METHODS: The development and validation process in this study consisted of four stages: Stage One involved item pool generation, Stage Two focused on content and face validation, Stage Three encompassed data collection, and Stage Four included the assessment of the psychometric properties of the RESQ. This final stage was conducted through Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA; n = 275) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA; n = 313) to evaluate convergent validity, discriminant validity, and composite reliability.
RESULTS: The initial item pool generated 60 items, whereby 42 items were retained after the content validity evaluation process by the panel of experts. Next, EFA analysis suggested 31 items distributed across seven factors. Lastly, psychometric properties of RESQ with 26 items were established through CFA (GFI = 0.91, CFI = 0.97, RMSEA = 0.04, TLI = 0.96, X²/df = 1.52) and other psychometrics evidence.
CONCLUSION: Based on the collected psychometrics evidence, RESQ is a valid questionnaire to evaluate the commitment of recreational sports users. The newly developed questionnaire allows sports organizations to assess the factors influencing sport commitment among recreational sports users. Based on the results of RESQ, sport programmes can be tailored made to optimize sports engagement and promote continued commitment.
METHODS: We sequenced Trebouxia nuclear ribosomal ITS and rbcL of 139 lichen thalli from diverse biomes in South Africa and Namibia. Global Trebouxia phylogenies incorporating these new data were inferred with a maximum likelihood approach. Trebouxia biodiversity, biogeography, and mycobiont-photobiont associations were assessed in phylogenetic and ecological network frameworks.
RESULTS: An estimated 43 putative Trebouxia species were found across the region, including seven potentially endemic species. Only five clades represent formally described species: T. arboricola s.l. (A13), T. cf. cretacea (A01), T. incrustata (A06), T. lynniae (A39), and T. maresiae (A46). Potential endemic species were not significantly associated with the Greater Cape Floristic Region or desert. Trebouxia species occurred frequently across multiple biomes. Annual precipitation, but not precipitation seasonality, was significant in explaining variation in Trebouxia communities. Consistent with other studies of lichen photobionts, the Trebouxia-mycobiont network had an anti-nested structure.
CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the metric used, ca. 20-30% of global Trebouxia biodiversity occurs in southern Africa, including many species yet to be described. With a classification scheme for Trebouxia now well established, tree-based approaches are preferable over "barcode gap" methods for delimiting new species.
METHOD: The research employs a quantitative design, with responses collected from 353 students enrolled at a Malaysian public university. It aims to validate the influence of social norms, cultural identity, and affective disposition on narrative immersion while watching foreign TV dramas, as well as the subsequent enjoyment of media among local audiences.
RESULTS: The results indicate that social norms, cultural identity, and affective disposition significantly influence transportation and enjoyment. Furthermore, the influence of cultural identity on social norms has a positive moderating effect on transportation.
DISCUSSION: Storytelling that complies with social norms while offering new perspectives can maximally engage audiences, potentially altering their narrative cognition and deepening their immersion in fictional narratives. Cultural identity can shape audience perceptions and reactions to cross-cultural media consumption, ultimately influencing the degree to which audiences are drawn into the narrative. Furthermore, the audience's emotional connection to characters in the narrative or to situations in the drama significantly influences the overall cognitive and immersion levels.
OBJECTIVES: This study involves a bibliometric quantitative analysis of academic literature to evaluate OTC vending machines in terms of their evolution, current trends, and potential areas for future research.
METHODS AND MATERIALS: The Scopus database was searched using its advanced search tool, focusing on papers that included the search query in their titles, abstracts, and keywords. Data analysis included bibliometric indicators such as publication counts, citation trends, and co-authorship networks, which were visualized using VOSviewer software (version 1.6.20) to highlight key research themes and collaboration patterns.
RESULTS: A total of 399 publications on OTC vending machines were found between 1833 and 2024. Over the last 20 years, there has been an annual increase in the number of publications related to OTC vending machines, rising from 1 in 2001 to 31 in 2023. The United States (n = 118; 29.57 %) led in productivity, followed by the United Kingdom (45; 11.27 %), India (30; 7.51 %), Australia (27; 6.76 %), Canada (16; 4 %), Italy (15; 3.75 %), and China (15; 3.75 %). A total of 35 institutions have been involved in research on OTC vending machines. The Dubai Municipality contributed the highest percentage of articles (n = 3, 0.75 %), followed by the Emirates Health Services (n = 3, 0.75 %), Al Ain University (n = 2, 0.5 %), and Baystate Medical Center (n = 2, 0.5 %). Before 2016, much of the research on OTC vending machines focused on terms related to healthcare policy and health promotion, indicating the early exploration of this field. Present trends highlight terms associated with pharmacy practice, such as pharmacists, pharmacy, and prescription-related subjects.
CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasises the practical necessity for enhanced regulatory structures to mitigate risks such as medication abuse, unfavourable drug interactions, and incorrect dispensing practices. Additionally, the study highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration among technologists, policymakers, and healthcare professionals to maximize the benefits of OTC vending machines while addressing consumer behaviour and safety issues.
METHODS: From the databases of endoscopic endonasal skull base and rhinological surgical procedures maintained by our groups, all cases with isolated sphenoid sinus fungal mucoceles were retrieved and included in the study. Clinical and radiological findings, histopathologic evidence of fungal rhinosinusitis, culture results, clinicopathological designation, treatment details, and outcome of CN neuropathies were analyzed.
RESULTS: Headache was the most common symptom (seven cases). Oculomotor (three cases) and abducens (two cases) nerve palsies were encountered in five out of eight patients. Visual loss was seen in two cases. Hypopituitarism was seen in one case. All patients underwent endoscopic endonasal wide bilateral sphenoidectomy. CN palsies improved in four out of five cases.
CONCLUSION: Endoscopic endonasal wide sphenoidectomy is the surgical treatment of choice and should be performed in a timely manner to prevent permanent sequelae. Histopathological and microbiological examination findings should both be obtained as they dictate the next steps of therapeutic intervention.
METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort study of 624 patients initiated on liraglutide was conducted. Data were collected at baseline and 6, 12, 18, and 24 months. Primary outcomes were HbA1c and weight changes. Secondary outcomes included fasting plasma glucose, lipid profile, and blood pressure. Statistical analyses were performed using appropriate methods.
RESULTS: In study population the mean HbA1c reduction of -1.45 ± 0.67% was observed at 24 months, with 30.6% achieving HbA1c ≤ 7.5%. A rapid and sustained weight loss of -7.51 kg was achieved, with 27.2% experiencing ≥5% weight loss. Additionally, liraglutide led to a significant reduction in LDL cholesterol, with 46.7% of patients achieving a ≥ 10% reduction at 24 months. Liraglutide was well-tolerated, with a low discontinuation rate of 4.6%.
CONCLUSION: Liraglutide demonstrated sustained efficacy and safety in a diverse Pakistani population with T2DM, regardless of baseline characteristics. These findings support the use of liraglutide as an effective treatment option for T2DM in real-world clinical practice.