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The Troubles officially ended with the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, but the conflict left such profound scars in the history of the region that making a film about Northern Ireland tends to almost automatically assume a discourse informed by division. The question that arises, then, is how this context may be tackled so as to simultaneously do justice to its traditionally rendered black-and-white reality and offer a more complex, contemporary understanding of the past that embraces reconciliation, openness and multiplicity of perspectives. Thus, the paper offers a close analysis of multiple types of division featured in Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast (2021) and Terry Loane’s Mickybo and Me (2004) by making use of John Hill’s and Fiona Coffey’s theoretical categorizations that distinguish traditional Troubles productions from the more recent Peace Process cinema. This genre-based inquiry allows for a probing of the films’ positioning in relation to the Troubles paradigm, as well as a revealing of difference at the heart of two otherwise very similar films, whose employment of conventional vocabulary may not allow for their unproblematic alignment with the politics of peace.

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The JAK2 V617F somatic variant is a well-known driver of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) associated with an increased risk for athero-thrombotic cardiovascular disease. Recent studies have demonstrated its role in the development of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). However, limited clinical information and level of JAK2 V617F burden have been provided for a comprehensive evaluation of potential confounders. A retrospective genotype-first study was conducted to identify carriers of the JAK2 V617F variant from an internal exome sequencing database in Yale DNA Diagnostics Lab. Additionally, the overall incidence of somatic variants in the JAK2 gene across various tissue types in the healthy population was carried out based on reanalysis of SomaMutDB and data from the UK Biobank (UKBB) cohort to compare our dataset to the population prevalence of the variant. In our database of 12,439 exomes, 594 (4.8%) were found to have a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA), and 12 (0.049%) were found to have a JAK2 V617F variant. Among the 12 JAK2 V617F variant carriers, five had a TAA (42%), among whom four had an ascending TAA and one had a descending TAA, with a variant allele fraction ranging from 11.2% to 20%. Among these five patients, 60% were female, and average age at diagnosis was 70 (49–79). The mean ascending aneurysm size was 5.05 cm (range 4.6–5.5 cm), and four patients had undergone surgical aortic replacement or repair. UKBB data revealed a positive correlation between the JAK2 V617F somatic variant and aortic valve disease (effect size 0.0086, p = 0.85) and TAA (effect size = 0.004, p = 0.92), although not statistically significant. An unexpectedly high prevalence of TAA in our dataset (5/594, 0.84%) is greater than the prevalence reported before for the general population, supporting its association with TAA. JAK2 V617F may contribute a meaningful proportion of otherwise unexplained aneurysm patients. Additionally, it may imply a potential JAK2-specific disease mechanism in the developmental of TAA, which suggests a possible target of therapy that warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antipsychotic medications are essential for managing severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, which impacts about 1% of the global population. Despite efficacy, in some cases, they can induce hyperprolactinemia, affecting roughly half of the patients. The prevalence of this condition varies with the specific medication used. Although prolactinomas are rare among schizophrenia patients, treating them with dopamine agonists poses conflicts with antipsychotic medication, necessitating careful monitoring and adjustments. The aim of this study was to explore the presence of brain tumors, prolactinomas, and other structural brain changes in schizophrenia patients treated with second-generation antipsychotics using cerebral computed tomography (CT) scans. We conducted a cross-sectional study involving 152 hospitalized patients diagnosed between 1 January 2020 and 31 March 2024. Evaluations included cerebral CT scans, prolactin level assessments, and the monitoring of side effects. Patients, with an average age of 42.79 years and an illness duration of 17.89 years, predominantly received olanzapine (46.05%) and risperidone (36.84%). Side effects, reported by 61.78% of patients, included tremors, dizziness, and weight gain. Abnormal prolactin levels were observed in 53.95% of patients, more prevalent in females on risperidone and in both genders on olanzapine. No prolactinomas were detected on CT scans. Managing hyperprolactinemia in schizophrenia patients undergoing antipsychotic therapy is essential to prevent long-term complications and to ensure treatment compliance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the relation between posttraumatic stress symptoms and quality of life in samples of participants exposed to childhood traumatic experiences. To test these relations, we conducted a systematic review of the literature on PTSD symptoms and quality of life. We identified 16 eligible studies that we included in the meta-analysis. Based on previous literature, we hypothesized that: (1) there is a negative relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life; (2) the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life differs based on the type of childhood trauma and the type of trauma exposure; (3) the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life differs based on the dimensions of quality of life; (4) the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life vary according to gender, age, the region where the studies were conducted, the type of PTSD symptomatology measurement, and quality of life. The quantitative analysis was conducted using meta-analytic techniques. Results sustained the fact that there is a negative relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life. Moreover, the relation between PTSD symptoms and quality of life depends on the type of trauma, gender, age, region where the studies were conducted, type of measure for PTSD symptoms, and quality of life. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A multilevel approach to studying psychological distress is essential to better understand the interaction between psychological and contextual factors and to identify the early signs of psychological distress. The present cross-sectional study used a multi-dimensional perspective to examine adults' psychological distress. We were interested in exploring the roles of emotional (i.e., rejection sensitivity), behavioral (i.e., smartphone addiction), and physical (i.e., sleep quality) predictors of psychological distress among adults. Our sample comprised 236 Romanian adults aged 18 to 58 (M = 24.58, SD = 7.10, 82.2% females). Inclusion criteria were related to age (> 18) and the use of a smartphone. Participants completed a web-based survey at the beginning of 2023. Correlation analyses suggested that high smartphone addiction, low sleep quality, and high rejection sensitivity were significantly associated with high psychological distress. Age was not significantly associated with psychological distress, and no significant gender-based differences were found in this regard. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis results suggested that psychological distress was best predicted by sleep quality and rejection sensitivity. Smartphone addiction was not a significant predictor in the proposed models. We discuss the present findings concerning their practical implications regarding the potential interventions to reduce adults' psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This essay follows three different stages of the fusion of images and words in the tradition of the book. More specifically, it tackles the transformation undergone by the initially religious combination of visual figures and scriptural texts, exemplified by medieval illuminated manuscripts into the spiritual, non-dogmatic, illuminated books printed and painted by poet-prophet William Blake in a manner that combines mysticism and literature. Eventually, the analysis reaches the secularized genre of the graphic novel that renounces the metaphysical element embedded in the intertwining of the two media. If ninth-century manuscripts such as the Book of Kells were employed solely for divinely inspired renditions of religious texts, William Blake’s late eighteenthcentury illuminated books moved towards an individual, personal literature conveyed via unique pieces of art that asserted the importance of individuality in the process of creation. The modern rendition of the image-text illumination can be said to take the form of the graphic novel with writers such as Will Eisner and Alan Moore overtly expressing their indebtedness to the above-mentioned tradition by paying homage to William Blake in the pages of their graphic novels. However, the fully printed form of this twentieth-century literary genre, along with its separation from the intrinsic spirituality of the visual-literary fusion in order to meet the demands of a disenchanted era, necessarily reconceptualize the notion of illumination.

This study explores the potential of implementing analysis indicators in the Romanian context to enhance the development and maintenance of green and blue urban infrastructure. Previous studies on GBUI have primarily focused on larger scales, considering cities or territories, to understand connectivity and positive impacts. However, in Romania, green and blue infrastructure in urban areas has received less attention for analysis and development. To understand the impact of GBUI at a neighbourhood level, the study proposes the development of specific indicators that consider the urban form, functional zoning, and the provision of public urban green and blue spaces regarding housing and urban amenities. This research utilises international practice, scientific literature, and national legislation to understand new mechanisms for urban design and sustainable development. It maps indicators for GBUI analysis and design, contributing to a new methodological approach in the Romanian context. This research's findings can guide the design and development of new residential areas, thereby improving the quality of urban life through improved green and blue urban infrastructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining health, improving the quality of life is largely related to the way of eating and the quality of food consumption. The way of eating is a central life issue, because apart from the very important social activities and other recreational activities, man still has three meals daily. Diet and nutrition are of paramount importance in disease prevention and health promotion. In fact, a slight imbalance in the quantitative and/or qualitative consumption of food can and does have long-term effects on health. In order to determine how nutrition influences the lifestyle of people suffering from digestive diseases, a retrospective study was conducted at the Municipal Hospital, St. Ierah Dr. Luca, Onești during the period 1.01.2015-31.03.2020. In this study, 1019 patients with digestive pathology (gastric ulcer, duodenal ulcer, acute haemorrhagic gastritis, gastritis, gastroduodenitis) were included. As indicated by the research, it was found that the 1019 tested patients were diagnosed with ulcers, gastritis and gastroduodenitis. According to the research, we can conclude that improper eating habits are risk factors in triggering, maintaining, or aggravating digestive pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable development is a recent concept that appeared from the need to fight the issues of prejudicing the sustainability. This approach is very important to ensure a continuous good life style for all the generations in all the sectors and to help the consumers to be satisfied from all the productive sectors they appeal to for the daily life. This can be achieved by efforts of several parts, such as implementation and support of the regional development. The efforts that can be done in the regional level are expected to give rapid and important results in order to change and maintain the way the economy works in the way of a sustainable growing economy. This paper treats the South Muntenia region by proposing a model of regional development which refers to the development directives and the way to succeed in this area.

The paper presents the results of several substantiation studies concerning public facilities assessment for various Romanian municipalities, made in order to substantiate urban development plans. The study outlines main methodological steps for public amenities assessment emphasizing the importance of the territorial context, socio-economical context, as well the necessity of development of a compulsory legal frame at national level. The studies conducted by the authors tried to develop specific methodologies designated to assess public facilities provision at city level in order to propose their enhancement if case. The study compares different public facilities assessment conclusions for several cities in Romania and outlines that the average offer and need (public request) is generated by different elements (built and natural), not only the perceived urban barriers but also the unseen elements (as perceived neighbor hoods, sense of belonging of different urban areas). Also, one of the conclusions of this survey is that public amenities (green areas, education facilities, leisure, cultural health and transportation facilities) are one of the main features of urban structure that has to be addressed when planning development at urban or zone level. This focus on public amenities approach can substantiate development decisions at urban level, despite that it is the most disregarded element due to urban development pressures, especially within the new urban development areas. Assessment of public facilities provision at urban level should be subject of the urban development plans in terms of sustainable urban development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]