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Using a grounded theory design and methods, 65 key informants in 15 faith-based organizations having promising programs in four urban areas were interviewed. Respondents were asked what makes their direct service programs faith-based. A story emerges, motivated by mission-driven visions tied to forces beyond local programs and steeped in deep traditions. A major implication of the findings is that in teaching people about the various practices of diverse religious groups, we are only giving them the visible elements. While the expressed values of acts and faith are integral in the faith-based discussion, they do not tell the full story. The deep drivers of human behavior and practice are found in the specific beliefs and interpretations of individuals who are involved either as leaders or participants in faith-based organizations. For many of these individuals in faith-based organizations, mission and accountability to God trumps secular or professional expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The earliest days of social service in American history included elements of religion and government, working together in efforts to address human needs. In recent years, with devolution, privatization, and an overall reduction of public spending on human services, government entities have acknowledged their shared role with religious organizations in efforts addressing human needs. Recent social policies, known as faith-based initiatives, have emphasized these relationships, calling for more involvement from religious organizations and more public support of these organizations. This paper offers initial analysis of qualitative data that focuses on the nature of relationships between government entities and religious organizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Science is among humanity's greatest achievements, yet scientific censorship is rarely studied empirically. We explore the social, psychological, and institutional causes and consequences of scientific censorship (defined as actions aimed at obstructing particular scientific ideas from reaching an audience for reasons other than low scientific quality). Popular narratives suggest that scientific censorship is driven by authoritarian officials with dark motives, such as dogmatism and intolerance. Our analysis suggests that scientific censorship is often driven by scientists, who are primarily motivated by self-protection, benevolence toward peer scholars, and prosocial concerns for the well-being of human social groups. This perspective helps explain both recent findings on scientific censorship and recent changes to scientific institutions, such as the use of harm-based criteria to evaluate research. We discuss unknowns surrounding the consequences of censorship and provide recommendations for improving transparency and accountability in scientific decision-making to enable the exploration of these unknowns. The benefits of censorship may sometimes outweigh costs. However, until costs and benefits are examined empirically, scholars on opposing sides of ongoing debates are left to quarrel based on competing values, assumptions, and intuitions., Competing Interests: Competing interests statement:The authors declare no competing interest.

Background: Four-factor prothrombin complex (PCC4), a concentrate of factors II, VII, IX, and X and proteins C and S, has been used selectively for reversal of oral anticoagulation before surgery. There is data to support PCC4 as opposed to supplemental fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to manage postoperative bleeding following cardiac surgery. The preemptive, intraoperative use of PCC4 in cardiothoracic surgery has not been studied though it may prevent postoperative bleeding, the need for blood transfusion and the risk of transfusion-related acute lung injury, volume overload, and right ventricular (RV) heart failure. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the intraoperative administration of PCC4 to decrease bleeding and lower the rate of blood transfusion., Methods: A single institution retrospective chart review was conducted from May 2020 to November 2021 of patients who received PCC4 intraoperatively during cardiothoracic surgery of high-risk variety. Patients were evaluated for the type of surgery, demographics, baseline anticoagulation, PCC4 dose, type and quantity of blood transfusion within 72 hours (h) postoperatively, chest tube output, the incidence of RV failure, hypersensitivity reactions, acute kidney injury (AKI), thrombosis, acute lung injury, and mortality within 45 days of the operative dose of PCC4., Results: Thirty-five patients received PCC4 at a mean dose of 2920 units (U). Sixty-five percent of cases were left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) or heart transplants. The protocol is to use PCC4 30  units (U)/kg immediately after the completion of protamine administration. Inclusion criteria are cardiothoracic surgery with increased risk of postoperative right heart failure commonly secondary to blood product transfusion, or cardiothoracic surgery associated with increased risk of bleeding, including heart transplant, LVAD implant, aortic dissection, and redo sternotomy (e.g., coronary artery bypass). Total chest tube output was recorded as a mean of 757 ml for 24 h after surgery (32 ml/h). Overall median event rates of FFP and red blood cell (RBC) transfusions were 0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 0-3 U) and 4 (IQR: 2-5 U). Overall, 43% and 89% of cases received FFP and RBC, respectively. There was one occurrence of RV failure, one occurrence of AKI requiring renal replacement therapy, one occurrence of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, one occurrence of venous thromboembolism related to a central venous access line, and one death unrelated to surgery or PCC4 that was attributed to advanced heart failure not amenable to advanced therapies., Conclusion: Overall patients received a low rate of blood transfusion, had minimal chest tube output, and there was a small incidence of right heart failure. Patients did not have an increased risk of adverse effects such as AKI or venous thromboembolism. A randomized controlled clinical trial comparing the observed dose and timing of PCC4 versus routine postoperative bleeding management with blood product transfusion is recommended., (© 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Grief is an experience of both common and unique responses (Hooyman & Kramer, 2006). Grief affects people in various ways including emotionally, cognitively, socially, physically, and spiritually (Corr, 2007; Doka, 2014). Little has been published on the cognitive domain of loss affecting attention, and concentration of bereaved adults. This qualitative study explored these effects among adults in one hospice bereavement program in Central Texas. Five focus groups included facilitated bereavement topical conversations resulting in descriptions of memory, concentration, and attention deficits after loss. These results suggested that participation in bereavement programming may normalize the experience facilitating cognitive task accomplishment. Referrals for bereavement care may be appropriate in order to facilitate equilibrium in individual's lives following a significant death.

In a previous study, sex differences were noted in the correlation of 215 undergraduates' ratings on Lee's love styles and their ratings on their satisfaction with life, work, and personal relationships. For example, game-playing love was positively related to life satisfaction for the 42 undergraduate men but was negatively related to life satisfaction for the 98 undergraduate women. In the current study, 215 adults over the age of 29 years were surveyed to examine whether the previous differences between the sexes held up in an older sample. Values for the older sample of 215 were similar to those for the 98 undergraduate women but not for the 42 undergraduate men. For example, game-playing love was negatively related to life satisfaction for both the 130 older women and the 85 older men.