Publications by authors named "Simons R"

This study examined associations of compliance rate with the reliability and convergent validity of intoxication and negative affect assessments in experience sampling method (ESM) data in three samples (Veterans, Sexual Minority Men, and College Students). Convergent validity was operationalized as within-person associations between daily aggregates of random in situ assessments and retrospective daily assessments or transdermal alcohol assessments. Measures with lower ICC require more assessments for a reliable aggregate (e.

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Background: This study examined the longitudinal relationship between cumulative socioeconomic status (SES) risk and serum neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels to better understand the association between social factors and a biomarker of neurodegeneration.

Methods: We used data from the Family and Community Health Study, collecting psychosocial and blood data at 2 waves (2008) and (2019) from 254 Black Americans (43 males and 211 females). Blood samples were analyzed at each wave for serum NfL concentrations.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of coronectomy on postoperative quality of life in older adults.

Background: Coronectomy is an alternative to complete surgical removal of a mandibular third molar that lies close to the inferior alveolar nerve.

Materials And Methods: This prospective study included patients >60 years old who had an indication for coronectomy of a mandibular third molar.

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Introduction: Globally, B-mode ultrasound is the most common modality used for the diagnosis of hepatic steatosis. We aimed to assess the correlation between qualitative liver ultrasound parameters, attenuation imaging (ATI) and histopathology-diagnosed steatosis grade obtained from liver biopsy. Our secondary aim was to examine the interobserver variability of qualitative ultrasound features.

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Objectives: Recent studies show that chronic exposure to racial discrimination increases the occurrence of subjective cognitive decline (SCD) among Black Americans. Little research, however, has examined potential for protective factors, such as perceived partner support, to buffer these effects.

Methods: This study utilized longitudinal data over a 10-year period from the Family and Community Health Study (FACHS) to examine the associations between experiences of racial discrimination, marital status, partner support, and SCD, measured by the Everyday Cognition (ECog) Scale, among 286 middle-aged Black American women.

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Wave runup, the excess water level above mean sea level, has been measured using different techniques with varying degrees of precision and associated practical limitations. This critical parameter, typically included in coastal assessment studies, varies temporally and spatially and depends on variables that include beach characteristics and nearshore hydrodynamics. Access to continuous datasets, using efficient mechanisms can assist resource-limited regions, such as Caribbean small-island developing states (SIDS), in overcoming coastal resilience obstacles.

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At the core of molecular biology lies the intricate interplay between sequence, structure, and function. Single-molecule techniques provide in-depth dynamic insights into structure and function, but laborious assays impede functional screening of large sequence libraries. We introduce high-throughput Single-molecule Parallel Analysis for Rapid eXploration of Sequence space (SPARXS), integrating single-molecule fluorescence with next-generation sequencing.

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Designing effective antifog coatings poses challenges in resisting physical and chemical damage, with persistent susceptibility to decomposition in aggressive environments. As their robustness is dictated by physicochemical structural features, precise control through unique fabrication strategies is crucial. To address this challenge, a novel method for crafting nanoscale antifog films with simultaneous directional growth and cross-linking is presented, utilizing solid-state continuous assembly of polymers via ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ssCAP).

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Article Synopsis
  • The text discusses the role of dynamic covalent bonds (DCBs) in advancing sustainable materials, particularly through acylhydrazone/hydrazone chemistry, which allows for easy debonding and rebonding.
  • Despite being stable in neutral and basic conditions, these materials can degrade under acidic conditions, which can be beneficial for applications in self-healing and biomedical fields.
  • The review examines how the reversibility of acylhydrazone/hydrazone bonds in polymers affects their properties and explores methods to enhance their mechanical performance for reprocessing and recycling.
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The study draws upon perspectives on life-course stressors and health to assess whether lifetime incarceration exposure is a determinant of biological aging and self-reported depression. Using data from a sample of 460 African American participants (average age= 57) in the Family and Community Health Study, the study examined two epigenetic indices of biological aging, DunedinPoAm and GrimAge, as well as a self-reported measure of depression symptoms. Estimates were derived from multivariate regression models with adjustments for selection on observables and confounding factors.

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Background: Coronectomy is an alternative procedure for removing mandibular third molars near the inferior alveolar nerve. Limited research exists on the effect of coronectomy on the postoperative quality of life (QoL).

Purpose: This study compared postoperative QoL after coronectomy and complete surgical removal of mandibular third molars during the first postoperative week.

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This contribution examines the compatibility of mandatory vaccination with the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) through an analysis of the relevant ECHR rights and related case law of the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). By focusing on Article 8 (Right to Private Life), Article 2 (Right to Life) and Article 9 (Freedom of Thought, Conscience and Religion) ECHR, we formulate conditions under which mandatory vaccination legislation is justified. With that, this analysis aims to provide national legislators with guidance on responsible legislative policy.

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Introduction: Recent evidence suggests that exposure to the stress of racism may increase the risk of dementia for Black Americans.

Methods: The present study used 17 years of data from a sample of 255 Black Americans to investigate the extent to which exposure to racial discrimination predicts subsequent changes in serum Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) biomarkers: serum phosphorylated tau181(p-tau181), neurofilament light (NfL), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). We hypothesized that racial discrimination assessed during middle age would predict increases in these serum biomarkers as the participants aged into their 60s.

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Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons modulate how organisms process and respond to environmental stimuli through impacts on arousal, attention, and memory. It is unknown, however, whether basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are directly involved in conditioned behavior, independent of secondary roles in the processing of external stimuli. Using fluorescent imaging, we found that cholinergic neurons are active during behavioral responding for a reward - even prior to reward delivery and in the absence of discrete stimuli.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine how the surgeon's decision to perform a mandibular third molar coronectomy or surgical removal is associated with the impaction pattern as classified using Pell and Gregory or Winter's system.

Methods: This observational, cross-sectional study was conducted on 813 mandibular third molars belonging to 565 patients. All patients were referred for removal of the mandibular third molar and had radiographic signs indicating a close relationship with the inferior alveolar nerve.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study explores the lesser-known role of the cerebellum in PTSD by analyzing cerebellar volume differences in a large sample of 4,215 adults, with 1,642 diagnosed with PTSD and 2,573 as healthy controls.
  • Using advanced deep-learning techniques, researchers assessed the total cerebellum volume and 28 subregions, revealing significant reductions in both gray and white matter in individuals with PTSD, especially in specific posterior lobe and vermis areas.
  • The results suggest that changes in cerebellar structure are linked to cognitive and emotional dysfunctions in PTSD, highlighting the cerebellum's importance beyond its traditional role in motor control.
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This paper presents a comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation into the antiviral properties of nanostructured surfaces and explains the underlying virucidal mechanism. We used reactive ion etching to fabricate silicon (Si) surfaces featuring an array of sharp nanospikes with an approximate tip diameter of 2 nm and a height of 290 nm. The nanospike surfaces exhibited a 1.

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One of the central symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a heightened reactivity to trauma cues. The current study used experience sampling to investigate the associations between exposure to combat-related cues and PTSD symptoms in 93 U.S.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers utilized various MRI data types to identify brain features that can distinguish PTSD from controls, revealing that classification accuracy decreases significantly when using multi-site data compared to single-site studies.
  • * The denoising variational autoencoder (DVAE) model showed improved generalization on new datasets, indicating its potential for better classification of PTSD, although overall performance still remained only slightly above chance levels.
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Objective: Alcohol use is a substantial problem among college students and has several negative consequences. The current study examined the associations between anhedonia and alcohol use and related problems impulsive behavior (e.g.

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Background: Traumatic bonding, defined as attachment to a perpetrator of intimate partner violence (IPV), offers one explanation as to why many people with abusive romantic partners do not break off these relationships. But what individual-level risk factors make some victims of IPV more likely than others to develop traumatic bonding toward their partners? What is the nature of the potential association between traumatic bonding and PTSD symptoms?

Participants: A path model tested the potential roles of childhood maltreatment and attachment insecurity as risk factors for traumatic bonding, as well as the potential association between traumatic bonding and PTSD symptoms, in a high-risk sample of 354 participants in current abusive relationships.

Results: As hypothesized, childhood maltreatment and attachment insecurity significantly predicted traumatic bonding over and above the effects of age, gender, and romantic love.

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Pedophilia is a significant public health problem. Despite its cost to society, little effort has been directed toward understanding idiographic differences in the development and maintenance of pedophilia. Extant literature emphasizes biological underpinnings and predictors of re-offense.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of perceived racial discrimination on the satisfaction and dissolution of different-gender, nonmarital relationships among African American young adults.

Background: Racial discrimination has proven detrimental to relationship quality among married couples. Racial disparities in relationship processes begin long before marriages form, however.

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Background: The Netherlands traditionally favours a voluntary approach to vaccination. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic multiple European countries drastically altered their vaccination policies, which fuelled societal and political debate about the need to make the Dutch vaccination policy less voluntary, particularly by utilising pressure or coercion.

Aim: To provide insight in expert's views on main normative issues concerning a less voluntary vaccination policy (for adults).

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Risk assessment is an essential tool used in the control of disease outbreaks. Without it, key risk pathways might not be identified, resulting in potential spread of disease. The devastating effects of disease spread can ripple through society, affecting the economy and trade and having considerable impact on animal health and potentially human health.

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