Nevin Manimala

Traffic Inj Prev. 2026 Jun 11:1-7. doi: 10.1080/15389588.2026.2673090. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) fitted to vehicles has proven road safety benefits in terms of preventing collisions with other vehicles. AEB with pedestrian detection (PAEB) extends this capability to protect vulnerable road users: the current paper evaluates these safety benefits in comparison with AEB without pedestrian detection and vehicles without any AEB.

METHODS: We analyzed data from Australian and New Zealand crashes involving injury over the period 2016-2023. The target crash types for PAEB analyzed either involved a vulnerable road user or the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle. Vehicles listed in Redbook (which provides vehicle specification information to assist Australian vehicle purchasers) with the feature “Control – Pedestrian Avoidance with Braking” were classed as having PAEB; for other vehicles, “Collision Mitigation – Forward (High speed)” and “Collision Mitigation – Forward (Low speed)” identified other forms of AEB. Using an induced exposure approach, crash rates associated with the safety technology fitted were estimated.

RESULTS: Controlling for jurisdiction, speed limit area, vehicle market group, driver age group and sex, weather, day/night and year of crash, there was a 17% reduction (95% CI 5% to 27%) in the rate of pedestrian or cyclist collisions associated with vehicles equipped with PAEB relative to vehicles without any AEB system; for vehicles equipped with AEB without pedestrian detection, there was no reduction in the rate of pedestrian or cyclist collisions. For collisions with motorcycles, the associated benefits were smaller: compared to vehicles with no AEB system, there was a statistically significant 11% reduction associated with PAEB (95% CI 0% to 21%) and a non-significant 8% reduction (95% CI an increase of 4% to a decrease of 19%) associated with other AEB system fitment. There were insufficient cyclists in the data to estimate benefits specifically for cyclists but there was no evidence that the associated benefit was any less than for pedestrians. The safety benefits for vulnerable road users associated with AEB with pedestrian detection were estimated to be higher at nighttime, contrary to some findings in other studies.

CONCLUSIONS: The safety benefits associated with PAEB for vulnerable road users are significantly greater than AEB without pedestrian detection, and this analysis of real-world crash outcomes shows these benefits extend to the protection of motorcyclists.

PMID:42275024 | DOI:10.1080/15389588.2026.2673090

Psychol Methods. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1037/met0000843. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Hierarchical models for ordinal responses, in which responses are modeled successively by partitioning groups of categories into finer subgroups are proposed. These partitions reflect conceptually meaningful distinctions among categories. Such models are particularly well suited for Likert items, which typically differentiate between disagreement, agreement, and, in some cases, a neutral category. The hierarchical framework offers a parsimonious representation of predictor effects and often provides a better fit than traditional ordinal models. It also enables the investigation of dispersion effects, that is, systematic tendencies of respondents to prefer either extreme categories or middle categories, independently of the substantive content. In addition to specialized fitting tools for ordinal models, we provide a more general procedure that can be used to fit any hierarchically structured model. The practical use of these methods is demonstrated through illustrative examples. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

PMID:42275018 | DOI:10.1037/met0000843

Anal Chem. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06841. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Metabolomics studies employing liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry are affected by signal drift and batch effects, introducing technical variance that impedes biological knowledge discovery. Quality control (QC) sample-based normalization strategies are widely implemented but remain vulnerable to outliers, thereby reducing normalization performance. We introduce rLOESS, rGAM, and tGAM, three robust normalization methods that improve resistance to outliers by downweighting or accommodating them. Leveraging additive models, the rGAM and tGAM methods allow flexible nonlinear modeling, differential sample weighting, and data-driven QC representativeness evaluation. Implementations of these methods are gathered in the Metanorm R package, integrating robust normalization with visualization for performance verification while supporting efficient parallel processing. In in silico and/or experimental data sets, the robust methods, relative to several popular existing strategies, improved replicate concordance and reduced drift and batch effects. The robust methods, with improved recovery of the underlying signal demonstrated in simulation, produced distinct differential abundance results, highlighting the impact of normalization on downstream statistical inference. Overall, tGAM-based normalization suggested the best performance across scenarios and is proposed as the default choice. Metanorm is versatile, supporting normalization in metabolomics studies across scales and experimental setups. Metanorm is freely available at https://github.com/UGent-LIMET/Metanorm.

PMID:42275003 | DOI:10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06841

J Gambl Stud. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s10899-026-10517-z. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Adolescent gambling has become increasingly prevalent with the rise of online platforms and the normalization of gambling behaviors. This study aimed to estimate the past-year prevalence of gambling among high school students in Viana do Castelo, Portugal, to investigate sex-related differences in gambling behavior, and to identify factors associated with gambling. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 with 1064 students from the three existing high schools. Participants completed an anonymous online questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, gambling in the past 12 months and its characterization, substance use, and environmental influences. The primary dependent variable was past-year gambling, coded dichotomously as yes/no. Chi-square tests and logistic regression were used to assess associations between past-year gambling and the other variables. The weighted past-year prevalence of gambling was 35.0%, higher among males. Statistically significant sex differences emerged in gambling type, companions, expenditure, frequency, and mode of access. Compared with females, males were more likely to engage in sports betting and poker, gamble alone or with friends, spend more money, gamble more frequently, and gamble online only or both online and land-based. Multivariable analysis showed that being male, attending public schools, early tobacco initiation, frequent consumption of spirit drinks, and knowing others who gamble were independently associated with gambling in the past 12 months. Gambling is widespread among adolescents in this sample, with distinct sex-related patterns and strong social influences. Early prevention strategies should address both individual behaviors and broader social contexts. Longitudinal studies are needed to understand causal pathways and inform targeted interventions.

PMID:42274980 | DOI:10.1007/s10899-026-10517-z

Pharmacoeconomics. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s40273-026-01629-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to derive a Korean value set for the SF-6Dv2.

METHODS: Following an adapted international protocol, an online discrete choice experiment with duration (DCE_TTO) was conducted among 3800 Korean adults representative of the general population. The experimental design included three components: choice sets from a Core Module, choice sets pairing commonly occurring health states (Common Module), and triplet choice sets with death options (Triplet Module). Preferences were analyzed using conditional and mixed logit models.

RESULTS: Model 9 (based on the Core Module) was selected as the preferred model for its superior logical consistency, including monotonicity of coefficients and avoidance of counterintuitive results. The pain dimension had the largest utility decrement at its worst level (- 0.496), followed by physical functioning (- 0.480), mental health (- 0.391), social functioning (- 0.329), vitality (- 0.178), and role limitations (- 0.138). The utility for the worst possible health state (556555) was estimated at – 1.012, with 31.7% of all states valued as worse than dead. Significant preference heterogeneity was observed across dimensions, indicating substantial individual-level variation in health state valuations. While including death comparisons (Triplet Module) produced less-negative worst-state utilities, it was not recommended as the primary value set due to its non-efficient experimental design and logical monotonicity issues necessitating greater level collapsing.

CONCLUSION: We derived the first Korean SF-6Dv2 value set. This enables quality-adjusted life-year calculations from both SF-36v2 and SF-6Dv2 data, supporting economic evaluations in Korea.

PMID:42274976 | DOI:10.1007/s40273-026-01629-w

Discov Nano. 2026 Jun 11;21(1):257. doi: 10.1186/s11671-026-04713-4.

ABSTRACT

The findings of this study have significant implications for a wide range of engineering applications that include cooling of rotating disk surfaces, the optimization of chemical reactors, and the design of filtration systems, where the synergistic use of variable porous media and hybrid nanofluids offers a pathway to enhanced performance. Keeping these substantial applications in perspective, the present study examines the optimization of thermal transport in an unsteady Casson hybrid nanofluid flowing through a variable porous medium between two rotating disks. The flow is influenced by inertial effects, Joule heating, viscous dissipation, and time-dependent heat generation and absorption effects. The modeled equations are solved through the Homotopy Analysis Method (HAM) in dimensionless form. It is deduced in this investigation that axial velocity [Formula: see text] augments with growth in stretching parameter of the lower disk [Formula: see text], Reynolds number [Formula: see text] and suction factor [Formula: see text] while declines with augmentation in stretching parameter of the upper disk [Formula: see text]. Radial velocity [Formula: see text] augments on the interval [Formula: see text] and it declines on the range [Formula: see text] with growth in the stretching parameter of the lower disk [Formula: see text]. Tangential velocity [Formula: see text] augments with growth in suction parameter [Formula: see text] and angular velocity at the lower disk [Formula: see text], while it declines with growth in Reynolds numbe r[Formula: see text]. Thermal profiles [Formula: see text] augment with growth in Eckert number [Formula: see text], heat source parameter [Formula: see text], suction parameter r[Formula: see text] and stretching parameter of lower and upper disks [Formula: see text]. A close agreement is observed between the HAM solutions and the numerical Runge-Kutta shooting results, confirming the accuracy, reliability, and validity of the HAM-based solutions. For variations in Reynolds number in the range [Formula: see text] the percentage error in [Formula: see text] between HAM and Runge-Kutta shooting results are 0.0%, 2.4 × 10^{– 5}%, 2.2 × 10^{– 5}% and 1.5 × 10^{– 5}%. Moreover, for the same range of [Formula: see text] the percentage error in [Formula: see text] between these results are 0.05 × 10^{– 5}%, 1.3 × 10^{– 5}%, 1.5 × 10^{– 5}% and 1.7 × 10^{– 5}%.

PMID:42274958 | DOI:10.1186/s11671-026-04713-4

J Racial Ethn Health Disparities. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1007/s40615-026-03031-w. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Few large cohort studies of dementia have successfully recruited cohorts that reflect the diversity of the aging population. We aim to describe the complex racial/ethnic, immigration, linguistic histories of a United States (US)-based cohort to describe the complexity of operationalizing identity and describing health disparities.

METHODS: The Kaiser Healthy Aging and Diverse Life Experiences (KHANDLE) Study enrolled 1,892 participants ages 65 and older. Participants self-reported race/ethnicity (Asian, Black, Latino, White, Native American), immigration status (US-born/non-US-born), and languages spoken (monolingual, bilingual, and unascertained) via questionnaire. Participants were screened using NIH Toolbox and those suspected of impairment underwent a neurological exam. Descriptive statistics included means, standard deviations, counts, and percentages of cohort demographics across race/ethnicity, immigration status, and language as well as by cognitive status.

RESULTS: Participants had a mean age of 76 (SD ± 7) and 60% were women. Approximately equal proportions of Asian (24%), Black (26%), Latino (22%), Native American (0.1%), and White (29%) participants were enrolled. 46% of participants were monolingual, 31% bilingual, and 23% unascertained. Of the 25% of participants who reported being non-US-born, most identified as Asian or Latino. Bilingualism was most common among non-US-born men and those reporting multiple racial/ethnic identities. Alcohol consumption, cigarette use, and self-rated health varied across language, race/ethnicity, and immigration status. Cognitive impairment was most prevalent among U.S.-born Black and non-U.S.-born Latino participants.

CONCLUSION: Highlighting the diversity of older Americans illustrates the need for recruitment of populations that reflect the cultural and linguistic diversity of older adults in the US at risk of dementia.

PMID:42274946 | DOI:10.1007/s40615-026-03031-w

Res Health Serv Reg. 2026 Jun 11;5(1):9. doi: 10.1007/s43999-026-00093-5.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Infertility remains a significant reproductive health challenge globally. In vitro fertilization (IVF), the most widely used form of assisted reproductive technology (ART), presents an opportunity for overcoming childlessness. Knowledge, perception and attitudes toward IVF remain underexplored, especially in rural settings in Nigeria. This study assessed these aspects among women of childbearing age, especially at the primary healthcare level.

METHODS: This study employed a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among 222 women of childbearing age, selected from health centers in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, via simple random sampling. Data collected through questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS version 26, applying both descriptive and inferential statistics. The significance level was set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS: Most respondents (63.1%) were aged 20-29 years, with 55.9% employed and 60.8% identifying as Yoruba. Their knowledge of IVF was high, with an average score of 3.06. Overall perception of IVF was favorable (mean = 2.89), and attitudes towards IVF were positive (mean = 3.08). Moderate, statistically significant positive correlation were observed between knowledge and perception (r = 0.520, p < 0.05) and between knowledge and attitude (r = 0.606, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Women of childbearing age in Ado Ekiti exhibited high awareness, positive perceptions, and favorable attitudes toward in vitro fertilization. However, cost, accessibility, and emotional concerns remain major obstacles. It was recommended to advocate to government and stakeholders for affordable, accessible in vitro fertilization services to increase uptake and acceptance.

PMID:42274942 | DOI:10.1007/s43999-026-00093-5

J Ophthalmic Inflamm Infect. 2026 Jun 11. doi: 10.1186/s12348-026-00608-8. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To describe the contemporary management and outcomes of patients with acute retinal necrosis (ARN) at a tertiary Canadian hospital over a 5-year period.

METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who presented to The Ottawa Hospital (Ottawa, Canada) and were newly diagnosed with ARN between January 2019 and July 2024. Data regarding demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, treatment, and outcomes were collected. The primary outcome was retinal detachment. Secondary outcomes were severe vision loss and other complications associated with ARN. Statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with develop of the primary and secondary outcomes.

RESULTS: A total of 16 eyes amongst 14 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age at presentation was 56 years old, with 57% male. 5 patients (36%) had a known history of previous systemic herpetic infection. The most common exam findings on presentation were anterior chamber cell (94%), keratitic precipitates (88%), vitritis (94%), and arteritis (75%). Aqueous humor serology was positive for 96% of eyes (56% for VZV and 40% for HSV). Eyes received an average of 5.8 injections (range 1 to 17) of intravitreal antiviral therapy. Corticosteroids were administered in 13 patients (81%). Prophylactic laser retinopexy was used in 1 eye (6%) and pars plana vitrectomy was done for vitreous opacities in 1 eye (6%). During a mean follow-up of 424 days, 44% of eyes developed retinal detachment. The average time from symptom onset to diagnosis of retinal detachment was 105 days (range 14 to 180). Half of eyes had a final visual acuity worse than 20/200. The most common complications were cataract (38%) and recurrent anterior uveitis (31%). Initial BCVA of worse than 20/400 was significantly associated with an outcome of severe vision loss. No associations were found for development of retinal detachment.

CONCLUSION: Our cohort demonstrates the range of presentations and outcomes in the management of ARN. While early recognition and systemic antivirals remain essential, our centre uses a larger number of intravitreal antiviral injections with less prophylactic laser or vitrectomy to achieve similar outcomes as other cohorts. This study highlights the value of standardized protocols for recognition and treatment of ARN.

PMID:42274937 | DOI:10.1186/s12348-026-00608-8

Int Ophthalmol. 2026 Jun 11;46(1):261. doi: 10.1007/s10792-026-04133-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Fabry disease is an X-linked lysosomal storage disorder characterized by systemic glycosphingolipid accumulation that may disrupt endothelial and neuronal integrity, leading to autonomic and ocular involvement. Non-invasive ocular imaging may offer early diagnostic biomarkers reflecting systemic disease activity. This study aimed to evaluate autonomic, ocular surface, and corneal morphological parameters in patients with Fabry disease (FD) and explore their correlations with plasma Lyso-Gb3 concentrations.

METHODS: In this prospective cross-sectional study, 25 eyes of genetically confirmed FD patients and 25 age-and sex-matched healthy controls were examined. All participants underwent dynamic pupillometry, non-contact tear break-up time, Schirmer I testing, meibography, and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) to quantify corneal epithelial thickness. Plasma Lyso-Gb3 levels were available for 14 patients. Group comparisons were performed using Mann-Whitney U and t-tests, and correlations were assessed via Spearman analysis.

RESULTS: Static pupil diameters were wider in Fabry patients under all light conditions, though not significantly (p > 0.05). Maximal Redilation Velocity (MRV) was significantly reduced in patients with FD (p = 0.015), possibly indicating sympathetic dysfunction. Peripheral (5-7 mm) corneal epithelial thickness was significantly thinner in patients with FD (p = 0.031). Lyso-Gb3 concentrations exhibited moderate, statistically significant negative correlations with epithelial thickness across all zones (central r = – 0.659, paracentral r = – 0.638, peripheral r = – 0.607; all p < 0.05). No significant associations were found between Lyso-Gb3 and pupillometric or ocular-surface parameters (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION: Fabry disease involves subclinical ocular autonomic and structural alterations, reflected by reduced MRV and peripheral epithelial thinning correlated with biochemical disease load. Dynamic pupillometry and AS-OCT-based epithelial mapping may serve as complementary, non-invasive biomarkers for early diagnosis and monitoring of Fabry-related ocular involvement.

PMID:42274905 | DOI:10.1007/s10792-026-04133-4