bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multifactorial inspiratory muscle training and its impact on respiratory and functional parameters of patients with diabetic polyneuropathy—A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Sheraz Suman , Malik Arshad Nawaz , Ferraro Francesco Vincenzo , Siddiqi Furqan Ahmed
Published: September 2024

Background and Purpose

Diabetic polyneuropathy is a long‐standing microvascular complication of diabetes that affects the postural control and functional mobility of patients. There are other microvascular complications, including pulmonary complications that reduce lung function. Multifactorial Inspiratory Muscle Training (IMT) can act as a home‐based technique targeted to affect both these complications. This study aims to determine the effects of IMT on respiratory and functional parameters in diabetic polyneuropathy patients.

Methods

This is a Pre‐Test Post‐Test Randomized Controlled Trial (NCT#04947163) with 62 diabetic polyneuropathy patients. Each was randomly assigned to the IMT or sham‐IMT group. Both the groups performed OTAGO exercises , with the sham‐IMT group performing IMT at 15% of baseline maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), whereas IMT were trained at 50% of baseline MIP as an initial intensity, which was increased as per the tolerance of patients. Both groups performed training for 12 weeks. The study investigated diaphragmatic strength, pulmonary function, functional capacity through 6MWT, 30s sit to stand test and anterior trunk muscle endurance tested through sit up test as outcome variables. Data was analysed on SPSS v26 at the significance level of 0.0.5.

Results

The IMT group significantly improved diaphragmatic strength, pulmonary function, 6MWT and anterior trunk muscle endurance when compared to the sham‐IMT group.

Conclusion

The study concluded that home‐based IMT can improve pulmonary parameters including diaphragmatic strength and lung function as well as functional parameters including functional capacity in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT#04947163.
Two types of amino acid substitutions in the succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit confer resistance to benzovindiflupyr in Colletotrichum sublineola
Authors: Deng Liyuan , Sun Weijin , Yu Yang , Yang Yuheng , Fang Anfei , Tian Binnian , Wang Jing , Bi Chaowei
Published: September 2024

Background

Colletotrichum sublineola is the pathogenic fungus that causes sorghum anthracnose, which seriously threatens sorghum yield. Benzovindiflupyr is a succinate dehydrogenase inhibitor with good control effects on various crop diseases. However, the control of sorghum anthracnose by benzovindiflupyr and the risk of resistance to benzovindiflupyr in this pathogen are not well studied. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the benzovindiflupyr resistance and underlying mechanisms in C. sublineola.

Results

Analysis of the sensitivity of 126 C. sublineola strains to benzovindiflupyr revealed that the average EC50 of the fungicide was 0.0503 ± 0.0189 μg mL−1, with a unimodal normal distribution curve. The survival fitness of 10 benzovindiflupyr‐resistant strains decreased to varying degrees compared with that of the wild‐type parental strains. Additionally, a significant positive cross‐resistance was observed between benzovindiflupyr and carboxin. Sequencing analyses identified two mutation sites, CsSdhBH249Y and CsSdhCG81V, in the resistant strains. Further molecular docking and site‐directed mutagenesis experiments confirmed that the CsSdhBH249Y and CsSdhCG81V substitutions conferred resistance to benzovindiflupyr in C. sublineola.

Conclusion

Colletotrichum sublineola is sensitive to benzovindiflupyr and shows a moderate resistance risk to benzovindiflupyr. Two specific point substitutions, CsSdhBH249Y and CsSdhCG81V, are responsible for the resistance of C. sublineola to benzovindiflupyr. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for strategic application of the fungicide in controlling sorghum anthracnose, and for potentially delaying the emergence and progression of resistance. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
The Rise of Nanotechnology in Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Packaging: Applications and Future Prospective
Authors: Bumbudsanpharoke Nattinee , Harnkarnsujarit Nathdanai , Gilchrist James F. , Ko Seonghyuk , Keawpetch Thitiporn
Published: September 2024

Advanced nanotechnology, an emerging technology of nanoscale materials, has been rapidly expanding in the pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging industries to protect drug performance and ensure consumer safety as the primary goals. The review commences by establishing the fundamental principles of pharmaceutical packaging. It then delves into the diverse applications of nanotechnology for both enteral and parenteral dosage forms. A broad spectrum of nanomaterials is explored, ranging from established options like noble metal and polysaccharide‐based nanoparticles to cutting‐edge materials such as rare earth metal complexes and carbon dots. Furthermore, the review highlights the potent functionalities enabled by nanotechnology. These functionalities encompass anti‐counterfeiting measures utilizing holograms and photoluminescent topcoats, tracking and monitoring capabilities facilitated by radio frequency identification (RFID) tags, and colorimetric indicators for drug integrity. Additionally, the review discusses commercially available products, acknowledges safety considerations and regulatory frameworks, and concludes by outlining the future prospects of nanotechnology in pharmaceutical and healthcare packaging.
Asynchronous sliding‐mode control for two‐dimensional nonlinear Markov jump systems with time‐varying delays
Authors: Li Mengxin , Peng Dan
Published: September 2024

Based on the Roesser model, the asynchronous sliding‐mode control (SMC) problem for two‐dimensional (2‐D) Markov jump systems (MJSs) with time‐varying delays is studied in this article. Since the controller mode cannot always access the system mode, the asynchronous phenomenon between the system mode and the controller mode will be described by the hidden Markov model (HMM). First, under the framework of HMM, the asynchronous 2D‐SMC law is designed based on 2‐D sliding surface function to ensure closed‐loop 2‐D discrete MJSs asymptotic mean square stability and the reachability of sliding regions around specific sliding surfaces. Second, an algorithm for deducing the law of 2‐D asynchronous SMC is presented. Finally, a numerical example is given to verify the effective of the results.
Firefly optimized neural network‐based trajectory tracking control of partially unknown multiplayer nonlinear systems
Authors: Wu Qiuye , Zhao Bo , Liu Derong
Published: September 2024

In this paper, we develop an integral reinforcement learning (IRL)‐based trajectory tracking control (TTC) scheme via firefly optimized neural networks for partially unknown multiplayer nonlinear systems. Under the developed TTC scheme, IRL is proved to be equivalent to the classical policy iteration, which guarantees the convergence of the IRL algorithm. By implementing the IRL method, the requirement of the drift dynamics is obviated. The TTC policy for each player is obtained by solving the coupled Hamilton–Jacobi equation with a critic neural network, whose weight vector is tuned by the firefly algorithm. The tracking error of the closed‐loop system is guaranteed to be stable via the Lyapunov's direct method. Simulation results illustrate the effectiveness and superiority of the present IRL‐based TTC scheme, and show that the success rate of system operation is increased by introducing the firefly algorithm.
Fair or Foul? Interrogating the Role of Baseball Knowledge in Studies of Knowledge and Comprehension
Authors: Reynolds Dan , Hattan Courtney , Markham Marissa
Published: September 2024

Although links between knowledge and reading comprehension have been widely documented for decades, recent translational science publications (e.g., teacher journals, books, and podcasts) have increasingly referred to studies using baseball (a sport popular in the USA) as a proxy for knowledge to explain those links, especially within science of reading conversations. We conducted a systematic review of studies using baseball as a proxy for knowledge necessary for reading comprehension. After a comprehensive literature search, we found 19 “baseball studies” dating from 1978 to 2018, and we note that 13 of the studies used the same two measures of baseball knowledge. When analyzing the measures of baseball knowledge, we find that their measures of knowledge focused heavily on vocabulary and baseball trivia, and we found that the most common baseball comprehension text was deceptively complex. Finally, we analyzed recent research citations of baseball studies and found that even the oldest baseball studies are commonly cited in high‐impact journals even in the last 5 years. Ultimately, we interrogate the role of baseball knowledge studies in the body of research on knowledge and comprehension. We also call for reliance on non‐baseball studies to create a knowledge–comprehension translational science likely to positively impact systematic curricular improvement, move the science of reading conversation forward, and improve all students' reading comprehension at scale.
Gellan Gum‐Sodium Alginate Novel pH‐Sensitive Microspheres: Formulation and Characterization for Chronotherapy of Arthritis
Authors: Hiremath J. N. , Iliger Sudhir R. , Badalamoole V. , Manjunath H. R. , Raghu Anjanapura V.
Published: September 2024

Chronotherapy of arthritis that is to reduce the early morning pain in the joints using pH sensitive hydrogel microspheres for colon targeting is a novel approach. Novel ketoprofen‐loaded pH‐sensitive Gellan gum‐Sodium alginate (Gg‐NaAlg) microspheres were developed by emulsion crosslinking method using Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a crosslinker. The formulations were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy (FT‐IR), and Thermogravimetry. The influence of process parameters such as particle size distribution, drug encapsulation efficiency and matrix swelling has been investigated. The average particle size of microspheres varied from 50 to 100 μm giving an encapsulation efficiency of 70 %. Due to the pH‐sensitive swelling nature of microspheres, the drug was released in the colonic medium of pH of 7.4, but almost no release in acidic media. The kinetics of drug release was analyzed using empirical equations to understand the transport of drugs through polymeric matrices. Drug release was extended up to 10 hr and pulsatile release was observed depending upon the variation in the pH from stomach to colon region.
Poly(3,4‐Ethylenedioxythiophene):Sulfamic Acid Modified Aramid Nanofibers: An Innovative Conductive Polymer With Enhanced Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Thermoelectric Performance
Authors: Zhou Jianyu , Zhu Yan , Qian Kunpeng , Miao Miao , Feng Xin
Published: September 2024

The development of alternative conductive polymers for the well‐known poly (3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is of great significance for improving the stability in long‐term using and high‐temperature environments. Herein, an innovative PEDOT:S‐ANF aqueous dispersion is successfully prepared by using sulfamic acid (SA) to modified aramid nanofibers (S‐ANF) as an alternative dispersant for PSS and the subsequent in situ polymerization of PEDOT. Thanks to the excellent film forming ability and surface negative groups of S‐ANF, the PEDOT:S‐ANF films show comparable tensile strength and elongation to unmodified PEDOT:ANF. Meanwhile, PEDOT:S‐ANF has a high conductivity of 27.87 S cm−1, which is more than 20 times higher than that of PEDOT:PSS. The film exhibits excellent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermoelectric performance, with a shielding effectiveness (SE) of 31.14 dB and a power factor (PF) of 0.43 µW m−1K−2. As a substitute for PSS, S‐ANF exhibits significant structural and physicochemical properties, resulting in excellent chemical and thermal stability. Even under harsh conditions such as immersing to 0.1 M HCl, 0.1 M NaOH, and 3.5% NaCl solution, or high temperature conditions, the PEDOT:S‐ANF films still maintain exceptional EMI shielding performance. Therefore, this multifunctional conductive polymer exhibits enormous potential and even proves its reliability in extreme situations.
Fe─S Bond‐Mediated Efficient Electron Transfer in Quantum Dots/Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Boosting Photoelectrocatalytic Nitrogen Fixation
Authors: Jiang Yuman , Zhang Fengying , Mei Yanglin , Li Tingsong , Li Yixuan , Zheng Kaibo , Guo Heng , Yang Guidong , Zhou Ying
Published: September 2024

Effective electron supply to produce ammonia in photoelectrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (PEC NRR) remains challenging due to the sluggish multiple proton‐coupled electron transfer and unfavorable carrier recombination. Herein, InP quantum dots decorated with sulfur ligands (InP QDs‐S2−) bound to MIL‐100(Fe) as a benchmark catalyst for PEC NRR is reported. It is found that MIL‐100(Fe) can combined with InP QDs‐S2− via Fe─S bonds as bridge to facilitate the electron transfer by experimental results. The formation of Fe─S bonds can facilitate electron transfer from inorganic S2− ligands of InP QDs to the Fe metal sites of MIL‐100(Fe) within 52 ps, ensuring a more efficient electron transfer and electron‐hole separation confirmed by the time‐resolved spectroscopy. More importantly, the process of photo‐induced carrier transfer can be traced by in situ attenuated total reflection surface‐enhanced infrared tests, certifying that the effective electron transfer can promote N≡N dissociation and N2 hydrogenation. As a result, InP QDs‐S2−/MIL‐100(Fe) exhibits prominent performance with an outstanding NH3 yield of 0.58 µmol cm−2 h−1 (3.09 times higher than that of MIL‐100(Fe)). This work reveals an important ultrafast dynamic mechanism for PEC NRR in QDs modified metal‐organic frameworks, providing a new guideline for the rational design of efficient MOFs photocathodes.
Asymmetric Kosmotropism‐Stabilized Double‐Layer Hydrogel for Low‐Cost Neutral Zinc‐Air Battery
Authors: Wu Jiawen , Zhang Bao , Fan Hong Jin
Published: September 2024

Zinc air battery (ZAB) provides a low‐cost and high‐energy density power source, particularly in wearable and portable devices. Despite the extensive research on air cathode catalysts, their practical application is hindered by low zinc utilization rate and severe corrosion and passivation in liquid‐based alkaline electrolytes. Herein, a double‐layer gel (DLKgel) is developed by leveraging the distinct kosmotropic properties of ZnCl2 and ZnSO4. Through phase separation induced by the kosmotropic differentiation (instead of membrane in decoupled systems), this DLKgel electrolyte serves a dual purpose of shielding cathode from irreversible reaction products and protecting Zn anode from passivation. Neutral ZABs with DLKgel demonstrate high zinc utilization rate of 89.3% and stable cycling over 800 h under a current density of 0.1 mA cm−2. The integration of DLKgel‐based ZABs into a flexible GPS tracking device is demonstrated, highlighting the potential for broad adoption of flexible ZABs in wearable and logistics applications.
Translingual Practices for EAL Writing Education in Non‐EMI Contexts
Authors: Sun Yachao , Feng Huan
Published: September 2024

This study explored the impacts of translingual practices on English as an additional language (EAL) writing education in a non‐English as a medium of instruction (non‐EMI) context at a Chinese university. The findings highlighted the benefits of translingual practices in enhancing students' comprehension, easing cognitive challenges, and fostering metalinguistic awareness. Students with limited English proficiency often turned to translingual practices for clearer content understanding. However, there was a growing concern among some EAL students that the heavy reliance on their mother tongue could limit their capability to connect with a wider, primarily English‐speaking audience. The findings also revealed that students' desire to achieve “native‐like” fluency led some students to adopt a deficit approach to other language resources in their EAL writing. To address these issues, this study suggests implementing strategic translingual practices, which can be achieved by leveraging students' full linguistic repertoire, teaching critical language awareness (CLA), and adopting a rhetorical approach to EAL writing education. This integrated approach can validate diverse linguistic backgrounds while ensuring effective communication tailored for various audiences. This study, thus, endorses an EAL writing pedagogy that embraces linguistic diversity and arms students with English norms and writing conventions to harness this diversity for more effective global communication.
(Re)designing leadership engagement to center learners
Authors: Allen Johnnie L. , Juarez Freddy
Published: September 2024

This article highlights the importance of leadership engagement throughout the leadership learning process, adding to the leadership learning framework literature. We include a brief overview of leadership engagement as it relates to user‐centered design (UCD), commonly utilized in information technology companies. The authors offer how UCD can assist in critically designing leadership engagement opportunities with a learner‐centered approach. The authors also describe the intersections of leadership engagement and UCD to (re)imagine leadership experiences and provide recommendations and best practices based on existing and current practices. The article concludes with a detailed overview of how the Florida State University Fraternity and Sorority Life Department promotes leadership engagement through its initiatives and programs while centering the learner.
Continuous Gravity Observations at Campi Flegrei Caldera: An Accurate Assessment of Tidal and Non-Tidal Signals and Implications for Volcano Monitoring
Authors: Riccardi U. , Pivetta T. , Fedele A. , Ricciardi G. , Carlino S.
Published: September 2024

We present the results of nearly one year of gravity recording acquired at the active caldera of Campi Flegrei (CFc). CFc is one of the three active volcanoes in the Neapolitan area (southern Italy) and is currently the most active one. In fact, the CFc is undergoing a period of unrest characterised by slow uplift of the ground, a peculiar phenomenon known worldwide as bradyseism, accompanied by seismicity and intense fumarolic emissions. Due to the increased intensity of the volcano dynamics, a permanent gravity station equipped with a gPhoneX spring gravimeter was installed to enhance the geodetic monitoring programmes. The purpose of the continuous recordings is to complement the time-lapse observations carried out periodically on networks of benchmarks, in order to continuously monitor the short-term gravity signals. We report on the various processing steps and analyses performed to obtain reliable parameters of the Earth's tides, non-tidal corrections and gravity residuals. The various methodologies employed to investigate the instrumental drift are also elucidated in depth, because it may masquerade the elusive gravity changes resulting from mass fluctuations within the volcanic and geothermal systems. Residual gravity signals, retrieved from the recordings, after reduction of body and ocean tides, polynomial drift, atmospheric, tilt and change of the Earth Orientation Parameters (EOP) effects, appear to be uncorrelated with hydrology, while they show a clear correlation with the most energetic earthquakes, that strongly characterise the current bradyseismic crisis. The residual gravity signals display peculiar trends characterized by steps or offsets (up to about 600 nm/s2) and transients in coincidence of the most energetic volcano-tectonic events (Magnitude > 2.5) and seismic swarms. The steps in the gravity residuals are likely to be of instrumental origin, while the amplitudes of the observed transients are not consistent with co-seismic or volcanological phenomena, for which there is no evidence from other monitoring techniques. Unfortunately, the lack of repeated absolute gravity measurements severely limits our ability to attribute the observed gravity variations to geological sources. From the analysis of the gravity records, reliable tidal gravity models have been derived, which will improve the accuracy of volcano monitoring by allowing a precise reduction of tidal effects for both relative and absolute gravity measurements taken in these volcanic areas.
Image-based mesh generation for constructing a virtual representation of engineered wood product samples
Authors: Grant Patrick , Psaltis Steven , Shirmohammadi Maryam , Turner Ian
Published: September 2024

The complex structure of timber has traditionally been difficult to model as it is a highly heterogeneous material. The density and material properties for structural species such as Pinus radiata (radiata pine) can vary greatly across the growth rings. Numerical simulation methods are becoming more prevalent as a method of predicting moisture migration, stress and strain distributions, and fungal/rot intrusion in engineered wood products (EWPs). All these applications require a computational mesh that captures the growth ring structure to facilitate an accurate assessment of the performance of EWPs. In this work, a low-cost image-based algorithm is developed for generating a virtual representation of a small cross laminated timber panel sample. Specifically, the proposed method results in a virtual description of an EWP sample comprised of a triangular prismatic mesh where the nodes are aligned on the growth rings of each individual timber component of the EWP, with specific wood material properties allocated to each mesh element. Each small component is treated individually and we assume there is no longitudinal variation in the density, pith location, and pith angle within the mesh structure. The initial step involves analysing an image of the end grain pattern of a single clear wood sample to identify the growth rings using a spectral clustering algorithm. Next, the centre of the tree (pith) is located through an iterative constrained least-squares algorithm to determine the pith angle. Image analysis of an anatomical image combined with the pith location allows for a constant density value to be assigned to each mesh element. The capability of this framework is then demonstrated by simulating the moisture migration and heat transfer throughout a CLT sample under atmospheric and saturating boundary conditions. Furthermore, the virtual representation provides the basis for simulating additional physical and biological phenomena, such as moisture-induced swelling, decay and fungal growth.
Multimodal creativity assessments following acute and sustained microdosing of lysergic acid diethylamide
Authors: Murphy Robin J. , Sumner Rachael L. , Godfrey Kate , Mabidikama Acima , Roberts Reece P. , Sundram Frederick , Muthukumaraswamy Suresh
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Enhanced creativity is often cited as an effect of microdosing (taking repeated low doses of a psychedelic drug). There have been recent efforts to validate the reported effects of microdosing, however creativity remains a difficult construct to quantify.

Objectives

The current study aimed to assess microdosing’s effects on creativity using a multimodal battery of tests as part of a randomised controlled trial of microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD).

Methods

Eighty healthy adult males were given 10 µg doses of LSD or placebo every third day for six weeks (14 total doses). Creativity tasks were administered at a drug-free baseline session, at a first dosing session during the acute phase of the drug’s effects, and in a drug-free final session following the six-week microdosing regimen. Creativity tasks were the Alternate Uses Test (AUT), Remote Associates Task (RAT), Consensual Assessment Technique (CAT), and an Everyday Problem-Solving Questionnaire (EPSQ).

Results

No effect of drug by time was found on the AUT, RAT, CAT, or EPSQ. Baseline vocabulary skill had a significant effect on AUT and RAT scores.

Conclusions

Despite participants reporting feeling more creative on dose days, objective measurement found no acute or durable effects of the microdosing protocol on creativity. Possible explanations of these null findings are that laboratory testing conditions may negatively affect ability to detect naturalistic differences in creative performance, the tests available do not capture the facets of creativity that are anecdotally affected by microdosing, or that reported enhancements of creativity are placebo effects.
Abusive spinal injury: imaging and updates
Authors: Derinkuyu Betul E. , Caré Marguerite M. , Makoroff Kathi L. , Choi J. John
Published: September 2024

Child physical abuse has significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. There is growing evidence that abusive spinal injury has been under-recognized, changing historical perceptions that these injuries are relatively uncommon. Increased utilization of MRI has been pivotal in recognizing that most abusive spinal injuries involve the soft tissues and ligaments or manifest as intrathecal blood products, which are often undetectable by radiography or CT. Detecting spinal injury in the work-up of non-accidental trauma improves management for abused children and their siblings (defined as siblings or other household members). This review highlights key points in the imaging literature of abusive spinal injury, describes typical patterns of injury, and addresses appropriate imaging practice for work-up.

Graphical Abstract
Molecular substratification of endometrial carcinomas with no special molecular profile (NSMP) by using a limited NGS custom panel may facilitate effective patient selection for the PIK3CA-targeted therapy
Authors: Ondič Ondrej , Michalová Květoslava , Švajdler Marián , Presl Jiří , Kosťun Jan , Hájková Veronika , Martínek Petr , Michal Michal
Published: September 2024

Endometrial carcinomas (EC) of no special molecular profile (NSMP) represent the largest molecular category of EC, comprising a mixture of tumors with different histology and molecular profiles. These facts likely point to different tumor biology, clinical outcomes, and targeted therapy responses within this molecular category. The PIK3CA is currently the only targetable kinase oncoprotein directly implicated in EC carcinogenesis. Investigating a unique single-institution cohort, we attempted to stratify NSMP ECs based on the presence of the PIK3CA pathogenic mutation. Those cases were further analyzed for other well-established-associated oncogenic driver gene mutations. Histological and clinical variables were also correlated in each case. Altogether, 175 ECs were prospectively tested by a limited custom NGS panel containing ARID1A, BCOR, BRCA1, BRCA2, CTNNB1, KRAS, MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, NRAS, PIK3CA, PMS2, POLD1, POLE, PTEN,and TP53 genes. We identified 24 PIK3CA mutated cases in the group of 80 NSMP ECs, with another co-occurring mutation in at least one oncogenic driver gene (CTNNB1, PTEN, ARID1A, KRAS, BCOR, PMS2) in 19 cases. In conclusion, a limited NGS panel can effectively test EC tissue for specific pathogenetically relevant oncogene mutations. The NSMP EC category contains 30% of the PIK3CA mutated cases. Of those, 21% contain the PIK3CA mutation as a sole EC-associated oncogene mutation, while 79% harbor at least one more mutated gene. These findings may inform future healthcare planning and improve the effectiveness of EC patient selection for the PIK3CA-targeted therapy.
‘Making a connection’: a qualitative study of experiences from a cancer telerehabilitation program
Authors: Dennett Amy M. , Shields Nora , Barton Christian , Ezzat Allison , Physiother Germaine Tan B. , Taylor Nicholas F. , Harding Katherine E. , Peiris Casey L.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Specialised group-based exercise rehabilitation is beneficial for cancer survivors but access to these services is limited. Telerehabilitation provides an opportunity to expand reach, but we do not know about the experiences of those who participate in this way. This study explored participant experiences of an exercise-based telerehabilitation program for people with cancer.

Method

A qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was completed. Twenty-two cancer survivors were purposively sampled from the experimental group of a randomised controlled trial evaluating exercise-based cancer telerehabilitation delivered in groups using synchronous videoconferencing. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data were coded independently by two reviewers and analysed inductively by thematic analysis.

Results

‘A feeling of connection’ was the overarching theme. Participants perceived they connected with the health service, expert health professionals, and peers through participating in the telerehabilitation program. These connections provided a personalised rehabilitation experience and improved perceptions of physical and emotional well-being. Two subthemes suggested connection was facilitated by (1) the acceptability of telerehabilitation and (2) enhanced accountability to exercise. Participants felt disconnected when they were unable to participate in the program due to cancer treatment and side effects (e.g. fatigue), feeling unwell, and co-morbidities.

Conclusion

We identified that telerehabilitation facilitated connections that enhanced the reach of exercise to cancer survivors. Our findings support using telerehabilitation to deliver specialised group-based exercise programs alongside more traditional models of care to increase participation in exercise among people with cancer.
IDegLira improves time in range in a cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes: TiREX study
Authors: Malighetti Maria Elena , Molteni Laura , Orsi Emanuela , Serra Roberta , Gaglio Alessia , Mazzoleni Federica , Russo Filomena , Bossi Antonio Carlo
Published: September 2024

Aims

To assess the effects of IDegLira on glucometric indices deriving from intermittently scanned Continuous Glucose Monitoring (isCGM) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Retrospective, observational, cohort, multi-center, “pre – post” study. All adults consecutively identified in the medical records who started treatment with IDegLira, and for whom an isCGM report before and after the initiation of IDegLira was available were included in the study. Time in range (TIR) represented the primary endpoint. Additional glucometric indices, insulin doses and body weight were also assessed.

Results

Overall, 87 patients were included by 5 diabetes centers [mean age 70.2 ± 11.0 years, mean duration of T2D 15.5 ± 9.6 years; BMI 29.4 ± 5.4 kg/m2, baseline HbA1c 9.1 ± 2.1%, 33% insulin naïve, 20.7% treated with basal-oral therapy (BOT), and 46% treated with multiple daily injections of insulin (MDI)]. After an average of 1.7 weeks from IDegLira initiation, TIR significantly increased from 56.8 ± 23.5% to 81.3 ± 13.5% (p < 0.0001), TAR decreased from 42.3 ± 24.2% to 17.1 ± 13.6% (p < 0.0001), while TBR remained steadily low (from 1.3 ± 2.3% to 1.4 ± 2.6%; p = 0.62). Estimated HbA1c decreased from 9.1 ± 2.1% to 6.7 ± 0.6% (p < 0.0001) and percentage of patients with a blood glucose coefficient of variation ≥ 36% dropped from 33.2 to 13.8% (p = 0.0005). In patients on MDI, the reduction in the total insulin dose was substantial (from 55.8 ± 31.2 IU to 27.2 ± 12.3 U).

Conclusions

In T2D patients with poor metabolic control, either insulin naïve or treated with BOT or MDI, the introduction of IDegLira produces a significant increase in the time spent in good metabolic control and a marked reduction in glycemic fluctuations.
A 561-yr (1461-2022 CE) summer temperature reconstruction for Mid-Atlantic-Northeast USA shows connections to volcanic forcing and atmospheric circulation
Authors: Harley Grant L. , Maxwell Justin T. , King Karen E. , Rayback Shelly A. , Cook Edward R. , Hansen Christopher , Maxwell R. Stockton , Reinig Frederick , Esper Jan , Au Tsun Fung , Bergan Ellen V. , Brings Katherine E. , Koenig Nick , Lockwood Benjamin , Thaxton Richard D.
Published: September 2024

Contextualizing current increases in Northern Hemisphere temperatures is precluded by the short instrumental record of the past ca. 120 years and the dearth of temperature-sensitive proxy records, particularly at lower latitudes south of <50 °N. We develop a network of 29 blue intensity chronologies derived from tree rings of Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière and Picea rubens Sarg. trees distributed across the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast USA (MANE)—a region underrepresented by multi-centennial temperature records. We use this network to reconstruct mean March-September air temperatures back to 1461 CE based on a model that explains 62% of the instrumental temperature variance from 1901−1976 CE. Since 1998 CE, MANE summer temperatures are consistently the warmest within the context of the past 561 years exceeding the 1951−1980 mean of +1.3 °C. Cool summers across MANE were frequently volcanically forced, with significant (p<0.05) temperature departures associated with 80% of the largest tropical (n=13) and extratropical (n=15) eruptions since 1461 CE. Yet, we find that more of the identified cool events in the record were likely unforced by volcanism and either related to stochastic variability or atmospheric circulation via significant associations (p<0.05) to regional, coastal sea-surface temperatures, 500-hpa geopotential height, and 300-hpa meridional and zonal wind vectors. Expanding the MANE network to the west and south and combining it with existing temperature-sensitive proxies across North America is an important next step toward producing a gridded temperature reconstruction field for North America.
Generation of Rule-Based Explanations of CNN Classifiers Using Regional Features
Authors: Philipp William , Yashwanthika R. , Sikha O. K. , Benitez Raul
Published: September 2024

Although Deep Learning networks generally outperform traditional machine learning approaches based on tailored features, they often lack explainability. To address this issue, numerous methods have been proposed, particularly for image-related tasks such as image classification or object segmentation. These methods generate a heatmap that visually explains the classification problem by identifying the most important regions for the classifier. However, these explanations remain purely visual. To overcome this limitation, we introduce a novel CNN explainability method that identifies the most relevant regions in an image and generates a decision tree based on meaningful regional features, providing a rule-based explanation of the classification model. We evaluated the proposed method on a synthetic blob’s dataset and subsequently applied it to two cell image classification datasets with healthy and pathological patterns.
Comparison of the ability of different quantitative indices in 123I-FP-CIT single-photon emission computed tomography to differentiate dopaminergic neurodegenerative disease
Authors: Sato Tomohiro , Sawai Setsu , Shimada Naokazu
Published: September 2024

Purpose

By imaging dopamine transporter (DAT) uptake in the striatum, 123I-FP-CIT SPECT can differentiate dopaminergic neurodegenerative disease (dNDD) and non-dNDD, which differ in pathophysiology and clinical management. Our aim was to compare and validate the diagnostic abilities of various 123I-FP-CIT SPECT quantitative indices for dNDD.

Materials and methods

Distribution volume ratio (DVR) and binding ratio (BR), measures of DAT uptake capacity, were measured by analyzing clinical 123I-FP-CIT SPECT images of 29 patients with dNDD, including dementia with Lewy bodies and Parkinson’s disease, and 18 patients with non-dNDD, using Montreal Neurological Institute space-based anatomical standardization and an atlas template, which utilizes statistical parametric mapping. Additionally, we computed the specific binding ratio (SBR) based on Bolt’s method and the maximum and mean standardized uptake values (SUVmax and SUVmean, respectively).

Results

The caudate-to-occipital lobe, putamen-to-occipital lobe, and striatum-to-occipital lobe ratios (COR, POR, and SOR, respectively) on DVR and POR and SOR on BR were significantly lower in dNDD than in non-dNDD, with areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) of 0.941–0.960, showing high diagnostic accuracy for dNDD. However, the AUC of COR on BR was 0.839, indicating lower diagnostic performance. SBR had an AUC of 0.921, while SUVmax and SUVmean had AUCs of 0.906 and 0.900, respectively. Although striatal asymmetry on both DVR and BR exhibited AUCs of 0.728 and 0.734 and asymmetry on SBR showed an AUC of 0.757, the ratio-based DAT quantitative indices were superior. There were strong positive correlations of DVR with BR, DVR with SBR or SUVmax, BR with SBR or SUVmax, and SBR with SUVmax.

Conclusion

COR, POR, and SOR on DVR and POR and SOR on BR were the most useful DAT quantitative indices. These indices can be compared with SBR and SUV, suggesting that comprehensive evaluation improves the diagnostic accuracy of dNDD.
Room temperature AC properties and impedance analysis of Mg ferrite/polypyrrole (PPy) and Mg ferrite/reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composites
Authors: Ibrahim Bilal , Saafan Samia A. , Shater R. E. El , Omar Maha K.
Published: September 2024

The auto-combustion sol–gel method has been used to synthesize a powder sample of MgFe2O4 nanoparticles. Nanocomposites of Mg-ferrite/PPy and Mg-ferrite/rGO have been prepared by thorough physical mixing, with weight ratios of 20% PPy and 20% rGO, respectively. To have a full insight into the materials, their structural properties have been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). DC conductivity has been investigated too, and by comparing the results, it has been observed a significant increase in the DC conductivity of the Mg-ferrite/PPy composite sample compared to the corresponding Mg-ferrite/rGO sample, a finding that would potentially impact the composite’s applications. The discussion of the frequency dependence of ε′, σac, and tan(δ) in these composite samples revolves around the concept of Maxwell–Wagner interfacial polarization. The sample Cole–Cole plots show distinct areas where incomplete semicircles overlap, each representing a different conduction process. These semicircles correspond to two equivalent circuits of parallel resistor–capacitor (R–C) combinations connected in series. Finally, it could be concluded that the new nanocomposite samples of MgFe2O4/20% rGO and MgFe2O4/20% PPy show dielectric properties that may be a stimulus for more studies in future work, where they are expected to be promising candidates for supercapacitor applications.
Efficacy and Safety of Ontamalimab in Treating Inflammatory Bowel Disease: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Awad Abdelaziz A. , Aboelkhier Menna M. , Mohamed Rashad G. , Abbas Ahmed W. , Hageen Ahmed W. , Alnomani Yousef R. , Abouzid Mohamed
Published: September 2024

Purpose of Review

Ontamalimab is an anti-MAdCAM-1 monoclonal antibody. It directly restricts the binding of α4β7 + lymphocytes and does not affect the homing of lymphocytes in the central nervous system. Thus, it diminishes adverse effects while blocking their migration into the gut. Several clinical trials have validated the efficacy and safety of ontamalimab for Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. However, to date, there is no meta-analysis on the topic. Hence, we are conducting this meta-analysis. Using R version R.3.3, we reported outcomes as risk ratios (RRs) or mean difference (MD) and confidence intervals (CIs). A P-value ≤ 0.05 is considered as statistically significant.

Recent Findings

The meta-analysis included a total of three studies with 1384 patients. In patients with ulcerative colitis, compared to placebo, ontamalimab had significantly improved clinical remission (RR = 2.17, 95% CI [1.42 to 3.32], P < 0.01), clinical response (RR = 1.79, 95% CI [1.35 to 2.38], P < 0.01), endoscopic response (RR = 2.27, 95% CI [1.55 to 3.31], P < 0.01) and mucosal healing (RR = 2.39, 95% CI [1.63 to 3.50], P < 0.01). No significant differences favoring ontamalimab or the placebo were found regarding safety outcomes. In patients with Crohn's disease, ontamalimab showed superiority over placebo in endoscopic response (RR = 2.00, 95% CI [1.08 to 3.70], P = 0.03). However, ontamalimab was associated with a higher incidence of serious adverse events, and study discontinuations were due to adverse events.

Ontamalimab has shown promising results, particularly in patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis, as evidenced by better clinical response and remission. However, questions remain about its long-term effectiveness and safety; hence, extended follow-up and more extensive studies are necessary.
Innovative and cost-effective rail track construction using recycled rubber
Authors: Indraratna Buddhima , Qi Yujie , Ngo Trung , Malisetty Rakesh , Arachchige Chathuri Kulappu
Published: September 2024

Facing the high demand for faster and heavier freight trains in Australia, researchers and practitioners are endeavouring to develop more innovative and resilient ballasted tracks. In recent years, many studies have been conducted by the researchers from Transport Research Centre at the University of Technology Sydney (TRC-UTS) to examine the feasibility of incorporating recycled tyre/rubber into rail tracks. This paper reviews three innovative applications using recycled rubber products such as (1) a synthetic energy-absorbing layer for railway subballast using a composite of rubber crumbs and mining by-products, (2) using rubber intermixed ballast stratum to replace conventional ballast, and (3) installing recycled rubber mat to mitigate ballast degradation under the impact loading. Comprehensive laboratory and field tests as well as numerical modelling have been conducted to examine the performance of rail tracks incorporating these innovative inclusions. The laboratory and field test results and numerical modelling reveal that incorporating these rubber products could increase the energy-absorbing capacity of the track, and mitigate the ballast breakage and settlement significantly, hence increasing the track stability. The research outcomes will facilitate a better understanding of the performance of ballast tracks incorporating these resilient waste tyre materials while promoting more economical and environmentally sustainable tracks for greater passenger comfort and increased safety.
Eudemonia of a machine
Authors: Navon Mois
Published: September 2024

Henry Ford once said, “For most purposes, a man with a machine is better than a man without a machine.” To this, engineers today propose an addendum – “and a man thatisa machine is best of all” – which they have made their goal. The world over, engineers are working to make the ultimate machine, “the holy grail of artificial intelligence,” aconscioushumanoid. On the one hand, such a “machine” will be capable of relieving us of all our burdens. On the other hand, in so doing, will we not have “birthed,” as it were, a new class of slaves? In this essay I seek to summarize the various arguments made in this debate, bring to bear moral positions from the philosophy of technology, philosophy of law and philosophy of religion, as well as demonstrate the moral impropriety of such an endeavor from each of the classic moral approaches (i.e., Virtue Ethics, Consequentialism, Kantian Deontology). Finally, given that the debate centers around what is the “good life” for human or humanoid, I expand upon Aristotle’s Eudemonia and Maimonides’Summum Bonumto argue that life is precious in its affordance to allow conscious beings, human or humanoid, to aspire to the best life possible.
Comparison of complication types in patients receiving vesicant intravenous antimicrobials or vasopressors via midlines and peripherally inserted central catheters
Authors: Grigg Bryan , Varghese Nishant , Knapp Christi , Shay Sabra L. , Jones Geraldine , Herlihy James P. , Manian Prasad , Lembcke Bradley , Al Mohajer Mayar
Published: September 2024

We assessed adverse events in hospitalized patients receiving selected vesicant antibiotics or vasopressors administered through midline catheters or peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC). The rates of catheter-related bloodstream infections, thrombosis, and overall events were similar across the two groups, while occlusion was higher in the PICC group.
How can the reworking of Cicero's Pro Cluentio create an appreciation for his literature? Action research exploring methods to support first year A Level students encountering original Latin
Authors: Mistry Dayna
Published: September 2024

From my experience as a student of Latin, I have always perceived the transition from studying GCSE (sat at ages 14–16) to A Level Latin (sat at ages 17–18) as challenging. As a student, I used the inductive Cambridge Latin Course textbooks, which, as a reading comprehension course, fostered an intuitive sense of grammar. This was appropriate preparation for the GCSE exam. For the A Level exam however, which features greater quantities of difficult original literature and requires explicitly identifying grammatical forms, I had to undertake a lot of independent study, in addition to bridging work. Original Latin was a definite challenge for my peers and me: unusual vocabulary, creative generic form and lapses in grammatical convention were exciting but unfamiliar. With this in mind, I sought to investigate the experience of current Year 12 students.
Unraveling the Impacts: How Extreme Weather Events Disrupt Wood Product Markets
Authors: Johnston Craig M. T. , Henderson Jesse D. , Guo Jinggang , Prestemon Jeffrey P. , Costanza Jennifer
Published: September 2024

While extreme weather events are often localized, the potential effects on global forests can be far reaching due to the interconnected nature of forest product markets. To better understand these dynamics, this study leverages historical forest‐based wind damage data in the United States and applies this information as shocks within a global forest sector outlook model. A large, localized wind event modeled as a shock to the US South creates a one‐time increase of 18.7 million m3 from salvage harvest operations, equal to over 4% of national harvest. This crowds out traditional harvest activities, leading to downward pressure on prices in the short run, followed by a persistent effect that could take approximately 25 years to dissipate from markets. Average annual wind damage contributes downward pressure on roundwood prices between 1% and 4% in the United States, and this effect is distributed to other countries. The findings suggest that large, localized shocks reverberate across regions and wood product markets due to their interconnected supply chains and trade patterns, and these impacts have important temporal dynamics. Another key result is that the magnitude of these effects are offset by endogenous market reactions in other markets. In other words, unaffected regions change their harvesting patterns in order to compensate for changes in the availability of fiber, shedding light on the importance of capturing global channels as large shocks materialize in changes in market dynamics internationally. Monte Carlo simulations suggest a wide confidence band on salvage harvest rates and prices.