bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in Motor Behavior Predict Falls and Identify Acute Events
Authors: Bowen Mary Elizabeth , Cacchione Pamela
Published: July 2021

This study aimed to examine how changes in motor behavior are associated with falls, delirium, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Twenty-three (128 observations) skilled nursing residents were examined for up to 18 months. In multilevel models, motor behaviors (e.g., time and distance traveled, gait speed), measured by a real-time locating system, were used to predict falls, UTIs, and delirium. Falls were associated with decreased gait speed ( OR = 0.01; p ≤ 0.001) and path distance ( OR = 0.99; p ≤ 0.05); delirium was associated with increased distance traveled ( OR = 1.01; p ≤ 0.001), path distance ( OR = 1.02; p ≤ 0.001), and decreased time traveled ( OR = 0.99; p ≤ 0.001) and path time ( OR = 0.99; p ≤ 0.001); UTIs were associated with increased distance traveled ( OR = 1.01; p ≤ 0.001), decreased time traveled ( OR = 0.99; p ≤ 0.001), and the number of paths ( OR = 0.91; p ≤ 0.01). Subtle changes in motor behavior may be an early warning sign of falls and acute events. Continuous monitoring may enable clinical staff to prevent, identify early, and/or delay these poor health outcomes.
Inside the Push for Good Governance: Institutional Predictors of Administrative Transparency in Public Organizations
Authors: Rutherford Amanda , Wightman G. Breck
Published: July 2021

Policy actors around the world perceive transparency as a means to achieve good governance. Research often focuses on the determinants of fiscal and economic transparency and gives less attention to administrative transparency. This study examines whether multiple types of institutional factors influence administrative transparency in the context of the hiring of college and university presidents in U.S. postsecondary education. Across 54 contracts obtained between institutions of higher education and third-party search firms, no contract explicitly referred to the term transparency, but contracts varied in attention given to issues of confidentiality. Using data for 157 presidential searches between 2010 and 2018, we find that few structural components predict indicators of transparency, though the presence of state sunshine laws and whether a governing board oversees multiple institutions can influence specific portions of the executive search process.
Different cerebral functional segregation in Sjogren’s syndrome with or without systemic lupus erythematosus revealed by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Dong , Ke Jun , Li Jing-Li , Su Yun-Yan , Zhou Jia-Min , Zhao Lin-Ru , Huang Li-Xiang , Cheng Yue , Shen Wen
Published: July 2021

Background

Sjögren’s syndrome (SjS) associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SjS-SLE) was considered a standalone but often-overlooked entity.

Purpose

To assess altered spontaneous brain activity in SjS-SLE and SjS using amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF).

Material and Methods

Sixteen patients with SjS-SLE, 17 patients with SjS, and 17 matched controls underwent neuropsychological tests and subsequent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) examinations. The ALFF value was calculated based on blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) fMRI. Statistical parametric mapping was utilized to analyze between-group differences and multiple comparison was corrected with Analysis of Functional NeuroImages 3dClustSim. Then, the ALFFs of brain regions with significant differences among the three groups were correlated to corresponding clinical and neuropsychological variables by Pearson correlation.

Results

ALFF differences in the bilateral precuneus/posterior cingulate cortex (PCC), right parahippocampal gyrus/caudate/insula, and left insula were found among the three groups. Both SjS-SLE and SjS displayed decreased ALFF in the right parahippocampal gyrus, right insula, and left insula than HC. Moreover, SjS-SLE showed wider decreased ALFF in the bilateral precuneus and right caudate, while the SjS group exhibited increased ALFF in the bilateral PCC. Additionally, patients with SjS-SLE exhibited lower ALFF values in the bilateral PCC and precuneus than SjS. Moreover, ALFF values in the right parahippocampal gyrus and PCC were negatively correlated to fatigue score and disease duration, respectively, in SjS-SLE.

Conclusion

SjS-SLE and SjS exhibited common and different alteration of cerebral functional segregation revealed by AlFF analysis. This result appeared to indicate that SjS-SLE might be different from SjS with a neuroimaging standpoint.
Late-onset isolated cerebral fat embolism syndrome after a simple tibial plateau fracture: a rare case report
Authors: Hsu Ta-Li , Li Tien-Chi , Lai Fei-Pi , Ouhyoung Ming , Chang Chih-Hung , Wang Cheng-Tzu
Published: July 2021

Fat embolism syndrome (FES) is a complication of long bone fractures that often occurs within 72 hours of injury. Early-onset isolated cerebral fat embolism is catastrophic and rarely reported. We herein present a rare case of delayed-onset isolated cerebral FES that developed 10 days after definite fixation of a left tibial plateau fracture. A 70-year-old woman was injured in a traffic accident and diagnosed with a left tibial plateau fracture. However, she developed sudden loss of consciousness (E4V1M1) and quadriplegia 10 days after fracture fixation. Her vital signs showed no respiratory distress. Diagnosis of isolated cerebral FES was made based on magnetic resonance imaging of the brain, the findings of which were compatible with the clinical neurological findings. After supportive care and rehabilitation, her consciousness became clear on the second day of admission, and her consciousness changed to E4V5M6. She gradually regained strength in her right limbs but had residual left limb paraplegia. Isolated cerebral FES should always be considered for patients who develop a change in consciousness, even beyond 72 hours after injury. Imaging may not initially show definitive abnormalities. Repeated magnetic resonance imaging should be considered if the initial clinical presentation does not fully meet Gurd’s criteria.
Perinatal outcomes in women affected by different types of headache disorders: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Neri Isabella , Menichini Daniela , Monari Francesca , Bascio Ludovica Spanò , Banchelli Federico , Facchinetti Fabio
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study aims to investigate pregnancy and perinatal outcomes in women with tension-type headache, migraine without aura and migraine with aura by comparing them to women without any headache disorders.

Study design

Prospective cohort study including singleton pregnancies attending the first trimester aneuploidy screening at the University Hospital of Modena, in Northern Italy, between June 2018 and December 2019.

Results

A total of 515 consecutive women were included and headache disorders were reported in 43.5% of them (224/515). Tension-type headache was diagnosed in 24.3% of the cases, while 14% suffered from migraine without aura and 5.2% from migraine with aura. Birthweight was significantly lower in women affected by migraine with aura respective to other groups, and a significantly higher rate of small for gestational age infants was found in tension-type headache (10.4%) and in migraine with aura (24.9%) groups respective to the others (p < 0.001). Moreover, the admission to the neonatal intensive care unit was significantly higher in all the headache groups (p = 0.012). Multivariate analysis showed that women presenting tension-type headache (OR 4.19, p = 0.004), migraine with aura (OR 5.37, p = 0.02), a uterine artery pulsatility index >90th centile (OR 3.66, p = 0.01), low multiple of the median (MoM) of Pregnancy-associated plasma protein-A (PAPP-A) (OR 0.48, p = 0.05) and high MoM of Inhibin-A (OR 3.24, p = 0.03) at first trimester, are independently associated with the delivery of small for gestational age infants when compared to women without headache disorders.

Conclusion

Migraine with aura and tension type headache expose women to an increased risk of delivering small for gestational age infants, in association with some utero-placenta markers evaluated at first trimester. These women with headache disorders have an additional indication to undergo first trimester aneuploidy screening and would possibly benefit from specific interventions.
Crowd-Sensing Road Surface Quality Using Connected Vehicle Data
Authors: Chen Jinzhu , Grimm Donald K , Bai Fan , Grace John , Relan Sangeeta , Vavrik William
Published: July 2021

This work presents an approach for collecting road surface data using connected vehicles. Road surface readings from multiple production vehicles were collected and aggregated to estimate road roughness measured by the International Roughness Index (IRI). The analysis compared multiple instances of connected vehicle data with high speed pavement profile vehicle (Class 1 profiler) data. A separate analysis compared multiple instances of connected vehicle data to an advanced walking profiler. Results demonstrate the feasibility of harvesting road surface data from the existing connected vehicles to support continuous road surface monitoring applications. Benefits include more timely acquisition of pavement data, broader coverage of the road network, and potential for aiding existing survey fleet in targeting early signs of pavement degradation. Collected roughness measurements were found to be closely aligned with reference devices that were employed as part of this study. A regional experiment in the Detroit Metropolitan area that covered 64 mi of roadways found that the connected vehicle data was highly correlated with Class 1 profiler data where 83% of traveled miles had a 0.8 or higher correlation. Moreover, 85% of the measurements had small absolute errors less than 50 in./mi and half of the measurements had absolute errors less than 20 in./mi. A test track experiment at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute Smart Road facility compared the connected vehicle data to the advanced walking profiler and showed that the correlations for repeatability and reproducibility are 0.90 and 0.91, respectively, which are very close to the standard requirement for certified profilers.
Estimating Safety Impacts of Adaptive Signal Control Technology Using a Full Bayesian Approach
Authors: Kodi John H. , Kitali Angela E. , Ali MD Sultan , Alluri Priyanka , Sando Thobias
Published: July 2021

Adaptive signal control technology (ASCT) is a traffic management strategy that optimizes signal timing based on real-time traffic demand. Although the primary intent of ASCT is to improve the operational performance of signalized intersections, the technology may also have substantial safety benefits. This study explored the potential safety benefits of the ASCT strategy deployed at signalized intersections in Florida, U.S. An observational before-after full Bayes (FB) approach with a comparison group was adopted to develop crash modification factors (CMFs) for total crashes, rear-end crashes, and specific crash severity levels (fatal plus injury [FI], and property damage only [PDO] crashes). The analysis was based on 20 intersections equipped with ASCT and their corresponding 40 comparison intersections without ASCT. The ASCT deployment was found to significantly reduce total crashes by 7.8% (CMF = 0.922), rear-end crashes by 8.7% (CMF = 0.913), and PDO crashes by 8.1% (CMF = 0.919). The 8.6% reduction in FI crashes (CMF = 0.914) was not significant at a 90% Bayesian credible interval. These findings provide researchers and practitioners with an effective means to quantify the safety benefits of the ASCT strategy and conduct economic appraisals of ASCT deployments.
Cell-Free Biomimetic Osteochondral Scaffold for the Treatment of Knee Lesions: Clinical and Imaging Results at 10-Year Follow-up
Authors: Di Martino Alessandro , Perdisa Francesco , Filardo Giuseppe , Busacca Maurizio , Kon Elizaveta , Marcacci Maurilio , Zaffagnini Stefano
Published: July 2021

Background:

Cell-free devices have been introduced to restore osteochondral defects, avoiding the limitations of cell-based procedures. Among these, an osteochondral scaffold made of type I collagen and hydroxyapatite has been investigated with promising results up to medium-term follow-up. However, the clinical and imaging results over time still need to be documented.

Purpose:

To evaluate the clinical outcome and tissue maturation at long-term follow-up after the implantation of the osteochondral scaffold.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A total of 24 patients (7 women, 17 men; age, 36 ± 9.5 years) underwent surgical implantation of the osteochondral scaffold and were prospectively evaluated before surgery, at 2-, 5-, and 10-year follow-up. The mean defect size was 2.9 ± 1.4 cm2. Patients were evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) subjective and objective scores, and the activity level was documented with the Tegner score. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation involved the use of the magnetic resonance observation of cartilage repair tissue score combined with 5 more variables focused on the bone layer.

Results:

A statistically significant improvement of all clinical scores was documented from the baseline to the final evaluation. The IKDC subjective score improved from the preoperative level to 2 years (41 ± 13.2 and 77.1 ± 14.6, respectively) ( P < .0005), with stable results up to 10 years (77.4 ± 19.4). The IKDC objective score changed from 52% of normal and nearly normal knees before the treatment to 84% at 10 years ( P < .0005). Tegner sports activity at the final evaluation (3.8 ± 1.7) was higher compared with the preoperative level (1.6 ± 1.1; P < .05), but it remained significantly lower compared with the preinjury level (5.5 ± 2.6; P < .05). Treatment failed in 1 patient. Persisting graft alterations were observed on MRI scans, although without correlating with the clinical outcome.

Conclusion:

The regenerative potential of this scaffold is limited, as demonstrated by the signal alterations persisting over time on MRI scans. On the other hand, the clinical improvement was significant and stable over time both in terms of subjective and objective outcomes, including activity level, with overall good results.
Associations of Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices toward Anemia with Anemia Prevalence and Height-for-Age Z-Score among Indonesian Adolescent Girls
Authors: Agustina Rina , Wirawan Fadila , Sadariskar Arini A. , Setianingsing Ainanur A. , Nadiya Khairun , Prafiantini Erfi , Asri Eriana K. , Purwanti Tutut S. , Kusyuniati Sri , Karyadi Elvina , Raut Manoj K.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Crucial gaps persist in knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of adolescent girls that affect anemia and linear growth failure.

Objective:

To understand the role of KAP as a risk factor of anemia and linear growth problem in adolescent girls.

Methods:

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 335 adolescent girls selected by clustered random sampling. The KAP questionnaire had 18 variables consisting of 9 knowledge, 3 attitude, and 6 practice components. Twelve variables addressed nutrition, dietary diversity, and health environments related to both anemia and stunting. The questionnaire was adapted from the 2014 Food and Agriculture Organization nutrition-related KAP guidelines for anemia. Dietary practice was evaluated from 2-day 24-hour recalls and a semi-quantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Associations between KAP and anemia, and height-for-age z-score (HAZ), were analyzed using multivariate logistic and linear regression models, respectively.

Results:

The mean hemoglobin (Hb) level was 119.7 g/L, with 44% of the adolescent girls being anemic (Hb < 120 g/L) and mean height was 151.0 cm with 25% being stunted (HAZ < −2 standard deviation [SD]). The median KAP score was 7 and ranged from 3 to 10. Low to moderate KAP scores were not significantly associated with being anemic (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 1.26; P = .43), however 1-point KAP score increment was associated with an increase of HAZ by 0.037 SD ( P = .012).

Conclusions:

The KAP related to diet and healthy environments was not associated with anemia prevalence, but was positively associated with increased HAZ among adolescent girls. Strategy to reduce anemia risk in this population should combine KAP improvement with other known effective nutrition interventions.
Psychosocial, Eating Behavior, and Lifestyle Factors Influencing Overweight and Obesity in Adolescents
Authors: Agustina Rina , Meilianawati  , Fenny  , Atmarita  , Suparmi  , Susiloretni Kun A. , Lestari Wiji , Pritasari Kirana , Shankar Anuraj H.
Published: July 2021

Background:

Adolescent overweight and obesity (AOO) is a global public health problem and risk for noncommunicable diseases. Understanding context-specific risks is crucial for interventions.

Objective:

Determine the prevalence of AOO in the Indonesian National Health Survey (INHS) 2013, assess the 5-year trend from 2013 to 2018, and identify risks.

Methods:

We selected adolescents aged 10 to 19 years (n = 174 290) from the INHS 2013 and used hierarchical logistic regression to identify gender-specific risks for those aged 15 to 19 years (n = 77 534). Change in AOO was assessed by comparison to INHS 2018 reports.

Results:

The national AOO prevalence increased over 5 years by 48% in young adolescents (13-15 years) and 85% in older ones (16-18 years). High prevalence areas included the urban location of Jakarta (20.9%) and the remote rural region of Papua (19.4%). Overall, AOO risks were being sedentary, male, lower education, married, younger adolescent, and school enrollment, with urban residence and higher wealth being persistent risks for all analyses. Data for depressive symptoms were available for older adolescents whose additional risks were being sedentary, depressive symptoms, and high-fat diet. Male risks were being sedentary and lower education, and female risks were being married, depressive symptoms, high-fat intake, and lower education. Higher intake of fruits and vegetables and fewer sweets did not protect against AOO if a high-fat diet was consumed.

Conclusions:

Adolescent overweight and obesity in Indonesia is rapidly increasing, especially in older adolescents and males, and with gender-specific risks. Customized multisectoral interventions to identify strategies for lifestyle change are urgently needed.
A physically motivated control algorithm for an autonomous underwater vehicle
Authors: Khalaji Ali Keymasi , Ghane Mahdi
Published: July 2021

An Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) is an underactuated mobile robotic system. This paper is focused on the control of an AUV, which is an interesting problem in robotics. In engineering applications, achieving a precise mathematical model for a given system is not realistic due to the existence of many unknown and unpredictable phenomena in real systems. Therefore, less reliant algorithms on the system mathematical equations are certainly preferable. To this end, first, the mathematical model of the AUV is presented. Then, the desired signals for the control algorithm are produced. After that, a nonlinear PID-based kinematic control is proposed to solve the trajectory tracking problem for the AUV. Subsequently, a Lyapunov-based dynamic control is designed for system actuator torques. In contrast to many existing solutions, control formulation does not require any model transformation or approximation and it is formulated in the original configuration space of the system. The proposed control law is simple, with an explainable mechanism and straightforward tuning, and it leads to the non-oscillatory robot motions in the Cartesian space.
Wear performance of Ni-Cr-B-Si hardface coatings fabricated by cold metal transfer welding
Authors: Kumar Mishra Rismaya , Kumar Hemant , Harmain GA , Albert SK
Published: July 2021

Nickel-based thick hardface coatings are employed in nuclear power plants because of their superior wear and high-temperature resistance properties. Unfortunately, fabrication of a crack-free coating with less dilution is difficult using the conventional hardfacing techniques like Plasma Transferred Arc (PTA), Metal Inert Gas (MIG) etc. A sound coating having optimum hardness and better wear resistance property is essential for reactor applications. The current work aims to investigate the wear behaviour of Ni-Cr-B-Si hardface coating deposited on 316LN stainless steel, where metal-cored filler wire was used as a consumable in the Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) welding process. The hardface coating was characterized for its hardness and microstructure. Apart from that, pin-on-disc wear tests were performed using the extracted pin specimens from the hardfaced substrate. From this experiment, a micro-hardness of 531.24 ± 73.15 HV0.5 was measured across the coating cross-section. The microstructure analysis revealed the presence of precipitates like borides and carbides in the coating. Further, a specific wear rate of the order of 10−14 m3/Nm was found from the wear tests. Confocal microscopy on the worn surfaces of the pin specimens revealed, the surface damages mostly occurred by ploughing and fracture. The investigation ensures that CMT can be used for depositing crack-free, low dilution and wear-resistant hardface coatings in nuclear industries.
Path tracking control of an autonomous vehicle with model-free adaptive dynamic programming and RBF neural network disturbance compensation
Authors: Wang Hongbo , Hu Chenglei , Zhou Juntao , Feng Lizhao , Ye Bin , Lu Yongjie
Published: July 2021

The performance of the model-based controller is always affected by the uncertainty and nonlinearity of the model parameters in the vehicle path tracking process. To address this issue, a novel path tracking controller based on model-free adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) is proposed for autonomous vehicles in this paper. To be specific, the proposed controller obtains information from the online state and front-wheel angle input data which are repeatedly used to calculate the controller gain iteratively. So, this controller features not requiring accurate knowledge of vehicle model parameters for controller development. Meanwhile, the path tracking performance of the autonomous vehicle will be inevitably disturbed by unknown nonlinear external disturbance. To approximate this disturbance, the learning characteristics of Radial Basis Function Neural Network (RBFNN) are applied to generate compensation for the front-wheel angle. Afterward, the weight updating law of RBFNN is derived by Lyapunov function to ensure the stability and convergence of the whole system. Finally, Hardware in the loop (HIL) test results demonstrate that the proposed ADP-RBF controller can improve the comprehensive performance of the vehicle path tracking control system and achieve the balance between path tracking accuracy and minimum sideslip angle.
The effect of third bodies on wear and friction at the wheel-rail interface
Authors: Khan Saad Ahmed , Lundberg Jan , Stenström Christer
Published: July 2021

The friction forces between the wheel and rail depend on a number of variables including the third body layer at the wheel–rail interface, the wheel and rail profiles, and the train dynamics. The third body layer significantly influences the damage mechanisms at the wheel-rail interface, especially wear, rolling contact fatigue (RCF), corrugations and other surface defects that then require maintenance. The introduction of additional constituents at the wheel–rail interface in the form of an additive with anti-wear and anti-crack properties can reduce the wear and RCF. In general, such an additive also reduces the friction. However, it is important to avoid the friction coefficient between the wheel tread and the top of the rail falling below 0.3 because the result would be wheel slip and long braking distances.

Measuring friction coefficients accurately is still a challenge, as most existing tribometers are unable to replicate the wheel-rail contact conditions, specifically the contact pressure and sliding speed. The present study used a newly designed handheld tribometer that is able to match the typical contact pressure. Results obtained with the handheld tribometer have been compared with values extracted from the traction-force measurement system of a locomotive. The tribometer field measurements have shown that by using a top-of-rail friction modifier (TOR-FM), both the wear and the friction coefficients can be reduced, but also that heavy TOR-FM films may cause unacceptably low friction. Comparing the results of field and laboratory tests confirms that weather and realistic third bodies present on the track have a significant effect on friction and wear.
New approach of inverse design of transonic compressor rotor blade via prescribed isentropic Mach distributions without modification of governing equations
Authors: Qin Sheng , Wang Shuyue , Sun Gang , Zhong Yongjian , Cao Bochao
Published: July 2021

Shock loss is the primary source of total pressure loss of transonic axial compressors. Reducing the shock by redesigning the geometry of rotor is of great interest for turbomachinery designers. However, the complex flow field involving shock waves, shock-boundary interaction, intense secondary flows, etc., in the compressor makes the design of rotor difficult. The conventional method of design and optimization is computationally intensive and time-costly. This study introduces an inverse design method to design rotor blades corresponding to prescribed isentropic Mach number distributions with no modification of flow-governing equations. An artificial neural network is trained to predict the isentropic Mach number distributions of any deformed blades. Then, with the pattern search optimization, the blade corresponding to the prescribed isentropic Mach number distributions can be achieved. When the aerodynamic parameter database is calculated and the neural network is obtained, this method can design large numbers of blades of changed isentropic Mach number distributions immediately, without modifying the computational fluid dynamics (CFD) flow solver. The design process is fully automatic and efficient. In this study, NASA Rotor 37 is redesigned and optimized as test cases. Some analysis on the influence of blade shape on aerodynamic characteristics of the rotor is represented in this study.
Small peatland with a big story: 600-year paleoecological and historical data from a kettle-hole peatland in Western Russia
Authors: Mroczkowska Agnieszka , Kittel Piotr , Marcisz Katarzyna , Dolbunova Ekaterina , Gauthier Emilie , Lamentowicz Mariusz , Mazurkevich Andrey , Obremska Milena , Płóciennik Mateusz , Kramkowski Mateusz , Łuców Dominika , Kublitskiy Yuriy , Słowiński Michał
Published: July 2021

Peatlands are important records of past environmental changes. Based on a multiproxy analysis, the main factors influencing the evolution of a peatland can be divided into autogenic and allogenic. Among the important allogenic factors, apart from climate change, are deforestation and drainage, which are directly associated with human impact. Numerous consequences arise from these processes, the most important of which are physical and chemical denudation in the catchment and the related hydrological disturbances in the catchment and peatland. The present study determined how human activities and the past climatic variability mutually influenced the development of a small peatland ecosystem. The main goals of the study were: (1) to trace the local changes of the peatland history over the past 600 years, (2) to investigate their relationship with changes in regional hydroclimate patterns, and (3) to estimate the sensitivity of a small peatland to natural and human impact. Our reconstructions were based on a multiproxy analysis, including the analysis of pollen, macrofossils, Chironomidae, Cladocera, and testate amoebae. Our results showed that, depending on the changes in water level, the history of peatland can be divided into three phases as follows: 1/the phase of stable natural conditions, 2/phase of weak changes, and 3/phase of significant changes in the catchment. Additionally, to better understand the importance of the size of catchment and the size of the depositional basin in the evolution of the studied peatland ecosystem, we compared data from two peatlands – large and small – located close to each other. The results of our study indicated that “size matters,” and that larger peatlands are much more resilient and resistant to rapid changes occurring in the direct catchment due to human activities, whereas small peatlands are more sensitive and perfect as archives of environmental changes.
Wage theft in the United States: Towards new research agendas
Authors: Kim Joy Jeounghee , Allmang Skye
Published: July 2021

Wage theft – the nonpayment of employees’ wages and benefits by employers – is a violation of national, state, and local labour standards, yet it is prevalent in the low-wage labour market of the United States. Building upon the recent increase in attention to the wage theft problem through advocacy, policy, and research efforts, we contextualise the problem within the country’s deregulated neoliberal labour market. We then propose a conceptual framework to demonstrate how the problem occurs when the price of labour standards violation is low due to lax enforcement, and there is a high price of compliance due to ambiguous and increasingly outdated labour standards. We further evaluate extant federal, state, and local policy initiatives designed to curb wage theft by modernising outdated labour standards and strengthening their enforcement. Finally, we propose future research agendas, such as examining the effects of fissured employment relationships and the enforcement efforts of state and local anti-wage theft laws, to guide the development of effective policy interventions.

JEL Codes: J5, J8
Randomized Trial of Dilute Povidone-Iodine Soak and Scrub for Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery
Authors: Mehraban Nasima , Wakefield Connor , Rossi David , Lin Johnny , Lee Simon , Hamid Kamran S. , Bohl Daniel D.
Published: July 2021

Background:

There is no consensus as to which skin antiseptic solution is most effective at reducing infection following orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. The purpose of this study is to determine if the addition of a dilute povidone-iodine soak and scrub to a standard preparation with alcohol and chlorhexidine decreases positive bacterial culture rates from the hallux nailfold.

Methods:

In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, 242 subjects undergoing orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery were randomized to one of 2 groups. The control group received our standard 2-step skin antiseptic preparation of an alcohol scrub (step 1) followed by chlorhexidine/alcohol paint (step 2). The intervention group received a 3-minute dilute povidone-iodine soak and scrub followed by that same standard 2-step skin preparation. Immediately before skin incision, culture swabs were taken from the hallux nailfold of both groups.

Results:

Of the 257 subjects enrolled and randomized, 242 (94.2%) completed the study, satisfying the a priori sample size requirement of 242 subjects. There were no crossovers between groups. There were no differences in baseline characteristics between groups ( P > .05 for each). There was no difference in bacterial growth rates between groups (26.8% growth in the intervention group vs 26.9% growth in the control group, P = .991).

Conclusion:

The hallux nailfold is one of the most difficult to sterilize areas prior to orthopaedic foot and ankle surgery. This randomized controlled trail found no benefit to adding a 3-minute dilute povidone-iodine soak and scrub to a standard skin preparation with alcohol and chlorohexidine.

Level of Evidence:

Level I, randomized controlled trial.
Topography of the Anxious Self: Abnormal Rest-Task Modulation in Social Anxiety Disorder
Authors: Lucherini Angeletti Lorenzo , Scalabrini Andrea , Ricca Valdo , Northoff Georg
Published: July 2021

Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is characterized by social anxiety/fear, self-attention, and interoception. Functional magnetic resonance imaging studies demonstrate increased activity during symptom-sensitive tasks in regions of the default-mode network (DMN), amygdala (AMG), and salience network (SN). What is the source of this task-unspecific symptom-sensitive hyperactivity in DMN? We address this question by probing SAD resting state (rs) changes in DMN including their relation to other regions as possible source of task-unspecific hyperactivity in the same regions. Our findings show the following: (1) rs-hypoconnectivity within-DMN regions; (2) rs-hyperconnectivity between DMN and AMG/SN; (3) task-evoked hyperactivity in the abnormal rs-regions of DMN and AMG/SN during different symptom-sensitive tasks; (4) negative relationship of rest and task changes in especially anterior DMN regions as their rs-hypoconnectivity is accompanied by task-unspecific hyperactivity; (5) abnormal top-down/bottom-up modulation between anterior DMN regions and AMG during rest and task. Findings demonstrate that rs-hypoconnectivity among DMN regions is negatively related to task-unspecific hyperactivity in DMN and AMG/SN. We propose a model of “Topography of the Anxious Self” in SAD (TAS-SAD). Abnormal DMN-AMG/SN topography during rest, as trait feature of an “unstable social self”, is abnormally aggravated during SAD-sensitive situations resulting in task-related hyperactivity in the same regions with an “anxious self” as state feature.
Compassionate Interviewing: Meta-Communicating Care and Embracing Interruptions
Authors: Ellis Carolyn , Rawicki Jerry
Published: July 2021

In March 2018, researcher Carolyn Ellis video recorded a short interview session with participant Jerry Rawicki for the purpose of describing the relationship that developed between them during their 9-year research collaboration. An excerpt from this interview is available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dj6IZx5vzlk . The authors present this video excerpt, the edited conversation from it, and discussion of what took place to explore the role that compassion might play in an interview relationship. They also suggest that in compassionate interviews, interruptions might be characterized as opportunities to know and participate in the life of the interviewee, rather than viewed as disruptive. Representing the perspective of the researcher and participant, this article demonstrates how compassionate relationships happen in real-life situations.
Context Dependency as a Predictor of Replicability
Authors: Gollwitzer Mario , Schwabe Johannes
Published: July 2021

We scrutinize the argument that unsuccessful replications—and heterogeneous effect sizes more generally—may reflect an underappreciated influence of context characteristics. Notably, while some of these context characteristics may be conceptually irrelevant (as they merely affect psychometric properties of the measured/manipulated variables), others are conceptually relevant as they qualify a theory. Here, we present a conceptual and analytical framework that allows researchers to empirically estimate the extent to which effect size heterogeneity is due to conceptually relevant versus irrelevant context characteristics. According to this framework, contextual characteristics are conceptually relevant when the observed heterogeneity of effect sizes cannot be attributed to psychometric properties. As an illustrative example, we demonstrate that the observed heterogeneity of the “moral typecasting” effect, which had been included in the ManyLabs 2 replication project, is more likely attributable to conceptually relevant rather than irrelevant context characteristics, which suggests that the psychological theory behind this effect may need to be specified. In general, we argue that context dependency should be taken more seriously and treated more carefully by replication research.
A Systematic Review of Effectiveness of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation on Symptoms, Social Functions, and Neurobiological Variables in Schizophrenia
Authors: Hsu Mei-Chi , Ouyang Wen-Chen
Published: July 2021

Background:

Disturbance of lipid, particularly omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA), metabolism is associated with the etiology and symptoms of schizophrenia. Numerous clinical studies have tried to evaluate whether omega-3 PUFA supplementation can ameliorate the disorder, but the results are inconclusive.

Objectives:

This systematic review integrates and refines the research evidence of the effectiveness of omega-3 PUFA nutritional supplementation on schizophrenia during the different developmental phases of the disease (prodromal, first-episode, and chronic phases) and examines whether different developmental stages modulate the efficacy of omega-3 PUFA supplementation.

Data Sources:

Scientific articles from 2000 to 2020 in PubMed/Medline, Allied Health Literature, PsychINFO, and SCOPUS following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews guidelines.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed. We reviewed electronic databases and identified 1,266 clinical studies. Of these, 26 met the inclusion criteria.

Results:

The effectiveness of omega-3 dietary supplementation on symptoms varies among different phases of illness. Omega-3 supplementation significantly improves positive and negative symptoms at the prodromal phase, improves mainly the negative symptoms in patients with the first-episode, and effects symptoms partly in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Discussion:

The effectiveness of omega-3 PUFA dietary supplementation is modulated by age, duration of untreated psychosis and illness, baseline levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and status of antioxidant capacity of patients. The important implications for psychiatric research and clinical practice developments as well as nursing care are presented and discussed.
Role of Doppler ultrasonography in the evaluation of hemodialysis arteriovenous access maturation and influencing factors
Authors: Chytilova Eva , Jemcov Tamara , Malik Jan , Pajek Jernej , Fila Branko , Kavan Jan
Published: July 2021

The goal of vascular access creation is to achieve a functioning arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or arteriovenous graft (AVG). An autologous fistula has been shown to be superior to AVG or to central venous catheters (CVCs) with lowest rate of re-intervention, but vessel obstruction or immaturity accounts for 20 % to 54% of cases with primary failure of AVF. This review is focused on the factors influencing maturation; indication and timing of preoperative mapping/creation of vascular access; ultrasound parameters for creation AVF/AVG; early postoperative complications following creation of a vascular access; ultrasound determinants of fistula maturation and endovascular intervention in vascular access with maturation failure. However, vascular accesses that fail to develop, have a high incidence of correctable abnormalities, and these need to be promptly recognized by ultrasonography and managed effectively if a high success rate is to be expected. We review approaches to promoting fistula maturation and duplex ultrasonography (DUS) of evaluating vascular access maturation.
The moderated associations of self-compassion with physiological and psychological stress responses: Comparisons between cancer caregivers and non-caregivers
Authors: Wai Wa Chan Edward , Liang Li , Huinan Liu Nancy , Hou Wai-Kai
Published: July 2021

Self-compassion has been shown to be protective against stress. Whether its stress buffering effect differs between cancer caregivers and non-caregivers is unknown. This study examined the moderating effect of self-compassion among cancer caregivers relative to non-caregivers by recruiting cancer caregivers from the hospital and a community sample matching on sex and age. Participants completed a questionnaire which comprised the self-reported anxiety (STAI-6) and self-compassion (SCS-SF) measures, and administered cortisol sample collections with Salivette tubes at home. Whereas caregivers experienced higher diurnal cortisol level, the differential protective effects of self-compassion were only present against anxiety symptoms but not physiological stress.
Finite element analysis on eccentric compression of reinforced concrete columns strengthened by prestressed polyethylene terephthalate straps and angle steel
Authors: Si Jianhui , Chen Jiebin , Qiu Shixiong , Feng Shuyang , Guo Wenjing
Published: July 2021

To overcome the lagged strain and insufficient stiffness of conventional reinforced structures, this article proposes a reinforcement method realized by combining prestressed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) straps and angle steel. This combined reinforcement method relies on the active restraint force provided by the PET straps and the vertical bearing capacity provided by the angle steel to improve the bearing capacity and ductility of reinforced structures. This article introduces the experimental process applied to the combined reinforced columns. Thereafter, a finite element simulation model of the columns strengthened by prestressed PET straps and angle steel was established on the basis of the experiment. A plastic damage model was used for the concrete. An ideal elastoplastic model was used for the PET straps, angle steel, and steel bars. In the finite element simulation analysis, a multiparameter analysis was conducted on the eccentric distance, packaging distance, and packaging method. The research results showed that as the packing spacing of the PET straps decreases, the confinement area of the column increases, and the load-bearing capacity and ductility of the specimens increase to some extent. With the increase in the eccentricity, the increase in the bearing capacity of the combined reinforced column is less. Nevertheless, there is significant improvement in the ductility performance. Considering the economy and reinforcement effects, the mesh packing method produces the best results. This article introduces parameters such as the restraint stress of the PET straps and the utilization rate of the angle steel. A calculation formula for the small-eccentric bearing capacity of the combined reinforced column was established, providing a theoretical basis for engineering applications.
Profiling persons reported missing from hospitals versus mental health facilities
Authors: Ferguson Lorna
Published: July 2021

Missing person reports from hospitals and mental health facilities are a significant issue impacting patients, communities, and health and police sectors. Research on missing persons seldom considers the type of location from where people go missing, which can be troublesome due to the increased chances for experiencing harm during an episode from hospitals and mental health facilities. When location type is studied, these often remarkably different places are frequently blended together in analyses and discussions. This conflation has implications for research and the development of effective police preventive responses. To begin to address this gap, this study uses descriptive analysis and logistic regression to examine the descriptive and predictive profiles of those reported missing from hospitals versus those reported missing from mental health units. For this, data are taken from a sample of 916 closed missing person cases reported to a Canadian municipal police service over five years. Results suggest there are significant differences in both the descriptive and predictive profiles of individuals reported missing from these two location types, such as individuals with varying mental health and cognitive issues going missing from each place, respectively. Given the findings, the implications for research, policing, and risk management are discussed.
Probability-based diagnostic imaging with corrected weight distribution for damage detection of stiffened composite panel
Authors: Liu Guoqiang , Wang Binwen , Wang Li , Yang Yu , Wang Xiaguang
Published: July 2021

Due to no requirement for direct interpretation of the guided wave signal, probability-based diagnostic imaging (PDI) algorithm is especially suitable for damage identification of complex composite structures. However, the weight distribution function of PDI algorithm is relatively inaccurate. It can reduce the damage localization accuracy. In order to improve the damage localization accuracy, an improved PDI algorithm is proposed. In the proposed algorithm, the weight distribution function is corrected by the acquired relative distances from defects to all actuator–sensor pairs and the reduction of the weight distribution areas. The validity of the proposed algorithm is assessed by identifying damages at different locations on a stiffened composite panel. The results show that the proposed algorithm can identify damage of a stiffened composite panel accurately.
Cerebral microbleeds development after stroke thrombolysis: A secondary analysis of the THAWS randomized clinical trial
Authors: Miwa Kaori , Koga Masatoshi , Inoue Manabu , Yoshimura Sohei , Sasaki Makoto , Yakushiji Yusuke , Fukuda-Doi Mayumi , Okada Yasushi , Nakase Taizen , Ihara Masafumi , Nagakane Yoshinari , Takizawa Shunya , Asakura Koko , Aoki Junya , Kimura Kazumi , Yamamoto Haruko , Toyoda Kazunori
Published: July 2021

Background and aim

We determined to investigate the incidence and clinical impact of new cerebral microbleeds after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute stroke.

Methods

The THAWS was a multicenter, randomized trial to study the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase in patients with wake-up stroke or unknown onset stroke. Prescheduled T2*-weighted imaging assessed cerebral microbleeds at three time points: baseline, 22–36 h, and 7–14 days. Outcomes included new cerebral microbleeds development, modified Rankin Scale (mRS) ≥3 at 90 days, and change in the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score from 24 h to 7 days.

Results

Of all 131 patients randomized in the THAWS trial, 113 patients (mean 74.3 ± 12.6 years, 50 female, 62 allocated to intravenous thrombolysis) were available for analysis. Overall, 46 (41%) had baseline cerebral microbleeds (15 strictly lobar cerebral microbleeds, 14 mixed cerebral microbleeds, and 17 deep cerebral microbleeds). New cerebral microbleeds only emerged in the intravenous thrombolysis group (seven patients, 11%) within a median of 28.3 h, and did not additionally increase within a median of 7.35 days. In adjusted models, number of cerebral microbleeds (relative risk (RR) 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17–1.44), mixed distribution (RR 19.2, 95% CI: 3.94–93.7), and cerebral microbleeds burden ≥5 (RR 44.9, 95% CI: 5.78–349.8) were associated with new cerebral microbleeds. New cerebral microbleeds were associated with an increase in NIHSS score ( p = 0.023). Treatment with alteplase in patients with baseline ≥5 cerebral microbleeds resulted in a numerical shift toward worse outcomes on ordinal mRS (median [IQR]; 4 [3–4] vs. 0 [0–3]), compared with those with <5 cerebral microbleeds (common odds ratio 17.1, 95% CI: 0.76–382.8). The association of baseline ≥5 cerebral microbleeds with ordinal mRS score differed according to the treatment group ( p interaction = 0.042).

Conclusion

New cerebral microbleeds developed within 36 h in 11% of the patients after intravenous thrombolysis, and they were significantly associated with mixed-distribution and ≥5 cerebral microbleeds. New cerebral microbleeds development might impede neurological improvement. Furthermore, cerebral microbleeds burden might affect the effect of alteplase.