The Effects of Cross-Cultural Competence and Social Support on International Student's Psychological Adjustments: Autonomy and Environmental Mastery

This study aimed to investigate the effects of cross-cultural competence and social support on international students’ psychological adjustment, specifically autonomy and environmental mastery in the host country, the United States. The participants in this study included 94 international students studying in the southeastern region of the United States. A series of standard multiple regression analysis were conducted to predict international students’ autonomy and environmental mastery as measured by Ryff’s Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff & Keyes, 1995). The study revealed a positive relationship between international students’ autonomy and cross-cultural competence as measured by the Intercultural Competence Scale (ICC). A positive relationship was also revealed between environmental mastery and social support as measured by the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). The results, however, found negative relationship between length of residency in the host country and autonomy and environmental mastery. Relationships between psychological adjustment (i.e., autonomy and environmental mastery) and gender differences and different cultural background (individualistic and collectivistic cultures) were not significant. International students, their parents, and those who work with international students may use research findings to facilitate the psychological adjustment of international students in the host country.I. INTRODUCTION...1 II. REVIEW OF LITERATURE..3 Cross-Cultural Competence…..…...3 Social Support…......6 Psychological Well-Being and Adjustment…...…..8 Autonomy…..10 Influential Factors on Autonomy........................12 Environmental Mastery..14 Influential Factors on Environmental Mastery…......….....16 Research Questions…....19 III. METHODS…..….20 Participants....20 Procedure….….....23 Measures.......24 Analyses.…...28 IV. RESULTS….29 Predicting Autonomy…29 Predicting Environmental Mastery..…..…...30 V. DISCUSSION…....31 Cross-Cultural Competence and Social Support on Autonomy.…...…32 Cross-Cultural Competence and Social Support on Environmental Mastery…....33 Length of Residency on Psychological Adjustment......................................35 Limitations….….36 Recommendations.…..37 REFERENCES...….......…..40 Appendix A: Tables 1-3…...56 Appendix B: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval..62 Appendix C: Consent to Participate in Research.64 Appendix D: Recruiting Participants with the Assistance of International Students Program Offices….......66 Appendix E: Email Requesting International Students’ Participation….....................68 Appendix F: Email Requesting International Students’ Participation in Social Media (English Version)...…......…71 Appendix G: Post Requesting International Students’ Participation in Social Media (Arabic Version)…......73 Appendix H: Demographic Information…...…...75 Appendix I: Intercultural Competence (ICC)..............79 Appendix J: The Ryff Scales of Psychological Well-Being…....84 Appendix K: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support…...….87 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Demographic Information of the 73 Total Participants who Removed from the Sample..…..…..59 Table 2: Variable Coefficients Predicting International Students’ Autonomy…..…62 Table 3: Variable Coefficients Predicting International Students’ Environmental Mastery... 63 Note: Tables are found in Appendix AAdams, Katharine S.Kohn, StevenGrimes, LeeM.S.Psycholog

An Update on Larynx Cancer

Abstract: The exact causes of larynx cancer are not fully understood, but certain risk factors have been identified. • Tobacco use: Smoking, as well as smokeless tobacco use, increases the risk of developing larynx cancer. • Alcohol consumption: Excessive and long-term alcohol consumption is associated with an increased risk of larynx cancer. The risk is even higher for individuals who both smoke and drink alcohol. Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection: Certain strains of HPV, primarily HPV type 16, have been linked to an increased risk of larynx cancer. Common signs and symptoms of larynx cancer may include: • Hoarseness or voice changes that persist for more than two weeks. • Persistent sore throat or pain in the throat. • Ear pain. The diagnosis of larynx cancer involves a thorough examination by a healthcare professional, including a physical examination of the throat and neck. Additional tests such as imaging studies (e.g., CT scan, MRI) and a biopsy may be performed to confirm the diagnosis and determine the stage of cancer. Treatment options for larynx cancer depend on various factors including the stage and location of the cancer, as well as the overall health of the patient. Treatment modalities may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or a combination of these approaches. It's important for individuals experiencing any persistent symptoms related to the larynx or voice changes to consult with a healthcare professional for a proper evaluation and diagnosis. Keywords: larynx cancer, smokeless tobacco, HPV) infection. Title: An Update on Larynx Cancer Author: Wael Mohammed Alkhaldi, Salman Fahad Aldawsari, Zakaria Said Bohassan, Meshari Dhahawi Alanazi International Journal of Healthcare Sciences ISSN 2348-5728 (Online) Vol. 11, Issue 1, April 2023 - September 2023 Page No: 276-289 Research Publish Journals Website: www.researchpublish.com Published Date: 22-September-2023 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8369372 Paper Download Link (Source) https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/an-update-on-larynx-cancerInternational Journal of Healthcare Sciences, ISSN 2348-5728 (Online), Research Publish Journals, Website: www.researchpublish.co

Injuries type and its relation with Glasgow Coma Scale, injury severity score and blood transfusion in road traffic accident Victims.

Motor Vehicular Accidents claim about 1.2 million lives and injure more than 10 million people annually worldwide. The injuries caused by MVAs can be analyzed based on the type of injury, injury severity score, Glasgow Coma Scale and required blood transfusion. Methodology: A total number of 190 patients were included in this retrospective study from January 01, 2010 to December 31, 2015. The study aimed to determine the correlation between the type of injuries and GCS, ISS, and blood transfusions in the patients suffering from Motor Vehicle Accidents, who were presented to the Emergency Department at the King Khalid Hospital. All the data of the patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were collected from the database at medical records department of the hospital. Results: Majority of the patients were adults Saudi male. 68.9% of the patients did not sustain shock, and 75.8% of patients did not require a blood transfusion. Patients with head, neck, chest, abdominal, internal organ, pelvic or spinal injuries conferred a statistically significant higher mean ISS. Patients with abdominal or internal organ injuries had a statistically significant higher mean units of blood transfused. GCS was seen to be lower in the head, neck, chest, abdominal, internal organ, spinal and other injuries. Conclusions: The study documents a significant correlation between the type of injury and GCS, ISS, and blood transfusion in victims of road traffic accident. Emergency physician and the caregivers should be more careful about the injuries associated with lower GCS. Patients sustaining injuries of certain parts related to high ISS (i.e., head, chest, abdominal, internal organ, pelvic) should be addressed on priority basis

Injuries type and its relation with Glasgow Coma Scale, injury severity score and blood transfusion in road traffic accident Victims.

Motor Vehicular Accidents claim about 1.2 million lives and injure more than 10 million people annually worldwide. The injuries caused by MVAs can be analyzed based on the type of injury, injury severity score, Glasgow Coma Scale and required blood transfusion. Methodology: A total number of 190 patients were included in this retrospective study from January 01, 2010 to December 31, 2015. The study aimed to determine the correlation between the type of injuries and GCS, ISS, and blood transfusions in the patients suffering from Motor Vehicle Accidents, who were presented to the Emergency Department at the King Khalid Hospital. All the data of the patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria were collected from the database at medical records department of the hospital. Results: Majority of the patients were adults Saudi male. 68.9% of the patients did not sustain shock, and 75.8% of patients did not require a blood transfusion. Patients with head, neck, chest, abdominal, internal organ, pelvic or spinal injuries conferred a statistically significant higher mean ISS. Patients with abdominal or internal organ injuries had a statistically significant higher mean units of blood transfused. GCS was seen to be lower in the head, neck, chest, abdominal, internal organ, spinal and other injuries. Conclusions: The study documents a significant correlation between the type of injury and GCS, ISS, and blood transfusion in victims of road traffic accident. Emergency physician and the caregivers should be more careful about the injuries associated with lower GCS. Patients sustaining injuries of certain parts related to high ISS (i.e., head, chest, abdominal, internal organ, pelvic) should be addressed on priority basis

Global burden of 288 causes of death and life expectancy decomposition in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

BACKGROUND Regular, detailed reporting on population health by underlying cause of death is fundamental for public health decision making. Cause-specific estimates of mortality and the subsequent effects on life expectancy worldwide are valuable metrics to gauge progress in reducing mortality rates. These estimates are particularly important following large-scale mortality spikes, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. When systematically analysed, mortality rates and life expectancy allow comparisons of the consequences of causes of death globally and over time, providing a nuanced understanding of the effect of these causes on global populations. METHODS The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2021 cause-of-death analysis estimated mortality and years of life lost (YLLs) from 288 causes of death by age-sex-location-year in 204 countries and territories and 811 subnational locations for each year from 1990 until 2021. The analysis used 56 604 data sources, including data from vital registration and verbal autopsy as well as surveys, censuses, surveillance systems, and cancer registries, among others. As with previous GBD rounds, cause-specific death rates for most causes were estimated using the Cause of Death Ensemble model-a modelling tool developed for GBD to assess the out-of-sample predictive validity of different statistical models and covariate permutations and combine those results to produce cause-specific mortality estimates-with alternative strategies adapted to model causes with insufficient data, substantial changes in reporting over the study period, or unusual epidemiology. YLLs were computed as the product of the number of deaths for each cause-age-sex-location-year and the standard life expectancy at each age. As part of the modelling process, uncertainty intervals (UIs) were generated using the 2·5th and 97·5th percentiles from a 1000-draw distribution for each metric. We decomposed life expectancy by cause of death, location, and year to show cause-specific effects on life expectancy from 1990 to 2021. We also used the coefficient of variation and the fraction of population affected by 90% of deaths to highlight concentrations of mortality. Findings are reported in counts and age-standardised rates. Methodological improvements for cause-of-death estimates in GBD 2021 include the expansion of under-5-years age group to include four new age groups, enhanced methods to account for stochastic variation of sparse data, and the inclusion of COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality-which includes excess mortality associated with the pandemic, excluding COVID-19, lower respiratory infections, measles, malaria, and pertussis. For this analysis, 199 new country-years of vital registration cause-of-death data, 5 country-years of surveillance data, 21 country-years of verbal autopsy data, and 94 country-years of other data types were added to those used in previous GBD rounds. FINDINGS The leading causes of age-standardised deaths globally were the same in 2019 as they were in 1990; in descending order, these were, ischaemic heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lower respiratory infections. In 2021, however, COVID-19 replaced stroke as the second-leading age-standardised cause of death, with 94·0 deaths (95% UI 89·2-100·0) per 100 000 population. The COVID-19 pandemic shifted the rankings of the leading five causes, lowering stroke to the third-leading and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease to the fourth-leading position. In 2021, the highest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 occurred in sub-Saharan Africa (271·0 deaths [250·1-290·7] per 100 000 population) and Latin America and the Caribbean (195·4 deaths [182·1-211·4] per 100 000 population). The lowest age-standardised death rates from COVID-19 were in the high-income super-region (48·1 deaths [47·4-48·8] per 100 000 population) and southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania (23·2 deaths [16·3-37·2] per 100 000 population). Globally, life expectancy steadily improved between 1990 and 2019 for 18 of the 22 investigated causes. Decomposition of global and regional life expectancy showed the positive effect that reductions in deaths from enteric infections, lower respiratory infections, stroke, and neonatal deaths, among others have contributed to improved survival over the study period. However, a net reduction of 1·6 years occurred in global life expectancy between 2019 and 2021, primarily due to increased death rates from COVID-19 and other pandemic-related mortality. Life expectancy was highly variable between super-regions over the study period, with southeast Asia, east Asia, and Oceania gaining 8·3 years (6·7-9·9) overall, while having the smallest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 (0·4 years). The largest reduction in life expectancy due to COVID-19 occurred in Latin America and the Caribbean (3·6 years). Additionally, 53 of the 288 causes of death were highly concentrated in locations with less than 50% of the global population as of 2021, and these causes of death became progressively more concentrated since 1990, when only 44 causes showed this pattern. The concentration phenomenon is discussed heuristically with respect to enteric and lower respiratory infections, malaria, HIV/AIDS, neonatal disorders, tuberculosis, and measles. INTERPRETATION Long-standing gains in life expectancy and reductions in many of the leading causes of death have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the adverse effects of which were spread unevenly among populations. Despite the pandemic, there has been continued progress in combatting several notable causes of death, leading to improved global life expectancy over the study period. Each of the seven GBD super-regions showed an overall improvement from 1990 and 2021, obscuring the negative effect in the years of the pandemic. Additionally, our findings regarding regional variation in causes of death driving increases in life expectancy hold clear policy utility. Analyses of shifting mortality trends reveal that several causes, once widespread globally, are now increasingly concentrated geographically. These changes in mortality concentration, alongside further investigation of changing risks, interventions, and relevant policy, present an important opportunity to deepen our understanding of mortality-reduction strategies. Examining patterns in mortality concentration might reveal areas where successful public health interventions have been implemented. Translating these successes to locations where certain causes of death remain entrenched can inform policies that work to improve life expectancy for people everywhere. FUNDING Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Study of P-Phenylenediamine (PPD) Concentrations after Hair Dye Mixing: A Call for Safety Reassessment

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a chemical that is widely used in hair dyes. Multiple safety and regulatory agencies have categorized PPD as a potent sensitizer. In addition, PPD has carcinogenicity and genotoxicity attributes and, consequently, it is regulated at a maximal concentration of 2.0%. The aim of this study was to test whether the limit for PPD is surplus, and hence whether the consumer may be exposed to unnecessarily PPD levels. Experimentally, the analysis of PPD was performed using HPLC, where method validation and an inter-laboratory comparison test (ILC) were conducted to evaluate method performance. Thirty-three commercial products were analyzed, and five products were chosen to study the unconsumed PPD. Successfully, the implemented method confirmed its suitability and validity for the determination of PPD. For ILC results, PPD levels were 0.97 ± 0.04% and 0.92 ± 0.02%, quantified by our laboratory and an accredited laboratory, respectively. For all products, the initial concentration (T0) of PPD was lower than the regulatory limit. After 45 min, the content of PPD significantly reduced compared to T0. One product showed unconsumed PPD to be as high as 96% following the recommended dyeing time. In conclusion, the existence of high levels of unreacted PPD increases the likelihood of allergic events and elevates the risk of PPD-related chemicals. Collaborative efforts between industries, regulatory bodies, and health-related decision makers are deemed necessary to establish safe concentrations for PPD

Study of P-Phenylenediamine (PPD) Concentrations after Hair Dye Mixing: A Call for Safety Reassessment

Para-phenylenediamine (PPD) is a chemical that is widely used in hair dyes. Multiple safety and regulatory agencies have categorized PPD as a potent sensitizer. In addition, PPD has carcinogenicity and genotoxicity attributes and, consequently, it is regulated at a maximal concentration of 2.0%. The aim of this study was to test whether the limit for PPD is surplus, and hence whether the consumer may be exposed to unnecessarily PPD levels. Experimentally, the analysis of PPD was performed using HPLC, where method validation and an inter-laboratory comparison test (ILC) were conducted to evaluate method performance. Thirty-three commercial products were analyzed, and five products were chosen to study the unconsumed PPD. Successfully, the implemented method confirmed its suitability and validity for the determination of PPD. For ILC results, PPD levels were 0.97 ± 0.04% and 0.92 ± 0.02%, quantified by our laboratory and an accredited laboratory, respectively. For all products, the initial concentration (T0) of PPD was lower than the regulatory limit. After 45 min, the content of PPD significantly reduced compared to T0. One product showed unconsumed PPD to be as high as 96% following the recommended dyeing time. In conclusion, the existence of high levels of unreacted PPD increases the likelihood of allergic events and elevates the risk of PPD-related chemicals. Collaborative efforts between industries, regulatory bodies, and health-related decision makers are deemed necessary to establish safe concentrations for PPD

Optimization of a Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GCMS) Method for Detecting 28 Allergens in Various Personal Care Products

Fragrances are among the most common ingredients in cosmetics products. Importantly, exposure to fragrances on a daily basis might pose a health risk, leading to serious effects, such as contact dermatitis or contact eczema. Annex III of the European Union Directive on Cosmetic Products and Gulf Cooperation Council standardization organization (GSO) introduced restrictions for 26 allergens, with their concentrations exceeding 0.001% and 0.01% in leave-on products and rinse-off products, respectively. In the current study, we aimed to expand the scope of the analytical method (EN16274, 2012) to include a broader range of matrices. The optimized method was validated by examining a statistical approach, including selectivity, linearity, accuracy, precision, and measurement of uncertainty. Successfully, the validated data demonstrated acceptable limits according to validation protocols, with linearity showing satisfactory regression of r > 0.995. During method performance assessment, samples were extracted using ultrasound-assisted extraction to extract allergens that yielded relatively high recoveries. Studies on matrices spiked with allergens at different levels showed insignificant bias as an average of 0.07 µg/g. Method performance was assessed by analyzing 140 cosmetics samples, including perfumes, deodorants, aftershave, baby wet wipes, shampoos, lotions, and lip care products. The new optimized analytical method is believed to be a valuable analytical tool to be used in surveillance studies covering a wide range of cosmetic matrices

Synthesis, Anti-microbial and Molecular Docking Studies of Quinazolin-4(3H)-one Derivatives

In this work, synthesis, antimicrobial activities and molecular docking studies of some new series of substituted quinazolinone 2a–h and 3a–d were described. Starting form 2-aminobenzamide derivatives 1, a new series of quinazolinone derivatives has been synthesized, in high yields, assisted by microwave and classical methods. Some of these substituted quinazolinones were tested for their antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Esherichia coli) and Gram-positive bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis), and anti-fungal activity against (Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cervevisiae, and Candida albicans) using agar well diffusion method. Among the prepared products, 3-benzyl-2-(4-chlorophenyl)quinazolin-4(3H)-one (3a) was found to exhibits the most potent in vitro anti-microbial activity with MICs of 25.6 ± 0.5, 24.3 ± 0.4, 30.1 ± 0.6, and 25.1 ± 0.5 µg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Esherichia coli, respectively. Compound 3a was found to exhibits the most potent in vitro anti-fungal activity with MICs of 18.3 ± 0.6, 23.1 ± 0.4, and 26.1 ± 0. 5 µg/mL against Aspergillus fumigatus, Saccharomyces cervevisiae, and Candidaal bicans, respectively

Synthesis, Characterization, X-Ray Crystal Structure, and Antimicrobial Activity of 1,1′-(3,4-Diphenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl)diethanone

Synthesis of 1,1′-(3,4-diphenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene-2,5-diyl)diethanone (4) is reported here. The structure of compound 4 was deduced by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, FT-IR, MS, microanalysis, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/n with a = 9.3126(7) Å, b = 9.5867(7) Å, c = 20.2811(15) Å, α = 90°, β = 95.436(2)°, γ = 90°, V = 1802.5(2) Å3, and Z = 4. The molecules are packed in crystal structure by weak intermolecular C10–H10A⋯ S1 hydrogen bonding interactions. Compound 4 can be a useful intermediate for the synthesis of diphenylthieno[2,3-b]thiophene. Compound 4 was found to be active against Gram-positive bacteria (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus pneumoniae) and Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia coli) and also was found to be active against fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida albicans)