Framing effect debiasing in medical decision making

Objective Numerous studies have demonstrated the robustness of the framing effect in a variety of contexts. The present study investigated the effects of a debiasing procedure designed to prevent the framing effect for young adults who made decisions based on hypothetical medical decision-making vignettes. Methods The debiasing technique involved participants listing advantages and disadvantages of each treatment prior to making a choice. One hundred and two undergraduate students read a set of three medical treatment vignettes that presented information in terms of different outcome probabilities under either debiasing or control conditions. Results The framing effect was demonstrated by the control group in two of the three vignettes. The debiasing group successfully avoided the framing effect for both of these vignettes. Conclusion These results further support previous findings of the framing effect as well as an effective debiasing technique. This study improved upon previous framing debiasing studies by including a control group and personal medical scenarios, as well as demonstrating debiasing in a framing condition in which the framing effect was demonstrated without a debiasing procedure. Practice implications The findings suggest a relatively simple manipulation may circumvent the use of decision-making heuristics in patients

The Leader’s Role in Creating a Positive Climate

Leaders play a pivotal role in creating the climate in their programs. Come learn four key strategies for creating a positive work environment

Everyday problem solving

Within the cognitive aging literature, everyday problem-solving research has gained momentum as proponents point to the value added by using such an approach (see Allaire & Marsiske, 2002)

The Relation Between Prescription Drug Usage and Cognitive Performance in Later Life

Older adults, the primary consumers of prescription medications in the United States, may be particularly prone to medication side effects. The present study examined the relation between change in prescriptions and change in cognitive performance (i.e., inductive reasoning and everyday problem solving), as well as how three common classes of medication (i.e., cardiovascular, hormone/synthetic substitutes, and central nervous system agents) were related to cognitive performance. Data were collected from 78 community-dwelling older adults (M = 71.14 years, SD = 5.35) over an 18-month period. Results indicated that types of drugs were differentially related to cognitive change and that the total number of prescriptions was related to change in cognitive performance. Clinical and research advantages of using specific cognitive and prescription assessments, rather than more global measures, are discussed

Cognitive Functioning and Vitality among the Oldest Old: Implications for Well-Being

This chapter clarifies and differentiates changes in cognitive functioning among the oldest old at the group and individual levels. Cross-sectionally, the oldest old demonstrate normative differences of being more physically and cognitively frail compared to younger groups. More variation and successful aging is observed at the individual level. Some oldest-old individuals can perform at the same levels as adults 20 to 40 years younger. Recent literature has recognized that the concept of cognitive vitality transcends the absence of dementia or dementing processes. We seek to clarify the concept of cognitive vitality because it has not been well defined in the literature either theoretically or operationally. This chapter addresses the following questions: 1) What is cognitive vitality and how does it contribute to the well-being of older adults? 2) What factors or resources contribute to cognitive vitality among the oldest old? and 3) What new directions can be identified for future research

Graft versus host disease: a cytokine meta-analysis

Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD) is a major inflammatory complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Such transplantations are lifesaving in treating certain conditions, such as acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, aplastic anemia, and thalassemia. However, the subsequent presentation of GVHD can pose a lethal threat, placing the patient’s life at risk, once again. The inflammatory response of the graft’s adaptive immunity towards the host’s native cells in GVHD is said to trigger a cytokine storm. Despite its widespread use both colloquially and in the medical field, criteria for “cytokine storms” do not exist. For this reason, a meta-analysis is being conducted that examines various cytokine levels of several different disease conditions, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, Crohn’s disease, SARS CoV-2, rheumatoid arthritis, sepsis, and graft versus host disease. The purpose of this study is to analyze a subset of data within this larger meta-analysis, specifically interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels in GVHD. Herein, I discuss the role of IL-6 in the pathogenesis of GVHD, examine the levels of IL-6 in varying stages of GVHD, and propose future directions for using IL-6 inhibition as a treatment for GVHD

Microalgae as a source of biofuels

A number of bio-feedstocks are currently being experimented for biodiesel production and usage. Algal biomass has emerged as one of the most promising sources of biodiesel production. Although research into algae as a potential source of biodiesel is not new, the current oil crises and fast depleting fossil oil reserves have made it more imperative for  organizations and countries to invest more time and efforts into research on suitable renewable energy options such as algal oil. Algal fuel as a viable alternative to traditional fuel (diesel) is renewable, carbon neutral, economically sustainable and environmentally friendly. Algal oil can beextracted with methanol via transesterification reaction in the presence of a catalyst to yield biodiesel. The biodiesel produced can be used as jet fuel and as source of fuel in other transportation systems. Finally, since algal oil is non-edible, it does not compromise edible oil which is for human consumption thus, erasing the food versus fuel debate. An attempt is made to review the potential and prospects of microalgae as a sustainable energy provider, thus, providing a stimulus to initiate more research in this area.Keywords: Biodiesel, algae, transesterification, renewable feedstock

Staff experiences of pupils’ self-harming behaviour in an independent girls’ boarding school: an IPA analysis

In recent years there have been a number of pieces of research published which suggest that the phenomenon of self-harm in adolescence is increasing (Hall & Place, 2010, Beauchaine et al.,2014, Garcıa-Nieto et al., 2015). Heath et al., (2006) found that a majority of school teachers shared this view. In their study, 74% of teachers reported a first-hand encounter with self-injury. The subject of self-harm is also receiving more media coverage in mainstream newspapers and magazines (Dutta, 2015 & Money-Coutts, 2015), suggesting a rise in public consciousness about mental health issues such as self-harm. The extent of mental health problems amongst adolescents has also been publicly acknowledged by the Department of Health, who state that “Over half of mental health problems in adult life (excluding dementia) start by the age of 14 and seventy-five per cent by age 18” (2015:9). Research into adolescent self-harm has suggested that the most likely age for adolescents to commence self-harm is within the 10-15 years age bracket (Garcıa-Nieto et al., 2015 & Hanania et al., 2015) demonstrating that many adolescents are self-harming at an age where they are expected to be in school for the majority of their time. However, in studies of teachers, a ‘patchy’ awareness of self-harm has been demonstrated (Best, 2005a; 2005b), and a lack of ability to know how best to deal with the situation, should it present itself, has been acknowledged by teachers in a number of research articles (Hall & Place 2010; Heath et al. 2006 and Kidger et al., 2010). This issue was discussed further in my Critical Analytical Study (Margrett, 2014). This study is guided by two main questions; firstly, “what are the experiences of independent school staff of pupil disclosures of self-harm?” and secondly, “how well equipped do independent school staff feel to deal with pupil disclosures of self-harm?” Interviews with four subject teachers, two housemistresses, and a school matron were conducted as a participant researcher within one girls’ independent boarding school. The interviews were analysed through the use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers and Larkin, 2013) and findings were synthesised with some of the key concepts found in the work of Foucault (1982; 1977/1991) concerning discourses of power, knowledge and truth. Five main superordinate themes emerged from the analysis of the data: knowledge and awareness of self-harm; reasons why pupils have self-harmed; the hidden nature of self-harm; personal responses to self-harm disclosure by staff; lack of training and support; and reasons for participating. The study finds that within the small sample interviewed, the participants demonstrated a lack of confidence in their own understanding of the term ‘self-harm’, but a wide experience of pupil self-harm disclosures. It suggests the need for the training of all staff, not just key pastoral staff, in dealing with pupil disclosures of self-harm; and the requirement for schools to develop a self-harm policy (Robinson et al., 2008) and clear guidelines for referral and follow-up of disclosures of self-harm. It also supports the concept of supervision style meetings for school staff to have the ability to discuss their own anxieties and concerns about pupil behaviour (Best, 2005a & 2005b). Finally, the study examines how staff and parental avoidance of self-harm can lead to the development of concentric circles of complicit secrecy surrounding the pupil who is self-harming. It considers how ‘over-parenting’ and ‘spoon-feeding’ of educational concepts may be damaging pupils’ ability to manage their fear of failure and suggests that this may lead to a lack of resilience and a lack of an ability to deal with problems effectively (Lahey, 2015) particularly when pupils feel that they do not conform to the accepted norms of society (Foucault, 1977/ 1991)

Suitablilty of Greenbugs ('Schizaphis Graminum') Parasitized by 'Lysiphlebus Testaceipes' as a Food Source for Predatory Coccinellidae: 'Coccinella Septempunctata' and 'Hippodamia Convergens'

Department of Entomology and Plant Patholog

Comparison of Two Informant Questionnaire Screening Tools for Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: AD8 and IQCODE

Background—Dementia and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are under-recognized in community settings. This may be due in part to the lack of brief dementia screening tools available to clinicians. We compared two brief, informant-based screening tests: the AD8 and the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) in a community-based neurology practice in the Midwestern United States Methods—We examined 186 consecutive patients (44 controls, 13 with MCI, and 129 with dementia). Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to examine the ability of AD8 and IQCODE to discriminate between controls and MCI or dementia. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and likelihood ratios were reported. Results—AD8 differentiated healthy controls from MCI (