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Emergency medical services (EMS) clinicians are tasked with early fluid resuscitation for patients with sepsis. Traditional methods for prehospital fluid delivery are limited in speed and ease-of-use. We conducted a comparative effectiveness study of a novel rapid infusion device for prehospital fluid delivery in suspected sepsis patients. This pre-post observational study evaluated a hand-operated, rapid infusion device in a single large EMS system from July 2021-July 2022. Prior to device deployment, EMS clinicians completed didactic and simulation-based device training. Data were extracted from the EMS electronic health record. Eligible patients included adults with suspected sepsis treated by EMS with intravenous fluids. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients receiving goal fluid volume (at least 500 mL) prior to hospital arrival. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, disposition, and length of stay. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare outcomes between 6-month pre- and post-implementation periods (July-December 2021 and February-July 2022, respectively), adjusting for patient demographics, abnormal prehospital vital signs, and EMS transport interval. Of 1,180 eligible patients (552 in the pre-implementation period; 628 in the post-implementation period), the mean age was 72 years old, 45% were female, and 25% were minority race-ethnicity. Median (interquartile range) fluid volume (in mL) increased between the pre- and post-implementation periods (600 [400,1,000] and 850 [500–1,000], respectively). Goal fluid volume was achieved in 70% of pre-implementation patients and 82% of post-implementation patients. In adjusted analysis, post-implementation patients were significantly more likely to receive goal fluid volume than pre-implementation patients (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.00, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.51–2.66). Pre-post in-hospital mortality was not significantly different (aOR 0.91, 95% CI 0.59–1.39). In a single EMS system, sepsis education and introduction of a rapid infusion device was associated with achieving goal fluid volume for suspected sepsis. Further research is needed to assess the clinical effectiveness of infusion device implementation to improve sepsis patient outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The comfort of apparel is not only a feeling of perception but also a tangible measure. The fit and fabric of clothing can exert a perception of comfort for the wearer, whereas actual comfort largely depends on physiological and emotional soothing. However, there is still no solid work on connecting the bridge between physiological and emotional feelings to the comfort of clothing. In this study, we have conceptualized, formulated and proven the relation between physiological and emotional parameters with clothing fit and fabric to find the true comfort of the wearer. Design/methodology/approach: A mixed-method research design using physiological and emotional parameters for different fabric and fit combinations were used for this study. The physiological comfort parameters (i.e. heart rate and respiration rate) are extracted from the subjects using gold-standard clinical devices for various fit and fabric combinations. For the emotional response, a survey was conducted for the same subjects wearing all the fit and fabric combinations. Statistical analysis and modeling were performed to obtain the results. Findings: Physiological indicators such as heart rate are closely linked with user comfort. Due to the limitations in environmental control, the physiological changes obtained did not significantly vary for different fabric and fit combinations of the clothing. However, a significant change in emotional response indicated a definite relationship between different fabric and fit types. Based on the participants' responses, weather conditions, size of the clothing item, types of fabrics and style also influence the participants' choice of clothing. Originality/value: The research was conducted to discover the relation between true comfort (physiological and emotional parameters) and clothing (fit and fabric), which is unique to the field. This study closes the gap and builds up the relationship, which can help introduce clothing comfort to users in the future. The findings of this study help us understand how fabric types (natural or synthetic) and clothing fit types (loose or fitted) can affect physiological and emotional responses, which can provide the consumer with satisfactory clothing with the suitable properties needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Spor Hekimligi Dergisi/Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine is the property of Turkish Journal of Sports Medicine / Spor Hekimleri Dernegi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose: Despite the importance of measuring delirium severity in patients with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD), no validated instrument currently exists. Our goal was to generate items for use in such an instrument. Method: An interdisciplinary expert panel developed items to assess seven domains and 21 subdomains of delirium severity. Nursing experts provided input on items. Results: Experts achieved consensus on 21 items, including best respondents for each item, and appropriate look-back periods. Nursing experts emphasized the need for educating nursing staff and obtaining information from caregivers. Conclusion: Careful, nuanced identification of distinguishing features is key for generating items for measuring delirium severity in persons with ADRD. Once developed, engaging nurses will be essential to facilitate adoption and relevance of the tool. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(9), 24–30.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To assess changes following the 2013–21 Home Care Package (HCP) reforms in the rate of HCPs provided to Australians aged 65 years or older, the characteristics of people who have received HCPs, and the capacity of the program to meet demand for its services during 2018–21. Study design: Repeated cross‐sectional population‐based study; analysis of Australian Institute of Health and Welfare GEN Aged Care and Australian Department of Health Home Care Packages program data. Setting, participants: HCPs provided to non‐Indigenous Australians aged 65 years or older, 2008–09 to 2020–21. Main outcome measures: Changes in age‐ and sex‐standardised HCP rates (number per 1000 older people) and changes in proportions of recipients for selected characteristics, 2013–14 to 2020–21, overall and by care level; correspondence of proportional HCP supply and demand, 2018–19 to 2020–21, by care level. Results: A total of 490 276 HCPs were provided during 2008–21. The age‐ and sex‐standardised HCP rate rose from 9.23 per 1000 people aged 65 years or more in 2013–14 to 16.4 per 1000 older people in 2020–21. The increases in age‐ and sex‐standardised HCP rate between 2013–14 and 2020–21 were greatest for level 1 (from 0.19 to 5.05 per 1000 older people) and level 3 HCPs (from 0.35 to 3.62 per 1000 older people); the rate for level 2 HCPs declined from 6.75 to 5.82 per 1000 older people, and that for level 4 HCPs did not change. The proportion of culturally and linguistically diverse recipients rose from 10.8% to 16.2%; the overall proportion of recipients living outside major cities rose slightly, from 28.1% to 28.7%, but declined for higher care level HCPs (level 3: from 30.8% to 27.8%; level 4: from 29.6% to 25.2%). During 2018–19 to 2020–21, the proportions of lower level (1 and 2) HCPs generally exceeded demand, while the supply of higher level (3 and 4) HCPs generally fell short of demand. Conclusions: Despite the increased overall availability of HCPs, the supply of higher care level HCPs is still lower than the demand, probably contributing to suboptimal support for the ageing‐in‐place preferences of older Australians, especially in regional and remote areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undernutrition is a confront to the health and output of the populace. It is viewed as one of the five leading contrary health impacts of climate variability and is defined as different measures of nutritional status. We aimed to assess the scientific evidence base for the impact of climate variability on childhood undernutrition (particularly wasting and underweight) in low- and middle-income countries. A systematic review was conducted to identify the peer-reviewed and gray full-text studies in English with no limits for the year of publication and study design. This review covers only published studies from four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct). The risk of bias was assessed using the ROVBIS tool in individual studies. The PRISMA Statement checklist for systematic reviews was referred for this review process. A significant correlation between climate variables, temperature, rainfall, and drought, and at least one undernutrition parameter in 19 out of 22 studies was observed in this systematic review. In addition, we note that crop yield, maternal education, nutritional status of mothers, wealth status at the household level, and individual levels also play substantial roles in mediating the nutritional impacts. The findings of our analysis imply that exposure to climate variables may be linked to an increased risk of undernutrition both during and for several years following climate events. This may imply that undernutrition is never caused by temperature, precipitation, drought, or other weather-related factors alone but rather that undernutrition is triggered in children who are already at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents an empirical study on a new training program for the professional development of school inspectors and principals. The international literature reviews show that training based on the learning of managerial skills has limits. Another approach to training based on professional difficulties experienced and on authentic practice is necessary for school inspectors and principals. The study explores the effects of the training program "NeopassCadres" on the professional development of inspectors and school principals. A qualitative research design elaborated from a practice perspective and based on self‐confrontation interviews with inspectors and school principals who participated in the program "NeopassCadres". The results show the impact of the activity analysis on the professional development of inspectors and principals. The activity analysis is an opportunity to describe professional actions and difficulties, share experiences between peers, engage in professional debates on generic problems, identify progress in the practice, and assess the effectiveness of new actions. The study focuses on a case study in France. The number of participants is low; the results must therefore be supplemented by new studies on the impact of activity analysis on the professional development of inspectors and principals. The study contributes to the evolution of training for novice inspectors and novice school principals. The main contribution concerns the understanding of the process of professional development, linking it with individual and collective activity analysis. The other contribution relates to the evolution of the trainers' posture during viewing and analysis of videos. The study provides knowledge about training based on analyzing the "non‐visible" dimensions of actors' activity at work. The activity analysis method helps inspectors and school principals evoke difficulties, motives, intentions, and emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burgeoning field of photocatalytic reduction of CO2 has emerged as a remarkable promising solution to address some of the most pressing global energy and environmental issues which we face today. Researchers around the global have been striving to augment the efficiency of CO2 photocatalytic reduction, employing strategies that range from modifying the fundamental properties of photocatalysts to suppress the electron-hole recombination, optimizing reaction conditions to achieve the highest yield, and conceptualizing and constructing photoreactors to improve the adsorption process. Among these factors, the photoreactor plays a critical role in enhancing the overall photocatalytic efficiency. Understanding the various types of photoreactors and their operational dynamic can significantly influence the experimental design, thus guiding the data collecting and analysis. Compared to the solid-liquid phase, gas-solid phase photocatalytic reduction of CO2 is gaining recognition for its potential advantages, such as rapid molecular diffusion rates, adjustable CO2 concentrations, and uniform and sufficient light exposure. Nonetheless, the currently reported gas-solid phase photoreactors are still in their infancy. In this review, we dissect the underlying mechanism of photocatalytic CO2 reduction and the performance evaluation criteria of photoreactors, and review the development process of gas-solid phase photoreactors. Furthermore, we explore the evolution of gas-solid phase photoreactors, elucidating their growth trajectory and future possibilities. We present a comprehensive classification of gas-solid phase photoreactors, offering a new insight into their design and functionality, summarizing their strengths and inevitable limitations. Finally, we provide a forward-looking perspective on the future developmental prospects of carbon neutrality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rape survivors face stigma when disclosing their experiences. We hypothesized that a rape survivor who formally reports their rape would experience more stigma than one who does not, and that this effect will be stronger when the perceiver is a man or low in support for sexual consent. Across two studies using self-report, observational, and psychophysiological measures, we found that a reporting survivor was seen more negatively than an identical survivor who did not report their rape. Men and those low in support for sexual consent also responded more negatively to the survivor. Implications of these findings are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

This paper explores and presents the importance and application of the Design of Experiments (DOE) method in scientific and industrial research. It analysed the theoretical foundations of the method in detail and then illustrated concrete examples as well as benefits of its use in an automotive environment. The introduction outlined the key principles and objectives of the DOE method, including optimisation of experimental processes and minimisation of variability of results. The publication focused on the significant impact of this method in improving the efficiency of experiments and achieving reliable and reproducible results. The practical part of the paper presented concrete examples of the application of the DOE method in the automotive industry. Through this case study, it was highlighted how the DOE method enables the systematic investigation of the influence of different factors on experimental results, leading to a better understanding of the phenomena under investigation and an increase in process efficiency. Emphasis was also placed on the practical aspects of using the DOE method, including the design of experimental plans and the analysis of the data obtained. The case study outlined the challenges and benefits that can arise when implementing this method and presents new perspectives for future research in statistical experimental analysis. Overall, this research paper can be considered an important resource for researchers and practitioners seeking effective methods for planning and conducting experiments to achieve significant research results in various disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exoskeleton robots are a promising solution to reduce musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in different work environments, but a specific usability scale for evaluating them is lacking. This study aimed to develop and verify a preliminary Exoskeleton Usability Questionnaire (EUQ) for the lower limb exoskeletons by creating a draft survey questionnaire from existing questions in prior studies. An experiment was conducted with 20 participants who performed a specific task while wearing three lower limb robots and provided subjective feedback using the developed questionnaire. Data were analysed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), resulting in a usability evaluation questionnaire for exoskeleton robots clustered into four main factors: mobility, adjustability, handling and safety. This study's findings are expected to be useful in evaluating the usability of the lower limb exoskeletons in both general production sites and agricultural work, which can aid in reducing the prevalence of lower limb MSDs. Practitioner Summary: This study developed a preliminary subjective usability evaluation questionnaire for exoskeleton robots. The questionnaire is clustered into four main factors: mobility, adjustability, handling and safety. These findings provide a valuable tool for assessing exoskeleton usability, potentially reducing musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in various work environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optimal conditions for polyphenols extraction from plants are moderate conditions and being water‐based is mandatory. In this work, a response surface methodology (RSM) was used to attain optimal conditions for polyphenols extraction from yerba mate (YM, South‐America infusion) using water as solvent under ultrasound (US). The following parameters were varied: mass of YM/volume of water (YM/W), pH, temperature, and time. The optimal conditions were 90°C with a YM/W of 150 g L−1 for 5 min, at which the highest total polyphenol content (TPC) concentration (11,300 mg GAE L−1) was found, together with an antioxidant activity of 132 mmol Trolox equivalent (TE) L−1 of extract. The conditions obtained from the RSM method were applied to other methods as follows: extraction without stirring, magnetic stirring assisted extraction and US with magnetic stirring assisted extraction. Results indicated that the US‐assisted extraction was the most efficient for extracting polyphenols under these conditions. This study helps to developing an eco‐friendly and cost‐effective experimental design, reducing the production of wastes, and using a very fast water‐based method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the optimization of solid-liquid extraction of lipase from pequi shell using response surface methodology (RSM) as a statistical tool to determine the best conditions (time and extraction solution pH) for obtaining an extract with higher lipolytic activity (U/mg). A significant effect of extraction time and pH of the medium on the response variable was observed, with a maximum activity of ≈ 189.55 U/mg under the optimized conditions. The extract was characterized for maximum efficiency of hydrolysis reaction (EHRmax) and stability as a function of pH (4–10) and temperature (30–80 °C). EHRmax (3911.18 ± 28.28 U/mg) was observed at pH 5 and 60 °C, and the enzyme stability (relative activity ≥ 60%) was observed in the pH 5–7 range up to 180 min. Therefore, the experimental design used for the extraction was efficient, and the model found by the response surface represented the empirical values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Haemodialysis units are now managing an increasing number of patients with varying needs and levels of acuity. To maintain safety, haemodialysis patients must be placed in the most appropriate dialysis unit that has the required human and physical resources to care for them. The first step towards achieving these goals is to develop a tool specific to haemodialysis units to effectively measure patient acuity. Objective: To develop a haemodialysis acuity tool, utilising a focus group approach, in assessing patient's suitability for a specific dialysis location thus ensuring patient safety. Design: This is a cross‐sectional qualitative study via a focus group approach. Participants: Participants were nurse unit managers and team leaders of a District Renal Service. Approach: Participants were interviewed to explore their views on the elements and measures identified in the research aims. Themes for interviews were informed by current literature on acuity tools for haemodialysis patients' admission to the dialysis units. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and progressively analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: Ten nurse unit managers/team leaders (100%) were interviewed and thematic analysis of the transcripts was conducted utilising the deductive approach. Five themes were identified which will form the main categories in the development of the tool, namely: Age/frailty; co‐morbidity; physical; dialysis; and psychosocial. Conclusion: This study is instrumental in the development of the haemodialysis acuity tool which can be used in allocating dialysis location specific to patient's needs and available resources. The tool can also be used in analysing patient care processes and resource requirements based on the patients' and unit's profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. The COVID-19 pandemic, remote work and new technologies have heightened workplace pressures. Effective response and essential organizational changes require business leaders to be more adaptable, with managers' presence playing a pivotal role in successful implementation. The study assesses a brief mindfulness-based emotional regulation for managers (MBERM) intervention, to reduce workplace stress and enhance managerial well-being. Methods. An 8-week non-randomized controlled trial was conducted with a waiting list control group and an intervention group. Pre–post differences were measured by Student's t test or Wilcoxon test, and effect size calculated using the Hedge's g formula. The sample included 23 managers (17 men and six women) with average age 50 years. The study assessed anxiety and depressive symptoms, psychological flexibility, perceived self-efficacy, general work-related well-being, perceived stress and mindfulness. Results. Statistically significant changes were observed in the intervention group in depression, anxiety, work-related acceptance and action, general self-efficacy, exhaustion, alienation, stress and non-reactivity. The control group showed no statistically significant changes in any of the variables. Conclusion. The MBERM intervention could improve the emotional and work-related well-being of managers and reduce stress levels and burnout. Further study of this intervention is needed to promote adherence and ensure a long-term improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Currently, numerous studies have focused on testing or modeling to evaluate the safe service life of thermal protective clothing after thermal aging, reducing the risk to occupational personnel. However, testing will render the garment unsuitable for subsequent use and a series of input parameters for modeling are not readily available. In this study, a novel image recognition strategy was proposed to discriminate the mechanical strength of thermal protective fabric after thermal aging based on transfer learning. Methods. Data augmentation was used to overcome the shortcoming of insufficient training samples. Four pre-trained models were used to explore their performance in three sample classification modes. Results. The experimental results show that the VGG-19 model achieves the best performance in the three-classification mode (accuracy = 91%). The model was more accurate in identifying fabric samples in the early and late stages of strength decline. For fabric samples in the middle stage of strength decline, the three-classification mode was better than the four-classification and six-classification modes. Conclusions. The findings provide novel insights into the image-based mechanical strength evaluation of thermal protective fabrics after aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. This study aimed to investigate the effects of separate and concurrent exposure to occupational noise and hand-transmitted vibration (HTV) on auditory and cognitive attention. Methods. The experimental study was conducted with 40 construction workers who were exposed to noise (A-weighted equivalent sound pressure level of 90 dB) and to HTV (10 m/s2 at 31.5 Hz), and concurrent exposure to both for 30 min under simulated work with vibrating equipment used in construction. Cognitive performance aspects were then evaluated from each individual in two pre-exposure and post-exposure settings for each session. Results. The effect sizes of concurrent exposure (HTV + noise) and separate exposure to noise on auditory attention were very close (effect size = 0.648 and 0.626). The largest changes in the difference of response time in both types of attention (selective and divided attention) were related to the concurrent exposure scenario and then exposure to HTV, respectively. The highest effects for the correct response of selective and divided attention are related to concurrent exposure (HTV + noise) and then noise exposure, respectively. Conclusion. The HTV effect during concurrent exposure is hidden in auditory attention, and noise has the main effects. The divided attention was more affected than the selective attention in the different scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Warfarin dosing remains challenging due to substantial inter‐individual variability, which can lead to unsafe or ineffective therapy with standard dosing. Model‐informed precision dosing (MIPD) can help individualize warfarin dosing, requiring the selection of a suitable model. For models developed from clinical data, the dependence on the study design and population raises questions about generalizability. Quantitative system pharmacology (QSP) models promise better extrapolation abilities; however, their complexity and lack of validation on clinical data raise questions about applicability in MIPD. We have previously derived a mechanistic warfarin/international normalized ratio (INR) model from a blood coagulation QSP model. In this article, we evaluated the predictive performance of the warfarin/INR model in the context of MIPD using an external dataset with INR data from patients starting warfarin treatment. We assessed the accuracy and precision of model predictions, benchmarked against an empirically based reference model. Additionally, we evaluated covariate contributions and assessed the predictive performance separately in the more challenging outpatient data. The warfarin/INR model performed comparably to the reference model across various measures despite not being calibrated with warfarin initiation data. Including CYP2C9 and/or VKORC1 genotypes as covariates improved the prediction quality of the warfarin/INR model, even after assimilating 4 days of INR data. The outpatient INR exhibited higher unexplained variability, and predictions slightly exceeded observed values, suggesting that model adjustments might be necessary when transitioning from an inpatient to an outpatient setting. Overall, this research underscores the potential of QSP‐derived models for MIPD, offering a complementary approach to empirical model development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Model‐informed drug development (MIDD) is a powerful quantitative approach that plays an integral role in drug development and regulatory review. While applied throughout the life cycle of the development of new drugs, a key application of MIDD is to inform clinical trial design including dose selection and optimization. To date, physiologically‐based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling, an established component of the MIDD toolkit, has mainly been used for assessment of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) and consequential dose adjustments in regulatory submissions. As a result of recent scientific advances and growing confidence in the utility of the approach, PBPK models are being increasingly applied to provide dose recommendations for subjects with differing ages, genetics, and disease states. In this review, we present our perspective on the current landscape of regulatory acceptance of PBPK applications supported by relevant case studies. We also discuss the recent progress and future challenges associated with expanding the utility of PBPK models into emerging areas for regulatory decision making, especially dose optimization in highly vulnerable and understudied populations and facilitating diversity in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple clinician adjustable parameters impact upon glycemia in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) using Medtronic Mini Med 780G (MM780G) AHCL. These include glucose targets, carbohydrate ratios (CR), and active insulin time (AIT). Algorithm-based decision support advising upon potential settings adjustments may enhance clinical decision-making. Methods: Single-arm, two-phase exploratory study developing decision support to commence and sustain AHCL. Participants commenced investigational MM780G, then 8 weeks Phase 1-initial optimization tool evaluation, involving algorithm-based decision support with weekly AIT and CR recommendations. Clinicians approved or rejected CR and AIT recommendations based on perceived safety per protocol. Co-design resulted in a refined algorithm evaluated in a further identically configured Phase 2. Phase 2 participants also transitioned to commercial MM780G following "Quick Start" (algorithm-derived tool determining initial AHCL settings using daily insulin dose and weight). We assessed efficacy, safety, and acceptability of decision support using glycemic metrics, and the proportion of accepted CR and AIT settings per phase. Results: Fifty three participants commenced Phase 1 (mean age 24.4; Hba1c 61.5mmol/7.7%). The proportion of CR and AIT accepted by clinicians increased between Phases 1 and 2 respectively: CR 89.2% vs. 98.6%, p < 0.01; AIT 95.2% vs. 99.3%, p < 0.01. Between Phases, mean glucose percentage time < 3.9mmol (< 70mg/dl) reduced (2.1% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.04); change in mean TIR 3.9-10mmol/L (70-180mg/dl) was not statistically significant: 72.9% ± 7.8 and 73.5% ± 8.6. Quick start resulted in stable TIR, and glycemic metrics compared to international guidelines. Conclusion: The co-designed decision support tools were able to deliver safe and effective therapy. They can potentially reduce the burden of diabetes management related decision making for both health care practitioners and patients. Trial registration: Prospectively registered with Australia/New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry(ANZCTR) on 30th March 2021 as study ACTRN12621000360819. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a sexual development education programme designed for the mothers of primary school pupils in Türkiye. The programme’s impact on participants’ perceptions of sex education was evaluated using a 2 × 2 experimental design. Thirty participants, all mothers of primary school students, were assigned to either the experimental or control group. Data collection tools included a Personal Information Form, an Opinion Questionnaire on Sex Education, and the Sex Education Programme Knowledge Test (SEPKT). The experimental group participated in an 8-week Sexual Development Education Programme. Pre-test analysis revealed no significant differences between the experimental and control groups; however, post-test analysis indicated a significant improvement in SEPKT scores for the experimental group compared to the control group. Post-test results also showed that participating mothers held more positive views about sexual development education compared to their pre-programme perspectives. This research contributes to understanding the impact of targeted interventions in sex and sexuality education. The findings underscore the importance of providing comprehensive sex education programmes with targeted interventions for parents in Türkiye, which can positively influence their ability to communicate and provide appropriate education to their children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neodymium magnet waste recycling and precious metal recovery have drawn a lot of researchers' attention because of their vital role in contemporary technology. In this work, the potential of citric acid for the leaching of neodymium from hard disk drive waste magnets has been examined using statistical approaches like full factorial design(FFD) and central composite design (CCD).The variables have been screened and conditions are optimized to obtain higher leaching. The polynomial quadratic Model proves effective to predict optimized conditions for neodymium leaching. Leachant concentration and temperature were screened as the most effective factors. Optimization conditions for the leaching process were achieved through central composite design, revealing that 2 mol/L citric acid and a temperature of 333 K provide the ideal conditions for the complete dissolution of neodymium. This extensive study contributes to sustainable materials management and resource conservation by illuminating the effective recovery of important metals from neodymium magnets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBiomarker enrichment clinical trial designs are versatile tools to assess the treatment effect and increase the efficiency of clinical trials. In this paper, we propose a two-stage enrichment clinical trial design with survival outcomes, and consider the situation where the biomarker assay and classification are possibly subject to errors. Specifically, the first stage is a randomized design, stratified by the biomarker appeared status. Depending on the result of the interim analysis and a pre-specified futility criterion, the second stage can be either enriched with only the biomarker appeared positive patients, or remain as the stratified design with both biomarker appeared positive and biomarker appeared negative patients. Compared to continuous and binary outcomes, test statistics to account for biomarker misclassification are much more complicated and require special care. We develop log-rank statistics for the interim and final analyses, with an adjustment for the sensitivity and specificity of the biomarker assay. Control of Type I error rate is achieved by considering correlations between adjusted log-rank statistics from the same and/or different stages. R code is developed to calculate critical values, global/marginal power, and sample size. Our method is illustrated with examples of a recently successful development of immunotherapy in non-small-cell lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT This study addresses the complex dynamics of alcohol elimination in the human body, very important in forensic and healthcare areas. Existing models often oversimplify with the assumption of linear elimination kinetics, limiting practical application. This study presents a novel non‐linear model for estimating blood alcohol concentration after multiple intakes. Initially developed for two different alcohol incorporations, it can be straightforwardly extended to the case of more intakes. Emphasising the significance of accurate parameter estimation, the research underscores the importance of precise experimental design, utilising optimal experimental design (OED) methodologies. Sensitivity analysis of model coefficients and the determination of D‐optimal designs, considering correlation structures among observations, reveal a strong linear relationship between support points. This relationship can be used to obtain nearly optimal designs that are highly efficient and much easier to compute. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Dauricine (DAU), a benzyl tetrahydroisoquinoline alkaloid isolated from the root of Menispermum dauricum DC, exhibits promising anti-Alzheimer's disease (AD) effects, but its underlying mechanisms remain inadequately investigated. This paper aims to identify potential targets and molecular mechanisms of DAU in AD treatment. Methods: Network pharmacology and molecular docking simulation method were used to screen and focus core targets. Various transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans models were chosen to validate the anti-AD efficacy and mechanism of DAU. Results: There are 66 potential DAU-AD target intersections identified from 100 DAU and 3036 AD-related targets. Subsequent protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis identified 16 core targets of DAU for anti-AD. PIK3CA, AKT1 and mTOR were predicted to be the central targets with the best connectivity through the analysis of "compound-target-biological process-pathway network". Molecular docking revealed strong binding affinities between DAU and PIK3CA, AKT1, and mTOR. In vivo experiments demonstrated that DAU effectively reduced paralysis in AD nematodes caused by Aβ aggregation toxicity, downregulated expression of PIK3CA, AKT1, and mTOR homologues (age-1, akt-1, let-363), and upregulated expression of autophagy genes and the marker protein LGG-1. Simultaneously, DAU increased lysosomal content and enhanced degradation of the autophagy-related substrate protein P62. Thioflavin T（Th-T）staining experiment revealed that DAU decreased Aβ accumulation in AD nematodes. Further experiments also confirmed DAU's protein scavenging activity in polyglutamine (polyQ) aggregation nematodes. Conclusion: Collectively, the mechanism of DAU against AD may be related to the activation of the autophagy-lysosomal protein clearance pathway, which contributes to the decrease of Aβ aggregation and the restoration of protein homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to assess the stakeholders' engagement in the Brigada Eskwela Program at Norala Central Elementary School. Descriptive-evaluative research design was used among seventy (70) randomly selected respondents composed of school heads, program coordinators, parents, and other stakeholders (community members, LGUs, NGOs) in the participating school. A set of researcher-made survey questionnaires was utilized in data gathering to assess the stakeholders' engagement in the three phases of the Brigada Eskwela Program: PreImplementation, Implementation, and Post-Implementation phase. The main data source of this study was validated by experts and had undergone a reliability test through pilot testing. Frequency, mean, and ANOVA repeated measures were used to analyze the result of the study. Findings revealed that stakeholders' engagement in the Brigada Eskwela Program is at a "very high level' in the pre-implementation and implementation phases. However, in the postimplementation phase, it was only at a "high level". Further, this study claimed that stakeholders' engagement in the three phases of the Brigada Eskwela Program has a significant difference implying that most stakeholders participated during the BEP implementation phase as compared to the pre-implementation and post-implementation phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is broad consensus that listening effort is an important outcome for measuring hearing performance. However, there remains debate on the best ways to measure listening effort. This study sought to measure neural correlates of listening effort using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) in experienced adult hearing aid users. The study evaluated impacts of amplification and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) on cerebral blood oxygenation, with the expectation that easier listening conditions would be associated with less oxygenation in the prefrontal cortex. Thirty experienced adult hearing aid users repeated sentence-final words from low-context Revised Speech Perception in Noise Test sentences. Participants repeated words at a hard SNR (individual SNR-50) or easy SNR (individual SNR-50 + 10 dB), while wearing hearing aids fit to prescriptive targets or without wearing hearing aids. In addition to assessing listening accuracy and subjective listening effort, prefrontal blood oxygenation was measured using fNIRS. As expected, easier listening conditions (i.e., easy SNR, with hearing aids) led to better listening accuracy, lower subjective listening effort, and lower oxygenation across the entire prefrontal cortex compared to harder listening conditions. Listening accuracy and subjective listening effort were also significant predictors of oxygenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Auditory reaction time (ART) and visual reaction time (VRT) are critical for patients with stroke, especially during balance training. According to the research, most patients with stroke are fatigued at sub-maximal levels during their stroke rehabilitation. Sub-maximal physical fatigue may affect ART and VRT and impede stroke rehabilitation. Hence, it is important to study the effect of submaximal physical fatigue on ART and VRT. A pilot study on healthy adults paves the way for further research on stroke rehabilitation. The purpose of this research is to find out if submaximal physical fatigue affects ART and VRT in healthy adults. In addition, this study also determines if ART and VRT recover to baseline after 15 min of rest post-fatigue session. Furthermore, the goal is to determine whether sub-maximal physical fatigue has a greater effect on ART or VRT. Methods: A repeated measures within-subject design was used in the study. Eighteen healthy participants (median age 24 years) completed two sessions of a sub-maximal fatigue protocol on a cycle ergometer until they reached a rating of perceived exertion (RPE) of 15 on a scale of 6–20. Two different fatigue sessions were conducted (one to study the effects of fatigue on ART and the other for VRT). ART or VRT was measured on computer software before (PRE), immediately after (POST-0), and 15 min after (POST-15) the sub-maximal physical fatigue protocol. Results: The value of median ART increased significantly from PRE to POST-0 (P = 0.002) and it decreased significantly at POST-15 (P = 0.010). Similarly, the value of mean VRT increased from PRE to POST-0 (P = 0.001) before decreasing significantly at POST-15 (P = 0.001). There was no significant difference between the effects of submaximal fatigue on ART and VRT (P = 0.156). Conclusion: Due to submaximal physical fatigue, ART and VRT were slower, but they returned to baseline after 15 min of rest. Submaximal physical fatigue had an equal impact on ART and VRT. As balance training requires quicker ART and VRT for optimal outcomes, it may be better if the physiotherapists consider a 15-min rest period between the exercise and balance training in patients with stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) as a chronic disease requires treatment adherence such as controlling the blood glucose level and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The present study aimed to develop and psychometrically evaluate a questionnaire based on the Pender's Health Promotion Model (HPM) to measure treatment adherence and the associated factors among T2D patients. Methods: The present study was conducted in qualitative and the quantitative phases between March 2022 and March 2023. The participants were T2D patients visiting Shahid Mohammadi hospital Diabetes Clinic in Bandar Abbas in the south of Iran. The first draft of items was extracted from the qualitative phase. The present study used interviews with T2D patients, item construction, validity and reliability evaluation of the instrument, and the relevant statistical analyses. It emphasized the significance of content, face, and construct validity, along with reliability testing using Cronbach's alpha and test-retest method. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, V16 and AMOS, V23. Results: A 97-item questionnaire was developed through the qualitative phase and, after content validity, it was reduced to 86 items. Five items were removed in face validation, and after the test-retest method, 79 items were retained. The confirmatory factors analysis confirmed a 65-item model with appropriate fitness of data. Cronbach's alpha coefficient showed an acceptable reliability of the diabetes treatment adherence questionnaire (α = 0.92). Conclusion: The questionnaire developed based on the HPM model provides a standard and comprehensive measurement of the degree of adherence to treatment and the associated factors among Iranian T2D patients. This is especially valuable in the Iranian healthcare context, where effective management of chronic diseases such as diabetes is of a top priority. Questionnaires can help identify barriers and facilitators of treatment adherence to inform systematic and goal-oriented interventions. The proposed questionnaire had good psychometric properties, and can be used as a valid and practical instrument to measure the factors related to treatment adherence behaviors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Teachers are recognized as 'key agents' for the delivery of physical activity programs and policies in schools. The aim of our study was to develop and evaluate a tool to assess teachers' capability, opportunity, and motivation to deliver school-based physical activity interventions. Methods: The development and evaluation of the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation to deliver Physical Activity in School Scale (COM-PASS) involved three phases. In Phase 1, we invited academic experts to participate in a Delphi study to rate, provide recommendations, and achieve consensus on questionnaire items that were based on the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Behavior (COM-B) model. Each item was ranked on the degree to which it matched the content of the COM-B model, using a 5-point scale ranging from '1 = Poor match' to '5 = Excellent match'. In Phase 2, we interviewed primary and secondary school teachers using a 'think-aloud' approach to assess their understanding of the items. In Phase 3, teachers (n = 196) completed the COM-PASS to assess structural validity using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: Thirty-eight academic experts from 14 countries completed three rounds of the Delphi study. In the first round, items had an average rating score of 4.04, in the second round 4.51, and in the third (final) round 4.78. The final tool included 14 items, which related to the six constructs of the COM-B model: physical capability, psychological capability, physical opportunity, social opportunity, reflective motivation, and automatic motivation. In Phase 2, ten teachers shared their interpretation of COM-PASS via a 20-min interview, which resulted in minor changes. In Phase 3, CFA of the 3-factor model (i.e., capability, opportunity, and motivation) revealed an adequate fit to the data (χ2 = 122.6, p <.001, CFI =.945, TLI =.924, RMSEA =.066). The internal consistencies of the three subscale scores were acceptable (i.e., capability: α =.75, opportunity: α =.75, motivation: α =.81). Conclusion: COM-PASS is a valid and reliable tool for assessing teachers' capability, opportunity, and motivation to deliver physical activity interventions in schools. Further studies examining additional psychometric properties of the COM-PASS are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT In this paper, we revisit the power curves in ANOVA simultaneous component analysis (ASCA) based on permutation testing and introduce the population curves derived from population parameters describing the relative effect among factors and interactions. The relative effect has important practical implications: The statistical power of a given factor depends on the design of other factors in the experiment and not only of the sample size. Thus, understanding the relative power in a specific experimental design can be extremely useful to maximize our capability of success when planning the experiment. In the paper, we derive relative and absolute population curves, where the former represent statistical power in terms of the normalized effect size between structure and noise, and the latter in terms of the sample size. Both types of population curves allow us to make decisions regarding the number and nature (fixed/random) of factors, their relationships (crossed/nested), and the number of levels and replicates, among others, in an multivariate experimental design (e.g., an omics study) during the planning phase of the experiment. We illustrate both types of curves through simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rise of precision education has encouraged teachers to use intelligent diagnostic systems to understand students' learning processes and provide immediate guidance to prevent students from giving up when facing learning difficulties. However, current research on precision education rarely employs multimodal learning analytics approaches to understand students' learning behaviors. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of teachers intervene based on different modalities of learning analytics diagnosing systems on students' learning behaviors, learning performance, and motivation in STEM collaborative learning activities. We conducted a quasi-experiment with three groups: a control group without any learning analytics system assistance, experimental group 1 with a unimodal learning analytics approach based on image data, and experimental group 2 with a multimodal learning analytics approach based on both image and voice data. We collected students' image or voice data according to the experimental design and employed artificial intelligence techniques for facial expression recognition, eye gaze tracking, and speech recognition to identify students' learning behaviors. The results of this research indicate that teacher interventions, augmented by learning analytics systems, have a significant positive impact on student learning outcomes and motivation. In experimental group 2, the acquisition of multimodal data facilitated a more precise identification and addressing of student learning challenges. Relative to the control group, students in the experimental groups exhibited heightened self-efficacy and were more motivated learners. Moreover, students in experimental group 2 demonstrated a deeper level of engagement in collaborative processes and the behavior associated with constructing knowledge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large sample size (N) is seen as a key criterion in judging the replicability of psychological research, a phenomenon we refer to as the N-Heuristic. This heuristic has led to the incentivization of fast, online, non-behavioral studies—to the potential detriment of psychological science. While large N should in principle increase statistical power and thus the replicability of effects, in practice it may not. Large-N studies may have other attributes that undercut their power or validity. Consolidating data from all systematic, large-scale attempts at replication (N = 307 original-replication study pairs), we find that the original study's sample size did not predict its likelihood of being replicated (rs = -0.02, p = 0.741), even with study design and research area controlled. By contrast, effect size emerged as a substantial predictor (rs = 0.21, p < 0.001), which held regardless of the study's sample size. N may be a poor predictor of replicability because studies with larger N investigated smaller effects (rs = -0.49, p < 0.001). Contrary to these results, a survey of 215 professional psychologists, presenting them with a comprehensive list of methodological criteria, found sample size to be rated as the most important criterion in judging a study's replicability. Our findings strike a cautionary note with respect to the prioritization of large N in judging the replicability of psychological science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractDesign of Experiments (DoE) is a relevant class to undergraduate students in the sciences, because it teaches them how to plan, conduct, and analyze experiments. In the literature on DoE, there are several contributions to its pedagogy, such as easy-to-use class experiments, virtual experiments, and software to construct experimental designs. However, there are virtually no systematic evaluations of the actual DoE pedagogy. To address this issue, we build the first database of DoE courses offered to undergraduate students in the United States. The database has records on courses offered from 2019 to 2022 at the best universities in the US News Best National Universities ranking of 2022. Specifically, it has data on 18 general and content-specific features of 206 courses. To study the DoE pedagogy, we analyze the database using descriptive statistics and text mining. Based on our analysis, we provide instructors with recommendations and teaching material to enhance their DoE courses. The database and material are included in the supplement of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractSmart Predict is a novel two-tablet application developed to improve conversational efficiency for people who use augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. The Smart Predict system consists of two distinct applications that were built for use with two Android tablets and/or phones with Bluetooth® capability. One application is referred to as the AAC User app and the second application is called the Partner app. Smart Predict integrates vocabulary supplementation from communication partners in real-time while persons who rely on AAC generate text and maintain full control to choose words within a word prediction line. Using single-case research designs with adapted alternating treatments under two counterbalanced treatment conditions (AAC User app alone versus AAC User app + Partner app), we examined message efficiency with persons who rely on switch scanning for on-screen keyboards. User experience questionnaires were administered to determine satisfaction and workload, and to provide feedback for future development efforts. Three adults with complex communication needs and motor impairments conversed with research staff about fourteen movie trailers. Characters per minute and switch selections per character produced by the person with complex communication needs and motor impairments were measured during 15-minute interviews to represent communication speed and effort. Results indicate that message efficiency increased with the dual-tablet Smart Predict, indicating faster message generation with the vocabulary supplementation system. User satisfaction increased and perceived effort decreased under the Smart Predict conditions. Given these results within a research and development framework, the Smart Predict concept is a viable feature that could be considered within smart AAC technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nitric oxide (NO) is a strong vasodilator, selectively directed on pulmonary circulation through inhaled administration. In adult intensive care units (ICU), it is mainly used for refractory hypoxemia in mechanically ventilated patients. Several medical delivery devices have been developed to deliver inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). The main purpose of those devices is to guarantee an accurate inspiratory NO concentration, whatever the ventilator used, with NO2 concentrations lower than 0.3 ppm. We hypothesized that the performances of the different available iNO delivery systems could depend on their working principle and could be influenced by the ventilator settings. The objective of this study was to assess the accuracy of seven different iNO-devices combined with different ICU ventilators' flow-by to reach inspiratory NO concentration targets and to evaluate their potential risk of toxicity. Methods: We tested seven iNO-devices on a test-lung connected to distinct ICU ventilators offering four different levels of flow-by. We measured the flow in the inspiratory limb of the patient circuit and the airway pressure. The nitric oxide/nitrogen (NO/N2) flow was measured on the administration line of the iNO-devices. NO and NO2 concentrations were measured in the test-lung using an electrochemical analyzer. Results: We identified three iNO-device generations based on the way they deliver NO flow: "Continuous", "Sequential to inspiratory phase" (I-Sequential) and "Proportional to inspiratory and expiratory ventilator flow" (Proportional). Median accuracy of iNO concentration measured in the test lung was 2% (interquartile range, IQR -19; 36), -23% (IQR -29; -17) and 0% (IQR -2; 0) with Continuous, I-Sequential and Proportional devices, respectively. Increased ventilator flow-by resulted in decreased iNO concentration in the test-lung with Continuous and I-Sequential devices, but not with Proportional ones. NO2 formation measured to assess potential risks of toxicity never exceeded the predefined safety target of 0.5 ppm. However, NO2 concentrations higher than or equal to 0.3 ppm, a concentration that can cause bronchoconstriction, were observed in 19% of the different configurations. Conclusion: We identified three different generations of iNO-devices, based on their gas administration modalities, that were associated with highly variable iNO concentrations' accuracy. Ventilator's flow by significantly impacted iNO concentration. Only the Proportional devices permitted to accurately deliver iNO whatever the conditions and the ventilators tested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic disturbance that affects many women worldwide and is characterized by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism, and ovarian dysfunction. Placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells (PDMSCs) are derived from the placenta and have advantages over other sources of MSCs in terms of availability, safety, and immunomodulation. Materials and methods: In this experimental study, twenty female Wistar rats were assigned to four groups (n = 5) including control, sham, PCOS, and PCOS+PDMSCs groups. Then, PCOS was induced in the rats through administering letrozole for 21 days. PDMSCs (1 × 106 cells) were injected through the tail vein. Fourteen days after the cell infusion, evaluation was performed on the number of healthy follicles, corpus luteum, and cystic follicles as well as the levels of testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance. Moreover, the serum levels of cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) were measured. Liver function was also determined by the evaluation of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels. Results: The number of corpus luteum and primordial, primary, secondary, and antral follicles was significantly elevated in the PCOS+PDMSCs group compared to the PCOS group. However, the number of cystic follicles significantly decreased in the PCOS+PDMSCs group. The LH and testosterone levels also decreased significantly, while FSH levels increased significantly in the PCOS+PDMSCs group. The levels of fasting blood glucose, fasting insulin, and insulin resistance notably decreased in the PCOS+PDMSCs group. Moreover, the lipid profile improved in the PCOS+PDMSCs group along with a significant decrease of cholesterol, LDL, and TG and an increase in HDL. The PCOS+PDMSCs group exhibited marked decreases in the AST and ALT levels as well. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that PDMSCs are a potential treatment option for PCOS because they can effectively restore folliculogenesis and correct hormonal imbalances, lipid profiles and liver dysfunction in a rat model of PCOS. However, further research is needed to establish the safety and effectiveness of PDMSCs for treating PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Healthy lifestyle behaviors encompass activities aimed at promoting, maintaining, or reclaiming health. Evaluating these behaviors accurately requires comprehensive, valid, and reliable tools. Aims: This study aimed to develop the Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale and evaluate its psychometric properties in the Turkish population. Methods: For this methodological research, a cross-sectional online-based survey was conducted between 21 March 2023 and 31 March 2023 among 330 participants who were recruited via convenience sampling. The initial item pool included 90 items across seven domains (exercise, health responsibility, preventive health actions, sleep, stress and social support, nutrition, smoking, and alcohol). The content validity of the scale was verified by taking expert opinions. Construct validity and reliability were assessed using principal component analysis (PCA) and Cronbach's alpha. Results: A total of 330 people were recruited for the study (65.2% female, mean age 34.2 ± 9.4 years). The final scale comprised 34 items: 5 on exercise, 4 on health responsibility, 4 on preventive health actions, 2 on sleep, 5 on social support, 3 on stress management, 5 on nutrition, 4 on smoking and 2 on alcohol. The construct validity analysis revealed a 9-factor structure explaining 62.35% of the variance (Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin value = 0.807). Internal consistency was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha (α = 0.863 for the scale, > 0.7 for subscales) and high item-total correlation. Conclusions: Our newly developed Healthy Lifestyle Behavior Scale demonstrated good validity and reliability. It outperformed existing scales, boasting higher alpha values for subfactors and explained variance. This scale is a robust tool for assessing healthy lifestyle behaviors in adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions The growing popularity of aesthetic procedures involving fillers, biostimulators, and neurotoxins has prompted concerns about patient safety. To address these concerns, a global Safety Task Force (STF) was formed.The inaugural STF meeting prioritized vascular compromise prevention and management, guiding clinical trial design and materials for future meetings, and collecting data from experts on current safety methods.The STF was formed and consisted of 16 experts from nine different countries, with each possessing distinct expertise in various fields related to aesthetic injectables. Current safety data, protocols, knowledge gaps and future research priorities were discussed and voted upon.The establishment of a global database for tracking filler‐related AEs was favored by 93% of participants. Discussions revolved around the database's scope, data standardization, and whether non‐medical contributors should be included. Aspiration as a safety technique garnered support from 73% of participants. Approximately 43% of participants incorporate ultrasound in their injections, with divergent opinions on its impact and potential when used as a standard of practice versus in AE management. Most physicians on the task force incorporated cannula use for some of their injections (93%). There were varying perspectives on treatments for vascular adverse events (VAE), the primary causes, and the adoption of new protocols in the field.The STF meeting underscored the need for a coordinated effort to address complications related to HA fillers, including VAE management and hyaluronidase protocols. Reliable treatment endpoints were evaluated, but improved measurement methods are needed. Future meetings will focus on addressing delayed complications, furthering safety in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We applied independent and interdependent group contingencies in a counterbalanced reversal experimental design to the vocational on‐task behavior for two groups of adults with intellectual disabilities. On‐task behavior increased for all participants in both groups above a criterion of 80% of time on‐task during both treatment phases. Independent and interdependent group contingencies were equally effective in increasing on‐task behavior. Responding was maintained at the criterion level for all members of one group at a 4‐week follow‐up. No increases in negative social interactions were observed when the interdependent group contingency was in effect and participants reported both contingencies to be socially valid. We suggest that group contingencies can be an effective intervention in increasing on‐task behavior of individuals with intellectual disabilities in vocational settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHierarchical linear modeling (HLM) is a promising approach that can be applied to explain variability in intervention effectiveness between participants in single-case experimental design (SCED) research. This approach allows the inclusion of participant characteristics as moderators to account for variability in intervention effectiveness. However, little is known about the performance of HLM for analysis with the inclusion of imbalanced intervention starting points and imbalanced moderators. Therefore, the goal of this study is to empirically evaluate the statistical properties of this model through a large-scale Monte Carlo simulation study under these scenarios. The results indicate that imbalanced intervention starting points have no impact on the statistical properties of estimating intervention effects. On the other hand, imbalanced moderators have an impact on estimating the intervention and moderator. How the conditions of imbalanced moderators influence the performance of two-level HLM depends on how the moderators are coded. Two general conclusions can be made. The model results in more favorable statistical properties when (i) a larger number of participants are included and (ii) the variability in continuous moderators is larger. Practical implications for the design and analysis of SCEDs are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To verify the effect and mechanism of baicalein in the treatment of periodontitis through network pharmacology, molecular docking and in vitro experiments. Methods: Firstly, multiple databases were used to predict targets of baicalein and periodontitis. And the screened key target genes of baicalein for treating periodontitis were subjected to GO and KEGG analysis; then these targets were analyzed by molecular docking techniques. In vitro experiments including CCK-8, RT-qPCR, ELISA and Immunofluorescence were conducted to validate the efficacy of baicalein in treating periodontitis. Results: Seventeen key targets were screened from the databases, GO and KEGG analysis of these targets revealed that baicalein may exert therapeutic effects through regulating TNF, PI3K-Akt, HIF-1 and other signaling pathways. Molecular docking analysis showed that baicalein has good binding potential to several targets. In vitro cellular assays showed that baicalein inhibited the expression of TNF-α, MMP-9, IL-6 and MCP1 in P.g-LPS-induced macrophages at both the mRNA and protein level. And the immunofluorescence intensity of iNOS, a marker of M1 type macrophages, which mainly secretes inflammatory factors, was significantly reduced. Conclusion: Baicalein has the characteristics and advantages of "multicomponent, multitarget, and multipathway" in the treatment of periodontitis. In vitro cellular assays further confirmed the inhibitory effect of baicalein on the secretion of inflammatory factors of macrophages in periodontitis models, providing a theoretical basis for further study of the material basis and molecular mechanism of baicalein in the treatment of periodontal diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: There are limited tools to measure the burden of disease and effectiveness of medical/surgical interventions in patients with cryptoglandular fistulas. The aim of this study was to explore concepts that are relevant and important to patients with complex cryptoglandular fistulas (CCF) and to develop a patient-centred, disease-specific, patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess symptom burden and impacts of CCF. Methods: A targeted literature review was conducted, followed by one-to-one telephone interviews with five colorectal surgeons (USA, n = 3; UK, n = 1; Spain, n = 1) and 20 US adult patients with CCF to inform the development of a conceptual model and a CCF-specific PROM. The targeted literature review informed the development of the preliminary conceptual model and identified a PROM in the literature that was used as a reference to generate the draft CCF-specific PROM. The colorectal surgeon interviews provided insights on the experience of patients with CCF to refine the conceptual model, formulate probing questions for use in patient interviews, and to develop the draft CCF-specific PROM. Patients' descriptions of their experiences with symptoms and the impacts on their lives and evaluation of the draft CCF-specific PROM in concept elicitation and cognitive interviews were used to develop the final conceptual model and final CCF-specific PROM. Results: Ten symptoms (odour, pain during bowel movement, abscess, post-operative pain, discharge/drainage/leakage, anal/perianal pain, inflammation/swelling, skin irritation, bleeding and itchiness) and 11 impacts (discomfort, inability to exercise, embarrassment, difficulty sitting, worry about disease, adapted life to maintain hygiene, negatively impacted social life/isolation, inability to perform daily activities, reduced interest in sex, negatively impacted intimate relationships and negatively impacted mood) were reported as most salient by patients. The patient experience, clinician perspective, and literature review provided input to item generation. Evaluation of relevance and patient understanding through cognitive interviews with patients provided evidence for the content validity of the new patient-reported outcome measure: the 20-item Complex Cryptoglandular Fistula Questionnaire™ (CCFQ-20™). Conclusion: The CCFQ-20™ is a new clinician-guided, patient-validated, disease-specific patient-reported outcome measure that measures disease impact and quality of life in patients with CCF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Partial least squares regression (PLSR) and support vector regression (SVR) models were optimized for the quantification of U(VI) (10-320 g L-1) and HNO3 (0.6-6 M) by Raman spectroscopy with optimized calibration sets chosen by optimal design of experiments. The designed approach effectively minimized the number of samples in the calibration set for PLSR and SVR by selecting sample concentrations with a quadratic process model, despite complex confounding and covarying spectral features in the spectra. The top PLS2 model resulted in percent root mean square errors of prediction for U(VI), HNO3, and NO3 - of 3.7%, 3.6%, and 2.9%, respectively. PLS1models performed similarly despitemodeling an analyte with a majority linear response (i.e., uranyl symmetric stretch) and another with more covarying vibrational modes (i.e., HNO3). Partial least squares (PLS) model loadings and regression coefficients were evaluated to better understand the relationship between weaker Raman bands and covarying spectral features. Support vector machine models outperformed PLS1 models, resulting in percent root mean square error of prediction values for U(VI) and HNO3 of 1.5% and 3.1%, respectively. The optimal nonlinear SVR model was trained using a similar number of samples (11) compared with the PLSR model, even though PLS is a linear modeling approach. The generic D-optimal design presented in this work provides a robust statistical framework for selecting training set samples in disparate two-factor systems. This approach reinforces Raman spectroscopy for the quantification of species relevant to the nuclear fuel cycle and provides a robust chemometric modeling approach to bolster online monitoring in challenging process environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a precursor to the development of many diseases (atherosclerosis, diabetes, etc.). It is marked by disruptions in glucose and lipid metabolism, along with hypertension. Numerous types of risk factors contribute to the development of the MetS, inflammation and insulin resistance are present throughout the metabolic abnormalities. Chrysanthemum indicum L. is a traditional Chinese plant used for both tea and medicine, known for its high content of total flavonoids, which are important secondary metabolites. Our research led to the extraction of a Buddleoside-Rich Chrysanthemum indicum L. extract (BUDE) which has demonstrated anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, the specific role and mechanism of BUDE in preventing MetS remain unclear. Methods: The study initially evaluated the role of BUDE in preventing MetS. Subsequently, it investigated the anti-inflammatory properties of BUDE in the liver and pancreas in response to unhealthy diets. It then examined the level of insulin resistance and pancreatic β-cell function induced by inflammation. Additionally, an lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced macrophage inflammation model was used to further investigate the ameliorative effects of BUDE in inflammation. Results: BUDE has hypotensive, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects. It can also resolve the imbalance between macrophage subpopulations, impede the triggering of the NF-κB signaling pathway, reduce the secretion of inflammatory mediators, ameliorate insulin resistance, and safeguard organs such as the liver and pancreas from inflammatory damage. These effects collectively contribute to preventing the development of MetS. Discussion: BUDE has the ability to modulate macrophage-mediated inflammation, leading to improved insulin resistance. Additionally, it delivers antihypertensive, hypoglycemic, and hypolipidemic effects, offering a potential for preventing MetS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Aural rehabilitation focused on music for individuals with cochlear implants (CIs) and/or hearing aids (HAs) typically emphasizes perceptual skills rather than enjoyment of music. Yet, those with CIs and/or HAs often struggle to enjoy music, complaining that it sounds distorted with the implant or HAs. Typically, aural rehabilitation programs require a significant time commitment, but this may not be feasible or preferable for many patients. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of two individualized intensive 3-week home practice programs focused on enjoyment of music, a personal goal for this subject. Methods: The subject was a professional musician who used a CI and HA. Cognitive measures of global cognitive function, executive function, processing speed, auditory working memory, visual-spatial abilities, verbal fluency, and auditory-verbal memory, as well as auditory electrophysiology (EEG) measures were conducted pre-post experiment 2. Two experiments were undertaken to evaluate responses to two practice programs that incorporated different variations in listening dosage and intervention activities. Results: Experiment 1 resulted in minimal measurable improvements related to music likability ratings, with the highest dosage condition showing a small increase in average likability rating from baseline to week 3. The results of experiment 2 revealed an improvement in likability ratings only when dosage steadily increased each week. The subject also reported improved mood and decreased frustration during weeks two and three of experiment 2. Finally, we found improvement pre-post experiment 2 on several cognitive and EEG measures. Discussion: The results of these experiments are encouraging and support the use of an individualized, person-centered, and semi-structured home practice program to increase music enjoyment and improve quality of life and auditory processing for individuals with hearing loss. Future studies should aim to increase sample size and explore pairing person-centered home practice programs with concurrent clinician-lead aural rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This systematic review identified qualitative and mixed-methods empirical studies on psychotherapy from dialogical and narrative approaches, aiming to address the following questions: (1) How are subjectivity and intersubjectivity qualitatively understood in dialogical and/or narrative psychotherapies studied using dialogical and narrative approaches? (2) How do therapeutic changes occur, including their facilitators and barriers? (3) What psychotherapeutic resources are available for psychotherapists in these types of studies? Method: The articles were selected according to the Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and the eligibility criteria proposed by the PICOS strategy (participants, interventions, comparators, outcomes, and study design) from 163 records identified in the Web of Science Core Collection databases. Results: The systematic review process allowed the selection of 16 articles. The results provided insights into the understanding of subjectivity, intersubjectivity, change in psychotherapy, its facilitators, and barriers from these perspectives. It also offered some therapeutic interventions that can be implemented in psychotherapies, integrating dialogical and/or narrative aspects. Discussion: The centrality of dialogical exploration of patient/client resources, therapists as interlocutors fostering client agency, polyphony serving as scaffolding for change, and interconnection with the sociocultural environment are discussed. The integration of this latter topic has been a challenge for these types of studies, considering the active construction of shared meanings. The dialogical and narrative approaches focus psychotherapy on transforming meanings through dialogue and re-authoring stories, evolving within cultural and historical contexts. Thus, this study highlights the relevance of these perspectives in contemporary psychotherapy, emphasizing dialogue in co-creation within an intersubjective framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To investigate the quality of statistical reporting in publications from general medical journals and analyze the influencing factors. Methods A random sample of 480 original research articles published in 2010 and 2020 was selected from two Medline journals and six Chinese core journals in the field of medicine and health. The quality of statistical reporting was evaluated using a self - developed checklist based on the SAMPL guidelines, ICMJE recommendations, CONSORT, STROBE, and other relevant standards, followed by an analysis of influencing factors. Results The overall quality score for statistical reporting in the surveyed general medical journals was 40. 0 ± 8. 6. The scores for different statistical aspects were as follows: statistical design (43. 2 ± 6. 8), statistical description (67. 0 ± 24. 3), t -- test (23. 6 ± 17. 5), ANOVA (26. 8 ± 17. 2), chi - square test (24. 2 ± 13. 7), rank - sum test (45. 5 ± 18. 4), correlation analysis (41. 9 ± 13. 2), regression analysis (40. 5 ± 14. 8), and survival analysis (45. 6 ± 14. 9). Univariate analysis indicated that the overall quality score for statistical reporting in articles published in 2020 was higher than that in 2010 (35. 8 ± 7. 4 vs. 44. 3 ±7. 5, t - - 12. 510, P <0. 001). Multilevel modeling showed that the indexing system, research field, and publication year were the main factors influencing the overall score. Compared to Medline - indexed journals, the overall scores were lower for Chinese core journals. Articles focusing on non - human subjects had lower scores compared to those involving human subjects. Additionally, the overall scores for articles published in 2020 were higher than those in 2010. Conclusion The quality of statistical reporting in general medical journals in China has improved over the past decade, but there remains substantial room for further improvement. It is recommended to enhance the promotion of relevant reporting standards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study. Objectives: Effects of blood loss that requires blood transfusion after lumbar spinal fusion remain an important issue. Blood transfusions are used commonly in cases of significant blood loss in lumbar spinal fusion but are associated with adverse effects. The objective was to assess the rate of blood transfusion and the associated risk after lumbar spinal fusion from 2013 to 2018. Methods: In this nationwide population-based cohort study, the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database was reviewed retrospectively from 2013 to 2018. Data were extracted from patients who underwent lumbar spinal fusion without history of lumbar spinal surgery in the preceding year. The primary outcome was the rate of blood transfusion within 1 week of surgery. In addition, the risk factors for blood transfusion and the rate of postoperative infection were evaluated. Results: A total of 188,581 patients underwent lumbar spinal fusion between 2013 and 2018. A significant decline in blood transfusions was observed during the study period (56.38–47.51%). The presence of comorbidities was associated with an increased risk of blood transfusion. Patients who underwent the posterior approach were more likely to receive blood transfusion than patients who underwent the anterior or anterior and posterior approach. Receiving blood transfusion was associated with postoperative infection. Conclusions: In the present study, the prevalence, risk factors, and postoperative infection rates associated with blood transfusion in lumbar spinal fusion were identified. Spine surgeons should consider these risk factors in patients at high risk of blood transfusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]