Coping Strategies and Perceived Support in Adolescents and Young Adults: Predictive Model of Self-Reported Cognitive and Mood Problems

The aims of this study were: to assess cognitive and mood problems, perceived social support and coping strategies in adolescence and early adulthood; to understand how coping strategies are related to age, gender and years of schooling; to identify possi- ble stable and modifiable predictors of cognitive and mood problems adopting LISREL software. The participants were 517 adolescents and young adults (age M = 18.95 years, SD = 3.2, range: 14 - 25); 59% were female and with a mean of 13.10 years of schooling (SD = 2.7). Participants were enrolled in secondary schools, association groups or university in Veneto, Italy. They completed a battery of self-report ques- tionnaires via a secure online site or in paper versions. The LISREL model was psy- chometrically solid and showed good fit (\u3c72 = 15.96, df = 12, p = 0.19, RMSEA = 0.025), explaining 26% of the variance and showing how the stable factor gender and some modifiable factors, namely certain coping strategies and friends\u2019 support, pre- dicted cognitive and mood problems

A Review of Demographic, Medical, and Treatment Variables Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in Survivors of Hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSCT) and Bone Marrow Transplantation (BMT) during Childhood.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a standard treatment after disease relapse and failure of conventional treatments for cancer in childhood or as a first line treatment for some high-risk cancers. Since hematopoietic stem cells can be found in the marrow (previously called a bone marrow transplantation) or periphery, we refer to HSCT as inclusive of HSCT regardless of the origin of the stem cells. HSCT is associated with adverse side effects, prolonged hospitalization, and isolation. Previous studies have shown that survivors of HSCT are at particularly high risk for developing late effects and medical complications, and thus, in addition to survival, quality of life in survivors of HSCT is an important outcome. This review summarizes and distills findings on the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of long-term childhood cancer survivors of HSCT and examines significant sociodemographic, medical, disease and treatment correlates of HRQOL, as well as the methodology of the studies (instruments, type of studies, timing of assessment, type of transplantation). Because previous reviews covered the studies published before 2006, this review searched three databases published between January, 2006, and August, 2016. The search identified nine studies, including 2 prospective cohort studies and 7 cross-sectional studies. All studies reported a follow-up time of >5 years. The review found that HRQOL is significantly impacted over time following childhood HSCT, with salient correlates of HRQOL found to be presence of a severe chronic health or major medical condition, graft vs. host disease (GVHD), or pain. Continual evaluation of HRQOL must be integrated into long-term follow-up after childhood HSCT, and intervention should be offered for those survivors with poor HRQOL. Longitudinal studies should be emphasized in future research to allow for predictor models of resilience and poor HRQOL

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in 223 childhood cancer survivors: incidence, severity and predictive risk factors

With modern therapies and supportive care, survival rates of childhood cancer have increased considerably. However, there are long-term psychological sequelae of these treatments that may not manifest until pediatric survivors are into adulthood. The prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder in young adult survivors of childhood cancer ranges from 6.2 to 22%; associated risk factors are young age at the assessment, female gender, low education level, and some disease-related factors. The aim of this study was to investigate, in adolescent and young adult (AYA) survivors of childhood cancer, the incidence and severity of post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), and to identify the risk factors and the associated post-traumatic growth (PTG) index. Participants were 223 AYA cancer survivors recruited during follow-up visits in the Oncohematology Clinic of the Department of Child and Woman\u2019s Health, University of Padua. Data were collected from self-report questionnaires on PTSS incidence, PTG mean score, perceived social support, and medical and socio-demographic factors. Ex-patients\u2019 mean age at the assessment was 19.33 years (SD = 3.01, 15\u201325), 123 males and 100 females, with a mean of years off-therapy of 9.64 (SD = 4.17). Most (52.5%) had survived an hematological disorder and 47.5% a solid tumor when they were aged, on average, 8.02 years (SD = 4.40). The main results indicated a moderate presence of clinical ( 659 symptoms: 9.4%) and sub-clinical PTSS (6\u20138 symptoms: 11.2%), with the avoidance criterion most often encountered. Re-experience symptoms and PTG mean score were significantly associated (r = 0.24; p = 0.0001). A hierarchical regression model (R2 = 0.08; F = 1.46; p = 0.05) identified female gender (\u3b2 = 0.16; p = 0.05) and less perceived social support (\u3b2 = -0.43; p = 0.05) as risk factors to developing PTSS. Another hierarchical regression model assessed the possible predictors of the PTG total score (R2 = 0.36; F = 9.1; p = 0.0001), with female gender (\u3b2 = 0.13; p = 0.04), actual age (\u3b2 = 0.52; p = 0.0001), younger age at the diagnosis (\u3b2 = -0.3; p = 0.02), and less years off-therapy (\u3b2 = -0.58; p = 0.0001) impacting on PTG

The Land and Maritime Delimitation of the Court of The Hague in the Affairs of Costa Rica v. Nicaragua, in Light of Their Proposals (February 2, 2018)

Costa Rica and Nicaragua, that rarely reach direct agreements, had not delimited the maritime areas in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, nor the land boundary in the northern part of Isla Portillos.  Thus, Costa Rica first initiated an action in the International Court of Justice in 2014 regarding the maritime issue, and later, in 2017, requested the definition of the land boundary of that area in Isla Portillos and that it be noted that Nicaragua had set up a new military camp on its beach.This text – in view of the parties’ proposals - will analyze the recent judgment of the Court in the joined procedures, studying the proceedings followed, the relevant geography and history, the theses of the Parties and the reasoning of the Court.LA RECIENTE DELIMITACIÓN TERRESTRE Y MARÍTIMA DE LA CORTE DE LA HAYA (2 DE FEBRERO DE 2018) EN LOS ASUNTOS DE COSTA RICA CONTRA NICARAGUA A LA LUZ DE SUS PLANTEAMIENTOS Costa Rica y Nicaragua, que difícilmente llegan a arreglos directos, no habían delimitado los espacios marítimos en el mar Caribe y en el océano Pacífico, como tampoco el límite de tierra en la parte norte de Isla Portillos. Así, Costa Rica inició primero un procedimiento ante la Corte Internacional de Justicia en 2014 por el asunto marítimo, y más tarde, en 2017, solicitó la definición del límite terrestre de esa área de Isla Portillos y que se constate que Nicaragua había establecido un nuevo campamento militar en su playa. Este escrito –a la luz de los planteamientos de las Partes– analizará la reciente sentencia de la Corte que resolvió unidos los dos procedimientos, estudiando el trámite seguido, la geografía e historia relevantes, las tesis de las Partes y el razonamiento de la Corte.L’ARRÊT DE LA COUR INTERNATIONALE DE JUSTICE DANS LES AFFAIRES DE DÉLIMITATION MARITIME ET TERRESTRE (COSTA RICA C. NICARAGUA), À LA LUMIÈRE DE LEURS PROPOSITIONS RESPECTIVES (2 FÉVRIER 2018) Le Costa Rica et le Nicaragua, qui difficilement arrivent à des accords directs, n’ont pas délimité les espaces maritimes de la mer des Caraïbes et de l’océan Pacifique, ni la frontière terrestre dans la partie nord d’Isla Portillos. Ainsi, le Costa Rica a d’abord engagé une procédure en matière maritime devant la Cour internationale de justice en 2014, puis en 2017, a demandé la définition de la frontière terrestre de cette zone d’Isla Portillos et qu’il soit établi que le Nicaragua avait établi un nouveau Camp militaire sur sa plage

Psychological well-being in parents of pediatric patients with TD1. Role of Family Conflict and Parental Fear of Children\u2019s Self-injecting on Their Glycaemic Control and Psychological Well-being

Aims: This study aims to assess psychological well-being and life perceptions in parents of paediatric patients with T1D and to identify how the parents\u2019 fear of children\u2019s self-injecting and conflicts could influence the paediatric patients\u2019 glycaemic control and well-being. Study Design: One-time point cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: The participants were recruited from patients attending the paediatric Department of the Hospital of Bolzano (Italy) in 2011\u20132012. Methodology: Paediatric patients (n=59) with a mean age of 13.19 years (SD=3.26, range 8-18) and their parents were contacted during the check-ups and self- and proxy-reported questionnaires were administered. Parents were principally represented by mothers (n=48), married (79.7%) and with a medium perceived economic situation (54.2%). Results: Glycaemic control was severely inadequate, especially if paediatric patients were older at the time of assessment and younger at diagnosis and if parents declared more conflicts with them. Parental fear about their child\u2019s self-injection of insulin was identified as a key element impacting externalising/internalising symptoms and on worries about the illness. Conclusion: By examining family conflicts and parenting practices, it will be possible to set up specific psycho-social interventions to increase adolescents\u2019 treatment adherence and to mitigate the family conflicts and fears that may arise in the context of the daily management of the illness

A Comparison Between Shale Gas in China and Unconventional Fuel Development in the United States: Water, Environmental Protection, and Sustainable Development

China is believed to have the world\u27s largest exploitable reserves of shale gas, although several legal, regulatory, environmental, and investment-related issues will likely restrain its exploitation. China\u27s capacity to face these hurdles successfully and produce commercial shale gas will have a crucial impact on the regional gas market and on China’s energy mix, as Beijing strives to decrease reliance on imported oil and coal, and, at the same time, tries to meet growing energy demand and maintain a certain level of resource autonomy. The development of the unconventional natural gas extractive industry will also provide China with further negotiating power to obtain more advantageously priced gas. This article, which adopts a comparative perspective, underlines the trends taken from unconventional fuel development in the United States, emphasizing their potential application to China in light of recently signed production-sharing agreements between qualified foreign investors and China. The wide range of regulatory and enforcement problems in this matter are increased by an extremely limited liberalization of gas prices, lack of technological development, and barriers to market access curbing access to resource extraction for private investors. This article analyzes the legal tools that can play a role in shale gas development while assessing the new legal and fiscal policies that should be crafted or reinforced. It also examines the institutional settings’ fragmentation and conflicts, highlighting how processes and outcomes are indeed path dependent. Moreover, the possibilities of cooperation and coordination (including through U.S.-China common initiatives), and the role of transparency and disclosure of environmental data are assessed. These issues are exacerbated by concerns related to the risk of water pollution deriving from mismanaged drilling and fracturing, absence of adequate predictive evaluation regulatory instruments and industry standards: this entails consequences for social stability and environmental degradation which are inconsistent with the purposes of sustainable development

Conflict Between Intellectual Property Rights and Human Rights: A Case Study on Intangible Cultural Heritage

54 pagesThe ability to protect and safeguard cultural heritage is of vital importance to some communities. Without the ability to maintain control over these expressions, external subjects could freely appropriate them, which could negatively affect the community’s identity, spirituality, and general well-being. Increasing awareness regarding cultural heritage provides momentum to better define a legal framework for the protection of the intangible goods that constitute cultural heritage. It is fundamental to ascertain whether the current intellectual property right (IPR) regime represents an adequate model of protection vis-à-vis intangible cultural heritage (ICH). The culture’s unique concerns, which variably affect ICH, make it difficult to compare the rationales for these two legal domains. These concerns are pivotal in elaborating the need for legal protection

Motor skill delays in pre-school children with leukemia one year after treatment: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation therapy as an important risk factor

CNS-directed therapies for the treatment of leukemia can adversely affect the acquisition of new skills, such as reading/writing and math. Two years after the end of treatments, children show gross and fine motor skill delays that may persist even when patients are considered healed. The goal of the present study was to assess motor skills difficulties in pre-school children with leukemia one year after treatment. Particular attention has been paid to those patients who had undergone Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT) and to the relationship between motor delays and age bands. Participants were 60 children (median age of 5; inter quartile range: 3.07-5.76), including 31 females and 29 males, 91.7% of them were affected by acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and 8.3% by acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Five children had undergone HCST. Parents were interviewed by Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales (VABS) on children\u2019s motor skills and filled in the Italian Temperament Questionnaire (QUIT). VABS\u2019s total scores were converted into equivalent mental age scores (EMA). A score difference of at least three months between current age and equivalent mental age was considered a developmental delay. Non-parametric analyses were run to understand if HSCT treatment and a specific age band influence children\u2019s motor skills. Significant delays were found in global motor skills (56.7%) as well as in fine and gross motor domains. Mann Whitney U tests showed that children with HSCT were reported to have lower gross motor mean ranks (U = 62; p=0.004; Mean rank =15.40) than peers without HSCT (Mean rank = 31.87) and lower mean rank values on motor temperament scale (U = 9; p = 0.003; HSCT Mean rank = 4.75 versus no HSCT Mean rank = 27.81). Kruskal Wallis\u2019 tests identified the high risk treatment showing that HSCT experience negatively impacted the motor skills and temperamental motor activity of pre-school children one year after the diagnosis of leukemia

Obstacle Avoidance Cell Discovery using mm-waves Directive Antennas in 5G Networks

With the advent of next-generation mobile devices, wireless networks must be upgraded to fill the gap between huge user data demands and scarce channel capacity. Mm-waves tech- nologies appear as the key-enabler for the future 5G networks design, exhibiting large bandwidth availability and high data rate. As counterpart, the small wave-length incurs in a harsh signal propagation that limits the transmission range. To overcome this limitation, array of antennas with a relatively high number of small elements are used to exploit beamforming techniques that greatly increase antenna directionality both at base station and user terminal. These very narrow beams are used during data transfer and tracking techniques dynamically adapt the direction according to terminal mobility. During cell discovery when initial synchronization must be acquired, however, directionality can delay the process since the best direction to point the beam is unknown. All space must be scanned using the tradeoff between beam width and transmission range. Some support to speed up the cell search process can come from the new architectures for 5G currently being investigated, where conventional wireless network and mm-waves technologies coexist. In these architecture a functional split between C-plane and U-plane allows to guarantee the continuous availability of a signaling channel through conventional wireless technologies with the opportunity to convey context information from users to network. In this paper, we investigate the use of position information provided by user terminals in order to improve the performance of the cell search process. We analyze mm-wave propagation environment and show how it is possible to take into account of position inaccuracy and reflected rays in presence of obstacle