The European wildcat is an elusive felid that is declining across its range. Sicily hosts a distinctive insular wildcat population, the conservation of which requires much better ecological knowledge ...than is currently available, particularly population density. We simultaneously used two noninvasive methods (camera‐trapping and scat‐collection) to estimate the population density of wildcats on the Etna volcano. We conducted genetic analyses to identify individuals and to detect potential hybridization with the domestic cat. We analyzed individual capture‐histories from camera‐trapping and scat‐collection using the spatially explicit capture‐recapture (SECR) model. Furthermore, we applied the random encounter model (REM), which does not require individual identification, to the camera‐trapping data. We identified 14 wildcats from 70 photographic detections (6.48 detections/100 trap‐days) obtained from 1080 camera‐trapping days over 4 months, and we estimated to have identified all the individuals living in the study area (10.9 km−2). On the contrary, we identified 10 wildcats from 14 out of 39 scats collected from 391 km of transects walked. The estimated densities (individuals km−2 ± se) were 0.32 ± 0.1 (SECR camera‐trapping), 1.36 ± 0.73 (SECR scat‐collection) and 0.39 ± 0.03 (REM). The population density estimates obtained from SECR camera‐trapping and REM overlapped, although we recommend care when applying the latter. The SECR scat‐collection gave the highest population density (and less precise) estimates because of the low number of capture and recaptures; however, the population size estimated with this method matched the number of individuals photographed. The population density of the wildcat in Etna falls in the medium‐high range of those reported in literature, highlighting the role of this ecosystem for the long‐term conservation of the wildcat in Sicily. Camera‐trapping is confirmed as a useful tool to assess the wildcat population density and, in this case, was complemented by the genetic analysis that confirmed individual identity.
Objective:
Telehealth is being increasingly incorporated into the delivery of mental health care and has received widespread attention during the COVID-19 pandemic for its ability to facilitate care ...during physical distancing restrictions. Videoconferencing is a common telehealth modality for delivering psychotherapy and has demonstrated similar outcomes to those of face-to-face therapy. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is the most common psychotherapy evaluated across various telehealth modalities; however, studies on CBT delivered via videoconference, particularly in a group therapy format, are lacking. Further, little research exists on videoconference group CBT for anxiety disorders. Accordingly, the present study compared the outcomes of group CBT for anxiety and related disorders delivered via videoconference versus face-to-face.
Method:
Using a non-randomized design, data on attendance, dropout, clinical outcomes, and functional impairment were collected from 413 adult outpatients of a tertiary care anxiety disorders clinic who attended a CBT group for panic disorder/agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), or obsessive-compulsive disorder delivered either face-to-face (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) or via videoconference (since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic). Outcomes were assessed using well-validated self-report measures. Data were collected pre-treatment, across 12 weekly sessions, and post-treatment. Intent-to-treat analyses were applied to symptom outcome measures.
Results:
Face-to-face CBT conferred only a slight benefit over videoconference CBT for symptom outcomes across all groups, but when assessed individually, only the GAD group showed greater symptom improvement in the face-to-face format. Effect sizes for significant differences between the delivery formats were small. Participants in videoconference groups tended to have slightly higher attendance rates in some instances, whereas functional improvement and treatment dropout were comparable across the delivery formats.
Conclusions:
Results provide preliminary evidence that videoconference group CBT for anxiety and related disorders may be a promising and effective alternative to face-to-face CBT. Additional research is needed to establish equivalence between these delivery formats.
Healthcare workers (HCWs) and public safety personnel (PSP) across the globe have continued to face ethically and morally challenging situations during the COVID-19 pandemic that increase their risk ...for the development of moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI). To date, however, the global circumstances that confer risk for MD and MI in these cohorts have not been systematically explored, nor have the unique circumstances that may exist across countries been explored. Here, we sought to identify and compare, across the globe, potentially morally injurious or distressful events (PMIDEs) in HCWs and PSP during the COVID-19 pandemic. A scoping review was conducted to identify and synthesize global knowledge on PMIDEs in HCWs and select PSP. Six databases were searched, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsychInfo, CINAHL, and Global Health. A total of 1,412 articles were retrieved, of which 57 articles were included in this review. These articles collectively described the experiences of samples from 19 different countries, which were comprised almost exclusively of HCWs. Given the lack of PSP data, the following results should not be generalized to PSP populations without further research. Using qualitative content analysis, six themes describing circumstances associated with PMIDEs were identified: (1) Risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19; (2) Inability to work on the frontlines; (3) Provision of suboptimal care; (4) Care prioritization and resource allocation; (5) Perceived lack of support and unfair treatment by their organization; and (6) Stigma, discrimination, and abuse. HCWs described a range of emotions related to these PMIDEs, including anxiety, fear, guilt, shame, burnout, anger, and helplessness. Most PMIDE themes appeared to be shared globally, particularly the ‘Risk of contracting or transmitting COVID-19’ and the ‘Perceived lack of support and unfair treatment by their organization.’ Articles included within the theme of ‘Stigma, discrimination, and abuse’ represented the smallest global distribution of all PMIDE themes. Overall, the present review provides insight into PMIDEs encountered by HCWs across the globe during COVID-19. Further research is required to differentiate the experience of PSP from HCWs, and to explore the impact of social and cultural factors on the experience of MD and MI.
Prevalence of perinatal anxiety disorders continues to grow, with estimates greater than those of postpartum depression. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is the most commonly reported perinatal ...anxiety disorder, yet very little is known about the worry content experienced during the perinatal period in those with GAD. This study investigated worry content and frequency in a sample of perinatal women (n = 20) and age‐matched nonperinatal women (n = 20) diagnosed with GAD. Participants completed the Penn State Worry Questionnaire (PSWQ) to assess worry severity, in addition to providing their current top worries. Mean scores on the PSWQ in both samples exceeded a clinical cut‐off score of 65, and thematic analyses revealed that perinatal women experienced significantly greater parental‐themed worries compared with the nonperinatal GAD sample (p < .05). Capturing the unique content of worry for perinatal woman will assist clinicians in identifying treatment targets and may enhance treatment outcome.
Highlights ► We present an assessment of fear of negative across mood and anxiety disorders. ► We demonstrate factorial invariance across sexes for fear of negative evaluation. ► We provide cutoff ...score recommendations for fear of negative evaluation. ► We provide evidence for using only the eight straightforwardly worded BFNE items.
To examine the impact of local laws prohibiting tobacco sales in pharmacies in California and Massachusetts, the only 2 US states in which such municipal laws exist.
We analyzed longitudinally the ...tobacco retailer density at the city level from tobacco retailer license data in California (2005-2013) and Massachusetts (2004-2014).
After adjustments, the reduction in tobacco retailer density over time was 1.44 (95% confidence interval CI = 1.37, 1.51) to 3.18 (95% CI = 1.11, 5.25) times greater in cities with a tobacco-free pharmacy law than in cities without such a law.
Tobacco-free pharmacy laws are associated with a greater reduction in tobacco retailer density over time in California and Massachusetts.
Community violence is an underaddressed public health threat. Hospital-based violence intervention programs (HVIPs) have been used to address the root causes of violence and prevent reinjury.
In this ...article, we describe the methodology of the St Louis Region-wide HVIP, Life Outside Violence (LOV) program, and provide preliminary process outcomes.
Life Outside Violence mentors intervene following a violent injury to decrease risk of subsequent victimization and achieve goals unique to each participant by providing therapeutic counseling and case management services to patients and their families.
Eligible patients are victims of violent injury between the ages of 8 and 24 years, who are residents of St Louis, Missouri, and present for care at a LOV partner adult or pediatric level I trauma hospital.
Enrolled participants receive program services for 6 to 12 months and complete an individual treatment plan.
In this article, we report LOV operational methodology, as well as process metrics, including program enrollment, graduation, and qualitative data on program implementation.
From August 15, 2018, through April 30, 2022, 1750 LOV-eligible violently injured patients presented to a partner hospital, 349 were approached for program enrollment, and 206 consented to enroll in the program. During this pilot phase, 91 participants graduated from the LOV program and have process output data available for analysis.
Life Outside Violence has been implemented into clinical practice as the first HVIP to influence across an entire region through partnership with multiple university and hospital systems. It is our hope that methods shared in this article will serve as a primer for organizations hoping to implement and expand HVIPs to interrupt community violence at the regional level.
Background Geographic disparities in survival after heart transplantation have received mixed support in prior studies, and specific geographic characteristics that might be responsible for these ...differences are unclear. We tested for differences in heart transplant outcomes across United States (US) counties, after adjustment for individual-level covariates. Our secondary aim was to evaluate whether specific county-level socioeconomic characteristics explained geographic disparities in survival. Materials and Methods Data on patients age ≥ 18 years undergoing a first-time heart transplant between July 2006–December 2014 were obtained from the United Network for Organ Sharing. Residents of counties represented by <5 patients were excluded. Patient survival (censored in March 2016) was analyzed using multivariable Cox regression. County-level shared frailty models were used to test for residual differences in overall all-cause mortality across counties, after adjusting for recipient and donor characteristics. Measures of county economic disadvantage, inequality, and racial segregation were obtained from US Census data, and coded into quintiles. A likelihood ratio (LR) test determined whether adjusting for each county measure improved the fit of the Cox model. Results Multivariable analysis of 10,879 heart transplant recipients found that, adjusting for individual-level characteristics, there remained statistically significant variation in mortality hazard across US counties ( P = .004). Adjusting for quintiles of community disadvantage, economic inequality, or racial segregation did not significantly improve model fit (LR test P = .092, P = .273, and P = .107, respectively), and did not explain residual differences in patient survival across counties. Conclusions Heart transplantation outcomes vary by county, but this difference is not attributable to county-level socioeconomic disadvantage.
This article describes the initial validation of the Diagnostic Assessment Research Tool (DART), a modular semistructured interview to facilitate diagnosis of various disorders among adults ...corresponding with the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). In this study, the construct, convergent, and discriminant validity of DART modules for anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and substance-related and addictive disorders was assessed among a sample of 610 participants in a clinical outpatient setting. The data indicated excellent construct validity among DART modules assessed. Individuals with and without DSM-5 diagnoses identified via the DART had significant between-group differences on self-report measures corresponding to these diagnoses. Follow-up logistic regressions supported convergent validity for all diagnostic categories assessed. Discriminant validity was established for the majority of diagnostic categories assessed. High rates of interrater agreement in a small subsample (n = 15) were observed for the various diagnostic categories of the DART (88% average agreement). The results of the present study provide initial support for the DART as a useful tool to aid in the assessment of several major diagnostic categories corresponding with DSM-5 disorders.
Public Significance Statement
This study describes the development of an interview to help clinicians and researchers identify mental health disorders, which was then studied among 610 patients in a mental health clinic. Strong statistical support for the interview was observed, demonstrating its usefulness and efficiency for identifying mental health disorders when administered by clinicians of various mental health backgrounds.
Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used with increasing frequency as a therapeutic tool to alleviate clinical symptoms of obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD). However, little is ...known about the effects of tDCS on neurocognitive functioning among OCD patients. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature examining the effects of tDCS on specific neurocognitive functions in OCD. A literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science. The search yielded 4 results: one randomized, sham-controlled study (20 patients), one randomized, controlled, partial crossover trial (12 patients), one open-label study (5 patients), and one randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group trial (37 patients). A total of 51 patients received active tDCS with some diversity in electrode montages targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the pre-supplementary motor area, or the orbitofrontal cortex. tDCS was associated with improved decision-making in study 1, enhanced attentional monitoring and response inhibition in study 2, improved executive and inhibitory control in study 3, and reduced attentional bias and improved response inhibition and working memory in study 4. Limitations of this review include its small sample, the absence of a sham group in half of the studies, and the heterogeneity in tDCS parameters. These preliminary results highlight the need for future testing in randomized, sham-controlled trials to examine whether and how tDCS induces relevant cognitive benefits in OCD.Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been used with increasing frequency as a therapeutic tool to alleviate clinical symptoms of obsessive compulsive-disorder (OCD). However, little is known about the effects of tDCS on neurocognitive functioning among OCD patients. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature examining the effects of tDCS on specific neurocognitive functions in OCD. A literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted on the following databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science. The search yielded 4 results: one randomized, sham-controlled study (20 patients), one randomized, controlled, partial crossover trial (12 patients), one open-label study (5 patients), and one randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, parallel-group trial (37 patients). A total of 51 patients received active tDCS with some diversity in electrode montages targeting the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the pre-supplementary motor area, or the orbitofrontal cortex. tDCS was associated with improved decision-making in study 1, enhanced attentional monitoring and response inhibition in study 2, improved executive and inhibitory control in study 3, and reduced attentional bias and improved response inhibition and working memory in study 4. Limitations of this review include its small sample, the absence of a sham group in half of the studies, and the heterogeneity in tDCS parameters. These preliminary results highlight the need for future testing in randomized, sham-controlled trials to examine whether and how tDCS induces relevant cognitive benefits in OCD.
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