bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Busting Myths to Increase Critical Thinking in Psychology Majors
Authors: Blessing Jennifer S.
Published: April 2023

Background

Increasing students’ ability to think critically allows them to engage more fully with psychology material.

Objective

The current study used a critical thinking assignment called PsychBusters to examine critical thinking and interest in psychology in two sections of introductory psychology designated for first-year psychology majors.

Method

The experimental section completed two PsychBusters presentations including a poster presentation. The control course section also completed poster presentations but did not do the PsychBusters assignment. For both sections, critical thinking skills and levels of interest in psychology were measured at the start and end of the semester.

Results

Students in both sections maintained a high interest in psychology across the semester. The section that worked on the PsychBusters misconception assignment had similar critical thinking skills as the control at the start of the semester but had higher scores at the posttest.

Conclusion

Assignments that direct students to focus on critical thinking may not improve one's interest in psychology. However, class assignments that hone critical thinking skills should be integrated into psychology courses with the aim of improving students’ reasoning.

Teaching Implications

The development of critical thinking skills in psychology majors should start early in the curriculum.
Super-twisting sliding mode control of a static synchronous compensator: An application in a wind–diesel hybrid system
Authors: Thoker Zahid Afzal , Lone Shameem Ahmad
Published: April 2023

The dynamic nature of load and wind power could lead to reactive power imbalance, and hence the voltage deviations in a wind–diesel power system. These deviations, if not controlled, may drive the system to operate in an unstable manner. Therefore, in this paper, a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is interconnected to the system to achieve reactive power balancing and minimize voltage deviations. To improve the dynamic performance of STATCOM and achieve the effective operation of the system, an optimized sliding mode controller (SMC) is designed. With the help of the design of a first-order switching manifold, an SMC is designed, which generates a control law to control the converter firing angle, and hence the reactive power output of the STATCOM. To eliminate the chattering drawback of SMC and improve the convergence characteristics, a second-order super-twisting sliding mode controller (STSMC) is proposed. The asymptotic stability of the proposed controller is guaranteed through the Lyapunov stability analysis. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is employed to fine-tune controller parameters and achieve optimal performance. Validation of the improved performance of the system through this proposed scheme has been carried out in the MATLAB/Simulink environment and presented in the simulation studies.
Acute Retropharyngeal and Parapharyngeal Abscesses: A Case Series
Authors: Sellami Moncef , Kharrat Ines , Kharrat Ons , Hammami Boutheina , Mnejja Malek , Zouche Imen , Chaabouni Mohamed Amine , Charfeddine Ilhem
Published: April 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diagnosis circumstances, predisposing factors, investigations, and therapeutic management of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscesses.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal abscess from 2001 to 2021 was performed. Epidemiological characteristics, clinical signs, investigations, medical treatment, and surgical interventions were analyzed for each patient.

Results

A total of 30 patients with retropharyngeal or parapharyngeal abscess were identified. Computed tomography was performed in all cases, and magnetic resonance imaging was performed in three cases. Twelve patients had a “pure” retropharyngeal abscess, nine patients had a prestyloid abscess, one patient had a prestyloid abscess associated with a peritonsillar abscess, three patients had a retrostyloid abscess, and five patients had a prestyloid abscess associated with a retropharyngeal abscess or a retrostyloid abscess. The median long axis of the abscess was 42 cm. All patients received intravenous antibiotics for a median period of 8 days [4–30]. Seventeen patients required surgical trans-cervical drainage. Other patients underwent transoral or transnasal drainage. The pus culture revealed no growth in six cases, streptococcus (four cases), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (two cases), Klebsiella (two cases), Enterobacter (one case), Fungi (two cases), and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (a twelve-year-old boy). It was not documented in twelve cases. Histological examination revealed caseofollicular tuberculosis in a 53-year-old man. In 25 patients, no adverse events were observed during follow-up. Five patients had an unfavorable outcome.

Conclusion

We have found an increase in the incidence of these infections in recent years. Computed tomography is the best imaging examination for the diagnosis and follow-up of retropharyngeal and parapharyngeal abscess. Early drainage and antimicrobial therapy are essential for rapid recovery and prevention of complications of these abscesses.
Tempting Luck: Temporalities and Risk Anticipation among Egg Donors in Spain
Authors: Molas Anna , Whittaker Andrea
Published: April 2023

Within the expanding bioeconomy of assisted reproduction, there are limitations to providing quality informed consent for egg donation when the long-term risks remain unknown. Based on ethnographic fieldwork in Barcelona with egg donors and in vitro fertilization (IVF) professionals, in this paper, we speak of “temporal choreography” to describe how clinical practices delimit and circumscribe the information that will be offered to egg donors by positioning them in an immediate present or “temporal stasis” in which future risks of egg donation are precluded, and consideration of possible future uses or distribution of eggs is truncated. These aspects intersect with the biographical temporality of egg donors, who are mostly young and economically precarious. This choreography is essential to the commercial success of the Spanish egg donation industry, which is the largest in Europe. This article engages with the emerging interest in temporality and IVF by questioning whose bodies are positioned to anticipate risks and fertility as an act of self-care and whose are encouraged to cast aside concerns about harms in favor of short-term monetary gains.
Sociodemographic factors and screen exposure associated with the consumption of healthy and unhealthy dietary markers in children attended at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Nascimento Bárbara Folino , Neves Tainá Cunha das , Rodrigues Patricia Lima , Nascimento do Carmo Cleber , Araujo Thamiris Fernandes , Mattos Roberta Dias de , Carvalho Ingrid Veras , Carvalho Padilha Patricia de
Published: April 2023

Aim

To evaluate the association between sociodemographic factors and screen exposure during meals with the consumption of dietary markers in children treated at a university hospital in Rio de Janeiro.

Methods

Cross-sectional study with children of both sexes between 2 and 9 years of age. Food consumption and screen exposure were assessed using specific forms. The socio-demographic data evaluated were age, maternal education, household composition, receipt of government benefits, and household food and nutrition security. The statistical analysis included simple and multivariate logistic regression with a confidence interval of 95%.

Results

Among the 129 children evaluated, most of them were of preschool age (57.4%), 71.3% received some type of government benefit, and 69.8% ate meals in front of screens. Among the markers of a healthy diet, beans (86.0%) and fresh fruits (69.8%) were the most consumed, while among the markers of an unhealthy diet, the most common components were sweetened beverages (61.7%) and cookies, candies, or other sweets (54.7%). There was a higher consumption of sweetened beverages among the children whose families received a government benefit (OR 2.63; 95% CI: 1.13–6.13) and who were exposed to a screen during meals (2.27; 95% CI: 1.01–5, 14).

Conclusion

This study showed that in view of the high frequency of consumption of unhealthy foods and screen exposure during meals, it is imperative that food and nutrition education actions are taken to promote an adequate and healthy food environment in childhood.
The ‘Long Spring’ of migration management: Labour supply in the pandemic-induced EU border regime
Authors: Vergnano Cecilia
Published: April 2023

Pandemic-induced border lockdowns in the spring of 2020 severely disrupted the migrant-labour supply in Western EU economies. This disruption of the EU border regime took place for different, even opposite reasons than the so-called ‘crisis’ of 2015, which is also known as the ‘long summer’ of migration. Indeed, where the latter originated from migrants’ massive appropriation of mobility, the disruption of 2020 resulted from state-imposed restrictions on mobility. However, by comparatively analysing two models of work organisation in the agro-industrial sector, characterised by a strong reliance on mobile labour and thus particularly affected by the border lockdowns of 2020 (harvest of crops in Italy and meat processing in the Netherlands), I argue that states’ response to the disruption of border regime in 2020 relied on a pre-existing logistical approach in migration management, adopted in the aftermath of 2015. More specifically, during the pandemic the ethical minimalism intrinsic in the logistical approach allowed a decoupling of migrant workers’ right to mobility, on one hand, and social and economic rights, on the other, thus resulting in increased discipline in the workplace, exposure to infections, exploitation, and dependency on the employer, to which migrant workers opposed more or less visible forms of resistance.
Comparison of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy and combined treatment for patients with chronic subacromial bursitis – A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hsieh Lin-Fen , Kuo Ying-Chen , Huang Yu-Hao , Liu Ya-Fang , Hsieh Tien-Lee
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate whether combination of corticosteroid subdeltoid injections and physiotherapy was more effective than either treatment alone in chronic subacromial bursitis.

Design

Prospective, three-arm randomised controlled trial.

Setting

Rehabilitation department of an academic hospital.

Subjects

Patients with chronic subacromial bursitis.

Interventions

Patients were divided into corticosteroid injection (N = 36), physiotherapy (N = 40) and combined (N = 35) groups. Two corticosteroid subdeltoid injections in corticosteroid group, 8-week physical therapy emphasising on therapeutic exercise in physiotherapy group, and combined both treatments in combined group.

Main outcome measures

The primary outcome measures were pain visual analogue scale and Shoulder Pain and Disability Index at 8 weeks after finishing treatment. The secondary outcome measures were active range of motion, Shoulder Disability Questionnaire, Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index, patient's evaluation of treatment effect, and symptom recurrence.

Results

Group comparison showed significant statistical difference in shoulder flexion ( P < 0.003) and patient's evaluation of treatment effect ( P < 0.001). The time and group interactions comparison revealed significant statistical differences in pain score ( P < 0.024), external rotation ( P < 0.044) and patient's evaluation of treatment effect ( P < 0.001). The above statistics were in favour of the corticosteroid and combined groups rather than physiotherapy group. The percentage of recurrence was 36.1, 7.5 and 17.1 in the corticosteroid, physiotherapy and combined groups, respectively ( P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Corticosteroid subdeltoid injection, or combined with physiotherapy, was superior to physiotherapy alone, but the recurrence rate was least in the physiotherapy group.
Defining migraine days, based on longitudinal E-diary data
Authors: van der Arend Britt W. H. , Verhagen Iris E. , van Leeuwen Matthijs , van der Arend Marnick Q. T. P. , van Casteren Daphne S. , Terwindt Gisela M.
Published: April 2023

Background

There is a need for standardization of the definition of a migraine day for clinical and research purposes.

Methods

We prospectively compared different definitions of a migraine day with E-diary data of n = 1494 patients with migraine. We used a baseline definition based on migraine characteristics with a duration of ≥4 hours OR triptan intake (independently from its effect) OR (visual) aura lasting 5–60 minutes.

Results

Of all migraine days defined by triptan intake only, 66.2% had a duration <4 hours. Adjusting the headache duration criterion to ≥30 minutes led to a decrease in days defined by triptan intake only and resulted in a 5.4% increase in total migraine days (equals 0.45 migraine day increase in monthly migraine days). These additional migraine days had a median duration of 2.5 hours.

Conclusion

We propose to define a migraine day as follows: 1) (a) headache duration ≥30 minutes; (b) matching ≥2 of four characteristics: unilateral, pulsating, moderate to severe pain, aggravation by or causing avoidance of routine physical activity; and (c) during headache ≥1 of the following: nausea and/or vomiting, photophobia and phonophobia or 2) (visual) aura duration 5–60 minutes or 3) a day with headache for which acute migraine-specific medication is used irrespective of its effect.
Time Dependent Release of Salts From Asphalt Pavement Containing Anti-Icer Additives
Authors: Koefod Scott
Published: April 2023

A laboratory investigation of anti-icing asphalt pavement (AIAP) containing salt storage additives (SSA) was carried out to explore the effect of pavement thickness, asphalt performance grade, and chloride salt composition on the salt release behavior through simulated precipitation wash cycle tests. The mass of salt release across repeated wash cycles over up to 2 years was quantified analytically and compared with typical NaCl brine anti-icing application rates. Consistent with previous studies, after an initial high release of salt, AIAP was found to settle into a roughly steady though gradually decreasing salt release over time and show a gradually increasing “regeneration” time required between precipitation events to recover to an effective anti-icing salt level at the surface. Given sufficient recovery time, the AIAP samples in these tests were able to release salt equivalent to 20 gal/lane mile of NaCl brine for an extended period. Pavement thickness between 0.625 and 1.25 in. and choice of asphalt binder performance grade between 58-28 and 64-22 were found to have little or no effect on the salt release behavior of AIAP, suggesting that adopters may exercise flexibility as needed within these ranges. The ratio of CaCl2 to NaCl in the SSA also had little or no effect on AIAP salt release behavior, indicating that formulators can focus on other potential performance functions for CaCl2.
An Integrated Conceptual Framework Linking Attachment Insecurity to Increased Risk for Both Enacting and Experiencing Objectification
Authors: Calkins Frances C. , Gervais Sarah J. , Sáez Gemma , Martin Meredith J. , Davidson M. Meghan , Brock Rebecca L.
Published: April 2023

Sexual objectification (i.e., reducing a person to their appearance, body, or sex appeal and functions) is a significant risk factor for negative health outcomes. In the present investigation, we examined multiple manifestations of objectification (i.e., objectification of others, objectification of self, and objectification by others) in an interpersonal context. We merged objectification theory with attachment theory, one of the most prominent theories of close relationships, and propose that sexual objectification can shed light on attachment processes (and vice versa). To bolster this conceptual overlap, we tested this novel, integrated framework across two independent samples of women and men including (a) a sample of 813 undergraduate students—both partnered and single—who completed self-report questionnaires of attachment security and multiple forms of objectification and (b) a sample of 159 committed couples navigating pregnancy who were observed during naturalistic interactions to assess attachment security and completed self-report questionnaires of attachment security and objectification (including partner objectification). Results from both studies demonstrate the utility of our proposed conceptual framework linking attachment insecurity to increased risk for both enacting and experiencing objectification. The most compelling evidence emerged for (a) a link between attachment anxiety and self-objectification with moderate effect sizes across both samples, and (b) an association between a less secure base within the couple relationship during pregnancy and feeling more objectified by one's partner as well as less humanized (i.e., feeling that your partner values you more for your physical attributes and less for your non-physical attributes). Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ's website at https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843231165476 .
Development and Preliminary Validation of the KOOS-ACL: A Short Form Version of the KOOS for Young Active Patients With ACL Tears
Authors: Marmura Hana , Tremblay Paul F. , Getgood Alan M.J. , Bryant Dianne M.
Published: April 2023

Background:

The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcomes Score (KOOS) is a widely used region-specific outcome measure for assessing patients of all ages with a variety of knee conditions. Use of the KOOS for young active patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear has been called into question regarding its relevance and interpretability for this specific population. Furthermore, the KOOS does not have adequate structural validity for use in high-functioning patients with ACL deficiency.

Purpose:

To develop a condition-specific short form version of the KOOS that is appropriate for the young active population with ACL deficiency: the KOOS-ACL.

Study Design:

Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 2.

Methods:

A baseline data set of 618 young patients (≤25 years old) with ACL tears was divided into development and validation samples. Exploratory factor analyses were conducted in the development sample to identify the underlying factor structure and to reduce the number of items based on statistical and conceptual indicators. Confirmatory factor analyses were conducted to check fit indices of the proposed KOOS-ACL model in both samples. Psychometric properties of the KOOS-ACL were assessed using the same data set, expanded to include patient data from 5 time points (baseline and postoperative 3, 6, 12, and 24 months). Internal consistency reliability, structural validity, convergent validity, responsiveness to change, floor/ceiling effects, and detection of treatment effects between surgical interventions (ACL reconstruction alone vs ACL reconstruction + lateral extra-articular tenodesis) were assessed.

Results:

A 2-factor structure was deemed most appropriate for the KOOS-ACL. Of 42 items, 30 were removed from the full-length KOOS. The final KOOS-ACL model showed acceptable internal consistency reliability (α = .79-.90), structural validity (comparative fit index and Tucker-Lewis index = 0.98-0.99; root mean square error of approximation and standardized root mean square residual = 0.04-0.07), convergent validity (Spearman correlation with International Knee Documentation Committee subjective knee form = 0.61-0.83), and responsiveness across time (significant small to large effects; P < .05).

Conclusion:

The new KOOS-ACL questionnaire contains 12 items and 2 subscales—Function (8 items) and Sport (4 items)—relevant to young active patients with an ACL tear. Use of this short form would reduce patient burden by more than two-thirds; it provides improved structural validity as compared with the full-length KOOS for our population of interest; and it demonstrates adequate psychometric properties in our sample of young active patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
Health implications of pesticides application among cocoa farmers in Idanre local government area, Southwest Nigeria
Authors: Adedire Chris O , Akinduro Oluwayomi O , Adeyemi Joseph A
Published: April 2023

Pesticides are routinely applied by cocoa farmers to enhance cocoa production, which is threatened by pest infestations and diseases. However, the undesired health implications of pesticide applications on the farmers are yet to be fully elucidated especially among cocoa farmers in Idanre despite being the hub of cocoa production in Southwestern Nigeria. This study assessed the extent of pesticide use by cocoa farmers in the study area and determined the effects of exposure on their health using haematological and biochemical parameters as indices. A cross-sectional survey comprising 150 cocoa farmers and 50 controls (artisans) was carried out using structured questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained from participants for the determination of copper and sulphate levels, haematological (haematocrit, red blood cell counts, white blood cell counts and platelet counts) and biochemical (creatinine, cholesterol, direct bilirubin and total bilirubin) parameters. The blood levels of copper and sulphate were significantly higher in the cocoa farmers than in the controls. However, there was no significant difference between the subjects and controls for most of the haematological and biochemical parameters except for the platelet counts and total bilirubin levels. The data from the study did not suggest any serious health effects due to pesticide exposure on the cocoa farmers despite the high blood levels of copper and sulphate, probably due to exposure to copper-based fungicides. However, the high serum bilirubin level among the subjects was an indication of possible liver damage. As such, cocoa farmers should be guided against indiscriminate use of pesticides on their farms.
Model-free adaptive control based on prescribed performance and time delay estimation for robotic manipulators subject to backlash hysteresis
Authors: Zhang Yue , Fang Lijin , Song Tangzhong , Zhang Ming
Published: April 2023

Aim to solve the problem of over-dependence on dynamics model and low tracking accuracy of robotic manipulators under uncertainties and backlash hysteresis, an adaptive continuous nonsingular fast terminal sliding mode controller combining time delay estimation (TDE) and prescribed performance control (PPC) is formulated. Firstly, TDE is applied to estimate the model information and external disturbances, so that the dynamics model of robotic manipulators is simplified into a local model. Then, an adaptive terminal sliding mode controller is established based on the local model and PPC, which solves the singularity problem of traditional terminal sliding mode and improves the transient and steady-state performance of robotic manipulators. Next, by combining the reaching law with the adaptive term, robotic manipulators achieve favorable tracking performance, fast convergence time, and chattering suppression under complex disturbances. And the Lyapunov theory is applied to prove that the robotic manipulators can reach the steady state in finite time. Meanwhile, a saturation compensator is formulated to settle actuator saturation and the compensator can converge within a finite time. Finally, the simulation is applied to verify the formulated control strategy can effectively improve the tracking performance and enhance the robustness against disturbances.
Optimization design and analysis of internal gear transmission with double contact points
Authors: Liang Dong , Li Ming , Jiang Peng , Meng Sheng
Published: April 2023

Internal gear transmission with double contact points is consist of the pinion having circular-arc tooth profile and the internal gear having parabola tooth profile. To further improve load capacity and reduce total volume of internal gear drive with double contact points, a multi-objective and multi-parameter optimization mathematical model is established based on genetic algorithm. Through the comparison analysis, contact stress of tooth surfaces after optimization design is reduced by 21.9% and the volume of gear after optimization design is reduced by 3.93%. Furthermore, contact characteristics of tooth surfaces are discussed considering the parameters optimization of contact angles and pressure angles. Based on Hertz contact theory, theoretical calculations of contact stresses under different contact angles and pressure angles are provided. And finite element method is used to analyze the contact conditions of tooth surfaces to verify theoretical calculation results. Research results show that contact angle of the internal gear pair with double contact points should less than 12.5° and pressure angle of the internal gear pair with double contact points should be 20°–30°.
Analytical tool assisting the designer of pin-lug connections
Authors: Strozzi Antonio , Radi Enrico
Published: April 2023

A theoretical model of a pin-lug fitting in the presence of a pin-lug gap is developed that accounts for the nonlinear link between the load and the pin-lug angular width in this progressive contact, which is assumed frictionless. This model adopts a simplified lug geometry, described by a purely flexural partial ring whose extremities are fixed to a base, solved with the virtual work principle. Based on an already available load factor regrouping the effect on the contact angular extent of the applied load, of the Young’s modulus, and of the gap, but not of the lug geometry, an enhanced load factor is developed that includes, although approximately, the influence of the lug geometry on the contact angle. This approach is useful in selecting a suitable clearance between the lug and the pin, which keeps the contact pressure to a minimum for an imposed load.
Modeling and state-preview height control of electronically controlled air suspension system based on experiment
Authors: Long Yiming , Tan Xiaoqiang , Li Weijun , Lai Yuxin , Xu Jiaming , Wu Guangqiang
Published: April 2023

In the control of electronically controlled air suspension system (ECAS), the precision and stability of height control are important targets to measure the efficiency. In the control process of an ECAS system, the phenomenon of “overinflation,”“overdeflation,” and frequent inflating and deflating is commonly existed, which is rooted in the hysteresis characteristic of the system. Based on the bench test, the system identification and quantitative performance analysis of solenoid valves and air springs were carried out, and a refined ECAS system model was built. A PID control strategy is optimized and a state-preview height control strategy is established. AMESim and Simulink are used to build the vehicle and controller models. The accuracy of the model is verified by the comparison between the co-simulation and the field test, and the conclusion is drawn that the state preview height control strategy can improve the smoothness of the height control.
Objective evaluation index for the comprehensive performance of intelligent vehicle lane-changing trajectory
Authors: Liu Qiaobin , Yang Lu , Gao Ming , Gao Bolin , Wang Jianqiang , Li Keqiang
Published: April 2023

Lane-changing behaviour is one of the most important and basic driving behaviours. Intelligent and connected vehicles must face lane-changing scenarios to achieve autonomous driving. To improve the rationality of lane-changing trajectory planning for intelligent vehicles, by analysing numerous real vehicle lane-changing trajectories in the German HighD natural driving dataset, a dimensionless lateral quantification balance index is proposed to realise a comprehensive and objective evaluation of the degree of human-likeness of lane change trajectory planning. Focused on the lateral kinematic characteristics of lane changing, a lane-changing trajectory extraction method based on the peak-to-peak value of lateral acceleration is proposed. Lateral displacement, lateral velocity, lateral acceleration and lane-changing duration are extracted from natural driving data, and the correlations between the parameters are revealed to deduce the lateral quantification balance index. With several common parametric lane-changing trajectory models of intelligent vehicles, such as sine, quintic polynomial, Gaussian and hyperbolic tangent and fifth-order Bessel models, as examples, the index values of each lane-changing trajectory model are calculated and obtained. Results show that the proposed index can balance the different requirements in lane-changing efficiency and comfort of the trajectory parameters during the lane-changing process, thus achieving a comprehensive quantitative evaluation of lateral stability, efficiency and comfort. This research establishes an intuitive and concise objective function for human-like trajectory planning and provides a basis for trajectory tracking control and real-time dynamic correction of intelligent vehicles.
Probabilistic multi-modal expected trajectory prediction based on LSTM for autonomous driving
Authors: Gao Zhenhai , Bao Mingxi , Gao Fei , Tang Minghong
Published: April 2023

Autonomous vehicles (AVs) need to adequately predict the trajectory space of surrounding vehicles (SVs) in order to make reasonable decision-making and improve driving safety. In this paper, we build the driving behavior intention recognition module and traffic vehicle expected trajectory prediction module by deep learning. On the one hand, the driving behavior intention recognition module identifies the probabilities of lane keeping, left lane changing, right lane changing, left acceleration lane changing, and right acceleration lane changing of the predicted vehicle. On the other hand, the expected trajectory prediction module adopts an encoder-decoder architecture, in which the encoder encodes the historical environment information of the surrounding agents as a context vector, and the decoder and MDN network combine the context vector and the identified driving behavior intention to predict the probability distribution of future trajectories. Additionally, our model produces the multiple behaviors and trajectories that may occur in the next 6 s for the predicted vehicle (PV). The proposed model is trained, validated and tested with the HighD dataset. The experimental results show that the constructed probabilistic multi-modal expected trajectory prediction possesses high accuracy in the intention recognition module with full consideration of interactive information. At the same time, the multi-modal probability distribution generated by the anticipated trajectory prediction model is more consistent with the real trajectories, which significantly improves the trajectory prediction accuracy compared with other approaches and has apparent advantages in predicting long-term domain trajectories.
Effects of Peripheral Nerve Injury on the Induction of c-Fos and Phosphorylated ERK in the Brainstem Trigeminal Sensory Nuclear Complex
Authors: Terayama Ryuji , Tsuji Kenta , Furugen Hironori , Minh Duong Nguyen Phat , Nakatani Ayaka , Uchibe Kenta
Published: April 2023

Background

Sequential changes in brainstem and spinal cord neurons after traumatic injury to peripheral nerves are related to neuropathic pain symptoms.

Purpose

This study was conducted to elucidate the influence of nerve insult on stimulus-induced c-Fos expression and ERK phosphorylation by brainstem neurons.

Methods

The brainstem trigeminal sensory nuclear complex (BTSNC) was examined for neuronal profiles immunolabeled with c-Fos and phosphorylated ERK (p-ERK) antibodies elicited by stimulation of the tongue with capsaicin after lingual or inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) injury.

Results

Abundant neuronal profiles immunolabeled for c-Fos and p-ERK elicited by capsaicin were distributed in the spinal trigeminal nucleus caudalis (Vc) without nerve injury. The spinal trigeminal nucleus oralis (Vo) contained limited numbers of these neuronal profiles after stimulation of the tongue. A significant reduction of these neuronal profiles in the ipsilateral Vc was detected after lingual nerve injury. After IAN injury, an increased number of neuronal profiles immunolabeled for c-Fos elicited by capsaicin was noted, while that of p-ERK was left unchanged in the ipsilateral Vc. On the both sides of the Vo, an increased number of capsaicin-induced neuronal profiles immunolabeled for c-Fos and p-ERK was detected after lingual or IAN injury.

Conclusion

Differential effects of lingual or IAN injury on stimulus-induced c-Fos expression and ERK phosphorylation by Vo and Vc neurons may be involved in the complex nature of symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia.
Reproducibility and Reliability of Computing Models in Segmentation and Volumetric Measurement of Brain
Authors: Singh Mahender Kumar
Published: April 2023

Background

Segmentation and morphometric measurement of brain tissue and regions from non-invasive magnetic resonance images have clinical and research applications. Several software tools and models have been developed by different research groups which are increasingly used for segmentation and morphometric measurements. Variability in results has been observed in the imaging data processed with different neuroimaging pipelines which have increased the focus on standardization.

Purpose

The availability of several tools and models for brain morphometry poses challenges as an analysis done on the same set of data using different sets of tools and pipelines may result in different results and interpretations and there is a need for understanding the reliability and accuracy of such models.

Methods

T1-weighted (T1-w) brain volumes from the publicly available OASIS3 dataset have been analysed using recent versions of FreeSurfer, FSL-FAST, CAT12, and ANTs pipelines. grey matter (GM), white matter (WM), and estimated total intracranial volume (eTIV) have been extracted and compared for inter-method variability and accuracy.

Results

All four methods are consistent and strongly reproducible in their measurement across subjects however there is a significant degree of variability between these methods.

Conclusion

CAT12 and FreeSurfer methods have the highest degree of agreement in tissue class segmentation and are most reproducible compared to others.
More smoke and mirrors: Fifteen further reasons to doubt the effectiveness of headspace
Authors: Kisely Stephen R , Bastiampillai Tarun , Allison Stephen , Looi Jeffrey CL
Published: April 2023

Objective

Commentary on the debate concerning the effectiveness of headspace, including the most recent independent evaluation of its services.

Conclusions

The available evaluations indicate that headspace does not deliver therapy of adequate duration that results in clinically significant improvement. Most evaluations have used either short-term process measures or uncontrolled satisfaction surveys, and where there have been data on outcomes using standardised instruments, findings have been disappointing. Costs are poorly quantified and probably underestimated. Even so, headspace as a primary care intervention costs twice as much as a mental health consultation by a general practitioner and, depending on the assumptions, may not be cost effective.
Hybrid genetic algorithm-system identification approach to model force sensing resistors
Authors: Saadeh Mohammad Y
Published: April 2023

Force sensing resistor (FSR) is a passive component that is composed of polymer thick films that change resistance between its terminals due to force applied at its surface. FSRs inherently exhibit many nonlinear behaviors. This work employs a Genetic Algorithm agent to navigate the search space to identify the optimal modeling systems for five circular FSRs of comparable sizes. The Hybrid GA-System Identification allows the globally optimized models for the original systems to be identified without the need of a differentiable measure function or linearly separable parameters. The GA searches for the order of the linear model (zeros and poles), the input and output nonlinearities, and the order and the interval of these nonlinearities. Meanwhile, the system identification optimizes the locations of the poles and zeros as well as the parameters of the input and output nonlinearities. The synergy between the two agents allows the entire space to be evaluated for a global solution using the heuristic search advantage of the GA coupled with the fine-tuning of the parameters using the localized search advantage of the system identification. Results show that using the GA agent expedited the search process and allowed for reaching a globally optimized model.
Advancing Environmental Health and Justice: A Call for Assessment and Oversight of Health Care Waste. (APHA Policy Statement Number 20224, Adopted November 2022)
Authors: Association American Public Health
Published: April 2023

Health care waste adversely affects society in ways that have been overlooked for decades, an issue that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has accelerated significantly. This policy statement addresses the human impacts that occur as health care waste is processed, transported, landfilled, or incinerated. With limited federal tracking and lack of regulation, patterns of environmental racism persist. Communities of color and low-income communities most often experience the greatest environmental health burdens through the disposal of waste in their communities. Many communities have called for action for decades, as our massive health care industry contributes greatly to these harms. Centering these communities, public health professionals must advocate for (1) evidence-based federal policies with transparent, accessible data about health care waste generation, type, and fate; (2) leadership within the health care industry (e.g., from hospitals, accrediting bodies, and professional organizations) to address environmental health and justice issues related to waste; (3) health impact assessments, cost-benefit analyses, and circular economy research with health care systems and communities to identify cost-effective, feasible, and just solutions; and (4) federal initiatives to prioritize funding toward mitigation of cumulative exposures and impacts, reparation for harms, and investment in well-being for communities exposed to waste, health care or otherwise. Some public health experts anticipate that we may be entering a “pandemic age,” which suggests that, without intervention, intersecting issues of infectious disease, climate change, waste, and environmental health and justice will remain and reoccur.
The Secondary Impact of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experiences of Family Members
Authors: Gamgee James , Runacres Jessica , Norman Alyson , Pradhan Priyanka
Published: April 2023

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), with symptoms beyond 3 months, may be more common than previously believed, but is poorly understood. This has resulted in contradictory and confused information for service users, which has had an impact on those with mTBI and their families. This qualitative study aimed to improve understanding of the lived experiences of families of people with mTBI, with symptoms beyond 3 months. It extends a previous study, which focussed on all degrees of traumatic brain injury (TBI) (mild, moderate, and severe). Four individuals participated in semi-structured, virtual interviews. Following an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), three superordinate themes were identified: (1) Going round in circles, (2) The second secondary impact, and (3) Dialogue with myself. Findings indicate that families of people with mTBI, with symptoms beyond 3 months, may experience many of the same challenges as families of people with moderate or severe TBI, albeit at a lesser intensity. This includes difficulty making sense of TBI and challenges to their identity, both of which mirror the comparator TBI study findings. However, findings also indicated that this group may experience different challenges to families of people with moderate or severe TBI, aspects of which have not previously been reported. Feelings of ambiguous loss may be increased by incongruity between information provided and families’ experiences, and by the varied availability and content of information. Implications for service providers are that consistent, transparent, and realistic information and education may aid adjustment and assist families to support people with mTBI.
Alectinib – induced acute renal failure
Authors: Prado-Mel Elena , Ciudad-Gutiérrez Pablo , Sánchez-Martín Almudena , Martín Laila Abdel-Kader
Published: April 2023

Introduction: Alectinib is a potent and selective orally active tyrosine kinase inhibitor used for anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer, which has a better safety profile than other inhibitors of anaplastic lymphoma kinase. We report a case of a mixed pattern of acute interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis proven by renal biopsy upon starting alectinib therapy. Case report: A 68-year-old man with diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, diagnosed with anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive non-small cell lung cancer stage IV, had 27 days previously started alectinib 600 mg twice daily. He presented at the emergency room due to vomiting, nausea, and more dyspnoea than usual. A high creatinine level and metabolic imbalances were detected in laboratory tests. Management and outcomes: After a diagnosis of acute renal failure, the patient was admitted to hospital. Nephrotoxic drugs were suspended, and haemodialysis was required. After dismissing other causes, a probable diagnosis of acute interstitial nephritis due to alectinib was established. Corticotherapy was initiated and renal function returned to baseline levels. Renal biopsy showed a mixed pattern of acute interstitial nephritis and acute tubular necrosis. The patient was discharged, and alectinib therapy was modified to lorlatinib. No polymorphisms were found in a pharmacogenetic test. After 10 months with lorlatinib, renal function remains stable. Discussion: The relationship between acute renal failure and alectinib initiation is considered probable in this patient. Although it is an adverse effect reported in less than 1% of cases, it would be advisable to monitor renal function in this kind of patient.
Tipping, Disrupted: The Multi-Stakeholder Digital Tipped Service Journey
Authors: Warren Nathan B. , Hanson Sara
Published: April 2023

The shift from analog to digital point-of-sale systems (e.g. Square) and app-based service platforms (e.g. Uber) disrupted frontline services by creating new tipping processes that occur in an ever-expanding range of service contexts and involve new stakeholders. The increasing importance of tipping in the global economy and the uncertainty regarding tipping practices suggest the need for a comprehensive framework that accounts for evolving tipped service networks. We introduce the multi-stakeholder service journey lens to build a conceptual framework that accounts for the competing interests of customers, employees, frontline service managers, technology providers, and other stakeholders in emergent tipped services. This framework examines interactions between stakeholders at different points along the tipped service journey, while accounting for the technologies and contexts that shape stakeholder interactions and the sometimes divergent outcomes that result. Stakeholder interactions at each stage of the tipped service journey suggest theoretically rich research questions, such as “How do digital tipping technologies diffuse into and realign cultural practices?”, and important practical questions, such as “Which tip request framing and formatting choices result in the highest tips, most customer satisfaction, and optimum employee outcomes?” Our conclusion emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder service journey perspectives for examining digitally disrupted services.
How many children with large clear cornea do not have glaucoma?
Authors: Bayoumi Nader , Elsayed Eman Nabil , Saber Ahmed
Published: April 2023

Purpose

A horizontal corneal diameter greater than 2 standard deviations from the mean (9.8 mm) or greater than 11 mm in term infants defines megalocornea (herein referred to as a large clear cornea). The aim of the current study was to report on the incidence and clinical characteristics of children presenting with large clear cornea that do not suffer glaucoma.

Methods

A retrospective chart review of children presenting with large clear cornea to the pediatric ophthalmology unit of the ophthalmology department of Alexandria Main University Hospital in the period from March 2011 to December 2020 was conducted. A large clear cornea was defined as a horizontal white-to-white corneal diameter (as measured by calipers) greater than 12 mm. Glaucoma was diagnosed according to the childhood glaucoma research network (CGRN) criteria and the axial length was used to filter out eyes with large clear corneas due to congenital high myopia.

Results

Out of 120 eyes of 91 (58 males) children a total of 76 eyes of 67 (41 males) children were diagnosed with glaucoma and 44 eyes of 24 (17 males) children (36.7%) did not suffer glaucoma. Out of these, 30 eyes were classified as myopia and 14 eyes as congenital megalocornea.

Conclusions

More than one third of eyes presenting with large clear corneas may not have glaucoma, and almost two thirds of these eyes (that are not suffering from glaucoma) demonstrate axial myopia.
A Focused Screening and Clinical Intervention with Streamlined Outpatient Linkage for Hospitalized Patients with Opioid Use Disorder Experiencing Homelessness
Authors: Oreper Sandra , Bond Allison , Bazinski Marilyn , Tierney Matthew , Fang Margaret , Sankaran Sujatha , Rambachan Aksharananda
Published: April 2023

Background:

Patients experiencing homelessness have higher rates of substance use and related mortality, often driven by opioid overdose. Conversely, opioid use disorder (OUD) is a leading risk factor for homelessness. Our goal was to test the efficacy of an electronic health record (EHR) screen in identifying this vulnerable population during hospitalization and to assess the feasibility of a bundled intervention in improving opioid safety.

Methods:

We assessed patients’ housing status, substance use, previous MOUD treatment, barriers to MOUD treatment and readiness to take MOUD in and out of the hospital. For each post discharge follow up call, patients were asked about their MOUD status, barriers accessing treatment, current substance use, and housing status. We also assessed team members perceptions and experiences of the study.

Results:

We enrolled 32 patients with housing insecurity and OUD. The mean age was 44, the majority self-identified as male (78%), and mostly as White (56%) or Black (38%). At each follow up within the 6-months post-discharge, reach rates were low: 40% of enrollees answered at least 1 call and the highest reach rate (31% of patients) occurred at week 4. At the third and sixth-month follow ups, >50% of subjects still taking MOUD were also using opioids.

Conclusion:

Our clinician augmented EHR screen accurately identified inpatients experiencing OUD and PEH. This intervention showed high rates of attrition among enrolled patients, even after providing cellphones. The majority of patients who were reached remained adherent to MOUD though they reported significant barriers.