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Health and Human Rights Jun 2024Protecting the rights of people with psychosocial conditions is an important and controversial global aim, particularly in light of multiple calls for reduced coercion...
Protecting the rights of people with psychosocial conditions is an important and controversial global aim, particularly in light of multiple calls for reduced coercion catalyzed by General Comment 1 of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which stipulates the replacement of substituted care with supported care. Responding to this and other global calls for reduced coercion is complex globally but can entail particular challenges in developing countries, where resource shortages and environmental barriers are sometimes a significant factor in how people with mental conditions experience involuntary care and encounter limitations to their autonomy. To better understand these complexities, our study explored experiences of involuntary care among people with psychosocial conditions in South Africa. Participants described varying degrees of coercion within involuntary care and found that different approaches from professionals when they were in crisis significantly impacted their illness experience, including their ability to make decisions and feel dignified. Participants' reports include variable feelings and embodied experiences of coercion in different forms and degrees, ambivalence about compliance and resistance while being treated against their will, and gray areas between conventional separations of autonomy and paternalism. On the whole, our analysis troubles binaries about the use or disuse of involuntary care and illustrates the complexity of participants' experiences and views of coercive intervention, which could hold multiple possibilities for both care and autonomy.
Topics: Humans; South Africa; Coercion; Male; Female; Personal Autonomy; Mental Disorders; Human Rights; Adult; Middle Aged
PubMed: 38933228
DOI: No ID Found -
Health and Human Rights Jun 2024Managing residential care facilities (RCFs) includes the ability to manage adverse events while maintaining a human rights-based approach to care and support. Literature...
Managing residential care facilities (RCFs) includes the ability to manage adverse events while maintaining a human rights-based approach to care and support. Literature investigating rights-based approaches in RCFs is scarce; therefore, an investigation of the current approach in RCFs will inform improvements. This study sought to identify whether RCFs in Ireland upheld a rights-based approach during the course of adverse events by analyzing notifications of adverse events from 2021 taken from the Database of Statutory Notifications from Social Care in Ireland. Data analysis was conducted independently by two researchers. Notifications of adverse events were coded according to whether the human rights principles of fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy were upheld or violated during the adverse event and its subsequent management. There was some evidence of violations, including staff violations during adverse events and their management, as well as residents violating fellow residents' autonomy, respect, and dignity in notifications of "serious injury" and "allegations of abuse." However, overall, good practice was identified, with residents' human rights upheld by staff. Our findings indicate that a rights-based approach to care and support is being upheld during adverse events and their management, which may indicate that such an approach to care and support has been adopted.
Topics: Humans; Human Rights; Ireland; Residential Facilities; Personal Autonomy; Patient Safety
PubMed: 38933218
DOI: No ID Found -
Frontiers in Public Health 2024This article deals with combat experiences and their consequences and could be potentially disturbing.
TRIGGER WARNING
This article deals with combat experiences and their consequences and could be potentially disturbing.
INTRODUCTION
Moral injury (MI) is a severe form of combat trauma that shatters soldiers' moral bearings as the result of killing in war. Among the myriad ways that moral injury affects veterans' reintegration into civilian life, its impact on political and societal reintegration remains largely unstudied but crucial for personal, community, and national health.
METHODS
13 in-depth interviews examine combat soldiers' exposure to potentially morally injurious events (PMIEs) that include killing enemy combatants, harming civilians, and betrayal by commanders, the military system, and society. Interviewees also described their political activities (e.g., voting, fundraising, advocacy, protest) and social activism (e.g., volunteering, teaching, charitable work). Interviewees also completed the Moral Injury Symptom Scale.
RESULTS
Two distinct narratives process PMIEs. In a narrative, soldiers hold themselves or their in-group morally responsible for perpetrating, witnessing, or failing to prevent a morally transgressive act such as killing or injuring civilians or placing others at unnecessary risk. In contrast, a perspective blames an out-group for leaving soldiers with no choice but to act in ways that trigger moral distress. Associated with shame and guilt, the humanitarian perspective triggered amends-making and activism after discharge. In contrast, a national security perspective associated with anger and frustration fostered protest and intense activism.
DISCUSSION
Despite its harmful health effects, moral trauma and injury can drive intense political and social activism, depending upon the narrative veterans adopt to interpret PMIEs. Aside from moral injury's personal, familial, and social effects, moral injury drives veterans' return to the political arena of civil society. As such, veterans play a central role in politics and dramatically affect post-war policy in democratic nations following conflict.
Topics: Humans; Veterans; Male; Adult; Israel; Political Activism; Morals; Military Personnel; Female; Middle Aged; Interviews as Topic; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 38932767
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1336406 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024The transition to a low-carbon economy is one of the main challenges of our time. In this context, solar energy, along with many other technologies, has been developed...
The transition to a low-carbon economy is one of the main challenges of our time. In this context, solar energy, along with many other technologies, has been developed to optimize performance. For example, solar trackers follow the sun's path to increase the generation capacity of photovoltaic plants. However, several factors need consideration to further optimize this process. Important variables include the distance between panels, surface reflectivity, bifacial panels, and climate variations throughout the day. Thus, this paper proposes an artificial intelligence-based algorithm for solar trackers that takes all these factors into account-mainly weather variations and the distance between solar panels. The methodology can be replicated anywhere in the world, and its effectiveness has been validated in a real solar plant with bifacial panels located in northeastern Brazil. The algorithm achieved gains of up to 7.83% on a cloudy day and obtained an average energy gain of approximately 1.2% when compared to a commercial solar tracker algorithm.
PubMed: 38931674
DOI: 10.3390/s24123890 -
Microorganisms Jun 2024Better diagnostic tools are needed to improve the diagnosis of infections (CDI) and reduce the overtreatment of colonized children. In this study, we evaluated two...
Better diagnostic tools are needed to improve the diagnosis of infections (CDI) and reduce the overtreatment of colonized children. In this study, we evaluated two polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays (Cepheid GeneXpert and the Gastroenteritis PCR Panel by QIAstat-Dx) as a standalone method in combination with the PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value in positive samples to predict the presence of free toxins. We also evaluated the clinical impact of reporting toxin production results and provided comments alongside the PCR results in our pediatric population. PCR-positive stool samples from pediatric patients (aged 2 to 18 years old) were included in our study and tested for the presence of toxins A and B using the Quik Chek Complete kit. For the clinical intervention, the CDI treatment rates 6 months pre- and post-intervention were compared. The use of PCR Ct value showed excellent sensitivity (100%) at a Ct value cutoff of 26.1 and 27.2 using the Cepheid GeneXpert and the Gastroenteritis PCR Panel by QIAstat-Dx, respectively, while the toxin test showed inferior sensitivity of 64% in the PCR-positive samples. In addition, CDI treatment rates were decreased by 23% post-intervention. The results of our study suggest that nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) assays supplemented by the use of PCR Ct value for positive samples can be used as standalone tests to differentiate CDI from colonization. Furthermore, the reporting of toxin production along with the PCR results can help reduce the unnecessary treatment of colonized children.
PubMed: 38930564
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061181 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024"Lauren N [...].
"Lauren N [...].
PubMed: 38929766
DOI: 10.3390/life14060767 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2024This study aims to examine how the activation of the role of nursee and professional identification as a nurse can influence moral judgments in terms of deontological...
This study aims to examine how the activation of the role of nursee and professional identification as a nurse can influence moral judgments in terms of deontological and utilitarian inclinations. In Study 1, a priming technique was used to assess the impact of activating the nursing concept on moral reasoning. Participants were randomly assigned to either a nursing prime or neutral prime condition. By using a scrambled-sentence task, participants were prompted to think about nursing-related or neutral thoughts. Following the priming task, participants were asked to respond to 20 moral dilemmas. The process dissociation approach was employed to measure the degree of deontological and utilitarian tendencies in their moral reasoning. In Study 2, participants completed the nursing profession identification scale and the moral orientation scale before engaging in moral judgments similar to those in Study 1. The findings revealed that priming the concept of being a nursee resulted in an increase in deontological clinical inclinations while having no significant effect on utilitarian inclinations. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between identification with the nursing profession and deontological clinical inclinations, whereas a negative correlation was found with utilitarian inclinations. Deliberation orientation acted as a complete mediator in the relationship between nursing professional identification and deontological tendencies and as a partial mediator for utilitarian tendencies.
Topics: Humans; Female; Male; Adult; Young Adult; Morals; Nurses; Judgment
PubMed: 38928958
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21060712 -
Brain Sciences Jun 2024As cancer progresses, patients may experience physical decline, which can impair their ability to carry out essential daily tasks. The aim of this study was to analyze...
As cancer progresses, patients may experience physical decline, which can impair their ability to carry out essential daily tasks. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of physical activity in patients with advanced cancer undergoing systemic treatment and its relationship with sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors. A prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study was carried out in 15 oncology departments in Spain. Patients with locally advanced, unresectable, or metastatic cancer who were candidates for systemic treatment were included. Participants completed demographic information and psychological scales. In total, 508 patients were included in the study, the majority of whom were male, over the age of 65, and diagnosed with bronchopulmonary tumors (36%) and metastatic disease. Based on their physical activity levels, participants were categorized as sedentary (20%, = 190), engaging in light physical activity (43%, = 412), or demonstrating moderate physical activity (37%, = 351). Patients who were over 65 years old; had a worse baseline status (ECOG ≥ 1); lacked a partner; had a lower educational level; or were retired or unemployed were found to have lower levels of physical activity. Those with sedentary physical activity reported higher levels of psychological distress, anxiety, depression, somatization, and physical symptoms, as well as worse functional status, global health status, and well-being. Understanding the complex interplay between physical activity and sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological factors can help neuroscientists develop tailored exercise interventions that address the unique needs of advanced cancer patients.
PubMed: 38928572
DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14060573 -
Biomedicines May 2024Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of integrating transcranial direct current...
Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) has a significant impact on patients' quality of life. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of integrating transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) into an education and exercise program with the aim of decreasing pain and improving physical function in KOA. A randomized controlled trial with 65 KOA patients was conducted. The subjects were assigned to one of the following three groups: education and active exercise plus (1) double active tDCS and TENS, (2) active tDCS and sham TENS, and (3) double sham tDCS and TENS. Sessions were conducted over a 20 min period, whilst data on pain, chronic pain clinical variables, and physical function were collected. Although all groups showed improvement in pain-related symptoms in the short and medium term, the addition of tDCS and/or TENS did not significantly enhance the benefits of the exercise and education program. These findings suggest that an education and active exercise program in the treatment of KOA has a positive effect on pain, with or without the addition of tDCS and/or TENS.
PubMed: 38927392
DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12061186 -
BMC Psychology Jun 2024AI Generated Content Law was extensively promoted in 2023; hence, it is crucial to uncover factors influencing people's behavioral intentions to comply with the AI...
AI Generated Content Law was extensively promoted in 2023; hence, it is crucial to uncover factors influencing people's behavioral intentions to comply with the AI Generated Content Law. This study extends the theory of planned behavior to explore the factors influencing people to follow AI Generated Content Law in China. In addition to the factors in TPB model, such as one's attitudinal factors, normative factors, and perceived behavioral control, we add another factor-moral obligation to extend the theory of planned behavior model. We used convenient sampling and there were 712 effective samples. Using the statistical software Amos17.0, the result shows that attitude, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and moral obligation all have positive effects on intentions to follow AI Generated Content Law.
Topics: Humans; China; Intention; Male; Female; Adult; Attitude; Psychological Theory; Artificial Intelligence; Models, Psychological; Young Adult; Moral Obligations; Theory of Planned Behavior
PubMed: 38926756
DOI: 10.1186/s40359-024-01824-4