bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Misperception of Orientation in Depth When Processing Multiple Pictures With Linear Perspective Cues
Authors: Hiris Eric , Zinnel Laura , Rickman Henry , Phillips Joshua
Published: May 2021

The leaning tower illusion suggests that combining perspective cues across multiple images can affect the perceived orientation of objects in space. We measured the accuracy of orientation perception when viewing multiple pictures. Across several experiments, 11–16 participants viewed two pictures: a sidewalk and either another sidewalk, a nature scene, or no picture. Participants adjusted an on-screen line to match the remembered orientation of one of the sidewalks. Participants also made a judgment about the parallelism of the sidewalks. Sidewalks perceived as parallel were perceived to have orientations more similar to each other than when they were paired with a nature scene or no picture. The degree of misperception can be approximately twice as large as in the leaning tower illusion, and this effect survived inversion and partially survived alternating presentation of the images. The misperception was eliminated when the participants were cued on which sidewalk they would be judging; however, when forced to process both sidewalks, the misperception reappeared. We conclude that the orientation of objects with perspective cues is misperceived when viewing multiple pictures with perspective cues and this misperception appears to be related at least in part to how parallel those objects are perceived to be.
Evaluative conditioning of responses to unfamiliar chords by exposure to valenced images
Authors: Smit Eline A , Milne Andrew J , Dean Roger T , Weidemann Gabrielle
Published: May 2021

The extent to which emotional responses to musical elements are influenced by their past associations with specific emotional responses is largely unknown. To assess this possibility, the present study tested whether pairing positive, negative, or neutral chords from an unfamiliar musical system (a microtonal Bohlen–Pierce tuning) with positively or negatively valenced pictures would have an effect on subsequent liking ratings. The microtonal chords used in this experiment had been previously rated, independent of any other affective input, in an earlier experiment; this allows us to class each chord as intrinsically positive, negative, or neutral. It was found that exposure with an image increases liking ratings independent of the valence of the images, compared with no exposure which supports a mere exposure effect; but, interestingly, we did not find substantial evidence for evaluative conditioning. Results are discussed in light of theoretical accounts of evaluative conditioning and musical implications.
‘Causing misery and suffering miserably’: Representations of the Thirty Years’ War in Literature and History
Authors: Talbott Siobhan
Published: May 2021

This article examines a range of fictional literature – poetry, prose, play and song produced between the seventeenth and twenty-first centuries – that represents aspects of the Thirty Years’ War, a conflict fought in Europe from 1618 to 1648. Depiction of the Thirty Years’ War in literary works is compared to that found in empirical historical evidence and historians’ analyses. It is concluded that historical fictions offer a different, but equally valid, account of the conflict to academic histories, and that by using historical fictions and empirical evidence together, a more holistic picture of events is offered than academic histories alone provide.
Parental Antisocial and Psychopathic Traits Influence Adolescent Psychopathology
Authors: Fanti Kostas A. , Lordos Alexandros
Published: May 2021

The role of parental antisocial behavior in the development of adolescent psychopathology is well established in the literature. However, less is known about the role of parental psychopathic traits in offspring psychopathology. Adolescents (N = 210; boys = 107) and their parents participated in a study measuring parental antisocial behavior, psychopathic traits (i.e., callous-unemotional traits, impulsive-irresponsibility, and grandiosity), and adolescent psychopathology, including depression, anxiety, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD). Results from the structural equation model suggested that maternal antisocial acts, but not anger propensity, positively predicted adolescent CD, ODD, and depressive symptoms. Paternal anger propensity mainly predicted internalizing problems, whereas paternal impulsive-irresponsibility predicted anxiety and ADHD symptoms. In addition, findings pointed to several indirect effects from maternal and paternal psychopathic traits to adolescent psychopathology, with the strongest one being between maternal impulsive-irresponsibility to maternal antisocial acts to adolescent ODD. The findings suggest that parental antisocial behaviors and psychopathic traits, and especially impulsive-irresponsibility, should be considered in interventions aiming to reduce adolescent psychopathology.
Coparenting, Negative Educational Outcomes, and Familial Instability in Justice-involved Families
Authors: Tadros Eman , Durante Katherine A.
Published: May 2021

Incarceration of a parent is associated with negative consequences for children, such as behavioral problems, the development of antisocial personality traits, and decreased educational attainment. Data from the Multi-site Family Study on Incarceration, Parenting, and Partnering was used to analyze four measures of the coparenting relationship in families in which the father is incarcerated and the mother is not, to examine if a higher quality, more cohesive coparenting relationship is associated with fewer adverse childhood experiences for the parents’ shared child. Findings suggest that children of parents who frequently argue about the child are more likely to have ever been suspended or expelled from school and are more likely to have ever had to live outside of the home with a relative, family friend, or foster parents. Clinical implications are discussed, and future directions call for research, practice, and training to improve outcomes for incarcerated coparents and their children.
Historical geography I: Doom, danger, disregard – Towards political historical geographies
Authors: Clayton Daniel
Published: May 2021

‘Doom’, ‘danger’ and ‘disregard’ are palpable sentiments in recent writing by historical geographers and give the subfield some decidedly political intonations. These three words have diverse, disquieting and expectant connotations and are tracked in this report through clusters of research on colonialism, racism, decolonisation, climate change, Earth history and political reaction and populism. This range of historical work within geography provokes more general questions about how the discipline, generally, sees itself today and at a time of profound uncertainty about the meaning and direction of history. At this time, it is easy to be despondent but vital to hope and work for change.
Methodology to evaluate strength properties of steel by single instrumented indentation test
Authors: Huang Liyang , Zhong Jiru , Chen Guoyao , Xu Tong , Guan Kaishu
Published: May 2021

The instrumented indentation test (IIT) is an attractive non-destructive testing technique. Determining accurate strength properties of steel using IIT is still challenging. In this paper, a new methodology is proposed to acquire the yield and ultimate tensile strength from a single IIT. This method extracts true stress-strain curves from IIT results. Acquired stress-strain curves indicate that the initial yield stress is not repeatable. This is caused by the inhomogeneous deformation of IIT specimens. Based on the obtained true stress-stain curves, corresponding yield strength, and ultimate tensile strength are calculated through theoretical derivation. The results show that the strength has a convergent tendency. On basis of this phenomenon, the strength is determined with an extrapolating method. Finally, the strength properties of Q345R are investigated to verify the reliability of this method. It is found that the strength determined from IIT and conventional tensile tests shows good agreement. The proposed method is effective in predicting strength properties from a single instrumented indentation test.
Connected Vehicle-Cooperative Adaptive Cruise Control Algorithm to Divide and Reform Connected Vehicle Platoons at Signalized Intersections to Improve Traffic Throughput and Safety
Authors: Bie Yuwei , Qiu Tony Z.
Published: May 2021

The cooperative adaptive cruise control (CACC) algorithm is a simple and effective way to form small-headway platoons so that road capacity and traffic throughput can be improved. The CACC algorithm has been broadly discussed in relation to the highway driving environment where frequent stopping and merging are uncommon. This paper proposes that CACC can also benefit urban arterials, using the appropriate algorithm to predict platoon behavior with optimized trajectories to divide and reform platoons before and after signalized intersections, thus maintaining small, safe headways. Connected vehicle (CV) technology is the key to adapting and improving the CACC algorithm, as it enables the signal phasing plan to be sent to a target CACC platoon and allows vehicles to acquire real-time information from other vehicles in the platoon. In this research, a CV-CACC algorithm is proposed consisting of two functions: platoon division and platoon reforming. The new algorithm is also equipped with acceleration as a new control variable instead of speed, so that the platoon is able to accommodate sharp speed changes around intersections, something the baseline CACC is unable to accommodate. In this study, computer simulations have been conducted to test the reliability of the CV-CACC algorithm and compare its performance against the baseline CACC algorithm.
Long-Distance Airport Substitution and Air Market Leakage: Empirical Investigations in the U.S. Midwest
Authors: Yirgu Kaleab Woldeyohannes , Kim Amy M. , Ryerson Megan S.
Published: May 2021

Following airline mergers and network reorganizations aimed at reducing operational costs, consolidated air services at large hub airports have encouraged air travelers to forego use of their smaller local airports to access large hub airports offering superior air services farther away. This study investigates airport leakage in areas of Wisconsin and Michigan served by small airports, where air travelers may leak to neighboring large hubs. Using a proximity-based service area definition, three airports experiencing leakage are identified, and a hierarchical logit airport choice model is applied that accounts for air service characteristics and access distance for travelers coming from these airports’ service areas. Results show that a similar mean number of flight legs at both the local and substitute (large hub) airports will encourage leakage at Dane County Regional and Gerald R. Ford International airports, indicating that adding direct flights alone will not be sufficient to combat leakage. Comparable access distances to local and substitute airports have opposite effects on the local markets of Gerald R. Ford International and Milwaukee Mitchell International airports—promoting leakage at the former but discouraging it at the latter. Furthermore, proportional increases in airfares at local airports lead to uneven losses of markets in investigated service areas. Overall, the study provides empirical evidence of long-distance airport leakage in parts of the U.S. Midwest, and how its implications can be used by small airports seeking to further understand and respond to travelers’ airport choices within their local markets.
Strain Sweep Fatigue Testing of Sand Asphalt Mortar to Investigate the Effects of Sample Geometry, Binder Film Thickness, and Testing Temperature
Authors: de Rezende Lilian Ribeiro , Kommidi Santosh Reddy , Kim Yong-Rak , Khedmati Mahdieh
Published: May 2021

This study evaluated the viscoelastic fatigue behavior of binder using strain sweep fatigue testing of cylindrical sand asphalt mortar (SAM) samples. The SAM samples can represent the realistic film thickness (such as 10–70 μm thick) of the binder in mixtures, while testing repeatability-efficiency can still be met as a result of the use of a standard sand as a load carrier between binder films. A proper testing protocol is still under development, and one of the unknowns in the field is a set of testing conditions that can provide repeatable and case-sensitive test results. Toward that end, SAM samples with different dosages of binder in three geometries were tested at varying temperatures in this study. A PG 64-34 binder was used, and a strain sweep test using a dynamic shear rheometer was conducted to compare the test results from the different cases. Four parameters resulting from the SAM testing were examined: two accounting for material linear viscoelastic behavior and two accounting for fatigue damage characteristics. The parameters were incorporated with statistical analyses to quantitatively evaluate data variability and sensitivity influenced by the binder film thickness, SAM specimen geometry, and testing temperature. The coefficient of variation was less than 20% for all the cases, which indicated the validity of the SAM method attempted in this study. Results also indicated that fatigue behavior was independent of the SAM geometries used in this study, while binder film thickness and testing temperature significantly affected test results.
Evaluating Changes in Spatial Accessibility to Airports in Turkey between 2000 and 2018
Authors: Paköz Muhammed Ziya , Sakarya Adem
Published: May 2021

The present study aims to investigate the changes that occurred between 2000 and 2018 with regard to spatial accessibility to airports for each district in Turkey. Within this scope, first, the service coverage area of each airport within 1 to 2 h travel time by car for 2000, 2009, and 2018 using the available road networks for the given years is evaluated and each district that can reach at least one airport within 1 to 2 h by car determined. Secondly, the catchment areas of each airport are defined based on geographical distribution and the catchment populations of airports found. Thirdly, the regionalization coefficient for each airport in the given years is calculated to understand the availability of each airport by comparing the catchment area population with the number of domestic passengers. Finally, a gravity-based formula is employed to measure the spatial accessibility value of each district to the airports within the catchment area of 2 h travel time in the given years. The main findings from the study provide clues about the direction of future policies. The last airports to open have reduced the maximum distance covered, especially in eastern Turkey; consequently, airports’ catchment populations have shrunk. However, the regionalization coefficients of airports located in regional centers and hub cities have increased in consequence of the increase in the number of air passengers over the given period. In summary, travel time to main hubs and airports’ total catchment populations have had combined effects on the number of air passengers and spatial accessibility values of districts in Turkey.
The Effects of Self-Compassion and Self-Esteem Writing Interventions on Women’s Valuation of Weight Management Goals, Body Appreciation, and Eating Behaviors
Authors: Barbeau Kheana , Guertin Camille , Boileau Kayla , Pelletier Luc
Published: May 2021

In this study, we examined the effects of body-focused daily self-compassion and self-esteem expressive writing activities on women’s valuation of weight management goals, body appreciation, bulimic symptoms, and healthy and unhealthy eating behaviors. One-hundred twenty-six women, recruited from the community and a university participant pool ( Mage = 29.3, SD = 13.6), were randomly allocated to one of the three writing conditions: body-focused self-compassion, body-focused self-esteem, or control. Women reflected on a moment within the past 24 hours that made them feel self-conscious about their bodies, eating, or exercise habits (self-compassion and self-esteem conditions) or on a particular situation or feeling that occurred in the past 24 hours (control condition) for 4–7 days. At post-treatment (24 hours after the intervention), women in the self-compassion group demonstrated decreased bulimic symptoms, while women in the self-esteem and control conditions did not. Furthermore, clinically significant changes in bulimic symptoms were associated with being in the self-compassion condition but not in the self-esteem or control conditions. Results suggest that body-focused writing interventions may be more effective in temporarily reducing eating disorder symptoms in women if they focus on harnessing self-compassion. Additional online materials for this article are available on PWQ ’s website at http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/suppl/10.1177/03616843211013465
Ultrasonic Percutaneous Tenotomy for Recalcitrant Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: Clinical and Sonographic Results at 90 Months
Authors: Ang Benjamin F.H. , Mohan P. Chandra , Png Meng Ai , Allen John Carson , Howe Tet Sen , Koh Joyce S.B. , Lee Brian P. , Morrey Bernard F.
Published: May 2021

Background:

In a study from our institution, ultrasonic percutaneous tenotomy of the brevis and the common extensor tendon for recalcitrant lateral elbow tendinopathy showed excellent safety profiles, high tolerability, efficiency, sustained pain relief, functional improvement, and sonographic evidence of tissue healing in 20 patients at 3 years’ follow-up.

Purpose:

To explore the long-term clinical and sonographic results of ultrasonic percutaneous tenotomy of the brevis and the common extensor tendon.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

The same cohort of 20 patients was recalled after 7 years, and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores, need for secondary intervention, and overall satisfaction were assessed. They were also reassessed using ultrasound imaging of the brevis and the common extensor tendon to evaluate tendon hypervascularity, tendon thickness, and the progress or the recurrence of the hypoechoic scar tissue.

Results:

We successfully scored 19 patients and performed ultrasound on 16 patients with a median follow-up of 90 months (range, 86-102 months). There were no adverse outcomes and satisfaction remained at 100% (6 patients, satisfied; 13 patients, very satisfied). No patient developed a recurrence of symptoms and signs of lateral elbow tendinopathy, and therefore no secondary intervention was required. The improvement from baseline and early term scores was sustained ( P < .001 for all). At 90 months, there was a significant improvement in VAS scores and DASH–Compulsory scores compared with preprocedure scores and all follow-up times until 3 months. There was no difference in VAS scores and DASH–Compulsory scores at 90 months compared with 6 and 36 months. For DASH–Work scores, there was a significant improvement at 90 months compared with preprocedure scores, but there was no difference between DASH–Work scores at 90 months and scores at all other points of follow-up. At 90 months, hypervascularity remained resolved in 79% of patients, while all patients had reduced tendon swelling and sustained resolution or reduction of the hypoechoic lesion.

Conclusion:

At the long-term follow-up of 90 months, ultrasonic percutaneous tenotomy of the brevis and the common extensor tendon, previously shown to enhance recovery of lateral elbow tendinopathy, demonstrated good durability of pain relief and functional recovery that was previously achieved. This was accompanied by sustained sonographic tissue healing with no significant deterioration.
Discriminative Validity of Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening in Identifying Concussion Among Collegiate Athletes: A National Collegiate Athletic Association–Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education Consortium Study
Authors: Kontos Anthony P. , Eagle Shawn R. , Marchetti Gregory , Sinnott Aaron , Mucha Anne , Port Nicholas , Ferris Lyndsey M. , Elbin R.J. , Clugston James R. , Ortega Justus , Broglio Steven P. , McAllister Thomas , McCrea Michael , Pasquina Paul ,   CARE Consortium Site Investigators, Brooks Alison , Buckley Thomas , Mihalik Jason , Miles Christopher , Collins Michael W.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Vestibular and ocular motor screening tools, such as the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS), are recognized as important components of a multifaceted evaluation of sport-related concussion. Previous research has supported the predictive utility of the VOMS in identifying concussion, but researchers have yet to examine the predictive utility of the VOMS among collegiate athletes in the first few days after injury.

Purpose:

To determine the discriminative validity of individual VOMS item scores and an overall VOMS score for identifying collegiate athletes with an acute sport-related concussion (≤72 hours) from healthy controls matched by age, sex, and concussion history.

Study Design:

Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

Participants (N = 570) aged 17 to 25 years were included from 8 institutions of the National Collegiate Athletic Association–Department of Defense CARE Consortium (Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education): 285 athletes who were concussed (per current consensus guidelines) and 285 healthy controls matched by age, sex, and concussion history. Participants completed the VOMS within 3 days of injury (concussion) or during preseason (ie, baseline; control). Symptoms are totaled for each VOMS item for an item score (maximum, 40) and totaled across items for an overall score (maximum, 280), and distance (centimeters) for near point of convergence (NPC) is averaged across 3 trials. Receiver operating characteristic analysis of the area under the curve (AUC) was performed on cutoff scores using Youden index ( J) for each VOMS item, overall VOMS score, and NPC distance average. A logistic regression was conducted to identify which VOMS scores identified concussed status.

Results:

A symptom score ≥1 on each VOMS item and horizontal vestibular/ocular reflex ≥2 significantly discriminated concussion from control (AUC, 0.89-0.90). NPC distance did not significantly identify concussion from control (AUC, 0.51). The VOMS overall score had the highest accuracy (AUC, 0.91) for identifying sport-related concussion from control. Among the individual items, vertical saccades ≥1 and horizontal vestibular/ocular reflex ≥2 best discriminated concussion from control.

Conclusion:

The findings indicate that individual VOMS items and overall VOMS scores are useful in identifying concussion in collegiate athletes within 3 days of injury. Clinicians can use the cutoffs from this study to help identify concussion in collegiate athletes.
Impact of heart failure drug therapy on rates of gastrointestinal bleeding in LVAD recipients: An INTERMACS analysis
Authors: Jennings Douglas L , Truby Lauren K , Littlefield Audrey J , Ciolek Alana M , Marshall Dylan , Jain Rashmi , Topkara Veli K
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

Gastrointestinal bleeding (GIB) remains a common and vexing complication of left ventricular assist device (LVAD) support. Recent single-center analyses suggest that ACE inhibitors (ACEi)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) and digoxin may prevent GIB in LVAD patients. Here we evaluate the effect of guideline-directed medical therapies (GDMT) for heart failure (HF) on rates of GIB through analysis of the INTERMACS registry database.

Methods:

Thirteen thousand seven hundred thirty-two patients who received a continuous-flow LVAD and were on antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulation with warfarin after 3 months of pump support were included in the analysis. GIB events following implant were assessed based on receipt of ACEi/ARB, beta-blockers (BB), mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist (MRA), amiodarone, digoxin, loop diuretics, and phosphiesterase-5 inhibitors (PDE5). Backwards stepwise cox regression was used to control for confounding of each drug class on each other, as well as for clinical variables like age, gender, renal function, HF etiology, and device strategy.

Results:

After 3 months of pump support medications used in LVAD patients were BB (65.0%), ACEi/ARB (51.7%), Amio (43.7%), MRA (37.9%), and loop diuretics (70.1%). In patients with available data, PDE and digoxin use were 18.2% and 16.9%, respectively. The overall incidence of GIB was 19.5% at 2 years of support. After adjustment for other clinical variables, loop diuretics (HR 1.274, p < 0.001) and PDE5 (HR 1.241, p < 0.001) use were associated with increased risk of GIB, while use of BB (HR 0.871, p = 0.006) was associated with lower risk of GIB. ACEi/ARB (HR 1.002, p = 0.971), Amio (HR 1.083, p = 0.106), AA (HR 0.967, p = 0.522) or digoxin (HR 1.087, p = 0.169) did not affect GIB rates on LVAD support (Figure).

Conclusion:

Despite recent reports, ACEi/ARB, MRA, Amio, and digoxin use does not appear to be associated with GIB during LVAD support. The heightened risk seen in those on loop diuretics may reflect venous congestion in these patients, while antiplatelet effects of PDE5 could drive the higher risk of GIB.
Challenges in Conducting Sexual Health and Violence Research in Older Adults Beyond the General Data Protection Regulation: A Belgian Case Study
Authors: Nobels Anne , Cismaru-Inescu Adina , Nisen Laurent , Hahaut Bastien , Lemmens Gilbert M. D. , Vandeviver Christophe , Keygnaert Ines
Published: May 2021

Because of a growing older population, the sexual health (SH) of older adults, including sexual violence (SV), is becoming an increasingly important public health concern. Yet, reliable SV prevalence rates and risk factors are lacking, due to methodological shortcomings in current studies. SV research involves challenges regarding safety and disclosure, especially in older adults. In this paper, we reflect on the methods used in a sexual health and violence (SH&V) study in older adults balancing between privacy rules imposed by the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and ethical and safety guidelines.

To ensure the acceptability of the questionnaire, it was tested in a two-phase pilot study. To maximize SV disclosure, the questionnaire built up gradually towards the more sensitive SV modules. Interviewers were trained to approach participants in a non-judgmental manner. Due to GDPR, our data collection method was changed from a random sampling via the National Register to a cluster random probability sampling with a random walk finding approach.

Older adults were willing to discuss SH&V during a structured face-to-face interview with trained interviewers. Following strict safety guidelines, no major incidents were reported. The cluster random probability sampling with random walk finding approach provided an adequate sampling frame, but was inefficient and time-consuming.

Doing research on SH&V in older adults is feasible but requires a substantial investment of time and the challenges involved may incur greater costs. In order to guarantee further research on sensitive topics in older adults, we recommend that an interdisciplinary expert group consisting of researchers, donors, and policymakers investigates how GDPR and public health research in hard-to-reach populations can be better matched.
A Systematic Review of Multi-Component Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) Interventions
Authors: Pulling Kuhn Ann , Stoepker Peter , Dauenhauer Brian , Carson Russell L.
Published: May 2021

Objective:

To identify, review, and describe multicomponent physical activity (PA) interventions in terms of: (a) number and combination of Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) components, (b) study characteristics, and (c) primary outcomes.

Data Source:

Five electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, PsychInfo, Physical Education Index, Sport Discus, and ERIC).

Study Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria:

Included articles were peer-reviewed, written in English language, published since 1987, and included multicomponent school-based interventions.

Data Extraction:

Data items extracted were: school level, setting, CSPAP component description, health outcomes, academic outcomes, main conclusion, and reference.

Data Synthesis:

Included articles were synthesized by: (1) CSPAP components utilized, and (2) research outcome measured (i.e., health or academic).

Results:

Across 32 studies, 11 included physical education plus 1 additional CSPAP component (PE + 1); 10 included PE + 2 additional CSPAP components; 8 included PE + 3 additional CSPAP components; and 1 included all 5 CSPAP components. Two other studies included 2 or 3 CSPAP components without PE. Most interventions targeted health outcomes (94%) rather than academic outcomes (6%).

Conclusions:

Multicomponent approaches aligned with CSPAPs are effective in promoting PA and other positive outcomes for youth in schools. Future research should seek to understand effects of CSPAP components on a variety of outcomes and settings.
E-Cigarette Beliefs and Intentions Among U.S. Adults Before and After EVALI Outbreak
Authors: Alber Julia M. , Ganjooi Kimiya , Gibbs Siena , Almeida Rebeca , Jackson Lorraine D.
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

This study examined attitudes, perceived control, perceived norms, intention, and policy support before and after the peak of E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) cases among 2 independent samples of U.S. adults.

Design:

This study used a successive independent samples design.

Setting:

Data was collected through online surveys in July 2019 (n = 521) and October 2019 (n = 536).

Subjects:

Participants were recruited through the Qualtrics Survey Panel. Eligibility criteria included: 1) 18 years or older, and 2) currently living in the U.S.

Measures:

The 2 surveys were collected from 2 separate samples examined e-cigarette attitudes, perceived control, perceived norms, intention, and policy support.

Analysis:

Linear regressions were used to examine the association between time, attitudinal, and belief factors associated with intention and policy support.

Results:

Participants in the October sample (n = 521) were significantly more likely to have negative attitudes towards e-cigarettes when compared to the July sample (n = 536), F(8,1047) = 52.671, p < .01, R2 = 0.287. Lower perceived social acceptance towards e-cigarettes and negative attitudes were related to higher support for restricting where e-cigarettes could be used, F(11, 1042) = 63.218, p < .010, R2 = .401. Higher perceived control over accessing e-cigarettes, but lower social acceptance of e-cigarettes and negative beliefs were associated with higher support for limiting places where e-cigarettes could be purchased, F(11,1039) = 36.200, p < .01, R2 = .277.

Conclusion:

Results indicate that EVALI cases may have had an immediate negative effect on attitudes but did not appear to decrease intention to use e-cigarettes. Results could inform future public health campaigns' programming and research. More research is needed to understand the long-term impact of EVALI on e-cigarette use.
Dark, gray, or bright creativity? (Re)investigating the link between creativity and dishonesty
Authors: Ścigała Karolina A , Schild Christoph , Zettler Ingo
Published: May 2021

The question of whether and, if so, how creativity and unethical behavior such as dishonesty are related to each other has been addressed in multiple studies, with mixed results overall. The aim of this Registered Report is to shed further light on this issue. We first present a meta-analysis on the relation between creativity and dishonesty comprising the samples from a pre-registered multi-lab study (on a different topic), which indicated no relation between the constructs in question ( k = 19, N = 2,154, rp = .02). Next, we examined the relation between creativity and dishonesty in a study ( N = 1,152), in which we addressed several limitations of previous research. Specifically, we examined relations between comprehensively assessed creativity and dishonesty using subjective and objective indicators for both constructs. We found mixed results concerning the relation between creativity and dishonesty. In the majority of the confirmatory statistical tests, subjective creativity was positively related, whereas objective creativity was negatively related to dishonesty in the mind game. However, in exploratory analyses, we found that neither subjective nor objective creativity was related to dishonesty in the second dishonesty measure, the sender–receiver game.
Effect of ellipse motion paths with different aspect ratios on friction and wear of highly crosslinked polyethylene
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Zhang Dekun , Chen Kai , Xu Handong
Published: May 2021

Cobalt chromium molybdenum alloy and highly cross-linked polyethylene are selected as the counterpairs in this study to carry out friction and wear testing over different ellipse motion paths to explore the influence of ellipse motion path on friction and wear of prosthesis materials. Here, the analytical methods for the periodic friction coefficient and special point wear are proposed to investigate the relationship between motion paths and tribological properties. The damage mechanism model of high cross-linked polyethyleneunder ellipse motion paths was established, which revealed the connection among material composition, motion paths and friction and wear mechanism. The results show that the friction coefficient and wear morphology are directly affected by changes in motion paths. The friction coefficient decreases with increasing aspect ratios, and the wear profile depth increases with increasing aspect ratios. The spatially resolved friction coefficient curve distinctly exhibits periodic “W”-type variation in elliptical motion paths. The friction coefficient shows maximum values at the long-axis endpoints and minimum values at the short-axis endpoints. There are different wear morphologies in different characteristic areas over the elliptical wear paths. The wear profile depth and width at the long-axis endpoints are larger than those at the short-axis endpoints, and the wear morphology is also more serious.
Evaluation of a Pharmacy-Driven Calcitonin Protocol for Treating Hypercalcemia in Hospitalized Patients: A Multisite Study
Authors: Marte Francheska , Sanchez Michael , Neel Scott , Pauly Jay , Valentine James
Published: May 2021

Background:

The dramatic increase in the acquisition cost of injectable calcitonin led to creating a pharmacy-driven calcitonin protocol to improve the appropriate use of calcitonin and other treatment modalities for hypercalcemia.

Objective:

This study aimed to characterize the use of calcitonin before and after implementation of a pharmacy-driven calcitonin protocol.

Methods:

This was a multi-center, retrospective study of the use of injectable calcitonin in adult hospitalized patients with hypercalcemia. The study included patients treated with calcitonin from October 2014 to September 2016 and from October 2017 to September 2019. The primary outcomes were percentage of patients with a complete response, partial response, and non-responders. The secondary outcomes were time to relapse, duration of partial response, number of doses, and associated costs of calcitonin.

Results:

Of the 131 patients included in this study, 93 were included in a pre-protocol group and 38 were included in a post-protocol group. The primary outcome of complete response by 3 days was met in 28% of patients in the pre-protocol group and 53% of patients in the post-protocol group ( P = 0.007). Calcitonin spending in dollars in the pre-protocol group was $818,956 compared to $224,320 in the post-protocol group; a difference of $594,636.

Conclusion:

Implementation of a pharmacy-driven calcitonin protocol effectively improved calcium levels, reduced inappropriate calcitonin use, and reduced calcitonin spending during a period of 2 fiscal years.
Vasopressor Discontinuation Order in Septic Shock With Reduced Left Ventricular Function
Authors: Taylor Ashley , Jones Timothy , Forehand Christy Cecil , Smith Susan E. , Dykes Hannah , Newsome Andrea Sikora
Published: May 2021

Background:

The optimal vasopressor management for septic patients with left ventricular (LV) dysfunction has not been well established, and current evidence is conflicting regarding the optimal vasopressor discontinuation order.

Objective:

The objective was to evaluate the impact of LV dysfunction on the hemodynamic management of septic shock by assessing the incidence of clinically significant hypotension after vasopressor discontinuation.

Methods:

In this single-center, retrospective cohort study, adult patients were included if they met the Sepsis-3 definition of septic shock, had LV dysfunction (defined as an ejection fraction ≤40%), and received norepinephrine and vasopressin as the last vasopressors discontinued. The primary outcome was the incidence of clinically significant hypotension following discontinuation of vasopressin or norepinephrine. Clinically significant hypotension was defined as a MAP less than 60 mmHg and the need for either: 1) the reinstitution of the previously discontinued agent at any dosage, 2) the receipt of at least 500 mL of a crystalloid at a rate of at least 500 mL/hour, 3) or the receipt of at least 25 grams of albumin 5% at a rate of at least 25 gram/hour. Secondary outcomes included intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital lengths of stay, and ICU and hospital mortality.

Results:

A total of 78 patients met inclusion criteria, with 37 patients having vasopressin discontinued first and 41 having norepinephrine discontinued first. Clinically significant hypotension occurred in 28 patients (76%) following the discontinuation of vasopressin, compared to 28 patients (81%) following the discontinuation of norepinephrine (p = 0.61). ICU length of stay was 9 days in the vasopressin discontinued first cohort, compared to 15 days in the norepinephrine discontinued first cohort (p = 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in mortality observed.

Conclusion:

The discontinuation order of norepinephrine and vasopressin did not impact the incidence of clinically significant hypotension in patients with septic shock and LV dysfunction, but may influence ICU length of stay, although other factors may have impacted this finding.
Examination of Cancer and Aging Through Activities of Daily Living: A National Health and Aging Trends Study Analysis
Authors: Brick Rachelle , Skidmore Elizabeth R , Al Snih Soham , Terhorst Lauren
Published: May 2021

Objectives: This study longitudinally examined how older adult cancer survivors perceive disability in activities of daily living over time compared to older adults who have not had cancer. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of the National Health and Aging Trends Study examining participants with a new cancer diagnosis and age-, gender-, and comorbidity-matched comparison participants without a history of cancer. Generalized linear mixed models examined time and group interaction and main effects in disability. Results: There was a significant main effect of time ( F 4,771 = 12.81; p < .0001) demonstrating increasing disability levels for both groups. There were significant group differences, with higher disability in the cancer group than the comparison group (β = 0.628, SE = 0.263; t = 2.39, p = 0.017). Discussion: Although perceived disability was greater immediately following cancer diagnosis, older adult cancer survivors and comparison participants appear to have similar perceived disability over time.
The challenges of formal volunteering in hospitals
Authors: Tavares Sara , Proença Teresa , Ferreira Marisa R
Published: May 2021

The role and tasks performed by hospital volunteers (HV), their relationship with other stakeholders and the management of volunteers, are controversial topics, not widely explored in literature. Through an exploratory study, which incorporated the collection and analysis of qualitative data, involving 46 interviews with volunteers, staff and hospital administration from three hospitals in Portugal, we analyze hospital volunteers, as well as the tasks they perform, how these tasks are assigned, and how they relate to other stakeholders. As a result, we conclude that the job definition of HV is generic, open to different interpretations and that the assigned functions of HV are not known from all stakeholders. This problem can have negative repercussions in the relationship between volunteers and health professionals, potentially fostering conflict. Nevertheless, most respondents are satisfied with the current format of volunteer management.
Enhanced proton transport properties of sulfonated polyarylene ether nitrile (SPEN) with moniliform nanostructure UiO-66-NH2/CNT
Authors: Zheng Penglun , Wang Rui , Li Zekun , Li Youren , Wang Donghui , Li Zhifa , Peng Xiaoliang , Liu Chuanbang , Jiang Lan , Liu Quanyi
Published: May 2021

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely investigated for their porosity and functional diversity. Inspired by the flexible designability of MOFs, UiO-66-NH2/CNT with moniliform nanostructure was designed and synthesized successfully. SPEN@UiO-66-NH2/CNT composite proton exchange membranes were prepared by loaded UiO-66-NH2/CNT into sulfonated polyarylene ether nitrile (SPEN). Due to the addition of UiO-66-NH2/CNT, all the properties of composite proton exchange membranes were improved. The composite membranes exhibit excellent thermal stability and dimensional stability. The tensile strength of the composite membranes was improved about twofold compared to that of recast SPEN membrane, which was contributed by the interlaced property and rigid structure of UiO-66-NH2/CNT. Especially, the proton conductivity of the composite membranes was greatly facilitated by the additional proton acceptors and donors provided by the abundant amino groups and carboxyl groups in UiO-66-NH2/CNT. Furthermore, the methanol permeability of SPEN@UiO-66-NH2/CNT reduced consistently (from 6.13 to 0.96 × 10−7 cm2 s−1), which was much lower than that of Nafion membrane (21.36 × 10−7 cm2 s−1). All the results suggest that the design of multifunctional nanofillers based on the skeleton structure of MOFs could provide a new strategy to enhance the performance of PEMs.
Exploring the association of riders’ physical attributes with comfortable riding posture and optimal riding position
Authors: Arunachalam Muthiah , Singh Ashish Kumar , Karmakar Sougata
Published: May 2021

In recent years, there has been a keen interest in the design improvisation of motorcycles. However, the theoretical model of association between motorcycle design attributes (like frame size/riding position) and rider’s physical attributes (like anthropometry, range of motion (ROM), and comfort joint angles) are not well established. This study aims to estimate the relationship between rider’s physical attributes and motorcycle design attributes. During this experimental study, the data was collected from 120 motorcyclists (aged between 19 and 44 years) belonging to 20 major states of India. A test-rig was fabricated to obtain the perceived comfort posture and position data using image processing technique. The anthropometry and ROM were manually measured and verified by reliability testing. The principal component analysis (PCA) and multiple linear regression were used to reduce the set of variables and estimate the relationship between 10 comfortable riding position and joint angles (as dependent variables), and the reduced set of 29 anthropometry and 20 ROM measurements (as the independent variables). These results indicate that the comfort joint angles and riding position were significantly associated with the anthropometrics and ROM of the riders. Highly significant regression models were formulated to examine the relationship between the comfort joint angles/riding position and the anthropometrics and ROM of the riders. The findings may support the motorcycle designers to design a comfortable motorcycle complying with Indian anthropometry and ROM.
Statistical analysis on the effect of premixed ratio, EGR, and diesel fuel injection parameters on the performance and emissions of a NG/Diesel RCCI engine using a DOE method
Authors: Poorghasemi Kamran , Khoshbakhti Saray Rahim , Ansari Ehsan , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad , Zehni Alborz
Published: May 2021

In reactivity-controlled compression ignition (RCCI) engines, the ignition and combustion of premixed low reactive fuel (LRF) such as natural gas (NG) is controlled by the injection of high reactive fuel (HRF) such as diesel fuel during the compression stroke. In this study, the effects of six different input parameters on the performance and emissions of the natural gas/diesel fueled RCCI engine are studied using fractional factorial design (FFD) method, which is one of the design of experiment (DOE) methods. In this method, the effects of the interactions of input parameters, referred to as “factors,” on the outputs, referred to as “responses,” are investigated. The factors include premixed ratio (PR), start of first injection (SOI1), spray angle (SA), exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), start of second injection (SOI2), and mass fraction of first injection. Sixteen runs were conducted to evaluate the effects of the interaction between input factors on performance and emissions of a RCCI engine using a validated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model. DOE results indicate that in order to increase gross indicated efficiency (GIE), higher premixed ratio, 85%, with wider spray angle, 150°, is an effective way. Meanwhile, carbon monoxide (CO) and unburned hydrocarbons (UHC) emissions as well as ringing intensity (RI) are decreased at this condition. To reduce NOx emissions, it is beneficial to raise premixed ratio from 55% to 85% or to use 40% EGR, independently.
Evaluation of separation point in a divergent channel in the presence of non-uniform magnetic field
Authors: Moghimi Seyyed Morteza , Khaki Jamie Mehran , Taheri Mohammad Hasan , Abbasi Morteza
Published: May 2021

Due to the pressure gradient increasing downstream, the boundary layer separation phenomena may occur on the divergent channel flow wall. Still, several methods have been applied to control or postponed the separation. Exerting a magnetic field on the fluid flow is one solution. In the present research, we aim to investigate the impact of magnetic fields on the separation location in a divergent channel numerically. Hence, the finite volume method using the OpenFOAM CFD toolbox is employed, and a code for 2-D divergent channel flow under a non-uniform magnetic field is developed. The obtained results have been validated in comparison with previous studies. The results are presented for a test case of the channel with divergence half-angle equals 2.5°, 30 cm length, and 2 cm inlet height. It is demonstrated when Ha increases from 0 to 2, the separation points for liquid lithium fluid flow with Re = 208.33 are postponed from 12.93 cm to 23.18 cm. Moreover, it is shown that the separation phenomena disappear entirely for the Ha value of more than 3.