The Impact of Chemotherapy-Related Cognitive Impairment on Social Roles and Well-Being in Breast Cancer Survivors.

PURPOSE: To explore the impact of disruptions in information processing (DIPs) on social roles, well-being, and quality of life (QOL) in breast cancer survivors after chemotherapy. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: Experiences of DIPs were explored in eight breast cancer survivors aged 53-70 years, 12-60 months post-treatment, referred from a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center and a nonprofit breast cancer support organization from January 6 to August 31, 2020. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: This study used a mixed-methods approach. Participants journaled and answered questionnaires sent via mail that asked them about changes in their cognition, QOL, and social roles. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed using constant comparative analysis, and questionnaire scores were compared with qualitative data. FINDINGS: Journals revealed problems with functioning in occupational roles and increased stress, anxiety, and frustration. Women with more DIPs tended to have lower role satisfaction and QOL. Greater role satisfaction was associated with higher QOL and social role participation. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Mitigating the effects of DIPs on social function may allow women to continue in important roles, which has the potential to affect QOL.

"There may not be a rainbow sticker at the door, but there are my rainbow shoes": A qualitative exploration of resilience among LGBTQ+ adults in physical activity contexts.

Researchers have identified LGBTQ + -specific stressors that hinder physical activity participation; however, LGBTQ + resilience against these stressors has yet to be explored. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of how LGBTQ + resilience is experienced within physical activity. Ten focus groups with LGBTQ + adults (N = 36) were conducted online and subject to abductive thematic analysis. Experiences of individual resilience were conceptualized through the interplay of: (a) persistence-adaptability (ranging from being regimented with physical activity to being flexible and amenable to changes), (b) toughness-tenderness (possessing mental grit to self-kindness), and (c) complaisance-resistance (internalizing to resisting norms that govern physical activity). Participants also described three sites for community resilience: (a) LGBTQ + communities that provided pivotal social support, but rarely for physical activity, (b) digital communities that could support or thwart LGBTQ + resilience, but often prioritized aesthetics, and (c) physical activity communities that supported participation, but often perpetuated LGBTQ + exclusion.

Exploring Proximal LGBTQ+ Minority Stressors Within Physical Activity Contexts from a Self-determination Theory Perspective.

BACKGROUND: LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.) individuals experience challenges such as discrimination and marginalization (referred to as minority stressors) that are detrimental to their mental and physical health. Specifically, proximal or internalized LGBTQ+ minority stressors may influence motivation for and willingness to participate in physical activity. PURPOSE: To explore whether proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors relate to the basic psychological needs-motivation-physical activity pathway, as per self-determination theory. METHODS: An online cross-sectional survey was completed by 778 self-identified LGBTQ+ adults. Structural equation modelling analyses were used to examine how proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors relate to the motivational sequence. RESULTS: Findings support that proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors are negatively associated with psychological need satisfaction within physical activity (ß = -.36), which in turn is positively associated with autonomous motivation (ß = .53) and reported physical activity participation (ß = .32). Overall, the final model accounted for 13% of variance in need satisfaction (small effect size), 53% of variance in autonomous motivation (moderate-large effect size), and 10% of variance in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (small effect size). CONCLUSIONS: Future research focused on increasing LGBTQ+ participation in physical activity should investigate the effects of (a) reducing proximal LGBTQ+ minority stressors and (b) better supporting LGBTQ+ adults' autonomy, competence, and relatedness within physical activity contexts.

Recommendations from LGBTQ+ adults for increased inclusion within physical activity: a qualitative content analysis.

For decades, physical activity contexts have been inherently exclusionary toward LGBTQ+ participation through their perpetuation of practices and systems that support sexuality- and gender-based discrimination. Progress toward LGBTQ+ inclusivity within physical activity has been severely limited by a lack of actionable and practical suggestions. The purpose of this study was to garner an extensive account of suggestions for inclusivity from LGBTQ+ adults. Using an online cross-sectional survey, LGBTQ+ adults (N = 766) were asked the following open-ended question, "in what ways do you think physical activity could be altered to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ participation?" The resulting texts were coded using inductive qualitative content analysis. All coding was subject to critical peer review. Participants' suggestions have been organized and presented under two overarching points of improvement: (a) creation of safe(r) spaces and (b) challenging the gender binary. Participants (n = 558; 72.8%) outlined several components integral to the creation and maintenance of safe(r) spaces such as: (i) LGBTQ+ memberships, (ii) inclusivity training for fitness facility staff, (iii) informative advertisement of LGBTQ+ inclusion, (iv) antidiscrimination policies, and (v) diverse representation. Suggestions for challenging the gender binary (n = 483; 63.1%) called for the creation of single stalls or gender-neutral locker rooms, as well as for the questioning of gender-based stereotypes and binary divisions of gender within physical activity (e.g., using skill level and experience to divide sports teams as opposed to gender). The findings of this study represent a multitude of practical suggestions for LGBTQ+ inclusivity that can be applied to a myriad of physical activity contexts.

Physical activity contexts have a long history of being exclusionary toward people who identify as LGBTQ+. To better understand how to improve physical activity contexts, LGBTQ+ adults were asked, "in what ways do you think physical activity could be altered to be more inclusive of LGBTQ+ participation?" using an online survey. From the 766 responses collected, 72.8% detailed approaches to create safer spaces for LGBTQ+ participation, such as: clearly advertising if the space is LGBTQ+ friendly, the creation of LGBTQ+-only classes (specifically beginner courses) or times, creating LGBTQ+ exclusive gym spaces, comprehensive antidiscrimination policies, and LGBTQ+ sensitivity staff training. Additionally, 63.1% of responses provided suggestions to better support gender diverse participation through either the addition of single changing stalls or the creation of gender-neutral locker rooms, as well as through the reorganization of sport from gender categories (men vs. women) to categories based on age or experience. Respondents also recommended that common gender-based stereotypes should be questioned and eventually debunked.

"This is just how I cope": An inductive thematic analysis of eating disorder recovery content created and shared on TikTok using #EDrecovery.

OBJECTIVE: To explore eating disorder (ED) recovery-related content created and shared on the social media platform TikTok. METHOD: A systematic review and inductive thematic analysis of 150 TikTok posts catalogued under hashtag (#) EDrecovery. Two coders independently analyzed the posts and a critical peer facilitated discussions about the resulting codes and themes. RESULTS: Creators on TikTok used #EDrecovery to share their personal experiences with recovery through the use and cooption of popular (or viral) video formats, succinct storytelling, and the production of educational content. Five themes were interpreted across the data: (a) ED awareness, (b) inpatient story time: "ED unit tings", (c) eating in recovery, (d) transformations: "how about a weight gain glow up?", and (e) trendy gallows humor: "let's confuse people who have a good relationship with food". DISCUSSION: TikTok as a user-friendly, creative media may provide the artistic and social tools for some creators to add their distinct voice to the ED recovery narrative and foster some semblance of community. Although all of the analyzed content was catalogued under #EDrecovery, some of the posts reified the increasingly blurred boundary that exists between ED recovery and pro-ED content on TikTok.

Locker-Room Experiences Among LGBTQ+ Adults.

Locker rooms operate as pivotal access points to physical activity across sports, physical education, and fitness facilities. However, locker rooms are predicated on cis-heterosexual assumptions that can be isolating to LGBTQ+ individuals. Using an online cross-sectional survey, LGBTQ+ adults (N = 1,067) were asked open-response questions about their past and present locker-room experiences. The resulting texts were independently coded by two researchers using thematic analysis and compared. All discrepancies were discussed with and rectified by a third researcher who acted as a critical peer. The results present distinct experiences across three intersecting aspects of embodiment: self-conscious-"I hate(d) being seen," sexual transgression, and gender transgression. The findings provide insight into how harmful LGBTQ+ stereotypes influence locker-room experiences and support the redesign of locker rooms to challenge the binary organization of these spaces.

A Qualitative Exploration of LGBTQ+ and Intersecting Identities Within Physical Activity Contexts.

LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc.) individuals face an array of challenges to physical activity participation, such as discrimination and exclusion. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of LGBTQ+ experiences in physical activity. Eight focus groups of LGBTQ+ individuals (N = 42) were conducted using a semistructured interview guide, and broad discussions about personal physical activity experiences were encouraged. All focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and subject to thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged with the following considerations: (a) intersectionality-an intersectional approach is required to explore the complexity of LGBTQ+ experiences within physical activity; (b) the contested concept of "athlete"-LGBTQ+ communities have unique conceptions associated with "athlete" that can render sport, and by extension physical activity contexts, elitist and inaccessible; and (c) "a safe space for us"-LGBTQ+-friendly physical activity practices should be explored to provide practical suggestions for inclusive practices.

A Systematic Scoping Review of Engagement in Physical Activity Among LGBTQ+ Adults.

BACKGROUND: LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, etc) persons are subject to elevated rates of chronic diseases and health concerns that can be addressed through regular participation in physical activity. However, LGBTQ+ adults experience unique challenges to engaging in physical activity. Subsequently, the aim of this study is to describe the dominant narratives related to the complex intersection of sexual orientation, gender identity, and physical activity. METHODS: A systematic search and scoping review of existing literature was conducted in June 2016. Studies were identified by searching 9 electronic databases. Data were then extracted, summarized, and organized by LGBTQ+ subgroups. Conceptual maps of prominent narratives were created. RESULTS: Separate narratives were identified for sexual minority men and women. The dominant trend for sexual minority men was increased physical activity levels, often motivated by a perceived body ideal of being thin and/or muscular. The dominant trend for sexual minority women was decreased physical activity levels, predicated on a social norm that emphasizes bodily acceptance. CONCLUSIONS: Sexual orientation affects engagement in physical activity differentially by gender. Our findings suggest that physical activity interventions should be targeted to unique subgroups of the LGBTQ+ population.

A temporally and spatially resolved electron density diagnostic method for the edge plasma based on Stark broadening.

An electron density diagnostic (≥1010 cm-3) capable of high temporal (ms) and spatial (mm) resolution is currently under development at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The diagnostic is based on measuring the Stark broadened, Doppler-free spectral line profile of the n = 6-2 hydrogen Balmer series transition. The profile is then fit to a fully quantum mechanical model including the appropriate electric and magnetic field operators. The quasi-static approach used to calculate the Doppler-free spectral line profile is outlined here and the results from the model are presented for H-δ spectra for electron densities of 1010-1013 cm-3. The profile shows complex behavior due to the interaction between the magnetic substates of the atom.

Probing the plasma near high power wave launchers in fusion devices for static and dynamic electric fields (invited).

An exploratory study was carried out in the long-pulse tokamak Tore Supra, to determine if electric fields in the plasma around high-power, RF wave launchers could be measured with non-intrusive, passive, optical emission spectroscopy. The focus was in particular on the use of the external electric field Stark effect. The feasibility was found to be strongly dependent on the spatial extent of the electric fields and overlap between regions of strong (>∼1 kV/cm) electric fields and regions of plasma particle recycling and plasma-induced, spectral line emission. Most amenable to the measurement was the RF electric field in edge plasma, in front of a lower hybrid heating and current drive launcher. Electric field strengths and direction, derived from fitting the acquired spectra to a model including time-dependent Stark effect and the tokamak-range magnetic field Zeeman-effect, were found to be in good agreement with full-wave modeling of the observed launcher.

Decreasing the incidence of osteoporosis-related injuries through diet and exercise.

Osteoporosis is the most common systemic bone disorder in the United States. It affects 15 million people--primarily women--causing thousands of injuries and deaths per year at a cost estimated at +3.8 billion annually. Two important factors in preventing osteoporosis are regular exercise and adequate calcium intake throughout life. Studies have shown that the average daily consumption of calcium by premenopausal and postmenopausal American women is between one-third and one-half that needed to maintain a positive calcium balance and prevent the loss of bone mass. This proposal elaborates the following specific ways that our health care and educational institutions can change these prospects: a screening program for women of all ages, to identify those most at risk for developing osteoporosis; an increase in the recommended daily dietary allowance for calcium; a public information campaign about osteoporosis, using television and radio; an investigation of the feasibility of calcium additives in the American diet; and the establishment of an organization to develop educational programs and monitor research in osteoporosis prevention. Now is the time to make the appropriate efforts to better the prospects for millions to enjoy a long and healthier life.