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Schools are ideal settings to promote adolescent physical activity (PA), yet school-based interventions have shown limited long-term impact. This position paper presents key issues surrounding school-based PA interventions. Collaborative conceptual thinking drawing on multi-author expertise and available evidence advanced our understanding and opinion. Key arguments: 1) the adoption of a systems approach, which maximizes partnership action and leverages policy, is crucial for understanding the complexities of implementing whole-school programs; 2) a reorientation to an assets perspective optimizes existing strengths and resources allowing greater emphasis on the full range of physical, cognitive, emotional and social benefits that PA provides, and 3) a move beyond traditional positivist research designs to advance our knowledge of what works better, for whom and in what context is needed for greater progress We provide suggestions, specifically advocating for systems approaches, as a realistic way to improve how we support PA in schools in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was performed over the modified cellulose filter paper via a simple filtration set-up. A plain cellulose filter paper was covalently functionalized by silane groups followed by Pd/C NPs. The adsorption-reduction took place completely for 30 min under neutral pH, at 25 °C, for 500 mg/L of Cr(VI) in the presence of formic acid. The best conditions for the reduction were achieved by an experimental design on Design-Expert 13.0.5.0 × 64 software. According to the kinetics studies, the reduction follows a pseudo-second-order kinetics. The positive value of ΔH indicates that the adsorption process of Cr(VI) by the adsorbent was endothermic. Also, negative ΔG indicates that the reaction is spontaneous. The obtained positive ΔS value also indicates an increase in disorder in the reduction and an increase in adsorption in the expected phase of solid and liquid during the adsorption process. Also, a deep study was conducted over the mechanism of the reduction, wherein a consecutive adsorption-reduction was suggested and the Pd sites and formic acid play a crucial role in the electron transfer and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) ions. The recyclability studies revealed that the filter paper could be reactivated and recycled several times without loss of catalytic activity, as well as physical quality of the filter paper in terms of swellability and shrinkage. Applicability of the filter was also studied on a real industrial wastewater, wherein Cr(VI) reduction/adsorption was carried out without the interference of other anions and cations. The results suggest that the catalytic filter paper can be effectively used in purification systems to reliably remove Cr(VI). A new approach has been developed for the efficient reduction of Cr(VI) based on an adsorption-reduction on a modified cellulose filter paper via fast filtration [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we review the ways in which replication has been and could be featured in consumer behavior, using Journal of Consumer Research as a specific setting. We present a framework for thinking about the generalizability of research findings and differentiate various potential benefits that replication can have for understanding variability in consumer research findings. We then define four different types of replications, describe how researchers can use these approaches to produce distinct benefits, and give guidance regarding conducting, interpreting, and the potential contributions of these different types of replications. We conclude with a discussion of various ways in which replication could be more fully integrated into different phases of the scientific research process, taking into account the contribution necessary for publication. In particular, we identify opportunities to incorporate independent replication into original papers, to increase the replication-based contribution in papers that build on prior work, and to use systematic replication in conjunction with meta-analysis to synthesize and confirm conclusions from a mature research literature. More fully integrating replication into scientific practice can yield a new equilibrium, in which replication is routine, typically consistent with previous results, and recognized as necessary for establishing an empirical generalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We need more theory specific to the sales discipline, and conceptual papers can play a vital role in its development. Conceptual papers can also provide ideas and perspectives that provide the impetus for new research streams in sales. This article calls for a stronger focus on conceptual papers that develop sales-specific theory and frameworks. To facilitate this endeavor, the article presents possible approaches to developing conceptual papers, key points to consider when doing so, and some exemplars that may inspire sales researchers and help them publish impactful conceptual work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aggregation, as an operation of cartographic generalization, provides an effective means of abstracting the configuration of building features by combining them according to the scale reduction of the 2D map. Automating this design process effectively helps professional cartographers design both paper and digital maps, but finding the best aggregation result from the numerous combinations of building features has been a challenge. This paper presents a novel approach to assist cartographers in interactively designing the aggregation of building features in scale‐aware map visualization. Our contribution is to provide an appropriate set of candidates for the cartographer to choose from among a limited number of possible combinations of building features. This is achieved by collecting locally optimal solutions that emerge in the course of aggregation operations, formulated as a label cost optimization problem. Users can also explore better aggregation results by interactively adjusting the design parameters to update the set of possible combinations, along with an operator to force the combination of manually selected building features. Each cluster of aggregated building features is tightly enclosed by a concave hull, which is later adaptively simplified to abstract its boundary shapes. Experimental design examples and evaluations by expert cartographers demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed approach to interactive aggregation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The purpose of our study was to determine the order in which science and health researchers read scientific papers, their reasons for doing so and the perceived difficulty and perceived importance of each section. Study design and setting: An online survey open to science and health academics and researchers distributed via existing research networks, X (formerly Twitter), and LinkedIn. Results: Almost 90% of respondents self-declared to be experienced in reading research papers. 98.6% of the sample read the abstract first because it provides an overview of the paper and facilitates a decision on continuing to read on or not. Seventy-five percent perceived it to be the easiest to read and 62.4% perceived it to be very important (highest rank on a 5-point Likert scale). The majority of respondents did not read a paper in the IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results And Discussion) format. Perceived difficulty and perceived importance influenced reading order. Conclusion: Science and health researchers do not typically read scientific and health research papers in IMRAD format. The more important a respondent perceives a section to be, the more likely they are to read it. The easier a section is perceived, the more likely it will be read. We present recommendations to those teaching the skill of writing scientific papers and reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper comprehensively analyzes a company's supply chain design process in the pulp and paper industry. It focuses on the company's supply chain strategy, structure, operations, and performance and highlights the challenges and opportunities specific to the industry. The purpose of this case study is to show how effective supply chain design can improve a company's competitiveness and success. This paper also offers recommendations for improving supply chain design in the pulp and paper industry and other similar industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the electronic Compassion Competence Scale (e-CCS). Methods: A cross-sectional, randomized, two-period crossover design was used. Nursing students from four South Korean universities were surveyed between June 2017 and April 2018. The participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups-paper/paper, electronic/electronic, and paper/electronic or electronic/paper-and a test-retest procedure was implemented. The reliability and validity of the e-CCS were evaluated using linear weighted kappa coefficients and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Internal consistency reliability was verified using linear weighted kappa coefficients and ICCs. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the initial test and retest scores were all statistically significant. Results: The newly developed e-CCS was found to have good reliability and validity. We suggest that future research should increase sample heterogeneity by recruiting diverse age groups, nurses working in different nursing fields, and students from multiple colleges. Conclusion: This electronic instrument will help determine the differences in the level of compassion competence and devise interventions to improve compassion competence in nurses and nursing students. Further studies on enhancing compassion competence among nurses and nursing students may rely on the use of this electronic format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a guide on writing original research papers, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international guidelines and journal-specific instructions for successful publication. It also discusses the preparation of research papers from early study phases, the use of guidelines such as CONSORT and STROBE for different research types, and the need for clear, concise scientific language.

Purpose: To investigate the accuracy of ChatGPT (Chat generative pretrained transformer), a large language model, in calculating sample size for sport-sciences and sports-medicine research studies. Methods: We conducted an analysis on 4 published papers (ie, examples 1–4) encompassing various study designs and approaches for calculating sample size in 3 sport-science and -medicine journals, including 3 randomized controlled trials and 1 survey paper. We provided ChatGPT with all necessary data such as mean, percentage SD, normal deviates (Zα/2 and Z1−β), and study design. Prompting from 1 example has subsequently been reused to gain insights into the reproducibility of the ChatGPT response. Results: ChatGPT correctly calculated the sample size for 1 randomized controlled trial but failed in the remaining 3 examples, including the incorrect identification of the formula in one example of a survey paper. After interaction with ChatGPT, the correct sample size was obtained for the survey paper. Intriguingly, when the prompt from Example 3 was reused, ChatGPT provided a completely different sample size than its initial response. Conclusions: While the use of artificial-intelligence tools holds great promise, it should be noted that it might lead to errors and inconsistencies in sample-size calculations even when the tool is fed with the necessary correct information. As artificial-intelligence technology continues to advance and learn from human feedback, there is hope for improvement in sample-size calculation and other research tasks. However, it is important for scientists to exercise caution in utilizing these tools. Future studies should assess more advanced/powerful versions of this tool (ie, ChatGPT4). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sweat, as a sample that includes a lot of biochemical information, is good for non-invasive monitoring. In recent years, there have been an increasing number of studies on in situ monitoring of sweat. However, there are still some challenges for the continuous analysis of samples. As a hydrophilic, easy-to-process, environmentally friendly, inexpensive and easily accessible material, paper is an ideal substrate material for making in situ sweat analysis microfluidics. This review introduces the development of paper as a sweat analysis microfluidic substrate material, focusing on the advantages of the structural characteristics of paper, trench design and equipment integration applications to expand the design and research ideas for the development of in situ sweat detection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: This systematic review aims to identify methodological and ethical challenges in designing and conducting research at the end of life from the perspective of researchers and provide a set of recommendations. Background: Conducting research with patients and family carers facing end‐of‐life issues is ethically and methodologically complex. Design: A systematic review was conducted. Data sources Four databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycInfo) were searched from inception until the end of 2021 in February 2022. Review methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews was followed, and the JBI Approach to qualitative synthesis was used for analysis. Results: Seventeen of 1983 studies met inclusion criteria. Data were distilled to six main themes. These included (1) the need for flexibility at all stages of the research process; (2) careful attention to timing; (3) sensitivity in approach; (4) the importance of stakeholder collaboration; (5) the need for unique researcher skills; and (6) the need to deal with the issue of missing data. Conclusion: The findings illuminate several considerations that can inform training programmes, ethical review processes and research designs when embarking on research in this field. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Conducting research with patients and their relatives at the end of life brings many ethical and methodological issues.Healthcare providers are often protective and can limit researchers' access to patients.Recruitment of participants is often very difficult as response rates are usually low. What this paper adds? Engaging in research about end‐of‐life care requires flexibility, sensitivity and attention to ethical challenges, as well as adjustment to the organizational and legislative‐juridical contexts.Gatekeeping processes may be improved by involving stakeholders in all parts of a research project, and this also helps to maximize a project's implementation and sustainability after the end of the research.End‐of‐life research can be emotionally challenging for researchers, and this should be reflected in adequate training and emotional support. The implications of this paper: The results show that the Chinese version of the Self‐Care in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Inventory is simple and accessible, and nurses can use it to assess patients' capacity for self‐care regularly.There is a paucity of literature on the methodological issues that are faced when conducting research in this area.Future training, education and support of researchers in palliative and end‐of‐life care should seek to address the challenges that are identified in this review.End‐of‐life research may be emotionally challenging for researchers, and this will also require consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Working together and co‐production with public advisors have become popular among health researchers. This practice extends to doctoral researchers who involve public advisors at different stages of their research or throughout their doctoral journey. Objective: A doctoral researcher and two public advisors jointly evaluated public involvement in doctoral research. Methods: Using the established public involvement evaluation framework by Gibson and colleagues, public advisors and a doctoral researcher mapped and evaluated their experiences of public involvement in doctoral research. The four‐dimensional framework allowed the authors to reflect on (1) the strength of the public voice, (2) the number of ways in which public advisors had an opportunity to get involved, (3) whether the discussion was about the public or organisation's (doctoral researcher, university or funder) concerns and (4) if the organisation changed or resisted feedback. Results are presented in a diagrammatic and narrative way. Results: Public advisors saw themselves as having a stronger voice in doctoral research than the doctoral researcher perceived. All agreed that there existed multiple ways for public advisors to be involved. Public advisors' feedback was taken on board, but it was also limited due to restrictions of what the doctoral programme allowed. Conclusion: Public advisors ensured that the doctoral research was more relevant to the public. The ongoing involvement also shaped the doctoral researcher's thinking and views. Patient and Public Involvement: Two public advisors were involved throughout the 3 years of this doctoral research. They co‐evaluated this involvement and are co‐authors of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Changing customer requirements and turbulent markets require suitably adapted capabilities to proactively cope with rapid changes. Agile manufacturing emerged in the late 1990s as a competitive concept to respond to these business challenges. While several seminal research works address agility in terms of concept definition, drivers and strategic capabilities, there is a lack of implementation frameworks of agile manufacturing. The current paper is concerned with the question of how to improve the agility of manufacturing companies. To address this question, a framework is iteratively developed with the aim of supporting decision makers in planning and implementing agility improvement projects. To this end, Design Science Research (DSR) methodology is used in conjunction with CIMO-logic (Context, Intervention, Mechanism, Outcome). The iterative development of the framework relies heavily on insights from case studies and from practitioners in the broad manufacturing sector. The paper provides evidence of the validity of the framework as well as outlining further research perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There have been increasing calls within critical disability studies to move beyond ethnocentric Global North/Western interpretive lenses, especially when doing work in countries that have historically been oppressed by such cultures. These lenses rarely embrace the unique cultural nuances and social structures of different communities such that meaningful social justice is not possible. In this paper, we propose that cultural praxis (based on the work of Paulo Freire) could be a necessary paradigmatic shift toward amplifying disability research beyond ethnocentrism and toward culturally reflexive and relevant study. We show how we developed this methodological process through conceptual representations of our evolved thought, author reflections, and theoretical groundings. We invite dialogue from colleagues invested in socially-just research, and hope this approach begins further conversations and methods for doing meaningful, culturally specific work to achieve cultural praxis in physical education and wider realms of critical disability studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In biomedical papers resulting from the cooperation of a biomedical team and a statistical team, the leader of the statistical team is traditionally placed second-to-last in the authors' list. In many papers, the leader of the statistical team designs, initiates, and supervises the project, so they play a key role in the production of a scientific publication. This key role is not reflected in systems of evaluation of scientific publications in which the second-to-last author receives equal or less credit than the other co-authors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper combines self-organizing mapping (SOM) and a long short-term memory network (SOM-LSTM) to construct an audio-based motor-fault diagnosis system for identifying the operating states of a rotary motor. This paper first uses an audio signal collector to measure the motor sound signal data, uses fast Fourier transform (FFT) to convert the actual measured sound–time-domain signal into a frequency-domain signal, and normalizes and calibrates the frequency-domain signal to ensure the consistency and accuracy of the signal. Secondly, the SOM is used to further analyze the characterized frequency-domain waveforms in order to reveal the intrinsic structure and pattern of the data. The LSTM network is used to process the secondary data generated via SOM. Dimensional data aggregation and the prediction of sequence data in long-term dependencies accurately identify different operating states and possible abnormal patterns. This paper also uses the experimental design of the Taguchi method to optimize the parameters of SOM-LSTM in order to increase the execution efficiency of fault diagnosis. Finally, the fault diagnosis system is applied to the real-time monitoring of the motor operation, the work of identifying the motor-fault type is performed, and tests under different loads and environments are attempted to evaluate its feasibility. The completion of this paper provides a diagnostic strategy that can be followed when it comes to motor faults. Through this fault diagnosis system, abnormal conditions in motor equipment can be detected, which can help with preventive maintenance, make work more efficient and save a lot of time and costs, and improve the industry's ability to monitor motor operation information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments are frequently used in the travel and hospitality literature to provide stronger evidence of causal relationships between various constructs. Recently, despite the use of online platforms for experimental studies, such studies have often failed to find significant results, as expected. To increase the probability of obtaining significant results for experiments using online panels, this paper suggests six practical recommendations across three categories: (i) handling less homogenous online participants; (ii) understanding and managing different motivations and abilities in online participants; and (iii) using effective and transparent experimental designs and procedures. This paper provides the results of three empirical investigations to support these recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Considering the ongoing discourse on diversity, equity and inclusion, brands aim to develop marketing campaigns that demonstrate respect for all individuals. Despite these intentions, many advertisements still provoke strong negative reactions from consumers due to brand transgressions in social media marketing campaigns that violate these values. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the repercussions that such social media marketing campaigns have on brands, categorizing these campaigns as brand transgressions in social media advertising. Design/methodology/approach: This research uses a mixed-method design that includes semi-structured interviews (Study 1), a content analysis (Study 2) and an online experiment (Study 3). Findings: This paper clarifies the elements that qualify as brand transgressions in advertising within the diversity, equity and inclusion discourse. The negative electronic word-of-mouth (e-WOM) associated with brand transgressions in advertising comprises negative emotions (e.g. anger, contempt, disgust and hate) and behavioural intentions to penalize the brand (e.g. negative word-of-mouth, brand avoidance and protest behaviours). The negative e-WOM stemming from these transgressions amplifies the adverse consequences for consumer–brand relationships by negatively influencing other consumers through sympathy towards the offended parties. Research limitations/implications: This paper offers brand managers guidelines for preventing and managing negative consumer reactions towards brands based on their responses to marketing campaigns that contradict the principles of diversity, equity and inclusion. Originality/value: This paper contributes to the literature on brand transgressions related to diversity, equity and inclusion values by exploring their impact on consumer–brand relationships and highlighting the pivotal role of sympathy in perpetuating negative consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper explores and presents the importance and application of the Design of Experiments (DOE) method in scientific and industrial research. It analysed the theoretical foundations of the method in detail and then illustrated concrete examples as well as benefits of its use in an automotive environment. The introduction outlined the key principles and objectives of the DOE method, including optimisation of experimental processes and minimisation of variability of results. The publication focused on the significant impact of this method in improving the efficiency of experiments and achieving reliable and reproducible results. The practical part of the paper presented concrete examples of the application of the DOE method in the automotive industry. Through this case study, it was highlighted how the DOE method enables the systematic investigation of the influence of different factors on experimental results, leading to a better understanding of the phenomena under investigation and an increase in process efficiency. Emphasis was also placed on the practical aspects of using the DOE method, including the design of experimental plans and the analysis of the data obtained. The case study outlined the challenges and benefits that can arise when implementing this method and presents new perspectives for future research in statistical experimental analysis. Overall, this research paper can be considered an important resource for researchers and practitioners seeking effective methods for planning and conducting experiments to achieve significant research results in various disciplines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain dynamics associated with design creativity tasks are largely unexplored. Despite significant strides, there is a limited understanding of the brainbehavior during design creation tasks. The objective of this paper is to review the concepts of creativity and design creativity as well as their differences, and to explore the brain dynamics associated with design creativity tasks using electroencephalography (EEG) as a neuroimaging tool. The paper aims to provide essential insights for future researchers in the field of design creativity neurocognition. It seeks to examine fundamental studies, present key findings, and initiate a discussion on associated brain dynamics. The review employs thematic analysis and a forward and backward snowball search methodology with specific inclusion and exclusion criteria to select relevant studies. This search strategy ensured a comprehensive review focused on EEG-based creativity and design creativity experiments. Different components of those experiments such as participants, psychometrics, experiment design, and creativity tasks, are reviewed and then discussed. The review identifies that while some studies have converged on specific findings regarding EEG alpha band activity in creativity experiments, there remain inconsistencies in the literature. The paper underscores the need for further research to unravel the interplays between these cognitive processes. This comprehensive review serves as a valuable resource for readers seeking an understanding of current literature, principal discoveries, and areas where knowledge remains incomplete. It highlights both positive and foundational aspects, identifies gaps, and poses lingering questions to guide future research endeavors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulosic wastes represent a great environmental challenge, with potential conversion to product-added value through microbial fermentation. Currently, bacterial cellulose (BC) is considered a promising natural polymer for multiple applications. However, the high production cost challenges its wide application. Hence, the current study evaluated the applicability of paper sludge as a cost-effective medium for both cellulases and BC production. The local isolate Streptomyces rochei revealed the highest cellulase production titer (about 3 U/mL) at optimized conditions. For BC production, batch and fed-batch fermentation strategies were evaluated using enzymatically hydrolyzed paper sludge. The results asserted the advantage of fed-batch fermentation for advanced BC production (3.10 g/L) over batch fermentation (1.06 g/L) under the same cultivation conditions. The developed BC membranes were characterized through different instrumental analyses, which revealed an increase in fiber diameters and crystallinity under fed-batch fermentation. Furthermore, BC/magnetite (BC/Fe3O4) nanocomposite was developed by an in-situ approach. The newly developed composite was evaluated for dye removal applications, using methyl orange (MO) as a model. The dye removal conditions were optimized through Box Behnken design (BBD), which indicated maximal MO removal (83.5%) at pH 3.0 and BC/Fe3O4 concentration of 0.1 mg/dL after 60 min. Therefore, the current study asserts the good applicability of enzymatically hydrolyzed paper sludge as a medium for cost-effective BC production and the high capacity of BC/magnetite nanocomposite for MO decolorization. The study paves the way for the cost-effective implementation of BC/magnetite nanocomposite for dye removal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study contributes to the diversity literature by probing whether diversity papers are cited as frequently as nondiversity papers in management and industrial/organizational (I/O) psychology journals. Based on the stigma‐by‐association theory, I argue that as a result of their association with minority groups, diversity papers may be devalued and thus "othered" by scholars. Using a citation analysis of 46,930 papers published in 29 peer‐reviewed management and I/O psychology journals, I present empirical evidence in Study 1 that diversity papers were cited significantly less frequently than nondiversity papers. The authors' gender and institutional prestige, journal tier and domain, and year of publication were not moderators. In Study 2, I used a scenario experiment to demonstrate the stigma‐by‐association effect. The authors' gender demonstrated a significant moderating effect in this experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-colored wastewater generated during the cellulose bleaching process causes the inhibition of biological activity when released into the environment. This study aimed to evaluate the bacterium's capacity, identified as RGM2262, to degrade a complex phenolic structure such as lignin, which is found in high concentrations in the effluents generated during the production of cellulose, raw material for the manufacture of paper. To determine the values of the experimental variables that allow for a greater degradation of organic matter, an experimental model was carried out through experimental design. Thus, the experimental matrix was obtained with the variables pH 7 (−1) to 9 (+1) and a treatment time of 1 day (−1) to 5 days (+1). The results show that, at pH 8 and pH 9, both treatments—with bacteria in bio-films and without bio-films—were efficient. On the second day of treatment, 100% of the color and the phenolic structure were removed, with a similar rate constant, and at the same time, 80% COD and 70% of TOC, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Aims: This study was conducted to examine the effect of monthly telephone message reminders after training on women's beliefs and practice behaviours regarding breast self‐examination. Methods: This randomized controlled study was conducted with 83 women aged 20–69 years living in Turkey between September 2021 and July 2022. Women were randomly assigned (1:1) to the intervention (n = 41) or control group (n = 42), both groups received online breast self‐examination training, and the intervention group received monthly reminders on their mobile phones for 3 months. Participants completed the Champion's Health Belief Model Scale and breast self‐examination practice evaluation form at baseline and 3 months after intervention. Results: After the intervention, the mean scores of the benefits and self‐efficacy subscales of Champion's Health Belief Model Scales were significantly higher in the intervention group compared to the control group, and the mean score of barriers was lower. The rate of performing breast self‐exam regularly and at the appropriate time was higher in the intervention group. The rate of forgetting to perform breast self‐examination was higher in control group. Conclusion: A monthly reminder message may be recommended to increase women's belief in breast self‐examination and increase regular practice. Summary statement: What is already known about this topic? Breast cancer is common, it is a type of cancer that progresses slowly and can be treated with early diagnosis and regular application of breast self‐examination is one of the effective non‐invasive screening methods for early diagnosis of breast cancer among women.Studies have found that forgetfulness and neglect, lack of awareness about BSE techniques and lack of knowledge are important obstacles to breast self‐examination. What this paper adds? Breast self‐examination training and then a monthly phone message reminder approach was used in women.It has been observed that the monthly telephone reminder message is an intervention that increases the belief in breast self‐examination in women, along with an increase in the rate of regular and timely examination practice and a decrease in the rate of forgetting to do so. The implications of this paper: The importance of regular phone message reminders about breast self‐examination should be included in the in‐service training given to all health professionals, especially midwives and nurses working in the delivery of primary health care services.A central message system could be developed to remind women of breast self‐examination at the national level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Public and patient involvement is critical to ensure that research is relevant and addresses what matters most to the person through co-production. Involvement at the design stage where ideas for research are developed prior to formal ethical approval, can positively influence the direction of research design, methods, and outcomes. Although ethical approval is not required at this stage, being ethically conscious is imperative to prevent unwarranted unethical practices. To ensure this, the public and patient intervention at the design stage of a doctoral research project was benchmarked against Pandya-Woods 10 ethically conscious standards and the INVOLVE values and principles framework. Ethical approval was also gained for publication. Main body: Patient and public involvement was undertaken with two diverse patient and public groups as an agenda item in their regular Teams meeting. Thoughts on the research project, the timeline, what matters most to the individuals in the group with regarding the design and outcomes from the research, the best method for data collection for public research, and next steps were discussed. Conclusion: Public and patient involvement had a positive influence on the design and outcomes of a doctoral research proposal and held the researcher accountable for impact of the research on the public. Positive changes to the research from working with public and patients exploring 'what matters to you' included: An ontological change in the way that the research was conducted, identification of some main themes to run as a thread throughout the research, development of content for an international scoping review, identification of the best method for data collection for patient research, and accountability of the researcher to write a plain English summary at the beginning of each thesis chapter, and a summary report at the end for dissemination. Plain English summary: Public and patient involvement (PPI) is encouraged at every stage of research to make sure that research is relevant, and addresses what matters most to the person by working together as equal partners. This commentary reflects on how PPI at the beginning of a research idea can positively influence the design, methods, and outcomes of the research. This stage of research is known as the 'design phase'. It is important that although ethical approval is not needed for this phase, that the researcher acts in an ethically conscious way. The doctoral research 'What factors and influences demonstrate quality and impact of the Southeast Consultant development Programme?' commented on in this paper, has been mapped against some standards and has gained ethical approval for publication. Two public and patient groups (PPG) were approached to be involved in the design phase of this research as an agenda item in their regular meeting. The PPG lead sent an involvement information sheet and consent form prior to the meeting to aid decision making whether to attend or not. Those involved could leave at any point and all discussion was anonymised. The PPI positively influenced the research in the following ways: A change in the way that the research was conducted. Identification of main themes to be addressed based on 'what matters to me'. Development of content for an international scoping review. The best method for patient research. Accountability held of the researcher to write a plain English summary at the beginning of each thesis chapter and a summary report at the end. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presents findings from a study that examined, through the lens of the Image Having layer of the Pirie–Kieren model, the qualitative characteristics of the images that different children formed when engaging with eight, novel partitive quotient tasks. The Image Having layer is the first point of abstraction within the Pirie–Kieren model. Therefore, this research is significant in aiming to advance theoretical insight into how the notion of child-created images relates to the development of children's mathematical understanding, in the context of novel for them tasks. This study adopted a qualitative, microgenetic research design and involved nine Year 5 (aged 9–10 years) children. Data based on children's verbal responses and jottings were collected through multiple trials over eight individual sessions with each child. Analysis of 72 interview transcripts showed that children formed and used a range of different images that varied across tasks but also within the same task. This study provides a nuanced description of qualitative distinctions in the nature of child-created images. It thus reveals varied dimensions of a dynamic process of knowledge development and sense-making. This highlights, for educators, the need to be aware of and adaptive to the varied and dynamic dimensions of knowledge that children draw from, when dealing with novel tasks, and which change as children's understanding of new mathematical content develops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The central government has the primary responsibility for the protection of human rights. However, several factors such as decentralisation raise questions about the role of local authorities in this area. Our paper examines this issue through an interdisciplinary approach, combining international law and political sociology. Our focus lies on the case of France, the 'homeland' of human rights: do French local elected authorities always take human rights seriously? Our research design combines qualitative and quantitative methods. After providing a background of the international legal context, this paper will present the findings on human rights local perceptions and practices of elected representatives. Human rights' perceptions of these subnational political actors strongly depend on their educational qualifications and personal commitments. The same applies to the hierarchy that they draw between fundamental freedoms, social rights, and environmental rights. By contrast, local practices in favour of human rights vary most importantly according to the local authorities' status and demographic weight, rather than their political hue. When human and financial resources are scarce, the goodwill showcased by local elected representatives is not sufficient to foster the proper implementation of human rights. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aim to systematically analyze the ambient relative humidity on the shrinkage strain of Engineered Geopolymer Composites (EGCs), this paper studied four variables (fly ash to ground granulated blast furnace slag mass ratio, alkali content, water–binder ratio, and fiber volume content) though orthogonal experimental design and three different relative humidity values (30%, 60%, and 100% RH). The results indicated that, for EGC specimens under 30% RH and 60% RH, the decrease in slag content and increase in alkali content both resulted in greater drying shrinkage. The addition of fibers effectively reduced the shrinkage strain, while a minor impact on shrinkage was presented by the W/B ratio. The first and second key factors affecting the drying shrinkage strain were the FA/GGBS ratio and the alkali content. The optimal ratio of FA/GGBS, alkali content, and fiber volume fraction were 0/100, 4%, and 1.5%, respectively. Dring shrinkage strain was decreased with the increase in ambient relative humidity. Compared with the shrinkage strain under 30% RH, the reduction in shrinkage strain under 60% RH and 100%RH was up to 46.1% and 107.5%, respectively. At last, a relationship between shrinkage strain and curing age under 30% and 60% RH was established with a fitting degree from 0.9492 to 0.9987, while no clear relationship was presented under 100% RH. The results in this paper provide a practical method for solving the shrinkage problem of EGCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Virtual reality has emerged as a powerful tool for the design of immersive tourism experiences. Prior studies have primarily relied on externally produced 360-degree stimuli, with the potential to undermine causal inference among concepts and increase risk of flattening real-world responses. Consequently, building on design principles embedded in human–computer interaction, this paper draws on an exemplar of an iconic nature-based tourism destination to elucidate the process which underpins the development of 360-degree stimuli, with an emphasis on the manipulation of 'presence'. Emergent findings demonstrate the efficacy of a five-step procedure: (1) concept manipulation and location selection; (2) preliminary field filming; (3) expert evaluation and preliminary test; (4) re-filming and editing; and (5) confirmatory test. Physiological and self-report measures assessed the internal and external validity of the 360-degree stimuli, confirming the effectiveness of the manipulation. This research contributes to knowledge through the transfer of core principles from information technology and tourism into the design of immersive 360-degree stimuli to facilitate rigorous manipulation and multi-measurement in experimental design in tourism. Future research should focus on enhancing validity and reliability of internally produced immersive stimuli, overcoming methodological challenges with the design and manipulation of stimuli in tourism research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Undernutrition is a confront to the health and output of the populace. It is viewed as one of the five leading contrary health impacts of climate variability and is defined as different measures of nutritional status. We aimed to assess the scientific evidence base for the impact of climate variability on childhood undernutrition (particularly wasting and underweight) in low- and middle-income countries. A systematic review was conducted to identify the peer-reviewed and gray full-text studies in English with no limits for the year of publication and study design. This review covers only published studies from four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Science Direct). The risk of bias was assessed using the ROVBIS tool in individual studies. The PRISMA Statement checklist for systematic reviews was referred for this review process. A significant correlation between climate variables, temperature, rainfall, and drought, and at least one undernutrition parameter in 19 out of 22 studies was observed in this systematic review. In addition, we note that crop yield, maternal education, nutritional status of mothers, wealth status at the household level, and individual levels also play substantial roles in mediating the nutritional impacts. The findings of our analysis imply that exposure to climate variables may be linked to an increased risk of undernutrition both during and for several years following climate events. This may imply that undernutrition is never caused by temperature, precipitation, drought, or other weather-related factors alone but rather that undernutrition is triggered in children who are already at risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Egocentric networks represent a popular research design for network research. However, to what extent and under what conditions egocentric network centrality can serve as reasonable substitutes for their sociocentric counterparts are important questions to study. The answers to these questions are uncertain simply because of the large variety of networks. Hence, this paper aims to provide exploratory answers to these questions by analyzing both empirical and simulated data. Through analyses of various empirical networks (including some classic albeit small ones), this paper shows that egocentric betweenness approximates sociocentric betweenness quite well (the correlation is high across almost all the networks being examined) while egocentric closeness approximates sociocentric closeness only reasonably well (the correlation is a bit lower on average with a larger variance across networks). Simulations also confirm this finding. Analyses further show that egocentric approximations of betweenness and closeness seem to work well in different types of networks (as featured by network size, density, centralization, reciprocity, transitivity, and geodistance). Lastly, the paper briefly presents three ideas to help improve egocentric approximations of centrality measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The pretest-posttest control group design is one of the most widely used quantitative experimental design models for evaluating the efficacy of programs, treatments, and interventions. Despite the prevalence and utility of this research design, best practices for data analytical procedures are not clearly defined. Invalid results decrease the chance of generalization. Given that Iranian Journals are interested in publishing pretestposttest control group design studies, it is important to denote the accuracy of them. The aim of the current study is to explore the correct procedure for using ANCOVA in pretest-posttest control group designs to mitigate the potential limitations of this approach. This study explores the use of ANCOVA in pretest-posttest control group design. It has been done by analyzing data from experimental studies published in five Iranian journals indexed in PubMed or Scopus between 2011 and 2018. The results indicate that among the 280 published experimental studies in these journals, 53 papers (18.9 percent) used ANCOVA as the statistical test in pretest-posttest studies. The power of the test represents the probability of detecting differences between the groups being compared when such differences exist. Our analysis concludes that ANCOVA, which runs a multiple linear regression, is a suitable method for comparing and examining pretest-posttest study designs. Implications of this study have potential utility for researchers employing the use of pretest-posttest control group designs in various fields in and outside of Iran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study assessed the features of the 100 most‐cited papers on oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL). Methods: The 100 most‐cited OHRQoL papers were collected from Web of Science, adopting a combined keyword search strategy. Google Scholar and Scopus databases were searched to compare citations. The following data were extracted from papers: title of the paper, number of citations, authorship, country, year of publication, title of the journal, study design, sample size, topic and OHRQoL instruments used. Graphical bibliometric networks were created using VOSviewer software. Results: The number of citations of the top 100 most‐cited OHRQoL papers ranged from 73 to 949. Fifty‐six papers received at least 100 citations and two received more than 400 citations. Most papers were from Canada (23%) and had been published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology (37%). David Locker was the most‐cited author (25 papers; 3,521 citations). The cross‐sectional study design was the most common (68%). The impact of oral health conditions on OHRQoL (43%) was the most frequent topic, and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP) was the most commonly used OHRQoL instrument (48%). Conclusions: This bibliometric analysis highlighted the characteristics of the 100 most‐cited OHRQoL papers, demonstrating that this field is far from saturated. This list of the most‐cited articles can provide a reference point to guide oral health research, education and services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promise of viral vector‐based gene therapy (GT) as a transformative paradigm for treating severely debilitating and life‐threatening diseases is slowly coming to fruition with the recent approval of several drug products. However, they have a unique mechanism of action often necessitating a tortuous clinical development plan. Expertise in such complex therapeutic modality is still fairly limited in this emerging class of adeno‐associated virus (AAV) vector‐based gene therapies. Because of the irreversible mode of action and incomplete understanding of genotype–phenotype relationship and disease progression in rare diseases careful considerations should be given to GT product's benefit–risk profile. In particular, special attention needs to be paid to safe dose selection, reliable dose exposure response (including clinically relevant endpoints), or creative approaches in study design targeting small patient populations during clinical development. We believe that quantitative tools encompassed within model‐informed drug development (MIDD) framework fits quite well in the development of such novel therapies, as they enable us to benefit from the totality of data approach in order to support dose selection as well as optimize clinical trial designs, end point selection, and patient enrichment. In this thought leadership paper, we provide our collective experiences, identify challenges, and suggest areas of improvement in applications of modeling and innovative trial design in development of AAV‐based GT products and reflect on the challenges and opportunities for incorporating MIDD tools and more in rational development of these products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this contribution, the causes leading to the undesired unevenness on the exterior surface of a paper‐based sandwich structure during the manufacturing process are investigated. This provides insight into the manufacturing parameters that need to be adjusted to reduce this waviness. A finite element model of the pressing process is developed in the commercial software ABAQUS and then used to analyze the formation of the surface unevenness. The sandwich structure adopted in the model consists of a decorative layer, an intermediate layer, a corrugated core and a bottom layer. In particular, the core has a sinusoidal structure with various geometry parameters, which are adjusted in the model to investigate the effect on the waviness of the top surface. The results of the quasi‐static process simulation correlate well with the experimental results. A subsequent parameter study based on the design of experiments (DoE) shows the relationship between the material parameters of the intermediate/bottom layer and the resulting waviness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Workplace inspections are applied to facilitate the adherence to the occupational health and safety regulations. The Iranian Ministry of Health introduced a new software system for tablets to inspect workplaces. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to take measurements of the usability, mental workload, and mood of inspectors. METHODS: Inspectors used both pen-and-paper and tablet methods to inspect the automotive industry in a mixed-method procedure. The NASA-TLX score, QUIS score, I-PANAS (SF) situation, inspection time, and number of errors were collected throughout the procedure. The differences were investigated using a paired sample and the Wilcoxon signed ranks test. RESULTS: In terms of efficacy, using the tablet resulted in lower error rates, but it took longer to complete the inspection task (P < 0.001). Participants perceived a lower workload when inspecting with a tablet rather than the traditional method. (Mental Demand: p < 0.002, Performance: p < 0.009, Effort: p < 0.012, TLX: p < 0.002 based on various subcomponents of NASA-TLX). The newly introduced system's usability was insufficient. CONCLUSION: Although the use of tablets has improved safety inspections, ergonomic redesign of the system and consideration of a user-centered approach, as well as inspector training, can make the system more likely to succeed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review recent contributions to the modeling of democratic backsliding. We organize these theories according to (a) the source of constraints on the executive (vertical or horizontal restrainers) and (b) the target of backsliding (electoral manipulation or executive aggrandizement), and then use these concepts to build a scaffold for a meta-model of democratic backsliding. This meta-model allows us to describe and compare the premises and insights of this scholarship. We further apply our two-dimensional classification to more than 30 empirical papers and show how these theories can guide research design. We conclude by highlighting open issues for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we outline our qualitative protocol for the largest, independent, mixed-method, evaluation of the High Volume-Low Complexity Surgical Hubs programme in England – The MEASURE study. In addition to serving as a protocol paper, we outline the key methodological considerations and adaptations that are needed when designing big qualitative studies – complex (multi-site, multi-stakeholder), multi-method (e.g. interviews, observations, documents) qualitative research involving a large number of participations (n = 100+). This paper expands on our previous methodological work, where we used our experience of undertaking a big qualitative study as part of a mixed-method evaluation of a national emergency care-based initiative, to outline the methodological considerations and uncertainties for designing and analysing "big" qualitative studies. In this paper, we put these considerations into practice by providing a transparent account of our qualitative study design. The methodological reflections which we present are centred around the areas where we feel there is the most uncertainty for big qualitative research: study design, sampling (of case sites and stakeholders) and analysis. Underpinning this uncertainty are broader challenges which utilising this approach incite. Namely, that striving for both breadth (national-level insights) and depth (local variation and context), challenges paradigmatic norms and expectations and forces either methodological innovation, or the adaption of existing qualitative methods. We hope this paper provides transparency and insight into an area of qualitative research which has, potentially due to a perception of "safety in numbers" been inherently trusted and rarely scrutinised. Ultimately, we hope that by providing a transparent account of our study design and the challenges we have faced that we continue to encourage discussion and innovation in this evolving area of qualitative research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to study the influence of impeller structural parameters on the hydraulic performance and casting moulding of spiral centrifugal pumps, this paper selects a double vane spiral centrifugal pump with a specific rotation number of 170 as the research object. The Plackett–Burman experimental design is used to screen the influencing factors, and the results show that the vane thickness and the impeller outlet width are the significant influencing factors. Based on this result, five different scenarios were set for these two key parameters, numerical calculations were carried out using numerical simulation software for each of the five flow ratio cases, and casting simulations were carried out for the model of each scenario using AnyCasting6.0 to analyze the influence of these two factors on the hydraulic performance and casting forming of the spiral centrifugal pump. It was found that in terms of vane thickness, a moderate increase in vane thickness improved the hydraulic performance at small flow rates, but an excessive increase at large flow rates led to a decrease in efficiency and an increase in the probability of casting defects. In terms of impeller outlet width, increasing the outlet width caused the design point to be shifted, leading to a decrease in efficiency at small flow rates, but an increase in efficiency when the design flow rate was higher. At the same time, increasing the outlet width makes casting defects more likely to occur at the blade and back cover joint than on the blade surface. The study in this paper clarifies the significant effects of these two parameters on the performance and casting quality of spiral centrifugal pumps, and provides guidance for the optimal design of spiral centrifugal pumps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cooling system is in charge of a high percent of total energy consumption in buildings. Different cooling systems and devices have different effects on the cooling load and energy consumption. The main objective of this paper is to study the effects of floor and ceiling temperature in comparison with other parameters including location of air diffusers and application of insulation and sealant. On the other hand, hospitals are huge buildings with high energy requirements and systems compared to other buildings such as universities, schools and offices. In this paper the impacts of these different cooling parameters on the temperature and cooling load in a room of a hospital are studied using Design of Experiments (DOE) and the Taguchi method. The experiments are simulated in Energy Plus to achieve the comfort temperature in one hospital’s room in Iran during six months of spring and summer. Using different cooling systems such as chilled floor (during night to decrease the peak load during day) and ceiling in combination with air handling unit can provide people satisfaction while optimizing energy consumption. The results show that the location of inlet and outlet diffusers has the most effect while the chilled floor (when the other systems are off) has the less impact on reaching comfort temperature. The ranking of parameters and their interactions has been discussed through the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quantitatively summarizing results from a collection of primary studies with meta-analysis can help answer ecological questions and identify knowledge gaps. The accuracy of the answers depends on the quality of the meta-analysis. We reviewed the literature assessing the quality of ecological meta-analyses to evaluate current practices and highlight areas that need improvement. From each of the 18 review papers that evaluated the quality of meta-analyses, we calculated the percentage of meta-analyses that met criteria related to specific steps taken in the meta-analysis process (i.e., execution) and the clarity with which those steps were articulated (i.e., reporting). We also re-evaluated all the meta-analyses available from Pappalardo et al. [1] to extract new information on ten additional criteria and to assess how the meta-analyses recognized and addressed non-independence. In general, we observed better performance for criteria related to reporting than for criteria related to execution; however, there was a wide variation among criteria and meta-analyses. Meta-analyses had low compliance with regard to correcting for phylogenetic non-independence, exploring temporal trends in effect sizes, and conducting a multifactorial analysis of moderators (i.e., explanatory variables). In addition, although most meta-analyses included multiple effect sizes per study, only 66% acknowledged some type of non-independence. The types of non-independence reported were most often related to the design of the original experiment (e.g., the use of a shared control) than to other sources (e.g., phylogeny). We suggest that providing specific training and encouraging authors to follow the PRISMA EcoEvo checklist recently developed by O'Dea et al. [2] can improve the quality of ecological meta-analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we use tracked vehicles as an example to study complex systems and surrogate model building method. Due to the high cost and long development cycle associated with the traditional development approach, involving static design and experimental verification, there is an urgent need to explore an effective dynamic optimization design method to enhance vibration reduction performance. This paper introduces a methodology for constructing a model of complex equipment surrogate, aimed at streamlining subsequent parameter optimization processes. The dynamics model of the tracked vehicle is utilized, and the root-mean-square value of plumb vertical acceleration at the center of mass is selected as the dynamic performance index. The impact of structure parameters on dynamic performance is analyzed, and a range of design parameters are determined. The optimal Latin hypercube experimental design method is employed to generate sample data. A radial basis function neural network, optimized by particle swarm optimization, is used to construct a dynamic surrogate model for the tracked vehicle. The surrogate model constructed in this paper greatly reduces the time cost in optimizing complex equipment parameters. In the past, parameter optimization required conducting numerous simulations to collect data, with each simulation taking about 700 s. However, the surrogate model introduced in this paper only requires ∼100 s for completion. This significant reduction in time not only saves costs but also maintains a high level of accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides a systematic review of empirical experimental studies in PSM from 1992 to 2022. The paper adopted a systematic review methodology by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. A comprehensive search was conducted in sixteen public administration journals, via a systematic search using major online databases. The findings show that there has been a growing interest in the use of experimental designs in PSM studies over the last five years even though the growth has not been consistent. The findings uncovered that most experimental PSM studies involved surveys, laboratory, and field experiments. The paper contributes to the burgeoning PSM literature by systematically analysing in-depth the characteristics of experiments, which were then used to make recommendations to advance the field of experimental PSM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: There are several ways to include "disability" in research studies, which can be confusing or overwhelming for researchers, community members, and students. The aim of this paper is to share conceptualizations of disability and how to ask about "disability" in research studies. The paper provides a general introduction and brief analysis of the methodological approaches which can be used. Methods: We used reviews of the literature and extensive discussions to identify key articles, books, websites, and reports that provide guidance and examples of asking about disability in research. Results: Four primary approaches to asking study participants about disability were identified. For each of these, we provide background information, key points about the ways to use the approach including tools that have been developed, and example studies. A comparison table provides a high-level overview of similarities and differences in approaches. Other approaches and tools were also identified and are briefly described. Conclusion: Researchers involved in disability and rehabilitation research should be aware that there is not one best or singular way to ask about disability when conducting research. The approach or approaches chosen for a particular study need to match the purpose of the study. It is important that researchers take time to carefully consider their options and choose the best fit for their study. IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION: There are several different ways to ask about disability and functioning when conducting research that aims to include a disability component or focus. Researchers need to carefully select the best option(s) for their study. Whenever possible, researchers should use more than one approach and should allow for more than one type of disability or impairment to be selected. Researchers often require training to understand how to include disability in research. Allow adequate time and resources for training research team members so that the tools are implemented correctly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low back pain (LBP) is a prevalent and costly condition globally, prompting the need to identify risk factors for effective management. Lower extremity misalignment plays a crucial role in the incidence of LBP. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the current evidence on a link between lower limb alignment and LBP, enhancing the understanding of this relationship. We searched four databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, up to September 2024. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies related to LBP and lower limb alignment, with eligible study types including case-control, cohort, and cross-sectional studies, all written in English. Two authors independently screened and assessed the methodological quality of the retrieved papers using the Downs and Black quality assessment checklist. Data of interest including study design, age, sample size, cases, association, and P-value were extracted from the included studies. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with random effects model in RevMan version 5.4. Thirteen articles evaluating lower limb alignment in individuals with LBP were included (102,359 participants in total). The meta-analysis results demonstrated that increased pronation with strong evidence(p = 0.02), increased hip internal rotation with moderate evidence, and increased knee internal rotation with limited evidence are associated with an increased risk of LBP. Overall, while some studies supported a relationship between lower limb alignment and LBP, the heterogeneity of study designs and methodological limitations hindered drawing a definitive conclusion. Future research should emphasize prospective cohort studies, incorporating objective measures of lower extremity alignment and standardized outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The idea of experimental design has been widely used in subsampling algorithms to extract a small portion of big data that carries useful information for statistical modeling. Most existing subsampling algorithms of this kind are model-based and designed to achieve the corresponding optimality criteria for the model. However, data generating models are frequently unknown or complicated. Model-free subsampling algorithms are needed for obtaining samples that are robust under model misspecification and complication. This paper introduces two novel algorithms, called the Projection-Uniform Subsampling algorithm and its extension. Both algorithms aim to extract a subset of samples from big data that are space-filling in low-dimensional projections. We show that subdata obtained from our algorithms perform superiorly under the uniform projection criterion and centered L 2 -discrepancy. Comparisons among our algorithms, model-based and model-free methods are conducted through two simulation studies and two real-world case studies. We demonstrate the robustness of our proposed algorithms in building statistical models in scenarios involving model misspecification and complication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]