An Exploratory Study into the Traumatic Impact of Advanced Cancer among Patients and Partners

People living with cancer may experience both psychological distress and a sense of personal development. These two responses can be conceptualised using theories of post-traumatic stress (PTS) and post-traumatic growth (PTG), respectively. This hospice-based study investigated the range of experiences of people living with advanced cancer and of their partners, with consideration of how theories of PTS and PTG resonated with their accounts. Strategic sampling (n=11) was used to gather data from eight individuals living with advanced cancer and from three individuals caring for someone with the diagnosis. Q methodology was used to investigate the participants’ subjective experiences. A set of 62 statements, informed by theories of trauma, were sorted by the participants according to the extent to which the individual statements were consistent with their personal experiences of living with cancer. The participants were then interviewed about their Q sorts, to consider the personal meanings that had informed their statement rankings. The Q sort data were factor analysed, and theories of PTS and PTG were used to aid the interpretation of four differing viewpoints: “Accepting and Growing,†“Fearful yet Adapting,†“Resigned and Grieving†and “Traumatised.†These different expressions of the positive and negative feelings associated with living with advanced cancer are considered in relation to professional healthcare provision. The study recommends that future research involve a broader sample of individuals, including patients not accessing hospice care, the partners of this population and cancer healthcare professionals

Motives of social rapists

This paper examines the self-reported accounts of61 incarcerated criminals who admit to serial rape. Respondents were interviewed using a methodology employing other convicted felons as interviewers. Results Show that lust and "righteous rape" were the most salient objectives of these experienced rapists. These findings reveal, too, that physical violence was selective and used sparingly. In light of these findings, additional research should be conducted addressing rape avoidance

Growth Patterns and Ages of Trees from Martin Park Nature Center, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

This paper provides insight into ages and patterns of radial growth from mature trees at Martin Park Nature Center, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma. A total of 80 trees were sampled and crossdated using dendrochronology from the three most common genera at Martin Park Nature Center: Quercus, Celtis, and Ulmus. The oldest trees at the park were Q. macrocarpa and C. laevigata with individuals dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. A pulse of C. laevigata recruitment occurred in the 1960s that likely reflected changes in land-use as the property transitioned from private ownership to the City of Oklahoma City. A sequence of growth suppressions and releases was identified in C. laevigata that is related to park maintenance and forest development at the park

Note: Pawnee Native Sumac/Tobacco Resurgence

Research of historical tobacco changes and continuation in current practices has led to recommendations after thoughtful consideration by the Pawnee Nation Agricultural Committee and the Chiefs' Council. Preparation of a native tobacco mixture taught to the author by Boy Chief is explained. Traditionalists recently allowed the use of a native tobacco/native smooth sumac mixture in tribal ceremonies. Because native tobacco is additive-free and has a lower nicotine content, this mixture is considered healthier than commercially marketed tobacco for use in ceremonies

Fall-available tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica L.) may be a population sink for the monarch butterfly

Native plants provide the best habitat for pollinators, but non-native plants can supply resources to native pollinators. The non-native tropical milkweed (bloodflower or scarlet milkweed), Asclepias curassavica L., is a larval food source for the native monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus). Asclepias curassavica has been widely planted in the southern U.S. where it blooms until late fall, retains healthy vegetation until frost, and does not die back until a hard freeze. In contrast, native Asclepias species senesce and are usually not suitable for monarch larvae consumption in the fall. The late availability of the non-native milkweed may trigger monarchs, normally migrating to Mexico, to break reproductive diapause and lay eggs on their host plant. To determine if non-native A. curassavica was more likely than native Asclepias species to attract egg-laying monarchs, we grew native Asclepias viridis Walter and Asclepias speciosa Torr. along with A. curassavica in Oklahoma and recorded the number of monarch eggs and caterpillars on each plant. From August 2019 until the first freeze, we observed 145 eggs and 39 caterpillars on 40 of 48 A. curassavica plants and one egg on one of 19 native Asclepias plants. First freeze occurred on 12 October. A majority of eggs were laid after 12 September resulting in most eggs having insufficient time to mature. This freeze date was nearly 3 weeks earlier than the average for this area. Our evidence suggests that the monarchs are differentially reacting to the availability of non-native and native Asclepias during late summer and fall

Assessment of Oklahoma Phlox (Phlox oklahomensis: Polemoniaceae) in the Gypsum Hills of Northwestern Oklahoma and Southern Kansas

Phlox oklahomensis Wherry, Oklahoma phlox, occurs within the tall grass prairie of the southern Flint Hills of Kansas, and other populations occur within the southern mixed grass prairie of the Gypsum Hills of northwestern Oklahoma and southern Kansas. The first census of Oklahoma phlox in northwestern Oklahoma and southern Kansas was conducted over a three-year period (1980-1982). The second and third censuses occurred approximately 20 years after the first census, in 2002 and 2003. Since the 1980s two major wildfires and several droughts have occurred throughout its distribution range. The goals of this research were to compare the 1980-1982 census and the 2002 and 2003 censuses of Oklahoma phlox to censuses conducted in 2020 and 2021 and assess the current status of the species. In addition, we used a geographic information system (GIS) to identify factors that influence the likelihood of finding Oklahoma phlox in the region. The final census found that the occurrence of Oklahoma phlox has not changed significantly over the last 40 years. Populations thrive in areas where the fire interval is >5 years, and it commonly occurs on the upper elevations of the landscape on hilltops and/or ridges where the slope is > 7%. Although plants were observed on all landscape exposures, populations occur more frequently on west and northwest facing slopes. The authors recommend an S3 ranking for Oklahoma phlox