bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arrhythmia Control by Selective Lengthening of Cardiac Repolarization: Role of N-Acetylprocainamide, Active Metabolite of Procainamide
Authors: Singh Bramah N. , Feld Gregory , Nademanee Koonlawee
Published: October 2022

In recent years, data has become available to support the concept that a selective lengthening of the cardiac action potential (a Class III antiarrhythmic action) by whatever mechanism with an attendant increase in the effective refractory period constitutes a distinct antiarrhythmic mechanism. Such an action is exemplified clinically by hypocalemia and hypothyroidism and pharmacologically by amiodarone, sotalol and bretylium, all of which have other associated features. The N-acetylation of procainamide leads to the pharmacologically active compound, N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA). The loss of propensity to block depolarization with the preservation of the effect on repolarization in the case of NAPA makes the compound a class III antiarrhythmic agent. The process of N-acetylation has also led to longer elimination half-life and predominantly renal excretion with linear kinetics but with the preservation of the antiarrhythmic properties of the parent compound. The electrophysiologic data are consistent with the results of studies which have demonstrated that NAPA has the potential to suppress premature ventricular contractions and prevent spontaneously occurring as well inducible ventricular tachycardia in patients with heart disease. The effects on atria indicate that the drug has the potential to electively reverse atrial flutter and fibrillation to normal rhythm and maintain stability of sinus rhythm. The overall experimental and clinical data warrant further evaluation of NAPA as an antiarrhythmic agent.
Hemodynamic Effects of N-Acetylprocainamide in Man: Comparison with other Antiarrhythmic Drugs
Authors: Josephson Martin A. , Singh Bramah N.
Published: October 2022

The hemodynamic effects of the class III antiarrhythmic agent N-acetylprocainamide or NAPA were assessed in 14 patients with preserved ventricular function undergoing cardiac catheterization. Intravenous NAPA is a relatively weak peripheral arterial and venous dilator which reduces cardiac output producing a reflex increase in the heart rate. The hemodynamic profile of NAPA is compared to and contrasted with other antiarrhythmic drugs, many of which exert significant depressant effects on left ventricular function. The hemodynamic profile of NAPA is favorable for an antiarrhythmic agent but further data are necessary to define its effects in patients with severely depressed myocardial performance.
Locating invisible privilege in Asia: Conceptual travel and contextual significance
Authors: Kathiravelu Laavanya , Dorairajoo Saroja
Published: October 2022

This article that forms part of a Special Section on ‘Invisible Privilege in Asia’ is committed to expanding the theoretical debates in race and ethnic studies, which has been previously critiqued as a field that has focused more on the gathering of empirical observations than the development of theory. This critique is even more pronounced within the realm of studying race and ethnicity in Asia, where research is often siloed within the contexts of national boundaries and area studies. While national, sub-regional and other specificities exist, here we provide a framework that identifies particular practices and structural processes that are best understood as indicative of a form of invisible, or latent ‘privilege’. In paying attention to the geographical and historical specificities of how privilege functions, this article seeks not to uncritically impose a definition, but understand how and when ‘privilege’ provides a useful analytical framework in the absence of, or in collusion with, other explanatory mechanisms. In doing so, this introduction speaks back to the Western-centric conceptual landscape that sociology as a discipline tends to draw from.
Paediatric manikins and school nurses as Basic Life Support coordinators: A useful strategy for schools?
Authors: Otero-Agra Martín , Rey-Fernández Luz , Pacheco-Rodríguez David , Fernández-Méndez Felipe , Barcala-Furelos Roberto , Greif Robert
Published: October 2022

Objective:

To evaluate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills performance and retention in schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years following instruction by their teachers and with the guidance of a school nurse using paediatric manikins.

Design:

Descriptive simulation trial.

Method:

A school nurse provided support to six schoolteachers as they taught a modified 40-minute CPR course. Pupils were shown an out-of-hospital cardiac-arrest recognition video followed by a CPR simulation using paediatric manikins. 117 schoolchildren aged 8 to 12 years received the training. Both the schoolchildren and teachers completed a survey before and afterwards. Children completed an out-of-hospital cardiac-arrest recognition test and a 1-minute CPR test 1 week later.

Results:

After training, schoolchildren increased their self-efficacy as rescuers (8 ± 2 vs 10 ± 2; p < 0.001). Irrespective of age differences, 74% of schoolchildren performed the entire out-of-hospital cardiac-arrest recognition sequence correctly. Children aged 11 to 12 years and 10 to 11 years performed higher quality CPR (49% and 47%, respectively) compared to 8 to 9 year olds (14%, p = 0.008 and p = 0.014). Children aged 11 to 12 years outperformed younger children aged 8 to 9 years with respect to compression depth (48 ± 6 mm vs 43 ± 5 mm, p = 0.008)

Conclusion:

Schoolchildren’s teachers, who were guided by a nurse using paediatric manikins, taught children aged 10 to 12 years to perform high-quality CPR. We suggest integrating paediatric manikins as part of children’s CPR training as feedback from successful CPR performance increases motivation and confidence to act as a rescuer as well as improves skills retention.
Addressing the essential skills competency in teaching among social work educators in Malaysian public universities
Authors: Nadia Siti Nur Edlyn , Islam M Rezaul , Abu Bakar Ah Siti Hajar , Omar Noralina
Published: October 2022

The article derives data from a qualitative study conducted to address the essential skills competency in teaching among social work educators in Malaysian public universities. The study conducted in-depth case interviews with selected lecturers who teach social work education in public universities in Malaysia. The results showed that social work educators believe in communication skills, cognitive skills, analytical skills, hands-on practice and continuous training for quality social work education; nevertheless, they do not all possess such skills efficiently as per skills competency standards in Malaysia. The findings would be important guidelines for social work educators and policy makers in Malaysia.
Economic sanctions as deterrents and constraints
Authors: Kustra Tyler
Published: October 2022

This article analyses economic sanctions starting from the perspective of a target that has to allocate its income between spending on resources to pursue a contentious policy and consumption goods. By studying the target’s consumption problem, it demonstrates how sanctions could backfire causing the target to shift its spending to resources to pursue the contentious policy, thereby increasing the severity of the policy. Whether this will come to pass depends on the elasticities of substitution, which are determined by the target’s utility function. Therefore, even sanctions that seem like they could do no harm, such as embargoes on luxury goods consumed by only the target’s dictator, could aggravate the level of the policy given the right utility function. Considering the target’s consumption problem also illustrates how sanctions could (depending on the form of the target’s utility function) reduce the resources it could allocate to pursuing the contentious policy, thereby moderating it. If the benefits of this constraint outweigh the costs of sanctions to the sender, it could be in the sender’s best interest to impose sanctions. In these cases articulating a demand and waiting for the target to consider it would simply provide the target with additional time to continue the contentious policy, so the sender would impose constraining sanctions without warning. Constraining sanctions, therefore, provide an explanation for sanctions imposed without a threat stage. Constraining sanctions can occur even with complete and perfect information and may persist indefinitely, explaining the existence of long-term costly sanctions as well as sanctions that occur in cases of full information.
No Pass Laws Here! Internal Border Controls and the Global ‘Hostile Environment’
Authors: Medien Kathryn
Published: October 2022

This article explores internal border controls in 1980s Britain, examining how they were conceptualised and resisted by a group of activists, the No Pass Laws Here! Group. Drawing on archival research conducted at the Hull History Centre and the Institute of Race Relations and focusing analysis on the Group’s public-facing information leaflets and bulletins, this article explores how internal border controls created differentiated access to employment and the welfare state, targeting migrant and racialised residents and citizens. The No Pass Laws Here! Group’s framing and analysis, in particular their use of pass laws as a frame through which to apprehend the spread of internal border controls, this article argues, allows us to draw out the continuities between policies developed to maintain colonial rule and those present in the metropole.
High Performance Coated Fabrics of Kevlar® Aramid Fiber
Authors: Wardle Marilyn W.
Published: October 2022

Kevlar® aramid fibers offer a highly desirable balance of properties which have found utility in a wide range of applications, such as tire cord, hose reinforcement, conveyer belts, ropes and cables, protective clothing, boat hulls, and aerospace composites. This paper will focus on the use of Kevlar® aramid fibers in high performance coated fabrics and will compare the mechanical properties of coated fabrics based on Kevlar® 29, polyester, nylon, and glass fibers.
Joint Sealants for Horizontal Pavement Joints—Specifically Bridge Joints
Authors: Green Thomas J.
Published: October 2022

The various types of materials that have been used to seal bridge joints have been reviewed. Some of the bridge engineers joint material requirements have been listed together with the advantages and disadvantages of the three most widely used bridge joint sealants being specified and used today. It is felt that the cold applied two component asphalt-modified polyurethane sealants come closest to answering the needs for a bridge joint sealant over the other types of materials.
Flame Resistant Non-Cellulosic Fibers and Fiber Blends
Authors: Sello S. B.
Published: October 2022

Techniques to attain flame resistant non-cellulosic textiles from high temperature resistant organic polymers, from inorganic fibers or by modification of existing synthetic fibers, are reviewed. The latter modifications are attained by copolymerization with flame resistant monomers, by incorporating flame retarding chemicals to the dope prior to spinning, or by the surface modification of synthetic fibers. The flammability behavior of cellulosic/ther moplastic fiber blends cannot be predicted from the flammability of the fiber components. Polyester/cellulosic blends can be rendered self-extinguishing by selectively treating one of the fiber components, preferably the cellulosics, with flame retarding chemicals effective on both types of fibers.
The Load-Deflection and Rolling Characteristics of Polyurethane Wheels
Authors: Schael G. W. , Thelin J. H. , Williams B. L.
Published: October 2022

This paper reports experimental work confirming the validity of a wheel load-deflection equation for polyurethane elastomer systems in terms of load, elastic modulus, and wheel geometry. A rolling resistance equation incorporating an energy loss factor in addition to the above parameters was also confirmed experimentally. For convenience of application an equivalence loading index table was constructed to simplify comparison of the load carrying capacities of rubber and polyurethane wheels at equal deflections in terms of the elastomer hardness values. Evaluation of the rolling resistance equation for polyester and polyether based polyurethane wheels showed that, by a proper choice of the parameters, wheels of either polyurethane system could be made which had equivalent rolling resistances. Experimental confirmation is shown. The dependence of rolling resistance on the temperature and frequency of wheel rotation is also considered.
Urethane Technology in Adhesive Bonding
Authors: Graham James A.
Published: October 2022

This article deals with-urethane and isocyanate technology as applied to adhesive bonding. Urethanes give adhesives toughness and elasticity. They find practical application in bonding to metal substrates via modification with organofunctional silanes, to elastomer substrates via substrate chlorination, heat and excess isocyanate, to polyvinyl chloride with little or no additional aid, to cured plastics, such as FRP, via catalyst-primer directly at the interface and to thermoplastic via addition of thermoplastic etchants in the adhesive. Isocyanates offer the capability of cross-linking and substrate coupling to the adhesive technologist. They have found practical application and acceptance only when skillfully formulated with other adhesion-imparting polymers and coreactants.
‘It Just Feels Like an Invasion’: Black First-Episode Psychosis Patients’ Experiences With Coercive Intervention and Its Influence on Help-Seeking Behaviours
Authors: Knight Sommer , Jarvis G. Eric , Ryder Andrew G. , Lashley Myrna , Rousseau Cecile
Published: October 2022

Studies from the United States and United Kingdom have shown that Black patients are disproportionately diagnosed with psychosis and have received excess coercive medical intervention. There has been little discussion of this topic in Canada, and of how coercive interventions may have influenced Black patient attitudes towards mental health services. To address these issues, semi-structured interviews were administered to five Black men with first-episode psychosis (FEP) to (a) explore their experiences with coercive interventions and (b) describe how these experiences may have influenced help-seeking behaviours. Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze the data. Four core themes and four additional themes emerged from the interviews. Patients described loneliness, not being heard, police contact and forced medication as influencing their attitudes towards mental health care. Further research is needed to develop reparative strategies to encourage reflection about and awareness of coercive intervention among Black FEP patients.
IQ and the Courts: Larry P. vs Wilson Riles and PASE vs Hannon
Authors: Hilliard Asa G.
Published: October 2022

This paper presents a brief history and a comparative analysis of two recent major Federal court cases on standardized IQ testing and Black children. It includes a discussion of some major implications of the two court decisions and a pending appeal. Finally, shortcomings of the two court battles are cited and suggested future directions for IQ psychometry and education are suggested.
Effect of perceived risks, perceived benefits and regulatory events on users’ supervision intention towards e-hailing platforms: A mixed method
Authors: Jiang Guoyin , Yang Wanqiang , Zhang Na
Published: October 2022

Research on platform governance has gained extensive scholarly interest. However, studies on user participation intention towards platform supervision remain underexplored. In this study, a mixed method approach, including qualitative and quantitative methods, is used to explore the factors influencing the supervision intention of e-hailing users. A preliminary interview study is conducted to determine what factors impact users’ supervision intention, and an SEM model is tested using 359 survey data to examine how perceived government regulation, perceived risks/benefits and regulatory events impact supervision intention. Results indicate that perceived government regulation reduces perceived risks and increases the perceived benefits from participation into supervision, perceived risks weakened users’ supervision intention, whereas perceived benefits stimulated it. Perceived risks and perceived benefits positively mediated the relationship between perceived government regulation and users’ supervision intention. Regulatory events have a negative moderating effect on the relationship between e-hailing users’ perceived risks (benefits) and supervision intention.
Repercussions of Hydroelectricity use on Carbon Emissions in Bangladesh: Evidence using Novel Fourier-Bootstrapped ARDL and Fourier-Gradual Shift Causality analyses
Authors: Zheng Yubin , Wei Wei , Murshed Muntasir , Khan Samiha , Mahmood Haider , Das Narasingha
Published: October 2022

Bangladesh has recently pledged at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) to reduce its carbon dioxide emission figures by 22% at the end of 2030. However, since this South Asian country has always turned to fossil fuels for electricity generation purposes, achieving this emission reduction goal is a challenging task for the Bangladesh government. Nevertheless, considering the negative environmental implications associated with the generation and consumption of unclean energy, particularly electricity, it is critically important for Bangladesh to expedite the process of clean transformation of its traditional pollution-intensive power system. Hence, the objective of this study is to dissect the repercussions of hydroelectricity use on Bangladesh’s fossil fuel consumption-related carbon dioxide As opposed to the traditional method of quantifying environmental quality using total carbon dioxide emissions, this study considers Bangladesh’s annual carbon dioxide emissions generated from the combustion of gas, oil, and coal. Besides, novel Fourier-based econometric methods that effectively handle structural break problems in data are utilized in this study. Based on the results, it is found that up-scaling hydroelectricity consumption levels exert emission-inhibiting effects while greater economic globalization activities are witnessed to boost the emissions. More importantly, hydroelectricity consumption and economic globalization are observed to jointly curb fossil fuel consumption-based emissions of carbon dioxide. Additionally, the results verify the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis for Bangladesh. Furthermore, financial sector development is found to be effective in reducing the natural gas consumption-related carbon dioxide emissions while urbanization is held responsible for amplifying emissions generated from all three types of fossil fuels. Therefore, considering these findings, the Bangladesh government needs to particularly emphasize scaling up production and consumption of hydroelectricity to decarbonize its economy.
Rage against the Port City: Southern theologies mobilising for climate justice
Authors: Ranawana Anupama M
Published: October 2022

In the years following the physical end to the civil war in Sri Lanka, the island was beset with a series of infrastructure projects. One of these was the ‘Port City’, a project funded by the Government of China. The project has raised significant environmental concerns, from the detrimental impact of rock extraction on biodiversity and marine life, to the effect on the livelihoods of the fishing community due to the depletion of fish as a result of the mining of sand from the sea bottom. Visibly present in the protest action against this are religious actors, especially habited Roman Catholic nuns. This article, as part of an ongoing project that looks at environmentalism in faith-based communities, examines the impetus that drives such visibly religious persons to take part in direct action. The article does this to note how theologies that are ‘on and of the ground’, that is anti-colonial theological framings are central to the political theologies driving concerns regarding environmental justice. In doing this, the article is also arguing for a more central place for International Relations and Politics to be studying and engaging with anti-colonial theological voices, what I call theologies of ‘rage’.
Post-discharge experiences of patients with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: A qualitative study
Authors: Wang FengZhen , Zhang YuHao , Wu ShuJing , Xie HongYing , Lin DongMei , Wen XianMing , Duan ZhiSheng , Lu YuFeng , Liu ZiYou , Hu Shuo , Liu Jian
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To explore the life experiences of patients who have been discharged after undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support.

Design

A qualitative descriptive approach was used.

Methods

Patients who have undergone ECMO support and have been discharged were recruited. Thirteen participants were involved in this study. The data were collected through a semi-structured interview and analyzed using the Colaizzi method.

Findings

Four major themes in life experiences were reported by the participants: changes in physical function, changes in psychological state, active adaptation to daily life, and substantial rehabilitation needs.

Conclusion

Different, continuous, and convenient post-discharge physical and mental interventions, social support, spiritual support, and rehabilitation services should be provided according to the patient’s circumstances. We also call on the government to increase the patient reimbursement rate for ECMO treatment. These measures may help to improve the quality of life of patients.
The Use of Research to Facilitate the Creation of a Hospital Palliative Care Team
Authors: Simpson KH
Published: October 2022

Although there is increasing awareness of the importance of palliative care, services for terminally ill patients in hospital are often less well developed than those in the community. This study evaluated the problems of patients who were terminally ill, with the diagnosis of cancer, in a large teaching hospital during a six-week period. The data collected were then used as a basis for establishing a hospital palliative care team. This paper outlines the possible roles of research in the development of palliative care services.
Music Therapy in the Hospice: ‘Musicalive’
Authors: Mandel Susan E
Published: October 2022

In-hospice music therapy is defined as the planned, systematic application of music and the relationship between the therapist, patient and family to promote the comfort of the entire person — body, mind, and spirit. It is suggested that the music therapist serves an important role in the hospice team. The author explores multiple dimensions of her role as a hospice music therapist including the development of the music therapy resource centre, programme design and implementation, the education and training of team members, and meeting patients' and families' total needs at home and in the hospice inpatient unit. Music therapy referral criteria, objectives and interventions are discussed and the music therapist's role in facilitating volunteer, staff, and bereavement support groups is explained.
Surface Modification of Polystyrene — Platelet Adhesion
Authors: Sharma Chandra P. , Hari P. R.
Published: October 2022

Indomethacine is an analgesic and antiinflammatory drug which has antiplatelet and antithrombotic properties. In our work, we have tried to immobilize the same onto a polymer surface covalently. Surface parameters like water contact angle and platelet adhesion are studied. Similar studies are conducted on heparin immobilized surfaces, for relative comparison.
Backscattered Electron Imaging: The Role in Calcified Tissue and Implant Analysis
Authors: Bloebaum Roy D. , Bachus Kent N. , Boyce Todd M.
Published: October 2022

Backscattered electron (BSE) imaging is being developed into an accurate and useful technique for determining changes in bone morphology, histometry, and mineral content. BSE is currently used as a tool for quantifying the response of mineralized tissue to biomaterials. This paper briefly discusses the physics of BSE imaging and its application to mineralized tissue and biomaterials research. Original research is reported which better defines the errors that are imposed by changes in specimen working distance and tilt. Two parameters, the backscattered electron profile and the weighted mean graylevel, were introduced and developed so that BSE imaging could be used as a reproducible, quantitative technique for studying mineral content changes in bone. Results demonstrated that the working distance to a cortical bone surface can vary up to 300 μm or tolerate a tilt of up to 10 degrees without altering weighted mean graylevel values by more than 2 percent.

Calibration of the BSE signal would allow for reproducible, quantitative mineral content analysis to be conducted on bone and bone/implant interfaces. Bone substitutes and pure metals were investigated to determine their potential as BSE graylevel calibration standards. Pure metals appear to be the most promising materials for standardizing BSE graylevels, due to their greater homogeneity.

Finally, interrelationships between compressive strength and stiffness, histometry, and mineral content of individual trabecula in cancellous bone are investigated. Failure site trabecular thickness and minimum trabecular thickness, two new histometric parameters defined in this study, were found to statistically correlate with cancellous bone strength and stiffness.
Blue-Collar and Healthy Worker Identities: How Parallel Ideal Worker Identities Sustain Unobtrusive Control on the Shop-Floor
Authors: James Eric P. , Zanin Alaina C. , Damon Zack
Published: October 2022

This study examines employees at a metal fabrication plant and their experiences with a workplace wellness initiative, which included on-site CrossFit classes. Interviews with 16 workers and participant observation revealed d/Discourses that rationalized worker compliance and resistance to the wellness initiative. Through a discourse tracing analysis, the authors propose the novel concept of parallel ideal worker identities to describe how organizational d/Discourses (de)valued (a) blue-collar worker and (b) “healthy worker” identities. These d/Discourses created resistance to the wellness initiative because they made salient how the organization privileged the “healthy worker” identity over the traditionally constructed blue-collar worker identity through unobtrusive control.
Jil Oslo Generation Palestinians and the Fight for Human Rights
Authors: Thakore Bhoomi K.
Published: October 2022

Palestinian-Israeli land conflicts are rooted in the United Nations Resolution of 1948 declaring the statehood of Israel and causing forced displacement of Palestinians from their ancestral homes. Israel’s fascist and settler-colonialist practices have violated basic human rights for generations of Palestinians, including the current generation of Palestinian young adults: the Jil Oslo. In this paper, I discuss the traumatic effects of Israeli law, and the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in influencing conditions. I also discuss the various forms of resistance and activism among the Jil Oslo in Palestine and abroad. I conclude with a call for increased coalition building aimed at the fight for an independent Palestinian state.
Ketamine in Critically Ill Patients: Use, Perceptions, and Potential Barriers
Authors: Bell Carolyn M. , Rech Megan A. , Akuamoah-Boateng Kwame A. , Kasotakis George , McMurray Jeffrey D. , Moses Benjamin A. , Mueller Scott W. , Patel Gourang P. , Roberts Russel J. , Sakhuja Ankit , Salvator Ann , Setliff Erika L. , Droege Christopher A.
Published: October 2022

Objective: To evaluate practitioner use of ketamine and identify potential barriers to use in acutely and critically ill patients. To compare characteristics, beliefs, and practices of ketamine frequent users and non-users. Methods: An online survey developed by members of the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM) Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacology Section was distributed to physician, pharmacist, nurse practitioner, physician assistant and nurse members of SCCM. The online survey queried SCCM members on self-reported practices regarding ketamine use and potential barriers in acute and critically ill patients. Results: Respondents, 341 analyzed, were mostly adult physicians, practicing in the United States at academic medical centers. Clinicians were comfortable or very comfortable using ketamine to facilitate intubation (80.0%), for analgesia (77.9%), procedural sedation (79.4%), continuous ICU sedation (65.8%), dressing changes (62.4%), or for asthma exacerbation and status epilepticus (58.8% and 40.4%). Clinicians were least comfortable with ketamine use for alcohol withdrawal and opioid detoxification (24.7% and 23.2%). Most respondents reported “never” or “infrequently” using ketamine preferentially for continuous IV analgesia (55.6%) or sedation (61%). Responses were mixed across dosing ranges and duration. The most common barriers to ketamine use were adverse effects (42.6%), other practitioners not routinely using the medication (41.5%), lack of evidence (33.5%), lack of familiarity (33.1%), and hospital/institutional policy guiding the indication for use (32.3%). Conclusion: Although most critical care practitioners report feeling comfortable using ketamine, there are many inconsistencies in practice regarding dose, duration, and reasons to avoid or limit ketamine use. Further educational tools may be targeted at practitioners to improve appropriate ketamine use.
Today’s Older Adults Are Cognitively Fitter Than Older Adults Were 20 Years Ago, but When and How They Decline Is No Different Than in the Past
Authors: Gerstorf Denis , Ram Nilam , Drewelies Johanna , Duezel Sandra , Eibich Peter , Steinhagen-Thiessen Elisabeth , Liebig Stefan , Goebel Jan , Demuth Ilja , Villringer Arno , Wagner Gert G. , Lindenberger Ulman , Ghisletta Paolo
Published: October 2022

History-graded increases in older adults’ levels of cognitive performance are well documented, but little is known about historical shifts in within-person change: cognitive decline and onset of decline. We combined harmonized perceptual-motor speed data from independent samples recruited in 1990 and 2010 to obtain 2,008 age-matched longitudinal observations ( M = 78 years, 50% women) from 228 participants in the Berlin Aging Study (BASE) and 583 participants in the Berlin Aging Study II (BASE-II). We used nonlinear growth models that orthogonalized within- and between-person age effects and controlled for retest effects. At age 78, the later-born BASE-II cohort substantially outperformed the earlier-born BASE cohort ( d = 1.20; 25 years of age difference). Age trajectories, however, were parallel, and there was no evidence of cohort differences in the amount or rate of decline and the onset of decline. Cognitive functioning has shifted to higher levels, but cognitive decline in old age appears to proceed similarly as it did two decades ago.
Physical Effort Exertion for Peer Feedback Reveals Evolving Social Motivations From Adolescence to Young Adulthood
Authors: Rodman Alexandra M. , Powers Katherine E. , Kastman Erik K. , Kabotyanski Katherine E. , Stark Abigail M. , Mair Patrick , Somerville Leah H.
Published: October 2022

Peer relationships and social belonging are particularly important during adolescence. Using a willingness-to-work paradigm to quantify incentive motivation, we examined whether evaluative information holds unique value for adolescents. Participants ( N = 102; 12–23 years old) rated peers, predicted how peers rated them, and exerted physical effort to view each peer’s rating. We measured grip force, speed, and opt-out behavior to examine the motivational value of peer feedback, relative to money in a control condition, and to assess how peer desirability and participants’ expectations modulated motivated effort across age. Overall, when compared with adolescents, adults were relatively less motivated for feedback than money. Whereas adults exerted less force and speed for feedback when expecting rejection, adolescents exerted greater force and speed when expecting to be more strongly liked or disliked. These findings suggest that the transition into adulthood is accompanied by a self-protective focus, whereas adolescents are motivated to consume highly informative feedback, even if negative.
Not All Paths Are Linear: A Conversation With Erica D. McCray
Authors: Dobbins Nicole , Smith Jennifer Elaine , Deniz Fatmana Kara , Higgins Kyle
Published: October 2022

Dr. Erica McCray is a professor and associate dean for Faculty Affairs, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement in the College of Education at the University of Florida. In addition, she serves as co-principal investigator of the CEEDAR Center, an Office of Special Education Programs technical assistance project, and a National Science Foundation research project to broaden participation in engineering. Dr. McCray shares her non-linear path to higher education, which is driven by her strong desire to make the world a better place, particularly for people with disabilities and individuals from marginalized groups.
The Federal Educational Policy System: Enacting and Revising Title I
Authors: Bresnick David
Published: October 2022

If you destroy this formula today, if you substitute a general amendment formula, if you take the money out of the poverty areas of New York City and every other area of this country, then we are voting to liquidate the legacy of Lyndon Johnson.
Complex dynamical behavior and control of a discrete ecological model
Authors: Din Qamar
Published: October 2022

Cyclic types of ecological dynamics have been found in several biological species of forest Lepidoptera. There are several possible reasons for this, for example, interactions with consumers, predators, plant quality index, and interactions of density-dependent type. Furthermore, interaction with consumers and plant quality index is regarded as key ingredients to alter the dynamics for the parasitoid population. Consequently, the quality of food resources fluctuates due to the level of herbs. Such changes have been observed in different systems of forest pests. Lepidoptera (larch budmoth) is a destructive worm that affects high-altitude trees around the world and is rapidly declining and becoming extinct in large areas of the forest. Considering the interaction between the budmoth and plant quality index for larch trees in the mountain range in Switzerland (Swiss Alps), we discuss the dynamics of a discrete-time system. Ivlev type functional response regarding plant quality index is used for the formulation of discrete-time model concerning the interaction between the index of plant quality and budmoth. Moreover, the existence of steady-states, their local behaviors, and the boundedness of solutions are carried out for the discrete-time model under consideration. It is investigated that the model undergoes flip bifurcation about coexistence by applying the theory of normal forms and the center manifold theorem. Furthermore, the direction and the existence of Hopf bifurcation are explored for the model around its coexistence. Various methods of controlling chaos have been introduced to avoid system fluctuations and bifurcating attitudes. Validation of the analytical findings is illustrated through numerical simulations. Finally, the analytical results are validated by experimental and actual field data.
Numerical investigation of the fractal capillary oscillator
Authors: Chen Bin , Lu Junfeng , Xia Zhongze
Published: October 2022

This paper focuses on the numerical investigation of a fractal modification of capillary oscillator by using a coupling technique based on the two-scale transformation and the global residue harmonic balance method. This fractal oscillator can be transformed as the classical capillary oscillator with the help of the two-scale transformation. We further obtain an approximated oscillator by using Taylor approximation. The approximations or frequencies are given by applying the global residue harmonic balance method without discretization. Numerical sensitive analysis of the approximations about different parameters is considered in detail. Compared results with Runge–Kutta method and homotopy perturbation method are given to illustrate the efficiency and stability of the present technology.
Weakly supervised learning and interpretability for endometrial whole slide image diagnosis
Authors: Mohammadi Mahnaz , Cooper Jessica , Arandelović Ognjen , Fell Christina , Morrison David , Syed Sheeba , Konanahalli Prakash , Bell Sarah , Bryson Gareth , Harrison David J , Harris-Birtill David
Published: October 2022

Fully supervised learning for whole slide image–based diagnostic tasks in histopathology is problematic due to the requirement for costly and time-consuming manual annotation by experts. Weakly supervised learning that utilizes only slide-level labels during training is becoming more widespread as it relieves this burden, but has not yet been applied to endometrial whole slide images, in iSyntax format. In this work, we apply a weakly supervised learning algorithm to a real-world dataset of this type for the first time, with over 85% validation accuracy and over 87% test accuracy. We then employ interpretability methods including attention heatmapping, feature visualization, and a novel end-to-end saliency-mapping approach to identify distinct morphologies learned by the model and build an understanding of its behavior. These interpretability methods, alongside consultation with expert pathologists, allow us to make comparisons between machine-learned knowledge and consensus in the field. This work contributes to the state of the art by demonstrating a robust practical application of weakly supervised learning on a real-world digital pathology dataset and shows the importance of fine-grained interpretability to support understanding and evaluation of model performance in this high-stakes use case.
Numerical Investigation of Natural Convection in Horizontal Porous Media Heated from Below—Comparisons with Experiments
Authors: Shankar V. , Hagentoft C.-E.
Published: October 2022

Thick layers of highly permeable loose-fill insulation are used to thermally insulate attics in modern building technology. Since the use of highly permeable insulation leads to an increase in air movement not only in the porous layer (insulation) but also in the fluid layer (attics), it is therefore of paramount interest to determine the influence of the complex heat transfer phenomena due to natural and forced convection on the thermal properties of insulating porous medium with air cavity. With the help of CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics), the combined effect of air movement inside the insulation and the air cavity is investigated.

The paper deals with the CFD analysis, carried out in order to predict the effects of natural convection on the thermal performance of the building envelope. The results obtained from the numerical computations are compared with experimental findings.
Effect of Polymer Structure on the Long-Term Aging of Rigid Polyurethane Foam
Authors: Moore S. E.
Published: October 2022

The effect of polymer structure on both initial and aged thermal conductivity ( K-factor) or thermal resistivity ( R-value) was explored by using a new procedure to estimate the long-term thermal resistance of gas-filled cellular plastics proposed by Norton [1], Edgecombe [2] and Bomberg [3]. This method uses a semi-logarithmic plot of thermal resistivity versus time that produces two distinct stages in the data, thermal drift and plateau with a break point separating the two stages. The plateau stage was fit with a straight line in order to estimate the long-term thermal resistance or K-factor of the foam. This concept was employed on the fourteen CFC-11 blown foams [4] in this study.

The effect of me two major types of isocyanates, Specialty TDI (toluene diisocyanate) and PMDI (polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate), was isolated and compared. The significance of seven different types of polyol initiators was also evaluated with respect to K-factor and K-factor aging.

In the case of the PMDI foams, the data correlated well with the model and the 20-year K-factor predictions appear to be reasonable when compared to the raw data curves. In the case of the TDI foams, however, it was more difficult to find a break point which would define the plateau region in the data. Most of these foams did contain break points, but the break point occurs at a slightly longer time. The 20-year K-factors of these foams could be predicted with reasonable confidence when there was a break point in the resistivity versus log (T) curves.
Morphometry of thenar muscles by water bath ultrasonography in trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: intra- and inter-rater reliability
Authors: Karademir Feray , Ayhan Kuru Cigdem , Arın Gamze , Soylu Ruhi
Published: October 2022

We studied the intra- and inter-rater reliability of muscle thickness and cross-sectional area measurements of thenar muscles with a water bath ultrasonography technique in eight healthy volunteers and 16 patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis. Thickness and cross-sectional area of the opponens pollicis, abductor pollicis brevis, flexor pollicis brevis, first dorsal interosseous and adductor pollicis muscle were measured. The results showed changes in the morphometric properties of the thenar muscles in patients with trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis (TMC OA) compared with the healthy volunteers. In the dominant-sided patients ( n = 14), there were lower cross-sectional area values for the abductor pollicis brevis and opponens pollicis muscles. In the non-dominant-sided patients ( n = 10), there were lower cross-sectional area values for the abductor pollicis brevis and flexor pollicis brevis and lower muscle thickness of the abductor pollicis brevis. The water bath ultrasonography technique could be used to diagnose and treat diseases where changes in thenar muscle thickness and cross-sectional area can be expected.

Level of evidence: III
Changes in task-specific fear of movement and impaired trunk motor control by pain neuroscience education and exercise: A preliminary single-case study of a worker with low back pain
Authors: Fujii Ren , Imai Ryota , Shigetoh Hayato , Tanaka Shinichiro , Morioka Shu
Published: October 2022

We report a case (a worker with low back pain) who was provided patient education and therapeutic exercise, and we performed a detailed kinematic analysis of his work-related activity over time. The subjects were one 28-year-old male worker with low back pain. In addition, to clearly identify impaired trunk movement during work-related activity in the low back pain subject, 20 age-matched healthy males (control group) were also included as a comparison subject. He received pain neurophysiology education and exercise instruction. We analyzed the subject’s trunk movement pattern during a lifting task examined by a three-dimensional–motion capture system. In addition, task-specific fear that occurred during the task was assessed by the numerical rating scale. The assessment was performed at the baseline phase (4 data points), the intervention phase (8 data points), and the follow-up phase (8 data points), and finally at 3 and 8 months after the follow-up phase. No intervention was performed in the control group; they underwent only one kinematic evaluation at baseline. As a result, compared to the control group, the low back pain subject had slower trunk movement velocity (peak trunk flexion velocity = 50.21 deg/s, extension velocity = −47.61 deg/s), and his upper-lower trunk segments indicated an in-phase motion pattern (mean absolute relative phase = 15.59 deg) at baseline. The interventions reduced his pain intensity, fear of movement, and low back pain–related disability; in addition, his trunk velocity was increased (peak trunk flexion velocity = 82.89 deg/s, extension velocity = −77.17 deg/s). However, the in-phase motion pattern of his trunk motor control remained unchanged (mean absolute relative phase = 16.00 deg). At 8 months after the end of the follow-up, the subject’s in-phase motion pattern remained (mean absolute relative phase = 13.34 deg) and his pain intensity had increased. This report suggests that if impaired trunk motor control remains unchanged after intervention, as in the course of the low back pain subject, it may eventually be related to a recurrence of low back pain symptoms.
Valentino’s syndrome: A rare and lethal differential diagnosis for acute appendicitis
Authors: Rodrigo VEU , de Silva GPUP , Jayasinghe DSH , Thalagaspitiya SPB , Srishankar S , Wickramarathne Dickson , Karunadasa MSE
Published: October 2022

Due to the rarity of the condition, Valentino’s syndrome is an underrated differential diagnosis for acute appendicitis. We describe a patient with Valentino’s syndrome in whom preoperative and intraoperative diagnoses were challenging due to misleading clinical, investigative, and morphological findings. A 31-year-old woman who was on methylprednisolone for sensory radiculopathy presented to the emergency department with acute right lower quadrant pain. The clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis was supported by the elevated inflammatory markers and ultrasonographic findings. An appendicectomy and an ovarian cystectomy were performed due to the findings of mild appendicitis and right ovarian endometrioma, respectively. Postoperatively, she developed peritonitis with a purulent bile-stained discharge from the surgical site and per vagina. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography of the abdomen showed a retroperitoneal collection at the second lumbar vertebral level extending along the right paracolic gutter to the pelvis and intraperitoneal fluid collections in right lower quadrant and pelvis. An emergency exploratory laparotomy confirmed a perforation at the posterior aspect of the duodenum which was repaired with an omental patch. Unfortunately, relaparotomy and end ileostomy were required due to colonic perforation with the eroded drain tube. She made an uneventful recovery with intensive care and underwent ileostomy reversal after 12 weeks. We emphasize the clues to have a high degree of suspicion during preoperative and intraoperative evaluation to recognize this lethal mimicker of acute appendicitis.
Red Blood Cell Alloimmunization in Pediatric group with Beta Thalassemia: A Five-Year Experience
Authors: Minhas Kiran , Ejaz Muzamil Shabana , Tukruna Alaa , Haider Maryam , Arif Aabiya , Saleem Tebha Sameer
Published: October 2022

Beta-thalassemia is one of the most frequently occurring hematological disorders in [Removed for blinded peer-review]. Regular blood transfusion is required in almost all cases for management. However, this is associated with significant major complications like red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization. This retrospective cross-sectional is conducted to evaluate the RBC alloimmunization frequency in children with beta-thalassemia aged between 6 months and 16 years in [Removed for blinded peer-review]. Antibody screening was performed using the Dia clon3 cell antigen panel. If the screening came back positive, a detailed panel was created for the identification of specific antibody. In our sample, the frequency of RBC alloimmunization was found in 22 (26.19%) patients. Of these 22 patients, the Rhesus system was found in most patients 17 (77.3%), followed by Kell 5 (22.7%). RBC alloimmunization was significantly associated with a family history of a blood disorder and splenectomy.