bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
GBTX emulator for development and special versions of GBT-based readout chains
Authors: Zabołotny W.M. , Byszuk A.P. , Dementev D. , Emschermann D. , Gumiński M. , Kruszewski M. , Miedzik P. , Poźniak K. , Romaniuk R. , Schmidt C.J. , Shitenkov M.
Published: December 2021

The GBTX ASIC is a standard solution for providing fast control and data readout for radiation detectors used in HEP experiments. However, it is subject to export control restrictions due to the usage of radiation-hard technology. An FPGA-based GBTX emulator (GBTxEMU) has been developed to enable the development of GBT-based readout chains in countries where the original GBTX cannot be imported. Thanks to utilizing a slightly modified GBT-FGPA core, it maintains basic compatibility with standard GBT-based systems. The GBTxEMU also may be an interesting solution for developing GBT-based readout chains for less demanding experiments.
Surface plasmon resonance enhanced transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect and the detection performance of nanopore arrays
Authors: Zhang Weiwei , Yao Haizi , Lu Yao
Published: December 2021

The introduction of a magnetic component to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) structure to form a magneto-optical surface plasmonic resonance (MOSPR) detector is an effective method for enhancing the detection limit for small molecules at low concentrations. This is important for biosensing, early disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and the detection of contamination in solutions and gases. In this study, an MOSPR crystal composed of a Co6Ag94 slab covered by a subwavelength periodic square array of gold (Au) nanopores was designed to theoretically examine the mechanism by which MOSPR crystals detect glucose concentrations through the transverse magneto-optical Kerr effect (T-MOKE). Owing to the excitation of SPR at the interface between the glucose solution and Au film, a Fano-like sharp T-MOKE spectrum with a narrow linewidth and a high amplitude was obtained, thus producing a high sensitivity of 159° RIU−1 and a high figure of merit of the order of 103 RIU−1. This corresponds to a glucose detection limit of 0.0066 g ml−1, which is more accurate than that previously reported. This design provides an alternative method for detecting analytes’ concentrations in aqueous environments.
Rigorous accounting diffraction on non-plane gratings irradiated by non-planar waves
Authors: Goray Leonid I
Published: December 2021

The modified boundary integral equation method (MIM) is considered a rigorous theoretical application for the diffraction of cylindrical waves by arbitrary profiled plane gratings, as well as for the diffraction of plane/non-planar waves by concave/convex gratings. This study investigates 2D diffraction problems of the filiform source electromagnetic field scattered by a plane lamellar grating and of plane waves scattered by a similar cylindrical-shaped grating. Unlike the problem of plane wave diffraction by a plane grating, the field of a localised source does not satisfy the quasi-periodicity requirement. Fourier transform is used to reduce the solution of the problem of localised source diffraction by the grating in the whole region to the solution of the problem of diffraction inside one Floquet channel. By considering the periodicity of the geometry structure, the problem of Floquet terms for the image can be formulated so that it enables the application of the MIM developed for plane wave diffraction problems. Accounting of the local structure of an incident field enables both the prediction of the corresponding efficiencies and the specification of the bounds within which the approximation of the incident field with plane waves is correct. For 2D diffraction problems of the high-conductive plane grating irradiated by cylindrical waves and the cylindrical high-conductive grating irradiated by plane waves, decompositions in sets of plane waves/sections are investigated. The application of such decomposition, including the dependence on the number of plane waves/sections and radii of the grating and wave front shape, was demonstrated for lamellar, sinusoidal and saw-tooth grating examples in the 0th and −1st orders as well as in the transverse electric and transverse magnetic polarisations. The primary effects of plane wave/section partitions of non-planar wave fronts and curved grating shapes on the exact solutions for 2D and 3D (conical) diffraction problems are discussed.
Investigation of the compact torus plasma motion in the KTX-CTI device based on circuit analyses
Authors: DONG Qilong , KONG Defeng , WU Xiaohe , YE Yang , YANG Kun , LAN Tao , CHEN Chen , WU Jie , ZHANG Sen , MAO Wenzhe , ZHAO Zhihao , MENG Fanwei , ZHANG Xiaohui , HUANG Yanqing , BAI Wei , YANG Dezheng , WEN Fei , ZI Pengfei , LI Lei , HU Guanghai , ZHANG Shoubiao , ZHUANG Ge
Published: December 2021

Compact torus (CT) injection is one of the most promising methods for the central fuelling of next-generation reactor-grade fusion devices due to its high density, high velocity, and self-contained magnetised structure. A newly compact torus injector (CTI) device in Keda Torus eXperiment (KTX), named KTX-CTI, was successfully developed and tested at the University of Science and Technology in China. In this study, first, we briefly introduce the basic principles and structure of KTX-CTI, and then, present an accurate circuit model that relies on nonlinear regression analysis (NRA) for studying the current waveform of the formation region. The current waveform, displacement, and velocity of CT plasma in the acceleration region are calculated using this NRA-based one-dimensional point model. The model results were in good agreement with the experiments. The next-step upgrading reference scheme of the KTX-CTI device is preliminarily investigated using this NRA-based point model. This research can provide insights for the development of experiments and future upgrades of the device.
On Green’s function for Laplace’s equation in a rigid tube
Authors: Martin P.
Published: December 2021

A classical problem from potential theory (a point source inside a long rigid tube) is revisited. It has an extensive literature but its resolution is not straightforward: standard approaches lead to divergent integrals or require the discarding of infinite constants. We show that the problem can be solved rigorously using classical methods.
The fission yeast bromodomain protein Bdf2 is required for the growth of cells with circular chromosomes
Authors: Yasuda Misaki , Habib Ahmed G K , Sugiura Kanako , Shamim Hossain Mohammad , Ueno Masaru
Published: December 2021

Circular chromosomes have frequently been observed in tumors of mesenchymal origin. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, deletion of pot1+ results in rapid telomere loss, and the resulting survivors have circular chromosomes. Fission yeast has 2 bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins, Bdf1 and Bdf2; both are required for maintaining acetylated histones. Here, we found that bdf2, but not bdf1, was synthetically lethal with pot1. We also obtained a temperature-sensitive bdf2-ts mutant, which can grow at high temperatures but becomes camptothecin sensitive. This suggests that Bdf2 is defective at high temperatures. The cell cycle of the pot1 bdf2-ts mutant was delayed in the G2 and/or M phase at a semipermissive temperature. Furthermore, a temperature-sensitive mutant of mst1, which encodes histone acetyltransferase, showed a synthetic growth defect with a pot1 disruptant at a semipermissive temperature. Our results suggest that Bdf2 and Mst1 are required for the growth of cells with circular chromosomes.
The defense response of Caenorhabditis elegans to Cutibacterium acnes SK137 via the TIR-1-p38 MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Tsuru Ayano , Hamazaki Yumi , Tomida Shuta , Ali Mohammad Shaokat , Kage-Nakadai Eriko
Published: December 2021

Cutibacterium acnes plays roles in both acne disease and healthy skin ecosystem. We observed that mutations in the tir-1/SARM1 and p38 MAPK cascade genes significantly shortened Caenorhabditis elegans lifespan upon C. acnes SK137 infection. Antimicrobial molecules were induced by SK137 in a TIR-1-dependent manner. These results suggest that defense responses against SK137 involve the TIR-1-p38 MAPK pathway in C. elegans.
EGRET: edge aggregated graph attention networks and transfer learning improve protein–protein interaction site prediction
Authors: Mahbub Sazan , Bayzid Md Shamsuzzoha
Published: December 2021

Motivation

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are central to most biological processes. However, reliable identification of PPI sites using conventional experimental methods is slow and expensive. Therefore, great efforts are being put into computational methods to identify PPI sites.

Results

We present Edge Aggregated GRaph Attention NETwork (EGRET), a highly accurate deep learning-based method for PPI site prediction, where we have used an edge aggregated graph attention network to effectively leverage the structural information. We, for the first time, have used transfer learning in PPI site prediction. Our proposed edge aggregated network, together with transfer learning, has achieved notable improvement over the best alternate methods. Furthermore, we systematically investigated EGRET’s network behavior to provide insights about the causes of its decisions.

Availability

EGRET is freely available as an open source project at https://github.com/Sazan-Mahbub/EGRET.

Contact

shams_bayzid@cse.buet.ac.bd
Obesity and oocyte quality: significant implications for ART and emerging mechanistic insights
Authors: Gonzalez Macarena B , Robker Rebecca L , Rose Ryan D
Published: December 2021

The prevalence of obesity in adults worldwide, and specifically in women of reproductive age, is concerning given the risks to fertility posed by the increased risk of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and other noncommunicable diseases. Obesity has a multi-systemic impact in female physiology that is characterized by the presence of oxidative stress, lipotoxicity, and the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, inducing tissue-specific insulin resistance and ultimately conducive to abnormal ovarian function. A higher body mass is linked to Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, dysregulated menstrual cycles, anovulation, and longer time to pregnancy, even in ovulatory women. In the context of assisted reproductive technology (ART), compared to women of normal body mass index, obese women have worse outcomes in every step of their journey, resulting in reduced success measured as live birth rate. Even after pregnancy is achieved, obese women have a higher chance of miscarriage, gestational diabetes, pregnancy complications, birth defects, and most worryingly, a higher risk of stillbirth and neonatal death. The potential for compounding effects of ART on pregnancy complications and infant morbidities in obese women has not been studied. There is still much debate in the field on whether these poorer outcomes are mainly driven by defects in oocyte quality, abnormal embryo development, or an unaccommodating uterine environment, however the clinical evidence to date suggests a combination of all three are responsible. Animal models of maternal obesity shed light on the mechanisms underlying the effects of obesity on the peri-conception environment, with recent findings pointing to lipotoxicity in the ovarian environment as a key driver of defects in oocytes that have not only reduced developmental competence but long-lasting effects in offspring health.
Laparoscopic versus open colectomy for locally advanced T4 colonic cancer: meta-analysis of clinical and oncological outcomes
Authors: Podda Mauro , Pisanu Adolfo , Morello Alessia , Segalini Edoardo , Jayant Kumar , Gallo Gaetano , Sartelli Massimo , Coccolini Federico , Catena Fausto , Di Saverio Salomone
Published: December 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to review the early postoperative and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic colectomy for T4 cancer compared with open surgery.

Method

MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched for any relevant clinical study comparing laparoscopic and open colectomy as treatment for T4 colonic cancer. The risk ratio (RR) with 95 per cent c.i. was calculated for dichotomous variables, and the mean difference (m.d.) with 95 per cent confidence interval for continuous variables. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology was implemented for assessing quality of evidence (QoE).

Results

Twenty-four observational studies (21 retrospective and 3 prospective cohort studies) were included, analysing a total of 18 123 patients: 9024 received laparoscopic colectomy and 9099 underwent open surgery. Laparoscopic colectomy was associated with lower rates of mortality (RR 0.48, 95 per cent c.i. 0.41 to 0.56; P < 0.001; I2 = 0 per cent, fixed-effect model; QoE moderate) and complications (RR 0.61, 0.49 to 0.76; P < 0.001; I2 = 20 per cent, random-effects model; QoE very low) compared with an open procedure. No differences in R0 resection rate (RR 1.01, 1.00 to 1.03; P = 0.12; I2 = 37 per cent, random-effects model; QoE very low) and recurrence rate (RR 0.98, 0.84 to 1.14; P = 0.81; I2 = 0 per cent, fixed-effect model; QoE very low) were found.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic colectomy for T4 colonic cancer is safe, and is associated with better clinical outcomes than open surgery and similar oncological outcomes.
Characteristics, surgical outcomes, and influential factors of epilepsy in Sturge-Weber syndrome
Authors: Wang Shu , Pan Junhong , Zhao Meng , Wang Xiongfei , Zhang Chunsheng , Li Tianfu , Wang Mengyang , Wang Jing , Zhou Jian , Liu Changqing , Sun Yongxing , Zhu Mingwang , Qi Xueling , Luan Guoming , Guan Yuguang
Published: December 2021

Few studies have reported the clinical presentation, surgical treatment, outcomes and influential factors for patients with epilepsy and Sturge-Weber syndrome.

This large-scale retrospective study continuously enrolled 132 patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome and epilepsy from January 2008 to December 2018 at our hospital to analyse their characteristics. Among these patients, 90 underwent epilepsy surgery, and their postoperative 2-year follow-up seizure, cognitive and motor functional outcomes were assessed and analysed. Univariable and multivariable logistic analyses were conducted to explore the influential factors.

Among the patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome for whom characteristics were analysed (n = 132), 76.52% of patients had their first epileptic seizures within their first year of life. The risk factors for cognitive decline were seizure history ≥ 2 years [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 3.829, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.810–9.021, P = 0.008)], bilateral leptomeningeal angiomas (aOR = 3.173, 95% CI: 1.970–48.194, P = 0.013), age at onset <1 year (aOR = 2.903, 95% CI: 1.230–6.514, P = 0.013), brain calcification (aOR = 2.375, 95% CI: 1.396–5.201, P = 0.021) and left leptomeningeal angiomas (aOR = 2.228, 95% CI: 1.351–32.571, P = 0.030). Of the patients who underwent epilepsy surgery (n = 90), 44 were subject to focal resection, and 46 underwent hemisphere surgery (19 anatomical hemispherectomies and 27 modified hemispherotomies). A postoperative seizure-free status, favourable cognitive outcomes, and favourable motor outcomes were achieved in 83.33%, 44.44% and 43.33% of surgical patients, respectively. The modified hemispherotomy group had similar surgical outcomes, less intraoperative blood loss and shorter postoperative hospital stays than the anatomical hemispherectomy group. Regarding seizure outcomes, full resection (aOR = 11.115, 95% CI: 1.260–98.067, P = 0.020) and age at surgery < 2 years (aOR = 6.040, 95% CI: 1.444–73.367, P = 0.031) were positive influential factors for focal resection. Age at surgery < 2 years (aOR = 15.053, 95% CI: 1.050–215.899, P = 0.036) and infrequent seizures (aOR = 8.426, 95% CI: 1.086–87.442, P = 0.042; monthly versus weekly) were positive influential factors for hemisphere surgery.

In conclusion, epilepsy surgery resulted in a good postoperative seizure-free rate and favourable cognitive and motor functional outcomes and showed acceptable safety for patients with epilepsy and Sturge-Weber syndrome. Modified hemispherotomy is a less invasive and safer type of hemisphere surgery than traditional anatomic hemispherectomy with similar surgical outcomes. Early surgery may be helpful to achieve better seizure outcomes and cognitive protection, while the risk of surgery for young children should also be considered.
Investigating the impact of early literacy training on white matter structure in prereaders at risk for dyslexia
Authors: Economou Maria , Van Herck Shauni , Vanden Bempt Femke , Glatz Toivo , Wouters Jan , Ghesquière Pol , Vanderauwera Jolijn , Vandermosten Maaike
Published: December 2021

Recent prereading evidence demonstrates that white matter alterations are associated with dyslexia even before the onset of reading instruction. At the same time, remediation of reading difficulties is suggested to be most effective when provided as early as kindergarten, yet evidence is currently lacking on the early neuroanatomical changes associated with such preventive interventions. To address this open question, we investigated white matter changes following early literacy intervention in Dutch-speaking prereaders (aged 5–6 years) with an increased cognitive risk for developing dyslexia. Diffusion-weighted images were acquired before and after a 12-week digital intervention in three groups: (i) at-risk children receiving phonics-based training (n = 31); (ii) at-risk children engaging with active control training (n = 25); and (iii) typically developing children (n = 27) receiving no intervention. Following automated quantification of white matter tracts relevant for reading, we first examined baseline differences between at-risk and typically developing children, revealing bilateral dorsal and ventral differences. Longitudinal analyses showed that white matter properties changed within the course of the training; however, the absence of intervention-specific results suggests that these changes rather reflect developmental effects. This study contributes important first insights on the neurocognitive mechanisms of intervention that precedes formal reading onset.
miRNA-126a-3p participates in hippocampal memory via alzheimer’s disease-related proteins
Authors: Xue Bao , Qu Yu , Zhang Xia , Xu Xu-Feng
Published: December 2021

Memory formation and consolidation necessitate gene expression and new protein synthesis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a family of small noncoding RNAs that inhibit target gene mRNA expression, are involved in new memory formation. In this study, elevated miR-126a-3p (miR-126) levels were found to contribute to the consolidation of contextual fear memory. Using different commonly mined algorithms and luciferase reporter assay, we found two Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related proteins, namely EFHD2 and BACE1, but not ADAM9, were the targets downregulated by miR-126 after CFC training. Moreover, we indicated that upregulated miR-126 could promote the formation of contextual fear memory by modulating its target EFHD2. Finally, we demonstrated that miR-126 overexpression in dentate gyrus of hippocampus could reduce Aβ plaque area and neuroinflammation, as well as rescue the hippocampal memory deficits in APP/PS1 mice. This study adds to the growing body of evidence for the role of miRNAs in memory formation and demonstrates the implication of EFHD2 protein regulated by miR-126 in the adult brain.
Klebsiella pneumoniae pathogenicity in silk moth larvae infection model
Authors: Tuba Tasnia , Chowdhury Farhan R , Hossain Tasnia , Farzana Maisha , Ahad Inteshar Ibn , Hossain M Mahtab , Hossain M Ismail , Saleh Nusrat U A , Nawaar Nafisa , Uddin M Aftab , Bari M Latiful , Hossain Muktadir S
Published: December 2021

The emergence of antibiotic resistant bacteria is a major health concern worldwide in recent years. The objective of this study is to establish the larvae of the silk moth (commonly known as silkworm), Bombyx mori as an infection model to study antibacterial effect of antibiotics against Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this study, the pathogenicity of a K. pneumoniae strain isolated from food to silkworm larvae was examined. Within 72h of bacterial injection, all silkworm larvae were killed in a dose-dependent manner with their body color turning into black due to increased melanization. Bacterial numbers in the larval hemolymph (blood) significantly increased after 9h of infection with a decrease in viable circulatory hemocytes in hemolymph. When presented with bacteria laden leaves, larvae did not eat but injection of bacteria directly into the midgut killed larvae within 12h with a higher load required in comparison to that required for the killing by hemolymph injection. Administration of four different antibiotics into larval hemolymph showed therapeutic effect at different doses with varying efficacies against hemolymph-injected K. pneumoniae. These results indicate that the silkworm larvae can be used as an infection model not only to study the pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae but also to perform rapid screening for the identification of antibiotics effective against multidrug-resistant strains of K. pneumoniae.
A Simulation Model for Geriatric Education: Theory, Virtual Transformation and Quality Improvement
Authors: Drost Jennifer , Fosnight Susan
Published: December 2021

Delivery of effective healthcare for the geriatric population is often complex due to the interplay between physical, social, and emotional variables. It is well established that it is the interplay between chronic medical conditions, social determinants of health, function and geriatric syndromes that drives outcomes. This complexity makes it especially important for the healthcare team to take an interprofessional team approach to avoid fragmented care which can lead to patient dissatisfaction, an ineffective plan of care, and low-quality outcomes. However, effective teamwork is not innate to healthcare; it must be learned and developed over time through purposeful education. The literature on team training supports active learning pedagogies such as simulation-based education that has emerged as an effective way to translate teamwork education into practice. Participation in active learning such as simulation, provides learners with authentic experiences that become cognitive frames that can transition into real practice. Education of adult learners should be a scaffolding of experiences that build on one another. This approach can lead the learner from the acquisition of basic knowledge, skills, and attitudes, to higher levels of competency and clinical judgement. Simulation simultaneously engages cognitive, perceptual-motor, and affective learning, and when combined with effective debriefing can lead to higher levels of learning. Effective models with scaffolding of experiences using simulations for geriatric team training are lacking in the literature. We describe here the theoretical framework for such training, adaptions of in-person and virtual training models due to COVID-19 restrictions through rapid cycle quality improvement.
Advancing Dementia Care Interventions With Technology Solutions
Authors: Cho Jinmyoung , Fazio Elena
Published: December 2021

Over the past two decades, a number of interventions have been developed and tested to help meet the complex care needs of persons living with dementia (PLWD) and the family care support system. Despite the large foundation of empirical evidence, they are often not readily available as part of dementia care support services. Interventions leveraging technology-based solutions have the potential to bolster their desirability, efficacy, and feasibility. While progress has been made, there is still a need to design and test new innovative solutions in real-world settings. This symposium will highlight three such innovative technology solutions for dementia care and explore lessons learned in their development and testing. Smith et al. demonstrate the feasibility of using a novel in-situ sensor system to assess daily functions for PLWD in home or assisted care settings. Results of detecting and classifying diverse forms of functional assessment and environmental conditions will be discussed in the presentation. Czaja et al. describe a randomized controlled trial evaluating the feasibility and efficacy of an innovative dyadic intervention (DT) delivered through an interactive technology. Recruitment challenges and lessons learned from the feasibility of implementing a dyadic intervention will be presented. Stevens et al. introduce an online approach to delivering REACH II, GamePlan4Care (GP4C). Qualitative thematic analyses from GP4C user test sessions related to both the content and technical features will be discussed. Discussant Dr. Elena Fazio will address the role of technology solutions as a strategy within dementia care interventions and unique challenges and contributions of each project.
An Exploration on Trust
Authors: Portacolone Elena
Published: December 2021

“Trust is a form of love,” explained a study participant. As a form of love, trust nourishes connections and accelerates progress. As a result, the purpose of this session is to reflect upon the notion of trust and examine how trust moves science and social justice forward. Trust must be seen as sustained or broken over multiple generations. Moreover, trust between older adults and medical and social support institutions has profound implications for this historical moment. In the COVID-19 pandemic, trust can be viewed as a facilitator of emergency responses in the State of Washington as noted in Dr. Berridge’s paper. On the other hand, distrust and a related sense of abandonment contributes to Black Americans' limited uptake of COVID-19 vaccinations, as noted in Dr. Johnson’s work. On a related note, Dr. Perry’s work shows that lack of trust over time has led those aging with hemophilia to withdraw from care at different points in their own trajectories. Finally, on a positive note, Dr. Kotwal’s work illustrates the role of a peer outreach intervention in facilitating trusting relationships among diverse, low-income older adults which led to sustained reductions, over a 2-year period, in loneliness, barriers to socializing, and depression. This symposium on trust highlights how researchers work, either consciously or unconsciously, within a continuum of trust in their participants' communities. At a broader level, systemic attention to building trust from academia, government, and national advocacy organizations holds the potential to foster meaningful scientific engagement and empowerment of historically marginalized communities.
Description and Demo of the Best Practice Caregiving Database on 44 Research Proven Dementia Caregiving Programs
Authors: Bass David , Ciancibello Alyssa , Schaffer Rachel , Powers Sara
Published: December 2021

A major advance in family caregiving has been the development, testing, and community delivery of research-proven, evidence-based support programs for family or friend caregivers of persons living with dementia. This presentation showcases and demos Best Practice Caregiving (BPC), a new online resource with comprehensive profiles for 44 of the top evidence-based dementia caregiving programs that are ready for scaling in communities. For these 44 programs, BPC is a database that presents key research findings with links to all its published articles, comprehensive program descriptions including all implementation features, and survey data on program delivery experiences from 324 healthcare and community organizations that offered the program as a regular part of their service portfolio 2019. BPC enables professionals to make side-by-side comparisons of the 44 programs, with the goal of increasing implementations of these evidence-based programs by healthcare and community service organizations.
Outcome Priorities Among Evidence-Based Dementia Caregiving Programs: A Closer Look
Authors: Powers Sara , Ciancibello Alyssa , Schaffer Rachel , Bass David , Minyo Morgan
Published: December 2021

Currently, the Best Practice Caregiving website provides information on 231 published studies from 44 dementia caregiving evidence-based programs that have demonstrated beneficial outcomes for dementia caregivers within health care and community-based settings. Across all programs, a total of 34 biopsychosocial outcomes were identified. Supported by the commonly used stress-related frameworks (e.g., Stress-Health Process, Cognitive Behavioral Theory) for which the programs were developed, the most frequently utilized program outcomes included: 1) Caregiver stress, strain, and/or burden (84.1%); 2) Caregiver depressive symptomology (79.5%); and 3) Caregiving efficacy, skills, and/or confidence (63.6%). The least common programmatic outcomes included: 1) Access to support information/Community service use (9.1%); 2) Unmet needs (6.8%); and 3) Respite/break from care (2.3%). The lesser utilized outcomes provide critical insight into current evidence-based programmatic priorities and ways in which professionals can seek to fill gaps in dementia caregiving interventions. Discussion will also focus on future directions of caregiver-related outcome assessments.
Caring Beyond the Challenges: Grit in Dementia Family Caregivers
Authors: Blieszner Rosemary , Savla Jyoti , Roberto Karen , McCann Brandy , Hoyt Emily
Published: December 2021

Scholars and practitioners recognize the importance of family caregivers for persons with dementia (PwD) persevering through difficulties and remaining committed to providing care (i.e., possessing grit). Based on Pearlin’s stress process model, we examined how grit is associated with stressors and strains that interfere with caregiver well-being and jeopardize continued caregiving. The sample included 158 family caregivers of PwD from rural Appalachia. SEM analysis revealed that grit and family and friend affectual solidarity contributed significantly to mastery. Grit and family solidarity were associated indirectly with role overload through their effect on mastery. Results demonstrate the value of acknowledging the role of grit in enhancing caregivers’ confidence about managing difficulties they face and reducing their sense of being overwhelmed by caregiving responsibilities. Thus, strengthening dementia caregivers’ commitment to and perseverance in their role is crucial for sustaining their motivation to provide care, despite the challenges they face.
A Coordinated Analysis of the Associations Among Personality Traits, Cognitive Decline, and Dementia
Authors: Graham Eileen , Jackson Kathryn , James Bryan , Willroth Emily , Mroczek Daniel
Published: December 2021

There are considerable individual differences in the rates of cognitive decline across later adulthood. Personality traits are among the factors that may account for some of these differences. The current project investigated whether personality traits were associated with trajectories of cognitive decline, and whether the associations were different before and after dementia diagnosis. The data were analyzed using linear mixed effect regression models. Across study aims was a focus on replicability and generalizability. Each question was address in four independent longitudinal studies (EAS, MAP, ROS, SATSA), and then meta-analyzed using random effects meta-analysis, providing estimates of heterogeneity. As expected, we detected evidence for cognitive decline in all four samples. Results also indicated that neuroticism and openness were associated with total cognitive function. and openness was associated with decline post dementia diagnosis.
Exploring Perceptions of Age Friendliness Across Different Campus Constituent Groups
Authors: Beaulieu Celeste , Silverstein Nina , Bowen Lauren , Whitbourne Susan , Montepare Joann
Published: December 2021

College campuses are typically considered as environments for adults ages 18-24, even though campuses are comprised of faculty, staff, students, and lifelong learners of all ages. Each group may experience the campus environment differently due to their differing roles. Faculty, staff and students from 21 participating designated Age Friendly Universities across the country answered survey questions on age friendliness, AFU awareness, and on campus practice items. Crosstab analyses show that constituent groups are equally aware of their university as an AFU (6% of each group). Students perceived their university as more age friendly (M=3.47, SD=0.73) compared to faculty and staff, the latter having the lowest perceived friendliness (M=3.27, SD=0.63). Specific age friendly practices show that staff members had markedly different perceptions of the institution’s age friendly practices. AFUs need to consider higher education environments as workplaces as well as learning centers to make policies age friendly for all groups.
Creative Hobbies as a Protective Factor Against Stress During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Older Adults
Authors: Israel Sarah , Mackenstadt Darby , Adams-Price Carolyn
Published: December 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically impacted our way of life, leading to increased rates of anxiety and depression (Panchal et al., 2021). The implications may be worse for older adults who account for 80% of all COVID deaths (Freed et al., 2020). Meanwhile, prior to the pandemic, Adams-Price and colleagues (2018) found that creative hobby participation provided slightly different benefits for middle-aged and older adults. Specifically, evidence suggested that middle-aged adults may use their creative hobby more for stress relief than older adults. Using a sample of 239 women, aged 40 to 84 years old (M = 59.7), we examined whether the degree to which viewing one’s creative hobby as a component of one’s identity related to perceived stress, health anxiety, and depressive symptoms. In addition, we wanted to know whether these relationships were moderated by age. Single moderation models suggest that viewing one’s creative hobby as a part of their identity was related to higher health anxiety and reporting more depressive symptoms. In addition, age was related to reporting lower perceived stress, health anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Lastly, age provided a significant moderation effect to the relationship between degree of identity associated with one’s creative hobby and perceived stress such that middle-aged adults with a high degree of identification with their creative hobby reported the most perceived stress while older adults with a high degree of identification with their creative hobby reported the least perceived stress. Implications for older adult’s well-being and adaptiveness to the COVID-19 pandemic will be discussed.
Age Differences in Becoming COVID Long-Haulers and in Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Wu Qiao , Crimmins Eileen
Published: December 2021

People who have had COVID-19 can suffer from the continuation of Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC), also known as “long COVID”, for months after infection. Understanding PASC is important for treatment, care, and projecting future health of the population. Since older adults are at higher risk of severe illness and consequences from COVID, we hypothesize that they are more likely to become COVID long-haulers and report more symptoms at the time of diagnosis and three months after. We use a nationally representative sample of adults from the Understanding America Study COVID-19 Survey, from March to December 2020, to estimate the prevalence of long COVID and identify the most common long-term symptoms and how they vary by age. We use multilevel models to examine the determinants of symptom count and change over time. Among the 608 people with a COVID diagnosis, 83 (13.7%) aged over 65; almost half (47.9%) reported symptoms three months after diagnosis; the proportion did not differ across age groups. The most common symptoms were fatigue (25.0%), runny/stuffy nose (18.9%), body aches (16.4%), sneezing (15.1%), and headache (13.6%). These symptoms were consistent across age groups, while people aged 65 and older reported significantly less cough (χ2=3.96; P=0.05) and headache (χ2=4.24; P=0.04) compared to their younger counterparts. Neither the mean at the time of the diagnosis nor the rate of change of the symptom count varied across age groups. Our analyses suggest that age is not a significant determinant of PASC symptom count or becoming a COVID long-hauler.
COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations, and Deaths in Nursing Homes: Factors Impacting the Second Surge
Authors: Fleming Sean , Qato Danya , Wallem Alexandra , Kepczynska Paulina , Wastila Linda , Le Tham , Yang Jeanne
Published: December 2021

As of March 2021, over 128,000 nursing home (NH) residents have died due to COVID-19 complications, accounting for one-third of all U.S. COVID-19 deaths. Early studies highlighted factors which heightened residents’ risk—facility size and profit status, CMS Five-Star quality rating, race, and high Medicaid share. Despite improved nationwide social distancing and access to protective equipment, between October-December 2020 nursing home cases, hospitalizations, and deaths peaked to highest levels since the pandemic’s advent. The purpose of this study is to quantify previously unexamined associations between resident, facility, and geographic characteristics and COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and fatalities in nursing homes during this second surge. In this cross-sectional study, we constructed a novel dataset with linked facility- and county-level data from the CMS Nursing Home COVID-19 Public File, Nursing Home Compare, Long-Term Care Focus, and The New York Times. Multivariable logistic regression evaluated the odds of COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations, and deaths in nursing homes. Among 13,156 nursing homes, 80.5% reported ≥1 COVID-19 cases; on average, nursing homes reported 4.5 hospitalizations and 3.0 deaths. Facilities with higher acuity patients, chain status, >150 beds, high percentage white residents, low Medicaid share, high surrounding county case rates, and occupancy rates >75% were significantly (p <.001) related to increased odds of all outcomes. N95 mask shortages continued to increase risk of cases and hospitalizations. Five-Star ratings, high influenza vaccination rates, and clinical staff shortages were not significant factors. Findings demonstrate that through 2020, nursing homes continued to face challenges protecting their residents from COVID-19-related morbidity and mortality.
More Negative Emodiversity Is Associated With Worse Mental Illness During (but Not Before) COVID-19
Authors: Urban-Wojcik Emily , Barnes Alexandra , Fitch Dan , Kirvin-Quamme Andrew , Nord Elizabeth , Gresham Lauren , Davidson Richard , Schaefer Stacey
Published: December 2021

Relations between negative emodiversity (NED; the variety and relative abundance of negative emotions) with depression and anxiety were examined before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-five individuals (ages 25-65) participated in two ecological momentary assessments (EMA): pre-pandemic and during-pandemic (Fall, 2020). Participants reported how much they felt 6 negative emotions several times each day for 10 days (resulting up to 91 EMA “events”). Each event’s NED was computed and then averaged using an adaptation of Shannon’s entropy. Participants with higher levels of average NED had higher levels of concurrent depression and anxiety. When adjusting for average levels of negative emotion and other covariates, NED was a significant predictor of depression and anxiety only during the pandemic. These findings, which did not vary by age, suggest that having more diverse negative emotions on a moment-to-moment basis may hold greater significance for mental illness outcomes during times of extreme chronic stress.
The Longitudinal Relationship Between Engagement in Various Activities and Cognitive Functioning
Authors: Jeon Sangha , Lee Soomi , Charles Susan
Published: December 2021

Recent studies indicate that engaging in more diverse activities is related to higher cognitive functioning. Questions remain, however, regarding whether activity variety within different domains is important. We examined how overall activity variety across domains, as well as variety within cognitive, physical, and social domains are related to cognitive functioning. Data were drawn from Waves 2-3 of Midlife Development in the United States (MIDUS). In cross-sectional analyses (N = 3349), activity variety overall and within each domain were positively related to cognitive functioning regardless of activity frequency. In longitudinal analyses (n = 2054), participants with consistently higher activity variety overall and within the social domain over time (vs. those with consistently low or decreasing activity variety) exhibited better cognitive functioning at W3 after adjusting for cognitive functioning at W2. Findings suggest that engaging in a variety of activities that involve multiple cognitive processes might be beneficial for cognitive health.
Variety in Positive Experience and Mental Health: Evidence From Two National Surveys of U.S. Adults
Authors: Ong Anthony , Lee Soomi
Published: December 2021

Scheduling of pleasant activities is a core treatment component for various psychiatric disorders, but little is known about whether variety in positive experiences is associated with improved mental health and well-being. Here we demonstrate the benefits of diverse positive experiences. Using data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) II (N = 1,233, Mage = 57yrs) and Refresher (N = 855, Mage = 52yrs) cohorts, we show that greater variety of positive events is associated with lower depression and anxiety, and fewer visits to mental health professionals. These associations remained robust to differences in sociodemographics (age, gender, race, education), personality (openness, conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, neuroticism), and the frequency of positive events, and the results replicated across the two cohorts. The findings highlight the importance of activity diversity in older adults and suggest that efforts to increase engagement in diverse positive experiences could have beneficial effects on mental health outcomes.
Are Nursing Home Preferred Networks Good for Patients' Outcomes? Evidence From the Veterans Health Administration
Authors: Cornell Portia , Corneau Emily , Magid Kate , Moyo Patience , Rudolph James , Levy Cari , Mor Vincent
Published: December 2021

In the Veterans’ Administration (VA), medical centers contract with community nursing homes to provide care to Veterans. As a purchaser, the VA could pursue a strategy of selecting a high-quality network; alternatively, it could focus resources on oversight by its nursing-home coordinators. The question of whether narrow networks are good for Veterans’ outcomes, conditional on quality, therefore, needs empirical investigation. We examined the effect of network concentration on hospital admissions, conditional on Veterans’ clinical acuity. We operationalized network concentration as the number of Veterans already in residence at the time of admission, and controlled for publicly reported quality measure (star rating). We identified 93,805 VA-paid admissions to nursing homes between 2013 to 2016. To address selectin bias, we estimated effects using a distance- based instrumental variable (IV) for each measure, with the log of distance to the nearest nursing home with a specified number of Veterans at the facility in the previous month (1-4, 5-9, and 10-13, and 14+ Veterans). Going to a facility with 10-13 or 14+ Veterans had a higher hospitalization probability (6.2 and 3.3 percentage points higher, respectively), than going to a facility with 1-4 Veterans. If quality rating improves outcomes, then broader networks are beneficial if consumers (Veterans) choose based on quality, given a broader choice set. Conditional on quality, concentrated networks do not seem to lead to fewer hospital admissions. Our results suggest that the VA could do more in its oversight role to work with these nursing homes to decrease hospital admissions.
Quality Improvement Efforts in VA Community Living Centers Increased Following Public Reporting of Performance
Authors: Davila Heather , Mills Whitney , Clark Valerie , Hartmann Christine , Mohr David , Berlowitz Dan , Baughman Amy , Pimentel Camilla
Published: December 2021

In 2018, the US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began publicly reporting performance ratings for its 134 Community Living Centers (CLCs; nursing homes) based on health inspections, staffing, and clinical quality measures. CLCs operate within a large, integrated healthcare system with unique financial and market incentives. Although public reporting has led to quality improvements in non-VA nursing homes, we do not know whether CLCs respond to public reporting differently than private sector nursing homes. To address this knowledge gap, we used a comparative case study approach involving 3 purposively selected CLCs with varied (low, medium, high) performance ratings. We conducted semi-structured interviews with personnel (n=12) responsible for quality measurement and improvement. Interviews focused on opinions of public reporting, actions taken to improve performance ratings, and motivations for change. Participants indicated public reporting improved transparency and provided an “outside perspective” on their performance. Strategies to improve performance ratings involved 1) data/information, 2) individual roles, and 3) teamwork/communication. All 3 CLCs made changes in these areas, yet respondents in the higher performing CLCs described implementing more strategies immediately after learning their ratings. Respondents in all 3 CLCs described being motivated to deliver good care and achieve public ratings that reflected the care they provided. This meant addressing internal weaknesses that contributed to lower scores for 2 CLCs. Our findings suggest public reporting may improve internal data collection, reporting, and quality improvement efforts in CLCs. They highlight the potential positive impact of public reporting in prompting quality improvement in nursing homes.
Moving Online: Evidence-Based Programming During COVID
Authors: Hughes Susan , DeMott Andrew , Stapleton Gerald , Huber Gail
Published: December 2021

The COVID pandemic disrupted the way evidence-based health promotion programs (EBPs) are delivered to older adults who were the most at-risk group in terms of mortality and faced unprecedented threats to their independence and physical and mental health. Many organizations stopped in-person EBPS causing older adults to lose access to key social networks and health resources. It is a top public health priority to find new ways to keep older adults connected to their EBPs. Fit & Strong! (F&S!) is a group exercise/health education EBP for older adults with arthritis offered by CBOs in 32 states. CBOs stopped offering F&S! in-person in March 2020. Since the lockdown, we have worked closely with our provider network to develop and pilot a version that is remote/online and live, titled “F&S! @Home”. Instructors deliver F&S! @Home to older adults with minimal technological resources. We created a staging website for both providers/instructors and participants that is used to initiate the classes, enable providers to manage participants, collect data, and share support materials. The pilot began September 2020; since that time 15 classes have been offered to 147 participants. Administration on Community Living falls and arthritis outcomes data are being collected. Preliminary analyses of 45 participants and 8 instructors demonstrate a high rating of the program (mean score of 90.2 out of 100) with no adverse outcomes to date. This presentation will review the process of creating the online adaptation, lessons learned, and will review pre/post outcomes and participant and instructor evaluation feedback.