bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Aortic Cellular Heterogeneity in Health and Disease: Novel Insights Into Aortic Diseases From Single-Cell RNA Transcriptomic Data Sets
Authors: Gibson Hughes Tayla A. , Dona Malathi S. I. , Sobey Christopher G. , Pinto Alexander R. , Drummond Grant R. , Vinh Antony , Jelinic Maria
Published: February 2024

Aortic diseases such as atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysms, and aortic stiffening are significant complications that can have significant impact on end-stage cardiovascular disease. With limited pharmacological therapeutic strategies that target the structural changes in the aorta, surgical intervention remains the only option for some patients with these diseases. Although there have been significant contributions to our understanding of the cellular architecture of the diseased aorta, particularly in the context of atherosclerosis, furthering our insight into the cellular drivers of disease is required. The major cell types of the aorta are well defined; however, the advent of single-cell RNA sequencing provides unrivaled insights into the cellular heterogeneity of each aortic cell type and the inferred biological processes associated with each cell in health and disease. This review discusses previous concepts that have now been enhanced with recent advances made by single-cell RNA sequencing with a focus on aortic cellular heterogeneity.
The impact of incidental anxiety on the neural signature of mentalizing
Authors: Chang Li-Ang , Engelmann Jan B.
Published: February 2024

While the effects of anxiety on various cognitive processes, including memory, attention, and learning, have been relatively well documented, the neurobiological effects of anxiety on social cognitive processes remain largely unknown. We address this gap using threat-of-shock to induce incidental anxiety while participants performed two false-belief tasks, a standard and an economic-games version. During belief formation and belief inferences, regions in a canonical social cognition network showed activation reflecting mentalizing, including the temporoparietal junction (TPJ), precuneus, and dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). At the same time, we found threat-related suppression of social cognition regions during belief inferences. A conjunction analysis confirmed that a network of regions was simultaneously engaged during mentalizing and suppressed by anxiety: bilateral TPJ, bilateral inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), and putamen. We examined how threat impacted the connectivity between these seed regions and its targets. During belief formation, we found that threat suppressed the connectivity between the precuneus and two key mentalizing nodes, the dmPFC and right TPJ. Moreover, during belief inferences, threat specifically suppressed belief-based connectivity between putamen and its targets in intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and dlPFC. Dispositional distress significantly modulated threat-related suppression of connectivity between the left TPJ and left IPS. Our results indicate that social cognitive processes rely on support from other large-scale networks, such as the reward and attentional systems, and that these network interactions are disrupted under incidental and dispositional anxiety.
Electrical brain activity during human walking with parametric variations in terrain unevenness and walking speed
Authors: Liu Chang , Downey Ryan J. , Salminen Jacob S. , Arvelo Rojas Sofia , Richer Natalie , Pliner Erika M. , Hwang Jungyun , Cruz-Almeida Yenisel , Manini Todd M. , Hass Chris J. , Seidler Rachael D. , Clark David J. , Ferris Daniel P.
Published: February 2024

Mobile brain imaging with high-density electroencephalography (EEG) can provide insight into the cortical processes involved in complex human walking tasks. While uneven terrain is common in the natural environment and poses challenges to human balance control, there is limited understanding of the supraspinal processes involved with traversing uneven terrain. The primary objective of this study was to quantify electrocortical activity related to parametric variations in terrain unevenness for neurotypical young adults. We used high-density EEG to measure brain activity when 32 young adults walked on a novel custom-made uneven terrain treadmill surface with four levels of difficulty at a walking speed tailored to each participant. We identified multiple brain regions associated with uneven terrain walking. Alpha (8 - 13 Hz) and beta (13 - 30 Hz) spectral power decreased in the sensorimotor and posterior parietal areas with increasing terrain unevenness while theta (4 - 8 Hz) power increased in the mid/posterior cingulate area with terrain unevenness. We also found that within stride spectral power fluctuations increased with terrain unevenness. Our secondary goal was to investigate the effect of parametric changes in walking speed (0.25 m/s, 0.5 m/s, 0.75 m/s, 1.0 m/s) to differentiate the effects of walking speed from uneven terrain. Our results revealed that electrocortical activities only changed substantially with speed within the sensorimotor area but not in other brain areas. Together, these results indicate there are distinct cortical processes contributing to the control of walking over uneven terrain versus modulation of walking speed on smooth, flat terrain. Our findings increase our understanding of cortical involvement in an ecologically valid walking task and could serve as a benchmark for identifying deficits in cortical dynamics that occur in people with mobility deficits.
Understanding Cortical Streams from a Computational Perspective
Authors: Han Zhixian , Sereno Anne B.
Published: February 2024

The two visual cortical streams hypothesis, which suggests object properties (what) are processed separately from spatial properties (where), has a longstanding history, and much evidence has accumulated to support its conjectures. Nevertheless, in the last few decades, conflicting evidence has mounted that demands some explanation and modification. For example, existence of (1) shape activities (fMRI) or shape selectivities (physiology) in dorsal stream, similar to ventral stream; likewise, spatial activations (fMRI) or spatial selectivities (physiology) in ventral stream, similar to dorsal stream; (2) multiple segregated subpathways within a stream. In addition, the idea of segregation of various aspects of multiple objects in a scene raises questions about how these properties of multiple objects are then properly re-associated or bound back together to accurately perceive, remember, or make decisions. We will briefly review the history of the two-stream hypothesis, discuss competing accounts that challenge current thinking, and propose ideas on why the brain has segregated pathways. We will present ideas based on our own data using artificial neural networks (1) to reveal encoding differences for what and where that arise in a two-pathway neural network, (2) to show how these encoding differences can clarify previous conflicting findings, and (3) to elucidate the computational advantages of segregated pathways. Furthermore, we will discuss whether neural networks need to have multiple subpathways for different visual attributes. We will also discuss the binding problem (how to correctly associate the different attributes of each object together when there are multiple objects each with multiple attributes in a scene) and possible solutions to the binding problem. Finally, we will briefly discuss problems and limitations with existing models and potential fruitful future directions.
Neural Signatures of Competition between Voluntary and Involuntary Influences over the Focus of Attention in Visual Working Memory
Authors: Ding Yun , Postle Bradley R. , van Ede Freek
Published: February 2024

Adaptive behavior relies on the selection and prioritization of relevant sensory inputs from the external environment as well as from among internal sensory representations held in working memory. Recent behavioral evidence suggests that the classic distinction between voluntary (goal-driven) and involuntary (stimulus-driven) influences over attentional allocation also applies to the selection of internal representations held in working memory. In the current EEG study, we set out to investigate the neural dynamics associated with the competition between voluntary and involuntary control over the focus of attention in visual working memory. We show that when voluntary and involuntary factors compete for the internal focus of attention, prioritization of the appropriate item is delayed—as reflected both in delayed gaze biases that track internal selection and in delayed neural beta (15–25 Hz) dynamics that track the planning for the upcoming memory-guided manual action. We further show how this competition is paralleled—possibly resolved—by an increase in frontal midline theta (4–8 Hz) activity that, moreover, predicts the speed of ensuing memory-guided behavior. Finally, because theta increased following retrocues that effectively reduced working-memory load, our data unveil how frontal theta activity during internal attentional focusing tracks demands on cognitive control over and above working-memory load. Together, these data yield new insight into the neural dynamics that govern the focus of attention in visual working memory, and disentangle the contributions of frontal midline theta activity to the processes of control versus retention in working memory.
Multiplexed Levels of Cognitive Control through Delta and Theta Neural Oscillations
Authors: Pagnotta Mattia F. , Riddle Justin , D'Esposito Mark
Published: February 2024

Cognitive control allows behavior to be guided according to environmental contexts and internal goals. During cognitive control tasks, fMRI analyses typically reveal increased activation in frontal and parietal networks, and EEG analyses reveal increased amplitude of neural oscillations in the delta/theta band (2–3, 4–7 Hz) in frontal electrodes. Previous studies proposed that theta-band activity reflects the maintenance of rules associating stimuli to appropriate actions (i.e., the rule set), whereas delta synchrony is specifically associated with the control over the context for when to apply a set of rules (i.e., the rule abstraction). We tested these predictions using EEG and fMRI data collected during the performance of a hierarchical cognitive control task that manipulated the level of abstraction of task rules and their set-size. Our results show a clear separation of delta and theta oscillations in the control of rule abstraction and of stimulus–action associations, respectively, in distinct frontoparietal association networks. These findings support a model by which frontoparietal networks operate through dynamic, multiplexed neural processes.
Electroencephalography Searchlight Decoding Reveals Person- and Place-specific Responses for Semantic Category and Familiarity
Authors: Bruera Andrea , Poesio Massimo
Published: February 2024

Proper names are linguistic expressions referring to unique entities, such as individual people or places. This sets them apart from other words like common nouns, which refer to generic concepts. And yet, despite both being individual entities, one's closest friend and one's favorite city are intuitively associated with very different pieces of knowledge—face, voice, social relationship, autobiographical experiences for the former, and mostly visual and spatial information for the latter. Neuroimaging research has revealed the existence of both domain-general and domain-specific brain correlates of semantic processing of individual entities; however, it remains unclear how such commonalities and similarities operate over a fine-grained temporal scale. In this work, we tackle this question using EEG and multivariate (time-resolved and searchlight) decoding analyses. We look at when and where we can accurately decode the semantic category of a proper name and whether we can find person- or place-specific effects of familiarity, which is a modality-independent dimension and therefore avoids sensorimotor differences inherent among the two categories. Semantic category can be decoded in a time window and with spatial localization typically associated with lexical semantic processing. Regarding familiarity, our results reveal that it is easier to distinguish patterns of familiarity-related evoked activity for people, as opposed to places, in both early and late time windows. Second, we discover that within the early responses, both domain-general (left posterior-lateral) and domain-specific (right fronto-temporal, only for people) neural patterns can be individuated, suggesting the existence of person-specific processes.
Group Identity and Inter-Ethnic Relations in the Western Niger Delta of Nigeria
Authors: Okpevra Uwomano Benjamin
Published: February 2024

In this paper, the author paints the socio-political canvass that coloured the motif of colonial and post-colonial political arrangement that characterised the western Niger Delta of Nigeria. This paper underscores the Isoko minority group’s struggle for identity as a distinct ethnic group from their Urhobo neighbour in post-colonial times. It is the aim of this work to try to bring light on the history of minority group’s struggle for establishing their own identity and political domain within the framework of sub-nationalism in the Nigerian state using the appropriate theoretical frameworks. The study deployed the historical and analytical methods, with primary and secondary sources to achieve its aim. The paper shows that the identity of the Isoko Nationalism was not clearly established, until after 1963 and even as late as the period of the Nigerian Civil War, the separate identity of the Isoko ethnic group was not clearly established in some circles, until crude oil economy brought them to the limelight after the end of the Nigerian civil war. The author deposes that to appreciate ethnic relations across time and space in relation to contemporary political circumstances, from the perspective of both majority and minority status and in relation to different ethnic out-groups. Finally, the paper shows that understanding the patterns of intergroup relations as exemplified by the Isoko and their neighbours in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria is a necessary prelude to the appreciation of the phenomena in the trajectory of developments that had serious implications on the evolution and trend of the Isoko as an identifiable distinct ethnic group.
Mid-Cretaceous wood of Waihere Bay, Pitt Island, Chatham Islands, New Zealand
Authors: Vanner Mathew R. , Conran John G. , Larcombe Matthew J. , Lee Daphne E.
Published: February 2024

The mid-Cretaceous is an important time for the diversification of forests globally, including the rise to dominance of the angiosperms and the beginning of the isolation of Zealandia. In New Zealand, little information is available on the mid-Cretaceous xyloflora. New specimens of fossil wood from the mid-Cretaceous Tupuangi Formation were collected from Waihere Bay, Pitt Island, Chatham Islands, of which 16 well-preserved samples were identified, representing Araucariaceae (Agathoxylon, 5 samples), Cupressaceae (Taxodioxylon and Cupressinoxylon, one sample each), Podocarpaceae (Protophyllocladoxylon, one sample), and the ‘Group B’ and ‘Group C’ Mesozoic conifers (four samples each) defined in Bamford & Philippe (2008). Of these, only Taxodioxylon had been identified previously from the Tupuangi Formation. Two new species are erected, Cupressoxylon dianneae sp. nov. and Protophyllocladoxylon jacobusii sp. nov. These records are important for understanding the mid-Cretaceous flora of New Zealand and the history of the unique modern flora of New Zealand.
Zeltnera fonsecae (Gentianaceae, Chironieae, Chironiinae), a new gypsophilous species endemic from Oaxaca, Mexico
Authors: SANDOVAL-GUTIÉRREZ DANIEL , VIGOSA-MERCADO J. LUIS , MORALES-GARCÍA E. DARINKA
Published: February 2024

During a recent study of the gypsicolous flora of the municipality of San Juan Teita, Oaxaca, a new species of Zeltnera was identified. We revised several herbarium collections, protologues and types, and we concluded that this does not belong to any of the previously described species. In this work, Zeltnera fonsecae, the only Mexican strictly gypsophilous species of the genus, is described and illustrated. Similarities with other species of the genus are commented, a preliminary conservation assessment is proposed, and a key to the species of the genus in Mexico provided. The new species is distinguished from other similar species of Zeltnera by the small size of the plants, cauline and divergent leaves, as well as pentamerous and white flowers. According to the criteria of the IUCN, the category of Vulnerable (VU, D2) is proposed.
Evaluation of Multisource Datasets in Characterizing Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Extreme Precipitation from 2001 to 2019 in China
Authors: Lu Jiayi , Wang Kaicun , Wu Guocan , Mao Yuna
Published: February 2024

The spatiotemporal characteristics of extreme precipitation intensity are crucial for hydroclimatic studies. This study delineates the spatiotemporal distribution features of extreme precipitation intensity across China from 2001 to 2019 using the gridded daily precipitation dataset CN05.1, constructed from an observation network of over 2400 stations. Furthermore, we evaluate the reliability of 12 widely used precipitation datasets (including gauge-based, satellite retrieval, reanalysis, and fusion products) in monitoring extreme precipitation events. Our findings indicate the following: 1) CN05.1 reveals a consistent spatial distribution characterized by a decline in extreme precipitation intensity from the southeastern coastal regions toward the northwestern inland areas of China. From 2001 to 2019, more pronounced declining intensity trends are discernible in the northern and southwestern regions of China, whereas marked increasing trends manifest in the northeastern and the Yangtze River plain regions. National mean extreme precipitation indices consistently exhibit significant increasing trends throughout China. 2) Datasets based on station observations generally exhibit superior applicability concerning spatiotemporal distribution. 3) Multisource weighted precipitation fusion products effectively capture the temporal variability of extreme precipitation indices. 4) Satellite retrieval datasets exhibit notable performance disparities in representing various intensity indices. Most products tend to overestimate the increasing trends of national mean intensity indices. 5) Reanalysis datasets tend to overestimate extreme precipitation indices, and inadequately capture the trends. ERA5 and JRA-55 underestimate trends, while CFSR and MERRA-2 significantly overestimate the trends. These findings serve as a basis for selecting reliable precipitation datasets for extreme precipitation and hydrological simulation research in China.

Significance Statement

Extreme precipitation events have increasingly become more widespread, posing significant threats to human lives and property. Accurately understanding the spatiotemporal patterns of these events is imperative for effective mitigation. Despite the proliferation of precipitation products, their capacity to faithfully represent extreme events remains inadequately validated. In this study, we utilize a gauge-based dataset derived from over 2400 gauge stations across China to investigate the spatiotemporal changes in extreme precipitation events from 2001 to 2019. Subsequently, we conduct a rigorous evaluation of 12 widely used precipitation datasets to assess their efficacy in depicting extreme events. The results of this research offer valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of various precipitation products in depicting extreme events.
Imbalance Between Angiotensin II and Kallikrein in Patients With ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction: A Case-Control Emergency Room Study
Authors: Dai Shuhong , Yin Bo , Wang Haiming , Zhang Xiaowei
Published: February 2024

The present study aimed to investigate the balance between angiotensin II (Ang-II) and kallikrein (KLK1) in the pathogenesis of ST-segment elevation acute myocardial infarction (STEMI). The study included a total of 261 participants: 151 STEMI patients and 110 individuals with normal coronary arteries. The plasma levels of Ang-II and KLK1 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that the plasma levels of Ang-II, KLK1 and the ratio of Ang-II and KLK1 (Ang-II/KLK1) independently correlated with the presence of STEMI. Furthermore, we found independent associations between STEMI and smoking, cholesterol (CHO), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), as well as age. The ratio of Ang-II/KLK1 correlated with the plasma level of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-6 (IL-6). Both Ang-II and KLK1 levels are significantly elevated in patients with STEMI. An increased Ang-II/KLK1 ratio may result in the over-activation of Ang-II and exacerbate the progression of STEMI( P = .046). In conclusion, we have demonstrated, for the first time, an Ang-II and KLK1 imbalance in patients with STEMI.
Factors Associated With Myocardial Infarction in a Rural Population With Peripheral Arterial Diseases
Authors: Awujoola Adeola O. , Mokikan Moboni T. , Odebunmi Olufeyisayo O. , Mamudu Hadii M. , Stewart David W. , Husari Ghaith , Singh Krishna , Grant Cori , Budoff Matthew , Paul Timir K.
Published: February 2024

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) studies in rural populations are limited. The incidence of myocardial infarction (MI) is higher in patients with PAD. This study examined the association between sociodemographic and clinical risk factors and MI in patients with PAD in Central Appalachia, comprising of 230 counties across six states in the United States. Data from electronic medical records of 13,455 patients with PAD were extracted from a large health system in Central Appalachia. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses were conducted. The final sample consisted of 5574 patients with PAD, of whom 24.85% were also diagnosed with MI. The mean age was 71 ± 11.23 years, and the majority were male (56.40%). After adjusting for confounders, patients with hypertension had three times higher odds of MI (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] = 3.21; 95% CI: 2.50–4.14) compared with those without hypertension. The likelihood of MI increased by 51% among patients with diabetes (aOR = 1.51; 95% CI: 1.33–1.71), 34% among ever-smokers (aOR = 1.34; 95% CI: 1.18–1.52), and 45% in males (aOR = 1.45; 95% CI: 1.27–1.65). Hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and male sex were identified as significant risk factors for MI. Screening and effective management of these risk factors in rural areas could potentially prevent MI incidence among patients with PAD.
In Situ Photo-Crosslinkable Protein Bioadhesive for Bone Graft Fixation
Authors: Yun J. , Nam I.H. , Lee H. , Jo Y.K. , Lee H. , Jun S.H. , Cha H.J.
Published: February 2024

Bone grafting is a fundamental dental surgery procedure widely used for implant placement and periodontal disease management treatments. Despite its broad applications, vertical bone augmentation presents unique challenges, including the risk of graft displacement due to gravitational and masticatory forces. Traditional physical stabilization methods introduce additional complexities and risks, underscoring the need for innovative fixation technologies. This study aimed to develop an in situ photo-crosslinkable bioadhesive hydrogel (iPBAH) as a multifunctional bone graft binder to enhance the process of bone reconstruction. The bioadhesive is composed of mussel-derived adhesive protein (MAP) fused with the cell-adhesive peptide RGD. The numerous tyrosine residues in MAP facilitate rapid photo-crosslinking, enabling efficient hydrogel formation using visible blue light. Subsequently, iPBAH underwent comprehensive characterization to evaluate its suitability as a multifunctional bone graft binder. iPBAH efficiently underwent in situ crosslinking through harmless exposure to visible light within minutes and displayed several exceptional properties, including a microporous structure, underwater adhesion, extended durability, high compressive strength, and biocompatibility. In vivo assessments, using male Sprague-Dawley rats, demonstrated that iPBAH binder significantly enhanced bone regeneration in a rat calvarial bone defect model. The in situ crosslinking of the iPBAH binder during bone graft transplantation can effectively fill irregular and complex defect shapes while simultaneously preventing graft material leakage. The improved physical attributes of the bound graft material can enhance its resistance to external forces, thereby ensuring sustained retention over time. Moreover, the interaction between iPBAH and surrounding tissues promotes adhesion and integration of the graft material with host tissues in the defect area. In addition, the included RGD peptide in iPBAH can augment inherent cell recruitment, adhesion, and growth, consequently expediting osteogenesis.
HCV Medication Receipt Among Individuals With Methamphetamine, Opioid, and Alcohol Use Disorders in Arkansas, 2018–2022: A Long Road Ahead for HCV Elimination in the US South
Authors: Pro George , Hayes Corey , Bona Jonathan , Gu Mofan , Richoux Camille , Zaller Nickolas
Published: February 2024

Background. Methamphetamine and opioid use disorders (MUD/OUD) are increasing in the US, paralleled by a surge in hepatitis C virus (HCV). HCV is curable with direct-acting antiviral medication (DAA), but people with HCV who use drugs often don’t receive it. We estimated differences in DAA by substance type among people with HCV in Arkansas. Methods. We used a statewide medical claims database to identify HCV cases who also had MUD, OUD, and/or AUD (pooled 2018–2022; N = 5439). We used multiple logistic regression to model DAA receipt, adjusted for relevant covariates. Results. Only 10% of our sample received DAA. The lowest predicted probabilities of DAA receipt were among people who used methamphetamine (4.5%) and those covered by Medicaid (5.4%). Conclusion. Arkansas Medicaid has the strictest requirements for initiating DAA in the country. Public health efforts that reduce exposure to HCV among people who use drugs will reduce the HCV burden in Arkansas.
Who spies on whom? Unravelling the puzzle of state-sponsored cyber economic espionage
Authors: Akoto William
Published: February 2024

Traditional conceptions of state-sponsored cyber economic espionage suggest that countries with different product profiles should experience high levels of espionage between them. However, this is not what we observe empirically. Incidence of economic espionage tends to be prevalent between countries with similar product and manufacturing profiles. This suggests that we may be missing critical parts of what drives state-sponsored cyber economic espionage. To help unravel this puzzle, I develop a novel theoretical framework that proposes that because attackers seek to maximize the expected utility of stolen information, they target countries that possess similar productive capabilities as themselves. Consequently, countries with dissimilar product profiles should avoid targeting each other for espionage. I test this argument using data on states’ product complexities and cyber economic espionage for a global sample of countries in a dyadic analytical framework. The results robustly show that for any pair of countries, as the complexities of their products diverge, they become significantly less likely to aim espionage attempts at each other. This study thus contributes new insights to explain why cyber economic espionage appears restricted to only a small number of advanced economies. It also illustrates the utility of large-N dyadic approaches in studying state-sponsored cyber espionage.
Bureaucracy and patrimonialism on Wall Street: How organizational forms contribute to elite reproduction
Authors: Foureault Fabien , Ajdacic Lena , Bühlmann Felix
Published: February 2024

Echoing the recent revival of elite studies, we ask how financialization shapes the composition of contemporary elites and how organizational mechanisms transform its characteristics in terms of class, gender and race. We ask whether the bureaucratization of finance contributed to a ‘purge’ of particularisms. Or to the contrary, whether class, race and gender have become more salient criteria of elite selection with the emergence of neo-patrimonial organizational forms? Using Orbis data on legal forms of financial firms, and original sociodemographic data on founders and managers in key firms, we show that neo-patrimonial organizational forms based on trust networks are spreading within finance. Moreover, we demonstrate the impact of organizational forms on elite reproduction along gender, race and class lines. White men with upper-class background are over-represented in neo-patrimonial firms – mostly found in the hedge fund and private equity industry − compared to bureaucratic firms mostly found in banking. We suggest that financialization is not a modernization process but a recombination of bureaucracy and neo-patrimonial logics.
Life Stressors and Mental Well-Being: Experiences of African American Women Navigating Perinatal Loss and Pregnancy Subsequent to Loss
Authors: Antilla Jeri M. , Johnson Teresa S.
Published: February 2024

Historically, African American women have faced racial disparities in perinatal and neonatal mortality rates. There is limited research on the sustained stress and amplified emotional and psychological strain that African American women undergo during perinatal loss. Studies are even scarcer concerning the heightened emotional and psychological difficulties during pregnancies subsequent to loss. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 22 African American women who had experienced perinatal loss and were either pregnant or had given birth after their loss. Descriptive coding and thematic analysis revealed three main themes: life stressors, mental health complexities, and coping strategies. The results showed a potential pattern of increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes due to social determinants, including income, access to healthcare, and housing. Furthermore, participants described experiences of systemic racism that appeared to exacerbate psychological distress after perinatal loss, often manifesting as depression and anxiety. The study reveals the urgent need to dismantle systemic racism in maternity and mental healthcare to boost perinatal outcomes for African American women. It provides essential insights for developing effective support programs.
Optimal fractional-order series cascade controller design: A refined Bode’s ideal transfer function perspective
Authors: Yadav Manish , Patel Hirenkumar G , Nagarsheth Shaival H
Published: February 2024

In process industries, cascade control is comprehensively used for disturbance attenuation. This manuscript presents the control of the non-minimum phase (NMP) system with dead time via a series cascade scheme. An improved fractional-filter-based control scheme encompassing inverse and dead time compensators with analytical tuning is proposed. The design hinges on an enhanced Bode’s ideal transfer function, which incorporates delay and NMP zero to deal with the system’s NMP and dead time. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) is utilized to obtain the optimal assessment of fractional filter-based controller settings by minimizing an objective function. Two benchmark problems are presented to test the efficacy of the recommended controller. The Riemann surface and sensitivity examination are used to realize the stability and robustness of the feedback design. Numerical simulations exhibit the superiority of the suggested controller for closed-loop results.
Examination of Nursing Staffs’ Perceptions of the COVID-19 Vaccine Using the Health Belief Model
Authors: Cossio Aidan , Cobb Wilson , Fugitt Addison , Nielsen Sandra , Hesson-McInnis Matthew , Prasun Marilyn A.
Published: February 2024

Background:

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic profoundly impacted patient care across the United States.

Objective:

To examine nursing staffs’ perceptions of the COVID-19 vaccine using the Health Belief Model (HBM) as a theoretical framework.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey was completed by practicing nursing staffs throughout the United States. Analyses involved descriptive and comparative statistics.

Results:

Of the 294 nursing staff who completed surveys, 50% were between 18 and 37 years of age, and 73.1% were registered nurses, with 49.3% employed in a hospital setting. Nursing staff reported their primary reason for vaccination was concern for others (mean: 84.44; SD: 28.26), vaccine prevents spread (mean: 81.85; SD: 28.94), and own health (mean: 79.63; SD: 30.0). Influencing factors that predicted vaccination included age, Wilks’ Λ = 0.76, F(32, 919.86) = 2.20, p < .001, η2partial = 0.066, and the vaccine mandate, Wilks’ Λ = 0.63, F(8, 249) = 18.61, p < .001, η2partial = 0.374.

Conclusion:

Nursing staffs’ perceptions using the HBM as a theoretical framework provided insight into their decisions to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Further research is warranted to examine nurses’ attitudes and factors that influence their decision-making regarding vaccination.
Analysis of current mortality risk scores for acute type A aortic dissection: The Siena experience
Authors: Lorenz Veronica , Muzzi Luigi , Neri Eugenio
Published: February 2024

Objective

In literature, various risk scores have been described to predict in-hospital mortality of patients undergoing surgery for acute type A dissection. We want to evaluate which factors are most correlated with a negative outcome and testing the validity of the current scores in literature analyzing our experience of over 20 years in the surgery of type A aortic dissections.

Materials and methods

A total of 324 patients were included in the study. Patients were divided into two groups according to 30-day survival or mortality. The preoperative variables analyzed are the parameters necessary for the calculation of scores: Penn Classification, Leipzig Halifax and adjusted Leipzig Halifax score, GERAADA score and EuroSCORE II. Intra- and post-operative mortality were 10.2% and 17.5%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, the preoperative predictors of 30-day mortality were age greater than 70 years, low eject fraction levels, visceral and coronary malperfusion. Both GERAADA and EuroSCORE II were statistically significant predictors of 30-day mortality. However, EuroSCORE II underestimates the mortality compared to GERAADA score probably due to the lack of evaluation of fundamental preoperative factors in the course of type A aortic dissection.

Results

The study has demonstrated the efficacy of the GERAADA score in predicting the outcome of patients undergoing surgery and the underestimation of the mortality of EuroSCORE II in our population.
Substance Use Among People Seeking Health Care Services in Primary Health Care Settings in Coastal Karnataka
Authors: Viswanathan Anusha , Doddamani Akhila , Praharaj Samir Kumar , Pandey Akhilesh Kumar , Bantwal Priyanka , Kulkarni Muralidhar M.
Published: February 2024

Background:

Patients with substance use disorders are common in general medical practice and are a major risk factor for several non-communicable diseases. Appropriate screening is a vital step for providing brief interventions which can provide a good opportunity to tackle this crisis and in achieving target 3.5 of the sustainable development goal which includes strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse.

Objectives:

To study the magnitude of substance use and factors associated with it among people seeking health care services at primary care settings.

Methods:

The cross-sectional study recruited people seeking services at primary care settings to screen for substance users (SU) and determine the associated factors. The data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire including socio-demographic characteristics, health status and the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test tool.

Results:

The study showed that 43.4% of the participants were SU. The current use of smokeless tobacco was higher compared to tobacco smoking (21.3% and 4.7%). The multivariate logistic regression showed that advancing age (AOR: 2.61 and 95% CI of 1.01–6.79), male gender (AOR: 705 and 95% CI of 4.25–11.70), primary and middle school (AOR: 3.24 and 95% CI of 1.52–6.92) literacy status, unemployed (AOR: 0.49 and 95% CI of 0.25–0.95), religion and other backward caste (AOR: 2.42 and 95% CI of 1.37–4.30) were significant correlates of SU.

Conclusion:

Substance use was reported by two-fifths of the participants seeking services at primary care centres in our study and stresses the need for incorporating brief interventions to prevent higher degrees of dependence and its complications.
Automated office infrastructures and the valuation of work
Authors: Richardson Lizzie
Published: February 2024

Popular and academic analyses of automation in work predominantly focus on paid labour, sometimes forecasting how many jobs may be lost or investigating how new types of jobs are being created through such technological change. This article takes a different approach by considering what automation implies for the valuation of work. The starting point is that contemporary office automation is not exclusively aimed at working activities themselves but rather is increasingly directed at the infrastructure that allows work. Two infrastructural elements are identified where office automation is occurring: “tenant experience applications” that aid in the flexible occupation of office buildings, and “productivity tools” that support the organisation of office tasks regardless of location. This shift from automation targeting what work is done to how that work is done raises the question of work valuation. Plural regimes of valuation are at play in contemporary office automation, through which a myriad of interested actors emerge, extending beyond the employer and the worker. The value of flexibility thus occurs not singularly nor even primarily in the production process, but rather is achieved in the financial valuation of various aspects of office performance as well as in the social (re)definition of work.
Parent empathy and adolescent disclosure in the context of type 1 diabetes management
Authors: Main Alexandra , Wiebe Deborah J. , Miramontes Maritza , Disla Janice , Hanes Erica , Cakan Nedim , Raymond Jennifer K.
Published: February 2024

Adolescent disclosure to parents is a key aspect of positive parent-adolescent relationships and youth adjustment. We leveraged a study of diverse families with an adolescent with type 1 diabetes to examine how observed parental empathy during parent-adolescent conflict discussions about diabetes management was associated with observed adolescent disclosure and adolescent self-reported disclosure to parents. Adolescents with type 1 diabetes and the parent most involved in their diabetes care ( N = 67 dyads) participated in the study. Parent empathy, adolescent disclosure, and parent positive affect during parent-adolescent conversations were rated by trained coders. Parents reported on their own empathy and adolescents reported on their own disclosure, parental knowledge of their diabetes management, and parental acceptance. Results indicated that observed parental empathy was associated with both observed and self-reported disclosure. This association remained after covarying other parent-adolescent relationship and parent dispositional, demographic, and diabetes variables. This study holds implications for promoting greater parental communication of empathy to encourage adolescent disclosure in the context of chronic illness management.
Childhood maltreatment and the quality of marital relationships: Examining mediating pathways and gender differences
Authors: Sokar Shireen
Published: February 2024

Background: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is considered a traumatic experience with long-term adverse effects on the quality of adult intimate relationships. Research on the mechanisms underlying this phenomenon among Arab societies is scarce. Objective: This study investigated the impact of childhood physical abuse (PA) and emotional abuse (EA) on the quality of marital relationships. Additionally, it examined the mediating roles of two dimensions of insecure adult attachment (i.e., avoidant and anxious) to a romantic partner and psychological distress within gender-specific models. Method: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among a representative sample of 604 married Arab adults ( M age = 33.5, SD = 6.52; 50.1% women) in Israel using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Childhood PA was significantly related to low levels of relationship quality among men and women. For men, childhood PA was positively related to psychological distress and both patterns of romantic attachment styles, which in turn were negatively associated with relationship quality. For women, childhood PA was positively associated with psychological distress and avoidant attachment, correlating with low levels of relationship quality. Conclusion: A retrospective assessment of childhood PA is associated with decreased levels of marital relationship quality for men and women. This association is mediated by psychological distress and romantic attachment styles. Implications: Implementing interventions focused on improving mental health and promoting a secure romantic attachment style can enhance the quality of marital relationships for adults with CM experiences.
Korean Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (KOSCA): An NLP application for the analysis of syntactic complexity in second language production
Authors: Hwang Haerim , Kim Hyunwoo
Published: February 2024

Given the lack of computational tools available for assessing second language (L2) production in Korean, this study introduces a novel automated tool called the Korean Syntactic Complexity Analyzer (KOSCA) for measuring syntactic complexity in L2 Korean production. As an open-source graphic user interface (GUI) developed in Python, KOSCA provides seven indices of syntactic complexity, including traditional and Korean-specific ones. Its validity was tested by investigating whether the syntactic complexity indices measured by it in L2 written and spoken production could explain the variability of L2 Korean learners’ proficiency. The results of mixed-effects regression analyses showed that all seven indices significantly accounted for learner proficiency in Korean. Subsequent stepwise multiple regression analyses revealed that the syntactic complexity indices explained 56.0% of the total variance in proficiency for the written data and 54.4% for the spoken data. These findings underscore the validity of the syntactic complexity indices measured by KOSCA as reliable indicators of L2 Korean proficiency, which can serve as a valuable resource for researchers and educators in the field of L2 Korean learning and assessment.
Bedside repositioning of a migrated avalon ECMO cannula in an infant: Novel technique
Authors: Panicucci Thomas , Aldoss Osamah , Mohammad Nijres Bassel
Published: February 2024

Background: Although the Avalon Elite bi-caval dual lumen catheter for veno-venous extracorporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO) has many advantages, it requires precise positioning and dislodgement is common.

Case presentation: A 2-year-old male was placed on ECMO due to respiratory failure utilizing a 20 Fr Avalon Elite bi-caval dual lumen catheter (AEC). The AEC migrated twice with unsuccessful repositioning using the classic manual manipulations. The AEC was successfully repositioned on the two occasions using a novel method by direct access of the ECMO inflow tube using a combination of catheter and guide wire.

Conclusions: A migrated AEC could be successfully repositioned with simple direct access of the inflow tube. This technique was successfully utilized twice at the bedside in an infant without needing additional venous access.
Physical therapy for acute and sub-acute low back pain: A systematic review and expert consensus
Authors: Wang Xue-Qiang , Wang Yu-Ling , Witchalls Jeremy , Han Jia , Zhang Zhi-Jie , Page Phillip , Zhu Yi , Stecco Carla , Lin Jian-Hua , El-Ansary Doa , Ma Quan-Sheng , Qi Qi , Oh Jae-seop , Zhang Wei-Ming , Pranata Adrian , Wan Li , Li Kui , Ma Ming , Liao Lin-Rong , Zhu Yu-Lian , Guo Jing-Wei , Chen Pei-Jie
Published: February 2024

Objective

To review the effectiveness of different physical therapies for acute and sub-acute low back pain supported by evidence, and create clinical recommendations and expert consensus for physiotherapists on clinical prescriptions.

Data sources

A systematic search was conducted in PubMed and the Cochrane Library for studies published within the previous 15 years.

Review methods

Systematic review and meta-analysis, randomized controlled trials assessing patients with acute and sub-acute low back pain were included. Two reviewers independently screened relevant studies using the same inclusion criteria. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database and the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews tool were used to grade the quality assessment of randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews, respectively. The final recommendation grades were based on the consensus discussion results of the Delphi of 22 international experts.

Results

Twenty-one systematic reviews and 21 randomized controlled trials were included. Spinal manipulative therapy and low-level laser therapy are recommended for acute low back pain. Core stability exercise/motor control, spinal manipulative therapy, and massage can be used to treat sub-acute low back pain.

Conclusions

The consensus statements provided medical staff with appliable recommendations of physical therapy for acute and sub-acute low back pain. This consensus statement will require regular updates after 5–10 years.
Echocardiographic quantification of mitral apparatus morphology and dynamics in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Toader Despina-Manuela
Published: February 2024

Mitral regurgitation is among the most common valvular heart diseases. Mitral regurgitation in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy is a complex pathology involving annular dilatation, papillary muscle displacement, systolic leaflet tethering, and left ventricular remodeling. Quantification of mitral apparatus damage in these patients is essential for successful interventional and surgical therapy. Mitral regurgitation in the presence of dilated cardiomyopathy is classified as Carpentier type IIIB, with restricted leaflet mobility as a standard feature. Echocardiography allows accurate evaluation of the complex anatomy and function of the mitral apparatus. Updated guidelines recommend two-dimensional followed by systematic three-dimensional echocardiographic evaluation in patients with mitral regurgitation. New three-dimensional echocardiographic software packages provide many parameters that help identify the precise morphology and function of the various components of the mitral apparatus, helping to determine the etiology of mitral regurgitation and evaluate disease severity. This review provides the first point-by-point approach to the assessment of all old and new echocardiographic methods, from the simplest to the most complex, used to examine the components of the mitral valve apparatus in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Although these parameters are still under research, this information will be helpful for establishing therapeutic procedures in a disease with a poor prognosis.