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Problematic pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations: Insights from the International Sex Survey and comparison of different assessment tools
No full textBackground and aims
Problematic pornography use (PPU) is a common manifestation of the newly introduced Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder diagnosis in the 11th edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Although cultural, gender- and sexual orientation-related differences in sexual behaviors are well documented, there is a relative absence of data on PPU outside Western countries and among women as well as gender- and sexually-diverse individuals. We addressed these gaps by (a) validating the long and short versions of the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS and PPCS-6, respectively) and the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS) and (b) measuring PPU risk across diverse populations.
Methods
Using data from the pre-registered International Sex Survey [n = 82 243; mean age (Mage) = 32.4 years, standard deviation = 12.5], a study across 42 countries from five continents, we evaluated the psychometric properties (i.e. factor structure, measurement invariance, and reliability) of the PPCS, PPCS-6, and BPS and examined their associations with relevant correlates (e.g. treatment-seeking). We also compared PPU risk among diverse groups (e.g. three genders).
Results
The PPCS, PPCS-6, and BPS demonstrated excellent psychometric properties [for example, comparative fit index = 0.985, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.981, root mean square error of approximation = 0.060 (90% confidence interval = 0.059–0.060)] in the confirmatory factor analysis, with all PPCS’ inter-factor correlations positive and strong (rs = 0.72–0.96). A total of 3.2% of participants were at risk of experiencing PPU (PPU+) based on the PPCS, with significant country- and gender-based differences (e.g. men reported the highest levels of PPU). No sexual orientation-based differences were observed. Only 4–10% of individuals in the PPU+ group had ever sought treatment for PPU, while an additional 21–37% wanted to, but did not do so for specific reasons (e.g. unaffordability).
Conclusions
This study validated three measures to assess the severity of problematic pornography use across languages, countries, genders, and sexual orientations in 26 languages: the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS, and PPCS-6, respectively), and the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS). The problematic pornography use risk is estimated to be 3.2–16.6% of the population of 42 countries, and varies among different groups (e.g. genders) and based on the measure used.peer-reviewe
In-situ quality monitoring during embedded bioprinting using integrated microscopy and classical computer vision
No full textDespite significant advances in bioprinting technology, current hardware platforms lack the capability for process monitoring and quality control. This limitation hampers the translation of the technology into industrial GMP-compliant manufacturing settings. As a key step towards a solution, we developed a novel bioprinting platform integrating a high-resolution camera for in-situ monitoring of extrusion outcomes during embedded bioprinting. Leveraging classical computer vision and image analysis techniques, we then created a custom software module for assessing print quality. This module enables quantitative comparison of printer outputs to input points of the CAD model’s 2D projections, measuring area and positional accuracy. To showcase the platform's capabilities, we then investigated compatibility with various bioinks, dyes, and support bath materials for both 2D and 3D print path trajectories. In addition, we performed a detailed study on how the rheological properties of granular support hydrogels impact print quality during embedded bioprinting, illustrating a practical application of the platform. Our results demonstrated that lower viscosity, faster thixotropy recovery, and smaller particle sizes significantly enhance print fidelity. This novel bioprinting platform, equipped with integrated process monitoring, holds great potential for establishing auditable and more reproducible biofabrication processes for industrial applications.This publication has emanated from research conducted with the financial support of the EU Commission Recovery and Resilience Facility under the Research Ireland Future Digital Challenge Grant Numbers 22/NCF/FD/10991. This publication has also emanated from research supported in part by a grant from Research Ireland and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund under Grant Numbers 13/RC/2073_P2.peer-reviewe
A scoping review of bullying and harassment in nonprofit and voluntary organizations
No full textApproximately 15% of workers are exposed to bullying in their workplace. However, few studies appear to have been conducted in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. This scoping review explored prevalence and structural and contextual factors that influence bullying in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. From a capture of 671 papers, 54 were assessed for eligibility and 18 full-text articles were reviewed. Bullying is prevalent in nonprofit and voluntary organizations at the same or higher levels as other sectors, with sexual harassment appearing to be a serious problem in the context of fundraising. A synthesis of papers found a suite of factors presented in four themes; complex and unique power relations, the exploitation of virtuosity, the exercise of hegemonic power, and asymmetrical power and extreme dependency, which together act to stabilize the presence of bullying in nonprofit and voluntary organizations. Such dynamics need to be disrupted for intervention to occur. Further research is needed on how volunteers “sense-make” in the face of dissonance between organizational mission and behavior, intervention evaluation, and regulating philanthropic donation to reduce donor dependence.peer-reviewe
Periprocedural anatomical and physiological assessment of myocardial revascularisation
No full textThe goal of coronary revascularisation, whether via stenting or bypass grafting, is not merely to address coronary artery obstructions but also to improve clinical outcomes. Functional assessment of coronary stenoses has become the standard of care to evaluate the significance of coronary flow-limitation, and to justify revascularisation in contemporary practice. Imaging- derived physiological assessment based on invasive coronary angiography (ICA) or coronary computed tomographic angiography (CCTA) is an alternative to wire-based pressure measurements, and offers the benefits of being less invasive, more cost-effective, and having a shorter procedure time. In patients with complex coronary artery disease (CAD), the decision by the Heart Team between either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is aided using an objective risk model such as the SYNTAX Score Ⅱ 2020, which facilitates an individual assessment of the short- and long-term risk benefit with each treatment modality (1). Optimal medical therapy after revascularisation is associated with long-term survival benefit (2)
Exploring psychosocial vulnerability in informal carers of patients with chronic haematological malignancies
No full textIntroduction
There are more than 1,900 cases of blood cancers diagnosed each year in Ireland, with this trend set to continue due to the ageing population. Blood cancers make up approximately 10% of all cancers and are the fourth most common cause of cancer-related deaths in Ireland.
Tremendous progress has been made in the treatment of patients with a diagnosed haematological malignancy in the last number of years. Haematological malignancies that were once considered incurable are now being managed as chronic, incurable diseases due to the substantial changes in disease management strategies and available treatments.
Little is known about carers’ experience in this cohort of cancer patients. This is most likely due to the substantial change in the disease trajectory and with patients living longer with a treatable disease that was once considered incurable. Informal carers play a major role in supporting patients through the uncertainty of an incurable disease often which is overlooked. The deterioration in caregiver wellbeing as a result of caregiving is now being recognised globally and recognising what contributes to vulnerability in the context of the psychosocial impact may offer insight into recognising carers at risk.
The thesis aims to explore and describe psychosocial vulnerability in carers of patients with Chronic Haematological Malignancies (CHM).
Methods
A hybrid concept analysis (HCA) was undertaken to define the concept “psychosocial vulnerability” in carers of patients with a CHM. This involved three phases:
• Part 1, theoretical phase: A scoping review and qualitative evidence synthesis (QES),
• Part 2 fieldwork phase: one-to-one interviews with carers of individuals with a CHM (qualitative research) and
• Part 3: an analytical phase involving parts 1 and 2.
• Finally, a quantitative study was undertaken to operationalise the definition of the concept “psychosocial vulnerability” in caregivers of individuals with a CHM.
Results
The scoping review highlighted the immaturity of the concept of “psychosocial vulnerability.” No definition of psychosocial vulnerability was found in the literature.
The qualitative evidence synthesis had three main themes: Unpredictable Disease Trajectory, Illness Manager and Loss, Loneliness and Isolation. The main findings are: The patient’s quality of life is a priority for carers in an uncertain disease trajectory. There is a reluctance to discuss end of life because the disease trajectory is uncertain. Carers become experts at managing and overseeing care, are multi-taskers, taking on protector, advocate roles, and desperately seek information on the diagnosis and treatment. Carers worry about financial loss, and experience change in their relationships with their loved ones, as well as experiencing loneliness and isolation. The qualitative interviews had two main themes: restructured living, and sustaining caring with six subthemes: shrinking world, constant carer, healthcare professional support, needing information – particularly in the early days, peer support and taking control. The main findings are: There is a significant life change for caregivers, which is often isolating and invisible. Healthcare professional and peer support are crucial to sustaining caring.
The analytical process of the hybrid concept analysis defined psychosocial vulnerability as ‘the risk and susceptibility of psychological or social harm as a result of exposure to the experience of caring for an individual with an incurable blood cancer. It can be due to a range of factors, including socioeconomic status, social support, access to healthcare, life events and individual characteristics such as personality traits and coping styles”. It identified the UCLA Loneliness scale (UCLA scale), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS scale), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS scale) and Modified Caregiver Strain Index Scale (MCSI) as useful for operationalising the concept.
The cross-sectional descriptive questionnaire was conducted to operationalise the concept of psychosocial vulnerability. It identified that younger carers experienced a greater impact on their lives. Demographic characteristics associated with psychosocial vulnerability were age, gender, socioeconomic status, health, and well-being.
Conclusion
The HCA is a helpful technique for defining and exploring immature concepts. The findings contribute to the field of concept analysis studies and the field of chronic haematological malignancies and carers’ needs. There is valuable input in that findings can inform policy and highlight the impact that caring for an individual with a chronic haematological malignancy has on carers. Further work can be developed in other areas of chronic disease with the concept of psychosocial vulnerability.
A key finding is the need for more resources, particularly social support for carers. Furthermore, carers need to be involved in the patient trajectory and recognised for their immense value to the patient experience and care
A short screen for lifetime sexual victimization experiences: Expanding research on the Sexual Abuse History Questionnaire (SAHQ) across cultures, genders, and sexual identities
No full textThe Sexual Abuse History Questionnaire (SAHQ), a widely used screening tool for childhood sexual abuse (CSA) and adolescent/adult sexual assault (AASA) experiences, has limited examination of its psychometric properties in diverse populations. Our study assessed the SAHQ's psychometric properties (i.e., structural validity and measurement invariance across demographic groups, know-group validity, and internal consistency) and estimated the frequencies of various types of sexual victimization across 42 countries and in diverse gender-, trans-status-, and sexual-identity-based groups that were previously missing from measurement-focused studies. We used a large, non-representative sample (N = 81,465; 57 % women, 3.4 % gender-diverse individuals, Mage=32.34 years, SD=12.48) from the International Sex Survey, a 42-country cross-sectional, multi-language, online survey. The SAHQ demonstrated excellent structural validity in all country-, gender-, sexual-identity-, and trans-status-based groups, as well as acceptable reliability and known-group validity. Occurrence estimates for six CSA and AASA types were reported across sociodemographic groups, corroborating previous evidence that women and gender- and sexual-minority individuals are at greater risk of CSA and AASA. Pansexual and queer individuals emerged as a particularly vulnerable group. Associations between different types of CSA and AASA revealed that participants who experienced any form of CSA were at least twice as likely to experience AASA. The findings have significant implications for policy and interventions, especially for marginalized groups.The research was supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development, and Innovation Office (Grant numbers: KKP126835). L.N. and M.K. were supported by the ÚNKP-22–3 New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Culture and Innovation from the source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund.; S.W.K. was supported by the Kindbridge Research Institute; Z.D. was supported by the Hungarian National Research, Development, and Innovation Office (Grant numbers: KKP126835); M.N.P. was supported by the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling; BB was supported by the FRQSC – Research Support for New Academics (NP) Program during the finalization of this article; C.Y.L. was supported by the Wordwide Universities Network (WUN) Research Development Fund (RDF) 2021 and the Higher Education Sprout Project, the Ministry of Education at the Headquarters of University Advancement at the National Cheng Kung University (NCKU); C.L., J. Billieux and D.J.S. received support from the WUN Research Development Fund (RDF) 2021; G.O. was supported by the ANR grant of the Chaire Professeur Junior of Artois University and by the Strategic Dialogue and Management Scholarship (Phase 1 and 2); G.C.Q.G. was supported by the SNI #073–2022 (SENACYT, Republic of Panama); H.F. was supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Transformative Research Areas (A) (Japan Society for The Promotion of Science, JP21H05173), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B) (Japan Society for The Promotion of Science, 21H02849), and the Smoking Research Foundation; J.B.G. was supported by grants from the International Center for Responsible Gaming and the Kindbridge Research Institute; K. Lukavská was supported by the Charles University institutional support programme Cooperatio-Health Sciences; K. Lewczuk was supported by Sonatina grant awarded by National Science Centre, Poland, (2020/36/C/HS6/00,005); K.R. was supported by a funding from the Hauts-de-France region (France) called "Dialogue Stratégique de Gestion 2 (DSG2)"; L.C. was supported by the National Social Science Foundation of China (19BSH117); M.G. was supported by National Science Centre, Poland (2021/40/Q/HS6/00,219); R.C. was supported by Auckland University of Technology, 2021 Faculty Research Development Fund; R.G. was supported by Charles University's institutional support programme Cooperatio-Health Sciences; S.B. was supported by a Tier 1 Canada Research Chair; Sungkyunkwan University's research team was supported by Brain Korea 21 (BK21) program of National Research Foundation of Korea.peer-reviewe
Identification of the pollution sources and hidden clustering patterns for potentially toxic elements in typical peri-urban agricultural soils in southern China
No full textPeri-urban agricultural soils are often contaminated by potentially toxic elements (PTEs) due to rapid urbanization, industrial activities, and agricultural practices. In this study, two advanced analytical methods including positive matrix factorization (PMF) model and K-means clustering algorithm were integrated to explore the potential sources and concealed contamination patterns of 8 PTEs in peri-urban soils in county Gaoming, China. Descriptive statistics showed average concentrations of arsenic (As), cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), mercury (Hg), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), and zinc (Zn) as 19.11, 0.18, 35.69, 20.31, 18.26, 151.7, 67.75, and 0.29 mg/kg, respectively. The PMF model identified three primary sources: geogenic (Cr, Ni), industrial and traffic-related (Pb, Hg, Zn), and agricultural (As, Cd and Cu). The contribution of each source was quantified: geogenic sources contributed 55.6% to Cr and 52.3% to Ni, industrial sources accounted for 41.8% of Pb, 58.4% of Hg, and 41.9% of Zn, while agricultural practices contributed 88.1% of As, 77.9% of Cu, and 70.7% of Cd. Subsequently, K-means clustering classified the soil samples into three distinct clusters based on the derived factor contribution from PMF model, reflecting their clear spatial associations with different types of land use: large-scale agricultural areas (Cluster 1), natural vegetation (Cluster 2), and urbanized zones (Cluster 3). Furthermore, boxplots showed that the highest PTE concentrations were found in the third cluster, confirming the significant impact of human activities, while the lower concentrations in the second cluster indicated more natural conditions. These results underscored the dual influences of agriculture and urbanization on PTE contamination, which highlighted the need for targeted soil management strategies. Moreover, the integration of PMF and K-means clustering effectively reveals potential sources and concealed pollution patterns, providing insights for managing pollution and safeguarding environmental health in rapidly urbanized areas.This study was financially supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (42307288; 42407288), and Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2022A1515110718; 2022A1515110930).peer-reviewe
A crisis within a crisis: How gender and disability impact the opportunities available to women with disabilities in Cambodia and Rwanda
No full textThe experiences of women with physical disabilities have long been overlooked in the fields of both gender and disability studies (Liasidou, 2013). Much of the literature which does exist to explore disability and gender is based in the Global North and tends to take a medical or clinical approach to disability. This thesis therefore takes a more participatory approach to gender and disability research, relying on the stories of women with disabilities themselves, through empirical evidence from two countries in the Global South. The aim of this thesis is to explore the relationship between gender and disability, and to understand how these factors of identity combine to limit the opportunities available to women with disabilities, especially in relation to education and employment. Utilising a mixed methods approach, which is rooted in participation and empowerment, and framed by critical disability studies and intersectional feminism, I consider the experiences of 36 women with physical disabilities, their advocates, communities, and support structures. These interviews highlight the discrimination faced by women with disabilities in their everyday lives, due to the social and institutional perceptions of both gender and disability in Cambodia and Rwanda. These are influenced by patriarchal norms and assumptions about the capabilities of women with disabilities, and tend to preclude them from education, employment, marriage, and personal relationships. In order to overcome these obstacles, women stressed the need for self-confidence and support from those around them. This thesis therefore argues for an increase in support for women with disabilities through both formal and informal channels.NUI Awards Travelling Doctoral Studentship
“A lot could be forgiven if you were funny”: A case study of the Spanish subtitling of queer humour in RuPaul’s Drag Race
No full textThis thesis investigates how humorous utterances in the US reality TV show RuPaul’s Drag Race (RPDR) are transformed in its official Spanish subtitles in streaming platforms. RPDR, which features a cast of drag queens each season, aired for the first time in 2009. It gained international success, which spread an American version of drag culture and its corresponding ideas about gender and sexuality. It is through the study of translations where the exchange of these ideas takes place that the power dynamics and the cultural negotiation involved can be revealed. The thesis focuses on the subtitles of humour because, in drag culture, linguistic creativity is considered essential for belonging to the community, and it is notoriously difficult to translate given the range of source culture-specific references and style.
The first part of the thesis discusses the existing theories and approaches in translation studies regarding audiovisual translation, subtitling, translation of humour, and queer translation. This overview establishes an appropriate methodology for analysing the subtitling of humour in RPDR by creating a list of priorities to be used for comparison with the translations. The second part is a detailed analysis of subtitles of humorous instances in RPDR into Spanish available on the streaming services Netflix and WoWPresentsPlus. This analysis focuses first on the subtitling of humorous cultural references and then on the subtitling of vulgar and taboo-based humour and sexually explicit humour. The analysis shows that the existing subtitles present a significant loss of humour when translating references, with some exception and they have a tendency towards attenuation of vulgarity, obscenity and sexually explicit humour
Investigating centromere dynamics in bovine early development
No full textCentromeres are chomosomal loci essential for correct chromosome segregation during cell division. Defects in centromere function can lead to aneuploidy and cancer. This chromosomal locus is epigenetically defined by the presence of the histone variant Centromere Protein A (CENP-A), which replaces histone H3 in the octamer core. Previous studies in Drosophila melanogaster and mouse have highlighted the importance of the inheritance of paternal and maternal CENP-A in the embryo. In this thesis, Bos taurus was selected as a mammalian model system to study centromeres during early embryogenesis because of its similarity to humans in terms of the timings of cell division and activation of the zygotic genome. Initially, we report the expression of multiple CENP-A variants in Bos taurus from analyses of RNA sequencing databases. This finding poses the question of whether any of these CENP-A-like transcripts has evolved a specific function, perhaps in embryogenesis or in the germ line. A long term goal was to study the consequences of perturbing centromere function on the first mitosis and on embryonic development. To enable such experiments, we developed a number of tools, such as methods for CENP-A depletion using Trim-Away, Fluoresent In Situ Hybridisation (FISH) probes to label centromere DNA sequences and markers of S- and M-phases in the bovine cell cycle. Parental genome clustering at the pronuclear interface was previously described as a critical step to prevent chromosome missegregation and aneuploidy in human and bovine embryos. Yet, despite the critical function of centromeres in chromosome segregation, the position and spatial organisation of the centromeres at this time was unknown. In this thesis, using bovine in vitro fertillisation (IVF) studies, we identify 20 hours post insemination as the time point when parental pronuclei cluster and are in S-phase. We find that centromeres are unexpectedly positioned away from the pronuclear interface at this time. This localisation poses questions about how centromeres become re-arranged during chromatin condensation to allow faithful chromosome segregation during the first mitotic division. The agricultural sector suffers economic losses resulting from poor bovine IVF outcomes. The causes of such poor success rates in bovine assisted reproduction remain unknown. We propose that monitoring cell cycle progression at 20 hours post insemination could be used in future bovine IVF studies as a potential indicator of successful outcomes