bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiologic Trends, Social Determinants, and Brain Health: The Role of Life Course Inequalities
Authors: Hilal Saima , Brayne Carol
Published: January 2022

Brain health as expressed in our mental health and occurrence of specific disorders such as dementia and stroke is vitally important to quality of life, functional independence, and risk of institutionalization. Maintaining brain health is, therefore, a societal imperative, and public health challenge, from prevention of acquisition of brain disorders, through protection and risk reduction to supporting those with such disorders through effective societal and system approaches. To identify possible mechanisms that explain the differential effect of potentially modifiable risk factors, and factors that may mitigate risk, a life course approach is needed. This is key to understanding how poor health can accumulate from the earliest life stages. It also allows us to integrate and investigate key material, behavioral, and psychological factors that generate health inequalities within and across communities and societies. This review provides a narrative on how brain health is intimately linked to wider health determinants, thus importance for clinicians and societies alike. There is compelling evidence accumulated from research over decades that socioeconomic status, higher education, and healthy lifestyle extend life and compress major morbidities into later life. Brain health is part of this, but collective action has been limited, partly because of the separation of disciplines and focus on highly reductionist approaches in that clinicians and associated research have focused more on mitigation and early detection of specific diseases. However, clinicians could be part of the drive for better brain health for all society to support life courses that have more protection and less risk. There is evidence of change in such risks for conditions such as stroke and dementia across generations. The evidence points to the importance of starting with parental health and life course inequalities as a central focus.
Vascular Contributions to Brain Health: Cross-Cutting Themes
Authors: Greenberg Steven M.
Published: January 2022

As life expectancy grows, brain health is increasingly seen as central to what we mean by successful aging—and vascular brain health as central to overall brain health. Cerebrovascular pathologies are highly prevalent independent contributors to age-related cognitive impairment and at least partly modifiable with available treatments. The current Focused Update addresses vascular brain health from multiple angles, ranging from pathophysiologic mechanisms and neuroimaging features to epidemiologic risk factors, social determinants, and candidate treatments. Here we highlight some of the shared themes that cut across these distinct perspectives: (1) the lifetime course of vascular brain injury pathogenesis and progression; (2) the scientific and ethical imperative to extend vascular brain health research in non-White and non-affluent populations; (3) the need for improved tools to study the cerebral small vessels themselves; (4) the potential role for brain recovery mechanisms in determining vascular brain health and resilience; and (5) the cross-pathway mechanisms by which vascular and neurodegenerative processes may interact. The diverse perspectives featured in this Focused Update offer a sense of the multidisciplinary approaches and collaborations that will be required to launch our populations towards improved brain health and successful aging.
Re-examining Gender Earning Differentials in Malaysian Manufacturing
Authors: Cheong Jia-Qi , Narayanan Suresh , Fernandez Jacqueline Lisa
Published: January 2022

The manufacturing sector is a major avenue for female employment in the urban labor market in Malaysia. Only two studies, both published more than two decades ago, have examined gender earning differentials in this sector. Since then, the percentage of women being educated has increased, along with their participation rate, and several laws protecting their rights have also been passed, making it timely to re-examine the earnings gap. We do this by drawing on more recent data from a larger representative survey of manufacturing employees. The Blinder-Oaxaca technique, utilized in the previous two studies, was used to estimate the existing earnings gap and to decompose it to differences attributable to endowments, coefficients (traditionally viewed as subsuming discrimination), and the interaction between the two. We found a smaller gap than previously reported, with better female endowments helping to narrow the gap, and unexplained differences in coefficients being responsible for the remaining gap. The interaction effect was not statistically significant. Contrary to the earlier studies, the differential treatment of women in the manufacturing sector, rather than endowment differences, is hampering the equalization of earnings. This calls for newer approaches to closing the earnings gap.
Morpheme Ordering Across Languages Reflects Optimization for Processing Efficiency
Authors: Hahn Michael , Mathew Rebecca , Degen Judith
Published: January 2022

The ordering of morphemes in a word displays well-documented regularities across languages. Previous work has explained these in terms of notions such as semantic scope, relevance, and productivity. Here, we test a recently formulated processing theory of the ordering of linguistic units, the efficient tradeoff hypothesis (Hahn et al., 2021). The claim of the theory is that morpheme ordering can partly be explained by the optimization of a tradeoff between memory and surprisal. This claim has received initial empirical support from two languages. In this work, we test this idea more extensively using data from four additional agglutinative languages with significant amounts of morphology, and by considering nouns in addition to verbs. We find that the efficient tradeoff hypothesis predicts ordering in most cases with high accuracy, and accounts for cross-linguistic regularities in noun and verb inflection. Our work adds to a growing body of work suggesting that many ordering properties of language arise from a pressure for efficient language processing.
Empires and Nations in the Modern World: Shifting Political Orders
Authors: Manning Patrick
Published: January 2022

This essay traces the path of empires and nations as forms of governance, the eventual predominance of nations and disappearance of empires, and the contemporary interplay of large and small nations as the dominant form of global governance. It also gives attention to the rise of capitalist economic organization as a factor expanding empires and later encouraging nationhood. The essay emphasizes two stages in the emergence of nations: the emergence in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries of nations and eventually of the great powers, and the post-1945 emergence of nations as the universal form of government, consisting mostly of small powers, linked by the United Nations.
Two new species of Cunaxa (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae) from Vietnam
Authors: KALÚZ STANISLAV , ERMILOV SERGEY G.
Published: January 2022

Two new mite species of the genus Cunaxa are described based on female specimens in Vietnam: Cunaxa oblongostriata sp. n. and C. sergeyenkoi sp. n. (Acari: Prostigmata: Cunaxidae). Cunaxa oblongostriata sp. n. differs from the related species, C. setirostris (Hermann, 1804), in having the propodosomal shield triangular and longitudinal striae between dorsal setae d1–d1; while in C. setirostris, the propodosomal shield is trapezoidal and striae between setae d1–d1 are transversal. Cunaxa sergeyenkoi sp. n. differs from two related species, C. bochkovi Khaustov & Kuznetsov, 1998 and C. womersleyi Baker and Hoffmann, 1948, by the basifemoral chetotaxy of legs I–IV: 4-4-2-1 sts; while C. bochkovi and C. womersleyi have the basifemoral chaetotaxy I–IV: 3-3-3-1 sts and 4-4-3-1 sts, respectively.
Untangling the waterfall damsels: a review of the Mesoamerican genus Paraphlebia Selys in Hagen, 1861 (Odonata: Thaumatoneuridae) with descriptions of 11 new species
Authors: ORTEGA-SALAS HÉCTOR , GONZÁLEZ-SORIANO ENRIQUE , JOCQUE MERLIJN
Published: January 2022

A review of the Mesoamerican genus Paraphlebia Selys in Hagen, 1861 is presented, including diagnoses, illustrations of diagnostic characters, and distribution maps for all species. A key to the known males and females is provided. Eleven new species are described: P. akan Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano. sp. nov., P. chaak Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. chiarae Ortega-Salas sp. nov., P. esperanza Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. flinti Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. hunnal Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. itzamna Ortega-Salas, Jocque & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. ixchel Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. kauil Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., P. kinich Ortega-Salas & González-Soriano sp. nov., and P. kukulkan Jocque & Ortega-Salas sp. nov.
The Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Diurnal Cycle in Two WRF Simulations of Tropical Cyclones
Authors: Evans Rebecca C. , Nolan David S.
Published: January 2022

The properties of diurnal variability in tropical cyclones (TCs) and the mechanisms behind them remain an intriguing aspect of TC research. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of diurnal variability in two simulations of TCs to explore these mechanisms. One simulation is a well-known Hurricane Nature Run (HNR1), which is a realistic simulation of a TC produced using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model. The other simulation is a realistic simulation produced using WRF of Hurricane Florence (2018) using hourly ERA5 data as input. Empirical orthogonal functions and Fourier filtering are used to analyze diurnal variability in the TCs. In both simulations a diurnal squall forms at sunrise in the inner core and propagates radially outward and intensifies until midday. At midday the upper-level outflow strengthens, surface inflow weakens, and the cirrus canopy reaches its maximum height and radial extent. At sunset and overnight, the surface inflow is stronger, and convection inside the RMW peaks. Therefore, two diurnal cycles of convection exist in the TCs with different phases of maxima: eyewall convection at sunset and at night, and rainband convection in the early morning. This study finds that the diurnal pulse in the cirrus canopy is not advectively driven, nor can it be attributed to weaker inertial stability at night; rather, the results indicate direct solar heating as a mechanism for cirrus canopy lifting and enhanced daytime outflow. These results show a strong diurnal modulation of tropical cyclone structure, and are consistent with other recent observational and modeling studies of the TC diurnal cycle.
Diagnostic Classification of Flash Drought Events Reveals Distinct Classes of Forcings and Impacts
Authors: Osman Mahmoud , Zaitchik Benjamin F. , Badr Hamada S. , Otkin Jason , Zhong Yafang , Lorenz David , Anderson Martha , Keenan Trevor F. , Miller David L. , Hain Christopher , Holmes Thomas
Published: January 2022

Recent years have seen growing appreciation that rapidly intensifying flash droughts are significant climate hazards with major economic and ecological impacts. This has motivated efforts to inventory, monitor, and forecast flash drought events. Here we consider the question of whether the term “flash drought” comprises multiple distinct classes of event, which would imply that understanding and forecasting flash droughts might require more than one framework. To do this, we first extend and evaluate a soil moisture volatility–based flash drought definition that we introduced in previous work and use it to inventory the onset dates and severity of flash droughts across the contiguous United States (CONUS) for the period 1979–2018. Using this inventory, we examine meteorological and land surface conditions associated with flash drought onset and recovery. These same meteorological and land surface conditions are then used to classify the flash droughts based on precursor conditions that may represent predictable drivers of the event. We find that distinct classes of flash drought can be diagnosed in the event inventory. Specifically, we describe three classes of flash drought: “dry and demanding” events for which antecedent evaporative demand is high and soil moisture is low, “evaporative” events with more modest antecedent evaporative demand and soil moisture anomalies, but positive antecedent evaporative anomalies, and “stealth” flash droughts, which are different from the other two classes in that precursor meteorological anomalies are modest relative to the other classes. The three classes exhibit somewhat different geographic and seasonal distributions. We conclude that soil moisture flash droughts are indeed a composite of distinct types of rapidly intensifying droughts, and that flash drought analyses and forecasts would benefit from approaches that recognize the existence of multiple phenomenological pathways.
Talking About Childhood Obesity
Authors: Wagner Ellen , Jamil Omar , Hodges Bethany
Published: January 2022

While discussing obesity with pediatric patients and their families can be difficult, it is an essential step toward appropriate weight management. There is paucity of data regarding language preferences when discussing obesity in this population. In this pilot qualitative study, we interviewed 8 parents of patients diagnosed with obesity to identify language and communication preferences for discussing their child’s weight. Interviews were analyzed for emerging themes. Important trends appeared revealing that parents prefer neutral, medical terms discussed at well-child checks or obesity-specific visits. Providers should frame lifestyle changes as positive for all patients and set achievable goals with the help of visual aids. Our analysis uncovered several important communication strategies that can better equip providers to discuss obesity with their pediatric patients. This research may serve as a foundation for larger studies into the topic.
Triacrylamide-Based Adhesives Stabilize Bonds in Physiologic Conditions
Authors: de Lucena F.S. , Lewis S.H. , Fugolin A.P.P. , Furuse A.Y. , Ferracane J.L. , Pfeifer C.S.
Published: January 2022

In this study, an acrylamide-based adhesive was combined with a thiourethane-based composite to improve bond stability and reduce polymerization stress, respectively, of simulated composite restorations. The stability testing was conducted under physiologic conditions, combining mechanical and bacterial challenges. Urethane dimethacrylate was combined with a newly synthesized triacrylamide (TMAAEA) or HEMA (2-hydroxyethyl-methacrylate; control) to produce a 2-step total-etch adhesive system. Methacrylate-based composites (70 wt% silanized filler) were formulated, containing thiourethane oligomers at 0 (control) or 20 wt%. Standardized preparations in human third molars were restored; then, epoxy replicas were obtained from the occlusal surfaces before and after 7-d storage in water or with Streptococcus mutans biofilm, which was tested after storage in an incubator (static) or the bioreactor (mechanical challenge). Images were obtained from the replicas (scanning electron microscopy) and cross sections of the samples (confocal laser scanning microscopy) and then analyzed to obtain measurements of gap, bacterial infiltration, and demineralization. Microtensile bond strength of specimens stored in water or biofilm was assessed in 1-mm2 stick specimens. Data were analyzed with analysis of variance and Tukey’s test (α = 0.05). HEMA-based materials had greater initial gap measurements, indicating more efficient bonding for the acrylamide materials. When tested in water, the triacrylamide-based adhesive had smaller gaps in the incubator or bioreactor. In the presence of biofilm, there was less difference among materials, but the acrylamide/thiourethane combination led to statistically lower gap formation in the bioreactor. HEMA and TMAAEA-based adhesives produced statistically similar microtensile bond strengths after being stored in water for 7 d, but after the same period with biofilm-challenged specimens, the TMAAEA-based adhesives were the only ones to retain the initial bond strength values. The use of a stable multiacrylamide-based adhesive led to the preservation of the resin-dentin bonded interface after a physiologically relevant challenge. Future studies will include a multispecies biofilm model.
Surveillance, Self-Governance, and Mortality: The Impact of Prescription Drug Monitoring Programs on U.S. Overdose Mortality, 2000–2016
Authors: Vuolo Mike , Frizzell Laura C. , Kelly Brian C.
Published: January 2022

Policy mechanisms shaping population health take numerous forms, from behavioral prohibitions to mandates for action to surveillance. Rising drug overdoses undermined the state’s ability to promote population-level health. Using the case of prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs), we contend that PDMP implementation highlights state biopower operating via mechanisms of surveillance, whereby prescribers, pharmacists, and patients perceive agency despite choices being constrained. We consider whether such surveillance mechanisms are sufficient or if prescriber/dispenser access or requirements for use are necessary for population health impact. We test whether PDMPs reduced overdose mortality while considering that surveillance may require time to reach effectiveness. PDMPs reduced opioid overdose mortality 2 years postimplementation and sustained effects, with similar effects for prescription opioids, benzodiazepines, and psychostimulants. Access or mandates for action do not reduce mortality beyond surveillance. Overall, PDMP effects on overdose mortality are likely due to self-regulation under surveillance rather than mandated action.
More Bang for Their Buck: Why (and When) Family Firms Better Leverage Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Combs James G. , Jaskiewicz Peter , Ravi Rahul , Walls Judith L.
Published: January 2022

Family firms take different strategic actions because of their desire to grow and preserve socioemotional wealth (SEW), but pursuing SEW also generates what we call SEW resources that deliver advantages in certain contexts. We develop and test this idea with respect to corporate social responsibility (CSR). We theorize that SEW resources such as reputation, strong stakeholder relationships, and long-term orientation help family firms better leverage symbolic CSR to enhance short-term firm performance and better leverage substantive CSR to enhance long-term firm performance. Regression analyses on a 20-year panel of S& P 500 firms provide supportive evidence. Findings indicate that family firms not only “do it differently” to preserve SEW; they sometimes “do it better” because of SEW.
A single-subject case study of twice exceptionality
Authors: Yenioğlu Samed , Melekoğlu Macid Ayhan , Yılmaz Yenioğlu Büşra
Published: January 2022

Twice exceptional (2e) individuals are defined as exceptionally talented persons in one or more areas including academic skills, creativity, leadership, and visual arts accompanied by challenges in one or more areas such as reading, writing, and mathematics. This study aimed to present the views on the academic and social-emotional development of a gifted student with learning disabilities. This research was conducted as a case study by using qualitative research methods. The authors conducted semi-structured interviews with the mother, elementary school teacher, special education teacher, and the 2e student himself. The study concluded that the participants emphasized the adaptations that were made in schools for 2e students and the need for support from parents, peers, and teachers for 2e students as well as the necessity for cooperation between school and family.
Comprehensive assessment of Mahaim accessory pathways’ anatomic distribution
Authors: Gormel Suat , Yasar Salim , Yildirim Erkan , Asil Serkan , Baris Veysel Ozgur , Gokoglan Yalcın , Celik Murat , Yuksel Uygar Cagdas , Vurgun Veysel Kutay , Kabul Hasan Kutsi , Kose Sedat
Published: January 2022

Objective

To present the authors’ experience of Mahaim-type accessory pathways (MAPs), focusing on anatomic localizations.

Methods

Data from consecutive patients who underwent electrophysiological study (EPS) for MAP ablation in two tertiary centres, between January 1998 and June 2020, were retrospectively analysed.

Results

Of the 55 included patients, 27 (49.1%) were male, and the overall mean age was 29.5 ± 11.6 years (range, 12–66 years). MAPs were ablated at the tricuspid annulus in 43 patients (78.2%), mitral annulus in four patients (7.3%), paraseptal region in three patients (5.5%), and right ventricle mid-apical region in five patients (9.1%). Among 49 patients who planned for ablation therapy, the success rate was 91.8% (45 patients).

Conclusion

MAPs were most often ablated at the lateral aspect of the tricuspid annuli, sometimes at other sides of the tricuspid and mitral annuli, and infrequently in the right ventricle. The M potential mapping technique is likely to be a useful target for ablation of MAPs.
Mini-Implant-Assisted Simultaneous Torquing Extrusion Retraction Spring for Ectopic Canines
Authors: Dasari Arun Kumar , Rachala Madhukar Reddy , Aileni Kaladhar Reddy
Published: January 2022

Orthodontic management of ectopic canines is quite challenging and time consuming due to the presence of thin buccal cortical bone. Sectional mechanics provide distal and extrusive force on canine but without any torque control. So, palatal root torquing during canine retraction is needed to increase the buccal cortical bone thickness and to avoid bone dehiscence and gingival recession. This article describes an innovative spring which provides 3-dimensional control by simultaneous retraction, extrusion, and torquing of ectopic canine.
Non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for prevention of migraine: The multicenter, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled PREMIUM II trial
Authors: Najib Umer , Smith Timothy , Hindiyeh Nada , Saper Joel , Nye Barbara , Ashina Sait , McClure Candace K , Marmura Michael J , Chase Serena , Liebler Eric , Lipton Richard B
Published: January 2022

Aim

Evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for migraine prevention.

Methods

After completing a 4-week diary run-in period, adults who had migraine with or without aura were randomly assigned to receive active non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation or sham therapy during a 12-week double-blind period.

Results

Of 336 enrolled participants, 113 (active, n = 56; sham, n = 57) completed ≥70 days of the double-blind period and were ≥66% adherent with treatment, comprising the prespecified modified intention-to-treat population. The COVID-19 pandemic led to early trial termination, and the population was ∼60% smaller than the statistical target for full power. Mean reduction in monthly migraine days (primary endpoint) was 3.12 for the active group and 2.29 days for the sham group (difference, −0.83; p = 0.2329). Responder rate (i.e. the percentage of participants with a ≥50% reduction in migraine days) was greater in the active group (44.87%) than the sham group (26.81%; p = 0.0481). Prespecified subgroup analysis suggested that participants with aura responded preferentially. No serious device-related adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

These results suggest clinical utility of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation for migraine prevention, particularly for patients who have migraine with aura, and reinforce the well-established safety and tolerability profile of this therapy. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03716505).
Comparing Patient-Reported Outcomes From Sham and Saline-Based Placebo Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis: Data From a Randomized Clinical Trial of Lorecivivint
Authors: Tambiah Jeyanesh R.S. , Simsek Ismail , Swearingen Christopher J. , Kennedy Sarah , Cole Brian J. , McAlindon Timothy E. , Yazici Yusuf
Published: January 2022

Background:

Durable, meaningful symptom responses to intra-articular saline placebo injections are observed in knee osteoarthritis (OA) trials, but it is unclear if these are due to physiological effects.

Purpose:

To perform a prospective comparison of patient-reported outcome responses among participants with knee OA who underwent intra-articular injection of saline-based placebo or sham (dry needle).

Study Design:

Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

From a 24-week randomized double-blind trial, participants with moderate to severe knee OA received 2-mL intra-articular injections of saline-based placebo (PBO; 99.45% PBS) or sham (dry needle) to the target knee. Least squares mean differences of changes from baseline to week 24 were compared between the PBO and sham groups for the following: pain Numeric Rating Scale; Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain, stiffness, and function; and patient global assessment. Bang Blinding Index was used to evaluate all-group blinding on day 1 and week 24.

Results:

In total, 116 and 117 participants were randomized to the PBO and sham groups, respectively. Within the full trial population, the mean ± SD age and body mass index were 59.0 ± 8.5 years and 28.97 ± 4.01, respectively. An overall 406 (58.4%) were female, and 394 (57.3%) had Kellgren-Lawrence grade 3 target knee OA. The PBO and sham groups demonstrated clinically meaningful improvements (≥10%) from baseline in all patient-reported outcomes at all time points (ie, weeks 4-24). Mean differences (95% CI) at week 24 between the PBO and sham groups were as follows: pain Numeric Rating Scale, –0.10 (–0.79 to 0.59; P = .78); WOMAC pain, –2.89 (–9.70 to 3.92; P = .40); WOMAC stiffness, –2.37 (–9.37 to 4.63; P = .51); and WOMAC function, –1.39 (–8.06 to 5.29; P = .68). Bang Blinding Index indicated that blinding was maintained.

Conclusion:

PBO and sham groups demonstrated equivalent patient-reported outcomes at all time points through week 24, suggesting that responses attributed to saline were contextual (ie, to the procedure) and not physiological.

Registration:

NCT03122860 (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier).
Teaching Generation Y: Which Instructional Tools Do Students Prefer in a Traditional Classroom Setting?
Authors: Mualam Nir , Lerner Ofer
Published: January 2022

The paper evaluates different teaching aids used in an introductory in-class course that focuses on planning theories. We examine the perceptions of students regarding specific teaching tools and how helpful they were in making the course more approachable and providing a better learning experience. The analysis covers 133 student responses over a period of four consecutive years. Findings show that certain instructional tools are regarded as more helpful in making the course material more intelligible. This suggests educators in planning theory courses should review and continuously monitor the didactic tools they use in class.
A SOE estimation method for lithium batteries considering available energy and recovered energy
Authors: He Peng , Wang Chunyan , Zhao Wanzhong , Wang Weiwei , Wu Gang , Chang Chengcheng
Published: January 2022

State of energy (SOE) is a critical index of lithium battery. The problem of the inaccurate available energy and recovered energy of lithium battery affects the accuracy of SOE estimation. In order to solve the problem, this paper proposes a method to estimate the available discharge energy of lithium batteries based on response surface model. In this method, the energy efficiency of lithium batteries in different states is obtained by establishing the relationship model of external charge voltage and external discharge voltage, so as to estimate the actual available energy of lithium batteries in different charge states. On this basis, a correction method based on radial basis function (RBF) neural network is proposed to estimate the actual energy released by the recovered energy when the current direction of the battery is changed. The proposed energy correction method is combined with the adaptive particle filter algorithm to estimate SOE. This method is not limited to the assumption of Gaussian function and can accurately predict the noise variance, so as to improve the estimation accuracy of SOE. Simulations under urban dynamometer driving schedule (UDDS) are conducted, and the result shows that the proposed method can effectively estimate the battery energy and improve the accuracy of SOE estimation.
Physiological Responses to a Haunted-House Threat Experience: Distinct Tonic and Phasic Effects
Authors: Tashjian Sarah M. , Fedrigo Virginia , Molapour Tanaz , Mobbs Dean , Camerer Colin F.
Published: January 2022

Threats elicit physiological responses, the frequency and intensity of which have implications for survival. Ethical and practical limitations on human laboratory manipulations present barriers to studying immersive threat. Furthermore, few investigations have examined group effects and concordance with subjective emotional experiences to threat. The current preregistered study measured electrodermal activity in 156 adults while they participated in small groups in a 30-min haunted-house experience involving various immersive threats. Results revealed positive associations between (a) friends and tonic arousal, (b) unexpected attacks and phasic activity (frequency and amplitude), (c) subjective fear and phasic frequency, and (d) dissociable sensitization effects linked to baseline orienting response. Findings demonstrate the relevance of (a) social dynamics (friends vs. strangers) for tonic arousal and (b) subjective fear and threat predictability for phasic arousal.
QT Prolongation in Critically Ill Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: El Nekidy Wasim S. , Almuti Khalid , ElRefaei Hazem , Atallah Bassam , Mohammad Lana M. , AlMahmeed Wael , Badr Mohamed , Abdallah Khaled , Hamed Fadi , Mallat Jihad
Published: January 2022

Background:

Several reports linked the use of repurposed drugs such as hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), azithromycin, lopinavir/ritonavir, and favipiravir with QT interval prolongation in patients with SARS-CoV2 infection. Little is known about the risk factors for QT interval prolongation in this population. We sought to describe the prevalence and identify the main risk factors associated with clinically significant corrected QT (QTc) prolongation in this population.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of critically ill patients who were admitted to our intensive care unit (ICU), had at least one electrocardiogram performed during their ICU stay, and tested positive for SARs-CoV-2. Clinically significant QTc interval prolongation was defined as QTc >500 milliseconds (ms).

Results:

Out of the 111 critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, QTc was significantly prolonged in 47 cases (42.3%). Patients with a clinically significant QTc prolongation had significantly higher proportions of history of cardiac diseases/surgery (22 [46.8%] vs. 10 [15.6%], P < .001), hypokalemia (10 [21.3] vs. 5 [7.8%], P = .04), and male gender (95% vs. 82.8%, P = .036) than patients with QTc ≤500 ms, respectively. A total of 46 patients (41.4%) received HCQ, 28 (25.2%) received lopinavir/ritonavir, and 5 (4.5%) received azithromycin. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a history of cardiac disease was the only independent factor associated with clinically significant QTc prolongation ( P = .004 for the likelihood-ratio test).

Conclusion:

The prevalence of clinically significant QTc prolongation in critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection was high and independent of drugs used. Larger prospective observational studies are warranted to elucidate independent risk factors associated with clinically significant QTc prolongation in this study population.
Nonlinear multimodal model for an annular tuned sloshing damper equipped with damping screens
Authors: Love J Shayne , McNamara Kevin P , Tait Michael J , Haskett Trevor C
Published: January 2022

Annular tuned sloshing dampers equipped with damping screens are studied experimentally and analytically. A nonlinear multimodal model is presented to simulate the coupled response among the lowest order sloshing modes in a tank equipped with damping screens, which leads to velocity-squared damping. Shake table tests are conducted on annular tanks with various inner radii, water depths, screen orientations, and base excitation amplitudes. The proposed model is evaluated by comparing the predicted and measured sloshing forces, energy dissipation per cycle, and wave heights. The predicted sloshing forces and energy dissipation per cycle are in good agreement with the measured results. The wave heights show larger discrepancies, including phase shifts; however, the peak amplitudes are captured with reasonable accuracy for the tests conducted. Secondary resonances lead to multiple peaks in the frequency response plots when higher order sloshing modes become excited through modal coupling. Plots created to indicate which secondary resonances are likely to occur for a given liquid depth ratio indicate that it may not be possible to avoid all secondary resonances. Radial damping screens can be strategically positioned within the tank to provide the desired level of damping to the fundamental sloshing modes, as well as a reasonable amount of damping to higher order modes that are susceptible to secondary resonance excitation. Since existing linearized models for annular tuned sloshing dampers equipped with damping screens do not capture the important nonlinear response characteristics of these devices, the proposed model fills an important research gap necessary to facilitate their effective design.
Caregiving in a Pandemic: COVID-19 and the Well-Being of Family Caregivers 55+ in the United States
Authors: Truskinovsky Yulya , Finlay Jessica M. , Kobayashi Lindsay C.
Published: January 2022

Little is known about the effects of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on older family caregivers. Using data from a national sample of 2,485 U.S. adults aged ≥55, we aimed to describe the magnitude of disruptions to family care arrangements during the initial wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the associations between these disruptions and the mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety, loneliness, and self-rated health) and employment outcomes (job loss or furlough, hours or wages reduced, transition to work-from-home) of family caregivers. We found that COVID-19 disrupted over half of family caregiving arrangements, and that care disruptions were associated with increased depression, anxiety, and loneliness among caregivers, compared with both noncaregivers and caregivers who did not experience disruptions. Family caregivers who experienced pandemic-related employment disruptions were providing more care than caregivers who did not experience disruptions. These findings highlight the impact of the pandemic on an essential and vulnerable health care workforce.
Non hemorrhagic pericardial effusion from ibrutinib İn a patient without comorbidities
Authors: Aslan Candır Burcu , Yiğenoğlu Tuğçe Nur , Kızıl Çakar Merih , Dal Mehmet Sinan , Altuntaş Fevzi
Published: January 2022

Introduction

The most common kind of leukemia in adults is chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). CLL is treated with ibrutinib. During the course of ibrutinib therapy, bleeding and cardiac arrhythmias may occur. Non-hemorrhagic adverse events are extremely infrequent in individuals using ibrutinib.

Case report

A 64 year-old man was diagnosed with CLL in June 2016. He was treated with 6 courses of FCR, he stayed in remission for 3 years and then relapsed. He achieved partial remission after two months of therapy with ibrutinib. The patient was admitted to the hospital with fever and shortness of breath. Pericardial tamponade and effusion was diagnosed during his evaluation.

Management & outcome

Non-hemorrhagic exudative effusion was drained by pericardiocentesis and a pericardial catheter was inserted to drain pericardial effusion. In all pleural and pericardial effusion samples, pathological and flow cytometric examination revealed no atypical malignant cells for malignancy, including CLL. Infections, both bacterial and viral, were also undetectable in the samples, as were rheumatological markers of collagen vascular disease. Ibrutinib therapy was discontinued. The pericardial effusion and tamponade were linked to ibrutinib treatment after evaluating the adverse drug reaction probability scale with a total score of 6. Colchicine was administered to reduce the pericardial effusion. The catheter was removed; pericardial effusion did not reoccur during follow up visits.

Discussion

Serious adverse events of ibrutinib are seen when treating CLL patients. This group of individuals should be closely monitored for potentially serious complications such as pericardial effusion and cardiac tamponade.
The utility of contact lens-assisted corneal cross-linking (CACXL) in progressive keratoconus patients with thin corneas
Authors: Asena Bilgehan Sezgin , Kaskaloglu Mahmut
Published: January 2022

Purpose

To evaluate efficacy and safety of contact lens-assisted corneal cross-linking (CACXL) among progressive keratoconus patients with thin corneas.

Setting

Private eye hospital

Design

Cross-sectional study

Methods

Thirty-six eyes of 36 consecutive patients with progressive keratoconus and thinnest corneal thickness of 380–400 µm after epithelium removal were included. CACXL was performed based on use of a dextran-free isotonic (>0.1%) riboflavin solution with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC, 1.1%) after epithelial removal and placement of a riboflavin-soaked contact lens without an ultraviolet filter on the cornea and ultraviolet irradiance. Data on best distance corrected (CDVA) and uncorrected (UDVA) visual acuity, manifest sphere (D), manifest cylinder (D), K1 (D), K2 (D), mean keratometry (D) and Kmax (D) values, endothelial cell count and mean depth of demarcation line were recorded preoperatively and at the postoperative 1-year

Results

Post-operative 1-year data revealed significant increases in UDVA (0.23  ±  0.15 vs. 0.17  ±  0.13 D, p < 0.001) and CDVA (0.44  ±  0.18 vs. 0.36  ±  0.17 D, p < 0.001) values and a significant reduction in the mean Kmax (from 56  ±  3.3D to 55  ±  3.2 D, p < 0.001), K2 (from 49.7  ±  3.2 D to 49.52  ±  3.11 D, p  =  0.049), manifest sphere (from −1.93  ±  2.21 D to −1.55  ±  2.02 D, p  =  0.001) and manifest cylinder (from −2.83  ±  1.67 D to −2.39  ±  1.36 D, p < 0.001) values along with a similar endothelial cell count. The mean depth of demarcation line was mean 230 (SD17.05, range 200 to 262) at postoperative 1-month.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate favourable 1-year postoperative outcome of CACXL in progressive keratoconus patients with thin cornea in terms of improved visual acuity and keratectasia status as well as endothelial safety.
Serum levels of vasohibin-1 in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Feng Ying , Wang Da , Liu Yan , Pang Xiangzhong , Zhang Huijuan
Published: January 2022

Clinical relevance

To determine whether Vasohibin-1 which is a potential clinical biomarker is an independent risk factor in patients with diabetic retinopathy.

Background

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common chronic microangiopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Vasohibin-1 (VASH-1) is an angiogenesis regulator that is closely related to pathological vascularization in DM. This study aimed to determine whether the serum levels of VASH-1 were related to the occurrence of DR in T2DM patients.

Methods

T2DM patients were divided into three groups: the nondiabetic retinopathy (NDR) group (n = 41), the nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPRD) group (n = 40), and the proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) group (n = 41). A control (CON) group consisting of 40 healthy subjects was also recruited. The serum levels of VASH-1 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits.

Results

The concentration of VASH-1 in the CON groups was less significantly than that of the NDR, NPDR and PDR groups. ( P < 0.05). Body mass index, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hemoglobina1c (HbA1C), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and diabetic durations were positively correlated with the serum concentration of VASH-1 (all P < 0.05). In univariate logistic regression analyses, the HbA1C, diabetic durations, HDL-c, eGFR and VASH1 were associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that duration of diabetes were significantly associated with diabetic retinopathy.

Conclusion

We have shown that VASH-1 is associated with an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. But the serum levels of VASH-1 are not independent risk factors for DR in T2DM.
Cardiovascular manifestations of hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and hypermobility spectrum disorders
Authors: Rashed Eman R , Ruiz Maya Tania , Black Jennifer , Fettig Veronica , Kadian-Dodov Daniella , Olin Jeffrey W , Mehta Lakshmi , Gelb Bruce D , Kontorovich Amy R
Published: January 2022

Introduction: Mitral valve prolapse and aortic root dilatation are reported in association with hypermobile Ehlers–Danlos syndrome (hEDS), but the full phenotypic spectrum of cardiovascular complications in this condition has not been studied in the aftermath of updated nosology and diagnostic criteria. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of 258 patients (> 94% adults) referred to a multidisciplinary clinic for evaluation of joint hypermobility between January 2017 and December 2020 and diagnosed with hEDS or a hypermobility spectrum disorder (HSD) to determine the incidence and spectrum of cardiovascular involvement. Results: Mitral valve prolapse was present in 7.5% and thoracic aortic dilatation in 15.2%. Aortic dilatation was more frequent in individuals with hEDS (20.7%) than with HSD (7.7%) and similarly prevalent between males and females, although was mild in > 90% of females and moderate-to-severe in 50% of males. Five individuals (1.9%) with hEDS/HSD had extra-aortic arterial involvement, including cervical artery dissection (CeAD, n = 2), spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD, n = 2), and SCAD plus celiac artery pseudoaneurysm ( n = 1). This is the first series to report the prevalence of CeAD and SCAD in hEDS/HSD. Conclusions: Cardiovascular manifestations in adults with hEDS/HSD, especially females, are typically mild and readily assessed by echocardiography. Since the risk of progression has not yet been defined, adults with hEDS/HSD who are found to have aortic dilatation at baseline should continue ongoing surveillance to monitor for progressive dilatation. Cardiovascular medicine specialists, neurologists, and neurosurgeons should consider hEDS/HSD on the differential for patients with CeAD or SCAD who also have joint hypermobility.
Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum (HEARTS): A feasibility test of an online class co-designed and co-taught with autistic people
Authors: Rothman Emily F , Graham Holmes Laura , Caplan Reid , Chiang Melody , Haberer Brandy , Gallop Nick , Kadel Rabindra , Person Mariah , Sanchez Amelia , Quinn Emily , Wharmby Peter
Published: January 2022

This study tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of a six-session online class on healthy relationships for autistic individuals ages 18–44 years old ( N = 55). The content of the Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum class was informed by formative research with 25 autistic individuals, and developed collaboratively by two non-autistic professionals and seven autistic self-advocates. Fifty-five autistic people participated in Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum and completed pre- and post-surveys. The study found that it was feasible to deliver Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum online. Pairing an autistic and non-autistic person to co-teach was well-received. Participants decreased hostile automatic thoughts ( p < 0.05), involvement in dating abuse in intimate relationships ( p < 0.05), fight-or-flight response ( p < 0.05), and rejection sensitivity ( p < 0.001). Participants experienced improved flourishing ( p < 0.001), coping with rejection and jealousy ( p < 0.001), motivation to engage with others for socializing ( p < 0.05), self-compassion ( p < 0.05), and positive thinking ( p < 0.05). Scores on a measure of interpersonal competence did not change, and loneliness did not decrease. The majority of participants reported high satisfaction with the class. Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum is a promising healthy relationships promotion class that should be evaluated through a randomized controlled trial.

Lay abstract

The Healthy Relationships on the Autism Spectrum class is unique because autistic people helped to develop it and co-taught it. It is an online, six-session class. The class was piloted in 2020–2021 with 55 autistic people who were ages 18–44 years old. This feasibility study found that most people who took the class liked it. Surveys filled out by the students before and after the class showed that they became less sensitive to rejection, used more positive thinking skills, and were more interested in being social. However, the class may not have made them feel less lonely. The team that invented the class is using the feedback to improve it. The class holds promise for improving the quality of friendships and dating relationships for autistic adults and should be tested further.
Study of flexural wave propagation through a cable stayed beam subjected to a moving load
Authors: Ji Jianyi , Wang Ronghui , Ma Niujing , Huang Kunhong , Zhang Xiang
Published: January 2022

A physical perspective of the propagation and attenuation of flexural waves is presented in this paper for the dynamic behaviors of cable stayed beams subjected to a moving load. Based on the method of reverberation-ray matrix (MRRM), the waveform solutions of the wave equations of a simplified beam-cable system subjected to a moving load (hereinafter referred to as a beam-cable system) are given, and the theory is verified by a numerical example. The dynamic response of cable stayed beams is decomposed into nine kinds of flexural waves, including traveling waves, near-field waves, and nondispersive waves, according to the wavenumber characteristics. Numerical examples are analyzed to demonstrate the propagation characteristics of flexural waves through cable stayed beams. Numerical results show that the flexural waves in the cable stayed beams are mainly low-frequency waves whose frequencies are less than 3 times the structural fundamental frequency, which can be used to further improve the computational efficiency of response analysis method based on MRRM, and the proportion of high-frequency components increases gradually with increasing structural stiffness. The near-field wave can be transformed into a traveling shear wave when its frequency is larger than the critical frequency, which decreases with increasing radius of gyration and decreasing elastic modulus of the beam. With the increase in the radius of gyration and the elastic modulus of the beam, the attenuation effect of the near-field wave weakens. The wave velocity and the wave dispersion effect have a positive correlation with the stiffness-related parameters of the beam-cable system. The study of the effect of the beam-cable system parameters on flexural wave propagation characteristics can be applied to achieve a better dynamic design for engineering structures.