bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Psychometric properties of the Barthel Index for evaluating physical function among Chinese oldest‐old
Authors: Zhang Chi , Zhang Xuxi , Zhang Hao , Zeng Ping , Yin Pengbin , Li Zhongquan , Zhao Yali , Yao Yao
Published: February 2022

Background

The Barthel Index (BI) is among the most widely used instruments for evaluating physical function, yet its applicability has not been well studied in the oldest‐old population.

Objective

To test the psychometric properties of the BI for evaluating physical activities of daily living (ADL) in a large representative sample of oldest‐old population in China.

Methods

Participants were 1750 oldest‐old adults (aged 80–116 years, 72.11% female) including 956 centenarians. ADL were assessed during face‐to‐face interviews. Multiple methodologies were applied to evaluate the reliability, validity and measurement invariance of the BI. An item response theory (IRT) framework was conducted to estimate the parameters of each item.

Results

48.91% participants had function dependence. Cronbach's α coefficient of the BI was 0.902, but ‘Stair climbing’ impaired the overall internal consistency. The known‐group validity of the BI was confirmed by significant differences in the BI score across age (P < 0.001), gender (P < 0.001), education (P < 0.001) and ethnicity (P = 0.038). The criterion‐related validity was supported by significant correlations between the BI score with depression symptoms (r = −0.36, P < 0.001), subjective well‐being (r = 0.23, P < 0.001) and self‐report health status (r = 0.22, P < 0.001). Factor analysis yielded a two‐factor structure (somatic function and physiological self‐care) with appropriate invariance. Ten items showed acceptable discrimination parameters (1.80–5.87) and difficulty parameters (−2.65–1.11) but had variant test information (1.73–10.22). ‘Bower control’ and ‘Bladder control’ were not conducive to the local independence.

Conclusions

The BI has appropriate reliability, validity and measurement precision for community‐based Chinese oldest‐old and centenarians, but individual items have low quality. Somatic disability and incontinence are two latent categories of functional dependence in this population. Living environment needs to be taken into consideration for ADL instrument development and modification.
A study of ions' shear flow instabilities and parallel electron current in pure pair‐ion and pair‐ion‐electron plasmas
Authors: Shahzad K. , Aman‐ur‐Rehman
Published: February 2022

The pair‐ion plasma has attained special attention due to equal masses and equal but opposite charges. The electrostatic fluctuations with sheared effect are investigated in ideal low‐density and low‐temperature pure pair‐ion (PI) and pair‐ion electron (PIE) plasmas in different cases. These instabilities are also studied with homogeneous and inhomogeneous density effects. The growing D'Angelo mode can become the electrostatic instability with shear flow in uniform PIE plasma. It is observed that the shear flow also gives rise to an electrostatic instability in temperature anisotropic pure pair‐ion plasma. It is also seen that in pair‐ion plasma, the presence of small concentration of electrons results in significant changings in real frequency and growth rate of ion acoustic waves (IAWs). The effect of current driven field aligned flow of electrons on IAWs is also discussed in this article. Kinetic and fluid models are used to study the growth rate of IAWs when both the ionic species have similar shear flow and when both the ionic species have different shear flow.
Cats and dogs: A mesopredator navigating risk and reward provisioned by an apex predator
Authors: Brunet Mitchell J. , Monteith Kevin L. , Huggler Katey S. , Clapp Justin G. , Thompson Daniel J. , Burke Patrick W. , Zornes Mark , Lionberger Patrick , Valdez Miguel , Holbrook Joseph D.
Published: February 2022

Successfully perceiving risk and reward is fundamental to the fitness of an animal, and can be achieved through a variety of perception tactics. For example, mesopredators may “directly” perceive risk by visually observing apex predators, or may “indirectly” perceive risk by observing habitats used by predators. Direct assessments should more accurately characterize the arrangement of risk and reward; however, indirect assessments are used more frequently in studies concerning the response of GPS‐marked animals to spatiotemporally variable sources of risk and reward. We investigated the response of a mesopredator to the presence of risk and reward created by an apex predator, where risk and reward likely vary in relative perceptibility (i.e., degree of being perceptible). First, we tested whether coyotes (Canis latrans) use direct or indirect assessments to navigate the presence of mountain lions (Puma concolor; risk) and kills made by mountain lions (reward) in an area where coyotes were a common prey item for mountain lions. Second, we assessed the behavioral response of coyotes to direct encounters with mountain lions. Third, we evaluated spatiotemporal use of carrion by coyotes at kills made by mountain lions. Indirect assessments generally outperformed direct assessments when integrating analyses into a unified framework; nevertheless, our ability to detect direct perception in navigating to mountain lion kills was likely restricted by scale and sampling limitations (e.g., collar fix rates, unsampled kill sites). Rather than responding to the risk of direct encounters with mountain lions, coyotes facilitated encounters by increasing their movement rate, and engaged in risky behavior by scavenging at mountain lion kills. Coyotes appear to mitigate risk by using indirect perception to avoid mountain lions. Our predator–predator interactions and insights are nuanced and counter to the conventional predator–prey systems that have generated much of the predation risk literature.
Development of time‐delay analysis method of inductance and capacitance for microfluidic circuit
Authors: Watanabe Ryo , Yoshida Akira , Sato Yota , Sohgawa Masayuki , Abe Takashi
Published: February 2022

In this paper, we report the development of time‐delay analysis method of inductance and capacitance for microfluidic circuit. The sensor used in this method is composed of the sensing inductor (SI) and the sensing capacitor (SC) with a microfluidic circuit. This sensor measures inductance and capacitance in a time difference by delaying with microfluidic circuit. We confirmed that SI and SC have different responses to conductive and dielectric solution. This research is expected to be applied to the combined analysis of liquid samples.
Webslinger vs. Dark Knight: First record of a false widow spider Steatoda nobilis preying on a pipistrelle bat in Britain
Authors: Dunbar John P. , Vitkauskaite Aiste , Lawton Colin , Waddams Ben , Dugon Michel M.
Published: February 2022

The noble false widow spider Steatoda nobilis continues to expand its range globally with possible implications for public health and native species. Of the European Union list of 66 species of invasive plants and animals, none are spiders. S. nobilis is invasive around the world, but its impact on native species has not been fully assessed. Here, we report on the predation of a protected species of pipistrelle bat by S. nobilis in Britain. To our knowledge, this is the first recorded case of a Theridiidae spider preying on a bat globally, the first case of a Theridiidae spider preying on a vertebrate in Britain, and the first global case of a Steatoda preying on a mammal.
Automatic design method of typical parameters of a switched reluctance motor focusing on magnetic saturation
Authors: Kumagai Takahiro , Itoh Jun‐Ichi , Kusaka Keisuke , Sato Daisuke
Published: February 2022

This paper proposes an automatic design method of typical parameters such as number of phases, number of poles, stack thickness, stator outer diameter, rotor outer diameter, and number of turns of a switched reluctance motor from the requirement of the N‐T characteristic. In particular, a specific parameter related to the magnetic saturation is defined in order to arbitrarily determine how much to use the magnetic properties of the iron core material. In the proposed method, the typical motor parameters in order to realize a miniaturized volume which satisfies an input N‐T characteristic are obtained by setting the parameter related to magnetic saturation, maximum electrical frequency, maximum current density, maximum copper loss, conductor slot fill factor, magnetic properties of material, and input voltage. The designed motor is analyzed using the Finite Element Method (FEM) in order to validate the proposed method.
Development of a numerical model for metal vapor dynamics in low pressure arcs based on moving particle semi‐implicit method and influence of shield wall radius on vapor behavior
Authors: Miyazaki Takamitsu , Hatanaka Yuto , Tanaka Yasunori , Nakano Yusuke , Ishijima Tatsuo , Asanuma Gaku , Onchi Toshiyuki
Published: February 2022

Numerical simulation was conducted for dynamic behavior of copper vapor in arcs under reduced pressure condition using the developed model. The developed model uses MPS method for atoms and ions, while it uses finite volume method for electron energy and electro‐magnetic fields. In this paper, the influence of shield wall inner radius for vapor dynamics was studied on the heavy particle temperature, electron temperature and ionization degree. The particle in MPS method was assumed to be neutralized and mirror‐reflected on the shield wall. As a result, the shield wall with a larger radius causes lower density of metal vapor, lower ionization degree between the electrodes.
Unveiling and Alleviating Chemical “Crosstalk” of Succinonitrile Molecules in Hierarchical Electrolyte for High‐Voltage Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries
Authors: Fu Fang , Liu Ying , Sun Chen , Cong Lina , Liu Yulong , Sun Liqun , Xie Haiming
Published: February 2022

Succinonitrile‐based plastic crystal electrolytes have emerged for high‐energy‐density Li metal batteries in terms of their superior ambient ionic conductivity, low flammability, and benign compatibility with high voltage cathode, but are hampered by inherent instabilities toward Li anodes. Constructing hierarchical solid electrolytes structure is a fundamental approach to protect Li anode from succinonitrile attacks, with succinonitrile‐based oxidation‐resistance layer facing high voltage cathode and reduction‐tolerant layer contacting Li anode. However, free succinonitrile molecules in succinonitrile‐based electrolyte layer can diffuse across the electrolyte/electrolyte interface and further reach Li anode surface during the battery cycle. This chemical “crosstalk” cause reduction‐tolerant electrolyte layer to fail to protect the Li anode from the attacks of free succinonitrile molecules. Nano Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 is introduced creatively into succinonitrile‐based electrolyte layer. By taking advantage of the complexation between La atoms in Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 and N atoms in succinonitrile, the free succinonitrile molecules are successfully immobilized in succinonitrile‐based electrolyte layer. The resulting low resistance and highly durable solid electrolyte interphase and cathode electrolyte interphase endow NCM622||Li batteries with remarkable cycle stability. Our research provides a new idea for the real application of plastic crystal electrolytes in high voltage solid‐state lithium metal batteries.
Sensorimotor effects of plasticity‐inducing percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation protocols: a blinded, randomized clinical trial
Authors: Beltrá P. , Ruiz‐del‐Portal I. , Ortega F. J. , Valdesuso R. , Delicado‐Miralles M. , Velasco E.
Published: February 2022

Background

Electrical stimulation of skin afferents can induce somatosensory plasticity in humans. Nevertheless, it is unknown if this is possible to do through percutaneous stimulation of a peripheral nerve, which will allow for regional anaesthesia interventions. Furthermore, potentiation protocols applied over mainly non‐nociceptive fibres inhibit nociception in rodents, but this has not been tested in humans.

Objective

To determine whether a protocol aiming to depress the nociceptive circuit and another aiming to potentiate non‐nociceptive circuits produce regional hypoalgesia and changes in motor function, applied through percutaneous peripheral nerve stimulation (pPNS), and to assess which of them is more promising for pain relief, immediately and 24 h after the intervention.

Methods

PT‐cLF protocol aims to depress the nociceptive pathway through Pain Threshold, continuous Low Frequency stimulation and ST‐bHF aims to produce potentiation of the non‐nociceptive pathway, through Sensory Threshold burst stimulation at High Frequency. All subjects (n = 29) went through both protocols and a control condition in a randomized and blinded crossover design.

Results

Compared to control, ST‐bHF induced distal hypoalgesia, towards electrical (p = 0.04) and mechanical stimuli (p = 0.02) and produced mechanical hypoesthesia (p = 0.02). Contrarily, hypoalgesia was not observed after PT‐cLF (p > 0.05) but increased electrical motor threshold (p = 0.04), reduced motor recruitment (p = 0.03), and the subjects reported feeling reduced strength (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

This works provides evidence that is possible to induce antinociceptive plasticity in a wide territory using pPNS. Moreover, it demonstrates for the first time in humans that a protocol aiming to produce long‐term potentiation applied predominantly over non‐nociceptive afferents induces hypoesthesia and hypoalgesia.
National policymaking between influences of the European Union and the economy
Authors: Bandelow Nils C. , Hornung Johanna , Sager Fritz , Schröder Ilana , Schubert Klaus
Published: February 2022

2022年开启了许多希望。其中包括找到应对2019冠状病毒病（COVID‐19）大流行的有效方法、缓解气候变化以及人类平等。面对这些目标，国家决策过程经常受两大重要关系的影响，即欧盟超国家层面的关系以及强大经济行动者的关系。本期《欧洲政策分析》收录6篇原创文章，聚焦于欧盟和经济对国内决策的影响，并提供见解分析这些相互依赖性所带来的挑战和机遇。

继2008年金融危机后，欧盟成员国将金融监管和金融市场管制领域的重要能力转移到了超国家层面。这导致2014年银行业联盟的建立（Guidi, 2019）。Swinkels和van Esch（2022）使用由Rinscheid、Eberlein、Emmenegger和Schneider（2019）提出的框架表明，关键政策行动者的信念转变如何能解释银行业联盟呈现的制度变革。Fischer、Refle和Maggetti（2022）同样对拥有许多相互依赖性的强大经济（即瑞士能源部门）（Dermont & Kammermann, 2020）表示关切，他们分析了非正式网络在国内层面上的欧洲化。作者解析了多层治理中国内行动者和欧洲行动者之间的复杂关系网，并论证认为，非正式和自下而上的过程在公共决策中发挥关键作用，即使在非欧盟成员国中也是如此。

Liefferink 和Leppänen（2022）的文章更多地聚焦于气候变化的挑战，而不是政治经济学，他们将多源流框架（MSF）（Herweg, Zahariadis, & Zohlnhöfer, 2017）应用于公正转型基金（JTF）的议程设置阶段和政策制定阶段。作者提出主张，认为制度情境显著影响了政策企业家的影响力，并概述了超国家机构对欧盟气候政策的相关性。这与本刊及相关杂志（Arenal, Feijoo, Moreno, Ramos, & Armuña, 2021）收录的“强调超国家层面政策企业家性质（policy entrepreneurship）的其他研究”的结果相一致。Meister Broekema、Horlings和Bulder（2021）进一步研究了欧盟在应对社会挑战一事中的相关性。通过审视和调查地平线2020计划（Horizon 2020）关于“共同创造增长和包容”的号召中内在的共同创造（co‐creation）战略，文章批判评估了该号召在激励创新方面的能力，并作结论认为，该计划的政策设计因过于严苛而无法刺激创新。聚焦于政府和社会资本合作（PPP）的参与动机，Ilgenstein（2021）同样基于MSF的视角，揭示了行动者在PPPs中的介入是由政策所驱动，而不是依赖财政刺激。因此，文章有助于解释在瑞士这一拥有少数PPPs的国家中PPPs取得的成功，并有助于提升MSF在公共行政中的解释力。

最后，Benczes（2021）调查了当前同等迫切的挑战，即民粹主义，以研究在位民粹主义者对经济产生了何种影响。尽管文章（由地平线2020研究和创新计划资助）有关于拉美国家的实证案例，但为具有民粹主义倾向的欧洲国家提供了重要经验。作者强调，民粹主义政府支持稳定的宏观经济并尊重其限制，但却主要通过让人民与精英相对抗的再分配措施影响国内经济。
Distinguishing the Miocene Kiel and Antwerpen Members (Berchem Formation) and their characteristic horizons using cone penetration tests in Antwerp (northern Belgium)
Authors: Deckers Jef , Everaert Stijn
Published: February 2022

The glauconitic sands in the upper part of the lower‐middle Miocene Berchem Formation are subdivided into the Kiel and Antwerpen Members. Although lithological differences between both members are well known from temporary outcrops in the Antwerp city area, they are difficult to distinguish in boreholes, which hinders regional mapping of these units. In this study, we investigate whether both members can be distinguished on cone penetration tests (CPTs). For this purpose, we correlated multiple outcrops—in which the Kiel and/or Antwerpen Members have been identified—with nearby CPTs. On the CPTs, the boundary between the Kiel and Antwerpen Members is clearly identifiable as it coincides with an abrupt upwards decrease in cone resistance (qc). The lower qc of the basal part of the Antwerpen Member is probably related to the finer grain size with more clayey admixture compared to the underlying Kiel Member. This change to a finer grain size is caused by a decrease in depositional energy and sedimentation rates as the region was transgressed during the eustatic sea‐level rise at the start of the Mid‐Miocene Climatic Optimum. On the CPTs, several spikes in qc values were observed within the Antwerpen and Kiel Members. These spikes could be correlated to shell beds, three horizons with sandstones and possibly a hardground. The sandstones appear to be discontinuous, whereas some of the shell beds could be traced across the entire study area. Most shell beds probably represent storm deposits within an otherwise relatively low energetic sedimentary environment. A phosphatic shell bed above the base of the Antwerpen Member is interpreted as the maximum flooding surface, lying in a zone with the lowest qc values for the Antwerpen Member, which might reflect maximum fining. The shell beds and interlayered sands of the Antwerpen Member thin in a southern direction, indicating reduced accommodation space in this direction.
Transcervical styloidectomy for Eagle syndrome
Authors: De Ravin Emma , Frost Ariel S. , Mady Leila J. , Newman Jason G.
Published: February 2022

We demonstrate a safe and effective surgical technique for the operative management of Eagle syndrome, also known as stylohyoid syndrome, via transcervical styloidectomy. Fifteen patients who presented to our institution for surgical management of Eagle syndrome were included. A detailed video shows the operative techniques used to perform styloidectomy via a transcervical approach. The procedure was well tolerated without complications, and all patients were discharged on postoperative day one. Thirteen patients (87%) endorsed significant improvement or complete resolution of their presenting complaint(s), most commonly throat and neck pain/discomfort (53%), otalgia (47%), and/or tinnitus (40%). The transcervical approach for styloidectomy provides an alternative for operative access that overcomes the limitations associated with the transoral approach. It enables better exposure of the operative field, a more efficient procedure, and, in the senior author's experience, results in decreased postoperative pain, trismus, and length of hospital stay.
Characteristics and clinical outcomes of COVID‐19 patients with pulmonary disorders: A single‐center, retrospective observational study
Authors: Jamal Wasim , Khatib Mohamad Y. , Al Wraidat Mohammad , Ahmed Amna , Ananthegowda Dore C. , Mohamed Ahmed S. , Aroos Asra , Chandra Prem , Hameed Mansoor , Yousaf Muhammad , Al‐Mohammed Ahmed , Nashwan Abdulqadir J.
Published: February 2022

Introduction

Mortality rates and clinical characteristics of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) vary significantly.

Objectives

To describe the data of patients with pulmonary comorbidities who were admitted to the ICU with COVID‐19 in Qatar in terms of demographic characteristics, coexisting conditions, imaging findings, and outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of the outcomes with regard to mortality and requirement of invasive ventilation, demographic characteristics, coexisting conditions, secondary infections, and imaging findings for critical care patients with COVID‐19 in Qatar who had pulmonary comorbidities between March and June 2020.

Results

A total of 923 patients were included, 29 (3.14%) were found to have pulmonary disease. All these 29 patients' respiratory disease was noted to be asthma. Among these, three patients (10.3%) died in the ICU within 28 days of ICU admission. They were all above 50 years old. Nineteen (66%) patients required intubation and mechanical ventilation. Twenty‐one (72.4%) patients were males. The most common comorbidities included diabetes mellitus (55.1%) and hypertension (62%). Eighteen (62%) patients developed secondary infections in the ICU. Five (17.24%) patients developed renal impairment. Twenty (69%) patients received tocilizumab as part of their COVID‐19 management, and out of these 16 (80%) patients developed a coinfection.

Conclusion

Patients with pulmonary disorders had higher mortality rates than other patients admitted to ICU during the same time frame with similar comorbidities; these patients require extra consideration and care to avoid disease progression and death.
Water reuse to free up freshwater for higher‐value use and increase climate resilience and water productivity
Authors: Drechsel Pay , Qadir Manzoor , Baumann Jurgen
Published: February 2022

The impact of climate change on the availability of water affects all types of land use and sectors. This complexity calls for integrated water resources management and negotiations between sectors on the most important, cost‐effective, and productive allocation of water where it is a limited resource. This reflection paper shows examples of adaptation efforts to water scarcity at a scale where gains in water productivity can be derived from inter‐sectoral water reuse and wastewater–freshwater swaps, complementing other water scarcity coping strategies (water savings, long‐distance transfer, and desalination). Wastewater treatment for reuse offers opportunities across scales as it allows, for example, donor regions to be compensated with reclaimed water for the release of freshwater for higher‐value use, increasing overall economic water productivity in this way. In such water swaps, farmers are compensated with higher water volumes in exchange for higher quality. The reuse of water between sectors offers opportunities to (i) expand the traditional (agricultural) water productivity concept and (ii) significantly increase water productivity at the system level. While rural–urban water reallocation can help mitigate the impacts of climate change, compensating farmers with reclaimed water remains limited for the reasons discussed in the paper.
Central venous catheters are associated with thrombosis among adult inpatients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange
Authors: Soares Ferreira Júnior Alexandre , Boyle Stephen H. , Kuchibhatla Maragatha , Onwuemene Oluwatoyosi A.
Published: February 2022

Background

For inpatients undergoing therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) in the United States, the primary mode of venous access is the central venous catheter (CVC). To evaluate the impact of CVC on thrombosis outcomes of patients undergoing TPE, we analyzed the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) database.

Study Design and Methods

In a cross‐sectional analysis of the NIS, we identified hospital discharges of adult patients treated with TPE. Cases were classified into two groups based on CVC status. The primary outcome was thrombosis. Secondary outcomes were major bleeding, packed red blood cell (PRBC) transfusion, in‐hospital mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS), and charges.

Results

Among 9863 TPE‐treated discharges, CVC was used in 5988 (60%). These numbers correspond to weighted national estimates of 49 315 and 29 940, respectively. There was a positive and significant association between CVC and thrombosis (OR = 1.23, 95% 1.04‐1.46, P = 0.0174), PRBC transfusion (OR = 1.15, 95% 1.03‐1.29, P = 0.0121), in‐hospital mortality (OR = 1.36, 95% 1.10‐1.68, P = 0.0043), hospital LOS (15.63 vs 12.45 days, P < 0.0001) and hospital charges ($166 387 vs. $132 655, P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

In hospitalized patients undergoing TPE, CVC use is associated with increased rates of thrombosis. Future studies are needed to investigate strategies to decrease CVC use and/or prevent CVC‐associated complications in TPE‐treated inpatients.
How to calculate, use, and report variance explained effect size indices and not die trying
Authors: Iacobucci Dawn , Popovich Deidre L. , Moon Sangkil , Román Sergio
Published: February 2022

Many consumer research and social science journals are increasingly urging behavioral researchers to submit effect sizes among their reported results. Yet most researchers are less familiar with effect sizes than with significance tests, even in choosing among them. This article clarifies the concepts, formulae, and appropriate usage of the “variance explained” effect size indices, eta‐squared, omega‐squared, and epsilon‐squared (), and their partial effect size variants (). Equations are presented, explained, and illustrated. Software is provided to facilitate the calculation of the indices in SAS, SPSS, and R, and suggestions and updated guidance are offered to scholars regarding reporting practices. The primary contribution of this article is to clarify the role of variance explained effect sizes in behavioral research so that scholars can be confident in precisely understanding the content of these measures in their analysis and reporting.
The multiplicative function of expectancy and value in predicting engineering students' choice, persistence, and performance
Authors: Lee You‐kyung , Freer Emily , Robinson Kristy A. , Perez Tony , Lira Amalia K. , Briedis Daina , Walton S. Patrick , Linnenbrink‐Garcia Lisa
Published: February 2022

Background

Students are more likely to persist when they both perceive themselves as capable of success (expectancy) and perceive tasks to be interesting, important, and useful (values) or less costly in terms of effort, lost opportunities, and psychological stress (perceived costs). Prior research has not examined whether these motivational beliefs synergistically predict engineering‐related outcomes; studying such synergy is critical for understanding how multiple forms of motivation combine to support engineering persistence.

Purpose/Hypothesis

We tested how engineering academic self‐efficacy (expectancy), values/costs, and their interaction predicted engineering‐related outcomes. We hypothesized that there would be significant interactions between self‐efficacy and values/costs in predicting engineering persistence and academic success.

Design/Method

Structural equation modeling was used to investigate latent interactions between self‐efficacy and values/costs (interest, attainment, and utility values; opportunity, effort, and psychological costs) in predicting career intentions, aspirations for engineering graduate school, and engineering retention, and grades in foundational courses for engineering among first‐year engineering undergraduates (n = 2420).

Results

Significant interactions between self‐efficacy and values (interest and utility only) were identified, but not for self‐efficacy and attainment value or costs. Feeling both competent in engineering and highly valuing engineering were simultaneously related to higher engineering persistence, as compared to either feeling competent or valuing engineering alone.

Conclusions

The findings contribute to expectancy–value theory by providing a more precise understanding of the role of each type of value and cost in predicting distal outcomes, and practicing by highlighting the importance of supporting both expectancy and values when intervening to support engineering persistence.
Relative risk of gastric cancer between those with and without Helicobacter pylori infection history in Japan
Authors: Kikuchi Shogo , Obata Yuki , Sasakabe Tae , Kawai Sayo , Wang Chaochen , Lin Yingsong
Published: February 2022

Background and Aim

The causal relationship between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection and gastric cancer has been established. Although the magnitude of the carcinogenic effect of H. pylori is the next concern, it has not been sufficiently evaluated in Japan. Spontaneous disappearance of H. pylori infection may have provoked underestimation of the carcinogenic effect of the infection. To reduce the influence, a comparison should be carried out between subjects with and without the infection history. Cutoff values of H. pylori antibody lower than the manufacturer's recommendation are known to be more appropriate to diagnose history of H. pylori infection. The aim was to evaluate the carcinogenic effect of H. pylori.

Methods

A case–control study consisting of 275 gastric cancer patients and 275 age‐ and sex‐matched controls was performed. Serum H. pylori antibody was measured using the “JHM‐Cap” kit with a domestic antigen (cut value of the manufacturer's recommendation was 2.3 EV: ELISA value). Using a conditional logistic model, the odds ratios (ORs) for five cutoff values adjusted for smoking and drinking doses were calculated.

Results

For cutoff values of 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, and 2.3 EV, the ORs (95% confidence intervals) were 67.7 (9.1, 502), 37.2 (8.8, 157), 21.3 (9.0, 60.2), 25.5 (9.0, 72.7), and 25.9 (9.2, 73.2), respectively.

Conclusions

These results suggest that the risk ratio of gastric cancer between subjects with and without history of H. pylori infection in Japan may exceed 20.
Stability of omeprazole in a commercial calcium carbonate based oral suspension at 2, 5 and 10 mg/mL stored under refrigeration (4°C) for 70 days
Authors: Low Mitchell , Singh Simi , Venkataya Beatrice , Pearson Jarryd , Ibrahim Martha , Jarouche Mariam , Khoo Cheang , Rowe James , Li Chun G.
Published: February 2022

Background

Omeprazole is a commonly prescribed proton pump inhibitor that acts to reduce gastric acid secretion. Liquid suspensions are preferred for paediatrics or patients with difficulty swallowing, however, are unstable.

Aim

This study reports on the stability of USP‐grade omeprazole, raw powder at 2, 5 and 10 mg/mL dosages suspended in Oral Mix Dry Alka SF (OMSF) stored at 4°C for 70 days.

Method

The omeprazole concentration in the suspensions were determined at the time of preparation and at 7, 14, 28, 42, 56 and 70 days by high performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (HPLC‐PDA). The pH, homogeneity, colour, odour, and microbial levels were also determined.

Results

All the preparations are stable at 4°C for 70 days, with omeprazole concentration remaining within ±10% of the initial concentration. The pH showed a gradual decline from 9.0 to 7.7 over the study which is an acceptable change. The preparations passed microbial testing up to 70 days.

Conclusion

The 70 days stability achieved in OMSF far exceeds the 28 day beyond‐use‐date recommended by the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary. The OMSF base provides compounding pharmacists with a convenient method to prepare omeprazole suspensions over a wide range of concentrations with extended dating, providing added convenience for the consumer and pharmacists.
Incidental Parathyroidectomy Among Pediatric Patients Undergoing Thyroid Surgery
Authors: Ziai Hedyeh , Dixon Peter , Berman Gavriel , Campisi Paolo , Wasserman Jonathan D.
Published: February 2022

Objective

To evaluate rates of incidental parathyroidectomy(IP) and to determine risk factors among children undergoing thyroid surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective case‐control study.

Methods

Pediatric patients undergoing thyroidectomy with or without neck dissection were included in this retrospective cohort study over a 20 year period. Demographics, clinical features, and surgical outcomes were evaluated. The primary outcome was the presence of parathyroid tissue in the surgical specimen.

Results

Two hundred and eighty‐six patients were included (100 cases with ≥1 parathyroid gland found in the pathology specimen and 186 controls). The most common surgical indication was cancer (49%), followed by benign nodule (25%). Hemithyroidectomy was performed in 119 (42%) patients, total thyroidectomy in 138 (48%), and completion in 29 (10%). Central neck dissection (CND) and lateral neck dissection were performed in 41% and 13%, respectively. 27 (9%) patients had parathyroid reimplantation. On univariable analysis, diagnosis, adenopathy on preoperative ultrasound, extent of thyroidectomy, neck dissection, and parathyroid reimplantation were significant predictors of IP. On multivariate analysis, CND > 5 nodes were the sole predictor of IP. Patients with IP were more likely to require postoperative calcium/vitamin D supplementation compared to those without (44% vs. 16%; P < .001).

Conclusions

Incidental parathyroidectomy during pediatric thyroidectomy is relatively common. CND was independently predictive of IP. There were increased rates of postoperative hypocalcemia when 1 or more parathyroid gland was identified in the specimen. Reimplantation of 1 parathyroid gland was predictive of another gland in the specimen. Anticipating outcomes may help optimize patient care by allowing for early supplementation, frequent monitoring, and consideration of ancillary monitoring modalities in high‐risk procedures.

Level of Evidence

Level 4 Laryngoscope, 132:2262–2269, 2022
Uncertainty principles for doubly periodic functions
Authors: Wei Xin , Qu Feifei , Liu Hua , Bian Xiaoli
Published: February 2022

This paper studies uncertainty principles for doubly periodic functions. Firstly, the means and the variances of time and of frequency for doubly periodic signal functions are provided. Also, the phase and the amplitude derivatives of doubly periodic signal functions are properly defined. Based on these definitions, we establish two versions of uncertainty principles. An example is presented to illustrate these results.
Effect of combined micro and nano silicon carbide particles addition on mechanical, wear and moisture absorption features of basalt bidirectional mat/vinyl ester composites
Authors: Thooyavan Yesudhasan , Kumaraswamidhas Lakshmi Annamali , Raj Robinson Dhas Edwin , Binoj Joseph Selvi , Brailson Mansingh Bright
Published: February 2022

Basalt fiber reinforcement in polymer composites has recently become very competitive to the routinely used synthetic fiber reinforcements. In the present work, composite specimens were prepared with basalt fiber mat reinforcement in vinyl ester matrix along with varying quantity of the micro and nano silicon carbide (SiC) filler particle ranging from 1 to 5 wt% in combination. Tribological and water absorption properties of the developed hybrid composites were tested to ascertain its potential for commercial applications. The specimen made of SiC particle addictive combination of 3 wt% nano and 3 wt% micro particle exhibited better mechanical characteristics and this mechanical advantage declines beyond 3 wt% SiC filler addition due to agglomeration and poor dispersion of filler particles in the hybrid composite. The microstructural investigation done via scanning electron microscopy reveals the modes of failure, where better pull‐out resistance was displayed by the fiber bonding characteristics with the filler and vinyl ester matrix up to 3 wt% nano and 3 wt% micro SiC filler content. Similarly, the tribological characteristics of the composite specimen for the optimum filler content specimen were superior in comparison with other combinations. Moreover, the water absorption features of the developed hybrid composites were within the acceptable limits for marine and structural applications.
Disparities in concussion diagnoses compared to ankle injuries
Authors: Marmor William A. , McElheny Kathryn D. , Lingor Ryan J. , Shetty Teena , Lin Emerald , Casey Ellen , Ling Daphne I.
Published: February 2022

Background

Health disparities related to concussions have been reported in the literature for certain minority populations. Given the significant impact of concussions on long‐ and short‐term function, the mitigation of barriers to accessing care is an important public health objective.

Objective

To determine if racial and ethnic disparities exist in patients who seek care for concussions compared to a control group with orthopedic ankle injuries (sprains and fractures) to minimize confounding factors that predispose to injury.

Design

Cohort study.

Setting

Single institution between February 2016 and December 2020.

Patients

A retrospective review of electronic medical records was completed for patients with International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD‐10) diagnosis codes for concussion, ankle sprain, and ankle fracture. A total of 10,312 patients were identified: 1568 (15.2%) with concussion, 4871 (47.3%) with ankle sprain, and 3863 (37.5%) with ankle fracture.

Interventions

Patients were stratified by demographic factors, including sex, ethnicity, race, and insurance type.

Main Outcome Measures

Diagnosis of concussion.

Results

The concussion group was the youngest (28.3 years ± 18.0) and had the fewest females (53.1%) compared to the ankle sprain (35.1 years ± 19.7; 58.7%) and fracture groups (44.1 years ± 21.3; 57.3%). The concussion group had a smaller proportion of Hispanic patients than the ankle sprain group (odds ratio [OR] 0.71, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.92, p = .010) and fracture group (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.44–0.75, p = <.001). In addition, the concussion group was less likely to be Asian (OR 0.70, CI 0.52–0.95, p = .023) than the sprain group and less likely to be Black/African American than both sprain (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.46–0.93, p = .017) and fracture groups (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.43–0.89, p = .010). There were no differences across racial groups between ankle sprains and fractures. Patients with Medicaid/Medicare and self‐pay had a higher likelihood of being in the concussion group than those with private insurance.

Conclusion

Differences in concussion diagnosis may exist between certain demographic groups compared to those with ankle injuries. Efforts to mitigate disparities in concussion care are worthwhile with a focus on patient and caregiver education.
On the temperature‐dependent isomerization of all‐trans‐1,6‐diphenyl‐1,3,5‐hexatriene in solution: A reappraisal
Authors: Catalán Javier
Published: February 2022

In this work, we present absorption, emission, and excitation of emission spectra of all‐trans‐DPH obtained in solution between 77 and 363 K. The analysis of these spectra allows to evaluate that this molecular probe, widely used in biophysics, does not isomerizes in solution to s‐cis‐DPH at the temperatures explored. These results are in contradiction to those reported by previous studies that emphasize that (a) all‐trans‐DPH isomerizes to s‐cis‐DPH when dissolved and the temperature ranges from 283 to 373 K and (b) the molar fraction of s‐cis‐conformer equals, or even exceeds, the molar fraction of the all‐trans‐conformer at the highest temperature studied. In this work, we show how we can infer the changes taking place in the molecular structure of DPH looking at the wavenumber (ν) shift of the peaks on the absorption and emission spectra as a function of temperature. The analysis of these band shifts allows us to corroborate the change, determined by Ogawa et al. by X‐ray diffraction, that occurs in the structure of DPH in the crystalline phase through a bicycle pedal process with temperature.
Prevalence and distribution of musculoskeletal pain in patients with dizziness—A systematic review
Authors: Moen Unni , Magnussen Liv Heide , Wilhelmsen Kjersti Thulin , Goplen Frederik Kragerud , Nordahl Stein Helge Glad , Meldrum Dara , Knapstad Mari Kalland
Published: February 2022

Background and purpose

Musculoskeletal disorders are among the leading causes of disability globally, but their role in patients with dizziness and imbalance is not well understood or explored. Such knowledge may be important as musculoskeletal pain and dizziness can mutually influence each other, leading to a complex condition requiring more comprehensive approaches to promote successful recovery. We conducted a systematic review to examine the extent and characteristic of reported musculoskeletal pain in patients with dizziness.

Methods

A comprehensive literature search in Medline, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, Amed, Google Scholar, SveMed+, and Web of Science was conducted in March 2021. Inclusion criteria were studies examining patients with a vestibular diagnosis, patients with cervicogenic dizziness and patients included based on having dizziness as a symptom; and reported musculoskeletal pain. Data regarding age, sex, sample size, diagnosis and musculoskeletal pain was extracted. The Crowe Critical Appraisal Tool was used for assessing methodical quality of the included studies.

Results

Out of 1507 screened studies, 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The total sample consisted of 1144 individuals with dizziness. The frequency of patients reporting pain ranged between 43% and 100% in the included studies. Pain intensity were scored between 5 and 7 on a 0–10 scale. Pain in the neck and shoulder girdle was most often reported, but musculoskeletal pain in other parts of the body was also evident.

Discussion

In the included studies, musculoskeletal pain was highly prevalent in patients with dizziness, with pain intensity that may have a moderate to severe interference with daily functioning. Pain in the neck and shoulder is well documented, but there are few studies addressing musculoskeletal pain in additional parts of the body. More research is needed to understand the relations between dizziness and musculoskeletal pain.
Why is motilin active in some studies with mice, rats, and guinea pigs, but not in others? Implications for functional variability among rodents
Authors: Sanger Gareth J.
Published: February 2022

The gastrointestinal (GI) hormone motilin helps control human stomach movements during hunger and promotes hunger. Although widely present among mammals, it is generally accepted that in rodents the genes for motilin and/or its receptor have undergone pseudonymization, so exogenous motilin cannot function. However, several publications describe functions of low concentrations of motilin, usually within the GI tract and CNS of mice, rats, and guinea pigs. These animals were from institute‐held stocks, simply described with stock names (e.g., “Sprague–Dawley”) or were inbred strains. It is speculated that variation in source/type of animal introduces genetic variations to promote motilin‐sensitive pathways. Perhaps, in some populations, motilin receptors exist, or a different functionally‐active receptor has a good affinity for motilin (indicating evolutionary pressures to retain motilin functions). The ghrelin receptor has the closest sequence homology, yet in non‐rodents the receptors have a poor affinity for each other's cognate ligand. In rodents, ghrelin may substitute for certain GI functions of motilin, but no good evidence suggests rodent ghrelin receptors are highly responsive to motilin. It remains unknown if motilin has functional relationships with additional bioactive molecules formed from the ghrelin and motilin genes, or if a 5‐TM motilin receptor has influence in rodents (e.g., to dimerize with GPCRs and create different pharmacological profiles). Is the absence/presence of responses to motilin in rodents’ characteristic for systems undergoing gene pseudonymization? What are the consequences of rodent supplier‐dependent variations in motilin sensitivity (or other ligands for receptors undergoing pseudonymization) on gross physiological functions? These are important questions for understanding animal variation.
Reliable and rapid identification of glyphosate‐resistance in the invasive weed Amaranthus palmeri in China
Authors: Cao Jingjing , Wu Qianmei , Wan Fanghao , Guo Jianying , Wang Rui
Published: February 2022

BACKGROUND

Glyphosate‐resistant invasive plants, including Amaranthus palmeri S. Watson, have greatly challenged management of new invasions. Elucidating their glyphosate resistance levels rapidly and accurately will better inform management strategies. Quantitative real‐time PCR (qPCR) has been used to identify glyphosate resistance in A. palmeri by detecting gene copy numbers of 5‐enolpyruvylshikimate‐3‐phosphate synthase (EPSPS), an enzyme inhibited by glyphosate. However, qPCR can only indirectly determine copy numbers because it requires a calibrator sample; it also lacks standardization, thus limiting its usefulness. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) is a new method to detect copy number directly and precisely. We evaluated ddPCR as a tool to determine glyphosate‐resistance level while using qPCR and glyphosate dose response (GDR) assays as reference technologies to compare performance and efficiency between methods.

RESULTS

We identified seven susceptible and seven resistant populations of A. palmeri using the GDR assay. Resistant levels detected by qPCR and ddPCR were generally consistent with the GDR results. Although detected values obtained by qPCR and ddPCR were highly correlated (R2 = 0.94), ddPCR results had a lower proportion of non‐ideal values (36%) with better accuracy (100%) and specificity (100%) than those of qPCR results.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings demonstrate that ddPCR offers improved accuracy and specificity in detecting EPSPS gene copy numbers and is a robust and rapid method for glyphosate‐resistance identification in A. palmeri. Our research is the first to measure glyphosate resistance in A. palmeri by ddPCR assay and will shed light on future applications of ddPCR in identifying herbicide resistance in other invasive weeds. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sample size re‐estimation for response‐adaptive randomized clinical trials
Authors: Li Xin , Hu Feifang
Published: February 2022

Clinical trials usually take a period of time to recruit volunteers, and they become a steady accumulation of data. Traditionally, the sample size of a trial is determined in advance and data is collected before analysis proceeds. Over the past decades, many strategies have been proposed and rigorous theoretical groundings have been provided to conduct sample size re‐estimation. However, the application of these methodologies has not been well extended to take care of trials with adaptive designs. Therefore, we aim to fill the gap by proposing a sample size re‐estimation procedure on response‐adaptive randomized trial. For ethical and economical concerns, we use multiple stopping criteria with the allowance of early termination. Statistical inference is studied for the hypothesis testing under doubly‐adaptive biased coin design. We also prove that the test statistics for each stage are asymptotic independently normally distributed, though dependency exists between the two stages. We find that under our methods, compared to fixed sample size design and other commonly used randomization procedures: (1) power is increased for all scenarios with adjusted sample size; (2) sample size is reduced up to 40% when underestimating the treatment effect; (3) the duration of trials is shortened. These advantages are evidenced by numerical studies and real examples.
Nonuniform piecewise membership function approximation methods based robust tracking control design of T‐S fuzzy systems
Authors: Xie Wen‐Bo , Xu Bo‐Lin , Peng Chen , Zhang Jian
Published: February 2022

For the stability analysis issue of a T‐S fuzzy system, improved piecewise membership functions dependent approach is proposed to reduce conservatism. Based on a least‐square method, the nonlinear membership functions are approximated by a series of decoupled polynomial functions. Then the piecewise vertices are chosen by a newly proposed derivative‐integral nonuniform division approach. For the robust tracking control task, a series of convex robust stable conditions are obtained. Finally, a mass‐spring‐damper (MSD) simulation example is adopted to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed method.