37495 research outputs found
Sort by
Quantifying the Functional Impact of Chronic Patellofemoral Pain and Its Relationship to Perceived Duty-related Medical Readiness Among Active Duty Service Members
Get PDFIntroduction
Chronic patellofemoral pain (PFP) is a heterogeneous pain condition that may significantly burden active duty service members, whose rigorous physical training demands include activities such as running and heavy load carriage. While chronic PFP is often defined by its pathoanatomical characteristics, evidence from other pain conditions (e.g., chronic low back pain) suggests classifying pain by its functional impact on work, social, and self-care activities may better inform personalized treatment approaches. As this approach has not been previously undertaken in chronic PFP or younger populations with chronic pain, this study aimed to characterize the global impact of PFP on day-to-day function and evaluate its relationship with perceived duty-related medical readiness among young, active service members.
Materials and Methods
Institutional Review Board approval was obtained at Naval Medical Center San Diego. Electronic health records were retrospectively reviewed among 295 service members referred to physical therapy for “knee pain” from April 2021 to April 2022. For service members with chronic PFP (i.e., anterior knee pain present for at least 3 months and on at least half the days in the past 6 months), demographic, pain-related, and standardized outcome measure data were extracted from physical therapy intake documentation. Knee function was quantified using the validated Anterior Knee Pain Scale, scored from 0 to 100 (100 = highest function). Patient-reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Computer Adaptive Tests for physical function and pain interference were collected and subcategorized from 0 (within normal limits) to 3 (severe limitation) based on t-score cut-points, then summed to create a Pain Impact Score (0 = no impact to 6 = severe impact). Finally, perceived duty-related medical readiness was averaged across 2 questions assessing confidence in performing deployment and military duties with well-managed pain, each scored from 0 to 100 (100 = highest readiness). Relationships between Pain Impact Scores and perceived duty-related medical readiness were evaluated using linear regression after controlling for age, sex, symptom chronicity, and knee function. Results
Overall, 56 active duty service members, of whom 66% were males, met the criteria for chronic PFP and had outcome measures documented in their electronic health records. Most service members were classified as having mildly impaired physical function (46%) and moderately impaired pain interference (41%), while only 12 (21%) fell within normal limits for both physical function and pain interference domains. Median (25th-75th percentile) Pain Impact Scores were 2 (1-3). The overall regression model was statistically significant (R2 = 0.540, F(5,50) = 11.76, P \u3c .001). Beyond covariates, Pain Impact Scores explained an additional 21.0% of the variance in perceived duty-related medical readiness (P \u3c .001).
Conclusions
Service members with chronic PFP frequently report impaired physical function and pain interference, opposing assumptions that PFP is a mild, self-limiting condition. As each 1-point increase in Pain Impact is associated with a 10-point decrease in perceived duty-related medical readiness, functional pain impact should be evaluated alongside other condition-specific factors (e.g., knee function) to identify rehabilitation targets among service members with chronic PFP. Future work should explore whether similar associations are found between functional pain impact and other objective readiness measures (e.g., physical fitness tests)
Autonomous Search and Rescue: Real-Time Drone and Robotic Dog Integration
Get PDFCommon robotic navigation techniques often utilize GPS to set up the robot’s reference frame, which is not possible in environments, such as indoor facilities, underground passages, and disaster zones, where GPS is not available. This research explores the integration of a Boston Dynamics Spot robot with a Tello drone to form a non-GPS-based autonomous navigation system. By leveraging coordinate transformation logic, this study enables real-time aerial reconnaissance and ground-based waypoint navigation without reliance on GPS. The methodology includes software development using the Spot SDK and Tello APIs, a virtual networked solution for integration, and an experimental setup to validate navigation accuracy. The integration showcases the feasibility of multi-agent robotic collaboration in constrained environments, contributing toward advancements in autonomous exploration and search-and-rescue systems
Till Death Do Us Part: Analyzing the Impact of Multiple Moral Violations on Parasocial Relationship Boundary Conditions
No full textThis study examined how transgression frequency and severity, parasocial relationships (PSRs), and personal perceptions of celebrities influence viewers\u27 responses to morally ambiguous characters. Utilizing a mixed between-within subjects design, the research explored their impact on moral disengagement, PSRs, character identification, and narrative enjoyment. Findings revealed that person perception of a celebrity significantly influenced all dependent variables—viewers with a favorable perception of the celebrity reported stronger PSRs, greater identification with the character, higher levels of moral disengagement, and enhanced narrative enjoyment. This outcome suggests that person perception of the celebrity should be a variable that is accounted for when researching media psychology and should not be mistaken for a parasocial relationship. Results also found that obtaining a PSR with the celebrity can indirectly result in higher moral disengagement through also obtaining a PSR with their character. This finding suggests that positive perceptions of a celebrity can provide an indirect pathway to enjoy morally ambiguous content, extending the principles of Affective Disposition Theory.
While transgression frequency negatively impacted PSRs and character identification, it did not significantly affect moral disengagement or narrative enjoyment. Participants were more likely to justify minor transgressions up to a certain PSR threshold, indicating that strong parasocial bonds with the celebrity can serve as a buffer against perceived immoral behavior.
Furthermore, the interaction between transgression severity and frequency revealed that participants were more inclined to justify repeated minor transgressions than major ones, often through mechanisms of moral disengagement. Notably, narrative enjoyment remained stable across all conditions, suggesting that viewers do not need to morally justify immoral behavior to enjoy morally ambiguous content. Together, these findings underscore the nuanced interplay between character behavior, celebrity perception, and viewer engagement in shaping moral and emotional responses to media narratives
A Fragile New World: An Analysis of the History, Present, and Future of the U.S. Global Fragility Act
Get PDFIn 2019, the U.S. Congress passed the Global Fragility Act with bipartisan support. (GFA). The act aimed to reform U.S. foreign aid and development, focusing on stabilization initiatives that proactively address the root causes of conflict before they escalate into full-blown violence. Despite the significant implications of the GFA for both domestic and international foreign policy, extant research examining the novel legislation remains limited and disjointed in its examination. This paper builds on previous studies by combining content analysis and qualitative interviews with a diverse group of professionals within the foreign aid sector to offer a comprehensive analysis of the origins of the GFA, its current state of implementation, and what possibilities the future holds for its success. I conclude by asserting that, despite setbacks like the slow rollout under the Biden administration and the effective elimination of USAID during the Trump administration, the GFA remains a crucial and promising initiative. Furthermore, I explain how the GFA’s reform goals align with those of the Trump administration and argue that the administration should reaffirm its commitment to the GFA, continuing to work toward its implementation by undertaking the challenging, albeit not impossible, task of shifting more foreign aid and development responsibilities to the Department of State and the Department of Defense
The Kids Aren’t Alright: Changes in the Mental Health of Adolescents Post-COVID-19
Get PDFMental health is an increasing concern for today’s youth, with one in six U.S. children and adolescents aged 6-17 experiencing a mental health disorder each year, and 50% of all lifetime mental illnesses begin by age 14. The COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in lockdowns, social isolation, school closures, and ultimately a disruption in everyday life, is believed to have adversely impacted the mental health of children and adolescents. There is limited research available on the impacts of the pandemic on adults, and even less research is available on the impact of the pandemic on youth, specifically as we navigate the world post-lockdowns, social isolation, and distance or hybrid learning. It is imperative to identify the changes in the mental health needs of students following the COVID-19 pandemic to guide the implementation of targeted interventions and support within the school settings. This data can be used to guide educators in promoting positive mental health outcomes for students. The purpose of this study is to identify changes in mental health outcomes in students following the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore the relationship between school-based resilience assets and mental health outcomes (depression and suicidality) for these students. Data from the 2018-2019 and 2021-2022 California Healthy Kids Survey (CHKS) Core Modules was analyzed to determine change in mental health in adolescents following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Findings indicated poorer mental health across all groups following the COVID-19 pandemic. More adolescents reported symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation post-COVID-19, specifically, rates of depression were significantly higher in female, transgender, non-binary, and lesbian or gay and bisexual adolescents. Suicidal ideation was significantly higher in transgender, non-binary, and lesbian or gay adolescents following the pandemic. Additionally, school-based resilience assets significantly decreased following the pandemic, resulting in lower perceptions of support within the school setting. The findings of this study highlight the disparities in adolescent mental health and school experiences, especially among students who identify as LGBT+
Representation and Formalization of Relation Algebras
Get PDFAbstract relation algebras were defined by Alfred Tarski in 1941 to capture the algebraic properties of binary relations. An interesting question is whether a given relation algebra is representable as an algebra of binary relations. Donald Monk proved in 1964 that the theory of representable relation algebras is not finitely based, and Robin Hirsch and Ian Hodkinson in 2001 showed that it is an undecidable problem whether a finite relation algebra is representable. However, Roger Maddux’s concept of n-dimensional bases and Steve Comer’s one-point extension method can prove (non)representability for various small algebras. Both methods are based on a two-player game for representability, and we revisit implementations of these algorithms and apply them to relation algebras with up to 32 elements. In particular, to decide representability for all relation algebras with 16 elements, the n-dimensional bases implementation was used in 1993 to prove the nonrepresentability for the last two such algebras. Checking these proofs by hand is rather laborious but can now be done with the help of proof assistants. Lean is an interactive theorem prover that uses a formal language based on dependent type theory to represent mathematics. Its library of definitions and theorems spans many areas of mathematics, including parts of algebra, logic, order theory and category theory. Alongside, Dr. Jipsen, we develop the theory of relation algebras in the Lean proof assistant. Lean is also an efficient functional programming language, hence this is a useful platform for implementing algorithms and checking mathematical results obtained by computer calculations. We report on the current state of our project without assuming any background about Lean
Computational Lipophilicity Calculations of Fluorinated Morphine Derivatives for Improved Pain Management
Get PDFThe opioid epidemic impacts 60 million people worldwide every year. Morphine, a commonly prescribed opioid, binds to the μ opioid receptor (MOR) in the body via protonation of the tertiary amino group of morphine and the MOR. An unfortunate side effect of this binding process is its non-selectivity in both peripheral and central tissues. While activation within inflamed peripheral tissues results in pain relief, activation within central tissues results in the unwanted and addictive side effects of opioids. Because there is a discrepancy in pH between healthy (central) and inflamed (peripheral) tissue, selective binding within the inflamed tissues results in pain relief without addictive properties. Fluorination of the morphine molecule results in a reduction of pKa that induces selective protonation (binding) within the lower pH environments of inflamed tissues while avoiding activation within the CNS. Additionally, the removal of the C and D rings of morphine alters its steric properties, potentially improving receptor fit and binding efficiency by increasing the flexibility of the molecule. These structural modifications also influence lipophilicity, measured by the partition coefficient (logP), which impacts the drug’s ability to cross lipid membranes. Computational logP calculations using XLOGP3 found that morphine has a logP of 0.88, whereas fluorinated derivatives exhibit increased lipophilicity: fluoromorphine β-C1 (1.91), fluoromorphine β-C2 (0.85), and fluoromorphine β-C3 (2.05). The significantly higher logP values of β-C1 and β-C3 suggest enhanced partitioning into lipid-rich inflamed tissues, improving selectivity while minimizing CNS interactions. The aim of this study involves further assessment of these derivatives using molecular docking simulations that will be conducted in Schrödinger software to predict ligand-receptor interactions with MOR. Gathering Gibbs free energy (ΔG) and logP data will determine which derivative(s) should be synthesized and studied further
Rewriting the Narrative: The Relationship Between Trauma, Leadership Identity, and Workplace Satisfaction
Get PDFTrauma is widely recognized for its devastating psychological effects, yet emerging research suggests that it can also fuel significant personal and professional growth. Most studies examining trauma in a professional context primarily focus on workplace-induced trauma, rather than exploring how personal trauma outside of work or other leadership roles influences an individual’s behavior and abilities within those professional settings. This study examined the relationship between past traumatic experiences, leadership identity, and workplace satisfaction, using the Social Identity Model of Identity Change (SIMIC; Haslam et al., 2021) as a theoretical framework. SIMIC asserts that identity transformation occurs through maintaining or acquiring social group memberships, which can facilitate well-being and resilience. Applying this model, this study examined whether individuals who have experienced higher levels of past trauma are more likely to adopt a transformational leadership style, develop greater workplace satisfaction, greater resilience in their leadership, and greater empathy towards their professional relationships. The research method employed a Qualtrics survey distributed to the Chapman University Alumni Association LinkedIn Group, the Panther Network Alumni Discussion Group, and Chapman SONA, leveraging psychological scales which measured the degree of exposure to past trauma, leadership style, empathy, workplace satisfaction, and resilience. Inconsistent with the hypotheses, there was no evidence that higher levels of past trauma are correlated with a transformational leadership style, greater workplace satisfaction, greater resilience in leadership, or greater empathy towards coworkers. These findings highlight the need for future research to explore the relationship between leadership identity and workplace satisfaction, focusing on the impact of personal trauma or adverse experiences brought into the workplace, rather than limiting the scope to trauma caused in the workplace itself