Quality Seal Research Articles

Qualitätssicherung in der Arbeitsmedizin – ein neues Modell zur Selbstevaluierung bis zum Erwerb eines arbeitsmedizinischen Gütesiegels in Österreich

Quality assurance in occupational medicine – a new model for self-evaluation up to the acquisition of an occupational health seal of approval in Austria Based on the mandatory quality check for registered doctors in Austria, a questionnaire was developed in the “Quality assurance in occupational medicine” project, which is intended to serve as an instrument for a voluntary quality check for occupational medical care. The questionnaire defines the necessary structural and process requirements as well as standardized procedures for occupational health activities. In this way, occupational physicians and occupational health centers are provided with instructions for action, and the occupational health service becomes transparent for the “customers”. The tool is to be applied in a three-stage approach. The questionnaire will be available for download to all interested persons and is intended to contribute to a low-threshold improvement in quality by raising awareness. The second stage of the proof of quality is a self-evaluation officially confirmed by a certification authority. Finally, an audit can be used to obtain a seal of quality as the third level.

Profile of Laboratories With the Seal of the Clinical Laboratory Accreditation Program (PALC)

Objective: The objective of this study is to analyze clinical analysis laboratories accredited by the quality seal of the Clinical Laboratory Accreditation Program (PALC) in Brazil. Theoretical Framework: It presents the fundamentals of the research, covering the importance of hospital accreditation, PALC regulations, historical evolution of hospital quality, economic impact on health, quality management in clinical laboratories and the usefulness of quality indicators. Method: A documentary study was carried out, with descriptive and quantitative analysis. During the study period, 163 clinical laboratories were detected in the country accredited by the PALC seal. Results and Discussion: In the study, 163 accredited clinical laboratories were identified in Brazil, with only 32 laboratories in the entire northeast region. Where 92% of accredited laboratories are private and 82% are part of large national diagnostic networks. Highlighting the need for greater investment in quality seals, which better certify the quality of the laboratory service provided. Research Implications: The importance of policies and strategies to promote the accreditation of clinical laboratories stands out, especially in the northeast region of Brazil, aiming to improve the quality and reliability of health services provided to the population, in addition to promoting greater security in medical diagnoses. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by highlighting the originality by examining the grographic distribution and the public and private nature of accredited clinical laboratories in Brazil. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by its crucial role of accreditation in ensuring quality laboratory services, encouraging continuous improvement and patient confidence.

Embracing diversity under isolation and cease-fire: a poststructuralist look at administrators’ policy on multilingualism

Although multilingualism in higher education context continues to garner increasing scholarly interest, research remains scarce on school administrators’ policies on multilingualism. To the best of our knowledge, this study constitutes one of the very few attempts to tackle this issue in higher education context and the first of its kind to pursue such endeavour in North Cyprus setting. This study seeks to investigate, through a post-structuralist perspective, the perceptions and policies of multilingualism by the director and assistant directors of an English preparatory school in a North Cyprus university which has flourished as a haven for international education. The study combines a multiplicity of data through semi-structured interviews and informal chats to provide a richer insight into the multifaceted case being investigated. The findings demonstrate that administrators regard multilingualism as a seal of internationalism and educational quality. They remain hesitant and even mostly sceptical, however, about whether translingual practice could offer any meaningful contribution to language learning processes. Although poststructuralist understanding considers truth and identity to be decentred and forever changing, and despite the scope of our study being limited to one particular institution only, our findings promise great potential for inspiring reflection and research in other universities in North Cyprus and elsewhere, which similarly aspire to international competition in higher education.

The EQIPD quality system – Assessment and certification procedures

The EQIPD Quality System was designed with the ultimate mission to provide a framework to ensure the quality and integrity of non-regulated preclinical biomedical research. For research quality to be sustained over time, it is crucial to have continuous improvement mechanisms that routinely monitor the research-related processes and enable solutions for identified issues. The present article is focused on these monitoring and assessment procedures that make the EQIPD Quality System a fully functional ‘system’ (as opposed to a mere collection of guidelines, work instructions and policies). In this context, a critical instrument are the internal and external assessments of the EQIPD Quality System performance described in detail. The assessment procedures emphasize the unique nature of the EQIPD Quality System being user-friendly, flexible and fit-for-purpose. By undergoing the (voluntary) external EQIPD assessment (leading to the EQIPD certification after all EQIPD core requirements have been implemented), a research unit: (i) secures confidence in the quality of data generated, (ii) ensures continuous improvement of research processes, and (iii) obtains an independent seal of quality communicating commitment to best research practices to the research community.

Total and Free Hydrogen Cyanide Content and Profile of Bioactive Amines in Commercial Tucupi, a Traditionally Derived Cassava Product Widely Consumed in Northern Brazil.

Tucupi is a broth derived from cassava roots which is produced after the spontaneous fermentation of manipueira (the liquid portion obtained by pressing cassava roots), followed by cooking. This product is widely consumed along with traditional dishes in the Brazilian Amazonia and is already used in different places worldwide. In this study, tucupi obtained from the markets of Belém (Pará, Brazil) and produced using agroindustrial (11 samples) and non-agroindustrial (11 samples) units were investigated to determine their physicochemical characteristics, total and free HCN contents, and free bioactive amine profiles. Most of the samples showed significant variations (p ≤ 0.05) in pH (2.82-4.67), total acidity (0.14-1.36 g lactic acid/100 mL), reducing sugars (up to 2.33 g/100 mL), and total sugars (up to 4.35 g/100 mL). Regarding the amines, four biogenic amines (0.5-4.2 mg/L tyramine, 1.0-23.1 mg/L putrescine, 0.5-66.8 mg/L histamine, and 0.6-2.9 mg/L tryptamine) and one polyamine (0.4-1.7 mg/L spermidine) were identified in the tucupi samples. Even in the tucupi produced using the agroindustrial units, which had quality seals provided by the local regulatory agency, high levels of biogenic amines (4.4-78.2 mg/L) were observed, as well as high dosages of total (8.87-114.66 mg/L) and free (0.80-38.38 mg/L) HCN. These facts highlight the need for better knowledge regarding the product manufacturing process to establish standardization and high-quality conditions for tucupi processing since high contents of biogenic amines and HCN are commonly associated with adverse health effects.

If it happened, he was there

The Asian American Broadway musical continues to be a limited category in which many of its most commercially successful titles have histories mired in stereotype, mockery and erasure. Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s Pacific Overtures, however, stands apart from most other Broadway musicals written about the Asian and Asian American experience. The positioning of an Asian narrative in a serious and legitimate manner, the effort to incorporate Japanese aesthetic authenticity and the resolve to cast all Asian American talent were central to the creation of Pacific Overtures and were historical firsts for the Broadway stage. Stamped with Sondheim’s incomparable quality seal, Pacific Overtures initiated a new and necessary step towards Asian American Broadway inclusivity. But the show’s original Broadway run in 1976 was unsuccessful, both critically and commercially, and closed after 193 regular performances. In 2004, a highly anticipated Broadway revival gave the New York theatre world a chance to revisit Pacific Overtures. The revival production also offered a company of Asian American actors, whose community had historically been sidelined on Broadway, the opportunity to deliver a high-profile show about the Asian experience that resisted clichéd gestures of Asian-ness. In this article, I share my personal recollections of my time with Pacific Overtures as a cast member of the 2004 Broadway revival and reflect upon the production as it pertains to a grander collective memory of the Asian American Broadway experience. Cautiously optimistic about the critical and commercial outcome of this new production, our 2004 Pacific Overtures cast took great comfort in an ever-present Sondheim, whose constant proximity and participation during the run of the show served as a reminder that even this lesser-known Sondheim piece is still a Sondheim masterpiece.

Scientific journals: guidelines for creating a data collection

This article aims to suggest actions for the opening of scientific data, deposit, use and dissemination, so that scientific journals, linked to Higher Education Institutions, create open data collections. It is an applied social research, with a qualitative, exploratory, documentary approach and with action-research dimensions. A survey of the scientific data openness policies of the journals that use the Dataverse repository of Harvard University was carried out, based on the requirements of the quality seal of reliable digital repositories Core Trust Seal and the Transparency and Openness Promotion Guidelines. The information obtained in this survey supported the implementation of action-research steps, through which guidelines were formulated to meet the proposed objective. With such results, other journals will be able to join the movement of open data adjacent to the articles they publish, expanding the scientific practices related to the movement for open science and the democratization of scientific knowledge.

Innovative non-targeted liquid chromatography fingerprinting approach for authenticating tigernuts under Protected Designation of Origin quality seal.

Tigernut is a typical foodstuff from a specific region of Valencia (Spain) called 'L'Horta Nord', where it is commercialized under a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) as Chufa de Valencia ('Valencia's tigernut'). PDO-recognized tigernuts present unique characteristics associated with their particular production region. Increasing demand and the associated expansion of its cultivation area has made necessary an exhaustive quality control to check the geographical origin and quality seal. In this work, a new multivariate analytical method capable of authenticating the PDO quality seal of tigernut samples was developed. Tigernut fat fraction was extracted under optimal conditions, applying the methodology of design of experiments. The analytical method combined fingerprinting methodology and chemometric tools to observe the natural grouping of samples using the exploratory analysis method and to develop classification models (partial least squares-discriminatory analysis; PLS-DA) to discriminate between two sample categories: (i) PDO tigernuts; and (ii) NON-PDO tigernuts. The built PLS-DA model demonstrated 100% accuracy, high sensitivity and specificity, revealing that the tigernut fat fraction can be applied to authenticate the PDO quality seal. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

The roles of user interface design and uncertainty avoidance in B2C ecommerce success: Using evidence from three national cultures

Most related previous studies have focused on measuring B2C ecommerce success instead of exploring its predictors, and even fewer studies have tested their models across diverse cultures, even though most ecommerce markets involve multiple cultures. Our study extends this line of research by newly identifying and incorporating three predictors of B2C ecommerce success’s system-quality dimension: the formatting quality (FQ), picture quality (PQ), and third-party seal (TPS) user-interface-design factors (UIDFs). Given the uncertainty associated with online shopping, we also incorporated uncertainty avoidance’s moderating influence on B2C ecommerce success as one of Hoftstede’s national culture dimensions. Motivated by cross-cultural research suggesting that behavioral models often do not hold across different cultures, we tested our model using a sample of 768 B2C consumers from Kuwait, Poland, and Latvia. These countries represent three distinct and understudied national cultures: the Arab world, Central Europe, and Eastern Europe. Our results support our newly hypothesized model, suggesting that both picture quality and formatting positively affect system quality, while—surprisingly—TPSs do not. We also found that uncertainty avoidance moderates the relationship between user satisfaction and reuse intentions but not the relationship between perceived value and reuse intentions. Finally, we found that our newly expanded model is robust across the three national cultures we explored; therefore, it can explain reuse intentions in distinct cultures and a B2C ecommerce context. This study’s findings present important implications for practitioners and researchers who seek to understand and improve B2C ecommerce success across distinct national cultures.

The implementation of learning apps in biological education: a quantitative study of the current situation in Austria

PurposeThis research paper aims to provide information about certified learning apps for biological education and gave an ordered list of all learning apps currently used by Austrian biology teachers in the classroom, which should serve as an overview for all biology teachers. In addition, the (currently little known) certification process of learning apps (seal of quality for educational applications) is described.Design/methodology/approachOnline questionnaire for all biology teachers throughout Austria, on the one hand to find out the apps, and on the other hand to research how Austrian teachers find suitable apps. The data were evaluated using descriptive statistics.FindingsA total of84 different learning apps are currently used by biology teachers in Austria. There are two certified lernapps in Austria, both are used. The most common app in biology lessons is “Anton”. The teachers find the information about apps throughout their own research or through colleagues. There are regional and school-specific differences in regards of usage and knowledge about seal of quality. It needs its own teacher training (TT) via suitable learning apps, because problems (data protection, advertising) are sometimes not taken into account during use.Research limitations/implicationsLimitations of this paper are that some of the teachers indicated the apps from other subjects (mathematics) to use this learning app, although this is not possible for biology lessons. Data protection was stated to the best of the authors’ knowledge by the authors, if the authors were not sure it says “unsure”. The participants are mainly women, but this corresponds to the gender ratio, which is typical of the Austrian teaching profession.Practical implicationsThe overview of the apps, compiled by this Austria-wide research, can be taken over into the biology lessons of all teachers. In addition, on the basis of this study, a TT at the University of Education 2023 in Linz was created. In addition, the (currently little known) certification process of learning apps is described.Social implicationsThe TT and the overview of the learning apps used serve as guidelines for teachers as to which apps they can use in biology lessons without hesitation. Above all, the aspect of the follow-up of digital media/apps will be emphasized. Data backup, inappropriate advertising must be processed in class or completely omitted. Biology teachers need the right training (TT) and appropriate materials and tools (apps) to reduce problems (cybercrimes).Originality/valueCurrently, there is no prepared list of suitable (certified and uncertified) learning apps for biology lessons. There are isolated recommendations and individual apps, but the selection criteria and backgrounds of the authors are not clear. This list shows which apps (how often) are used by which teachers. In addition, the (currently little known) certification process of learning apps is described.

Effect of E-Service Quality, Brand Image and E-Security Seals on TOKOPEDIA E-Customer Satisfaction (Case Study on Tokopedia Customers)

This study aims to determine the effect of E-Security Service, E service quality and customer transaction security on TOKOPEDIA's Customer Satisfaction Level. The method used in this study is explanatory research (explanation) with a quantitative approach where the data source is primary and secondary data in the form of E-Commerce user data. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using multiple linear regression with classical assumptions, namely the Normality Test, Multicollinearity Test, and Heteroscedasticity Test. Capital feasibility test is the coefficient of determination, F test and t test. Based on the results of the classic assumption test, it shows that E-Security Service, E service quality and customer transaction security simultaneously (together) have a significant effect on the dependent variable Tokopedia's Customer Satisfaction Level. Using a multiple regression analysis system, the results show that E-Security Service, E-service quality and customer transaction security have a partial effect on TOKOPEDIA's Customer Satisfaction Level with the E-Security Service variable value tcount 2.207 > ttable 1.675 and sig. the E-Security Service variable is 0.032 <0.05 meaning that there is a positive and significant influence between the E-Security Service variable on TOKOPEDIA's Customer Satisfaction Level, the value of the variable tcount E service quality tcount 6.897 > ttable 1.675 sig. the E-Security Service variable is 0.00 <0.05 meaning that there is a positive and significant effect between the E service quality variable on TOKOPEDIA's Customer Satisfaction Level, and the tcount E service quality variable value tcount 3.869 > ttable 1.675 sig. the E service quality variable is 0.00 <0.05 meaning that there is a positive and significant effect between the E service quality variable on TOKOPEDIA's Customer Satisfaction Level. Thus the better the E-Security Service, the E service quality and the existing customer transaction security, the higher the TOKOPEDIA Customer Satisfaction Level, conversely the worse the E-Security Service, E service quality and existing customer transaction security, the lower the Customer Satisfaction. TOKOPEDIA level

Distinct Bacterial Communities in São Jorge Cheese with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO)

São Jorge cheese is an iconic product of the Azores, produced from raw cow's milk and natural whey starter (NWS). Although it is produced according to Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) specifications, the granting of the PDO label depends crucially on sensory evaluation by trained tasters. The aim of this work was to characterize the bacterial diversity of this cheese using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and to identify the specific microbiota that contributes most to its uniqueness as a PDO by distinguishing the bacterial communities of PDO and non-PDO cheeses. The NWS and curd microbiota was dominated by Streptococcus and Lactococcus, whereas Lactobacillus and Leuconostoc were also present in the core microbiota of the cheese along with these genera. Significant differences (p < 0.05) in bacterial community composition were found between PDO cheese and non-certified cheese; Leuconostoc was found to play the chief role in this regard. Certified cheeses were richer in Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus, but had fewer Streptococcus (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was found between contaminating bacteria, e.g., Staphylococcus and Acinetobacter, and the development of PDO-associated bacteria such as Leuconostoc, Lactobacillus and Enterococcus. A reduction in contaminating bacteria was found to be crucial for the development of a bacterial community rich in Leuconostoc and Lactobacillus, thus justifying the PDO seal of quality. This study has helped to clearly distinguish between cheeses with and without PDO based on the composition of the bacterial community. The characterization of the NWS and the cheese microbiota can contribute to a better understanding of the microbial dynamics of this traditional PDO cheese and can help producers interested in maintaining the identity and quality of São Jorge PDO cheese.

Adaptation of the Irscom social profitability indicator to the context of community radio in Colombia

The main objective of this research action is to highlight the process of adaptation, validation, and administration of the Indicator of social profitability in communication (Irscom, Indicador de rentabilidad social en comunicación) for the community and indigenous radio sector of Colombia, a country with over 700 community radio stations nationwide, and the first in Latin America/Abya Yala to legalize them. The Irscom, a registered trademark, was created by the LabCom­Andalucía group of the University of Malaga in 2012. Employing six categories and 33 variables, it reflects the working practice and dynamics of radio stations to achieve their objectives, awarding points subject to weightings and criteria linked to pertinence. A compendium of quantitative (questionnaire, weighting, and rankings) and qualitative methods (focus groups and semi-structured interviews) were applied in its development and administration. The sample for this pilot project (from the Ministry of Culture of Colombia, the Faculty of Communications of the University Minuto de Dios, Bogotá, and LabComAndalucía) consisted of 11 community radio stations, an indigenous community radio station declared to be of public interest, and four community radio networks within the country. The results confirmed that Irscom is an organic tool that, without substantial modifications to the original framework, and although designed for Spain, can be adapted to other international contexts so that different broadcasters may appreciate their strengths and weaknesses. It contributes to holistic reflection on the social profitability of these media within their broadcasting areas. In the short term, Irscom may be extended to other community radio stations in the country. In the medium term, this indicator can help the community and the indigenous sound sector to improve their social profitability and validate their activities with government and institutional agencies to defend their important work of social cohesion and the need for solid sources of financing. It can also contribute to better collective organization by joining interests, with the awarding of the Irscom seal of quality as an endorsement of its implementation and improvements.

Quality of information regarding abnormal uterine bleeding available online

IntroductionThe Internet and electronic devices with Internet access allow for a greater fluidity of information and speed of communication, especially in the field of health. Abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) affects approximately 3–30% of women and can negatively impact their health and quality of life. Information regarding AUB that is available on the Internet may not be clear or accurate, rendering it difficult to understand and likely to result in delayed medical evaluation, which subsequently leads to worsening of the AUB. ObjectiveTo evaluate the quality of the information regarding AUB currently available on the Internet, including information regarding treatments. MethodsThe Google Trends website was searched for the most widely used English terms related to AUB. The identified descriptors were searched individually on the Google, Yahoo!, and Bing search engines. The first 10 results of each search were pre-selected and evaluated for inclusion in this study. Selected websites were categorically divided into two groups (news/magazine and academic) and individually analyzed by three experts using the DISCERN quality criteria (reliability, general quality, and quality of information) and the presence or absence of the Health on the Net Foundation Code of Conduct (HONcode®) seal. ResultsOf the 168 websites included in this study, 60.1% were allocated to the news/magazine group and 39.9% were allocated to the academic group. Over half of the websites (54.2%) did not have the HONcode® quality seal. Websites in the academic group were more likely to include accurate information regarding AUB with greater reliability than websites in the news/magazine group. There were no statistical differences regarding the general quality of the websites. Most websites were rated as either moderate quality (70.8%) or low quality (28.6%). The HONcode® criterion was found to be a confounding factor of the analyses, as the grouping and quality results of websites without this seal were significantly associated. In addition, websites in the news/magazines group were 6.7 times more likely to provide low quality information than websites in the academic group (odds ratio: 6.7; 95% confidence interval: 2.1–21.4). ConclusionThe information regarding AUB that is available on the Internet is of low to moderate quality. Academic websites present more reliable information of greater quality. The presence of the HONcode® seal is considered important to determine the quality of the content of a website, especially for news/magazine websites, and may help Internet users identify websites that contain more reliable information. Algorithms and applications that categorize the quality of information and the reliability of health content may be useful tools that can help patients clarify their symptoms for several conditions including AUB.

Using the constructivist multi-criteria decision aid model (MCDA-C) to supporting the planning of the creation of a quality seal for cargo handling for ports of Santa Catarina

Using the constructivist multi-criteria decision aid model (MCDA-C) to supporting the planning of the creation of a quality seal for cargo handling for ports of Santa Catarina

Using the constructivist multi-criteria decision aid model (MCDA-C) to supporting the planning of the creation of a quality seal for cargo handling for ports of Santa Catarina

Using the constructivist multi-criteria decision aid model (MCDA-C) to supporting the planning of the creation of a quality seal for cargo handling for ports of Santa Catarina

Development of scientific requirements for climate-neutral buildings and sustainable funding schemes in Germany

The German Climate Protection Plan 2050 describes interim targets and measures for the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement, including the building sector. With the “New European Bauhaus”, the EU Commission has currently initiated an ambitious process. While new construction has been in the foreground up to now, the existing building stock must make a significant contribution to achieving the climate protection goals in the future. Robust building technology and a high degree of adaptability lead to a longer useful life and are thus more sustainable, both economically and in terms of ecological balance. Resilience to the consequences of climate change is gaining in importance.The main goal of this contribution is to inform about the latest developments in governmental policies and subsidy schemes. As part of the National Climate Protection Programme 2030, the new “Federal Funding for Efficient Buildings (BEG)” was introduced in 2021. Research projects investigated how, with the introduction of efficiency house classes, funding can take greater account of the life cycle approach and other aspects of sustainability. At the same time, general and special requirements for the ecological, socio-cultural and economic quality were developed as a supplement to the existing certification systems and introduced by the Federal Building Ministry as “Quality Seal for Sustainable Buildings” (QNG).

Assessment of hydrocarbon generation potential and thermal maturity of the deep offshore Lamu Basin, Kenya

In this study, the secondary well data for Cretaceous to Miocene cutting samples in four deep offshore exploration wells, i.e., Pomboo-1 in the north, Kubwa-1 in the central, Simba-1 and Kiboko-1 in the south of the deep offshore Lamu Basin were assessed for identifying source rock presence and examining thermal maturity of the source rocks. The 2D basin modelling was used to analyse the bulk gas transformation in the basin. Total organic carbon (TOC) content values for the wells range from 0.09 wt % to 2.23 wt % with an average of 0.78 wt %. The average organic richness is higher in the Upper Cretaceous (0.83 wt %) than in the Palaeogene (0.65 wt %), Lower Cretaceous (0.28 wt %) and Upper Jurassic (0.30 wt %). The S1 averages for the Upper Cretaceous are 3.76 mg HC/g rock in Pomboo-1 and 0.31mg HC/g rock in Kubwa-1. The S2 averages for the Upper Cretaceous are 5.00 mg HC/g rock in Pomboo-1 and 0.72 mg HC/g rock in Kubwa-1. Hydrogen index (HI) values vary between 4 and 512 mg HC/g TOC with an average of 157.09 mg HC/g TOC. Organic matters were identified as mixed types of II-III (oil and gas prone) and III-IV (gas prone) kerogen in the potential source rocks. The HI and S2 yield values are exceptionally high for the observed TOC values in Pomboo-1. The vitrinite reflectance and Tmax values of deep offshore Lamu Basin are in the ranges of 0.38%–0.72% and 360–441 °C, respectively. It suggests the existence of both immature and mature source rocks. Vitrinite reflectance maturity favours near coastal region in the Upper Cretaceous. These results explain why Pomboo-1, Kubwa-1, Simba-1 and Kiboko-1 wells were dry. The temperatures are still cool for hydrocarbon generation in deep offshore. The critical risk for deep offshore Lamu Basin is charge, primarily source presence, and a lack of definitive evidence of a deep-water marine source rock being present. The four wells penetrate good quality reservoir and seal rocks, but source rock presence and maturity remain the critical play risk in the deep offshore Lamu Basin.

Does personality still matter in e-commerce? How perceived hubris influences the assessment of founders’ trustworthiness using the example of reward-based crowdfunding

Reward-based crowdfunding broadens the scope of e-commerce transactions, as prototypical products are pre-sold under conditions of considerable uncertainty. To date, we know little about the mechanisms that underlie decisions to back reward-based crowdfunding campaigns. However, it is likely that startup founders’ possibility of showcasing their personalities in video pitches signals their trustworthiness, particularly, as other features, such as quality seals and customer testimonials, are often unavailable. We use signaling theory to reinforce the move from a feature-oriented perspective to a signaling perspective, as signals can transmit information about startup founders’ otherwise imperceptible qualities and abilities. Based on a survey (N = 108), we investigate how perceived hubris – proven to be particularly salient in startup contexts – influences the funding decision of potential backers. We find that abilities and legitimacy of a startup founder are rated positively when s/he is perceived as hubristic. These results have implications for crowdfunding campaigns and highlight the relevance of personality traits in electronic markets.

Online Information on Painful Sexual Dysfunction in Women: Quality Analysis of Websites in SPANISH about Dyspareunia, Vaginismus and Vulvodynia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the content, quality, and readability of websites containing information on dyspareunia, vaginismus, and vulvodynia in Spanish. Web pages were retrieved entering the terms “dyspareunia”, “vaginismus”, and “vulvodynia” in Google, Yahoo!, and Bing search engines. Two researchers employed the DISCERN and Bermúdez-Tamayo questionnaires to analyze the content and quality of the websites, and the INFLESZ scale to evaluate their readability. IBM SPSS® version 25 statistical software was employed for data analysis. The internet search yielded 262 websites, 91 of which were included after applying the selection criteria. Websites with information on dyspareunia obtained median scores of 24 (30–21) in the DISCERN, 38 (41.0–35.5) in the Bermúdez-Tamayo, and 55.3 (57.2–50.9) in the INFLESZ tools. The results for websites on vaginismus revealed median scores of 23.5 (30–20) in the DISCERN, 37 (42–35) in the Bermúdez-Tamayo, and 52.9 (55.6–46.4) in the INFLESZ. Finally, the median scores for vulvodynia sites was 25.5 (30–20) in the DISCERN, 38 (43–33.7) in the Bermúdez-Tamayo, and 54.2 (57.3–47.2) in the INFLESZ. These outcomes indicate that the quality of information in these websites is very low, while the overall quality of the web pages is moderate. Sites on vaginismus and vulvodynia were “somewhat difficult” to read, while readability was “normal” for websites on dyspareunia. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the shortcomings of these websites and address them through therapeutic education with resources containing updated, quality information. This raises the need for health professionals to generate these resources themselves or for experts and/or scientific societies in the field to check the quality and timeliness of the contents, regardless of whether or not the websites are endorsed with quality seals.