bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Serum Trefoil Factor-3 Predicts Survival in Peripheral Artery Disease
Authors: Pesau Gerfried , Zierfuss Bernhard , Hoebaus Clemens , Koppensteiner Renate , Schernthaner Gerit-Holger
Published: February 2024

Trefoil factor 3 (TFF3) has been studied in processes leading to atherosclerosis. Data are scarce in manifest disease and missing in peripheral artery disease (PAD). This study aims to elucidate TFF3 with disease stages, degrees of atherosclerosis, and outcomes. TFF3 was measured in serum in 364 PAD patients without critical limb ischemia and mild to moderate chronic kidney disease (CKD). Mortality data were retrieved from the Austrian central death registry (median observation 9.6 years). Survival analyses were performed using Cox regression and the Kaplan–Meier method. A negative association between ankle-brachial index and TFF3 ( P < .001) was observed, while levels were similar in asymptomatic and symptomatic PAD. TFF3 increased with history of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease ( P < .001). TTF3 was associated with the estimated glomerular filtration rate (R = −0.617, P < .001) and urinary albumin-creatinine ratio (R = 0.229, P < .001). One SD increase in TFF3 showed a worsening in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio 1.68, CI 1.37–2.05) which persisted after multiple adjustment for cardiovascular risk, inflammatory, and angiogenetic markers (hazard ratio 1.35, CI 1.01–1.81). This study is the first to link TFF3 with both disease markers and outcomes in PAD. TFF3 demonstrated associations with renal function, PAD severity measured by ankle-brachial index, and additional atherosclerotic burden in PAD.
Do secondary education systems influence the overeducation risk of university graduates? A cross-national analysis by field of study and social background
Authors: Capsada-Munsech Queralt
Published: February 2024

To what extent do features of education systems in the secondary school influence university graduates being overeducated? Previous research shows that the social origin and the field of study of university graduates are relevant predictors of overeducation. However, the strength of the influence of their social origin varies across fields of study. Having a privileged social origin prevents university graduates from being overeducated in fields of study that are not occupationally focused (e.g. humanities), while it is less relevant in other fields (e.g. engineering). The unevenly distributed effect of social origin in relation to the field of study may also vary across countries, depending on the influence of the secondary education system on social selection. Social origin may provide a filter earlier in vocationally oriented educational systems, whereas in comprehensive systems the social filter occurs at the graduate’s entry into the labor market. This would make university graduates from nonoccupationally focused fields of study and with a disadvantaged social origin more vulnerable to being overeducated in countries with comprehensive secondary school systems, while in vocationally oriented systems social origin may be less influential at that later stage. Using Research into Employment and professional FLEXibility/Higher Education as a Generator of Strategic Competences (REFLEX/HEGESCO) data in combination with macro-level indicators, I assess how secondary education systems mediate the influence of social origin in terms of the university graduate’s risk of overeducation by field of study. When using a subjective measure of overeducation results suggest that social origin is less important in predicting the overeducation of university graduates in countries with greater vocational orientation at the secondary level, while in comprehensive systems social origin regains its influence as a filter when graduates in nonoccupationally oriented fields join the labor market. Yet, results do not hold when using an objective measure of overeducation.
Longitudinal outcomes of a work inclusion program in mental health departments in the city of Milan
Authors: Vanzetto Simone , Quarenghi Andrea , Varinelli Alberto , Dragoni Chiara , Conti Dario , Boscacci Maria , Carrà Giuseppe , Percudani Mauro , Morganti Carla , Gambini Orsola , Barbieri Valentina , Brambilla Paolo , Lazzaretti Matteo , Rubelli Paola , Mencacci Claudio , Fusi Antonio , Viganò Caterina , Dell’Osso Bernardo
Published: February 2024

Background:

Work functioning impairment is a key diagnostic and prognostic criterion in patients with psychiatric disorders and work inclusion is a major goal of their therapeutic pathway. Since 2009, the Regional Innovative Program (PIR) TR106, promoted by ASST Fatebenefratelli-Sacco of Milan in collaboration with other Departments of Mental Health and Addictions (DSMDs) in the town of Milan (Italy), has been developing the employment inclusion of psychiatric patients.

Aims:

The objective of this study is to evaluate its outcomes over 8 years of observation.

Method:

We reported the results of a retrospective epidemiologic analysis on 2,142 interventions on 1,066 patients recruited, investigating PIR TR106 outcomes per year focusing on different subgroups. We focused on ‘positive’, ‘negative’, and ‘other’ outcomes.

Results:

We preliminary calculated job maintenance interventions (5%, 107) and excluded these interventions from the overall. We observed 29 job firing (1.4%) and 15 job resignations (0.7%) as negative results (equal to 2.2% of the total) and 388 job hiring (16.6%), 647 traineeships (31.8%), and 413 work formation (20.3%) as positive outcomes (equal to 68.75%). In other outcomes (29.1%) we found 305 dismissals from PIR TR 106 (15%) and transitory outcomes (14.1%). Job hiring increased from 8.9% in 2012 to 23.8 % in 2019 ( p < .001), while the dismissals diminished from 26.7% to 13.3% ( p < .001). The effectiveness of traineeships in terms of job hiring increased in the ratio of annual job hiring versus job traineeship (+48.8%). The majority of hired patients (15.1%) were affected by a psychotic disorder. A significant hiring increase was observed in patients with psychotic disorders and personality disorders ( p < .005).

Conclusions:

PIR-TR106 represents a territorial employment inclusion program with progressively increasing effectiveness and specificity, as suggested by changes in outcomes during the 8-year observation. The adaptive capacity and sustainability of the intervention are worth further investigation.
Scaffolding Summary Writing through the ‘Reading to Learn’ Pedagogy
Authors: Li Huifang , Wijeyewardene Ingrid , Stackhouse Susan
Published: February 2024

Summary writing is a core competency for students pursuing university studies, but the demands of the reading-to-writing process can be fraught for those students new to the university context, particularly international students for whom English is an additional language. This paper reports on a study that investigated the effectiveness of using the Reading to Learn (R2L) pedagogy for students’ summary writing in an online environment. International English as an additional language students enrolled in four separate iterations of an advanced academic literacy unit offered by an Australian university, and were taught academic reading and summary writing online using the R2L pedagogy. Pre- and post-tests were administered in the first and last weeks of the unit each trimester. In the weeks between the tests, tutorials (2 h×9 weeks) consisted of structured and scaffolded teacher–student interactions, which guided the students through reading and summarising and moved from a high level of teacher input to greater student independence in the reading-to-writing process. Results found significant improvement in students’ abilities to comprehend and summarise key ideas from a source text and to write grammatically sound and complex sentences. However, the instruction did not show any impact on cohesion, vocabulary or punctuation. Despite the limitations of the study, the results confirm previous results as to the value of R2L, which provides a scaffolded approach to reading and writing.
Feeling Incompetent Drives Me to Learn: Unraveling Teacher Learning Mechanisms in EFL Materials Development
Authors: Lyu Chenming , Li Shaopeng
Published: February 2024

The present study investigates the dynamics of teacher learning within the context of an English as a Foreign Language materials development project (MDP) in China. Drawing upon qualitative data from interviews and field observations, we identified four distinct teacher learning mechanisms that emerged during the MDP. These mechanisms included (1) identifying one's strengths and weaknesses, (2) growing through communicative connection, (3) reflecting on one's teaching and materials development experiences, and (4) transforming one's practices. Furthermore, we explored the influencing factors at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, and institutional levels that interacted with these learning mechanisms. Our findings revealed that teacher learning is a cyclical process that involves the identification of improvement needs, engagement in learning activities, and the transformation of teaching practices. The MDP served as a boundary broker, facilitating teacher learning by providing a platform for boundary-crossing between different educational contexts. These insights contribute to our understanding of how teachers engage in professional learning through MDPs and suggest implications for teacher learning programs and the development of professional learning communities.
De-foreignizing English Outside Class: Junior-Secondary-Level English-as-a-Foreign-Language Learners’ Extramural English Engagements and Listening and Reading Proficiency
Authors: Tsang Art , Lam Wai-Kan
Published: February 2024

Being cognizant of the indispensable role of abundant language input, scholars have given more attention to learning beyond the foreign language classroom in recent decades. This is especially important because there is usually limited time and exposure to authentic input in class. Contexts in which English is regarded as a foreign language warrant scrutiny since English is now highly accessible to learners at virtually all ages, worldwide, at no/low cost, thanks mostly to technology. The present longitudinal study set out to examine 350 Hong Kong junior-secondary-school learners’ informal engagements with extramural English activities (e.g. watching videos; playing computer games). The relationship between their engagements and language proficiency was also investigated. The findings revealed that as many as 90% of the participants had informal extramural exposure to English. This exposure was classified into seven categories. Overall, the three most popular types of engagement were videos/movies, songs, and communication (e.g. face-to-face chats; text messages). Intriguingly, the overall levels of engagements were correlated significantly and positively with proficiency scores for the average- and high-proficiency groups, but no such relationship was found for the low-proficiency students. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the findings.
Person re-identification based on multi-branch visual transformer and self-distillation
Authors: Chen Wenjie , Yin Kuan , Wu Yongsheng , Hu Yunbing
Published: February 2024

Person re-identification technology has made significant progress in recent years with the development of deep learning. However, the recognition rate of models in this field is still lower than that of face recognition, which is challenging to implement in practical application scenarios. Therefore, improving the recognition rate of the pedestrian re-identification model is still a critical task. This paper mainly focuses on three aspects of this problem. The first is to use the characteristics of the multi-branch network structure of person re-identification to dig out the most effective online self-distillation scheme between branches without increasing additional resource requirements, making full use of the information contained in each branch. Secondly, this paper analyzes and verifies the pros and cons of knowledge distillation based on mean squared error (MSE) loss function and Kullback-Leibler (KL) divergence from theoretical and experimental perspectives. Finally, we verified through experiments that adding a specific value of noise perturbation to the model weights can further improve the recognition rate of the model. After several improvements in these areas, we obtained the current state-of-the-art performance on four public datasets for person re-identification.
Improved dark channel priori single image defogging technique using image segmentation and joint filtering
Authors: Lu Zhenguo , Wang Hongbin , Wang Mingyan , Wang Zhiwen
Published: February 2024

Foggy images affect image analysis and measurement because of their low definition and blurred details. Despite numerous studies on haze in natural images in hazy environments, the recovery effect is not ideal for processing hazy images in sky areas. A dark channel priori technique for processing haze images with sky areas where atmospheric light values are misestimated and halo artefacts are produced, as well as an improved dark channel priori single-image defogging technique based on image segmentation and joint filtering, are proposed. First, an estimation method of the atmospheric illumination value using image segmentation is proposed to obtain the atmospheric illumination value. The probability density distribution function of the haze-grey image was constructed during image segmentation. The probability density distribution function of the grey image value, the K-means clustering technique, and the method for estimating atmospheric illumination values are combined to improve image segmentation techniques and achieve the segmentation of sky and non-sky areas in hazy images. Based on the segmentation threshold, the number of pixels in the sky and non-sky areas, as well as the normalisation results, were counted to calculate the atmospheric illumination values. Second, to address the halo artefact phenomenon, a method for optimising the image transmittance map using joint filtering is proposed. The image transmittance map was optimised by combining fast-guided filtering and weighted least-squares filtering to retain the edge information and smooth the gradient change of the internal region. Finally, gamma correction and automatic level optimisation are used to improve the brightness and contrast of the defogged images. The experimental results show that the proposed technique can effectively achieve sky segmentation. Compared to the traditional dark-channel prior technique, the proposed technique suppress halo artefacts and improve image detail recovery. Compared to other techniques, the proposed technique exhibited excellent performance in subjective and objective evaluations.
Resistance training and inter-interindividual response differences on cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults: An ancillary meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Kelley George A. , Kelley Kristi S. , Stauffer Brian L.
Published: February 2024

Examine true inter-individual response differences (IIRD) as a result of resistance training on cardiorespiratory fitness in older adults. Data from a recent meta-analysis of 22 randomized controlled trials representing 552 men and women (292 resistance training, 260 control) ≥ 60 years of age were included. The primary outcome was cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) in ml.kg−1.min−1. Using the inverse variance heterogeneity (IVhet) model, statistically significant treatment effect (resistance training minus control) increases in VO2max in ml.kg−1.min−1 were found (mean, 1.8, 95% CI, 0.4 to 3.3 ml.kg−1.min−1, p = 0.01; Q = 82.8, p < 0.001; I2  = 74.6%, 95% CI, 61.6 to 83.3%; [Formula: see text] =1.1). The 95% prediction interval (PI) was −0.8 to 4.5 ml.kg−1.min−1. However, no statistically significant IIRD was observed (mean, 0.6, 95% CI, −1.1 to 1.4 ml.kg−1.min−1; [Formula: see text] =1.5). The 95% PI was −1.8 to 2.0 ml.kg−1.min−1. In conclusion, while progressive resistance training may increase VO2max in ml.kg−1.min−1, a lack of true resistance-training-associated IIRD exist.
Research on speed sensorless control strategy of permanent magnet synchronous motor based on fuzzy super-twisting sliding mode observer
Authors: Song Chao , Liu Dejun , Ren Letian , Han Junjie , Jin Yuqi , Cheng Yanming , Li Xiang , Zhang Hao
Published: February 2024

Aiming at the problems of poor adjustment effect, weak anti-disturbance ability, and low robustness of the traditional sliding mode algorithm for permanent magnet synchronous motor speed sensorless, a permanent magnet synchronous motor speed observation method combining super-twisting sliding mode control algorithm and fuzzy control is proposed to accelerate the convergence speed of the system and improve the anti-disturbance ability. Fuzzy rules are used to solve the problem of obtaining the upper bound of the boundary function in the super-twisting algorithm. Moreover, the fuzzy algorithm is used to output the variable sliding mode gain instead of the fixed sliding mode coefficient to improve the system robustness and suppress the jitter. The simulation results show that the overshoot of the control system is 4%, the lag time is not more than 0.003 ms, the speed error is not more than 1%, and the response and adjustment time is not more than 0.02 s. The proposed control strategy improves the tracking accuracy and response speed of the system, suppresses the sliding mode chattering, and enhances the anti-interference ability of the system.
Dynamic tension control for warp beams on sizing machine based on unwinding length monitoring
Authors: Tu Li , Guo Mingrui , Wang Jingan , Gao Weidong
Published: February 2024

The traditional tension control method with tension as the control target is to uniformly control multiple warp beams and has low control accuracy. Simultaneously, it is difficult to install an independent sensor for a single warp beam to achieve a closed-loop control, due to the space limitation. Combined with the theoretical model, this paper proposes a novel method to achieve the closed-loop unwinding tension control of warp beams by taking the unwinding length as the control target and using the self-developed turns measuring device. First, the dynamic model between different factors and unwinding tension was established in this study. Furthermore, the influence of unwinding radius, unwinding speed and winding density on the tension was investigated to clarify the fluctuation mechanism. Based on these, simulation experiments were conducted for verifying the control effect of the proposed method. The results showed that the proposed single warp beam unwinding tension control method can achieve constant tension throughout the unwinding process, which is superior to the empirical open-loop control method that adjusts the tension according to the linear proportional change of the braking torque. Meanwhile, it has the similar control effect as the ideal closed-loop tension control method, maintaining stability under different reference tensions and disturbances. In addition, the proposed multiple warp beams unwinding tension control method also outperformed the traditional unified tension control method. Our measuring device can be easily installed on the single warp beam for control, resulting in consistent tension between multiple warp beams. Therefore, the proposed methods have a certain control effect and application value.
Do Key Predictors of Academic Resilience Differ Across Cultures? Evidence From Korea and the US
Authors: Choi Yeseul , Sung JeeHun
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to compare key predictors of academic resilience in the distinctive socio-cultural contexts of South Korea and the United States, employing a machine-learning-based random forest technique. Using PISA 2018 data, we focused on students in the bottom 25% of family socioeconomic status, totaling 1,654 in South Korea and 1,175 in the US. The results showed that individual factors, such as meta-cognition, joy of reading, self-concept of reading, and work mastery, were ranked highly in both countries. On the other hand, self-efficacy and students’ expectation of higher education were specific to Korea, while fixed mindset and meaning in life were specific to the US. Based on these findings, this study highlighted the need for culturally responsive policies to nurture academic resilience among disadvantaged youth.
Conceptualization and Measurement of Happy Travel Experiences Using Hedonic, Eudaimonic, and Engagement Aspects
Authors: Shin Hakseung , Kim Yonghyeon , Kim Mira , Lee Hoon
Published: February 2024

The ultimate value of travel lies in the experience of happiness. However, most tourism research has focused on cognitive satisfaction or meaningful travel experiences, which has led to a lack of understanding of the nature of happy travel experiences. This study conceptualizes happy travel experiences in terms of their hedonic, eudaimonic, and engagement aspects, and develops a multi-dimensional scale that can directly measure such experiences. In Study 1, to measure these characteristics, we developed the FASS model, which consists of freedom, achievement, social, and serendipity experiences. In Study 2, the scale was developed using three extensive surveys. The results of the nomological network analyses confirmed that the developed scale predicted the outcomes of happy travel experiences. According to the results, destination managers need to create travel programs for a true escape, integrating mission activities for a sense of accomplishment. Unexpected gifts or events from destinations would also make travelers happy.
The Art of Post Captions: Readability and User Engagement on Social Media
Authors: Yu Joanne , Hong Wilson Cheong Hin , Egger Roman
Published: February 2024

In addition to the significance of visual content, text characteristics serve as salient factors influencing how users react to social media posts. By extracting 9,766 Instagram posts published by destination marketers, this research investigates the interplay between the readability of post captions and destination attributes derived from pictorial content on user engagement. Grounded in the theoretical lens of processing fluency and image-text congruity, the findings revealed that vibrant spots/activities with simpler texts lead to a significantly higher engagement rate, while cultural and historical attractions that use more complex texts are unaffected. Yet, when complex texts are applied to spots that are neither vibrant nor cultural, user engagement decreases significantly. Overall, this research contributes to the interdisciplinary discourse on linguistics and psychological esthetics in destination marketing relating to computer-mediated environments. Regarding practice, the findings provide insights into the effectiveness of different levels of readability across diverse tourism marketing settings.
Producing domestic energy benchmarks using a large disaggregate stock model
Authors: Godoy-Shimizu Daniel , Liddiard Rob , Evans Stephen , Hong Sung Min , Humphrey Dominic , Ruyssevelt Paul , Mumovic Dejan , Steadman Philip
Published: February 2024

Within the UK, domestic buildings account for 16% of total national emissions. Considerable improvements to the performance of the existing building stock will be necessary in the context of the UK’s commitment to emissions reductions, and for this to be achieved successfully and efficiently will require an improved understanding of the current performance of the stock. This paper presents an analysis of metered gas and electricity use from 808,559 dwellings with detailed building characteristic data in London, showing how energy use can be examined using a highly detailed, fully disaggregate building stock model. New gas and electricity benchmarks have been produced for houses (split by the level of attachment) and flats, for both gas- and electrically-heated properties. The paper shows how energy use varies with form, and how the choice of units influences the relative performance of different types. Comparing gas use across the types, for example, when calculated as kWh/m2, consumption follows building compactness, but when calculated as kWh/household, the trends follow building size. Finally, the paper examines how energy use varies with building thermal performance, using the Heat Loss Parameter (HLP), a standardised measure which accounts for thermal transfer through building envelopes as well as via air flow.

Practical Application: This paper presents domestic energy consumption benchmarks based on measured not modelled data, produced from a large sample of London houses and flats. Results are shown for different dwelling types and heating fuels. Additionally, the relationship between gas use and envelope thermal performance is explored. The results will hopefully be beneficial for researchers, policy-makers and designers interested in better understanding current domestic energy use, and informing decisions about future improvements to energy efficiency within the stock. This paper also provides details for anyone interested in the production of the domestic benchmarks for the CIBSE benchmarking tool.
Tax-Motivated Income Shifting in Audit-Firm Networks: Comparing Big 4 and Non-Big 4 Firms
Authors: Blaylock Bradley , Doyle Elaine , Elemes Anastasios
Published: February 2024

Recent research provides evidence consistent with tax-motivated income shifting taking place in Big 4 networks. Non-Big 4 networks have global footprints and audit a significant proportion of private-firm clients. Thus, we cannot make sense of audit-firm networks’ tax avoidance proclivities and the impacts their tax advice may have on aggregate client-firm income-shifting figures without examining non-Big 4 affiliates’ tax planning strategies. This study uses a private-firm dataset of Big 4 and non-Big 4 associated firms from 26 European countries finding evidence consistent with non-Big 4 affiliates being more aggressive income shifters than their Big 4 counterparts. Using a battery of supplemental analyses we demonstrate that the negative association between Big 4 membership and tax-motivated income shifting is weaker when network exposure to the political costs of aggressive tax planning is lower. We also show that political cost considerations are more likely to moderate debt allocation policies in Big 4 than non-Big 4 networks. Our findings suggest that political cost considerations are an important driver of the relation between Big 4 affiliation and tax-motivated income shifting even in our setting where firm size is strongly positively associated with tax expertise, political power, and global footprint and have important implications for anti-avoidance legislation.
The angry voter? The role of emotions in voting for the radical left and right at the 2019 Belgian elections
Authors: Jacobs Laura , Close Caroline , Pilet Jean-Benoit
Published: February 2024

This study examines the role of negative (anger, fear) and positive emotions in addition to political attitudes (political trust, populist attitudes, external political efficacy) as key determinants of voting behaviour. We rely on the RepResent voter survey conducted in 2019 in Belgium ( n = 3236) allowing us to assess the relationship between emotions, political attitudes, and the vote for radical right (VB, PP) and radical left parties (PTB-PVDA). Findings indicate that anger is significantly and positively related to voting for radical left and right parties, while controlling for key political attitudes and issue positions. Fear and positive emotions are not significantly more related to voting for radical parties than for other parties. The results suggest that anger should be more systematically integrated in electoral research. These findings call for further analysis on the causal mechanism linking emotions and voting behaviour, and the (in)direct effects of emotions on voting.
The Relation Between Classroom Adversity and Students’ Problem Behavior as a Function of Teachers’ Emotional Support
Authors: Granger Kristen L. , Chow Jason C. , McLean Leigh , Vallarta Natalie , Dear Emma , Sutherland Kevin S.
Published: February 2024

The purpose of this study was to examine the relation between teachers’ reports of classroom adversity, a measure of classroom hardship, and student problem behavior in a sample of students with or at risk of emotional/behavioral disorders. We also examined the extent to which this relation varied as a function of multiple domains of classroom quality. A series of multiple regression models, adjusting for the nesting of students within classrooms, were conducted. Models revealed a significant effect of the interaction between classroom adversity and classroom emotional support on teachers’ reports of student problem behaviors. This effect indicated that in low-adversity classrooms, teachers differed in their reports of students’ problem behaviors depending on their level of emotional support. In high-adversity classrooms, however, teachers’ reports of students’ problem behaviors were relatively similar regardless of their level of emotional support. Findings suggest classroom adversity is likely an important contextual factor to consider when examining student outcomes and that teacher emotional support may mitigate the influence of classroom adversity. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of this work for research and practice.
A Research-Based Literacy Instruction MTSS for Juvenile Correctional Facilities
Authors: Houchins David E. , Lambert Richard G. , Henrich Christopher , Gagnon Joseph Calvin
Published: February 2024

A major challenge for juvenile correctional facilities (JCF) is providing literacy instruction to a transitory student population with a wide range of literacy abilities. The purpose of this study was to identify unique literacy profiles of students in long-term JCF taking into consideration their reading abilities, language abilities, intelligence quotient (IQ), disability classification, age, and grade level. Using latent profile analyses with a sample of 370 in the southeastern United States, we identified three distinct classes. Three ability groups of students (average literacy abilities, below-average literacy abilities, substantially below-average literacy abilities) were identified. Thirty-six percent performed at the average level, 55% performed below grade level; and 8% had substantial literacy deficits with an overrepresentation of students with emotional disturbance (ED) and specific learning disability (SLD). Findings provide the foundation for an evidence-based multi-tiered system of supports literacy framework within JCF. Instructional implications concerning the provision of English Language Arts in JCF are provided.
Cerebral arterial stiffness is linked to white matter hyperintensities and perivascular spaces in older adults – A 4D flow MRI study
Authors: Björnfot Cecilia , Eklund Anders , Larsson Jenny , Hansson William , Birnefeld Johan , Garpebring Anders , Qvarlander Sara , Koskinen Lars-Owe D , Malm Jan , Wåhlin Anders
Published: February 2024

White matter hyperintensities (WMH), perivascular spaces (PVS) and lacunes are common MRI features of small vessel disease (SVD). However, no shared underlying pathological mechanism has been identified. We investigated whether SVD burden, in terms of WMH, PVS and lacune status, was related to changes in the cerebral arterial wall by applying global cerebral pulse wave velocity (gcPWV) measurements, a newly described marker of cerebral vascular stiffness. In a population-based cohort of 190 individuals, 66–85 years old, SVD features were estimated from T1-weighted and FLAIR images while gcPWV was estimated from 4D flow MRI data. Additionally, the gcPWV’s stability to variations in field-of-view was analyzed. The gcPWV was 10.82 (3.94) m/s and displayed a significant correlation to WMH and white matter PVS volume (r = 0.29, p < 0.001; r = 0.21, p = 0.004 respectively from nonparametric tests) that persisted after adjusting for age, blood pressure variables, body mass index, ApoB/A1 ratio, smoking as well as cerebral pulsatility index, a previously suggested early marker of SVD. The gcPWV displayed satisfactory stability to field-of-view variations. Our results suggest that SVD is accompanied by changes in the cerebral arterial wall that can be captured by considering the velocity of the pulse wave transmission through the cerebral arterial network.
UTIL: An ultra-wideband time-difference-of-arrival indoor localization dataset
Authors: Zhao Wenda , Goudar Abhishek , Qiao Xinyuan , Schoellig Angela P.
Published: February 2024

Ultra-wideband (UWB) time-difference-of-arrival (TDOA)-based localization has emerged as a promising, low-cost, and scalable indoor localization solution, which is especially suited for multi-robot applications. However, there is a lack of public datasets to study and benchmark UWB TDOA positioning technology in cluttered indoor environments. We fill in this gap by presenting a comprehensive dataset using Decawave’s DWM1000 UWB modules. To characterize the UWB TDOA measurement performance under various line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) conditions, we collected signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), power difference values, and raw UWB TDOA measurements during the identification experiments. We also conducted a cumulative total of around 150 min of real-world flight experiments on a customized quadrotor platform to benchmark the UWB TDOA localization performance for mobile robots. The quadrotor was commanded to fly with an average speed of 0.45 m/s in both obstacle-free and cluttered environments using four different UWB anchor constellations. Raw sensor data including UWB TDOA, inertial measurement unit (IMU), optical flow, time-of-flight (ToF) laser altitude, and millimeter-accurate ground truth robot poses were collected during the flights. The dataset and development kit are available at https://utiasdsl.github.io/util-uwb-dataset/ .
The virtue of calculative mindset: A community-based view of entrepreneurial action and its implications to altruistic venturing
Authors: Yang Shu-Jung Sunny , Chandra Yanto , Liu Yan Emma
Published: February 2024

We develop a community-based model of entrepreneurial action under value-destroying uncertainty (e.g., disasters) to formalize two well-established altruistic motivations— reciprocal opportunity belief (a “calculative” mindset of doing good with expectations of future payback) and compassionate opportunity belief (a “non-calculative” mindset of doing good without expectations of future payback)—and identify which belief and contingencies produce greater community welfare (i.e., value). Three moderating factors are considered: community size, actor’s action desirability, and welfare value increment of the community members. Our analysis shows that when the three moderating factors are large, the reciprocal opportunity belief generally produces greater community welfare than the compassionate opportunity belief; otherwise, the reverse occurs. We conclude that calculative mindset and community size go hand in hand to produce greater network effects through altruistic-venturing actions, which ultimately lead to greater community welfare. Our findings contribute to the emerging literature on the post-disaster venturing by advancing the contingency effects of altruistic motives on entrepreneurial actions to alleviate others’ sufferings and the counter-intuitive benefits of “calculative” mindset. We also stimulate a new conversation to redirect research in entrepreneurship toward the “community” as a viable unit of analysis.
Blame and Severity Attributions in Vignette-Based Female-On-Male Rape: The Case of the Victim’s Prior Sexual Victimization, Resistance, and Sexual Arousal
Authors: Tomer Einat , Guter Michal
Published: February 2024

This study examines blame attributions of victims and perpetrators in female-on-male rape cases and event severity attributions as affected by three victim-related variables: prior sexual victimization, resistance during the rape, and sexual arousal during the rape. It assesses the relative weight of each of these variables in determining the attribution of blame to the victim and perpetrator and the attribution of severity to the event. The study found that sexual arousal and absence of resistance correlated with higher victim blame attribution, lower perpetrator blame, and lower event severity attributions, while prior sexual victimization had the opposite correlations. We therefore conclude that blame and severity attributions are affected by the victim’s behavior prior to the rape and during the rape.
Enhancing Pre-Treatment Motivation Improves Forensic Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Moulden Heather M. , Matthew Samuel A. , Chaimowitz Gary
Published: February 2024

Despite evidence that psychological treatments benefit from pre-treatment intervention, there remains no published research on the value of including a pre-treatment intervention in forensic mental health settings. The present study aimed to address this gap by examining the effects of adding a brief motivational preparatory program (MPP) to standard forensic psychiatric care. The MPP was based on hope theory and motivational interviewing within a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach. MPP participants and a waitlist control group completed a battery of self-report measures of hope and motivation to change, which were compared with respect to risk, demographic, offence history, and outcome variables. There was a significant increase in client motivation for change after completing the MPP. Additionally, those who completed the MPP evidenced modest reductions in aggressive behavior, but significantly increased engagement in subsequent forensic treatment and programming.
Participants’ Experiences of Sex Offender Treatment: Searching for Desisting Narrative Identities
Authors: Lindegren Stina
Published: February 2024

Life-course criminology has demonstrated the importance of social relationships and life transitions to understand desistance. Yet, individuals convicted of sexual offenses seem to differ in terms of turning points, where treatment is suggested as salient to their desistance processes. Drawing on 13 teller-focused interviews with adult male incarcerated participants in a new Swedish sex offender program, this paper examines the treatment experience and the under-explored aspect of early desistance, as well as the role of society and social relations in the treatment process, through a practice-oriented lens. The thematic analysis suggests participants started developing desisting narrative identities where micro turning points in treatment contributed to offenses being explained and re-integrated into a sense of the self as an acceptable person. The process, which also enabled active responsibility, seemed to be facilitated by a holistic, person-centered treatment environment. Nonetheless, continued desistance requires adequate attention to social support and stigma management post-release.
Refocusing research: A mixed methods study to evaluate utilisation of the top 10 priorities for occupational therapy research in the United Kingdom
Authors: Martin Aleysha Kate , Ward Gillian
Published: February 2024

Introduction:

The top 10 priorities for occupational therapy research in the United Kingdom were identified via a priority setting partnership and published in 2020. This study aimed to evaluate utilisation of the top 10 priorities since 2020 and identify recommendations to re-focus research efforts.

Method:

A mixed methods approach involving evidence checking and stakeholder consultation was undertaken. Direct and selective methods were used to recruit stakeholders, including previous steering group members, who were invited to take part in 30-minute semi-structured interviews.

Results:

Eighty-one evidence sources were included and addressed the research priorities 127 times. Stakeholders ( N = 7) discussed the top 10 priorities in relation to five key themes: (1) what has been done; (2) the most addressed priorities; (3) the least addressed priorities; (4) barriers to using the priorities (three barriers emerged); and (5) what should be done next (six strategies emerged).

Conclusion:

There was strong agreement that research priority 1 (how does occupational therapy have an impact and make a difference on everyday lives?) was the most addressed; however, all research priorities require more attention. Recommendations to refocus research efforts included continuing to support priority-driven research and greater promotion of the priorities.
Polyetheretherketone Polymer Transpedicular Vertebral System to Treat Vertebral Compression Fracture: A Multicentre Pilot Study of Feasibility and Safety
Authors: Barral Matthias , Razakamanantsoa Léo , Tselikas Lambros , De Baere Thierry , Le Huec Jean-Charles , Cornelis Francois H.
Published: February 2024

Objectives:

To prospectively evaluate the feasibility and safety of a polyetheretherketone (PEEK) polymer transpedicular vertebral system to treat vertebral compression fracture (VCF).

Methods:

Nine consecutive patients (4 men and 5 women; median age 59 [interquartile range: 58-64 years]) were included. The procedure duration, length of hospital stay, and complications were reported. Visual analog scale (VAS) and the Oswestry disability index (ODI) for pain and disability were assessed before and at 2, 6, and 12-month after the procedure.

Results:

The procedure was technically feasible in all patients. The median procedural time was 64 minutes [45-94]. Only minor adverse events were reported (5 clinically asymptomatic cement leakages) but no severe complications. No post procedural adjacent fracture was reported during follow-up (median: 193 days [147-279]). The median VAS score decreased from 55 mm [50-70] before the procedure to 25 mm [5-30] at 2-month ( P = .0003) and 30 mm [15-40] at 6-month follow-up ( P = .14). The median ODI decreased from 23% [19-26] before the procedure to 12% [10-14] at 2-month ( P = .03) and 12% [9-20] at 6-month follow-up ( P = .47).

Conclusion:

Percutaneous transpedicular fixation of VCF by PEEK implants appears feasible and safe.
The Long Arm of Childhood Bullying Victimization: Associations with Social Isolation, Gender Differences and Depression in Later Life
Authors: Jiang Chaoxin , Shi Jiaming
Published: February 2024

The association between childhood bullying victimization and depression has been well-explored among young adults, but little is known about whether this relationship persists into later life stages, specifically during middle-aged and older phases. Moreover, the intricate mechanisms underpinning this association and the potential existence of gender differences within this context remain inadequately elucidated. To address this gap in knowledge, this study aims to investigate the association between childhood bullying victimization and depression in later life, with a focus on exploring the mediating role of social isolation and the moderating roles of gender. A nationally representative sample of 5,070 individuals (mean age = 61.02, SD = 9.48; male = 55%) was drawn from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. By employing the bootstrapping analysis method, the mediating role of social isolation was examined, and the moderating role of gender was tested through the generation of interaction items. The results reveal a significant association between childhood bullying victimization and severe depression in later life. Additionally, social isolation plays a mediating role in this association between childhood bullying victimization and social isolation, and the association between social isolation and depression, as well as the relationship between social isolation and depression, are both moderated by gender, presenting stronger effects for female groups than for male groups. However, no moderating role of gender is found in terms of the direct association between childhood bullying victimization and depression. These findings highlight the fact that childhood bullying is not only a problem in the immediate term but also a concern that affects individuals across entire life course. This study has implications for healthcare in proactively investigating, diagnosing, and treating depression by inquiring about childhood bullying victimization experiences. Furthermore, intervention policies that aim to reduce social isolation may be particularly beneficial in mitigating the negative associations, especially for female individuals.
COVID-19 Diagnosis, Severity, and Long COVID Among U.S. Adolescents, National Health Interview Survey, 2022
Authors: Nguyen Kimberly H. , Chen Siyu , Bao Yingjun , Lu Yang , Bednarczyk Robert A. , Vasudevan Lavanya
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Understanding disparities in COVID-19 outcomes, overall and stratified by vaccination status, is important for developing targeted strategies to increase vaccination coverage and protect adolescents from COVID-19.

Design

The 2022 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a cross-sectional nationally representative household survey of U.S. adults.

Setting

A probability sample of households in the U.S.

Sample

One child aged 12-17 years is randomly selected from each family in the household. A knowledgeable adult (eg, parent or guardian), responds on behalf of the child through an in-person interview (response rate = 49.9%).

Measures

Input measures-sociodemographic characteristics and COVID-19 vaccination status; output measures-ever had COVID-19, moderate/severe COVID-19, long COVID

Analysis

Prevalence of COVID-19 outcomes was assessed for adolescents aged 12-17 years. Factors associated with each COVID-19 outcome were assessed with multivariable logistic regression analyses.

Results

Among 2758 adolescents aged 12-17 years in 2022, 60.5% had received ≥1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine, 30.2% had ever been diagnosed by a doctor that they had COVID-19, 29.5% had moderate/severe COVID-19, and 6.2% had long COVID. Adolescents who were vaccinated with ≥1 dose were less likely to be diagnosed with COVID-19 (aOR = .79) and less likely to have long COVID (aOR = .30).

Conclusion

Targeted messaging to highlight the importance of early treatment, the harms of long COVID-19, and the benefits of vaccination in protecting against long-term effects may be necessary to ensure that all adolescents and their families are adequately protected.