bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
UK National audit of the measurement of ammonia
Authors: Aitkenhead Helen
Published: January 2023

Background

Severe hyperammonaemia is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Rapid analysis and reporting of ammonia results is essential to prevent patient harm. The aim was to investigate the laboratory sample acceptance criteria, ammonia analysis and the reporting of ammonia results.

Methods

A questionnaire was distributed to clinical biochemistry laboratories in the United Kingdom. The results were collated and compared to updated best practice guidelines on hyperammonaemia issued by the Metabolic Biochemistry Network ( MetBio.net ).

Results

Seventy-six laboratories responded to the audit questionnaire. Although 83% laboratories are aware of the updated MetBio.net hyperammonaemia guidelines, most laboratories continue to reject samples for ammonia that are ‘too old’ for analysis (64%), haemolysed (72%) or not sent on ice (24%). Rapid ammonia analysis is available in 96% laboratories and all laboratories offer ammonia analysis on a 24/7 basis. Nearly all laboratories had implemented critical phoning limits for ammonia.

Conclusions

Laboratories are rejecting samples for ammonia analysis that have not been collected/transported in an optimal manner. Laboratories should review their sample acceptance criteria for ammonia and accept all samples in order to avoid delaying the diagnosis and management of hyperammonaemia.
Functional Approaches for Modeling Unfolding Data
Authors: Engelhard George
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study is to introduce a functional approach for modeling unfolding response data. Functional data analysis (FDA) has been used for examining cumulative item response data, but a functional approach has not been systematically used with unfolding response processes. A brief overview of FDA is presented and illustrated within the context of unfolding data. Seven decision parameters are described that can provide a guide to conducting FDA in this context. These decision parameters are illustrated with real data using two scales that are designed to measure attitude toward capital punishment and attitude toward censorship. The analyses suggest that FDA offers a useful set of tools for examining unfolding response processes.
Equating Oral Reading Fluency Scores: A Model-Based Approach
Authors: Kara Yusuf , Kamata Akihito , Qiao Xin , Potgieter Cornelis J. , Nese Joseph F. T.
Published: January 2023

Words read correctly per minute (WCPM) is the reporting score metric in oral reading fluency (ORF) assessments, which is popularly utilized as part of curriculum-based measurements to screen at-risk readers and to monitor progress of students who receive interventions. Just like other types of assessments with multiple forms, equating would be necessary when WCPM scores are obtained from multiple ORF passages to be compared both between and within students. This article proposes a model-based approach for equating WCPM scores. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the model-based equating approach along with some observed-score equating methods with external anchor test design.
Team Dynamics and Collaborative Problem-Solving for Lunar Construction: Lessons From Complex Construction Scenarios on Earth
Authors: Harris Katie M. , Stankovic Aleksandra , Thoolen Stijn , Strangman Gary , Caldwell Barrett , Robinson Stephen K.
Published: January 2023

Objective

This paper surveys the existing literature surrounding problem-solving and team dynamics in complex and unpredictable scenarios, and evaluates the applicability of studying Earth-based construction teams to identify training needs for Lunar construction crews.

Background

Lunar and other space exploration construction crews will work in extreme environments and face unpredictable challenges, necessitating real-time problem-solving to address unexpected contingencies. This work will require coordination with Mission Control and autonomous assistants, so crew training must account for multi-agent, distributed teamwork.

Method

A narrative literature review identified processes, attributes, and skills necessary for the success of Lunar construction teams. We summarized relevant frameworks and synthesized collective findings into over-arching trends and remaining research gaps.

Results

While significant literature exists surrounding team performance, very little systematic inquiry has been done with a focus on Lunar construction crews and operations, particularly with respect to dynamic problem-solving and team-based decision-making. Established and standardized metrics for evaluating team performance are lacking, resulting in significant variation in reported outcomes between studies.

Conclusion

Lunar and other space exploration construction teams will need training that focuses on developing the right approach to team-based problem-solving, rather than on preparing response execution for known contingencies. An investigation of successful Earth-based construction crews may facilitate the development of relevant metrics for training future Lunar construction crews.

Application

Metrics and team training protocols developed for future Lunar construction teams may be adaptable and applicable to a wide range of extreme teams facing uncertain challenges, such as aircrews, surgical teams, first responders, and construction crews.
Ply-Resolved Quantification of Thermal Degradation in Carbon Fibre-reinforced Polymers
Authors: Bibinger Johannes , Eibl Sebastian , Gudladt Hans-Joachim
Published: January 2023

This study focuses on thermal degradation of carbon fibre-reinforced polymers depending on the specimen depth. For this purpose, the commercial composite HexPly® 8552/IM7 was thermally irradiated from one side with an infrared lamp at constant heat flux of 50 W/cm2 under varying exposure time. Subsequently, a defined number of plies was removed to prepare micro samples from different depths of the bulk material. Non-destructive and destructive testing methods were used to characterize the thermal degradation mechanism and mechanical properties of these specimens. The results showed that during thermal loading temperature and consequently damage gradients manifest along the material cross-section. Thereby, the damage distribution could be divided into the regions rI with matrix depletion, rII with and rIII without structural damage such as delaminations, cracks and pores. By means of ply-resolved investigations, the influence of these regions and corresponding decomposition processes on the mechanical properties could be determined. As a result, a simple damage model was introduced to calculate the residual strength from the initial strength, region sizes and sensitivity factors representing the effect of thermo-induced damage on strength types.
Effect of Kaolin powder on the static and dynamic behavior of heterogeneous laminate constituted of functionally graded material layers
Authors: Roubache Ridha , May Abdelghani , Boudiaf Mohamed Daia Dine , Benhammouda Seif Eddine , Aït Hocine Nourredine
Published: January 2023

This work investigated the mechanical properties of glass/epoxy laminates reinforced by kaolin powder with graded properties by performing tensile, 3-point bending, impact tests, and compression after impact (CAI) tests. Firstly, we evaluated the effects of mixing parameters on particle dispersion and the effect of kaolin powder rate on the epoxy properties. It was found that the optimal parameters for a good distribution are a temperature of 60°C with 10 min of stirring time and the optimum kaolin powder rate is 5 wt %. Secondly, four graded heterogeneous laminates were elaborated with increased powder rate at each 1, 2, 3, and 4 layers named models 1/1, 2/2, 3/3, and 4/4, respectively. The test results showed that the powder gradient distribution considerably influences the behavior of the composite, with a significant improvement in mechanical properties compared to unreinforced glass/epoxy laminates. The model 1/1 on the top side exhibits the most significant increase in flexural modulus and maximum flexural strength, respectively, compared to the unfilled specimen. The impact tests showed that the powder distribution gradient is essential in absorbing the leading force and energy. The model 1/1 on the top side showed the best impact strength. According to this previous finding, adding ceramic particles in a polymer matrix; with a particular gradient distribution; significantly enhances the composite laminates' properties, especially under bending load. This heterogeneous composite type finds its application in closed structures where the load side is known, such as tanks and aircraft wings, and will allow a considerable weight gain.
Getting a handle on rat familiarization: The impact of handling protocols on classic tests of stress in Rattus norvegicus
Authors: Bigelow Logan J , Pope Emily K , MacDonald Debra S , Rock Jessica E , Bernard Paul B
Published: January 2023

Experimenter familiarization with laboratory rodents through handling prior to experimentation is an important practice in neurobehavioral research and is implicated in stress, study variability, and replicability. Unfortunately, different handling protocols have not been thoroughly examined. Determining optimal experimenter familiarization protocols is expected to reduce animal stress and thus improve welfare and data consistency. The impact of different handling protocols was determined through behavioral assessments (i.e. elevated plus maze, light/dark box, open field) as well as via analysis of fecal boli counts, ultrasonic vocalizations, and blood corticosterone. Male and female Sprague Dawley rats were distributed among three groups: never handled, picked-up, and handled for 5 min once daily over five days. Handled and picked-up rats spent more time in open arms and less time in closed arms of the elevated plus maze and more time in the center and less time at the perimeter of the open field compared to rats that were never handled, indicating that handled and picked-up rats were less anxious than those that were never handled. Male rats consistently defecated more frequently throughout the handling process and throughout behavioral testing, whereas females showed greater concentrations of blood corticosterone. Female rats were found to emit more 50-kHz calls and fewer 22-kHz calls compared to males. The results observed suggest that picking animals up may suffice as a handling method compared to time-intensive handling procedures, and that there are significant sex differences in response to handling.
Dosage selection and effect evaluation of sodium pentobarbital in tree shrew anesthesia
Authors: Xia Wei , Huang Zong-jian , Shi Nan , Feng Yi-wei , Tang An-zhou
Published: January 2023

To achieve surgical anesthesia in animal experimentation, it is important to select the appropriate anesthetic dose. However, few studies have investigated the reasonable anesthetic dose in tree shrew ( Tupaia belangeri). The aim of the study was to review the literature to determine the most commonly used anesthetic dose in tree shrew and to calculate the reasonable equivalent dose between tree shrew and rat based on the body surface area conversion. Two groups of 10 adult tree shrews each were anesthetized with 1% sodium pentobarbital through intraperitoneal injection separately at doses of 62 mg/kg (equivalent dose) and 40 mg/kg (reported dose). Anesthetic depth and times were assessed in addition to vital signs. The results showed that the dosage was quite different across studies, ranging from 15 mg/kg to 80 mg/kg, with 40 mg/kg being the most frequently reported dose. However, the group of tree shrews anesthetized with the commonly reported dose were unable to meet the requirements of surgery. In contrast, the equivalent dose (62 mg/kg, intraperitoneal injection with sodium pentobarbital) calculated by body surface area conversion could achieve an anesthetic time of 44.28 ± 3.95 min with no serious or fatal effects. During anesthetic monitoring, we found that sodium pentobarbital had an inhibitory effect on the blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate and rectal temperature in tree shrews, especially on the respiratory rate. Thus, our study indicated that the use of the equivalent dose of sodium pentobarbital was effective in anesthetizing tree shrews.
Mitigation of firefighters’ skin burn injuries utilizing auxiliary measures
Authors: Bhutta Rumeel A , Choi Sengkwan
Published: January 2023

The improvement in the thermal resistance of firefighter’s outer garments has been traditionally achieved with the implementation of phase change materials or aerogel as an added protective measure. This study proposes supplementary novel cost-effective measures to enhance the thermal resistance of conventional firefighter outer garments. The proposed measures consist of auxiliary protective layers of meta-aramid fabric of a plain weave and a honeycomb structure. A custom built vertically oriented bench-scale apparatus was used to simulate extreme to life-threatening fire environments characterized in terms of an incident radiative flux of 84 kW/m2 and 126 kW/m2. The fluctuations in experimental heat flux density were treated by employing a Gaussian empirical model. The heat dissipation rate within the skin layers was predicted with a numerical model based on finite element methodology. The skin burns were classified with Henrique’s integral. The conventional outer garment when exposed to 84 kW/m2 and 126 kW/m2 resulted in a superficial second and third-degree burn. The auxiliary layers, in conjunction with the outer garment, mitigated second and third-degree burns. The meta-aramid fabric of a plain weave exhibited better thermal resistance than the honeycomb structure layer. The proposed measures reduced the epidermis temperature by 32%. An inner garment made of meta-aramid fabric is recommended to be worn concurrently with an outer protective suit for severe fire incidents due to its relative ease of use. Honeycomb structure layers are not recommended due to their weak structure and restriction in mobility.
Recycling polypropylene from non-woven disposable masks in developing a three-dimensional printing filament
Authors: Zhang Meng , Sun Sarina , Liu Jun , Sun Jianzhong
Published: January 2023

Non-woven disposable masks play a unique role in reducing the COVID-19 pandemic threat in transmission between people, but the huge amount of disposable non-woven masks generated every day are currently posing a serious challenge to our environment on a global-wide scale. In line with this emerging problem, a series of recycling processes were designed and conducted to evaluate the performance of material recovered from those waste masks for potential use in three-dimensional (3D) printing. A composite filament from recycled polypropylene (rPP) and an additive material, glass fiber (GF), was fabricated by melt-blending processing followed by single-screw extrusion. A variety of material properties, including the chemical/mechanical/microstructure property, thermal stability, printability, rheology performance, and geometrical accuracy toward GF/rPP composite filaments, were comprehensively analyzed. Our results demonstrated that two important mechanical properties, the compression strength and the tensile strength, to a 3D printed object by fused deposition modeling (FDM) from the GF/rPP composite were significantly higher than that of a FDM 3D printed object from GF/polypropylene composites. The specific warpage parameter ( Wsp) and the surface roughness ( Sa) for a 3D printed object from the GF/rPP composite at 30 wt% GF additive would have printing accuracy of 0.54% ± 0.0014 and 21.1 ± 0.76 µm, respectively, and no clogging phenomenon was observed in the printer nozzle channel during the printing processing, suggested that this recycling method for a large number of non-woven waste masks was potentially applicable in serving as a FDM 3D printing material.
Demystifying piped water supply: Formality and informality in (peri)urban water provisioning
Authors: Narain Vishal , Vij Sumit , Karpouzoglou Timos
Published: January 2023

Water utilities have favoured the modern ideal of piped networks and infrastructure that is reproduced in policies and discourses about achieving ambitious water targets. In this article, using ethnographic insights from an urbanising village of New Delhi called Rawta, we build on work that challenges the myth of formal water as ‘piped’ water and informal water as ‘non-piped’ and explore both piped and non-piped water as dynamic and socially negotiated water regimes. We analyse how water regimes are shaped by complex constellations of formal and informal actors, institutions and technological practices. What constitutes piped water supply in Rawta is in fact largely constituted by an elaborate informal network of underground pipes and water pumps laid down to realise very specific local water needs. We explore what this kind of informality means for drinking water supply in rapidly urbanising peripheries.
Is There Anybody Out There? Coping and Belonging Strategies: Correlations with Depression, Anxiety, and Stress among Latinx Undergraduates
Authors: Holloway-Friesen Holly
Published: January 2023

The study examined the correlational and predictive relationship between religious coping and a sense of belonging on 202 Latinx undergraduates’ depression, anxiety, and stress. Religious coping refers to the reliance on religious beliefs or practices to cope with stressful life situations. A sense of belonging involves the psychological features of social integration and attachment to a community. The results of a multiple regression analysis found that positive and negative religious coping and a sense of belonging predicted 36% of the variance in Latinx students’ depression. A second regression found positive and negative religious coping, a sense of belonging, and the interaction between positive religious coping and a sense of belonging predicted 29% of the variance in anxiety. A third hierarchical regression found that 21% of the variance in stress levels was attributed to religious coping alone. The results demonstrate that students who utilized positive religious coping reported lower depression, anxiety, and stress levels. Conversely, negative religious coping contributed to depression, anxiety, and stress. A sense of belonging predicted lower depression and anxiety. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Sustainable plasticizer from agroindustrial waste for natural rubber compounds: Influence on the curing system and compound properties
Authors: Brito Karin Janete S , Mauss Cristiane J , Cofferri Patricia , de Camargo Forte Maria Madalena
Published: January 2023

The industry has pursued efforts to minimize the use of fossil fuel-based processing oils in favor of naturally occurring nontoxic oils from renewable sources, such as vegetable oils. In this study, the feasibility of replacing naphthenic oil (NAPH)-based plasticizers in natural rubber (NR) compounds with oil originating from cashew nut shells was evaluated. Cardanol oil (Cdn), which is derived from decarboxylated cashew nut shell liquid, a byproduct of cashew nut production, was chemically modified by acetylation and named Cdn-A. The successful acetylation of Cdn with acetic anhydride was confirmed. The effects of Cdn and Cdn-A as plasticizers on the curing characteristics, thermal aging, and physical, mechanical, and dynamic properties of carbon black-filled NR compounds were then evaluated. Cdn acted as a co-activator for rubber vulcanization; by contrast, Cdn-A showed negligible effects on this process. Vulcanized Cdn- and Cdn-A-containing NR compounds exhibited improved abrasion and tear resistance compared with the reference compound containing NAPH, as well as antioxidant activity. The Cdn-added NR compound also demonstrated high elongation at break and toughness. The results collectively suggest that NR compounds containing Cdn exhibit properties suitable for tire tread applications requiring high grip characteristics.
Changes in diet quality and its association with students’ mental state during two COVID-19 lockdowns in Croatia
Authors: Pfeifer Danijela , Rešetar Josip , Czlapka-Matyasik Magdalena , Bykowska-Derda Aleksandra , Kolay Ezgi , Stelcer Boguslaw , Gajdoš Kljusurić Jasenka
Published: January 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has left substantial consequences on the mental health of the student population, primarily through an increase in the symptoms of acute stress and anxiety. Aim: This study evaluated diet quality and its association with mental state among Croatian students during the spring and winter COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020. Methods: Data were collected using an anonymous online self-reported questionnaire taken on two occasions. During the spring lockdown (from May 18 to June 7, 2020) and the winter lockdown (from December 14–22, 2020), 751 and 1188 students completed the questionnaire, respectively. Diet quality was determined using the pro-healthy diet index (pHDI) and non-healthy diet index (nHDI). Results: Although to the greatest extent associated with increased white meat, fish, and legumes intake, an increase in pHDI was also linked to increased consumption of water and sweets and decreased intake of processed meat products and nuts. Increased nHDI was mainly due to increased intake of processed meat products, alcohol, and sweets. Moreover, diet quality was higher during the lockdowns than in the periods before. However, diet quality increased to a lesser extent during the winter lockdown and was associated with a poorer mental state, shown as type D (Distressed) personality. Type D personality positively correlated with nHDI and sweets intake but negatively with pHDI, fruit, and vegetable consumption. Conclusion: These results indicate the need to alleviate further students’ diet quality and mental state impairment. Also, further investigation of the association between diet quality and mental state should be provided.
From Close to Ghost: Examining the Relationship Between the Need for Closure, Intentions to Ghost, and Reactions to Being Ghosted
Authors: Leckfor Christina M. , Wood Natasha R. , Slatcher Richard B. , Hales Andrew H.
Published: January 2023

Ghosting—the act of ending a relationship by ceasing communication without explanation—is a type of ostracism that threatens a person’s basic psychological needs for belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and control. The experience of ghosting creates uncertainty within the relationship and may vary based on individual differences in the need for closure, which is the desire to avoid ambiguity. Across three preregistered studies with emerging adults, we predicted that a greater need for closure would be associated with lower intentions to use ghosting (Studies 1 and 2) and lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted (Study 3). Results from Study 1 ( N = 553) and Study 2 ( N = 411) were inconsistent, but together indicate that a higher need for closure is not negatively associated—and may be positively associated—with ghosting intentions. In Study 3 ( N = 545), participants who recalled a time when they were ghosted reported lower needs satisfaction than included and directly rejected participants. Further, a higher need for closure was associated with lower needs satisfaction after being ghosted and after being directly rejected, but with greater needs satisfaction after being included. Overall, these findings suggest that the need for closure is less influential when deciding how to end a relationship, but it appears to play an important role in amplifying both positive and negative experiences within a relationship.
Correlates of smallholder poultry farmers extension and marketing information needs: Evidence from north-eastern South Africa
Authors: Masephula L , Olorunfemi O D
Published: January 2023

This study investigated the extension and marketing information needs of poultry farmers in Nkomazi, South Africa. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data through face-to-face interviews from 91 randomly sampled smallholder poultry farmers in the area. Descriptive statistics and Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) analysis was used to analyse the correlates of the extension and marketing information needs of the poultry farmers. The results revealed that information on optimal production, disease management, feeding and water management are prominent areas where information and advisory services were highly needed by the farmers. Also, areas of high marketing information need by the poultry farmers were on product promotion and advertisement, record keeping and market outlet and strategies. Farmer's income, membership of farmer groups, and access to extension visits were significant correlates of the farmers extension and marketing information needs. The study recommended a need to improve on the implementation of the National Extension Policy by extension organisations through scaling-up their level of reach to poultry farmers in the area and ensure that the prominent areas of extension and marketing information needs highlighted are focused on when rendering extension and advisory services to the farmers.
Financial information security behavior in online banking
Authors: Iqbal Javaid , Soroya Saira Hanif , Mahmood Khalid
Published: January 2023

The ubiquitous use of information technology in modern life leads to many problems of financial information security. Such security issues could be due to users’ insecure behaviors during their financial transactions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the university teacher's financial information security behavior (FISB) and to examine the factors that influence their FISB. By using a survey method, the study collected primary data quantitatively. A closed-ended questionnaire based on IMB Model (Information Motivation Behavioral Skills Model) was developed. The population of the study comprised teachers from six faculties of University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect the data from the teachers via a print-format based questionnaire. The structural equation model (SEM) was used to test the proposed model by using ADANCO (2.1). ADANCO is a software that is used for SEM analysis. The results exhibited that a majority of the teachers are frequent users of online banking. The findings confirmed that measures familiarity and self-efficacy have a direct impact on the financial information security behavior of the respondents and self-efficacy mediates the relation between threat awareness and financial information security behavior. The study concludes that online banking users can perform secure behavior during online transactions if they are familiar with security measures and are confident to perform different online banking-related tasks. It is, therefore, suggested that individuals may be familiarized with the financial information security measures so that they may believe in their selves and develop secure financial information behavior. This can be done through awareness seminars and hands-on training by the Federal Investigation Agency in liaison with banks and educational institutions. The present study has contributed to the domain of financial information security behavior in the local context.
Decreased walking efficiency in elementary school children with developmental coordination disorder trait
Authors: Ito Tadashi , Sugiura Hideshi , Ito Yuji , Nakai Akio , Narahara Sho , Noritake Koji , Takahashi Daiki , Natsume Jun , Ochi Nobuhiko
Published: January 2023

Objective

To compare walking efficiency, and associated physical function, between children, with and without developmental coordination disorder trait.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The study was conducted in a Medical and Rehabilitation Center for Developmental Disabilities in Okazaki, Japan.

Subjects

The study included 286 children, 6–12 years of age, with and without developmental coordination disorder trait. Developmental coordination disorder trait was defined by a score below the −1 standard deviation on the Japanese version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire. Based on this criterion, 45 children (28 boys) were classified into the developmental coordination disorder trait group and the other 241 (115 boys) in the control group.

Measures

The following physical function outcomes were measured: single leg stance test; step length variability; and walking efficiency, measured using the 2-min walk test. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between developmental coordination disorder trait and lower walking efficiency and physical function.

Results

Compared to the control group, the developmental coordination disorder group showed lower walking efficiency ( P  =  0.026), higher step length variability ( P  =  0.047), and shorter single leg stance test ( P  =  0.001). Developmental coordination disorder was independently associated with walking efficiency (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.001–1.061; P  =  0.041) and single leg stance test (odds ratio, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.978–0.996; P  =  0.006), but not to step length variability, age, and sex.

Conclusions

Lower walking efficiency increases energy expenditure in children with developmental coordination disorder trait. Interventions to improve walking efficiency could improve the physical function and participation of these children.
Depression, stress and regional cerebral blood flow
Authors: Chiappelli Joshua , Adhikari Bhim M , Kvarta Mark D , Bruce Heather A , Goldwaser Eric L , Ma Yizhou , Chen Shuo , Ament Seth , Shuldiner Alan R , Mitchell Braxton D , Kochunov Peter , Wang Danny JJ , Hong L Elliot
Published: January 2023

Decreased cerebral blood flow (CBF) may be an important mechanism associated with depression. In this study we aimed to determine if the association of CBF and depression is dependent on current level of depression or the tendency to experience depression over time (trait depression), and if CBF is influenced by depression-related factors such as stressful life experiences and antidepressant medication use. CBF was measured in 254 participants from the Amish Connectome Project (age 18–76, 99 men and 154 women) using arterial spin labeling. All participants underwent assessment of symptoms of depression measured with the Beck Depression Inventory and Maryland Trait and State Depression scales. Individuals diagnosed with a unipolar depressive disorder had significantly lower average gray matter CBF compared to individuals with no history of depression or to individuals with a history of depression that was in remission at time of study. Trait depression was significantly associated with lower CBF, with the associations strongest in cingulate gyrus and frontal white matter. Use of antidepressant medication and more stressful life experiences were also associated with significantly lower CBF. Resting CBF in specific brain regions is associated with trait depression, experience of stressful life events, and current antidepressant use, and may provide a valuable biomarker for further studies.
Longitudinal Change of Risk Factors During Treatment in High-Security Forensic Psychiatry in Flanders
Authors: Verschueren Sophie , Jeandarme Inge , Libijn Ilse , Bogaerts Stefan
Published: January 2023

Empirical studies on the longitudinal change of risk factors during treatment of forensic psychiatric patients are scarce. Therefore, in the current study, changes in risk factors of 341 high-security forensic psychiatric patients in Flanders were investigated using latent growth curve analyses. Annual assessments of the Historical Clinical Future-Revised (HKT-R) at three time points were considered, starting at time of admission. A significant small improvement was found on the future scale and most future factors. However, the clinical scale did not change significantly and only one of the 14 clinical factors (i.e., problem insight) changed significantly over time. Although the forensic treatment seems to be a slow process, the sensitivity of the HKT-R to detect clinically relevant change is questioned, underscoring the importance of determining whether there are instruments capable of detecting small significant changes over time.
Primary headache disorders in Latin America and the Caribbean: A meta-analysis of population-based studies
Authors: Pacheco-Barrios Kevin , Velasquez-Rimachi Victor , Navarro-Flores Alba , Huerta-Rosario Andrely , Morán-Mariños Cristian , Molina Roberto A , Farroñay-García Chandel , Metcalf Tatiana , Fregni Felipe , Alva-Díaz Carlos
Published: January 2023

Background

In this manuscript, we aim to systematically estimate the pooled prevalence and incidence of primary headaches and its subtypes (migraine, tension-type headache, and chronic headaches) in Latin America and the Caribbean, describing its epidemiological profile and associated factors.

Methods

We systematically searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and LILACS (From conception to March 2021), for populational studies reporting the epidemiology of primary headaches and their associated factors in Latin America and the Caribbean. The data extraction was conducted independently. We performed random-effect model meta-analysis of prevalence (overall primary headaches and by subtypes) and associated factors, assessed potential sources of heterogeneity, the risk of bias, publication bias, and the evidence certainty (GRADE methodology).

Results

We included 32 populational studies (38 subpopulations, n = 63,813). The prevalence of primary headaches was 41.4% (95% CI 31.1–52.2%; n = 54,357), 15% for migraine (95% CI 12.0–18.3; n = 53,658 individuals), 20.6% for tension-type headache (95% CI 12.4–30.2; n = 25,840), and 6% for chronic headaches (95% CI 3.3–9.6; n = 21,720), with high between-study heterogeneity. No incidence data was found. Female sex, white ethnicity, high BMI, comorbid mental health disorders, and low-back pain were associated with higher prevalence of primary headaches. The prevalence was less in rural areas.

Conclusion

In Latin America and the Caribbean, primary headaches are highly prevalent affecting young females disproportionally. The prevalence of chronic headaches is higher than in other systematic global and regional estimations. The presence of comorbidities as modifiable risk factors should encourage their integration as targets for community-based preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Protocol registration number

CRD42018105116
Headache attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination and the impact on primary headache disorders of the COVID-19 pandemic: A comprehensive review
Authors: Caronna Edoardo , van den Hoek Thomas C , Bolay Hayrunnisa , Garcia-Azorin David , Gago-Veiga Ana Beatriz , Valeriani Massimiliano , Takizawa Tsubasa , Messlinger Karl , Shapiro Robert E , Goadsby Peter J , Ashina Messoud , Tassorelli Cristina , Diener Hans-Christoph , Terwindt Gisela M , Pozo-Rosich Patricia
Published: January 2023

Objective

The objective is to summarize the knowledge on the epidemiology, pathophysiology and management of secondary headache attributed to SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination; as well as to delineate their impact on primary headache disorders.

Methods

This is a narrative review of the literature regarding primary and secondary headache disorders in the setting of COVID-19 pandemic. We conducted a literature search in 2022 on PubMed, with the keywords “COVID 19” or “vaccine” and “headache” to assess the appropriateness of all published articles for their inclusion in the review.

Results

Headache is a common and sometimes difficult-to-treat symptom of both the acute and post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Different pathophysiological mechanisms may be involved, with the trigeminovascular system as a plausible target. Specific evidence-based effective therapeutic options are lacking at present. Headache attributed to SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations is also common, its pathophysiology being unclear. People with primary headache disorders experience headache in the acute phase of COVID-19 and after vaccination more commonly than the general population. Pandemic measures, forcing lifestyle changes, seemed to have had a positive impact on migraine, and changes in headache care (telemedicine) have been effectively introduced.

Conclusions

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is a global challenge, having an impact on the development of secondary headaches, both in people with or without primary headaches. This has created opportunities to better understand and treat headache and to potentiate strategies to manage patients and ensure care.
Learning Spatial-Temporal Dynamics for Short-Term Passenger Flow Prediction in Urban Rail Transit
Authors: Li Xianwang , Wu Jinxin , He Deqiang , Teng Xiaoliang , Ren Chonghui
Published: January 2023

Accurate short-term passenger flow prediction in urban rail transit (URT) plays an important role in ensuring the stable operation of the URT systems. Because of the complex dynamic spatial-temporal dependencies and potential semantic correlations of the URT network, accurate and effective short-term passenger flow prediction is challenging. To solve these problems, a novel model called the dynamic spatial-temporal graph convolutional network (DSTGCN) was proposed. Firstly, spatial semantic graphs (SSGs) were established to encode the spatial dependencies and semantic correlations of the URT network. Meanwhile, the dynamic graph convolutional network (DGCN) with the spatial attention mechanism was used to learn the dynamic spatial correlations of the nodes in the SSGs. Then, the long short-term memory (LSTM) network was integrated into the DGCN to learn the dynamic changes of passenger flow and capture local temporal dependencies. Moreover, the temporal attention mechanism was introduced after LSTM to capture global dynamic temporal correlations by adjusting the weights of different sequence information. Finally, the full connection layers were used to output the prediction results. Several experiments were conducted on Nanning Metro Line 1 real datasets to evaluate the model. The experimental results showed that the DSTGCN can effectively capture the dynamic spatial-temporal dependencies and semantic associations of the passenger flow. Besides, the prediction performances of the DSTGCN were better than those of existing baseline models, and it can provide technical support for improving the intelligent planning and operation decisions of URT systems.
Influence of the Spatial Distribution of Jobs in Intervening Opportunities Models
Authors: Lemos Bruno Morais , Nascimento Filipe Almeida Corrêa do , Silva Marcelino Aurélio Vieira da
Published: January 2023

This article analyzes the influence of spatial distribution of jobs, which represents intervening opportunities, in aggregated and disaggregated trip distribution models that generated eight origin–destination matrices. The observed trip matrix was obtained from the Urban Transport Master Plan (PDTU) of the Rio de Janeiro Metropolitan Region in Brazil. The estimated matrices were calculated using the gravity, intervening opportunities and Naïve Bayes models, organized at two aggregation levels. These models’ performance was evaluated considering the aggregation level, the model approach adopted (aggregated or disaggregated), and the spatial distribution of the intervening opportunities. The results indicated that the intervening opportunities exert a positive influence on all models, under any level of zone size (subdistricts or neighborhoods). In the aggregate models, the variable “jobs” insertion improved the models’ performance when applied at a higher aggregation level (subdistricts). The best-case scenario showed a coefficient of determination (R2) equal to 0.8705, obtained in a disaggregated model with intervening opportunities applied in subdistricts.
Population Synthesis Accommodating Heterogeneity: A Bayesian Network and Generalized Raking Technique
Authors: Rahman Md. Nobinur , Fatmi Mahmudur Rahman
Published: January 2023

Agent-based microsimulation modeling techniques are adopted for urban system modeling mainly because of their capacity to address the complex interactions among individuals, households, and other urban elements. The performance of urban simulation models is largely dependent on the quality of the input data, which is generated through a population synthesis procedure. This study proposes a Bayesian network and generalized raking techniques for population synthesis. The Bayesian network is used to generate the synthetic population pool from the microsample, and generalized raking is used to fit the synthetic population with the control total. Some of the key features of the proposed population synthesis are as follows: accommodating heterogeneity based on both household and individual attributes; tackling missing/incomplete observations in the microsample; and generating a true synthesis of the population from the microsamples. A data-driven structure learning technique is adopted to generate effective and optimal structures among the heterogenous households and individuals. This Bayesian network + generalized raking procedure is implemented to generate a 100% synthetic population at the smallest zonal level of dissemination area for the Central Okanagan region of British Columbia. The results suggest that capturing heterogeneity within the Bayesian network has tremendously benefitted the reconstruction process to efficiently and accurately generate a synthetic population from the available microsample. Finally, this population synthesis is developed as a component of the agent-based integrated urban model, currently under development at The University of British Columbia’s Okanagan campus.
Modification and evaluation of diatrizoate sodium containing polymethyl methacrylate bone cement
Authors: Han Jintong , Zheng Xiaoqiang , Liu Jingyu , Wang Yifan , Cui Zhenduo , Wu Shuilin , Liang Yanqin , Zhu Shengli , Ge Xiang , Li Zhaoyang
Published: January 2023

Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement is now widely used in percutaneous vertebro plasty (PVP) and percutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). However, studies showed that the radiopacifiers (zirconia, barium sulfate, etc.) added to PMMA will have a negative impact on its use, e.g. barium sulfate will weaken the mechanical properties of bone cement and lead to bone absorption and aseptic loosening. Iodine is an element existing in the human body and has good imaging performance. Iodine contrast agent has been used in clinic for many years and has abundant clinical data. Therefore, using iodine instead of barium sulfate may be a promising choice. In this paper, the effect of different content of diatrizoate sodium (DTA, C11H8I3N2NaO4) on the properties of PMMA was studied and compared with the traditional PMMA bone cement containing 30 wt% barium sulfate. The mechanical properties, setting properties, radiopacity, and biocompatibility of bone cement were evaluated. The compressive strength of PMMA bone cement with 20 wt% DTA can reach 76.38 MPa. DTA released from bone cement up to 14 days accounted for only 2.3% of its dosage. The water contact angle was 62.3°. The contrast of bone cement on X-ray film was comparable to that of bone cement containing 30 wt% barium. The hemolysis rate was lower than 4%, and there was no obvious hemolysis. PMMA with 20 wt% DTA can maintain the relative growth rate of MC3T3-E1 and L929 cells above 80%. The results show that adding 20 wt% DTA into PMMA can obtain good radiopacity while maintaining its mechanical properties, setting properties, and biocompatibility. DTA can be used as a promising candidate material for PMMA bone cement radiopacifier.
Medication Profiles at Hospital Discharge Predict Poor Outcomes After Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Barra Megan E. , Giulietti Jennifer M. , DiCarlo Julie A. , Erler Kimberly S. , Krenz James , Roberts Russel J. , Lin David J.
Published: January 2023

Objectives: To examine the relationship between medications prescribed during the first 6-months post-stroke and functional outcome. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of ischemic stroke survivors enrolled in an observational stroke recovery study from June-2017 to July-2019 was performed. Survivors with favorable outcomes (modified rankin scale (mRS) score 0-2) were compared to those with unfavorable outcomes (mRS ≥3) 6-months after stroke on the following: discharge medication classes prescribed, achievement of recommended targets for blood pressure control, glycemic control, and LDL ≤70 mg/dL, medication changes, medication interactions, and medication list discrepancies. Results: Unfavorable 6-month outcomes occurred in 36/78 (46.2%) of survivors. Survivors with unfavorable outcomes were more likely to be prescribed a central nervous system-acting agent (97.2% vs 71.4%; P = .0022) and/or an anti-hyperglycemic agent (25.0% vs 9.5%; P = .009) at discharge. After adjustment of baseline covariates, total number of medications prescribed was associated with unfavorable 6-month outcomes (OR 1.13, 95% CI 1.0-1.28). Secondary stroke prevention measures were not achieved in a high proportion of survivors. Medication changes during 6-month follow up were common and survivors with unfavorable outcomes were more likely to have clinically significant drug-drug interactions. Discussion: At 6-months, survivors with unfavorable outcomes were found to be prescribed more medications, particularly central nervous system-acting and anti-hyperglycemic agents. There were also more drug-drug interactions in the medications prescribed compared to those with favorable outcomes. Together, these data suggest the need for enhanced screening of high-risk stroke survivors focused on close monitoring of polypharmacy, drug-drug interactions, and adverse events with pharmacotherapy.
Characteristics of Large Environmental Nonprofits That Identify Climate Change and Social Justice as Focal Concerns
Authors: Johnson Erik W. , Coma Azdren , Castonguay Sam
Published: January 2023

This article examines the uptake of social justice and climate change as focal issues among the largest U.S. environmental nonprofits. We use 2016 Internal Revenue Service (IRS) filings to identify 5,413 large environmental nonprofits of which 8% attend to issues of climate and 10% to issues of social justice. Larger organizations are more likely to attend to issues of climate change and social justice, as are groups founded more recently. Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic modeling of organizational mission statements and descriptions of major activities is used to assign groups to six distinct issue categories. Results highlight the divide between wildlife groups that are decidedly unlikely to attend to issues of either climate or justice, and the rest of the national environmental movement. Energy and natural resource groups, while strongly vested in climate issues, rarely attend to social justice. These findings have clear implications for climate and justice advocates seeking change in the environmental advocacy sector.