•Large deficits in social perception and social behaviour are evident post-stroke.•Following stroke, difficulties with theory of mind are of a moderate magnitude.•Problems with affective empathy are ...moderate in magnitude but not significant.•Social cognitive deficits generalise across stroke laterality and task features.•Social cognitive measures should be routinely included in post-stroke assessment.
Although it is now widely recognised that social cognitive difficulties are often evident following stroke, important questions remain about the nature and magnitude of these difficulties, as well as the factors that determine the magnitude of this impairment. A meta-analysis of 58 datasets involving 2567 participants (937 with stroke, 1630 non-clinical controls) was therefore conducted. The results indicated that three of the four core domains of social cognitive function were significantly disrupted in people with stroke. Specifically, while the effect size for affective empathy failed to attain significance (r = −.33), moderate to large deficits were identified for theory of mind (r = −.44), social perception (r = −.55), and social behaviour (r = −.53). These deficits were robust across both left and right lateralized lesions, across social cognitive assessments that differed in their broader cognitive demands, as well as in tasks that varied in their modality of presentation. These data are discussed in the context of broader neuropsychological models of social cognitive function.
Importance of neuroimaging in suspected Bell palsy Schweitzer, Daniel R.; Shelley, Lisa
Internal medicine journal,
January 2021, 2021-Jan, 2021-01-00, 20210101, Letnik:
51, Številka:
1
Journal Article
Background
Prior research suggests that the quality of communication between doctors and patients influences the quality of medical care and adherence to treatment regimens, but little is known about ...factors that contribute to successful interactions between doctors and patients.
Aim
To examine the quality of communication across the different medical specialties.
Methods
A survey questionnaire was undertaken at a large metropolitan‐based hospital in Brisbane, Australia. In this initial study we surveyed 67 doctors across various specialties on a range of social cognition and personality measures. We then rated each of the specialties on the degree to which they rely on both procedures and diagnostics, as well as the extent to which they involve patient communication.
Results
A regression analysis using spss 26.0 was undertaken to ascertain if doctor's satisfaction with their communication was related to these three aspects of the various specialties. Results revealed that communication satisfaction was negatively related to the degree to which the specialty relies on diagnostics. No relationship emerged between reliance on procedures and communication satisfaction. Last, communication frequency was positively related to communication satisfaction.
Conclusions
We propose two possible accounts for this finding regarding diagnostics: (i) the cognitive demands of diagnosis disrupt communication; and/or (ii) diagnoses are interpreted by patients as opinions with which they are sometimes motivated to disagree. Further research is needed to replicate these findings and establish the underlying mechanism.
•A new AO classification for trochanteric fractures was recently published; no studies have evaluated its inter- and intra-observer agreement.•We assessed 68 intertrochanteric fractures; fractures ...were classified using the original and the new AO classifications.•The inter-observer agreement using the new AO classification was significantly better than using its original version.•The new AO classification system allowed better agreement when distinguishing stable from unstable patterns.
A new AO classification for intertrochanteric fractures was recently published; no studies have evaluated its inter- and intra-observer agreement.
Six evaluators (three hip subspecialists and three residents) assessed radiographs of 68 intertrochanteric fractures; fractures were classified using the original and the new AO classifications. The cases were displayed in a random sequence after a six-week interval for repeat evaluation. We used the Kappa coefficient (k) to determine inter- and intra-observer agreement.
Inter-observer agreement was slight (k = 0.128 0.092–0.170) using the original and fair (k = 0.250 0.186–0.327), with the new AO classification. Orthopedic residents exhibited better agreement than hip surgeons using the original classification (k = 0.302 0.210–0.416 and k= -0.018 -0.058–0.029, respectively) and the new classification (k = 0.388 0.294–0.514 and k = 0.109 0.031–0.192, respectively). Using both classifications as dichotomous variables (stable or unstable patterns), the agreement was slight (k = 0.158 0.074–0.246) using the original classification and moderate (k = 0.425 0.308–0.550) with the new AO classification.
The agreement was fair using the original (k = 0.350 0.278–0.424) and the new (k = 0.295 0.239 to 0.353) AO classifications, respectively. Residents had better agreement than hip specialists using the original (k = 0.405 0.303–0.512) versus (k = 0.292 0.193–0.293) and the new classification (k = 0.449 0.370 to 0.528 versus k = 0.129 0.064 to 0.208).
The inter-observer agreement using the new AO classification was significantly better than using its original version. Also, the new AO classification system allowed better agreement when distinguishing stable from unstable patterns.
In the SER (sorption enhanced reforming) gasification process a nitrogen-free, high calorific product gas can be produced. In addition, due to low gasification temperatures of 600–750 °C and the use ...of limestone as bed material, in-situ CO2 capture is possible, leading to a hydrogen-rich and carbon-lean product gas. In this paper, results from a bubbling fluidised bed gasification model are compared to results of process demonstration tests in a 200 kWth pilot plant.
Based upon that, a concept for the hydrogen production via biomass SER gasification is studied in terms of efficiency and feasibility. Capital and operational expenditures as well as hydrogen production costs are calculated in a techno-economic assessment study. Furthermore, market framework conditions are discussed under which an economic hydrogen production via SER gasification is possible.
•A concept for the production of hydrogen via SER biomass gasification is presented.•By using experimental data and a process model, the efficiency was calculated.•Based on the results, net production costs of 9€.kgH2−1 were calculated.•Cost factors & uncertainties were identified to assess cost reduction potentials.•In comparison to alternative technologies, this process is a competitive technology.
We argue that willpower as well as its depletion may, in some circumstances, adversely impact on clinical decision‐making and patient care. This psychological phenomenon has been dubbed ego depletion ...in social psychology. Willpower and its depletion which is known as ‘ego depletion’ are well‐established and validated theoretical constructs in social psychology and have been studied across a range of experimental contexts. Willpower is closely related to the concept of self‐control, which refers to the ability to regulate one's own behaviour and actions in order to pursue and achieve either a short‐ or long‐term goal. We outline the clinical relevance of willpower and its depletion in relation to clinical case examples drawn from three of the authors' clinical experience with the view of developing a clinical‐research agenda for future research studies. We examine willpower and its depletion in the context of three clinical case examples, which include (i) doctor–patient interactions, (ii) willpower and its depletion in relation to challenging interpersonal interactions with clinical and non‐clinical work colleagues and (iii) willpower and its depletion in response to working within a challenging and unpredictable clinical environment. In contrast to the more widely recognised external resources (including space, staff allocations and night shifts), a greater understanding of how this important but under‐recognised internal resource can be depleted in response to a range of different factors within clinical settings has the potential to inform and improve patient care through a renewed focus on the developing interdisciplinary clinical studies which draw upon contemporary findings from social psychology. Future work aimed at developing evidence‐based interventions to help mitigate the negative impact of impaired self‐control and decision fatigue within healthcare systems may in turn lead to improved patient care as well as more effective healthcare service and delivery.
Successfully recruiting male participants to complete a healthcare related study is important for healthcare study completion and to advance our clinical knowledgebase. To date, most research studies ...have examined the barriers and facilitators of female participants in longitudinal healthcare-related studies with limited information available about the needs of males in longitudinal research. This systematic review examines the unique barriers and facilitators to male recruitment across longitudinal healthcare-related research studies.
Following PRIMSA guidelines, MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL and Web of Science databases were systematically searched using the terms recruitment and/or retention, facilitators and/or barriers and longitudinal studies from 1900 to 2023 which contained separate data on males aged 17-59 years. Health studies or interventions were defined longitudinal if they were greater than or equal to 12 weeks in duration with 3 separate data collection visits.
Twenty-four articles published from 1976-2023 met the criteria. One-third of the studies had a predominantly male sample and four studies recruited only male participants. Males appear disinterested towards participation in health research, however this lack of enthusiasm can be overcome by clear, non-directive communication, and studies that support the participants interests. Facilitating factors are diverse and may require substantial time from research teams.
Future research should focus on the specific impact of these factors across the spectrum of longitudinal health-related studies. Based on the findings of this systematic review, researchers from longitudinal health-related clinical trials are encouraged to consider male-specific recruitment strategies to ensure successful recruitment and retention in their studies.
This systemic review is registered with the PROSPERO database (CRD42021254696).
The technical progress in the last decades makes photo and video recording devices omnipresent. This change has a significant impact, among others, on police work. It is no longer unusual that a ...myriad of digital data accumulates after a criminal act, which must be reviewed by criminal investigators to collect evidence or solve the crime. This paper presents the VICTORIA Interactive 4D Scene Reconstruction and Analysis Framework ("ISRA-4D" 1.0), an approach for the visual consolidation of heterogeneous video and image data in a 3D reconstruction of the corresponding environment. First, by reconstructing the environment in which the materials were created, a shared spatial context of all available materials is established. Second, all footage is spatially and temporally registered within this 3D reconstruction. Third, a visualization of the hereby created 4D reconstruction (3D scene + time) is provided, which can be analyzed interactively. Additional information on video and image content is also extracted and displayed and can be analyzed with supporting visualizations. The presented approach facilitates the process of filtering, annotating, analyzing, and getting an overview of large amounts of multimedia material. The framework is evaluated using four case studies which demonstrate its broad applicability. Furthermore, the framework allows the user to immerse themselves in the analysis by entering the scenario in virtual reality. This feature is qualitatively evaluated by means of interviews of criminal investigators and outlines potential benefits such as improved spatial understanding and the initiation of new fields of application.
Objective
To evaluate, through microcomputed tomography (μCT), the cement film thickness of veneers and crowns made with different provisional materials.
Material and Methods
A veneer and a crown ...preparation were performed on a central incisor and a second molar of a dental model, respectively, scanned with an intraoral scanner, and the .stl files were exported to an LCD‐based SLA three‐dimensional (3D)‐Printer. Twenty‐four preparations were 3D‐printed for each veneer and crown and divided into four groups (n = 6/group): (a) Acrylic resin (Acrílico Marche); (b) Bisacrylic resin (Protemp 4); (c) PMMA computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD‐CAM) (Vipiblock); and (d) 3D‐printed resin for provisional restorations (Raydent C&B for temporary crown and bridge). Veneers and crowns restorations were performed and cemented with a flowable composite. Each specimen was scanned with a μCT apparatus, files were imported for data analysis, and cement film thickness was quantitatively measured. Data were analyzed by 2‐way ANOVA and Tukey post‐hoc tests (α = .05).
Results
Crowns presented a thicker cementation film than veneers (P < .05).The bisacrylic resin showed the smallest veneer film thickness, similar to the acrylic resin (P = .151), which was not significantly different than the PMMA CAD/CAM material (P = .153). The 3D printed provisional material showed the thicker film, different than all other materials (P < .05). The bisacrylic resin showed a cement film thickness with a high number of voids in its surface. For crowns cementation, the 3D printed provisional material showed the thicker cementation film, different than all other materials (P < .05).
Conclusions
Different provisional materials present different film thicknesses. The 3D printed provisional material showed the highest veneer and crown film thicknesses. Veneers film thicknesses were smaller than crowns for all provisional materials.
Clinical Significance
The 3D printed provisional material studied can be satisfactorily used, presenting appropriate adaptation with the tooth preparation, however, it shows the highest cement film thickness for both veneers and crowns cementations when compared with other provisional materials. A better internal fit, or smaller cement film thickness is obtained by CAD/CAM materials, acrylic and bisacrylic resins. Veneer cementation showed a smaller cement film thickness compared with crown cementation for all provisional materials.