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Abstract Background and objective Constraint-induced movement therapy is a widely used rehabilitation program in the stroke population, but its application in spinal cord injury is limited. The objective of the study is to determine the feasibility of modified constraint-induced movement therapy (mCIMT) in incomplete tetraplegia exhibiting upper limb weakness and activities of daily living (ADLs) difficulty. Method This is a quasi-experimental one-group pilot study, consisting of 12 subjects diagnosed with incomplete tetraplegia. They received 2-h sessions of modified constraint-induced movement therapy of the weaker hand along with a 1-h session of bimanual massed practice, 5 days a week for 3 weeks. Apart from this, they were asked to do 3 h of constrained-induced movement therapy daily 5 days a week for 3 weeks at their home as a part of a home exercise program. Box and block test (BBT) and Spinal Cord Independence Measure version III (SCIM-III) were taken as the primary measure, and manual function test (MFT) and capabilities for upper extremity (CUE) were used as secondary measures to access hand functions and ADLs. Subjects were examined during pre-intervention and post-intervention. Results After 3 weeks of intervention, the mean change of the score for the trained hand showed significant changes in the scores of the box and block test (p = 0.03), manual function test (p = 0.02), SCIM-III (p = 0.03), and CUE (p = 0.02). Conclusion This preliminary study revealed that modified CIMT may be a feasible and effective alternative for hand rehabilitation in incomplete tetraplegia.

Impostor phenomenon (IP) is an experience of psychological discomfort where some high-achieving people disbelieve their success. Those experiencing IP feel undeserving and fear being discovered as a fraud in one's area of expertise. This study examined how early career researchers or ECRs of Hispanic/Latino origin in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields described ethnicity-based experiences of IP. The research question examined how Hispanic/Latino ECRs (current PhD students and postdoctoral trainees) in STEM describe ethnicity-based experiences of IP during doctoral or postdoctoral training. Twenty-nine US-based ECRs were sequentially surveyed and interviewed. Participants were recruited purposefully and by snowball sampling through professional networks and social media. Descriptive statistics from surveys indicated that participants experienced moderate to intense IP at the time of the study with a mean score of 73.65/100 indicating high IP. Interviews with the same participants were coded and thematically displayed using constant comparison. The following themes were constructed: 1) family background and first-generation status, 2) disparity in observable traits and ethnic identity, 3) communicating in English, 4) enhance diversity, and, 5) underrepresentation and isolation. IP in connection with racial, ethnic, and other identities is poorly understood; culturally-informed understanding requires more research.

Abstract Because of their large surface areas, nanotubes and nanowires demonstrate exquisite mechanical coupling to their surroundings, promising advanced sensors and nanomechanical devices. However, this environmental sensitivity has resulted in several ambiguous observations of vibrational coupling across various experiments. Herein, we demonstrate a temperature-dependent Radial Breathing Mode (RBM) frequency in free-standing, electron-diffraction-assigned Double-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (DWNTs) that shows an unexpected and thermally reversible frequency downshift of 10 to 15%, for systems isolated in vacuum. An analysis based on a harmonic oscillator model assigns the distinctive frequency cusp, produced over 93 scans of 3 distinct DWNTs, along with the hyperbolic trajectory, to a reversible increase in damping from graphitic ribbons on the exterior surface. Strain-dependent coupling from self-tensioned, suspended DWNTs maintains the ratio of spring-to-damping frequencies, producing a stable saturation of RBM in the low-tension limit. In contrast, when the interior of DWNTs is subjected to a water-filling process, the RBM thermal trajectory is altered to that of a Langmuir isobar and elliptical trajectories, allowing measurement of the enthalpy of confined fluid phase change. These mechanisms and quantitative theory provide new insights into the environmental coupling of nanomechanical systems and the implications for devices and nanofluidic conduits.

Abstract Homonymous hemianopia field loss can develop as a result of injury to any part of the retro chiasmal visual pathway and is frequently fatal for subjects. The most common cause of homonymous hemianopia in older persons is ischemic infarction of the occipital lobe and its causes are multifactorial, frequently providing a diagnostic challenge to the clinician and signaling the necessity for a thorough systemic health review. Hemianopia is a loss of half of the visual field in each eye in which the inner or nasal half of one eye and the outer or temporal half of the other eye is affected. We report a case of a 72-year-old male subject who visited our department with complaints of weakness on the right side with difficulty seeing on the right side for 3 days. After undergoing various investigations, it was found that there is an acute infarct in the posterior cerebral artery territory supplying the left medial temporal lobe, medial occipital lobe, left thalamus, and splenium of the corpus callosum. After a physiotherapeutic examination provisionally, he was diagnosed with right hemiparesis and homonymous hemianopia, and thus, we administered an early physical therapy intervention which was found to be effective.

The application of antibiotics in the poultry and veterinary sectors is very common practice in India. Owing to the seriousness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the present study has illustrated the overall scenario of AMR in the poultry and veterinary sectors in India through an in-depth scoping review and key informant interview (KII). In the poultry sector, most of the studies reviewed have reported resistant bacteria isolated from chicken meat, eggs, cloacal swabs, and fecal samples, and only a few have reported the presence of resistant bacteria in and around the environment of poultry farms. The major resistant bacteria that have been reported are E. coli, Salmonella spp., S. aureus, Campylobacter jejuni, and K. pneumoniae. These bacterial isolates exhibited resistance to various antibiotics, such as azithromycin (21.43%), tetracycline (11.30–100%), chloramphenicol (4.76–100%), erythromycin (75–83.33%), ciprofloxacin (5.7–100%), gentamicin (17–100%), amikacin (4.76%), cotrimoxazole (42.2–60%), trimethoprim (89.4%), ceftriaxone (80%), and cefotaxime (14.29–70%). Like the poultry sector, different antibiotics are also used for treating clinical and subclinical bovine mastitis, which is one of the major problems plaguing the dairy sector. Several AMR bacterial strains, such as E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, have been reported by many researchers and showed resistance against tetracycline (74%), oxytetracycline (47.37%), ciprofloxacin (51%), streptomycin (57.89%), cephalosporin (100%), and trimethoprim (70%). The KIIs have revealed several reasons behind these AMR scenarios, of which the growing need for the production of food animals and their products with inadequate infrastructure and a lack of proper knowledge on farm management among the farmers are the major ones. Though several government legislations and policies have been laid down, proper implementation of these policies, strict surveillance on antibiotic application in the poultry and veterinary sectors, awareness generation among farmers, and infrastructure development can help minimize the development and transmission of AMR bacteria within and from these sectors.

This paper presents a new approach for solving FFLP problems using a double parametric form (DPF), which is critical in decision-making scenarios characterized by uncertainty and imprecision. Traditional linear programming methods often fall short in handling the inherent vagueness in real-world problems. To address this gap, an innovative method has been proposed which incorporates fuzzy logic to model the uncertain parameters as TFNs, allowing for a more realistic and flexible representation of the problem space. The proposed method stands out due to its integration of fuzzy arithmetic into the optimization process, enabling the handling of fuzzy constraints and objectives directly. Unlike conventional techniques that rely on crisp approximations or the defuzzification process, the proposed approach maintains the fuzziness throughout the computation, ensuring that the solutions retain their fuzzy characteristics and better reflect the uncertainties present in the input data. In summary, the proposed method has the ability to directly incorporate fuzzy parameters into the optimization framework, providing a more comprehensive solution to FFLP problems. The main findings of this study underscore the method’s effectiveness and its potential for broader application in various fields where decision-making under uncertainty is crucial.

The study aims to investigate the effect of homogenous and heterogeneous grouping on students' achievement and experiences of learning in a collaborative environment. A collaborative learning environment has been used as a pedagogical tool for a long time now. However, there is no clarity on which grouping strategy to use. In this paper, we study the impact of grouping on students' performances. We aim to examine how different grouping arrangements, leading to different learning environments, affect students' academic achievement. Also, in most cases homogeneity or heterogeneity is decided on the basis of students' ability. For group learning, students were grouped into two different settings on the basis of their learning perspectives derived from class notes and their personality types. In the present study, we used a novel algorithm based on k modes clustering. Grouping indeed improved students' performance, particularly, the heterogeneous groups performed better than the homogenous groups. Students' experience with learning in the two different environments indicates that they were more satisfied with homogeneous group settings.

Research suggests that elementary school is a crucial period for sparking students' long-term interest in science and consideration of a STEM career. Teachers influence students' dispositions towards science; therefore, it is important to consider elementary teachers' identity development, a preservice teacher's own voice and self-image, with science as a factor in science education. This longitudinal, qualitative study examines the experiences that served as barriers or supports to elementary Master of Teaching preservice teachers' science teacher identity development. Six preservice teachers were interviewed at the beginning of their graduate teacher education programs and again during their first year of teaching. Our findings indicate that identity development of future elementary teachers begins during their own elementary school experiences as a student and spans through their teaching practicums. Barriers to science identity development included prior elementary science experiences/lack of interest, science content and coursework requirements, practicum experiences, and socioeconomic status. Supports that bolster elementary teacher identity for instructing science included hands-on/inquiry-based science coursework, prior experience in schools and working with children, positive practicum experiences, and support from family and friends. This research indicates that in order to develop more rigorous elementary science teacher preparation programs, in regard to instruction and self-efficacy, educators and public policymakers will need to provide a series of supports for future science teachers ranging from their initial elementary school experiences through their practicum placements.

Successful people experiencing impostor phenomenon consider themselves less competent and less worthy of their positions or achievements. They attribute their success to luck, deceit, fraudulence, and others being kind to them instead of their own competence. Prior research has focused primarily on students in higher education; faculty experiences of impostor phenomenon in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields are not well understood. The research question guiding this inquiry was: "What kind of academic events or activities could contribute to faculty experiences of impostor phenomenon in STEM?" Using a qualitative analysis of 56 interviews, this U.S.-based study examined occurrences and experiences among faculty who self-identified as experiencing impostor phenomenon. A prior survey from the same participants revealed that they were predominantly White and female, experiencing moderate, high, or intense impostor phenomenon. Thematic interview analysis revealed that impostor phenomenon could be related to the following: 1) peer comparison, 2) faculty evaluation, 3) public recognition, 4) the anticipatory fear of not knowing, and 5) a perceived lack of competency. A comparison with findings from the larger study revealed that there are commonalities among faculty, PhD student, and postdoctorate experiences of impostor phenomenon in STEM. This necessitates professional development opportunities that could address self-limiting beliefs across the academic pipeline.

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence of menstrual disorders and the perceived effect of menstrual cycles upon performance in elite athletes.MethodologyA longitudinal survey in the form of a questionnaire was sent to female track and field athletes at British Athletics every 6 months, over a five-year period between 1st October 2014 and 1st October 2019 in the United Kingdom (UK).Results128 athletes completed an average of 4.2 ± 2.9 questionnaires across the study period. The mean age of menarche was 14.2 ± 1.4 years, 13.4 ± 1.3 years and 12.8 ± 1.4 years in endurance, power, and thrower athletes respectively (p

Using a framework of colonization in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), this U.S.-based study examined how seven Native American PhD students/ postdoctoral scholars experienced impostor phenomenon. Participants were identified/ contacted at a national conference on minorities in STEM through purposeful sampling. Surveys computed impostor phenomenon scores on a validated scale, while interviews documented how identity and culture contributed to impostor phenomenon in academia. Using a phenomenological approach, interviews were analyzed inductively using a constant comparative method. Surveys scores indicated high to intense impostor phenomenon. Interviews with the same participants further identified the following aspects of impostor phenomenon in relation to their minoritized identity: cultural differences and lack of understanding of Indigenous culture, lack of critical mass and fear of standing out, academic environment, family background and upbringing, and looks and diversity status. Developing a diverse and culturally competent STEM workforce requires a deeper understanding of what deters Native American individuals from pursuing a STEM career. They have the lowest college enrollment and retention rates compared with any race in the United States and could be vulnerable to racial bias and discrimination. Understanding impostor phenomenon through culturally relevant experiences would be crucial to broaden participation in STEM careers.

Abstract Prolapsed intervertebral disc or herniated disc (PIVD) is a common cause of back pain between the ages of 30 and 50 years. But, in the elderly PIVD is associated with associated symptoms whose management is often ignored. We reported a case of an 85 years old male patient with existing symptoms of PIVD for the last 5 years. However, the patient has never gone for physiotherapy treatment for the past 5 years due to unawareness and ignorance of the same. Since it was a geriatric case, the patient presented with associated symptoms along with PIVD. We tried to focus on the associated symptoms of the patient as well along with PIVD like fall risk and balance. The intervention program constituted 3 weeks of physiotherapy intervention focusing on pain management, strength conditioning, and balance training followed by an Otago Home Exercise Program.

Abstract Background Neuromyelitis optica is a rare immune-mediated demyelinating central nervous system disorder affecting the spinal cord and optic nerves. There is no permanent cure for this disease, and its management requires a multidisciplinary approach. Objective The objective of this case report is to see the effectiveness of physical therapy in the management of neuromyelitis Optica. Methods A case of a 13-year-old female with symptoms of left side weakness, balance, and gait impairments administered a 2-week exercise protocol including progressive resistance training for strength improvements, virtual reality gaming for balance and stability improvements, and modified constraint-induced movement therapy for upper extremity functioning and activities of daily living (ADLs). Pre- and post-outcome measures include manual muscle testing (MMT) scores for strength, ProKin TecnoBody assessment for balance and stability, Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and Capabilities of Upper extremity Questionnaire (CUE-Q) for ADLs. Results Results showed a marked improvement in the scores of MMT, FIM, CUE, and ProKin TecnoBody post-intervention. Conclusion Physical therapy is effective in the management of neuromyelitis optica.

Abstract Background Unaddressed impostor feelings that impede developing interest in science and self-efficacy in conducting research have a dispiriting effect that perpetuates unsatisfactory diversity in the health science workforce when such feelings are experienced more by those historically underrepresented in the workforce. This warrants effective interventions to reduce the impact of impostor feelings and related factors that diminish career resilience. We examined the effects of a 90-minute workshop on impostor perceptions and growth mindset to raise awareness of impostor phenomenon (IP) and develop skills to manage IP successfully for students attending a 10-week summer research experience program. Methods Using a convergent mixed-methods design, data were analyzed from 51 racially and ethnically diverse students who participated in an interactive IP workshop. Using students’ half-way and final progress reports about their summer experiences and pre- and post-summer online surveys, we identified how the workshop changed awareness of IP and helped students develop coping strategies. Results Students strongly endorsed the workshop, remarking that its content and personal stories from peers validated their own IP experiences and relieved anxiety by revealing how common the experience was. Many reported applying mindset-changing solutions, including positive self-talk, focusing their thinking on facts about themselves and situation, and grounding themselves firmly against potentially persuasive and confidence-eroding impostor feelings. While students reported end-of-summer impostor feelings at levels similar to before the program, they described being able to manage their feelings better and persist towards goals and challenging tasks. One measure of IP appeared to be addressed through students’ activation of a growth mindset, potentially explaining a specific mechanism for intervention. Discrepancies between qualitative responses and quantitative IP measures demand additional work on IP instruments. Conclusions A brief, theory-based IP workshop administered by research training programs, including those as short as 10-weeks, can have positive impact on subsequent IP experience and its successful management, with potential long-term impact on retention of a diverse biomedical research workforce.