This study assessed perceptions of voluntary consent among 69 veterans who enrolled in a "jail diversion" program for co-occurring disorders. Perceptions were measured using modified items from the MacArthur Perceived Coercion and Negative Pressure Scales. A majority reported that they "chose to" (88.4%) or "felt free to" (85.5%) enroll. Most reported having "control over" (69.6%) and "more influence than anyone else" regarding (60.9%) their participation. About half reported that enrollment was "their idea" (49.3%). Fewer reported perceptions of negative pressure, including the feeling that someone "talked them into" enrolling (24.6%), "threatened them with the maximum criminal punishment" (13.0%), "offered or promised them something" (5.8%), or "forced" them to enroll (5.8%). Nobody felt "tricked, lied to, or fooled into" participating. Total negative pressure scores were higher in those with combat experience, U = 406.50, p = .016. Although potentially inappropriate pressures were reported, these data suggest that the majority perceived enrollment as voluntary.

Paraquat is an herbicide whose use is associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD), a neurodegenerative disorder marked by neuron loss in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). We recently observed that the murine homolog to the human H63D variant of the homeostatic iron regulator (HFE) may decrease paraquat-associated nigral neurotoxicity in mice. The present study examined the potential influence of H63D on paraquat-associated neurotoxicity in humans. Twenty-eight paraquat-exposed workers were identified from exposure histories and compared with 41 unexposed controls. HFE genotypes, and serum iron and transferrin were measured from blood samples. MRI was used to assess the SNc transverse relaxation rate (R2*), a marker for iron, and diffusion tensor imaging scalars of fractional anisotropy (FA) and mean diffusivity, markers of microstructural integrity. Twenty-seven subjects (9 exposed and 18 controls) were H63D heterozygous. After adjusting for age and use of other PD-associated pesticides and solvents, serum iron and transferrin were higher in exposed H63D carriers than in unexposed carriers and HFE wildtypes. SNc R2* was lower in exposed H63D carriers than in unexposed carriers, whereas SNc FA was lower in exposed HFE wildtypes than in either unexposed HFE wildtypes or exposed H63D carriers. Serum iron and SNc FA measures correlated positively among exposed, but not unexposed, subjects. These data suggest that H63D heterozygosity is associated with lower neurotoxicity presumptively linked to paraquat. Future studies with larger cohorts are warranted to replicate these findings and examine potential underlying mechanisms, especially given the high prevalence of the H63D allele in humans.

Whiteboards are ubiquitous fixtures in hospital rooms that may represent a ready-made patient engagement tool; yet, their use has only been minimally explored. This study examined the relationship between a standardized whiteboard communication process and patient activation by using the Patient Activation Measure (PAM®). Participants ( N = 172) that were optimally involved in whiteboard communication had significantly higher PAM® scores compared to those who were suboptimally involved. PAM® scores also correlated with self-reported role, with those endorsing active participation scoring higher than passive listeners. Accordingly, this study establishes a positive association between the structured use of whiteboards and patient activation.

The ability to work in a team is currently one of the most demanded competencies of professionals and, therefore, constitutes one of the key transversal aspects to be targeted by educational systems. This is especially important at stages prior to job insertion. The aim of the present study was to validate a scale measuring perceptions of teamwork skills within a sample of students undertaking vocational training in the south of Spain. For this, both exploratory ( n = 879) and confirmatory ( n = 1,843) factor analyses were performed using the IBM SPSS® 26 and IBM Amos Graphics® 23.0 software packages. This permitted a scale to be developed which was formed of 10 indicators of teamwork skills. These indicators were grouped into three dimensions. Namely, teamwork behaviors, ratings the importance of teamwork, and self-perceptions of teamwork capabilities. Adequate fit indices were obtained (KMO = 0.845; CFI = 0.984; NFI = 0.978; IFI = 0.984; RMSEA = 0.037; and SRMR = 0.044). Thus, a robust and reliable scale is presented that rates student perspectives of essential aspects of Vocational Training, such as teamwork skills.