Search

Background: The comforts of modern life have markedly caused a reduction in physical activity. Approximately only one third of the adult population engages in regular physical activity levels as recommended, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. The study aimed to determine if physical education undergraduate students' cardiorespiratory and abdominal endurance levels changed between 2000–2021. Methods: We collected data from 1353 physical education undergraduate students, 20–30 years of age. Data included evaluations of the following abilities: cardiorespiratory endurance using the time result of a 2000-m run, abdominal muscle endurance measured using 1-minute sit-up test results, arms muscle endurance using maximal numbers of push-up test results, and agility using 4 × 10-m shuttle run results. Results: Findings include a statistically significant decline over the years in cardiorespiratory endurance with medium effect size for males and females (r =.293; 95% CI, 0.215 to.367; and r =.222; 95% CI,.133 to.308, respectively), and abdominal muscle endurance with medium effect size for males and females (r = −.394; 95% CI, −.455 to −.329; and r = −.366; 95% CI, −.434 to −.294, respectively). Conclusions: We concluded that the decline in the physical abilities of physical education undergraduate students over a span of 20 years is significant. Also, in light of the current technological age, further physical activity considerations should be given to populations younger than 18 and of other particular adult populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article proposes a new dynamic method, the Principal Path Method (PPM), for pricing crypto asset against a primary or functional (fiat) currency in situations where these assets do not trade directly against the functional currency or trade at volumes that prevent resulting pricing information to qualify as Level 1 (ASC 820) for financial reporting. We base our method on the guidance provided in ASC 820, IFRS 13, and IAS 21. Our method is designed to extract prices from "compliant" markets that result in reliable inputs to the valuation process. We believe that our methodology improves the current techniques used to value thinly traded crypto assets such as using the last observable transaction price, creating a weighted-average price across multiple markets, or using data on comparable tokens, if available. Furthermore, we present empirical evidence that suggests pricing information generated by our method for non-exchangeable, thinly traded, or illiquid crypto assets better reflects the fundamental qualitative characteristics of useful information, relevance and faithful representation, and results in more reliable inputs used in the valuation process. Unlike methods currently used in practice, our method ensures the integrity of the valuation data employed by selecting prices from compliant markets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Addressing early career school leader attrition and turnover, education systems assign mentors to ease novice principals' socialization, but results are varied and many mechanisms of this variance are still unexplained. To fill gaps in the literature, different mentor profiles were typified. Fifty-six mentor and mentee interviews were thematically analyzed and socialization outcomes were appraised by comparing increase in person–organization compatibility or congruence. Literature alluded to leadership in education systems as fraught with conflicting loyalties and, accordingly, this study found organization-loyal mentors who tried to promote conformity, person-loyal mentors who tried to prioritize mentee needs, and balanced mentors who achieved skill development and emotional support by being active listeners, prioritizing confidentiality, and guiding reflective contemplation. Socialization tactics, fit, and self-determination theories were linked to explain the different mentors' effects, recommend improvements, and reflect back on the theories themselves. In the context of mentoring principals in Israel, it is implied that needs–supplies fit and demands–abilities fit must both be effected for supplementary fit to increase. It is also implied that radically institutionalized or individualized tactics were ineffective, as only the balanced mentors seemed able to foster principals who can become more autonomous and motivated to persevere and succeed in their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pregnancy and anticipation of the birth of the first child is considered a happy and exciting time. However, the stress involved in pregnancy has been found to put women at greater risk of impaired psychological well-being, or higher distress. Confusion in the theoretical literature between the terms 'stress' and 'distress' makes it difficult to understand the underlying mechanism that may enhance or reduce psychological well-being. We suggest that maintaining this theoretical distinction and examining stress from different sources, may allow us to gain new knowledge regarding the psychological well-being of pregnant women. Objective: Drawing on the Calming Cycle Theory, to examine a moderated mediation model for the explanation of the dynamic between two stress factors (COVID−19-related anxiety and pregnancy stress) that may pose a risk to psychological well-being, as well as the protective role of maternal-fetal bonding. Methods: The sample consisted of 1,378 pregnant women who were expecting their first child, recruited through social media and completed self-report questionnaires. Results: The higher the COVID−19-related anxiety, the higher the pregnancy stress, which, in turn, was associated with lower psychological well-being. However, this effect was weaker among women who reported greater maternal-fetal bonding. Conclusion: The study expands knowledge of the dynamic between stress factors and psychological well-being during pregnancy, and sheds light on the unexplored role of maternal-fetal bonding as a protective factor against stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Literature on teacher leadership highlights a significant gap in understanding the role of teacher leaders (TLs) as entrepreneurs. This research aims to bridge this gap by examining the multifaceted entrepreneurial dimension of teacher leadership. It specifically focuses on providing a comprehensive profile of these leaders and assessing their perceived influence on teachers' outcome, which are important for improving school performance. Design/methodology/approach: A two-step clustering procedure was utilized to discern profiles of teacher leaders' entrepreneurial behaviours, sampling 586 participants in a teacher leader training program. To assess mean differences in relation to perceived influence on teacher outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction, intrateam trust and innovative teaching practices) among these clusters, two-way contingency table analysis and MANOVA were conducted. Findings: We identified three teacher-leader profiles: congenial facilitators, champion-leaders and executors. Our findings reveal the unique strengths and weaknesses of each profile and their contributions to job satisfaction, intrateam trust and innovative teaching practices. Originality/value: This study is innovative in its detailed examination of teacher leadership through the lens of Teacher Entrepreneurial Behaviour (TEB), providing new perspectives on the intricate relationships between teacher leaders' TEB and their perceived influences. This deeper insight emphasizes the important role of entrepreneurial behaviours within teacher leadership, suggesting new directions for further research and development in educational leadership practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The traditional categorical division of surgical margins using a 5 mm cutoff in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is controversial. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the presence of an optimal cutoff point or, alternatively, assess the potential improvement in predictive value by considering the surgical margins as a continuum. Methods: Retrospective analysis of OCSCC patients at a tertiary medical center in 1995–2020. Clinical, pathological, and surgical data were evaluated for effect on survivability by regression analyses. Results: The cohort included 266 patients (48.1% male, mean age 65.4 ± 17.7). Patient stratification by categorical margin status yielded no significant between‐group differences in survival (p = 0.54). Significance was achieved when margin distance was reevaluated as a continuous variable (p = 0.0018). Similar results were shown in local control (categorical p = 0.59 vs. continuous p = 0.06). Multivariate model excluded possible confounders. A predictive model was created to provide a more accurate prediction of survival. Conclusions: The continuum spectrum of margin distance better predicts survival outcomes and locoregional control in OCSCC. Level of Evidence: 3 Laryngoscope, 135:161–167, 2025 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simulations to improve teachers' professional conduct and development have recently increased globally. However, research on the impact on teachers at different professional stages is limited. The current study examined the effects of the simulations carried out at Tel Hai Academic College in the north of Israel in the Pre-service, Internship, and Professional teacher development phases to find their relative importance in the effect of the simulations on their participants and evaluate this teacher development practice. Four hundred thirty-seven teachers in three professional development phases participated in educational simulations and completed a questionnaire about three assessment levels of the individual (experience, learning, and application). Teachers perceived the most effective simulations in all parameters during their internship stage. Therefore, when simulations are used worldwide to advance professional teachers' development, it is recommended to do so as soon as possible upon entering the internship and first years' phase of teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: COPD exacerbations are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Although inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) have a role as long-term treatment, their efficacy in exacerbations, particularly as an adjunct to systemic steroids, remains unclear. Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we analyzed data from 870 subjects admitted with COPD exacerbations to a tertiary medical center in Israel from January 2018–January 2023. We investigated the impact of adding ICS to standard systemic steroid treatment on hospital length of stay, intubation rates, and 30-d mortality using propensity score matching to account for confounders. Results: The cohort, after matching, included 354 subjects treated with systemic steroids and ICS and 121 treated with systemic steroids alone. All characteristics were similar between the groups. Our analysis showed no differences in 30-d mortality (7.1% vs 5.8%, P =.63) or secondary outcomes (intubation, hospital length of stay, and readmission rates) between the groups. Subgroup analyses based on different eosinophil levels did not alter these findings. In multivariate analysis among the general cohort, eosinophil count <150 cells/μL (adjusted odds ratio 0.45 [95% CI 0.21–0.87], P =.02) and high Charlson score (adjusted odds ratio 1.19 [95% CI 1.02–1.37], P =.02) were independent predictors for 30-d mortality. Conclusions: Despite the known benefits of ICS in managing chronic COPD, we did not find an added value of ICS to systemic steroids in exacerbations. These results underscore the necessity for individualized treatment strategies and further research into the role of ICS in COPD exacerbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aim: Visual data from images is essential for many medical diagnoses. This study evaluates the performance of multimodal Large Language Models (LLMs) in integrating textual and visual information for diagnostic purposes. Methods: We tested GPT-4o and Claude Sonnet 3.5 on 120 clinical vignettes with and without accompanying images. Each vignette included patient demographics, a chief concern, and relevant medical history. Vignettes were paired with either clinical or radiological images from two sources: 100 images from the OPENi database and 20 images from recent NEJM challenges, ensuring they were not in the LLMs' training sets. Three primary care physicians served as a human benchmark. We analyzed diagnostic accuracy and the models' explanations for a subset of cases. Results: LLMs outperformed physicians in text-only scenarios (GPT-4o: 70.8 %, Claude Sonnet 3.5: 59.5 %, Physicians: 39.5 %, p

The German invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939, led to the rapid evacuation of the Polish government from Warsaw, with the city eventually surrendering to the Nazis on September 28. The devastating aftermath saw a quarter of Warsaw’s houses destroyed and approximately 50,000 people killed or wounded. This article focuses on the experiences of Jewish children during this tumultuous period, a subject often overlooked in historical literature. While extensive research exists on children in Warsaw, particularly during the Ghettoization period, little attention has been given to the crucial initial month marked by both land and air assaults. Drawing from diverse sources such as diaries, archival materials, and oral testimonies, this article provides a comprehensive understanding of how Jewish children navigated the challenges of the siege and their survival strategies. By synthesizing these perspectives, it offers a nuanced analysis of their experiences, shedding light on an important aspect of this historical event.

Not available.