bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long term stability of lactate in uncentrifuged sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate blood collection tubes
Authors: Stevic Ivan , Bolsover Jade , Moore Rick , Bhayana Vipin
Published: October 2023

Background

Delayed time from collection to centrifugation may cause erroneously high lactate levels in vitro (from continued blood cell metabolism under anaerobic conditions in the collection tube) if not collected in appropriate collection devices, consequently increasing the risk for inappropriate patient care or harm. We undertook a study to determine the turnaround time for lactate testing in a tertiary care setting and also performed short- and long-term lactate stability studies in blood collected in sodium fluoride/potassium oxalate (NaF/KOx) collection tubes.

Methods

The hospital lab information system was mined for 6 months to determine patient samples that may have exceeded the time from collection-to-receival in lab of 15-min. Lactate stability was evaluated in unspun NaF/KOx collection tubes at 15 min intervals for to 2 h; and separately at 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48-h post-collection.

Results

A total of 8,929 plasma samples were collected in 6 months, and 1/3 were not received in the lab within 15 min from collection. In NaF/KOx additive, lactate levels had minor increases over 2 h, and incremental increases at an average rate of 0.0035 mmol/L/h over 48 h with maximum increase of 9.8% at 48 h. However, the average change across all time points were within local allowable performance goals (at ≤4 mmol/L ± 0.5 mmol/L; at >4 mmol/L ± 12%).

Conclusion

A small proportion of lactate specimens may experience delay in processing. Although lactate levels may incrementally increase over 48-h at room temperature in unspun NaF/KOx collection tubes, the changes may not be clinically impactful.
Visual Representations of Sexual Minorities in Chinese Newspapers
Authors: Zhang Ke , Zhuang Huibin
Published: October 2023

Same-sex sexuality remains a prevalent taboo in many cultures and societies globally. In the past decade, scholars from various fields have increasingly examined how sexual minorities (SMs) are represented. The present paper contributes to this growing research by addressing two notable gaps. First, since much of the existing research centers on Western contexts, there is limited study on the portrayal of SMs within the Chinese cultural framework. Second, past studies emphasize verbal portrayals, often sidelining the importance of visual representations. This article will report and analyze the photos gathered from two prominent Chinese newspapers, China Daily and Global Times, pertaining to SMs in mainland China. By drawing on Van Leeuwen’s visual social actor network, the article reveals that Chinese SMs most often are visually represented as victims, disguisers, warriors, and elitists. Finally, we explore the socio-cultural influences behind these representation patterns.
Find Meaning and Help: The Lived Experiences and Support Needs of Iranian Muslim Husbands of Women Undergoing Mastectomy From Diagnosis to the End of Life
Authors: Bigdeli Shamloo Marzieh Beigom , Shamsi Aziz , Elahi Nasrin
Published: October 2023

The husbands of women undergoing mastectomy have been introduced as the patient’s primary caregivers. This research was conducted to investigate the lived experiences of Iranian Muslim husbands of women undergoing mastectomy. In this phenomenological research, 18 participants were interviewed, and Van Menan’s method of interpretation was used to interpret the data. 8 themes were extracted from the data analysis: physical problems, living in the shadow of fear and discomfort, and destiny is not blameless, modified roles, marital coldness, imposing a financial burden, spiritual care, and support failure. It is concluded that the husbands of these patients need comprehensive support, and the current support is not enough.
Keeping Up With the Joneses? Neighbourhood Effects on the Vote
Authors: Harteveld Eelco , van der Brug Wouter
Published: October 2023

Voters are affected by cues from their immediate social environment. One of these cues consists of the political opinions available and accepted in people’s neighbourhoods, which are theoretically expected to affect vote choices through direct or indirect forms of communication. We test this assertion by employing a longitudinal design combining fine-grained geo-coded panel data with election results on a uniquely local level in the Netherlands. We assess the effect of the level of support for parties in a neighbourhood (consisting of just 624 households on average) on the vote choices of individuals 5 years later, while controlling for their previous vote choice. We find that the political preferences of neighbours indeed affect respondents’ subsequent vote choice, but only for those voters who feel strongly embedded in the local community. We conclude that, even in the highly fragmented Dutch context, the political choices of citizens can be influenced by neighbourhood effects.
Enhancing Self-Reported Assessment of Working Conditions in Policing: Revisiting the Psychometric Properties and Applications of the Police Stress Questionnaire
Authors: Rabbing Lillis , Lau Bjørn , Fostervold Knut Inge , Blenkinsopp John , Bjørkelo Brita
Published: October 2023

Objectives

Policing is recognized as a highly stressful occupation, encompassing stressors not commonly encountered in other fields. In response, police-specific stress scales have been developed and used when studying police work. Despite changes in the composition of police personnel, most studies examining police working conditions focus on sworn police officers (SPO), excluding employees without police education (EWPE). To advance research and practice on stress in the police, align results, and increase the possibilities for comparisons across studies using police-specific measures (PSMs) we conducted a psychometric evaluation of the two scales in the Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ). We examined whether adding “Not Applicable” to the response scales would reduce vulnerability and make the PSQ more robust.

Method

Based on a survey with a randomised sample ( N = 560) of SPO and EWPE in the Norwegian Police, we tested the original factor structures of the PSQ through Confirmatory Factor Analysis including tests of factor structures from previous studies.

Results

For all models, the indicators of fit indicated a poor fit with either our whole or stratified sample. The response choice ‘Not Applicable’ provided extended information for SPOs and EWPEs on the PSQ.

Conclusions

To promote aligning results and enabling comparisons across studies using the PSQ, we suggest treating the PSQ scales as formative indexes, rather than reflective scales. Adding “Not Applicable” to the response scale offers an influential elaboration of the PSQ with beneficial and extended information. Generalised studies of stress in the police should include the entire population working there.
Dynamical simulation of the Syrian refugee crisis: quantifying the driving factors of forced migration
Authors: Diedrichs Danilo R , Hill Avyi , Li Yeting , Miller Schubert Amelia
Published: October 2023

With over 21 million refugees at the end of 2021, forced migration across national borders has become a global reality and a major international policy issue. This paper proposes a dynamical model based on the Syrian Refugee Crisis to quantify the factors that influence a refugee’s decision to migrate and the destination choice. The model simulates refugee migrations in space and time, from the moment they flee their country of origin until they are granted asylum in a host country or lose refugee status by attrition or repatriation. Migration is driven by comparative attractiveness scores based on differences in quality of life, political stability, societal violence, cultural familiarity, and distance between countries, while accounting for risk aversion and psychological inertia. By comparing simulation results to United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) data, we determine weight parameters that quantify the relative importance of each attribute in inducing a migration flow. The model is a computationally efficient forecasting and ex-post analysis tool, providing insight into the dynamics of refugee flow and effect of immigration policies.
Using Natural Experiments to Uncover Effects of Anti-Refugee Riots on Attitudes of Refugees
Authors: Schwitter Nicole , Liebe Ulf
Published: October 2023

While previous research has focused on terrorist attacks and natives’ attitudes towards immigration, we examine the effect of anti-refugee attacks on refugees’ attitude towards the host country. We use survey data from the 33rd wave of the German Socio-Economic Panel as the fieldwork period overlapped with the infamous anti-refugee riots in Bautzen and as the survey includes a refugee sample. Making use of this natural experiment, we find significant and negative short-term effects of the riots on respondents’ perception of Germany, as well as low geographic variation. Such natural experiments in the form of unexpected events during survey design offer social scientists the possibilities to identify causal effects from observational survey data as they split respondents into a control and treatment group. Given the vast amount of (cross-)national survey data, often including specific subsamples, our study demonstrates the great potential of natural experiments for sociological research on minority groups in society.
Neighborhood Environment and Epigenetic Age: A Scoping Review
Authors: Jackson Pamela , Kempf Mirjam-Colette , Goodin Burel R. , A. Hidalgo Bertha , Aroke Edwin N.
Published: October 2023

Background:

Interest in how the neighborhood environment impacts age-related health conditions has been increasing for decades. Epigenetic changes are environmentally derived modifications to the genome that alter the way genes function—thus altering health status. Epigenetic age, a biomarker for biological age, has been shown to be a useful predictor of several age-related health conditions. Consequently, its relation to the neighborhood environment has been the focus of a growing body of literature.

Objective:

We aimed to describe the scope of the evidence on the relationship between neighborhood environmental characteristics and epigenetic age.

Methods:

Using scoping review following methods established by Arksey and O’Malley, we first defined our research questions and searched the literature in PubMed, PsycINFO, and EMBASE. Next, we selected the literature to be included, and finally, we analyzed and summarized the information.

Results:

Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Most studies examined deprivation as the neighborhood characteristic of interest. While all studies were observational in design, the articles included diverse participants, including men and women, adults and children, and multiple ethnicities. Results demonstrated a relationship between the neighborhood environment and epigenetic age, whether the characteristic of interest is socioeconomic or physical.

Conclusions:

Overall, studies concluded there was a relationship between neighborhood characteristics and epigenetic age, whether the characteristic of interest was socioeconomic or physical. However, findings varied based on how the neighborhood characteristic and/or epigenetic age was measured. Furthermore, a paucity of investigations on physical characteristics was noticeable and warrants increased attention.
Code-Mixing in Promotional Materials for Tourism: Effects of Format on Processing Fluency and Interest in Cultural Activities
Authors: Gasiorek Jessica , Dragojevic Marko
Published: October 2023

We examined the effects of English-Hawaiian code-mixing in promotional materials for tourist activities on audiences’ message processing and interest in the activities promoted, and whether these outcomes depended on the format of translations for code-mixed terms. We found that code-mixing both disrupted fluency for potential tourists—which indirectly diminished interest—and boosted their interest in advertised cultural activities. These countervailing effects largely offset each other, although materials that included narrative translations of Hawaiian terms ultimately promoted greater interest than English-only texts.
From spewing resentment to lingering grief: Metaphorical constructions of intrauterine devices and spousal roles in contemporary China
Authors: Liu Zikun , Zou Wenxue
Published: October 2023

In recent years, an emerging discourse on various social media platforms has drawn attention to the enduring, yet unspoken, distress experienced by a considerable number of Chinese women who have utilized intrauterine devices (IUDs) for extended durations. Using corpus linguistics and thematic analysis, this article seeks to explore the use of metaphors in discussions about IUDs on Weibo and how the public makes sense of roles of spouses in the decision of using IUDs. The findings reveal three distinct metaphors about IUDs within multi-layered family and social relationships: a time bomb, a blood-stained wedding ring, and a lethal weapon. Furthermore, three metaphorical representations of the spousal roles in relation to the use of IUDs are identified: participants versus observers regarding contraception, perpetrators versus victims within societal frameworks, and the nurturing cornerstone of the family versus instrumental means for procreation. These metaphors, deeply rooted in war metaphors, not only reflect the oppressive forces imposed on women by state power, patriarchal society, and traditional beliefs but also function as a form of resistance against such forces.
Diagnosis of an aortico-left ventricular tunnel in a fetus: a case report
Authors: Lou Yelin , Hu Yang , Tao Xiaoying
Published: October 2023

An aortico-left ventricular tunnel is a rare congenital heart disease, and its prenatal diagnosis is even rarer. This report describes a fetus diagnosed with an aortico-left ventricular tunnel at 26 weeks of gestation. After delivery, the infant exhibited cyanosis and cessation of breathing. After resuscitation, he was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit. Echocardiography confirmed an aortico-left ventricular tunnel. The infant survived after surgical repair. An aortico-left ventricular tunnel can be diagnosed by antenatal ultrasound, and prompt neonatal management can help to prevent perinatal morbidity and mortality.
IBO Orthodontic Index Part III
Authors: George Ashwin Mathew , Manohar Mala Ram , Govindaraj Aravinth Rajkumar , Gautham Raja Ganesh , Nene Salil , Kalia Ajit
Published: October 2023

A new orthodontic index was proposed by the College of Diplomates to assess the degree of difficulty of cases submitted for the IBO Phase III clinical examinations. This article is the continuation of Parts I and II of the article, which gave a brief insight into the need and the methodology undertaken to formulate this index. A weightage score grading the degree of difficulty was formulated based on the Dental, Cephalometric, and Miscellaneous components. An Aesthetic component was also developed. Further statistical evaluation was done to formulate a cut-off score required for cases submitted for the Phase III examination. This index would help to categorize the malocclusion in a structured manner.
Offence Paralleling Schema Modes in Institutional Violence
Authors: Herzog-Evans Martine , Keulen-de Vos Marije
Published: October 2023

This study explored emotional patterns in relation to the Offence Paralleling Behavior and the schema mode frameworks. The study retrospectively assesses schema modes in the events prior and during criminal and institutional violent behavior. It draws upon observer-ratings of schema modes by 42 male patients who received mandated clinical care in a forensic hospital in the Netherlands. Wilcoxon Signed Ranked tests showed no differences between events prior crimes and incidents with regard to schema modes that relate to universal childhood needs with the exception of impulsive child mode. States of intoxication were more prevalent prior and during the crimes than during the incidents. Furthermore, modes tended to be less activated during incidents, particularly low self-control, conning and manipulating, and self-aggrandizer modes. It is hoped that criminal justice institutions and their staff would benefit from being more aware of schema mode in order to prevent and deal with incidental violence.
A review of wind energy potential in Morocco: New challenges and perspectives
Authors: Bakkari Mohammed , Bossoufi Badre , El Kafazi Ismail , Bouderbala Manale , Karim Mohammed
Published: October 2023

Morocco has a significant wind energy potential due to its favorable climate proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, and temperature conditions. The governments recognize the importance of transitioning to sustainable energy sources and have taken strategic steps to promote the renewable energy sector, particularly wind energy, to reduce dependence on finite fossil fuels and promote eco-friendly alternatives. Local and international enterprises, along with private investors, have undertaken various wind energy projects in the country. Despite overreliance on conventional resources like coal and gasoline leading to an energy crisis, Morocco sees wind energy as a viable solution due to its increasing accessibility and cost effectiveness. This study comprehensively explores Morocco’s wind energy landscape, defining wind energy and its global and local potential. It highlights challenges and opportunities in wind energy development and outlines strategies to enhance wind resource utilization. By 2021, Morocco achieved a significant milestone by raising the proportion of clean energy in its mix to 37, 6% with wind energy contributing 45% of this. Building on this success, Morocco aims to further increase its renewable energy capacity, targeting 52% of total capacity from renewable source by 2030 according to (IRENA). This showcases Morocco’s commitment to sustainable energy and its progressive approach to creating a greener and more resilient energy future.
Gender Role Attitudes and Prosecutorial Decision-Making in a Case of Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: MacNeil Elizabeth Rose , Cox Jennifer , Daquin Jane C. , Neal Tess M. S.
Published: October 2023

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a pervasive public health crisis that impacts individuals across the gender spectrum. Traditionally, IPV is conceptualized through a gendered lens, with men as the perpetrators and women as the victims. The current study explored the association between perpetrator/victim sex, prosecutor gender role attitudes, and prosecutorial decision-making in a case of alleged IPV. We hypothesized that prosecutors with more traditional gender role attitudes would be more lenient, and this effect to be exacerbated in cases involving a female perpetrator. Criminal prosecutors across the United States ( N = 94) completed the Male Role Norms Inventory—Revised and read case materials describing the alleged IPV between a heterosexual couple (e.g., arrest report, medical records). The victim/perpetrator sex was manipulated to involve either a female- (male victim) or male- (female victim) perpetrated IPV case. Results indicate that gender role attitudes were not associated with prosecutorial decision-making. However, prosecutors perceived the violence as more serious and the perpetrator as more likely to reoffend when the perpetrator was male; further, they attributed more blame to the female victim. An interaction between perpetrator sex and prosecutor gender role attitudes indicates those with more traditional beliefs were more likely to blame the female (rather than male) victim. These data suggest extralegal factors related to the perpetrator (i.e., perpetrator sex), rather than prosecutor individual differences (i.e., gender role attitudes), are associated with prosecutor discretionary decision-making. In tandem with real-world disparities in the prosecution of IPV based on perpetrator sex, the current research stresses the importance of exploring a diversity of factors that account for these observed differences.
Association of MOUD ECHO Participation on Expansion of Buprenorphine Prescribing in Rural Primary Care
Authors: Salvador Julie G. , Myers Orrin B. , Bhatt Snehal R. , Jacobsohn Vanessa , Lindsey Larissa , Alkhafaji Rana S. , Rishel Brakey Heidi , Sussman Andrew L.
Published: October 2023

Background:

Lack of access to buprenorphine to treat Opioid Use Disorder is profound in rural areas where over half of small and remote rural counties have no buprenorphine prescriber. To increase prescribing, an online, Medication of Opioid Use Disorder (MOUD) Extensions for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO) was developed that addressed known barriers to the startup and expansion of treatment. The objective of the present study was to determine the relationship between participating in MOUD ECHO sessions and prescribing of buprenorphine for OUD in rural primary care.

Methods:

Using non-random, rolling-recruitment from Feb 2018 to October of 2021, all rural primary care clinics in New Mexico were contacted via phone call and fax to recruit providers (Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, and Physician Assistants) who had no or limited buprenorphine experience to enroll in this study. Participation in the MOUD ECHO was tracked across the 12 week series. Start-up and expansion of buprenorphine treatment was measured every 3 months for up to 2 years using 5 implementation benchmarks spanning training completion, obtaining licensure, prescribing and adding patients. Using a dose-response intention to treat type analysis, associations between number of sessions and benchmark achievement were analyzed using logistic regression.

Results:

Eighty providers were enrolled, mostly female (66%) white (82%), non-Hispanic (82%), and mostly nurse practitioners (51%) or MDs (38%). Achievement of prescribing benchmarks at 6 months was significantly increased by attendance at MOUD ECHO sessions including obtaining training and licensure Odds Ratio (OR = 1.24; P = .001); starting to prescribe (OR = 1.31; P = .004), and adding patients (OR = 1.14; P = .025).

Conclusions:

This study provides compelling evidence that MOUD ECHO participation may significantly increase the number of providers implementing this treatment and adding patients onto their panels. The dose-response approach helps address current gaps in ECHO research that call for more rigorous examination of the ECHO model’s impact on provider practice improvements.
Family Firms’ Shareholder Structure and International Acquisitions: A Differentiated Socioemotional Wealth Approach
Authors: Calabrò Andrea , Torchia Mariateresa , Quarato Fabio , Valentino Alfredo , Cambrea Domenico Rocco , Lohe Fynn-Willem
Published: October 2023

From a mixed gamble perspective, we contend that family firms (FFs) with different family shareholder structures are confronted with different trade-offs among current and prospective financial and socioemotional wealth (SEW), leading to differences in their international acquisition choices. We also explore the moderating role of family leadership and performance aspirations. Our findings show that FFs with a dominant family owner are more likely to pursue international acquisitions, especially when FFs are led by a family CEO or when they experience below-target performance, as in such cases, they prioritize prospective financial and SEW gains, thereby sacrificing current SEW and financial wealth.
Spatial spillover effect of environmental regulation on environmental efficiency of electric power industry in China
Authors: Sun Jiasen , Liu Tong , Chu Junfei
Published: October 2023

The electricity power (EP) industry, a primary source of emissions, significantly affects China's energy conservation and reduction efforts. The Chinese government has introduced various regulatory policies to limit the emissions and waste generated by the EP industry. This paper intends to assess the influence of environmental regulation (ER) on the environmental efficiency (EE) within China's EP sector, particularly concerning spatial spillover effects. The slack-based and the spatial Durbin models are applied to quantify EE and analyze the nonlinear connection between ER and EE. Some findings are summarized below. First, the EE of China's EP industry has significant regional heterogeneity and exhibits a positive spatial agglomeration effect of EE. Second, the influence of ER on EE in local provinces shows a U-shaped relationship, while it exhibits an inverted U-shaped effect in neighboring provinces. Third, ER can indirectly drive EE in the local province by affecting technological innovation. Finally, policy recommendations are offered to enhance the EE in China's EP industry.
The barriers to pursuing workplace equality for women
Authors: Allen Dominique , Orifici Adriana
Published: October 2023

Sex discrimination has been prohibited in the workplace for over 40 years. Yet even though sex discrimination persists, very few claims reach the courts each year. This Brief reports on the findings from a small interview study with Victorian lawyers which sought to identify the barriers that women face when contemplating whether to pursue a legal claim for sex discrimination at work.
Impact of mood stabilizers on creativity
Authors: Parker Gordon
Published: October 2023

Objective

While a DSM-5 criterion for both hypomania and mania is impaired functioning, the majority of those with a bipolar condition report improved functioning. When offered a mood stabilizer, many express concerns about any impact on their creativity. This piece seeks to address the question and attendant issues.

Method

Reference is made to the impact of differing mood stabilizers on cognitive performance and the limited data on any specific impact on creativity, while some personal observations are offered.

Results

There appears to be a distinctive gradient in the cognitive impacts of differing mood stabilizers, with lithium offering the highest risk, carbamazepine and valproate providing a slight risk, and lamotrigine seemingly without cognitive side-effects.

Conclusions

The question not only invites a nuanced response from the clinician but argues for close observation of any cognitive side-effects when lithium is introduced.
A guided framework for assessing off-label medication use in psychiatry
Authors: Lehman Kirk , Aroney Emeil
Published: October 2023

Objective

The objective of this article is to present a decision aid in the form of a flowchart, designed to assist psychiatrists in navigating the challenges of off-label medication use. This tool is believed to be the only one currently available that combines guidance from medical indemnity insurers, RANZCP guidelines, CATG frameworks, and relevant legislation to provide a practical guide for everyday psychiatric practice.

Conclusions

There are clinical, legal, ethical, and financial considerations to take into account each time an off-label prescription is ordered. There is no legal barrier to prevent psychiatrists from prescribing off-label in Australia and New Zealand. The medication should be utilised if it is in the best interests of the patient. However, practitioners must be able to defend the rationale for their off-label medication use with evidence of sound quality. Off-label use medication use can lead to improved patient outcomes and quality of life. On the other hand, poor practice in off-label prescribing can result in adverse events, patient harm, legal implications, and damage to professional reputation. By evaluating available evidence, considering patient characteristics, obtaining informed consent, and documenting the rationale for off-label use, clinical decision-making can be enhanced whilst mitigating the risks associated with off-label prescribing.
Respiratory Muscle Strength Training in Patients Post-COVID-19: A Systematic Review
Authors: Morgan Sandra P. , Visovsky Constance , Thomas Bini , Klein Aimee B.
Published: October 2023

Estimates of 10-49% of patients may experience ongoing symptoms after COVID-19, including dyspnea. Respiratory muscle strength training has been used to reduce dyspnea in other respiratory diseases, thus, it may be a viable option for individuals with post-COVID-19 symptoms. The objective of this review was to evaluate the evidence for the effectiveness of respiratory muscle strength training for individuals with post-COVID-19 dyspnea. A systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. CINAHL, Web of Science, PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases were searched from 2020-2023. Eleven articles met the inclusion criteria. Pulmonary measures were improved in all but one study, and dyspnea, physical capacity and quality of life measures achieved statistical significance. Outcomes improved following respiratory muscle strength training as a standalone intervention, or with aerobic and peripheral muscle strength training.
Research on the evolution law of cloud manufacturing service ecosystem based on multi-agent behavior simulation
Authors: Dong Yuanfa , Li Xiaocan , Peng Wei , Wang Lei , Zhou Bin
Published: October 2023

Monitoring and evaluating the health of the cloud manufacturing service ecosystem (CMSE) is critical to ensuring the long-term development of the cloud manufacturing service platform. The behavior patterns of three types of market entities, service demander (SD), service provider (SP) and platform operator (PO), have an important impact on the evolution trend of CMSE. The formulation of platform transaction rules and development of operation and regulation strategies need clarified the evolution law of the CMSE. Therefore, the evolution framework of the CMSE is constructed, the behavior modes of market entities such as SP, SD, and PO are established respectively, and multi-agent behavior simulation experiments are carried out. Simulation analysis showed that the more sensitive the SP was to the transaction activity in the system, the earlier the ecosystem in which it was located enters the stable period. When the sensitivity k of SD to the number of SPs that are available for required services in the system was between 0.45 and 0.5, the evolution trend of CMSE would show an obvious turning point from rapid growth to shrinkage. PO could adopt flexible charging strategies at different stages of the evolution of the CMSE to maximize revenue.
Gendered Self-Promotion: Differences in How Voters Evaluate Women and Men Who Highlight Their Legislative Accomplishments
Authors: Bauer Nichole M.
Published: October 2023

Conventional wisdom suggests that women can face a punishment from voters for engaging in self-promotion. Self-promotion, highlighting your accomplishments, can be detrimental to women because such behavior violates feminine stereotypic expectations that women be modest and humble. I argue and show that voters do not punish women for engaging in self-promotion but there are different styles of self-promotion that are more beneficial to women than others. I argue that women will be most successful when they use a communal style of self-promotion that emphasizes feminine stereotypic qualities, such as compromise. Conversely, I argue that agentic forms of self-promotion, which draw on masculine qualities, will be less successful for women because agency violates feminine expectations for women. I test the effects of communal and agentic self-promotion using two experiments. The result shows two key findings. First, voters do not punish women incumbents for using agentic styles of self-promotion, but women receive more positive evaluations with communal self-promotion. Second, voters are slightly more likely to reward men for communal self-promotion relative to women legislators.
A Pilot Study Examining the Effectiveness of Gottman Method Couples Therapy Over Treatment-as-Usual Approaches for Treating Couples Dealing with Infidelity
Authors: Irvine Taylor J. , Peluso Paul R. , Benson Kyle , Cole Carrie , Cole Donald , Gottman John M. , Schwartz Gottman Julie
Published: October 2023

The present randomized control trial examined the effectiveness of Gottman Method Couples Therapy (GMCT) over treatment-as-usual (TAU) approaches for couples presenting for therapy following the discovery of infidelity. Forty-nine couples participated in this trial and were randomized to either a GMCT or TAU control group, with 19 completing all pre- and post-treatment assessments. Results showed that GMCT was globally more effective in facilitating affair recovery than TAU approaches, notably in the areas of trust, conflict management, relational satisfaction, and quality of sex. In this article, we (a) outline findings from this study, (b) discuss implications for the field, and (c) offer directions for future research.
Metastatic Neoplasms to the Breast
Authors: Özşen Mine , Tolunay Sahsine , Polatkan Seyit Ali Volkan , Senol Kazım , Gokgoz Mustafa Sehsuvar
Published: October 2023

Objective

When the clinical presentation is related to the metastatic mass and a radiologically solitary tumor focus is detected, especially in cases where clinical information is not taken into account or is insufficient, if a possible metastatic neoplasia is not kept in mind then it is possible to evaluate the tumor as a primary breast neoplasm. In this study, it is aimed to present our cases of non-hematopoietic metastatic neoplasms and to evaluate the clinicopathological features that may aid in distinguishing metastatic from primary neoplasms.

Material and Methods

This study includes cases diagnosed with metastatic non-hematopoietic breast neoplasm in breast resection materials in our center, between the years 2010–2023. All cases were analyzed retrospectively by evaluating clinicopathological features.

Results

Of the 15 subjects included in the study, 11 (73%) were female and 4 (27%) were male. The mean age of the patients were 46.9 ranged from 22 to 63 years. The most frequent metastatic malignancy was carcinoma (60%), followed by melanoma (33%) and sarcoma (7%). Of the 9 patients with metastatic carcinoma, the primary tumor originated from the lungs in 4, from gastrointestinal system in 2, female genital tract in 2, and kidney in 1 patient. Sarcoma diagnosis was given in a single patient and the histology was a leiomyosarcoma originating from kidney.

Conclusion

A careful histomorphological and immunohistochemical evaluation and a detailed examination of the clinicoradiological data are critical to establish the right course in patient management, treatment plan and to correctly predict the prognosis.
Alveolar Adenoma: A 20-Year Experience at a Western Balkan University Hospital and a Literature Review
Authors: Lovrenski Aleksandra , Gardić Nikola , Šunjević Milena , Dragišić Dragan , Vučković Dejan
Published: October 2023

Alveolar adenoma is a rare benign lung tumor. We report 5 patients within a 20-year period diagnosed with this rare tumor and its clinical and histopathological features, in order to emphasize its significance in differential diagnosis of other lung tumors. Alveolar adenoma was more frequently diagnosed in female patients (80%). The patients ranged in age from 52 to 68. Eighty percent of the patients had symptoms like dyspnea, and shoulder or back pain. Three patients underwent a video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, while 2 patients underwent a thoracotomy in order to remove the tumor. The tumor was localized within the right upper lobe, right lower lobe, and left lower lobe in 40%, 40%, and 20% of patients, respectively. The tumor size ranged from 14 to 30 mm. A frozen section finding of all 5 tumors reported that the lesion was benign. In all analyzed tumors, immunohistochemical analysis showed positive expression of TTF-1 and pankeratin in surface epithelial cells, and Vimentin positivity and TTF-1 and pankeratin negativity in round stromal cells. Alveolar adenoma should be carefully considered in the differential diagnosis of solitary pulmonary nodules. Complete surgical removal of the lesion is widely used in its primary management.
Adequacy of the WHOQoL-BREF to Assess the Quality of Life of Victims of Armed Conflicts
Authors: Morales-Valiente Claudia , Mok Liu , Wong Alina , Manzanero Antonio L. , Guarch-Rubio Marta , Simancas Marlen , Celedón-Rivero José C. , Salas-Picón Wilson M.
Published: October 2023

There is a deterioration in the quality of life (QoL) of survivor victims of warlike conflicts. Because there is a need to guarantee the effectiveness of assessment tools for these populations, we studied the adequacy of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQoL-BREF) to assess the QoL of 1,136 surviving victims of the armed conflict in Colombia. Although this questionnaire has yielded promising results, questions remain about its psychometric suitability for specific populations. We used model modification at the item level, comparisons of models with different factor structures, and dimensionality analysis to address the psychometric problems encountered. Dimensionality analysis using a bifactor model suggests that WHOQoL-BREF total scores might be a more appropriate way of reporting results when model fit adequacy is not reached. Conclusions are offered on the psychometric properties of the WHOQoL-BREF, the evaluation of special populations, and possible strategies to address future questionnaire modifications.
Additional Validation of the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-3 (MMPI-3) Eating Concerns Scale
Authors: Sutphin Terran M. S. , Hicks Adam D. , Marek Ryan J. , Gorman Kimberly S. , McCord David M.
Published: October 2023

Maladaptive eating behaviors are typically associated with significant impairment in psychological functioning more broadly. The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) family of instruments has traditionally been the most frequently used psychological assessment of psychopathology by clinical psychologists. The most recent version, the MMPI-3, features a new Eating Concerns (EAT) scale that screens for the presence of problematic eating behaviors. The goals of the current study were (a) to independently replicate validity correlations reported from the college sample during EAT scale development, (b) to evaluate the utility of EAT scale item-level correlations with other substantive MMPI-3 scales, and (c) to evaluate the ability of the EAT items to predict specific frequency counts of dysfunctional eating behaviors. The current study examined the MMPI-3 assessment of dysfunctional eating behaviors among 188 undergraduate participants. Results indicated that the EAT scale is meaningfully associated with core symptom dimensions of maladaptive eating, including binging, vomiting, restricting, and concerns about weight and shape. In addition, this study identified meaningfully distinct patterns of correlations with personality and psychopathology constructs, and specific behavioral frequencies, across the five individual EAT scale items. These results contribute to the enhanced utility of this important screening scale in clinical settings.
Interactions Between Offender and Crime Characteristics Leading to a Lethal Outcome in Cases of Sexually-Motivated Abductions
Authors: Beauregard Eric , Chopin Julien
Published: October 2023

Despite the widespread public concern regarding abduction, research on this type of crime is scarce. This lack of research is even more pronounced when looking at cases that end with the death of the victim. In fact, all of the research looking at lethal outcomes in cases of abductions has focused exclusively on child victims and has failed to consider the interactions at the multivariate level between the factors related to the death of the victim. Therefore, the aim of the study is to identify offender and crime characteristics – as well as their interactions – associated with a lethal outcome in sexually-motivated abductions using a combination of logistic regression and neural network analyses on a sample of 281 cases (81 cases ending with a lethal outcome, random sample of 200 comparison cases). Findings show that sexually-motivated abductions ending with a lethal outcome are more likely to be characterized by an offender who is a loner, forensically aware, and who who uses a weapon and restraints, and who sexually penetrates and beats a known victim. The neural network analysis show that three different pathways lead to a lethal outcome in sexually-motivated abductions. Such findings are important for correctional practices.
Central retinal artery occlusion after spinal surgery: Case report and literature review
Authors: Rmili Mohamed Foued , Chebil Ahmed , El Matri Khaled , Werda Slim , Falfoul Yousra , Matri Leila El
Published: October 2023

Aim

To report a rare case of unilateral central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) following spinal surgery.

Methods

Observational case report.

Results

A 15-year-old female patient underwent scoliosis surgery under general anesthesia in a prone position, her head being supported by a horseshoe headrest for approximately four hours, with stable vitals and without significant blood loss during surgery. Upon waking up from general anesthesia, the patient immediately reported severe visual loss in her right eye (RE), associated to marked periocular ecchymosis and chemosis. Visual acuity was limited to light perception. Fundus examination showed normal optic disc appearance with diffuse retinal pallor and a macular cherry red spot. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) showed increased reflectivity in the inner retina, consistent with ischemic maculopathy in the RE. Brain and neck magnetic resonance imaging angiograms were unremarkable. Further investigations ruled out collagen vascular disease, Behcet disease, syphilis, sickle cell disease and hypercoagulable states.

Conclusion

Central retinal artery occlusion is rarely observed following spinal surgery. The cause was presumed to be compression of the orbit by a horseshoe headrest in a prone position due to an accidental shift in position during surgery. This catastrophic complication, albeit rare, is usually irreversible and thus must be prevented. Proper positioning and vigilance by both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist during surgery are fundamental to ensure that the orbits are not under pressure.
Who cares about digital disconnection? Exploring commodified digital disconnection discourse through a relational lens
Authors: Van Bruyssel Sara , De Wolf Ralf , Vanden Abeele Mariek
Published: October 2023

Digital disconnection has risen as a new and necessary act of care that individuals perform to counter the burdens associated with 24/7 connectivity. Resources to perform such caring tasks, however, are known to be unequally distributed. Leaning on feminist theory and digital disconnection studies, this study explores whether this unequal distribution also extends to the realm of digital disconnection by examining who is portrayed to care about digital disconnection in marketing communication of digital disconnection products and services. Through a critical discourse analysis, we find that digital disconnection is foremost presented as an individualized responsibility, meaning that the particular responsibility to (re-) gain control, focus and productivity, lies with the individual user. This responsible individual is feminized in most communications, except for highly masculinized, entrepreneurial-oriented forms of commodified digital disconnection. Overall, our analysis highlights how stereotypical gendered caring roles and processes of individual responsibilization are reinforced in commodified digital products and services. To breach this vicious circle, we argue that it is crucial to bring awareness to the essentialness of digital disconnection care work to ensure that disconnection opportunities and responsibilities are not dictated by social inequalities generated by neoliberal logics.
Healthcare utilization impacts of an eConsult program for headache at an academic medical center
Authors: Downes Margaret H , Morgenstern Rachelle , Naasan Georges , Patterson Shanna , Pace Anna , Agarwal Parul , Shin Susan , Abrams Rory , Mueller Bridget , Young James , Tamler Ronald , Vickrey Barbara G , Kummer Benjamin R
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Interprofessional consultations (“eConsults”) can reduce healthcare utilization. However, the impact of eConsults on healthcare utilization remains poorly characterized among patients with headache.

Methods

We performed a retrospective, 1:1 matched cohort study comparing patients evaluated for headache via eConsult request or in-person referral at the Mount Sinai Health System in New York. Groups were matched on clinical and demographic characteristics. Our primary outcome was one or more outpatient headache-related encounters in 6 months following referral date. Secondary outcomes included one or more all-cause outpatient neurology and headache-related emergency department (ED) encounters during the same period. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression to model associations between independent variables and outcomes.

Results

We identified 74 patients with headache eConsults who were matched to 74 patients with in-person referrals. Patients in the eConsult group were less likely to achieve the primary outcome (29.7% vs 62.2%, P < 0.0001) or have an all-cause outpatient neurology encounter (33.8% vs 79.7%, P < 0.0001) than patients in the comparison group. Both groups did not significantly differ by headache-related ED encounters. In multivariable analyses, patients in the eConsult group had significantly lower odds of having one or more headache-related or all-cause neurology encounters than patients in the comparison group (odds ratio (OR) 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.1–0.6; OR 0.1, 95% CI 0.1–0.3, respectively).

Discussion

In comparison to in-person referrals, eConsult requests for headache were associated with reduced likelihood of outpatient neurology encounters in the short-term but not with differential use of headache-related ED encounters. Larger-scale, prospective studies should validate our findings and assess patient outcomes.
What a Genderful World – Thinking through and making of an exhibition
Authors: Veys Fanny Wonu
Published: October 2023

On 10 October 2019 the exhibition What a Genderful World opened in the Tropenmuseum in Amsterdam. The central premise was that all people experience inhabiting a body that moves, lives and breathes in a gendered world. The article firstly examines the process of making this a ‘gender' exhibition. In order to refrain from labelling, the exhibition team departed from the original assignment that aimed at an exhibition about ‘women’. Asking questions of what makes a woman or a man or any other gender identity in relation to the museum's historically and geographically diverse collections, revealed the necessity to do justice to the multiple layers involved in a discussion about gender. Ideas around gender are shaped and expressed differently through time and space, but other intersectional aspects including race, religion, socio-economic class, age or sexual orientation may well be equally important. Hence, this section discusses the means by which this huge and complex topic is made accessible in the exhibition to a broad audience. Finally, the article takes the reader on a journey through the various areas of the exhibition framed around the following questions: (1) What do you think? (2) Does your body determine your gender? (3) How do you become a gender? (4) How ought you to behave? (5) Gender without borders? (6) Who has power here? (7) Playful with gender? In so doing, the article addresses the theoretical framework underlying the choice of certain interactives and the privileging of design elements. The article will conclude with a critical reflection on the museum's role in the societal debate around gender.