Partner Characteristics Research Articles

Histopathologic, genomic, transcriptomic, and functional characteristics of eight melanocytic tumors with BRAF fusions showing stronger MAPK pathway activation compared to BRAF V600E tumors.

Activating BRAF gene alterations are central to melanocytic tumor pathogenesis. A small, emerging subset of melanocytic tumors driven by BRAF fusions has distinct therapeutic implications and has been described to have Spitzoid morphology patterns. However, such morphological patterns do not encompass all cases, and little is known about the functional molecular events. We conducted a retrospective search through our molecular archives to identify melanocytic tumors with BRAF fusions. We reviewed clinical, histopathological, and genomic features. We further explored transcriptomic and protein-level findings. Histopathologic patterns varied, with many cases without a distinctive pattern. We identified novel and diverse BRAF gene fusion partners. Differential transcriptomic analysis between low-risk BRAF fusion tumors and reference BRAF V600E tumors showed no differentially expressed genes. However, quantitatively stronger MAPK pathway activation of BRAF fusion tumors over BRAF V600E tumors was demonstrated by statistically significant stronger staining of p-ERK immunohistochemistry. Gene-specific RNA analysis shows comparable BRAF transcript levels between the two groups. The quantitatively stronger activation of the MAPK pathway of BRAF fusion tumors, instead of qualitatively different transcriptomes, may account for the morphology difference from conventional BRAF V600E tumors. BRAF fusions likely act through dysregulated protein function rather than RNA upregulation related to the characteristics of the fusion partners.

“Together with who?” Recognizing partners during Collaborative Avatar Manipulation

The development of novel computer interfaces has led to the possibility of integrating inputs from multiple individuals into a single avatar, fostering collaboration by combining skills and sharing the cognitive load. However, the collaboration dynamic and its effectiveness may vary depending on the individuals involved. Particularly in scenarios where two individuals remotely control a robotic avatar without the possibility of direct communication, understanding each other’s characteristics can result in enhanced performance. To achieve this, it is essential to ascertain if individuals can discern their partner’s characteristics within merged embodiment. This paper investigates the accuracy with which participants can distinguish between two different collaborating partners (one attempting to lead and one attempting to follow) when sharing control of a robot arm during a block pick-and-place task. The results suggested that participants who changed their role according to the different roles of the two partners achieved the highest discrimination rates. Furthermore, participants changed their movements through the trials, adapting their actions to their preferred approach. This research provides insights into the factors determining individuals’ ability to understand partner characteristics during control of collaborative avatar.

Evolutionary Role of the Female Orgasm: Insights into Mate Choice and Beyond.

The female orgasm remains a subject of extensive debate within evolutionary sciences, primarily due to the absence of a consensus regarding its adaptive function. Some hypotheses propose that it could function as a mechanism for mate selection, possibly linked to reproductive strategies. Studies have observed that lesbian women tend to experience orgasms more frequently than straight women, suggesting a potential link to advantageous partner characteristics. We explored the connection between the female orgasm and mate selection, aiming to ascertain its role as an adaptive tool for mate choice. A total of 939 sexually active Brazilian women (Mage = 28.3years) engaged in committed relationships participated by completing the Marital Empathy Questionnaire, the Female Sexual Function Index, and evaluations of their partners' attributes. Analysis using structural equation models revealed that higher orgasm scores were positively associated with perceptions of partner kindness, intelligence, good health, physical attractiveness, and empathy. However, the small effect sizes of these associations warrant caution in their interpretation, and no significant association was found for relationship duration, financial prospects, dominance, and masculinity/femininity. Additionally, no differences were found between women in same-sex and other-sex relationships regarding orgasm frequency and its association with partner traits. The findings partially support the mate-choice theory, encompassing both sire-choice and pair-bond hypotheses, suggesting that female orgasm is positively associated with some partner attributes related to genetic quality and the capability for emotional connection and resource investment. Therefore, female orgasm may offer information about the partner that might not be primarily accessed and contribute to relationship maintenance.

Partner Characteristics and HIV Outcomes among Partners Reached by Phone vs. In-person for Assisted Partner Services in Western Kenya.

Assisted partner services (APS) is an effective strategy for testing people with undiagnosed HIV but there is limited information on the relative reach and effectiveness of phone versus in-person contact. We analyzed data from 31 facilities in Western Kenya providing APS to female index clients newly HIV-diagnosed, their male partners, and female partners of men newly HIV-diagnosed. APS providers attempted contacting partners using phone first and, if unsuccessful, in-person in the community. Using log-linear mixed models, we estimated relative risks (RR) between phone being the final contact method and partner characteristics and HIV outcomes. From May 2018-March 2020, 2534 female index clients named 7614 male partners, of whom 772 (10.1%) tested positive and named an additional 4956 non-index female partners. Of 11,912 (94.7%) partners reached, 5179 (43.5%) were via phone and 6733 (56.5%) in-person. Of 8076 testing-eligible partners, 99.7% tested and 11.2% first-time tested. Of those tested, 13.1% were newly-diagnosed, of whom 87.0% linked to care. Newly-diagnosed partners were less likely to have been reached by phone vs. in-person (9.8% vs. 15.9%; adjusted RR:0.61, 95%CI:0.53-0.70). Being reached by phone was not significantly associated with testing, first-time testing, or linkage to care. In an APS program that reached 94% of elicited partners, fewer than half were successfully contacted by phone. A combined phone and in-person approach is likely essential for equitable, effective APS.

The effect of study partner characteristics on the reporting of neuropsychiatric symptoms across the neurocognitive spectrum.

We explored the influence of study partner (SP) characteristics on SP-reported neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) presence across the neurocognitive spectrum and on the prognostic utility of mild behavioral impairment (MBI). We performed cross-sectional (n = 26,748) and longitudinal (n = 12,794) analyses using participant-SP dyad data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. Participants were cognitively normal (CN; n = 11,951) or had mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 5686) or dementia (n = 9111). SPs rated NPS using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. We used multivariable logistic regression to model the association between SP characteristics (age, sex, and relationship to participant [spouse, child, and other]) and NPS status (outcome). Cox regressions assessed SP characteristics as moderators of MBI associations with incident dementia or as predictors of incident dementia in MBI + participants only. Among CN persons, younger, female, and spouse SPs reported NPS more frequently. In MCI, younger SPs and those who were spouses or children of participants reported higher NPS odds. For dementia participants, NPS odds were higher in female and spouse SPs. MBI associations with incident dementia were slightly weaker when SPs were older but did not depend on SP sex or relationship to participant. Among MBI + participants with spouse or child SPs, hazard for dementia was higher when compared to MBI + participants with other SPs. SP age, sex, and relationship to participant influence NPS reporting across the neurocognitive spectrum, with potential implications for MBI prognosis. Considering SP characteristics may enhance the accuracy of NPS assessments, which may facilitate therapy planning and prognosis.

Diverse pathways to permanent childlessness in Singapore: A latent class analysis.

The proportions of adults reaching midlife without having children have been rising rapidly across the globe, particularly in Asia. However, little is known about the pathways to permanent childlessness within the region's childless population. This study utilized latent class analysis (LCA) to typologize pathways to childlessness based on dynamic characteristics of multiple life domains (i.e., partnership, education, and occupation) among 489 childless Singaporeans aged 50 and above from a 2022 nationwide survey. Additionally, we utilized multinomial logistic regressions to examine the sociodemographic correlates of pathway profiles and Shannon's entropy index to assess the heterogeneity in pathways to childlessness among successive cohorts. Results revealed five distinct profiles of pathways to childlessness: the Never-Married Semi-Professionals, the Low-Flex Blue-Collars, the Highly Educated Professionals, the Ever-Married Semi-Professionals, and the Flexible Blue-Collars. These pathway profiles were significantly associated with sociodemographic characteristics such as gender and family background. Women's pathways to childlessness were more standardized and heavily influenced by partnership characteristics, compared to those of men. The childless from privileged family background were less likely to follow pathways characterized by disadvantageous education and occupational status. There were also rising trends of voluntary childlessness among married childless individuals and increasing heterogeneity in pathways to childlessness across successive birth cohorts. In sum, our findings are consistent with some of the predictions of the Second Demographic Transition theory, suggesting that Singapore may be experiencing a demographic transition characterized by rising childlessness, decoupling of marriage and childbearing, and de-standardization of the life course.

How to configure the supply chain to stimulate firm innovation performance?

Supply chain characteristics are an important driving force for innovation at the focal firm. Previous research has separately examined the impact of structural, relational, and capability dimensions of the supply chain on firm innovation. Relying on the structure-relationship-capability framework, this study explores the configurational impact of geographical distance, business concentration, and partner innovation of both the supplier-base and the customer-base on firm innovation. Necessary causality analysis (NCA) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) are employed. Based on a dataset of 123 Chinese listed firms in high-tech manufacturing sectors, we provide novel insights on the antecedent configurations of the partner characteristics in both ends of supply chains for facilitating firm innovation. Our findings indicate that there are no necessary conditions for high firm innovation performance. We identify three distinct paths - namely, innovation-driven, customer-dominated, and relationship-driven configurations - that consistently lead to high firm innovation performance. From a configurational perspective, this research contributes to the innovation and supply chain literature and provides practical implications for managers to facilitate firm innovation.

Effectiveness of men in maternity health (MiM) intervention on male involvement in maternal health care to improve maternal health outcomes in Naypyitaw, Myanmar

Background Maternal health care (MHC) is critical for safe motherhood and preventing maternal deaths in Myanmar, but the institutional delivery rates are not yet optimal, increasing preventable maternal deaths. To address this issue, involving men in supporting MHC has been recognized as a strategy to improve MHC outcomes. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness, acceptability, and feasibility of men in maternity health (MiM) intervention on male involvement in MHC and its influence on knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to maternal health and institutional delivery rates in Naypyitaw, Myanmar. Methods This study employed a mixed-methods approach with quantitative surveying of the male partners and qualitative interviewing of both male and female partners and health stakeholders. A 6-month MiM education program on pregnancy complications, antenatal care, delivery care, and birth preparedness was provided to the intervention group. Before and after the intervention, comparisons between intervention and control groups were made. Results The socio-demographic characteristics of male partners were comparable between the intervention and control groups during the pre-intervention assessment. Before MiM intervention, notable differences in male partners’ knowledge, attitudes, birth preparedness and complication readiness practices regarding MHC were not evident between these two groups. After completing the MiM, significant score improvement, including higher ID rates compared to the control group (p<0.001), was observed. The acceptability and feasibility of the MiM program were contributed by positive responses from qualitative findings, highlighting remarkable changes in the perspectives of male partners in supporting MHC. However, challenges, including financial limitations, cultural influences and a shortage of trained personnel, were encountered. Conclusion The MiM program effectively promotes male involvement in MHC, leading to improved MHC outcomes. The MiM intervention offers a promising, evidence-based model to enhance ID rates in Myanmar, requiring tailored approaches to address cultural and financial factors.

Examining Childhood Trauma Experiences in Relation to Women’s Attachment Style, Exposure to Violence and Partner Characteristics

Main emphasis of this research is to illuminate the intertwined cycles of neglect/abuse and violence that women experience throughout their lives and to identify potential strategies for social work interventions in this context. At this point, the study explains that violence can perpetuate itself in a cyclical manner from childhood and that this has effects on future partner relationships and partner characteristics in the case of Turkiye. The study also examines women’s self-assessed characteristics of their partners. The study was conducted within the scope of cross-sectional descriptive model and 260 women participated in the study. The participants were mostly exposed to emotional neglect during childhood. The attachment style of most of the participants was anxious ambivalent. In addition, they also experienced emotional violence from their spouses the most. The spouses of the participants were directive. There is a significant relationship between childhood trauma and exposure to violence. Adverse childhood experiences have an effect on the participants’ attachment style, partner characteristics and exposure to violence. In order for women to have safe and nonviolent partner relationships in adulthood, it is recommended that the quality and quantity of studies focusing on the family in childhood and the prevention of neglect/abuse be increased.

Camouflaging in Autistic Adults is Modulated by Autistic and Neurotypical Characteristics of Interaction Partners.

Many autistic people reportedly engage in camouflaging to navigate everyday social interactions; however, the function of this behavior remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that autistic people camouflage more toward neurotypical others than toward autistic others, employing it as a strategy to "fit in" within the neurotypical-majority community. This study aimed to empirically investigate this hypothesis for the first time. Autistic and neurotypical participants took part in a web-based survey. Data from 48 autistic and 137 neurotypical participants were analyzed. Camouflaging toward autistic and neurotypical others was separately measured using the modified Camouflaging Autistic Traits Questionnaire (CAT-Q). For each CAT-Q item, a sentence describing a hypothetical interaction partner with autistic or neurotypical characteristics was added, creating respective sentence conditions. The interaction effect of the participants' characteristics and sentence conditions was analyzed using a multilevel regression analysis, accounting for differing individual baselines. The analysis revealed an interaction effect between participants' characteristics and sentence conditions. The autistic group showed significantly more camouflaging in the autistic sentence condition than in the neurotypical sentence condition. Conversely, the neurotypical group did not differ significantly in camouflaging levels in the sentence conditions. Contrary to our hypothesis, autistic people demonstrated more camouflaging toward autistic others than toward neurotypical others. This finding questions the assumption that autistic people camouflage to assimilate into a neurotypical-majority society. Instead, it could be conceptualized as a more general social strategy used by autistic people aiming to improve their relationships with others.

Balancing Openness and Protection:Homogenization of Regulatory Laws in Digital Service Trade

Abstract Digital service trade has emerged as a pivotal engine for global economic transformation and development. However, the implementation of differentiated regulatory measures for trade in digital services among economies has led to increasingly frequent trade disputes. This paper constructs a regulatory homogeneity network for digital service trade in 60 major economies, and systematically evaluates the structural characteristics of the network and the regulatory homogeneity among economies from 2014 to 2021. Furthermore, this paper empirically examines the impact of the partnership characteristics of regulatory homogenization in the network of major economies on their exports. The analysis of the network structure shows that major economies are more inclined to optimize and simplify existing trade partnerships, and are moving towards more diversified restrictive measures in the regulatory model of digital services trade, which has led to the rise of trade protectionism. The empirical text results show that expanding and deepening the regulatory homogeneous partnership of trade in digital services promotes the export of digital services in major economies. This promotion effect is mainly achieved by reducing the cost of digital service trade and enhancing business trust. In addition, the export promotion effect of developing regulatory homogenization partnerships is better than that of increasing the openness of digital service trade, and the homogenization of policies between openness and protection is more important. This paper provides important implications for coordinating the openness and security of digital services trade: China should actively cooperate with multilateral and bilateral digital service trade partners to jointly build a homogeneous environment for regulatory regulations. In particular, it is necessary to deepen the regulatory homogeneity partnership with Asian and developing economies to expand the influence of the “China model” in the global regulation of digital services trade.

O-160 Age at menarche is a marker for increased time to pregnancy

Abstract Study question Is age at menarche a marker for increased time to pregnancy later in life? Summary answer Very early (<11 years) and very late (>15 years) menarche is associated with decreased fecundability. What is known already Several factors such as age, body mass-index and gynecological diseases influence female fecundability. Early or late menarche is associated with increased risk of several negative health outcomes later in life. Previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding if age at menarche is associated with time to pregnancy, a measure of female fecundability. Study design, size, duration 82 471 pregnant women with complete, self-reported information on age at menarche and time to pregnancy were included in a large retrospective cohort study between 1999 and 2008. Participants/materials, setting, methods Among 67 613 women with planned pregnancies participating in the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study we calculated fecundability ratios which indicate the cycle-specific probability of conception, by categories of age at menarche. We adjusted for pre-pregnancy body mass index, highest completed or ongoing education level and age at initiation of trying to conceive. Main results and the role of chance We observed a 9% lower probability of conception during any given menstrual cycle up to 12 cycles in women with very early (<11 years) menarche, and a 4% lower probability among those with very late (>15 years) menarche compared to women with onset of menarche in the reference category (12-14 years). Among women with menarche <11 years the adjusted fecundability ratio was 0.91 (95% CI: 0.86-0.96) and among women with menarche >15 years the adjusted fecundability ratio was 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92-0.99). Limitations, reasons for caution We didn’t have information about partner characteristics such as sperm quality, nor data on early life exposures such as early nutrition and pre-menarcheal body mass index. Since all participants were pregnant, the results could have limited generalizability to those who never conceive. Wider implications of the findings By identifying reduced fecundability as yet another negative health outcome associated with very early or very late menarche, the results from this study further underline the clinical importance of age at menarche as a readily available marker for later reproductive health. Trial registration number not applicable

Audit Partner Characteristics and Their Impacts on Audit Quality: Evidence from around the World

Public company audits are not homogenous. Varying audit partner attributes, including gender, age, location, and expertise, play important roles in explaining audit outcome disparities. The extant literature underscores the influence of firm-level and office-level differences, in areas such as size, culture, and industry expertise, in shaping audit outcomes. Commonwealth countries, such as the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, and Continental European countries, along with Asian economic entities, mandate the disclosure of audit partner names. Consequently, significant research efforts have been devoted to investigating the impact of audit partner characteristics on audit outcomes in these jurisdictions. With the adoption of Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Rule 3211, mandating disclosure of audit engagement partner details for U.S.-registered public accounting firms on Form AP, there has been a surge in U.S. firm research exploring the significance of audit partner characteristics on audit outcomes in recent years. This paper outlines research that considers audit partner attributes’ influence on audit partner selection and audit quality across different economic entities. This entry contributes by synthesizing findings from recent research across diverse economic contexts, including the recently available insights from U.S.-based audits. The analysis of this entry not only provides insights into the current state of audit partner research but also delineates avenues for future research on this topic.

The Effect of Everyday-Life Social Contact on Pain.

Pain is a biopsychosocial phenomenon, resulting from the interplay between physiological and psychological processes and social factors. Given that humans constantly interact with others, the effect of social factors is particularly relevant. Documenting the significance of the social modulation of pain, an increasing number of studies have investigated the effect of social contact on subjective pain intensity and pain-related physiological changes. While evidence suggests that social contact can alleviate pain, contradictory findings indicate an increase in pain intensity and a deterioration of pain coping strategies. This evidence primarily stems from studies examining the effect of social contact on pain within highly controlled laboratory conditions. Moreover, pain assessments often rely on one-time subjective reports of average pain intensity across a predefined period. Ecological momentary assessments (EMAs) can circumvent these problems, as they can capture diverse aspects of behavior and experiences multiple times a day, in real time, with high resolution, and within naturalistic and ecologically valid settings. These multiple measures allow for the examination of fluctuations of pain symptoms throughout the day in relation to affective, cognitive, behavioral, and social factors. In this opinion paper, we review the current state and future relevance of EMA-based social pain research in daily life. Specifically, we examine whether everyday-life social support reduces or enhances pain. The first part of the paper provides a comprehensive overview of the use of EMA in pain research and summarizes the main findings. The review of the relatively limited number of existing EMA studies shows that the association between pain and social contact in everyday life depends on numerous factors, including pain syndromes, temporal dynamics, the nature of social interactions, and characteristics of the interaction partners. In line with laboratory research, there is evidence that everyday-life social contact can alleviate, but also intensify pain, depending on the type of social support. Everyday-life emotional support seems to reduce pain, while extensive solicitous support was found to have opposite effects. Moreover, positive short-term effects of social support can be overshadowed by other symptoms such as fatigue. Overall, gathering and integrating experiences from a patient's social environment can offer valuable insights. These insights can help interpret dynamics in pain intensity and accompanying symptoms such as depression or fatigue. We conclude that factors determining the reducing versus enhancing effects of social contact on pain need to be investigated more thoroughly. We advocate EMA as the assessment method of the future and highlight open questions that should be addressed in future EMA studies on pain and the potential of ecological momentary interventions for pain treatment.

Tax Incentive and Venture Capital Fundraising

This study examines the determinants of fundraising of venture capital firms in South Korea, with a focus on the effects of tax incentives. Specifically, we investigate how macroeconomic factors, general partner (GP) characteristics, and changes in tax incentives affect venture capital fundraising at both the industry and GP level, using a novel dataset from the Disclosure Information of Venture Capital Analysis (DIVA). To isolate the effect of tax incentives, we consider as a treatment variable an increase in income tax deductions for individual venture capital fund investors in 2018 and estimate its effect on venture capital fundraising. The results show that the treatment group has a significantly higher probability of raising funds and raising a higher number and amount of funds than the control group has after 2018. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to examine the determinants of venture capital fundraising in South Korea and to empirically demonstrate the effect of tax incentives on venture capital fundraising.

Older Adults' Collaborative Learning Dynamics When Exploring Feature-Rich Software

Collaborative learning has been suggested as a promising approach to help older adults learn new technology, however, its effectiveness has been understudied in the context of feature-rich applications. We conducted an observational study with the aim of identifying aspects of collaborative learning, including characteristics of collaborative partners, that impact older adults' exploratory learning behaviour in feature-rich software. We recruited 22 participants (6 younger adults and 16 older adults) who formed 5 same-age and 6 mixed-age dyads. These dyads worked together remotely to explore a feature-rich application, which was new to them. We classified dyadic interactions into four different collaboration dynamics characterized by distinct attributes. We discovered that effective communication and the ability to navigate the software independently enabled a successful collaboration dynamic that empowered learners. We showed that trust between partners enabled effective communication and we observed that the existing relationship between partners strongly impacted their communication patterns. The more complicated study tasks required participants to validate the correctness of their work and this validation was particularly difficult for some novice older adults who did not benefit from transfer learning and struggled with navigation issues.

Predictive models of miscarriage on the basis of data from a preconception cohort study

To use self-reported preconception data to derive models that predict the risk of miscarriage. Prospective preconception cohort study. Not applicable. Study participants were female, aged 21-45 years, residents of the United States or Canada, and attempting spontaneous pregnancy at enrollment during 2013-2022. Participants were followed for up to 12 months of pregnancy attempts; those who conceived were followed through pregnancy and postpartum. We restricted analyses to participants who conceived during the study period. On baseline and follow-up questionnaires completed every 8 weeks until pregnancy, we collected self-reported data on sociodemographic factors, reproductive history, lifestyle, anthropometrics, diet, medical history, and male partner characteristics. We included 160 potential predictor variables in our models. The primary outcome was a miscarriage, defined as pregnancy loss before 20 weeks of gestation. We followed participants from their first positive pregnancy test until miscarriage or a censoring event (induced abortion, ectopic pregnancy, loss of follow-up, or 20 weeks of gestation), whichever occurred first. We fit both survival and static models using Cox proportional hazards models, logistic regression, support vector machines, gradient-boosted trees, and random forest algorithms. We evaluated model performance using the concordance index (survival models) and the weighted F1 score (static models). Among the 8,720 participants who conceived, 20.4% reported miscarriage. In multivariable models, the strongest predictors of miscarriage were female age, history of miscarriage, and male partner age. The weighted F1 score ranged from 73%-89% for static models and the concordance index ranged from 53%-56% for survival models, indicating better discrimination for the static models compared with the survival models (i.e., the ability of the model to discriminate between individuals with and without miscarriage). No appreciable differences were observed across strata of miscarriage history or among models restricted to ≥8 weeks of gestation. Our findings suggest that miscarriage is not easily predicted on the basis of preconception lifestyle characteristics and that advancing age and a history of miscarriage are the most important predictors of incident miscarriage.

Enabling policy environment for water operator partnerships in the Southern African Development Community

AbstractWater service provision has typically been primarily regarded as a government endeavor, especially in developing countries. Various concepts of partnerships have been promoted over the past five decades in the sector, primarily to improve service provision. Among these partnerships, water operator partnerships (WOPs) have been distinguished as a leading concept that promotes easy access to water supply and sanitation. Several WOPs exist worldwide with varying partnership types and characteristics. For WOPs to thrive effectively globally, an enabling environment has to be provided. More so for developing countries that are more susceptible to socio‐economic and climate change factors that affect water service delivery. This paper evaluates the enabling policy environment for WOPs in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Data used for the study include literature from the Global Water Operator Partnerships Alliance (GWOPA) WOPs database, as well as other online resources, enabling a detailed understanding of different case studies in the SADC region on a North–South and South–South basis. It must, however, be noted that data availability on the database is dependent on the utilities engaged in the WOP recording and uploading it, and this affected the scope of the study. The database provided three in‐depth case studies from Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe, and extensive literature review provided an additional in‐depth case study from Malawi. Strategies such as water reforms and multi‐stakeholder partnerships are highlighted in aiding the WOPs. Findings show that current policies in the region make provisions for partnerships but are not explicit or exhaustive on the different forms of partnerships. The lack of an intermediate third party in countries such as Malawi negatively affects the relationship between the utilities and, subsequently, the success of the WOP. Strategies such as capacity building and stakeholder participation can assist in creating a more enabling policy environment for WOPs.

The relation between perceived partner responsiveness and sexual communication in romantic relationships

Sexual communication can be challenging to initiate. Nevertheless, people with a responsive romantic partner may feel more comfortable with sexual communication. Thus, we examined whether there is an association between partner responsiveness and greater sexual communication, and whether greater sexual communication may potentially mediate associations between responsiveness and positive relationship outcomes (i.e. intimacy types, sexual satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction). We recruited participants from Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 119) and a sample of undergraduate students (N = 89) to complete online measures. As hypothesized, partner responsiveness was associated with greater sexual communication. Results from structural equation modeling showed that sexual communication mediated associations between responsiveness and intimacy types, and the association between responsiveness and sexual satisfaction in both samples. Interestingly, sexual communication only mediated the association between responsiveness and relationship satisfaction in the sample of undergraduate students. Other notable differences between the samples are discussed, such as differences in age, relationship length, and sexual satisfaction. These results show the importance of sexual communication for romantic relationships, and that even non-sexual partner characteristics may impact a sexual relationship.

Determinants for positive and negative experiences of interpersonal touch: context matters

ABSTRACT The goal of the study was to determine which aspects of interpersonal touch interactions lead to a positive or negative experience. Previous research has focused primarily on physical characteristics. We suggest that this may not be sufficient to fully capture the complexity of the experience. Specifically, we examined how fulfilment of psychological needs influences touch experiences and how this relates to physical touch characteristics and situational factors. In two mixed-method studies, participants described their most positive and most negative interpersonal touch experience within a specific time frame. They reported fulfilment of nine needs, affect, intention, and reason for positivity/negativity, as well as the body part(s) touched, location, type of touch, interaction partner, and particular touch characteristics (e.g. humidity). Positive and negative touch experiences shared similar touch types, locations, and body parts touched, but differed in intended purpose and reasons. Overall, the valence of a touch experience could be predicted from fulfilment of relatedness, the interaction partner and initiator, and physical touch characteristics. Positive affect increased with need fulfilment, and negative affect decreased. The results highlight the importance of relatedness and reciprocity for the valence of touch, and emphasise the need to incorporate psychological needs in touch research.