Search Results (3,298)

Career decisions are one of the most important decisions individuals make in their lives. These decisions are multifaceted and complex, making them a challenging process, particularly for students. This creates obstacles for students navigating the career choice process. The aim of this study is to examine career decision-making difficulties within the framework of personality traits and decision-making styles. The target group of this study is undergraduate students studying at a public university. For this research, we collected data through online questionnaire forms. The questionnaire comprised demographic questions and three scales: career decision-making difficulties, personality traits, and decision-making styles. A total of 505 students (63.2% female) participated in the questionnaire. The research model was tested using path analysis. We also conducted network analysis in order to better understand and visualize the relationships between the sub-dimensions of the scales. The findings showed significant direct relationships between career decision-making difficulties and personality traits (conscientiousness, openness, neuroticism, and agreeableness) and decision-making styles (rational, dependent, avoidant, and spontaneous). According to the path analysis result, neurotic personality traits were positively correlated with career decision-making difficulties, while openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness were negatively correlated with them. The relationship between dependent, avoidant, and spontaneous decision-making styles and career decision-making difficulties was positive. These results provide valuable insights into the factors that shape career decisions, helping students make more informed choices and manage their career paths effectively. Full article

Background/Objectives: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common and debilitating side effect of cancer therapy, characterized by ulceration or inflammation of the oral mucosa. This study evaluates the preclinical efficacy of curcumin-loaded bicosome systems (cur-BS) in mitigating chemotherapy-induced OM in mice. Methods: BS were prepared using a combination of 1,2-di-palmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) and 1,2-dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DHPC), α-tocopherol, and curcumin, encapsulated within liposomal vesicles. Three formulations with different curcumin concentrations (180, 540, and 900 μM) were characterized by particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), encapsulation efficiency (EE), appearance, and morphology. The formulation with the highest concentration (cur-BS 5×) was selected for ex vivo permeability studies, release profile analysis, and in vitro anti-inflammatory efficacy. OM was induced in mice using 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) and acetic acid. Cur-BS 5× was compared to the commercial product Dentoxol^®. Results: The results showed that cur-BS 5× provided sustained release through a mechanism involving both diffusion and matrix relaxation, enhancing curcumin retention in deeper skin layers. Treatment with cur-BS 5× downregulated the expression of inflammatory markers (IL-1β and TNF-α). Macroscopic assessments demonstrated that both cur-BS 5× and Dentoxol^® reduced OM severity, with the greatest improvement observed between days 6 and 9. By day 24, OM scores were 1.25 ± 0.5 for cur-BS 5× and 1.0 ± 0.0 for Dentoxol^®, indicating effectiveness in both treatments. However, histological analysis revealed superior tissue recovery with cur-BS 5×, showing better epithelial structure and reduced inflammation. Cur-BS 5×-treated mice also exhibited greater weight recovery and higher survival rates compared to the Dentoxol^® group. Conclusions: These findings suggest that cur-BS 5× may enhance OM treatment, offering outcomes comparable to or better than those of Dentoxol^®. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic lockdown restrictions had significant impacts on the well-being and academic functioning of students worldwide. When universities closed campuses and moved teaching and learning online, students faced numerous challenges. The researchers conducted a study to establish which factors most affected South African students’ academic competence during the initial months of lockdown and the shift to online learning. Using an online survey that focused on students’ wellness, perceived academic competence and coping behaviour, data were collected from 3239 university students. Multiple linear regression showed that students’ subjective sense of intellectual wellness, coping behaviour, satisfaction with support from the university, and mental health were strong predictors of academic competence. Other factors that influenced students’ academic competence were emotional and spiritual wellness, perceptions of safety and security, and hopefulness. Females, undergraduates, and Faculty of Law students reported higher perceptions of academic competence. These findings have practical implications for universities as they identify factors that contribute to students’ academic competence, especially during times of crisis and online learning. Academic and support services staff at universities may find the findings valuable when developing policies to provide appropriate resources and services to promote and sustain students’ academic functioning. Full article

Background/Objectives: Undergraduate nursing students report encountering significant challenges when they perform preplanning for clinical days. The literature lacks evidence regarding this educational model for clinical training, yet faculty continue to use it despite the evidence that supports it. This study explored undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of their preclinical training activities. Methods: A quasi-experimental, after-only, nonequivalent control group design was employed at a public nursing school in an urban setting. A total of 110 undergraduate nursing students enrolled in an advanced medical–surgical course. Participants were divided into two groups based on their preparation approach for clinical practice. Data were collected using a paper-and-pencil survey at the end of the course’s clinical rotation. The survey comprised three sections: (1) sociodemographic information, (2) the nursing clinical education tool (NCET) developed for this study, and (3) two open-ended questions focusing on the pros and cons of preplanning and reflective care approaches. The responses were analyzed and compared using a nonparametric two-independent-samples Mann–Whitney U test. Results: The findings indicated that students in eight out of ten nursing clinical education survey categories favored the reflective care approach. No differences were found between groups concerning class grade point average (GPA), the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) passing rate, or standardized tests. Conclusions: The reflective care approach was perceived more favorably than preplanning. Engaging in clinical reasoning strategies requires educators to reconsider how students interact with clinical education. Further research is needed to develop evidence-based methods to enhance the clinical learning experience and promote patient safety. Full article

This study explores psychosocial differences in mental health indicators and learning patterns between male and female students to promote inclusion and equality in university classrooms, focusing on STEM and non-STEM fields. Using a holistic approach, five learning dimensions comprising a diversity-in-learning (DinL) construct were analyzed: Coping with Difficulties, Effort, Autonomy, Understanding/Career Interest, and Social Context. Psychosocial predictors, including paternal and maternal parenting patterns, were also examined. Data were collected through a questionnaire completed by 2443 students from 83 undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Results indicated that male students reported higher levels of autonomy, while female students reported experiencing more mental health difficulties related to learning. Gender differences in learning dimensions were more pronounced in non-STEM fields. Parental influences also differed, with fathers and mothers shaping male and female students’ learning patterns in ways that reflect traditional gender roles. The findings highlight the lasting effects of gender roles on learning habits and psychological challenges in higher education. The study underscores the importance of addressing gender patterns in parenting and education to support more women in pursuing STEM fields, ultimately fostering greater equality and inclusion in academia. Full article

Single-phase multiferroics exhibiting ferroelectricity and ferromagnetism are considered pivotal for advancing next-generation multistate memories, spintronic devices, sensors, and logic devices. In this study, the magnetic and electric characteristics of bismuth ferrite (BiFeO₃) ceramics were enhanced through compositional design and grain engineering. BiFeO₃ ceramic was co-substituted by neodymium (Nd) and niobium (Nb), two non-isovalent elements, via the spark plasma sintering process using phase-pure powder prepared via sol-gel as the precursor. The symmetry of the sintered Nd–Nb co-doped samples changed from R3c to Pnma, accompanied by a decrease in the loss tangent, grain size, and leakage current density. The reduction in the leakage current density of the co-doped samples was ~three orders of magnitude. Moreover, ferroelectric, dielectric, and magnetic properties were substantially improved. The remanent polarization and magnetization values of the optimized Nd–Nb co-doped BiFeO₃ sample were 3.12 μC cm⁻² and 0.15 emu g⁻¹, respectively. The multiferroic properties were enhanced based on multiple factors such as structural distortion caused by co-doping, grain size reduction, suppression of defect charges via donor doping, space-modulated spin structure disruption, and an increase in magnetic ions. The synergistic approach of composition design and grain engineering sets a paradigm for the advancement of multiferroic materials. Full article

Engineers can play a critical role in achieving sustainable development (SD). Despite this, there is a lack of specialized courses delivered in the undergraduate engineering curricula in Lebanon. The purpose of this study is to assess the outcomes of a newly developed core course on sustainability for engineering students integrated into the undergraduate engineering curriculum at one university in Lebanon. The study makes an original contribution as no similar course, in its current structure, has been found in the existing literature. A quantitative methodology was employed through a survey administered to the students both before and after course delivery. The survey aimed to assess the effectiveness of the course in changing students’ awareness, perceptions, practices, and views on the engineering profession and how it relates to sustainability. The findings indicate that the course has significantly enhanced the understanding and awareness of the engineering students regarding sustainable development. This enhancement impacted positively on their perceptions, practices, and views regarding the importance of sustainable development in engineering education. This study presents an interdisciplinary course integrated into the engineering curriculum and augmented the students’ awareness and knowledge on how to incorporate sustainable development into their design processes. Full article

Balancing academic responsibilities and work commitments poses significant challenges for students in built environment (BE) programs, often leading to compromised well-being and academic difficulties. This study examines the causal effects of balancing work–study responsibilities on students’ health, well-being, and academic outcomes, addressing critical gaps in the literature. A positivist research approach was employed, with data collected via an online survey of 253 undergraduate BE students from Australian universities. The survey assessed academic and work stressors, health, mental well-being, coping strategies, and academic outcomes. Statistical analyses, including one-sample t-tests, factor analysis, and path analysis, were used to analyse the data. The findings reveal that BE students experience severe stress and moderate levels of anxiety and depression, significantly impacting their academic performance. Common health issues include fatigue and sleep disturbances. Work–study conflict and performance anxiety were identified as the strongest predictors of negative health outcomes, with maladaptive coping strategies amplifying these effects. These results underscore the urgent need for institutional interventions, such as flexible learning options, enhanced mental health services, and industry partnerships to alleviate work–study conflicts. Encouraging adaptive coping mechanisms and providing targeted support can help mitigate adverse effects, promoting improved academic performance and well-being among BE students. These findings can be generalised to students in other academic disciplines and countries, as similar work–study challenges and their associated impacts are observed globally. Full article

The aim of the research was to examine the effect of preschool teachers’ perception of professional competence on their professional burnout in Türkiye. A total of 157 teachers composed the study group. In this research, The Burnout Measure, Short Version, Teacher Professional Competence Scale and Personal Information Form prepared by the researchers were used as data collection tools. According to the regression results, the sub-dimensions of teachers’ professional competence, managing teaching and learning processes, and personal and professional development negatively affected the level of professional burnout. The findings indicate that teachers with a bachelor’s or postgraduate degree were less burned out compared to those who graduated from high school or associate’s degree programs. Teachers who graduated from a preschool education departments were less burned out compared to those from child development or other departments. Teachers working in public schools were more burned out compared to those working in private schools. Teachers aged 31 and above scored higher in the sub-dimension of planning education and educating. Additionally, it was observed that teachers working in private schools perceived higher competency levels in overall professional competence as well as in the sub-dimensions of subject matter knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, legislative knowledge, managing teaching and learning processes, and assessment and evaluation compared to teachers working in public schools. As a result, undergraduate and graduate preschool teachers in Türkiye usually work in public schools. These teachers may have higher expectations from themselves. Not being able to meet their expectations during the pandemic may have caused these teachers to feel more burnout. In this case, it would be appropriate to provide these teachers with appropriate environments and adequate psychological support. Full article

The appearance of white significantly impacts display image quality, requiring a neutral white point for optimal performance. This study explores how perceived whiteness changes under ambient illumination levels (150, 300, 600, and 1200 lx) and correlated color temperatures (3500 K and 6500 K). As a result, the adapted white points of light sources with different correlated color temperatures are similar at lower ambient illuminance levels. In comparison, their adaptation trends exhibit significant differences at higher illuminance levels. At 150 lx, adapted white points for 3500 K and 6500 K light sources shift toward higher color temperatures and converge. With increased illumination, the 3500 K white point shifts toward its light source, while the 6500 K white point shifts to a higher correlated color temperature. The neural network-based prediction model developed in this study accurately forecasts perceived whiteness across conditions, offering valuable design guidance for the display and lighting industries. Full article

The Northeast of Brazil is a leading region for small ruminants. However, these herds are primarily located in the semi-arid region and face significant losses due to fetal and perinatal mortality, frequently linked to the consumption of teratogenic toxic plants during pregnancy. This study investigated the clinical and epidemiological aspects related to abortions and malformations in 80 small ruminant farms in the semi-arid region of Brazil. Necropsies were also performed on fetuses and neonates, along with histopathological, molecular, and serological analyses of the herds to differentiate other conditions. Malformations were identified on approximately 42 farms, with arthrogryposis being the most common abnormality. Toxic plants, including Mimosa tenuiflora and Cenostigma pyramidalis, were recorded on 95.23% of the properties with reported malformations. Additionally, necropsies confirmed the association between the occurrence of these plants and malformations, abortions, and mortality, excluding infectious causes. These results underscore the urgent need for prevention and control strategies to mitigate the impact of toxic plants on small ruminant production in the semi-arid region. Full article

Background and Objectives: This study examined dental students’ challenges with root canal treatment (RCT). It also assessed patients’ perceptions of oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL). Materials and Methods: The study utilized three prevalidated questionnaires. One questionnaire was administered to dental students to assess their challenges related to various aspects of RCT. Another questionnaire was distributed to patients, comparing demographic factors such as age and gender to the tooth type, pain scores before and after RCT, and socioeconomic status. The third questionnaire focused on patients’ OHRQoL considering age, gender, tooth types, pain, and socioeconomic status using the Oral Health Impact Profile-14 scale (OHIP-14). A total of 75 dental students filled out the survey, and patient-related questionnaires were filled out by 585 patients with the following demographics: age: young adults n = 385 (65.81%), middle-aged adults n = 200 (34.19%); gender: males n = 366 (62.56%), and females n = 219 (37.44%). Categorical data were analyzed using frequency and percentage. Chi-square tests were used for comparative analysis, and one-way ANOVA was used when more than two variables were present. A p-value of ≤0.05 was set as statistically significant. Results: Dental students perceived themselves as competent in performing RCT but faced difficulties with canal localization in middle-aged patients (p < 0.01) and in communicating with female patients (p 0.009). There was a significant difference in preoperative (p 0.007) and postoperative pain levels (p 0.003) when comparing genders. Overall, there was a 30.60% reduction in pain levels. The OHIP-14 scale indicated high patient satisfaction (78.9%), with physical disability (26.16%) and psychological discomfort (23.33%) being the most affected domains. Among different variables, socioeconomic status was statistically significant, with patients of lower socioeconomic status reporting higher satisfaction levels (p 0.02). No significant differences in OHRQoL were found based on age or gender. Conclusions: The OHRQoL was high among patients treated by dental students, with those with a low socioeconomic status being the most satisfied. Full article

Background/Objectives: Currently, there is a limited understanding of the long-term consequences following acute COVID-19, referred to as long COVID. This cross-sectional study aims to analyze the prevalence of persistent signs and symptoms of long COVID, 18 months after primary SARS-CoV-2 infection in adults in southern Brazil. Methods: Using two national databases (the digital registry of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases), 370 individuals living in the state of Paraná (Brazil) were recruited. Data were collected through telephone interviews conducted in 2021 and 2022. Results: The overall prevalence of long COVID was 66.2% among study participants. During the acute phase of infection, the most common symptom clusters included neurological symptoms (87.0%; n = 318), followed by respiratory (82.0%; n = 301), musculoskeletal (66.0%; n = 241), digestive (50.0%; n = 184), psychological (38.0%; n = 138), and endocrine symptoms (28.0%; n = 104). In the 18 month follow-up, the main persistent symptoms were memory loss (42.7%), fatigue (32.2%), anxiety (23.5%), dyspnea (19.7%), and hair loss (19.7%). The proportion of participants with long COVID was statistically higher in females (73.9%), those with a family income below two minimum wages (94.7%), those who do not practice physical activity (83.3%), those who report poor sleep quality (93.3%), those who use long-term medication (85.9%), those who needed health care in the previous six months (87.3%), those who required professional and/or family care (79.3%), those who were in the ICU (79.0%), and those who used ventilatory support (77.5%). Conclusions: Long COVID is a complex condition that requires long-term monitoring and investment in health services due to its high prevalence and the health consequences in the population. Full article

Background: This study aimed to adapt and validate the Attitudes to Patient Safety Questionnaire (APSQ-III) for Brazilian Portuguese and to compare patient safety attitudes between medical and nursing students. Given the critical role of assessing safety attitudes in shaping future healthcare professionals, this research addresses a significant gap in the Brazilian educational context. Materials and Methods: The cross-cultural adaptation process adhered to the guidelines of for the Process of Cross-Cultural Adaptation of Self-Report Measures, encompassing translation, synthesis, back-translation, and expert committee evaluation. The adapted APSQ-III was administered to a sample of 423 undergraduate students from medicine and nursing courses. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted to verify the factor structure, while reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, McDonald’s omega, and composite reliability measures. Results: The CFA supported an acceptable fit for the nine-factor model with 26 items, following the exclusion of 4 items (χ²/df = 1.92; CFI = 0.90; TLI = 0.89; RMSEA = 0.05; SRMR = 0.07). Factor loadings ranged from 0.30 to 0.82, with satisfactory reliability indices, except for factors 4 (α = 0.47; ω = 0.48) and 9 (α = 0.54; ω = 0.54). Significant differences were discovered between medical and nursing students in four factors, and gender differences were noted in five items, highlighting the diverse perceptions of patient safety across these groups. Conclusions: The Brazilian version of the APSQ-III demonstrated adequate validity and reliability for seven out of the nine original factors. It is recommended to use the scale with modifications, such as developing a reduced version excluding factors with low reliability, to enhance its applicability. This study contributes to advancing patient safety research and education in Brazil, providing a robust tool for evaluating and improving safety attitudes among healthcare students. Future research should focus on refining the instrument and exploring its application in diverse healthcare educational settings across Brazil. Full article

This study explores the significant psychological factors that impact academic success among students. The sample included 287 undergraduate and postgraduate students of business studies. Structural Equation Modeling was used to analyze the data, investigating the impact of students’ motivation, mental and physical health, work-life balance, and anxiety on both perceived academic success as well as quantitative indicators of academic success. The findings reveal that students’ motivation is significant for enhancing academic success. Additionally, while mental and physical health are significant contributors to academic success, balancing academic work with personal life is essential for fostering a positive perception of academic success. Conversely, anxiety, particularly exam-related, negatively affects students’ perceived academic success, highlighting the need for comprehensive support systems. These findings offer crucial insights for educators and policymakers, paving the way for innovative strategies that enhance academic success and empower students to thrive holistically, both academically and personally. By addressing the full spectrum of challenges students face, we can foster a more resilient, motivated, and successful generation of students. Full article