Extreme Groups Research Articles

Interindividual variations in associative visual learning: Exploration, description, and partition of response characteristics

Relying on existing literature to identify suitable techniques for characterizing individual differences presents practical and methodological challenges. These challenges include the frequent absence of detailed descriptions of raw data, which hinders the assessment of analysis appropriateness, as well as the exclusion of data points deemed outliers, or the reliance on comparing only extreme groups by categorizing continuous variables into upper and lower quartiles. Despite the availability of algorithmic modeling in standard statistical software, investigations into individual differences predominantly focus on factor analysis and parametric tests. To address these limitations, this application-oriented study proposes a comprehensive approach that leverages behavioral responses through the use of signal detection theory and clustering techniques. Unlike conventional methods, signal detection theory considers both sensitivity and bias, offering insights into the intricate interplay between perceptual ability and decision-making processes. On the other hand, clustering techniques enable the identification and classification of distinct patterns within the dataset, allowing for the detection of singular behaviors that form the foundation of individual differences. In a broader framework, these combined approaches prove particularly advantageous when analyzing large and heterogeneous datasets provided by data archive platforms. By applying these techniques more widely, our understanding of the cognitive and behavioral processes underlying learning can be expedited and enhanced.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC EXPLOITED BY EXTREMISTS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY BETWEEN INDONESIA AND GERMANY

This article aims to show that extreme groups, including their sympathizers, delegitimize the government by exploiting radical narratives during the Covid-19 pandemic. Two countries, namely Indonesia and Germany, as examples in a comparative study through qualitative methodology with risk society theory and conspiracy narratives. The results of the study show four findings, namely (1) the resistance response of extreme groups to the government increased during Covid-19; (2) online dissemination of radical narratives is increasing in both Indonesia and Germany; (3) the characteristics of extreme groups and their sympathizers are almost the same in Germany and Indonesia; and (4) the social life of society that coexists with technology is an entry point for extreme groups on social media. In conclusion, in the future, extreme groups and their sympathizers will always optimize their agenda online, because they succeeded in doing so during the implementation of the Covid-19 social restrictions.

Human Crowds as Social Networks: Collective Dynamics of Consensus and Polarization

A ubiquitous type of collective behavior and decision-making is the coordinated motion of bird flocks, fish schools, and human crowds. Collective decisions to move in the same direction, turn right or left, or split into subgroups arise in a self-organized fashion from local interactions between individuals without central plans or designated leaders. Strikingly similar phenomena of consensus (collective motion), clustering (subgroup formation), and bipolarization (splitting into extreme groups) are also observed in opinion formation. As we developed models of crowd dynamics and analyzed crowd networks, we found ourselves going down the same path as models of opinion dynamics in social networks. In this article, we draw out the parallels between human crowds and social networks. We show that models of crowd dynamics and opinion dynamics have a similar mathematical form and generate analogous phenomena in multiagent simulations. We suggest that they can be unified by a common collective dynamics, which may be extended to other psychological collectives. Models of collective dynamics thus offer a means to account for collective behavior and collective decisions without appealing to a priori mental structures.

The Effectiveness of Three-Dimensional Osteosynthesis Plates versus Conventional Plates for the Treatment of Skeletal Fractures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To assess the difference between preformed anatomically shaped osteosynthesis plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional flat plates for the treatment of skeletal fractures in terms of anatomical reduction, operation time, approach, patient outcomes, and complications. MEDLINE (1950 to February 2023), EMBASE (1966 to February 2023), and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (inception to February 2023) databases were searched. Eligible studies were randomised clinical trials, prospective controlled clinical trials, and prospective and retrospective cohort studies (n ≥ 10). Inclusion criteria were studies reporting the outcomes of preformed anatomically shaped osteosynthesis plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional flat plates after treating skeletal fractures. Outcome measures included anatomical reduction, stability, operation time, hospitalisation days, patients' outcomes, and complications. Two independent reviewers assessed the abstracts and analysed the complete texts and methodologies of the included studies. In total, 21 out of the 5181 primarily selected articles matched the inclusion criteria. A meta-analysis revealed a significant difference in operation time in favour of the preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional plates. Significant differences in operation time were found for the orbital (95% CI: -50.70-7.49, p = 0.008), upper limb (95% CI: -17.91-6.13, p < 0.0001), and lower limb extremity groups (95% CI: -20.40-15.11, p < 0.00001). The mean difference in the rate of anatomical reduction in the lower limb extremity group (95% CI: 1.04-7.62, p = 0.04) was also in favour of using preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants versus conventional plates. This systematic review showed a significant mean difference in surgery time favouring the use of preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants for orbital, upper, and lower limb extremity fractures. Additionally, preformed anatomical plates and patient-specific implants in the lower limb group result in a significantly higher rate of anatomical reduction versus conventional flat plates.

Clinicopathological Profile of Colorectal Cancers in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central, Nepal

IntroductionThere is an increasing incidence of colorectal carcinoma (CRC) in developing countries like Nepal. The objective of this research is to study the CRC its demography, mode of presentation, type of surgery, complications and Histopathological evaluation (HPE) after surgery.MethodsThis was a retrospective descriptive observational study at College of Medical Sciences, Bharatpur, Nepal. Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer admitted to gastrointestinal surgery department from July 2019 to June 2022 (3 years) were included. Data of patients were retrieved from hospital records. Pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative diagnosis of CRC on HPE were also included in the study.ResultsOut of 52 CRC, males were 30 (57.7%) and females were 22 (42.3%), mean age was 52.7 years. Overall, left colon was affected in 33 (63.5%) and right in 19 (36.5%). More than one quarter of patients 14 (26.9%), had disease recurrence by 6 months follow-up. HPE revealed half of the disease condition as adenocarcinoma, moderately differentiated in (50%) cases.ConclusionsColorectal cancer is predominant in male patients and older age group. Incidence is high in younger people &lt;40 years and low in extreme age group &gt;80 years. Meticulous surgery is the only proven cure for malignancy.

Correlation between macrophage chemotaxis and disease severity in patients with knee osteoarthritis

To investigate the enhancement of macrophage chemotaxis in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) and its correlation with the disease severity. Eighty patients with KOA admitted from July 2019 to June 2022 were enrolled as the observation group and divided into 29 cases of moderate group, 30 cases of severe group and 21 cases of extremely severe group. At the same time, 30 healthy subjects were included as the control group. The gene expressions of NF-κB, CXC chemokine receptor 7 (CXCR7) and CXC chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) in macrophages of each group were analyzed. Visual analogue scale(VAS) was used to evaluate the degree of joint pain. Joint function was evaluated by knee Joint Society Scoring system(KSS). Finally, data analysis was carried out. The expression levels of NF-κB, CXCR7 and CXCL12 in moderate group, severe group and extreme recombination group were higher than those in control group. The VAS, the expression of NF-κB, CXCR7 and CXCL12 in the severe group and the extreme recombination group were higher than those in the moderate group, whereas KSS was lower than that in the moderate group. The VAS, expression levels of NF-κB, CXCR7 and CXCL12 in the extremely severe group were higher than those in the severe group, and KSS was lower than that in the severe group (all P<0.01). The expression levels of NF-κB, CXCR7 and CXCL12 in macrophages were positively correlated with VAS score, but negatively correlated with KSS(all P<0.01). The expression levels of NF-κB, CXCR7 and CXCL12 in macrophages were positively correlated with the severity of disease. After excluding the influence of traditional factors (gender, age and disease duration), multiple linear regression analysis further showed that the expression levels of NF-κB, CXCR7 and CXCL12 were still positively correlated with the severity of disease(all P<0.01). The chemotaxis of macrophages in patients with KOA increased with the aggravation of the disease, and was related to the degree of pain and function impairment.

Trauma bypass performed by vascular surgeons demonstrate excellent long-term outcomes and limb preservation

ObjectiveLong-term outcomes in civilian trauma patients requiring upper or lower extremity revascularization is poorly studied secondary to limitations of certain large databases and the nature of the patients in this specific vascular subset. This study reports on the experience and outcomes of a Level 1 trauma center that serves both an urban and a large rural population over a 20-year period to identify bypass outcomes and surveillance protocols. MethodsDatabase of a single vascular group at an academic center was queried for trauma patients requiring upper or lower extremity revascularization between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2022. Patient demographics, indications, operative details, operative mortality, 30-day nonoperative morbidity, revisions, subsequent major amputations, and follow-up data were analyzed. ResultsA total of 223 revascularizations were performed, 161 (72%) lower and 62 (28%) upper extremities. One hundred sixty-seven patients (74.9%) were male, with a mean age of 39 years (range, 3-89 years). Comorbidities included hypertension (n = 34; 15.3%), diabetes (n = 6; 2.7%), and tobacco use (n = 40; 17.9%). Mean follow-up time was 23 months (range, 1-234 months), with 90 patients (40.4%) lost to follow-up. Mechanisms included blunt trauma (n = 106; 47.5%), penetrating trauma (n = 83; 37.2%), and operative trauma (n = 34; 15.3%). Bypass conduit was reversed vein (n= 171; 76.7%), prosthetic (n = 34; 15.2%), and orthograde vein (n = 11; 4.9%). Bypass inflow artery was superficial femoral (n = 66; 41.0%), above-knee popliteal (n = 28; 17.4%), and common femoral (n = 20; 12.4%) in the lower extremity, and brachial (n = 41; 66.1%), axillary (n = 10; 16.1%), and radial (n = 6; 9.7%) in the upper extremity. Lower extremity outflow artery was posterior tibial (n = 47; 29.2%), below-knee popliteal (n = 41; 25.5%), superficial femoral (n = 16; 9.9%), dorsalis pedis (n = 10; 6.2%), common femoral (n = 9; 5.6%), and above-knee popliteal (n = 10; 6.2%). Upper extremity outflow artery was brachial (n = 34; 54.8%), radial (n = 13; 21.0%), and ulnar (n = 13; 21.0%). Total operative mortality was nine patients (4.0%), all involving lower extremity revascularization. Thirty-day non-fatal complications included immediate bypass occlusion (n = 11; 4.9%), wound infection (n = 8; 3.6%), graft infection (n = 4; 1.8%), and lymphocele/seroma (n = 7; 3.1%). All major amputations (n = 13; 5.8%) were early and in the lower extremity bypass group. Late revisions in the lower and upper extremity groups were 14 (8.7%) and four (6.4%), respectively. ConclusionsRevascularization for extremity trauma can be performed with excellent limb salvage rates and has demonstrated long-term durability with low limb loss and bypass revision rates. The poor compliance with long-term surveillance is concerning and may require adjustment in patient retention protocols; however, emergent returns for bypass failure are extremely low in our experience.

A 10-year experience in microsurgical reconstruction of the nose with a lower extremity flap

BackgroundTraditionally, radial forearm free flaps are utilized for nasal lining reconstruction when local flaps cannot provide adequate coverage. However, according to our clinical observation, the skin of the forearm flap is relatively thin and prone to collapse. We present a series of nasal reconstructions using free flaps harvested from the lower extremities to determine if the thick flap could provide more support and decrease the tendency of airway collapse. MethodsFrom March 2011 to July 2021, we identified 15 patients who underwent total or subtotal nasal reconstruction with free flap from the lower extremities (10 anterolateral thigh flap, 4 medial sural artery perforator flap, and 1 profunda artery perforator flap). We included 15 patients who underwent free forearm flap reconstruction as controls. The Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation (NOSE) score was utilized to subjectively evaluate the degree of nasal obstruction symptoms. ResultsThe lower extremity group had a lower NOSE score than the forearm group (25.4 vs. 40). It took more time (6.5 vs. 4.2 months) and more surgeries (4.6 vs. 2.6) from the first free flap reconstruction till forehead flap reconstruction in the lower extremity group than in the forearm group, although the total number of surgeries was comparable between the 2 groups (7.2 vs. 8.1). ConclusionsUtilizing free flaps from the lower extremities in total or subtotal reconstruction of the nasal lining may decrease the tendency of flap collapse and alleviate airway obstruction symptoms and may also allow reconstruction of surrounding defects simultaneously compared with using forearm flaps.

#6792 VASCULAR ACCESS SURVIVAL OUTCOME IN ELDERLY HEMODIALYSIS PATIENTS: A SINGLE-CENTER RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract Background and Aims Elderly hemodialysis patients usually have lower life patency of vascular access than another age-group. Our center, elderly patients are the most of population of hemodialysis patients. Prior to initiate hemodialysis, planning of first vascular access has been established by patients, nephrologist, and vascular surgeon. The canulation technique for arteriovenous fistula (AVFs) has been determined by experienced hemodialysis-nurse and patient preferences. The aim of this study was to analyze the survival outcome of the access depending on the vascular type in the elderly. Method The study was collected retrospective data between Jan 1, 2013, and December 31,2022. We identified elderly patient (age ≥65) who initiate in-center hemodialysis and first-use vascular access in our center, including arteriovenous fistulas, graft, tunnel-catheter. Outcomes were vascular access patency and subgroup analysis for non-extreme elderly group and extreme (age ≥80) elderly group. A χ2 test, Kaplan-Meier analysis were performed. Results Overall number of elderly patients who initiated hemodialysis are 170: 63 AVFs-first (74% buttonhole cannulation technique), 21 grafts-first and 86 for tunnel-catheters. Mean survival of vascular accesses are higher in AVFs group (78 months in AVFs, 52.5 months in grafts, 53.3 months in tunnel-catheter P = 0.012). The outcome was consistency in the subgroup age 65-80 (80.9 months in AVFs, 47.3 months in grafts, 47.2 months in tunnel-catheter P = 0.005). However, mean vascular access survival did not differ in subgroup age &amp;gt;80 (56.3 months in AVFs, 58.4 months in grafts, 56.4 months in tunnel-catheter P = 0.98). Conclusion In our single center data, vascular access patency of elderly patients was highest in AVFs-first group and AVFs should be the first choice for elderly patients who would initiate hemodialysis especially non-extreme elderly group.

Experimental investigation on the hydrodynamic characteristics of extreme wave groups over unidirectional sloping bathymetry

A series of physical experiments were conducted to investigate the characteristics of extreme wave groups over a shoal. An improved method for detecting wave groups based on instantaneous energy was verified, which can identify wave groups reasonably and effectively. As a result, it was found that a linear relationship exists between the wave group energy and group time length on the logarithmic coordinate diagram, and the same tendency holds for extreme wave groups. Moreover, a steeper slope of the linear curve was observed for larger significant wave heights, indicating that the significant wave height significantly affects the wave heights and energy levels of extreme wave groups. The research also found that the average energy of the identified extreme wave group is approximately twice the average energy of the recorded data, thereby supporting the hypothesis that the wave group plays an important role in the generation of extreme waves.

Transcriptome Analysis Reveals Differences in Gene Expression in the Muscle of the Brown-Marbled Grouper (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus) with Different Growth Rates

Brown-marbled grouper is one of the most important mariculture species in China and is widely used as a crossbreeding parent in the grouper industry. Enhancing growth rates is a key target in fish breeding, and gaining insight into the underlying mechanisms responsible for growth differences between individuals can aid in the improvement of grouper growth rates. However, the mechanism behind growth differences in this fish remains unclear. We analyzed the transcriptome profiles of muscle tissues between fast- and slow-growing brown-marbled grouper using RNA-seq and identified 77 significantly up-regulated genes and 92 significantly down-regulated genes in the extreme growth groups. Our findings suggest that up-regulated genes such as ghr and tnni2, as well as down-regulated genes such as stc2 and pdp1, are associated with growth advantages in brown-marbled grouper. We used differentially expressed genes (DEGs) for GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. The results of the GO enrichments showed that the significantly up-regulated genes in the fast-growing group were involved in protein folding, the actin cytoskeleton, the myosin complex, and other processes. The results of the KEGG enrichments showed that the significantly up-regulated genes in the fast-growing group were involved in various pathways such as glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, adipocytokine signaling, MAPK signaling, carbon metabolism, and PI3K-Akt signaling. Additionally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) showed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway was up-regulated in the fast-growing group, which may be responsible for the higher nutrient absorption efficiency and muscle growth in these fish. Our results contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulatory pathways underlying fast growth in brown-marbled grouper. However, further studies are necessary to fully elucidate the mechanisms behind growth differences between individuals.

“White Jihad” and “White Sharia”: Jihadism as an Instrument of Intra-Extremist Outbidding among Right-Wing Extremists

ABSTRACT Militant right-wing extremists frequently victimize Islam and Muslims, who are denigrated as violent criminals and terrorists. Muslim immigrants are primary targets of hate crimes committed by right-wing extremists. Surprisingly and counter-intuitively, some right-wing extremists admire jihadists and seek inspiration from jihadism. The extant literature explains it by focusing on the ideological overlapping, fusion, and fluidity between various extremist beliefs. However, such concepts fail to explain why some right-wing extremists endorse jihadi propaganda and violence while others do not. The article introduces the concept of intra-extremist outbidding—borrowing concepts and imageries from diametrically opposed types of extremism and belief systems to outbid competing groups from their own milieu—as a valuable explanation of why some most extreme right-wing groups compete for devoted membership by endorsing jihadi violence and jihadism.

ASSESSMENT OF LEFT ATRIAL FUNCTION IN INDIVIDUALS WITH RESISTANT HYPERTENSION BY ADVANCED ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

Objective: Resistant hypertension is a challenging phenotype within the hypertension (HTN) spectrum, requiring careful assessment and follow-up. Evaluation of left atrial function may be clinically informative, but is commonly neglected. Strain and three-dimensional echocardiography (3D ECHO) may be useful complementary tools for assessing atrial function among hypertensive patients. Design and method: 96 eligible adult patients were categorized into three groups: resistant hypertensive (RH), controlled hypertensive (CH), and normotensive (N), and underwent advanced echocardiography techniques to identify specific morphofunctional changes in the left atrium (LA) throughout different HTN phenotypes. Results: As shown in Figure 1, LA reservoir strain was significantly lower among RH than N and CH patients (p &lt; 0.001). Accordingly, LA conduit strain showed a gradient through the groups: higher among N, followed by CH and RH (p = 0.015). LA contraction strain was higher among CH than N and RH (p = 0.02). Maximum indexed, pre-A, and minimum atrial volumes obtained by 3D ECHO showed differences between N and the others (p &lt; 0.001), but not between CH and RH. N showed higher fraction of passive emptying of the LA than the others (p = 0.02), with no difference between CH and RH. Total emptying of the LA only differed between the extreme groups N and RH, being lower in the latter, while active emptying of the LA showed no difference between the groups (p = 0.82). Conclusions: Advanced echocardiography measures, especially LA strain, proved to be early markers of atrial myocardial damage in both RH and CH. We demonstrated for the first time that morphofunctional changes in the LA due to resistant hypertension may occur concomitantly and even independently from those observed in the left ventricle.

Trauma Bypass Performed by Vascular Surgeons Demonstrate Excellent Long-term Outcomes and Limb Preservation

Long-term outcomes in civilian trauma patients requiring upper or lower extremity revascularization are poorly studied secondary to limitations of certain large databases and the nature of the patients in this specific vascular subset. This study reports on the experience and outcomes of a rural level one trauma center that provides virtually all follow-up care over a 20-year period to identify bypass failure modes and bypass surveillance protocols. Database of a single vascular group at an academic center was queried for trauma patients requiring upper or lower extremity revascularization between January 1, 2002, and June 30, 2022. Patient demographics, indications, operative details, operative mortality, 30-day nonoperative morbidity, revisions, subsequent major amputations, and follow-up data were analyzed. There were 223 revascularizations were performed—161 (72%) lower and 62 (28%) upper extremities. Of these patients. 167 (74.9%) were male with a mean age of 39 years (range, 3-89 years). Comorbidities included 34 (15.3%) with hypertension, 6 (2.7%) with diabetes, and 40 (17.9%) with tobacco use. Mean follow-up time was 23 months (range, 1-234 months), with 90 (40.4%) patients lost to follow-up. The mechanism of injury was blunt trauma in 106 (47.5%), penetrating trauma in 83 (37.2%), and operative trauma in 34 (15.3%). Bypass conduit was reversed vein in 170 (76.2%), prosthetic in 34 (15.3%), and orthograde vein in 14 (6.3%). Bypass inflow artery was the superficial femoral in 65 (40.4%), above-knee popliteal in 27 (16.8%), and common femoral in 22 (13.7%) in the lower extremity and brachial in 40 (64.5%), axillary in 10 (16.1%), and radial in 6 (9.7%) in the upper extremity. Lower extremity outflow artery was the posterior tibial in 47 (29.2%), below-knee popliteal in 41 (25.5%), superficial femoral in 15 (9.3%), dorsalis pedis in 11 (6.8%), common femoral in 10 (6.2%), and above-knee in popliteal 10 (6.2%). Upper extremity outflow artery was the brachial in 34 (54.8%), radial in 13 (20.9%), and ulnar in 13 (20.9%). Operative mortality was 10 (4.5%), all involving lower extremity revascularization. The 30-day nonfatal complications included immediate bypass occlusion in 11 (4.9%), wound infection in 7 (3.1%), graft infection in 6 (2.7%), and lymphocele/seroma in 5 (2.2%). All major amputations (13; 5.8%) were early and in the lower extremity bypass group. Late revisions in the lower and upper extremity groups were 14 (8.7%) and 2 (3.2%), respectively. Revascularization for extremity trauma can be performed with excellent limb salvage rates and have demonstrated long term durability with low limb loss and bypass revision rates. The poor compliance with long-term surveillance is concerning and may require adjustment in patient retention protocols, however emergent returns for bypass failure are extremely low in our experience.

Extremism Counter-narration of the Jamaah Ansharut Daulah within the Perspective of Ludwig Wittgenstein Language Games Theory

Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD) is one of the extreme Islamic groups that has a strong influence in the spread of takfiriism in Indonesia. This group has proven to be strongly affiliated with ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), which is an extreme transnational Islamic group. JAD is one of the extreme groups in Indonesia that has the most followers and is spread throughout Indonesia. This is based on the large number of Indonesian people, especially Muslims who are exposed to JAD ideology. JAD has a different character from its predecessor group which also carried out acts of terrorism. JAD's character is like targeting a near enemy, disbelieving all those who serve the country, carrying out lone wolf actions, involving one family in its jihad, and involving women. Thus, this research leads to a form of counter-narrative/preventive effort as a form of self-defense to dispel such dangerous narratives. The study in this study uses a descriptive analysis model based on library research by taking data sourced from primary data, as well as secondary data. The findings in this study provide a new way of anticipating extreme narratives taught by JAD (Jamaah Ansharut Daulah), namely through the analysis of Ludwig Wittgenstein's language games. Through this analysis it can be found that there is a structure of propaganda language games, inciting, praying, and orders that are delivered religiously and in the form of justifications. Therefore, the analysis of language games provides a way, namely by paying attention to words according to their use in sentences, paying attention to the meaning of sentences according to their use in language, and paying attention to the meaning of language according to their use in life.

Multimodale Auswahl von Medizinstudierenden: Vorhersagekraft einzelner Verfahrensbestandteile im zweistufigen Auswahlverfahren an der Universität Witten/Herdecke (UW/H)

ObjectiveAccording to the legislator's ideas, the selection of medical students in Germany should no longer be based on the Abitur grade alone. This approach has already been implemented in the two-stage selection process at Witten/Herdecke University (UW/H) using several criteria. On the one hand, the present study aims to determine the prognostic value of the procedural components for the overall performance on the selection day. On the other hand, the different strategies of the applicants in processing the written task (phase 1) will be examined with regard to their application success. MethodologyData on applications for the summer semester 2020 (N = 819 phase 1; N = 233 phase 2) were available retrospectively. A stepwise regression analysis was conducted to determine the predictive power of each procedural component. Using a summary content analysis, the four essays from the applicants' motivation letters were structured and categories were identified, and an extreme group comparison (Group 1: Not invited; Group 2: University acceptance; N = 60 essays) was conducted. ResultsAs the stepwise regression analysis shows, the individual biographical interview emerged as the strongest predictor in terms of overall performance, followed by lecture, group interview, and multiple mini interviews. Content analysis extracted content and scaling categories for the individual essays, as well as an additional meta-category (Impression Management, IM). Successful applicants demonstrated, among other things, better judgment skills, more sophisticated reasoning skills, and an internalized role model as a physician. In addition, they used defensive IM strategies, e.g., subjectification and self-deprecation, more frequently. ConclusionBiographical interview is considered the strongest predictor of overall performance. The dimensions of impression management, reasoning quality and judgment proved to be reliable predictors of successful performance in the selection process. In addition, role image as a physician and professional commitment had a favorable effect on the selection decision.

Visual and patient-reported outcomes of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens in highly myopic eyes: a prospective multicenter study

BackgroundTo investigate the visual and patient-reported outcomes of a diffractive trifocal intraocular lens (IOL) in highly myopic eyes.MethodsPatients with planned cataract removal by phacoemulsification and implantation of a trifocal IOL (AT LISA tri 839MP) were enrolled in the prospective, multicenter cohort study. Patients were allocated into three groups according to their axial length (AL): control group, AL < 26 mm; high myopia group, AL 26–28 mm; extreme myopia group, AL ≥ 28 mm. At 3 months post-surgery, data for 456 eyes of 456 patients were collected, including visual acuity, defocus curve, contrast sensitivity (CS), visual quality, spectacle independence, and overall satisfaction.ResultsAfter surgery, the uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from 0.59 ± 0.41 to 0.06 ± 0.12 logMAR (P < 0.001). In all three groups, about 60% of eyes achieved uncorrected near and intermediate visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better, but significantly fewer eyes in the extreme myopia group achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity of 0.10 logMAR or better (P < 0.05). Defocus curves revealed that the visual acuity was significantly worse in the extreme myopia group than others at 0.00, − 0.50, and − 2.00 diopters (P < 0.05). CS did not differ between the control and high myopia groups but was significantly lower in the extreme myopia group at 3 cycles per degree. The extreme myopia group also had greater higher-order aberrations and coma, lower modulation transfer functions and VF-14 scores, more glare and halos, worse spectacle independence at far distance, and consequently lower patient satisfaction than others (all P < 0.05).ConclusionsIn eyes with a high degree of myopia (AL < 28 mm), trifocal IOLs have been shown to provide similar visual outcomes to those in non-myopic eyes. However, in extremely myopic eyes, acceptable results may be obtained with trifocal IOLs, but a reduced level of uncorrected distance vision is expected.

Integrative Analysis of Blood Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Reveals Molecular Regulation of Backfat Thickness in Qinchuan Cattle

A crucial goal of reducing backfat thickness (BFT) is to indirectly improve feed conversion efficiency. This phenotype has been reported in certain papers; however, the molecular mechanism has yet to be fully revealed. Two extreme BFT groups, consisting of four Qinchuan cattle, were chosen for this study. We performed metabolite and transcriptome analyses of blood from cattle with a high BFT (H-BFT with average = 1.19) and from those with a low BFT (L-BFT with average = 0.39). In total, 1106 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 86 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified in the extreme trait. In addition, serum ceramide was strongly correlated with BFT and could be used as a potential biomarker. Moreover, the most notable finding was that the functional genes (SMPD3 and CERS1) and metabolite (sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)) were filtered out and significantly enriched in the processes related to the sphingolipid metabolism. This investigation contributed to a better understanding of the subcutaneous fat depots in cattle. In general, our results indicated that the sphingolipid metabolism, involving major metabolites (serum ceramide and S1P) and key genes (SMPD3 and CERS1), could regulate BFT through blood circulation.

Negative and positive self-beliefs in social anxiety: The strength of believing mediates the affective response.

Current cognitive models of social anxiety disorder (SAD) propose that individual, situation-specific self-beliefs are central to SAD. However, the role of differences in the degree to which individuals with social anxiety are convinced of self-beliefs, in particular positive ones, is still not fully understood. We compared how much high and low socially anxious individuals agree with their own negative and positive self-beliefs. Furthermore, we investigated whether agreeing with one's self-belief can explain the relation between negative affect in response to self-beliefs and social anxiety. Specifically, we were interested whether social anxiety increases negative affect in response to self-beliefs through an increase in agreement. We developed a new experimental self-belief task containing positive and negative semi-idiosyncratic, situation specific self-beliefs typical of high social anxiety and included a direct measure of agreement with these beliefs. Using extreme group sampling, we a-priori selected high (n = 51) and low (n = 50) socially anxious individuals. By multi-level mediation analysis, we analyzed agreement with self-beliefs in both groups and its association with affect. High and low socially anxious individuals chose similar self-beliefs. However, high socially anxious individuals (HSA) agreed more with negative self-beliefs and less with positive self-beliefs compared to low socially anxious individuals (LSA). HSA individuals reported increased negative affect after both, exposition to negative and positive self-beliefs compared to LSA. We found that social anxiety increases affective responses towards negative-self beliefs through an increase in agreeing with these self-beliefs. These findings suggest that cognitive models of social anxiety can be improved by including not only the content of a self-belief but also the strength of such a belief. In addition, they emphasize the relevance of positive self-beliefs in social anxiety, which has frequently been overlooked.

Extreme myopia is more susceptible to SOX2 gene than high myopia

PurposeTo explore the association between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SOX2 gene and high and extreme myopia in the Han Chinese population. Materials and methodsA genetic association study using a case-control method was performed with 139 high myopia, 318 extreme myopia, and 918 healthy participants from the Chinese Han population. Two SNPs (rs4459940 and rs4575941) near SOX2 gene were selected for genotyping. We compared the allelic frequencies and haplotypes of the SNPs to assess their association with high and extreme myopia. This study was adjusted for sex and age of participants in the groups. ResultThe mean ages of the extreme myopia and control subjects were 47.44 ± 15.59 and 44.15 ± 14.08 years, respectively. The rs4575941 SNP of the SOX2 gene and the GG and AG genotypes showed no significant association with the risk of high myopia as opposed to the AA genotype (GG, OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.55–1.60, P = 0.820, Pc = NS; AG, OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.54–1.52, P = 0.708, Pc = NS). However, the frequency of the risk G allele of rs4575941 was significantly higher in the extreme myopia group than in the control group (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.08–1.59; P = 0.007; Pc = 0.014). Furthermore, there were significant differences in the GG genotype frequency between the extreme myopia and control groups (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.45–2.74, P = 0.009, Pc = 0.036). The A-G haplotype frequency was higher in the extreme group (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05–1.55, P = 0.014), while there were no significant differences found in high myopia group (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.77–1.31, P = 0.979). ConclusionThe SOX2 rs4575941 polymorphism, in Chinese Han population, contributes to the susceptibility of extreme myopia. SOX2 may thus be implicated in extreme myopia rather than in high myopia.