A meta-analysis of prevalence rates and moderating factors for cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder.

Objective Systematic reviews highlight a broad range of cancer-related post-traumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD) prevalence estimates in cancer survivors. This meta-analysis was conducted to provide a prevalence estimate of significant CR-PTSD symptoms and full diagnoses to facilitate the psychological aftercare of cancer survivors. Methods A systematic literature search was conducted for studies using samples of cancer survivors by using validated clinical interviews and questionnaires to assess the prevalence of CR-PTSD (k = 25, n = 4189). Prevalence estimates were calculated for each assessment method using random-effects meta-analysis. Mixed-effects meta-regression and categorical analyses were used to investigate study-level moderator effects. Results Studies using the PTSD Checklist—Civilian Version yielded lower event rates using cut-off [7.3%, 95% confidence intervals (CI) = 4.5–11.7, k = 10] than symptom cluster (11.2%, 95% CI = 8.7–14.4, k = 9). Studies using the Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual, Fourth Edition (SCID), yielded low rates for lifetime (15.3%, 95% CI = 9.1–25, k = 5) and current CR-PTSD (5.1%, 95% CI = 2.8–8.9, k = 9). Between-study heterogeneity was substantial (I2 = 54–87%). Studies with advanced-stage samples yielded significantly higher rates with PTSD Checklist—Civilian Version cluster scoring (p = 0.05), and when assessing current CR-PTSD on the SCID (p = 0.05). The effect of mean age on current PTSD prevalence met significance on the SCID (p = 0.05). SCID lifetime prevalence rates decreased with time post-treatment (R2 = 0.56, p < 0.05). Discussion The cancer experience is sufficiently traumatic to induce PTSD in a minority of cancer survivors. Post-hoc analyses suggest that those who are younger, are diagnosed with more advanced disease and recently completed treatment may be at greater risk of PTSD. More research is needed to investigate vulnerability factors for PTSD in cancer survivors

Using a mixed methods sequential explanatory approach to identify the roles of social and cognitive factors in the development and maintenance of cancer-related PTSD in cancer survivors.

Aims: Identify the mean prevalence of CR-PTSD, factors related to trauma, and the development and maintenance of PTSD, in cancer survivors. Background: Systematic reviews reveal that CR-PTSD is uncommon, and it is unclear a) what makes this experience traumatic, and b) what factors are implicated in the development, and maintenance of PTSD in this population. Methods: A mixed-methods sequential explanatory approach was used. Phase 1 consisted of three studies: a) random-effects meta-analysis of PTSD prevalence statistics and moderating factors in cancer survivors (k=25, n=4189); b) a cross-sectional analysis of PTSD and contributing factors in a PTSD Clinic for cancer survivors (n=60); and c) a prospective analysis of the role of emotion schemas and processing styles and how they predict adaptation to stress in a sample of students (n=24). Phase 2 was conducted to find follow-up explanations for Phase 1 results. Study 4 (Phase 2) consisted of two clinical case studies from the PTSD Clinic – one with adjustment disorder, and the other with severe chronic CR-PTSD. Results: Study 1 revealed that PTSD prevalence in breast cancer survivors was 5.8% (95% CI=3.3-10%), and that there were no significant study-level moderators that predicted differences in prevalence. Similar results were found for Study 2, although when adjusted for age, those with CR-PTSD suffered from more impoverished emotional experiences than those without CR-PTSD. These differences were rendered non-significant when depression symptoms were added as a covariate. Study 3 revealed that increases in anxiety during a stressor were best predicted by emotion schemas related to the lack of comprehensibility of emotions. Findings from Study 4 suggested that aspects of the cancer experience was very traumatic for both patients, but that the course/development of disorder was influenced by the social-cognitive processes involving the interaction of the patient’s emotion schemas and coping strategies, with the quality of their support system. Conclusions: Cancer can be traumatic under certain conditions, and PTSD is uncommon in cancer survivors, but clinical samples of cancer survivors with and without PTSD suggest that CR-PTSD is characterised by severe problems experiencing, linking, and labelling emotions. Preliminary evidence from case studies reveal that the combination of a) an appraisal of the cancer as traumatic, b) an invalidating social network, and c) emotionally avoidant coping styles throughout the cancer treatment, may predispose traumatised cancer survivors to PTSD

Examining the Relationship between Leadership Style and Organisational Strategy

The existence of effective leadership in a contemporary organisation is critical for corporate development. It is expected of a leader to be visionary and be able to give direction to the organisation by way of determining goals and thence influence his / her subordinates to do what he / she wants them to do. Once goals are determined, leaders ought to find ways to create the conditions that will cause or allow subordinates to work hard and to direct the tasks they perform towards organisational ends. This study examined the relationship between leadership style and organisational strategy of GNLS. Choosing the right organizational strategy for a destination inspection company (DIC) such as Ghana Link Network Services (GLNS) has become a critical success factor. In order to have the right organizational strategy in such a competitive arena the company will require efficient and effective leadership to get its work done for corporate objectives to be achieved. Most companies in the sector do not even know the type of leadership style that they operate and the consequences it has on its ability to achieve its corporate objectives. Since organizational strategies are embarked upon to achieve organizational objectives, the study sought to examine the relationship between leadership style and organizational strategy. All the 110 employees of the Accra-branch of GLNS were interviewed as organizational strategies affected every employee of the organization. The study found that there is a direct relationship between leadership style and organizational strategy. This means that choosing the right leadership style will influence the organizational strategy of GLNS positively. The company should therefore dedicate energies and resources into identifying the right leadership style that would be beneficial to the company. Keywords: leadership style, organizational strateg

Examining the Leadership Styles within Ghana Link Network Services

Leadership is one, if not the single most important, factor determining the success or progress of any human endeavour or organisation. It in the case of an organisation not progressing or succeeding in its bid to achieve a set goal, leadership tends to be the first to be held responsible. Ghanaian organisations seem to have a difficulty with leadership playing a vital role in their development, resulting in a high rate of organisational failures. Leadership challenges constitute one of the crucial problems confronting organisations. There is a myriad of problems which underlie leadership effectiveness in organisations and which have both short and long term effects on productivity within the organisation. A destination inspection company (DIC) such as Ghana Link Network Services (GLNS) will require efficient and effective leadership to get its work done for corporate objectives to be achieved. The study investigated the leadership styles within Ghana Link Network Services. Employees of GLNS are the target population for this research. Relevant information will be solicited from all categories (management and employees alike) of staff. The sample to be surveyed for the study will be limited to the Accra office of GLNS which has a population of one hundred and ten (110); made up of ten (10)  top management staff, twenty (20) lower management/ sectional heads, thirty (30) senior staff and fifty (50) junior staff. The selected sample fraction is thirty-six percent (36 %) which constitutes a sample size of forty (40) respondents selected to be interviewed for the study. The study will be conducted using probability sampling in which all staff members have an equal chance of being selected as a sample unit. The researcher will sample forty (40) respondents representing thirty-six percent of the staff in the Accra office. This sample size has been selected as a result of budgetary and time constraints taking into consideration the need to have a high level of confidence in the representativeness of the sample selected and the reliability of the data generated from the sample. The study found that majority of both management and employees of the GLNS prefer the democratic style of leadership, which is the dominant or prevalent leadership style over all the other styles. Keywords: leadership style, organizational strateg

Emergence of COVID-19 and Patterns of Early Transmission in an Appalachian Sub-Region

Background: In mid-March 2020, very few cases of COVID-19 had been confirmed in the Central Blue Ridge Region, an area in Appalachia that includes 47 jurisdictions across northeast Tennessee, western North Carolina, and southwest Virginia. Authors described the emergence of cases and outbreaks in the region between March 18 and June 11, 2020. Methods: Data were collected from the health department websites of Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia beginning in mid-March for an ongoing set of COVID-19 monitoring projects, including a newsletter for local healthcare providers and a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) dashboard. In Fall 2020, using these databases, authors conducted descriptive and geospatial cluster analyses to examine case incidence and fatalities over space and time. Results: In the Central Blue Ridge Region, there were 4432 cases on June 11, or 163.22 cases per 100,000 residents in the region. Multiple days during which a particularly high number of cases were identified in the region were connected to outbreaks reported by local news outlets and health departments. Most of these outbreaks were linked to congregate settings such as schools, long-term care facilities, and food processing facilities. Implications: By examining data available in a largely rural region that includes jurisdictions across three states, authors were able to describe and disseminate information about COVID-19 case incidence and fatalities and identify acute and prolonged local outbreaks. Continuing to follow, interpret, and report accurate and timely COVID-19 case data in regions like this one is vital to residents, businesses, healthcare providers, and policymakers

Primary structure and cellular localization of callinectin, an antimicrobial peptide from the blue crab

We report the complete amino acid sequence of callinectin, a 32 amino acid, proline-, arginine-rich AMP with four cysteines and having the sequence WNSNRRFRVGRPPVVGRPGCVCFRAPCPCSNY-amide. The primary structure of callinectin is highly similar to arasins, AMPs recently identified in the small spider crab (Hyas araneus). Callinectin exists in three isomers that vary in the functional group on the tryptophan (W) residue. The most prevalent isomer had a hydroxy-N-formylkynurenine group, while the other two isomers had either N-formylkynurenine or hydroxy-tryptophan. Using a sequence highly similar to native callinectin, we chemically synthesized a peptide which we called callinectin-like peptide (CLP). Via immunoelectron microscopy, affinity-purified rabbit antibodies raised to CLP successfully localized the site of callinectin in blue crab hemocytes to the large electron-dense granules that are found primarily in large granule hemocytes

PenQuest Volume 3, Number 2

Table of Contents for this Volume: Untitled by Joe Avanzini Woodcutting on Lost Mountain by Tess Gallagher Untitled by Judith Mizrahi Women I have loved by Dottie Fletcher Untitled by Rick Wagner Untold Stories by William Slaughter Untitled by Steve Balunan Two German Women by Dottie Fletcher Untitled by Anne Calloway Tourists by Carol Grimes Untitled by Win Lyons Rollin\u27 Bones by Barbara Ritchey Untitled by Steve Balunan Hannukah Harbor by Jerry Nelson Night-letter by William Slaughter Untitled by Bruce Abbey Domestic by Carol Grimes Untitled by Steve Balunan The Storm Pit by Howard Denson Untitled by Judith Mizrahi Hattie by Dottie Fletcher Untitled by Linda Willcox Untitled by Helen Hagador

Volume 11

Table of Contents: Introduction, Dr. Roger A. Byrne, Dean From the Editor, Dr. Larissa Kat Tracy From the Designers, Rachel English, Rachel Hanson Synthesis of 3,5-substituted Parabens and their Antimicrobial Properties, Jacob Coarney, Ryan White Chernobyl: Putting Perestroika and Glasnot to the Test, Joseph Hyman Art by Jenny Raven Watering Down Accessibility: The Issue with Public Access to Alaska\u27s Federal Waterways, Meagan Garrett Why Has the Democratic Republic of the Congo outsourced its Responsibility to Educate its Citizens? Ibrahim Kante Art by Summer Meinhard A Computational Study of Single Molecule Diodes, Lauren Johnson Satire of the State through Discourse: Applying Althusser and Bakhtin, William Dean Howells Editha , Glen Spencer Design by Laura Gottschalk Why did the United Kingdom Vote to Leave the European Union?, Christopher Siefke Art by Pink Powell Art by Natasha Woodmany Method of Detection of PFOA in Water Samples, Katharine Colley Art by Abbey Mays The Rhetorical Construction of eSports\u27 Legitimacy, Charlotte Pott

PenQuest Volume 3, Number 1

The Table of Contents for this Volume: Untitled by R. Bruce Warner Seeing the Unseen by Sharon Gresham Untitled by Helen Hagadorn Untitled by Steve Balunan Happy Holidays by Donna Kaluzniak River-walking, Night-talking by William Slaughter Ribbon of Light by Judith Mizrahi Love in Parentheses by Sharon Gresham Untitled by Steve Balunan Protohistory by Patricia Kraft Untitled by Bruce Abbey Untitled by Rick Wagner Thanatopsis by Pat Kraft Untitled by Sue Hightower Untitled by Rick Wagner Conversations of a Woman by Sharon Gresham Thur, Fri, Sat, at Mr. B\u27s by Patricia Kraft Untitled by Rick Wagner Untitled by Cindy Carlisle Untitled by Win Lyons Untitled by Cindy Carlisle Untitled by Modesta Matthews Untitled by James Tutten A Light at Mill Pond Crossing by Joe Palmer Untitled by Rick Wagner Two People by Kathleen Gay Untitled by Rick Wagner American Dream (Russian Version) by William Slaughter Untitled by Judith Mizrahi Untitled by Linda Willco

Evaluation of the Algorithms and Parameterizations for Ground Thawing and Freezing Simulation in Permafrost Regions

Ground thawing and freezing depths (GTFDs) strongly influence the hydrology and energy balances of permafrost regions. Current methods to simulate GTFD differ in algorithm type, soil parameterization, representation of latent heat, and unfrozen water content. In this study, five algorithms (one semiempirical, two analytical, and two numerical), three soil thermal conductivity parameterizations, and three unfrozen water parameterizations were evaluated against detailed field measurements at four field sites in Canada’s discontinuous permafrost region. Key findings include: (1) de Vries’ parameterization is recommended to determine the thermal conductivity in permafrost soils; (2) the three unfrozen water parameterization methods exhibited little difference in terms of GTFD simulations, yet the segmented linear function is the simplest to be implemented; (3) the semiempirical algorithm reasonably simulates thawing at permafrost sites and freezing at seasonal frost sites with site-specific calibration. However, large interannual and intersite variations in calibration coefficients limit its applicability for dynamic analysis; (4) when driven by surface forcing, analytical algorithms performed marginally better than the semiempirical algorithm. The inclusion of bottom forcing improved analytical algorithm performance, yet their results were still poor compared with those achieved by numerical algorithms; (5) when supplied with the optimal inputs, soil parameterizations, and model configurations, the numerical algorithm with latent heat treated as an apparent heat capacity achieved the best GTFD simulations among all algorithms at all sites. Replacing the observed bottom temperature with a zero heat flux boundary condition did not significantly reduce simulation accuracy, while assuming a saturated profile caused large errors at several sites