The efficacy of a training program for social skills in reducing addictive Internet behaviors among Palestinian university students

Abstract Background: For youth in geopolitically at-risk environments, such as Palestine, the issues related to Internet overuse and addictions are complex. Youth residing in the occupied territories of Palestine as in other highly militarized zones have high levels of environmental stressors (e.g., militarization, poverty, lack of employment opportunities, cultural pressures, etc.) and few chemical or social outlets such as alcohol, intoxicants, and leisure activities. As such, the easily accessible and unrestricted opportunities for stress-reducing social contact of social media can lead easily to excessive and maladaptive Internet use. Therefore, interventions directly aimed at awareness and education on how to manage Internet use are critical for addressing these issues in high risk populations. Aims: The purpose of the current study was to test the efficacy of a time-limited group training program aimed at improving social skills and reducing addictive Internet behaviors among university students. Methods and results: The sample consisted of 30 university students who self-reported high scores on an Internet addiction scale. Participants were randomly assigned to either wait list or treatment group (15 in each condition). Results demonstrated that using a social skills training program over an 8-week period improved the level of social skills and reduced addictive Internet behaviors significantly in those who experienced the intervention when compared with a wait list control group. Conclusions: These findings support the implementation of time limited training programs targeting social skills and addictive patterns of Internet use with university students identified with high levels of Internet addictive behaviors.

Covid-19: a catástrofe latino-americana, entre a caça e a imaginação / Covid-19: the Latin American catastrophe between the hunting and the imagination / Covid-19: la catástrofe latinoamericana, entre la caza y la imaginación

Esta nota expõe um breve balanço da história da pandemia de Covid após sete meses de crise. Com esse objetivo, apreendemos três grandes tendências: o impacto letal do negacionismo em países como os Estados Unidos e o Brasil; a chegada da segunda onda na Europa e, enfim, a catástrofe nos países latinoamericanos onde os indicadores pioram em todos eles independentemente das políticas de contenção que foram implementadas desde o mês de março de 2020. Para a discussão dessas três tendências, elaboramos três momentos de reflexão de maior fôlego: a clivagem que separa os modelos de gestão da pandemia na Ásia no Ocidente; a necessidade de uma política social (como o auxílio emergencial) para tornar viáveis as políticas sanitárias na América Latina; e, enfim, uma reflexão mais geral sobre a relação entre as catástrofes e a imaginação.

This paper presents a brief analysis of the history concerning Covid pandemic after its beginning seven months ago. In pursuing this purpose we realised three major trends: the lethal impact of denialism in countries such as United States and Brazil; the arrival of the second wave of coronavirus in Europe; and finally, the Latin American catastrophe where the indicators of people affected by disease worsen in all their countries regardless of the policies to restrain it implemented since March 2020. To discuss these three trends, we have deepened three reflections: the cleavage between the management model of the pandemic in Asia and the Western management model; the need for a social policy (such as an emergency financial aid) to make health policies viable in Latin America; and at last a general reflection on the relationship between the catastrophes and the imagination.

Esta nota expone un breve análisis de la historia de la pandemia de Covid después de siete meses de crisis. Intentando alcanzar este propósito, hemos distinguido tres grandes tendencias: el impacto letal del negacionismo en países como Estados Unidos y Brasil; la llegada de la segunda ola a Europa; y finalmente la catástrofe latinoamericana donde los indicadores del contagio empeoraron en todos los países independiente de las políticas de contención implementadas desde marzo de 2020. Para discutir estas tres tendencias, hemos profundizado tres reflexiones: la diferencia entre el modelo de gestión de la pandemia en Asia y el modelo implementado en Occidente; la necesidad de una política social (como lo auxilio financiero de emergencia) para hacer viables las políticas de salud en Latinoamérica; y por último una reflexión de forma más general sobre la relación entre las catástrofes y la imaginación.

Dança do ventre: da tradição à modernidade / Belly dance: from tradition to modernity

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar o processo de transformação que sofreu a técnica de dança denominada de Dança do Ventre. Para tanto, foi realizada pesquisa com praticantes através de um questionário baseado no Inventário de Motivação para Prática Desportiva de Gaya e Cardoso, tendo os resultados sido tratados com o aplicativo SurveyMonk. Originária do Oriente Médio, em especial das populações árabes, esta dança era apreciada pelos múltiplos significados envolvidos na sua prática, mormente religiosos e familiares. A pesquisa confirmou a hipótese aqui desenvolvida de que a Dança do Ventre pode ser considerada um exemplo de prática cultural que se desterritorializou e se transformou, guardando da tradição basicamente os movimentos e hoje se apresenta com as mesmas propriedades de atividades similares de lazer, como a ginástica e outras danças.

The purpose of this article is to investigate the process of transformation that suffered the dance called Belly Dance. Therefore, conducted survey with practitioners through a questionnaire based on Motivation Inventory for Sports Practice of Gaya and Cardoso and treated the results with SurveyMonk application. Originating in the Middle East, especially the Arab populations, this dance was appreciated by the multiple meanings involved in their practice, particularly religious and family. Today is a leisure activity. The hypothesis developed here is that belly dancing can be considered an example of activity that deterritorialized and has become a practice of their old ways basically kept the movements and stands today with the same properties of similar leisure activities such as gymnastics and other dances.

Physicians' knowledge, perceived barriers, and practices regarding cancer pain management: a cross-sectional study from Palestine

Background: Pain continues to be a prevalent yet undertreated problem among cancer patients. Achieving adequate control of cancer pain is influenced by physicians' knowledge and practices, which have been found to be inadequate by many studies. In this study, we aimed to examine knowledge and practices, as well as perceived barriers relating to the management of cancer pain among Palestinian physicians. Methods: This cross-sectional study took place at eight hospitals in the northern West Bank in Palestine. A questionnaire was developed and distributed to physicians who were responsible for the care of cancer patients. The questionnaire assessed knowledge, perceived barriers, assessment practices, pain documentation, and delaying processes relating to cancer pain management (CPM). Results: In total, we analysed 109 questionnaires. The mean age of the participants was 32.3 ± 7.0 years and 73.4% had less than 10 years of professional experience. After analysing the data, we found physicians' knowledge to be inadequate, with a mean knowledge score of 6.2 ± 1.9 out of 14. The barriers that were perceived by the highest percentages of physicians to affect CPM were inadequate pain assessment (89%), insufficient experience (79.8%), and insufficient knowledge (76.1%), all of which are staff-related. However, 65% reported assessing pain on every round and 70% asked about all items related to the nature of pain. Finally, obtaining opioids from the pharmacy was the most recognized delaying step in CPM. Conclusions: Despite reporting good practices, physicians showed substantial knowledge deficits regarding CPM. Besides, many barriers appear to impede effective CPM. Therefore, appropriate educational programmes and policy changes are recommended in order to improve professional performance as well as patient care (AU)

Seed dormancy of Ochradenus baccatus (Resedaceae), a shrubby species from Arabian desert regions / Dormición de semillas de Ochradenus baccatus (Resedaceae), una especie arbustiva de las regiones desérticas arábicas

Abstract:Ochradenus baccatus is a perennial glycophyte growing in Middle East and it is one of the most important food sources for many animal species in desert regions. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of seed storage, light, temperature and gibberellic acid (GA3) on germination of O. baccatus seeds. We also investigated the germination characteristics of O. baccatus seeds under different saline concentration and their capability to recover germination once they were transferred to distilled water. Seeds were stored at room temperature (20 ± 2 ºC) and at -18 ºC. Germination tests were conducted at alternating temperatures of 15/25, 20/30 and 25/35 ºC in either continuous darkness or photoperiod of 12-h dark/12-h light. To study the effect of GA3 on germination of O. baccatus seeds, freshly-collected seeds and stored seeds were soaked for 24 h in a GA3 water solution (1 g/L) before sowing. To assess the salinity tolerance during germination, seeds were germinated under different salinity levels (100, 200 and 400 mM NaCl). Stored seeds at room temperature and -18 ºC germinate equally well at different temperature regimes and light conditions. However, freshly matured seeds were not able to germinate even when they were treated with GA3. On the contrary, stored seeds at room temperature and -18 ºC treated with GA3 increase the final germination percentages. These results indicated that O. baccatus seeds have physiological dormancy and they need to be stored in order to break their dormancy. In the present study, one year of storage did not show a significant variation in germination between the two storage conditions assayed. Therefore, further research is needed to know about the maximum storage period for O. baccatus seeds under different storage conditions. Very few O. baccatus seeds (less than 5 %) germinated at the tested lowest concentration of NaCl. However, ungerminated seeds were able to germinate when salinity stress was alleviated. In conclusion, O. baccatus seeds have physiological dormancy, and seed storage (at room temperature and at -18 ºC) for one year is effective for breaking this dormancy. In addition, O. baccatus seeds present ability to remain viable in saline conditions and they will be able to germinate once the salinity level decrease. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 965-974. Epub 2016 September 01.

ResumenOchradenus baccatus es un glicófito perenne que crece en oriente Medio y es una de las fuentes de alimentación más importantes para muchas especies animales de regiones desérticas. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue investigar los efectos del almacenamiento de semillas, luz, temperatura y ácido giberélico (GA3) en la germinación de semillas de O. baccatus. También se ha investigado la germinación de semillas de O. baccatus bajo diferentes concentraciones salinas y su capacidad para recuperar la germinación una vez que fueron transferidas a agua destilada. Las semillas se conservaron a temperatura ambiente (20 ± 2 ºC) y a -18 ºC. Los ensayos de germinación se realizaron a temperaturas alternas de 15/25, 20/30 y 25/35 ºC bajo oscuridad continua o fotoperiodo de 12-h oscuridad/12-h luz. Para estudiar el efecto del GA3 en la germinación de semillas de O. baccatus, semillas recién recolectadas y semillas almacenadas se sumergieron durante 24 h en una solución acuosa de GA3 (1 g/L) antes de la siembra. Para evaluar la tolerancia a la salinidad durante la germinación, la semillas fueron germinadas bajo diferentes niveles de salinidad (100, 200 y 400 mM ClNa). Las semillas conservadas a temperatura ambiente y a -18 ºC germinaron igualmente bien en los diferentes regímenes de temperatura y condiciones de iluminación. Sin embargo, las semillas recién maduradas fueron incapaces de germinar incluso cuando se trataron con GA3. Por el contrario, las semillas almacenadas tratadas con GA3 incrementaron los porcentajes finales de germinación. Estos resultados indican que las semillas de O. baccatus tienen dormición fisiológica y necesitan ser almacenadas para romperla. En este estudio, un año de conservación no supuso una variación significativa en la germinación entre las dos condiciones de conservación ensayadas. Por lo tanto, se precisan investigaciones adicionales para conocer cuáles son los periodos máximos de almacenamiento de semillas de O. baccatus bajo diferentes condiciones de conservación. Muy pocas semillas de O. baccatus (menos del 5 %) germinaron a la concentración más baja de ClNa. Sin embargo, las semillas no germinadas fueron capaces de germinar cuando el estrés salino fue aliviado. En conclusión, las semillas de O. baccatus tienen dormición fisiológica y el almacenamiento de las mismas (a temperatura ambiente y a -18 ºC) durante un año es eficaz para romper dicha dormición. Además, las semillas de O. baccatus presentan capacidad para permanecer viables en condiciones salinas y serán capaces de germinar una vez que el nivel de salinidad disminuya.

Carbaryl degradation by bacterial isolates from a soil ecosystem of the Gaza Strip

Abstract Carbaryl is an important and widely used insecticide that pollutes soil and water systems. Bacteria from the local soil ecosystem of the Gaza Strip capable of utilizing carbaryl as the sole source of carbon and nitrogen were isolated and identified as belonging to Bacillus, Morganella, Pseudomonas, Aeromonas and Corynebacterium genera. Carbaryl biodegradation by Bacillus, Morganella and Corynebacterium isolates was analyzed in minimal liquid media supplemented with carbaryl as the only source of carbon and nitrogen. Bacillus and Morganella exhibited 94.6% and 87.3% carbaryl degradation, respectively, while Corynebacterium showed only moderate carbaryl degradation at 48.8%. These results indicate that bacterial isolates from a local soil ecosystem in the Gaza Strip are able to degrade carbaryl and can be used to decrease the risk of environmental contamination by this insecticide.

First report on simplified diagnostic criteria for pre-hypertension and hypertension in a national sample of adolescents from the Middle East and North Africa: the CASPIAN-III study / Primeiro relatório sobre critérios de diagnóstico simplificado para pré-hipertensão e hipertensão em uma amostra nacional de adolescentes do Oriente Médio e da África do Norte: o estudo CASPIAN-III

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to simplify the diagnostic criteria of pre-hypertension (pre-HTN) and hypertension (HTN) in the pediatric age group, and to determine the accuracy of these simple indexes in a nationally-representative sample of Iranian children and adolescents. METHOD: The diagnostic accuracy of the indexes of systolic blood pressure-to-height ratio (SBPHR) and diastolic BPHR (DBPHR) to define pre-HTN and HTN was determined by the area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic curves. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 5,738 Iranian students (2,875 females) with mean (SD) age of 14.7 (2.4) years. The prevalences of pre-HTN and HTN were 6.9% and 5.6%. The optimal thresholds for defining pre-HTN were 0.73 in males and 0.71 in females for SBPHR, and 0.47 in males and 0.45 in females for DBPHR, respectively. The corresponding figures for HTNwere 0.73, 0.71, 0.48, and 0.46, respectively. In both genders, the accuracies of SBPHR and DBPHR in diagnosing pre-HTN and HTN were approximately 80%. CONCLUSIONS: BPHR is a valid, simple, inexpensive, and accurate tool to diagnose pre-HTN and HTN in adolescents. The optimal thresholds of SBPHR and DBPHR were consistent with the corresponding figures in other populations of children and adolescents with different racial and ethnic backgrounds. Thus, it is suggested that the use of these indexes can be generalized in programs aiming to screen elevated blood pressure in the pediatric age group. .

OBJETIVO: Este estudo visa simplificar os critérios de diagnóstico da pré-hipertensão (pré-HTA) e hipertensão (HTA) na faixa etária pediátrica e determinar a precisão desses índices simple sem uma amostra nacionalmente representativa de crianças e adolescentes iranianos. MÉTODO: A precisão diagnóstica dos índices de relação pressão arterial sistólica/altura (RPASA) e RPAA diastólica (RPADA) para definir a pré-HTA e HTA foi determinada pela área sob as curvas de características de operação do receptor. RESULTADOS: A população estudada contou com 5738 alunos iranianos (2875 meninas) com idade média (DP) de 14,7 (2,4) anos. A prevalência de pré-HTA e HTA foi 6,9% e 5,6%. Os limites ideais para a definição de pré-HTA foram 0,73 em meninos e 0,71 em meninas com relação à RPASA e 0,47 em meninos e 0,45 em meninas com relação à RPADA, respectivamente. Os valores correspondentes com relação à HTA foram 0,73, 0,71, 0,48 e 0,46, respectivamente. Em ambos os gêneros, a precisão de RPASA e RPADA no diagnóstico de pré-HTA e HTA foi de aproximadamente 80%. CONCLUSÕES: A RPAA é uma ferramenta válida, simples, barata e precisa no diagnóstico da pré-HTA e HTA em adolescentes. Os limites ideais de RPASA e RPADA foram compatíveis comos números correspondentes em outra população de crianças e adolescentes com diferentes históricos raciais e étnicos, assim, sugerimos que a utilização desses índices possa ser generalizada em programas de triagem com relação à PA elevada na faixa etária pediátrica. .

Representações de grupos nacionais entre jovens segundo o grupo étnico / Representations of national groups among youngsters according to ethnic group

O objetivo desta pesquisa foi descrever representações sociais (R.S.) sobre nações, segundo grupo étnico-racial autodefinido. Adotamos o referencial teórico das R.S. de Moscovici, articulado às teorias sobre relações intergrupais. Estudantes secundaristas de escolas públicas do Rio de Janeiro, autodefinidos como negro (n = 31), moreno (n = 88) e branco (n = 100), responderam um questionário sobre o Brasil, os EUA e os países árabes/muçulmanos. Sobre o Brasil, o "branco" enfatizou Estado/nação e interações interpessoais; o "negro", indivíduo e grupos particulares e, o "moreno", indivíduo face às normas sociais. O "moreno" mostrou dificuldade de manutenção de fronteiras intergrupais e menor distinção social. O "branco" descreveu os EUA como país que realça o indivíduo e considerou o Brasil mais satisfatório em termos interpessoais, segundo o modelo de "homem cordial" de Buarque de Holanda. A dificuldade de representar o Brasil em termos culturais, indica o menor reconhecimento das culturas negra e índia na construção social da sociedade brasileira.

Acerca de la muerte del rey Herodes el Grande / About the death of Herod the Great

Herod the Great was the founder of a dynasty that reigned on Judea for several generations. His birth date is estimated on year 73 AC and died at 70 years old. Descriptions of the final disease of Herod were obtained from the classical chronicles of Flavius Josephus, The Jewish war and Jewish Antiquities. A medical explanation for his death is attempted. A parasitism caused by Schistosoma haematobium is suggested as the etiology for chronic renal failure (edema, halitosis and orthopnea) and a "gangrene of genitalia that engendered worms" in the words of Josephus. This would be explained by the formation of genital and urinary fistulae, observed in such disease. The asseveration that Herod was attacked by black bilis is also discussed, based on the concepts of the Hippocratic medicine of that time.