Search

Background: Information regarding how the Special Olympics programs affect volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes towards individuals with intellectual disability (ID) is limited. We conducted a quasi-experimental study to address this gap. Method: The intervention group participants (n = 120) were Chinese volunteers for the Special Olympics Eunice Kennedy Shriver University Day. They were asked to attend a pre-service training program and provide a half-day service. Results were compared with a control group (n = 123). Results: Our findings showed that the volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes immediately improved after intervention. In addition, change in participants' self-esteem contributed to their positive attitude change. Conclusions: The Special Olympics may provide an avenue for promoting the volunteers' self-esteem and attitudes regarding inclusion towards individuals with ID. Future research should include follow-up tests to examine the lasting effects of intervention.

Aging is a major risk factor for heart failure (HF) and is the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, the nature of the relationship between aging and HF is not entirely clear. Herein, this study aimed to explore new diagnostic biomarkers, molecular typing and therapeutic strategies for HF by investigating the biological significance of aging‐related genes in HF. A total of 157 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened totally between HF and normal samples, and functional enrichment analysis of DEGs revealed the strong association of HF progression with aging, immune processes and metabolism. Six HF‐specific aging‐related genes were further identified, and a diagnostic model was developed and validated for good diagnostic efficacy. In addition, we collected blood samples from 10 normal controls and 10 HF patients for RT‐qPCR analysis to verify the bioinformation. We also identified two aging‐associated subtypes with distinctly different immune infiltration and metabolic microenvironment. Further single‐cell sequencing analysis conducted in the study identified SERPINE1 as a key gene in HF. The distinctive role of SERPINE1 fibroblasts was revealed, including three main findings: (I) fibroblasts had a higher proportion and expression of SERPINE1 levels in HF; (II) the ligand–receptor pair MDK‐LRP1 made the most contributions in high interactions with other cell types in SERPINE1 fibroblasts; and (III) SERPINE1 fibroblasts were associated with the interaction of extracellular matrix and receptor and may be regulated by the transcription factor EGR1. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of aging‐related genes in diagnosing HF and regulating immune infiltration. We also identified different HF subtypes and a potentially crucial gene, which may provide a better understanding of the molecular‐level mechanisms of aging‐related HF and aid in developing effective therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teachers' self-efficacy is a critical predictor for successful inclusive physical education. However, little is known about preservice physical educators' self-efficacy toward teaching students with autism spectrum disorders in China. A sound instrument is necessary to measure their self-efficacy level. This validation study examined the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Physical Educators' Self-Efficacy Toward Including Students with Disabilities--Autism. A multisection survey form was administered to preservice physical educators in Mainland China (n = 205) and Hong Kong (n = 227). The results of confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the one-factor model of the scale in the total sample and each of the two samples. Invariance tests across the two samples supported configural and metric invariance but not scalar invariance. The scale scores showed good internal reliability and were correlated with theoretically relevant constructs (i.e., burnout and life satisfaction) in the total sample and subsamples. These findings generally support the utility of the scale for use among Chinese preservice physical educators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A visible-light-mediated C-3 formylation of indole catalyzed by eosin Y has been developed using tetramethylethylenediamine as a carbon source and air as an oxidant. This protocol shows high tolerance to a large quantity of functional groups under mild conditions and provides 3-formylated indoles with good yields. This method is a highly attractive alternative to the approach of traditional formylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disabled persons are not only beneficiaries but also important participants and builders of a well--off society. By means of literature review, questionnaire survey, interview, etc., this paper analyzes the status quo of the system guarantee of disabled people's sports participation from the aspects of relevant laws and regulations, public sports services for disabled people, and barrier--free facilities construction. The development of sports for the disabled requires a perfect organization system and social support system for the disabled. Then, how to "empower" the disabled at the macro level and how to "increase energy" at the micro level are the core issues. Based on the theory of empowerment and energy enhancement, this paper analyzes the deep reasons of the plight of disabled people's sports participation in sample provinces and cities: 1) the sports participation system for the disabled needs to be refined; 2) the sports management mechanism for the disabled needs to be improved; 3) social support for disability sports participation is weak; 4) the external empowerment of the disabled sports participation is insufficient; 5) the individual internal empowerment of the disabled sports participation is weak. Based on the above, this paper proposes the solution strategies for disabled people s sports participation in sample provinces and cities, including further improving the policies and regulations of disabled people's sports to promote the strengthening of sports for the disabled with the refinement of policies and regulations, improving the organization and management mechanism of sports for the disabled, improving the level of public sports services for the disabled, improving the level of sports services for the disabled, and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]