Search

This paper presents the design of a current-mode CMOS self-amplified imager operating in dark conditions, for thermal imaging, which provides an innovative solution for precision thermal contact mapping. Possible applications of this imager range from 3D CMOS integrated circuits to the study of in-vivo biological samples. It can provide a thermal map, static or dynamic, for the measurement of temperature microgradients. Some adaptations are required for the optimization of this self-amplified image sensor since it responds exclusively to the dark currents of the photodiodes throughout the array. The sensor is designed in a standard CMOS process and requires no post-processing steps. The optimized image sensor operates with integration times as low as one μs and can achieve both SNR and dynamic range compatible to those of sensors available on the market, estimated as 87dB and 75dB, respectively; noise equivalent temperature difference can be as low as 10mK; and detection errors as low as ±1%. Furthermore, under optimal conditions the self-amplification process enables a simple form of CDS, enhancing the overall sensor noise performance.

Introduction: The COVID-19 vaccine has become available to children ages 5-12, yet vaccine uptake is suboptimal. Political ideology is a correlate of COVID-related beliefs and vaccine likelihood among US adults. However, since political ideology is not easily modifiable, attention to modifiable mechanisms that may explain links between political ideology and vaccine hesitancy is important in addressing this public health crisis. Caregiver attitudes around vaccine safety and efficacy have been related to vaccine uptake in other populations and warrant additional study in the context of COVID-19. The current study examined whether caregiver's attitudes regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID-19 vaccine mediated the relationship between caregiver political ideology and likelihood of having their child vaccinated. Methods: 144 US caregivers of children (6-12 years) completed an online survey in summer 2021 to assess political ideology, vaccine-related beliefs, and likelihood of having their child vaccinated against COVID-19. Results: Caregivers with more liberal political views reported higher likelihood of eventual child vaccination compared to caregivers who reported a more conservative views (t(81) = 6.08, BCa CI [2.97, 5.67]). Moreover, parallel mediation models indicated caregiver?s perceptions of risks (BCa CI [-.98, -.10]) and efficacy (BCa CI [-3.16, -2.15]) of the vaccine each mediated the aforementioned relationship, with perceived efficacy explaining significantly more variance than risks. Conclusions: Findings extend knowledge by identifying social cognitive factors that impact caregiver vaccine hesitancy. Interventions to address caregiver's hesitancy to have their child vaccinated through modifying caregiver's inaccurate beliefs regarding vaccines or enhancing perceptions of vaccine efficacy is warranted., Author(s): Lindsay K. Durkin [sup.1] , Erin M. Flynn [sup.2] , Madeline L. Johnson [sup.2] , W. Hobart Davies [sup.2] , Rachel N. Greenley [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.262641.5, 0000 [...]

Objective: To describe child adherence to four preventative-health guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic and investigate caregiver-level correlates of adherence. Method: Two hundred thirty-six caregivers (75% female) of children ages 6-12 years ([M.sub.age] = 8 years; 53% male) living in the United States rated child adherence to four preventativehealth guidelines between 10/16/2020 and 11/14/2020. Caregivers also rated perceived importance of each guideline in limiting virus spread and perceived difficulty in obtaining child compliance. Results: Child adherence was highest for mask-wearing (median [Mdn] = 96%) and hand hygiene (Mdn = 95%). Adherence to social distancing guidelines was lower. Mdn adherence for social distancing with family outside the household was 80%, and Mdn adherence for social distancing with friends was 72%. Furthermore, for each of the four guidelines, fewer than half the sample reported 100% adherence (range = 20%-43%). Adherence was positively associated with caregiver perceptions of importance of a given behavior in limiting virus spread (rs = .38-.62) and negatively associated with perceived difficulty in gaining child compliance (rs = -.37--.25). Discussion: Current results indicated parents perceive child adherence to social distancing more challenging than child adherence to mask wearing or hand hygiene. Lower caregiver perceptions of importance of the behavior and greater perceived difficulty in gaining child compliance were associated with lower adherence to all tasks. Brief targeted interventions (e.g., motivational interviewing, parent behavior management training) may be well suited to enhance caregivers' perceptions of value of the behavior, while also addressing behavioral challenges that interfere with child adherence. Public Significance Statement Caregivers play a critical role in facilitating child adherence to COVTD-19 preventative health guidelines. Public health interventions that help caregivers to see the value of preventative health guidelines and support parents around managing difficulties that arise in implementation may facilitate child adherence behaviors. Keywords: COVID-19, adherence, children, health promotion and prevention, In response to the COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) global health crisis, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have issued guidelines to curb the spread of the virus, including social distancing, [...]

The article offers information on the critical recovery period following major pediatric surgery, focusing on the first weeks at home. Topics include pain experience post-discharge, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of pain during this period to identify factors associated with adverse outcomes and intervention opportunities.

The relative effects of different autism disclosure methods on the perceptions of a mother-child dyad were investigated. Using three conditions, disclosure card, disclosure bracelet, and no disclosure, U.S. community parents (N = 383) were asked 18 questions about their perceptions of the dyad. An ANOVA revealed significant protection from stigma for those in either disclosure condition compared to the no disclosure condition on two factors, Critical of the Mother/Child and Need to Protect Own Child, as well as a single item, Embarrassment for the Mother. These results reinforce findings that disclosure may effectively and efficiently reduce negative perceptions. The availability of multiple, effective methods of disclosure that reduce stigma allows parents to choose the method that best suits their individual preferences.

This study explores pediatric medical interpreters' perspectives on clinician communication practices in medical encounters characterized by distressing content and difficult discussions. In this interpretative phenomenological analysis, 13 Spanish-English interpreters at a midwestern pediatric hospital were purposively recruited and, in 2021–2022, completed a demographic survey and semistructured interview on communication in distressing interpreted medical encounters. Participants described clinician practices for effective cross-cultural interpreted communication. Practices align with recommendations on prebriefing, debriefing, jargon, stakeholder positioning, and teamwork. Novel findings relate to encounters with multiple parties, multilingual patients with monolingual parents, and coordination among clinicians. Findings corroborate recommendations for interpreted communication best practices, extend them to distressing pediatric encounters, and offer recommendations for clinicians using interpreting services in distressing encounters. Participants' insights are distilled into a series of clinician best practices for high-quality interpreted communication during difficult discussions and for strengthening language access services in pediatric medical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Parents of children in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) experience substantial stress; a parent's perception of their child's illness severity, more than objective measures, predicts psychological outcomes. No tools exist to assess parents' real-time experiences. This pilot study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a text-based tool to measure parental experience. Methods: Inclusion criteria included PICU stay >48 h, physician approval, smartphone access, and English-speaking caregiver. Eligible parents received a text-based baseline survey and surveys every other day while hospitalized regarding their mood/experiences and optional open-ended questions regarding stressors. They received post-discharge follow-up surveys at 1 week and 1, 3, and 6 months. Follow-up surveys assessed mood and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress. Interviews and surveys about the interface were conducted 1 week and 3 months following discharge. Feasibility was assessed by descriptive statistics (eg, response rates), and acceptability was assessed by descriptive statistics (survey results) and thematic analyses of interviews. Results: Of 20 enrolled participants, the first 5 were excluded due to technical issues. Of the 15 included, results demonstrated feasibility and acceptability. Most participants (86%) completed all surveys during the PICU stay and continued to complete surveys at a high rate: 79%–94% 3 months post-discharge. All participants agreed that the system was easy to use and were satisfied with the system at discharge, and 91% remained satisfied 3 months post-discharge. Additionally, 76% reported comfort, and 69% reported benefit. From the interviews, participants lauded the system's convenience and applicability of content. Some proposed changes to improve ergonomics. Many suggested this interface could help teams better support families. Conclusions: A text-based interface for measuring experience in the PICU is feasible and acceptable to parents. Further research can explore how this could identify parents most at risk of adverse psychological sequelae and lead to earlier supportive interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Families of children with medical complexity (CMC) have been negatively affected by the COVID‐19 pandemic, experiencing challenges such as decreased access to services, increased financial hardship and increased isolation. However, there are few qualitative studies which explore parental experiences. The aim of the present study was to describe the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on families of CMC. Methods: Caregivers of CMC were recruited from a large hospital in the Midwestern United States. They completed a semistructured qualitative interview assessing the impact of COVID‐19 on their child's care, which was analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Results: Twenty caregivers who were predominantly White, married and female participated. Emergent themes included the importance of protecting their child's health to ensure their physical safety, greater social isolation and missed medical services related to concerns about exposure, clinic closures and/or other logistical changes. Participants noted that the convenience of telehealth was a positive outcome of COVID‐19 that facilitated care while reducing time and resource challenges. Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of protecting the health of CMC through continued safe access to in‐person or telehealth services. It is important to prioritise emotional support services for families of CMC as they have experienced increased stress and social isolation during and after the COVID‐19 pandemic. This topic should be explored among diverse families with CMC across multiple healthcare systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parents of children with autism often report feeling judged and are increasingly using disclosure cards to reduce negative perceptions. However, no empirical research has been conducted on the effectiveness of these cards. The present study used vignettes of a parent-child interaction in which the child was misbehaving and investigated the efficacy on 160 parents' perceptions. A unique survey was developed with two factors (Maternal Skill Deficit and Negative Reaction) and a single item (Sympathy for Mother). Those who received the disclosure card reported significantly lower Maternal Skill Deficit and Negative Reaction to the Dyad and no difference in Sympathy for the Mother. These results provide preliminary validation for the use of autism disclosure cards in buffering negative judgment.