Measure Of Congruence Research Articles

Intrinsic satisfaction and turnover intentions: the moderating roles of collegial and managerial values congruence

PurposeThis paper investigates the moderating role of values congruence, an element of person–organisation (P–O) fit, on the relationship between intrinsic work satisfaction and anticipated employee turnover. The model uses data from employees of the Australian Public Service (APS).Design/methodology/approachThe study draws upon data from the APS’s annual Employee Census for 2018. We first use principal component analysis (PCA) to derive measures of collegial values congruence, managerial values congruence, intrinsic satisfaction and extrinsic satisfaction. The study then uses ordinary least squares (OLS) regression analysis to examine the main effects of intrinsic and extrinsic satisfaction, collegial and managerial values congruence as well as their interaction effects on anticipated future employee tenure.FindingsOur results show the significant linear effects of intrinsic satisfaction, extrinsic satisfaction and managerial values congruence on anticipated tenure. Collegial values congruence, however, did not show a significant linear effect. Interaction effects were then tested, and both collegial and managerial values congruence were shown to moderate the relationship between intrinsic satisfaction and anticipated tenure. Higher levels of both forms of values congruence buffered the negative impact of lower intrinsic satisfaction on turnover intention.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is limited by its reliance on cross-sectional self-reported data within a specific and atypical organisational context (the Australian Public Service, or APS). Additionally, the cross-sectional nature of the data limits the establishment of causal inferences. Future research could explore longitudinal data and examine other potential moderators of the turnover intention.Practical implicationsUnderstanding the moderating role of values congruence, and in particular P–O fit, can develop organisational strategies that aim to reduce turnover by emphasizing the alignment between employee values and organisational, collegial and supervisor culture and values.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the relevant literature by showing the importance of values congruence in partially offsetting the negative effects of low intrinsic satisfaction on anticipated turnover. This is particularly relevant in the public sector context. The examination of both collegial and managerial values congruence provides a more nuanced understanding of the mechanisms that drive turnover intention.

Male and female contributions to diversity among birdwing butterfly images

Machine learning (ML) newly enables tests for higher inter-species diversity in visible phenotype (disparity) among males versus females, predictions made from Darwinian sexual selection versus Wallacean natural selection, respectively. Here, we use ML to quantify variation across a sample of > 16,000 dorsal and ventral photographs of the sexually dimorphic birdwing butterflies (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae). Validation of image embedding distances, learnt by a triplet-trained, deep convolutional neural network, shows ML can be used for automated reconstruction of phenotypic evolution achieving measures of phylogenetic congruence to genetic species trees within a range sampled among genetic trees themselves. Quantification of sexual disparity difference (male versus female embedding distance), shows sexually and phylogenetically variable inter-species disparity. Ornithoptera exemplify high embedded male image disparity, diversification of selective optima in fitted multi-peak OU models and accelerated divergence, with cases of extreme divergence in allopatry and sympatry. However, genus Troides shows inverted patterns, including comparatively static male embedded phenotype, and higher female than male disparity – though within an inferred selective regime common to these females. Birdwing shapes and colour patterns that are most phenotypically distinctive in ML similarity are generally those of males. However, either sex can contribute majoritively to observed phenotypic diversity among species.

Explicit measures for emotional congruence with children are related to sexual interests in a male community sample, but not implicit measures.

This study sought to disentangle several phenotypic correlates of pedophilic sexual interests, such as emotional congruence with children and lack of empathy. We utilized Implicit Association Tests and self-report questionnaires for emotional congruence with children and analyzed the psychometric properties of these measures. Further, we analyzed the associations between these measures and self-reported pedophilic sexual interests and empathy. The sample consisted of 110 adult community males (prevalence of sexual interest in children at least to some extent: 5.5%) with or without child-related jobs (43.6% vs. 56.4%) recruited online in the general population. Overall, we found equivocal parameters for reliability of the implicit and explicit measures of emotional congruence with children (α = 0.29 to 0.76). The self-reported emotional congruence with children was only weakly linked to the implicit positive evaluations of children (r = 0.170, p = 0.039), not linked to empathy except for distress in social interactions (r = 0.199, p = 0.019), and moderately linked to deviant sexual interests in children (r = 0.321 to 0.404, p < 0.001), especially in men working with children (R2 = 0.04, p = 0.027). Further studies are warranted to expand the sample to the offender population and explore the more complex network of constructs related to pedophilia.

Assessing the predictive validity of brand-sustainability-self-congruence on consumer behavior and subjective well-being

PurposeThis research extends self-congruity theory and assesses the predictive validity of the triad personality congruence among brand, brand-related sustainability initiatives (BSI) and self-concept (BSSC: brand-sustainability-self-congruence) on consumers’ brand evaluation.Design/methodology/approachThree studies assessed BSSC using the brand personality scale (BPS) and the direct congruence measure (DCM). Through moderated mediation analyses, BSSC effects were examined on consumers’ behavioral intention, behavior and subjective well-being (SWB). The mediating role of brand trust and the moderating role of brand/BSI types and consumer characteristics were also assessed.FindingsBSSC increased consumers’ brand trust, behavioral intention, behavior and SWB. Data based on BPS revealed impactful attributes that increase/decrease BSSC levels across brand-BSI combinations and the moderating role of sustainability involvement and income to enhance BSSC effects. BSSC was particularly effective, according to DCM.Practical implicationsFor BSI planning, strategic consideration of BSSC based on both BPS and DCM is recommended. Thus, managers may predict the psychological impact of BSI and align its attributes to increase consumers’ brand evaluation.Originality/valueIn the sustainable marketing context, this research discusses BSSC – triad personality congruence – based on BPS and DCM and its predictive effects on consumers’ short-term brand evaluation, their actual behavior and SWB, a long-term life evaluation. The results imply a possible variation in consumers’ information processing according to the congruence measurement approach. Thus, it is relevant to the research on self-congruity, sustainability, marketing, consumer psychology/behavior and well-being.

Athlete Brand Congruence as a Measure to Evaluate Brand Identity and Image Fit

The paper presents a novel approach to assess athlete brand identity by introducing the concept of brand congruence, which measures the alignment between an athlete’s intended brand image and consumer perceptions. This study leveraged five case studies involving elite athletes and their brands, with the participation of n = 794 consumers through an online survey. The application of Confirmatory Factor Analysis not only validated the effectiveness of the scale in evaluating athlete brand identity from the consumer perspective but also demonstrated its value in bridging the gap between athlete and consumer opinions. The measurement of athlete brand congruence serves as a crucial tool for gauging the harmony between desired and perceived brand attributes, providing valuable insights into athlete brand performance and specific areas for enhancement. This research contributes to the ongoing exploration of athlete branding and its implications for athletes, marketers, and consumers alike, adding to the broader discourse on this pertinent and relevant topic within today’s sports industry landscape.

Place of Death for Adults Receiving Specialist Palliative Care in Their Last 3 Months of Life: Factors Associated With Preferred Place, Actual Place, and Place of Death Congruence.

Objectives: Congruence between the preferred and actual place of death is recognised as an important quality indicator in end-of-life care. However, there may be complexities about preferences that are ignored in summary congruence measures. This article examined factors associated with preferred place of death, actual place of death, and congruence for a sample of patients who had received specialist palliative care in the last three months of life in Ireland. Methods: This article analysed merged data from two previously published mortality follow-back surveys: Economic Evaluation of Palliative Care in Ireland (EEPCI); Irish component of International Access, Rights and Empowerment (IARE I). Logistic regression models examined factors associated with (a) preferences for home death versus institutional setting, (b) home death versus hospital death, and (c) congruent versus non-congruent death. Setting: Four regions with differing levels of specialist palliative care development in Ireland. Participants: Mean age 77, 50% female/male, 19% living alone, 64% main diagnosis cancer. Data collected 2011-2015, regression model sample sizes: n = 342-351. Results: Congruence between preferred and actual place of death in the raw merged dataset was 51%. Patients living alone were significantly less likely to prefer home versus institution death (OR 0.389, 95%CI 0.157-0.961), less likely to die at home (OR 0.383, 95%CI 0.274-0.536), but had no significant association with congruence. Conclusions: The findings highlight the value in examining place of death preferences as well as congruence, because preferences may be influenced by what is feasible rather than what patients would like. The analyses also underline the importance of well-resourced community-based supports, including homecare, facilitating hospital discharge, and management of complex (eg, non-cancer) conditions, to facilitate patients to die in their preferred place.

Comparing Methods for Determining Power Priors Based on Different Congruence Measures

Comparing Methods for Determining Power Priors Based on Different Congruence Measures

Child abuse and individual traits related to developmental trajectories of bullying victimization: An integrated, multitheoretical approach.

Adolescents who experience prior victimization such as child abuse within the home and experience low self-esteem/depression are at higher risk of repetitive bullying victimization when compared to those without such experiences. Recent scholarship has explored growth trajectories of bullying during adolescent development; however, relatively little is known about distinct trajectory patterns of bullying victimization across adolescent development. The current study identifies unobserved subgroups thus capturing the heterogeneity in developmental pathways in bullying victimization. The current study uniquely utilized a multitheoretical approach to help explain the phenomenon of bullying victimization among a national sample of 2,190 youth in South Korea from 2010 to 2016. Theories tested include the integrated approach of target congruence, lifestyle and routine activities theories (LRAT), and the state dependence and population heterogeneity perspectives. To conduct this analysis, we performed a three-step latent class growth analysis. The study revealed three distinct trajectory groups. Korean adolescents who had higher levels of low self-esteem demonstrated greater odds of belonging to both the early-onset and decreasing and increasing and late peak groups. Those who had low-self-esteem and were depressed demonstrated greater odds of belonging to the early-onset and decreasing group. Prior experience of child abuse for the early-onset and decreasing group was fully mediated by the measures of target congruence and lifestyles. The current study contributes to research on developmental victimization by demonstrating the utility of integrating target congruence variables with lifestyle-routine activity concepts in explaining heterogeneity.

Decision making in metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery: a mixed methods study.

Gender-affirming surgical procedures, such as metoidioplasty and phalloplasty for those assigned female at birth, are complex and multistaged and involve risks. Individuals considering these procedures experience greater uncertainty or decisional conflict, compounded by difficulty finding trustworthy information. (1) To explore the factors contributing to decisional uncertainty and the needs of individuals considering metoidioplasty and phalloplasty gender-affirming surgery (MaPGAS) and (2) to inform development of a patient-centered decision aid. This cross-sectional study was based on mixed methods. Adult transgender men and nonbinary individuals assigned female at birth at various stages of MaPGAS decision making were recruited from 2 study sites in the United States to participate in semistructured interviews and an online gender health survey, which included measures of gender congruence, decisional conflict, urinary health, and quality of life. Trained qualitative researchers conducted all interviews with questions to explore constructs from the Ottawa decision support framework. Outcomes included goals and priorities for MaPGAS, expectations, knowledge, and decisional needs, as well as variations in decisional conflict by surgical preference, surgical status, and sociodemographic variables. We interviewed 26 participants and collected survey data from 39 (24 interviewees, 92%) at various stages of MaPGAS decision making. In surveys and interviews, affirmation of gender identity, standing to urinate, sensation, and the ability to "pass" as male emerged as highly important factors for deciding to undergo MaPGAS. A third of survey respondents reported decisional conflict. Triangulation of data from all sources revealed that conflict emerged most when trying to balance the strong desire to resolve gender dysphoria through surgical transition against the risks and unknowns in urinary and sexual function, appearance, and preservation of sensation post-MaPGAS. Insurance coverage, age, access to surgeons, and health concerns further influenced surgery preferences and timing. The findings add to the understanding of decisional needs and priorities of those considering MaPGAS while revealing new complexities among knowledge, personal factors, and decisional uncertainty. This mixed methods study was codeveloped by members of the transgender and nonbinary community and yielded important guidance for providers and individuals considering MaPGAS. The results provide rich qualitative insights for MaPGAS decision making in US contexts. Limitations include low diversity and sample size; both are being addressed in work underway. This study increases understanding of the factors important to MaPGAS decision making, and results are being used to guide development of a patient-centered surgical decision aid and informed survey revision for national distribution.

Calculation of the pharmacogenomics benefit score for patients with medication-related problems.

Unexpected poor efficacy and intolerable adverse effects are medication-related problems that may result from genetic variation in genes encoding key proteins involved in pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics. Pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing can be used in medical practice "pre-emptively" to avoid future patient harm from medications and "reactively" to diagnose medication-related problems following their occurrence. A structured approach to PGx consulting is proposed to calculate the pharmacogenomics benefit score (PGxBS), a patient-centered objective measure of congruency between medication-related problems and patient genotypes. An example case of poor efficacy with multiple medications is presented, together with comments on the potential benefits and limitations of using the PGxBS in medical practice.

Quantification of congruence among gene trees with polytomies using overall success of resolution for phylogenomic coalescent analyses.

Gene-tree-inference error can cause species-tree-inference artefacts in summary phylogenomic coalescent analyses. Here we integrate two ways of accommodating these inference errors: collapsing arbitrarily or dubiously resolved gene-tree branches, and subsampling gene trees based on their pairwise congruence. We tested the effect of collapsing gene-tree branches with 0% approximate-likelihood-ratio-test (SH-like aLRT) support in likelihood analyses and strict consensus trees for parsimony, and then subsampled those partially resolved trees based on congruence measures that do not penalize polytomies. For this purpose we developed a new TNT script for congruence sorting (congsort), and used it to calculate topological incongruence for eight phylogenomic datasets using three distance measures: standard Robinson-Foulds (RF) distances; overall success of resolution (OSR), which is based on counting both matching and contradicting clades; and RF contradictions, which only counts contradictory clades. As expected, we found that gene-tree incongruence was often concentrated in clades that are arbitrarily or dubiously resolved and that there was greater congruence between the partially collapsed gene trees and the coalescent and concatenation topologies inferred from those genes. Coalescent branch lengths typically increased as the most incongruent gene trees were excluded, although branch supports typically did not. We investigated two successful and complementary approaches to prioritizing genes for investigation of alignment or homology errors. Coalescent-tree clades that contradicted concatenation-tree clades were generally less robust to gene-tree subsampling than congruent clades. Our preferred approach to collapsing likelihood gene-tree clades (0% SH-like aLRT support) and subsampling those trees (OSR) generally outperformed competing approaches for a large fungal dataset with respect to branch lengths, support and congruence. We recommend widespread application of this approach (and strict consensus trees for parsimony-based analyses) for improving quantification of gene-tree congruence/conflict, estimating coalescent branch lengths, testing robustness of coalescent analyses to gene-tree-estimation error, and improving topological robustness of summary coalescent analyses. This approach is quick and easy to implement, even for huge datasets.

Radiographic Changes After Medial Patellofemoral Ligament Reconstruction in Skeletally Immature Patients Compared With an Age- and Sex-Matched Cohort

Background: Despite recent evidence that medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction (MPFLR) in the skeletally immature patient is both safe and effective, there are limited data evaluating postoperative coronal- and sagittal-plane growth and radiographic patellofemoral parameters in this population. Purpose: The primary purpose was to assess radiographic measures of coronal-plane alignment, longitudinal growth, patellar congruence, and trochlear dysplasia after MPFLR in a skeletally immature population. A secondary purpose was to assess this population compared with a matched cohort with a focus on trochlear dysplasia prevalence and the effect of MPFLR on patellar height. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 28 children with a minimum 1-year follow-up who underwent isolated MPFLR were identified. All patients were skeletally immature, defined as fully open physes on both sides of the knee joint, at the time of surgery. The development of a limb length discrepancy or angular growth abnormalities were assessed on standing hip-to-ankle radiographs, patellar tilt and congruence were measured on the Merchant view of the knee, and the grade of trochlear dysplasia and patellar height were assessed on lateral knee radiographs. A sex- and age-matched group of patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was formed as a control for patellar height and trochlear dysplasia measurements. Results: The mean patient age was 11.71 ± 2.02 years at the time of surgery with a mean follow-up of 23.54 ± 12.49 months. All but 1 patient in the MPFLR group had preoperative features consistent with trochlear dysplasia. There was no significant difference in limb length or coronal-plane alignment at final follow-up (P = .725 and P > .999, respectively). Both the MPFLR and the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction groups had a statistically significant decrease in the Caton-Deschamps index between the preoperative and postoperative time points (mean, 0.18 ± 0.20 and 0.11 ± 0.14, respectively; P = .161). Conclusion: MPFLR may be safely performed utilizing an epiphyseal femoral socket in a skeletally immature cohort without affecting normal longitudinal growth or coronal limb alignment. The previously reported effect of MPFLR in reducing patellar height may be related to physiological growth based on similar changes noted in a comparison cohort that did not undergo the procedure.

Automatic Myotendinous Junction Identification In Ultrasound Images Based on Junction-based Template Measurements.

Tracking the myotendinous junction (MTJ) motion in consecutive ultrasound images is essential to assess muscle and tendon interaction and understand the mechanics' muscle-tendon unit and its pathological conditions during motion. However, the inherent speckle noises and ambiguous boundaries deter the reliable identification of MTJ, thus restricting their usage in human motion analysis. This study advances a fully automatic displacement measurement method for MTJ using prior shape knowledge on the Y-shape MTJ, precluding the influence of irregular and complicated hyperechoic structures in muscular ultrasound images. Our proposed method first adopts the junction candidate points using a combined measure of Hessian matrix and phase congruency, followed by a hierarchical clustering technique to refine the candidates approximating the position of the MTJ. Then, based on the prior knowledge of Y-shape MTJ, we finally identify the best matching junction points according to intensity distributions and directions of their branches using multiscale Gaussian templates and a Kalman filter. We evaluated our proposed method using the ultrasound scans of the gastrocnemius from 8 young, healthy volunteers. Our results present more consistent with the manual method in the MTJ tracking method than existing optical flow tracking methods, suggesting its potential in facilitating muscle and tendon function examinations with in vivo ultrasound imaging.

A quantitative approach to testing effects of different expertise levels, playing positions, and game situations on shared tactical knowledge in football teams

According to the social cognitive view, the organization of sports team behavior is underpinned by the existence of shared knowledge. This study considers tactical position knowledge as an example of shared macro-level plans involved in organizing team behavior. A coach- and a team-referenced measure of sharedness in tactical knowledge are introduced to test whether expert sport teams share knowledge to a higher degree than weaker sport teams (RQ1), whether the time spent performing a common task predicts shared knowledge (RQ2), whether role-specific specializations are mirrored in the degree to which athletes share tactical knowledge (RQ3) and whether tactical knowledge is shared to different degrees in defensive as opposed to offensive game situations (RQ4).&#x0D; Members of 17 football teams (N = 296) participating in championships at different levels of the Swiss National Football Federation took part in the scenario-based, cross-sectional study. Participants marked the positions of their team members according to their tactical playing strategy. Data were analyzed using multiple regression and mixed linear model procedures.&#x0D; Teams playing at the professional level had significantly more consistent ideas about their teams’ tactical positions than those at the amateur level. Within the amateur level, no consistent pattern of increasing consensus as the playing level increased was found. Sharedness in tactical knowledge increased with the duration of team membership when considering the team-referenced congruency measure. However, the effect was low. Overall, there was a pattern of defenders and midfielders agreeing with their team reference positions more than did goal keepers and forwards. Sharedness was generally higher in defensive situations than in offensive situations.&#x0D; The presented approach to measuring shared knowledge offers new insights into a yet under-researched field. It can be adopted to answering research questions in other sports and situations involving other measures of team performance assumed to be affected by shared knowledge.

Geometrical congruence, greedy navigability and myopic transfer in complex networks and brain connectomes

We introduce in network geometry a measure of geometrical congruence (GC) to evaluate the extent a network topology follows an underlying geometry. This requires finding all topological shortest-paths for each nonadjacent node pair in the network: a nontrivial computational task. Hence, we propose an optimized algorithm that reduces 26 years of worst scenario computation to one week parallel computing. Analysing artificial networks with patent geometry we discover that, different from current belief, hyperbolic networks do not show in general high GC and efficient greedy navigability (GN) with respect to the geodesics. The myopic transfer which rules GN works best only when degree-distribution power-law exponent is strictly close to two. Analysing real networks—whose geometry is often latent—GC overcomes GN as marker to differentiate phenotypical states in macroscale structural-MRI brain connectomes, suggesting connectomes might have a latent neurobiological geometry accounting for more information than the visible tridimensional Euclidean.

Psychological resilience: Predictors and measurement among Israel Defense Force combat officer candidates

ABSTRACT The goal of the current study was to develop a resilience selection tool for combat officers that would augment the test battery at the Israel Defense Force (IDF) Officer Selection Center (OSC). To enable this goal, we sought to explore the underlying structure of resilience in a diverse number of resilience predictors. Participants were 1,533 male candidates at the IDF OSC. Using Exploratory Factor Analysis followed by Confirmatory Factor Analysis, 159 items from 13 separate resilience scales were refined into a single, 18-item psychological resilience scale. The new scale emphasizes self-efficacy, competency and overall positive self-perception. The new scale is tailored specifically to military combat officers. Initial construct validity was demonstrated against Big Five dimensions and psychological evaluations at IDF OSC. Predictive validity was demonstrated against command and peer evaluations from IDF Officer Training School (OTS). Medium to strong positive correlations were found between the resilience scale and Big Five dimensions of Extroversion and Conscientiousness, as well as a medium negative correlation with Neuroticism. Low but significant correlations were found between the resilience measure and psychological evaluations of combat officer vocational congruence. Low but significant correlations were also found with command and peer evaluations from Officer Training School. Resilience scale scores were found to predict OTS commander evaluations, but not OTS peer evaluations, beyond standard OSC scores when controlling for demographic variables. The theoretical importance of findings as well as implications for military officer selection are discussed.

Measuring the belief system of a person.

Theories of belief system structure and dynamics assume that belief systems are a person-level construct. However, measures of belief system structure do not measure the structure of person-level belief systems and instead measure aggregated belief system structure (e.g., the belief system in a particular country). In this paper, I show that a measure of conceptual similarity between attitudes and identities of a belief system works as a valid, reliable, flexible, and efficient measure of person-level belief system structure in the United States. In Studies 1 (N = 387), 2 (N = 389), and 3 (N = 598), I show conceptual similarity judgments are reliable and are related to measures of political engagement, political knowledge, attitude consistency, and preference congruence as predicted by computational models of belief system dynamics. In Studies 4 (N = 981) and 5 (N = 983), I show that conceptual similarity judgments are affected by partisan frames and that changes in conceptual similarity judgments are associated with attitude change as predicted by computational models of belief system dynamics. Conceptual similarity judgments can be used with a variety of attitudes and identities in easy to administer studies. It provides a tool to fill an empirical gap identified by theories of belief system dynamics. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Examining the congruence hypothesis in vocational interest research: the case of teacher students

According to the congruence hypothesis, job and study satisfaction will be higher when individual interests and the respective environment (both conceptualised according to Holland’s RIASEC model) are congruent. As our target group were teacher students, all participants who did not intend to become a teacher or did not meet other inclusion criteria (e.g., no missing data on relevant variables) were removed from the sample, resulting in a final sample of N = 1171. Teacher students completed questionnaires on their vocational interests and their satisfaction with course content. To obtain an assessment of the environment (study majors), N = 166 lecturers were asked to rate their courses with respect to Holland’s RIASEC model. As previous findings have indicated that conclusions are influenced by the congruence measure that is used, we applied two different approaches. First, we computed the profile correlation between the individual interest profile and the environmental profile for each individual to measure congruence. Profile correlation scores were then correlated with satisfaction with course content scores. This correlation was significant (r = .21, p < .001), offering support for the congruence hypothesis. Second, Response Surface Analysis (RSA) was used to predict satisfaction with course content scores from the individual interest and environmental assessment variables and their interaction separately for each interest dimension. Results showed that the relationships between these three constructs were complex, but evidence for the congruence hypothesis could not be found. This makes this study the first study to investigate this hypothesis using RSA methodology.

MP28-15 DECISION MAKING FACTORS IN TRANSMASCULINE GENITAL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY: A MIXED METHODS STUDY

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 May 2022MP28-15 DECISION MAKING FACTORS IN TRANSMASCULINE GENITAL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY: A MIXED METHODS STUDY Rebecca Butcher, Kaylee Luck, Gaines Blasdel, Linda Kinney, Benjamin Boh, Karen Schifferdecker, Jeremy Myers, and Rachel Moses Rebecca ButcherRebecca Butcher More articles by this author , Kaylee LuckKaylee Luck More articles by this author , Gaines BlasdelGaines Blasdel More articles by this author , Linda KinneyLinda Kinney More articles by this author , Benjamin BohBenjamin Boh More articles by this author , Karen SchifferdeckerKaren Schifferdecker More articles by this author , Jeremy MyersJeremy Myers More articles by this author , and Rachel MosesRachel Moses More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000002571.15AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Gender affirming, transmasculine genital reconstructive surgeries (TMGRS), including metoidioplasty and phalloplasty, are complex, high-risk procedures associated with decisional conflict. We sought to explore decisional needs in individuals who have considered or had TMGRS to inform surgical decision support development. METHODS: We used a mixed-methods, exploratory design involving semi-structured interviews and online gender health survey which included validated measures of gender congruence, decisional conflict, and quality of life. Participants included transmasculine or non-binary individuals assigned female at birth at various stages of TMGRS decision making recruited from two geographically varied study sites. Semi structured interviews were conducted (n=26) with community developed interview guides based on the Ottawa Decision Support Framework. Interviews lasted one hour and were recorded and transcribed for coding and analysis using mixed deductive and inductive (grounded theory) methods. Survey data were collected from interviewees plus additional participants (N=39), analyzed with descriptive statistics, and triangulated with interview data to explore themes and subgroup variations. RESULTS: Mean age of all participants was 34(18-65); 44% were pre, 25% were post, and 31% had decided against TMGRS. Two-thirds of participants reported current or past depression, anxiety, and PTSD alone or in combination. Affirmation of gender identity, standing to urinate, and comfort using male bathrooms emerged as highly important factors for deciding to undergo TMGRS in both surveys and interviews. Forty percent of respondents reported decisional conflict on the survey; interview data showed that TMGRS decisional conflict related to balancing the desire to resolve gender dysphoria against the potential for complications with urinary and sexual function, potential loss of sensation, and unknown aesthetics. Decisional conflict decreased as knowledge of surgical options increased. Insurance coverage, age, social support, and comorbidities influenced the timing of TMGRS decisions and preference for metoidioplasty over phalloplasty. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the key factors important to TMGRS decision-making and offers new insights into the complex relationship between decisional conflict and knowledge of surgical risks and options. Source of Funding: NIH NIDDK 1 R21 DK124733-01 © 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 207Issue Supplement 5May 2022Page: e466 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2022 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information Rebecca Butcher More articles by this author Kaylee Luck More articles by this author Gaines Blasdel More articles by this author Linda Kinney More articles by this author Benjamin Boh More articles by this author Karen Schifferdecker More articles by this author Jeremy Myers More articles by this author Rachel Moses More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF DownloadLoading ...

Predicting plant species distributions using climate‐based model ensembles with corresponding measures of congruence and uncertainty

AbstractAimThe increasing availability of regional and global climate data presents an opportunity to build better ecological models; however, it is not always clear which climate dataset is most appropriate. The aim of this study was to better understand the impacts that alternative climate datasets have on the modelled distribution of plant species, and to develop systematic approaches to enhancing their use in species distribution models (SDMs).LocationVictoria, southeast Australia and the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan.MethodsWe compared the statistical performance of SDMs for 38 plant species in Victoria and 12 plant species in Bhutan with multiple algorithms using globally and regionally calibrated climate datasets. Individual models were compared against one another and as SDM ensembles to explore the potential for alternative predictions to improve statistical performance. We develop two new spatially continuous metrics that support the interpretation of ensemble predictions by characterizing the per‐pixel congruence and variability of contributing models.ResultsThere was no clear consensus on which climate dataset performed best across all species in either study region. On average, multi‐model ensembles (across the same species with different climate data) increased AUC/TSS/Kappa/OA by up to 0.02/0.03/0.03/0.02 in Victoria and 0.06/0.11/0.11/0.05 in Bhutan. Ensembles performed better than most single models in both Victoria (AUC = 85%; TSS = 68%) and Bhutan (AUC = 86%; TSS = 69%). SDM ensembles using models fitted with alternative algorithms and/or climate datasets each provided a significant improvement over single model runs.Main conclusionsOur results demonstrate that SDM ensembles, built using alternative models of the same climate variables, can quantify model congruence and identify regions of the highest uncertainty while mitigating the risk of erroneous predictions. Algorithm selection is known to be a large source of error for SDMs, and our results demonstrate that climate dataset selection can be a comparably significant source of uncertainty.