#list of open access medical journals

[biomedres]

Impact of a Model of Educational Intervention on Intestinal Parasitism in Children of Havana. 2021 Second Post- Evaluation and Intervention Study

Impact of a Model of Educational Intervention on Intestinal Parasitism in Children of Havana. 2021 Second Post-Evaluation and Intervention Study in Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research

https://biomedres.us/fulltexts/BJSTR.MS.ID.006019.php

In order to determine the influence of educational work on hygienic practices and the prevalence of parasitism, an educational intervention on intestinal parasitism was carried out in schoolchildren belonging to six primary schools in the Municipality of Marianao, Havana during the first quarter of 2021. The study included 210 (5 children were chosen from each grade of the six schools), children enrolled from preschool to sixth grade, who were collected stool samples and in the anal region by the Graham method. A survey was applied to the parents to know the hygienic practices and the hygienicepidemiological conditions. The variables studied were the presence of parasitism, the type of parasite, associated symptoms and hygienic practices present. Absolute numbers and percentages were used to summarize the information and tables for its presentation. It was obtained that the prevalence of parasitism was 65.2 % and Enterobius vermicularis was the most frequent. Anal itching and irritability were the predominant symptoms for which treatment was applied. The learning needs and modifications of attitudes were identified, for which a study program was designed, after six months of the educational intervention, the second sample collection and application for the second time of the parent survey was indicated. A significant decrease in parasitism was found, as well as positive modifications in the hygienic practices of the studied population.

For more articles in Journals on Biomedical Sciences click here bjstr

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[so-many-ocs]

Researching as a Writer

Start Broad

begin with a list of more general topics and get specific as you go.

for example, research for a historical fantasy novel might follow a chain that looks like this:

life in the 1700s -> life in 1700s france -> 1700s french etiquette and lifestyle depending on class -> 1720s french fashion for middle and upper-middle class women.

starting with a general understanding of the topic you want to cover and narrowing down to specifics will make it easier to build on your knowledge as you go.

Think Critically

consider the source. if it doesn’t cite primary sources (for example, letters and photographs from a specific era and location), what sources does it cite? follow those sources if possible.

is the information reliable? is it provided by an educational institution or an expert on the subject?

who is the author? do they present any bias? what do they have to gain by promoting a specific mindset or conclusion? has any of their research been debunked?

Anecdotes

in general, anecdotal evidence is not sufficient for academic writing. luckily for you, this is a fiction writing page, and anecdotal evidence is usually fine!

work with a combination of scholarly sources and personal experience. if you’re trying to depict a specific health condition, you might consult medical sources about the technical details of the condition, as well as seeking firsthand accounts from people who have that condition.

remember that people are not monolithic! there are often forums online where people are more than happy to discuss their experiences; cross-consult these for common elements.

Lists

keep track of your sources!! if you ever need to consult something later on, it will be way easier to open a list of resources than go digging through your search history.

additionally, if you come across lists of sources compiled by other people, save those!! you are probably not the first person to research the specific topic you’re looking into, and there are entire websites dedicated to gathering research!

wordsnstuffblog.com/research has compilations of sources for everything from writing injuries to global period pieces by century.

Resources

if you can, check out your school or public library’s websites! they will often compile scholarly resources to access for free.

look for open access or open source sites like project gutenberg that archive and digitize historical documents and other works. scienceopen and the directory of open access journals are more of these. search using keywords!

keep an eye out for websites made specifically for educational purposes (those with .edu at the end of their addresses).

[ranahan]

Free tactical medicine learning resources

If you want to learn first aid, emergency care or tactical medical care for real, you will need to practice these skills. A lot. Regularly. There’s no way to learn them just from books. But if you’re looking to supplement your training, can’t access hands on training, are a layperson doing research for your writing or otherwise just curious, here are some free resources (some may need a free account to access them).

TCCC

The current gold standard in the field is Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), developed by the US army but used by militaries around the world. There is also a civilian version of the system called Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Training materials, Standards of Care, instructional videos, etc. can be accessed at deployedmedicine.com. You’ll need a free account. This should be your first and possibly only stop.

There’s also an app and a podcast if those are more your thing, although I haven’t personally tried them.

More TCCC (video) resources

STOP THE BLEED® Interactive Course

TCCC-MP Guidelines and Curriculum presentations and training videos

EURMED’s Medical Beginner's Resource List has suggested list of video materials (disclaimer: I haven’t watched the playlists, but I have been trained by nearly all of the linked systems/organisations and can vouch for them)

Tactical Medical Solutions training resource page (requires registration; some of the courses are free)

North American Rescue video downloads

Emergency medicine

WHO-ICRC Basic Emergency Care: approach to the acutely ill and injured — an open-access course workbook for basic emergency care with limited resources

Global Health Emergency Medicine — open-access, evidence-based, peer-reviewed emergency medicine modules designed for teachers and learners in low-resource health setting

AFEM Resources — curricula, lecture bank, reviews, etc.

Global Emergency Medicine Academy Resources (links to more resources)

OpenStax Anatomy and Physiology textbook

Open-access anatomy and physiology learning resources

OpenStax Pharmacology for nurses textbook

Principles of Pharmacology – Study Guide

Multiple Casualty Incidents

Management of Multiple Casualty Incidents lecture

Bombings: Injury Patterns and Care blast injuries course (scroll down on the page)

Borden Institute has medical textbooks about biological, chemical and nuclear threats

Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers

Prolonged field care

When the evac isn’t coming anytime soon.

Prolonged Field Care Basics lecture (requires registration)

Aerie 14th Edition Wilderness Medicine Manual (textbook)

Austere Emergency Medical Support (AEMS) Field Guide (textbook)

Prolonged Casualty Care (PCC) Guidelines

Wilderness Medical Society Clinical Practice Guidelines

Austere Medicine Resources: Practice Guidelines — a great resource of WMS, PFC, TCCC, etc. clinical practice guidelines in one place

The Wilderness and Environmental Medicine Journal (you can read past issues without a membership)

Prolonged Field Care Collective: Resources

National Park Services Emergency Medical Services Resources

Guerilla Medicine: An Introduction to the Concepts of Austere Medicine in Asymmetric Conflicts (article)

Mental health & PTSD

National Center for PTSD

Psychological first aid: Guide for field workers

Combat and Operational Behavioral Health (medical textbook)

Resources for doctors and medical students

Or you know, other curious people who aren’t afraid of medical jargon.

Borden Institute Military Medical Textbooks and Resources — suggestions: start with Fundamentals of Military Medicine; mechanism of injury of conventional weapons; these two volumes on medical aspects of operating in extreme environments; psychosocial aspects of military medicine; or Combat Anesthesia

Emergency War Surgery textbook and lectures

Disaster Health Core Curriculum — online course for health professionals

Médecins Sans Frontières Clinical guidelines

Pocket book of hospital care for children: Second edition — guidelines for the management of common childhood illnesses in low resource settings

Grey’s Quick Reference: Basic Protocols in Paediatrics and Internal Medicine For Resource Limited Settings

The Department of Defense Center of Excellence for Trauma: Trauma Care Resources (links to more resources)

[morlock-holmes]

I get very irritated by transphobic politicians pretending to care about "evidence" because I've yet to find one who actually does.

Look at this horseshit:

The Florida Department of Health wants to clarify evidence recently cited on a fact sheet released by the US Department of Health and Human Services and provide guidance on treating gender dysphoria for children and adolescents... Due to the lack of conclusive evidence, and the potential for long-term, irreversible effects, the Department's guidelines are as follows:

Social gender transition should not be a treatment option for children or adolescents.

The... The long term "irreversible" effects of being referred to by a different name or pronoun and possibly wearing different clothes than people might expect?

I mean I feel like you could reverse the effects by just... not doing that stuff anymore.

Anyway, they link, as evidence for their opposition to social transition, to this paper:

Title:

Not social transition status, but peer relations and family functioning predict psychological functioning in a German clinical sample of children with Gender Dysphoria

Literal first line of the abstract:

Research provides inconclusive results on whether a social gender transition (e.g. name, pronoun, and clothing changes) benefits transgender children or children with a Gender Dysphoria (GD) diagnosis.

Right in the introduction:

prepubescent children are not advised to receive any medical treatment before the onset of puberty (Tanner stage 2; Coleman et al., 2012). However, they often transition socially from one gender to another during childhood (Coleman et al., 2012). This reversible nonmedical step towards a life in the identified gender may include changing one’s name or pronoun, being introduced as the experienced gender in public, as well as gender typical appearance in terms of e.g., hair length and clothing (Steensma et al., 2013; Wong et al., 2019).

(Bolding mine)

Hey, big important Florida Surgeon General guy who wears a tie and influences the lives of millions of people:

I had to read your evidence for less than five fucking minutes before it openly contradicted what you say in your guidance.

People like this complain all the time about how evidence in trans medicine is hard to come by and uses small sample sizes, but then they link to a paper that has a sample size of 54 German kids.

Oh, and a paper which explicitly says,

Caution is also warranted in generalizing the results to all children with a GD because of the small and relative unique sample. All 54 children in the analysis sample were referred to the clinic for their GD, most of them came from families with a medium or high socio-economic background and the family support of the children’s gender identity was generally high. Due to the health care situation in Germany for children and adolescents with a GD diagnosis, some families go to considerable length to get access to treatment which they probably would not do if they did not generally support their child’s personal situation. At the same time, the clinical guidelines of the Hamburg GIS are quite liberal and allow for individual treatment pathways. Thus, these findings might not apply to a more diverse sample of transgender children who are not supported in their gender identity or expression by parents or clinicians, or children who identify themselves on a broader gender spectrum.

These people really, really fucking hope you don't actually read the evidence on this stuff.

I want to be clear: This isn't, like, one paper in a huge list of evidence against social transition, this is literally the only thing the Florida Surgeon General cites in opposing social transition.

[arsenicosises]

things to do when u realize u feel shitty

so i have alexithymia (emotional blindness or challenges in recognizing, expressing, sourcing, and describing one's emotions) and i often dont realize why, whats causing me to feel that way, or even if its mental or physical shittiness. so here are things i try to do to reset.

so the first step is obviously realizing the feeling at first, is your brain making you feel bad about yourself? do you feel like theres no point in doing things? do you feel stuck? or has there been any drastic change in energy in a short time? these may look different for you, but learning to notice even something as small as do i feel Good or Bad, you dont need to get caught up in what specifically it is.

FIRST and foremost, medications. did you take your meds? vitamins? please do so if you can. if you've missed the time window that you are meant to or cant for another reason, no guilt please, its ok we all forget.

move! change locations. even if its just where you are sitting in bed from one side to the other and sit up if you can. i try to move to my desk chair. sometimes just sitting up can change the way you feel drastically.

this could also mean move as in take a walk around your room, stand up on your phone instead of laying down.

do a Task, or Activity. copy a journal spread from pinterst even if it takes like 3 hours. write some lists, make a bracelet, play a game. focus on something you like. very cliche advice i know but its great to allow yourself to do something you like.

get a snack/water. unfortunately hydration is important even tho its annoying. make it super cold, put some lemon or mint in there if you want. its all about making it a) more fun and b) different sensory experiences. if you are hungry go down a mental list of most to least effort meal and find what you can do (cook from sratch, add stuff to ramen, eat it plain, get a handful of nuts or fruits, etc)

open the curtains/blinds, let the outside in a bit. even if its dark out open them and look around and close again.

face feels gross? do some level of skincare, exfoliate your lips and put on some vasesline, brush and floss your teeth (love floss picks). if you have bangs wash them in the sink.

if weather + mental permits, go outside. even for 2 seconds to look at it

shower=full reset and rebirth. not a bath, a shower. let the water hit you and soak your hair. do as full of a shower as you can. use so much moisturizer (if you can) with a scent you love. sensory goodness is very helpful. this usually works for me to pull me out. often the reason why i feel shitty is actually just me not realizing my hair is dirty, or i need alone time, etc which is acheived by showering.

aligned with that, put on new clothes, either comfortable and lounge clothes that are good sensory, or you need a new fun outfit because you have been wearing the current one for too long and its irritating you in a way you dont notice.

clean something, same as the food go from most to least effort and find out what you can do. organize 1 drawer or your whole house. my go to is usually rearraging my bedside table top and drawer. because for me thats where i keep things like my journal, headphones, letters from friends, body butter, etc its a chance for me to help future me access this little self care station.

make your bed so you have a clean cozy place to lay and sit, unfortunately a made bed is more comfortable

in general, treat yourself like a littel guy, talk to yourself like a toddler even if it feels silly, the part of you that feels bad is basically a toddler throwing a tantrum tbh. silliness is often a precursor to feeling Good. these things feel so so hard but each time you do them despite feeling bad it will get easier i promise you, you will get good at what you practice so practice trying.

if all of these things seem too hard, or you cant do them, the main thing is thats ok too. and if you dont feel 100% better after doing these things, that is also ok. the truth is some days things will be hard and that is your body telling you to relax, or sleep, or that it just wants to have an off day. no day is wasted if you are still here to see it.

(a lot of these tasks can be made easier by doing prep when you are feeling Good, which is part of the reason why i made this list, but i might do another post on prep stuff. )

[religion-is-a-mental-illness]

By: SEGM

Published: Aug 17, 2023

A major medical journal Ugeskrift for Læger,  the Journal of the Danish Medical Association, confirmed that there has been a marked shift in the country’s approach to caring for youth with gender dysphoria. Most youth referred to the centralized gender clinic no longer get a prescription for puberty blockers, hormones or surgery—instead they receive therapeutic counseling and support.

In the course of less than a decade, like every other Western country, Denmark experienced an exponential increase in the number of young people presenting with gender dysphoria. In 2014, there were only 4 documented pediatric cases who requested gender reassignment. By 2022, the number of referrals grew by 8700% to 352, similar to the several-thousand-percent increase in less than a decade witnessed by a number of Western countries. As the number of young people wishing to undergo gender reassignment increased, so did the rates at which Danish gender clinicians transitioned them. By 2018, Denmark's centralized gender service was medically transitioning 65% of referred youth. This was similar to the proportion of referred children who got transitioned reported by other pediatric gender clinics. For purposes of comparison, the Netherland’s Amsterdam gender clinic reports transitioning 73% of late-onset referrals and 85% of early-onset referrals and in the US, researchers analyzing data from Seattle Children’s Hospital gender clinic reported that over 60% of the referrals underwent medical transition with puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones within one year of intake.

However, following systematic reviews of evidence conducted in Europe and the subsequent reversal of the “gender-affirmation” paradigm in favor of a cautious, developmentally-informed approach that prioritizes psychosocial support and noninvasive resolution of gender distress in Sweden and Finland, Denmark appears to have made a quiet but resolute shift to treat most youth presenting with gender dysphoria with supportive counseling rather than puberty blockers, hormones, or surgery. In 2022, only 6% of those referred to Denmark’s centralized gender clinic were prescribed endocrine interventions (puberty blockers and/or cross-sex hormones).*

The rationale for this shift was explained in a recent publication in Ugeskrift for Læger (“Weekly Journal for Physicians”), the Journal of the Danish Medical Association. This Danish-language article provides one of the most sober discussions to date of the inherent medical and ethical uncertainties of providing minors with profound, life-altering interventions in the context of very limited understanding of the epidemiological shift in the population presenting for care, the growing rates of detransition, and the profound uncertainty about long-term outcomes.

The authors can hardly be accused of being “armchair critics.” They are the very clinicians responsible for assessing youth and approving them for gender transitions in Denmark. Realizing that their well-meaning intentions were based on insufficient evidence, and seeing the growing evidence of harm, they sharply reversed course. Today, only 6% of the referrals are approved for hormonal transition, and no minors are allowed to transition surgically.

The article is open-access, and only available in Danish. Below, we provide a synopsis.

The Danish centralized pediatric gender service was launched in 2016.  Denmark opened a centralized gender transition service for minors in 2016, using a multidisciplinary approach that encompasses intake, evaluation, consultation, and referrals for puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones.

The rationale for launching the pediatric gender transition service was the Dutch studies’ reported success. The Danish youth gender transition service was launched based on the experience of the Amsterdam gender clinic and reports of its positive outcomes “suggesting that early hormone therapy resulted in better psychological and physical outcomes and less need for surgery in adulthood” as well as “body satisfaction, low rates of regret, and few side effects.” The two studies supporting this premise were the Dutch protocol as described by the Dutch clinicians in 2012, and the famous 2014 “Dutch study.”

A key assumption, now in question, was the permanence of transgender identity in youth with longstanding gender dysphoria that intensified in puberty. According to the authors, the Dutch “trials” of gender transition were justified insofar as it was believed that a cross-sex identity in adolescents with longstanding gender dysphoria that intensified in adolescence would be permanent, or “stable.” However, the authors now concede that there are significant questions brought about the growing rate of detransition, and concerns “about the generalizability of these studies,” especially their applicability to the young people referred to gender clinics today.

The significant “underexplained” increase in referrals of adolescents over age 11 “mainly made up of birth-assigned girls” became a major red flag. The authors describe a profound change in the epidemiology of gender dysphoria in youth following the launch of the centralized pediatric gender clinic service. “In Denmark, the number of referred persons has increased from 97 in 2016 to 352 in 2022, of which birth-assigned girls aged 11-18 make up 70%”. Noting the “excess of birth-assigned girls” among gender dysphoric youth, the authors express concern that “the background for the change is underexplained.”

Another red flag is the high rate of psychiatric comorbidities in currently-presenting cases. The authors note that unlike the Netherlands, where gender dysphoric youth reportedly have a relatively low rate of psychiatric comorbidities (33%), in Denmark and other countries there is a much greater proportion of gender dysphoric youth with comorbid mental illness (e.g., 75% in Finland). These conditions include depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts/self-harm, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

The authors raise a new concern: gender dysphoric youth have a younger age of pubertal onset. They reference a Danish study that found earlier puberty in youth with gender dysphoria compared to the general population of adolescents. They do not elaborate on the implications of this finding, but note that overall the pubertal age has been declining.

The authors call out more generally the growing rates of gender nonconformity in youth, and especially females, independent of the youths’ wish to medicalize. The study authors cite the results of the Danish Project SEXUS study which found a sharp increase in gender nonconformity (21.2% of females and 15.7% of males ages 15–24 years). The authors note a generally “higher incidence of non-gender-normative behavior among girls” and “low tolerance for non-gender-normative behavior in boys.”

The authors explicitly identify “social influence” as a contributor to the concerning epidemiological shift in gender dysphoria presentation. The idea that teens are products of their social environments and can adopt transgender identities following social influence does not appear to be controversial in Denmark. The authors openly discuss the possibility of social influence as directly contributing to the rapid rise of post-pubertal onset of gender dysphoria in youth. They also opine that the availability of treatment itself may have contributed to rapid rise of trans-identification in youth.

The Danish clinicians are concerned by growing rates of detransition among those who initiated transition in youth and a lack of research into the detransition phenomenon. “In recent years, there have been reports of reversal of hormone-induced permanent changes to the body that began in youth. There are no systematic estimates of the frequency or reasons why hormone treatment is discontinued.”

The Danish clinicians are now concerned that the basis for gender-transition of large numbers of minors with diverse presentations of gender dysphoria is a single short-term Dutch study based in a different population and which has failed replication outside the Netherlands. Throughout the article, the Danish clinicians describe their initially positive view of the Dutch research, and their now growing concern about the lack of applicability of the Dutch experience from years past to the current clinical realities in the rest of the Western world. They appear to be signaling a widening gap between the positive trends that the Dutch clinicians continue to report (youth with low rates of mental illness, low rates of detransition, and positive short-term transition outcomes), and the problems emerging in the rest of the Western world (much higher rates of comorbid mental illness, an inability to show robust and reliable improvements in mental health, and growing rates of detransition).

International changes, and especially those in the Nordic European countries, appear to have directly influenced Demarks’ move to a more cautious approach. In Finland and Sweden, youth with post-puberal onset of gender dysphoria are not typically considered to be candidates for medical transition in adolescence. Denmark’s gender clinicians quoted these changes in their new move to base treatment eligibility in part on the “duration” of gender dysphoria.

As a result of the above-mentioned concerns and international changes, Denmark has sharply restricted eligibility for hormone interventions for youth. The authors state that Denmark has “adopted a more cautious approach to hormone therapy until more evidence of its beneficial effects is available.”  While the article does not provide year-over-year referral-to-treated ratios, another source confirms that in 2018, two-thirds (65%) of referred youth were transitioned and by 2022 this percentage fell to 6% (22/352).

The authors conclude with a call for more research and international collaboration:

"Several countries, including Denmark, have adopted a more cautious approach to hormone therapy until more evidence of its beneficial effects is available [2, 17]. In particular, there is a lack of knowledge about the increasing proportion of young people with onset of gender-related discomfort after puberty [2, 17, 23] and the presumably increasing proportion with mental disorders, as new studies suggest that the positive effects are not replicated in this group [22, 29]. There is a need for healthcare services that can be flexibly adapted in the future and systematic international cooperation in research and exchange of experience."

The current Danish treatment guidelines were published in 2018 and are due to be updated later this year. While the specifics of the changes have not yet been made public, the new approach described in the article foreshadows the likely principles and practices that will be included in the updated guidelines, specifically:

Thorough psychological assessments are required to determine whether gender dysphoria is related to a mental health disorder such as ASD, or psychosis. All young people are to be thoroughly assessed using broad and lengthy diagnostic interviews with multiple reporters including schools and parents as well as cognitive testing. The assessment aims to determine whether gender discomfort may be an aspect of a psychiatric disorder or mental illness.

Minors whose gender dysphoria differs from the classic “Dutch” definition (i.e., early onset of gender dysphoria that worsens after puberty, no significant mental health comorbidities) will only be offered psychosocial, supportive treatment. The centralized team will assess for the appropriateness of medical transition. Most presenting cases are rejected from consideration for medical transition and instead are referred to “support or advisory conversations.” Of note, while the authors reference the longstanding duration of gender-related distress that worsens in puberty they do not explicitly require early childhood onset of gender dysphoria. It remains to be seen how explicit this requirement is in the updated guidelines.

Not every otherwise eligible minor will be considered able to consent. The authors explain that“…the level of functioning, stability and how any psychopathology, cognitive level and psychosocial conditions affect identity development and the ability to reflect on and make decisions about gender reassignment treatment.”

Teens ages 15 and older retain the right to consent to treatment without parental agreement or consent, but the treatments offered will prioritize counseling. According to the current 2018 Danish treatment guidelines, when a 15-year-old minor and their parents disagree about gender transition, the minor can proceed without parental consent. This is because Denmark’s laws consider 15-year-olds competent to make medical decisions. While these laws will not change, the authors recognize the important role of parents in this unusual situation, and underscore that the treatments offered to the teens will be “psychosocial support for the young person” and they further assert that “ideally all decisions are made in consultation with the parents.”

For the remaining few cases that will qualify for transition, significant uncertainties are explicitly identified. Irreversible changes are called out, along with the health risks: “…both types of sex hormones cause reduced fertility, however the degree and reversibility of this remains unknown. Contraindications to hormone therapy are abuse, suicidal ideation/self-harm, severe psychological distress and worrisome somatic conditions (eg cancer, thromboembolic disease).” It is acknowledged that hormone treatment will be lifelong.

Surgical interventions in minors, already rare, will likely be removed as an option. The current treatment guidelines do not allow genital surgeries for those under 18, but it appears that mastectomies for some older teens are still an option (although perhaps an option on paper only). Recent comments by the Danish Minister of Health suggest that mastectomies may be officially disallowed in the updated guidelines.

“I can also inform you that the National Board of Health [“Sundhedsstyrelsen”] issued a new guideline for gender reassignment surgery on March 28 this year at the latest, which is now in consultation. In the new referral guidelines, it is no longer possible to offer surgical treatment to children under the age of 18... An option that, by the way, has never been used in Denmark.” **

SEGM Take-Away

In the last several weeks, health journalists have reported that change may be afoot in Denmark. The article in Denmark’s Medical Association journal Ugeskrift for Læger leaves very little doubt that Denmark too has made a course correction in youth gender transitions, restricting this option to very few cases, while prioritizing counseling for the vast majority of the currently presenting youths. The article is an excellent summary of the rise-and-fall-of the “gender affirmation” model of care in Denmark. It describes how in 2016, following the influence of other northern European countries, Denmark chose to offer “a treatment approach with few barriers to hormone treatment for children and young people with gender dysphoria.” The treatment was justified by the foundational Dutch studies, “which indicated better well-being and body satisfaction after hormone treatment, a low degree of regret and few side effects.” However, the increasing number of referrals, changes in the presentation in gender dysphoria, and growing reports of regret—combined with a lack of long-term outcomes of the one and only sample of youth (n=55) on which the entire practice of gender transition rests—led the Danish clinicians to reverse course.

This change is notable. In 2014, Denmark became the first European country to pass a “self-id” law for adults whereby adults did not need a diagnosis of gender dysphoria to register a legal sex change. Denmark continued to be a leader in destigmatizing transgender identities and in 2017, becoming the first country in the world to remove “Gender Identity Disorder” (DF64) from the its public health authority's list of mental illnesses. To provide treatment, healthcare practitioners were instructed to use a “Z” code, “contact due to gender identity” (DX78X)." The barrier-free transition of minors, launched in 2016, was the logical next step.

To fully appreciate the scope of the changes underway in the treatment approaches for minors, it is helpful to review Denmark’s 2018 official practice guidance, Health professional help with gender identity issues (English-language version here). The guidance does not preclude any presentation of gender dysphoria from eligibility for transition; there is no minimum age for transition; and at age 15 minors who are considered able to understand the consequences of treatment for gender dysphoria may obtain medical transition services without parental consent.

Recently, Danish Minister of Health Sophie Løhde acknowledged that country’s national pediatric center for gender dysphoria in Copenhagen has grown “reluctant to offer hormone treatment compared to before,” particularly to youth with post-pubertal onset of gender dysphoria. The Danish Health Minister praised this change in practice, noting that “it is a positive thing that there is a response to research and experience... both in Denmark, but also abroad, which we must follow closely. And this knowledge and experience lead to adjustments in the current treatment options.”

While countries in Europe are increasingly leaning on one another’s experience and collective knowledge to devise an approach to intake, screening, and support of gender-dysphoric youth in order to safeguard them from inappropriate, non-evidence-based gender reassignment practices, the American medical establishment continues to double-down and “do it alone.” Earlier this month, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) finally conceded to conduct an independent review of the evidence and update its guidance. This decision has come several years too late: the first call for these actions came from AAP members in 2019 and has been repeated every year since. 

However, at the same time, at its 2023 Annual Leadership Forum earlier this month, AAP paradoxically reaffirmed its current “transition for all those who want it” affirmative care approach, refusing to acknowledge or consider the problems that have been documented by the recent European systematic reviews and react in real time. Rather than working collaboratively, as the Danish clinicians have suggested in their article, the CEO of the AAP has described a  decidedly American-exceptionalism approach: “they engaged in their process, we’re engaging in our process.” And just earlier this week, the official AAP website platformed another article promoting gender transition of minors by two gender clinicians who reassured America’s pediatricians that "affirmation" is beneficial while caution is harmful: “When pediatricians lack knowledge about the needs of transgender and gender-diverse youth, they may default to the “watch and wait” approach. This method is outdated and harmful….” (The article does carry a footnote, "The views expressed in this article are those of the author, and not necessarily those of the American Academy of Pediatrics.)

America was fast to import and accelerate the European approach to treating minors, putting it “on steroids” and adding the scalpel. However, when it comes to reversing course, it intends to take its time. Why AAP staunchly refuses to accept the conclusions of multiple systematic reviews of evidence that found the practice of youth gender transition to either not be clearly beneficial, or net-harmful is unclear. Although the AAP has finally agreed to commission its own systematic review, it has already presaged the review's conclusion, which is that it will support the current pro-affirmation AAP position. In the meantime, thousands of American children and parents continue to be misinformed that science and evidence support the practice of gender transitions for youth who desire them, and that those raising concerns are merely  science-deniers spreading “scientific misinformation” at best, and likely ill-intentioned. Therefore, it is not surprising that in America, the debate will continue to be politicized, and may ultimately be adjudicated in the court of law rather than due to the diligence and responsible actions and course corrections of the medical community itself, as is currently underway in Europe.

Intakes vs Approvals for Endocrine Interventions for Minors by Year, Denmark*:

Footnotes:

* The referrals and treated numbers for the Danish national gender clinic service are available at the Danish Rainbow Council website. While SEGM cannot independently verify the accuracy, we have no reason to doubt these statistics. Specifically, the number of referrals for 2017 (n=97) and 2022 (n=352) matches the data reported in this source and the numbers quoted in the referenced official Dutch medical journal.

** The speech by the Danish Minister of Health, Sophie Løhde, is available at this link. The English language transcript is available at this link.

[snarp]

Cutting to the "shopping list" section:

We focused on using “off the shelf” components and open-source software to develop the wireless endoscope. This significantly lowered the cost with the goal to make the device accessible for resource-constrained environments. While the technology described is applicable to a variety of rigid lens applications, we attempted to replicate the 4 mm cystoscope lens and separately a clip-on universal endoscope camera.

2.1 Hardware systems

A miniature single-board computer (SBC) module the Raspberry Pi Zero W (Raspberry Pi Foundation, Caldecote, UK) was used because of its size, its low cost (US$10) and its ability to handle high-definition (720p) video.

A 3.7-mm tube camera (model: 1001LG, Shenzhen Eastern International Corporation Limited, Shenzhen, China) was used. It delivers 1280 × 720 high-definition video using a 1/7″ colour CMOS sensor. Lens construction allows a wide (115 degree) field of view and an extended depth of field allowing object in the range of 5 to 50 mm to be in focus. Connectivity is via a USB 2.0 interface with the SBC. The camera is certified IP67 waterproof and the manufacturer is ISO 13485:2016 certified for the design and manufacturer of medical endoscope cameras.

Illumination is via 6 high luminous 0603 white colour LEDs incorporated into the tube camera. The system was powered by a 1200mAh lithium polymer battery and incorporated into a fireproof acrylonitrile butadiene styrene enclosure.

For the clip-on wireless camera module, an 18–35 mm optical zoom coupler (Ouman Medical, Jiangsu Ouman Electronic Equipment Co., ltd, Jiangsu, China) and an 8-megapixel camera module (model: IMX219, Arducam) were used.

2.2 Software systems

Open-source Linux software was used on the SBC as follows:

1. The SBC runs on the Raspbian Pi operating system Lite, a minimal image of Debian Buster [9]. 2. The SBC Wi-Fi module is placed in monitor mode (“hotspot”) using RaspAP [10]. This makes wireless video transmission possible. 3. The video signal is streamed via the UV4L module of “Video 4 Linux 2” [11].

4. Lastly, the wireless video signal is viewed on a standard computer via any internet browser. Figure 2 illustrates the entire software setup.

Fig. 2:

[killed-by-choice]

“Ella Roe” (USA 2009–2010)

A paper in the Obstetrics & Gynecology medical journal in 2013 reported the death of a woman who died after taking the abortion pill because of Planned Parenthood’s negligence.

“Ella Roe” legally bought the abortion pill from a Planned Parenthood facility in 2009 or 2010. Planned Parenthood apparently failed to competently examine her in advance and most likely did not bother to give her an ultrasound. If they had, it would have been easy to diagnose Ella’s ectopic pregnancy.

Unaware that her life was in danger, Ella took the RU-486 pill. She trusted her health to an abortion facility and paid the price for their malpractice.

Ella died from the ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The condition could have and should have been diagnosed with a simple ultrasound, but Planned Parenthood didn’t care enough to examine her before selling her the pill.

The publication does admit to severe side effects, but claims that their work “reinforces the safety” of the abortion pill. However, there are severe limitations and conflicts of interest that most likely prevented significant amounts of data from being included.

First, the data used was obtained mostly from Planned Parenthood, with the corporation even listed as one of the authors. They have been known to lie about statistics relating to abortion and would directly benefit from withholding data that made them look bad. Second, nobody is legally required to report abortion pill deaths or complications to authorities, meaning that it would be very easy to simply not report a case. One of the authors of the study was also noted to “receive compensation” from Danco Laboratories (the manufacturer of the abortion pill) in exchange for “providing third-party telephone consults to clinicians who call for expert advice on mifepristone.”

Other studies on the abortion pill have observed a high level of danger. Even one pro-abortion source showed that as many as 1 in 12.5 abortion pill clients had to go to the ER. Still, even this statistic could easily be underestimated because it’s hard to get accurate data on complications form American abortions because of the grossly deficient and flawed reporting system full of discrepancies. The chemical abortion pill can cause excessive bleeding, sepsis, gas gangrene, hypovolemia, uterine inversion, cryptogenic stroke, tachycardia, leukocytosis, edema, hypotension, metabolic acidosis, necrosis, immunological weakening, cardiac arrest and excruciating pain.

As surprising as it is for something including Planned Parenthood’s input to admit to a client death, the publication alone is by no means proof that the abortion pill is safe.

[cyberthot666]

I do not like my life and I don’t know what to do. I feel like I’ve exhausted all my efforts. I’ve tried to do the healthy eating, and waking up early, and get enough sleep, and don’t abuse substances, and go for a walk, journal, yoga. I tried accessing mental health resources on my campus when I was a college student and it actually was so traumatizing. I had a male psychologist ask me why I was on birth control & if it made my boobs bigger. another male counselor I was paired with got angry at me once for getting off topic during our session. a female counselor once immediately suggested I be put in a psych ward because I said I was experiencing symptoms that made me wonder if I had bpd. I went through probably at least 10 different counselors while I was in school and had access to them and in the end I realized none of them were equipped to help with the kind of problems I was experiencing and still experience to this day. I ended up failing so many classes and just dropping out of school because I was so depressed and overwhelmed. I feel as though the education system failed me. I believe I have some sort of learning disability like possibly adhd or autism that inhibits me from functioning in my daily life like a typical adult. this has caused me to carry such a weight of feeling broken, not good enough, “crazy”, incompetent and other horrible feelings about myself because it’s truly so difficult at times just to take care of myself and complete all the normal tasks that seem to come so easily to others. I moved states away from everyone I know. developed a drinking problem. have jumped around from unfulfilling minimum wage job to unfulfilling minimum wage job. have burned so many bridges and caused an embarrassing amount of public outbursts because of my impulsive nature. I’ve tried seeking medical help under my insurance that I just got this last year but I was only ever met with a robot on the other side of the calls and then when I finally did reach actual humans after multiple hours of struggling I was told the soonest available appointment is over a year from now. I recently found Open Path which is supposed to help connect you with affordable therapists in your area so I’m waiting for a response email and keeping my fingers crossed. but I can’t help but feel so hopeless. I have not had a good year. I feel so unstable and like things only get progressively worse. if I began to list everything that has happened to me this post would become extremely long no one would want to read it and just scroll past. I’d just like some support but I don’t know where to find it. I feel like I’ve ostracized myself from many of my friends when my symptoms begin to come out. and it hurts because I know there’s so much more to me than all the useless suffering I’ve endured.

[biomedres]

Differential Effects of Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Saturated Fatty Acids on Lipotoxicity and Neutral Lipid Accumulation in Neuro-2a Cells

Differential Effects of Unsaturated Fatty Acids and Saturated Fatty Acids on Lipotoxicity and Neutral Lipid Accumulation in Neuro-2a Cells in Biomedical Journal of Scientific & Technical Research

https://biomedres.us/fulltexts/BJSTR.MS.ID.006017.php

Long-chain free fatty acids (FFA) play many important roles in cell growth and metabolism. Accumulation of excess saturated fatty acids (SFA) leads to deleterious lipotoxic effects in non-adipose tissues while unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) often exert protective effects against SFA lipotoxicity, yet the lipotoxic effects of SFA in neuronal cells have not been well characterized. This study examined the differential effects of SFA and UFA on the viability of Neuro-2a (N2a) cells and the accumulation of neutral lipids in these cells. Our study found that all the UFA tested, namely oleic acid (OA), linoleic acid (LA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were able to abolish PAinduced decrease in cell viability regardless of the position of the double bond or degree of unsaturation, and that 200 μM LA, OA, and DHA significantly enhanced the amount of neutral lipid staining than BSA control while PA did not, suggesting that LA, OA, and DHA, but not PA, increased the amount of neutral lipid synthesis and accumulation. The neutral lipid staining also appeared more in particulates in UFA-treated cells than PAtreated cells, suggesting that UFA, but not PA, enhanced LD formation. We also found that the amount of neutral lipid staining in cells co-treated with UFA and PA was comparable to that in cells treated with BSA or PA alone, and that the neutral lipid staining in cells co-treated with UFA and PA appeared more concentrated in particulates than PA-treated cells, suggesting that UFA may not enhance neutral lipid accumulation, but may increase LD formation in PA-treated cells. Our results suggest that UFA and SFA have differential effects on cell viability, neutral lipid accumulation, and LD formation in N2a cells. Further studies will be needed to examine the role of LD formation in UFA protection against PA lipotoxicity.

For more articles in Journals on Biomedical Sciences click here bjstr

Follow on Twitter : https://twitter.com/Biomedres01 Follow on Blogger :https://biomedres01.blogspot.com/ Like Our Pins On : https://www.pinterest.com/biomedres/

[5thwavfemme]

“I hear a voice sometimes, but it’s not generally distressing these days. I feel like I can keep myself safe and make sound decisions these days, but I want support before I live independently in subsidized housing, which is a daydream of mine for the future....when? I'm open to whenever I'm ready, whether that day comes or not. A group environment may be ideal for me long-term. The entity in my body/mind is not as agitating as it used to be. I’ve gotten a lot better in this phenomenal hospital, particularly with my medication regimen, and the voice has become more therapeutic albeit still sometimes bothersome but when it’s like that, I fight back against it by speaking up now. Part of why I'm going to an ALF and not a shelter is that I don't feel able to live entirely independently at this time, but I also don't think I need to continue being in a locked facility. I'm ready to start living my day-to-day wellness plan and building up stable time where I'm sober from drugs other than my prescription medications (I say that because they're drugs too, but they're drugs I need to be sane and functional and healthy and content.) I’ll continue to speak up if the entity in my mind/body is an issue, and am going into an ALF so as to maximize my chances of staying recovered while in the real world as I prepare for the transition to independent living in the future if that day ever comes. I'm really interested in the "Hearing Voices" movement, and learning more about shamans - religion is a big part of my life and identity. I have been working with my treatment team to develop a relapse prevention and wellness plan, as well as a list of coping strategies and activities to make life worth living. I don’t want to spend my life in a hospital when all I need is residential treatment, continuous/ongoing sobriety, psychiatry, and the absence of abuse/ongoing trauma in order to be happy, healthy, and well. I’ve gotten so much better here. For the first time in years I’m not suicidal and I'm speaking up to some people's faces about what my reality is like, and I’m eager to live the simple life I want of running, going to farmer's markets, studying, window shopping, and visiting libraries and museums on top of a daily run. (Those are the things I can't access here - my daily life has and will have other parts.) I’m not from Baltimore, but it seems like a really cool city. I’m excited to check out the aquarium, the capital Jewish museum, and maybe attend a concert someday. I also love creative writing and fashion, and am so excited to spend the money I already have on some little things to enrich my life like clothes I love #minimalistchicwardrobe #ipad #makeup #skincare #planner #artmarkers #journal #notebooks. I know I may not have much of a disposable income while in an ALF, but with my basic material needs met and any generosity I am gifted with, I am confident I will be 100% content with my financial situation assuming we can work out the food situation. I'm a vegetarian for ethical reasons, and sustainable eating has been important to me since my foray into veganism into middle school, which was fueled by my concern for the environment and the animals victimized by factory farming. I pray for a safe and happy future and what DBT taught me to call a life worth living." 

[argroup6]

NEET College Predictor 2024: Your Guide to Finding the proper Medical College

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) may be a pivotal exam for aspiring medical students in India. Securing a great rank in NEET opens the entryways to a few of the finest medical colleges in the nation. In any case, with over 80,000 MBBS seats available across India, it can be challenging to decide which colleges you're likely to get into based on your NEET score. This can be where a NEET college predictor tool comes in handy. In this web journal, we are going to discuss what a NEET college predictor is, how it works, and how you'll be able to utilise it to create educated choices approximately your medical education in 2024.

What is a NEET College Predictor?

A NEET college predictor is a web apparatus outlined to assist NEET aspirants anticipate which restorative colleges they can get confirmation to based on their NEET rank or score. The device employs authentic information, such as past years cut-offs, and other components to supply an gauge of the colleges where a student might secure a situate. It considers different parameters, counting the candidates category (Common, OBC, SC, ST), domestic state, and favoured courses.

How Does a NEET College Predictor Work?

The NEET College predictor 2024 employs a calculation that analyses numerous information focuses to supply accurate expectations. Here's a step-by-step overview of how it works:

Input NEET Subtle elements: The student inputs their NEET score, rank, and other pertinent subtle elements such as category, state of house, and favoured course (MBBS, BDS, etc.).

Authentic Data Analysis: The tool gets to a database of verifiable information, counting past years cut-offs for various medical colleges and courses.

Calculation Processing: Utilising this information, the calculation calculates the likelihood of securing a situation in completely different colleges. It takes into consideration patterns, changes in cut-offs, and situational accessibility.

Comes about Show: The predictor gives a list of colleges where the understudy features a high, direct, or low chance of getting admission.

Benefits of Using a NEET College Predictor

Educated Decision-Making

One of the foremost noteworthy points of interest of employing a NEET college indicator is that it makes a difference when students make educated choices. Rather than depending on mystery, students can utilise the predictor to urge a reasonable thought of their admission prospects.

Time-Saving

The admission process can be time-consuming and unpleasant. A college indicator streamlines this process by rapidly narrowing down the list of potential colleges, saving students a part of time and exertion.

Planning Ahead

By knowing their chances of getting into different colleges, students can arrange their other steps more viably. They can prioritise their choices, plan for counselling sessions, and guarantee they have all fundamental reports ready.

Financial Planning

Understanding which colleges are within reach moreover makes a difference students and their families arrange fiscally. They can research the fee structures of the anticipated colleges and make vital budgetary arrangements.

How to Utilise a NEET College Predictor for 2024

Using a NEET college predictor is straightforward. Here a step-by-step guide:

Assemble Your Information

Before utilising the predictor, make beyond any doubt you've got all the fundamental data prepared, including:

Your NEET 2024 score or rank

Category (Common, OBC, SC, ST, etc.)

State of domicile

Favoured course (MBBS, BDS, etc.)

Choose a Solid Predictor Instrument

Several websites and educational stages offer NEET college predictor devices. Select a reliable and trustworthy one, such as those given by coaching institutes like Aakash, Allen, or platforms like Shiksha and Careers360.

Input Your Points of interest

Enter your points of interest precisely into the predictor tool. Double-check the data to guarantee it is rectified.

Analyse the Results

Once you yield your details, the predictor will give a list of colleges categorised by your chances of admission (high, moderate, low). Audit this list carefully.

Research the Colleges

Take a little time to research the colleges recommended by the predictor. See into their framework, staff, situation records, charge structures, and any other variables that are important to you.

Get ready for Counselling

Utilise the expectations to get ready for the counselling process. Keep your archives prepared, make a list of preferred colleges, and be prepared to form speedy choices amid the counselling sessions.

Tips for Maximising Your NEET College Predictor Results

Stay Updated with Cut-offs

Cut-offs can alter each year based on different components such as the difficulty level of the exam, number of candidates, and situate accessibility. Remain upgraded with the latest cut-off patterns to guarantee the predictors that come about are significant.

Consider All Factors

Whereas the predictor gives you a list of plausible colleges, consider other components such as location, college notoriety, campus offices, and individual inclinations some time recently making a final decision.

Utilise Multiple Predictors

To induce a comprehensive see, use different NEET college predictor devices. Diverse apparatuses might utilise distinctive calculations and information sets, giving a broader run of choices.

Counsel with Experts

Counselling with teachers, career counsellors, and current medical understudies can give extra experiences and assist you make a well-rounded choice.

Conclusion

A NEET College Predictor 2024 may be an important device for students aspiring to pursue medical education in India. By giving a realistic appraisal of the colleges you'll get into based on your NEET score, it makes a difference streamline the admission process, spares time, and decreases stretch. As you get ready for NEET 2024, make beyond any doubt to leverage this instrument to upgrade your decision-making and secure a situate in a college that best fits your academic and career objectives.

[galacticgraceart]

Grace / ( she/her ) / 24

portrait artist & character designer

jewelry & pendulum crafter

book-binder & OOAK grimoire crafter

I am a queer, disabled artist but am also an avid TTRPG fan, board game nerd, cosplayer, gamer, witch bitch, cat mom and wife ~ <3

-{ ASKS, DMs & COMMISSIONS OPEN }-

find me elsewhere as ->

GalacticGraceArt

ON cara / bluesky / instagram / facebook / etsy

a bit about me :

At 15 I was diagnosed with psychotic depression. Hearing ‘you have psychosis' as a 15 year old was truly terrifying; I didn't really understand what it meant and what parts of myself weren’t “normal”

I spent a very long time trying different methods of healing; anti-depressants, anti-psychotics, anti-anxiety medications, mood stabilizers, two in-patient hospitalizations, three TMS treatments, four self help workbooks and TONS of therapy later; I'm now 24

As someone with daily visual and / or auditory hallucinations, life can feel like a lot like a survival horror game, especially when my hallucinations tend to stick to themes of gore. In an attempt to fill the world with a little more magic, I create whimsical and body positive art.

Commissions & Customs Info!

my artistic specialties :

high fantasy, whimsical character art

body positive & nude portraits

ethereal and surrealist themes

plus size, femme and magical characters

detail-oriented artwork

With inflation driving prices up and extra money being a luxury few can afford, I really try to keep my prices as low as I can. I believe art and handmade goods should be accessible to everyone. All my costs are mainly meant to cover supply costs so I can continue creating ~

So for total transparency into what I charge for a custom piece, my pricing process is as follows :

cost of supplies ( divided by use, not full cost )

+ my pay per hour I spend on a piece ( 10$ USD )

+ price of shipping, if any

When I have the description and an understanding of the project in mind, I will be able to calculate more specific pricing for the client. Listed below are the starting prices per medium, subject to change depending on complexity

starting prices per medium :

*shipping costs are not added to the prices here, those are dependent on your location and package size / weight*

~ if it helps at all, I am a TX / US based artist ~

graphite sketch : 20$ USD

comes with a shaded graphite sketch of one full body character and a simplistic background, on watercolor strength paper

digitally rendered character art : 40$ USD

comes with a fully rendered and colored bust-style portrait with a simplistic background done in the Procreate app

gouache & marker portrait : 60$ USD

comes with a fully colored waist-up portrait done with a mix of gouache paints, ink, and markers, done on watercolor strength paper

hand-bound journal / grimoires : 85$ USD

comes with a handbound journal with 50 pages of watercolor strength paper, some decorative paper and handmade covers

prices vary depending on design complexity, canvas size, extra characters if any, requested supplies I don’t already have, etc.

[visagurukl]

Packing Like a Pro: Essentials for Your Study Abroad Experience

Embarking on a study abroad journey is an exciting and enriching experience that opens doors to new cultures, perspectives, and adventures. Whether you're heading to a bustling city in Europe, a serene countryside in Asia, or a vibrant university town in Australia, packing smartly can make all the difference in how smoothly your time abroad goes. To help you prepare like a pro, let's delve into the essentials for your study abroad experience.

1. Research Your Destination

Before diving into packing, take some time to research your destination. Consider the climate, local customs, and any specific cultural norms that may impact your wardrobe and lifestyle. For instance, if you're going to a tropical region, lightweight and breathable clothing will be key, while a colder climate will require warm layers and waterproof gear.

2. Essential Documents

Ensure you have all necessary documents in order, including your passport, visa (if required), acceptance letter from your host institution, travel insurance, medical records, and any other important paperwork. Keep digital copies backed up online and carry physical copies in a secure travel document organizer.

3. Clothing Essentials

Pack versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched for different occasions. Include comfortable walking shoes, a waterproof jacket or coat, layers for varying temperatures, formal attire for special events or presentations, and swimwear if you'll be near beaches or pools. Don't forget accessories like scarves, hats, and sunglasses.

4. Electronics and Adapters

Bring along essential electronics such as your laptop, smartphone, chargers, power banks, and any adapters or converters needed for the local electrical outlets. Consider investing in a portable hotspot or SIM card for reliable internet access, especially if you'll be working or studying remotely.

5. Medications and First Aid

Pack an ample supply of any prescription medications you require, along with a basic first aid kit containing bandages, pain relievers, antiseptic wipes, and any personal health items. Familiarize yourself with local healthcare options and emergency numbers in case you need medical assistance during your stay.

6. Travel Essentials

Include travel essentials like a sturdy backpack or carry-on luggage, travel-sized toiletries, a reusable water bottle, snacks for the journey, a travel pillow and blanket for long flights or train rides, and entertainment such as books, music, or podcasts.

7. Money and Banking

Plan your finances ahead by notifying your bank of your travel plans, obtaining local currency or a travel card for convenience, and keeping emergency cash in a safe place. Familiarize yourself with currency exchange rates and budgeting tips to manage your expenses effectively while abroad.

8. Cultural and Language Resources

Bring along language guides, dictionaries, or translation apps to help you navigate language barriers and communicate effectively with locals. Research cultural etiquette and customs to show respect and adapt to your new environment with ease.

9. Personal Comfort Items

Don't forget to pack items that bring you comfort and familiarity, such as photos of loved ones, favorite snacks or treats from home, a journal for documenting your experiences, and any hobbies or activities you enjoy (e.g., art supplies, musical instruments, sports gear).

10. Safety and Security

Prioritize your safety by researching local safety tips, registering with your embassy or consulate, sharing your itinerary with family or friends, and staying vigilant in unfamiliar surroundings. Use secure locks for your belongings and avoid carrying valuables unnecessarily.

Final Thoughts

Packing like a pro for your study abroad experience involves thoughtful planning, research, and organization. By considering the essentials outlined above and tailoring your packing list to suit your destination and personal needs, you'll be well-prepared to embark on a memorable and rewarding journey of learning, exploration, and growth. Bon voyage!

[scholarsedge]

The Leading 10 Search Engines for Research Papers [2024]

In the contemporary digital research sphere, the accessibility of scholarly materials is redefined by specialized search engines tailored explicitly for research papers. These platforms serve as indispensable tools, granting scholars unrestricted entry to an extensive array of academic information. Among these platforms, Google Scholar stands as a pinnacle, symbolizing the broadening of academic knowledge accessibility and setting the stage for specialized tools in the field.

The transition from conventional library-centric research to digital platforms has brought convenience but also presents a challenge—selecting the most suitable search engines amid a multitude of options. Each platform varies in the quality and relevance of search results, demanding effective navigation of this diverse landscape.

ScholarsEdge introduces an all-encompassing guide to the top 10 search engines for research papers, designed to amplify the efficiency of academic research. These search engines are not only free but also grant swift access to a wide spectrum of scholarly resources, effectively breaking down the barriers of paywalled academic content.

Understanding Academic Search Engines

Comprehending the intricacies of what defines an effective research engine for academics is paramount. Academic search engines, distinct from general ones, offer advanced features such as precise filtering, citation tracking, and complete text access. Their emphasis on academic precision and relevance caters specifically to scholarly content.

The Foremost 10 Search Engines for Research Papers

Google Scholar: A multidisciplinary platform providing extensive access to scholarly literature across disciplines, citation tracking, and seamless integration with academic profiles.

SciSpace by Typeset: Multidisciplinary, specializing in scientific fields, offering advanced filtering, citation data, full-text access, and an AI research assistant.

Semantic Scholar: Strong in computer science and biomedical fields, featuring AI-powered semantic analysis, citation and reference tracking, and comprehensive scholarly articles.

ResearchGate: Focused on science and research, facilitating networking for scientists and researchers, providing access to various academic papers, and tracking impact.

PubMed: Specialized in biomedical and life sciences, granting access to over 30 million citations, with a focus on medical and healthcare literature and links to full-text articles.

IEEE Xplore: Focused on engineering and technology, delivering technical literature in electrical engineering, computer science, and electronics.

JSTOR: Multidisciplinary, particularly strong in arts and humanities, providing access to thousands of academic journals, books, and primary sources.

Scopus: A multidisciplinary platform with an extensive abstract and citation database, offering advanced analytics and tracking tools.

Consensus: Multidisciplinary and AI-focused, offering AI-driven search capabilities for efficient retrieval of academic papers and data.

CORE: An open access multidisciplinary platform featuring millions of open access research papers, promoting open knowledge and accessibility.

This comparison table delineates the unique features and expertise of each academic search engine, providing a snapshot of their offerings. Whether you're seeking the top search engines for research papers, a comprehensive list of reliable academic search engines, or the finest websites for research papers, ScholarsEdge is here to guide you toward the perfect resource for your scholarly pursuits.

[ajay511]

Navigating the World of Science: Finding the Best Science Journals

Introduction best science journals

In the ever-evolving realm of scientific research, staying informed about the latest breakthroughs and discoveries is crucial. One of the most reliable ways to access cutting-edge research is by exploring the best science journals. These journals serve as gateways to a treasure trove of knowledge, offering a diverse range of scientific topics and findings. In this blog, we will take you on a journey through the world of science journals, helping you discover the best ones to quench your thirst for knowledge.

What Makes a Science Journal the Best best science journals

Before diving into our list of the best science journals, it's important to understand the criteria that make a journal stand out in the scientific community. Here are some key factors to consider: best science journals

Peer Review Process: Reputable journals have a rigorous peer-review process. Experts in the field review submitted manuscripts to ensure the research is valid, accurate, and relevant.

Impact Factor: The impact factor reflects a journal's influence and reputation within its field. Journals with higher impact factors are generally considered more prestigious.

Editorial Board: A strong editorial board comprised of respected scientists and researchers can indicate the journal's commitment to quality.

Coverage: Look for journals that cover a wide range of scientific disciplines or specialize in your area of interest.

Accessibility: Accessibility to articles is crucial. Some journals are open-access, while others require a subscription or purchase.

Now that we've established the criteria, let's explore some of the best science journals across various fields.

Nature

Nature is a renowned interdisciplinary journal that covers a wide array of scientific topics, from physics and chemistry to biology and earth sciences. It has one of the highest impact factors in the scientific publishing world, making it a top choice for researchers worldwide.

Science

Published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Science is a highly respected journal that covers a broad spectrum of scientific disciplines. It features groundbreaking research and news in the world of science.

Cell

Cell is a top-tier journal specializing in cell biology and molecular biology. It publishes cutting-edge research in these fields and has a reputation for its stringent peer-review process.

The New England Journal of Medicine

If you're interested in medical and clinical research, The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) is an esteemed choice. It features high-impact research articles, clinical studies, and reviews.

Journal of the American Chemical Society

For chemists and researchers in the field of chemistry, this journal is a cornerstone. It publishes research articles, reviews, and studies related to chemistry and its various branches.

Science Advances

If you prefer open-access journals, Science Advances is a great option. It publishes a wide range of scientific research and is easily accessible to anyone interested in science.

The Astrophysical Journal

For astronomers and astrophysicists, The Astrophysical Journal is a prestigious source of research articles and discoveries related to the cosmos.

Conclusion

Exploring the world of science journals is an exciting endeavor for anyone passionate about scientific knowledge. The best science journals, characterized by rigorous peer review, high impact factors, and a commitment to excellence, provide valuable insights into the latest research and discoveries in various scientific disciplines. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or an enthusiastic science enthusiast, these journals offer a wealth of information waiting to be uncovered. So, pick your favorites and embark on a journey of scientific exploration that will expand your horizons and keep you at the forefront of human knowledge.

Hyderabad

#research #papers# publish