Search Results (69)

Background: Parents of children with type 1 diabetes play a key role in managing their child’s self-management, which can be stressful and burdensome. High involvement can lead to reactions such as emotional, cognitive, and physical exhaustion in parents. Understanding parents’ psychosocial impact due to their child’s disease is crucial for the family’s overall well-being. The purpose of this study was to describe stress and burden experienced by parents in families with children living with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This study utilized a qualitative approach, analyzing interviews with 16 parents of children aged 10 to 17 years living with T1D through qualitative content analysis. The data collection occurred between January and February 2025. Results: Managing a child’s Type 1 diabetes can be tough on family relationships, affecting how partners interact, intimacy, and sibling relationships. The constant stress and worry might leave parents feeling exhausted, unable to sleep, and struggling to think clearly, on top of the pain of losing a normal everyday life. The delicate balance between allowing a child with type 1 diabetes to be independent and maintaining control over their self-management renders these challenges even more demanding for the parents. Conclusions: Parents’ experiences highlight the need for robust support systems, including dependable school environments, trustworthy technical devices, reliable family and friends, and accessible healthcare guidance. These elements are essential not only for the child’s health and well-being but also for alleviating the emotional and practical burdens parents face. Full article

This study explored the experiences of Hungarian minority parents of children with severe disabilities from Romania. Examining individual life paths and becoming a parent is difficult in all aspects, but the issue of parental responsibility for raising a child with a severe disability suggests a much more complex approach. Participants were parents (female = 8; male = 3) who were purposively sampled from an urban setting (Bihor area) and whose children attended SEN schools in the same area. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and were thematically analysed. It turned out from the interviews that the challenges parents of children with severe disabilities encounter at home, school, and in society are accumulated emotional stress and exhaustion; however, they also face material challenges. The analysis also revealed that the parents were unsure of what was expected of them in making educational or habilitation–rehabilitation decisions on behalf of their children. The parents’ difficulty with decision-making and their unpreparedness put them under serious stress, often characterized by depressive life stages. The findings reveal the need for ongoing professional development and the establishment of organizational–community networks. Parents of children with disabilities face serious, unresolved challenges that are difficult to overcome. In order to overcome these challenges, we need to develop policies that take the needs of parents into consideration. Full article

Background: Parental burnout is one of today’s significant challenges, increasingly manifesting as a problem in our fast-paced world. The aim of this review is to create an exploratory, descriptive summary of parental burnout through the analysis of available international publications, providing a clearer and more accurate understanding of the psychological condition, severity, manifestations, and treatment options. Methods: Our narrative literature review includes publications from 2010 onwards, focusing on those that directly address the topic of parental burnout syndrome and contain epidemiological data, risk factors, symptoms, diagnostic possibilities, and treatment strategies. We excluded publications that examined the condition within narrow societal groups, such as parents caring for children with somatic mental disorders. Results: Based on our review, it appears that parental burnout may potentially affect both women and men. Factors such as low emotional intelligence, workplace stress, and lack of supportive family background render parents vulnerable to this condition. Significant differences in the prevalence of parental burnout can be measured between countries, due to cultural differences. Parental burnout has extremely detrimental effects on family dynamics and the emotional development of children, and it can negatively impact the willingness to have more children at the family level, which has dire consequences considering the low birth rates characteristic of European countries. Full article

Parental school involvement (PSI) is a multidimensional construct that significantly influences children’s academic adjustment and overall development. However, inconsistencies persist in its definition and measurement, with researchers operationalizing PSI through a varied of parental activities. This study aimed to (1) identify PSI instruments and their theoretical models and (2) evaluate their psychometric properties. Following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID CRD42023451091, registered August 2023), this systematic review examined six databases (Web of Science, ERIC, MEDLINE, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, PsycArticles, and PsycInfo), analyzing quantitative studies from 2000 to 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed instruments designed for parents, teachers, or children aged 6–15 and published in peer-reviewed journals in English, Portuguese, Spanish, or French. From an initial pool of 490 records, 38 studies were included, yielding 43 instruments: 23 for parents, 15 for children, and 5 for teachers. Seven instruments followed Epstein’s model, while nine followed the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler framework, underscoring the prominence of these theoretical approaches. The study quality, assessed with MMAT, was generally moderate to high. Despite an exhaustive search effort, it is possible that some relevant instruments were not identified. Nevertheless, this review advances the understanding of PSI operationalization, promotes more consistent and replicable assessments, enhances alignment between instruments and study objectives, and strengths the validity of findings derived from these tools. Full article

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and their substituted derivatives (SPAHs) are persistent organic pollutants derived from incomplete combustion of fossil fuels and industrial processes. These compounds are of global concern due to their carcinogenicity and environmental persistence. This study provides the first comprehensive analysis of PAH and SPAH contamination in Suzhou’s rapidly urbanizing watersheds, integrating ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography and high-resolution mass spectrometry with multidimensional risk assessment to address critical gaps in understanding pollutant dynamics in urban aquatic systems. Key findings reveal that SPAHs were significantly more abundant than parent PAHs (mean ∑19 SPAHs = 107.43 ng/L vs. ∑8 PAHs = 48.05 ng/L), with hydroxylated derivatives accounting for 67.9% of the total SPAHs, indicating active environmental transformation processes. Source apportionment identified coal combustion and industrial emissions as the dominant contributors (58.2% of PAHs), directly linking contamination patterns to localized anthropogenic activities. Notably, industrial zones exhibited unexpected toxicity hotspots, where SPAH toxicity equivalents (e.g., 3-OH-BaP) surpassed parent PAHs 2–5-fold, demonstrating substituent-driven toxicity enhancement—a critical finding for regulatory prioritization. This study advances the field by uncovering SPAHs as emerging risks in urban waterways, challenging traditional PAH-centric monitoring frameworks, and providing a novel integration of analytical chemistry and spatial risk mapping to guide targeted pollution control (e.g., prioritizing industrial discharges and non-exhaust traffic emissions). Furthermore, it highlights the urgent need for updated toxicological databases to account for substituted PAH derivatives and advocates for the regulatory inclusion of SPAHs. These insights underscore the necessity of adapting environmental policies to address complex pollutant mixtures in rapidly developing regions, emphasizing the replicability of the proposed framework for urban watershed management. Full article

Three-Dimensional High-Efficiency Video Coding (3D-HEVC) efficiently compresses 3D video by incorporating depth map encoding techniques. However, the quadtree partitioning of depth map coding units (CUs) greatly increases computational complexity, contributing to over 90% of the total encoding time. To overcome the limitations of existing methods in complex edge modeling and partitioning efficiency, this paper presents Swin-Hier Net, a hierarchical CU partitioning prediction model based on the Swin Transformer. First, a multi-branch feature fusion architecture is designed: the Swin Transformer’s shifted window attention mechanism extracts global contextual features, lightweight CNNs capture local texture details, and traditional edge/variance features enhance multi-scale representation. Second, a recursive hierarchical decision mechanism dynamically activates sub-CU prediction branches based on the partitioning probability of parent nodes, ensuring strict compliance with the HEVC standard quadtree syntax. Additionally, a hybrid pooling strategy and dilated convolutions improve edge feature retention. Experiments on 3D-HEVC standard test sequences show that, compared to exhaustive traversal methods, the proposed algorithm reduces encoding time by 72.7% on average, lowers the BD-Rate by 1.16%, improves CU partitioning accuracy to 94.5%, and maintains a synthesized view PSNR of 38.68 dB (baseline: 38.72 dB). The model seamlessly integrates into the HTM encoder, offering an efficient solution for real-time 3D video applications. Full article

Teacher burnout, a combination of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment has been increasing, notably during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our 2022 study revealed significant burnout levels, identifying that teachers’ pandemic experiences had adverse “Consequences” that left them feeling “Overburdened”, and “Abandoned”. Although COVID-19 has receded, recent findings indicate that Irish teachers continue to face heightened demands without adequate support. This follow-up comparative study aims to deepen understanding of post-pandemic teacher burnout by using the same questions from the 2022 study to understand and analyse these evolving stressors. A qualitative, comparative approach was employed. Participants (n = 337) were recruited from various school types across Ireland. A Study Specific Questionnaire (SSQ) with open-ended questions allowed for thematic analysis, comparing responses with 2022 themes to explore continuity and changes in burnout experiences. Thematic analysis revealed four major themes: (1) Administrative Overload—increasing paperwork and curriculum changes; (2) Unrealistic Expectations—pressures from parents, society, and authorities; (3) Lack of Community Support and Empathy—teachers reported a sense of isolation and a need for mutual support; and (4) Inadequate Mental Health and Professional Support—insufficient mental health resources for both educators and students. The study underscores the urgent need for systemic changes to address teacher burnout in Ireland. Recommendations include reducing administrative load, clarifying professional boundaries, fostering empathy within the school community, and expanding mental health services. Addressing these factors is essential for sustaining a resilient educational system in the post-pandemic context. Full article

Background/Objectives: The widespread phenomenon of “brain rot”, named the Oxford Word of the Year 2024, refers to the cognitive decline and mental exhaustion experienced by individuals, particularly adolescents and young adults, due to excessive exposure to low-quality online materials, especially on social media. The present study is exploratory and interpretative in nature, aiming to investigate the phenomenon of “brain rot”, with a focus on its key pillars, psychological factors, digital behaviors, and the cognitive impact resulting from the overconsumption of low-quality digital content. Methods: This study employs a rapid review approach, examining research published between 2023 and 2024 across PubMed, Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. It explores the causes and effects of brain rot, focusing on the overuse of social media, video games, and other digital platforms. Results: The findings reveal that brain rot leads to emotional desensitization, cognitive overload, and a negative self-concept. It is associated with negative behaviors, such as doomscrolling, zombie scrolling, and social media addiction, all linked to psychological distress, anxiety, and depression. These factors impair executive functioning skills, including memory, planning, and decision-making. The pervasive nature of digital media, driven by dopamine-driven feedback loops, exacerbates these effects. Conclusions: The study concludes by offering strategies to prevent brain rot, such as controlling screen time, curating digital content, and engaging in non-digital activities. Given the increasing prevalence of digital engagement, it is essential to explore a variety of strategies, including mindful technology use, to support cognitive health and emotional well-being. The results can guide various stakeholders—policymakers, practitioners, researchers, educators, and parents or caregivers—in addressing the pervasive impact of brain rot and promoting a balanced approach to technology use that fosters cognitive resilience among adolescents and young adults. Full article

Background/Objectives: Burnout is a critical concern among healthcare professionals, particularly during crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated burnout levels among forensic medicine and pathology personnel at three distinct phases: the early pandemic period (Phase 1—September 2020), the peak of the pandemic (Phase 2—October 2021), and the post-pandemic period (Phase 3—October 2024). Methods: A total of 37 participants employed in forensic medicine and pathology departments completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was conducted to assess within-subject differences over time. Normality and sphericity were tested using the Shapiro–Wilk test and Mauchly’s test, with the Greenhouse-Geisser correction. Post hoc Bonferroni-adjusted comparisons identified significant differences, and partial eta squared (η²) was reported for effect sizes. Results: Results showed significant fluctuations in burnout levels across the three phases. Emotional exhaustion and low personal accomplishment peaked during Phase 2, with slight reductions observed in Phase 3. Gender differences were evident, with females reporting higher EE levels and males exhibiting higher depersonalization across all phases. Marital and parental status also influenced burnout levels, with unmarried individuals and those without children showing higher burnout scores. Medical doctors experienced the highest burnout levels among professional roles, while auxiliary staff showed significant challenges in the PA subscale. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic was pivotal in exacerbating burnout levels due to increased workload, crisis decision-making, and emotional toll. Although the sample size is limited, these findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted interventions to mitigate burnout among forensic and pathology personnel, especially during healthcare emergencies. Gender-based differences in burnout suggest the necessity of specific workplace well-being strategies, while the protective role of family status demonstrates the importance of work-life balance policies. The persistence of psychological distress after a medical crisis calls for long-term monitoring and support programs. There is a need for improved workload distribution, peer support networks, and mental health training to build resilience among forensic and pathology personnel. Full article

Ionic liquids have been utilized in numerous significant applications within the field of chemistry, particularly in organic chemistry, due to their unique physical and chemical properties. In the realm of asymmetric transition-metal-catalyzed transformations, chiral ionic-liquid-supported ligands and their corresponding transition-metal complexes have facilitated these processes in unconventional solvents, especially ionic liquids and water. These innovative reaction systems enable the recycling of transition-metal catalysts while producing optically active organic molecules with comparable or even higher levels of chemo-, regio-, and stereoselectivity compared to their parent catalysts. In this short review, we aim to provide an overview of the structures of chiral ionic-liquid-supported ligands and the synthetic pathways for these ligands and catalysts. Various synthetic methodologies are demonstrated based on the conceptual frameworks of diverse chiral ionic-liquid-supported ligands. We systematically present the structures and comprehensive synthetic pathways of the chiral ionic-liquid-supported ligands and the typical corresponding transition-metal complexes that have been readily applied to asymmetric processes, categorized by their parent ligand framework. Notably, the crucial experimental procedures are delineated in exhaustive detail, with the objective of enhancing comprehension of the pivotal aspects involved in constructing chiral ionic-liquid-tagged ligands and compounds for both scholars and readers. Considering the current limitations of such ligands and catalysts, we conclude with remarks on several potential research directions for future breakthroughs in the synthesis and application of these intriguing ligands. Full article

Background and Objectives: Forceps delivery is a crucial obstetrical technique that has become increasingly underutilized in favor of cesarean delivery, despite the numerous complications related to cesarean sections. The major concerns with regard to assisted vaginal birth (AVB) are safety and long-term consequences. We aimed to investigate a neurological outcome of neonates and children at the age of 7 who were born via forceps delivery. This would greatly improve informed decision making for both mothers and obstetricians. Materials and Methods: A single-arm cohort study was conducted from January 2012 to December 2016 among 49 women and their children born via forceps delivery at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center of Serbia. The Sarnat and Sarnat classification was used to evaluate the neurological status of neonates, and logistic regression analysis was employed to explore the association with perinatal factors. Long-term neurological outcomes were assessed using the Griffiths Mental Development Scale and a questionnaire for parents based on the Motor and Social Development (MSD) scale, which was derived from the Bayley-III Scale. Results: The main indication for forceps delivery was maternal exhaustion (79.6%), followed by fetal distress (20.4%). A pathological neurological status was observed in 16.3% of newborns, with pathological ultrasound of the CNS in 3%. A statistically significant association was observed with the Apgar score, with an odds ratio of 0.575 (95% CI: 0.407–0.813, p = 0.002) and perinatal asphyxia, with an odds ratio of 9.882 (95% CI: 1.111–87.902, p = 0.04). However, these associations were unlikely to be related to the mode of delivery. Long-term adverse neurological outcomes were seen in three cases, which accounts for 6.4%. These included mild disorders such as delayed milestone, speech delay, and motor clumsiness. Conclusions: The present study highlights the safety of forceps delivery regarding children’s neurological outcomes at 7 years of age. This is an important contribution to the modern management of labor, especially in light of increasing rates of cesarean deliveries worldwide. Full article

To understand the influences of emulsified fuel on ship exhaust emissions more comprehensively, the emissions of particulate matter (PM), nitrated, oxygenated and parent polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were studied on a ship main engine burning emulsified heavy fuel oil (EHFO) and heavy fuel oil (HFO) as a reference. The results demonstrate that EHFO (emulsified heavy fuel oil) exhibits notable abilities to significantly reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and low molecular weight PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in the gas phase, particularly showcasing maximum reductions of 13.99% and 40.5%, respectively. Nevertheless, burning EHFO could increase the emission of high molecular weight PAHs in fine particles and pose a consequent higher carcinogenic risk for individual particles. The total average (gaseous plus particulate) ΣBEQ of EHFO exhausts (41.5 μg/m³) was generally higher than that of HFO exhausts (18.7 μg/m³). Additionally, the combustion of EHFO (extra-heavy fuel oil) can significantly alter the emission quantity, composition, and particle-size distribution of PAH derivatives. These changes may be linked to molecular structures, such as zigzag configurations in C=O bonds. Our findings may favor the comprehensive environmental assessments on the onboard application of EHFO. Full article

1,3-Alternate calix[4]arenes were prepared, having bulky adamantyl groups in the p-positions of all four aromatic units of the macrocycles and pairs of propargyl or 2-azidoethyl groups alternating with n-propyl groups at the phenol oxygen atoms. The step-wise syntheses were carried out through a selective distal alkylation of the parent p-adamantylcalix[4]arene with propargyl bromide or 1,2-dibromoethane, resulting in calix[4]arenes bearing pairs of propargyl or 2-bromoethyl groups at their narrow rims. The bromine atoms were replaced by azide groups, and then both calix[4]arene diethers were exhaustively alkylated at the remaining OH-groups with 1-iodopropane under stereoselective conditions to fix the macrocycles in an 1,3-alternate shape. The structures of the prepared p-adamantylcalix[4]arenes were confirmed by NMR and HRMS data, and, for the 1,3-alternate dipropargyl ether, the X-ray diffraction data were also collected. Preliminary data on the reactivity of the prepared calixarenes under the CuAAC conditions suggested a strong steric hampering created by the adamantane units nearby the reacting alkyne or azide groups that affected the outcome of the two-fold cycloaddition involving the calixarene bis(azides) or bis(alkynes) as complementary partners. Full article

Background and Objectives: Assess the quality of life of children aged 2–10 with mild to moderate bronchial asthma. To evaluate the general health condition of children with mild and moderate severity bronchial asthma. To determine health changes in children with mild- and moderate-severity bronchial asthma as they grow older. To evaluate the impact of mild- and moderate-severity bronchial asthma on children’s daily and social activities, physical health, emotional state, and general well-being. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted in March–June 2020. Parents or guardians of 2–10-year-old children without bronchial asthma and children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma were interviewed after receiving their written informed consent. The questionnaire was based on the standardized quality-of-life quiz SF-36. A total of 248 questionnaires were collected—106 from the parents or guardians of children with bronchial asthma and 142 from parents/guardians of children without bronchial asthma. For further analysis, 106 children without bronchial asthma and with no chronic conditions were selected. Quantitative variables were compared using the Mann–Whitney U test and qualitative data using the chi-square (χ²) criteria. Quantitative data were described by giving means, medians, and standard deviations (SD); qualitative features by giving relative frequencies. Statistical data were analyzed using SPSS and Excel 2020. Results: Children with mild and moderate asthma exhibit poorer health compared to their healthy counterparts. Only 20.7% of respondents with asthma reported excellent or very good health, contrasting with 64.1% of healthy children (p < 0.001). As children with asthma age, their general condition improves, with 46.2% showing improvement in the past year, while 42.5% of healthy children had a stable condition (p < 0.05). In various activities, children with asthma face more constraints than healthy children (p < 0.05), including energetic activities (sick—59.5%; healthy—10.3%), moderate activities (sick—24.5%; healthy—4.7%), climbing stairs (sick—22.7%; healthy—3.8%), and walking over 100 m (sick—9.4%; healthy—0%). Children with asthma are more likely to experience exhaustion, anxiety, tiredness, lack of energy, and restraint in public activities (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Parents/caregivers of children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma rate their health worse than those of healthy children do. As children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma grow, the disease impact on their overall well-being decreases. Children with mild to moderate bronchial asthma, compared to healthy children, experience more limitations in vigorous or moderate activities; face more difficulties climbing stairs or walking more than 100 m; frequently feel exhaustion, anxiety, fatigue, or lack of energy; and encounter restrictions in social activities. Full article

Spatial interpolation is a crucial aspect of soil toxic element pollution research, serving as a vital foundation for pollution assessment, treatment, and sustainability efforts. The selection and adjustment of interpolation methods directly influences the accuracy of spatial distribution maps and data results, thereby indirectly impacting related research. This paper conducts a comparative study of different interpolation methods and analyses the sources of soil toxic elements in the study area of Cangxi County, aiming to provide a scientific foundation for future soil management, remediation, and enhanced local sustainability. The spatial correlation of As, Cd, Hg, Mn, Pb, and Mo in 228 surface soil samples in the study area of Cangxi County is analyzed. The interpolation results, spatial distribution of OK (ordinary Kriging), IDW (inverse distance weighting), RBF (radial basis function) and the changes of pollution area after interpolation are compared. The smoothing effect is assessed based on the comparison results, interpolation accuracy, and impact on pollution assessment of OK, IDW, and RBF. The interpolation method most suitable for each metal in the study area is selected. It can be concluded that the optimal interpolation method for As, Hg, and Mn is IDW; for Cd and Mo, it is RBF; and for Pb, it is OK. After the correlation analysis of toxic elements in the soil of the study area, the PMF (positive matrix factorization) model and hotspot analysis is applied to analyzing the source of toxic elements. The analysis indicates that the predominant sources of pollution are anthropogenic, categorized into industrial activities (30.8%), atmospheric deposition caused by coal combustion and traffic exhaust (21.5%) and agricultural activities (19.5%). Natural sources, such as soil parent material, contribute to 28.2% of the pollution on average. Full article