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Purpose: To analyze the United States Food and Drug Administration’s Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience (MAUDE) database, which contains reports of adverse events involving medical devices, and characterize the most common adverse events of femtosecond (FS) laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). Methods: The MAUDE database was queried on May 19, 2022, for adverse events involving the ophthalmic FS laser reported from January 2012 to April 2022. Reports unrelated to LASIK procedures were excluded. Data extraction was performed on these reports, including the type of adverse event and whether surgery was successfully completed. Frequency analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: From the 3491 reported adverse events involving the FS laser system, 1136 met the inclusion criteria. Of the 672 cases where outcomes were reported, 476 were successfully completed and 196 were aborted. The most common intraoperative complications were incomplete cut (42.8%), thinner than intended flap (17.6%), and difficulty lifting the flap (12.0%). FS-related complications included opaque bubble layer (2.3%), air bubbles in the anterior chamber (2.4%), and vertical gas breakthrough (4.1%). Other device-related intraoperative complications included suction loss (10.2%), difficulty docking (2.4%), and laser malfunction (2.0%). The most common postoperative complications were diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) (7.8%) and rainbow glare (4.6%). Conclusion: The most common intraoperative FS-assisted LASIK complication in the MAUDE database was an incomplete flap. The most common postoperative complication was DLK. This study is the first to investigate FS-assisted LASIK adverse events in the MAUDE database. It can raise awareness of real-world surgical complications and help ophthalmologists better counsel and treat patients.

Abstract Background This parallel, randomized controlled trial examined intrinsic motivation, adherence and motor function improvement demonstrated by two groups of subjects that performed a 12-week, home-based upper extremity rehabilitation program. Seventeen subjects played scaffolded games, presenting eight to twelve discrete levels of increasing difficulty. Sixteen subjects performed the same activities controlled by success algorithms that modify game difficulty incrementally. Methods 33 persons 20–80 years of age, at least 6 months post stroke with moderate to mild hemiparesis were randomized using a random number generator into the two groups. They were tested using the Action Research Arm Test, Upper Extremity Fugl Meyer Assessment, Stroke Impact Scale and Intrinsic Motivation Inventory pre and post training. Adherence was measured using timestamps generated by the gaming system. Subjects had the Home Virtual Rehabilitation System (Qiu in J Neuroeng Rehabil 17: 1–10, 2020) placed in their homes and were taught to perform rehabilitation games using it. Subjects were instructed to train twenty minutes per day but were allowed to train as much as they chose. Subjects trained for 12 weeks without appointments and received intermittent support from study staff. Group outcomes were compared using ANOVA. Correlations between subject demographics and adherence, as well as motor outcome, were evaluated using Pearson Correlation Coefficients. Results There were 5 dropouts and no adverse events. The main effect of time was statistically significant for four of the five clinical outcome measures. There were no significant training group by time interactions. Measures of adherence did not differ significantly between groups. The combined groups improved their UEFMA scores on average by 5.85 (95% CI 4.73–6.98). 21 subjects from both groups demonstrating improvements in UEFMA scores of at least 5 points, exceeding the minimal clinically important difference of 4.25. IMI scores were stable pre to post training. Conclusions Scaffolding challenges during game based rehabilitation did not elicit higher levels of adherence when compared to algorithm control of game difficulty. Both sparsely supervised programs of game-based treatment in the home were sufficient to elicit statistically significant, clinically meaningful improvements in motor function and activities of daily living. Trial registration: Clinical Trials.gov—NCT03985761, Registered June 14, 2019.

In modern clinical psychiatry, there is a tendency to introduce the principle of quasi-dimensional assessment, which can be facilitated by the use of specialized diagnostic methods such as neuropsychological examination. The purpose of the study is to clarify the possibilities of neuropsychological examination during forensic psychiatric examination for persons held criminally responsible. As part of the forensic psychiatric examination of persons brought to criminal responsibility on the basis of the Serbsky State Scientific Center for Social and Forensic Psychiatry Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, 113 men (age 42±13) were examined with established groups of diagnoses, including organic, personality disorders, as well as schizophrenic spectrum disorders, disorders associated with the use of psychoactive substances. Of these, 50 people were declared “insane” and 63 were “sane”. A neuropsychological examination was performed using qualitative syndrome and quantitative analysis. In individuals with organic mental disorders (OMD), there were more pronounced disorders of neurocognitive functioning compared to those surveyed with other mental disorders. In addition, persons with OMD who were recognized as “insane”, compared with persons recognized as “sane”, had more pronounced disorders in such parameters as: programming, regulation and control, neurodynamic characteristics, auditory—speech memory, with primary interest - frontal (p=0.004), temporal (p=0.004), and subcortical structures (p=0.005). The results of a neuropsychological examination can be used to verify an expert decision at the level of both medical and psychological criteria, primarily in the examination of persons suffering from an organic mental disorder.

In the work, the relationship (FA) of the leaves of the hanging birch Betula pendula Roth with atmospheric pollution, climatic indicators and soil characteristics was determined. We analyzed data obtained from 10 sites located in the main geographical directions from the city of Ukhta (Komi Republic, Russia). FA was based on 5 morphological parameters (n=100). In the soil, we determined the pH (water and salt extracts), the content of organic matter and mobile forms of metals. Information on air pollution and climate parameters was obtained from open sources. We established high FA of B. pendula at all sites (0.064-0.076). It was shown that this is not related to the geographical location of the birch growing area. There was no excess of standards of pollutants in the air and soil at the sites. Correlation analysis showed that FA increases in response to a decrease in the proportion of organic matter in the soil and an increase in soil acidity (r is -0.49 and -0.42, respectively). Also, the increase in FA is associated with the content of mobile forms of Pb, Mn, Cu (r is 0.6, 0.36, 0.35, respectively). We found no effect of the content of mobile Zn, Fe, Cd in the soil on the FA level of the leaves. Thus, it is shown that soil characteristics affect the asymmetry of the bioindicator plant, including within environmental regulations. This fact should be taken into account when interpreting the results of the assessment of the ecological state of the territories.

Background. Math anxiety is a state of fear and anxiety that an individual experiences when interacting with mathematical problems. Currently, there is a lack of questionnaires to measure mathematical anxiety for Russian-speaking schoolchildren.The aim. The study analyzed the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS).Materials and methods. The study involved 1,198 schoolchildren in grades 10–11. The psychometric properties of the AMAS were analyzed.Results. AMAS demonstrated bifactor structure: subscales of Learning Math Anxiety (LMA) and Math Evaluation Anxiety (MEA) and general scale of Math Anxiety. The bifactor model demonstrated the best fit indices. Analysis confirmed reliable internal consistency (Cronbach’s alphas for LMA = 0.82, MEA = 0.75, total AMAS = 0.95). External validity of AMAS has been confirmed. LMA showed lower scores than MEA. The distribution of scores on the general AMAS scale was shifted to low values. Girls showed higher scores on all scales of the questionnaire. The analysis also confirmed measurement invariance for both boys and girls.Conclusion. Based on the analysis, we can conclude that the AMAS is a valid tool for assessing mathematical anxiety in high school students.

The study considers the impact on the person’s health and psycho-emotional state of unpleasant odors arising from the storage and accumulation of bioorganic waste, including food waste (meat, poultry, fruits and vegetables) and bird droppings. The survey data of poultry and livestock farms’ employees in Serbia are given. The impact of unpleasant odors on the Waste sorting complex (Moscow region) employees’ vital signs is assessed. The impact of high-intensity odor groups for individual components of food waste (pork meat, poultry meat, vegetables and fruits) and bird droppings was studied by interviewing volunteers and measuring their vital signs.

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a severe threat to global health. The wide distribution of environmental antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), which can be transferred between microbiota, especially clinical pathogens and human commensals, contributed significantly to AMR. However, few databases on the spatiotemporal distribution, abundance, and health risk of ARGs from multiple environments have been developed, especially on the absolute level. In this study, we compiled the ARG occurrence data generated by a high-throughput quantitative PCR platform from 1,403 samples in 653 sampling sites across 18 provinces in China. The database possessed 291,870 records from five types of habitats on the abundance of 290 ARGs, as well as 8,057 records on the abundance of 30 mobile genetic elements (MGEs) from 2013 to 2020. These ARGs conferred resistance to major common types of antibiotics (a total of 15 types) and represented five major resistance mechanisms, as well as four risk ranks. The database can provide information for studies on the dynamics of ARGs and is useful for the health risk assessment of AMR.

Abstract This study involved a psychometric analysis of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). To investigate the Russian version of the PSS-10 for adolescents, 3530 adolescents aged 13–17 years were recruited. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the data corresponded to the expected two-factor configuration. Psychometric properties and factor structure were evaluated. As expected, the PSS-10 included two factors: perceived helplessness and perceived self-efficacy. Internal consistency demonstrated acceptable values (Cronbach’s alpha was 0.82 for perceived helplessness, 0.77 for perceived self-efficacy, and 0.80 for the overall PSS score). Measurement invariance across sexes was assessed, and configural and metric invariance were confirmed. The developed diagnostic tool can be used both in the school system to alleviate the negative consequences of academic stress in adolescents and, in the future, in other areas, particularly in clinical practice.

An active discussion of the questions of the advisability of forming new principles of national unity and creating an orderly harmonious world in the minds of people, strengthening the educational functions of the state, its concern for public morality do not primarily concern education, humanization of its content, and revision of the educational process. The formation and implementation of a state policy adequate to this problem must comply with the requirements of our time, create, on the one hand, conditions for ensuring the rights and freedoms of citizens, including the observance of the fundamental principles of religious freedom, and on the other, develop legislative norms that regulate these rights. A legal democratic state provides for the formation of public policy in accordance with the needs of society and taking into account public thought. The secular nature of public education is not an obstacle to the introduction of disciplines in the provision of religious knowledge in the educational process of schools, religious knowledge can and should be considered as an element of secular culture. Knowledge of religion should be carried out by secular teachers, be neutral in content and not be accompanied by religious rites. The problems of the formation of moral and spiritual values, the worldview of a person, the introduction of religious disciplines in secondary schools are vividly discussed in scientific, educational, government circles, as well as among representatives of the clergy. The religious component in secular education will give importance to folk culture and traditional religion, which will form concepts such as tolerance and respect for other faiths and cultures, which is important in the context of globalization of the world.

Background. The quality of sleep significantly impacts children’s day-to-day performance, with at least 20% reporting issues with sleepiness. Valid tools for assessing the quality of sleep are needed. Objective. In this study, we assessed the psychometric properties of the Russian version of the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS). The initial adaptation of the PDSS was conducted on a sample from the Arctic regions of Russia. This location may have influenced the scale's generalizability due to variations in natural daylight across different areas of the country. Design. To rectify this, we gathered a comprehensive, geographically diverse sample from Russia. This combined dataset comprised 3772 participants between 10 to 18 years of age, from nine different regions of Russia. Results. We confirmed the unifactorial structure of the PDSS, which showed no regional effects. The psychometric analysis indicated that one item from the 8-item PDSS could be removed, thereby improving the scale's model fit. We also observed gender and age impacts on sleep quality: boys reported fewer sleep-related issues than girls, and younger children reported fewer problems than older children. Conclusion. This study validates the usefulness and reliability of the Russian version of the PDSS, thereby enhancing its general applicability. Furthermore, we replicated previously reported age and sex effects on the sleep quality of school-aged children.

Learner control allows for greater autonomy and is supposed to benefit learning motivation, but it might be more advantageous for students with specific learner characteristics. The current study looks into the relationships between self-regulated learning, cognitive load, and performance within learner-controlled environments. The research was conducted in an asynchronous online setting, allowing for learner control. Cognitive load and self-regulated learning were measured using self-report questionnaires. Performance was assessed through case solutions. The participants were 97 graduate law students studying the civil code. Analysis based on structural equation modeling showed that both prior knowledge and self-regulated learning skills significantly contribute to the increase in germane cognitive load and are positively correlated with performance. The implications of these findings underscore the critical role of prior knowledge and self-regulated learning skills in shaping the cognitive processes involved in learning, ultimately impacting academic achievement. These results emphasize the need for careful consideration of learner-control options in asynchronous online environments.

This study evaluates the R3THA™ assessment protocol (R3THA-AP™), a technology-supported testing module for personalized rehabilitation in children with cerebral palsy (CP). It focuses on the reliability and validity of the R3THA-AP in assessing hand and arm function, by comparing kinematic assessments with standard clinical assessments. Conducted during a 4-week summer camp, the study assessed the functional and impairment levels of children with CP aged 3–18. The findings suggest that R3THA is more reliable for children aged 8 and older, indicating that age significantly influences the protocol’s effectiveness. The results also showed that the R3THA-AP’s kinematic measurements of hand and wrist movements are positively correlated with the Box and Blocks Test Index (BBTI), reflecting hand function and dexterity. Additionally, the R3THA-AP’s accuracy metrics for hand and wrist activities align with the Melbourne Assessment 2’s Range of Motion (MA2-ROM) scores, suggesting a meaningful relationship between R3THA-AP data and clinical assessments of motor skills. However, no significant correlations were observed between the R3THA-AP and MA2’s accuracy and dexterity measurements, indicating areas for further research. These findings validate the R3THA-AP’s utility in assessing motor abilities in CP patients, supporting its integration into clinical practice.

A previously developed semiclassical theory of nonadiabatic energy transfer is used to analyze electronic excitation and quenching in three-dimensional atomic collisions. The predicted transition probabilities, cross sections, and rate coefficients are compared with the quantum scattering calculations for O + O and N + N, for the same interaction potentials and nonadiabatic coupling, and with the experimental data where available. The theory predictions are in very good agreement with quantum scattering, at the conditions when the energy transfer is dominated by a single pair of adiabatic potentials. Closed-form analytic expressions for the cross sections and rate coefficients are obtained, for both the strongly and weakly coupled cases. The results quantify and illustrate the effect of the interaction potentials and their coupling on the energy transfer. The analytic cross sections and rate coefficients are in good agreement with the numerical predictions. The same approach has been used to predict the rate coefficients of electronic excitation and quenching in collisions of N + O atoms. The fidelity of these predictions may be improved considerably if accurate potentials for the excited electronic states of N + O and their coupling are available. The applicability of the semiclassical theory for the prediction of the rates of heavy particle impact excitation in atom–molecule collisions is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of cognitive disability in adults, often characterized by marked deficits in episodic memory and executive function. Prior studies have found that direct electrical stimulation of the temporal cortex yielded improved memory in epilepsy patients, but it is not clear if these results generalize to patients with a specific history of TBI. Here we asked whether applying closed-loop, direct electrical stimulation to lateral temporal cortex could reliably improve memory in a TBI cohort. Among a larger group of patients undergoing neurosurgical evaluation for refractory epilepsy, we recruited a subset of patients with a history of moderate-to-severe TBI. By analyzing neural data from indwelling electrodes as patients studied and recalled lists of words, we trained personalized machine-learning classifiers to predict momentary fluctuations in mnemonic function in each patient. We subsequently used these classifiers to trigger high-frequency stimulation of the lateral temporal cortex (LTC) at moments when memory was predicted to fail. This strategy yielded a 19% boost in recall performance on stimulated as compared with non-stimulated lists (P = 0.012). These results provide a proof-of-concept for using closed-loop stimulation of the brain in treatment of TBI-related memory impairment.

Abstract We present an approach (knowledge-and-data-driven, KDD, modeling) that allows us to get closer to understanding the processes that affect the dynamics of plankton communities. This approach, based on the use of time series obtained as a result of ecosystem monitoring, combines the key features of both the knowledge-driven modeling (mechanistic models) and data-driven (DD) modeling. Using a KDD model, we reveal the phytoplankton growth-rate fluctuations in the ecosystem of the Naroch Lakes and determine the degree of phase synchronization between fluctuations in the phytoplankton growth rate and temperature variations. More specifically, we estimate a numerical value of the phase locking index (PLI), which allows us to assess how temperature fluctuations affect the dynamics of phytoplankton growth rates. Since, within the framework of KDD modeling, we directly include the time series obtained as a result of field measurements in the model equations, the dynamics of the phytoplankton growth rate obtained from the KDD model reflect the behavior of the lake ecosystem as a whole, and PLI can be considered as a holistic parameter.

Abstrac: This study presents a comprehensive examination of sex-related differences in resting-state electroencephalogram (EEG) data, leveraging two different types of machine learning models to predict an individual's sex. We utilized data from the Two Decades-Brainclinics Research Archive for Insights in Neurophysiology (TDBRAIN) EEG study, affirming that gender prediction can be attained with noteworthy accuracy. The best performing model achieved an accuracy of 85% and an ROC AUC of 89%, surpassing all prior benchmarks set using EEG data and rivaling the top-tier results derived from fMRI studies. A comparative analysis of LightGBM and Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) models revealed DCNN's superior performance, attributed to its ability to learn complex spatial-temporal patterns in the EEG data and handle large volumes of data effectively. Despite this, interpretability remained a challenge for the DCNN model. The LightGBM interpretability analysis revealed that the most important EEG features for accurate sex prediction were related to left fronto-central and parietal EEG connectivity. We also showed the role of both low (delta and theta) and high (beta and gamma) activity in the accurate sex prediction. These results, however, have to be approached with caution, because it was obtained from a dataset comprised largely of participants with various mental health conditions, which limits the generalizability of the results and necessitates further validation in future studies. . Overall, the study illuminates the potential of interpretable machine learning for sex prediction, alongside highlighting the importance of considering individual differences in prediction sex from brain activity.

Even though online learning is an affordable way to gain new knowledge and skills, and millions of people use different platforms, there is a serious problem with students dropping out, as well as with their completion of assignments during training. One effective way to increase student engagement is to use gamification in teaching. In this study, we study the relationship between the introduction of such a gamification element as virtual currency with the results of learning English on the Skyeng platform. Using data from 2019 to 2020, we analyzed the relationship between the indicated intervention and the percentage of completion of homework, as well as the average homework score of platform users. The results of the experiment conducted in the A/B format showed that the introduction of virtual currency had a significant effect on the educational results of students. Thus, students from the experimental group showed an increase in involvement in doing homework on the platform compared to the control group. Moreover, various types of rewards work in general to increase student engagement in homework, including those that are not directly related to learning. At the same time, students who did not use the game currency available to them showed similar or even lower results than participants in the experiment from the control group. It can be assumed that in this case there is an effect of student motivation as a hidden factor, which explains the greater interest in the functionality and capabilities of the platform itself, and in the educational process as a whole.

This study is the first to assess the internal consistency and factor validity of the Abbreviated Math Anxiety Scale (AMAS) in a sample of Russian adolescents as well as gender differences and gender invariance. The study included 4,218 adolescents in grades 7–9 (M = 14.23, SD = 0.92). Internal consistency, measured with Cronbach’s alpha, was high. Analysis of the factor structure revealed the best correspondence of the second-order factor model, which included two scales (learning math anxiety and math evaluation anxiety) and the general scale of math anxiety. There were greater gender differences in the all three scales. Analysis of gender invariance demonstrated that the mathematics anxiety construct was uniform in boys and girls. These findings confirm the reliable psychometric properties and validity of the AMAS, enabling its use in adolescents.

Abstract Background Few studies have systematically investigated robust controllers for lower limb rehabilitation exoskeletons (LLREs) that can safely and effectively assist users with a variety of neuromuscular disorders to walk with full autonomy. One of the key challenges for developing such a robust controller is to handle different degrees of uncertain human-exoskeleton interaction forces from the patients. Consequently, conventional walking controllers either are patient-condition specific or involve tuning of many control parameters, which could behave unreliably and even fail to maintain balance. Methods We present a novel, deep neural network, reinforcement learning-based robust controller for a LLRE based on a decoupled offline human-exoskeleton simulation training with three independent networks, which aims to provide reliable walking assistance against various and uncertain human-exoskeleton interaction forces. The exoskeleton controller is driven by a neural network control policy that acts on a stream of the LLRE’s proprioceptive signals, including joint kinematic states, and subsequently predicts real-time position control targets for the actuated joints. To handle uncertain human interaction forces, the control policy is trained intentionally with an integrated human musculoskeletal model and realistic human-exoskeleton interaction forces. Two other neural networks are connected with the control policy network to predict the interaction forces and muscle coordination. To further increase the robustness of the control policy to different human conditions, we employ domain randomization during training that includes not only randomization of exoskeleton dynamics properties but, more importantly, randomization of human muscle strength to simulate the variability of the patient’s disability. Through this decoupled deep reinforcement learning framework, the trained controller of LLREs is able to provide reliable walking assistance to patients with different degrees of neuromuscular disorders without any control parameter tuning. Results and conclusion A universal, RL-based walking controller is trained and virtually tested on a LLRE system to verify its effectiveness and robustness in assisting users with different disabilities such as passive muscles (quadriplegic), muscle weakness, or hemiplegic conditions without any control parameter tuning. Analysis of the RMSE for joint tracking, CoP-based stability, and gait symmetry shows the effectiveness of the controller. An ablation study also demonstrates the strong robustness of the control policy under large exoskeleton dynamic property ranges and various human-exoskeleton interaction forces. The decoupled network structure allows us to isolate the LLRE control policy network for testing and sim-to-real transfer since it uses only proprioception information of the LLRE (joint sensory state) as the input. Furthermore, the controller is shown to be able to handle different patient conditions without the need for patient-specific control parameter tuning.

Climate change and other anthropogenic stressors have led to long-term changes in the thermal structure, including surface temperatures, deepwater temperatures, and vertical thermal gradients, in many lakes around the world. Though many studies highlight warming of surface water temperatures in lakes worldwide, less is known about long-term trends in full vertical thermal structure and deepwater temperatures, which have been changing less consistently in both direction and magnitude. Here, we present a globally-expansive data set of summertime in-situ vertical temperature profiles from 153 lakes, with one time series beginning as early as 1894. We also compiled lake geographic, morphometric, and water quality variables that can influence vertical thermal structure through a variety of potential mechanisms in these lakes. These long-term time series of vertical temperature profiles and corresponding lake characteristics serve as valuable data to help understand changes and drivers of lake thermal structure in a time of rapid global and ecological change.

Gaze and pupil metrics are used to represent higher cognitive processes in a variety of contexts. One growing area of research is the real-time assessment of workload and corresponding effort in gamified or simulated cognitive and motor tasks, which will be reviewed in this paper. While some measurements are consistent across studies, others vary and are likely dependent on the nature of the effort required by the task and the resulting changes in arousal. Pupil diameter is shown to consistently increase with task effort and arousal; however, the valence of arousal must be considered. In many cases, measures of pupil diameter were sensitive to both excessive and insufficient challenge. Overall, it is evident that gaze and pupil metrics are valuable to assess the cognitive state during gamified and simulated tasks, and further research is indicated regarding their use in clinical populations in rehabilitation to inform optimally engaging interventions.