bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and Adherence Rates of a Novel Community‐Informed Virtual World‐Based Cardiac Rehabilitation Program: Protocol for the
Destination Cardiac Rehab
Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Brewer LaPrincess C. , Abraham Helayna , Clark Donald , Echols Melvin , Hall Michael , Hodgman Karen , Kaihoi Brian , Kopecky Stephen , Krogman Ashton , Leth Shawn , Malik Shaista , Marsteller Jill , Mathews Lena , Scales Robert , Schulte Phillip , Shultz Adam , Taylor Bryan , Thomas Randal , Wong Nathan , Olson Thomas
Published: November 2023

Background

Innovative restructuring of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) delivery remains critical to reduce barriers and improve access to diverse populations.
Destination Cardiac Rehab
is a novel virtual world technology‐based CR program delivered through the virtual world platform, Second Life, which previously demonstrated high acceptability as an extension of traditional center‐based CR. This study aims to evaluate efficacy and adherence of the virtual world–based CR program compared with center‐based CR within a community‐informed, implementation science framework.

Methods

Using a noninferiority, hybrid type 1 effectiveness‐implementation, randomized controlled trial, 150 patients with an eligible cardiovascular event will be recruited from 6 geographically diverse CR centers across the United States. Participants will be randomized 1:1 to either the 12‐week
Destination Cardiac Rehab
or the center‐based CR control groups. The primary efficacy outcome is a composite cardiovascular health score based on the American Heart Association Life's Essential 8 at 3 and 6 months. Adherence outcomes include CR session attendance and participation in exercise sessions. A diverse patient/caregiver/stakeholder advisory board was assembled to guide recruitment, implementation, and dissemination plans and to contextualize study findings. The institutional review board–approved randomized controlled trial will enroll and randomize patients to the intervention (or control group) in 3 consecutive waves/year over 3 years. The results will be published at data collection and analyses completion.

Conclusions

The
Destination Cardiac Rehab
randomized controlled trial tests an innovative and potentially scalable model to enhance
CR
participation and advance health equity. Our findings will inform the use of effective virtual
CR
programs to expand equitable access to diverse patient populations.

Registration

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT05897710.
Associations of Unhealthy Lifestyle and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease With Cardiovascular Healthy Outcomes
Authors: Wu Wentao , Ma Wen , Yuan Shiqi , Feng Aozi , Li Li , Zheng Haoxiao , Li Shuna , He Ningxia , Huang Yuli , Lyu Jun
Published: November 2023

Background

The role of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) as a mediator in the association between various unhealthy lifestyles and major adverse cardiovascular events and all‐cause death remains unclear.

Methods and Results

This study used data from the UK Biobank, with follow‐up until the end of 2021. It involved the calculation of unweighted and weighted lifestyle scores using the Cox model to classify participants on the basis of these scores. Additionally, the research assessed the mediation effect proportion of NAFLD using the difference method and examined the interaction and joint effects of lifestyle and NAFLD on health outcomes. Among the 134 616 enrolled participants, 4024 had records of major adverse cardiovascular events, while among the 130 144 participants included in the analysis of all‐cause death, 6697 deaths occurred. The proportions of the association between overall lifestyle and major adverse cardiovascular events mediated by NAFLD were 19.4% and 21.7% (95% CI, 16.2–22.6 and 17.8–25.7) for scores 1 and 2, respectively, and those for all‐cause death were 14.1% and 10.1% (95% CI, 11.3–17.1 and 7.9–12.2). After fully adjusting for traditional cardiovascular risk factors, the mediating effects declined across both outcomes. The associations between overall lifestyle and outcomes were stronger among those of the non‐NAFLD group, and significant interactions were observed between overall lifestyle and NAFLD status. The joint analysis revealed that patients with NAFLD with unhealthy lifestyle had the highest risk of major adverse cardiovascular events and all‐cause death.

Conclusions

Improving lifestyle and addressing metabolic risk factors are essential for cardiovascular risk management in patients with NAFLD.
Patient‐Reported Outcomes in Venous Thromboembolism: A Systematic Review of the Literature, Current Challenges, and Ways Forward
Authors: Snyder Daniel J. , Zilinyi Robert S. , Cohen David J. , Parikh Sahil A. , Sethi Sanjum S.
Published: November 2023

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) affects >1.2 million Americans annually. Although the clinical outcomes and economic burdens of VTE have been well described, the impact of VTE on patients' health status has yet to be summarized. This systematic review summarizes how patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been used in VTE to date.

Methods and Results

PubMed/MEDLINE was queried for literature published through March 2023 using PROMs in a population of patients with VTE. Studies were excluded if the reference was an editorial, review, or case report, or if the study included patients with conditions other than VTE. Qualitative analyses were performed. After screening and exclusion, 136 references were identified; 5 described PROM development, 20 focused on PROM validation, and 111 used PROMs in outcomes research. The most used generic PROMs were the 36‐item Short‐Form Health Survey and EuroQol 5‐dimensional questionnaire, and the most common disease‐specific PROMs were the Venous Insufficiency Epidemiological and Economic Study–Quality of Life/Symptoms and the Pulmonary Embolism Quality of Life Questionnaire. PROMs were used to quantify the changes in health status after diagnosis, characterize the trajectory of subsequent improvement, and identify drivers of continued impairments in health status like postthrombotic syndrome and postpulmonary embolism syndrome. PROMs were also used to investigate the impact of novel treatment modalities on quality of life.

Conclusions

This review demonstrates the many benefits of PROM use, including quantifying changes in health status with treatment, capturing patients' experiences with the treatment itself, and identifying complications of VTE. Incorporating PROMs into VTE care will be an essential component of evaluating the effectiveness of novel therapies and should lead to improved shared decision‐making for patients with VTE.
Efficient PCA denoising of spatially correlated redundant MRI data
Authors: Henriques Rafael Neto , Ianuş Andrada , Novello Lisa , Jovicich Jorge , Jespersen Sune N , Shemesh Noam
Published: November 2023

Marčenko-Pastur PCA (MPPCA) denoising is emerging as an effective means for noise suppression in MR imaging (MRI) acquisitions with redundant dimensions. However, MPPCA performance can be severely compromised by spatially correlated noise—an issue typically affecting most modern MRI acquisitions—almost to the point of returning the original images with little or no noise removal. In this study, we explore different threshold criteria for principal component analysis (PCA) component classification that enable efficient and robust denoising of MRI data even when noise exhibits high spatial correlations, especially in cases where data are acquired with Partial Fourier and when only magnitude data are available. We show that efficient denoising can be achieved by incorporating a-priori information about the noise variance into PCA denoising thresholding. Based on this, two denoising strategies developed here are: 1) General PCA (GPCA) denoising that uses a-priori noise variance estimates without assuming specific noise distributions; and 2) Threshold PCA (TPCA) denoising which removes noise components with a threshold computed from a-priori estimated noise variance to determine the upper bound of the Marčenko-Pastur (MP) distribution. These strategies were tested in simulations with known ground truth and applied for denoising diffusion MRI data acquired using pre-clinical (16.4T) and clinical (3T) MRI scanners. In synthetic phantoms, MPPCA denoising failed to denoise spatially correlated data, while GPCA and TPCA better classified components as dominated by signal/noise. In cases where the noise variance was not accurately estimated (as can be the case in many practical scenarios), TPCA still provides excellent denoising performance. Our experiments in pre-clinical diffusion data with highly corrupted by spatial correlated noise revealed that both GPCA and TPCA robustly denoised the data while MPPCA denoising failed. In in vivo diffusion MRI data acquired on a clinical scanner in healthy subjects, MPPCA weakly removed noised, while TPCA was found to have the best performance, likely due to misestimations of the noise variance. Thus, our work shows that these novel denoising approaches can strongly benefit future pre-clinical and clinical MRI applications.
White matter tract microstructure, macrostructure, and associated cortical gray matter morphology across the lifespan
Authors: Schilling Kurt G. , Chad Jordan A. , Chamberland Maxime , Nozais Victor , Rheault Francois , Archer Derek , Li Muwei , Gao Yurui , Cai Leon , Del’Acqua Flavio , Newton Allen , Moyer Daniel , Gore John C. , Lebel Catherine , Landman Bennett A.
Published: November 2023

Characterizing how, when, and where the human brain changes across the lifespan is fundamental to our understanding of developmental processes of childhood and adolescence, degenerative processes of aging, and divergence from normal patterns in disease and disorders. We aimed to provide detailed descriptions of white matter pathways across the lifespan by thoroughly characterizing white matter microstructure, white matter macrostructure, and morphology of the cortex associated with white matter pathways. We analyzed four large, high-quality, cross-sectional datasets comprising 2789 total imaging sessions, and participants ranging from 0 to 100 years old, using advanced tractography and diffusion modeling. We first find that all microstructural, macrostructural, and cortical features of white matter bundles show unique lifespan trajectories, with rates and timing of development and degradation that vary across pathways—describing differences between types of pathways and locations in the brain, and developmental milestones of maturation of each feature. Second, we show cross-sectional relationships between different features that may help elucidate biological differences at different stages of the lifespan. Third, we show unique trajectories of age associations across features. Finally, we find that age associations during development are strongly related to those during aging. Overall, this study reports normative data for several features of white matter pathways of the human brain that are expected to be useful for studying normal and abnormal white matter development and degeneration.
Redescription of Leptoconops (Leptoconops) brasiliensis (Lutz) and Leptoconops (Megaconops) floridensis Wirth (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) with its first Brazilian record
Authors: SANTARÉM MARIA CLARA ALVES , CREMER MARTA JUSSARA , VIEIRA JENYFFER VIERHELLER , LEMOS GIULIA GAGLIANONE , PECOR DAVID B. , FELIPPE-BAUER MARIA LUIZA
Published: November 2023

The Leptoconops Skuse genus includes many pestiferous biting midges found in coastal areas. Only two species were previously found in Brazil and some species have ancient descriptions lacking updated taxonomic features. Herein, we redescribe Leptoconops (Leptoconops) brasiliensis Lutz and L. (Megaconops) floridensis Wirth based on female type specimens and additional material from Goiás and Santa Catarina, Brazil. The first Brazilian record of L. (M.) floridensis is reported.
Impact of the Upper-Tropospheric Cold Low on the Genesis of Typhoon Hagupit (2020)
Authors: Zhang Xiping , Fang Juan , Yu Zifeng
Published: November 2023

Typhoon Hagupit (2020), which formed unexpectedly close to land, posed great challenges for forecasters. During its genesis, there was a westward-moving upper-tropospheric cold low (UTCL) to its north. This study investigated the impact of this UTCL on the genesis process using numerical simulations. In the semi-idealized experiment with this UTCL removed (run-Rcold), pre-Hagupit develops faster, but its track drifts southward in the later stage compared with the control experiment (run-cnl). In the experiment with enhanced UTCL (run-Ecold), the simulated track is similar to that in run-cnl, but pre-Hagupit does not develop into a tropical storm. In run-cnl and run-Ecold, the environmental vertical wind shear is larger than that in run-Rcold in the first 2 days, and the simulated pre-Hagupit experiences two prominent dry-air intrusions in the middle and upper troposphere. At the second intrusion, when the weakened UTCL has moved within 2° of pre-Hagupit, the convection in both experiments decays significantly, and the development of the midlevel vortex begins to lag behind that in run-Rcold, and so does the vertical alignment of the low- and midlevel vortices. The UTCL influences the movement of pre-Hagupit by modifying the large-scale steering flows, especially those above 600 hPa. In run-Rcold, due to the absence of the northward component of wind fields related to the UTCL circulation, pre-Hagupit starts to move west-northwestward instead of northwestward as in run-cnl and run-Ecold.

Significance Statement

Typhoon Hagupit (2020) got named near the 24-h warning line of China. TCs crossing this line are considered to have a significant impact on China within 24 h, or may make landfall within 24 h. After formation, Hagupit rapidly intensified to its peak intensity of 42 m s−1 in 48 h, and made landfall in Zhejiang Province at severe typhoon strength after another 8 h. Both the unexpected genesis and the rapid intensification of Hagupit posed great challenges for forecasters and deserve further investigation. This study focused on the genesis process. We noticed that there was a westward-moving upper-tropospheric cold low (UTCL) in the north during the formation of Hagupit. We have conducted three numerical experiments to investigate the impact of this UTCL on the genesis of Hagupit, and found that the UTCL is an important factor affecting the genesis process. It is detrimental to the vortex development. If the UTCL is removed, Hagupit will develop into a tropical storm more quickly, but its potential landfall point of Hagupit will shift from the southeast coast of China to the Philippines.
Investigating the Strength and Variability of El Niño–Southern Oscillation Teleconnections to Hydroclimate and Maize Yields in Southern and East Africa
Authors: Cook Benjamin I. , Anderson Weston , Slinski Kimberly , Shukla Shraddhanand , McNally Amy
Published: November 2023

The state of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is critical for seasonal climate forecasts, but recent events diverged substantially from expectations in many regions, including sub-Saharan Africa where seasonal forecasts are critical tools for addressing food security. Here, we evaluate 39 years (1982–2020) of data on hydroclimate, leaf area index, and maize yields to investigate the strength of ENSO teleconnections in southern and East Africa. Teleconnections to precipitation, soil moisture, and leaf area index are generally stronger during ENSO phases that cause drought conditions (El Niño in southern Africa and La Niña in East Africa), with seasonality that aligns well with the maize growing seasons. Within maize growing areas, however, ENSO teleconnections to hydroclimate and vegetation are generally weaker compared to the broader geographic regions, especially in East Africa. There is also little evidence that the magnitude of the ENSO event affects the hydroclimate or vegetation response in these maize regions. Maize yields in Kenya, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe all correlate significantly with hydroclimate and leaf area index, with South Africa and Zimbabwe showing the strongest and most consistent yield responses to ENSO events. Our results highlight the chain of causality from El Niño and La Niña forcing of regional anomalies in hydroclimate to vegetation health and maize yields in southern and East Africa. The large spread across individual ENSO events, however, underscores the limitations of this climate mode for seasonal climate prediction in the region, and the importance of finding additional sources of skill for improving climate and yield forecasts.
Media Coverage of School Shootings: A Distortion Analysis of Incident and Perpetrator Characteristics
Authors: Gaudette Tiana , Petrie Eve S. , Chermak Steven M. , Freilich Joshua D.
Published: November 2023

Media outlets tend to cover rare events like school shootings. However, some school shootings receive more media coverage than others, and little is empirically known why, or what school shooting characteristics might attract greater media attention. This study addresses this gap and conducts a distortion analysis using data from The American School Shooting Study (TASSS), a national, open-source database. TASSS includes all publicly known shootings that resulted in at least one injury on K-12 school grounds in the United States between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2016. The findings reveal that school shooters with a criminal record, who have psychological issues, committed a shooting post-Columbine, and who injured or killed more victims received more coverage.
My School District Isn’t Segregated: Experimental Evidence on the Effect of Information on Parental Preferences Regarding School Segregation
Authors: Thompson Marissa E. , Trejo Sam
Published: November 2023

U.S. public schools are increasingly segregated by income, resulting in substantial educational inequality among U.S. schoolchildren. We conducted a nationally representative survey to explore the relationship between parental beliefs about and preferences regarding school segregation. Using experimental manipulation, we tested if learning about levels of school segregation in their local school district affects a parent’s attitudes and preferences regarding school segregation. In doing so, our study helps elucidate whether disagreement with respect to segregation-reducing policies stems from differences in parental beliefs about the extent of segregation in their district or from differences in parental preferences given existing levels of segregation. We found that parents hold largely inaccurate beliefs about local segregation levels and underestimate, on average, the economic segregation in their district. However, information treatments that correct inaccurate beliefs do little to influence support for policies to reduce segregation.
Effects of Sunday Liquor Sales Legalization on Alcohol Policy Attitudes and Alcohol Purchasing Behavior
Authors: Calvert Collin , Jones-Webb Rhonda , Erickson Darin , Lenk Kathleen , Toomey Traci , Nelson Toben
Published: November 2023

We examined how legalization of Sunday alcohol sales relates to attitudes towards Sunday sales, and how both attitudes and alcohol consumption patterns relate to Sunday alcohol purchasing. A total of 1,384 adults of legal drinking age completed a survey one year post-legalization of Sunday sales. A majority of respondents (51%) were supportive of Sunday sales legalization both before and after legalization. People were more likely to support Sunday sales legalization if they reported binge drinking (PR: 2.19; CI: 1.51 3.18). Following Sunday sales legalization, 59% of participants reported purchasing alcohol in Minnesota on Sunday. Binge drinking (PR: 1.39; CI: 1.27, 1.52) or supporting Sunday sales legalization (PR: 1.85; CI: 1.56, 2.17) were associated with higher likelihood of purchasing alcohol on Sunday. Legalizing Sunday sales may have increased access to alcohol for people with more unhealthy drinking behaviors.
Expanding Communication Expectations: Examining Audience Understanding of Scripts Through Fold and Swap Strategies
Authors: St.Amant Kirk , Giordano Walter
Published: November 2023

This entry presents cognitive-based strategies, called folds and swaps, communication professionals can use to introduce new concepts to different groups. A novel extension of prototype theory and script theory from cognitive psychology and linguistics, these strategies can help create messages that add, or fold, new ideas, activities, or items into existing processes. Communication professionals can also use these strategies to develop messaging that shifts, or swaps, the location individuals associate with performing different activities. Through an application of folds and swap strategies, communication professionals can help audiences contextualize new approaches to everyday activities.
Associations between children's school wellbeing, mindset and academic attainment in standardised tests of achievement
Authors: Clarke Tania , McLellan Ros
Published: November 2023

Childhood wellbeing is essential for positive outcomes in adulthood, as is academic attainment. Schools play a pivotal role in laying the foundations for children to live well. However, research investigating the relationship between wellbeing and attainment has relied on conceptualisations of wellbeing that are too broad (i.e. overall and domain-general wellbeing) or samples spanning large age ranges (thereby overlooking developmental differences). Additionally, the role of mindset, a potentially co-occurring psychological state of both wellbeing and attainment, has been neglected. This study therefore investigated the wellbeing-attainment relationship in 942 children aged 9–11 (447 male, Mage = 10.5; 495 female, Mage = 10.6) across 17 schools in England (UK). Structural equation models distinguished between overall wellbeing, life satisfaction, and eudaimonia, examining associations of each with children's attainment on standardised tests, accounting for mindsets, achievement goals, and sociodemographic factors. Results indicated lower life satisfaction was significantly associated with higher attainment on average, and in English and Mathematics, while eudaimonia was not significantly related to attainment. Overall wellbeing was negatively associated with Mathematics attainment only. A growth mindset was positively associated, while a fixed mindset was negatively associated, with wellbeing. In turn, a growth mindset was significantly positively associated, while a fixed mindset was negatively associated, with attainment. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
“They are always ambiguous when they don't know how it will turn out.” Dissemination, Practices, and Ethical Assessment of Strategic Ambiguity
Authors: von der Wense Ina , Hoffjann Olaf
Published: November 2023

Strategic ambiguity increases an organization's scope for action. Ambiguous statements are, among other things, easier to deny; they also facilitate change. Strategic ambiguity has long been a theoretically well-established practice in organizational communication research. To date, the substantial number of theoretical and conceptual contributions has been contrasted by relatively few empirical studies of strategic ambiguity. This is the starting point of the present paper, which provides answers to the following research questions: How are the use and diffusion of strategic ambiguity perceived? What goals are pursued with strategic ambiguity? What ambiguous practices are used in strategic political communication? And finally: How is strategic ambiguity assessed ethically? To answer the research questions, semi-structured interviews were conducted. In addition to political PR practitioners, political journalists were also interviewed in order to contrast the self-assessments of PR practitioners with the external assessments of journalists. The results show that strategic ambiguity is perceived as very common in the field of politics. From an ethical perspective, strategic ambiguity is evaluated ambivalently: Protective motives, which are evaluated as legitimate, are contrasted with deliberately deceptive motives, which are evaluated as illegitimate.
Book review: K. L. Tuteja, Religion, Community and Nation: Hindu Consciousness and Nationalism in Colonial Punjab
Authors: Mahajan Sucheta
Published: November 2023

K. L. Tuteja, Religion, Community and Nation: Hindu Consciousness and Nationalism in Colonial Punjab, Indian Institute of Advanced Study and Primus Books, 2021, pp. 372+xi, ₹1,250.
Spatiotemporal Evaluation of Injury Severity of Expressway Rear-End Crashes in China: Insights Using Random Parameters Approaches
Authors: Wang Chenzhu , Easa Said , Chen Fei , Cheng Jianchuan
Published: November 2023

Rear-end crashes have become an urgent problem in China, resulting in severe casualties and massive property damage. This study aims, first, to discover the determinants affecting injury severity in expressway rear-end crashes and to examine the corresponding changes over time and space, and, second, to identify the sources of unobserved heterogeneity shifts, which could have substantial implications for efficient and effective crash prevention. Using three-year crash data (2017 -2019) from two expressways with speed limits of 120 km/h and 100 km/h (G2 and G25) in Jiangsu and Guangdong provinces in China, four random parameter logit model (RP-LM) approaches were used in this study to analyze the contributing factors: fixed parameter LM, RP-LM, RP-LM with heterogeneity in means, and RP-LM with heterogeneity in means and variances. With three injury severity consequences (severe injury, minor injury, and no injury), the characteristics of the driver, vehicle, roadway, environment, and others were proposed as possible determinants. The temporal and spatial stability were then explored using transferability tests. The marginal effects were computed to explore further potential heterogeneity and spatiotemporal variations. The estimated results indicate the superiority of the proposed model over its base counterparts, with very good [Formula: see text] values all over 0.64. Saturday, early morning, and winter indicators were identified as significant random parameters, and several variables were observed to manifest heterogeneity in means and variances. Speeding behavior, early morning, and heavy truck indicators increased the likelihood of minor and severe injury. These findings could significantly improve expressway safety related to rear-end crashes.
Digital Twin Framework for Bridge Structural Health Monitoring Utilizing Existing Technologies: New Paradigm for Enhanced Management, Operation, and Maintenance
Authors: Costin Aaron , Adibfar Alireza , Bridge Jennifer
Published: November 2023

Bridges are one of the most important elements of a sustainable transportation infrastructure network and require significant care to guarantee they function in a safe and reliable manner. Ensuring effective bridge maintenance and life cycle management in the face of aging and deterioration requires precise performance data and efficient assessment technologies. Because of the overall mediocre quality of U.S. infrastructure, there is a crucial need to enhance its monitoring and management. Digital twin is an emerging and promising concept that can offer the required solution. Advances in sensors, computing, communications, and predictive data analytics, coupled with biannual inspections, offer a wealth of bridge assessment data that will need a centralized digital twin framework for integration, analysis, and optimal decision-making with regard to maintenance. Leveraging and integrating these technologies in the new paradigm of a bridge digital twin will provide state transportation agencies with additional resources not previously available to enhance bridge operation and maintenance. A major value of a digital twin is the new knowledge created by the integration of information resources. This paper provides a framework for bridge digital twin that incorporates existing technologies, namely, building information modeling, structural health monitoring, intelligent transportation systems, and geographic information systems. The paper also provides an overview of practical applications and use cases of digital twin for bridges and structures, and offers an assessment of the challenges posed by the technology.
Understanding the Design of Fear Appeals by Applying the Extended Parallel Process Model: A Qualitative Analysis of COVID-19 Public Service Announcements
Authors: Chen Xiaobei , Son Rachel , Xiao Zhecheng , Treise Debbie , Alpert Jordan M
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Identify how early COVID-19 public health messages incorporated in the tenets of the extended parallel process model (EPPM).

Setting

YouTube videos developed by governmental departments, medical institutions, news organizations, and non-profit organizations in the United States were aggregated.

Method

This qualitative study conducted a keyword search to identify public service announcements (PSAs). The sample was further refined after searching PSAs that contained fear appeals. A thematic analysis was performed by using the constant comparative method.

Sample

A total of forty-three videos was included in the final analysis.

Result

Two themes emerged regarding messages aimed at arousing the perceived severity of threat. These themes include emphasizing the consequences of being infected and utilizing personal narratives. Perceived susceptibility of threat was aroused by emphasizing that some groups have higher risks than others. Two themes emerged around arousing perceived response efficacy: (1) the authority of professionals; and (2) altruism and personal responsibility. One way was identified to arouse perceived self-efficacy, which is informing the protective measures.

Conclusion

Multiple strategies were used in PSAs about COVID-19 to arouse fear during the early stages of the pandemic. The utilization of self-efficacy was oversimplified, by not providing details about the rationale for the recommended behavior.
Why Not Offer Routine Screenings for Brain Health?
Authors: Terry Paul E.
Published: November 2023

The merits of routine health screening for cancer and cardiovascular diseases are well established given the strong evidence that early detection can lead to effective interventions. Health systems, insurance providers and public health agencies have incorporated systematic approaches to ensuring that preventive screenings for hypertension, hyperlipidemia and cancers are encouraged, readily accessible and reimbursed. Workplace wellness programs intent on containing preventable healthcare costs have also sponsored age- and risk-adjusted health screenings, often including financial incentives to encourage same. Should we also screen for brain health? Is early detection of value for a condition with no proven treatment or cure? This editorial reviews the pros and cons of testing for cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s and related dementias and suggests that with nearly every country in the world getting proportionally older, promoting brain health could emerge as a key intrinsic motivation for promoting healthier lifestyles. I conclude that a person-centered approach to deciding about testing is needed given uncertain evidence connecting health behaviors to cognitive decline.
Impacts of Viewpoint Diversity Law on Teaching and Learning in Florida’s State Universities
Authors: Barsky Allan , Groton Danielle , Spadola Christine
Published: November 2023

This study explores the impact of Florida House Bill 233 on teaching and learning in Florida’s State University System. This bill purports to promote intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity by permitting students to record classes and by creating a cause of action for faculty violating these principles. Faculty were invited to share qualitative feedback about the specific impacts of the two provisions. The vast majority of faculty expressed negative views of these provisions, suggesting they would inhibit intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity by deterring student participation in classes, discouraging faculty from engaging students in discussions of certain topics, and creating an atmosphere of mistrust between faculty and students. Faculty with positive views of the recording provision suggested that these provisions promote intellectual freedom and viewpoint diversity by discouraging faculty from imposing their views and giving students a remedy if they feel that faculty are violating their rights.
An Exploration of Methods to Resolve Inconsistent Self-Reporting of Chronic Conditions and Impact on Multimorbidity in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Andreacchi Alessandra T. , Brini Alberto , Van den Heuvel Edwin , Muniz-Terrera Graciela , Mayhew Alexandra , St John Philip , Stirland Lucy E. , Griffith Lauren E.
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To quantify inconsistent self-reporting of chronic conditions between the baseline (2011–2015) and first follow-up surveys (2015–2018) in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), and to explore methods to resolve inconsistent responses and impact on multimorbidity.

Methods

Community-dwelling adults aged 45–85 years in the baseline and first follow-up surveys were included ( n = 45,184). At each survey, participants self-reported whether they ever had a physician diagnosis of 35 chronic conditions. Identifiable inconsistent responses were enumerated.

Results

32–40% of participants had at least one inconsistent response across all conditions. Illness-related information (e.g., taking medication) resolved most inconsistent responses (>93%) while computer-assisted software asking participants to confirm their inconsistent disease status resolved ≤53%. Using these adjudication methods, multimorbidity prevalence at follow-up increased by ≤1.6% compared to the prevalence without resolving inconsistent responses.

Discussion

Inconsistent self-reporting of chronic conditions is common but may not substantially affect multimorbidity prevalence. Future research should validate methods to resolve inconsistencies.
Degree of conversion and physicomechanical properties of newly developed flowable composite derived from rice husk using urethane dimethacrylate monomer
Authors: Azlisham Nor Ain Fatihah , Johari Yanti , Mohamad Dasmawati , Yhaya Mohd Firdaus , Mahmood Zuliani
Published: November 2023

This study evaluated the use of urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) as a base monomer to prepare the newly developed flowable composite (FC) using nanohybrid silica derived from rice husk in comparison to bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) on the degree of conversion and physicomechanical properties. The different loadings of base monomer to diluent monomer were used at the ratio of 40:60, 50:50, and 60:40. The bonding analysis confirmed the presence of nanohybrid silica in the newly developed FC. Independent t-test revealed a statistically significant increase in the degree of conversion, depth of cure and Vickers hardness of the UDMA-based FC, while surface roughness showed comparable results between the two base monomers. In conclusion, UDMA-based FC demonstrated superior performance with 60%–65% conversions, a significantly higher depth of cure exceeding 1 mm which complies with the Internal Standard of Organization 4049 (ISO 4049), and a substantial increase in Vickers hardness numbers compared to Bis-GMA-based FC, making UDMA a suitable alternative to Bis-GMA as a base monomer in the formulation of this newly developed FC derived from rice husk.
Safety and Clinical Effects of a Muse Cell-Based Product in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Results of a Phase 2 Clinical Trial
Authors: Yamashita Toru , Nakano Yumiko , Sasaki Ryo , Tadokoro Koh , Omote Yoshio , Yunoki Taijun , Kawahara Yuko , Matsumoto Namiko , Taira Yuki , Matsuoka Chika , Morihara Ryuta , Abe Koji
Published: November 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Multilineage-differentiating stress-enduring (Muse) cells are unique endogenous stem cells that show therapeutic effects on motor function in ALS mouse models. We conducted a single-center open phase II clinical trial to evaluate the safety and clinical effects of repeated intravenous injections of an allogenic Muse cell-based product, CL2020, in patients with ALS. Five patients with ALS received CL2020 intravenously once a month for a total of six doses. The primary endpoints were safety and tolerability, and the secondary endpoint was the rate of change in the Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) score. In addition, serum tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), cerebrospinal fluid chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT-1), and neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels were evaluated. The CL2020 treatment was highly tolerated without serious side effects. The ALSFRS-R score change trended upward at 12 months post-CL2020 treatment compared with that at 3 months pre-administration, but the difference was not statistically significant. Among five patients diagnosed with ALS, three exhibited a decrease in the rate of ALSFRS-R score change, one demonstrated an increase, and another showed no change. In addition, the patients’ serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels and cerebrospinal fluid CHIT-1 and NfL levels increased for up to 6 months post-treatment; however, their serum S1P levels continuously decreased over 12 months. These findings indicate a favorable safety profile of CL2020 therapy. In the near future, a double-blind study of a larger number of ALS patients should be conducted to confirm the efficacy of ALS treatment with CL2020.
Changing Contours of the Employment Landscape: A Study on Gig Work Options for the Platform Workforce of Kerala
Authors: A C Kavitha , P Parvathy
Published: November 2023

The article is an attempt to examine the extent to which the emergence of platform work options has offered succour to the workforce of Kerala hit hard by the dearth of employment opportunities owing to the pandemic-induced economic crisis. A survey of 55 respondents across the state reveals that Kerala’s workforce is engaged in diverse types of platform work that can be classified into web-based and location-based works. Platform work is a preferred job option for the young workforce as the mean age of the surveyed is 27.45 years. Though platform work is opted by all irrespective of educational level, those with higher educational qualifications were engaged in web-based work. Gender bias in favour of women is found in web-based work, while location-based jobs happen to be a male dominion. Though platform workers value independence in work, flexible work schedules, etc., associated with gig work, most of them have expressed their desire to have a regular job with stable incomes as the mean income of the respondents was moderate at ₹17,609. Reckoning the rise in platform job options, the policy thrust must be on promoting remunerative web-based work coupled with protecting the interests of the overworked location-based workers.
The Cold-store Industry of Jammu and Kashmir: Beginning, Growth and Linkages
Authors: Majeed Mehak , Farooq Azlan
Published: November 2023

One of the most dynamic and sustainable channels of attaining steadfast development is through the process of industrialisation. Nations across the world have shown positive returns accruing to the whole economy by setting in place a well-thought-of, well-planned industrialisation. Drawing instance and inspiration from the same, the hitherto colonialised nations have endeavoured upon the same process. India on the same lines has sought to go for planned industrialisation. Being central to its developmental goals, the unions of India have also had a decentralised focus on industrialising. On the same lines, the region of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) has been attempting to industrialise as well. One of the latest developments in this channel is the growth of the horticulture industry, creating a number of forward linkages. The development of an indigenous cold-store industry is one of the most significant ones. This study by collecting data from the field brings forth the nature, characteristics, prospectus and linkages of the cold-store industry of J&K. The study concludes by giving some policy recommendations to strengthen the industrialisation process of J&K.
A Comparative Study of the Clinical Profile of COVID-19 in Neonates During Different Waves: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Vivek Sermadurai , Kamalarathnam C. N. , Anitha Murugesan , Vaideeswaran Mariappan , Narayanan Ethirajan , Sangeetha T.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The severity of coronavirus disease 2019 in neonates was variable. Studies describing the morbidities in neonates due to coronavirus disease 2019 among outborn neonates were limited. The impact of maternal immune status due to vaccination against coronavirus disease in 2019 on neonates remains unexplored. Hence, we aimed to compare the clinical profile of coronavirus disease 2019 among outborn neonates during the different waves.

Materials and Methods

We did a medical record-based retrospective study of neonates with coronavirus disease 2019 admitted between January 2020 and July 2022 in a tertiary care out-born neonatal unit in India. They were stratified based on the period of admission into the first, second, and third waves. Outcome variables, including demographic, clinical, laboratory, radiological, and treatment data of the eligible neonates, were obtained and compared between different waves.

Results

Among the 32 neonates enrolled, 17 were admitted during the first wave, 15 during the second wave, and none during the third wave. Of all, 24 (75%) neonates were symptomatic. Contact with coronavirus disease 2019-positive mothers and the occurrence of fever and lethargy were high during the second wave. Inflammatory markers were elevated in 12 (46%), and 28% had abnormal X-rays. Eight (25%) neonates required respiratory support, and five (16%) required mechanical ventilation. The clinical outcome was good, with 91% being discharged home. No significant difference in demographics, laboratory markers, mode of treatment, or clinical outcome between the first and second waves was identified.

Conclusions

Transmissibility from coronavirus disease 2019-positive mothers to neonates was high during the second wave, with more coronavirus disease 2019-related symptoms. Symptomatic neonates were milder in severity but improved with supportive care.
Management of Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Clinical Implications from Recent European Consensus Guidelines
Authors: Chinnappan Arunambika , Aradhya Abhishek Somasekhara , Sahoo Tanushree
Published: November 2023

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) is the most common major morbidity in preterm infants. The recent 6th edition of European consensus guidelines (2023) on RDS gives comprehensive care pathways for management of this vulnerable population based on updated evidence until the end of 2022. The current update also aims to highlight the major updates from the previous version (2019) and to compare the surfactant and non-invasive respiratory support guidelines from the National Neonatology Forum, India.
Prioritization of Injury Prevention and Management Programs and Research and Development (R&D) Projects: Survey Using the Delphi Technique and Analytic Hierarchy Process
Authors: Lee Won Kyung , Ock Minsu , Park Ju Ok , Kim Changsoo , Seo Beom Sok , Pyo Jeehee , Park Hyun Jin , Kim Ui Jeong , Choi Eun Jeong , Woo Shinyoung , Park Hyesook
Published: November 2023

We prioritized injury prevention and management programs, and research and development (R&D) projects using the Delphi method and analytic hierarchy process (AHP) for national plan. We summarized 21 programs and 31 R&D projects based on opinions collected in the opinion survey and brainstorming. Expert panel evaluated program and project relevance in the two Delphi rounds to make consensus. Total scores were calculated by adding criterion weights calculated through the AHP multiplied by the average of scores for each program and project. The top three programs were “Integrated Management System for Injury Data,” “Comprehensive Injury Surveillance System,” and “Transport System Improvement Program for Major Trauma.” The top three R&D projects were researches on “Identification of Vulnerable Workers Injuries to Strengthen Protections,” “Data Integration on Injury and Disability,” and “Using Public Health Big Data to Identify Injury Status and Risk Factors.” Experts highly rated the programs to improve injury surveillance system.
“Everything That Is Here, I Have Lived”: A Triangulated Analysis of an Intimate Partner Violence Assessment Tool in Curitiba, Brazil
Authors: Signorelli Marcos Claudio , Guimarães da Rocha Raiza Wallace , Xavier Hall Casey D. , Prado Sandra Marques , Evans Dabney P.
Published: November 2023

Using a mixed-methods triangulation approach we piloted the Composite Abuse Scale—Brazilian version (CAS-Brazil) at the House of the Brazilian Woman of Curitiba among 62 survivors of intimate partner violence and four professionals serving survivors to assess its feasibility for use. Quantitative data were tabulated using descriptive statistics while qualitative data were recorded, coded, and thematically analyzed. Four qualitative domains emerged: (a) conceptual understanding; (b) item definitions; (c) women's experiences; and (d) professionals’ perspectives. Comprehension of the CAS-Brazil appeared high across participants from diverse backgrounds. Professionals viewed it as highly feasible for use in Brazilian cross-sectoral services to support survivor decision-making.
In Silico Analysis of the Dextransucrase Obtained From Leuconostoc mesenteroides Strain IBUN 91.2.98
Authors: García Galindo Luisa Alejandra , González Martha Margarita , Cerón Salamanca Jairo Alonso , Ospina Sánchez Sonia Amparo
Published: November 2023

The DSR-IBUN dextransucrase produced by Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain IBUN 91.2.98 has a short production time (4.5 hours), an enzymatic activity of 24.8 U/mL, and a specific activity of purified enzyme 2 times higher (331.6 U/mg) than that reported for similar enzymes. The aim of this study was to generate a structural model that, from an in silico approach, allows a better understanding, from the structural point of view, of the activity obtained by the enzyme of interest, which is key to continue with its study and industry application. For this, we translated the nucleotide sequence of the dsr_IBUN gene. With the primary structure of DSR-IBUN, the in silico prediction of physicochemical parameters, the possible subcellular localization, the presence of signal peptide, and the location of domains and functional and structural motifs of the protein were established. Subsequently, its secondary and tertiary structure were predicted and a homology model of the dextransucrase under study was constructed using Swiss-Model, performing careful template selection. The values obtained for the model, Global Model Quality Estimation (0.63), Quality Mean (−1.49), and root-mean-square deviation (0.09), allow us to affirm that the model for the enzyme dextransucrase DSR-IBUN is of adequate quality and can be used as a source of information for this protein.