Search

Previous intimate partner violence research and social psychological theory have highlighted that ethnicity and level of harm are both factors that have the potential to influence bystander willingness to intervene in, as well as the acceptance of intimate partner violence between couples. Little research has been conducted on the general willingness of bystanders to intervene in, or the level of acceptance of coercive control. This is the first study to explore whether the likelihood of bystander willingness to intervene is influenced by participant gender, the ethnicity of the couple involved in a hypothetical scenario of coercive control, and by differing levels of abusive behavior. In this study, we also explored the influence of participants' acceptance of coercive control. A semi-experimental design was used, utilizing an online community sample sourced through social media of 346 adult participants across Australia. The participants were randomly allocated to read a fictional coercive control scenario detailing either low or high harm instances of coercive control. Within the online survey the ethnicity of the couple was manipulated with participants' randomly allocated to read a scenario about a couple with the same ethnicity as them (Australian of British or European descent) or a couple with Indian Australian ethnicity. The results showed the participants were significantly more willing to intervene in the coercive control scenario when the couple shared the same ethnicity as them. In response to the low harm scenarios, participants were significantly more accepting of coercive control if the couple were Indian Australian. However, males responding to high harm scenarios were more accepting of coercive control if the couple shared the same ethnic identity as them. The implications from these findings for theory and future bystander intervention programs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigate the relationships among contextual variables of perceived diversity norms‐ multiculturalism, assimilation and polyculturalism, identity styles and identity consolidation in bicultural Australians. The Multicultural Identity Styles Scale proposes two identity strategies, hybrid identity style (HIS) and alternating identity style (AIS) as processes through which individuals negotiate their bicultural identities. We test a model whereby perceived diversity norms predict bicultural identity consolidation directly and indirectly via HIS in samples of British (n = 195) and non‐British (n = 181) Australians. Participants (56.9% females, mean age = 41.52) completed an online survey on perceived diversity norms, the MISS and bicultural identity consolidation. Results showed that for non‐British Australians, there was a positive indirect effect of perceived multiculturalism norms on bicultural identity consolidation via HIS. Perceived assimilation was directly (and negatively) linked to bicultural identity consolidation but indirectly via HIS. In British Australians only perceived polyculturalism was directly and indirectly associated to bicultural identity consolidation via HIS, whereas perceived multiculturalism and assimilation norms were negatively associated to bicultural identity consolidation. The results are discussed in terms of the differential roles of perceived diversity norms on bicultural identity processes and consolidation relative to the nature of the cultural group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: During the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions were imposed on visits in hospitals in the province of Quebec, Canada in an effort to reduce the risk of viral exposure by minimizing face-to-face contact in order to protect patients, visitors and staff. These measures led to social isolation for patients. In order to reduce this isolation, CHUM (the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, a teaching hospital) shifted from in-person visits to courtesy telephone calls delivered by volunteers from CHUM's Volunteers, Recreation and Leisure Department. Objectives: To study: (1) the contribution made by these calls to reducing isolation and their limitations, (2) how the calls can be improved, and (3) whether they should be maintained, based on the views of patients and volunteers. Methodology: This study examined two populations. The first one consisted of 189 adult patients hospitalized at CHUM who received a courtesy phone call from a volunteer and the second one consisted of the 25 CHUM volunteers who made these calls. Quantitative data were collected from patients and volunteers through questionnaires and a Smartsheet. The patient questionnaire evaluated isolation, the courtesy phone calls, the relationship of trust with the volunteer and sociodemographic questions. The volunteer questionnaire evaluated the appropriateness of the technology for the intervention, the support and training received, the impacts of the courtesy phone call on both the patients and the volunteers, an experience report and sociodemographic information. In addition, a focus group was held with 7 volunteers. Then the verbatim were transcribed and analyzed using QDA miner software. Results: From April 27, 2020 to September 5, 2020 more than 11,800 calls were made, mainly concerning hospitalization conditions or home follow-ups (n = 83), and relationships with relatives, friends, and family (n = 79). For 73.6% of hospitalized patients, the courtesy calls from volunteers were a good response to their needs, and 72% of volunteers agreed. 64.5% of patients felt less isolated and 40% of volunteers felt useful. Conclusion: Our data suggest that patients felt less isolated during their hospitalization because of the courtesy calls made by the volunteers, that smartphones could also be used for video calls and, finally, that maintaining this type of service seems as relevant after as during a pandemic to provide social interactions to people isolated for medical reasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Adenomyosis commonly occurs with abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and is associated with subfertility and a higher miscarriage rate. Recent evidence showed abnormal vascularization in the endometrium in patients with adenomyosis, suggesting a role of angiogenesis in the pathophysiology of AUB and subfertility in adenomyosis and providing a possible treatment target.Objective and Rationale: We hypothesized that the level of abnormal vascularization and expression of angiogenic markers is increased in the ectopic and eutopic endometrium of adenomyosis patients in comparison with the endometrium of control patients. This was investigated through a search of the literature.Search Methods: A systematic search was performed in PubMed and Embase until February 2019. Combinations of terms for angiogenesis and adenomyosis were applied as well as AUB, subfertility or anti-angiogenic therapy. The main search was limited to clinical studies carried out on premenopausal women. Original research articles focusing on markers of angiogenesis in the endometrium of patients with adenomyosis were included. Studies in which no comparison was made to control patients or which were not published in a peer-reviewed journal were excluded. A second search was performed to explore the therapeutic potential of targeting angiogenesis in adenomyosis. This search also included preclinical studies.Outcomes: A total of 20 articles out of 1669 hits met our selection criteria. The mean vascular density (MVD) was studied by quantification of CD31, CD34, von Willebrand Factor (vWF) or factor-VIII-antibody-stained microvessels in seven studies. All these studies reported a significantly increased MVD in ectopic endometrium, and out of the six articles that took it into account, four studies reported a significantly increased MVD in eutopic endometrium compared with control endometrium. Five articles showed a significantly higher vascular endothelial growth factor expression in ectopic endometrium and three articles in eutopic endometrium compared with control endometrium. The vascular and pro-angiogenic markers α-smooth muscle actin, endoglin, S100A13, vimentin, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), nuclear factor (NF)-kB, tissue factor (TF), DJ-1, phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin, activin A, folli- and myostatin, CD41, SLIT, roundabout 1 (ROBO1), cyclooxygenase-2, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) 1,4-5, phospho signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-22 and transforming growth factor-β1 were increased in ectopic endometrium, and the markers S100A13, MMP-2 and -9, TF, follistatin, myostatin, ROBO1, LPA1 and 4-5, pSTAT3, IL-6 and IL-22 were increased in eutopic endometrium, compared with control endometrium. The anti-angiogenic markers E-cadherin, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit and gene associated with retinoic-interferon-induced mortality 19 were decreased in ectopic endometrium and IL-10 in eutopic endometrium, compared with control endometrium. The staining level of vWF and two pro-angiogenic markers (NF-κB nuclear p65 and TF) correlated with AUB in patients with adenomyosis. We found no studies that investigated the possible relationship between markers of angiogenesis and subfertility in adenomyosis patients. Nine articles reported on direct or indirect targeting of angiogenesis in adenomyosis-either by testing hormonal therapy or herbal compounds in clinical studies or by testing angiogenesis inhibitors in preclinical studies. However, there are no clinical studies on the effectiveness of such therapy for adenomyosis-related AUB or subfertility.Wider Implications: The results are in agreement with our hypothesis that increased angiogenesis is present in the endometrium of patients with adenomyosis compared with the endometrium of control patients. It is likely that increased angiogenesis leads to fragile and more permeable vessels resulting in adenomyosis-related AUB and possibly subfertility. While this association has not sufficiently been studied yet, our results encourage future studies to investigate the exact role of angiogenesis in the etiology of adenomyosis and related AUB or subfertility in women with adenomyosis in order to design curative or preventive therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the world faces complex and unprecedented global challenges, countries are faced with the laborious challenge of remodeling their healthcare systems to offer more effective, more sustainable, and more personalized treatment to people. In order for healthcare systems to successfully address and embrace these complexities, patients, family members, and citizens (PFC) with lived experience must be recognized and integrated as a key stakeholder for health systems transformation. Indeed, PFCs with lived experience of illness and health systems navigation possess a unique and complementary expertise to that of healthcare professionals that is crucial to improving all areas of a health ecosystem. The goal of this presentation is to share some of the work the Centre of Excellence on Partnership with Patients and the Public (CEPPP) has conducted in collaboration with diverse actors in Québec's health ecosystem to mobilize the experiential-based knowledge and skills of patients and integrate these perspectives across many areas of health (in care, medical education, health research, and governance), and highlight some of the key turning points that fueled the growth of the patient partnership movement across Québec. In Québec, the concept of patient partnership was first introduced in the area of health (medical) education, where the concept of patients as partners in their own care was embedded into teaching interprofessional collaboration. In health research, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) supported the implementation of a provincial SPOR SUPPORT Unit with a service platform to support researchers and research organizations to engage patients as partners in research. In the organization of care, the creation of Patient Partnership Offices in each of the 22 regional health centers has driven significant change for involving patients across the healthcare system. The CEPPP has been a leading organization in these efforts and is now developing the concept of partnership in care directly with the public, to help Québec society recognize that empowering everyone as partners in their (and our) own care is the future of health. The patient partnership movement in Quebec is a model for meaningful, systematic integration of lived-experienced towards transforming our health systems. By defining why and how patients are partners in their care and the competencies and knowledge they have and develop, the CEPPP is bridging the gap between experience and care. The patient partner movement is growing exponentially in Quebec and across the world. The Quebec experience demonstrates the importance of taking a transversal and integrated approach to PFC partnership. Looking ahead, issues of patient roles, as well as systematic and strategic inclusion of these perspectives will have to be prioritized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In social psychology, the background assumption of most of the research on cultural diversity ideologies is that multiculturalism is not in the interest of majority group members while colourblindness is. However, this assumption may not hold in a context in which multiculturalism benefits the majority group. Two studies investigated the association between multiculturalism and in-group bias amongst Hindu majority members in Mauritius. In Study 1, survey data showed that those who highly identified as Hindus reported less bias when they endorsed multiculturalism. Using an experimental design, Study 2 demonstrated that higher compared to lower majority group identifiers showed stronger in-group bias in colourblindness, polyculturalism, and control conditions, but not in a multiculturalism condition. In contrast to the existing research conducted in Western countries, these findings demonstrate that multiculturalism rather than colourblindness can be reassuring for high majority group identifiers. It is concluded that the meaning and impact of cultural diversity ideologies for intergroup relations depend on the national context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the seriousness of climate change, political polarisation and right-wing denial of climate change is frequently blamed for stalling effective climate policy. One concerning consequence of climate change is the displacement of people. We identify demographic correlates of acceptance of climate change and support for climate refugee policy within two nations likely to become early recipients of climate-driven migrants: Australia (N = 5110) and New Zealand (N = 5039). Political orientation is the strongest demographic correlate of climate change denial and climate refugee policy support, but deeper analysis shows that while support is highest amongst left-wing partisans, almost all voting groups on average accept climate change and climate migration policy. We argue that current high levels of support indicate potential for cross-partisan policy solutions in both Australia and New Zealand. We also caution about ways polarisation may deepen as we approach a climate refugee crisis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reflects on the doctrinal frameworks governing federal claims of vote dilution and racial gerrymandering. It mentions the race-conscious remedial districting which violates the section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fourteenth Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. It also mentions that section 2 offers a legally cognizable defense against constitutional claims of racial districting.

Multiculturalism can be viewed as promoting positive intergroup relations in the public domain (neighbours, classmates) and heritage culture maintenance in the romantic domain (marriage). The present study examined this “two-sidedness” of multiculturalism by focusing on intergroup social distance in relation to endorsement of multiculturalism, group identifications, and group status. The study was conducted in Mauritius amongst 1,784 adolescents from the three main ethnic groups, Hindus (n = 844), Muslims (n = 630), and Creoles (n = 310). In agreement with the “two-sidedness,” participants made a distinction between public and romantic social distance, and intergroup differentiation in social distance was stronger in the romantic compared to the public domain. The endorsement of multiculturalism was associated to lower out-group public distance and lower in-group romantic distance. National identification predicted lower public and romantic out-group social distance. Ethnic identification was associated with higher out-group social distances and lower in-group social distances, particularly for the high-status group of Hindus. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Multiculturalism is on the retreat in many Western countries. As an ideology, it is criticized for failing to engender national belonging and social cohesion and thereby to encourage groups of citizens to have parallel lives. In this article, we present the case of Mauritius that is often viewed as a successful plural society. We discuss the conditions that are conducive to a working multiculturalism in Mauritius as well as the challenges. We use empirical findings from our relatively large-scale survey research among adolescents from the three main ethnic groups (i.e., Hindus, Creoles, Muslims). The metaphorical representation of the nation as a rainbow or fruit salad means that cultural diversity forms part of the national self-image, but within a secular state where individual rights prevail. Our findings show that all participants reported strong and compatible national, ethnic, and religious group identifications and that dual identity was the most chosen identity option. Furthermore, intergroup relations tended to be positive but there was a strong preference for ethnic endogamy. Additionally, there were social psychological processes that work against harmonious intergroup relations. The article concludes by discussing what can be learned from Mauritian style multiculturalism. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Religious group identification is an important but understudied social identity. The present study investigates religious group identification among adolescents of different faiths (Hindu, Muslim, Christian) living in multicultural Mauritius. It further explores how religious and national group identities come together among religious majority and minority adolescents. For three age groups (11 to 19 years, N = 2152) we examined the strength of adolescents’ religious and national group identification, the associations between these two identities, and the relationships to global self‐esteem. Across age and religious group, participants reported stronger identification with their religious group than with the nation. Identification with both categories declined with age, with the exception of Muslims, whose strong religious identification was found across adolescence. The association between religious and national identification was positive, albeit stronger for the majority group of Hindus and for early adolescents. We examined the manner in which religious and national identities come together using a direct self‐identification measure and by combining the separate continuous measures of identification. Four distinct clusters of identification (predominant religious identifiers, dual identifiers, neutrals, and separate individuals) that were differently associated with global self‐esteem were found. Dual identifiers reported the highest level of global self‐esteem. The clusters of identification did not fully correspond to the findings for the direct self‐identification measure. The results are discussed in terms of the meaning of dual identity and the positive manner in which adolescents can manage their multiple identities while taking into account the ideological framework in which those identities are played out. L'identification à un groupe religieux est un type d'identité sociale important, mais peu étudié. La présente étude porte sur l'identification à un groupe religieux chez des adolescents de différentes croyances (hindoue, musulmane et chrétienne) habitant dans une Île Maurice multiculturelle. Cette étude s'intéresse aussi à la question de savoir comment les identités religieuses et nationales sont liées chez les adolescents de la majorité et de la minorité religieuse. À partir de trois groupes d’âges (de 11 à 19 ans, n = 2152) nous avons étudié la force de l'identification religieuse et au groupe national d'adolescents, le lien entre ces deux identités et leurs relations à l'estime de soi globale. À travers les groupes d’âges et religieux, les participants ont manifesté une identification plus forte à leur groupe religieux qu’à leur nation. L'identification aux deux catégories diminue en fonction de l’âge, à l'exception des musulmans pour lesquels une identification religieuse forte est présente tout au long de l'adolescence. L'association entre l'identification religieuse et nationale est positive quoique plus forte pour le groupe majoritaire hindou et pour les adolescents les plus jeunes. Nous avons étudié de quelle façon les identités religieuse et nationale se lient grâce à mesure directe d'auto‐identification et en combinant les mesures continues séparées d'identification. Nous avons trouvé quatre groupes distincts d'identification (s'identifiant avant tout à la religion, s'identifiant à la religion et à la nation, les neutres et les individus séparés) ayant chacun un lien différent avec l'estime de soi globale. Ceux qui s'identifient à la fois à la religion et à la nation rapportent un niveau d'estime de soi globale plus élevé. Il n'y a pas une correspondance exacte entre les groupes d'identification et les résultats de la mesure directe d'auto‐identification. Nous discutons des résultats en fonction de l'identité double et de la manière positive avec laquelle les adolescents peuvent gérer leurs identités multiples tout en prenant en compte le cadre idéologique dans lequel ces identités s'expriment. La identificación grupal religiosa es una identidad social importante pero que no se ha investigado lo suficiente. El presente estudio investiga la identificación grupal religiosa en adolescentes de diferentes religiones (hindú, musulmana, cristiana) que viven en un Mauricio multicultural. Además, se explora de qué manera las identidades grupales religiosas y nacionales armonizan entre los adolescentes de las religiones mayoritarias y minoritarias. Se examinaron la fortaleza de la identificación grupal religiosa y nacional de los adolescentes, las asociaciones entre estas dos identidades, y la relación con la autoestima global en tres grupos de distintas edades (11a 19 años, N = 2152). Entre edad y grupo religioso, los sujetos informaron sentirse más identificados con su grupo religioso que con la nación. La identificación con ambas categorías declina con la edad, con la excepción de los musulmanes cuya fuerte identificación religiosa estuvo presente a lo largo de la adolescencia. La asociación entre la identificación religiosa y nacional fue positiva aunque más fuerte para el grupo de mayoría hindú y los adolescentes más jóvenes. Se examinó la manera en que las identidades religiosas y nacionales armonizan por medio de una medida de autoidentificación directa y la combinación de las medidas separadas continuas de identificación. Se encontraron cuatro células distintas de identificación (predominantemente religiosa, compartida, neutra, y separada) que estuvieron asociadas de un modo distinto con la autoestima global. Los que tenían identificaciones compartidas informaron los niveles más elevados de autoestima. Los grupos de identificación no se correspondieron completamente con los hallazgos para la medida de autoidentificación directa. Se analizan los resultados a la luz del significado de la identidad compartida y la manera positiva en la que los adolescentes pueden manejar sus identidades múltiples, tomando en cuenta el marco ideológico donde se ven expresadas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper focuses on the superordinate (national)-subgroup (ethnic) association in relation to group identifications, relative ingroup indispensability, relative ingroup prototypicality and their effects on outgroup and ingroup evaluations. Survey data were collected from a large sample of Mauritian adolescents (N = 1,784) from three ethnic groups (Hindus, Muslims, Creoles). National and dual identifiers were more positive towards the outgroups than ethnic identifiers. Furthermore, relative ingroup prototypicality and relative ingroup indispensability were empirically distinguishable constructs. The Creoles, who are of lower status, had higher scores on both these measures. Also it turned out that relative ingroup indispensability and relative ingroup prototypicality were independently associated to respectively more negative outgroup evaluation and more positive ingroup evaluation. The findings give a differentiated view of the idea that a complex representation of the superordinate category fosters outgroup acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dermatology consultations in Québec, Canada, face accessibility challenges, with most dermatologists concentrated in urban areas. Teledermatology, offering remote diagnosis and treatment, holds promise in overcoming these limitations. However, concerns regarding patient-doctor relationships and logistical issues exist. Objectives: This article aims to introduce a dermatology patient learning pathway (PLP) developed by the Centre of Excellence on Partnership with Patients and the Public (CEPPP), focusing on knowledge, abilities, and skills mobilized by patients and their loved ones at key moments of the life course with an illness, as well as emerging educational needs. Methods: The PLP development was co-developed with dermatology patient and caregiver partners, stakeholders, and the CEPPP team. The process encompassed stakeholder engagement, exploration, recruitment of patient and caregiver partners, co-development of the PLP draft, and validation through consensus building. Results: The PLP methodology led to the creation of 44 learning objectives, comprising a total of 107 subobjectives. These objectives were organized into 8 phases of the patient life course with a dermatological condition: (1) prevention and predisposition; (2) discovery, self-examination, or observation of a change; (3) first consultation; (4) wandering; (5) consultation with a dermatologist; (6) diagnosis; (7) treatments; and (8) living with it. Conclusions: The dermatology PLP serves as a resource outlining patient competency across different stages of managing a dermatological condition throughout their life course. In the context of teledermatology, the PLP might facilitate patient and caregiver engagement by helping select appropriate information and tools to support active participation in care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With rates of coercive control (CC) increasing, there is a need to ensure that intervention programs are underpinned by evidence-based research. Current interventions are scarce, with their efficacy rarely established. Most current interventions appear to rely on victims seeking support from formal sources/agencies, despite suggestions that victims are more likely to confide in people they know, such as their friends. Researchers suggest that a victim’s friends may provide an effective source of support and intervention. The aim of this study was to fill the gap in the literature exploring whether the closeness of the relationship to the victim, bystander gender, and bystander concerns influenced attitudes toward intervening in CC situations. The study used an experimental design, whereby participants were randomly allocated to read a vignette depicting a CC scenario involving a friend, colleague, or stranger, and quantitative methods were used to examine bystanders’ willingness and concerns about intervening. The sample was 340 Australian participants (229 female, 111 male), recruited from social media, namely community Facebook groups. The results indicated that friends were significantly more willing to intervene than colleagues or strangers, while strangers reported the highest concerns about intervening. Females reported significantly higher willingness to intervene than men despite also reporting higher concerns. Exploratory analysis of concerns about intervening revealed that the participants were most concerned about risk of harm and their beliefs in their ability to successfully intervene. These findings have implications for bystander intervention programs and campaigns, including offering a range of potential directions to enhance intervention program content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Our current practice involves 2 years follow up after periocular BCC excision. This audit aims to investigate outcomes of: BCC recurrence rate while under follow up after histologically proven complete excision. Histological findings in cases of biopsy of suspected recurrent BCC Methods: Retrospective identification of samples sent to histopathology by a single Oculoplastic consultant with suspected or confirmed BCC between 01/01/16–30/04/19. Clinic letters identified the duration from surgical excision to latest follow up and any suspicion of recurrence. Where initial surgery was incomplete, or recurrence suspected clinically, secondary surgery results were checked to determine whether residual BCC was reported. Initial diagnostic incising biopsy results were excluded. Results: Of 115 samples, 51 were excluded as per criteria. Of the remaining 64 patients, 56 patients were reviewed post‐operatively with no suspicion of recurrence in timeframe seen (1–>24 months). Of 64 patients, 8 (12.5%) warranted secondary surgery within 2 years: 5 indicated by reported margin involvement (7.8%); 3 indicated by clinical suspicion (4.7%). This audit did not identify any cases of BCC recurrence. Residual BCC was identified on one deeper resection indicated by histopathology. Patients may continue to be risk assessed, and follow‐up preserved for: persistent marginal involvement; aggressive BCC sub‐type; pre‐disposition for BCC; immunosuppression; higher risk initial BCC site (e.g. medial canthus or orbital invasion). Conclusions: No cases of BCC recurrence were identified within this cohort. Re‐excision of involved margin tends not to a show positive result. Minimal residual BCC may have been destroyed during the initial surgical cauterisation or by the immune system. We propose to discharge patients following complete excision of low risk BCCs from the periocular area with advice to seek referral with any new lesions following self‐examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To assess the role of clinical features in diagnosing seizures in children with autism spectrum disorder who present with staring spells. A 10-year retrospective chart analysis of autism spectrum disorder patients aged 3–14 years was performed at a tertiary care children's hospital. Patient demographics, clinical presentation, and epileptic seizure versus non-epileptic spell diagnosis were assessed. Target episodes of staring spells were captured during a long-term electroencephalogram monitoring record. Multilevel likelihood ratios and a receiver operating characteristic curve were determined using 8 of the 11 clinical variables. Among the cohort of 140 patients with autism spectrum disorder, 16% were diagnosed with epileptic seizures with the most common seizure being atypical absence seizures (64%). Clinical semiology differed between those diagnosed with epileptic seizures versus those diagnosed with non-epileptic spells in the average duration of episodes (42 s vs 87 s), frequency of spells per week (6 vs 11.5 spells), increase in frequency of staring spells over time (100% vs 40%), and response to verbal stimulation (0% vs 100%), respectively. Multilevel likelihood ratios based on the receiver operating characteristic curves and clinical semiology features may be helpful in differentiating epileptic seizures from non-epileptic spells in children with autism spectrum disorder. It is a common occurrence for children with autism spectrum disorder to be diagnosed with staring spells. Staring spells are defined as periods of time when children "space out" and are subcategorized as either "absence seizures" (brain activity resembling a seizure but with no physical seizure symptoms) or "non-epileptic spells" (inattentiveness or daydreaming). Due to the subtle characteristics of staring spells, they are usually diagnosed via long-term video electroencephalogram. The child is monitored for 3–5 days with an electroencephalogram which records brain waves. An electroencephalogram may be difficult to perform in children with autism spectrum disorder due to behavior, cognitive, or sensory concerns. Therefore, we wanted to investigate other clinical characteristics that may help us differentiate between epileptic seizures versus non-epileptic spells in children with autism spectrum disorder presenting with staring spells. We reviewed 140 charts retrospectively from the years of 2010–2021. We abstracted demographic and clinical information from the electronic medical record system and reviewed electroencephalogram videos to group the 140 children into epileptic seizure diagnosis group versus non-epileptic spell group. Of the 140 children in this study, 22 were diagnosed with epileptic seizures and the remaining were diagnosed with non-epileptic spells. We found that the two groups differed in certain clinical characteristics such as how long the staring spells lasted, how many staring spells the child had in 1 week, and whether they responded to verbal commands. We believe that clinical features may be helpful in differentiating epileptic seizures from non-epileptic spells in children with autism spectrum disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paired associates learning (PAL) has been widely used in aging-related research, suggesting an age-related decline in associative learning. However, there are several cognitive processes (attention, spatial and recognition memory, strategy, and associative learning) involved in PAL. It is unclear which component contributes to the decline in PAL performance associated with age effects. The present study determines whether age effects on associative learning are independent of other cognitive processes involved in PAL. Using a validated computerized cognitive program (CANTAB), we examined cognitive performance of associative learning, spatial and recognition memory, attention and strategy use in 184 Singaporean Chinese adults aged from 21 to 80 years old. Linear regression revealed significant age-related decline in associative learning, spatial and recognition memory, and the level of strategy use. This age-related decline in associative learning remains even after adjusting for attention, spatial and recognition memory, and strategy use. These results show that age effects on associative learning are independent of other cognitive processes involved in PAL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the dysfunction and recovery of the lumbopelvic movement and motor control of people with chronic nonspecific low back pain after a structured rehabilitation which emphasizes on re-education and training of movement and motor control. The lumbopelvic movement and motor control pattern of 30 adults (15 with chronic low back pain, 15 healthy controls) were assessed using 3D motion and electromyographic analysis during the repeated forward bending test, in additional to the clinical outcome measures. Regional kinematics and muscle recruitment pattern of the symptomatic group was analysed before and after the 6-week rehabilitation, and compared to healthy controls. Significant improvement in back pain, functional capacity and self-efficacy of the symptomatic group was found after the rehabilitation. Patients with chronic nonspecific low back pain were capable to recover to a comparable level of the healthy controls in terms of their lumbopelvic movement and motor control pattern upon completion of a 6-week rehabilitation program, despite their dysfunction displayed at baseline. Phase specific motor control reorganization in which more profound and positive changes shown during the flexion phase. Our findings indicate that the recovery of the movement and motor control pattern in patients with chronic low back pain achieved to a comparable level of the healthy able-bodies. The improvement of both the physical outcome measures suggest that specific rehabilitation program which emphasizes on optimizing motor control during movements would help promoting the functional recovery of this specific low back pain subgroup. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An exploratory action research case study was conducted at Moanalua Middle School from 2006-2009 to examine the impact of Thinking Maps on student achievement. Thinking Maps are not just another set of graphic organizers but a set of eight of unique visual mind maps with each linked to a specific higher-order thinking pattern. This study tells the story of one middle school where a school-wide initiative demonstrated an increase to 86% grade-level reading proficiency within three years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare central nervous system (CNS) activation in patients with and without diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) during motor and motor imagery tasks and to correlate activation with functional performance.Research Design and Methods: Twenty-six participants (13 with DPN, 13 without DPN) underwent functional MRI during three tasks: ankle dorsi plantar flexion (motor task [MT]) and motor imagery tasks of walking on a smooth surface (SMIT) and rough surface (RMIT). Functional assessment included gait analysis, ankle muscle strength, and ankle range of motion.Results: The tasks activated the sensorimotor, motor preparation, visual processing, and decision-making regions. Activation was significantly lower in patients with DPN than in those without DPN during MT and SMIT but not RMIT. Poor functional performance in patients with DPN was associated with greater activation in motor preparation regions.Conclusions: In patients with DPN, CNS responses appear muted compared with patients without DPN, but they remain capable of enhancing CNS activation when tasks are more challenging or when functional deficits are substantial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We investigated adolescents' understandings of national group membership in multicultural Mauritius. We hypothesized that tolerance toward different cultures would be an important criterion for being Mauritian. In addition, national identity was expected to be defined in terms of "being," "feeling," and "doing." The type of definition, and whether stopping being Mauritian is perceived as possible, was expected to depend on age and national identification. Possible differences by cultural group membership were explored.Method: The sample consisted of 2,190 adolescents of predominantly the three main cultural groups in Mauritius (Hindus, Muslims, and Creoles; Mage = 14.8 years, SDage = 1.7; 53% girls, 47% boys). Multiple correspondence and regression analyses were used to test the hypotheses.Results: The most important criterion mentioned for being Mauritian was respecting cultural diversity. Further, the criteria for national belonging could be clustered into being, feeling, and doing Mauritian. Older adolescents and higher national identifiers defined national belonging more in terms of feeling and less in terms of being than younger adolescents and lower national identifiers. In addition, they considered national identity to be less changeable. There were no clear differences between the three cultural groups.Conclusions: This study reveals the central importance of mutual respect and tolerance as the defining criterion for being Mauritian. Moreover, the feeling, being, and doing clusters of criteria provide a theoretically interesting distinction for understanding national belonging. It is recommended to test their possible correlates further and to use adult samples as well. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Approximately 20% of patients admitted to hospital with drug overdose will require intensive care unit (ICU) admission. An understanding of the characteristics of these patients may assist with their management and identify those patients at risk of multiple hospital presentations due to drug overdose. Our aim was to examine the characteristics of patients admitted to ICU following drug overdoses and identify the predictors of multiple hospital presentations due to drug overdose.Methods: Patients admitted to a metropolitan ICU over a three-year period following drug overdoses were identified using ICU patient databases, and their medical records.Results: There were 254 admissions due to drug overdoses. The majority of overdoses were intentional (82.7%) and included multiple agents (68.1%). Two-thirds of patients had psychiatric diagnosis, and 54% had documented history of substance use disorders. In-hospital mortality was 2.8%. Over half of patients admitted had documented history of prior hospital presentation due to overdoses. Personality disorder and schizophrenia were independent predictors of multiple hospital presentations due to overdoses.Conclusion: Personality disorders or schizophrenia were independent predictors of patients with multiple overdose presentations. Preventative strategies focusing on these patients may reduce the incidence of their hospital presentations and ICU admissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]