scholarly journals Are smokers scared by COVID-19 risk? How fear and comparative optimism influence smokers’ intentions to take measures to quit smoking

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260478
Author(s):  
Hue Trong Duong ◽  
Zachary B. Massey ◽  
Victoria Churchill ◽  
Lucy Popova
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Effective Strategy ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
News Stories ◽  
Comparative Optimism ◽  
Related Disease ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Mean

Research suggests that smoking may compound the risk of serious health problems to smokers who contract COVID-19. This study examines whether and how exposure to news stories reporting the severe COVID-19 risk to smokers may influence smokers’ emotional responses (fear, anxiety, and sadness) and intentions to take measures to quit smoking. Current smokers in the US participated in an online experiment (N = 495) and were randomized to read smoking risk news stories or news stories reporting the combined risk of smoking and COVID-19. We found that combined risk news stories lead to participants feeling more fearful and sadder than when they viewed smoking risk news stories (M = 5.74; SD = 2.57 vs. M = 5.20; SD = 2.74; p < .05). Fear fully mediated the effect of news exposure on intentions to take measures to quit smoking (ß = .09; SE = 05; 95% CI [.010, .200]). Moreover, moderated-mediation analyses revealed that the mediating effect of fear was conditioned on the levels of comparative optimism, such that the association between fear and intentions to take measures to quit smoking was only significant among smokers whose comparative optimism was at the mean score (ß = .16; SE = 05; 95% CI [.071, .250]), and for those whose comparative optimism was high (ß = .27; SE = .06; 95% CI [.146, .395]). These results suggest that fear of the pandemic and optimism might play important roles in predicting and explaining the association between exposure to news stories and intentions to take measures to quit smoking. Messages about heightened risk of COVID-19 complications for smokers that increase fear might be an effective strategy to motivate smokers to quit. Such messages should be used to turn the adversity of COVID-19 pandemic into an intervention opportunity to reduce tobacco-related disease.

Relation of Statistically Significant, Abnormal, and Typical WAIS-R VIQ-PIQ Discrepancies to Full Scale IQs

2000 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis M. Hsu ◽  
Judy Hayman ◽  
Judith Koch ◽  
Debbie Mandell
Keyword(s):  
Graphical Method ◽  
The United States ◽  
Full Scale ◽  
True Score ◽  
Absolute Value ◽  
Normative Population ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Quadratic Models

Summary: In the United States' normative population for the WAIS-R, differences (Ds) between persons' verbal and performance IQs (VIQs and PIQs) tend to increase with an increase in full scale IQs (FSIQs). This suggests that norm-referenced interpretations of Ds should take FSIQs into account. Two new graphs are presented to facilitate this type of interpretation. One of these graphs estimates the mean of absolute values of D (called typical D) at each FSIQ level of the US normative population. The other graph estimates the absolute value of D that is exceeded only 5% of the time (called abnormal D) at each FSIQ level of this population. A graph for the identification of conventional “statistically significant Ds” (also called “reliable Ds”) is also presented. A reliable D is defined in the context of classical true score theory as an absolute D that is unlikely (p < .05) to be exceeded by a person whose true VIQ and PIQ are equal. As conventionally defined reliable Ds do not depend on the FSIQ. The graphs of typical and abnormal Ds are based on quadratic models of the relation of sizes of Ds to FSIQs. These models are generalizations of models described in Hsu (1996) . The new graphical method of identifying Abnormal Ds is compared to the conventional Payne-Jones method of identifying these Ds. Implications of the three juxtaposed graphs for the interpretation of VIQ-PIQ differences are discussed.

The Effect of Searching Versus Surfing on Cognitive and Emotional Responses to Online News

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 49-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Wise ◽  
Hyo Jung Kim ◽  
Jeesum Kim
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Skin Conductance ◽  
Skin Conductance Level ◽  
Emotional Responses ◽  
Online News ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Mixed Design ◽  
Information Need ◽  
News Stories ◽  
Rate Acceleration

A mixed-design experiment was conducted to explore differences between searching and surfing on cognitive and emotional responses to online news. Ninety-two participants read three unpleasant news stories from a website. Half of the participants acquired their stories by searching, meaning they had a previous information need in mind. The other half of the participants acquired their stories by surfing, with no previous information need in mind. Heart rate, skin conductance, and corrugator activation were collected as measures of resource allocation, motivational activation, and unpleasantness, respectively, while participants read each story. Self-report valence and recognition accuracy were also measured. Stories acquired by searching elicited greater heart rate acceleration, skin conductance level, and corrugator activation during reading. These stories were rated as more unpleasant, and their details were recognized more accurately than similar stories that were acquired by surfing. Implications of these results for understanding how people process online media are discussed.

scholarly journals Actors, Partisan Inclination, and Emotions: An Analysis of Government Shutdown News Stories Shared on Twitter

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 205630512110088
Author(s):  
Colin Agur ◽  
Lanhuizi Gan
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Responses ◽  
The United States ◽  
Online Information ◽  
News Frames ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Political Issues ◽  
News Stories ◽  
News Sharing ◽  
Government Shutdown

Scholars have recognized emotion as an increasingly important element in the reception and retransmission of online information. In the United States, because of existing differences in ideology, among both audiences and producers of news stories, political issues are prone to spark considerable emotional responses online. While much research has explored emotional responses during election campaigns, this study focuses on the role of online emotion in social media posts related to day-to-day governance in between election periods. Specifically, this study takes the 2018–2019 government shutdown as its subject of investigation. The data set shows the prominence of journalistic and political figures in leading the discussion of news stories, the nuance of emotions employed in the news frames, and the choice of pro-attitudinal news sharing.

scholarly journals Adolescents’ Bipolar Experiences and Suicide Risk: Well-Being and Mental Health Difficulties as Mediators

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3024
Author(s):  
Ascensión Fumero ◽  
Rosario J. Marrero ◽  
Alicia Pérez-Albéniz ◽  
Eduardo Fonseca-Pedrero
Keyword(s):  
Behavioral Problems ◽  
Suicide Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Emotional Difficulties ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Mediation Analyses ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Age Range

Bipolar disorder is usually accompanied by a high suicide risk. The main aim was to identify the risk and protective factors involved in suicide risk in adolescents with bipolar experiences. Of a total of 1506 adolescents, 467 (31%) were included in the group reporting bipolar experiences or symptoms, 214 males (45.8%) and 253 (54.2%) females. The mean age was 16.22 (SD = 1.36), with the age range between 14 and 19. Suicide risk, behavioral and emotional difficulties, prosocial capacities, well-being, and bipolar experiences were assessed through self-report. Mediation analyses, taking gender as a moderator and controlling age as a covariate, were applied to estimate suicide risk. The results indicated that the effect of bipolar experiences on suicide risk is mediated by behavioral and emotional difficulties rather than by prosocial behavior and subjective well-being. Specifically, emotional problems, problems with peers, behavior problems, and difficulties associated with hyperactivity were the most important variables. This relationship was not modulated by gender. However, the indirect effects of some mediators varied according to gender. These results support the development of suicide risk prevention strategies focused on reducing emotional difficulties, behavioral problems, and difficulties in relationships with others.

scholarly journals AB0501 CORRELATION BETWEEN AXIAL AND PERIPHERAL ENTHESIS IN SPONDYLARTHRITIS

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1278.1-1278
Author(s):  
H. Ferjani ◽  
M. Yasmine ◽  
K. Maatallah ◽  
E. Labbene ◽  
H. Riahi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Chest Wall ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Scoring Systems ◽  
Plantar Fascia ◽  
Anterior Chest Wall ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Asas Criteria ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Mean

Background:Enthesitis is the clinical hallmark of spondylarthritis. It refers to the inflammation of joint attach in the bone. Several sites enthesitis may be affected, and a wide variety of scoring systems were available.Objectives:We aimed to determine the prevalence of axial enthesitis in the anterior chest wall (ACW), and its correlation with peripheral sites especially, the Achilles tendon (AT).Methods:We conducted a prospective study including patients with SpA according to the ASAS criteria. Sociodemographic data, as well as disease characteristics, were recorded. The Maastricht Ankylosing Spondylitis Enthesitis Score (MASES) was used to assess clinical entheses (first and seventh costochondral joints, posterior superior iliac spine, anterior superior iliac spine, iliac crest, and Achilles tendon insertion). The presence of enthesitis on the US was then assessed in the right and left sternoclavicular (SCJ), manubriosternal (MSJ) joints, as well as in the AT, using Esaote My Lab 50.Results:The study included 47 patients with SpA: axial (n=26), axial and peripheral (n=21). There was a female predominance (sex ratio: 0.2). The mean age was 42.2 years ± 12.6 [11-70]. The age of onset of the disease was <40 years in 59.6% of cases. Tenderness in entheseal sites was found in 63.8% of patients, especially in the plantar fascia and AT (32.7%, 6%, respectively). The mean MASES score was 2.9 [0-13]. Clinical ACW involvement (29.1%) was at follows: 1st right chondro-sternal joint (CSJ) (19.1%), 1st left CSJ (25.5%), 7th right CSJ (27.7%) and 7th left CSJ (31.9%).US involvement of the ACW was 14.3%. Enthesitis of the AT was found in 70% of cases on US examination. ACW US involvement was correlated neither to the BMI nor to MASES score (p=0.16, p=0.6 respectively). Similarly, there was no correlation between the presence of US ACW enthesitis and clinical nor the US AT enthesitis (p=0.09, p=0.209, respectively).Conclusion:Our study showed that ACW enthesitis is frequent in SpA, especially by US screening. This axial enthesitis, don’t necessarily reflect a simultaneous clinical or US involvement of the peripheral entheses. Further studies are needed to characterize this subtype of SpA.References:[1]Verhoeven F, Guillot X, Godfrin-Valnet M, Prati C, Wendling D. Ultrasonographic evaluation of the anterior chest wall in spondyloarthritis: a prospective and controlled study. J Rheumatol. 2015;42(1):87-92Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals Direct costs of common osteoporotic fractures (Hip, Vertebral and Forearm) in Iran

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marziyeh Rajabi ◽  
Afshin Ostovar ◽  
Ali Akbari Sari ◽  
Sayed Mahmoud Sajjadi-Jazi ◽  
Noushin Fahimfar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Direct Cost ◽  
Osteoporotic Fractures ◽  
Direct Costs ◽  
Fracture Incidence ◽  
Inpatient Cost ◽  
First Year ◽  
Forearm Fractures ◽  
Medical Sciences ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Background Osteoporotic fractures impose significant costs on society. The objective of this study was to estimate the direct costs of the hip, vertebral, and forearm fractures in the first year after fracture incidence in Iran. Methods We surveyed a sample of 300 patients aged over 50 years with osteoporotic fractures (hip, vertebral, and forearm) admitted to four hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran, during 2017 and were alive six months after the fracture. Inpatient cost data were obtained from the hospital patient records. Using a questionnaire, the data regarding outpatient costs were collected through a phone interview with patients at least six months after the fracture incidence. Direct medical and non-medical costs were estimated from a societal perspective. All costs were converted to the US dollar using the average exchange rate in 2017 (1USD = IRR 34,214) Results The mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of the patient was 69.83 ± 11.25 years, and 68% were female. One hundred and seventeen (39%) patients had hip fractures, 56 (18.67%) patients had vertebral fractures, and 127 (42.33%) ones had forearm fractures. The mean direct cost (medical and non-medical) during the year after hip, vertebral and forearm fractures were estimated at USD5,381, USD2,981, and USD1,209, respectively. Conclusion The direct cost of osteoporotic fracture in Iran is high. Our findings might be useful for the economic evaluation of preventive and treatment interventions for osteoporotic fractures as well as estimating the economic burden of osteoporotic fractures in Iran.

scholarly journals THU0410 COMPANION IMMUNOSUPPRESSION WITH AZATHIOPRINE INCREASES THE FREQUENCY OF PERSISTENT RESPONSIVENESS TO PEGLOTICASE IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC REFRACTORY GOUT

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 442.2-443 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Rainey ◽  
H. S. B. Baraf ◽  
A. Yeo ◽  
P. Lipsky
Keyword(s):  
Serum Urate ◽  
Infusion Reaction ◽  
Blood Levels ◽  
Open Label ◽  
Methyl Transferase ◽  
The Us ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Artery Disease ◽  
Metabolizing Enzyme ◽  
Gout Flares

Background:Pegloticase is a mammalian recombinant uricase coupled to monomethoxy polyethylene glycol that is approved in the US for treatment of patients with chronic refractory gout and causes profound reductions in serum urate. However, treatment with pegloticase is limited by the induction of anti-drug antibodies and loss of responsiveness in nearly half of treated patients.Objectives:The goal of this study was to determine whether co-therapy with azathioprine (AZA) would increase the frequency of chronic refractory gout patients who had persistent urate lowering from pegloticase therapy.Methods:This open label multicenter study enrolled subjects with chronic gout who failed to lower serum urate to <6 mg/dL despite medically indicated doses of urate lowering therapy (NCT02598596). Patients were screened for adequate levels of the AZA metabolizing enzyme thiopurine methyl transferase and then started on daily oral AZA 1.25 mg/kg for 1 week and then 2.5 mg/kg for the remainder of the trial. Blood levels of AZA metabolites 6-thioguanine and 6-methylmercaptopurine were measured biweekly. After receiving 2 weeks of AZA, patients were started on pegloticase (8 mg IV) and were treated biweekly for 24 weeks. The primary endpoint was the persistent lowering of serum urate to <6 mg/dL at the last three consecutive study visits. Patients who had an increase in serum urate to >6 mg/dL while on therapy did not receive additional pegloticase. All patients received infusion prophylaxis with hydrocortisone as well as gout flare prophylaxis.Results:To date, 12 patients have been enrolled. All patients were male, 75% white and 25% African American. Mean age was 62.4 ± 14.7 years, the mean BMI was 31.1 ± 4.5 and the mean duration of gout was 13.8 ± 9.2 years. At baseline, all patients had visible tophi; 58.3% suffered from gout flares; 81.8% had hypertension; 45.5% had dyslipidemia and 9.0% had coronary artery disease. Of the 12 patients, 6 have completed the full course of treatment with persistent urate lowering and 2 remain on treatment also with persistent urate lowering (figure). 2 patients lost the urate lowering effect, both after 2 doses of pegloticase, and did not receive additional therapy. 1 patient experienced an infusion reaction during the first dose (1 infusion reaction in 90 infusions [1.1%] in the entire trial to date) and 1 subject had subjective symptoms of AZA intolerance with no laboratory abnormalities; these subjects discontinued the study and were not evaluable for the endpoint. No adverse events related to AZA were reported and gout flares were noted in 6 subjects (mean 1.5 flares/patient with flares).Conclusion:AZA can be used safely in subjects with chronic refractory gout and appears to increase the frequency of subjects experiencing long term lowering of serum urate.References:Disclosure of Interests: :Hope Rainey: None declared, Herbert S.B. Baraf Grant/research support from: Horizon; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Pfizer; Janssen; AbbVie, Consultant of: Horizon; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Merck; AbbVie, Speakers bureau: Horizon, Anthony Yeo Employee of: Horizon, Peter Lipsky Consultant of: Horizon Therapeutics

Valuing Diversity and Inclusion in Healthcare: Pathways to Equip Workforces in the Post-COVID-19 New Normal (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiban Khuntia ◽  
Xue Ning ◽  
Wayne Cascio ◽  
Rulon Stacey
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health System ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Diversity And Inclusion ◽  
Healthcare Workforce ◽  
The Us ◽  
Service Oriented

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic, with all its virus variants, remains a serious situation. Health systems across the United States are trying their best to respond. The healthcare workforce remains relatively homogenous, even though they are caring for a highly diverse array of patients (6-12). It is a perennial problem in the US healthcare workforce that has only been accentuated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Medical workers should reflect the variety of patients they care for and strive to understand their mindsets within the larger contexts of culture, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic realities. Along with talent and skills, diversity and inclusion (D&I) are essential for maintaining a workforce that can treat the myriad needs and populations that health systems serve. Developing hiring strategies in a post-COVID-19 “new normal” that will help achieve greater workforce diversity remains a challenge for health system leaders. OBJECTIVE Our primary objectives are (1) to explore the characteristics and perceived benefits of US health systems that value D&I; (2) to examine the influence of a workforce strategy designed to balance talent and D&I; and (3) to explore three pathways to better equip workforces and their relative influences on business- and service-oriented benefits: (a) improving D&I among existing employees (IMPROVE), (b) using multiple channels to find and recruit a workforce (RECRUIT), and (c) collaborating with universities to find new talent and establish plans to train students (COLLABORATE). METHODS During February–March 2021, we surveyed 625 health system chief executive officers, in the United States, 135 (22%) of whom responded. We assessed workforce talent and diversity-relevant factors. We collected secondary data from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s (AHRQ) Compendium of the US. Health Systems, leading to a matched data set of 124 health systems for analysis. We first explored differences in talent and diversity benefits across the health systems. Then, we examined the relationship between IMPROVE, RECRUIT, and COLLABORATE pathways to equip the workforce. RESULTS Health system characteristics, such as size, location, ownership, teaching, and revenue, have varying influences on D&I and business and service outcomes. RECRUIT has the most substantial mediating effect on diversity-enabled business- and service-oriented outcomes of the three pathways. This is also true of talent-based workforce acquisitions. CONCLUSIONS Diversity and talent plans can be aligned to realize multiple desired benefits for health systems. However, a one-size-fits-all approach is not a viable strategy for improving D&I. Health systems need to follow a multipronged approach based on their characteristics. To get D&I right, proactive plans and genuine efforts are essential.

Changes in the US Gender Gap in Wages in the 1960s

2021 ◽  
Vol 111 ◽  
pp. 143-148
Author(s):  
Martha J. Bailey ◽  
Thomas Helgerman ◽  
Bryan A. Stuart
Keyword(s):  
Civil Rights ◽  
Gender Gap ◽  
Labor Standards ◽  
Equal Pay ◽  
The Us ◽  
Fair Labor Standards Act ◽  
Women's Wages ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Equal Pay Act ◽  
The 1960S

The 1960s witnessed landmark legislation that aimed to increase women's wages, including the Equal Pay Act of 1963, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and the 1966 amendments to the Fair Labor Standards Act. Although the gender gap in pay changed little at the mean/median during the decade, our distributional analysis shows that women's wages converged sharply on men's below but diverged above the median. However, the bulk of women's relative pay gains are not explained by changes in observed attributes. Our findings suggest an important role for legislation in narrowing the gender gap in the 1960s.

65Utilization of percutaneous left atrial appendage closure in patients with atrial fibrillation in the United States: analysis from national inpatient sample 2016

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
L Wu ◽  
K Ho
Keyword(s):  
Length Of Stay ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage ◽  
National Inpatient Sample ◽  
Left Atrial Appendage Closure ◽  
Total Cost ◽  
The Us ◽  
Comorbidity Index ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
Related Mortality

Abstract Introduction/Background In recent years, the percutaneous left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) has been gaining its popularity in the US. However its use in the US in recent years has not been well described. Purpose To provide an updated cross-sectional survey of performance of percutaneous LAAC in the US at national database level. Methods We use ICD-10 disease and procedure code to identify all the percutaneous LAAC performed in 2016 in US from national inpatient sample database. The demographic feature, comorbidity, mean time to procedure, mortality, complication rate, length of stay, total cost were described. Procedure related complication Including any vascular, cardiac, respiratory, neurologic and renal complications defined by AHRQ as patient safety indicators. Results There is approximately a total of 7550 percutaneous LAAC performed in the US in 2016. The majority of the patients were elderly (mean age 66.83±0.34), white (80.41%) male (59.04%). The mean Charlson Comorbidity Index score is 1.74, with hypertension (76.75%), diabetes (29.23%) being the most common comorbidity. The mean time to procedure is 1.98±0.11 days. The procedure related mortality is 2.06%, whereas the complication rate is 19.6%. The average length of stay is 10.77 day, with an average total cost of 239.67 thousand dollars. Baseline characterlistisc and outcomes Total percutaneous LAAC (estimated from sample) 7550 Age, years 66.83±0.34 Male, % 59.04 White, % 80.41 Mean Charlson Comorbidity Index 1.74±0.31 Hypertension, % 76.75 Diabetes, % 29.23 CKD, % 21.42 Mean Time to procedure, days 1.98±0.11 Mortality, % 2.06 Length of Stay, days 10.77±0.25 Any Complication, % 19.6 Total Cost, thousand dollars 239.67±10.01 Values are reported as mean ± SD. Categorical variables are represented as frequency. Conclusion A total of 7550 percutaneous LAAC was performed in US in 2016. The procedure related mortality is 2.06%, with an average time to procedure of 1.98 days and a length of stay of 10.77 days.

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