Search Results (11)

Disorders affecting the neurological and musculoskeletal systems represent international health priorities. A significant impediment to progress in trials of new therapies is the absence of responsive, objective, and valid outcome measures sensitive to early disease changes. A key finding in individuals with neuromuscular and musculoskeletal disorders is the compositional changes to muscles, evinced by the expression of fatty infiltrates. Quantification of skeletal muscle composition by MRI has emerged as a sensitive marker for the severity of these disorders; however, little is known about the composition of healthy muscles across the lifespan. Knowledge of what is ‘typical’ age-related muscle composition is essential to accurately identify and evaluate what is ‘atypical’. This innovative project, known as the MuscleMap, will achieve the first important steps towards establishing a world-first, normative reference MRI dataset of skeletal muscle composition with the potential to provide valuable insights into various diseases and disorders, ultimately improving patient care and advancing research in the field. Full article

Stigmatization, hostility, and violence towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community have increased sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important to conduct research to promote understanding of the effects of such stigmatization on the AAPI community. Accordingly, the present study used a combined minority stress and integrated threat framework to examine whether factors related to AAPI identity would moderate the relationship between stigmatization/threat associated with AAPI identity and increased psychological distress and behavioral vigilance. AAPI individuals were recruited online from both Turk Prime and Reddit and completed measures of perceived stigmatization; integrated threat; depression, anxiety, and stress; and behavioral vigilance. Perceptions of stigmatization and threat predicted relevant outcomes both as individual predictors and in multivariate analyses. However, factors relating to the strength of AAPI identification did not moderate the effects of stigmatization and threat on psychological distress and behavioral vigilance, which is a result that failed to support this aspect of the broader conceptual model on which this project was based. Instead, these proposed moderators were themselves predicted by stigmatization and threat variables. The implications of these findings for effective interventions to alleviate the negative consequences of anti-Asian stigmatization are discussed. Full article

Additively manufactured (AM) composites based on short carbon fibers possess strength and stiffness far less than their continuous fiber counterparts due to the fiber’s small aspect ratio and inadequate interfaces with the epoxy matrix. This investigation presents a route for preparing hybrid reinforcements for AM that comprise short carbon fibers and nickel-based metal-organic frameworks (Ni-MOFs). The porous MOFs furnish the fibers with tremendous surface area. Additionally, the MOFs growth process is non-destructive to the fibers and easily scalable. This investigation also demonstrates the viability of using Ni-based MOFs as a catalyst for growing multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) on carbon fibers. The changes to the fiber were examined via electron microscopy, X-ray scattering techniques, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The thermal stabilities were probed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Tensile and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) tests were utilized to explore the effect of MOFs on the mechanical properties of 3D-printed composites. Composites with MOFs exhibited improvements in stiffness and strength by 30.2% and 19.0%, respectively. The MOFs enhanced the damping parameter by 700%. Full article

Background and Objectives: Barefoot peak plantar pressures (PPPs) are elevated in diabetes patients with neuropathic foot ulcer (DFU) history; however, there is limited reported evidence for a causative link between high barefoot PPP and DFU risk. We aimed to determine, using a simple mat-based methodology, the site-specific, barefoot PPP critical threshold that will identify a plantar site with a previous DFU. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional study, barefoot, site-specific PPPs were measured with normal gait for patients with DFU history (n = 21) and healthy controls (n = 12), using a validated carbon footprint system. For each participant, PPP was recorded at twelve distinct plantar sites (1st–5th toes, 1st–5th metatarsal heads (MTHs), midfoot and heel), per right and left foot, resulting in the analysis of n = 504 distinct plantar sites in the diabetes group, and n = 288 sites in the control group. Receiver operator characteristic curve analysis determined the optimal critical threshold for sites with DFU history. Results: Median PPPs for the groups were: diabetes sites with DFU history (n = 32) = 5.0 (3.25–7.5) kg/cm², diabetes sites without DFU history (n = 472) = 3.25 (2.0–5.0) kg/cm², control sites (n = 288) = 2.0 (2.0–3.25) kg/cm²; (p < 0.0001). Diabetes sites with elevated PPP (>6 kg/cm²) were six times more likely to have had DFU than diabetes sites with PPP ≤ 6 kg/cm² (OR = 6.4 (2.8–14.6, 95% CI), p < 0.0001). PPP > 4.1 kg/cm² was determined as the optimal critical threshold for identifying DFU at a specific plantar site, with sensitivity/specificity = 100%/79% at midfoot; 80%/65% at 5th metatarsal head; 73%/62% at combined midfoot/metatarsal head areas. Conclusions: We have demonstrated, for the first time, a strong, site-specific relationship between elevated barefoot PPP and previous DFU. We have determined a critical, highly-sensitive, barefoot PPP threshold value of >4.1 kg/cm², which may be easily used to identify sites of previous DFU occurrence and, therefore, increased risk of re-ulceration. This site-specific approach may have implications for how high PPPs should be investigated in future trials. Full article

Currently, the high demand for copper is in direct contrast with the decrease in the mineral grade and, more significantly, the concerns regarding the environmental impact that arise as a result of processing such low-grade materials. Consequently, new mineral processing concepts are needed. This work explores the chemical dissolution of chalcopyrite concentrate at ambient pressure and moderate temperatures in a deep eutectic solvent. Copper and iron are dissolved without changing their oxidation state, without solvent pH change, and stabilized as a chloride complex with no evidence of passivation. Chemical equilibria of the metallic chloride complexes limit the dissolution, and the step that is rate-controlling of the kinetics is the interdiffusion of species in the solvent. The chemical mechanism may involve initial chloride adsorption at positive sites of the solid surface, pointing out the importance of surfaces states on chalcopyrite particles. A model based on a shrinking particle coupled with pseudo-second-order increase in the liquid concentration of copper describes the dissolution kinetics and demonstrates the importance of the liquid to solid ratio. Iron and copper can be recovered separately from the solvent, which highlights that this concept is an interesting alternative to both redox-hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy to obtain copper by the processing of chalcopyrite concentrate. Full article

Air pollution causes more damage to health and economy than previously understood, contributing to approximately one in six deaths globally. However, pollution reduction policies remain controversial even when proven effective and cost negative, partially because of misunderstanding and growing mistrust in science. We used an expert assessment to bridge these research–policy divides in the State of Utah, USA, combining quantitative estimates from 23 local researchers and specialists on the human health and economic costs of air pollution. Experts estimated that air pollution in Utah causes 2480 to 8000 premature deaths annually (90% confidence interval) and decreases the median life expectancy by 1.1 to 3.6 years. Economic costs of air pollution in Utah totaled $0.75 to $3.3 billion annually, up to 1.7% of the state’s gross domestic product. Though these results were generally in line with available estimates from downscaled national studies, they were met with surprise in the state legislature, where there had been an almost complete absence of quantitative health and economic cost estimates. We discuss the legislative and personal responses of Utah policy makers to these results and present a framework for increasing the assimilation of data into decision making via regional expert assessment. In conclusion, combining quantitative assessments from local experts is a responsive and cost-effective tool to increase trust and information uptake during time-sensitive policy windows. Full article

For several decades, systems thinking has been a defined body of knowledge that has contributed to many areas of science. Its value has, critically, resided in (meta- or post-) paradigmatic and participative use of one or several systems approaches to help stakeholders’ structure and tackle complex problems. With renewed and (post-)pandemic interest in interdisciplinary work, this paper argues that to continue securing a future, system thinking requires a wider understanding of the dynamics and intertwining of knowledge unfolding and ethics in society. Two different but overlapping scenarios for systems thinking are proposed: (a) One based on inter-(disciplinary, para/professional, group) work and (b) another based on ethical vigilance. The first one is not so different from what has been envisaged for systems thinking in the last few years. Nevertheless, and following the ideas of the sociologist Andrew Abbott, this scenario proposes the explicit inclusion of the goal of knowledge rediscovery to promote a sense of solidarity, mutual understanding and compassion. For the second scenario, Michel Foucault’s notion of governmentality is used to problematize pandemic events and practices, and to offer possibilities for individual critical thinking and action, also leading us to consider the importance of (self-other) compassion. Features, implications, questions and examples of use are provided for each scenario. Full article

Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) with or without hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is associated with improved survival for patients with colorectal peritoneal metastases (CR-PM). However, the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) prior to CRS-HIPEC is poorly understood. A retrospective review of adult patients with CR-PM who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC from 2000–2017 was performed. Among 298 patients who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC, 196 (65.8%) received NAC while 102 (34.2%) underwent surgery first (SF). Patients who received NAC had lower peritoneal cancer index score (12.1 + 7.9 vs. 14.3 + 8.5, p = 0.034). There was no significant difference in grade III/IV complications (22.4% vs. 16.7%, p = 0.650), readmission (32.3% vs. 23.5%, p = 0.114), or 30-day mortality (1.5% vs. 2.9%, p = 0.411) between groups. NAC patients experienced longer overall survival (OS) (median 32.7 vs. 22.0 months, p = 0.044) but similar recurrence-free survival (RFS) (median 13.8 vs. 13.0 months, p = 0.456). After controlling for confounding factors, NAC was not independently associated with improved OS (OR 0.80) or RFS (OR 1.04). Among patients who underwent CRS+/-HIPEC for CR-PM, the use of NAC was associated with improved OS that did not persist on multivariable analysis. However, NAC prior to CRS+/-HIPEC was a safe and feasible strategy for CR-PM, which may aid in the appropriate selection of patients for aggressive cytoreductive surgery. Full article

Most head impacts in soccer occur from purposeful heading; however, the link between heading and neurological impairment is unknown. Previous work suggests concussion may result in an uncoupling between the autonomic nervous system and cardiovascular system. Accordingly, heart rate variability (HRV) may be a sensitive measure to provide meaningful information regarding repetitive heading in soccer. The purpose of this pilot study assesses the feasibility of measuring HRV to evaluate autonomic function following soccer heading. Sixteen youth female participants underwent heart rate monitoring during a heading and footing condition. Participants completed a five minute resting supine trial at the start and end of each testing session. Standard 450 g soccer balls were projected at 6 m/s towards participants. Participants performed five headers, for the header condition, and five footers for the footer condition. The HRV for resting supine trials, pre- and post-header and footer conditions were assessed for both time and frequency domains. HRV effect sizes were small when comparing conditions, except absolute low frequency (d = 0.61) and standard deviation of the normal-normal (NN) intervals (d = 0.63). Participant retention and adherence were high, without adverse events. Findings suggest HRV is a feasible measure for evaluating the effects of heading on autonomic function. Full article

Proteinaceous materials have numerous structures, many of which aid in the roles they perform. Some need to impart strength while others need elasticity or toughness. This study is the first to investigate the modification of both globular and fibrous protein, namely, zein, soy protein and gelatin, using deep eutectic solvents (DES) to form bioplastics, which may have application in drug delivery systems. The effects of DES content on the thermal and mechanical properties of the material were determined. Zein and soy are globular proteins, which both showed a significant change in the properties by the addition of DES. Both of these materials were, however, weaker and less ductile than the starch based materials previously reported in the literature. The material made from gelatin, a fibrous protein, showed variable properties depending on how long they were in contact with each other before pressing. Conductivity and NMR measurements indicate the existence of a continuous liquid phase, which are useful in the demonstrated application of transdermal drug delivery systems. It is shown that pharmaceutical DESs can be gelled with gelatin and this method is three times faster at delivering a pharmaceutical active ingredient across the skin barrier than from a corresponding solid formulation. Full article

Standard collective publications on European family history manifest large differences in their temporal structure. This article examines three examples from different countries and currents of research for the last five centuries. It discusses the question of whether, and to which degree, time theory can be applied to adjust and balance investigations of the domestic domain in the long run. For that purpose, this article uses the theoretical framework of US-American scholar Andrew Abbott. His work has provided important inputs for contemporary family research. Can we also use it for long-term investigations? Full article