bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Echocardiographic Detection of Occult Diastolic Dysfunction in Pulmonary Hypertension After Fluid Challenge
Authors: Agrawal Vineet , D'Alto Michele , Naeije Robert , Romeo Emanuele , Xu Meng , Assad Tufik R. , Robbins Ivan M. , Newman John H. , Pugh Meredith E. , Hemnes Anna R. , Brittain Evan L.
Published: August 2019

Background

Identification of occult diastolic dysfunction often requires invasive right heart catheterization with provocative maneuvers such as fluid challenge. Non‐invasive predictors of occult diastolic dysfunction have not been identified. We hypothesized that echocardiographic measures of diastolic function are associated with occult diastolic dysfunction identified at catheterization.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively examined hemodynamic and echocardiographic data from consecutive patients referred for right heart catheterization with fluid challenge from 2009 to 2017. A replication cohort of 52 patients who prospectively underwent simultaneous echocardiography and right heart catheterization before and after fluid challenge at Monaldi Hospital, Naples, Italy. In the retrospective cohort of 126 patients (83% female, 56+14 years), 27/126 (21%) had occult diastolic dysfunction. After adjusting for tricuspid regurgitant velocity and left atrial volume index, E velocity (odds ratio 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9,P=0.01) and E/e′ (odds ratio 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3,P=0.005) were associated with occult diastolic dysfunction with an optimal threshold of E/e′ >8.6 for occult diastolic dysfunction (sensitivity 70%, specificity 64%). In the prospective cohort, 5/52 (10%) patients had diastolic dysfunction after fluid challenge. Resting E/e′ (odds ratio 8.75, 95% CI 2.3–33,P=0.001) and E velocity (odds ratio 7.7, 95% CI 2–29,P=0.003) remained associated with occult diastolic dysfunction with optimal threshold of E/e′ >8 (sensitivity 73%, specificity 90%).

Conclusions

Among patients referred for right heart catheterization with fluid challenge, E velocity and E/e′ are associated with occult diastolic dysfunction after fluid challenge. These findings suggest that routine echocardiographic measurements may help identify patients like to have occult diastolic dysfunction non‐invasively.
Tissue‐Specific Metabolic Profiles After Prolonged Cardiac Arrest Reveal Brain Metabolome Dysfunction Predominantly After Resuscitation
Authors: Choi Jaewoo , Shoaib Muhammad , Yin Tai , Nayyar Gautam , Shinozaki Koichiro , Stevens Jan F. , Becker Lance B. , Kim Junhwan
Published: August 2019

Background

Cardiac arrest (CA) has been a leading cause of death for many decades. Despite years of research, we still do not understand how each organ responds to the reintroduction of blood flow after prolonged CA. Following changes in metabolites of individual organs after CA and resuscitation gives context to the efficiency and limitations of current resuscitation protocols.

Methods and Results

Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were arbitrarily assigned into 3 groups: control, 20 minutes of CA, or 20 minutes of CA followed by 30 minutes of cardiopulmonary bypass resuscitation. The rats were euthanized by decapitation to harvest brain, heart, kidney, and liver tissues. The obtained tissue samples were analyzed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–high‐accuracy mass spectrometry for comprehensive metabolomics evaluation. After resuscitation, the brain showed decreased glycolysis metabolites and fatty acids and increased amino acids compared with control. Similarly, the heart displayed alterations mostly in amino acids. The kidney showed decreased amino acid and fatty acid pools with severely increased tricarboxylic acid cycle metabolites following resuscitation, while the liver showed minimal alterations with slight changes in the lipid pool. Each tissue has a distinct pattern of metabolite changes after ischemia/reperfusion. Furthermore, resuscitation worsens the metabolic dysregulation in the brain and kidney, while it normalizes metabolism in the heart.

Conclusions

Developing metabolic profiles using a global metabolome analysis identifies the variable nature of metabolites in individual organs after CA and reperfusion, establishing a stark contrast between the normalized heart and liver and the exacerbated brain and kidney, only after the reestablishment of blood circulation.
Five‐Year Change in the Renal Function After Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Park Je‐Wook , Yang Pil‐Sung , Bae Han‐Joon , Yang Song‐Yi , Yu Hee Tae , Kim Tae‐Hoon , Uhm Jae‐Sun , Joung Boyoung , Lee Moon‐Hyoung , Pak Hui‐Nam
Published: August 2019

Background

Although it has been reported that renal function can improve after catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (
AF
), long‐term changes in renal function and its relationship to rhythm outcomes have not yet been evaluated. We explored the 5‐year change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (
eGFR
) in
AF
patients depending on medical therapy and catheter ablation.

Methods and Results

Among 1963 patients who underwent
AF
catheter ablation and 14 056 with
AF
under medical therapy in the National Health Insurance Service database, we compared 571 with
AF
catheter ablation (59±10 years old, 72.3% male, and 66.5% paroxysmal
AF
) and 1713 with medical therapy after 1:3 propensity‐score matching. All participants had 5 years of serial
eGFR
data (Chronic Kidney Disease‐Epidemiology Collaboration [
CKD
‐
EPI
] method). Catheter ablation improved
eGFR
5 yrs
(
P
<0.001), but medical therapy did not. In 2284 matched patients, age (adjusted odds ratio [
OR
], 0.98 [0.97–0.99];
P
<0.001) and
AF
catheter ablation (adjusted
OR
, 2.02 [1.67–2.46];
P
<0.001) were independently associated with an improved
eGFR
5 yrs
. Among 571 patients who underwent
AF
ablation, freedom from
AF
/atrial tachycardia recurrence after the last
AF
ablation procedure was independently associated with an improved
eGFR
5 yrs
(adjusted
OR
, 1.44 [1.01–2.04];
P
=0.043), especially in patients without diabetes mellitus (adjusted
OR
, 1.78 [1.21–2.63];
P
=0.003,
P
for interaction=0.012). Although underlying renal dysfunction (<60 mL/min/1.73m
2
) was associated with atrial structural remodeling (adjusted
OR
, 1.05 [1.00–1.11];
P
=0.046), it did not affect the
AF
ablation rhythm outcome.

Conclusions

AF
catheter ablation significantly improved renal function over a 5‐year follow‐up, especially in patients maintaining sinus rhythm without preexisting diabetes mellitus.
Frailty Among Older Adults With Acute Myocardial Infarction and Outcomes From Percutaneous Coronary Interventions
Authors: Damluji Abdulla A. , Huang Jin , Bandeen‐Roche Karen , Forman Daniel E. , Gerstenblith Gary , Moscucci Mauro , Resar Jon R. , Varadhan Ravi , Walston Jeremy D. , Segal Jodi B.
Published: August 2019

Background

Frailty is a predictor of adverse outcomes after acute myocardial infarction (
AMI
).

Methods and Results

We estimated the prevalence of frailty among adults age ≥75 years admitted with
AMI
and examined the relationship between frailty, interventions, and mortality. We used the Premier Healthcare Database to identify older adults with primary diagnoses of
AMI
. We classified individuals as frail or not using the validated Claims‐based Frailty Index. We described patients’ characteristics and receipt of percutaneous coronary intervention stratified by frailty status. The primary outcome was hospital mortality. From 2000 to 2016, we identified 469 390 encounters for older patients admitted with
AMI
. The median age was 82 years, 53% were women, and 75% were white. The prevalence of frailty was 19%. Frail patients were less likely to receive percutaneous coronary intervention than nonfrail (15% versus 33%,
P
<0.001) and much less likely to receive coronary artery bypass surgery (1% versus 9%,
P
<0.001). There were far fewer interventions in individuals over age 85 years. Frailty was associated with higher mortality during
AMI
admission (unadjusted odds ratio [
OR
] 1.43,
CI
1.39–1.46). While there was a differential benefit of the interventions because of frailty, frail patients had reduced hospital mortality with percutaneous coronary intervention (frail:
OR
0.59,
CI
0.55–0.63; nonfrail:
OR
0.49,
CI
0.47–0.50,
P
for interaction <0.001) and with coronary artery bypass surgery (frail:
OR
0.77,
CI
0.65–0.93; nonfrail:
OR
0.74,
CI
0.71–0.77,
P
for interaction <0.001) relative to no intervention.

Conclusions

In the United States, frailty is common among older patients admitted with
AMI
. While these vulnerable patients are at an increased risk for mortality, judicial use of revascularization with percutaneous coronary intervention in frail older patients still confers immediate survival benefit.
The diet of a forest-dependent frog species, Odorrana morafkai (Anura: Ranidae), in relation to habitat disturbance
Authors: Le Duong Thi Thuy , Rowley Jodi J.L. , Tran Dao Thi Anh , Hoang Huy Duc
Published: August 2019

While deforestation is one of the greatest drivers of biodiversity loss, our understanding of the effects of habitat modification on species is limited. We investigated the diet of a forest-dwelling frog species, Morafka’s frog (Odorrana morafkai), in a highland forest in Vietnam in relation to habitat disturbance, sex and season. We surveyed the species at 45 sites in forest of varying disturbance and examined its diet using stomach flushing, estimating prey availability via trapping. We detected significantly fewer O. morafkai in highly disturbed habitats compared to moderately disturbed or non-disturbed habitats. We revealed that O. morafkai is a dietary generalist, identifying 28 prey types, primarily invertebrates. Prey composition, the number of prey items per stomach and prey volume per stomach did not vary between disturbance levels. Diet did not vary significantly between sexes, except that females had a higher prey volume. Prey composition in the species varied between seasons, with Coleoptera and Orthoptera dominating the diet in the rainy season and Lepidoptera in the dry season. The number of prey items per stomach and prey volume were significantly higher in the rainy season. There was a significant correlation between prey availability and diet composition. The low number of O. morafkai detected in highly disturbed habitats suggests that this habitat may not be optimal for the species, despite having a generalist feeding strategy and presumed high mobility. This study provides a window into the impact of an increasing threat, habitat disturbance, on forest-dependent amphibian species.
It’s Not mana, It’s High Gods!
Authors: Larsson Göran
Published: August 2019

In this short review and debate article I use Nicolas Meylan’s Mana: A History of a Western Category as a starting point for discussing the Swedish historian of religions Geo Widengren (1907-1996) and his theory of the so-called High God. Resembling mana, the High God theory is a second-order concept that is used to explain the origin of religion in the history of humankind.
Evaluation of a Hospital Pharmacist Annual Competency Program
Authors: French Nathan , Giuliano Christopher , Dehoorne-Smith Michelle
Published: August 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this project was to evaluate a pharmacist annual competency evaluation (PACE) program for pharmacists at a single site. The results of this evaluation will be utilized to understand the effectiveness of PACE and provide suggestions for programmatic improvement. Methods: The primary outcome of this study was to evaluate the change in pharmacist composite self-efficacy (PSE) scores before and 1 month after the PACE program. The composite score was composed of self-efficacy related to 5 different clinical tasks. The 5 tasks selected were advanced cardiac life support, chemotherapy, dofetilide, patient-controlled analgesia pump, and alteplase (tPA). Secondary outcomes included evaluating each component of the composite score at 1 month, changes in composite score and components at 1 year, and changes in the generalized self-efficacy (GSE) survey at 1 month. Last, themes were identified from a feedback questionnaire after completion of PACE. Results: For the primary endpoint, PSE composite scores increased by 12.6% from pre-PACE to post-PACE at 1 month (79.6 ± 12.2 vs 89.7 ± 5.8; P < .001). All components of the composite PSE score showed a statistically significant improvement from baseline to 1 month. At 1 year, tPA was the only clinical task that was statistically different from baseline. GSE scores increased by 11.4% from pre-PACE to post-PACE (31.6 ± 3.6 vs 35.4 ± 2.8). No pharmacists required remediation. Conclusion: The competency assessment program led to improvements in pharmacist self-efficacy in dealing with low-volume, high-risk clinical pharmacy tasks. Future studies could assess various forms of competency assessment and timing of these programs to determine the most effective way to ensure pharmacist competency.
Training and Diffusion of Change: The Impact of Training and Proactivity on Change-Related Advice Giving
Authors: Kim Byeong Jo , Rousseau Denise M. , Tomprou Maria
Published: August 2019

This study investigates the effects of organizational change–related training on the diffusion of change through the employee advice network. It also examines the contribution of employee proactivity to the effects of that training. We compare trainees ( N = 46) and nontrained peers ( N = 47) doing similar work at pre- and posttest to examine how training and individual proactivity contribute to the change process. Results indicate that training is associated with increased change-related knowledge and skills and greater change-related advice giving (i.e., in-degree centrality). Additionally, proactivity is positively related to change-related advice giving and seeking (i.e., in- and out-degree centrality). Our findings also show that the effect of training on change-related advice giving is stronger for more proactive trainees than less proactive ones. We discuss our study’s theoretical and practical implications for both organizational change and employee proactivity.
Racial/Ethnic Disparities in the Decision Points of Mental Health Service Use and Psychotropic Medication Receipt Among Depressed Youth
Authors: Zhang Saijun , Cain Daphne S. , Liao Minli
Published: August 2019

Depression has been increasing rapidly and is prevalent among youth. Inadequate mental health service utilization for youth and relevant racial/ethnic disparities are a growing concern. The current study used a nationally representative database to examine racial/ethnic disparities in youth depression prevalence, mental health services utilization, and psychotropic medication receipt. The sequential examination shows that depressed minority youth (22%-30%) were not only much less likely to use specialty mental health services than depressed Caucasian and multiracial youth (40%-43%, p < .001), they were also much less likely to receive psychotropic medications (22%-30%) than their Caucasian and multiracial counterparts (38%-44%, p = .048 to <.001) when using specialty mental health services. The findings reveal possibly two levels of racial/ethnic disparities at the decision points of accessing specialty mental health services and subsequent treatment methods choice. Implications for mental health policies and practices are also discussed.
Approaching the religious psychiatric patient in a secular country: Does “subalternalizing” religious patients mean they do not exist?
Authors: Nissen Ricko Damberg , Gildberg Frederik Alkier , Hvidt Niels Christian
Published: August 2019

This article presents the findings of an empirical research project on how psychiatrists in a secular country (Denmark) approach the religious patients, and how the individual worldview of the psychiatrist influences this approach. The study is based on 22 interviews with certified psychiatrists or physicians in psychiatric residency. The article presents the theoretical and methodical grounding and introduces the analytical construct “subalternalizing,” derived from subaltern studies. “Subalternalizing” designates a process where a trait in one worldview (patient) is marginalized as a consequence of another worldview’s (psychiatrist) “disinterest.” The analysis located four categories: (a) religion as a negative part of the patient story, (b) religion as a positive part of the patient story, (c) religion in relation to radicalization, and (d) there are no religious patients. The discussion shows that the approach is influenced by the psychiatrist worldview. Examples of “subalternalizing” are given and how this excludes “positive religious coping” and “existential and spiritual care” from treatment.
Teaching About Nonmedical Use of Prescription Drugs Among College Students
Authors: Hoyer Dennis , Correia Christopher J.
Published: August 2019

The misuse of prescription medications has emerged as a national public health concern. Epidemiological studies suggest that college students are at an elevated risk to engage in nonmedical use of several medications, including stimulants and central nervous system depressants. Teachers can easily integrate material related to the nonmedical use of prescription drugs (NMUPD) into undergraduate psychology and statistics courses. Presenting this information provides an opportunity for teachers to address fundamental topics in ways that students tend to find interesting and personally relevant. We use this article to introduce a definition of NMUPD, present statistics on prevalence and a wide range of physical and psychological correlates among college students, and discuss risk and protective factors and motives for use. We also present a number of concrete examples of how teachers can use the material to illustrate basic concepts often included in statistics, research methods, and other psychology courses.
Number of Siblings in Childhood, Social Outcomes in Adulthood
Authors: Merry Joseph J. , Bobbitt-Zeher Donna , Downey Douglas B.
Published: August 2019

In many parts of the world, fertility has declined in important ways in the past century. What are the consequences of this demographic change? Our study expands the empirical basis for understanding the relationship between number of siblings in childhood and social outcomes among adults. An important recent study found that for each additional sibling an individual grows up with, the likelihood of divorce as an adult declines by 3%. We expand this work by (a) determining whether the original pattern replicates in the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health and (b) extending the analysis beyond divorce to consider whether growing up with siblings is related to prosocial adult behaviors (relationships with parents, friends, and views on conflict management with one’s partner). Our results confirm a negative association between number of siblings and divorce in adulthood. We find mixed results related to other prosocial adult behaviors.
Optimal Design of Cluster- and Multisite-Randomized Studies Using Fallible Outcome Measures
Authors: Cox Kyle , Kelcey Benjamin
Published: August 2019

Background:

Evaluation studies frequently draw on fallible outcomes that contain significant measurement error. Ignoring outcome measurement error in the planning stages can undermine the sufficiency and efficiency of an otherwise well-designed study and can further constrain the evidence studies bring to bear on the effectiveness of programs.

Objectives:

We develop simple formulas to adjust statistical power, minimum detectable effect (MDE), and optimal sample allocation formulas for two-level cluster- and multisite-randomized designs when the outcome is subject to measurement error.

Results:

The resulting adjusted formulas suggest that outcome measurement error typically amplifies treatment effect uncertainty, reduces power, increases the MDE, and undermines the efficiency of conventional optimal sampling schemes. Therefore, achieving adequate power for a given effect size will typically demand increased sample sizes when considering fallible outcomes, while maintaining design efficiency will require increasing portions of a budget be applied toward sampling a larger number of individuals within clusters. We illustrate evaluation planning with the new formulas while comparing them to conventional formulas using hypothetical examples based on recent empirical studies. To encourage adoption of the new formulas, we implement them in the R package PowerUpR and in the PowerUp software.
Examining Potential Psychosocial Mediators in a Physical Activity Intervention for Older Adults
Authors: McMahon Siobhan K , Lewis Beth , Oakes J Michael , Wyman Jean F , Guan Weihua , Rothman Alexander J
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this study was to examine psychosocial constructs targeted as potential mediators in a prior physical activity (PA) intervention study. This secondary analysis used data from 102 older adults randomized to one of four conditions—within a 2 (Interpersonal Strategies: yes, no) x 2 (Intrapersonal Strategies: yes, no) factorial design. We tested intervention effects on social support, self-efficacy, self-regulation, and goal attainment, and whether these constructs mediated intervention effects on PA. Participants who received interventions with interpersonal strategies, compared to those who did not, increased their readiness (post-intervention), the self-regulation subscale of self-assessment, and goal attainment (post-intervention, 6-months). Participants who received interventions with intrapersonal strategies, compared to those who did not, increased their social support from family (post-intervention). There was no statistically significant mediation. To understand mechanisms through which interventions increase older adults’ PA and to improve intervention effectiveness, researchers should continue to examine potential psychosocial mediators.

Clinical Trial Registry: NCT02433249.
Congregants and Citizens: Religion and Naturalization among US Immigrants
Authors: Manglos-Weber Nicolette D.
Published: August 2019

Scholars and pundits have long debated whether religion helps new immigrants integrate politically in the United States. Those who see religion as an integrative institution cite the country’s history of vibrant religious congregationalism that supports connections between the native and foreign born, while critics point to anti-immigrant hostility, Christian nationalism, and patterns of religious membership that can reinforce social segregation. This article aims to adjudicate this debate, using a large sample of survey data, the New Immigrant Survey (NIS), fielded among new legal residents in 2003/2004. I find that religious membership is associated with increased probability of naturalizing in a short (3.5–7 years) timeframe and is stronger for those with greater human capital and income and longer tenure in the United States. Involvement in US-origin congregations also exhibits a stronger effect on naturalization than involvement in national-origin congregations. Additionally, I find that religious minorities, though less likely to be members of congregations, are independently more likely than Christian immigrants to naturalize in the same timeframe. These results are interpreted as support for a view of organized religion as a setting for American identity formation and a basis for mobilizing resources in response to anti-immigrant sentiment. For certain groups, organized religion seems to support a type of selective acculturation that combines American citizenship with the establishment and/or retention of a distinct ethno-religious identity. The article thus affirms, with caveats, the broader relevance of a long tradition of ethnographic scholarship on immigrant religion in the United States.
Is That How You Should Talk to Her? Using Appropriate Prosody Affects Adults’, But Not Children’s, Judgments of Communicators’ Competence
Authors: Varghese Anisha L. , Nilsen Elizabeth S.
Published: August 2019

Two studies explored whether the appropriateness of a speaker’s prosodic style (i.e., pitch, volume, speech rate) affects observers’ judgments of speakers’ and listeners’ competence. Adults and school-aged children watched videos of speakers addressing a listener using prosodic styles that were either appropriate (e.g., adult-directed for an adult listener) or inappropriate (e.g., child-directed for an adult listener). Adults, but not children, awarded higher ratings in some domains of communicative competence to speakers and listeners when a speaker used appropriate prosodic styles.
Is anybody listening? The nature of second language listening in integrated listening-to-summarize tasks
Authors: Rukthong Anchana , Brunfaut Tineke
Published: August 2019

Integrated test tasks, such as listening-to-speak or reading-to-write, are increasingly used in second language assessment despite relatively limited empirical insights into what they assess. Most research on integrated tasks has primarily focused on the productive skills involved; studies exploring the receptive skills mostly investigated tasks with reading input. Little is known about the nature of listening comprehension in integrated listening-to-write or listening-to-speak tasks. This study therefore investigates the listening construct underlying integrated tasks with oral input and its effect on summary accuracy. Eight listening-to-summarize tasks (four listening-to-speak, four listening-to-write) were administered to 72 Thai-L1, English-L2 students. Sixty participants provided their views on sources of listening difficulty through post-task questionnaires. Twelve participants produced stimulated recalls on their listening comprehension processing. The analyses of the recalls, combined with participants’ listening notes and oral/written summaries, revealed participants’ use of several cognitive listening processes and their monitoring through (meta)cognitive strategies, functioning interactively and interdependently in complex ways. The use of listening processes and strategies varied between tasks with different listening inputs, partly owing to differences in the passages’ linguistic difficulty (as perceived by the participants). However, the successful application of these processes and strategies (and their combinations) proved to be a prerequisite for producing accurate summaries.
Detection and decontamination of Mycobacterium chimaera and other non-tuberculosis mycobacteria in heater–cooler devices used in cardiopulmonary bypass: a Manufacturer and National guidelines summary, and a potential resolution to the problem requiring further investigation
Authors: Casini Beatrice , Tuvo Benedetta , Totaro Michele , Baggiani Angelo , Privitera Gaetano
Published: August 2019

Since 2011, invasive infections due to Mycobacterium chimaera have been diagnosed in patients with previous cardiac surgery. The use of heating/cooling devices (heater–cooler units), necessary to regulate the blood temperature in extra-corporeal circulation, has been identified as a source of contaminated aerosol. Adhering to a strict maintenance program according to the manufacturer’s instructions for use including sanitizing is essential to reduce the risk. Current manufacturer guidelines and national recommendations for detection and decontamination of Mycobacterium chimaera and other non-tuberculosis mycobacteria should organically update units’ policies and protocols as they are published.
Visualizing social support in home pediatric palliative care using network maps
Authors: Lindemann Daniela , Borasio Gian Domenico , Führer Monika , Wasner Maria
Published: August 2019

Background:

Home care of children with life-limiting diseases is extremely challenging for parents/family caregivers and their social environment. In order to gain new insights into the perspective of family caregivers, we employed digital Network Maps for the first time in the field of pediatric palliative care.

Aim:

To examine whether the use of Network Maps helps to identify and visualize significant members of the social support system and the quality of the relationship, as well as the main areas of life that are experienced as being supportive by each individual.

Design:

The design was an integrated mixed methods study. Creation of Network Maps was assessed in conjunction with qualitative interviews. In addition, participants gave an oral feedback on the Network Maps themselves.

Setting/participants:

Parents of patients supported by a Specialized Home Pediatric Palliative Care team were eligible for inclusion. Forty-five parents were enrolled in the study.

Results:

All mothers and fathers were able to generate their individual Network Map without problems. The composition of the support systems differed greatly, even between members of the same family. Parents named on average 11 supporting actors, mainly family members and health care professionals. Some relationships were perceived as helpful and stressful at the same time.

Conclusion:

Network Maps appear to be an appropriate tool for the collection, reconstruction, and assessment of the current support situation of parents of dying children. Further studies should examine the usefulness of Network Maps for the understanding of the caregivers’ support needs and for the development of psychosocial interventional strategies by pediatric palliative care teams.
Model-based online learning and adaptive control for a “human-wearable soft robot” integrated system
Authors: Tang Zhi Qiang , Heung Ho Lam , Tong Kai Yu , Li Zheng
Published: August 2019

Soft robots are considered intrinsically safe with regard to human–robot interaction. This has motivated the development and investigation of soft medical robots, such as soft robotic gloves for stroke rehabilitation. However, the output force of conventional purely soft actuators is usually limited. This restricts their application in stroke rehabilitation, which requires a large force and bidirectional movement. In addition, accurate control of soft actuators is difficult owing to the nonlinearity of purely soft actuators. In this study, a soft robotic glove is designed based on a soft-elastic composite actuator (SECA) that integrates an elastic torque compensating layer to increase the output force as well as achieving bidirectional movement. Such a hybrid design also significantly reduces the degree of nonlinearity compared with a purely soft actuator. A model-based online learning and adaptive control algorithm is proposed for the wearable soft robotic glove, taking its interaction environment into account, namely, the human hand/finger. The designed hybrid controller enables the soft robotic glove to adapt to different hand conditions for reference tracking. Experimental results show that satisfactory tracking performance can be achieved on both healthy subjects and stroke subjects (with the tracking root mean square error (RMSE) < 0.05 rad). Meanwhile, the controller can output an actuator–finger model for each individual subject (with the learning error RMSE < 0.06 rad), which provides information on the condition of the finger and, thus, has further potential clinical application.
Virtual Faces Evoke Only a Weak Uncanny Valley Effect: An Empirical Investigation With Controlled Virtual Face Images
Authors: Kätsyri Jari , de Gelder Beatrice , Takala Tapio
Published: August 2019

The uncanny valley (UV) hypothesis suggests that increasingly human-like robots or virtual characters elicit more familiarity in their observers (positive affinity) with the exception of near-human characters that elicit strong feelings of eeriness (negative affinity). We studied this hypothesis in three experiments with carefully matched images of virtual faces varying from artificial to realistic. We investigated both painted and computer-generated (CG) faces to tap a broad range of human-likeness and to test whether CG faces would be particularly sensitive to the UV effect. Overall, we observed a linear relationship with a slight upward curvature between human-likeness and affinity. In other words, less realistic faces triggered greater eeriness in an accelerating manner. We also observed a weak UV effect for CG faces; however, least human-like faces elicited much more negative affinity in comparison. We conclude that although CG faces elicit a weak UV effect, this effect is not fully analogous to the original UV hypothesis. Instead, the subjective evaluation curve for face images resembles an uncanny slope more than a UV. Based on our results, we also argue that subjective affinity should be contrasted against subjective rather than objective measures of human-likeness when testing UV.
Identification of Primary Facial Emotions in Relation to Level of Self-Criticism
Authors: Strnádelová Bronislava , Halamová Júlia , Kanovský Martin
Published: August 2019

The study analyzes the relationship between level of self-criticism and success in recognizing six primary emotions and neutral emotion in photographs from the Umeå University Database of Facial Expressions. The 134 participants were recruited from the general community using availability criteria. They completed the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale and a facial-emotion recognition task, writing down their identified emotion in open format. Bayesian multilevel model was used to model the probability of success on the facial-emotion recognition task. The results showed that a higher Inadequate Self score is a good positive predictor of success on the facial-emotion recognition task, while a higher Hated Self score is a good but negative predictor of success. Our results indicate that it is meaningful to distinguish between Hated Self and Inadequate Self on the Forms of Self-Criticising/Attacking & Self-Reassuring Scale. Moreover, this difference could be, if supported in future studies, used for diagnosing pathologically self-critical people or for planning treatment and interventions for highly self-critical people.
Discrimination Between Individual Body Odors Is Unaffected by Perfume
Authors: Gaby Jessica M. , Dalton Pamela
Published: August 2019

Body odor conveys personal information and is important in social evaluations and bonding. As most body odor research uses samples devoid of exogenous fragrances, we asked whether fragrances interact with body odor to change social olfactory information. We investigated whether (a) aversive conditioning could induce learned responses to individual body odors, (b) the addition of perfume worn by the odor donor alters this effect, and (c) this conditioned response affects the interpretation of visual information. Participants underwent classical (electric shock) conditioning with perfumed or unperfumed body odors as stimuli. During acquisition phase, we monitored galvanic skin response. After conditioning, participants rated the emotions of neutral faces in the presence of both conditioned and control odors. Increased galvanic skin response activity when smelling the conditioned odor on unshocked trials ( p = .041) suggested successful conditioning. We found no differences in conditioning success between perfumed and unperfumed body odors, suggesting that perfume does not mask individual differences. Participants perceived neutral faces as more surprised when smelling the conditioned odor ( p = .001), suggesting that olfactory stimuli may modify social perception in other modalities. Sharing emotional experiences with another individual, necessarily in the presence of their body odor, may affect future interactions with and assessments of that person.
The Sibling Effect for Delinquency: Mediation by Proactive Criminal Thinking and Moderation by Age
Authors: Walters Glenn D.
Published: August 2019

This study tested whether the sibling delinquency effect, like the peer influence effect, is mediated by proactive (planned, calculated, and amoral) criminal thinking. Youth who completed the Offending, Crime and Justice Survey (OCJS) and had a sibling living at home were divided into an early adolescent subsample ( n = 795) and a mid-adolescent subsample ( n = 532) after it was determined that age moderated the effect of sibling delinquency on proactive criminal thinking and serious offending. The results of a causal mediation analysis revealed a significant pathway running from sibling delinquency at Wave 1, to proactive criminal thinking at Wave 2, to serious offending at Wave 3, but only in the early adolescent subsample. These results suggest that the sibling delinquency effect may be the result of learning proactive criminal thinking in association with a delinquent sibling while still an early adolescent.
Pyrolytic preparation and modification of carbon black recovered from waste tyres
Authors: Zhong Ruipeng , Xu Jinjia , Hui David , Bhosale Sanjana S. , Hong Ruoyu
Published: August 2019

The medium temperature pyrolysis process using a fixed-bed reactor at atmospheric pressure was utilised to recover carbon black from motorcycle and automobile tyres. Experimental results have shown that the ash and volatile contents of several recovered carbon blacks are high, the elongation at break of the vulcanised natural rubber filled with recovered carbon blacks from motorcycle tyres is better than that from motorcycle tyres and standard carbon black 7#, while the other mechanical properties are worse. In order to improve the reinforcing effect of recovered carbon blacks, the modification of recovered carbon black was performed by high-energy electron bombardment and non-oxidising acid. The specific surface area of the pyrolytic carbon blacks increased after high-energy electron bombardment. The ash content of the pyrolytic carbon black was reduced from 22.5% to 8.4% after rinsing with hydrochloric acid, and the tensile stress at 300% was increased by about 2.2 MPa.
Music, Movement, and Mind: Use of Drumming to Improve Strength, Balance, Proprioception, Stamina, Coordination, and Emotional Status in a 12-Year-Old With Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum: A Case Study
Authors: Spak David , Card Elizabeth
Published: August 2019

The purpose of this article is to report a case study of the effect of therapeutic drumming on motor, communication skills, and behavior of a preteen diagnosed with agenesis of the corpus callosum. This 12-year-old participated in 30- to 45-minute weekly sessions over a 12-month period in which rudimentary drumming exercises were used to analyze and then measure any changes in equilibrium reactions, postural transfers, and trunk control. Measurable documentation evidenced marked improvement in motor skills while suggesting communication and behavioral improvement. The findings support the theory that therapeutic drumming would benefit preteens with agenesis of the corpus callosum, which provides promising evidence to other neurologic developmental diagnoses and therefore indicates a need for further research. While the therapeutic nature of music is well documented, how the listener participates can influence the effect of the music. For example, passive music listening can improve pain or anxiety, however, active music listening with expected intentional action may improve physical, mental, behavioral, and spiritual healing. Active music listening could be a valuable holistic nursing intervention.
The priceless child talks back: How working children respond to global norms against child labor
Authors: Jijon Isabel
Published: August 2019

This article examines how working children understand the morality of child labor. Drawing on interviews with children in Bolivia and Ecuador, I find that children call child labor moral when it helps them manage their social ties. Working children do not think of themselves as individuals needing care (per international organizations like the International Labor Organization) or as a cultural group needing recognition (per the “working children’s movements”). Rather, children describe themselves as morally upright members of intimate networks. I conclude by introducing the concept of relational dignity.
Gain-scheduled H∞ controller synthesis for actively steered longer and heavier commercial vehicles
Authors: Sadeghi Kati Maliheh , Fredriksson Jonas , Jacobson Bengt , Laine Leo
Published: August 2019

This paper proposes a gain-scheduled controller synthesis for improving the lateral performance and stability of articulated heavy vehicles by active steering of the selected towed vehicle units. The longitudinal velocity is on-line measurable, and it is thus treated as a scheduling parameter in the gain-scheduled controller synthesis. The lateral performance of four articulated heavy vehicles, including existing Nordic heavy vehicles and prospective longer articulated heavy vehicles, are investigated with and without active steering and compared with a commonly used conventional tractor–semitrailer. The control problem is formulated as an [Formula: see text] static output feedback, which uses only information from articulation angles between the steered vehicle unit and the vehicle unit in front of it. The solution of the problem is obtained within the linear matrix inequality framework, while guaranteeing [Formula: see text] performance objectives. Effectiveness of the designed controller is verified through numerical simulations performed on high-fidelity vehicle models. The results confirm a significant reduction in yaw rate rearward amplification, lateral acceleration rearward amplification, and high-speed transient off-tracking, thereby improving the lateral stability and performance of all studied heavy vehicles at high speeds.
Minimising the power loss of solar photo voltaic array through efficient reconfiguration of panels
Authors: Tatabhatla Venkata Madhava Ram , Agarwal Anshul , Kanumuri Tirupathiraju
Published: August 2019

The panels in the solar photo-voltaic array receive different levels of irradiation under shading conditions. This degrades the desired output power and results in multiple peaks within the voltage-power characteristics because of mismatch in row currents. Consequently, tracking of the global maximum power point seeks more complex algorithms. In order to mitigate the effects of shading, this work presents a novel reconfiguration technique that relocates the panels of conventional TCT configuration using TomTom puzzle pattern. In the proposed work, physical locations of shaded and unshaded panels are moved without altering the electrical circuitry. The proposed TomTom reconfiguration dilutes the concentrated shade, minimises the mismatch of row currents and yields maximum output power with less number of peaks in voltage-power characteristics. In addition to that, the behaviour of solar photo-voltaic array under moving shading conditions is also evaluated to highlight the potential of the proposed reconfiguration scheme.
Uptake of cancer screening among adults with disabilities in Flanders (Belgium)
Authors: Kellen Eliane , Nuyens Charlotte , Molleman Catherine , Hoeck Sarah
Published: August 2019

Objective

To explore the association between disability and participation in breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screening in Flanders (Belgium).

Methods

Data from the Centre for Cancer Detection were linked to data of the Flemish Agency for disabled persons by the Crossroads Bank for Social Security, using National Social Security Numbers.

Results

The study population consisted of 92,334 invited individuals registered as disabled in 2013–2015. For breast cancer screening (including both opportunistic screening and participation in the screening program), 51.7% of disabled women had undergone mammography in the last two years, compared with the Flemish uptake of 61.8%. In cervical screening, 45% of the women with a disability had undergone a PAP smear in the last three years (overall Flemish uptake was 60.7%). For colorectal cancer screening, 40.7% of individuals with a disability had undergone a fecal immunochemical test in the last two years (overall Flemish uptake was 51.5%). Participation in breast and colorectal cancer screening among persons with a disability was 10% points less than the Flemish average during the same period. In the cervical cancer screening program, the difference between the participation of disabled women and the Flemish average was 10% points. Persons with any type of disability had a lower uptake of cancer screening than the Flemish average, except for individuals with a hearing impairment.

Conclusions

Participation disparities in the Flemish cancer screening programs between persons with and without disabilities require specific efforts to increase cancer screening among people with a disability.
Concepts of health in long-term home care: An empirical-ethical exploration
Authors: Seidlein Anna-Henrikje , Buchholz Ines , Buchholz Maresa , Salloch Sabine
Published: August 2019

Background

Concepts of health have been widely discussed in the philosophy and ethics of medicine. Parallel to these theoretical debates, numerous empirical research projects have focused on subjective concepts of health and shown their significance for individuals and society at various levels. Only a few studies have so far investigated the concepts of health of non-professionals and professionals involved in long-term home care and discussed these empirical perspectives regarding moral responsibilities.

Objectives

To identify the subjective concepts of the health of non-professionals (care recipients, informal caregivers) and professionals (registered nurses) involved in long-term home care and to discuss them against the background of existing normative guidelines addressing non-professionals and professionals’ responsibilities and rights concerning health.

Research design

A qualitative design was chosen to explore subjective concepts of health. Data were collected by semi-structured interviews; content analysis was applied according to Mayring.

Participants and research context

Twenty-eight interviews were conducted with non-professionals and professionals in long-term home care arrangements in Northern Germany.

Ethical considerations

Ethics approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board at the University Medicine Greifswald (BB123/16).

Findings

Non-professionals and professionals consider health as a capability that enables them to participate in social activities and live their own lives according to their preferences. The former regard health particularly as a feeling and an attitude, the latter as the absence of disease with a focus on mental and emotional well-being. Both groups highlight the unsurpassable value of health and the personal responsibility for it.

Discussion

Normative guidelines applicable to practice in long-term home care discuss responsibilities and rights unevenly and raise several problems regarding non-professionals and professionals’ subjective concepts of health.

Conclusion

Individuals’ concepts of health are relevant for the subsequent interpretation of rights and responsibilities and should, thus, be reflected upon to address health-related needs effectively.
Levels of Health Care and Health Outcomes in Northeast India
Authors: Hossain Farhat
Published: August 2019

This article investigates basic parameters of health, namely health profile, health infrastructure, health expenditure and health care utilization in Northeast India and provides an analysis of regional disparities in health care sector. Health profile is represented through different health indicators like crude birth rate, infant mortality rate, total fertility rate and so on in the region. The status of Sub Centres, Primary Health Centres and Community Health Centres with their various facilities and manpower resources indicates better performance of most Northeastern states compared to the rest of India. However, in practice, the health centres in Northeast India do not fulfil some of the objectives and norms of Indian Public Health Standards. Further, the coefficient of variation shows the regional disparities is widening and worsening for health workforce in Northeast India. The geographic condition and inaccessible terrain of Northeast India seems to be a constraint, among others, in providing health infrastructure in the region.