bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reliability and Validity of the Geriatric Depression Scale in a Sample of Portuguese Older Adults with Mild-to-Moderate Cognitive Impairment
Authors: Justo-Henriques Susana I. , Pérez-Sáez Enrique , Carvalho Janessa O. , Bobrowicz-Campos Elzbieta , Apóstolo João L. Alves , Otero Patricia , Vázquez Fernando L.
Published: August 2023

Although the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) is a well-established instrument for the assessment of depressive symptoms in older adults, this has not been validated specifically for Portuguese older adults with cognitive impairment. The objective of this study was to analyze the psychometric properties of two Portuguese versions of the GDS (GDS-27 and GDS-15) in a sample of Portuguese older adults with mild-to-moderate cognitive impairment. Clinicians assessed for major depressive disorder and cognitive functioning in 117 participants with mild-to-moderate cognitive decline (76.9% female, Mage = 83.66 years). The internal consistency of GDS-27 and GDS-15 were 0.874 and 0.812, respectively. There was a significant correlation between GDS-27 and GDS-15 with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (GDS-27: rho = 0.738, p < 0.001; GDS-15: rho = 0.760, p < 0.001), suggesting good validity. A cutoff point of 15/16 in GDS-27 and 8/9 in GDS-15 resulted in the identification of persons with depression (GDS-27: sensitivity 100%, specificity 63%; GDS-15: sensitivity 90%, specificity 62%). Overall, the GDS-27 and GDS-15 are reliable and valid instruments for the assessment of depression in Portuguese-speaking older adults with cognitive impairment.
Developmental Trajectory of Anticipation: Insights from Sequential Comparative Judgments
Authors: Tricoche Leslie , Meunier Martine , Hassen Sirine , Prado Jérôme , Pélisson Denis
Published: August 2023

Reaction time (RT) is a critical measure of performance, and studying its distribution at the group or individual level provides useful information on the cognitive processes or strategies used to perform a task. In a previous study measuring RT in children and adults asked to compare two successive stimuli (quantities or words), we discovered that the group RT distribution was bimodal, with some subjects responding with a mean RT of around 1100 ms and others with a mean RT of around 500 ms. This bimodal distribution suggested two distinct response strategies, one reactive, the other anticipatory. In the present study, we tested whether subjects’ segregation into fast and slow responders (1) extended to other sequential comparative judgments (2) evolved from age 8 to adulthood, (3) could be linked to anticipation as assessed using computer modeling (4) stemmed from individual-specific strategies amenable to instruction. To test the first three predictions, we conducted a distributional and theoretical analysis of the RT of 158 subjects tested earlier using four different sequential comparative judgment tasks (numerosity, phonological, multiplication, subtraction). Group RT distributions were bimodal in all tasks, with the two strategies differing in speed and sometimes accuracy too. The fast strategy, which was rare or absent in 8- to 9-year-olds, steadily increased through childhood. Its frequency in adolescence remained, however, lower than in adulthood. A mixture model confirmed this developmental evolution, while a diffusion model corroborated the idea that the difference between the two strategies concerns anticipatory processes preceding decision processes. To test the fourth prediction, we conducted an online experiment where 236 participants made numerosity comparisons before and after an instruction favoring either reactive or anticipatory responses. The results provide out-of-the-lab evidence of the bimodal RT distribution associated with sequential comparisons and demonstrated that the proportions of fast vs. slow responders can be modulated simply by asking subjects to anticipate or not the future result of the comparison. Although anticipation of the future is as important for cognition as memory of the past, its evolution after the first year of life is much more poorly known. The present study is a step toward meeting this challenge. It also illustrates how analyzing individual RT distributions in addition to group RT distributions and using computational models can improve the assessment of decision making cognitive processes.
The Relationship between Physical Exercise and Smartphone Addiction among Chinese College Students: The Mediating Effect of Core Self-Evaluation
Authors: Gong Yanbin , Yang Haibo , Bai Xuejun , Wang Yuehua , An Jiayu
Published: August 2023

Smartphone addiction is widespread among college students. Physical exercise and core self-evaluation are two potential factors that may influence smartphone addiction. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between physical exercise and college students’ smartphone addiction, as well as the mediating effect of core self-evaluation. Here, 643 undergraduate university students are surveyed via questionnaire using the Physical Activity Rating Scale, the Smartphone Addiction Scale for College Students, and the Core Self-Evaluations Scale. The participants include 363 males (56.5%) and 280 females (43.5%), with ages ranging from 17 to 25 years old (mean = 19.68, SD = 1.40). The obtained data are analyzed using SPSS26.0 and the PROCESS plugins. The main findings of the study are as follows: (1) There is a significant negative correlation between physical exercise and smartphone addiction (r = −0.30, p < 0.01), a significant positive correlation between physical exercise and core self-evaluation (r = 0.25, p < 0.01), and a significant negative correlation between core self-evaluation and smartphone addiction (r = −0.52, p < 0.01). (2) There is a mediating effect of core self-evaluation between physical exercise and smartphone addiction. The current study can provide new evidence for the impact of physical exercise on smartphone addiction and highlights the importance of core self-evaluation. Moreover, research ideas and methodological guidance are provided for the following interventions and treatments targeting college students’ smartphone addiction.
Educating Youth to Civic Engagement for Social Justice: Evaluation of a Secondary School Project
Authors: Martini Mara , Rollero Chiara , Rizzo Marco , Di Carlo Sabrina , De Piccoli Norma , Fedi Angela
Published: August 2023

The positive effects of youth civic engagement can be felt both at the individual level (e.g., better emotional regulation, a greater sense of empowerment) and at the community level (e.g., a greater likelihood of participation in civic and political activities). They may also be a protective factor for at-risk youth in the short and long term and a valuable element for positive identity development in general. The purpose of this longitudinal study was to assess the impact of an educational intervention implemented in secondary schools to promote youth civic engagement (N = 508 at Time 1, N = 116 at Time 2). The study is divided into two parts: first, it examines the changes stimulated by the project, and second, it uses a path analysis model to explain the intention to participate. Results show that after participation, hostile and benevolent sexism, classic and modern ethnic prejudice, and social dominance orientation decreased, while trust in institutions increased. In addition, the path analysis showed that policy control, social trust, and civic engagement increased the intention of civic engagement at time T1. Despite some limitations, this study may provide useful guidance for those designing and implementing civic education interventions for young people.
The Project Manager’s Core Competencies in Smart Building Project Management
Authors: Rodrigues Alexsandro M. , Oladimeji Olubimbola , Guedes André L. A. , Chinelli Christine K. , Haddad Assed N. , Soares Carlos A. P.
Published: August 2023

Project manager competencies have been widely discussed in the literature. Although many works present lists of competencies for project managers, specific competencies for smart buildings were not found. This work aimed to identify the main competencies of project managers for the management of smart building projects. The methodology consisted of a two-step approach using the guidelines of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) to perform broad and detailed bibliographic research. Initially, a literature review was carried out to identify the main research fields related to the management of smart building projects and the specificities of these fields that can influence the management of this type of project. Next, these specificities were related to the competencies of project managers mentioned in the literature, to identify a set of more relevant competencies for project managers of smart building projects. The results showed that the main research fields are related to scope, risks, costs, schedule, technologies and systems, sustainability, and general characterization, which consider objectives, barriers, challenges, and regulations. They also showed that the most relevant competencies for managing smart buildings projects are technical competencies, leadership, communication, budgeting, attitudes toward risk, strategic management, organization, and specifying real requirements. These findings show the importance of hard and soft skills for managing smart building projects.
Experimental Study on Flexural Performance of Precast Prestressed Concrete Beams with Fiber Reinforcement
Authors: Zhang Jingjing , Liu Chao , Wang Jianning , Feng Xuguang , Liu Huanqin
Published: August 2023

Fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) has good toughness and a gentle stress–strain softening section, which can improve the inherent defects of concrete material such as high brittleness, easy cracking, and poor fracture toughness. In this paper, carbon fiber, aramid fiber and mixed fiber are introduced to enhance the performance of precast prestressed concrete beams (PPCB). The effects of different fiber types and adding rate on mechanical properties of FRC were studied via axial compression test and four-point bending test. Based on the flexural performance test of precast FRC beams, the failure form and the improvement degree of flexural ability of the beams were analyzed. Moreover, the load–deflection curve and the quantified ductility index obtained by the test were discussed, and the law of the improvement effect of fiber type on flexural property was revealed. The results show that the optimal addition rate of fiber is 0.6%. In addition, the addition of fiber significantly increased the cracking load and ultimate bearing capacity of the test beam, whereby the average increase in cracking load and ultimate bearing capacity was 40% and 20%, respectively. At the same time, the ductility of the beam is obviously enhanced by the action of fibers, among which the hybrid fiber has the best effect. Specifically, the ductility coefficient analysis verifies that aramid fiber plays an important role in improving the ductility of the components.
The Evolution of Multi-Family Housing Development Standards in the Climate Crisis: A Comparative Analysis of Selected Issues
Authors: Starzyk Agnieszka , Donderewicz Mikołaj , Rybak-Niedziółka Kinga , Marchwiński Janusz , Grochulska-Salak Magdalena , Łacek Przemysław , Mazur Łukasz , Voronkova Ivanna , Vietrova Polina
Published: August 2023

Contemporary problems related to the consequences of climate change and exposure to changing investment and implementation conditions are prompting the development of programmes adapting to climate change. Issues of adaptation and actions in relation to climate change are being discussed in the architectural, urban planning, and governmental communities. Models are being developed for shaping the functional and spatial structure, buildings and infrastructure in the city in relation to the projected climate change. Multi-criteria and interdisciplinary research is being carried out and solutions are being implemented for retaining water, minimising the heat island effect, reducing emissions and environmental impact by analysing the carbon footprint and introducing circular economy principles. The research is focused on the analysis of design and implementation conditions for multi-family housing projects in Poland, and the development of design guidelines enabling adaptation and mitigation of the negative effects of climate change, including heat island effects, smog, overheating, drought, and flooding in housing. Conclusions from the overview of the indicated documents and legal provisions for the implementation of sustainable development principles and adaptation to climate change in the investments under preparation (urban and architectural projects) enable the forecasting of development directions and ideological assumptions for shaping urbanised areas, providing the basis for shaping the resilience of the functional and spatial structure and the natural system in urban areas subject to transformation. Issues of implementing pro-environmental technologies and developing new urban planning standards disseminate the solutions of compact cities in which the development of multifunctional building complexes with public spaces equipped with greenery linked to the buildings are realised.
A Novel Response Factor-Based Method for In Situ Measurement of Wall Thermal Resistance
Authors: Wang Chuang , Fu Xiao , Tao Xiaoran , Li Xiaoyan , An Jingjing
Published: August 2023

The heat flow meter method (HFM) is one of the most-used methods for the in situ measurement of wall thermal resistance. However, the standard HFM method has some issues: it is challenging to balance simplicity and accuracy in data analysis and the measurement period needs to be shorter. In this paper, a new dynamic data analysis method for the in situ measurement of wall thermal resistance is introduced, which is based on a truncated form of the infinite response factors for a wall heat conduction process and has a theoretically deducted convergence criteria for the automatic termination of an in situ measurement. The efficacy of the proposed method is validated by a theoretical analysis and by experiments from one simulation dataset and one measurement dataset. Preliminary experimental results show that the proposed method can reduce the measurement time by about one-third on average while maintaining the same accuracy as the standard average method. Due to the advantages of a clear physical meaning, a simple principle, and a short measurement period, the proposed method contributes to the quick and accurate estimation of the wall thermal resistance in buildings.
Binary Comprehensive Learning Particle Swarm Optimization Approach for Optimal Design of Nonlinear Steel Structures with Standard Sizes
Authors: Su Rut , Tangaramvong Sawekchai , Van Thu Huynh , Chaiwongnoi Atitaya , Song Chongmin
Published: August 2023

This paper proposes the binary comprehensive learning particle swarm optimization (BCLPSO) method to determine the optimal design for nonlinear steel structures, adopting standard member sizes. The design complies with the AISC-LRFD standard specifications. Moreover, the sizes and layouts of cross-brace members, appended to the steel frames, are simultaneously optimized. Processing this design is as challenging as directly solving the nonlinear integer programming problem, where any solution approaches are often trapped into local optimal pitfalls or even do not converge within finite times. Herein, the BCLPSO method incorporates not only a comprehensive learning technique but also adopts a decoding process for discrete binary variables. The former ascertains the cross-positions among the sets of best swarm particles at each dimensional space. The latter converts design variables into binary bit-strings. This practice ensures that local optimal searches and premature termination during optimization can be overcome. The influence of an inertial weight parameter on the BCLPSO approach is investigated, where the value of 0.98 is recommended. The accuracy and robustness of the proposed method are illustrated through several benchmarks and practical structural designs. These indicate that the lowest minimum total design weight (some 3% reduction as compared to the benchmark) can be achieved of about 40% lower than the total number of analyses involved.
Patients’ Experiences of a Sarcoma Diagnosis: A Process Mapping Exercise of Diagnostic Pathways
Authors: Martin Sam , Clark Sigrún Eyrúnardóttir , Gerrand Craig , Gilchrist Katie , Lawal Maria , Maio Laura , Martins Ana , Storey Lesley , Taylor Rachel M. , Wells Mary , Whelan Jeremy S. , Windsor Rachael , Woodford Julie , Vindrola-Padros Cecilia , Fern Lorna A.
Published: August 2023

Patients with sarcoma often report prolonged time to diagnosis, which is attributed to the rarity of sarcoma and the low awareness of pre-diagnostic signs and symptoms. Aims: To describe patients’ experiences of pre-diagnostic signs/symptoms and pathways to diagnosis, including where help was sought, and the processes involved. Methods: Mixed methods involving quantitative, qualitative and inductive thematic analyses using novel process mapping of patient journey data, as reported by the patients. We examined the time from symptom onset to first professional presentation (patient interval, PI), first consultation to diagnostic biopsy, first consultation to diagnosis (diagnostic interval) and first presentation to diagnosis (total interval). Results: A total of 87 interviews were conducted over 5 months in 2017. Of these, 78 (40 males/38 females) were included. The sarcoma subtypes were bone (n = 21), soft tissue (n = 41), head and neck (n = 9) and gastro-intestinal (GIST; n = 7). Age at diagnosis was 13–24 (n = 7), 25–39 (n = 23), 40–64 (n = 34) and 65+ (n = 14) years. The median PI was 13 days (1–4971) and similar between sarcoma subtypes, with the exception of GIST (mPI = 2 days, (1–60). The longest mPI (31 days, range 4–762) was for those aged 13–24 years. The median diagnostic interval was 87.5 (range 0–5474 days). A total of 21 patients were misdiagnosed prior to diagnosis and symptoms were commonly attributed to lifestyle factors. Conclusions: Prolonged times to diagnosis were experienced by the majority of patients in our sample. Further research into the evolution of pre-diagnostic sarcoma symptoms is required to inform awareness interventions.
Cytoreductive Surgery with the PlasmaJet Improved Quality-of-Life for Advanced Stage Ovarian Cancer Patients
Authors: Nieuwenhuyzen-de Boer Gatske M. , Aamran Hanane , van den Berg Caroline B. , Willemsen Sten , Piek Jurgen M. J. , Reesink-Peters Nathalie , Maliepaard Marianne , van Doorn Helena C. , Polinder Suzanne , van Beekhuizen Heleen J.
Published: August 2023

Background: Knowledge of quality-of-life after cytoreductive surgery is important to counsel patients with advanced-stage epithelial ovarian cancer prior to surgery. The aim of this study was to determine whether the use of the PlasmaJet Surgical device during cytoreductive surgery has an effect on the quality-of-life of patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: Data included in this prospective observational study were derived from the PlaComOv study, in which patients with advanced epithelial ovarian cancer were randomly assigned to have cytoreductive surgery with or without adjuvant use of the PlasmaJet. Quality-of-life was measured before surgery and one, six, 12, and 24 months after surgery with three questionnaires: the EORTC QLQ-C30, QLQ-OV28, and EQ-5D-5L. Results: Between 2018 and 2020, 326 patients were enrolled in the trial. The overall response rate was high, with the lowest response rate at 24 months of 77%. At 6 months, quality-of-life was higher in the intervention group (95%CI 0.009; 0.081, p = 0.045). At 12 months, quality-of-life was higher in the intervention group with fewer symptoms of fatigue, appetite loss, and diarrhea (95%CI 0.6; 10,0, p = 0.027); similarly, patients in the intervention group reported a better body image (95%CI −14.2; −3.0, p = 0.003) and a higher score on the visual analog scale (95%CI 1.99; 11.15, p = 0.005). At 24 months postoperatively, no further difference was found between the two groups except for pain (95%CI −12.9; −0.8, p = 0.027) and body image (95%CI −13.808; −0.733, p = 0.029). A higher quality-of-life in the intervention group was partially explained by the mediator ‘surgery outcome’. Conclusions: This study demonstrated knowledge of patients’ quality-of-life until two years after cytoreductive surgery. The use of the PlasmaJet Surgical device during cytoreductive surgery leads to a higher quality-of-life than conventional surgery with electrocoagulation alone. Even after adjustment for the mediator of surgical outcome, a higher quality-of-life was seen in patients who had surgery with the use of the PlasmaJet device.
Changes in Gastric Pathology after H. pylori Treatment in Community-Driven Research Aimed at Gastric Cancer Prevention
Authors: Wang Ting , Girgis Safwat , Chang Hsiu-Ju , Assi Ali , Fagan-Garcia Katharine , Cromarty Taylor , Munday Rachel , Goodman Karen J. , Veldhuyzen van Zanten Sander ,   the CANHelp Working Group
Published: August 2023

Community-driven projects have characterized Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection in Indigenous communities in the Northwest Territories (NT) and Yukon (YT), Canada. These projects address concerns about the frequent diagnosis of Hp infection among community members and its relation to gastric cancer deaths, perceived to occur with alarming frequency in this region. Projects included breath-test screening for Hp infection, gastroscopy with gastric biopsies, and treatment to eliminate Hp infection. Previous project results showed a high prevalence of stomach pathologies associated with increased cancer risk among Hp-positive participants at baseline. This analysis describes changes in precancerous gastric pathologies in project participants who had gastroscopy before baseline treatment during 2008–2013 and again in 2017. Throughout the study period, the same pathologist graded Hp density, active gastritis, chronic gastritis, atrophic gastritis, and intestinal metaplasia using the updated Sydney System. Of 310 participants from three communities with baseline pathology data, 69 had follow-up pathology data. Relative to baseline, the prevalence of Hp infection and precancerous gastric pathology was substantially lower at follow-up; most participants who were Hp-positive at baseline and Hp-negative at follow-up had reduced severity of active, chronic, and/or atrophic gastritis at follow-up. Though follow-up numbers are small, these results yield evidence that successful Hp treatment has the potential to reduce the risk of gastric cancer in Arctic Indigenous communities.
A Fully Automated Post-Surgical Brain Tumor Segmentation Model for Radiation Treatment Planning and Longitudinal Tracking
Authors: Ramesh Karthik K. , Xu Karen M. , Trivedi Anuradha G. , Huang Vicki , Sharghi Vahid Khalilzad , Kleinberg Lawrence R. , Mellon Eric A. , Shu Hui-Kuo G. , Shim Hyunsuk , Weinberg Brent D.
Published: August 2023

Glioblastoma (GBM) has a poor survival rate even with aggressive surgery, concomitant radiation therapy (RT), and adjuvant chemotherapy. Standard-of-care RT involves irradiating a lower dose to the hyperintense lesion in T2-weighted fluid-attenuated inversion recovery MRI (T2w/FLAIR) and a higher dose to the enhancing tumor on contrast-enhanced, T1-weighted MRI (CE-T1w). While there have been several attempts to segment pre-surgical brain tumors, there have been minimal efforts to segment post-surgical tumors, which are complicated by a resection cavity and postoperative blood products, and tools are needed to assist physicians in generating treatment contours and assessing treated patients on follow up. This report is one of the first to train and test multiple deep learning models for the purpose of post-surgical brain tumor segmentation for RT planning and longitudinal tracking. Post-surgical FLAIR and CE-T1w MRIs, as well as their corresponding RT targets (GTV1 and GTV2, respectively) from 225 GBM patients treated with standard RT were trained on multiple deep learning models including: Unet, ResUnet, Swin-Unet, 3D Unet, and Swin-UNETR. These models were tested on an independent dataset of 30 GBM patients with the Dice metric used to evaluate segmentation accuracy. Finally, the best-performing segmentation model was integrated into our longitudinal tracking web application to assign automated structured reporting scores using change in percent cutoffs of lesion volume. The 3D Unet was our best-performing model with mean Dice scores of 0.72 for GTV1 and 0.73 for GTV2 with a standard deviation of 0.17 for both in the test dataset. We have successfully developed a lightweight post-surgical segmentation model for RT planning and longitudinal tracking.
Vaccination against Extracellular Vimentin for Treatment of Urothelial Cancer of the Bladder in Client-Owned Dogs
Authors: Engbersen Diederik J. M. , van Beijnum Judy R. , Roos Arno , van Beelen Marit , de Haan Jan David , Grinwis Guy C. M. , Schalken Jack A. , Witjes J. Alfred , Griffioen Arjan W. , Huijbers Elisabeth J. M.
Published: August 2023

It was recently shown that targeting extracellular vimentin (eVim) is safe and effective in preclinical models. Here, we report the safety and efficacy in client-owned dogs with spontaneous bladder cancer of CVx1, an iBoost technology-based vaccine targeting eVim in combination with COX-2 inhibition. This was a single-arm prospective phase 1/2 study with CVx1 in 20 client-owned dogs with spontaneous UC which involved four subcutaneous vaccinations with CVx1 at 2-week intervals for induction of antibody titers, followed by maintenance vaccinations at 2-month intervals. Additionally, daily cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 inhibition with meloxicam was given. The response was assessed by antibody titers, physical condition, abdominal ultrasound and thorax X-ray. The primary endpoints were the development of antibody titers, as well as overall survival compared to a historical control group receiving carboplatin and COX-2 inhibition with piroxicam. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed. All dogs developed antibodies against eVim. Titers were adequately maintained for the duration of this study. A median overall survival of 374 days was observed, which was 196 days for the historical control group (p < 0.01). Short-term grade 1–2 toxicity at the injection site and some related systemic symptoms peri-vaccination were observed. No toxicity was observed related to the induced antibody response. A limitation of this study is the single-arm prospective setting. CVx1 plus meloxicam consistently induced efficient antibody titers, was well tolerated and showed prolonged survival. The results obtained merit further development for human clinical care.
Cfdp1 Is Essential for Cardiac Development and Function
Authors: Giardoglou Panagiota , Deloukas Panos , Dedoussis George , Beis Dimitris
Published: August 2023

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the prevalent cause of mortality worldwide. A combination of environmental and genetic effectors modulates the risk of developing them. Thus, it is vital to identify candidate genes and elucidate their role in the manifestation of the disease. Large-scale human studies have revealed the implication of Craniofacial Development Protein 1 (CFDP1) in Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). CFDP1 belongs to the evolutionary conserved Bucentaur (BCNT) family, and to date, its function and mechanism of action in Cardiovascular Development are still unclear. We utilized zebrafish to investigate the role of cfdp1 in the developing heart due to the high genomic homology, similarity in heart physiology, and ease of experimental manipulations. We showed that cfdp1 was expressed during development, and we tested two morpholinos and generated a cfdp1 mutant line. The cfdp1−/− embryos developed arrhythmic hearts and exhibited defective cardiac performance, which led to a lethal phenotype. Findings from both knockdown and knockout experiments showed that abrogation of cfdp1 leads to downregulation of Wnt signaling in embryonic hearts during valve development but without affecting Notch activation in this process. The cfdp1 zebrafish mutant line provides a valuable tool for unveiling the novel mechanism of regulating cardiac physiology and function. cfdp1 is essential for cardiac development, a previously unreported phenotype most likely due to early lethality in mice. The detected phenotype of bradycardia and arrhythmias is an observation with potential clinical relevance for humans carrying heterozygous CFDP1 mutations and their risk of developing CAD.
Outcomes of the Ponseti Technique in Different Types of Clubfoot—A Single Center Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Butt Maryum Naseer , Perveen Wajida , Ciongradi Carmen-Iulia , Alexe Dan Iulian , Marryam Misbah , Khalid Laique , Dobreci Daniel Lucian , Sârbu Ioan
Published: August 2023

Background: Clubfoot is a congenital deformity that can affect one or both of a newborn’s lower extremities. The main objective of the study is to evaluate and compare the outcomes of the Ponseti method for the management of different types of clubfoot. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 151 children with 253 clubfeet (idiopathic untreated, idiopathic recurrent, and syndromic) with at least one year of follow-up was conducted in four months after ethical approval. Data were collected with a structured proforma after the consent of the parents. An independent sample t-test was applied to show the comparison between the groups, and a p-value of 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 151 patients, 76% were male and 24% were female. Out of a total of 235 feet, 96 (63%) were idiopathic untreated, 40 (26.5%) were idiopathic recurrent, and 15 (9.5%) were syndromic clubfoot. The average number of casts was higher in syndromic clubfoot (9 casts per foot). There was no significant difference in the baseline Pirani score of the three groups (p-value > 0.05); but after one year of follow-up, there was a significant difference in the Pirani score of idiopathic and syndromic clubfoot (p-value ≤ 0.05) and between recurrent clubfoot and syndromic clubfoot (p-value = 0.01). Conclusions: The aetiology of syndromic clubfoot affects the outcomes of the Ponseti method and leads to relapse. In idiopathic (untreated and recurrent) clubfoot, the Ponseti method does not produce a significant difference in outcome. Poor brace compliance and a lack of tenotomy lead to orthotic (ankle foot orthosis AFO and foot orthosis FO) use in the day time and the recurrence of clubfoot deformity in these three types of clubfoot.
Addressing the Need for a Better Understanding of Foot and Ankle Pathology Relevant to the Adolescent Athlete
Authors: Anastasio Albert T. , Adams Samuel B.
Published: August 2023

Foot and ankle pathology in the adolescent athlete is a growing area of basic science, translational, and clinical research [...]
#Putkids1st: Health Professionals Using Social Media for Public Policy Advocacy—From Collective Action to Connective Action
Authors: Wood Charles , Rosati Pierangelo , Lynn Theo
Published: August 2023

This study examines public policy advocacy by pediatricians and other health professionals in the hashtag community: #putkids1st. The study explores 4321 tweets that feature the hashtag, generated by 1231 unique users largely drawn from the American Association of Pediatricians and its members. The data are used to explore the structural dynamics of the hashtag community, the role of homophily, and to test a source-message framework to predict and recommendations to help improve engagement and retransmission of professional health advocacy messages.
Association between Hpa Axis Functioning and Mental Health in Maltreated Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Leroux Pierre-Antoine , Dissaux Nolwenn , Le Reste Jean Yves , Bronsard Guillaume , Lavenne-Collot Nathalie
Published: August 2023

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that children who experience maltreatment show a more elevated risk of psychopathological disorders than children from the general population. The HPA (hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal) axis is not mature at birth and undergoes strong social regulation during the first years of life. Consequently, early exposure to stress could modify the usual adaptative response to stress. In stressful situations, perturbations in both cortisol response and cortisol circadian rhythm have been observed. Nevertheless, studies that have evaluated the links between child abuse, dysregulation of the HPA axis, and mental disorders have shown diverse results. Because of the variety of methods employed in the different studies, no formal comparisons have been made. In this systematic review, we have brought together these results. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of studies analyzing the correlation between child abuse, mental disorders, and HPA axis activity in patients aged between 6 and 16 years. PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched using relevant keywords and inclusion/exclusion criteria (from 2000 to 2020). Results: Fifteen studies from the 351 identified were included. Most patients were children in the child welfare system. Children who had experienced child abuse presented with more severe mental disorders (particularly in the dimensional measure) than children who had not been abused. HPA axis activity was assessed by measuring basal cortisol for some studies and cortisol reactivity for other studies. For children experiencing child abuse, there was a possible association between abuse and a decrease in the reactivity of the HPA axis. In addition, early life stress could be associated with lower matinal cortisol. However, the association between mental disorders and cortisol secretion in maltreated children did not seem obvious. Conclusions: This systematic review demonstrates that mental disorders are more frequent and severe in cases where child abuse has occurred. Moreover, children who experienced child abuse seem to present changes in the reactivity of the HPA axis. Nevertheless, the potential correlation between these changes in the reactivity of the HPA axis and mental disorders in this population needs to be evaluated in further studies.
Annealing and Doping Effects on Transition Metal Dichalcogenides—Based Devices: A Review
Authors: Ko Raksan , Lee Dong Hyun , Yoo Hocheon
Published: August 2023

Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) have been considered promising electronic materials in recent years. Annealing and chemical doping are two core processes used in manufacturing electronic devices to modify properties and improve device performance, where annealing enhances crystal quality, reduces defects, and enhances carrier mobility, while chemical doping modifies conductivity and introduces new energy levels within the bandgap. In this study, we investigate the annealing effects of various types of dopants, time, and ambient conditions on the diverse material properties of TMDCs, including crystal structure quality, defect density, carrier mobility, electronic properties, and energy levels within the bandgap.
Application of Bilinear Softening Laws and Fracture Toughness of Foamed Concrete
Authors: Maulana Malik Ridwan , Ahmad Hilton , Sugiman Sugiman
Published: August 2023

This study examined the fracture and failed performance of foamed concrete materials by testing normalized notched beams under three-point bending via three methods: inverse analysis, digital image correlation (DIC), and finite element modeling (FEM). It also discussed both experimental and FEM characteristics. However, inverse analysis is only applicable for specimens with a notch height of 30 mm. Bilinear softening of the tested beams was estimated to identify the fracture energy (GF), critical crack length (ac), and elastic modulus (E). Additionally, the fracture toughness was calculated by adopting the double-K method (initiation fracture, unstable fracture, and cohesive fracture). Two-dimensional FEA modeling of the fracture was conducted using the traction-separation law (TSL), incorporating the extended finite element method (XFEM) and cohesive zone (CZM) techniques. A finite element sensitivity for the XFEM and CZM was performed, with the global mesh size of 2 and the damage stabilization cohesion of 1 × 10−5 showed good convergence and were used in other models. Further comparison of the DIC experiment findings with those from the FEM demonstrated good agreement in terms of crack propagation simulation.
Rayleigh Waves Propagating in the Functionally Graded One-Dimensional Hexagonal Quasicrystal Half-Space
Authors: Zhang Bo , Tu Honghang , Li Liangjuan , Yu Jiangong , Dai Jun
Published: August 2023

For the manufacturing and optimization of quasicrystal structures, Rayleigh waves propagating in the functionally graded one-dimensional hexagonal quasicrystal half-space are investigated. The analytical Laguerre orthogonal polynomial method is employed to solve dynamic equations of wave motion, which greatly improves the computational efficiency. Dispersion curves and displacement distributions are illustrated. The influences of the phonon–phason coupling effect, inhomogeneity, and quasiperiodic direction on wave characteristics are analyzed. Some new results are obtained: (1) Compared with the classical Laguerre polynomial method, the improvement in computational efficiency of the analytical Laguerre polynomial method is more than 99%. (2) The energy penetration depth of phason modes is greater than that of phonon modes. The results lay a theoretical foundation for designing and optimizing SAW devices.
Understanding In-Person and Online Exercise Oncology Programme Delivery: A Mixed-Methods Approach to Participant Perspectives
Authors: Duchek Delaney , McDonough Meghan H. , Bridel William , McNeely Margaret L. , Culos-Reed S. Nicole
Published: August 2023

Alberta Cancer Exercise (ACE) is an exercise oncology programme that transitioned from in-person to online delivery during COVID-19. The purpose of this work was to understand participants’ experiences in both delivery modes. Specifically, survivors’ exercise facilitators and barriers, delivery mode preference, and experience with programme elements targeting behaviour change were gathered. A retrospective cohort design using explanatory sequential mixed methods was used. Briefly, 57 participants completed a survey, and 19 subsequent, optional interviews were conducted. Most participants indicated preferring in-person programmes (58%), followed by online (32%), and no preference (10%). There were significantly fewer barriers to (i.e., commute time) (p < 0.01), but also fewer facilitators of (i.e., social support) (p < 0.01), exercising using the online programme. Four themes were generated from the qualitative data surrounding participant experiences in both delivery modes. Key differences in barriers and facilitators highlighted a more convenient experience online relative to a more socially supportive environment in-person. For future work that includes solely online delivery, focusing on building social support and a sense of community will be critical to optimising programme benefits. Beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, results of this research will remain relevant as we aim to increase the reach of online exercise oncology programming to more underserved populations of individuals living with cancer.
Digital Tomosynthesis: Review of Current Literature and Its Impact on Diagnostic Bronchoscopy
Authors: Jain Anant , Sarkar Adrish , Husnain Shaikh Muhammad Noor , Adkinson Brian Cody , Sadoughi Ali , Sarkar Abhishek
Published: August 2023

Bronchoscopy has garnered increased popularity in the biopsy of peripheral lung lesions. The development of navigational guided bronchoscopy systems along with radial endobronchial ultrasound (REBUS) allows clinicians to access and sample peripheral lesions. The development of robotic bronchoscopy improved localization of targets and diagnostic accuracy. Despite such technological advancements, published diagnostic yield remains lower compared to computer tomography (CT)-guided biopsy. The discordance between the real-time location of peripheral lesions and anticipated location from preplanned navigation software is often cited as the main variable impacting accurate biopsies. The utilization of cone beam CT (CBCT) with navigation-based bronchoscopy has been shown to assist with localizing targets in real-time and improving biopsy success. The resources, costs, and radiation associated with CBCT remains a hindrance in its wider adoption. Recently, digital tomosynthesis (DT) platforms have been developed as an alternative for real-time imaging guidance in peripheral lung lesions. In North America, there are several commercial platforms with distinct features and adaptation of DT. Early studies show the potential improvement in peripheral lesion sampling with DT. Despite the results of early observational studies, the true impact of DT-based imaging devices for peripheral lesion sampling cannot be determined without further prospective randomized trials and meta-analyses.
Radiomics for the Detection of Active Sacroiliitis Using MR Imaging
Authors: Triantafyllou Matthaios , Klontzas Michail E. , Koltsakis Emmanouil , Papakosta Vasiliki , Spanakis Konstantinos , Karantanas Apostolos H.
Published: August 2023

Detecting active inflammatory sacroiliitis at an early stage is vital for prescribing medications that can modulate disease progression and significantly delay or prevent debilitating forms of axial spondyloarthropathy. Conventional radiography and computed tomography offer limited sensitivity in detecting acute inflammatory findings as these methods primarily identify chronic structural lesions. Conversely, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is the preferred technique for detecting bone marrow edema, although it is a complex process requiring extensive expertise. Additionally, ascertaining the origin of lesions can be challenging, even for experienced medical professionals. Machine learning (ML) has showcased its proficiency in various fields by uncovering patterns that are not easily perceived from multi-dimensional datasets derived from medical imaging. The aim of this study is to develop a radiomic signature to aid clinicians in diagnosing active sacroiliitis. A total of 354 sacroiliac joints were segmented from axial fluid-sensitive MRI images, and their radiomic features were extracted. After selecting the most informative features, a number of ML algorithms were utilized to identify the optimal method for detecting active sacroiliitis, leading to the selection of an Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model that accomplished an Area Under the Receiver-Operating Characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) of 0.71, thus further showcasing the potential of radiomics in the field.
An Exploratory Analysis of Transactive Interaction Patterns in Cooperative Learning Using Sequential Analysis
Authors: Nemeth Lea , Blumenfeld Tim , Denn Ann-Katrin , Hirstein Anastasia , Lipowsky Frank
Published: August 2023

For cooperative learning to be effective, the quality of student–student interaction is crucial. Interactions, which are transactive in nature, are positively related to students’ learning success during cooperative learning. However, little is known about typical interaction patterns during transactive interaction in face-to-face cooperative learning. Therefore, the current study aims to analyze typical interaction patterns of transactive interaction in cooperative learning. Sixty-eight students from seventh to tenth grade were randomly assigned to a total of 23 groups in their classes. The groups were videotaped while solving the same open-ended mathematical modelling task. The interaction behavior was coded, and interaction patterns were analyzed using sequential analysis with first- and second-order Markov chains. The results indicate that the likelihood that students confirm and pick up correct proposals is relatively high, indicating transactive interaction. However, it is almost equally likely that incorrect proposals are confirmed erroneously, as students barely correct them. Still, students do frequently engage in transactive interaction by discussing incorrect proposals, even though these discussions rarely lead to correct solution approaches. Limitations of these results, as well as the practical implications for cooperative learning in classroom settings, are discussed.
Personality Traits and Physical Activity: Insights from German University Students
Authors: Müller Carsten
Published: August 2023

This study explores the intriguing relationship between personality traits, self-rated fitness (SRF), and physical activity (PA) variables among German university students (N = 4244) and sheds light on the impact of personality on adherence to PA guidelines. Employing an online cross-sectional study, the short-form of the Big Five Inventory-2 assessed five domains of personality traits (Extraversion, Negative Emotionality, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Open-Mindedness). PA, including sitting time, was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (short-form). SRF and muscle-strengthening activities (MSA) were assessed with one item each. Multiple linear and logistic regression analyses examined associations of individual personality trait domains and all domains combined with SFR, PA variables, and adherence to PA guidelines, controlling for sociodemographic, behavioral, and (mental) health covariates. Most reliably, Extraversion and Conscientiousness revealed positive associations with PA variables, while Negative Emotionality yielded inverse relationships with PA variables. For instance, each unit increase in Extraversion corresponded to an additional 17 min of weekly MSA. On the contrary, daily sitting time was unrelated to personality. Of note, high Open-Mindedness was associated with lower odds for adhering to current PA guidelines. The findings have implications for developing targeted interventions that promote a physically active lifestyle and support students’ well-being and academic success.
Low-Cost Real-Time Control Platform with Embedded Isolated Electrical Sensors for Power Electronics
Authors: Merchan-Villalba Luis Ramon , Lozano-Garcia Jose Merced , Gonzalez-Longatt Francisco , Ramirez-Arredondo Juan Manuel , Pizano-Martinez Alejandro , Avina-Cervantes Juan Gabriel
Published: August 2023

This paper presents a versatile, low-cost real-time control platform with embedded isolated inputs and outputs for direct usage in electrical applications. The inputs correspond to voltage and current measurements, while the outputs are digital signals with isolated power supply. The validation for the platform considers the implementation of the power electronics topologies where the control algorithms are implemented in Simulink. The topologies are the interleaved three-phase buck converter, push–pull converter, H-bridge, and thyristor-based AC load controller. The control for them involves voltage feedback, current feedback, linear control algorithms, and the implementation of a discrete PLL algorithm for the last topology. Hence, the platform demonstrates the effectiveness of performing real-time control for some power electronics topologies.