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  • Saudi oncology nurses framed spiritual care as integrated nursing practice

    What the study found

    The study found that oncology nurses in Saudi Arabia did not treat spiritual care as separate religious tasks. Instead, they described it as an integrated part of everyday nursing, grounded in Islamic moral and spiritual values.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings indicate a need for culturally responsive spiritual care education and institutional frameworks. They say these should recognize spiritual care as a core professional nursing competency within Islamic healthcare settings.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used a descriptive phenomenological design, which is a qualitative approach for studying lived experience, and analyzed the interviews with Colaizzi's method. They conducted in-depth interviews with 22 registered oncology nurses in three cancer centers in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

    What worked and what didn't

    Five themes emerged: spiritual care through an Islamic lens; the sacred dimensions of nursing practice; navigating professional and religious boundaries; family-centered spiritual support; and nurses' personal spiritual resources and challenges. Spiritual care was described as compassionate presence, ethical mediation, family facilitation, and meaning-centered communication, often experienced as a form of worship (ibādah).

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe quantitative measures or comparisons with other settings. It also does not provide detailed limitations beyond the study's focus on oncology nurses in three cancer centers in Riyadh.

    • Oncology nurses in Saudi Arabia described spiritual care as part of ordinary nursing practice, not as a separate set of religious acts.
    • Spiritual care was linked to Islamic moral and spiritual values and sometimes described as worship (ibādah).
    • Five themes were identified, including professional and religious boundaries, family-centered support, and personal spiritual resources and challenges.
    • The authors say the findings support culturally responsive education and institutional frameworks for spiritual care.
  • Tellurium atomic data support kilonova spectral modelling

    Tellurium atomic data support kilonova spectral modelling

    What the study found

    The study presents new atomic data for tellurium ions and uses them in spectral modelling of kilonovae, including AT2017gfo, a kilonova event. It also examines whether Te iv, meaning tellurium with a +3 charge, could contribute to the 1.08 micrometer emission feature seen in AT2017gfo.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors say kilonova spectral modelling needs large amounts of collisional excitation and photoionization data for lowly ionized heavy elements, and that much of the available data is currently based on approximate hydrogenic results or semi-empirical formulae. The study suggests the new tellurium data may help improve this modelling.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers used the Multi-Configuration-Dirac–Hartree–Fock method to build model atomic structures and radiative rates. They then applied the R-matrix method to calculate electron-impact excitation and photoionization cross-sections for tellurium ions, and used the resulting rates in a collisional-radiative model to generate synthetic spectra for comparison with observations.

    What worked and what didn't

    The abstract states that atomic data were produced for tellurium ions, including excitation and photoionization information for Te i through Te iv, and additional radiative and thermal collision data for Te iv and Te v. It also says the authors investigated whether Te iv could contribute to the 1.08 micrometer emission feature alongside the established Sr ii P-Cygni feature, but it does not state the outcome of that investigation in the abstract.

    What to keep in mind

    The available summary does not give detailed numerical results or a clear conclusion about the Te iv contribution to the 1.08 micrometer feature. It also does not describe uncertainties, limitations, or how well the synthetic spectra matched the observations.

    • New atomic data were computed for tellurium ions using the R-matrix method.
    • The work includes electron-impact excitation and photoionization data for Te i through Te iv.
    • Radiative and thermal collision data were also produced for Te iv and Te v.
    • The data were used in a collisional-radiative model to make synthetic spectra for kilonovae.
    • The authors investigated whether Te iv could contribute to the 1.08 micrometer feature in AT2017gfo.

  • EBPAS showed adequate fit in Puerto Rican mental health professionals

    What the study found

    The study found that a tailored 15-item version of the Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale had adequate psychometric properties in a sample of Puerto Rican mental health professionals. The scale’s first-order factor model was supported, and most subscales showed strong reliability.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the scale may be useful for assessing attitudes toward evidence-based practices, meaning research-based interventions, in Spanish-speaking and Caribbean mental health settings. They also say the findings add to the limited literature on culturally and linguistically validated measures in Latin America.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers administered a culturally and linguistically tailored version of the 15-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale to 222 Puerto Rican mental health professionals working in schools, healthcare clinics, and community organizations. They used confirmatory factor analysis, a statistical method for testing whether a proposed set of underlying factors fits the data, along with reliability estimates and model fit checks in RStudio.

    What worked and what didn't

    The confirmatory factor analysis supported a first-order factor model. Most subscales had strong reliability coefficients, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91, while the divergence subscale had a lower coefficient of 0.77. After allowing covariance between two items in the appeal dimension, the correlated factor model showed satisfactory fit, although some misspecification was observed.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract describes a sample from Puerto Rico, so the findings are limited to that group and the settings studied. The summary also notes some model misspecification, but it does not provide more detailed limitations.

    • A tailored 15-item Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale was tested in 222 Puerto Rican mental health professionals.
    • The first-order factor model was supported by confirmatory factor analysis.
    • Most subscales showed strong reliability, with coefficients between 0.83 and 0.91.
    • The divergence subscale had a lower reliability coefficient of 0.77.
    • Allowing covariance between two appeal items improved model fit, though some misspecification remained.
  • Essential oils in foot care products were linked to perceived quality

    Essential oils in foot care products were linked to perceived quality

    What the study found

    The study found that essential oils in foot care products can be viewed as an indicator of product quality because consumers responded positively to their presence. It also found that these products are used by a minority of Polish consumers, mainly for fungal infections, hyperhidrosis, or inflammation.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings provide information for consumers and manufacturers, especially in the context of supporting the development of more environmentally friendly products and technologies. The study suggests that the presence of oils can increase consumer acceptance and competitiveness.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers combined a survey of Polish consumers, an analysis of product packaging information, and a literature-based characterization of the properties of essential oils found in foot care products. They examined consumer use and opinions, what was declared on packaging, and what the literature says about these oils.

    What worked and what didn't

    The analysis showed that foot care products containing oils were positively received by consumers and could be perceived as a quality component. Melaleuca alternifolia oil was reported as the most common oil, and the oils were described as having antimicrobial, refreshing, nourishing, regenerating, irritation-soothing, smoothing, deodorising, stimulating, and relaxing properties. The abstract also notes that these natural substances may have sensitizing and phototoxic effects.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary does not provide detailed survey size, sampling method, or statistical results. The abstract also does not describe limitations beyond noting that some essential oils may have sensitizing and phototoxic effects.

    • Essential oils in foot care products may signal product quality, according to the authors.
    • Only 11% of consumers reported using these products.
    • Reported uses were mainly linked to fungal infections, hyperhidrosis, or inflammation.
    • Melaleuca alternifolia oil was the most commonly present oil.
    • The oils were described as having both beneficial properties and possible sensitizing or phototoxic effects.

  • Romanian intensivists report communication and system barriers to organ donation

    What the study found

    The survey found that Romanian intensive care physicians generally agreed with brain death diagnostic criteria, but many reported insufficient communication skills and uneven support for organ donation in their hospitals. The authors identified educational, organizational, and system-level barriers to organ donation performance.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that targeted training, better communication strategies, routine integration of donation pathways into intensive care practice, and national consent instruments are important priorities for low-performing transplant systems.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted a prospective, nationwide, questionnaire-based survey of intensive care physicians in Romania. The questionnaire covered knowledge and attitudes about brain death, communication with families, involvement in donation processes, ethical views, and opinions on transplant-system organization, and the responses were analyzed descriptively.

    What worked and what didn't

    Among 117 ICU physicians, 84.6% agreed with the current brain death diagnostic criteria and 83% said the protocol was sufficiently clear. However, 69.3% said communication competencies were insufficient, 77.8% viewed family consent as decisive, and organ procurement was a priority in only 38.5% of ICUs; structured training and institutional prioritization were inconsistent.

    What to keep in mind

    The study used self-reported survey data from 117 physicians, so it reflects reported perceptions and practices rather than direct observation. The abstract does not describe patient outcomes or provide limitations beyond the survey design and reported scope.

    • Most respondents agreed with brain death diagnostic criteria and found the protocol clear.
    • Many intensivists reported insufficient communication competencies for discussions with families.
    • Family consent was widely seen as decisive in donation decisions.
    • Organ procurement was a priority in only a minority of ICUs.
    • The authors describe educational, organizational, and systemic barriers to organ donation performance.

  • Ming-Qing morality books linked animal ethics to karmic justice

    What the study found

    The study finds that Ming–Qing morality books linked actions toward animals, such as killing or saving them, to karmic reward and punishment. It presents this as a system that joins moral accounting, narrative of karmic cause and effect, and animal ethics into one framework.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that this framework cultivates ecological consciousness and social discipline. The study suggests it also challenges a strictly human-centered worldview by emphasizing shared moral obligations between humans and animals.

    What the researchers tested

    The article examines Ming and Qing morality books, also called 勸善書, as a religio-ecological framework. It analyzes how animals, Ledgers of merit and demerit (功過格, record-keeping systems that track moral actions), and karmic retribution (業報) are integrated, and it compares this model with modern environmental ethics and animal-rights ideas.

    What worked and what didn't

    The study identifies a triadic framework made up of merit–demerit ledgers, karmic narrative, and animal ethics as a coherent system of measurable and actionable ethical practice. It also reports points of convergence with anti-speciesism, animal welfare and rights discourse, and proposals for cross-species political communities, while noting structural divergence from those modern approaches.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not provide detailed empirical methods or specific case analyses. It also only states, in general terms, that a “revised morality book” framework is proposed for present-day conditions; detailed limits, criteria, or implementation steps are not described in the available summary.

    • Ming–Qing morality books tied treatment of animals to karmic reward and punishment.
    • The study presents merit–demerit ledgers, karmic narrative, and animal ethics as a triadic framework.
    • The authors say the framework can cultivate ecological consciousness and social discipline.
    • The article compares this historical model with anti-speciesism, animal welfare and rights, and cross-species political community proposals.
    • The authors propose a revised morality book framework that they describe as more publicly defensible and more suitable for institutions.

  • Impostor syndrome was common among both student groups

    What the study found

    The study found that impostor syndrome was present in both medical and non-medical female university students at The University of Faisalabad. It also found no significant relationship between impostor syndrome and self-esteem.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors suggest the findings help describe how common impostor syndrome is in these student groups and how it relates to self-esteem. They conclude there was no significant association between the two measures in this sample.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 100 female university students recruited by convenient sampling. They used a self-administered questionnaire, the Clance Imposter Phenomenon Scale to measure impostor syndrome, and the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale to measure self-esteem.

    What worked and what didn't

    Impostor syndrome was reported in 25 medical students (47.17%) and 19 non-medical students (40.43%). Low self-esteem was reported in 14 medical students (26.42%) and 17 non-medical students (36.17%), and the study reported no significant relationship between impostor syndrome and self-esteem, with p=0.994.

    What to keep in mind

    The summary does not describe limitations beyond the study design and sample size. The findings are based on 100 female students from one university and on convenient sampling.

    • The study examined impostor syndrome and self-esteem in 100 female university students.
    • Impostor syndrome was reported in both medical and non-medical students.
    • Low self-esteem was also reported in both student groups.
    • No significant relationship was found between impostor syndrome and self-esteem.
    • The study used a cross-sectional design and self-administered scales.

  • Electric minibus taxis can retain service quality with aligned charging

    What the study found

    The study found that electric minibus taxis may be deployed in Stellenbosch’s paratransit system without fundamental operational restructuring if charging infrastructure and charging management match service and grid constraints. It also found that home charging, depot charging limits, charging power, and grid carbon intensity all shape operational and environmental outcomes.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors say this matters because paratransit, which is informal or shared public transport, is the dominant mode of public transport in much of sub-Saharan Africa, and electrifying it is complicated by decentralized operations, adaptive driver behavior, and limited charging infrastructure. The study suggests that aligning charging strategy with these constraints is important for service quality and emissions reductions.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers presented a modular agent-based simulation framework for electric minibus taxis. The model explicitly represented driver route, stopping, and charging decisions using discrete choice and opportunity-cost concepts, and it was calibrated and validated with GPS-based operating data from Stellenbosch, South Africa.

    What worked and what didn't

    Constrained depot charging was associated with longer passenger waits and fewer trips served, especially at high electric vehicle adoption levels. Home charging consistently reduced depot congestion and helped preserve service quality, while increasing connector power improved outcomes but with limited gains beyond 22 kW per connector. Depot-only charging concentrated load during operating hours, whereas home charging shifted demand to evening residential peaks, and emissions reductions depended strongly on grid carbon intensity.

    What to keep in mind

    The results come from a Stellenbosch case study, so the findings are specific to that setting and the scenarios tested. The abstract does not describe additional limitations beyond the dependence of outcomes on charging infrastructure, charging management, and grid carbon intensity.

    • The study modeled electric minibus taxi operations with an agent-based simulation framework.
    • Driver choices included routing, stopping, idling, and charging decisions.
    • Constrained depot charging increased passenger waits and reduced the number of trips served.
    • Home charging reduced depot queues and helped maintain service quality.
    • Charging power improvements had limited gains beyond 22 kW per connector in this case study.
    • Emissions reductions depended strongly on grid carbon intensity.

  • Belgian adaptation of nurse-led eHealth monitoring required local changes

    What the study found

    The SMILe integrated care model, which combines a patient app for home symptom registration with advanced practice nurse-led monitoring, self-management support, and care coordination, needed local adaptation for use in Belgian daily care. The authors report that several changes were required to fit existing technical, legal, and resource conditions.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that real-world adaptation must balance an intervention's core components with the local technical, regulatory, and resource constraints. They also state that structured adaptation and strategic implementation planning were essential to support long-term sustainability.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers adapted the SMILe integrated care model to their local setting after a prior context analysis. They followed the ADAPT guidelines, involved patients, informal caregivers, and local clinical, IT, and legal teams, documented adaptations with the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded (FRAME), and selected implementation strategies using the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) taxonomy.

    What worked and what didn't

    Key adaptations included using the local electronic eHealth platform to improve usability and allow multiple providers to access patient-documented data. The team also reduced advanced practice nurse intervention sessions from 12 to six during the first year after allogeneic stem cell transplantation because of financial constraints. Minor adaptations included revising content and simplifying language, and 20 tailored implementation strategies were selected for context understanding, stakeholder involvement, pilot preparation, and training.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract describes an adaptation project, not an evaluation of patient outcomes or effectiveness. It does not provide results from the planned pilot trial, and it does not report limitations beyond the stated technical, regulatory, and financial constraints.

    • The SMILe integrated care model combines a patient app with nurse-led monitoring, self-management support, and care coordination.
    • The Belgian team adapted the model for a local setting with existing eHealth infrastructure and advanced practice nurse support.
    • Major changes included switching to the local eHealth platform and reducing nurse sessions from 12 to six in the first year.
    • The researchers used ADAPT, FRAME, and ERIC to guide and document adaptations and implementation strategies.
    • The authors say balancing core components with local constraints is important for long-term sustainability.
  • Air pollution linked to thousands of premature deaths in Israel

    Air pollution linked to thousands of premature deaths in Israel

    What the study found

    The study found a substantial public health burden from ambient air pollution in Israel. Using the latest World Health Organization air quality guidelines, the authors estimated 4,461–6,166 premature deaths per year and 46,216–65,289 years of life lost per year from exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone.

    Why the authors say this matters

    The authors conclude that the findings underscore the importance of continued air quality improvements to protect public health in Israel. They also note that the updated calculations reflect newer epidemiological evidence used in the World Health Organization air quality guidelines.

    What the researchers tested

    The researchers examined the impact of air pollution on public health in Israel and compared it with results from 41 European countries. They applied the latest World Health Organization air quality guidelines and used census-tract-level demographic data with age and gender separation.

    What worked and what didn't

    The analysis estimated premature deaths and years of life lost attributable to exposure to PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone from 2015 to 2023. Premature deaths and years of life lost were higher for males than females for most age groups, except for people aged 85 and over and infants under 1 year; both measures increased with age, although infants under 1 year had the highest years of life lost.

    What to keep in mind

    The abstract does not describe specific limitations beyond the study's comparison being based on countries with similar pollutant concentrations. It also notes that Israel's lower rates compared with European nations are largely attributed to its younger population, as stated by the authors.

    • Estimated annual premature deaths in Israel from ambient air pollution: 4,461–6,166.
    • Estimated annual years of life lost in Israel: 46,216–65,289.
    • PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and ozone were the pollutants assessed.
    • Premature deaths and years of life lost were higher for males than females in most age groups.
    • Israel's rates were lower than those of European countries with similar pollutant concentrations.
    • The authors attribute much of that difference to Israel's younger population.