lens
by Stanislav Avsec and Denis Rupnik
Systems 2025, 13(7), 562; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13070562 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 522
Abstract
The rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI) in education means that students need to master both AI literacy and personal agency. This study situates a sample of 425 Slovenian secondary technical students within a three-tier framework that maps psychological empowerment onto AI literacy [...] Read more.
The rapid spread of artificial intelligence (AI) in education means that students need to master both AI literacy and personal agency. This study situates a sample of 425 Slovenian secondary technical students within a three-tier framework that maps psychological empowerment onto AI literacy outcomes within a cultural–historical activity system. The agency competence assessments yielded four profiles of student agency, ranging from fully empowered to largely disempowered. The cluster membership explained significant additional variance in AI literacy scores, supporting the additive empowerment model in an AI-rich vocational education and training context. The predictive modeling revealed that while self-efficacy, mastery-oriented motivations, and metacognitive self-regulation contributed uniquely—though small—to improving AI literacy, an unexpectedly negative relationship was identified for internal locus of control and for behavioral self-regulation focused narrowly on routines, with no significant impact observed for grit-like perseverance. These findings underscore the importance of fostering reflective, mastery-based, and self-evaluative learning dispositions over inflexible or solely routine-driven strategies in the development of AI literacy. Addressing these nuanced determinants may also be vital in narrowing AI literacy gaps observed between diverse disciplinary cohorts, as supported by recent multi-dimensional literacy frameworks and disciplinary pathway analyses. Embedding autonomy-supportive, mastery-oriented, student-centered projects and explicit metacognitive training into AI curricula could shift control inward and benefit students with low skills, helping to forge an agency-driven pathway to higher levels of AI literacy among high school students. The most striking and unexpected finding of this study is that students with a strong sense of competence—manifested as high self-efficacy—can achieve foundational AI literacy levels equivalent to those possessing broader, more holistic agentic profiles, suggesting that competence alone may be sufficient for acquiring essential AI knowledge. This challenges prevailing models that emphasize a multidimensional approach to agency and has significant implications for designing targeted interventions and curricula to rapidly build AI literacy in diverse learner populations. Full article
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31 pages, 4678 KiB  
Article
Influence of a Brief Online Mindfulness Intervention on Metacognition, Cognition, and Emotional Outcomes Among University Students: A Randomized Longitudinal Trial
by Jordan S. H. Thomson and Stephen C. Van Hedger
Psychol. Int. 2025, 7(3), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/psycholint7030060 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 448
Abstract
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been previously linked with improved cognition and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Yet, traditional MBIs are lengthy and resource intensive. Brief and online MBIs represent a bridge into more extensive practice—but questions of whether these protocols improve cognition and [...] Read more.
Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have been previously linked with improved cognition and reduced stress, anxiety, and depression. Yet, traditional MBIs are lengthy and resource intensive. Brief and online MBIs represent a bridge into more extensive practice—but questions of whether these protocols improve cognition and affect remain. The present experiment used a randomized longitudinal design to assess the effects of a 31-day, 15 min daily mindfulness program compared to a podcast control on a battery of cognitive and self-report measures in a sample of university students. Results indicated that, over the course of the study, the MBI group found their intervention less challenging, more enjoyable, more relaxing, more engaging, and more useful compared to the podcast control group. MBI participants also increased in state and dispositional mindfulness and state metacognition following the intervention relative to the Podcast group. However, both groups scored comparably on all cognitive and affective post-intervention measures, with equivalence testing suggesting that the observed effect sizes in the present study were significantly smaller than in some previously reported effects. Taken together, the results suggest that while brief online MBIs can elicit near transfer to proximal domains (e.g., mindfulness, metacognition), more work is needed to make strong claims that these MBIs elicit far transfer to cognitive and affective domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cognitive Psychology)
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16 pages, 307 KiB  
Article
Psychometric Validation of the Romanian Version of the Adult Hope Scale (AHS)
by Adriana Camelia Neagu, Sorin Ursoniu, Ion Papava, Iuliana-Anamaria Trăilă, Lavinia Palaghian, Catalina Giurgi-Oncu and Ana-Cristina Bredicean
Behav. Sci. 2025, 15(7), 920; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs15070920 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 347
Abstract
The present study aimed to adapt and validate the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) for the Romanian population, addressing a gap in culturally appropriate instruments for measuring dispositional hope. Based on Snyder’s theoretical model, the AHS was translated, culturally adapted, and administered to 663 [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to adapt and validate the Adult Hope Scale (AHS) for the Romanian population, addressing a gap in culturally appropriate instruments for measuring dispositional hope. Based on Snyder’s theoretical model, the AHS was translated, culturally adapted, and administered to 663 Romanian adults. Psychometric evaluation included internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.84 for the eight positively worded items), test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.39 for the full scale), exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, and assessments of convergent and discriminant validity. The two-factor model of the scale (agency and pathways) was confirmed, with significant item loadings and a strong correlation between the two latent factors (r = 0.717). Convergent validity was supported by moderate correlations with the Brief Resilience Scale (r = 0.36–0.45), while discriminant validity was indicated by low correlations with the Trait Anxiety Inventory (r = 0.18–0.20). Demographic analyses revealed higher hope levels in women and engineers, with significant differences by gender (p = 0.00018), education (p = 0.031), and profession (p = 0.008). Despite moderate temporal stability and one weakly performing item, the Romanian AHS demonstrates strong psychometric properties, making it a valid and reliable tool for assessing hope in research and clinical settings. Full article
11 pages, 561 KiB  
Article
Impact of Race on Admission, Clinical Outcomes, and Disposition in Cholangiocarcinoma: Insights from the National Inpatient Database
by Tijin A. Mathew, Teresa M. Varghese, Nithya Krishnakumaran, George M. Varghese, Khwaja S. Haq, Akshita Khosla, Rojymon Jacob and Gina Vaccaro
Diseases 2025, 13(7), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/diseases13070211 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 308
Abstract
Background: Cholangiocarcinoma, malignancies arising from the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, has increased in incidence in the United States over the past few decades. The reported incidence of cholangiocarcinomas is high, particularly in specific racial groups such as Asian and Pacific Islander patients. [...] Read more.
Background: Cholangiocarcinoma, malignancies arising from the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile ducts, has increased in incidence in the United States over the past few decades. The reported incidence of cholangiocarcinomas is high, particularly in specific racial groups such as Asian and Pacific Islander patients. Race also significantly impacts disparities in healthcare utilization and clinical outcomes. Our study focused on the impact of race on admission, clinical outcomes, and disposition of cholangiocarcinoma. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of cholangiocarcinoma-related hospital admissions, using the National Inpatient Sample for the year 2022. Patients were stratified according to race into the following groups: White, African American, Hispanic, Asian or Pacific Islander, Native American, and Other. The data analysis was performed using STATA/BE version 18.5. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were applied to evaluate the relationship between race and clinical and healthcare utilization outcomes. Results: In 2022, 7479 hospitalizations were recorded for cholangiocarcinoma in the United States. Among these, 65.99% were White, 13.27% Hispanic, and 10.13% African American. There was a statistically significant difference in gender distribution across racial groups (p < 0.001), with males comprising the majority in all groups. Males outnumbered females in all racial groups except among the Hispanic group. Significant racial disparities in mortality were observed, with White patients showing a mortality rate of 6.69%, compared to higher rates among African American (9.76%), Native American (8.51%), and Asian or Pacific Islander (8.09%) patients, while Hispanic (5.04%) and Other (5.88%) groups had lower rates (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The study underscores the racial disparities among cholangiocarcinoma hospitalizations, with African American, Native American, and Asian patients facing disproportionately higher mortality and poorer in-hospital outcomes compared to White patients. This analysis highlights the healthcare strategies and policy reforms to promote equitable treatment by mitigating these disparities and to improve cholangiocarcinoma outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Oncology)
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