Forms and Functions of Aggression in Adults: Validation of a Measure of Aggression to Assess Intimate Partner Aggression

Intimate partner aggression (IPA) is a complex construct composed of the means and the motivations by which a person harms their intimate partner. Unfortunately, existing measures only assess forms of IPA perpetration while neglecting to measure the motivations for aggressing. The present study sought to address this by adapting and validating a measure of the forms and functions of adolescent aggression to assess IPA perpetration in adults. This new measure – the Forms and Functions of Intimate Partner Aggression (FFIPA) – comprises four higher-order latent factors (i.e., overt, relational, proactive, and reactive aggression). 140 heterosexual couples experiencing conflict completed the FFIPA. Analyses support the FFIPA’s validity as a measure of the forms and functions of IPA perpetration. As the only instrument that parses the forms and functions of IPA perpetration, the FFIPA allows the examination of the unique motivations of an aggressive partner separately from the form of their behavior

Exploring Sexual Minority Stress Related Aggression

Intimate partner violence among sexual minority individuals is a unique public health disparity in frequency and severity compared to heterosexual individuals. Existent research suggests experiencing sexual minority stress (SMS) is associated with negative health outcomes for individuals, including intimate partner violence. Research to date has not yet established the causal association between SMS and aggression perpetration nor its underlying mechanisms. Utilizing the Psychological Mediation Framework and the General Aggression Model, the current investigation sought to assess the proximal and temporal associations between induced state SMS and cyber aggression perpetration via an online experimental study. Furthermore, the investigation sought to evaluate two putative mediating mechanisms (negative affect, cognitive rumination) of SMS-related aggression. A sample of 110 cisgender, sexual minority identifying men and women (52% women) were recruited online via a research panel. Participants were randomized to a control or experimental condition in which they had general or sexual stigma stress induced, respectively. Participants then completed an online cyber aggression task. Self-reported state negative affect and cognitive rumination were assessed at various timepoints during the stress induction task and post aggression task. Participants also completed self-report measures of relevant constructs (i.e., SMS experiences, state affect, state cognition rumination, dispositional aggression, and intimate partner violence perpetration). Findings suggest a lack of differentiation in induced stress between the two study conditions as well as no differences between the study groups in cyber aggression perpetration. Furthermore, analyses failed to detect any mediating effects of negative affect and rumination in the association between SMS and aggression perpetration nor any association between cyber aggression perpetration and intimate partner violence perpetration. The limitations of the study’s online methodology did not allow conclusions to be drawn for the research aims and emphasize the continued need for further research into this important area of public health

An overview of the current clinical status of optical imaging in head and neck cancer with a focus on Narrow Band imaging and fluorescence optical imaging

Early and accurate identification of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is important to improve treatment outcomes and prognosis. New optical imaging techniques may assist in both the diagnostic process as well as in the operative setting by real-time visualization and delineation of tumor. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) is an endoscopic technique that uses blue and green light to enhance mucosal and submucosal blood vessels, leading to better detection of (pre)malignant lesions showing aberrant blood vessel patterns. Fluorescence optical imaging makes use of near-infrared fluorescent agents to visualize and delineate HNSCC, resulting in fewer positive surgical margins. Targeted fluorescent agents, such as fluorophores conjugated to antibodies, show the most promising results. The aim of this review is: (1) to provide the clinical head and neck surgeon an overview of the current clinical status of various optical imaging techniques in head and neck cancer; (2) to provide an in-depth review of NBI and fluorescence optical imaging, as these techniques have the highest potential for clinical implementation; and (3) to describe future improvements and developments within the field of these two techniques

An overview of the current clinical status of optical imaging in head and neck cancer with a focus on Narrow Band imaging and fluorescence optical imaging

Early and accurate identification of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is important to improve treatment outcomes and prognosis. New optical imaging techniques may assist in both the diagnostic process as well as in the operative setting by real-time visualization and delineation of tumor. Narrow Band Imaging (NBI) is an endoscopic technique that uses blue and green light to enhance mucosal and submucosal blood vessels, leading to better detection of (pre)malignant lesions showing aberrant blood vessel patterns. Fluorescence optical imaging makes use of near-infrared fluorescent agents to visualize and delineate HNSCC, resulting in fewer positive surgical margins. Targeted fluorescent agents, such as fluorophores conjugated to antibodies, show the most promising results. The aim of this review is: (1) to provide the clinical head and neck surgeon an overview of the current clinical status of various optical imaging techniques in head and neck cancer; (2) to provide an in-depth review of NBI and fluorescence optical imaging, as these techniques have the highest potential for clinical implementation; and (3) to describe future improvements and developments within the field of these two techniques

Disordered Topological Insulators via C∗C^*-Algebras

The theory of almost commuting matrices can be used to quantify topological obstructions to the existence of localized Wannier functions with time-reversal symmetry in systems with time-reversal symmetry and strong spin-orbit coupling. We present a numerical procedure that calculates a Z_2 invariant using these techniques, and apply it to a model of HgTe. This numerical procedure allows us to access sizes significantly larger than procedures based on studying twisted boundary conditions. Our numerical results indicate the existence of a metallic phase in the presence of scattering between up and down spin components, while there is a sharp transition when the system decouples into two copies of the quantum Hall effect. In addition to the Z_2 invariant calculation in the case when up and down components are coupled, we also present a simple method of evaluating the integer invariant in the quantum Hall case where they are decoupled.Comment: Added detail regarding the mapping of almost commuting unitary matrices to almost commuting Hermitian matrices that form an approximate representation of the sphere. 6 pages, 6 figure

Use of r(+)-n-propargyl-1-aminoindan to treat or prevent hearing loss

A method of treating or inhibiting hearing loss in a mammalian subject, comprising administering to the subject an amount of R(+)-N-propargyl-1-aminoindan or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof effective to treat or inhibit the hearing loss in the subject

Treatment outcome of supraglottoplasty vs. wait-and-see policy in patients with laryngomalacia

In most cases, laryngomalacia presents as a mild disease, and the symptoms resolve after wait-and-see policy. Up to 20 % of patients present with severe laryngomalacia and may require surgery (i.e. supraglottoplasty); however, the indication for surgery is not firmly established yet. The goal of this study is to determine whether supraglottoplasty results in a better outcome than wait-and-see and to investigate how different comorbidities influence outcome. A retrospective study of pediatric cases of in a tertiary referral center was performed. Photo and video documentation was available and revised in all cases. Electronic and paper charts were reviewed for the following variables: gender, sex, gestational age, birth weight, symptoms, comorbidity, date of endoscopy, severity and type of laryngomalacia, treatment modality and technique and follow-up data and a total 89 patients were included. Supraglottoplasty was found to lead to significantly faster complete improvement of laryngomalacia than wait-and-see policy (5 weeks vs. 29, p = 0.026). Synchronous airway lesions (SALs) were present in 40.4 % of patients and were associated with prolonged symptoms of laryngomalacia (38.5 weeks vs. 14.5, p = 0.043). Supraglottoplasty is safe and effective in treatment of severe laryngomalacia. SALs and comorbidities are frequently found in patients with laryngomalacia and are responsible for longer onset of complaints