The relationship between Self-Esteem and sexual Self-Concept in people with Physical-Motor disabilities

Background: Self-esteem is the value that the individuals give themselves, and sexual self-concept is also a part of individuality or sexualself. Impairment or disability exists not only in the physical body of disabled people but also in their attitudes. Negative attitudes affect the mental health of disabled people, causing them to have lower self-esteem. Objectives: This study aimed to examine the relationship between self-esteem and sexual self-concept in people with physical-motor disabilities. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 200 random samples with physical-motor disabilities covered by Isfahan Welfare Organization in 2013. Data collection instruments were the Persian Eysenck self-esteem questionnaire, and five domains (sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem, sexual fear and sexual depression) of the Persian multidimensional sexual selfconcept questionnaire. Because of incomplete filling of the questionnaires, the data of 183 people were analyzed by the SPSS 16.0 software. Data were analyzed using the t-test, Man-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and Spearman correlation coefficient. Results: The mean age was 36.88 ± 8.94 years for women and 37.80 ± 10.13 for men. The mean scores of self-esteem among women and men were 15.80 ± 3.08 and 16.2 ± 2.90, respectively and there was no statistically significance difference. Comparison of the mean scores of sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem, sexual fear and sexual depression among men and women showed that women scored higher than men in all domains. This difference was statistically significant in other domains except the sexual self-esteem (14.92 ± 3.61 vs. 13.56 ± 4.52) (P < 0.05). The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that except for sexual anxiety and sexual self-esteem, there was a statistical difference between other domains of people’s sexual self-concept and degree of disability (P < 0.05). Moreover, Spearman coefficient showed that there was only a correlation between men’s sexual anxiety, sexual self-esteem and sexual self-efficacy with their self-esteem. This correlation was positive in sexual anxiety and negative in two other domains. Conclusions: Lack of difference in self-esteem of disabled people in different degrees of disability and in both men and women suggests that disabled people should not be presumed to have low self-esteem, and their different aspects of life should be attended to, just like others. Furthermore, studies should be designed and implemented based on psychological, social and environmental factors that can help disabled people to promote their positive sexual self-concept through marriage, and reduce their negative self-concept. © 2015 Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal

Self-esteem, general and sexual self-concepts in blind people

Background: People with visual disability have lower self-esteem and social skills than sighted people. This study was designed to describe self-esteem and general and sexual self-concepts in blind people. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted in the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2013-2014. In this study, 138 visually impaired people participated from Isfahan Province Welfare Organization and were interviewed for measuring of self-esteem and self-concept using Eysenck self-esteem and Rogers’ self-concept questionnaires. The correlation between above two variables was measured using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software by Pearson correlation test. Results: Mean [± standard deviation (SD)] age of patients was 30.9 ± 8 years. The mean (±SD) of general self-concept score was 11 ± 5.83. The mean (±SD) of self-esteem score was 16.62 ± 2.85. Pearson correlation results showed a significant positive correlation between self-esteem and general self-concept (r = 0.19, P = 0.025). The mean of sexual self-concept scores in five subscales (sexual anxiety, sexual self-efficacy, sexual self-esteem, sexual fear, and sexual depression) were correspondingly 11 ± 4.41, 19.53 ± 4.53, 12.96 ± 4.19, 13.48 ± 1.76, and 5.38 ± 2.36. Self-esteem and self-concept had significant positive correlation with sexual anxiety (r = 0.49; P < 0.001) (r =-.23; P < 0.001) and sexual fear (r = 0.25; P = 0.003) (r = 0.18; P = 0.02) and negative correlation with sexual self-efficacy (r =-0.26; P = 0.002) (r =-0.28; P = 0.001) and sexual-esteem (r =-0.34; P < 0.001) (r =-0.34; P < 0.001). Conclusion: Self-esteem and self-concept had significant correlation with sexual anxiety and sexual fear; and negative correlation with sexual self-efficacy and sexual-esteem. © 2015 Journal of Research in Medical Sciences

Effects of Virtual Emotion Regulation Training on Positive and Negative Sexual Self-Concept of Diabetic Married Women Covered by Comprehensive Health Centers in Gorgan, Iran

Abstract Background: Sexual self-concept is an individual's perception of his/her sexual feelings and actions, which can be affected by chronic diseases, including diabetes. As a biological and psychological crisis, diabetes can cause mood changes. The present study was conducted to determine the effects of virtual emotion regulation training on the positive and negative sexual selfconcept of diabetic married women. Methods: An interventional study was conducted on women with type 2 diabetes covered by the comprehensive health service centers of Gorgan (Iran) in 2019. Overall, 36 eligible diabetic women were enrolled via available sampling. The subjects were assigned to an intervention group (n=19) and a control group (n=17) through four-block allocation and random selection without placement. Virtual emotion regulation training was held during 4 sessions, once a week, for the intervention group. Both groups completed the Persian version of Beck’s Depression Inventory and Snell’s Multidimensional Sexual Self-Concept Questionnaire at baseline, immediately after the last virtual training session, and one month after the last training session. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05. Results: The mean score of positive sexual self-concept of patients after the last training session was 133.68 ± 18.91in the intervention and 131.17 ± 18.86 in the control group. The mean score of positive sexual self-concept of patients one month after the training was 10± 9.51in the intervention group and 15.17 ± 11.92in the control group. The mean score of negative sexual self-concept of patients after the last training session was 10.42± 10.04 in the intervention and 14.52± 14.39 in the control group. The interaction effects of time and group on the positive sexual self-concept did not differ significantly (P=0.316). The group effect was also not statistically significant (P=0.58). The interaction effects of time and group on the negative sexual self-concept were significant (P=0.023), and the group effect was not statistically significant (P=0.47). Conclusion: The significant interaction of time and group on negative sexual self-concept indicates that the negative sexual selfconcept in diabetic women has been affected by the intervention. Given the significant effects of virtual emotion regulation training on the management of negative emotions, this type of intervention can be beneficial for improving the health of diabetic women

Self-Awareness Counseling on Quality of Life of Menopausal Women

Background: Counseling interventions are among the available strategies to improve the menopausal quality of life and self-awareness counseling is effective in improving adaptation, self-confidence and quality of life. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine effects of self-awareness counseling on quality of life of menopausal women in Gorgan, Iran. Methods: In this clinical trial, we examined 52 menopause women referred to health centers of Gorgan, Iran in 2018. Data collection tools included a demographic characteristics form and the menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire. First, the control group completed the data collection tools at the beginning of the study and 6 and 10 weeks after the first session. Then the intervention group completed the tools at base line and participated in six 45-60-minute self-awareness-based group counseling sessions, once a week. After that, they were completed questionnaire, immediately and a month after the end of the intervention. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation. Results: In the intervention group, the baseline mean scores of menopausal quality of life and its vasomotor, physical, psychosocial and sexual domains were 55.69±19.47, 5.30±4.57, 30.26±12.24, 12.15±6.64 and 7.96±5.34, respectively. A month after the intervention, the mean scores of menopausal quality of life (30.42±19.64) and its vasomotor (2.65±2.33), physical (16.38±8.64), psychosocial (7.19±4.63) and sexual (4.19±3.42) domains increased significantly in the intervention group (p=0.001). In between group comparison, except for the psychosocial domain, the mean scores of quality of life and its various domains showed a statistically significant difference in one month after the intervention (P=0.001). Conclusion: The menopausal quality of life and its various domains improved one month after the end of self-awareness counseling. Therefore, we recommend offering self-awareness counseling in health centers for improving the quality of life of menopausal women

Evaluating Correlation of General Self-Concept with Sexual Self-Concept in Infertile Women

Background: General self-concept refers to a set of feelings and perceptions toward oneself, and sexual self-concept is defined as individual's perception of his/her sexual feelings and actions. These two concepts are affected by various life problems, including infertility. The present study aimed to evaluate correlation of general self-concept and sexual self-concept in infertile women. Methods: This descriptive correlational study was carried out on all infertile women who visited the Gorgan Infertility Center in 2018. Overall, 105 eligible infertile women were included in the study via convenience sampling. Data were collected using Persian versions of the Rogers self-concept questionnaire and the Snell sexual self-concept questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the Pearson and Spearman's correlation tests in SPSS 16 and at significance of 0.05. Results: Mean age of subjects was 28.88±5.14 years (range: 17 and 40 years). Based on the findings, 19% of the participants had normal general self-concept, 31.4% had moderate self-concept, and 49.5% had weak self-concept. Mean scores of positive sexual self-concept, negative self-concept and situational sexual self-concept were 118.9±24.85, 13.33±8.94 and 41.98±10.53, respectively. There was no correlation between general self-concept and different dimensions of sexual self-concept of the infertile women. Conclusion: Due to the lack of correlation between general self-concept and sexual self-concept in infertile women, it is suggested to conduct evaluations and interventions on the general and sexual self-concepts of the participants separately

Maternal Experiences of Their Unborn Child's Spiritual Care: Patterns of Abstinence in Iran

Preparing for pregnancy and childbirth has significant association with spirituality. Review of the literature shows that the spirituality of the “unborn child” has not yet attracted much critical attention. This study was conducted with the aim of exploration of maternal behaviors associated with the spiritual health of the unborn child. A qualitative approach was used to investigate the research question. Twenty-seven in-depth unstructured interviews were conducted with 22 Iranian mothers in Tehran city (Iran) who were pregnant or had experienced pregnancy in 2012-2013. Data analysis was carried out using a conventional content analysis approach. “Refusing to eat forbidden food,” “Overcoming mental adversity,” “Regulating one’s social interactions,” “Preventing the effects of harmful environments on the senses,” “Avoidance of using insulting and abusive language,” “Keeping one’s mind and spirit free from evil traits,” and “Refraining from damaging behaviors” were important experiences that the mothers used for “Holistic Abstinence.” The results provide new information about the subjective experiences of Iranian women on the patterns of abstinence for the midwives, research community, policy makers, and planners of maternal and child health care services in order to contribute to holistic, culturally, and religiously competent prenatal care for Muslim pregnant women throughout the world

The effects of oral sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anthropometric measures in patients with chronic kidney disease:A systematic review and meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials

Abstract Metabolic acidosis (MA) may play a key role in the pathogenesis of protein‐energy wasting (PEW) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To present a comprehensive synthesis of the effect of oral sodium bicarbonate (SB) supplementation on anthropometric measures in patients with CKD, a systematic review was undertaken in PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Google Scholar, of relevant articles published prior to September 2022. The summary statistics of effect size, nonstandardized weighted mean difference (WMD), and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to compare the effects of SB supplementation on anthropometric parameters vs. control group. To detect probable sources of heterogeneity, a series of predefined subgroup analyses were conducted. In total, 17 studies with 21 treatment arms, including 2203 participants (1149 cases, 1054 controls), met our inclusion criteria and were included in the meta‐analysis. SB supplementation had no significant effect on body weight (BW), midarm muscle circumference (MAMC), or lean body mass (LBM) in patients with CKD. There was a significant increase in body mass index (BMI) (MD: 0.59 kg/m2, 95% CI: 0.25 to 0.93, p = 0.001) after SB supplementation in the overall analysis. In subgroup analysis, LBM was increased in studies that were ≥ 24‐week duration (MD: 1.81 kg, 95% CI: 0.81 to 2.81) and in participants with BMI lower than 27 kg/m2 (MD: 1.81 mg/L, 95% CI: 0.81 to 2.81). SB supplementation may yield increases in BMI in predialysis CKD patients. However, our findings did not support the beneficial effects of SB supplementation on other anthropometric outcomes. There is an evident need for long‐term high‐quality interventions to confirm these findings

Performance of field-emitting resonating carbon nanotubes as radio-frequency demodulators

International audienceWe report on a systematic study of the use of resonating nanotubes in a field emission (FE) configuration to demodulate radio frequency signals. We particularly concentrate on how the demodulation depends on the variation of the field amplification factor during resonance. Analytical formulas describing the demodulation are derived as functions of the system parameters. Experiments using AM and FM demodulations in a transmission electron microscope are also presented with a determination of all the pertinent experimental parameters. Finally we discuss the use of CNTs undergoing FE as nanoantennae and the different geometries that could be used for optimization and implementation. © 2011 American Physical Society

Charge-ordering and optical transitions of LiV2O5 and NaV2O5

We present the measurements of the polarized optical spectra of NaV2O5 and LiV2O5. In an energy range from 0.5 to 5.5 eV we observe similar peaks in the E parallel a spectra of LiV2O5 and NaV2O5, which suggests similar electronic structure along the a axis in both materials. On the other hand, we find an almost complete suppression of the peaks in sigma_b of LiV2O5 around 1 and 5 eV. We attribute this suppression to the charge localization originating from the existence of double-chain charge-ordering patterin in LiV2O5.Comment: 7 pages, 3 figures final version, to appear in PR

A Generalization of Otsu's Method and Minimum Error Thresholding

We present Generalized Histogram Thresholding (GHT), a simple, fast, and effective technique for histogram-based image thresholding. GHT works by performing approximate maximum a posteriori estimation of a mixture of Gaussians with appropriate priors. We demonstrate that GHT subsumes three classic thresholding techniques as special cases: Otsu's method, Minimum Error Thresholding (MET), and weighted percentile thresholding. GHT thereby enables the continuous interpolation between those three algorithms, which allows thresholding accuracy to be improved significantly. GHT also provides a clarifying interpretation of the common practice of coarsening a histogram's bin width during thresholding. We show that GHT outperforms or matches the performance of all algorithms on a recent challenge for handwritten document image binarization (including deep neural networks trained to produce per-pixel binarizations), and can be implemented in a dozen lines of code or as a trivial modification to Otsu's method or MET.Comment: ECCV 202