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Introduction: Research indicates that the immobilisation mask required for radiation therapy (RT) for head and neck cancers can provoke intense anxiety. However, little is known about the rates of this anxiety, whether it changes over a course of treatment and how it is managed in clinical practice. This study aimed to describe the rates and patterns of situational anxiety in patients undergoing RT for head and neck cancer and the use of anxiety management interventions in current clinical practice in a major regional cancer setting in New South Wales, Australia. Methods: Situational anxiety rates and patterns were assessed at five time points using the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory prior to treatment planning (SIM), the first three treatment sessions (Tx 1, Tx 2 and Tx 3) and treatment 20 (Tx 20). Sessions were observed to record the use of general supportive interventions (music and support person) and anxiety‐specific interventions (break from the mask, relaxation techniques and anxiolytic medication). Sociodemographic and clinical information was extracted from the medical record. Results: One hundred and one patients were recruited. One‐third had clinically significant anxiety at any of the first three time points (33.3–40%), and a quarter at Tx 3 (26.4%) and Tx 20 (23.4%). Of the sample, 55.4% had available data for categorisation into one of four pattern groups: 'No Anxiety' (46.4%); 'Decreasing Anxiety' (35.7%); 'Increasing Anxiety' (7.1%); and 'Stable High Anxiety' (10.7%). Most participants had social support present at SIM (53.5%) and listened to music during treatment (86.7–92.9%). Few participants received relaxation techniques alone (1.2–2.3%). Anxiolytic medication was provided for 10% of patients at some stage during the treatment journey and 5% required a break from the mask at SIM, with frequency decreasing throughout the treatment course. Conclusions: In this regional cancer setting, situational anxiety was common, but generally decreased throughout treatment. Some patients experience persistent or increasing anxiety, with up to 10% of patients receiving specific anxiety management interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay suggests an aesthetic solution to the problem of foundation in Carl Schmitt's Political Theology by reading that work in relation to the Old English poem Judith. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the author's analysis of the book "Political Theology" by author Carl Schmitt and how it relates to the Old English poem "Judith". Topics discussed include the author's interpretation of author Carl Schmitt's perspective of sovereignty and the author's use of the Old English poem to provide the solution to the sovereignty problem presented in the book "Political Theology".

Aims: To examine survivors' experiences of discharge information including risk communication after hospitalisation for a stroke and the characteristics associated with receiving information in accordance with their preferences., Background: With advances in acute stroke care and an ageing population, the number of survivors of stroke is increasing. It is important that healthcare providers ensure patients have adequate information after a stroke-related hospitalisation., Design: Cross-sectional study., Methods: Adults recently discharged after a stroke from eight Australian hospitals were mailed a survey. Items examined risk and discharge care information, with participants asked to indicate both their preferences for and receipt of the information. Concordance with preferences was calculated, and characteristics associated with information preference concordance were assessed with binomial logistic regression. Study reported in accordance with STROBE Checklist., Results: Of 1161 eligible patients invited, 403 (35%) completed the survey. All items were endorsed by 80% or more of respondents as being wanted. However, for all items, fewer respondents reported the care as received. Only 28% of participants received information on all five items according to their preferences. Hospital site, Body Mass Index and age were statistically significantly associated with participants receiving information in accordance with their preferences., Conclusion: Most participants indicated a preference to receive recommended discharge information. Findings suggest that patients may benefit from increased information provision prior to hospital discharge after stroke., Relevance to Clinical Practice and Patient Care: Nurses have an important role in the provision of stroke care and information. The findings of this study may be used to improve the provision of post-hospital discharge care and support for survivors of stroke, and assist in identifying patients at lower odds of experiencing information aligned with their preferences and who may benefit from support., Reporting Method: Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist for cross-sectional studies., Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution., (© 2025 The Author(s). Journal of Clinical Nursing published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Purpose/objective: To examine, among survivors of stroke: (a) the prevalence of and most frequently reported unmet needs; and (b) the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with higher counts of unmet needs., Research Method/design: A cross-sectional study was undertaken with survivors of stroke recently discharged from eight hospitals in Australia, with institutional board approval. Survivors were mailed one survey for completion after their discharge from hospital. Unmet needs were measured by the Longer-Term Unmet Needs After Stroke (LUNS) tool. The number and percentage of participants who reported unmet needs were calculated. The association of sociodemographic factors, type of stroke, and thrombolysis treatment to total LUNS scores was examined using mixed ordinal logistic regression., Results: A total of 402 survivors (35% of those approached) between April 2018 to December 2019 returned a completed survey. 83% reported at least one unmet need. The most frequently reported unmet need was needing more information about their stroke ( n = 239, 61%). Those who identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander had approximately 5.6-fold higher odds ( OR = 5.59, p = .025) of having more longer-term unmet needs compared to those who did not identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander., Conclusions/implications: Unmet needs are common in recently discharged survivors of stroke. These findings may be used to inform strategies that support recovery. Providing more information may help reduce unmet needs among survivors of stroke. Enhanced hospital discharge planning and enhanced community services for survivors may help better prepare them and their caregivers for the return home. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Few studies have demonstrated plasticity of egg size within the confines of an egg size-number trade-off in response to trophic conditions in fishes. Moreover, the physiological mechanisms that govern this plasticity are not known. Growth differentiation factor 9 (Gdf9) and bone morphogenetic factor 15 (Bmp15) are oocyte-specific factors implicated in follicular growth and ovulation in mammals. In order to investigate whether expression levels of these genes were correlated with ration-dependent changes in fecundity in fish, zebrafish (Danio rerio) were subjected to four different feeding regimens. Counts of spawned eggs or vitellogenic follicles were used to estimate fecundity, whereas quantitative polymerase chain reaction analyses were performed to determine Gdf9 and Bmp15 mRNA levels in response to changes in ration size. Both relative fecundity and gonadosomatic index increased significantly with increased ration size, whereas egg size and hatching rate decreased significantly. No significant differences in Gdf9 or Bmp15 transcript abundance were evident between feeding regimens, suggesting that these growth factors do not govern fecundity in fish. However, favourable trophic conditions markedly affected follicle or egg size and number, with important implications for downstream egg quality and survival.