I hate you when I am anxious: Anxiety during the COVID-19 epidemic and ideological hostility.

Most previous studies that examined the effect of anxiety on hostility towards a distinct group have focused on cases in which we hate those we are afraid of. The current study, on the other hand, examines the relationship between anxiety in one domain and hostility towards a distinct group that is not the source of that anxiety. We focus here on symptoms of anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic, which have become increasingly frequent, and show that the implications of such mental difficulties are far-reaching, posing a threat to relationships between ideological groups. In two studies conducted in both Israel and the United States, we found that high levels of anxiety during the COVID-19 epidemic are associated with higher levels of hatred towards ordinary people from the respective political outgroups, lower levels of willingness to sustain interpersonal relations with these people (i.e., greater social distancing), and greater willingness to socially exclude them. This relationship was mediated by the perception of threat posed by the political outgroup. This study is the first to show that mental difficulty driven by an external threat can be a fundamental factor that explains levels of intergroup hostility.

Knowledge of disease and self-management of adolescents with inflammatory bowel diseases.

AIM: To describe factors that might affect successful transition in young adult patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Questionnaires regarding the personal disease history, treatment and diseases specific knowledge and patients' self-efficacy were completed by teenaged patients with IBD aged 14-18 years, during routine clinic visits. Patient answers were then compared with information obtained from the medical records and information provided by treating physician. RESULTS: The study included 80 patients with IBD, 54 (67.5%) with Crohn's disease. Patients demonstrated good knowledge in their personal disease history and current treatment. Knowledge gaps were observed in medication dosages, knowledge of potential side effects and effects of smoking on disease, with only 53/80 (66%), 12/80 (15%) and 6/36 (16.7%) of patients providing correct answers. Only 25/36 (69.4%) of the patients aged 16-18 had read about their disease. All patients in 16-18 age group reported needing assistance to schedule a gastroenterologist appointment. CONCLUSION: Knowledge and self-efficacy skills of IBD teenagers are suboptimal regarding medications, smoking and appointment management. Medical providers should work with parents and teenaged patients with IBD to allow them to attain missing information and promote self-efficacy skills, in order to reinforce readiness towards transition.

The Yield of Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy at a Pediatric Tertiary Care Center.

BACKGROUND: The number of investigative esophagogastroduodenoscopies (EGD) in children has increased over several decades, despite their unclear diagnostic yields. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the indications for performing EGD, their diagnostic yields, and consequences on pediatric patient management. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed of consecutive pediatric patients aged 0-18 years, who underwent EGD between January and August 2014. RESULTS: During the study period, 547 EGD were performed on 478 children. The most frequent indications were suspected celiac disease, chronic non-specific abdominal pain, persistent Helicobacter pylori infection, and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The yield of the diagnostic EGD was 59.2%, and the most common new diagnoses were celiac disease (28%), Helicobacter pylori-positive gastritis (16.5%), and Crohn's disease (5.4%). Of the patients with documented follow-up, 74.1% reported improved symptoms. Procedures performed for chronic unexplained abdominal pain had significantly lower yields (26.2%) and only 39.3% improved at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest a general high diagnostic yield for EGD in pediatric patients, stemming mainly from patients in whom a specific condition was suspected a priori. However, the role of the procedure in the diagnosis and management of non-specific gastrointestinal complaints was minor suggesting that EGD may be superfluous for some of these patients.

Development and validation of the relational behavior interactions scale for couples.

In this research, we developed and validated a measure of couple-based reported behavior interactions (RBI). Specifically, Study 1 was designed to describe the development of the scale and to examine its reliability; Study 2 (N = 222), was designed to examine factors that could differentiate men and women. Additionally, we tested if women's behaviors could predict their partner's behavior. Results from the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) revealed a three-factor structure for couples' RBI which were labelled: Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions (SAI) (Factor 1), Fulfilling Obligations and Duties of the Partner (FOD) (Factor 2) and Openness in the Relationship (OR) (Factor 3). In linear regression analyses, there was a significant difference between men and women in the second factor, which represents behaviors associated with fulfilling the responsibilities of a partner. On the other hand, neither the SAI factor nor the OR factor showed any distinct gender differences. The SPSS PROCESS analysis revealed that women's Social Companionship and Affective Behavior Interactions (Factor 1), and Openness in the Relationship (Factor 3) significantly predicted their male partner's behaviors. The relationship duration significantly moderated the association between women's and men's behaviors for both factors. Results are discussed in light of the need for a broader understanding of romantic behavioral interactions.

Relationship Expectations, Behavior Interactions and Commitment: A Dyadic Study Among Dual-Earner Couples.

Previous researchers have analyzed the links between relationship expectations and commitment in cohabiting and married couples. The present study examines a dyadic model where couple's reported behavior interactions (RBI) are suggested as potential mediators and Work-Family Conflict (WFC) as a moderator. The association among these variables was tested by recruiting 111 (N = 222) dual-earner couples to complete questionnaires. To examine the dyadic model, we used the Actor-Partner Interdependence Model on the hypothesized model. The results showed that actor's RBI was seen as a significant mediator of the associations between relationship expectations and both partner's commitment. The partner's affective behavior interactions emerged as a significant mediator between the actor's expectations-actor's commitment link but not with the partner's commitment. In addition, actor's WFC significantly moderated the effect of partner's RBI on their commitment. These findings extended our knowledge of possible factors that play a role in promoting relationship commitment among dual-earners couples in long-term relationships. Through the integration of the Investment Model this study illuminates the pathways by which relationship expectations affect commitment via RBI of married and cohabiting couples. Furthermore, the study elucidates the behavioral component of cohabiting couples in long-term relationships from a dyadic perspective. From a practical perspective, clinicians and counselors working with couples experiencing relational difficulties, may want to inquire as to their clients' relationship expectations and behavior interactions for better understanding commitment among couples.

Helping Others Results in Helping Yourself: How Well-Being Is Shaped by Agreeableness and Perceived Team Cohesion.

This longitudinal research explores team cohesion as a potential mediator explaining the associations between agreeableness as a personality trait and well-being. Additionally, the study examines whether the leader offering support moderates the mediating role of perceived group cohesion. The sample consists of male military personnel (N = 648) from six different units. The longitudinal design examined two time points, T1 and T2, during the soldiers' training period. The PROCESS macro for SPSS was utilized to determine the significance of the moderator and the mediation effect. The results indicate that an agreeable personality and team cohesion at T1 predicted increased well-being at T2 (two months later). In addition, the moderated mediation hypothesis was significant, indicating that when leaders offered more support, the indirect link between an agreeable personality and well-being via team cohesion was stronger than when they offered less. The findings suggest that an agreeable personality and leader support are important in the organizational domain, and these variables promote well-being. By understanding the contribution of both external and internal sources of support to soldiers' well-being, intervention plans can be developed to lessen the stressors of their mental well-being and help them reach their maximum potential.

The tetrazole 3-N-oxide synthesis.

An efficient procedure for transferring an oxygen atom to the 1- or 2-substituted 5-alkyl or aryl tetrazole ring, resulting, for the first time, in the corresponding N-oxides, was developed using HOF.CH(3)CN. This novel route features mild conditions and high yields. X-ray structure analysis and (15)N NMR experiments indicate that the preferred position for the incorporation of the oxygen is on the N-3 atom.

Synthesis of oxygenated fused oligothiophenes with HOF.CH(3)CN.

For the first time a range of fused oligothiophenes was oxidized with use of the HOF.CH(3)CN complex by transferring one or more sulfur atoms to sulfonyl groups under very mild conditions. These materials exhibit considerable red-shift absorptions in the UV/visible relative to the parent compounds. Their highly interesting photoluminescence properties and molecular packing in the solid state are also reported.

Testing the Efficacy of a Smartphone Application in Improving Medication Adherence, Among Children with ADHD.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to medication is a key factor for successful treatment of children with ADHD. However, most children do not adhere to their pharmacotherapy regimen, and have no contact with their physician during the first month of pharmacotherapy. A mobile health (mHealth) approach may bridge the gap between physicians and patients, allowing for more frequent communications as well as better monitoring of adherence to the prescribed treatment. METHOD: The study sample included 39 children with ADHD (27 boys), aged 9.56±2.41 years. Participants were randomly assigned to one of the following two groups: (1) a study group in which participants and their parents were prompted to use a mobile application (i.e., mobile app or app); or to (2) a control group in which participants were treated as usual, without the app. Pill counts, which is a common strategy for confirming medication adherence, was recorded at week 4 and week 8. Clinical assessment conducted at baseline, week 4, and week 8. RESULTS: Participants who were prescribed with the app demonstrated higher overall pill counts over 8-weeks period, F=4.33, p<.05. In addition, a significant improvement in total CRS score was found among the study group compared to controls in week 4 and week 8, F=4.74, p<.05. CONCLUSIONS: The current study provides initial support for the feasibility of a new mobile app in promoting adherence to stimulants among youth with ADHD.

Efficient synthesis of episulfones and of SO2 with any variation of oxygen isotopes using HOF.CH3CN.

[reaction: see text] Episulfones are quite unstable and difficult to make compounds. HOF.CH(3)CN, a powerful oxygen transfer agent operating under very mild conditions, was successfully employed in converting episulfides to episulfones. Unlike other oxidizing agents, no episulfoxides were formed under standard conditions. Reacting H(18)OF.CH(3)CN with either an episulfide or an episulfoxide leads to the corresponding episulfone with all combinations of oxygen isotopes. Decomposition of such episulfones gives any desirable variation of S(18)O(x)()O (x = 16, 18).

Factors Associated with Breast Milk Feeding of Very Preterm Infants from Birth to 6 Months Corrected Age.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate factors that may affect breast milk feeding (BMF) practices among very preterm infants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective study included infants born before 32 weeks gestational age (GA) and monitored up to 6 months corrected age (CA). Feeding method was assessed at day 14 of life, 36 weeks GA, 6 weeks after home discharge, and 6 months CA. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to examine which factors were associated with BMF initiation at cessation. RESULTS: Of 181 infants who qualified for the study, 146 (81%) initiated BMF. Of these, 80% were mainly BMF (≥75% of daily nutrition volume). At 36 weeks GA, 6 weeks postdischarge, and 6 months CA, 130 (71.8%), 87 (48%), and 36 (19.9%) infants, respectively, continued to receive some BMF. Multivariate analysis revealed that initiation of BMF was more common with younger GA and higher level of maternal education. Infants whose mothers failed to supply ≥75% of daily nutrition as BMF at day 14 were more likely to be exclusively formula fed 6 weeks after discharge. Cessation of BMF at 6 months CA was associated with birth at >28 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Successful BMF can be commenced and maintained throughout hospitalization in the majority of very preterm infants. Despite a significant dropout rate occurring within several weeks after discharge, in this select cohort, infants with lower GA were more likely to be breastfed after discharge.

Transforming natural amino acids into alpha-alkyl-substituted amino acids with the help of the HOF.CH3CN complex.

Alpha-alkyl amino acids can be efficiently prepared in high yields from the respective amino acids themselves. The key step is the oxidation of the amine function to create the corresponding alpha-nitro acid in a fast and very high yield reaction followed by phase-transfer alkylation and finally reduction to the desired alpha-alkyl amino acid. Several such acids containing aromatic rings or additional carboxylic groups and acids with steric hindrance at the alpha-position are suitable substrates. Several alkyl halides were examined as alkylating agents.