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Dance is an enjoyable activity among older adults, but motivations and determinants for successful engagement are less understood. Our aim was to assess these factors among community-dwelling older adults participating in a ballroom dance program. Twenty-one participants (71.4 ± 4.7, 66.7-76.1 years; males: n = 8, females: n = 13) engaged in an hour-long, twice-weekly ballroom dance program over 10 weeks. We qualitatively analyzed (1) field notes, (2) arts surveys, (3) instructor interviews, and (4) focus group interviews post-intervention. Participants enjoyed the workshops and reported the physical, psychological, and social benefits. Participation motivators included personal enrichment, opportunities to socialize, and physical health. Participants overwhelmingly wanted an opportunity to challenge themselves and form new relationships while staying active. The group dynamic fostered a sense of community and facilitated coping through enhanced self-esteem and social support. Participants' high attendance rates and responses indicate that the dance workshops successfully met their goals. Practitioners can use this information to adapt pedagogical strategies for community-based arts programming to support successful aging.

Manufacturing technology of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs) for pH measurements is presented. Plasticized polyurethane membranes with tridodecylamine as a pH-selective ionophore were used as receptor layer, whereas electrodes printed with graphene nanoplatelets paste served as transducers. For preliminary experiments, sensors with screen-printed transducers and pH-selective membranes deposited manually or by direct-ink writing, were employed. However, the use of aerosol-jet printing (AJP) technique for the production of transducer as well as deposition of pH-selective polymeric membrane allowed substantial miniaturization of the sensors, leading to low-cost, automated fabrication of millimeter-scale ISEs. The pH sensors were printed on thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate, the issues of compatibility of membrane and substrate materials were addressed. The average membrane thickness for the ISEs was 225.2 ± 8.0 μm with an additional 20 μm average thickness of other underlying printed layers. The planar dimensions of ISEs were 300 μm (width) by 2 mm, presenting an opportunity for even further miniaturization. Sensors fully printed with the AJP technique yielded a potentiometric response of −53.48 ± 4.26 mV/pH (N = 69) for PET substrate and − 46.71 ± 10.23 mV/pH (N = 66) for TPU substrate. Presented results are important for developing a fully operational electronic tattoo suitable for large-scale manufacturing.

Abstract Objectives A pilot study was performed to develop and test an observed structured clinical exam (OSCE) for clinical ultrasound in second-year medical students. The goal was to assess a longitudinal clinical ultrasound curriculum for medical students and to help determine readiness to perform ultrasound during clinical clerkships. Methods The OSCE contained 40 tasks over 30 min in a one-to-one examiner to examinee environment using standardized patients covering cardiac, pulmonary, and inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound exams along with 6 critical diagnoses. Examinees were assessed using a binary checklist approach. A two-way ANOVA analysis was performed to determine if there were differences between the day and session the OSCE was administered. Results are presented as mean ± standard deviation. Results One hundred fifty-two students were tested with an overall mean score of 64.9 ± 17.6%. Scores between the cardiac, IVC, and lung sections varied—67.8% ± 18.8%, 62.4% ± 26.2%, and 57.1% ± 20.6%, respectively. One hundred twenty-six (82.9%) answered at least one critical diagnosis incorrectly. Students in the late session performed better than the early session (1: 60% vs 2: 69%, p = .001). Conclusions Students performed better in later sessions. Additionally, the number of questions left blank at the end of the exam suggests that the length of the OSCE should be evaluated. Incorporating critical diagnoses was challenging for examinees. The proposed OSCE is a valuable assessment tool that could be adapted to assess student’s readiness to use clinical ultrasound prior to clerkships.

In this paper, the characteristics of 40 so far described virophages—parasites of giant viruses—are given, and the similarities and differences between virophages and satellite viruses, which also, like virophages, require helper viruses for replication, are described. The replication of virophages taking place at a specific site—the viral particle factory of giant viruses—and its consequences are presented, and the defence mechanisms of virophages for giant virus hosts, as a protective action for giant virus hosts—protozoa and algae—are approximated. The defence systems of giant viruses against virophages were also presented, which are similar to the CRISPR/Cas defence system found in bacteria and in Archea. These facts, and related to the very specific biological features of virophages (specific site of replication, specific mechanisms of their defensive effects for giant virus hosts, defence systems in giant viruses against virophages), indicate that virophages, and their host giant viruses, are biological objects, forming a ‘novelty’ in biology.

Rabbit haemorrhagic disease viruses (RHDV) belong to the family Caliciviridae, genus Lagovirus europaeus, genogroup GI, comprising four genotypes GI.1–GI.4, of which the genotypes GI.1 and GI.2 are pathogenic RHD viruses, while the genotypes GI.3 and GI.4 are non-pathogenic RCV (Rabbit calicivirus) viruses. Among the pathogenic genotypes GI.1 and GI.2 of RHD viruses, an antigenic variant of RHDV, named RHDVa—now GI.1a–RHDVa, was distinguished in 1996; and in 2010, a variant of RHDV—named RHDVb, later RHDV2 and now GI.2–RHDV2/b—was described; and recombinants of these viruses were registered. Pathogenic viruses of the genotype GI.1 were the cause of a disease described in 1984 in China in domestic (Oryctolagus (O.) cuniculus domesticus) and wild (O. cuniculus) rabbits, characterised by a very rapid course and a mortality rate of 90–100%, which spread in countries all over the world and which has been defined since 1989 as rabbit haemorrhagic disease. It is now accepted that GI.1–RHDV, including GI.1a–RHDVa, cause the predetermined primary haemorrhagic disease in domestic and wild rabbits, while GI.2–RHDV2/b cause it not only in rabbits, including domestic rabbits’ young up to 4 weeks and rabbits immunised with rabbit haemorrhagic disease vaccine, but also in five various species of wild rabbits and seven different species of hares, as well as wild ruminants: mountain muskoxen and European badger. Among these viruses, haemagglutination-positive, doubtful and harmful viruses have been recorded and described and have been shown to form phylogenogroups, immunotypes, haematotypes and pathotypes, which, together with traits that alter and expand their infectious spectrum (rabbit, hare, wild ruminant, badger and various rabbit and hare species), are the determinants of their pathogenicity (infectivity) and immunogenicity and thus shape their virulence. These relationships are the aim of our consideration in this article.

With the increase in the popularity of wearable and integrated electronics, a proper way to manufacture electronics on textiles is needed. This study aims to analyze the effect of different parameters of the heat transfer process on the electrical and mechanical properties of flexible electronics made on textiles, presenting it as a viable method of producing such electronics. Wires made from different composites based on silver microparticles and an insulating layer were screen-printed on a release film. Then, they were transferred onto a polyester cloth using heat transfer with different parameters. Research showed that different heat transfer parameters could influence the electrical properties of screen-printed wires, changing their resistance between −15% and +150%, making it imperative to adjust those properties depending on the materials used. Changes in the settings of heat transfer also influence mechanical properties, increasing adhesion between layers at higher temperatures. This study shows the importance of tailoring heat transfer properties and the differences that these properties make.

This study explores the potential benefits of combining different printing techniques to improve the production of flexible printed sensors, which is a relevant application for modern coating and surface design. The demand for cheap, flexible, precise, and scalable sensors for wearable electronics is increasing, and printed electronics techniques have shown great potential in meeting these requirements. To achieve higher performance and synergy, the paper introduces the concept of hybrid printing of electronics by combining aerosol jet printing and screen printing. This multi-process approach allows for large-scale production with high printing precision. The study prepares hybrid connections on a flexible substrate foil for use in flexible printed sensor manufacturing. The research team tests different combinations of printed layers and annealing processes and finds that all prepared samples exhibit high durability during mechanical fatigue tests. Surface morphology, SEM images, and cross-section profiles demonstrate the high quality of printed layers. The lowest resistance among the tested hybrid connections obtained was 1.47 Ω. The study’s findings show that the hybrid printing approach offers a novel and promising solution for the future production of flexible sensors. Overall, this research represents an interdisciplinary approach to modern coating and surface design that addresses the need for improved production of wearable electronics. By combining different printing techniques, the study demonstrates the potential for achieving high-volume production, miniaturization, and high precision, which are essential for the ever-growing market of wearable sensors.

Abstract Background On October 17, 2018, the Cannabis Act decriminalized the recreational use of cannabis in Canada. This study seeks to determine how legalization of cannabis has impacted emergency department (ED) visits for acute cannabis intoxication. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review at an academic ED in Hamilton, Ontario. We assessed all visits with a cannabis-related ICD-10 discharge code 6 months before and after legalization (October 17, 2018) to determine cases of acute cannabis intoxication. The primary outcome was the rate of ED visits. Secondary outcomes included number of visits distributed by age, length of stay, co-ingestions, and clinical course in the emergency department (investigations and treatment). Results There was no difference in the overall rate of ED visits following legalization (2.44 vs. 2.94 visits/1000, p = 0.27). However, we noted a 56% increase in visits among adults aged 18–29 (p = 0.03). Following legalization, a larger portion of patients required observation without interventions (25% vs 48%, p

Background: Although persons with disabilities are a high‐risk group, little is known about the association between specific disabling conditions and acute or long COVID outcomes. Objective: To examine the severity of acute SARS‐CoV‐2 infection and post‐COVID outcomes among people with a preexisting diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), spinal cord injury (SCI), or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study using the TrinetX Research Database, a large representative database of medical records. COVID‐19‐positive persons with MS, SCI, or TBI (cases) were matched 1:1 on age, gender, race, ethnicity, and comorbidities to COVID‐19‐positive persons without these diagnoses (controls). The main outcomes assessed were hospitalization for acute COVID‐19, length of stay (LOS), the total number of hospitalizations, mortality, and incidence of six prevalent post‐COVID sequelae within 6 months following a COVID‐19 diagnosis. Results: There were 388,297 laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19 cases identified. Of these cases, 2204 individuals had one of the following preexisting diagnoses: 51.3% TBI, 31.4% MS, and 17.3% SCI. People with TBI, MS, and SCI were significantly more likely to be hospitalized for COVID‐19 (odds ratio [OR] = 1.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–1.46) than matched controls. There was no difference in LOS, total hospitalizations, or mortality during the 6 months following the initial COVID diagnosis. Multivariable analyses reveal that persons with TBI, MS, and SCI were more likely to experience new weakness (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.19–2.00), mobility difficulties (OR = 1.66, 95% CI = 1.17–2.35), and cognitive dysfunction (OR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.38–2.33) than controls, even after controlling for the presence of these symptoms prior to their COVID infection and other risk factors. There were no differences in fatigue, pain, or dyspnea. Conclusions: Having a history of MS, SCI or TBI was not associated with higher mortality risk from COVID‐19. However, associations between these diagnoses and postacute COVID‐19 symptoms raise concern about widening health outcome disparities for individuals with such potentially disabling conditions following COVID‐19 infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the function of platelets in inflammation as well as in bacterial and viral infections, which are the result of their reaction with the endovascular environment, including cells of damaged vascular endothelium and cells of the immune system. This role of platelets is conditioned by biologically active substances present in their granules and in their specific structures – EV (extracellular vesicles).

This article reports findings on screen-printed electrodes employed in microfluidic diagnostic devices. The research described includes developing a series of graphene- and other carbon form-based printing pastes compared to their rheological parameters, such as viscosity in static and shear-thinning conditions, yield stress, and shear rate required for thinning. In addition, the morphology, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical properties of the electrodes, printed with the examined pastes, were investigated. Correlation analysis was performed between all measured parameters for six electrode materials, yielding highly significant (p-value between 0.002 and 0.017) correlations between electron transfer resistance (Ret), redox peak separation, and static viscosity and thinning shear-rate threshold. The observed more electrochemically accessible surface was explained according to the fluid mechanics of heterophase suspensions. Under changing shear stress, the agglomeration enhanced by the graphene nanoplatelets’ interparticle affinity led to phase separation. Less viscous pastes were thinned to a lesser degree, allowing non-permanent clusters to de-agglomerate. Thus, the breaking of temporary agglomerates yielded an unblocked electrode surface. Since the mechanism of phase ordering through agglomeration and de-agglomeration is affected by the pastes’ rheology and stress during the printing process and requires no further treatment, it can be appropriately labeled as a self-assembling electrode material.

The sol-gel technology allows for the development of materials for nonlinear optics and photonics through the synthesis of multifunctional ceramic materials. Although the nature of the amorphous matrix allows the material to be doped with a large amount of the active components without quenching, it may affect the spectroscopic characteristics of the dye (e.g., result in a shift of absorption and emission peaks with drying time, presumably with a change of concentration). This study presents the material (SiO2 impregnated with organic dyes—Rhodamine 6G and 19) with tunable emissions obtained by the authors upon annealing at different temperatures within the range of 100–300 °C. Possible observed effects were discussed based on spectroscopic properties and thermal studies of the synthesized material. Concerning annealing at different temperatures, an effect on concentration was observed. At the same time, a longer heating process at 300 °C revealed a protective function of sol-gel-derived silica for the organic dye; the longer heating did not cause any further significant changes in the dye’s emission, which indicates the preservative role of the sol-gel layers. Furthermore, etching tests of thin layers were conducted, resulting in smooth side edges of the waveguide. The tests have shown that it is possible to use dye-doped sol-gel layers as active components in photonics platforms.

After many decades when its cultivation was prohibited, hemp is regaining its position as one of the most versatile cultivated crops. Multiplication of monoecious hemp varieties requires manual male plants rouging to keep a high share of monoecious plants in the population. It forces relatively small multiplication fields usually oscillating around 5 ha, where the use of big harvesting machines is not economically feasible. The B-800 mower prototype for hemp panicles proved to be a good alternative to harvest seeds of tall fibrous hemp. The test results of the mower analyzed in this study show that although seed loss on a moderate slope (0.37%) was significantly higher than on a flat slope (0.13%), it was still much lower than in the case of harvesting hemp seed with a combined harvester. Moreover, the field efficiency of 93% is very satisfactory as it is reported for much bigger machines. Finally, the harvesting costs proved to be much lower than most of the machines used for harvesting hemp seed.

In 2018, the European Parliament and Council laid down a directive about the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources connected with the Paris Agreement, which sets a global ambition on climate change mitigation through deep and fast cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Since then, the science world has been even more focused on the development of green technologies such as wind farms, waterpower stations, and photovoltaics as the European Union is preparing to shift to renewables-based energy systems. Each green power technology has its own problems and limitations. Nevertheless, for environmental protection, new power technologies have to be implemented in the near future as primary power sources. Described in this article is the application of aerosol jet printing in manufacture of photovoltaic cells, moving the technology boundaries further toward highly efficient, cost-effective, green power production. The research focused on utilizing aerosol jet printing technology to create finger-shaped collecting electrodes on a newly constructed, non-silicon photovoltaic cell, based on metal oxides. Three commercial nanosilver inks were investigated considering their printing parameters, printability on the specified substrate (AZO-coated glass, AZO-coated copper plate), resistivity of the cured composite, quality of the overprints, and application in photovoltaics. As a result, we obtained finger-shaped collecting electrodes with a resistivity of 3.5 µΩ∙cm and 8 µm width, which compares well with the literature.

EUROCROP is a coordination action of the 6th Framework Programme (FP6-2004-SSP-4), involving the stakeholders and actors concerned by arable crops in Europe, which aims to propose research orientations to improve the competitiveness of the sector at the 2015 horizon. To reach this objective, EUROCROP developed 4 scenarios for 2015 and examined the main challenges for the arable crops sector. The EUROCROP project ends in December 2008 and will hold its final conference in Brussels in October 2008 to present its recommendations for arable crops research and collect comments.

Introduction: As the world population ages, practitioners use community-engaged interventions to help older adults stay healthy. Engaging in arts programs (e.g., dance or music) reportedly improves physical and mental health, but little research exists examining these effects in community-dwelling older adults. Our purposes were to examine how taking part in 10-week, twice per week community arts programs (dance and music) and control (social conversation) affected physical and mental health in community-dwelling older adults and their perceptions after program participation. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 64 older adults over 65 years of age (71.3 ± 4.6 years, 166.9 ± 8.3 cm, 78.1 ± 18.1 kg) took part in community-engaged arts programs: ballroom dance (n = 23), music (ukulele-playing, n = 17), or control (social conversation n = 24), two times per week for 10 weeks. Participants' physical health using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB; score 0 = worst to 12 = best) and mental health using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA; score = 0 to 30, where less than 26 = normal) were tested three times: 1. before (pre), 2. at the end of 10 weeks (post-1), and 3. 1 month after intervention (post-2). Separate 3 (group) x 3 (time) ANOVAs and adjusted Bonferroni pairwise comparisons as appropriate examined changes across groups and time. Focus group interviews and surveys were audio recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive thematic analyses to examine participants' perceptions. Results: Across all groups, participants had an 87.8% attendance and an 87.5% retention rate. Participants' SPPB performance improved over time (pre = 10.5 ± 1.4, post-1 = 10.7 ± 1.3, post-2 = 11.3 ± 1.0; p < 0.001), but similarly across groups (p = 0.40). Post-hoc analyses revealed that performance improved from pre to post-1 (p = 0.002) and pre to post-2 (p < 0.001). Participants' cognition improved over time (pre = 26.3 ± 2.8, post-1 = 27.3 ± 2.6, post-2 = 27.5 ± 2.5, p < 0.001), and similarly across groups (p = 0.60). Post-hoc analyses revealed that cognition improved from pre- to post-1 (p = 0.002), and pre- to post-2 (p = 0.001). Participants consistently mentioned increased social engagement as the major reason for participation. Conclusions: Overall, taking part in community-engaged arts (dance and music) and social conversation programs positively influenced physical and mental health in older adults. Still, as all groups improved equally, the results may partly be due to participants having normal physical and mental function pre-participation and due to them learning the test over time. These study findings imply that providing fun and free community-engaged programs that empower participants to be more engaged can positively influence physical and mental health and promote successful aging in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

W artykule przedstawiono technologię laserowego napawania proszków metali oraz opracowaną dla niej obrabiarkę do laserowego mikronapawania proszków. Zaprojektowane i wykonane stanowisko bazuje na trzyosiowej obrabiarce CNC, którą wyposażono w odpowiednie układy bezpieczeństwa laserowego i pyłowego. Jako źródło energii laserowej wykorzystano laser dyskowy sprzężony światłowodem z optyką obróbkową. Szczotkowy podajnik proszków wraz z dyszą kształtującą strumień proszku zapewnia jego podawanie współosiowo z wiązką lasera. Układ został zintegrowany z kartą PC-motion, która pełni rolę sterownika CNC. Przedstawiono również uzyskane wyniki napawania laserowego, charakteryzując je w kryteriach: szerokości i wysokości ściegu, głębokości wtopienia, kąta zwilżania oraz parametrów mikrostrukturalnych. Jako parametry niezależne przyjęto gęstość mocy wiązki lasera, prędkość i gęstość podawania proszku oraz względny posuw głowica-przedmiot. System for laser microcladding of metal powders Abstract The paper presents the technology of laser cladding of metallic powders with a machine for laser microcladding, developed in-house. The designed and constructed set-up is based on a three-axis CNC machine, equipped with appropriate laser safety and a dust extraction system. A disk laser is used as a source of energy, connected with processing optics by a fibre cable. A rotating brush powder feeder transfers the powder to a cladding nozzle, which provides the powder coaxially with the laser beam. The integration of system components is based on a PC-motion card that acts as a CNC controller. Additionally, first results of experiments carried-out on the machine are presented, with characterisation in terms of the cladding height, width and depth, the wetting angle and microstructural features. As independent processing variables the laser power density, the powder feeding rate and the processing speed were used.

Right after World War 11, only dioecious cultivars of hemp were grown in Poland. Since 1956 the work has begun at the Institute of Natural Fibers (INF) to obtain monoecious cultivars. The first Polish monoecious cultivar of hemp--Bialobrzeskie--was registered in 1968. Further breeding work focused on straw yield and fiber content increase and reduction of Δ9THC content. The further work resulted in 1985 in registration of cultivar Beniko, which was developed at the INF Research Station in Wojciechow. Beniko has higher (by about 2%) fiber content than that of Bialobrzeskie cultivar and high yields while the trace tetrahydrocannabinol content (Δ9THC< 0.2%) poses no narcotic threat. Beniko is also characterized by high degree of monoeciousness and yielding stability in respect of straw and seed. High economic value of this cultivar resulted in cultivar enrollment in Polish National List of Varieties of Agricultural and Vegetable Plants in Poland as well as in Commonwealth Catalogue of Cultivar Plants (CCA). Breeding work that lasted more than twenty years resulted in development of maintenance breeding method for hemp. This method allows both maintaining basic economics of the cultivar and systematic improvement of these features. This method allowed for obtaining the cultivar Beniko, which is competitive to the best European cultivars. Additionally, the breeding research is carried out at the INF to obtain new cultivars suitable for different uses of industrial hemp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lignocellulosic crops like kenaf, flax and hemp have been extensively studied the last years with the help of new technology and many new products fabricated with them are ready for the market or have already been marketed. Both the core material and the bast fibers of these crops are ideal feedstocks for the production of yarns and paper of high quality, for rendering flame retardant properties to composites reinforced with them, for the production of energy via a sustainable way without polluting the environment and for use as alternative materials to wood for the manufacturing of panels like particleboards and fiber boards (MDF, HDF, etc.). The investigation of lignocellulosic feedstock as potential source for the sustainable production of materials, products and energy has resulted in promising solutions for the successful replacement of their counterparts made from fossil raw materials. However, the related industries still have some challenges to face, like the cost of materials from lignocellulosic plants in comparison with those derived from fossil sources and the availability of the feedstock throughout the year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]