Interoception in anxiety and depression

We review the literature on interoception as it relates to depression and anxiety, with a focus on belief, and alliesthesia. The connection between increased but noisy afferent interoceptive input, self-referential and belief-based states, and top-down modulation of poorly predictive signals is integrated into a neuroanatomical and processing model for depression and anxiety. The advantage of this conceptualization is the ability to specifically examine the interface between basic interoception, self-referential belief-based states, and enhanced top-down modulation to attenuate poor predictability. We conclude that depression and anxiety are not simply interoceptive disorders but are altered interoceptive states as a consequence of noisily amplified self-referential interoceptive predictive belief states

Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries

Background: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures.Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge.Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to side-effects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (beta coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and low- and middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not.Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely

Effects of similarity and implicit leadership theory on trust in leader-subordinate relationships

This study investigates the effects of personality similarity and implicit leadership theory on leader-subordinate trust, which are expected to influence affect- and cognition-based trust differently. The Big Five personality factors were used to determine personality similarity in this study

Marriages after infidelity: Wives\u27 narratives on why wives stayed with their philandering husband

Three respondents, chosen through purposive and chain-referral sampling, were requested to participate in the study. Narrative interview was used to describe the reasons why Filipino wives stay with their philandering husbands. Results showed that wives stay with their philandering husbands because of their desire to be seen in a good light by their children, their belief that their children should not be deprived of growing up in a complete family, their belief that there are certain roles that only a father could fulfill for the children, having no financial means to support their children, shame and fear to let their family and others know their marital conflict, their belief in myths about marriage and culture, their rationalization for husband\u27s infidelity, and self-blame. Other findings include the positive and negative perceptions of wives on themselves, as well as of men and marriage in general

A comparative study on conceptual-based and experiential-based learning of accounting information systems as evaluated by different measures of effectivity

As technology advances, the use of accounting information systems (AIS) and enterprise resource planning software (ERP) have become more apparent not only in businesses but also in education. The main purpose of this study was to be able to assess and compare conceptual-based learning and experiential-based learning of AIS through different measures of effectivity namely, learning methods, satisfaction, computer self-efficacy, and academic performance. The study aimed to identify whether there is a significant difference between the two learning approaches when it comes to learning AIS. The researchers conducted an online survey with a total of 386 respondents from universities and colleges based in Luzon. Qualified respondents were BSA students that had taken the course and were mainly divided into two groups—those who took the AIS course or its equivalent under conceptual-based learning and those who took the course with an integrated practical application of ERP software under an experiential-based learning approach. Primary data were gathered through online surveys which assessed the participant’s learning methods, satisfaction, computer self-efficacy, and academic performance. The data set was tested for normality using the Shapiro-Wilk Test and the Central Limit Theorem in which results showed that the data approached a normal distribution. The data from the online survey was then analyzed and compared through descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson correlation, and Mann-Whitney U-Test using the SPSS software. Results showed that there was a significant difference between conceptual-based and experiential-based learning of AIS in terms of learning methods, satisfaction, computer self-efficacy, and academic performance. Thus, insightful recommendations were provided for those who may benefit from the results of this study

Establishing a vegetarian restaurant

This feasibility study was conducted to be able to determine the viability of establishing a vegetarian restaurant. This is in response to the growing needs of the people toward health-fitness. What makes it different from any other restaurant is that it offers vegetarian foods which are delicious and affordable at the same time. Most of the vegetarian restaurants already existing had been organized because of their religion and beliefs. Chai Restaurant would not only cater to vegetarians but also to other people who may want to try it. Its main purpose is not to cater to the vegetarians but to propagate vegetarianism to other people. A. Marketing The restaurant caters to the needs of the target customers. The project is feasible as to its marketing aspect based on the survey which was also used for demand projection. The marketing mix had been properly planned to be able to attract the customers.B. Technical The proposed restaurant is technically feasible. It would be located at the SM Foodcourt of SM Centerpoint. This location is very accessible to a large number of customers. There would be minimal problems as to supply since raw materials and the machinery can be purchased locally.C. Management The restaurant will be run by the administrative officers and restaurant personnel. The administrative division is responsible for the management of the corporation while production process and the product marketing distribution is to be handled by the restaurant personnel. The company is to be organized in a corporate form. The management of the affairs of the corporation would be vested on the Board of Directors and the elected officers.D. Socio-Economic Chai Restaurant considers the value of being in a healthy condition. The restaurant would propagate vegetarianism to those who want it. Through its establishment, the target market can purchase nutritious foods at a much lower price. It also gives additional revenues to the government in the form of taxes and employment to meet its manpower requirement.E. Financial The project will be financed by the equity that the stockholders had invested in the corporation. The study is financially feasible due to a large target market thereby giving a large amount of sales to the restaurant

A qualitative study of patients’ experience during vaginal examination & transvaginal ultrasound in a tertiary hospital in Singapore

Background and objectives Vaginal digital examination and transvaginal ultrasound are routinely for clinical assessment. Many women find these procedures uncomfortable, embarrassing, and stressful. Negative experiences increase anxiety and discomfort experienced during subsequent examinations. Emotional distress and fear of pain result in women avoiding gynaecological screening and follow-up. This study uses qualitative methods to evaluate the experience of patients who have undergone both vaginal digital and transvaginal ultrasound examinations, collectively called pelvic examinations (PE) in the outpatient setting of a tertiary hospital in Singapore. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted on 12 participants aged 30-57 years. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, audited, and analysed iteratively based on grounded theory. Emergent themes were first externally validated and finalized after rounds of deliberations amongst the investigators. This included descriptions and concepts reflecting the most important matters experienced by participants. Results Majority of participants found PE unpleasant and uncomfortable especially when providers were perceived to have poor communication and examination skills. Factors that improve their experience include a conducive environment that is, privacy, dim lights, and warm lubricant. Having adequate information before and during the procedure was important especially for first time. Conclusion Patient-centred care ensures a positive experience in relation to the themes found in this study. Gaps in HCP training on communication and procedure skills should be addressed. Efforts should be made improve the clinic environment and provide adequate information to patients

A business plan on the Pink Corporation

Executive Summary. Pink Corporation is a bag manufacturing company that aims to combine fashion and convenience through the creation of high quality and reasonably priced products. The corporation was founded by ten young women whose interest in fashion inspired them to establish a business in the fashion industry. Pink Corporation\u27s primary objective is to change the stereotypical view that women are weak through the creation of products that would offer women of all ages both convenience and style. The company further believes that employee empowerment is the key to customer satisfaction and company success. Tuck-It-In is the name of the product because it already gives an idea as to how the bag works. Tuck-It-In is a bag made from attractive and durable nylon material, which is known to be a water-resistant fabric. This material also makes it easier for the bag to be folded up, so that it can be placed inside its front pocket. Tuck-It-In is especially designed for practicality purposes. The target market of the product is female college and high school students, ages 13 to 22. The monthly demand was found to be 285 units, which is higher than the capacity per month of 56 units. The company aims to provide benefits to the consumers, such as convenience and practicality, through the product and the services that augment it. Tuck-It-In is priced at P 270 but it can still be offered at a lower price through discounts and promotions for selected buyers. The company will employ a direct marketing channel but also plans to use intermediaries in the second trimester of operations. Advertising will also be in the form of leaflets, posters, banners, and a company website. The proponents used the assembly line method since some of the proponents are more skilled than the others. Therefore, the assignment of tasks depends on the skills of the laborers. Based on the time and motion study done, it was computed that the maximum, minimum, and average capacity per production were 22.46,5.22, and 13.84 units respectively while the computed production cost amounted to P 136.27. The plant site is located at # 8 Rainbow St., Marikina City. It is a bag and wallet factory owned by Mr. Benito Lim. There will be three workstations that will be situated only in a portion of the entire factory. The group will try to observe the policy of doing things right the first time all the time through applying quality control in the manufacturing process whenever necessary. The operating schedule of the company will be from 7:30 am - 5:30 p.m. every Saturday wherein a projected output of 520 units was computed. The company expects a net income of P 66890.73 in ten months of operation. In order to break-even, the company has to sell 158 units