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Highly cited papers showcase high-quality research and encompass significant themes in the field. This study examined a total of 435 highly cited papers based on Essential Citation Indicators in the Web of Science (WoS) category of sport sciences with a bibliometric method. In particular, the bibliometric indicators of the highly cited papers including publication venues, authors, countries, institutions, and the top cited publications were presented and analyzed in detail. An Abstract corpus was constructed to help identify the most frequently explored topics. VOSviewer was employed to visualize the co-occurrence networks of keywords. The study revealed the trending information of important contributors at the levels of journals, authors, countries, and institutes. The top cited publications can be grouped into three categories: guidelines, recommendations based on systematic reviews, and evaluations. The most frequently explored topics based on the Abstract corpus and the most frequently used keywords from VOSviewer mapping overlap to a great extent. Specifically, topics such as meta-analysis, systematic review, sport-related concussion, sedentary behavior, football, rehabilitation, and osteoarthritis are among the most frequently mentioned. The results provide the most updated publication characteristics and hot topics of highly cited papers in sport sciences and offer insights for academic researchers in future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this brief communication, we highlight several critical inaccuracies in the paper entitled "A novel methodology for a time-delayed controller to prevent nonlinear system oscillations," identified by the DOI: 10.1177/14613484231195276. The core of the non-perturbative approach discussed in this paper is the introduction of a trial solution with an indeterminate nonlinear frequency. We elucidate the technical missteps and provide necessary corrections. The scrutinized article presents ample opportunities for enhancement, and we propose several amendments. Additionally, we reveal that the numerical outcomes showcased in the mentioned paper expose deficiencies in the proposed approximate solution. With the amendments implemented herein, a more precise numerical solution is achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compared to the abundant generic research on technologies and education, few studies focus on the scope of whether the technologies used meet the expectations set forth in international reports and to what extent technology contributes to transforming educational practice. Our objective was to identify and analyze the characteristics of educational practices that are being developed in higher education and to assess the value that technology brings to educational practice. We conducted a systematic review of academic papers published in scientific journals: a corpus of 1,207 articles from six journals included in indexed databases (JCR and SJR), selected using Google Scholar Metrics. According to the various records screened, the study we present is based on 49 articles, published between 2018 and 2019. We conclude that beyond their reproducible, enriching, or transformative nature, most of the articles analyzed address the improvement of students' performance, engagement, or self-perception, in which they positively value the experience of learning mediated by digital technology, although they do not have an impact on the transformative value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research process of authoring a review paper constitutes a uniquely important context for interrogating tacit premises and presuppositions, especially when the review aspires to synthesize a methodologically diverse field of research. This article presents a reflexive recounting of a research experience with mixed methods team-based review paper authorship, showing how the function of a review paper may be differently conceptualized by scholars situated in methodological traditions that place their emphasis on drawing-together knowledge about the social world versus those situated in methodological traditions whose primary aim is to unpack accepted categories. The analysis thus offers insights into dimensions of methodological difference as they operate in practice, while underscoring the significance of reflexivity in the review paper context for purposes of advancing meaningfully inclusive maps of an intellectual community's self-understanding(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tissue engineering (TE) is the multi-disciplinary approach to building 3D human tissue equivalents in the laboratory. The advancement of medical sciences and allied scientific disciplines have aspired to engineer human tissues for three decades. To date there is limited use of TE tissues/organs as replacement body parts in humans. This position paper outlines advances in engineering of specific tissues and organs with tissue-specific challenges. This paper outlines the technologies most successful for engineering tissues and key areas of advancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research process of authoring a review paper constitutes a uniquely important context for interrogating tacit premises and presuppositions, especially when the review aspires to synthesize a methodologically diverse field of research. This article presents a reflexive recounting of a research experience with mixed methods team-based review paper authorship, showing how the function of a review paper may be differently conceptualized by scholars situated in methodological traditions that place their emphasis on drawing-together knowledge about the social world versus those situated in methodological traditions whose primary aim is to unpack accepted categories. The analysis thus offers insights into dimensions of methodological difference as they operate in practice, while underscoring the significance of reflexivity in the review paper context for purposes of advancing meaningfully inclusive maps of an intellectual community's self-understanding(s). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral autoregulation (CA) refers to the control of cerebral tissue blood flow (CBF) in response to changes in perfusion pressure. Due to the challenges of measuring intracranial pressure, CA is often described as the relationship between mean arterial pressure (MAP) and CBF. Dynamic CA (dCA) can be assessed using multiple techniques, with transfer function analysis (TFA) being the most common. A 2016 white paper by members of an international Cerebrovascular Research Network (CARNet) that is focused on CA strove to improve TFA standardization by way of introducing data acquisition, analysis, and reporting guidelines. Since then, additional evidence has allowed for the improvement and refinement of the original recommendations, as well as for the inclusion of new guidelines to reflect recent advances in the field. This second edition of the white paper contains more robust, evidence-based recommendations, which have been expanded to address current streams of inquiry, including optimizing MAP variability, acquiring CBF estimates from alternative methods, estimating alternative dCA metrics, and incorporating dCA quantification into clinical trials. Implementation of these new and revised recommendations is important to improve the reliability and reproducibility of dCA studies, and to facilitate inter-institutional collaboration and the comparison of results between studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses how a state produces new internal borders. It selected 1668 newspaper articles on the COVID-19 internal bordering case in Slovakia to answer this question. These articles were then analysed using the thematic trajectory analysis (TTA) through the conceptual prism of structurationism. The results suggest states apply methods during the production of internal borders similar to those used during the (re-)production of an international border. In particular, it shows the application of a military-testing nexus and economic tools to ensure compliance with the new border. Results also revealed that such a border is heavily dependent on popular support for the government and open to re-negotiations by relevant societal groups. From the border production perspective, this study offers a preliminary step into the area of internal borders imposed on a generally homogenous population, especially regarding the borders produced under COVID-19 conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Harmful Alcohol use is frequent among opioid dependents patients undergoing agonist maintenance treatment. The objective assessment of harmful alcohol use can be done using laboratory measures of serum biomarkers. For community-based patients, there is often a requirement of an alternative method due to lack of onsite laboratory services. The aim of the study was to examine filter paper as a matrix to measure serum biomarkers of harmful alcohol use. Methods: The initial phase involved standardization of the filter-paper-based assay. Conditions were optimised for extraction and estimation of alcohol biomarkers (Aspartate Aminotransferase; AST, Alanine Aminotransferase; ALT, Gamma Glutamyl transferase; GGT and Carbohydrate Deficient Transferrin; CDT) from the filter paper. For clinical validation, serum samples were collected from community clinics. Biomarker levels obtained from both the methods were correlated using linear regression analysis. Limits of agreement between the two methods was estimated using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC). Results: The extraction of enzymes (AST, ALT and GGT) from filter paper was carried out using the substrate buffer available with the reagent kit (Randox, UK). CDT was readily extracted from filter paper using deionised water. Serum biomarker levels measured from samples collected from community clinics correlated well with filter paper extracted levels (ICC 0.97-0.99). More than 90% of alcohol biomarker levels were recovered from the filter paper matrix using this method. Conclusion: Filter paper has the potential to be used as a matrix to objectively measure alcohol biomarkers among opioid-dependent patients from community settings lacking onsite laboratory facilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research is inconclusive regarding the effects of paper and web surveys on response burdens. We conducted an establishment survey with random assignment to paper and web modes to examine this issue. We compare how the actual and perceived response burdens differ when respondents complete a survey in the paper mode, in the web mode and when they are allowed to choose between the two modes. Our results show that in the web mode, respondents have a lower estimated time to complete the questionnaire, while we do not find differences between paper and the web on the perceived response time and perceived burden. Even though the response burden in the web mode is lower, our study finds no evidence of an increased response burden when moving an establishment survey from paper to the web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon papers and aerogels were prepared from chitosan and graphene layers with aldehydic edge functional groups (G-CHO) able to form chemical bonds with chitosan and thus to form a crosslinked network. A high surface area graphite was edge functionalized with hydroxyl groups (G-OH) through the reaction with KOH. G-CHO, with 4.5 mmol/g of functional group, was prepared from G-OH by means of the Reimer-Tieman reaction. Characterization of the graphitic materials was performed with elemental analysis, titration, X-ray analysis, Raman spectroscopy and by estimating their Hansen solubility parameters. CS and G-CHO were mixed with mortar and pestle and carbon papers and aerogels were obtained from a stable acidic water suspension through casting and liophilization, respectively. Free standing and foldable carbon papers and monolithic aerogels based on a continuous covalent network between G-CHO and CS were prepared. G-CHO, which had about 22 stacked layers, was extensively exfoliated in the carbon paper, as confirmed by the absence of the 002 reflection of the graphitic crystallites in the XRD pattern. Carbon paper was found to be resistant to solvents and to be stable for pH ⩾ 7. Composites revealed electrical conductivity. The covalent network between the graphene layers and CS, suggested by the IR findings, accounts for these results. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of a continuous covalent network between chitosan and graphene layers edge functionalized with tailor made functional groups for the preparation of carbon papers and aerogels and paves the way for the scale up of such a type of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper-based visual analogue scale (VAS) items were developed 100 years ago. Although they gained great popularity in clinical and medical research for assessing pain, they have been scarcely applied in other areas of psychological research for several decades. However, since the beginning of digitization, VAS have attracted growing interest among researchers for carrying out computerized and paper-based data assessments. In the present study, we investigated the research question "Which different design characteristics of paper-based VAS items are preferred by women and men?" Based on a sample of 115 participants (68 female), our results revealed that the respondents preferred a paper-based VAS item with a horizontal, 8-cm long, 3 DTP ("desktop publishing point") wide, black line, with flat line endpoints, and the ascending numerical anchors "0" and "10", both for women and men. Although we did not identify any gender difference in these characteristics, our findings uncovered clear preferences on how to design paper-based VAS items. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the influence that digital life stories (DLS) can have on cancer research, using the PARCA1 project as an example. After describing the theoretical framework of DLS, we present the PARCA1 project. The PARCA1 project was anchored in the French context (Grand Est region) and aimed at producing knowledge on patients' experience of the cancer pathway through DLS. It involved 10 patients chosen to favor heterogeneity in profiles and experiences of illness. The paper describes the digital tool and the life stories methodology used to accompany the DLS. Next, it presents the methods and strategies used by participants to complete their DLS and the relationship between people with cancer and the accompanying researcher. Following this, we present (1) the impact of DLS on people with cancer, i.e., their progressive engagement in research, and (2) the impact on research, i.e., the methodological impact of people with cancer on research. In the discussion and conclusion, we explore how DLS can impact individuals who engage in them and their role in research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, the problem caused by waste disposable paper cups (WDPCs) has became a topic of great concern to scientists, and commercial companies have also begun to take an interest in developing processes for tackling the issue. In this review, the inherent problems and social barriers during the recycling of WDPCs are described. This review presents the major conclusions of previously published works focused on the utilisation of WDPCs for material and energy purposes. The commercial utilisation of WDPCs is also described. Some suggestions for better recycling of WDPCs are given in the final part of this work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, carbon papers and aerogels were prepared from chitosan and graphene layers with aldehydic edge functional groups (G-CHO) able to form chemical bonds with chitosan and thus to form a crosslinked network. A high surface area graphite was edge functionalized with hydroxyl groups (G-OH) through the reaction with KOH. G-CHO, with 4.5 mmol/g of functional group, was prepared from G-OH by means of the Reimer-Tieman reaction. Characterization of the graphitic materials was performed with elemental analysis, titration, X-ray analysis, Raman spectroscopy and by estimating their Hansen solubility parameters. CS and G-CHO were mixed with mortar and pestle and carbon papers and aerogels were obtained from a stable acidic water suspension through casting and liophilization, respectively. Free standing and foldable carbon papers and monolithic aerogels based on a continuous covalent network between G-CHO and CS were prepared. G-CHO, which had about 22 stacked layers, was extensively exfoliated in the carbon paper, as confirmed by the absence of the 002 reflection of the graphitic crystallites in the XRD pattern. Carbon paper was found to be resistant to solvents and to be stable for pH ⩾ 7. Composites revealed electrical conductivity. The covalent network between the graphene layers and CS, suggested by the IR findings, accounts for these results. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of a continuous covalent network between chitosan and graphene layers edge functionalized with tailor made functional groups for the preparation of carbon papers and aerogels and paves the way for the scale up of such a type of composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses articles in the issue on topics including transition international energy market, analytical frameworks regarding the financialization of energy markets, and market segmentation at the global level.

The Canadian Association of Radiologists Incidental Findings Working Group consists of both academic subspecialty and general radiologists and is tasked with adapting and expanding upon the American College of Radiology incidental findings white papers to more closely apply to Canadian practice patterns, particularly more comprehensively dealing with the role of ultrasound and pursuing more cost-effective approaches to the workup of incidental findings without compromising patient care. Presented here are the 2020 Canadian guidelines for the management of hepatobiliary incidental findings. Topics covered include initial assessment of hepatic steatosis and cirrhosis, the workup of incidental liver masses identified on ultrasound and computed tomography (with algorithms presented), incidental gallbladder findings (wall thickening, calcification, and polyps), and management of incidental biliary dilatation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of big data, radiomics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in radiology requires access to large data sets containing personal health information. Because machine learning projects often require collaboration between different sites or data transfer to a third party, precautions are required to safeguard patient privacy. Safety measures are required to prevent inadvertent access to and transfer of identifiable information. The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is the national voice of radiology committed to promoting the highest standards in patient-centered imaging, lifelong learning, and research. The CAR has created an AI Ethical and Legal standing committee with the mandate to guide the medical imaging community in terms of best practices in data management, access to health care data, de-identification, and accountability practices. Part 2 of this article will inform CAR members on the practical aspects of medical imaging de-identification, strengths and limitations of de-identification approaches, list of de-identification software and tools available, and perspectives on future directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of big data, radiomics, machine learning, and artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in radiology requires access to large data sets containing personal health information. Because machine learning projects often require collaboration between different sites or data transfer to a third party, precautions are required to safeguard patient privacy. Safety measures are required to prevent inadvertent access to and transfer of identifiable information. The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is the national voice of radiology committed to promoting the highest standards in patient-centered imaging, lifelong learning, and research. The CAR has created an AI Ethical and Legal standing committee with the mandate to guide the medical imaging community in terms of best practices in data management, access to health care data, de-identification, and accountability practices. Part 1 of this article will inform CAR members on principles of de-identification, pseudonymization, encryption, direct and indirect identifiers, k-anonymization, risks of reidentification, implementations, data set release models, and validation of AI algorithms, with a view to developing appropriate standards to safeguard patient information effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a growing concern that outcomes of neuroimaging studies often cannot be replicated. To counteract this, the magnetic resonance (MR) neuroimaging community has promoted acquisition standards and created data sharing platforms, based on a consensus on how to organize and share MR neuroimaging data. Here, we take a similar approach to positron emission tomography (PET) data. To facilitate comparison of findings across studies, we first recommend publication standards for tracer characteristics, image acquisition, image preprocessing, and outcome estimation for PET neuroimaging data. The co-authors of this paper, representing more than 25 PET centers worldwide, voted to classify information as mandatory, recommended, or optional. Second, we describe a framework to facilitate data archiving and data sharing within and across centers. Because of the high cost of PET neuroimaging studies, sample sizes tend to be small and relatively few sites worldwide have the required multidisciplinary expertise to properly conduct and analyze PET studies. Data sharing will make it easier to combine datasets from different centers to achieve larger sample sizes and stronger statistical power to test hypotheses. The combining of datasets from different centers may be enhanced by adoption of a common set of best practices in data acquisition and analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Internet-based Exercise-focused Health App for Lung cancer survivors (iEXHALE) is a mobile web app being developed to provide lung cancer survivors with an algorithm-based, tailor-made, self-management programme to inform their exercise choices and improve symptom severity. The aim of this protocol paper is to detail the plan for conducting the usability study to test the effectiveness, efficiency and simplicity of an exercise-focused self-management mobile web app for lung cancer survivors. The mixed methods study will consist of three consecutive phases, each interspersed with elements of data analysis and app prototype redevelopment. The study will take place in Oxford, United Kingdom. Ethical approvals have been obtained. The study will contribute to lung cancer survivorship research and is important in the app developmental process. This study contributes to the international forum for the exchange of practice, innovation and research, increases transparency in mobile health developmental processes and contributes to the methodological evidence base. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The purpose of the present research is to establish measurement equivalence and test differences in reliability between computerized and pencil-and-paper-based tests of spatial cognition. Background Researchers have increasingly adopted computerized test formats, but few attempt to establish equivalence for computer-based and paper-based tests. The mixed results in the literature on the test mode effect, which occurs when performance differs as a function of test medium, highlight the need to test for, instead of assume, measurement equivalence. One domain that has been increasingly computerized and is thus in need of tests of measurement equivalence across test mode is spatial cognition. Method In the present study, 244 undergraduate students completed two measures of spatial ability (i.e., spatial visualization and cross-sectioning) in either computer- or paper-and-pencil-based format. Results Measurement equivalence was not supported across computer-based and paper-based formats for either spatial test. The results also indicated that test administration type affected the types of errors made on the spatial visualization task, which further highlights the conceptual differences between test mediums. Paper-based tests also demonstrated increased reliability when compared with computerized versions of the tests. Conclusion The results of the measurement equivalence tests caution against treating computer- and paper-based versions of spatial measures as equivalent. We encourage subsequent work to demonstrate test mode equivalence prior to the utilization of spatial measures because current evidence suggests they may not reliably capture the same construct. Application The assessment of test type differences may influence the medium in which spatial cognition tests are administered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The folded paper-size illusion is as easy to demonstrate as it is powerful in generating insights into perceptual processing: First take two A4 sheets of paper, one original sized, another halved by folding, then compare them in terms of area size by centering the halved sheet on the center of the original one! We perceive the larger sheet as far less than double (i.e., 100%) the size of the small one, typically only being about two thirds larger--this illusion is preserved by rotating the inner sheet and even by aligning it to one or two sides, but is dissolved by aligning both sheets to three sides, here documented by 88 participants' data. A potential explanation might be the general incapability of accurately comparing more than one geometrical dimension at once--in everyday life, we solve this perceptual-cognitive bottleneck by reducing the complexity of such a task via aligning parts with same lengths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many different methods or approaches that can be applied to the evaluation of complex programmes. This paper describes the use of the Most Significant Change (MSC) participatory technique to monitor and evaluate programmatic effects. The MSC is a form of monitoring because it occurs throughout the programme cycle and provides information to manage it. Further, MSC is an evaluation because it provides stories from which programmes' overall impact can be assessed. However, MSC, a participatory evaluation technique using qualitative approaches, is neglected by many researchers. We hope this study will convince relevant funders and evaluators of the value of the MSC technique and application. This paper offered step-by-step guidelines on how to use the MSC technique when evaluating a large-scale intervention covering perspectives of different beneficiaries within a limited period. The MSC process involves purposively selecting the beneficiaries, collecting the Most Significant (MS) stories, which are then systematically analysed by designated stakeholders and or implemented partners, selected through internal vetting, and external process by involving beneficiaries and stakeholders. The central question focuses on changes in the form of stories such as 'Who did what?'; 'When did the change occur?'; and 'What was the process?' Additionally, it seeks feedback to explain why particular a story was selected as MS and how the selection process was organised. The MSC technique further attempts to verify the validity, significant, relevant, sustainability of the change, and impact on marginalized or Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) groups brought by the programme. Furthermore, the technique seeks verification of the MS story by triangulating comprehensive notes and recordings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethnographic researchers have long relied upon observation as a powerful means to learn about social relations. This paper discusses research observation that was conducted as a part of an institutional ethnography (IE) investigating how people use the language and ideas of neurodiversity across different settings. While our research protocol initially called for ethnographic observation to take place at in-person events in Southern Ontario, our approach needed to be re-formulated with the switch to online events during the COVID-19 pandemic. After the shift to online-only spaces, a total of 52 sessions at 7 online events related to neurodiversity or autism were observed by a team of 5 researchers: these events were no longer geographically restricted but were officially "hosted" by institutions in Canada, the US, and the UK. This paper reflects upon the challenges and opportunities we encountered as we conducted observations in digital spaces, including our experiences of navigating the "chat" feature. We discuss the need to analyze the format as well as the content of online events, and present findings on how neurodiversity appeared in these social spaces. Finally, we consider the implications of this research for people who are conducting ethnographic observation in an increasingly online world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wireless capsule endoscopy (CE) has revolutionized gastrointestinal diagnostics, offering a non-invasive means to visualize and monitor the GI tract. This review traces the evolution of CE technology. Addressing the limitations of traditional white light (WL) CE, the paper explores non-WL technologies, integrating diverse sensing modalities and novel biomarkers to enhance diagnostic capabilities. Concluding with an assessment of Technology Readiness Levels, the paper emphasizes the transformative impact of non-WL colon CE devices on GI diagnostics, promising more precise, patient-centric, and accessible healthcare for GI disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Population Health Management – often abbreviated to PHM – is a relatively new approach for healthcare planning, requiring the application of analytical techniques to linked patient level data. Despite expectations for greater uptake of PHM, there is a deficit of available solutions to help health services embed it into routine use. This paper concerns the development, application and use of an interactive tool which can be linked to a healthcare system's data warehouse and employed to readily perform key PHM tasks such as population segmentation, risk stratification, and deriving various performance metrics and descriptive summaries. Developed through open-source code in a large healthcare system in South West England, and used by others around the country, this paper demonstrates the importance of a scalable, purpose-built solution for improving the uptake of PHM in health services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1974, the United States Congress asked a question prompting a national conversation about ethics: which ethical principles should govern research involving human participants? To embark on an answer, Congress passed the National Research Act, and charged this task to the newly established National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. The Commission's mandate was modest however, the results were anything but. The outcome was The Belmont Report : a trio of principles - respect for persons, beneficence, and justice - serving as an ethical compass for scientists, researchers, and institutional review boards (IRBs). Almost 50 years later, the utility, legacy, and ingenuity of The Belmont Report continues to be both admired and challenged. Critics argue that Belmont is not fit for the 21st century, while supporters praise Belmont for its enduring wisdom. The goal of this paper is to equip IRB practitioners with the tools necessary to maximally interpret The Belmont Report and meaningfully engage in ethical analysis that reconsiders outmoded legacy thinking and fixed decision-making. Through historical and contextual reflection, this paper describes how IRB practitioners can contemporize review of ethical human research using their moral imagination – a skill found at the intersection of creativity, deliberation, and empathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To improve the accuracy of the sensorless control system for permanent magnet synchronous motors, this paper proposes the based on fractional order integral sliding mode theory in the model reference adaptive system observer. The purpose of this approach is to enhance the robustness of the system. Furthermore, this paper introduces the second-order sliding mode reaching law to suppress chattering phenomena and improve the control accuracy of the observer. Simulation results show that this strategy achieves excellent dynamic and static performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we outline our qualitative protocol for the largest, independent, mixed-method, evaluation of the High Volume-Low Complexity Surgical Hubs programme in England – The MEASURE study. In addition to serving as a protocol paper, we outline the key methodological considerations and adaptations that are needed when designing big qualitative studies – complex (multi-site, multi-stakeholder), multi-method (e.g. interviews, observations, documents) qualitative research involving a large number of participations (n = 100+). This paper expands on our previous methodological work, where we used our experience of undertaking a big qualitative study as part of a mixed-method evaluation of a national emergency care-based initiative, to outline the methodological considerations and uncertainties for designing and analysing "big" qualitative studies. In this paper, we put these considerations into practice by providing a transparent account of our qualitative study design. The methodological reflections which we present are centred around the areas where we feel there is the most uncertainty for big qualitative research: study design, sampling (of case sites and stakeholders) and analysis. Underpinning this uncertainty are broader challenges which utilising this approach incite. Namely, that striving for both breadth (national-level insights) and depth (local variation and context), challenges paradigmatic norms and expectations and forces either methodological innovation, or the adaption of existing qualitative methods. We hope this paper provides transparency and insight into an area of qualitative research which has, potentially due to a perception of "safety in numbers" been inherently trusted and rarely scrutinised. Ultimately, we hope that by providing a transparent account of our study design and the challenges we have faced that we continue to encourage discussion and innovation in this evolving area of qualitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper draws together critical learnings from diverse qualitative health research projects in Australia that sought to shift power and focus on the strengths and expertise of people with lived experience who are involved as co-researchers. These projects have included exploring and challenging identities, understanding experiences in treatment programs, critiquing and designing/re-designing services, and sharing experiences with the wider community in novel and innovative ways. Lived experiences included alcohol and other drug dependency, mental health, domestic, family or sexual violence, and living with HIV. This paper provides important learnings and actions about partnering with co-researchers with lived experience. In this paper we draw on a process of reflective discussions that occurred over six months with fortnightly online meetings between co-researchers, including co-authors with lived experience external to academia and university-based researchers, some of whom also have lived-experience that intersects with their research. From this, we distilled key learnings across seven themes: (1) the ethics of ethics, which highlights a need for constant reflection on the ethical issues in co-research; (2) recruiting co-researchers, which focuses on ensuring and integrating a diversity of voices; (3) creating safety for all, which must be a priority of engagement and support self-determination; (4) supporting different ways of partnering, which emphasises the need for diverse roles and ways to contribute on research teams; (5) capacity building and training, which requires ongoing evaluation of needs and tailored responses; (6) positioning, which highlights the need to transition from the idea of vulnerability to a strengths-based perspective of lived experience; and (7) power plays, reflecting the need to disrupt the dynamics and established hierarchies of privileging certain forms of knowledge and expertise. The paper includes recommendations for action against these seven themes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regarding debates over researcher insider/outsider positionalities in the field of migration studies, many scholars have proposed various explanations. Some scholars studying migrant populations note that migrant scholars who share identities such as nationality, language, religion, race, ethnicity etc. with their study participants are usually perceived as insiders. Other scholars, however, contend that dynamics of insider/outsider positionalities are situationally shaped during researcher-participant interactions in fieldwork. There is now wide consensus among many scholars that shared social identities between researchers and study participants do not automatically position researchers as insiders. Drawing on secondary literature and my fieldwork encounters, this paper contributes to these debates by proposing typologies for migration researchers to use as analytical tools. The three typologies that map out insider/outsider dynamics during researcher-participant encounters in fieldwork are presuming ethnic insiderness/outsiderness, presuming national insiderness/outsiderness and the indeterminate fieldwork context. This paper argues that researchers' insider/outsider positionalities should not be viewed as pre-determined or fixed formations but as uncertain and situationally constituted. I further argue that migration researchers should not enter the fieldwork with an assumption of automatic insiderness or outsiderness but that they need to view their insider or outsider positionalities as emerging during encounters with research participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This scoping review offers insight into researcher well-being when working with sensitive and traumatic topics in a qualitative research context. The study identified existing empirical research concerning researcher well-being and mental health. The databases included SSCI, ASSIA < IBISS, Scopus, Social Policy and Practice, PsycInfo, Social Science Database/Social Science Premium Collection (Proquest), and Open Grey. An international search was conducted, with no time constraints on publication dates to gather as wide a selection as possible. 55 papers met the criteria. We found that the terminology used within the papers was not consistent which necessitated grouping the (self-) reflection/reflexive practices researchers used and categorizing them under the umbrella term SRR practices. The research questions were: 1. Which disciplines or fields are conducting SRR practices on sensitive topics? 2. What SRR practices do researchers employ in the context of sensitive research? 3. What were the self-reported outcomes from using SRR practices as a tool of researchers working on sensitive research? A key finding of the scoping review is that many researchers who work on sensitive topics feel unprepared and receive little or no training or support for SRR practices. This poses particular challenges for early career researchers. We also identified that qualitative researchers have developed a range of SRR practices to manage the emotional impact of their sensitive research work. Many authors of the scoped papers stress the importance of peer-support as well as formal and informal debriefing meetings. Another key SRR practice discussed by many researchers is reflexive journaling. Our scoping review suggests that if it is combined with other activities, self-reflexive journaling can be an excellent way to acknowledge and assess the emotional impact of sensitive research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Qualitative research methods have treated Western knowledge systems and Indigenous studies as polar opposites with asymmetrical power relations. Studies have documented the hegemonic dominance of Western science over Indigenous knowledge systems. Despite this tension, there is an opportunity to integrate Western science with Indigenous knowledges to bridge these discordant systems. This paper argues that Constructivist Grounded Theory (CGT), a Western-based version of grounded theory can be weaved with Indigenous research. CGT's emphasis on co-construction, relationality, value-free inquiry, and social justice align with Indigenous research principles. Using examples from both CGT and Indigenous scholarship, the paper argues that CGT with its pragmatist and constructivist orientation can exist alongside an Indigenous research agenda. Furthermore, the flexible, emergent, and relativist nature of CGT aligns with some aspects of Indigenous research. The paper demonstrates that both knowledge systems can be treated on an equal par, engender methodological reciprocity and provide mutual benefits to each other. Weaving CGT and Indigenous research might provide new avenues of thinking about doing research with Indigenous communities and other marginalized communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impedance matching is essential in producing high-intensity acoustic waves. This paper studies the impedance calculation methods of modulators and double-chamber Helmholtz resonators based on fluid mechanics, aeroacoustics, and electro-acoustic analogy principles. The results: ① The impedance expression of the resonators is derived. ② The impedance variation law of the chamber volume, the stator size, the air supply pressure, the air supply flow, and the working frequency is calculated. ③ The impedance-matching design scheme of the two-chamber Helmholtz low frequency and high acoustic intensity generator is given. Based on the experimental results of the high acoustic intensity generating device that the author has manufactured in the closed space, the correctness of the impedance calculation and matching design scheme in this paper is verified. This method has guiding significance for the design of high-intensity acoustic generating devices in confined space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transverse leaf spring (TLS) suspensions are a promising option for van vehicles due to their high load-carrying capacity and excellent handling stability. However, its ride comfort remains a major challenge. This paper investigates and compares the effects of semi-active and active control strategies to enhance the ride comfort of TLS suspensions. Firstly, a four-degree-of-freedom (4-DOF) half-car model and a multi-body dynamics (MBD) model of the TLS suspensions are established. The MBD model has higher accuracy and can describe the medium and high frequency characteristics of the TLS suspensions, such as the suspension offset frequency and the frequency response function of the body vertical acceleration (BVA). Therefore, based on the MBD half-car model with TLS suspensions, this paper proposes an optimal fuzzy PID active control strategy considering the left and right suspension coupling. The optimization objectives are the BVA, the left and right suspensions dynamic deflection, and the left and right wheels dynamic displacement. The integral absolute error is used as the evaluation criterion. The left and right fuzzy PID controllers' parameters are obtained through particle swarm optimization. Simulation results demonstrate that the particle swarm optimization fuzzy PID active control strategy effectively controls the low-frequency vibration of the TLS suspensions and suppresses the medium- and high-frequency vibration characteristics compared with the traditional skyhook semi-active control strategy. This technology provides a reference for improving the ride comfort of the TLS suspensions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inhomogeneous damping distribution leads to the occurrence of complex modes of structures. Complex modes' vibration and acoustic radiation characteristics are different from real modes. This paper studies the complex modal characteristics of inhomogeneously damped plates for forced vibration. We used the state space method to obtain the complex eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the vibration system and calculated the relationship between modal coordinates and frequency under unit force. The results show that the absolute values of the modal coordinates of two conjugate complex eigenvectors are different, and the structure's vibration is dominated by the eigenvectors corresponding to eigenvalues with positive imaginary parts near natural frequencies. When investigating the structural sound radiation in the vibration mode space, each mode's acoustic radiation is not independent but coupled with each other. The influence of the coupling between complex modes on the calculation results of the acoustic radiation power of the plate is studied in this paper. The results show that the coupling effect between modes cannot be ignored when calculating the acoustic radiation power based on complex modes. Finally, the error of calculating acoustic power using the decoupling approximation instead of the complex mode method is analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free-play-induced nonlinear dynamic behavior has been one of the most important topics of aeroelastic research in recent decades. In this paper, the describing function (DF) method is developed to investigate the complex dynamic response of a popular all-movable horizontal tail with free-play. Piecewise expressions for the time history and phase portrait of limit cycle oscillation (LCO) are derived by the developed DF method, which is conducive to understand the mechanism of free-play-induced LCO. Another advantage of the developed DF method is the ability to predict the high-order harmonics, which cannot be realized by the classic DF method. A three-dimensional (3D) all-movable horizontal tail model with torsional free-play was designed and manufactured to implement wind tunnel tests via various initial parameters. A good agreement was found between the numerical and experimental results, which can demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The influence of the initial parameters of the all-movable horizontal tail on the LCO characteristics is analyzed by both numerical calculations and wind tunnel tests. The method and results in this paper can provide a significant reference for the design of all-movable horizontal tail versus the free-play-induced LCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The addition of biofeedback and artificial intelligence (AI) in simulation training and serious games has shown promising results in improving the effectiveness of training and can lead to increased engagement, motivation, and retention of information. This systematic literature review explores the integration of biofeedback and artificial intelligence into eXtended reality (XR) training scenarios and is the first review to provide a consolidated overview of applied biofeedback and AI technologies in this area. Method: This review was conducted using keywords related to biofeedback, AI, XR, and training and included papers that: contained the use of biofeedback and AI in XR training scenarios; reported on at least one outcome related to training effectiveness; were published in English; were peer-reviewed; date from 1 January 2016 – 7 February 2022. Results: The results indicate that many studies collect two or more biosignals using a single biosensing device. This is particularly relevant in applied settings, where ease of use and minimal interference in training/education activities is desired. Also, that light, portable devices such as wrist bands, wireless straps, or headbands are preferred. Additionally, eye tracking, electrodermal activity (EDA), and photoplethysmograms (PPG) present as particularly useful biomarkers of stress and/or cognitive load in XR training contexts. A wide variety of machine learning (ML) approaches were used to support biofeedback systems in XR environments. However, a limited number of studies employed real-time analysis of biosignals (just 1% of studies) which indicates current challenges in implementing such systems. Conclusion: The majority of papers meeting the selection criteria were from the fields of education and healthcare. Further research in other domains, such as defense and general industry, is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding of the potential for biofeedback and AI integration in XR training scenarios used in these domains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paper board with bending stiffness is usually used as the substrates on cigarette package printing industry. The vibration of these paper boards in high speed affects the printing precision. The dynamic characteristics and stability of moving paper board with finite interior elastic point supports and elastic edges restrained are investigated. First, the energy function of the system is established by using the extended Hamilton’s principle; second, the dimensionless equations of motion for the moving paper board are obtained using the element-free Galerkin method. The equations of motion and the eigenvalue equations of the system are established. The relationship between the first three complex frequencies of the system and the moving speed is then obtained by the numerical calculation. The effects of the elastic point supports, the elastically restrained edges, and the dimensionless speed of the motion on the dynamic stability of the paper board are analyzed. The critical speed when the paper board is in a stable state under different conditions is obtained. The results improve the dynamic stability of the paper board in printing process and provide the theoretical basis for the optimization of printing equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial intelligence (AI) software that analyzes medical images is becoming increasingly prevalent. Unlike earlier generations of AI software, which relied on expert knowledge to identify imaging features, machine learning approaches automatically learn to recognize these features. However, the promise of accurate personalized medicine can only be fulfilled with access to large quantities of medical data from patients. This data could be used for purposes such as predicting disease, diagnosis, treatment optimization, and prognostication. Radiology is positioned to lead development and implementation of AI algorithms and to manage the associated ethical and legal challenges. This white paper from the Canadian Association of Radiologists provides a framework for study of the legal and ethical issues related to AI in medical imaging, related to patient data (privacy, confidentiality, ownership, and sharing); algorithms (levels of autonomy, liability, and jurisprudence); practice (best practices and current legal framework); and finally, opportunities in AI from the perspective of a universal health care system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer is one of the most common diagnosed cancers in men and the waiting time has become an important issue not only for clinical reasons, but also mostly for the psychological implications on patients. The aim of our study was to review and analyze the literature on waiting times for prostate cancer. In February-March 2019 we performed a search for original peerreviewed papers in the electronic database PubMed (MEDLINE). The key search terms were "prostate cancer AND waiting list", "prostate cancer AND waiting times". We included in our narrative review articles in Italian, English or French, published in 2009-2019 containing original data about the waiting times for prostate cancer. The literature search yielded 680 publications. Finally, we identified 8 manuscripts eligible for the review. The articles were published between 2010 and 2019; the studies involved a minimum of 16 to a maximum of 95438 participants. Studies have been conducted in 6 countries. The waiting times from cancer suspicion to histopathological diagnosis and to treatment had an important reduction in the last years, and this constant decrease could lead to an increase of patients' satisfaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In nonclinical safety studies for new drug development, healthy animals have been commonly used. However, in some cases, the use of animal models of human disease is considered to be more favorable in evaluating risks in patients. To elucidate the current status of the use of animal models for nonclinical safety assessment, an internal questionnaire from the Japan Pharmaceutical Manufacturers Association and surveys (questionnaire period: August 27 to September 30, 2015) of both common technical documents and review reports of approved drugs (approval period: May 1999 to May 2017) disclosed by the Pharmaceutical and Medical Devices Agency were conducted. Although there were some concerns and limitations raised, the survey results revealed that animal models have been used in nonclinical safety assessment on a case-by-case basis and that nonclinical safety studies using animal models were included in the data packages of several approved drugs in Japan. The survey results also revealed that nonclinical safety studies using animal models have become more frequent in the past few years. In almost all cases, useful information, such as signs of toxicity under disease conditions and mechanisms of toxic change, was obtained from the results of nonclinical studies using animal models. Note: This is an opinion article submitted to the Toxicologic Pathology Forum. It represents the views of the author(s). It does not constitute an official position of the Society of Toxicologic Pathology, British Society of Toxicological Pathology, or European Society of Toxicologic Pathology, and the views expressed might not reflect the best practices recommended by these Societies. This article should not be construed to represent the policies, positions, or opinions of their respective organizations, employers, or regulatory agencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are a growing number of older adults with age-related vision loss (ARVL) for whom technology holds promise in supporting their engagement in daily activities. Despite the growing presence of technologies intended to support older adults with ARVL, there remains high rates of abandonment. This phenomenon of technology abandonment may be partly explained by the concept of self-image, meaning that older adults with ARVL avoid the use of particular technologies due to an underlying fear that use of such technologies may mark them as objects of pity, ridicule, and/or stigmatization. In response to this, the proposed study aims to understand how the decision-making processes of older adults with ARVL, as it relates to technology adoption, are influenced by the negotiation of identity. The study protocol will justify the need for this critical ethnographic study; unpack the theoretical underpinnings of this work; detail the sampling/recruitment strategy; and describe the methods which included a home tour, go-along, and semistructured in-depth interview, as well as the collective approach taken to analyze the data. The protocol concludes by examining the ethical tensions associated with this study, including a focus on the methods adopted as well as the ethical challenges inherent when working with an older adult population experiencing vision loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving from an experimental phase to an implementation phase in many fields, including medicine. The combination of improved availability of large datasets, increasing computing power, and advances in learning algorithms has created major performance breakthroughs in the development of AI applications. In the last 5 years, AI techniques known as deep learning have delivered rapidly improving performance in image recognition, caption generation, and speech recognition. Radiology, in particular, is a prime candidate for early adoption of these techniques. It is anticipated that the implementation of AI in radiology over the next decade will significantly improve the quality, value, and depth of radiology's contribution to patient care and population health, and will revolutionize radiologists' workflows. The Canadian Association of Radiologists (CAR) is the national voice of radiology committed to promoting the highest standards in patient-centered imaging, lifelong learning, and research. The CAR has created an AI working group with the mandate to discuss and deliberate on practice, policy, and patient care issues related to the introduction and implementation of AI in imaging. This white paper provides recommendations for the CAR derived from deliberations between members of the AI working group. This white paper on AI in radiology will inform CAR members and policymakers on key terminology, educational needs of members, research and development, partnerships, potential clinical applications, implementation, structure and governance, role of radiologists, and potential impact of AI on radiology in Canada. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents experimental analysis and numerical modeling of hygroscopic moisture buffering by paper and books. First, a literature review of moisture transport properties of paper is presented. Experimental work on two paper types includes SEM analysis of the paper structure, determination of sorption isotherms and water vapor permeability measurements. A hysteretic model for paper is presented, which is based on the measurement of the main adsorption and desorption curves. It is shown that the water vapor permeability in a hysteretic model is dependent on the moisture content and not on the relative humidity. Books consist of several paper sheets with air layers between the sheets. To take the air layers into account, a parallel transport model is proposed to determine the effective moisture transport properties of books taking into account the air layers. The dynamic hygroscopic behavior of small book samples was measured. It is shown that, although the water vapor permeability of different paper types can be quite different, the effusivity of a book highly depends on the presence of the air layers and can therefore remain comparable for different paper types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the reliability, review differences and assess patient satisfaction of electronic patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) compared with paper PROMs. Methods Participants between 12 and 19 years of age with a knee-related primary complaint were randomized into two groups. Group 1 completed paper PROMs followed by electronic, while Group 2 received the electronic followed by paper. PROMs included the Pediatric International Knee Documentation Committee (Pedi-IKDC), Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) Pediatric Functional Activity Brief Scale (HSS Pedi-FABS), Tegner Activity Level Scale, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), PedsQL Teen and a satisfaction survey. Results In all, 87 participants were enrolled with one excluded due to incomplete PROMs. Of the 86 participants, 54 were female and 32 were male with an average age of 14.3 years (12 to 18). A high degree of reliability was found when comparing the paper and electronic versions of the Pedi-IKDC (0.946; p < 0.001), HSS Pedi-FABS (0.923; p < 0.001), PedsQL Teen (0.894; p < 0.001), Tegner Activity Level Scale before injury (0.848; p < 0.001) and the Tegner Activity Level Scale after (0.930; p < 0.001). Differences were noted between the VAS scores, with paper scores being significantly higher than electronic (5.3 versus 4.6; p < 0.001). While not significant, a trend was noted in which electronic PROMs took, overall, less time than paper (10.0 mins versus 11.2 mins; p = 0.096). Of all participants, 69.8% preferred the electronic PROMs, 67.4% felt they were faster, 93.0% stated they would complete forms at home prior to appointments and 91.8% were not concerned about the safety/privacy of electronic forms. Conclusion PROMs captured electronically were reliable when compared with paper. Electronic PROMs may be quicker, will not require manual scoring and are preferred by patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Diverticular disease (DD) represents a common gastrointestinal condition that poses a heavy burden on healthcare systems worldwide. A high degree of uncertainty surrounds the therapeutic approaches for the control of symptoms in patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease (SUDD) and primary and secondary prevention of diverticulitis and its consequences. Objectives: To review the current knowledge and discuss the unmet needs regarding the management of SUDD and the prevention of acute diverticulitis. Eligibility criteria: Randomized trials, observational studies, and systematic reviews on lifestyle/dietary interventions and medical treatment (rifaximin, mesalazine, and probiotics) of SUDD or prevention of acute diverticulitis. Sources of evidence: The literature search was performed from inception to April 2023, without language restriction, following the modified Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. References of the papers selected were checked to identify additional papers of potential interest. The final list of references was evaluated by a panel of experts, who were asked to check for any lack of relevant studies. Charting methods: Information on patient population, study design, intervention, control group, duration of the observation, and outcomes assessed was collected by two authors independently. Results: The review shows a high degree of uncertainty about therapeutic interventions, both dietary/lifestyle and pharmacological, in patients with SUDD, because of the scarcity and weakness of existing evidence. Available studies are generally of low quality, heterogeneous, and outdated, precluding the possibility to draw robust conclusions. Similarly, acute diverticulitis prevention has been seldom investigated, and there is a substantial lack of evidence supporting the role of dietary/lifestyle or pharmacological approaches to reduce the risk of diverticulitis. Conclusion: The lack of robust evidence regarding therapeutic options for gastrointestinal symptoms in SUDD patients and for primary and secondary prevention of acute diverticulitis remains an important unmet need in the management of DD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]