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Maintaining work in the long term represents a major challenge for people with acquired brain injury (ABI) as evidenced by a high rate of premature labour market dropouts. The present study aimed to compile factors associated with working in the long term after sustaining an ABI. We carried out a scoping review synthesizing quantitative and qualitative research conducted between 2000 and 2021. Databases searched comprised PubMed, CINAHL Complete, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science. Ten quantitative and nine qualitative studies were included, all but one from high-resource countries. Quantitative research predominantly comprised longitudinal follow-ups on individuals' work status several years post ABI onset, showing an effect of injury-related and sociodemographic factors. Qualitative studies mostly dealt with work maintenance and revealed a key role of cognitive difficulties, psychological personal factors (e.g., adequate coping strategies) and environmental factors (e.g., flexible work schedules, supportive colleagues). The factors identified in our review should receive particular attention in vocational integration and job retention programs to support work participation of people with ABI in the long term. There is a need for measures that regularly monitor and promote a good match between individuals and their work environment. People with acquired brain injury (ABI) often have long-lasting and invisible injury-related difficulties that hamper their labour market participation. Factors identified as positively associated with working in the long term, such as coping strategies and self-awareness, should be strengthened. Future interventions should educate affected persons, employers and health care professionals about long-lasting injury-related difficulties and promote a supportive work environment for people with ABI. Prolonged availability of vocational services could be beneficial for supporting work maintenance of people with ABI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we describe two congenitally deaf male siblings with the same compound heterozygotic, likely pathogenic mutations in the FGF3 gene, associated with the labyrinthine aplasia, microtia and microdontia (LAMM) syndrome. Both children had bilateral cochleovestibular aplasia, precluding cochlear implantation. The elder brother received an auditory brainstem implant (ABI) with very limited auditory responses. During the ABI-surgery of the younger subject, it was discovered that excellent auditory responses could be obtained when the electrode array was placed considerably more caudally and more medially than standard. It was observed that the foramen of Luschka, the entrance to the lateral recess of the fourth ventricle was located more caudally. In view of this observation the good auditory development of the latter child, it was decided to give the older child a contralateral ABI. Again, it turned out that the anatomy of the brainstem was abnormal with a more caudal location of the foramen of Luschka and the cochlear nucleus, and this child is showing good progress with his auditory development. It is concluded that one should be aware of the anatomical differences at the level of the brainstem when placing an ABI in children with this genetic disorder (and most likely also in the LAMM syndrome). This also underpins the need of a multidisciplinary approach with closely collaborating team members and good family guidance when diagnosing and treating children with rare deafness., Competing Interests: The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest., (© The Author(s), 2024.)

This paper examines the Abusive Behaviour Inventory (ABI), which is regarded as an efficient self-report measure with demonstrated high reliability and validity. This examination aims to determine the tool’s effectiveness when screening for victims of domestic violence and present recommendations for how the device may be improved. Within this critique, the ABI is analysed through a literature review and the exploration of the tool’s development. A detailed overview of the ABI is included, and its reliability and validity are critically reviewed. Findings from the research base of this tool are presented and also discussed. While the ABI is regarded as an efficient self-report measure which has been demonstrated to have both high reliability and validity, after evaluation, implementing a structured professional judgement (SPJ) approach is recommended. This would expand the tool’s utility to include risk and safety assessment. In addition, methods and considerations for including LGBTQ relationships are introduced. Finally, implications for the ABI’s use in informing batterer intervention programs are highlighted. It is concluded that more research is warranted to continue increasing the ABI’s applicability to different intimate relationship archetypes and populations.

Predicting positive psychosocial outcomes following an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) remains a challenge. Considerable research demonstrates that social group memberships can have positive effects on psychological well-being, particularly during life transitions. Social group memberships are argued to help people derive a sense of self. This prospective study examined if social group memberships (number of groups and connectedness with groups) could predict posttraumatic growth (PTG) in those affected by ABI. Thirty-six participants (10 females, Mage = 46.56, SD = 11.46) engaged in community rehabilitation services completed measures at two time-points. Mediation analyses demonstrated that the number of new group memberships (groups formed post-injury) predicted greater PTG at time 2, via stronger connectedness with these new group memberships (controlling for initial PTG). The observed results suggest that a focus on developing and strengthening connections with new group memberships may promote positive adjustment after brain injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Investigating whether the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and the Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) are valid and comparable to previous unmasked measurements if the speaker wears a surgical mask or a FFP-2 mask to reduce the risk of transmitting air-borne viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. Methods: A convenience sample of 31 subjectively healthy participants was subjected to AVQI and ABI voice examination four times: Twice wearing no mask, once with a surgical mask and once with a FFP-2 mask as used regularly in our hospital. The order of the four mask conditions was randomized. The difference in the results between the two recordings without a mask was then compared to the differences between the recordings with each mask and one recording without a mask. Results: Sixty-two percent of the AVQI readings without a mask represented perfectly healthy voices, the largest AVQI without a mask value was 4.0. The mean absolute difference in AVQI was 0.45 between the measurements without masks, 0.48 between no mask and surgical mask and 0.51 between no mask and FFP-2 mask. The results were neither clinically nor statistically significant. For the ABI the resulting absolute differences (in the same order) were 0.48, 0.69 and 0.56, again neither clinically nor statistically different. Conclusion: Based on a convenience sample of healthy or only mildly impaired voices wearing CoViD-19 protective masks does not substantially impair the results of either AVQI or ABI results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La evaluación de los recursos hídricos con uso de macroinvertebrados acuáticos en los sistemas lóticos es un buen referente de calidad del agua, debido a la sensibilidad de gran parte de estos organismos a cambios en la composición hídrica. La información basada en los macroinvertebrados deriva en diferentes índices, como el Biological Monitoring Working Party (BMWP), el Andean Biotic Index (ABI) y el Índice Ephemeroptera, Plecóptera y Trichoptera (EPT), los cuales tienen mayores frecuencias de uso. En la presente revisión se recopiló información de artículos científicos de sistemas lóticos en Google Académico, Google Search y Scopus, sobre el uso de macroinvertebrados para el análisis de la calidad de agua en el Perú de los últimos 21 años. El empleo de estos indicadores se muestra como una alternativa importante que permite tomar decisiones de gestión para mitigar y controlar las perturbaciones. Los resultados obtenidos en estas 19 investigaciones, publicadas en español e inglés desde 2004 hasta 2021, muestran a su vez el estado de los recursos hídricos que fueron evaluados.

The auditory brainstem implant (ABI) was originally developed to provide rehabilitation of retrocochlear deafness caused by neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2). Recent studies of the ABI have investigated outcomes in non-NF2 cohorts, such as patients with cochlear nerve aplasia or cochlear ossification and more recently, intractable tinnitus. New technologies that improve the ABI-neural tissue interface are being explored as means to improve performance and decrease side effects. Innovative discoveries in optogenetics and bioengineering present opportunities to continually evolve this technology into the future, enhancing spatial selectivity of neuronal activation in the cochlear nucleus and preventing side effects through reduction in activation of non-target neuronal circuitry. These advances will improve surgical planning and ultimately improve patients’ audiological capabilities. ABI research has rapidly increased in the 21st century and applications of this technology are likely to continually evolve. Herein, we aim to characterize ongoing clinical, basic science, and bioengineering advances in ABIs and discuss future directions of this technology.

To evaluate the current evidence on dating interventions, their theoretical underpinnings and effectiveness for adult neuro-atypical populations. A literature search was completed using CINAHL, Communication Source, PsycARTICLES, PsycINFO, SocINDEX, MEDLINE, Embase, AMED and EMB Reviews (all), for English-language, peer-reviewed studies into interventions for relationships or dating among adults with acquired brain injuries (ABI), learning disabilities or autistic spectrum disorder (ASD). Demographic data and intervention details were extracted for all included studies. Standard checklists were used for methodological quality and intervention description. Narrative synthesis for studies rating above poor quality. A total of 11 studies (13 articles) were eligible, ABI (n = 6), learning disability (n = 4), ASD (n = 1). These comprised five comparison or control group studies, two pre-post studies and four case studies. The methodological quality was varied, but intervention descriptions were generally poor. While all studies reported positive outcomes, firm conclusions on their effectiveness are difficult due to the high number of before-after analyses and variation in content and outcome measures used. More high-quality studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of interventions. Also, greater consensus is needed on the key behaviors for dating and relationships and the measures to assess these. Intimate relationships are important to quality of life, but challenging for many people in neuro-atypical populations. There are a small number of researched interventions to support dating or marital relationships among adults with ABI, ASD or learning disabilities. Rehabilitation professionals should ask about dating and relationships and support people if this area is identified as important. Rehabilitation professionals should consider different interventions for dating skills and marital relationships. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article analyzes a previously overlooked attack surface that allows unprivileged adversaries to impact floating-point computations in enclaves through the Application Binary Interface (ABI). In a comprehensive study across 7 industry-standard and research enclave shielding runtimes for Intel Software Guard Extensions (SGX), we show that control and state registers of the x87 Floating-Point Unit (FPU) and Intel Streaming SIMD Extensions are not always properly sanitized on enclave entry. We furthermore show that this attack goes beyond the x86 architecture and can also affect RISC-V enclaves. Focusing on SGX, we abuse the adversary's control over precision and rounding modes as an ABI fault injection primitive to corrupt enclaved floating-point operations. Our analysis reveals that this is especially relevant for applications that use the older x87 FPU, which is still under certain conditions used by modern compilers. We exemplify the potential impact of ABI quality-degradation attacks for enclaved machine learning and for the SPEC benchmarks. We then explore the impact on confidentiality, showing that control over exception masks can be abused as a controlled channel to recover enclaved multiplication operands. Our findings, affecting 5 of 7 studied SGX runtimes and one RISC-V runtime, demonstrate the challenges of implementing high-assurance trusted execution across computing architectures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Area-based initiatives (ABIs) are receiving renewed interest as a part of the 'place-based public health' approaches to reducing health inequalities. Purpose Examine associations between collective control, social cohesion and health amongst residents involved in the Big Local (BL) ABI. Methods Survey data on general health, mental well-being, perceptions of individual and collective control and social cohesion was obtained in 2016 for 1600 residents involved in the 150 BL ABI areas in England, and 862 responded—a response rate of >50%. Adjusted mean differences and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random effect linear and generalized estimating equation models. Subgroup analysis by gender and educational level was conducted. Results Mental well-being was positively associated with collective control (mean difference: 3.06 units, 1.23–4.90) and some measures of social cohesion ('people in the area are willing to help each other' [mean difference: 1.77 units, 0.75–2.78]). General health was positively associated with other measures of social cohesion (area-belonging [OR: 4.25, 2.26–7.97]). Conclusions Collective control and some aspects of social cohesion were positively associated with better mental well-being and self-rated health amongst residents involved with BL. These positive associations were often greater amongst women and participants with a lower education. Increasing the collective control residents have in ABIs could improve the health effects of ABIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Awareness of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is poor in postmenopausal women. • 850 postmenopausal women were tested for lower limb PAD in our Angiology Division. • Women with PAD were older, with higher rates of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. • At multivariate regression analysis, PAD was a strong predictor of CV disease. Lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a leading atherosclerotic disease in the elderly. However, awareness of the disease is poor, particularly in women. In this retrospective, cross-sectional study, postmenopausal women referred to our Angiology Division were tested for PAD, defined as an "ankle-brachial index" (ABI) ≤0.9 or ≥1.4 (in the latter case with a "toe-brachial index" <0.7), or a history of lower limb arterial revascularization. Aim of our study was to assess cardiovascular (CV) risk profile in postmenopausal women with and without PAD, and to evaluate the role of PAD and six classic CV risk factors (CVRFs), namely age, current smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, severe chronic renal failure, and diabetes in predicting CV disease (CVD), defined as coronary artery disease and/or cerebrovascular disease. Overall, 850 patients were included, 39.4% of whom with PAD. Compared with women without PAD, those with PAD were older (75.2 vs 66 years, respectively; p <0.001), and displayed higher rates of other CVRFs (p <0.001 for each). A personal history of CVD was reported in 18.8% of women with PAD and in 6.1% of those without PAD (p <0.001). At multivariate regression analysis, PAD (odds ratio [OR]: 2.15; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33–3.47), and hypertension (OR: 2.20; 95%CI: 1.24–3.88) were the strongest factors associated with CVD presence. PAD is a strong marker of CVD in this selected series of postmenopausal women. If confirmed in the general population, PAD screening through ABI calculation may be considered for CV risk assessment in postmenopausal women. Graphical Abstract [Display omitted]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renal dysfunction is common after stroke. We aimed to investigate the clinical predictability of the ankle–brachial index (ABI) and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) on poststroke renal deterioration. A total of 956 consecutive participants with acute ischemic stroke between 1 July 2016, and 31 December 2017 were enrolled and a final of 637 patients were recruited for final analysis. By using the group-based trajectory model (GBTM), the patients' renal function trajectories were grouped into the low, intermediate, and high categories (LC, IC, and HC). Significant deterioration in the slope was noted in the IC (p < 0.001) and LC (p = 0.002) groups but was nonsignificant in the HC (p = 0.998) group. Abnormal ABI (ABI ≤ 0.9) was independently related to LC (adjusted odds ratio: 2.40; 95% CI, 1.16–4.95; p = 0.019) and was also independently associated with increased risks of a ≥30% decline in eGFR (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.28; 95% CI, 1.29–4.05; p = 0.005), a doubling of serum creatinine (aHR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.93–8.34; p < 0.001) and ESRD (HR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.23–8.74; p = 0.018). However, baPWV did not have a significant relationship with any of the renal outcomes. Patients with a lower ABI during acute stroke should receive regular renal function tests and should be closely monitored to improve poststroke renal care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IntroductionThis study examined whether interarm differences in systolic blood pressure (IDSBP) ≥10 mm Hg were associated with the risk of incident dementia and subclinical brain injury.MethodsBetween 1992 and 1998, 2063 participants of the Framingham Heart Study underwent assessment of IDSBP with results related to the 10-year risk of incident dementia including clinically characterized Alzheimer's disease. Secondary outcomes included markers of subclinical brain injury on magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsHigh IDSBP were associated with a greater risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio [HR] 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09-3.40) and Alzheimer's disease (HR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.29-4.18), but only in those who carried an apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 allele. IDSBP also predicted lower total brain volumes and more prevalent silent brain infarcts in those who were APOE ε4 positive.DiscussionHigh IDSBP were associated with an increased risk of dementia, including clinical Alzheimer's disease, and subclinical brain injury in those who were APOE ε4 positive.

Objectives The ankle brachial index (ABI) is a useful tool in detection of lower extremity vascular injury. However, diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) may affect extremity perfusion leading to possible false elevation of the ABI value. If true in trauma patients, this can affect initial evaluation, diagnostics, and management. We therefore explored mean ABI values in tibial plateau fractures of patients with vascular risk factors to help determine whether there is a difference. Design This is a retrospective chart review of patients sustaining tibial plateau fractures with a specific ABI value recorded in the medical record. Patients were identified as either having vascular risk factors or not and data analysis performed to determine if their ABI differed and whether they were more likely to have a vascular injury. Results 282 acute tibial plateau injuries with specific ABI values were identified, 46 of which carried the risk factors in question. The average risk factor group ABI was 0.95 ± 0.15 versus those without risk factors 1.0 ± 0.15 (p = 0.057). No patient with risk factors required a vascular intervention or four-compartment fasciotomy. Conclusions This study shows no statistical significance between the presenting ABI of patients with risk factors such as DM, CKD, or PVD and those without those risk factors who sustained acute tibial plateau fractures. Therefore, in general the ABI still holds as a useful screening tool for evaluation of vascular insult in the setting of acute lower extremity trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explored clinicians' experiences of the goal setting process with children and adolescents with acquired brain injuries (ABI) and their families in paediatric neurorehabilitation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 13 clinicians, all members of an interdisciplinary paediatric rehabilitation service, who work with children and adolescents with ABI and their families. Interview transcripts and additional data were analysed using constructivist grounded theory methods. Three main themes and sub-themes were developed: (1) Seeing the bigger picture: Goals change over time; Families set bigger picture goals; Need-to-dos: Goals that the child/adolescent needs to achieve; and Want-to-dos: Goals that the child/adolescent wants to achieve; (2) Collaborating as a team: Everyone needs to be on the same page; Hearing the child's/adolescent's voice; and Parents as advocates; and (3) Recognizing and navigating challenges: Child-/adolescent- and family-related challenges and Time as a service-related challenge. Participants perceived the clinician's role during goal setting as that of an active collaborator, enabling children and adolescents with ABI and their families to generate meaningful goals. These findings demonstrate insights into goal setting in paediatric ABI neurorehabilitation from clinicians' perspectives, and highlight the importance of collaboration, flexibility and anticipation of challenges in facilitating children's, adolescents' and families' involvement in this process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caring for someone with an acquired brain injury (ABI) is associated with increased psychological distress and reduced satisfaction with life. Caregiver negative appraisals predict these poor outcomes, and social support and adaptive coping buffer these effects. Psychological flexibility is beneficial in dementia caregiving but has not been studied in ABI and never in comparison to known predictors of caregiver distress. This study examined known predictors and psychological flexibility in predicting depression, anxiety and life satisfaction in ABI caregiving. A cross sectional online survey gathered responses of 145 ABI caregivers, recruited through social media, charities and National Health Services. Standardised measures of disability, appraisals, social support, coping, psychological flexibility, depression, anxiety and life satisfaction were analysed with correlation, regression and conditional process analysis. Correlations were in theoretically specified directions, regression analysis showed that psychological flexibility was the strongest predictor of depression (β = −0.37, p <.001) and anxiety (β = −0.38, p <.001), whilst caregiver appraisals were strongest in life satisfaction (β = −0.34, p <.001). Furthermore, caregiver appraisals mediated the relation between care-recipients' disability and caregiver outcomes. Psychological flexibility moderated this effect on depression, whilst problem-focused coping moderated this effect on life satisfaction. These constructs could be potential targets for interventions, such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or traditional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. Psychological flexibility plays an important role that adds to our understanding of caregiver distress in the specific context of ABI caregiving. • Psychological flexibility predicts distress amongst ABI caregivers. • Cognitive appraisals predict life satisfaction. • Appraisals mediate the link between care-recipient disability and caregiver outcome. • Psychological flexibility buffers the indirect effect of appraisals on depression. • Interventions that foster psychological flexibility may be beneficial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in the lower extremity caused by complications of diabetes in the microvascular which can damage nerve in the lower extremity. Then, it is necessary to be aware of the process of aterosclerosis elsewhere, both in the macro and microvascular arteries in the lower extremity. This study was conducted to assess the association of the degree of diabetic peripheral neuropathy assessed by Toronto clinical scoring system (TCSS) with the process of atherosclerosis in the blood vessels of the lower extremity, both macrovascular with ankle brachial index (ABI) and toe brachial index (TBI), as well as microvascular with transcutaneus partial oxygen pressure (TcPO2) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Methods. Cross-sectional study was carried out in patients with type 2 DM with DPN with TCSS values> 5 in the Integrated Cardiac Polyclinic, Endocrine and Metabolic Polyclinic, and Internal Medicine Polyclinics at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital. Data were obtained from interviews, medical records, as well as ABI, TBI and, TcPO2 examinations. Bivariate analysis of each variable was performed using Spearman test. Results. Total of 36 subjects who met the selection criteria were included in the study, the average age was 62 years (SD 9.2) with 20 (55.6%) of whom were women and the median duration of diabetes was 12 years. Based on bivariate analysis with the Spearman test, there was a statistically significant negative correlation with moderate correlation coefficient between the degree of diabetic peripheral neuropathy assessed by TCSS with ABI (r = -0.475, p = 0.003) and TBI (r = -0.421, p = 0.010). The TcPO2 examination also found a statistically significant negative correlation with moderate correlation coefficient (r = -0.399, p = 0.016). Conclusion. There is a statistically significant negative correlation between the degree of diabetic peripheral neuropaty with ABI, TBI, and TcPO2 examinations.

Abstract: Diabetic foot is a complication of diabetes mellitus which is characterized by ulceration in the legs. The severity of the diabetic foot can be determined by the Wagner-Meggit system which in this study uses 5 categories namely degrees 1 - 5 degrees. ABI (Ankle-Brachial Index) is an evaluation of peripheral arterial disease in diabetic foot patients. LDL is the main factor of atherosclerosis which causes macrovascular disorders in diabetic foot. The purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between ABI and LDL on the severity of diabetic foot based on the Wagner-Meggit classification. The method used is observational analytic with cross sectional approach. A total of 35 samples were obtained by consecutive sampling. Data analysis was performed using the Spearman test and logistic regression. A significant correlation was obtained between ABI and the severity of diabetic foot (p = 0.06; r = -0.424), there was no correlation between LDL and the severity of diabetic foot (p = 0.09; r = -0.395). The results of logistic regression analysis found no correlation between ABI (p = 0.163; OR = 0.008) and LDL (p = 0.69; OR = 0.984) with the severity of the diabetic foot. Obtained Negelkerke R Square value of 0.095. Keywords: Diabetic foot, ABI, LDL, Wagner-Meggit classification

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are widely used as indicators of water quality. However, in the Andean region of Ecuador, little is known about how the macroinvertebrate community assemblage responds to changes in the habitat where they occur. One of the main drawbacks is taxonomy, where classifying organisms on a full taxonomic scale becomes complicated. To resolve this point, in a in a NMDS (non-metric multidimensional scaling) ordination analysis, the abundance of macroinvertebrates obtained in 12 monitoring stations in the Cajas Massif, southern Ecuador, was used. The rankings were contrasted using the trophic guilds approach versus the family taxonomic approach (the maximum taxonomic classification available). The ordering analyzes showed a more differentiated spatial organization with the trophic guilds approach than with the family-level approach. When explaining the organization of the communities, the ABI (Andean Biotic Index) and the elevation, significantly explains the organization of the community from the trophic guilds approach; although, only the elevation explains the ordering from the family scale approach. The results suggest that, from the trophic guilds approach, a better approximation of the general ecological role of the macroinvertebrate community associated with environmental services such as water quality is represented. Guilds such as shredders, scrapers, and detritivores adjust to increasing ABI (i.e. water quality). Consequently, monitoring with a focus on the trophic guilds can be used in studies of water quality and its relationship with the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To describe the clinical characteristics, self-reported outcomes in domains relating to activities of daily living and patterns of service engagement in the survivors of a moderate-to-severe acquired brain injury over seven years. A longitudinal research design was used. Thirty-two individuals who sustained a moderate-to-severe acquired brain injury completed a Sociodemographic and Support Questionnaire at one (t1) and seven years (t2) after completing a publicly funded inpatient neurorehabilitation program. There were minimal changes in independent living, mobility, ability to maintain key relationships and in return to work in the interval between t1 and t2. Sixty-nine percent of participants engaged with two or more allied health professional services and 75% engaged with support services in the community over the seven years. There were minimal additional gains in outcomes relating to activities of daily-living and there was a high level of service need in the first decade postinjury. Young and middle-aged individuals who sustain an ABI may continue to live in the community for decades with some level of disability and may require ongoing access to services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sheds light on the kingdom of Urkesh (Tell Mozan) at the end of the third millennium BC. AD as a prosperous capital, its population ranged from ten thousand to twenty thousand people. Moreover, although its power has diminished over the centuries, it remained a sacred center during the rise of the Mitanni kingdom at the beginning of the fifteenth century BC. AD, and ended the Hurrian independence until then. The influence of the Hurrian traditions continued on the Hittites in Anatolia, were "B. G, Collins" indicated the extent of the influence of the Hurrian religion on them through the practice of their own rituals, especially in the "Kizwatna" region in southeastern Turkey. It continued as their sacred center, Unchanged over at least a thousand years after the Urkesh period. The study relied on the descriptive and analytical approach, such as referring to the vocabulary and terminology used. In addition to clarifying its role in spreading its faith through the analytical aspect, and in the conclusion the results of the research on the Hurrian religion, its transition from Urkesh as a major center, the integration of Hurrian religion, and the role of Hurrian deities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The ReWork-Stroke program was developed to meet the need for a person-centered rehabilitation program addressing return to work after stroke and was provided by occupational therapists (OTs). OBJECTIVE: To gain knowledge on the implementation process of the ReWork-Stroke program, the mechanisms of impact, and the contextual factors that might have affected the process. METHODS: A case study design was used. Data were collected by interviews with two ReWork-Stroke providers and their logbooks of 13 clients. Content analysis was applied. RESULTS: The ReWork-Stroke program varied in duration (12–48 weeks) and was largely implemented according to plan regarding components and how they were provided. It was mostly delivered at the workplace. Mechanisms of impact were building alliances with clients, providing intervention at the workplace, informing about stroke, assigning co-workers as tutors for clients, and collaboration between stakeholders. CONCLUSIONS: The ReWork-Stroke program can be implemented according to plan and is a flexible person-centered program in which stakeholders, coordinated by an OT, plan and take actions, mostly at the workplace, for the client's return to work. A key factor was recognizing the current work ability after stroke. Further program development includes a more structured evaluation and technical solutions for supporting stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stereo tracking of clouds from multiple satellites permits the simultaneous retrieval of an atmospheric motion vector (“wind”) and its height in the atmosphere. The direct measurement of height is a major advantage of stereo methods over observations made from a single satellite where the height must be inferred from infrared brightness temperatures. A pair of operational geostationary satellites over the Americas provides stereo coverage where their two fields of view intersect. Stereo coverage can be extended to nearly a full hemisphere with a third satellite. We demonstrate this configuration with the operational GOES-R constellation of GOES-16 (east) and GOES-17 (west) augmented by GOES-18 in its central test slot and use the 500-m resolution Advanced Baseline Imager Band 2. We examine the consistency of the pairwise products created from GOES-18 and -16 versus GOES-18 and -17 and create a fused triple-GOES product that spans nearly the full hemisphere seen from GOES-18. We also examine the retrieval of ground points observed under clear skies and compare their retrievals to zero speed and known terrain heights. The results are compatible with a wind accuracy about 0.1 m/s with height assignment uncertainty of 175 m.

This mixed-method study aimed to compare the academic achievements of students to their use of argument maps and concept maps in learning environments designed for argument-based instruction (ABI). The study was conducted during the spring term of the academic year 2018–2019 with the students of three sections of grade six instructed by the same teacher at a secondary school in the province of Kastamonu. Before the study began, one of the participating sections was randomly designated as the control group, while the other two were assigned as the experimental group. The control group students undertook research interrogation-based activities during lessons and individually reported activities appropriate for the ABI student template for each activity. The experimental group students handled ABI applications. In addition, one section of the experimental group prepared concept maps, while the other section made argument maps. The 5-week study was accomplished during the instruction of the "sound and its properties" unit of the curriculum. The data were acquired via a pre- and post-administration of the unit-based success test to measure academic success. Further, semi-structured interviews were conducted to ascertain the opinions of students vis-à-vis the pedagogy. The obtained quantitative data were analyzed using the ANCOVA analysis via the SPSS software. The qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews were examined by the creation of themes, codes, and frequencies. The experimental group using argument maps or concept maps in addition to ABI applications revealed significant outcomes in terms of academic achievements. Further, students expressed the belief that argument and concept maps helped them learn and remember the topic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BackgroundSerum fibroblast growth factor-23 (FGF-23) is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD), yet the mechanisms remain uncertain. Our objective was to determine whether higher FGF-23 concentrations are associated with arterial stiffness.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, serum FGF-23 concentrations were measured in 5977 participants without known CVD in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis. The primary outcomes of interest were large (LAE) and small artery elasticity (SAE), pulse pressure and ankle-brachial index (ABI) > 1.30. LAE and SAE were measured by pulse contour analysis of the radial artery. Pulse pressure was measured with an automated sphygmomanometer using the average of two resting blood pressure measurements. ABI was calculated as the ratio of the ankle and brachial systolic blood pressures.ResultsSerum FGF-23 concentrations were not significantly associated with LAE [relative difference (RD) per doubling: 0%; 95% confidence interval (CI): -2-1%], SAE (RD per doubling: 0%; 95% CI: -3-2%), pulse pressure (β per doubling: 0.44; 95% CI: -0.31-1.19), or a high ABI (odds ratio per doubling: 1.14; 95% CI: 0.84-1.55). Findings were similar irrespective of chronic kidney disease status.ConclusionsHigher serum FGF-23 concentrations are not associated with arterial stiffness, as measured by pulse pressure, LAE, SAE or high ABI, in a community-based population without CVD.

The geographic origins of populations can be identified by their maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups. This study compared human cybrids (cytoplasmic hybrids), which are cell lines with identical nuclei but mitochondria from different individuals with mtDNA from either the H haplogroup or L haplogroup backgrounds. The most common European haplogroup is H while individuals of maternal African origin are of the L haplogroup. Despite lower mtDNA copy numbers, L cybrids had higher expression levels for nine mtDNA-encoded respiratory complex genes, decreased ATP (adenosine triphosphate) turnover rates and lower levels of reactive oxygen species production, parameters which are consistent with more efficient oxidative phosphorylation. Surprisingly, GeneChip arrays showed that the L and H cybrids had major differences in expression of genes of the canonical complement system (5 genes), dermatan/chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis (5 genes) and CCR3 (chemokine, CC motif, receptor 3) signaling (9 genes). Quantitative nuclear gene expression studies confirmed that L cybrids had (a) lower expression levels of complement pathway and innate immunity genes and (b) increased levels of inflammation-related signaling genes, which are critical in human diseases. Our data support the hypothesis that mtDNA haplogroups representing populations from different geographic origins may play a role in differential susceptibilities to diseases.

The geographic origins of populations can be identified by their maternally inherited mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups. This study compared human cybrids (cytoplasmic hybrids), which are cell lines with identical nuclei but mitochondria from different individuals with mtDNA from either the H haplogroup or L haplogroup backgrounds. The most common European haplogroup is H while individuals of maternal African origin are of the L haplogroup. Despite lower mtDNA copy numbers, L cybrids had higher expression levels for nine mtDNA-encoded respiratory complex genes, decreased ATP (adenosine triphosphate) turnover rates and lower levels of reactive oxygen species production, parameters which are consistent with more efficient oxidative phosphorylation. Surprisingly, GeneChip arrays showed that the L and H cybrids had major differences in expression of genes of the canonical complement system (5 genes), dermatan/chondroitin sulfate biosynthesis (5 genes) and CCR3 (chemokine, CC motif, receptor 3) signaling (9 genes). Quantitative nuclear gene expression studies confirmed that L cybrids had (a) lower expression levels of complement pathway and innate immunity genes and (b) increased levels of inflammation-related signaling genes, which are critical in human diseases. Our data support the hypothesis that mtDNA haplogroups representing populations from different geographic origins may play a role in differential susceptibilities to diseases.

Abstract Background Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is not only a marker of lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD), but may also reflect the severity of systemic atherosclerosis. Objectives To study the prevalence of abnormal ABI among the studied patients with ischemic stroke compared to general population, to assess the correlation between the ABI abnormality and different risk factors, and to study the relationship between ABI abnormality and severity of stroke. Materials and methods A case control observational analytical study for 200 patients, 100 patients with ischemic stroke and 100 patients as control group matched to case group in age and sex excluding patients with cardioembolic stroke, stroke of undetermined etiology, or young patients. We obtained ABI measurement from all participants. Criteria for PAD diagnosis is an ABI of

Context: Huoxin formula is a Traditional Chinese Medicine for coronary heart disease (CHD) treatment. Objective: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of the Huoxin formula on arterial functions in CHD patients. Materials and methods: Fifty-eight CHD patients receiving cardiovascular drugs including β-receptor blocker, statins, and antiplatelet medications or others were randomized into intervention [additionally 13.5 g Huoxin formula granules dissolved in 150 mL warm water per time, twice a day (n = 30)] and control [only cardiovascular drugs (n = 28)] groups. Serum biomarkers (hs-CRP, IL-18, IL-17, TNF-α, MMP-9), and cardiovascular indicators of the common and internal carotid arteries (ICAs) were monitored before and after the treatments. Results: After 3 months of treatment, the increases of intima-media thicknesses (IMT) of the left and right common carotid arteries (CCAs) as well as of the left and right ICAs and the increases of the left and right cardio-ankle vascular index were all significantly (all p

Abstract Thermodynamic information from low levels in the atmosphere is crucial for operational weather forecasts and meteorological researchers. The NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) sounding products have been proven beneficial to fill the data gap between synoptic radiosonde observations (RAOBs). However, compared with the upper troposphere, the accuracy of NUCAPS soundings in the low levels still needs improvement. In this study, a deep neural network (DNN) is applied to fuse multiple data sources to enhance the NUCAPS temperature and moisture profiles in the lower atmosphere. The network is developed by combining satellite observations, including NUCAPS sounding retrievals and high resolution geostationary satellite observations from the Advanced Baseline Imager, and surface analysis from the Real‐Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA) as inputs, while collocated soundings from ECMWF re‐analysis version 5 are used as the benchmark for the training. The performance of the model is evaluated by using the independent testing data set, data from a different year, as well as collocated RAOBs, showing improvement to the temperature and moisture profiles by reducing the root‐mean‐squared‐error (RMSE) by more than 30% in the lower atmosphere (from 700 hPa to surface) in both clear sky and partially cloudy conditions. A convective event from June 18, 2017 is presented to illustrate the application of the enhanced low level soundings on high impact weather events. The enhanced soundings from fused data capture the large surface‐based convective available potential energy structures in the preconvection environment, which is very useful for severe storm nowcasting and forecasting applications.

Thermodynamic information from low levels in the atmosphere is crucial for operational weather forecasts and meteorological researchers. The NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System (NUCAPS) sounding products have been proven beneficial to fill the data gap between synoptic radiosonde observations (RAOBs). However, compared with the upper troposphere, the accuracy of NUCAPS soundings in the low levels still needs improvement. In this study, a deep neural network (DNN) is applied to fuse multiple data sources to enhance the NUCAPS temperature and moisture profiles in the lower atmosphere. The network is developed by combining satellite observations, including NUCAPS sounding retrievals and high resolution geostationary satellite observations from the Advanced Baseline Imager, and surface analysis from the Real‐Time Mesoscale Analysis (RTMA) as inputs, while collocated soundings from ECMWF re‐analysis version 5 are used as the benchmark for the training. The performance of the model is evaluated by using the independent testing data set, data from a different year, as well as collocated RAOBs, showing improvement to the temperature and moisture profiles by reducing the root‐mean‐squared‐error (RMSE) by more than 30% in the lower atmosphere (from 700 hPa to surface) in both clear sky and partially cloudy conditions. A convective event from June 18, 2017 is presented to illustrate the application of the enhanced low level soundings on high impact weather events. The enhanced soundings from fused data capture the large surface‐based convective available potential energy structures in the preconvection environment, which is very useful for severe storm nowcasting and forecasting applications. Key Points: Combining NOAA Unique Combined Atmospheric Processing System and Advanced Baseline Imager observations provides improved temperature and moisture soundingsAdding surface observations further improves low level temperature and moisture profilesFusing multi‐source observations is a feasible way to improve boundary layer thermodynamics for research and applications [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several studies have investigated biopsychosocial consequences after acquired brain injury (ABI) in the early rehabilitation phases. However, longitudinal studies are rare and few go beyond three years post-injury. The aim of the present study was to assess biopsychosocial challenges in a long term perspective and investigate which challenges remain after five years. With reference to the biopsychosocial model our study holds a special emphasis on the psychosocial aspects of it. Methods: Adults (N = 45) with moderate or severe ABI were evaluated at three time points: at discharge from hospitalization, 1-year post-injury, and 5-year follow-up. Data were derived from self-reported questionnaires: Major Depression Inventory, Quality of life, Impact on Participation and Autonomy Questionnaire and self-reports on work and marital status. Repeated measures ANOVAs were used for analysis. Results: Physical QOL and aspects of autonomy increased over time whereas social QOL decreased. Family roles were challenged at discharge and remained so at 1-year and 5-year follow-up, and the frequency of being married or in a relationship dropped. Level of depression did not change significantly over time, and one in four were still above clinical cut-off at the 5-year follow-up. Employment increased over time but remained less than half of the pre-injury level. Conclusion: Improvements in perceived physical function and autonomy are possible long after the injury, whereas social relations remain a challenge and signs of depression persist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cloud liquid/ice water path (LWP/IWP) can provide valuable information about the cloud and precipitation. For the first time, the Gridpoint Statistical Interpolation (GSI) system is applied to examine the impact of the high spatial and temporal resolution LWP and IWP products derived from the Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) on the new generation geostationary environmental satellites (GOES‐R series) in numerical weather prediction (NWP). To extend the GSI's capability to assimilate LWP and IWP products, a pair of new observation operators of LWP and IWP is developed to avoid the requirement for hydrometeor control variables. The new observation operators enable the direct use of hydrometeor background information from the NWP model and allow the vertical propagation of the water vapor increment according to the Jacobian distributions for the new LWP and IWP operators. The new LWP and IWP observation operators are evaluated by the single observation tests and the cycling assimilation and forecast experiments of Hurricane Irma (2017) and Hurricane Maria (2017). The results from single observation tests show that the assimilations of pseudo‐LWP and pseudo‐IWP can achieve positive water vapor increments, which also spread vertically according to the Jacobian distributions. The impact studies on two hurricanes demonstrate that the ABI LWP and IWP measurements can be successfully assimilated into the NWP model by the new observation operators, which enhances the water vapor analysis and further improves other atmospheric state variables in the forecast fields. The improved environmental fields lead to the overall forecast improvement for the two hurricanes, with the most notable track improvement. Plain Language Summary: Satellite data from the advanced baseline imager (ABI) onboard the new generation of the geostationary operational environmental satellite (GOES‐R Series) can provide a large amount of valuable observation information under cloudy regions for numerical weather prediction (NWP). To make effective use of these observations, satellite‐derived hydrometeor information, such as the cloud liquid water path (LWP) and cloud ice water path (IWP), can improve the forecasts. To effectively use the cloud information in NWP, a pair of new operators has been developed to use the hydrometeors (e.g., cloud, rain, ice) by assuming that the portion of each water species keeps the same as the background fields. The new operator can successfully assimilate the cloud products, enabling better use of moisture information in NWP from satellite measurements in cloudy regions. Hurricane Irma (2017) and Hurricane Maria (2017) studies demonstrate that track forecasts are improved by assimilating cloud products with the new operators. Key Points: The NWP model background hydrometeors are used directly in the LWP and IWP operators by assuming water species partition ratios unchangedThe LWP and IWP observations are successfully assimilated with the ability to propagate increments both horizontally and verticallyThe assimilation of LWP and IWP observations can improve the model prognostic variables accuracy, leading to better hurricane prediction [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This pilot feasibility study aimed to gain preliminary insight into the acceptability and usefulness of the FAB-PBS program for providing behavior support to families following acquired brain injury (ABI) in community settings. The FAB-PBS program is based on a Positive Behavior Support (PBS) framework and principles of Family-Centered Care and Family-Directed Intervention. It consists of an education phase followed by individualized sessions during which the family is supported to develop and implement a PBS plan. Methods: A mixed-methods design was utilized, with feedback obtained from family members via short questionnaires and semi-structured interviews post education phase and individualized sessions, and at three-month follow up. Results: Two family members completed the full FAB-PBS program and reported high satisfaction with the program and increased confidence in providing behavior support. Findings also suggested an increase in desired behaviors and a decrease in challenging behaviors presented by family members with ABI. Conclusions: The FAB-PBS program may be an acceptable and feasible approach to increasing the capability of family caregivers in providing behavior support following ABI. Further pilot testing is required to inform the development of a larger feasibility study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have been deriving surface particulate matter with a median diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) from satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Continental United States (CONUS) using a climatological PM2.5‐AOD regression relation. However, because PM2.5‐AOD relation can change over time, this method can have large errors when the relation deviates from the climatological values. In this work, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model is used to estimate surface PM2.5 from AOD. The parameters of the regression model are derived dynamically in a daily or hourly manner using surface PM2.5 measurements and AOD from satellite. The method is evaluated using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) AOD and Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) AOD to estimate daily and hourly PM2.5 over CONUS, and Advanced Himawari Imager AOD to estimate hourly PM2.5 over Taiwan. The algorithm performs much better than using simple climatological relationships. The estimated daily PM2.5 from VIIRS AOD has a cross validation (CV) R2 of 0.59 with surface measured PM2.5, bias of 0.09 µg/m3 and Root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.66 µg/m3. The hourly PM2.5 estimates from ABI AOD has a CV R2 of 0.44, bias of 0.04 µg/m3, and RMSE of 4.53 µg/m3. The algorithm will run in near‐real‐time at NOAA to provide air quality community PM2.5 estimates over CONUS.

Background: The ankle–brachial index (ABI) is a first-line examination in cardiovascular risk evaluation. Since cut-off values for normal ABI vary, the aim of the present study was to identify the cardiovascular-mortality-based estimate for the normal range of the ABI. After determining the reference range for the ABI, the corresponding toe–brachial index (TBI) and toe pressure for normal ABI were analyzed. Methods: All consecutive non-invasive pressure measurements in the vascular laboratory of a large university hospital 2011–2013 inclusive were collected and combined with patient characteristics and official dates and causes of death. Patients with an ABI range of 0.8–1.4 on both lower limbs were included in this study. Results: From 2751 patients, 868 had bilateral ABI values within the inclusion. Both ABI category ranges 0.80–0.89 and 0.90–0.99 had poorer survival compared to ABI categories 1.00–1.29 (p < 0.05). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year cardiovascular-death-free survival for respective ABI categories 0.80–0.99 vs. 1.00–1.29 were 90% vs. 96%, 84% vs. 92%, and 60% vs. 87%. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival for ABI categories 0.80–0.99 vs. 1.00–1.29 were 85% vs. 92%, 75% vs. 83%, and 42% vs. 74%. Conclusions: Borderline ABI (0.90–0.99) associates with higher overall and cardiovascular mortality compared to ABI values 1.00–1.29.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) have been deriving surface particulate matter with a median diameter of 2.5 µm or less (PM2.5) from satellite aerosol optical depth (AOD) over Continental United States (CONUS) using a climatological PM2.5‐AOD regression relation. However, because PM2.5‐AOD relation can change over time, this method can have large errors when the relation deviates from the climatological values. In this work, the geographically weighted regression (GWR) model is used to estimate surface PM2.5 from AOD. The parameters of the regression model are derived dynamically in a daily or hourly manner using surface PM2.5 measurements and AOD from satellite. The method is evaluated using Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) AOD and Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) AOD to estimate daily and hourly PM2.5 over CONUS, and Advanced Himawari Imager AOD to estimate hourly PM2.5 over Taiwan. The algorithm performs much better than using simple climatological relationships. The estimated daily PM2.5 from VIIRS AOD has a cross validation (CV) R2 of 0.59 with surface measured PM2.5, bias of 0.09 µg/m3 and Root mean square error (RMSE) of 5.66 µg/m3. The hourly PM2.5 estimates from ABI AOD has a CV R2 of 0.44, bias of 0.04 µg/m3, and RMSE of 4.53 µg/m3. The algorithm will run in near‐real‐time at NOAA to provide air quality community PM2.5 estimates over CONUS. Key Points: Daily and hourly PM2.5 are estimated from Suomi National Polar‐Orbiting Partnership Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite and Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites‐16 Advanced Baseline ImagerPM2.5 and aerosol optical depth (AOD) relationships are revised dynamically using geographically weighted regressionThe PM2.5 estimates are improved over those using climatological relationships between PM2.5 and AOD [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to examine voice quality changes in individuals with early-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) utilizing the Acoustic Voice Quality Index (AVQI) and Acoustic Breathiness Index (ABI) over approximately a 1-year period., Study Design: Follow-up study., Methods: Baseline and follow-up data were gathered from the PDSTUlong speech corpus. The data for both time points included: speaker background information, sustained vowels, reading samples, and measures of PD severity (Hoehn and Yahr scores and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale III scores [UPDRS-III]). All speakers (N = 12) were native Finnish speakers. AVQIv03.01 and ABI analysis were completed in VOXplot v2.0.1. Changes in AVQI and ABI scores between baseline and follow-up were examined via causal analysis. Further, AVQI and ABI were analyzed in relation to measures of PD severity., Results: Baseline mean AVQI score was 1.79 (range 0.14-4.83, SD=1.60), whereas follow-up mean AVQI score was 2.25 (range 0.55-4.53, SD=1.36). Baseline mean ABI score, in turn, was 2.92 (range 1-27 - 5.31, SD=1.57), whereas follow-up mean ABI score was 3.42 (range 1.40-5.40, SD=1.38). A significant difference was found between baseline and follow-up measures for both AVQI (Z = -2.002, P = 0.045) and ABI (Z = -2.197, P = 0.028). A significant difference in smoothed cepstral peak prominence (Z = -2.118, P = 0.034) and harmonics-to-noise ratio (Z = -1.961, P = 0.050) was also found between the two measurement periods. Change in AVQI and ABI were not correlated with the change in measures of PD severity., Conclusion: Over approximately 1-year, a statistical change was observed in AVQI and ABI scores, even in such a small dataset. The specific qualities of breathiness and hoarseness showed the most significant progression. Changes in voice quality were more prominent in ABI analysis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest No author has personal or financial interests that affects their objectivity or serves as a potential conflict in this research., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)