The complexities of measuring change in prisoners with sexual offence histories

Assessing change in incarcerated sexual offenders is critical to release decision-making and risk management. This study measured change in a group of treatment completers from a custody-based treatment program. Change was determined through comparison of pre- and post-treatment psychological testing and structured therapist assessment. Data were analysed at the group and individual levels. Multiple complexities were evident when examining the psychometric test results; many participants were considered ‘functional’ (within the normal range) according to extant test norms prior to treatment, and many who were regarded as ‘dysfunctional’ pre-treatment remained in this range post-treatment. Tests measuring constructs from the same risk factor domain often produced inconsistent results and, for most participants, change was only evident on some tests. Psychometric assessment results and therapist ratings were associated. These results highlight the complexities inherent in the evaluation of change. Clinical implications for the measurement of change and test selection are discussed.

Resilience of Urban Economic Structures Following the Great Recession

The future sustainability of cities is contingent on economic resilience. Yet, urban resilience is still not well understood, as cities are frequently disrupted by shocks, such as natural disasters, economic recessions, or changes in government policies. These shocks can significantly alter a city’s economic structure. Yet the term economic structure is often used metaphorically and is often not understood sufficiently by those having to implement policies. Here, we operationalized the concept of economic structure as a weighted network of interdependent industry sectors. For 938 U.S. urban areas, we then quantified the magnitude of change in the areas’ economic structures over time, focusing on changes associated with the 2007–2009 global recession. The result is a novel method of analyzing urban change over time as well as a typology of U.S. urban systems based on how their economic structures responded to the recession. We further compared those urban types to changes in economic performance during the recession to explore each structural type’s adaptive capacity. Results suggest cities that undergo constant but measured change are better positioned to weather the impacts of economic shocks.

Supervised consumption sites and crime: scrutinizing the methodological weaknesses and aberrant results of a government report in Alberta, Canada

To date, peer-reviewed research has found no evidence linking supervised consumptions sites (SCSs) to increased crime. Yet, in March 2020, a government Report released in the province of Alberta, Canada, presented the results of a review that reached a different conclusion. This commentary highlights the Report’s major methodological limitations with respect to its criminological components, including that crime was poorly operationalized and measured, change in crime was inadequately assessed, and the effect of SCSs on crime was not ascertained. It is argued that the magnitude of methodological flaws in the Report undermine the validity of its criminological claims and raise significant issues with the soundness of its conclusions.

The attrition of school-learned foreign languages: A multilingual perspective

In the vast body of research on language learning, there is still surprisingly little work on the attrition or retention of second/foreign languages, particularly in multilinguals, once learning and/or use of these languages ceases. The present study focuses on foreign language attrition and examines lexical diversity and (dis)fluency in the oral productions of 114 multilingual young adults, first language German speakers who learned English as their first (FL1) and French or Italian as their second foreign language (FL2), shortly before and approximately 16 months after graduation from upper secondary school. The level of foreign language use after graduation was found to have a noticeable impact on the measured change in output quality in the FL2, but only little in the FL1, where participants’ initial proficiency was considerably higher. The amount of use in the FL1 had no visible connection with attrition/maintenance in a rarely used FL2. Those participants who felt their speaking skills in one of their foreign languages had improved were correct in their self-assessment, but the degree to which the remaining subjects felt their speaking skills had deteriorated was not reflected in their productions.

0684 Overnight Fluid Shift In Apnea And Stroke: Does Being Physically Active Matter

Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and physical inactivity are frequent in patients with stroke. Overnight fluid shift may increase the propensity to pharyngeal obstruction and thus predispose to OSA. Also, physical inactivity can lead to consequent edema in the hemiparetic side. Methods In 7 patients at 3 months following post-first-ever ischemic stroke, we measured change in AHI (PSG), neck circumference, and arms and legs fluid volume (bioelectric impedance), before and after PSG in two conditions during the day before PSG: (1) inactive (sitting/lying), and (2) physically active (standing, walking, climbing stairs and mild exercise for 30 mins/hour). Results Being physically active for one day decreased mean AHI (inactive: 17.9/h; active: 12.6/h). Mean neck circumference increased overnight in both conditions (active and inactive) but increased more when the participants were physically active (inactive: 38 to 38.5cm; active: 38.43 to 39.5cm). Mean paretic arm fluid volume increased after inactive condition and did not change after physically active condition (inactive: 1.33L to 1.45L; active: 1.82L). Mean non-paretic arm fluid volume increased after active and inactive conditions (inactive: 1.34L to 1.45L; active: 1.74 to 1.78L). In both conditions and for paretic and non-paretic arms, being physically active for one day increased arm fluid volume between pre- and post-sleep comparisons. Mean paretic leg fluid volume increased after both conditions but increased more when the participants were inactive (inactive: 6.08L to 6.52L; active: 6.12 to 6.24L). Mean non-paretic leg fluid volume increased after inactive condition and decreased after being physically active (inactive: 6.01L to 6.45L; active: 6.15 to 6.06L). Conclusion Being physically active for one day decreased AHI, despite the increased fluid accumulation in the neck, and contributed to leaving no edema in the hemiparetic side. Breaking up inactivity and increasing physical activity in patients following stroke may be a promising intervention to reduce edema and OSA. Support São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP, grant #2018/18952-1 to CF).

Automotive 3.0 µm Pixel High Dynamic Range Sensor with LED Flicker Mitigation

We present and discuss parameters of a high dynamic range (HDR) image sensor with LED flicker mitigation (LFM) operating in automotive temperature range. The total SNR (SNR including dark fixed pattern noise), of the sensor is degraded by floating diffusion (FD) dark current (DC) and dark signal non-uniformity (DSNU). We present results of FD DC and DSNU reduction, to provide required SNR versus signal level at temperatures up to 120 °C. Additionally we discuss temperature dependencies of quantum efficiency (QE), sensitivity, color effects, and other pixel parameters for backside illuminated image sensors. Comparing +120 °C junction vs. room temperature, in visual range we measured a few relative percent increase, while in 940 nm band range we measured 1.46x increase in sensitivity. Measured change of sensitivity for visual bands—such as blue, green, and red colors—reflected some impact to captured image color accuracy that created slight image color tint at high temperature. The tint is, however, hard to detect visually and may be removed by auto white balancing and temperature adjusted color correction matrixes.

Runners’ individual learning responses to a biofeedback intervention to reduce tibial acceleration

Increased peak tibial acceleration has been related to tibial stress fractures. Reducing tibial acceleration could, therefore, help prevent injury. With the use of a single-subject analysis, it was aimed to give an insight into which individual gait strategies participants used and how quickly participants responded to a biofeedback intervention aimed to reduce tibial acceleration. First, a literature review was performed to identify gaps in the literature and inform primary research studies. Secondly, different methodological approaches were considered and a feedback system was developed based on exploratory studies focussing on the direct learning response, treadmill speed, target, and verbal instruction. A single-subject design was chosen and the minimal detectable difference was calculated to determine the minimum amount of change which was sufficiently greater than the measurement error and day-to-day variability in order to consider the measured change represented a genuine biomechanical difference. For the group, mean peak tibial acceleration significantly decreased by 26 per cent between the baseline measurements and the one-month follow-ups. Nine out of the eleven participants found a real decrease in mean peak tibial acceleration after a month. Participants needed one to six sessions to automatize running with reduced tibial acceleration. However, they were still able to reduce mean peak tibial acceleration after they automatized running. Further, participants found different shock-absorbing mechanisms comparing measurements taken directly after the intervention to after a month. This suggests participants did not learn a specific solution to be able to reduce tibial acceleration, but were able to switch in between shock-absorbing mechanisms. This programme of research showed the importance of a single-subject analysis in this area of research. Future directions could focus on in-field, individually tailored, gait retraining to improve the outcomes and be able to help reduce the prevalence of tibial stress fractures in runners.

CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION TO BUILD DEMENTIA-FRIENDLY BUSINESSES: ENGAGING STUDENTS IN PUBLIC ISSUES IN AGING

Despite a nationwide campaign to build dementia friendly communities, increasing awareness and engagement with programs like Dementia Friendly Businesses remains a challenge for local champions. To create welcoming environments for people living with dementia (PLWD), communities may benefit from cross-sector collaboration. Fundamental to collaborative efforts is the conviction that individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and institutions each play a role in reducing the stigma associated with dementia and facilitating welcoming environments. This exploratory study considers the outcomes of a cross-sector collaboration between a university, a hospital, individual community members, and students to build awareness of the need for new norms that reduce stigma for people living with dementia. We measured change at each ecological level. Through this collaboration, 61 local businesses and organizations are now DFB certified, 350 individuals have participated in training, and 150 students have joined 12 community trainers to advocate for dementia friendly spaces. Students’ survey responses show that 75% agree or strongly agree that the project engaged them in a meaningful real world experience and advocating for the need for dementia friendly spaces. PLWD provide qualitative data on feeling welcomed in the community. The university and hospital co-created an online open access dementia friendly training taken by 89 people in 6 months. 150 community members came together for a day-long workshop to build capacity and innovate solutions. Implications of the project suggest that changing cultural norms about dementia requires creative solutions that meaningfully engage individuals, organizations, institutions, and communities to collaborate across multiple sectors

Vascular α1-adrenergic sensitivity is enhanced in chronic kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is often complicated by difficult-to-control hypertension, in part due to chronic overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS). CKD patients also exhibit a greater increase in arterial blood pressure for a given increase in sympathetic nerve activation, suggesting an augmented vasoconstrictive response to SNS activation (i.e., neurovascular transduction). One potential mechanism of increased sympathetic neurovascular transduction is heightened sensitivity of the vascular α1-adrenergic receptors (α1ARs), the major effectors of vasoconstriction in response to norepinephrine release at the sympathetic nerve terminals. Therefore, we hypothesized that patients with CKD have increased vascular α1AR sensitivity. We studied 32 patients with CKD stages III and IV (age 59.9 ± 1.3 yr) and 19 age-matched controls (CON, age 63.2 ± 1.6 yr). Using a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), we measured change in venoconstriction in response to exponentially increasing doses of the selective α1AR agonist phenylephrine (PE) administered sequentially into a dorsal hand vein. Individual semilogarithmic PE dose-response curves were constructed for each participant to determine the PE dose at which 50% of maximum venoconstriction occurred (ED50), reflecting α1AR sensitivity. In support of our hypothesis, CKD patients had a lower PE ED50 than CON (CKD = 2.23 ± 0.11 vs. CON = 2.63 ± 0.20, P = 0.023), demonstrating increased vascular α1AR sensitivity. Additionally, CKD patients had a greater venoconstrictive capacity to PE than CON ( P = 0.015). Augmented α1AR sensitivity may contribute mechanistically to enhanced neurovascular transduction in CKD and may explain, in part, the greater blood pressure reactivity exhibited in these patients.

Two-year observation of posterior corneal elevations after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) for myopia higher than −10 dioptres

AimTo investigate the change in posterior corneal elevations (PCEs) of eyes with extremely high myopia 2 years after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).MethodsWe evaluated 39 eyes of 39 patients with spherical equivalent higher than −10.00 dioptres (D). Using a Scheimpflug camera (Pentacam), we measured change in PCEs at 1 day, 3 months, 6 months and 2 years after SMILE. Another 34 eyes of 34 patients who underwent femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) were examined before, at 1 day and long-term after surgery as the control group. For each eye, elevations at central, thinnest, maximal points and 24 other predetermined points were measured.ResultsNo significant forward displacements of PCEs were observed in both surgeries. The maximal but not significant forward displacement occurred around 3–6 months following SMILE, and all returned to original levels 6 months postoperatively except superior area. The peripheral area tended to displace backward, while the central area tended forwardly. In both procedures, elevations along horizontal meridians, inferior and temporal hemispheres were significantly higher than those along vertical meridians, superior and nasal hemispheres, respectively (p<0.05). Elevation on the 4 mm, 6 mm diameters at 1 day and on the 6 mm diameter and temporal hemisphere at long-term follow-up postoperatively were significantly higher in FS-LASIK than SMILE (p<0.05). Change in elevations on the 6 mm diameter circle correlated with residual bed thickness (p=0.047).ConclusionsSMILE is a safe way to correct for myopia higher than −10 D, with PCEs remaining stable 2 years after surgery.