High Expectations Research Articles

A Study of the Plight of Media Industry Interns: Manufactured Consent in the Labor Process

The media industry is currently undergoing industrial upgrading and transformation, with some traditional positions at risk of being replaced by automation and digitization. Therefore, younger employees who are more aware of the new situation are required. Besides, media companies are facing the challenge of declining revenues since the COVID-19 outbreak has put pressure on the media market. Overall, employment opportunities have been affected in the short term but changes and developments in the industry will bring new employment needs and opportunities. In this case, interns become an important part of the media industry workforce. This paper analyzes the social factors behind the "ideal game" and youth anxiety in the media industry from the perspective of "labor consent". Findings show that interns in the media industry in the digital age are expected to be "progressive", but the reality reflects a conflict between high expectations and de-skilled work, as well as a contradiction between the desire for self-control over a lifetime and the possession of the body. The overemphasis on the quantity of work experience possessed by workers leads to a neglect of quality, and quantitative rationality becomes a paradox of work experience. Under unbalanced conditions of supply and demand, false "labor consent" created by the "ideal game" is manufactured among young people. They repeatedly engage in de-skilled work in an attempt to accumulate internships in order to secure a future of discretionary time.

Managerial taboos: How the ideal of a manager may harm people and organizations

This conceptual paper explores the seldom-discussed "unspoken rules" or managerial taboos that are often part of a manager's career but are rarely acknowledged openly. These sensitive issues can trigger feelings of guilt, shame, or self-doubt, creating tension between a manager's real identity and the idealized image of an "ideal manager." We propose a conceptual model that links this identity conflict to adverse outcomes, such as decreased productivity and compromised mental and physical health. We argue that the idealized identity is facilitated by several processes in broader management education and learning processes: idealized management skills taught in business schools, popular literature that defines what a "good manager" should be, and high expectations from stakeholders, colleagues, and employees. We recommend transforming management education and training because confronting these managerial taboo topics head-on is necessary to help managers become more resilient and effective and improve their overall well-being.

Working To-Get-There: Student and teacher relationship towards a meaningful teaching and learning Experience

The enhancement of a meaningful learning experience becomes more pronounced when positive relationships exist between teachers and students. Student-teacher relationships (STR) are intricately tied to the everyday scenarios prevalent in the current generation. They exert significant effects on student engagement, encompass common challenges that may impede the establishment of positive rapport, and are perceived to influence the actualization of a meaningful teaching and learning experience. Employing a convergent mixed-method approach, the study utilized an expert-validated interview protocol and survey questionnaire. Audio-taped semi-structured interviews and surveys among purposively selected (n=16) and randomly picked (n=250) Grade 10 students and teacher-participants computed through the Raosoft sample size calculator in Southville 5A Integrated National High School were performed. Based on the descriptive statistical tools and thematic analysis with themes validation through focus group discussion, the most common STR situations relate to collaborative, encouraging, and respectful affairs among students and teachers. The most common effects of STR on students’ engagement are linked to active participation, increased interest to learn, and improved self-confidence. Meanwhile, factors that hinder positive STR correlate with ineffective communication, poor classroom environment, and high teacher expectations. Further, positive STR impacts authentic learning, the realization of equity and equality, and the idea of learning from setbacks. To-Get-There and successfully achieve meaningful teaching-and-learning experiences, the study recommends ways to foster positive STR, addressing challenges, establishing effective communication including expectations, consistent provision of equal and equity opportunities, and the nurture of values among students and teachers such as empathy, respect, self-growth, and reflective thinking. Keywords: Convergent-parallel mixed research approach, Meaningful teaching-and-learning experiences, Student-teacher relationships, Binan City, Laguna, Philippine

Dynamics in the asymmetric effects of job attributes on employee satisfaction: A mixed-method approach using big data

Given its direct influence on customer satisfaction and firm profitability, employee satisfaction has attracted much attention from scholars in the hospitality industry. However, the moderating variables that shape the asymmetric relationship between job attributes and employee satisfaction remain largely unexplored. We aim to fill this gap by considering the influence of employee position and organizational tenure on the relationship. We reveal the asymmetric relationships between employee satisfaction and various job attributes by performing an impact-asymmetry analysis and using a hybrid approach that integrates the big textual data from online reviews written by employees. Our results highlight some differences between managers and non-managers, with the former giving priority to organizational culture and work environment and the latter setting high expectations on employee benefits. These results also underscore the dynamic effect of organizational tenure on the aforementioned asymmetric relationships. Our empirical findings can guide managers in the hospitality industry in designing targeted strategies that can effectively maximize the satisfaction of their employees.

Optimizing platoon safety through key node selection in pinning control strategy

The advent of Connected and Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and vehicular platooning has ignited high expectations for improving the safety performance of future transportation systems. Present control strategies for CAV platoons primarily concentrate on regulating each vehicle within the platoon. Although theoretically equipped to optimize a variety of performance metrics, this method is heavily dependent on communication and computational resources, which may lead to exorbitant costs. This study proposes a pinning control strategy that focuses on the selection of pivotal nodes, thereby facilitating the optimization of safety indexes for the entire platoon through the control of a select group of vehicles. The strategy encompasses two critical aspects: the identification of key control nodes and the application of node-based control. Initially, a feature matrix that includes both the intrinsic dynamics of the vehicles and the dynamics relative to other vehicles is developed. Spectral clustering is then utilized to identify these pivotal nodes. Subsequently, specialized control mechanisms for these nodes are devised, based on Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controllers, with the objective of improving platoon safety. The efficacy of this strategy is corroborated through numerical simulations. To assess the safety performance, four categories of Surrogate Safety Measures (SSMs), which consider distance and acceleration, are applied. The findings confirm that the pinning control strategy significantly enhances performance across various SSMs, considerably reducing the risk of collisions during platoon operations. Moreover, it improves operational efficiency and platoon stability, establishing its value as an effective method for safety enhancement.

Dockless bike sharing in Singapore: perceptions of stakeholders, tensions of management, and implications for the public space

ABSTRACT Dockless bike sharing has experienced remarkable expansion, with significant impacts on public spaces and intense social debates. This paper presents a case study of Singapore to analyze perceptions of different stakeholders about dockless bike sharing within the public domain. A content analysis of 229 news articles is conducted, where the entire process and focused topics are summarized, and perceptions of four stakeholders are mapped and compared. Debates among stakeholders focused on its role in the transport system, severity and causes of indiscriminate parking, and the strictness of regulatory requirements. The core was managing its usage of public space, involving tensions between under and over management. Two dilemmas are highlighted, including oversupply against low bike density, and flexible parking against high expectations of orderliness and cleanliness. Nevertheless, it is argued that dockless bike sharing can be a catalyst for promoting cycling and reinventing public space, with advocating three interconnected opportunities.

Resilience and Value: Pediatric Trauma Care in Safety Net Hospitals.

Background: In the setting of limited funding and high expectations for quality care, safety net hospitals play a crucial role in treating pediatric trauma patients. This study aimed to compare outcomes and hospitalization costs of pediatric trauma patients in safety net hospitals across the United States. Methods: The Nationwide Readmissions Database for 2016-2020 was queried for all patients under the age of 18years hospitalized for traumatic injury. Patients admitted to safety net hospitals were propensity matched 1:1 to all other patients. The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcomes were readmission within 1-year, mean length of stay (LOS), total charges, and total hospitalization costs including readmissions. Results: There were 176,325 patients meeting inclusion criteria, and 30,869 were admitted to safety net hospitals. All safety net patients were successfully matched across predictors, and 61,738 patients were included. The overall mortality rate was 1.4% (n = 834), and the mortality risk was similar in safety net hospitals (OR 1.11 [.96-1.27] P = .15). The overall readmission rate, mean LOS, and mean total cost were similar for safety net hospitals when compared to all hospitals. However, the overall mean total charge was $78,724 (±$224,884) and was lower in safety net hospitals ($76,575 [±$198,342], P = .02). Discussion: Safety net hospitals deliver comparable outcomes as other health care facilities when caring for pediatric trauma patients. Notably, these hospitals appear to undercharge for their services, despite incurring similar costs in the process. These results shed light on the resilience of safety net hospitals in delivering quality and cost-effective care.

Dual role of ‘Al’ impregnated porous MCM-41/ZSM5 composites for the production of biohydrogen and green liquid hydrocarbons

Bio alternative fuels is the most researched concept due to the exhausting fossils and aggregating pollutants. Fuels of liquid and gaseous types are much in demand due to the high expectations from liquid and gas dependent engines. This report is the first of its kind to establish the effectiveness of the synthesized synergistic composite material of micro and mesoporosity for the simultaneous production of biohydrogen and bioliquid organics from kitchen waste. Optimization of temperature, feed:catalyst ratio, and time of study were studied using AlMCM-41 catalyst. Significant yield of products was obtained at 400 0C, 0.5 g of catalyst and at 40 min period. Core -shell type of composites were synthesized using AlMCM-41 and ZSM-5 zeolite with mesopores and micropores as shell and core respectively. The synthesized materials were characterized using XRD, BET, N2 sorption studies, TPD, SEM and TEM techniques. Composite AlMCM-41/ZSM-5 yielded the highest of 70% GLF and maximum of 26.5% of H2. The synergism was well established and also the catalysts showed remarkable reproducibility.

Factors Influencing Suicidal Behavior among the College Students

ABSTRACT: Worldwide, suicide is among the top five causes of mortality in the 15-to-29-year age group. In many countries it ranks first or second as a cause of death among both boys and girls in this age group. Suicide prevention among children and adolescents is therefore a high priority. Given the fact that in many countries and 3 regions most people in this age group attend school, this appears to be an excellent place to develop appropriate preventive action. Also, nowadays suicidal behavior becomes common in adolescents and number of suicidal cases and suicidal attempts increasing gradually. Usually, action is taken always after the incidents but there is less attention given towards preventive measures and finding the exact cause to decrease prevalence of suicidal behavior in adolescent OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at to assess the factors influencing suicidal behavior among college students METHODOLOGY: The research design was descriptive Survey design using descriptive analysis and purposive sampling technique was used to select 30 adolescents who met the inclusion criteria. The data was collected by using questionnaire method. RESULTS: From the data analysis, majority of sample shown inadequate factors, in regard to Socio Economic Factor, 26.66% students have trouble with their colleagues, 23.33% students have break up with their close friend, 20% students have said that they feel socially isolated, 13.33% students have cultural or religious belief that suicide is a noble resolution of personal dilemma, 0.00% students have believed that there is no easy access to any lethal means of suicide, 26.66% student’s friend’s committed suicide, 13.33% students have influenced by the media about suicidal behaviour, 20% students have peer group pressure or self-destructive peer acceptance, 16.66% students have suffered from rejection or provocative behaviour from college mates, 33.33% students have long term financial crisis and 26.66% students feel like taking revenge on someone. In Relation to Psychological Factors, 3.33% students have been diagnosed previously with a mental disorder, 3.33% students have been attempted for suicide earlier, 6.66% students have continuous thoughts of committing suicide, 23.33% students have low self esteem, 26.66% students confessed that have feeling of hopelessness and guilt, 10% students are addicted to alcohol and drugs, 36.66% students have feeling of loneliness and 23.33% have lack of social support. In regard to Family Factors, 6.66% students have continuous quarrel between the members of their family, 16.66% students are suffering from physical/emotional abuse in their family, 26.66% student family members have committed suicide, 20% students face poor communication their family, 16.66% have frequent quarrel with their parents, 43.33% students have confessed that their parents have very high expectation from them, 20% students have excessive authority from their parents and13.33% students have been neglected by their parents. In relation to Physical Factors, 6.66% students are suffering from serious physical illness, 0.00% students are handicapped, 6.66% students are suffering from chronic pain,16.66% students have physical fights with their friends,0.00% students are a victim of sexual abuse and 60% students are satisfied with their present body image. In relation to Academic Factors, 30% students have fear about their college life, 26.66% students have poor coping abilities during stress, 50% students feel excessive burden of exams, 16.66% students worried about poor academic performance, 40% students have lack of confidence in their studies, 6.66% students are a case of academic failure, 10% students are a victim of corporal punishment and 6.66% students are a victim of bullying. In regard with Major Life Events, 10% students have suffered from parental loss, 20% students have suffered from loss of closed one, 16.66% students have problem of love failure and 23.33% students have involved in antisocial

Effects of clothing congruity on male consumers’ perceptions of salesperson’s performance and consumers’ age as a moderation

The purposes of this study are to determine a) the effects of clothing congruity on male consumers’ expectation, evaluation, and functional congruity of and satisfaction with salesperson’s performance and b) whether consumers’ age moderates these effects. Clothing congruity in the study is defined as the congruence between the clothing style that a salesperson wears and the clothing style that a consumer prefers to wear. Functional congruity is defined as the difference between a consumer’s expectation and evaluation of a salesperson’s performance. A positive functional congruity indicates that a consumer’s evaluation exceeds expectation of a salesperson’s performance. Five hypotheses were generated based on the self-congruity theory and previous studies. A 2 x 2 between-subjects factorial design was developed with a male salesperson wearing two styles of clothing (formal vs. casual) and participants in two age groups (adolescent vs. elderly). Data were collected from a survey of 120 male adolescents aged 16-18 and 120 elderly men aged 65-85. The results show that clothing congruity has a positive influence on expectation and evaluation of and satisfaction with salesperson’s performance. Male consumers tend to have higher expectations and evaluations of salesperson’s performance and be more satisfied with salesperson’s performance if the salesperson wears a style of clothing similar to what they prefer to wear. Consumers’ age moderates the effects of clothing congruity on expectation and functional congruity of and satisfaction with salesperson’s performance. The effects of clothing congruity are stronger among male elderly consumers than among male adolescent consumers. Academic contributions and contributions to the field are discussed.

Recurrences after Pulsed Field Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence, Mechanisms, Predictors, and Comparison with Thermal Energy

Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) is the latest and most intriguing technology for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation, due to its capability to generate irreversible and cardiomyocytes-selective electroporation of cell membranes by delivering microsecond-lasting high-voltage electrical fields, leading to high expectations. The first trials to assess the clinical success of PFA, reported an arrhythmia-free survival at 1-year of 78.5%, while other trials showed less enthusiastic results: 66.2% in paroxysmal and 55.1% in persistent AF. Nevertheless, real world data are encouraging. The isolation of pulmonary veins with PFA is easily achieved with 100% acute success. Systematic invasive remapping showed a high prevalence of durable pulmonary vein isolation at 75 and 90 days (range 84–96%), which were significatively lower in redo procedures (64.3%). The advent of PFA is prompting a reconsideration of the role of the autonomic nervous system in AF ablation, as PFA-related sparing of the ganglionated plexi could lead to the still undetermined effect on late arrhythmias’ recurrences. Moreover, a new concept of a blanking period could be formulated with PFA, according to its different mechanism of myocardial injury, with less inflammation and less chronic fibrosis. Finally, in this review, we also compare PFA with thermal energy.

The Influence of Brand Image and Electronic Word of Mouth on Visiting Interest and Visitor Satisfaction as Intervening Variables at Kopi Praja Bintaro, South Tangerang, Banten Province, Indonesia

This research aims to determine the influence of brand image and electronic word of mouth on visiting interest and visitor satisfaction as intervening variables at Kopi Praja Bintaro, South Tangerang, Banten Province, Indonesia. This type of research is quantitative descriptive research with the path analysis method. The population in the study consisted of all visitors to Kopi Praja Bintaro, while the sample consisted of 100 respondents who distributed questionnaires using accidental sampling. The research results show: (1) Brand image and electronic word of mouth have a significant effect on visitor satisfaction; (2) Visitor satisfaction has a significant effect on visiting interest; (3) Brand image and electronic word of mouth have a significant effect on visitor satisfaction through visitor satisfaction. Brand image greatly influences visitor satisfaction at Kopi Praja Bintaro by creating positive perceptions about products and services. Expectations built from a strong brand image can increase satisfaction, while a mismatch with a positive image can decrease it. Apart from that, E-WOM also influences visitor interest through visitor satisfaction by providing easy access to online reviews. These positive reviews create high expectations among potential visitors, which, if met, will increase satisfaction and the likelihood of return visits or recommendations.

Quantifying Patient Expectations for Total Knee Arthroplasty: Expectations for Improvement Are Greater Than Minimal Clinically Important Difference

BackgroundAchieving a minimal clinically important difference (MCID) in patient-reported outcomes following total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is common, yet up to 20% patient dissatisfaction persists. Unmet expectations may explain post-TKA dissatisfaction. No prior studies have quantified patient expectations using the same patient-reported outcome metric as used for MCID to allow direct comparison. MethodsThis was a prospective study of patients undergoing TKA with 5 fellowship-trained arthroplasty surgeons at one academic center. Baseline Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Physical Function (PF) and Pain Interference (PI) domains were assessed. Expected PROMIS scores were determined by asking patients to indicate the outcomes they were expecting at 12 months postoperatively. Predicted scores were generated from a predictive model validated in the Function and Outcomes Research for Comparative Effectiveness in Total Joint Replacement (FORCE-TJR) dataset. T-tests were used to compare baseline, expected, and predicted PROMIS scores. Expected scores were compared to PROMIS MCID values obtained from the literature. Regression models were used to identify patient characteristics associated with high expectations. ResultsThere were 93 patients included. Mean age was 67 years (range, 30 to 85) and 55% were women. Mean baseline PROMIS PF and PI was 34.4 ± 6.7 and 62.2 ± 6.4, respectively. Patients expected significant improvement for PF of 1.9 times the MCID (MCID = 11.3; mean expected improvement = 21.6, 95% confidence interval [CI] 19.6 to 23.5, P < .001) and for PI of 2.3 times the MCID (MCID = 8.9; mean expected improvement = 20.6, 95% CI 19.1-22.2, P < .001). Predicted scores were significantly lower than expected scores (mean difference = 9.5, 95% CI 7.7 to 11.3, P < .001). No unique patient characteristics were associated with high expectations (P > .05). ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to quantify preoperative patient expectations using the same metric as MCID to allow for direct comparison. Patient expectations for improvement following TKA are ∼2× greater than MCID and are significantly greater than predicted outcome scores. This discrepancy challenges currently accepted standards of success after TKA and indicates a need for improved expectation setting prior to surgery.

Novel Siderophore Cephalosporin and Combinations of Cephalosporins with β-Lactamase Inhibitors as an Advancement in Treatment of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia.

In an era of increasing antibiotic resistance among pathogens, the treatment options for infectious diseases are diminishing. One of the clinical groups especially vulnerable to this threat are patients who are hospitalized in intensive care units due to ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by multidrug-resistant/extensively drug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. In order to prevent the exhaustion of therapeutic options for this life-threatening condition, there is an urgent need for new pharmaceuticals. Novel β-lactam antibiotics, including combinations of cephalosporins with β-lactamase inhibitors, are proposed as a solution to this escalating problem. The unique mechanism of action, distinctive to this new group of siderophore cephalosporins, can overcome multidrug resistance, which is raising high expectations. In this review, we present the summarized results of clinical trials, in vitro studies, and case studies on the therapeutic efficacy of cefoperazone-sulbactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, and cefiderocol in the treatment of ventilator-associated pneumonia. We demonstrate that treatment strategies based on siderophore cephalosporins and combinations of β-lactams with β-lactamases inhibitors show comparable or higher clinical efficacy than those used with classic pharmaceuticals, like carbapenems, colistin, or tigecycline, and are often associated with a lower risk of adverse events.

Exploring Nursing Students' Expectations on Preceptoring and Preceptorship Program: A Mixed Method Study.

This study addresses the imperative in contemporary nursing education to prepare students for diverse healthcare settings by exploring nursing students' expectations and perceptions of preceptorship programs, emphasizing the role of evidence-based educational strategies. The research aims to bridge the existing literature gap and contribute valuable insights into strategically designing preceptorship programs aligned with nursing students' needs, preferences, and aspirations, ultimately enhancing precepting practices and relationships within nursing education. Employing a sequential explanatory mixed method, 140 nursing students, from various colleges in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) participated in the study. A structured questionnaire, encompassing demographic information, a need assessment survey, and a survey on expectations on preceptors was administered. A focus group discussion was conducted to identify perceived barriers to the utilization of preceptorship practices in nursing colleges. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, exploratory factor analysis, and content analysis of the focus group discussion. The majority of participants expressed a high need for a preceptorship program, providing empirical evidence to support the development of a nurse educator preceptorship program in colleges and institutes. Preceptorship was identified as a significant contributor to career growth and achievement for nursing students, serving as a valuable tool to establish professional competency throughout their careers. There is a complex demand and high expectations for the core role of nurse educators as preceptors in the field of nursing education. This pioneering study sheds light on the need and perception of nursing students for a preceptorship program in the nursing curriculum.

Data governance for the ecological transition: An infrastructure perspective

Data governance for the ecological transition: An infrastructure perspective

Clinical outcomes of the light-adjustable lens in eyes with a history of prior corneal refractive surgery.

To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes in eyes with a history of laser corneal refractive surgery implanted with the second-generation light-adjustable lens (LAL). Private practice, Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Retrospective, consecutive case series. Eyes with a history of prior corneal refractive surgery that underwent cataract surgery with implantation of the LAL and were targeted for plano were included. Data on the type and number of prior refractive surgeries were collected, in addition to the timing and number of postoperative adjustments. The primary outcome measures were uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity, and the percentage (%) of eyes within ±0.25 diopter (D), ±0.50 D, and ±1.00 D of their refractive target. 76 eyes from 70 patients were included. A total of 45 eyes with a history of 1 prior refractive surgery and 31 eyes with a history of ≥2 refractive surgeries were included. 74% (n = 56) of all eyes achieved UDVA of 20/20 or better, 88% (n = 67) achieved 20/25 UDVA or better, and 93% (n = 71) were correctable to 20/20 or better postoperatively. For refractive outcomes, 66% of eyes (n = 50) were within ±0.25 D and 86% (n = 65) were within ±0.50 D of refractive target. Patients with a history of laser corneal refractive surgery achieved favorable visual and refractive outcomes with the LAL. This intraocular lens (IOL), which affords postoperative adjustability, is a promising option for patients with a history of corneal refractive surgery who maintain high expectations for functional uncorrected acuity after cataract surgery.

Pedagogical relations as a decolonisation tool in African higher education: Reflection on the ethics of care, respect, and trust

This article uses the findings obtained from a study that delves into the perceptions of students on their relationship with their higher education (HE) lecturers and how it affects their academic success, to respond to the issue of decolonisation in South African HE, and to approach the question of decolonising HE in Africa. The article argues that it is essential to prioritise student well-being, amplify their voices, and promote a caring culture towards addressing the issue of decolonisation in African education systems. The study shows that African HE students hold higher expectations of their lecturers beyond being professionals. This expectation includes respect for students’ thoughts and incorporation of epistemology that aligns with fostering African development, culture and thoughts (without necessarily conforming to neoliberal norms). The four categories of the teacher’s role, which include academic development, respect and trust, social relationships, and ethics of care are highly demanded by HE students. Borrowing the study outcome, this article holds the view that students’ high expectations of their lecturers to foster social relationships should be channelled to incorporate the African student as a collaborator in the business of education and as a response to the demands of HE students to decolonise African education system. These four categories are not only institutional strategies for effective teaching and learning but also a way to address the non-inclusive impact of Western epistemology on historically racial institutions in Africa.Contribution: This article proposes that adopting mainstream pedagogical relationships can be a powerful tool in incorporating the African students’ thoughts and a step towards liberating the HE system in Africa. It recommends these four cardinal themes as institutional strategies for restricting teaching and learning that relegate students to the receiving end thus systems that refute students as collaborators of knowledge sharing especially at historically racial institutions.

The De-Europeanization of the Kurdish Question in Turkey and the EU

ABSTRACT Using an in-depth interview method, this study examined HDP deputies’ thoughts concerning Turkey–EU relations, its effect on Kurdish issues, and the HDP’s expectations of the EU, showing that the high expectations of the EU during the 1990s and early 2000s have faded and that the EU accession process no longer generates enthusiasm among the HDP deputies interviewed. The most notable finding of the interviews was the consensus that the EU has now lost its role as the driving force for Turkey’s democratization and, moreover, that the EU has ignored Turkey’s authoritarianism by remaining silent on AKP’s disobedience of the Copenhagen criteria and non-compliance with international agreements. The interviewees believed that the EU has become an accomplice of the AKP regime by indirectly supporting Erdoğan’s authoritarianism. Both the EU and Turkey’s loss of faith in Turkey’s full membership have caused the EU to lose its transformative power, encouraging the AKP government to more confidently jettison the values of democracy and human rights. Moreover, the recent developments in the Middle East, particularly the emergence of a Kurdish entity in Syria and Iraq, have resulted in a redirection of Kurdish attention towards the Middle East.

Nocebo expectations rather than placebo expectations affect topical pain relief: A randomized clinical trial

Patients' expectations and beliefs regarding the potential benefits and harms of medical interventions may induce placebo and nocebo effects, and affect the response to pain therapies. In a randomized clinical trial, we examined the effect of placebo and nocebo expectations on pain relief and adverse events (AEs) in association with a topical treatment among 65 cancer survivors experiencing chronic musculoskeletal pain. Participants received either a 1% camphor-based topical pain patch or a placebo treatment for 14 days. We measured pain severity with the worst pain item of the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) at baseline and 14 days and treatment expectations at baseline with validated expectation questionnaires. We found that high vs. low nocebo expectations decreased pain severity improvements by 2.5 points (95% confidence interval [CI] −3.8 to −1.2; p<0.001) on a 0–10 numeric rating scale of the BPI and pain response rate by 42.7% (95% CI 0.2–0.6; p<0.001) at day 14, irrespective of placebo expectation status or treatment arms. Patients with high vs. low nocebo expectations in the true arm reported 22.4% more unwanted AEs. High nocebo expectations were associated with increased AEs by 39.5% (odds ratio: 12.0, 95% CI 1.2, 145.5; p=0.029) and decreased pain response in the true arm vs. placebo. Our study demonstrated that nocebo expectations, rather than placebo expectations, elevate the risk of AEs and compromise the effect of topical pain interventions. The findings raise the possibility that nocebo expectations may worsen somatic symptoms through heightening central pain amplification and should be further investigated.