Sex as Boys\u27 Fame, but Girls\u27 Shame: Adversarial Gender Roles and Gender-based Violence in Guyana

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a significant issue for youth in Guyana, particularly among young women. Yet, discussions about sex, dating, and violence rarely occur at the community level. To understand the heightened risk for GBV with youth in Guyana, we utilized a critical qualitative design to explore adolescent dating violence with adolescents (14–16 years old), parents, and school officials in a public secondary school in Guyana. In total, 36 racially and religiously diverse participants from low to middle-income households participated in focus groups (n = 30) and interviews (n = 6). Discussions centered on dating in adolescence; community awareness of dating violence; gender, racialization, and class in relation to dating violence; and dating violence prevention in schools and family settings. Our results revealed that heteronormative, adversarial gender roles in Guyana are enacted in adolescent relationships in ways that contribute to violence. Two important factors emerged in relation to femininity: female respectability related to sexuality; and the relationship between clothing, sexuality, and social class. Masculinity for adolescent boys was centered on reproducing normative assumptions about femininity and explaining the use of violence through pathologizing race. Participants were also asked to identify gender roles that adolescent boys and girls should embody in relationships, which revealed possibilities for overcoming adversarial roles in relationships. We propose that adolescent GBV prevention initiatives consider long-standing and deeply embedded ideas within gender norms that are connected to sexuality, class, and race. Without accounting for these systemic factors, GBV prevention initiatives and programs may inadvertently perpetuate traditional definitions of masculinity and femininity that contribute to violence

Coding Qualitative Data at Scale: Guidance for Large Coder Teams Based on 18 Studies

We outline a process for using large coder teams (10 + coders) to code large-scale qualitative data sets. The process reflects experience recruiting and managing large teams of novice and trainee coders for 18 projects in the last decade, each engaging a coding team of 12 (minimum) to 54 (maximum) coders. We identify four unique challenges to large coder teams that are not presently discussed in the methodological literature: (1) recruiting and training coders, (2) providing coder compensation and incentives, (3) maintaining data quality and ensuring coding reliability at scale, and (4) building team cohesion and morale. For each challenge, we provide associated guidance. We conclude with a discussion of advantages and disadvantages of large coder teams for qualitative research and provide notes of caution for anyone considering hiring and/or managing large coder teams for research (whether in academia, government and non-profit sectors, or industry)

Effectiveness of online social science undergraduate research experiences: Exploratory evidence

Undergraduate research experience (UREs) benefit students, but are typically conducted in person. In 2020–2021, many research and teaching activities unexpectedly moved into virtual spaces. We identify key benefits and challenges experienced by virtual URE participants in the social sciences, based on systematic coding of aligned surveys with both faculty and students. Perceived benefits included access and flexibility. Both mentors and students who had switched from in-person modalities, however, expressed a perceived loss of community, undermining the perceived effectiveness and value of the URE. They also perceived the lack of “hands-on work” as a negative. In contrast, existing online students identified UREs as creating a much needed and valued connection, enhancing their experiences. We suggest the experience of all participants in virtual UREs can benefit from centralizing community-building strategies, and give some possible examples

Age-Related Differences in Arm and Trunk Responses to First and Repeated Exposure to Laterally Induced Imbalances

The objective of this study was to examine age-related differences in arm and trunk responses during first and repeated step induced balance perturbations. Young and older adults received 10 trials of unpredictable lateral platform translations. Outcomes included maximum arm and trunk displacement within 1 s of perturbation and at first foot lift off (FFLO), arm and neck muscle activity as recorded using electromyography (EMG), initial step type, balance confidence, and percentage of harness-assisted trials. Compared to young adults, older adults demonstrated greater arm and trunk angular displacements during the first trial, which were present at FFLO and negatively associated with balance confidence. Unlike young adults, recovery steps in older adults were directed towards the fall with a narrowed base of support. Over repeated trials, rapid habituation of first-trial responses of bilateral arm and trunk displacement and EMG amplitude was demonstrated in young adults, but was absent or limited in older adults. Older adults also relied more on harness assistance during balance recovery. Exaggerated arm and trunk responses to sudden lateral balance perturbations in older adults appear to influence step type and balance recovery. Associations of these persistently amplified movements with an increased reliance on harness assistance suggest that training to reduce these deficits could have positive effects in older adults with and without neurological disorders

Cell loss in the motor and cingulate cortex correlates with symptomatology in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disease with motor symptoms that are variably co-expressed with mood and cognitive symptoms, and in which variable neuronal degeneration is also observed in the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex. We have recently shown that the variable symptomatology in Huntington's disease correlates with the variable compartmental pattern of GABAA receptor and cell loss in the striatum. To determine whether the phenotypic variability in Huntington's disease is also related to variable neuronal degeneration in the cerebral cortex, we undertook a double-blind study using unbiased stereological cell counting methods to determine the pattern of cell loss in the primary motor and anterior cingulate cortices in the brains of 12 cases of Huntington's disease and 15 controls, and collected detailed data on the clinical symptomatology of the patients with Huntington's disease from family members and clinical records. The results showed a significant association between: (i) pronounced motor dysfunction and cell loss in the primary motor cortex; and (ii) major mood symptomatology and cell loss in the anterior cingulate cortex. This association held for both total neuronal loss (neuronal N staining) and pyramidal cell loss (SMI32 staining), and also correlated with marked dystrophic changes in the remaining cortical neurons. There was also an association between cortical cell loss and striatal neuropathological grade, but no significant association with CAG repeat length in the Huntington's disease gene. These findings suggest that the heterogeneity in clinical symptomatology that characterizes Huntington's disease is associated with variation in the extent of cell loss in the corresponding functional regions of the cerebral cortex whereby motor dysfunction correlates with primary motor cortex cell loss and mood symptomatology is associated with cell loss in the cingulate corte

Teaching Ethnographic Methods for Cultural Anthropology: Current Practices and Needed Innovation

Historically, ethnographic methods were learned by cultural anthropology students in individual research projects. This approach creates challenges for teaching in ways that respond to the next generation’s calls to decenter anthropology’s White, heteropatriarchal voices and engage in collaborative community-based research. Analyzing syllabi from 107 ethnographic methods training courses from the United States, we find the tradition of the “lone researcher” persists and is the basis of ethnographic training for the next generation. There is little evidence of either active reflection or team-based pedagogy, both identified as necessary to meet career opportunities and diversification goals for the wider field of cultural anthropology. However, we also find that, by centering the completion of largely individual research projects, most ethnographic methods courses otherwise adhere to best practices in regard to experiential and active learning. Based on the analysis of syllabi in combination with current pedagogical literature, we suggest how cultural anthropologists can revise their ethnographic methods courses to incorporate pedagogy that promotes methodologies and skills to align with the needs of today’s students and communities

Cell loss in the motor and cingulate cortex correlates with symptomatology in Huntington's disease

Huntington's disease is an autosomal dominant inherited neurodegenerative disease with motor symptoms that are variably co-expressed with mood and cognitive symptoms, and in which variable neuronal degeneration is also observed in the basal ganglia and the cerebral cortex. We have recently shown that the variable symptomatology in Huntington's disease correlates with the variable compartmental pattern of GABA(A) receptor and cell loss in the striatum. To determine whether the phenotypic variability in Huntington's disease is also related to variable neuronal degeneration in the cerebral cortex, we undertook a double-blind study using unbiased stereological cell counting methods to determine the pattern of cell loss in the primary motor and anterior cingulate cortices in the brains of 12 cases of Huntington's disease and 15 controls, and collected detailed data on the clinical symptomatology of the patients with Huntington's disease from family members and clinical records. The results showed a significant association between: (i) pronounced motor dysfunction and cell loss in the primary motor cortex; and (ii) major mood symptomatology and cell loss in the anterior cingulate cortex. This association held for both total neuronal loss (neuronal N staining) and pyramidal cell loss (SMI32 staining), and also correlated with marked dystrophic changes in the remaining cortical neurons. There was also an association between cortical cell loss and striatal neuropathological grade, but no significant association with CAG repeat length in the Huntington's disease gene. These findings suggest that the heterogeneity in clinical symptomatology that characterizes Huntington's disease is associated with variation in the extent of cell loss in the corresponding functional regions of the cerebral cortex whereby motor dysfunction correlates with primary motor cortex cell loss and mood symptomatology is associated with cell loss in the cingulate cortex

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London