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Ribeiro ML, Bitencourt RDOB, Moreira HVS, Golo PS, Bittencourt VREP, Angelo IDC. In Vitro Assessment of Metarhizium Anisopliae Pathogenicity Against Aedes Aegypti Life Stages. NEOTROPICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s13744-024-01209-7. [PMID: 39382741 DOI: 10.1007/s13744-024-01209-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/11/2024] [Indexed: 10/10/2024]
Abstract
Aedes aegypti transmits the arboviruses that cause dengue, zika, and chikungunya. Entomopathogenic fungi are beneficial microorganisms that can be incorporated into current strategies against mosquitoes of public health concern. This study molecularly identified the Metarhizium anisopliae CG 153 isolate and evaluated its virulence against larvae, pupae, and adults (both males and females) of Ae. aegypti. Different concentrations of conidia were used (1 × 104-8 conidia mL-1). Larval and pupal survival was monitored daily for seven and three days, respectively, while adults were monitored for 15 days. The efficacy of M. anisopliae sensu stricto was concentration-dependent, with higher concentrations achieving better results, demonstrating greater virulence against larval and adult stages of Ae. aegypti. The fungus reduced the larval survival by 95,5% (1 × 108 con.mL-1), 94,4% (1 × 107 con.mL-1), 78,9% (1 × 106 con.mL-1), 62,2% (1 × 105 con.mL-1), and 41,1% (1 × 104 con.mL-1) after seven days. Adults also showed susceptibility to the fungus, with no observed difference in susceptibility between males and females. Over 15 days of monitoring, adult survival rates ranged from approximately 6.7% to 72%. Pupae exhibited lower susceptibility to the fungus across different concentrations, with survival rates ranging from approximately 87.8% to 100%. This study highlights the high effectiveness of M. anisopliae CG 153 against both Ae. aegypti larvae and adults (male and female) under controlled conditions, suggesting its promising potential for further evaluation and application in field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matheus Lopes Ribeiro
- Student of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Ricardo de Oliveira Barbosa Bitencourt
- Center for Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, Lab of Entomology and Phytopathology, Univ Estadual Do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, Campos Dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, 28013, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Haika Victória Sales Moreira
- Student of Veterinary Medicine, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Silva Golo
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
- Dept of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Vânia Rita Elias Pinheiro Bittencourt
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
- Dept of Animal Parasitology, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabele da Costa Angelo
- Postgraduate Program in Veterinary Sciences, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
- Dept of Epidemiology and Public Health, Veterinary Institute, Federal Rural Univ of Rio de Janeiro, Seropédica, RJ, Brazil.
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Ruhago GM, Wibroad A. Results-Based Financing (RBF) Implication on the Availability of Essential Health Commodities in Primary Health Facilities: A Retrospective Pre- and Post-intervention Study in Tanzania. Cureus 2024; 16:e67271. [PMID: 39301354 PMCID: PMC11411386 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.67271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The health commodities supply chain is considered an important building block of any functional health system. There is a suboptimal availability of various health commodities in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). Result Based Financing (RBF) is the innovation in health system financing that links financing with results. In Tanzania, a supply chain component was added to the RBF implementation in 2016 with the purpose of improving essential health commodities availability. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of RBF on essential health commodities in Tanzania, i.e., health commodities that have a high impact on the population's priority health care needs. They must be available all the time and be affordable in Tanzania. METHODS The study employs a retrospective pre- and post-intervention design with a comparison group, ensuring a systematic approach to data collection and analysis. The intervention area was the Medical Store Department (MSD) Mwanza zone, while the comparison was the Moshi MSD zone. Data was extracted from the electronic Logistic Management Information System (eLMIS) on a quarterly basis at the health facilities from April 2016 to September 2018. A Repeated Measure Analysis of Variance (RMA) analysis was carried out. RESULTS The study showed that the average availability of essential health commodities at the facilities in the RBF implementing zone was higher than in the non-implementing zone (50 vs 33). Similarly, there was a significant effect of RBF on the essential health commodities availability at health facilities F (9, 414) = 12.83, p = 0.0000. CONCLUSION Result Based Financing has a positive impact on the availability of essential health commodities in the implementing areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- George M Ruhago
- School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, TZA
| | - Aneth Wibroad
- Phamaceutical Services, Ministry of Health, Dodoma, TZA
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Hill D, Conte L, Nelson D, Hammond J, Bell L. Investigating the water availability hypothesis of pot binding: small pots and infrequent irrigation confound the effects of drought stress in potato ( Solanum tuberosum L.). FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2024; 15:1399250. [PMID: 38938631 PMCID: PMC11208687 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2024.1399250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
To maximise the throughput of novel, high-throughput phenotyping platforms, many researchers have utilised smaller pot sizes to increase the number of biological replicates that can be grown in spatially limited controlled environments. This may confound plant development through a process known as "pot binding", particularly in larger species including potato (Solanum tuberosum), and under water-restricted conditions. We aimed to investigate the water availability hypothesis of pot binding, which predicts that small pots have insufficient water holding capacities to prevent drought stress between irrigation periods, in potato. Two cultivars of potato were grown in small (5 L) and large (20 L) pots, were kept under polytunnel conditions, and were subjected to three irrigation frequencies: every other day, daily, and twice daily. Plants were phenotyped with two Phenospex PlantEye F500s and canopy and tuber fresh mass and dry matter were measured. Increasing irrigation frequency from every other day to daily was associated with a significant increase in fresh tuber yield, but only in large pots. This suggests a similar level of drought stress occurred between these treatments in the small pots, supporting the water availability hypothesis of pot binding. Further increasing irrigation frequency to twice daily was still not sufficient to increase yields in small pots but it caused an insignificant increase in yield in the larger pots, suggesting some pot binding may be occurring in large pots under daily irrigation. Canopy temperatures were significantly higher under each irrigation frequency in the small pots compared to large pots, which strongly supports the water availability hypothesis as higher canopy temperatures are a reliable indicator of drought stress in potato. Digital phenotyping was found to be less accurate for larger plants, probably due to a higher degree of self-shading. The research demonstrates the need to define the optimum pot size and irrigation protocols required to completely prevent pot binding and ensure drought treatments are not inadvertently applied to control plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominic Hill
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Conte
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | | | - John Hammond
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Luke Bell
- School of Agriculture, Policy and Development, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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Bezerra TO, Roque AC, Salum C. A Computational Model for the Simulation of Prepulse Inhibition and Its Modulation by Cortical and Subcortical Units. Brain Sci 2024; 14:502. [PMID: 38790479 PMCID: PMC11118907 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14050502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The sensorimotor gating is a nervous system function that modulates the acoustic startle response (ASR). Prepulse inhibition (PPI) phenomenon is an operational measure of sensorimotor gating, defined as the reduction of ASR when a high intensity sound (pulse) is preceded in milliseconds by a weaker stimulus (prepulse). Brainstem nuclei are associated with the mediation of ASR and PPI, whereas cortical and subcortical regions are associated with their modulation. However, it is still unclear how the modulatory units can influence PPI. In the present work, we developed a computational model of a neural circuit involved in the mediation (brainstem units) and modulation (cortical and subcortical units) of ASR and PPI. The activities of all units were modeled by the leaky-integrator formalism for neural population. The model reproduces basic features of PPI observed in experiments, such as the effects of changes in interstimulus interval, prepulse intensity, and habituation of ASR. The simulation of GABAergic and dopaminergic drugs impaired PPI by their effects over subcortical units activity. The results show that subcortical units constitute a central hub for PPI modulation. The presented computational model offers a valuable tool to investigate the neurobiology associated with disorder-related impairments in PPI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thiago Ohno Bezerra
- Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo 09606-045, Brazil
| | - Antonio C. Roque
- Department of Physics, School of Philosophy, Sciences and Letters of Ribeirão Preto, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto 14040-901, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Salum
- Center of Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo 09606-045, Brazil
- Interdisciplinary Applied Neuroscience Unit, Universidade Federal do ABC, São Bernardo do Campo 09606-045, Brazil
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Zubčić M, Pavić I, Matić P, Polak A. Broken Rotor Bar Detection Based on Steady-State Stray Flux Signals Using Triaxial Sensor with Random Positioning. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:3080. [PMID: 38793932 PMCID: PMC11125423 DOI: 10.3390/s24103080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
This paper investigates the detection of broken rotor bar in squirrel cage induction motors using a novel approach of randomly positioning a triaxial sensor over the motor surface. This study is conducted on two motors under laboratory conditions, where one motor is kept in a healthy state, and the other is subjected to a broken rotor bar (BRB) fault. The induced electromotive force of the triaxial coils, recorded over ten days with 100 measurements per day, is statistically analyzed. Normality tests and graphical interpretation methods are used to evaluate the data distribution. Parametric and non-parametric approaches are used to analyze the data. Both approaches show that the measurement method is valid and consistent over time and statistically distinguishes healthy motors from those with BRB defects when a reference or threshold value is specified. While the comparison between healthy motors shows a discrepancy, the quantitative analysis shows a smaller estimated difference in mean values between healthy motors than comparing healthy and BRB motors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marko Zubčić
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia; (M.Z.); (P.M.)
| | - Ivan Pavić
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia; (M.Z.); (P.M.)
| | - Petar Matić
- Faculty of Maritime Studies, University of Split, Ruđera Boškovića 37, 21000 Split, Croatia; (M.Z.); (P.M.)
| | - Adam Polak
- Faculty of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Polish Naval Academy, ul. Smidowicza 69, 81-127 Gdynia, Poland;
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Krotter A, García-Fernández G, García-Pérez Á, Aonso-Diego G, Weidberg S. Contingency management for smoking cessation for individuals with overweight or obesity: A randomized controlled trial. Drug Alcohol Depend 2024; 258:111269. [PMID: 38547787 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2024.111269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2024] [Revised: 03/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Interventions for quitting smoking and weight control among individuals with excess weight are scarce. Our study evaluated the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) plus contingency management (CM) in this population, and examined whether CM for smoking cessation improved CBT treatment outcomes at end of treatment (EOT) and at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups (FU). METHODS In an 8-week randomized clinical trial, 120 adults who smoke with overweight or obesity (54.16% females; MBMI = 31.75 ± 4.31) were randomly assigned to CBT for both quitting smoking and weight control (n = 60) or the same treatment plus CM for smoking cessation (n = 60). Outcome variables were compared (i.e., treatment completion, smoking abstinence, weight change and secondary outcomes). RESULTS At EOT, the CBT + CM group achieved 78.33% 7-day point-prevalence abstinence rates compared to 61.67% in the CBT group (p = .073), and rates declined over time (12-month FU: 18% vs 12%). Participants who attained abstinence weighed more compared to baseline at EOT (Mkg = 1.07; SD = 1.88) and over time (12-month FU: Mkg = 4.19; SD = 4.31). No differences were found between the two groups in outcome variables. CONCLUSIONS Both interventions were effective in promoting abstinence and reducing tobacco use over time. Combining CBT with CM for smoking cessation did not improve treatment outcomes in individuals with overweight or obesity compared to CBT only. Future studies should evaluate whether implementing CM for weight maintenance helps control post-cessation weight gain in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Ángel García-Pérez
- Department of Psychology, Sociology and Philosophy, University of Leon, Spain
| | | | - Sara Weidberg
- Department of Psychology, University of Oviedo, Spain
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Bakken TL, Askeland Hellerud JM, Kildahl AN, Solheim-Inderberg AM, Hove O, Berge Helverschou S. Schizophrenia in Autistic People with Intellectual Disabilities. Treatment and Interventions. J Autism Dev Disord 2024:10.1007/s10803-024-06286-6. [PMID: 38393435 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-024-06286-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Autistic people with intellectual disabilities appear to be at increased risk of schizophrenia. While current recommendations emphasize adapting interventions used for people with schizophrenia in general, few studies to date have investigated treatment of co-occurring schizophrenia in this specific population. To explore what interventions are provided to autistic people with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring schizophrenia in specialized mental health services, and to investigate whether changes in mental health symptoms and challenging behavior occurred during treatment. Using data from a longitudinal, national multicenter study, interventions provided to 26 autistic individuals with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring schizophrenia were explored. Symptoms were measured using the Psychopathology in Autism Checklist (PAC) and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist ABC) at referral (T1), at the end of treatment (T2), and at follow-up 12 months after T2 (T3). A broad range of interventions were provided to the participants, including inpatient admission, psychopharmacological treatment, various psychosocial interventions, and supportive interventions. Scores on the PAC and ABC were significantly lower at T2 than T1 for most scales, and no significant change was found from T2 to T3.Treatment of co-occurring schizophrenia appears feasible and effective in autistic people with intellectual disabilities.
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Li WY, Yeh JC, Cheng CC, Huang SH, Yeh HC, Cheng BW, Lin JW, Yang FJ. Digital health interventions to promote healthy lifestyle in hemodialysis patients: an interventional pilot study. Sci Rep 2024; 14:2849. [PMID: 38310128 PMCID: PMC10838291 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53259-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Low physical activity has been associated with poor prognosis in hemodialysis (HD) patients. Interventions to maintain healthy lifestyle in this population are important to reduce mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of digital health interventions (DHIs) for improving the physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in HD patients. The 24-week prospective study enrolled 31 clinically stable HD patients. All participants were assigned home exercises and provided with wearable devices. Dietary and exercise information was uploaded to a health management platform. Suggestions about diet and exercise were provided, and a social media group was created. Physical performance testing was performed at baseline and during weeks 4, 8, 12, 16 and 24. HRQoL and nutritional status were evaluated. A total of 25 participants completed the study. After the interventions, the daily step count increased 1658 steps. The 10-time-repeated sit-to-stand test reduced by 4.4 s, the sit-to-stand transfers in 60 s increased 12 repetitions, the distance of six-minute walk test (6MWT) increased by 55.4 m. The mental health components and burden of kidney disease of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life survey, and subjective global assessment (SGA) scores improved. By Spearman correlation, the monthly step count correlated positively with 6MWT and SGA. DHIs that combined wearable devices, a health management platform, and social media could strengthen physical activity and improve the HRQoL and nutrition of maintenance HD patients. The results outline a new model to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in HD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Yi Li
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun Lin Branch, No. 579, Sec. 2, Yunlin Rd., Douliu, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Jiang-Chou Yeh
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu, Taiwan
| | - Cheng-Chih Cheng
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu, Taiwan
| | - Su-Hua Huang
- Department of Dietetics, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun Lin Branch, Douliu, Taiwan
| | - Hui-Chin Yeh
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu, Taiwan
- Department of Applied Foreign Languages, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu, Taiwan
| | - Bor-Wen Cheng
- Department of Industrial Engineering and Management, National Yunlin University of Science and Technology, Douliu, Taiwan
| | - Jou-Wei Lin
- College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun Lin Branch, Douliu, Taiwan
| | - Feng-Jung Yang
- Renal Division, Department of Internal Medicine, National Taiwan University Hospital Yun Lin Branch, No. 579, Sec. 2, Yunlin Rd., Douliu, Yunlin County, 640, Taiwan.
- College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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Toro PA, Turner TN, Szarzyńska ME. Building Resilience through Intervention, Direct Guidance, and Empowerment (BRIDGE): A demonstration project to assist youth aging out of foster care in Poland. J Prev Interv Community 2024; 52:11-34. [PMID: 38385309 DOI: 10.1080/10852352.2024.2317662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Building Resilience through Intervention, Direct Guidance, and Empowerment (BRIDGE) is an innovative program designed to prevent homelessness and other negative outcomes among youth aging out of foster care. BRIDGE was pilot-tested on youth aging out of two orphanages in a city in southern Poland in 2009-2012. Youth were recruited at age 17, before aging out at age 18. Quasi-experimental methods were used to evaluate program outcomes among nine BRIDGE clients compared to two matched groups (n = 9 and n = 18) of youth who had recently aged out of orphanages in the same Polish region. Consistent with Hypothesis 1, results of chi-square tests showed that, over an 18-month follow-up period, BRIDGE clients experienced superior housing outcomes relative to both matched groups. Consistent with Hypothesis 2, the results of a between-subjects ANOVA showed that BRIDGE clients received significantly greater income relative to the matched groups. Within-subjects effects of BRIDGE from baseline across 6-, 12-, and 18-month follow-ups were examined with repeated-measures ANOVAs. Consistent with Hypotheses 3-5, results showed that across time BRIDGE clients experienced a general increase in income and decrease in psychological distress (i.e., total distress, obsessive-compulsiveness, interpersonal sensitivity, and paranoia). The study's findings support the further development of BRIDGE and similar programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul A Toro
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Tia N Turner
- Department of Psychology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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