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Objective: To compare the test-retest reliabilities and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Short Portable Mental State Questionnaire (SPMSQ) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in patients with stroke. Methods: 63 patients were recruited from 1 medical center. The SPMSQ and MoCA were administered twice, 2 weeks apart. Results: Both measures showed high intraclass correlation coefficients (SPMSQ: 0.87; MoCA: 0.89) and acceptable MDC%s (SPMSQ: 14.8%; MoCA: 19.6%). A small correlation (r = 0.30) was found between the absolute difference and average in each pair of assessments in the SPMSQ, which was close to the criterion of heteroscedasticity. A small practice effect was observed in the MoCA (Cohen's d = 0.30). Conclusion: The SPMSQ demonstrated smaller random measurement error and an absence of practice effect. When comparing the psychometric properties of the SPMSQ and MoCA as outcome measures for assessing cognitive function in patients with stroke, the SPMSQ appears to be a more suitable choice than the MoCA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synthesis of poison dart frog indolizidine alkaloids (−)‐209D, (−)‐209B and (−)‐223V were accomplished, with a common tricyclic lactone skeleton as the starting compound, in overall yields of 8.8 %, 5.5 %, and 5.2 %, respectively. The construction of the C7−C8 bond in the synthesis of 209D involves simple ring closure metathesis and hydrogenation reactions. However, in the synthesis of 209B and 223V, the C7−C8 bond and the stereochemistry of C8, is achieved through radical cyclization reactions controlled by allylic 1,3‐strain. Cleavage of the excess carbon on the C5 for all the related intermediates were done by Barton decarboxylation protocol. Reduction of the corresponding indolizidin‐3‐ones by LAH completed the total synthesis of these three target molecules. The quantum mechanics calculations were performed on α‐amidyl carbon radical intermediates to account for the observed diastereomeric ratio (~9 : 1) of the key Barton decarboxylation step. Ultimately, the synthesis of 3‐epi‐(−)‐223AB was accomplished in 51.6 % through the cuprate addition to the activated lactam of a late intermediate in the synthesis of (−)‐167B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For patients on ventilation without acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), there are, as yet, limited data on ventilation strategies. We hypothesized that driving pressure (DP) and mechanical power (MP) may play key roles for the late development of ARDS in patients without initial ARDS. A post hoc analysis of a database from our previous cohort was performed. The mean DP/MP was computed from the data before ARDS development or until ventilator support was discontinued within 28 days. The association between DP/MP and late development of ARDS within 28 days was determined. One hundred and twelve patients were enrolled, among whom seven developed ARDS. Univariate Cox regression showed that congestive heart failure (CHF) history and higher levels of mean MP and DP were associated with ARDS development. Multivariate models revealed that the mean MP and mean DP were still factors independently associated with ARDS development at hazard ratios of 1.177 and 1.226 after adjusting for the CHF effect. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for mean DP/MP in predicting ARDS development were 0.813 and 0.759, respectively. In conclusion, high mean DP and MP values may be key factors associated with late ARDS development. The mean DP had a better predicted value for the development of ARDS than the mean MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in Internet and communication technologies have facilitated the proliferation of product reviews and commentary pertaining to smart speakers. This study investigated the impacts of uncivil comments on blog comment credibility. Results show that the civil opinion commentary appears to be more credible than uncivil commentary. The interaction between civil opinion and low AI anxiety generates more blog review credibility than the interaction between uncivil opinion and low AI anxiety. Finally, we identify moderating effects of AI anxiety and provide deeper insights into how the interaction of comment civility and AI anxiety shape the credibility assessments of blog reviews. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple mating by avian females may increase hatching and overall brood success; however, reproductive effort and parental investment are costly, and females may be gradually depleted, with lowered outputs over time. Thus, males in social polyandry systems may differ greatly in their reproductive gains. In the present study, we investigated the reproductive outputs of social polyandrous and sex-role-reversed pheasant-tailed jacanas, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, to assess the effects of polyandry, seasonality, and male mating order on breeding success. Female jacanas produced multiple clutches, either by leaving two or more clutches with an individual male (22%), or by mating with two or more males (78%). The polyandrous females laid both the first and second clutches earlier and showed a breeding period more than twice as long as that of monandrous females. Both polyandry and seasonality affected the fate of a clutch, where clutches from polyandrous females and the early season had higher hatching and brood success rates, but the number of polyandrous females declined over the season. Polyandrous females not only laid more clutches and eggs, and gained more hatchlings and fledglings, but also achieved higher per-clutch outputs and hatching rates than monandrous females. In polyandry groups, males gained higher total hatchlings and fledglings, although not total clutches or eggs, than males in monandry or bi-andry groups. Moreover, males in polyandry groups achieved higher hatchlings and fledglings per clutch and higher hatching and brood success rates. In polyandry groups, the first-mating males obtained more clutches, eggs, and hatchlings; however, they did not have higher success rates, nor total fledglings and per-clutch outputs, than males who mated later. Overall, the results indicate a selective advantage of polyandry for the jacanas studied, particularly in the early breeding season. This advantage, however, differs both between the sexes and intra-sexually, suggesting strong connections with certain ecological/environmental conditions in addition to the jacanas' own quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The efficacy and safety of low- and standard-dose alteplase for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) have not been consistently compared in previous studies. Nevertheless, the distinctions in the effects of low- and standard-dose alteplase, particularly within the context of bridging therapy (BT) for large vessel occlusion (LVO), warrant further exploration. This study compared clinical outcomes between BT with low- and standard-dose alteplase in patients with LVO-related AIS. Methods: We performed a search for randomized controlled trials and prospective or retrospective cohort studies investigating the clinical outcomes of BT in AIS in the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases from inception to November 2022. The outcomes of interest were 90-day functional independence, successful recanalization, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH), and mortality; these outcomes were compared between patients who received BT with low- (primarily 0.6 mg/kg) and standard-dose alteplase (0.9 mg/kg). We used the standard-dose group as the reference and calculated the odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) from the raw numbers. Meta-analysis and ethnicity-based subgroup analysis (Asian and non-Asian) were performed. Results: Five observational studies, published after 2017 and including 408 patients, were included. The meta-analysis results demonstrated that compared with BT with standard-dose alteplase, BT with low-dose alteplase did not improve 90-day functional independence (OR 1.02; 95% CI, 0.58–1.80). Nevertheless, BT with low-dose alteplase was associated with a comparable successful recanalization rate (OR, 1.35; 95% CI, 0.68–2.67) and similar sICH incidence (OR 0.36; 95% CI, 0.10–1.36) and mortality (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.27–1.54) compared with BT with standard-dose alteplase; however, the above three results were nonsignificant. In the ethnicity-based subgroup analyses, no differences were noted between Asian and non-Asian participants. Conclusions: In patients with LVO-related AIS, BT with low- or standard-dose alteplase may provide similar efficacy, with no significant differences in sICH incidence and mortality. Additional well-designed prospective studies are required to confirm this result. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Identifying clusters or hotspots from disease maps is critical in research and practice. Hotspots have been shown to have a higher potential for transmission risk and may be the source of infections, making them a priority for controlling epidemics. However, the role of edge areas of hotspots in disease transmission remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of edge areas in disease transmission by examining whether disease incidence rate growth is higher in the edges of disease hotspots during outbreaks. Our data is based on the three most severe dengue epidemic years in Kaohsiung city, Taiwan, from 1998 to 2020. We employed conditional autoregressive (CAR) models and Bayesian areal Wombling methods to identify significant edge areas of hotspots based on the extent of risk difference between adjacent areas. The difference-in-difference (DID) estimator in spatial panel models measures the growth rate of risk by comparing the incidence rate between two groups (hotspots and edge areas) over two time periods. Our results show that in years characterized by exceptionally large-scale outbreaks, the edge areas of hotspots have a more significant increase in disease risk than hotspots, leading to a higher risk of disease transmission and potential disease foci. This finding explains the geographic diffusion mechanism of epidemics, a pattern mixed with expansion and relocation, indicating that the edge areas play an essential role. The study highlights the importance of considering edge areas of hotspots in disease transmission. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights for policymakers and health authorities in designing effective interventions to control large-scale disease outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Communication fosters trust and understanding between patients and physicians, and specific communication steps help to build relationships. Communication in the emergency department may be different from that in other departments due to differences in medical purposes and treatments. However, the characteristics of communication in the clinical settings of various departments have not been explored nor compared. Objectives: This study aimed to construct the steps in patient-physician communication based on the Roter Communication Model and compare communication performance between the emergency department and three other clinical settings—internal medicine, surgery, and family medicine departments. Methods: Both qualitative and quantitative approaches were adopted. First, in-depth interviews were used to analyze clinical communication steps and meanings. Then, a quantitative questionnaire was designed based on the interview results to investigate differences in communication between the emergency department and the other three departments. Qualitative and quantitative data were analyzed from 20 interviews and 98 valid questionnaires. Results: Patient-physician communication consists of four steps and ten factors. The four steps—greeting and data gathering, patient education and counseling, facilitation and patient activation, and building a relationship—had significant progressive effects. Patient education and counseling had an additional significant effect on building a relationship. The emergency department performed less well in the facilitation and patient activation, building a relationship step and the evaluation method, enhancement method, and attitude factors than the other departments. Conclusions: To improve the quality of patient-physician communication in the emergency department, physicians should strengthen the steps of facilitation and patient activation to encourage patients' active engagement in their health care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Retirement preparation is an issue of global concern. The public and private sectors have implemented solutions in the workplace such that participants turn their knowledge into actions through exploration. Yet, research is scarce regarding the associations between these three levels of knowledge, exploration, and implementation. This study aimed to develop a retirement preparation scale for middle-aged and older adult employees in Taiwan and examine the relations between the three levels. After each question indicator passed validity and reliability tests, the overall scale was subjected to initial validation of the measurement model using structural equation modeling. The key model indicators were analyzed using the best-fit model. The scale has an acceptable model fit with the collected data. There were 27 indicators covering 9 dimensions, and each indicator within the corresponding dimension had good reliability and validity. The results indicated that Taiwanese employees with relatively better knowledge of retirement planning are more aware of the importance of retirement preparation. However, the lack of significant employee engagement toward retirement preparation resulted in a lack of motivation to turn knowledge into implementation. Engagement in retirement preparation is a key determinant in individuals turning their knowledge into implementation. This study suggests that companies should help their employees explore retirement preparation options such that they can combine knowledge and involvement to improve retirement life quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals may show consistent among-individual behavioral differences over time and in different contexts, and these tendencies may be correlated to one another and emerge as behavioral syndromes. The cross-context variation in these behavioral tendencies, however, is rarely explored with animals in contexts associated with different locomotion modes. This study assessed the variation and repeatability in behavioral traits of bent-wing bats Miniopterus fuliginosus in southern Taiwan, and the effects of contextual settings associated with locomotion mode. The bats were sampled in the dry winter season, and their behaviors were measured in hole-board box (HB) and tunnel box (TB) tests, both suited for quadrupedal movements of the bats, and flight-tent (FT) tests that allowed for flying behaviors. The bats in the FT tests showed more interindividual and between-trial behavioral variation than those in the HB and TB tests. Nearly all of the behaviors in the TB and FT tests, but only half of those in the HB tests, showed medium to high repeatability. These repeatable behaviors were grouped into distinct behavioral traits of boldness, activity, and exploration, which were correlated to one another across contexts. In addition, we observed a consistently higher correlation between behavioral categories across the HB and TB contexts than between either of these contexts and the FT context. The results indicate consistent among-individual behavioral differences across time and contexts in wildly caught bent-wing bats. The findings of behavioral repeatability and cross-context correlations also indicate context-dependent variation and suggest that test devices which allow for flight behaviors, such as flight tents or cages, may provide a more suitable setting for measuring the behaviors and animal personalities of bats, particularly for those species that display less or little quadrupedal movements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

QR codes (short for Quick Response codes) were originally developed for use in the automotive industry to track factory inventories and logistics, but their popularity has expanded significantly in the past few years due to the widespread applications of smartphones and mobile phone cameras. QR codes can be used for a variety of purposes, including tracking inventory, advertising, electronic ticketing, and mobile payments. Although they are convenient and widely used to store and share information, their accessibility also means they might be forged easily. Digital forensics can be used to recognize direct links of printed documents, including QR codes, which is important for the investigation of forged documents and the prosecution of forgers. The process involves using optical mechanisms to identify the relationship between source printers and the duplicates. Techniques regarding computer vision and machine learning, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), can be implemented to study and summarize statistical features in order to improve identification accuracy. This study implemented AlexNet, DenseNet201, GoogleNet, MobileNetv2, ResNet, VGG16, and other Pretrained CNN models for evaluating their abilities to predict the source printer of QR codes with a high level of accuracy. Among them, the customized CNN model demonstrated better results in identifying printed sources of grayscale and color QR codes with less computational power and training time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Scapular proprioception is a key concern in managing shoulder impingement syndrome (SIS). However, no study has examined the effect of elastic taping on scapular proprioception performance. Objective: To investigate the immediate effect of kinesiology taping (KT) on scapular reposition accuracy, kinematics, and muscle activation in individuals with SIS. Design: Randomized controlled study. Setting: Musculoskeletal laboratory, National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan. Participants: Thirty overhead athletes with SIS. Interventions: KT or placebo taping over the upper and lower trapezius muscles. Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome measures were scapular joint position sense, measured as the reposition errors, in the direction of scapular elevation and protraction. The secondary outcomes were scapular kinematics and muscle activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, and serratus anterior during arm elevation in the scapular plane (scaption). Results: Compared with placebo taping, KT significantly decreased the reposition errors of upward/downward rotation (P =.04) and anterior/posterior tilt (P =.04) during scapular protraction. KT also improved scapular kinematics (significant group by taping effect for posterior tilt, P =.03) during scaption. Kinesiology and placebo tapings had a similar effect on upper trapezius muscle activation (significant taping effect, P =.003) during scaption. Conclusions: Our study identified the positive effects of KT on scapular joint position sense and movement control. Future studies with a longer period of follow-up and clinical measurement might help to clarify the clinical effect and mechanisms of elastic taping in individuals with SIS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop strong refractory high-entropy alloys for use at elevated temperatures as well as to overcome grain-boundary brittleness, an equimolar HfMoNbTaTiZr alloy was prepared, and a minor amount of boron (0.1 at.%) was added into the alloy. The microstructures of the alloys were characterized, and their macro-to-microscale mechanical properties were measured. The microstructural observations indicated that the matrices of both the alloys were composed of a body-centered cubic solid-solution structure, and the added boron induced the precipitation of hexagonal close-packed borides (most likely the (Hf, Zr)B2) at the grain boundaries. The modulus and hardness of differently oriented grains were about equivalent, suggesting a diminished anisotropy, and many small slips occurred on multiple {110} planes. While the hardness of the matrix was not increased, the intergranular precipitation of the borides markedly raised the hardness of the grain boundaries. Owing to the enhanced grain boundary cohesion, the work hardenability and ductility were effectively improved with the addition of boron. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Employment specialists play a key role in promoting the utilization of older workers' human resources. In this study, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 11 employment specialists to illustrate their experiences in matching employers for older job seekers. The results showed the following: (1) employment specialists enhance professional competencies by constantly learning and accumulating experiences; (2) employment specialists should possess a willingness to serve, empathy, communication skills, stress tolerance, and a desire to work in the labor market; (3) employment specialists adopted the strategies in assisting older job seekers in securing employment include understanding their demands and motivations for seeking employment, providing training and emotional support, and keeping track of them after their employment; (4) employment specialists utilized four strategies to increase employer's willingness to employ older workers. The results can serve as a reference for the government to develop measures to enhance the professional competencies of employment specialists in serving older job seekers. Future research is suggested to use this study as a blueprint and conduct a questionnaire survey on employment specialists in the country to understand the outcomes of services provided to older job seekers and propose suggestions for policy revision and formulating training programs for employment specialists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the test-retest reliability and minimal detectable change (MDC) of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and the Saint Louis University Status Examination (SLUMS) in a single sample of people with dementia. Sixty people with dementia were assessed twice two weeks apart, and the test-retest reliability was examined using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for four screening tools. The MDC95 value was calculated based on the standard error of measurement to estimate the random measurement error. The ICC values for screening tools were 0.86–0.90. The MDC95 values (MDC95%) were 5.0 (17.2%), 2.74 (27%), 4.71(20%), and 6.26 (24%) for the MMSE, SPMSQ, MoCA, and SLUMS, respectively. Overall, the four screening tools were similar in test-retest reliability which imply that the MMSE, MoCA, SPMSQ, and SLUMS were reliable in monitoring cognitive function in people with dementia. The results of the direct comparisons of test-retest reliability of the four screening tools provide useful information for both clinicians and researchers to select an appropriate cognitive screening tool. The MMSE, MoCA, SPMSQ, and SLUMS are equally reliable and thus they could be used to monitor the cognitive function in people with dementia. The MDC values are useful in determining whether a real change has occurred between repeated assessments for people with dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenol‐formaldehyde resin (PF) is the oldest synthetic resin. Through the design of synthesis conditions, PF resins with different characteristics can be provided, which are widely used in molding materials, adhesives and impregnation. Spherical PF beads are a hardened resin prepared by a special synthesis method. In this study, a mixture of phenol and formaldehyde was added with triethylamine, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and hexamethylenetetramine as a catalyst, granulating agent, and hardening agent, respectively. Spherical PF beads were prepared by a three‐stage suspension polymerization in a large‐scale water system, and the effects of PVA addition conditions on the reaction behavior and particle characteristics were discussed. The results show that formalin with a concentration of 14 % can be used as a formaldehyde raw material to prepare spherical PF beads by suspension polymerization. The largest spherical PF beads can be obtained with a reactant‐liquid ratio of 2/1, a stirring speed of 300 rpm, and an addition amount of BF‐04 of 2 %. The particle size of 14–20 mesh accounts for 83.9 % and has the average particle size of 1016 μm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lifelong learning is a key element that helps adults undergo and adapt to different career stages. This study analyzed job service specialists’ lifelong learning experience of successfully matching the needs between job seekers and employers. The researchers adopted the qualitative research method and conducted semi-structured in-depth interviews with 11 outstanding-performing job service specialists to collect their learning experiences. The findings were that: (a) Job service specialists improve their professional competencies through formal education (Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees), non-formal education (obtaining licenses and participating in training programs), and informal learning (self-directed learning and seeking others’ experiences). (b) Job service specialists’ duties include understanding job seekers’ backgrounds, needs, motivations, expectations, career plans, and previous training experiences; job application assistance; and regular follow-ups. (c) The greatest difficulties job service specialists encounter are insufficient understanding of job seekers’ physiological and psychological characteristics and job seekers’ and employers’ needs. (d) Job service specialists can effectively match jobs for job seekers and fulfill employers’ needs by learning continuously in workplaces. These results can provide a reference for government agencies to design continuing education programs for job service specialists to promote their professional competencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This qualitative study explored the community-based long-term care in Taiwan, examining the service experiences of Taiwan's Tier B centers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven Tier B service centers managers. The interview transcripts were analyzed by comparing the participants' responses to find similarities and inducted into three themes. It was found that the adversities encountered include frequent policy revisions, the lack of systematized training programs, the high turnover rate among service providers, as well as differing perceptions between family members and service providers. They tried to solve problems and suggested policy improvement, including establishing platforms for government-citizen dialogue as well as creating supervision and evaluation mechanisms. Consequently, Tier B service centers benefit the community and the long-term care industry as elderly people can age in place and reduce families' caregiving burden. Also, the practical experiences provide the real situation of differences between policies, training, and social service promotion. For future research, it is suggested to use this study's results as a blueprint and conduct a questionnaire survey on all Tier B service centers in the country to understand the overall service outcomes. And propose suggestions for policy revision and formulating training programs for service providers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explored doctors' medical service experiences while communicating with elderly patients. In this qualitative study, the researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 doctors from a regional hospital in Taiwan. The findings revealed that: (a) By providing medical service, doctors can collect patient information more effectively by inquiring about the patients in dialects and guiding the patients' family members; (b) It is more feasible in medical service of health education to speak slower and louder, apply relatable metaphors or imagery, and reassure the patients' level of comprehension; (c) Emotional communication behaviors such as listening, patience, care, and psychological support, are key to establishing doctor-patient trust; (d) Allowing caregivers to participate in the communication process will help to establish good partnerships, thereby promoting patient compliance and increasing treatment efficacies in the medical service. The results can serve as a reference for the government and medical units to design medical service training programs for enhancing doctor-patient communication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Ectoparasites inhabit the body surface or outgrowths of hosts and are usually detrimental to host health and wellbeing. Hosts, however, vary in quality and may lead ectoparasites to aggregate on preferred hosts, resulting in a heterogeneous distribution of parasite load among hosts. Results: We set out to examine the effects of host individual state and body condition on the parasite load of multiple nycteribiid and streblid bat flies and Spinturnix wing mites on eastern bent-wing bats Miniopterus fuliginosus in a tropical forest in southern Taiwan. We detected a high parasite prevalence of 98.9% among the sampled bats, with nearly 75% of the bats harboring three or more species of parasites. The parasite abundance was higher in the wet season from mid spring to early fall, coinciding with the breeding period of female bats, than in the dry winter season. In both seasonal periods, the overall parasite abundance of adult females was higher than that of adult males. Among the bats, reproductive females, particularly lactating females, exhibited a higher body condition and were generally most infested. The Penicillidia jenynsii and Nycteribia parvula bat flies showed a consistent female-biased infection pattern. The N. allotopa and Ascodipteron speiserianum flies, however, showed a tendency towards bats of a moderate to higher body condition, particularly reproductive females and adult males. Conclusions: We found an overall positive correlation between parasite abundance and reproductive state and body condition of the host and female-biased parasitism for M. fuliginosus bats. However, the effects of body condition and female-biased infestation appear to be parasite species specific, and suggest that the mobility, life history, and potential inter-species interactions of the parasites may all play important roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preterm delivery of low-birth weight infants is considered a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. Various studies have reported a positive correlation between periodontal disease (PD) and premature birth (PB) and yet no population-based study has assessed the impact of PD severity and treatments on premature birth. This cohort study used Taiwan's national medical records (1999–2012, included 1,757,774 pregnant women) to investigate the association between PD severity and PB. Women with PD during the 2-year period prior for giving birth were more likely to have PB (11.38%) than those without PD (10.56%; p < 0.001). After variables adjustment, the advanced PD group had OR of 1.09 (95% CI 1.07–1.11) for PB, the mild PD group had OR of 1.05 (95% CI 1.04–1.06), while no-PD group had OR of 1. Increased PD severity was related to higher risk of PB. When stratified by age, the highest ORs for PB were those aged from 31 to 35 years in both mild PD group (OR = 1.09, 95% CI 1.07–1.11) and advanced PD group (OR = 1.13, 95% CI 1.09–1.17). Improving periodontal health before or during pregnancy may prevent or reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes and therefore maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Effective patient-physician communication promotes trust and understanding between physicians and patients and reduces medical disputes. In this study, the Roter Interaction Analysis System was used to explore physician-patient communication behaviors in the emergency departments of Taiwanese hospitals.Method: Data was collected from the dialogues between 8 emergency physicians and 54 patients through nonparticipant observation, and 675 pieces of data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed.Results: The results showed that: 1. Emergency physicians' communication behaviors are task-focused. They usually ask closed-ended questions to collect data to identify the symptoms quickly and provide medical treatment. 2. Socioemotion-oriented physician-patient communication behaviors are less common in the emergency department and only serve as an aid for health education and follow-up. Due to time constraints, it is difficult to establish relationships with patients and evoke their positivity.Conclusions: It is suggested that future education programs on physician-patient communication in the emergency department should focus on strengthening physicians' ability to communicate with patients in a more open way. They should adopt socioemotional-oriented communication skills, expressing respect and kindness, and allowing patients to briefly describe their symptoms and participate in the treatment process to achieve physician-patient consensus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In December 2019, COVID‐19 broke out in Wuhan, China, affecting the mental health and quality of life (QoL) of its inhabitants. This study aimed at investigating the factors associated with anxiety and QoL in the Wuhan populace during the COVID‐19 pandemic. An online questionnaire survey was carried out during July 6–10, 2020. The questionnaire collected information on demography, anxiety, QoL, and social‐environmental support. The main statistical methods included descriptive statistics, independent‐samples t‐test, one‐way analysis of variance, and multivariate regression analysis. In total, 226 participants were recruited. The findings showed that females, elderly, middle‐income, poor health status, shortage of medical supplies, and insufficient basic commodities were associated with anxiety significantly. Multiple regression analysis indicated that social‐environmental support was significantly related to anxiety. Higher social‐environmental support was significantly associated with a higher QoL. Our findings showed that the social‐environmental support may reduce anxiety and improve the QoL for those living in an area heavily affected by the pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The Performance-based measure of Executive Functions (PEF) with four domains is designed to assess executive functions in people with schizophrenia. The purpose of this study was to examine the test-retest reliability of the PEF administered by the same rater (intra-rater agreement) and by different raters (inter-rater agreement) in people with schizophrenia and to estimate the values of minimal detectable change (MDC) and MDC%. Methods: Two convenience samples (each sample, n = 60) with schizophrenia were conducted two assessments (two weeks apart). The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was analyzed to examine intra-rater and inter-rater agreements of the test-retest reliability of the PEF. The MDC was calculated through standard error of measurement. Results: For the intra-rater agreement study, the ICC values of the four domains were 0.88–0.92. The MDC (MDC%) of the four domains (volition, planning, purposive action, and perfromance effective) were 13.0 (13.0%), 12.2 (16.4%), 16.2 (16.2%), and 16.3 (18.8%), respectively. For the inter-rater agreement study, the ICC values of the four domains were 0.82–0.89. The MDC (MDC%) were 15.8 (15.8%), 17.4 (20.0%), 20.9 (20.9%), and 18.6 (18.6%) for the volition, planning, purposive action, and performance effective domains, respectively. Conclusions: The PEF has good test-retest reliability, including intra-rater and inter-rater agreements, for people with schizophrenia. Clinicians and researchers can use the MDC values to verify whether an individual with schizophrenia shows any real change (improvement or deterioration) between repeated PEF assessments by the same or different raters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores factors that contribute to elderly participants continued exercise. A qualitative approach utilizing the method of phenomenology was adopted, and semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect data on the perspectives of 21 elderly participants and 2 sports instructors. The study yielded the following findings: (a) the primary motivation behind the elderly participants' continued exercise is the referral and encouragement of doctors. (b) the main reason for elderly participants' continued exercise was the support strategies provided by the gym. These support strategies included suitable exercise equipment and a friendly climate, customized and professional training packages offered by staff, and regular examinations. (c) after continuing their exercise, the elderly participants experienced positive changes such as improved physical function, a renewed concept of exercise, ability to engage in exercise on their own initiative, and broadened interpersonal networks. (d) the five steps for promoting exercise among the elderly, include patient referral, fitness testing, customized training, providing support and assessment. For future study, we recommend use larger samples of participants in order to more fully understand the factors and support strategies that result in older people to form the habit of participating in exercise continuously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, fiscal austerity has driven many nonprofit organizations to transform into social enterprises. This study sought to explore the process that elderly educational organizations undergo when making this transformation. The 11 managers who participated in this study had guided the transformation of active aging learning centers into social enterprises and equipped with knowledge of the transformation experience. A qualitative method of phenomenological approach that included semi-structured in-depth interviews was adopted. The results indicated that the transformation process can be divided into four stages. The first stage is recognizing an organization's needs and desired change. The second stage is preparing for the transformation given the organization's existing foundation, which involves managers leveraging their older adult education talents and courses as niche points for the transformation. The third stage is overcoming transformational difficulties and developing coping strategies. The fourth stage is reaping post-transformation benefits, including the participation of individuals who can serve the organization internally or externally, and the resolution of community issues. Recommendations for future study is that, larger samples of participants from extended and wider elderly education organizations can be used to fully understand the transformation of elderly education organizations to promote social services in the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Recent advances in technology have warranted the use of wearable sensors to monitor gait and posture. However, the psychometric properties of using wearable devices to measure gait-related outcomes have not been fully established in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the test-retest reliability of body-worn sensors for gait evaluation in people with PD. Additionally, the influence of disease severity on the reliability was determined. METHODS: Twenty individuals with PD were recruited. During the first evaluation, the participants wore inertial sensors on their shoes and walked along a walkway thrice at their comfortable walking speed. The participants were then required to return to the lab after 3–5 days to complete the second evaluation with the same study procedure. Test-retest reliability of gait-related outcomes were calculated. To determine whether the results would be affected by disease severity, reliability was re-calculated by subdividing the participants into early and mid-advanced stages of the disease. RESULTS: The results showed moderate to good reliability (ICC = 0.64–0.87) of the wearable sensors for gait assessment in the general population with PD. Subgroup analysis showed that the reliability was higher among patients at early stages (ICC = 0.71–0.97) compared to those at mid-advanced stages (ICC = 0.65–0.81) of PD. CONCLUSIONS: Wearable sensors could reliably measure gait parameters in people with PD, and the reliability was higher among individuals at early stages of the disease compared to those at mid-advanced stages. Absolute reliability values were calculated to act as references for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the experiences of implementing retirement preparation programs in Taiwanese. A qualitative study approach, in which semi-structured one-to-one in-depth interviews were conducted for data collection, was employed. Nine occupational health management specialists with experience in implementing retirement preparation programs were interviewed to shed light on the service of such programs in the workplace in Taiwan. The results showed that there is an increasing number of retirees, and that the lack of retirement planning among soon-to-be retirees has resulted in them experiencing anxiety. Younger employees also indicated a desire to learn about retirement planning, which prompted the occupational health management specialists to organize retirement programs. The primary obstacles faced by the occupational health management specialists were the lack of supervisor support, the difficulty of implementation during working hours, and the sensitive nature of the subject of retirement in the workplace. The corresponding measures included seeking supervisor support, arranging the programs flexibly to suit the employees' free time, and replacing the word "retirement" with more creative terms. The service of retirement preparation programs benefited both employees and companies. The study can be referenced when designing retirement preparation service for older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The booming growth in environmental conditions sensing and monitoring pushes the need of inexpensive environment sensors with small size and low power consumption. The outbreak of COVID-19 further increases the need for fast monitoring of environment conditions. The micro-electrical-mechanical-systems (MEMS) technologies are considered as promising solutions to realize the required environment sensors. The mature complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process platforms available in many foundries can be extended to fabricate MEMS sensors to offer the advantage of relatively easier commercialization. Moreover, by leveraging the characteristics of CMOS process platforms, the integration of multiple sensors and sensing circuits to form a compact sensing system can also be achieved. This review paper will focus on introducing the miniaturized environmental sensing devices implemented and integrated using the CMOS-MEMS technologies. In general, the CMOS chips for environment sensing are firstly fabricated using the foundry-available CMOS processes, and then the post-CMOS micromachining processes are performed to implement the CMOS-MEMS environment sensors. This paper respectively reviews five different environment sensors (including the infrared, pressure (barometer), humidity/temperature, and gas sensors) using the CMOS-based MEMS technologies. The advantages and design concerns of sensors fabricated by different CMOS and post-CMOS processes are introduced and discussed. Moreover, the CMOS-MEMS environment sensing hub implemented through the monolithic integration of multiple environment sensors is also introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Nutritional status could affect functional capacity and reduce quality of life in patients with stroke. Although the associations between nutritional status, basic activities of daily living (BADL)/Instrumental ADL, and quality of life (QOL) in older people have been identified, the relationships have not yet been examined in patients with stroke, using the full Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) or MNA-short form (MNA-SF). OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between nutritional status (using full MNA and MNA-SF), comprehensive ADL function, and QOL in patients with stroke. METHODS: Eighty-two patients with ischemic stroke participated in this cross-sectional design study. Each participant was assessed with the full MNA, MNA-SF, comprehensive ADL function (including Barthel Index and Frenchay Activities Index), and WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) once. RESULTS: The MNA-SF was only significantly correlated with the comprehensive ADL function (rho = 0.27, p = 0.013), whereas, the full MNA was found to be significantly correlated with the comprehensive ADL function and WHOQOL-BREF (rho = 0.24, p = 0.029 and rho = 0.30, p = 0.005, respectively). The MNA-SF was a significant predictor of comprehensive ADL function, accounting for 44% of the variance. The full MNA was the only significant predictor of the WHOQOL-BREF, explaining 17% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: This study has revealed a relationship between nutritional status, comprehensive ADL function, and QOL among patients with stroke. Patients with stroke with better nutritional status had higher ADL function as well as better QOL. The MNA-SF was useful in predicting comprehensive ADL, whereas, the full MNA could be used to predict QOL. Knowledge and evidence of the association and predictive power of the MNA-SF and full MNA could guide clinicians to choose tools for assessing the nutritional status of patients with stroke more effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fluid intelligence deficits affect executive functioning and social behaviors in patients with schizophrenia. To help clinicians manage fluid intelligence deficits, a psychometrically sound measure is needed. The purposes of this study were to examine the test–retest reliability and convergent validity of the Test of Nonverbal Intelligence-Fourth Edition (TONI-4) assessing fluid intelligence in patients with schizophrenia. Methods: A total of 103 patients with stable condition were assessed with the TONI-4 twice with a 4-week interval to examine the test–retest reliability. We further used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Tablet-Based Symbol Digit Modalities Test (T-SDMT) to examine the convergent validity of the TONI-4. Results: The intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.73 for the TONI-4. The percentages of standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change for the TONI-4 were 5.1 and 14.2%, respectively. The practice effect of the TONI-4 was small (Cohen's d = − 0.03). Convergent validity showed small to moderate significant correlations between the TONI-4 and the MoCA as well as the T-SDMT (r = 0.35, p =.011 with the T-SDMT and r = 0.61, p <.001 with the MoCA). The results demonstrated that the TONI-4 had good test–retest reliability, limited random measurement error, and a trivial practice effect. The convergent validity of the TONI-4 was good. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the TONI-4 has potential to be a reliable and valid assessment of fluid intelligence in patients with schizophrenia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study adopted a Kansei engineering methodology to examine users' Kansei values toward automotive interior designs by conducting experiments under two models: sensory experience and perceived value evaluation models. In the sensory experience model, 60 participants were recruited to experience using 27 vehicle samples and to assign scores to eight Kansei keywords. Hayashi's quantification theory type 1 was used to calculate the weight of 12 interior space items and 40 interior design categories. In the perceived value evaluation model, 60 participants completed a questionnaire on the influence levels of the Kansei keywords on their Kansei values from the perspectives of four consumer perceived value dimensions. The questionnaire scores were then evaluated using factor analysis to extract nine primary factors affecting participants' perceptions. This study determined that the interesting and dynamic perceptions corresponded to five design items under the Excitement Quality factors, vigorous and recreational perceptions corresponded to four items under the Relaxation and Comfort factor, and technological and luxurious perceptions corresponded to six items under the Luxury and Splendor factor and the Esteemed Image factor. These findings can help designers and researchers in the relevant sectors create automotive interior designs that fulfill the expectations of users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flycatching is relatively uncommon in insectivorous bats, yet members of the family Rhinolophidae constitute over one-half of the documented flycatching species. The Formosan woolly horseshoe bat, Rhinolophus formosae , is among the largest in size and relies primarily on flycatching for foraging. We assessed perch use of flycatching R. formosae in relation to vegetation structure in tropical monsoon forests in southern Taiwan. We located bats using acoustic detectors in forest interior and edge-open forest sites, and measured perch features, dispersion of the nearest trees, and vegetation structure within a 5-m radius of each perch. The same measurements were applied to randomly selected perches in both habitats where bats were not detected. We found no seasonal effects or differences between used and random perches in perch features, dispersion of neighboring trees, or vegetation structure surrounding the perches. Perches used at edge-open forest sites were farther from the perch tree trunk and neighboring trees, and surrounded by larger trees than in forest interiors. In contrast, perches in forest interiors were surrounded by higher shrub and reef layers and greater canopy, shrub, and reef layer cover, than those at edge-open forests. Overall, perches in forest interiors were in more cluttered settings, containing higher vegetation obstacles than edge-open habitats. In both habitats, vegetation obstacles generally increased in a curvilinear manner when moving horizontally and downward from the perch. However, in forest interiors perches used by bats had significantly lower vegetation obstacles horizontally and downwardly and were less cluttered than randomly selected perches. Overall, our results indicate that R. formosae in forest interiors selectively used perches associated with more open space that allows for more maneuverable sally flights and a longer detection range suitable for its exceptionally low constant frequency calls to explore less cluttered environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidative cyclization of amino alcohols by osmium tetroxide/NMO or tetrapropylammonium perruthenate (TPAP)/NMO was found to provide an N,O‐acetal moiety through the trapping of the resulting iminium ion by the alcohol. These two transformations were demonstrated in the synthesis of indolizidines (–)‐223AB and 3‐epi‐(–)‐223AB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photodissociation of CH[sub 2]Br[sub 2] (DBM), 1,1- and 1,2-C[sub 2]H[sub 4]Br[sub 2] (DBE) at 248 nm was investigated using product translational spectroscopy. The results show that DBM and 1,1-DBE undergo a simple C–Br bond fission with fragments recoiling anisotropically. When the laser energy increased from 10 to 40 mJ/pulse, the nascent products, CH[sub 2]Br and CH[sub 3]CHBr, absorbed an additional photon to produce the secondary Br atom. In contrast, 1,2-DBE dissociates into the triple products Br (fast) + Br (slow) + C[sub 2]H[sub 4] in a concerted reaction. This is confirmed from the measured anisotropy of the products, which indicates that the reaction is completed in a fraction of rotational period. Following an asynchronous concerted reaction, the simulation for the triple products was derived with the P(E[sub t]) distributions coupled by asymmetric angular distributions. The results are discussed in terms of the weakness of the C–Br bond strength in the β-bromoethyl radical that a rapid scission of the second C–Br bond occurred asynchronously with the cleavage of the first C–Br bond along the nσ[sup *] potential energy surface. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this letter, we report the photodissociation of styrene at 193 nm by product translational spectroscopy. The results show that the molecule undergoes predominantly molecular elimination of C[SUB2]H[SUB2] and H[SUB2] with a branching ratio C[SUB2]H[SUB2]/H[SUB7] &ap; 7. In addition, a secondary dissociation channel from the internally excited C[SUB6]H[SUB6] product was identified. Product translational energy distributions)were measured for all reaction channels. The lack of the product anisotropy is consistent with previous investigations that fragment separation occurred after structural rearrangement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we have investigated the photodissociation of 1,1- and 1,2-C[SUB2]F[SUB2]Cl[SUB2] (DCDFE) at 193 nm using product translational spectroscopy. Results show that both molecules undergo the competing dissociation of the C-C1 and the C=C bond ruptures with a branching ratio of approximately 1:~0.3. For 1,1-DCDFE, a slow Cl component was detected in addition to the fast Cl product. In contrast, we observed no slow component for 1,2-DCDFE, but a pair of secondary products Cl+ C[SUB2]F[SUB2] from the internally excited fragment CF=CFCl. From the measured anisotropy and energy disposal of the products, we conclude that upon excitation to the ππ* state, both molecules dissociate primarily on the excited potential energy surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: fibromyalgia; pain neuroscience education EN fibromyalgia pain neuroscience education 1003 1004 2 05/03/23 20230501 NES 230501 We read with interest the systematic review and meta-analysis (SR/MA) by Saracoglu et al regarding the efficacy of adding pain neuroscience education (PNE) to a multimodal treatment in fibromyalgia.[1] Fibromyalgia can cause widespread musculoskeletal pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, cognitive dysfunction, and psychiatric symptoms. Further discussions and analyses of PNE could take a place in revealing the whole picture of fibromyalgia treatment and contribute to helping patients. Comment on: Efficacy of adding pain neuroscience education to a multimodal treatment in fibromyalgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. [Extracted from the article]

Baby boomers in Taiwan benefit from better health, economic conditions, and education in comparison to older generations. The participants in this study were older adult learners from the baby boom generation. This study aimed to examine their retirement decisions, adaptation, and learning processes. A qualitative research approach was employed in this study. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews. Thirty-one individuals, consisting of 15 men and 16 women aged 55–68 years, were interviewed. The research results showed that the interviewees' retirement decisions involved an awareness of retirement timing, and in addition, four approaches to retirement decisions were identified, namely, straightforward decision making, retirement planning, hesitancy, and involuntary retirement. Each decision approach would lead to various losses and gains. The background of baby boomers provided them with high adaptability and the motivation to learn and change. The retirement adaptation process presented goals related to health, learning, and contributions. Learning participation and service learning allowed the interviewed baby boomers to feel joy from learning, forget about their age, and maintain positive attitudes. The results of this study can provide workers engaged in the field of older adult education with a reference for the formulation of policies and projects related to retirement transition and learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well established that random practice compared to blocked practice enhances motor learning. Additionally, while information in the environment may be incidental, learning is also enhanced when an individual performs a task within the same environmental context in which the task was originally practiced. This study aimed to disentangle the effects of practice schedule and incidental/environmental context on motor learning. Participants practiced three finger sequences under either a random or blocked practice schedule. Each sequence was associated with specific incidental context (i.e., color and location on the computer screen) during practice. The participants were tested under the conditions when the sequence-context associations remained the same or were changed from that of practice. When the sequence-context association was changed, the participants who practiced under blocked schedule demonstrated greater performance decrement than those who practiced under random schedule. The findings suggested that those participants who practiced under random schedule were more resistant to the change of environmental context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article present study assigned patients with migraine to quarterly fremanezumab (QF), monthly fremanezumab (MF), or placebo. Topic include analysis revealed that treatment strategies may affect effects of fremanezumab on migraine; and dose of fremanezumab may have better outcomes in preventing migraine though all treatment strategies of fremanezumab are guaranteed to be effective migraine managements.

Abstract The quality of YAG:Ce phosphors will influence the luminescent performance of white LEDs devices. Therefore, in this study, we attempted to synthesis high quality YAG:Ce phosphors using coprecipitation method. YAG:Ce precursors were synthesized through coprecipitation at different rotational speeds of an electromagnetic stirrer and then heated at different calcination temperatures ranging from 900 to 1300 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that phase-pure phosphors could be obtained from the precursors synthesized at 400 rpm and then calcined at 1300 °C. The emission intensity of Ce-doped YAG phosphor increased with the calcination temperature, owing to the higher crystallinity of the YAG phase. Moreover, at the same calcination temperature from 900 to 1300 °C, the maximum fluorescence intensity at approximately 540 nm of the YAG:Ce nanopowders synthesized at 400 rpm increased three to five times that of the YAG:Ce nanopowders synthesized at 200 rpm. The optimal luminescence performance of the YAG:Ce nanopowders was obtained at 400 rpm and at a calcination temperature of 1300 °C. The results of luminescence performance indicated YAG:Ce nanopowders has a great potential for development of white LEDs devices. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image Highlights • YAG:Ce nano-powders were prepared using coprecipitation. • Photo-luminescent spectra of YAG:Ce was analyzed by a fluorescent spectrophotometer. • Effect of heat temperature on fluorescent intensity was discussed. • Fluorescent intensity of YAG:Ce affected by electromagnetics stirrer's rotational speed was validated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Taiwan, there are service learning programs organized by older adult educational institutions that are held in high esteem. Director leadership plays a key role in the effectiveness of such institutions, and the leadership experiences of such directors in guiding service learning are worth exploring. This study conducted a qualitative approach and selected directors from eight Active Aging Learning Centers (AALCs) who achieved outstanding leadership effectiveness to take part in one-on-one and in-depth semi-structured interviews. The results indicated that: 1. Directors infused the entire service learning process with inspirational motivation by adopting through individualized consideration as a starting point. 2. When directors led the preparation process for service learning, they focused on inducing intellectual stimulation among the older adult learners, such that they felt empowered and capable of providing community services. 3. During the community service phase, directors practiced a form of leadership characterized by idealized influence to encourage, accompany, and support the elderly while they engaged in service learning. 4. The dilemma faced by directors was dissatisfaction with the leadership. Directors responded by reminding them of their original service learning intention and downplaying issues, which made the service learning group undergo a positive transformation. 5. The results of directors' leadership had a positive effect on the community as it led to more dynamism and more people participating in community service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major challenges in treating malignant tumors are transport of therapeutic agents to hypoxic regions and real-time assessment of successful drug release via medical imaging modalities. In this study, we propose the use of macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) as carriers of drug-loaded phase-change droplets to penetrate ischemic or hypoxic regions within tumors. The droplets consist of perfluoropentane, lipid and the chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX, DOX-droplets). The efficiency of DOX-droplet uptake, migration mobility and viability of DOX-droplet-loaded macrophages (DLMs) were measured using a transmembrane cell migration assay, the alamarBlue assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Our results indicate the feasibility of utilizing macrophages as DOX-droplet carriers (DOX payload of DOX-droplets: 459.3 ± 35.8 µg/mL, efficiency of cell uptake DOX-droplets: 88.8 ± 3.5%). The migration mobility (total number of migrated microphages) of DLMs decreased to 32.3% compared with that of healthy macrophages, but the DLMs provided contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging (1.7-fold enhancement) and anti-tumor effect (70.9% cell viability) after acoustic droplet vaporization, suggesting the potential theranostic applications of DLMs. Future work will assess the tumor penetration ability of DLMs, mechanical effect of droplet vaporization on in vivo anti-tumor therapy and the release of the carried drug by ultrasound-triggered vaporization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Euryhaline medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos were used as a model to test the toxicity of silver toward osmoregulation in fish. • The toxicity of silver nitrate to medaka embryos was higher in fresh water than in seawater. • Silver nitrate impaired the hypo-osmoregulatory ability and elevated the mortality of embryos that were transferred from fresh water to seawater. • A FITC-dextran-based method was used to analyze the water-drinking behavior of embryos. • After seawater transfer, ionocytes and the water-drinking behavior were severely impaired, resulting in dehydration and sodium overload. The widespread use of silver in nanomaterials has led to increases in environmental contamination, which poses a threat to aquatic animals. Euryhaline fish, which live in environments with fluctuating salinity levels, have strong osmotic regulatory abilities to cope with such changes. This study attempted to investigate how silver affects the osmoregulatory capabilities of euryhaline fish, using medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryos as a model. The embryos were exposed to AgNO 3 for 7 d in either fresh water (FW) or seawater (SW), and their mortality, heart rate, morphology, and ionocytes were examined. Results showed that the toxicity of AgNO 3 was higher in FW than in SW (50% lethal concentrations (LC 50) were 0.17 vs. 1.01 ppm). Although AgNO 3 (0.05 and 0.1 ppm) did not significantly change the morphology of embryos, it impaired ionocytes and elevated heart rates in FW. While, AgNO 3 (0.1 and 0.5 ppm) did not affect the morphology, ionocytes, or heart rate in SW, it impaired the hypo-osmoregulatory capability and elevated the mortality of embryos that were transferred from FW to SW. At 12 h after SW transfer, ionocytes were severely impaired, and water-drinking behavior was suppressed, resulting in body dehydration and sodium overload. In contrast, AgNO 3 did not elevate the mortality of embryos that were transferred from SW to FW. To sum up, the presence of silver in FW during the developmental stage of euryhaline fish could potentially endanger their survival during SW adaptation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to examine the effects of binaural beat music (BBM) on sleep quality, heart rate variability, and depression in older people with poor sleep quality in a long‐term care institution. Methods: A single‐blind randomized controlled trial design was employed, and 64 older participants with poor sleep quality were recruited from a long‐term care institution in Taiwan. Participants were randomized into the BBM group or control group and received 14 days of intervention. During the intervention period, participants in the experimental group listened to 20 min of Taiwanese Hokkien oldies embedded with BBM once in the morning and afternoon three times a week. Participants in the control group only listened to Taiwanese Hokkien oldies. Questionnaires and heart rate variability analysis were used to assess participants' sleep quality, heart rate variability, and depressive symptoms. Results: Significant improvements were observed in sleep quality, along with an increase in heart rate variability means of heart rate and normal sinus beats, and a decrease in low‐frequency normalized units and depression severity in the BBM group after the intervention. In the control group, effects on sleep quality were inconsistent, heart rate variability showed significant improvements in some autonomic nervous function regulation, and depression severity was significantly decreased. Furthermore, the BBM group showed a significant improvement in sleep quality and a significant reduction in sympathetic nervous activity compared with the control group. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that 14 days of BBM intervention, a non‐invasive intervention, could improve sleep quality and depression in older people with poor sleep quality in long‐term care institutions. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 297–304. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a vital issue waiting to be solved in the feline population. The efficacy of probiotics to prevent/alleviate CKD has been widely investigated in animal models. This pilot study combined a renal-protective functional Lactobacillus mixture (Lm) with pet feed as probiotic pet treats. CKD cats (stages 2 and 3) showed that kidney function and life quality were improved through modifying the composition of gut microbiota and metabolic patterns after administrating Lm pet treats daily for 8 weeks. This study clarified the possible mechanism of Lm in CKD cats and provided a possible novel way to treat cats with probiotics. Microbiota-based strategies are a novel auxiliary therapeutic and preventative way of moderating chronic kidney disease (CKD). Lactobacillus mixture (Lm) was previously demonstrated to exert a renal-protective function in the CKD mice model. The efficacy of probiotics in pet foods is a relatively new area of study, and thus verifying the potential health benefits is necessary. This study evaluated the efficacy of Lm treats in feline CKD and elucidated the mechanisms underlying host-microbe interactions. CKD cats (2 and 3 stages) were administrated probiotic pet treats daily (10 g) for 8 weeks. The results demonstrated that during the eight weeks of Lm administration, creatinine was reduced or maintained in all cats with CKD. Similarly, gut-derived uremic toxin (GDUT), indoxyl sulfate (IS), were potential clinical significance in IS after Lm treatment (confidence intervals = 90%). The life quality of the cats also improved. Feline gut microbiome data, metabolic functional pathway, and renal function indicator analyses revealed the possible mechanisms involved in modulating CKD feline microbial composition. Further regulation of the microbial functions in amino acid metabolism after Lm administration contributed to downregulating deleterious GDUTs. The current study provides potential adjuvant therapeutic insights into probiotic pet foods or treats for pets with CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives To determine the magnitude and temporal aspect of the effect of poor dental health and periodontal disease ( PD) on dementia. Design Retrospective cohort study Setting Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Participants Individuals with newly diagnosed PD (N = 182,747) Measurements Participants were followed from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2010. Participants were assigned to dental prophylaxis, intensive periodontal treatment, tooth extraction, or no treatment, according to International Classification of Diseases codes and PD treatment codes. The incidence rate of dementia of the groups was compared. The association between PD and dementia was analyzed using Cox regression, with adjustments for age, sex, monthly income, residential urbanicity, and comorbidities. Results The incidence of dementia was significantly higher in the group with PD that did not receive treatment (0.76% per year) and in the group that had teeth extracted (0.57% per year) than in the group that underwent intensive PD treatment (0.35% per year) and the group that received dental prophylaxis (0.39% per year) ( P < .001). After adjusting for confounders, the Cox proportional hazards model revealed a higher risk of dementia in the group with PD who did not undergo treatment (hazard ratio ( HR) = 1.14, 95% confidence interval ( CI) = 1.04-1.24) and the group that had teeth extracted ( HR = 1.10, 95% CI = 1.04-1.16) than in the group that received dental prophylaxis. Conclusion Subjects who had more severe PD or did not receive periodontal treatment were at greater risk of developing dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To examine the associations among quality of work life, nurses' intention to leave the profession, and nurses leaving the profession. Design A prospective study design was used. Methods Participants were 1,283 hospital nurses with a purposive sampling in Taiwan. The self-reported questionnaire consisted of three questionnaires: the Chinese version of the Quality of Nursing Work Life scale, an intention-to-leave profession questionnaire, and a demographic questionnaire. Records of nurses leaving the profession were surveyed 1 year later. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Findings As many as 720 nurses (56.1%) had tendencies to leave their profession. However, only 31 nurses (2.5%) left their profession 1 year later. Nurses' intention to leave the profession mediated the relationship between the milieu of respect and autonomy, quality of work life, and nurses leaving the profession. Conclusions The milieu of respect and autonomy describing the quality of work life predicts the nurses' intention to leave the profession, and together these predict nurses leaving the profession. Clinical Relevance This study illustrates that nurse managers could provide effective interventions to ameliorate the milieu of respect and autonomy aspect of quality of work life to prevent nurses from leaving their profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In contrast with previous research focusing on cochlear implants, this study examined the speech performance of hearing aid users with conductive (n = 11), mixed (n = 10), and sensorineural hearing loss (n = 7) and compared it with the speech of hearing control. Speech intelligibility was evaluated by computing the vowel space area defined by the Mandarin Chinese corner vowels /a, u, i/. The acoustic differences between the vowels were assessed using the Euclidean distance. The results revealed that both the conductive and mixed hearing loss groups exhibited a reduced vowel working space, but no significant difference was found between the sensorineural hearing loss and normal hearing groups. An analysis using the Euclidean distance further showed that the compression of vowel space area in conductive hearing loss can be attributed to the substantial lowering of the second formant of /i/. The differences in vowel production between groups are discussed in terms of the occlusion effect and the signal transmission media of various hearing devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]