Randomized evaluation of an online single-session intervention for minority stress in LGBTQ+ adolescents

Background

LGBTQ+ youth face myriad adverse health outcomes due to minority stress, creating a need for accessible, mechanism-targeted interventions to mitigate these minority stress-related risk factors. We tested the effectiveness and acceptability of Project RISE, an online single-session intervention designed to ameliorate internalized stigma and improve other outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth. We hypothesized that youth assigned to RISE (versus a control) would report significantly reduced internalized stigma and increased identity pride at post-intervention and at two-week follow-up and would find RISE acceptable.

Methods

We recruited adolescents nationally through Instagram advertisements in May 2022 (N = 538; M age = 15.06, SD age = 0.97). Participants were randomly assigned to RISE or an information-only control and completed questionnaires pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, and two weeks post-intervention. Inclusion criteria included endorsing: (1) LGBTQ+ identity, (2) age 13-16, (3) English fluency (4) Internet access, and (5) subjective negative impact of LGBTQ+ stigma.

Results

Relative to participants in the control condition, participants who completed RISE reported significant decreases in internalized stigma (d = -0.49) and increases in identity pride (d = 0.25) from pre- to immediately post-intervention, along with decreased internalized stigma (d = -0.26) from baseline to two-week follow-up. Participants rated both RISE and the information-only control as highly, equivalently acceptable.

Conclusions

RISE appears to be an acceptable and useful online SSI for LGBTQ+ adolescents, with potential to reduce internalized stigma in both the short- and longer-term. Future directions include evaluating effects of Project RISE over longer follow-ups and in conjunction with other mental health supports.

A dynamic collimation and alignment system for the Helmholtz linear accelerator

The upcoming commissioning of the superconducting (SC) continuous wave Helmholtz linear accelerators first of series cryomodule is going to demand precise alignment of the four internal SC cavities and two SC solenoids. For optimal results, a beam-based alignment method is used to reduce the misalignment of the whole cryomodule, as well as its individual components. A symmetric beam of low transverse emittance is required for this method, which is to be formed by a collimation system. It consists of two separate plates with milled slits, aligned in the horizontal and vertical direction. The collimation system and alignment measurements are proposed, investigated, and realized. The complete setup of this system and its integration into the existing environment at the GSI High Charge State Injector are presented, as well as the results of the recent reference measurements.

Patient's Education Before Mastectomy Influences the Rate of Reconstructive Surgery

Breast reconstruction (BR) should be offered and discussed to each woman with breast cancer who planned for mastectomy, except the cases with severe comorbidities. However, the majority of these patients do not undergo reconstructive surgery. A 20-question survey was administered to a group of 50 women (age 29-83 years, median 53) treated with mastectomy. 22.4 % underwent reconstruction of the breast, 24.5 % declared an interest in BR in the future, 53.1 % were not interested in reconstructive surgery. 51.2 % obtained information concerning BR before surgery, 58.1 % after and 44.2 % both before and after mastectomy. 59.2 % were informed about reimbursement. Information given before surgery had a statistically significant impact on performing reconstruction or a declared interest in BR (X ² = 4.950, df = 1, p < 0.05), as well as information about reimbursement (X ² = 8.875, df = 1, p < 0.05). Age <55 years was another significant factor (X ² = 13.522, df = 1, p < 0.05, C Pearson = 0.525). Level of education did not impact upon the choice (p > 0.05). The main reasons for the refusal were fear of complications (47.4 %), priority to recovery over aesthetic (36.8 %), age, defined by the patient as "advanced" (31.6 %), high level of acceptance of the body after amputation (31.6 %), fear of cancer recurrence (26.3 %) and fear of the pain and discomfort (15.8 %). Each patient who planned for mastectomy should obtain sufficient information regarding breast reconstruction. Exact information is of special benefit to women discouraged by imagined disadvantages of surgery. Patients' education impacts the quality of life-not only before surgery but also lifelong after finishing the treatment.

A novel interferometric method for the study of the viscoelastic properties of ultra-thin polymer films determined from nanobubble inflation

Glass formation and glassy behavior remain as the important areas of investigation in soft matter physics with many aspects which are still not completely understood, especially at the nanometer size-scale. In the present work, we show an extension of the "nanobubble inflation" method developed by O'Connell and McKenna [Rev. Sci. Instrum. 78, 013901 (2007)] which uses an interferometric method to measure the topography of a large array of 5 μm sized nanometer thick films subjected to constant inflation pressures during which the bubbles grow or creep with time. The interferometric method offers the possibility of making measurements on multiple bubbles at once as well as having the advantage over the AFM methods of O'Connell and McKenna of being a true non-contact method. Here we demonstrate the method using ultra-thin films of both poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and polystyrene (PS) and discuss the capabilities of the method relative to the AFM method, its advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore we show that the results from experiments on PVAc are consistent with the prior work on PVAc, while high stress results with PS show signs of a new non-linear response regime that may be related to the plasticity of the ultra-thin film.

A new tribological experimental setup to study confined and sheared monolayers

We have developed an original experimental setup, coupling tribology, and velocimetry experiments together with a direct visualization of the contact. The significant interest of the setup is to measure simultaneously the apparent friction coefficient and the velocity of confined layers down to molecular scale. The major challenge of this experimental coupling is to catch information on a nanometer-thick sheared zone confined between a rigid spherical indenter of millimetric radius sliding on a flat surface at constant speed. In order to demonstrate the accuracy of this setup to investigate nanometer-scale sliding layers, we studied a model lipid monolayer deposited on glass slides. It shows that our experimental setup will, therefore, help to highlight the hydrodynamic of such sheared confined layers in lubrication, biolubrication, or friction on solid polymer.

From the Editor’s Desk

No abstract available.

Mirror symmetry of higher order aberrations between right and left eyes

Introduction: There is evidence that certain measures of visual function show some type of relationship between right and left eyes in the same individual.  Similarly, particular ocular maladies may be related, or be symmetric, in the right and left eyes of the same person. There is also evidence to suggest that certain relationships do not exist between eyes in an individual. For example, diseases such as glaucoma are often asymmetric in their progression in the two eyes of an afflicted individual. Inter-ocular mirror symmetry between right and left eyes, when considering ocular wave-front aberrations (WAs), has been shown to exist by some authors. This study investigates whether mirror symmetry of high order aberrations (HOAs) exists between the right and left eyes in a cohort of South African subjects. Method: Third to 5th order Zernike coefficients (HOAs) were measured on both eyes of 66 subjects (132 eyes) using a Zywave aberrometer. A total of 15 Zernike coefficients for each eye were obtained. Mirror symmetry was investigated using correlation coefficients between the various measurements obtained from each eye. Results: Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients provide evidence that the majority of the 15 Zernike coefficients suggest the presence of mirror symmetry between right and left eyes of the 66 subjects. Examples of individual scatter plots comparing right and left eyes are presented.  Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that mirror symmetry exists in the HOAs obtained from the 132 eyes measured and thus care should be exercised when combining eyes of individuals for analysis. (S Afr Optom 2013 73(1) 39-44)

Surfaces of forced vergence disparity

Purpose: To introduce the concept of surfaces offorced vergence disparity using measurementsof fixation disparity from three young, healthy individuals.Method: Fixation disparities were measured in three individuals in relation to variation in stimulus distance and vergence demand.  All measurementswere obtained by means of the Sheedy disparometerwhich can be used to measure not only fixation disparity but also associated phorias.  For each individual, consecutive measurements of fixation disparity only were determined over a short time period at four stimulus distances (0.25 m, 0.4 m, 1 m and 2 m) and under five different vergence demands as produced with the application of different amounts of prism (either base in or base out) and also without any prism.  Parametric and non-parametric statistical methods are used to understand short-term variation of fixation disparity and pseudo-3D and stereo-pairs represent thesurfaces of forced vergence disparity with which this paper is mainly concerned.Results:  Surfaces of forced vergence disparity are very useful to study variation of fixation disparity inrelation to change in stimulus distance and vergence demand.  They are effectively 3-dimensional equivalents of 2-dimensional Ogle curves of forcedvergence disparity.Conclusion: Surfaces of forced vergence disparity may be useful in many contexts - both in relation to normal or unusual binocular behaviour.  This paper introduces such surfaces in relation to three individuals who were considered as having satisfactory binocular and accommodative-vergence function.  The surfaces assist one in understanding complicated three-dimensional or trivariate data that involves fixation disparities, different stimulus locations and different accommodative-vergence demands upon the oculo-motor system.  (S Afr Optom 2013 72(1) 25-33) 

Colour spaces - a review of historic and modern colour models*

Although colour is one of the most interesting and integral parts of vision, most models and methods of colourimetry (the measurement of colour) available to describe and quantify colour have been developed outside of optometry. This article presents a summary of some of the most popularcolour models and a brief history of the advancements that have led to our current understanding of the complicated phenomenon of colour. (S Afr Optom 2012 71(3) 133-143)

Implanted, inductively-coupled, radiofrequency coils fabricated on flexible polymeric material: application to in vivo rat brain MRI at 7 T

Combined with high-field MRI scanners, small implanted coils allow for high resolution imaging with locally improved SNR, as compared to external coils. Small flexible implantable coils dedicated to in vivo MRI of the rat brain at 7 T were developed. Based on the Multi-turn Transmission Line Resonator design, they were fabricated with a Teflon substrate using copper micromolding process and a specific metal-polymer adhesion treatment. The implanted coils were made biocompatible by PolyDimethylSiloxane (PDMS) encapsulation. The use of low loss tangent material achieves low dielectric losses within the substrate and the use of the PDMS layer reduces the parasitic coupling with the surrounding media. An implanted coil was implemented in a 7 T MRI system using inductive coupling and a dedicated external pick-up coil for signal transmission. In vivo images of the rat brain acquired with in plane resolution of (150 μm)(2) thanks to the implanted coil revealed high SNR near the coil, allowing for the visualization of fine cerebral structures.

A pharmacokinetic interaction in man between phenobarbitone and fenoprofen, a new anti-inflammatory agent

1 The effect of repeated administration of phenobarbitone on the plasma disposition of fenoprofen (±-2-(3-phenoxyphenyl) propionic acid) was investigated in rats and man. 2 The plasma elimination rate constants increased significantly and the rats excreted proportionately more metabolized fenoprofen in the urine. These findings are consistent with an increase in the rate of metabolism of fenoprofen. 3 This interaction between phenobarbitone (and presumably other inducers of drug metabolizing enzymes) and fenoprofen should be considered when evaluating the clinical usefulness of fenoprofen.

Optical transferences and their application to ray tracing through the human cornea*

The purpose of this paper is two fold, firstly to describe aspects of the quantitative analysis of the linear optical character of the corneas of ten young and healthy subjects using the exp-mean-log-transference and secondly to illustrate how mean transference and ray vector fields or diagrams can be used to explain and understand the optical properties of corneas as thick optical systems.An Oculus Pentacam was used to obtain 43 successive measurements of the radii of curvature of the anterior and posterior corneal surfaces and the central corneal thicknesses of the right eyes of ten subjects. From these measurements 4×4 ray transferences were calculated. Mean transferences were obtained via multi-dimensional Hamiltonian space and these mean transferences were used to produce stereo-pairs of ray vector fields. The mean transferences are also important in understanding the behaviour of light through each of the corneas concerned. This paper provides the first order optical characters of corneas from the positions and inclinations of rays entering and leaving such systems. As anticipated, light rays through the cornea are deflected inwards when the refractive index of the cornea is greater than the index of the surrounding medium. The exp-mean-log transference for a specific cornea exists and is the optical transference of the averaged cornea of the sample of measurements for that cornea. Within the limitations of linear or paraxial optics, the corneas of the different eyes in this sample and their averages were found to be close to that of thin optical systems; but they were not truly thin and instead should be considered as being thick optical systems. (S Afr Optom 2011 70(4) 156-167)

Short-term variation in ocular anterior chamber angle using Scheimpflug photography

Purpose: To investigate short-term variation of ocular Anterior Chamber Angle (ACA) within and across the different meridians of young, healthy eyes.Method: Scheimpflug photography (via an  Oculus Pentacam) was used to repeatedly measure the anterior segment of the right eyes of three young females, all aged 22 years.  For each individual, ten consecutive maps were determined over a short time period and each map contained information for the chamber angles of different meridians across the eye involved, roughly at 70 intervals.  Each meridian in an eye was thus measured 10 times in total permitting analysis of short-term variation both within and across the meridians concerned.  Parametric and non-parametric statistical methods used to understand short-term variation of ACA included meridional plots of medians andlower and upper quartiles (Q1 and Q3) and various polar plots (of raw observations, of means and 95%confidence regions, and of standard deviations).Results: Over, at least, short periods of time, Scheimpflug photography provided fairly repeatable results for ACA both within and across the meridians of the eyes involved.  However, occasionally outliers increased variability for some meridians.  While short-term variation within meridians was relatively small assuming exclusion of a limitednumber of outliers, variation across the meridians of specific eyes was greater (probably relating to the usual anatomical structure of eyes with ACA in the inferior quadrants being mostly larger than that for the superior quadrants).  Friedman ANOVA confirmed for each of the three eyes concerned thamedian ACA was significantly different across thvarious meridians.Conclusion: Scheimpflug photography allows for comprehensive, non-invasive and rapid measurement of ACA through 3600.  Repeatability of measurements appears satisfactory over the short-term, despite potential limitations relating to this photo-graphic method for measuring ACA.  The holistic and quantitative approach to ACA used here may be useful also in diabetic, neoplastic or other disease of the anterior segment of the eye.  This methodology could provide better understanding of the potential risk for acute or chronic angle-closure glaucoma through more complete evaluation of ACA.  The methods also could be usefully applied to measurement of ACA using techniques such as anterior segment optical coherence tomography or ultrasound biomicroscopy. (S Afr Optom 2010 69(1) 35-47)  

Deflection and translation of a ray traversing an optical system, nodal rays and the optical axis

Expressions are derived for the deflection and transverse translation of a ray as it traverses an arbitrary optical system.  The system may be astigmatic and have relatively decentred refracting elements.  The expressions are in terms of the fundamental properties of the system.  Because nodal rays are rays that undergo no deflection the results lead immediately to expressions that define nodal rays through the system.  An optical axis of an optical system is a nodal ray that is a straight line through the system.  This allows one to write an expression that determines the optical axis of an arbitrary optical system.

Accelerated R-COP: a pilot study for the treatment of advanced low grade lymphomas that has a high complete response rate

This pilot study tested the hypothesis that dose intensity/dose density treatment may improve the response rate and remission duration in patients with advanced low grade lymphomas. ten patients with low grade lymphomas: follicular lymphoma grades I and II, marginal zone lymphoma, and small cell lymphocytic lymphoma with progressive disease were studied. Patients had an ECOG performance of 0-2, and Stage III and IV disease. Both untreated and previously treated patients with progressive disease were eligible. Patients received a combination of rituximab 375 mg/m(2), cyclophosphamide 1000 mg/m(2), and vincristine 1.4 mg/m(2) (up to a maximal dose of 2 mg), administered by intravenous infusion every two weeks, for ten treatments. Prednisone 50 mg was administered every other day orally for thirty days and then tapered over the next thirty days. Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSf) was administered on days seven to ten following each cycle of chemotherapy. After 5 and 10 cycles, patients were evaluated for response that included imaging with Ct and pet scans. A total of 10 patients (7 untreated and 3 previously treated) were enrolled into this pilot study between may 2003 and July 2004. Untreated patients received an average of 8.3 cycles of therapy (range 5 to 10 cycles). Seven of 7 untreated patients achieved a complete response (CR), and 5 had not relapsed as of 32-43 months later. Previously treated patients received an average of 9.3 cycles of therapy (range 6 to 12 cycles). One of three previously treated patients achieved a complete response and has no evidence of relapse at 29 months. the other two heavily pretreated patients achieved partial responses, lasting 2 and 5 months. Toxicity was mild consisting mainly of parasthesias requiring attenuation of the vincristine dose. There were no instances of neutropenic fever requiring hospitalization. This program is well tolerated with a high CR rate, and may serve as a basis for future trials.