bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Creation of means of checking an electrical circuit using a cir-cuit of test external influences
Authors: Zolnikov Konstantin , Shehovcov Dmitriy , Litvinov Nikolay , Solodilov Maksim
Published: October 2024

The following are considered: the electrical diagram of the project in Virtuoso Schematic Editor, the Launch→ADE L menu, the main window of the Analog Design Environment. The type of analysis and modeling options are set. The time simulation for the selected test scheme is considered. The Analyses→Choos menu item is selected. The type of analy-sis is set. The accuracy of the simulation and all the neces-sary options are shown. The project uses variables that are set using the menu item Variables→Edit.... The menu item Outputs→To Be Plotted→Select On Schematic is selected. The necessary circuits are indicated on the diagram. Tran analysis is introduced as modeling in the time domain (tran-sient analysis). The simulation of an electrical circuit in the time domain is carried out. The output characteristics are obtained as a function of time in the specified range. The transients occurring in the circuit are calculated. A DC anal-ysis was performed – the calculation of the circuit in static mode (DC). All inductors in the netlist have been replaced with a short circuit, and capacitances with a circuit break. Static mode analysis (DC analysis) was performed. The calculation of the working points of the active elements has been performed. The nodes of the circuit potentials, power consumption, transmission characteristics and parameters of noise immunity and logical levels are determined. An analysis of the DC operation point has been made. The characteristics of diodes and transistors at the operating point are determined. AC analysis (low-signal analysis) in the frequency domain was performed. The simulation of an electrical circuit in the frequency domain involves the calcu-lation of output characteristics as functions of frequency. A “config” view has been created for the project schema. In the CIW or Library Manager window, the menu item File→New→Cellview is selected. The library names and cells are specified in the form and are presented in "config", and "Hierarchy – Editor" is selected in the "Application" field
Management processes in highly reliable special and dual-purpose systems
Authors: Titov Mihail
Published: October 2024

The article examines the issues of management in highly reliable special and dual-use systems (HRSDUS), which play a key role in solving the management tasks assigned to the HRSDUS both in the interests of the national economy and for military purposes. The characteristic of the system approach is presented, according to which the management tools included in the HRSDUS play a key role in the management process. The role of the management process in the coordination of interrelated and interacting activities is shown. The importance of the process approach in the design system is considered, which includes issues related to planning, evaluation and analysis of processes. Based on the information about the subject of management, the mechanism of decision-making on the choice of the appropriate control action is given. It is noted that in the design process, the task of managing the project for the creation of a HRSDUS is to perform all the necessary stages and types of work at a time set by duration. At the same time, it is indicated that the design process of the HRSDUS is associated with the selection of appropriate quality criteria and management methods, according to which, with the initial data and existing limitations established by the customer, the progress of the development of a system with an appropriate level of quality should be monitored. The important role of the optimization problem is noted in the design process. Based on the discretization process and the rectangle formula, a method for reducing the optimal control problem to a mathematical programming problem is presented. An algorithm for solving the optimization problem under conditions of negative external influences (NEI) is considered. When determining the structure of the HRSDUS, it is shown that the formation of the predicted properties of the HRSDUS structure is determined by the sequence of processes (formation, development, change) of a complex control system. In the final part of the article, a diagram of the control mechanism of the HRSDUS is given. It is shown that when determining the structure of the HRSDUS, it is necessary that the initial controlled value change according to the rule excluding any interference from outside. It has been established that when determining the structure of the HRSDUS, it is impossible not to take into account the influence of negative external factors of artificial or natural origin, which have unpredictability (uncertainty). It is noted that the structure of the management system is of a hierarchical order. Aggregate and partial performance indicators are formed, which act as objects of parametric analysis. In this regard, the risks of implementing all possible negative external influences should be minimized
Development of a network model of target installations of complex organizational systems for special purposes
Authors: Shageev Denis
Published: October 2024

The author once again continues the cycle of publications in the direction of improving the accuracy of measurements in the method of Analytic Hierarchy Process of T. Saati (AHP) using various modifications. In the course of this action, various errors and limitations in the Analytic Hierarchy Pro-cess were found, and their solutions were proposed. Among such errors and limitations is the ambiguity of using differ-ent forms of convolution of local priority vectors. To obtain clarity in this direction, an extended study of additive, mul-tiplicative and nonlinear forms of convolution of local priori-ty vectors was carried out using a control experiment to find a solution to the problem of choosing from these forms the one that will guarantee high accuracy of measurements of the resulting vectors. The obtained research results, after critical analysis, confirmed the additive convolution form for the Analytic Hierarchy Process, which gives greater meas-urement accuracy. At the end of the article, the ways of in-creasing scientific knowledge for mathematical science through further modification are described
Approximating the Set of Nash Equilibria for Convex Games
Authors: Feinstein Zachary , Hey Niklas , Rudloff Birgit
Published: October 2024

Computing Nash Equilibria as Pareto Points

Recent work by Feinstein and Rudloff (“Characterizing and Computing the Set of Nash Equilibria via Vector Optimization”) proved that it is possible to characterize the set of all Nash equilibria as the set of all Pareto optimal solutions of a certain vector optimization problem. “Approximating the Set of Nash Equilibria for Convex Games” by Feinstein, Hey, and Rudloff expands on this result to demonstrate that a comparable relation holds between the set of all approximate Nash equilibria and approximate Pareto solutions of a specific vector optimization problem. This characterization holds for all noncooperative games but opens a new way of computing Nash equilibria using techniques and algorithms from convex vector optimization. A sandwich property is proven in which the computed set of approximate Pareto solutions is bounded between the set of true Nash equilibria and the set of all approximate Nash equilibria with controlled error.
Effects of combined respiratory physiotherapy with high-flow nasal cannula and Venturi mask in spinal cord injury: a single-subject research study and literature review
Authors: Raciti Loredana , Raciti Gianfranco , Ammendolia Antonio , Distefano Sandro Maria , Calabrò Rocco Salvatore , Onesta Maria Pia , Prosperini Gaetano
Published: October 2024

Background: The level of spinal cord injury affects the severity of respiratory impairment and the alteration of respiratory pattern and gas exchanges. Lesions at the C3-C5 level (phrenic nerve nucleus) cause disruption of descending input with paralysis of the main inspiratory muscle, often requiring tracheostomy and prolonged mechanical ventilation. Oxygen therapy is essential to switch from ventilatory support to removal of the endotracheal tube to correct residual difficulties in oxygenation management. Case Presentation: A 58-year-old man had tracheostomy and tetraparesis as complication of tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy treatment for a history of obstructive sleep apnea. A respiratory rehabilitation program with protocol of oxygen therapy with high flow cannula alternated with a low-flow system by Venturi mask during daytime hours only was started. The patient was constantly monitored with capillary partial oxygen saturation to obtain adequate oxygenation (> 94%) and registered every 15 minutes in the clinical chart. There was gradual improvement of respiratory function. Oxygen by Venturi mask was gradually reduced due to improvement of partial pressure oxygen values. Over the course of days, the optimal results of respiratory parameters led to a gradual weaning from the Venturi mask until the complete discontinuation of the low-flow system during daytime and decreased of the high-flow fraction of inspired oxygen to the maximal tolerated level during nighttime. Conclusions: Implementing a combined protocol of nighttime oxygen with high flow cannula and daytime Venturi mask improves intensive motor training of patients by promoting the acquisition of ability to perform chair/bed transitions and to be able to achieve standing and begin gait training. More research is needed whether or noted to determine the role of this promising approach in patients with severe SCI and in other critically ill patients.
New findings of mites on small mammals in the Yungas Forest of Argentina
Authors: Trejo Jessica Cecilia , López Berrizbeitia M. Fernanda
Published: October 2024

In Argentina, studies on the systematics of parasitic mites on small mammals have been limited mainly to rodent mites from the Pampas region, followed by some studies in the northeastern region.  The mites collected in the province of Jujuy, particularly in the locality of Las Capillas, have not been previously analyzed.  The objective of this study was to contribute to the knowledge of the faunal composition of mites parasitizing small mammals in the Yungas eco-region, Jujuy province, Argentina.  Specimens of mites deposited in the “Colección de Mamíferos Anexo Lillo, Dra. Analía G. Autino (CMLA)”, Universidad Nacional de Tucumán, from bats and rodents were examined.  The specimens were fixed in 70 % alcohol and prepared following conventional techniques for taxonomic identification.  The specimens were compared to the original descriptions of the species and to specimens in the CMLA.  A total of 153 mites of the order Mesostigmata were analyzed, resulting in the identification of 11 species, eight genera, and three families.  Three species parasitized the order Chiroptera and eight parasitized the order Rodentia.  A total of 152 mites were identified in the adult stage, including 14 males and 138 females, and one protonymphal stage.  All species represent new records for the locality Las Capillas, except Gigantolaelaps gilmorei.  The following species are reported for the first time for the Jujuy Province: Androlaelaps fahrenholzi, Laelaps mazzai, Mysolaelaps microspinosus, Eulaelaps stabularis, Chiroptonyssus robustipes, Macronyssus crosbyi  and Periglischrus iheringi, as well as the genera Androlaelaps, Mysolaelaps, Eulaelaps, Chiroptonyssus, Macronyssus and Periglischrus and the families Macronyssidae and Spinturnicidae.  Twenty mite-host associations were recognized for Las Capillas.  The results increase the inventory of the acarological fauna of small mammals in the northwestern Argentina and particularly in the Yungas of the province of Jujuy, which constitutes an area of influence of bacterial pathogens.
A Case Study in Kgotsong of Grade 4 Learners’ Performance in Natural Sciences Utilising English as A Medium of Teaching and Learning
Authors: Mentoor Boniswa , Bhagwandeen Ritu , Setlalentoa Wendy
Published: October 2024

The study investigated the effects of utilising English as the primary teaching language on the academic development of Grade 4 (Gr4) learners, specifically focusing on the Life and Living (L&L) component of Natural Sciences (NS). Gr4 learners commonly transition to English as the Language of Learning and Teaching (LoLT), relegating native languages such as Sesotho to mere study subjects. This shift often results in comprehension and retention challenges, hindering students' academic achievements. By employing a quasi-experimental research design, the study used a purposefully selected sample of 80 Gr4 students from two primary schools. The control group (45 learners) received English instruction from Grade R to Grade 7, while the experimental group (35 learners) switched from Sesotho to English in Gr4. Both groups underwent pre-tests and post-tests, revealing statistically significant differences favouring the experimental group. These findings support the research hypothesis that introducing English as the LoLT as early as Grade R has a significant impact on learners' performance, particularly in NS. It is recommended that English be adopted as a medium of instruction for NS, as this better prepares students for future academic challenges.
Energy Efficient and Redundant Steer-by-Wire for Articulated Non-road Mobile Machines
Authors: Singh Vinay Partap , Huova Mikko , Minav Tatiana
Published: October 2024

The electrification of on-road vehicles has got momentum in recent years, but for Non-Road Mobile Machines there are still many barriers to cross. In order to completely eliminate the internal combustion engine or reduce its use, the energy loss in machines needs to be minimised at every possible section. One such part is the steering of heavy non-road mobile machines which has been unchanged to a large extent for decades, especially in articulated machines. The major cause of the industry being cautious in replacing the traditional steering system is its safety. As being a safety-critical system, it requires to comply with the highest safety standards. An articulated steered wheel loader has been selected as a case study in this article to first carry out a detailed hazard analysis to assess the machine performance levels required for steering. Two scenarios are selected for hazard analysis: 1. the wheel loader is on work site; 2. the wheel loader is travelling on road. To achieve the required performance level, the requirements of functional safety and safety integrity level of the steering are analysed. Based on corresponding standards and the required performance level for the steering, a new electro-hydrostatic-based steer-by-wire system is proposed. The proposed steering complies with safety standards for articulated steering and has the potential for energy saving. The simulation of the proposed system is carried out from an energy-efficiency point of view in MATLAB/Simulink. The proposed electro-hydrostatic steering system is compared to the traditional steering of a wheel loader in the Mevea digital twin environment and has been found to be substantially more energy efficient in the primary analysis. The simulations show that in conventional steering, 51% of energy is wasted in the steering valve alone, while in EHA (Electro-hydrostatic actuator) steering only 29% is wasted in the entire steering system.
Dynamic Response Analysis of the Main Plunger in A Two-stage On/Off Poppet Valve for the Digital Hydraulics Field
Authors: Elsaed Essam , Linjama Matti
Published: October 2024

The necessity for greater energy conservation in hydraulic machinery is highlighted by escalating fuel costs and heightened ecological awareness. Utilizing independent metering to enhance the energy utilization of hydraulic actuators is one effective strategy, yet the market is short on efficient reversible proportional valves that can perform this function. For handling modest flow rates up to 150 Liters per minute, the digital hydraulic method utilizing fast direct operated on/off solenoid valves shows promise; however, solutions for managing larger flows remain vague. This research explores the application of pilot-operated solenoid valves in digital hydraulic systems designed for substantial flow volumes. It establishes a model grounded in physical principles to examine how various factors influence the valve reaction speed. A unique valve design was established, derived from an existing valve but with a modified structure.
The findings indicate that the pressure difference, viscosity of the fluid and pilot plunger dynamics are crucial determinants of the valve response time. Incorporating a stroke limiter proves significant in harmonizing the response times across valves with varying flow rates, while the traditional methods of deploying serial orifices is deemed unsuitable. A glance from the results shows that at a ΔP of 10 bar, the valve with an 8 mm attached serial orifice has an opening response of 65 ms, while the stroke limited valve achieves 40 ms. This significant advantage slightly narrows at higher pressures, stabilizing at 100 bar. During closing, the stroke limiter is remarkably 60% faster at 10bar, and both configurations settle at 40 ms at 200 bar.
Variable-Speed Pump-Controlled Three-chamber Cylinder System for Hydraulic Boom with Feed-Forward LADRC
Authors: Zhang Shuzhong , Wang Borui , Minav Tatiana , Tang Yiwen , Guo Yu
Published: October 2024

With the increasing fossil fuel crisis and environmental degradation, energy-saving has been one of the fluid power transmissions’ priority research areas. In a conventional hydraulic boom, throttling and potential energy losses result in poor energy efficiency and extra rising of fluid temperature. To boost the energy efficiency of a hydraulic boom, this paper proposed a variable-speed pump-controlled three-chamber cylinder system for hydraulic boom with feed-forward plus linear active disturbance rejection control (LADRC). In the proposed system, chambers A and B of the three-chamber cylinder are controlled by two variable-speed fixed-displacement pumps and the third chamber C is connected to a hydraulic accumulator to balance the weight of the boom. Firstly, the model of the variable-speed pump-controlled three-chamber cylinder system is built in Matlab/Simulink. Further, the mechanical model of a 1-ton excavator is established, and the proposed system is applied to the boom. Secondly, a compound controller combining speed feed-forward and LADRC is designed. Thirdly, simulations were performed under boom up and down while keeping the arm and bucket cylinders fully retracted. The position control performance and energy consumption are analysed and compared. The results show that, compared to the PID and speed feed-forward PID control, the proposed controller has a lower position tracking error (less than 2.66%). Compared with the variable-speed pump-controlled differential cylinder system, the proposed system can save energy by 43.51% when considering energy recovery. Therefore, the proposed system has good position tracking performance and has the potential to be applied to different types of heavy-lifting equipment driven by hydraulic cylinders.
Evaluation of Shear Strength and Wood Failure of Two African Mahogany Species Planted in Brazil
Authors: França Tamara Suely Filgueira Amorim , de Andrade Jaily Kerller Batista , França Frederico Jose Nistal , Arantes Marina Donaria Chaves , Vidaurre Graziela Baptista
Published: October 2024

Interest in the wood industry of African mahogany (Khaya spp.) has increased in Brazil because of the quality of the wood and the similarity to the highly demanded Brazilian mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla King). The objective was to study the shear strength and wood failure of joints of 19-year-old plantation African mahogany species (K. ivorensis and K. senegalensis) bonded with four different commercially used adhesives in order to better evaluate the potential use of this material as a suitable replacement for Brazilian mahogany wood. The resins used in this study were urea-formaldehyde (UF), melamine-urea-formaldehyde (MUF), and emulsion polymeric isocyanate (EPI), and cross-linking polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was used as a thermoplastic adhesive. PVAc yielded statistically higher shear strength for both species. For K. ivorensis, MUF, EPI, and PVAc reached the minimum value for shear strength as specified by ASTM International. However, with K. senegalensis, PVAc was the only adhesive to meet the standard. For K. ivorensis, PVAc and MUF resulted in statistically higher wood failure, and MUF, EPI, and PVAc met the required percentage of wood failure. In K. senegalensis, MUF and PVAc met the minimum requirement for wood failure. Based on the classification given by ASTM standards, the adhesives MUF, EPI, and PVAc can be used for nonstructural lumber products for K. ivorensis, and PVAC can be used in both species tested.
Common framework for surface plasmon binding and voltage sensing and microscopy with transmission line representation
Authors: Somekh Michael G. , Regules-Medel Karen , Abayzeed Sidahmed A.
Published: October 2024

Surface plasmon imaging and sensing is a well-established and important technology for the detection of minute binding events in, for instance, antibody/antigen reactions. More recently it has been realized that surface plasmon effects can be used to measure voltages as well as electrical impedance. At first sight the physical mechanisms for binding and voltage sensing appear very different; however, we develop a transmission line and impedance representation of the sensing process which clearly shows that binding and voltage sensing can be conveniently represented in a common framework. Our transmission line model shows graphically how the gold layer amplifies reflectivity changes resulting in optimum sensitivity at around 48 nm gold thickness. The other elegant feature of this representation is that the model clearly shows the role of the change in amplitude and phase in the sensing process; indeed it reveals their relative contribution to the output of the sensor. The graphical representation is also very suggestive of a model to quantify the performance of different detection strategies. This model provides a framework to describe these strategies without reference to any specific noise mechanisms. The results of the model definitively support previous assertions that phase imaging gives better sensitivity compared to intensity measurement. Moreover, we show that measurement of the complex amplitude containing both amplitude and phase of the detected signal performs even better than phase only detection. This opens the way for further enhancements of detection sensitivity.
Higher-order exceptional points and enhanced polarization sensitivity in anisotropic photonic time-Floquet crystals
Authors: Wang Neng , Hong Binbin , Wang Guo Ping
Published: October 2024

We realized fourth-order exceptional points (EP-4s) in the quasienergy bands of anisotropic photonic time-Floquet crystals (APTCs), where the full in-plane permittivity tensors are periodically modulated in time. We developed the Floquet matrix method for APTCs, which provides a comprehensive study of the generation and characteristics of EP-4s. It is shown that an EP-4 is formed by the coalescence of three second-order exceptional points (EP-2s), which are classified into two types based on the band slopes near them. Additionally, the helicities of the four coalescing bands converge rapidly to zero at any given time when approaching the EP-4, following the ϵ1/4-dependence. Therefore, a strong polarization sensitivity is observed at the EP-4, which could inspire applications relevant to electromagnetic spins in APTCs.
Sectional imaging using structured detection under computational optical scanning holographic microscopy
Authors: Yoneda Naru , Ordóñez Luis , Bados Erick Fabian Ipus , Lenz Armin , Martinez Lluís , Matoba Osamu , Tajahuerce Enrique
Published: October 2024

Computational optical scanning holography (COSH) is a single-pixel imaging technique that can provide holograms with a simple common-path optical setup.
Although COSH can reconstruct three-dimensional (3D) objects through phase-shifting and optical backpropagation, there are defocus artifacts in reconstructed images from different axial positions, which leads to lower axial resolution.
In this Letter, a structured detection technique in COSH is proposed to improve the axial resolution of COSH by reducing defocus artifacts.
The proposed method can improve the axial resolution with optical sectioning by structured illumination microscopy (OS-SIM) principles.
In addition, the proposed method is applied to microscopy.
The feasibility of the proposed method is experimentally verified.
Successful cardiac resynchronization therapy reduces negative septal work in patient-specific models of dyssynchronous heart failure
Authors: Craine Amanda , Krishnamurthy Adarsh , Villongco Christopher T. , Vincent Kevin , Krummen David E. , Narayan Sanjiv M. , Kerckhoffs Roy C. P. , Omens Jeffrey H. , Contijoch Francisco , McCulloch Andrew D.
Published: October 2024

In patients with dyssynchronous heart failure (DHF), cardiac conduction abnormalities cause the regional distribution of myocardial work to be non-homogeneous. Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) using an implantable, programmed biventricular pacemaker/defibrillator, can improve the synchrony of contraction between the right and left ventricles in DHF, resulting in reduced morbidity and mortality and increased quality of life. Since regional work depends on wall stress, which cannot be measured in patients, we used computational methods to investigate regional work distributions and their changes after CRT. We used three-dimensional multi-scale patient-specific computational models parameterized by anatomic, functional, hemodynamic, and electrophysiological measurements in eight patients with heart failure and left bundle branch block (LBBB) who received CRT. To increase clinical translatability, we also explored whether streamlined computational methods provide accurate estimates of regional myocardial work.

We found that CRT increased global myocardial work efficiency with significant improvements in non-responders. Reverse ventricular remodeling after CRT was greatest in patients with the highest heterogeneity of regional work at baseline, however the efficacy of CRT was not related to the decrease in overall work heterogeneity or to the reduction in late-activated regions of high myocardial work. Rather, decreases in early-activated regions of myocardium performing negative myocardial work following CRT best explained patient variations in reverse remodeling. These findings were also observed when regional myocardial work was estimated using ventricular pressure as a surrogate for myocardial stress and changes in endocardial surface area as a surrogate for strain. These new findings suggest that CRT promotes reverse ventricular remodeling in human dyssynchronous heart failure by increasing regional myocardial work in early-activated regions of the ventricles, where dyssynchrony is specifically associated with hypoperfusion, late systolic stretch, and altered metabolic activity and that measurement of these changes can be performed using streamlined approaches.
Bayesian polynomial neural networks and polynomial neural ordinary differential equations
Authors: Fronk Colby , Yun Jaewoong , Singh Prashant , Petzold Linda
Published: October 2024

Symbolic regression with polynomial neural networks and polynomial neural ordinary differential equations (ODEs) are two recent and powerful approaches for equation recovery of many science and engineering problems. However, these methods provide point estimates for the model parameters and are currently unable to accommodate noisy data. We address this challenge by developing and validating the following Bayesian inference methods: the Laplace approximation, Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling methods, and variational inference. We have found the Laplace approximation to be the best method for this class of problems. Our work can be easily extended to the broader class of symbolic neural networks to which the polynomial neural network belongs.
Age-appropriate vaccination and associated factors among children aged 12–35 months in Ethiopia: A multi-level analysis
Authors: Worku Bekelu Teka , Wordofa Eshetu Alemayehu , Senbeto Gadisa , Zinab Beakal , Kebede Ebissa Bayana , Abamecha Fira , Debela Gurmessa Tura , Birhanu Negalign , Siraneh Yibeltal , Tamiru Dessalegn
Published: October 2024

Background

Age-appropriate vaccination is a crucial public health measure to prevent morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite its importance, there has been insufficient emphasis on tackling this problem. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of age-appropriate vaccination and associated factors in Ethiopia.

Method

Data from 1077 children aged 12-35months were extracted from the Ethiopian Mini Demographic and Health Survey 2019 using a prepared data extraction checklist and included in the analysis. The extracted data was analyzed using STATA version 14.0. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied, followed by multilevel logistic regression. Significant variables were identified at p-value < 0.05 within 95% confidence level and AOR.

Result

The pooled prevalence of age-appropriate vaccination in this study was 21.17% (95%CI: 18.73–23.61). Factors like mothers age > = 40 years (AOR = 4.05, 95%CI: 1.03, 15.83), 35–39 years (AOR = 4.62, 95%CI: 1.27,16.71), 25–29 years (AOR = 4.07, 95%CI: 1.18,14.03), Maternal secondary education (AOR = 1.85, 95% CI: 1.06, 3.22), Maternal primary education (AOR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.07, 2.41) and rural residence (AOR = 0.34, 95%CI: 0.23,0.51) were significant predictors of age-appropriate vaccinations.

Conclusion

This study concluded that the prevalence of age-appropriate vaccination of children in Ethiopia is below the desired level. Hence, the stakeholders should prioritize timely vaccination of children, similar to as the efforts made to increase overall coverage.
Planning intonation under cognitive constraints of speaking
Authors: Ots Nele
Published: October 2024

Pitch peaks tend to be higher at the beginning of longer utterances than in shorter ones (e.g., ‘The Santa is decorating the Christmas trees’ vs. ‘The Santa is decorating the Christmas tree and the window’). Given that a rise in pitch frequently occurs in response to increased mental effort, we explore the link between higher pitch at the beginning of an utterance and the cognitive demands of sentence planning for speech production. To modulate the cognitive resources available for generating a message in a visual world speech production task, the study implemented a dual-task paradigm. Participants described pictures depicting events with multiple actors. In one-half of these descriptions, the participants memorized three nouns, later recalling them and answering related questions. The results demonstrate both cognitive and linguistic influences on sentence intonation. Specifically, intonation peaks at the beginning of longer utterances were higher than in shorter ones, and they were lower under the condition of memory load than under no load. Measurements of eye gaze indicated a very short processing delay at the outset of processing the picture and the sentence, which was rapidly overcome by the start of speech. The short time frame of restricted cognitive resources thus was manifested in the lowering of the intonation peaks. These findings establish a novel link between language-related memory span and sentence intonation and warrant further study to investigate the cognitive mechanisms of the planning of intonation.
Efficacy and safety of videolaryngoscopes for transesophageal echocardiography probe insertion: A trial sequential meta-analysis
Authors: Hung Kuo-Chuan , Wang Wei-Ting , Yu Chia-Hung , Wu Jheng-Yan , Lin Chien-Ming , Liu Wei-Cheng , Lin Tso-Chou , Chen I-Wen
Published: October 2024

Objective

This meta-analysis aimed to compare videolaryngoscope (VL)-assisted transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe insertion with conventional methods in terms of efficacy and safety.

Methods

Several major databases such as Medline and Embase were systematically searched to identified relevant studies from inception to June 2024. The primary outcome was complication rate, defined as the proportion of patients experiencing complications related to TEE probe insertion. Injuries at specific sites (e.g., posterior hypopharyngeal wall) from both groups were also analyzed. The secondary outcomes included the first-attempt success rate and total insertion time of VL and conventional methods.

Results

Seven trials involving 716 participants were identified. The use of VL was found to significantly reduce the complication rate (risk ratio[RR]:0.28, 95% confidence interval[CI]:0.17–0.46, P < 0.00001) and increased the first-attempt success rate [FASR] (RR:1.33, 95%CI: 1.10–1.60, P = 0.003) compared with conventional methods. These findings were confirmed by trial sequential analysis. No significant difference was found in the TEE insertion time among the two techniques (mean difference: −2.94s, 95%CI: −10.28–4.4, P = 0.43). VL significantly reduced the risk of trauma to the hypopharyngeal wall but showed no significant benefits in other areas (e.g., pyriform sinus). The certainty of evidence was moderate for the complication rate, very low for the FAS rate, and low for the TEE insertion time.

Conclusion

The use of VL for TEE probe insertion is associated with a significantly lower complication rate and higher FAS rate than conventional methods. These findings suggest that VL enhances patient safety and improves the efficiency of TEE probe insertion.
Socioeconomic inequalities associated with Geriatric syndrome in Thailand: The results of Fifth National Health Examination Survey
Authors: Sripaew Supakorn , Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Nontarak Jiraluck , Chariyalertsak Suwat , Kessomboon Pattapong , Taneepanichskul Surasak , Neelapaichit Nareemarn , Aekplakorn Wichai
Published: October 2024

Geriatric syndrome (GS) is the prevalence of a group of phenotypes in older people. Functional decline, cognitive impairment, and frailty are common phenotypes that burden individuals, families, and the healthcare system. Policies targeting GS require information on socioeconomic background of older people, which is scarce in Thailand. We investigated socioeconomic inequality associated with GS using the concentration index and further explained the contributions of socioeconomic status and sociodemographic variables to inequality. Nationally representative data of 7,365 individuals aged 60 years and above from the 5th National Health Examination Survey of 2013 were analyzed. The survey used a physical examination, blood test, and questionnaire interviews to elicit personal information, health status, and household assets. The wealth index was used as the main indicator of socioeconomic status, and participants with missing wealth index data were excluded. Three GS phenotypes—frailty, functional impairment (FI) and neurocognitive dysfunction (NCD)—were included. An indirectly standardized concentration index (Cis) and a 95% confidence interval were used to represent the horizontal equity of the three phenotypes. Contributions to the concentration index (CC)—contribution to a more or less equitable GS distribution—were decomposed and shown in terms of percentage and direction. All GS phenotypes were found to be concentrated in the elderly poor (Cis of FI, frailty, and NCD = -0.068, -0.092, and -0.182, respectively). Work status contributes to a more equitable GS distribution in all the phenotypes (%CC in FI, frailty, and NCD = -1.7%, -5.1%, and -2.0%, respectively), whereas types of insurance schemes made bidirectional contributions to the equity of GS. Policies should be adopted to help prevent GS among poor individuals, provide them with an equal opportunity of access to health schemes and ensure opportunities for older Thai individuals to work.
Effects of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficiency on bone disorders and sarcopenia caused by adenine-induced renal dysfunction in mice
Authors: Mizukami Yuya , Kawao Naoyuki , Ohira Takashi , Okada Kiyotaka , Yamao Hisatoshi , Matsuo Osamu , Kaji Hiroshi
Published: October 2024

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant global health issue and often involves CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) and sarcopenia. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) is an inhibitor of fibrinolysis. PAI-1 has been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and muscle wasting induced by inflammatory conditions. However, the roles of PAI-1 in CKD-MBD and sarcopenia remain unknown. Therefore, the present study investigated the roles of PAI-1 in bone loss and muscle wasting induced by adenine in PAI-1-deficient mice. CKD was induced in PAI-1+/+ and PAI-1-/- mice by administration of adenine for ten weeks. Muscle wasting was assessed by grip strength test, quantitative computed tomography (CT) analysis and muscle weight measurement. Osteoporosis was assessed by micro-CT analysis of femoral microstructural parameters. PAI-1 deficiency did not affect adenine-induced decreases in body weight and food intake or renal dysfunction in male or female mice. PAI-1 deficiency also did not affect adenine-induced decreases in grip strength, muscle mass in the lower limbs, or the tissue weights of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior muscles in male or female mice. PAI-1 deficiency aggravated trabecular bone loss in CKD-induced male mice, but significantly increased trabecular bone in CKD-induced female mice. On the other hand, PAI-1 deficiency did not affect cortical bone loss in CKD-induced mice. In conclusion, PAI-1 is not critical for the pathophysiology of CKD-MBD or CKD-induced sarcopenia in mice. However, PAI-1 may be partly related to bone metabolism in trabecular bone in the CKD state with sex differences.
Humoral and T-cell-mediated responses to an insect-specific flavivirus-based Zika virus vaccine candidate
Authors: Porier Danielle L. , Adam Awadalkareem , Kang Lin , Michalak Pawel , Tupik Juselyn , Santos Matthew A. , Tanelus Manette , López Krisangel , Auguste Dawn I. , Lee Christy , Allen Irving C. , Wang Tian , Auguste Albert J.
Published: October 2024

Flaviviruses represent a significant global health threat and relatively few licensed vaccines exist to protect against them. Insect-specific flaviviruses (ISFVs) are incapable of replication in humans and have emerged as a novel and promising tool for flavivirus vaccine development. ISFV-based flavivirus vaccines have shown exceptional safety, immunogenicity, and efficacy, however, a detailed assessment of the correlates of protection and immune responses induced by these vaccines are still needed for vaccine optimization. Here, we explore the mechanisms of protective immunity induced by a previously created pre-clinical Zika virus (ZIKV) vaccine candidate, called Aripo/Zika (ARPV/ZIKV). In brief, immunocompromised IFN-αβR-/- mice passively immunized with ARPV/ZIKV immune sera experienced protection after lethal ZIKV challenge, although this protection was incomplete. ARPV/ZIKV-vaccinated IFN-αβR-/- mice depleted of CD4+ or CD8+ T-cells at the time of ZIKV challenge showed no morbidity or mortality. However, the adoptive transfer of ARPV/ZIKV-primed T-cells into recipient IFN-αβR-/- mice resulted in a two-day median increase in survival time compared to controls. Altogether, these results suggest that ARPV/ZIKV-induced protection is primarily mediated by neutralizing antibodies at the time of challenge and that T-cells may play a comparatively minor but cumulative role in the protection observed. Lastly, ARPV/ZIKV-vaccinated Tcra KO mice, which are deficient in T-cell responses, experienced significant mortality post-challenge. These results suggest that ARPV/ZIKV-induced cell-mediated responses are critical for development of protective immune responses at vaccination. Despite the strong focus on neutralizing antibody responses to novel flavivirus vaccine candidates, these results suggest that cell-mediated responses induced by ISFV-based vaccines remain important to overall protective responses.
The tenth anniversary of Drama Therapy Review
Authors: Sajnani Nisha
Published: October 2024

This editorial includes a reflection on the growth of Drama Therapy Review (DTR) which celebrates its tenth anniversary with this twentieth issue. It also includes a summary of the contributions in this general issue which reflect a rigorous and playful engagement with several contradictory elements that underlie the practice and profession of drama therapy: absence and presence, adversaries and allies, expansion and contraction, playfulness and its opposites.
Development and evaluation of a creative drama-based support program for adolescents with asthma
Authors: Güney Rabiye , Yıldız Suzan , Toyran Müge , Özbek Gökçen
Published: October 2024

Chronic diseases often bring along psychosocial problems. Being diagnosed with a chronic disease during adolescence, when psychosocial problems are known to occur frequently, creates a multiplier effect. Drama, whose therapeutic effect on psychosocial health has been known for many years, may benefit adolescents with asthma. However, there is no study on this subject in the literature. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a creative drama-based support program for adolescents with asthma. It was tested on twenty adolescents with asthma aged 13–17 years, recruited from a child allergy outpatient clinic using a quasi-experimental, one-group, pre-test–post-test design. In the evaluation of psychosocial problems in adolescents, Achenbach’s Youth Self-Report Scale (YSR/11–18), which is widely used in many countries and has been shown to be valid and reliable, was utilized. YSR/11–18 was administered before and one month after participation in the program. After completion of the program, YSR/11–18 scores were significantly improved. Creative drama is a potentially useful tool to help adolescents with asthma cope with their disease more effectively.
Playing with, through and around absence: A clinical commentary on cross-cultural encounter in individual Developmental Transformations (DvT) sessions with refugee children
Authors: Sanyal Katrina L.
Published: October 2024

Refugees are a growing critical clinical population globally. There is a need for more research and discussion on how drama therapy can be used with refugees, particularly as many interventions will take place in the country of re-settlement where the therapist and client may come from different cultural backgrounds. This clinical commentary discusses the author’s experience of cross-cultural encounter in Developmental Transformations (DvT) individual session with refugee children ages 8–13, and the drama therapist’s embodied experience of cultural difference that emerged within the DvT session. The clinical commentary includes a fictionalized vignette of a DvT play session with a refugee child from Afghanistan, as well as vignettes from the author’s own supervisory DvT sessions.
Activating allyship: Revisiting Forum Theatre through a study abroad program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Khanna Akhila , Olegario Loy Kristina , Chen Ta Wei , Short Callie
Published: October 2024

In March 2023, nineteen students, educators and clinicians affiliated with New York University’s theatre education, dance education and drama therapy programs travelled to Rio de Janeiro for ten days to learn about the work of Escola de Teatro Popular (ETP) or The Popular Theatre School across social movements. Co-founded by Julian Boal and collaborator Geo Britto, ETP has reworked the original contributions of Augusto Boal’s Theatre of the Oppressed and Forum Theatre into a new model of allyship. The co-authors of this article, four drama therapists working across healthcare systems in New York City, seek to examine how ETP’s art-infused allyship with communities relates to therapeutic practice in drama therapy and how it can further the World Health Organization’s global efforts of using the arts to improve community well-being. The article explains how this evolved approach can be a model to build new strengths and new forms of solidarity to confront the contradictory forces that compel drama therapists to submit and resist inadequacies within managed care systems.
Teaching Elementary Social Studies for Scholarship, Civic Engagement, and Mental Health: The Revolution WILL Be Dramatized, Lee R. Chasen (2023)
Authors: Bailey Sally
Published: October 2024

Review of: Teaching Elementary Social Studies for Scholarship, Civic Engagement, and Mental Health: The Revolution WILL Be Dramatized, Lee R. Chasen (2023)

Leiden: Brill Academic Publisher, 303 pp.,

ISBN 978-9-00453-960-0, p/bk, $60.00
Trauma-Informed Drama Therapy: Transforming Clinics, Classrooms, and Communities, 2nd ed., Nisha Sajnani and David Read Johnson (eds) (2024)
Authors: Morrison Elise
Published: October 2024

Review of: Trauma-Informed Drama Therapy: Transforming Clinics, Classrooms, and Communities, 2nd ed., Nisha Sajnani and David Read Johnson (eds) (2024)

Springfield, IL: Charles C Thomas Publisher, Ltd., 350 pp.,

ISBN 978-0-39809-434-8, p/bk, $50
Riscos ambientais decorrentes da ocupação irregular: estudo de caso no bairro do Passarinho, Recife-PE
Authors: Do Nascimento Passos Clara Lobo , Vaz Lafayette Kalinny Patricia , Da Silva Thiago Augusto , Da Silva Luciana Cássia Lima
Published: October 2024

O conhecimento da expansão urbana em uma área é de fundamental importância para a identificação das dinâmicas ambientais, econômicas e sociais. Entretanto, o rápido crescimento de forma desordenada e sem o devido planejamento, de algumas cidades no Brasil ao decorrer das últimas décadas, permitiu o surgimento de diversos desafios para os governantes e também para as populações urbanas. Na Região Metropolitana do Recife (RMR) não foi diferente e, como resultado, é evidente o crescimento de ocupações irregulares em áreas ambientalmente frágeis, como as regiões de encostas. Essas estruturas sofrem alterações intensificadas pela ação antrópica, que são agravadas no período de inverno com as fortes chuvas, resultando em perdas ambientais, materiais e humanas. O estudo teve por objetivo fazer uma avaliação de uma área impactada por deslizamento de terra com vítimas fatais, localizada no bairro do Passarinho em Recife-PE. A análise temporal de uso e ocupação do solo teve como base mapas vetorizados e georreferenciados, entre os anos de 1975-2022, onde foi verificado um crescimento expressivo da mancha urbana (4.119,05 %), enquanto a cobertura mais afetada foi à vegetação (-30,13 %). Também foi observado que os impactos ambientais locais variam entre médio e alto grau, com altos níveis de risco para os resíduos sólidos urbanos e saneamento ambiental (água e esgoto). Os resultados obtidos são fundamentais para definição de prioridades nas áreas ocupadas de forma desordenada e sem planejamento, através de ações de mitigação e compreensão dos riscos ambientais, aos quais à comunidade está exposta