Search

Background: Physical inactivity is recognized as a global health challenge. Attachment theory may provide insight into individual physical activity (PA) patterns, informing the development of PA interventions to promote the maintenance of behavior change. This study investigated the associations between attachment orientation and why and how individuals engage in PA. Given the association between attachment and sensory processing, this study also investigated the link between sensory processing and PA participation. Methods: Participants (N = 141) completed an online questionnaire that included the Modified Experiences of Close Relationships Scale and the Highly Sensitive Person Scale. The relationship between attachment orientation and sensory processing patterns, and preference for PA participation were analyzed using 2-sided independent t tests. Results: Attachment avoidance, attachment anxiety, and sensory sensitivity were significantly related to participants' preference for PA participation in theoretically consistent ways. Avoidantly attached individuals were less likely to participate in PA as a form of social interaction (mean = 8.57, SD = 2.87, P =.005, d = 0.48). Anxiously attached individuals were more likely to participate in PA to support weight management (mean = 37.02, SD = 11.54, P =.01, d = −0.46) or if recommended by a health professional (mean = 43.55, SD = 12.45, P =.039, d = −0.88). Sensory sensitive individuals were more likely to participate in PA alone (mean = 124.11, SD = 19.23, P =.005, d = −0.510), and more likely to prefer light-intensity forms of PA (mean = 133.29, SD = 12.67, F3,123 = 5.49, P =.001). Conclusions: Findings highlight the potential value of considering an individual's attachment orientation and sensory processing patterns in the development of PA interventions. This may help to address the challenges of PA participation, by individually tailoring interventions to participants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The pleiotropic effects of the melanocortin system show promise in overcoming limitations associated with large variations in opioid analgesic effectiveness observed in equine practice. Of particular interest is variation in the melanocortin-1-receptor (MC1R) gene, which dictates pigment type expression through its epistatic interaction with the agouti signalling protein (ASIP) gene. MC1R has previously been implicated in opioid efficacy in other species; however, this relationship is yet to be explored in horses. In this study, analgesic effectiveness was scored (1-3) based on noted response to dura penetration during the performance of cerebrospinal fluid centisis after sedation and tested for association with known genetic regions responsible for pigmentation variation in horses. RESULTS: The chestnut phenotype was statistically significant (P < 0.05) in lowering analgesic effectiveness when compared to the bay base coat colour. The 11bp indel in ASIP known to cause the black base coat colour was not significant (P>0.05); however, six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the genomic region encoding the ASIP gene and one within MC1R were identified as being nominally significant (P

BACKGROUND: The elastic scattering spectroscopy (ESS) device (DermaSensor Inc., Miami, FL) is a noninvasive, painless, adjunctive tool for skin cancer detection. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the performance of the ESS device in the detection of melanoma. METHODS: A prospective, investigator-blinded, multicenter study was conducted at 8 United States (US) and 2 Australian sites. All eligible skin lesions were clinically concerning for melanoma, examined with the ESS device, subsequently biopsied according to dermatologists standard of care, and evaluated with histopathology. A total of 311 participants with 440 lesions were enrolled, including 44 melanomas (63.6% in situ and 36.4% invasive) and 44 severely dysplastic nevi. RESULTS: The observed sensitivity of the ESS device for melanoma detection was 95.5% (95% CI, 84.5% to 98.8%, 42 of 44 melanomas), and the observed specificity was 32.5% (95% CI, 27.2% to 38.3%). The positive and negative predictive values were 16.0% and 98.1%, respectively. LIMITATIONS: The device was tested in a high-risk population with lesions selected for biopsy based on clinical and dermoscopic assessments of board-certified dermatologists. Most enrolled lesions were pigmented. CONCLUSION: The ESS devices high sensitivity and NPV for the detection of melanoma suggest the device may be a useful adjunctive, point-of-care tool for melanoma detection.

In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the commutativity of fractional-order linear time-varying systems (LTVSs). Commutativity is a fundamental property in the analysis and control of dynamic systems and is often used to simplify the design of controllers. Fractional-order systems, which are characterized by a noninteger-order derivative, have been widely studied in recent years due to their ability to model a wide range of phenomena. However, the commutativity of fractional-order LTVSs has not been widely explored. In this work, we present a comprehensive study of the commutativity of fractional-order LTVSs. We first provide a mathematical definition of commutativity for these systems and demonstrate that it is equivalent to the commutativity of their transfer functions. We then propose a method for verifying the general condition for commutativity of fractional-order LTVSs under zero initial conditions (ICs) and prove it mathematically. Based on our findings, we realized that the commutative requirements, properties, theories, and conditions are general for fractional-order LTVSs, please observed that some fractional-order LTVSs are commutative, some are not commutative, while some are commutative under certain conditions. Based on this fact, we can say that not all fractional-order LTVSs are commutative.We apply explicit commutative results to several examples of fractional-order LTVSs. Our theoretical and simulation results show a good agreement and prove that our fractional-order LTVSs are commutative under certain conditions, moreover, the commutativity property holds for certain conditions and classes of fractional-order LTVSs, but not for others. Because of the application of fraction commutativity in various fields of science and engineering, we find it necessary to come up with explicit results for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exam anxiety is beginning to affect an increasing number of students.Aim: We sought to examine whether there is an association between exam anxiety and life orientation in secondary school learners.Methods: We used the Suinn’s Test Anxiety Behavior Scale questionnaire to assess exam anxiety and the Life Orientation Test—Revised questionnaire to determine students’ life orientation.Findings: Results revealed that the participants experienced a level of exam stress that could motivate them and prepare them for the evaluation situation. Female and secondary grammar school students had more exam anxiety than males and business school students. There was a moderate relationship between exam anxiety and life orientation, which was slightly pessimistic.Conclusion: A pessimistic or optimistic life orientation is one of the factors that may influence exam anxiety levels of secondary school learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis is widely used in evaluating the effectiveness of a diagnostic test/biomarker or classifier score. A parametric approach for statistical inference on ROC curves based on a Box–Cox transformation to normality has frequently been discussed in the literature. Many investigators have highlighted the difficulty of taking into account the variability of the estimated transformation parameter when carrying out such an analysis. This variability is often ignored and inferences are made by considering the estimated transformation parameter as fixed and known. In this paper, we will review the literature discussing the use of the Box–Cox transformation for ROC curves and the methodology for accounting for the estimation of the Box–Cox transformation parameter in the context of ROC analysis, and detail its application to a number of problems. We present a general framework for inference on any functional of interest, including common measures such as the AUC, the Youden index, and the sensitivity at a given specificity (and vice versa). We further developed a new R package (named ‘rocbc’) that carries out all discussed approaches and is available in CRAN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThe current study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the third version of Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE-III), and exploring its diagnostic power for a sample of stroke patients in the Iranian population. This was a cross-sectional analytical study, in which 206 patients with stroke were compared with 200 normal individuals as the control group. The patients were diagnosed based on the findings of neuroimaging and clinical examination by a neurologist. ACE-III, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), and The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5 (SCID-5) were used to gather the data and assess the vascular dementia in the patients. Furthermore, Cronbach’s alpha, Pearson correlation coefficient, discriminant function analysis, and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to respectively measure internal consistency, convergent validity, discriminant validity, sensitivity, specificity, and the cutoff point of ACE-III. Internal consistency of ACE-III was excellent (α = 0.92 − 0.95), and convergent validity was measured through calculating the correlation between the scores of ACE-III and MoCA, which was very high (r = 0.957, P < 0.0001). Moreover, overall classification accuracy of ACE-III revealed that it is able to differentiate 87% of patients with vascular dementia from other patients. The area under the ROC curve was found to be 0.84, and cutoff point was 45/46, at which sensitivity and specificity were obtained as 0.72 and 0.90, respectively. ACE-III is a rapid, inexpensive, and efficient tool for evaluating cognitive deficits in specialized neurology clinics to provide a clinical and differential diagnosis of vascular dementia after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Valid diagnostic tests for human papillomavirus (HPV) detection are crucial to identify individuals at high risk of cervical cancer. We assessed and compared the validity of Mehrviru HPV genotyping and Sacace (HPV Genotypes 14 Real-TM Quant) for molecular detection of 14 high-risk human papillomaviruses. Methods: We used three HPV test results to identify HPV-positive individuals (14 high-risk genotypes) in a specialist gynecology clinic. The HPV test results were collected using Mehrviru®, Sacace®, and a third kit from the clinical diagnostic laboratory. We used Latent class analysis to determine the actual status of HPV infection in study participants. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, positive and negative likelihood ratios, Youden, and area under the ROC curve indices of each diagnostic kit and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated. The agreement between the Mehrviru and Sacace kits was determined using the Kappa statistic. Results: We examined 117 women at high risk of HPV infection. The mean age (SD) was 37.2 (9.1). According to LCA, 28.6% of participants had an HPV infection. The sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of the Mehrviru were 90.8% (73.7-97.2%) and 90.9% (82.1-95.6%), and corresponding figures for Sacace were 92.0% (72.3-98.1%) and 97.4% (90.2-99.3%). The kappa index between the Mehrviru and Sacace kits was 69.7% (55.6-83.9%). The area under the ROC curve for Mehrviru and Sacace test were 91.4% (85.7-97.1%) and 94.4% (89.3-99.5%). Conclusions: There is an excellent agreement between Mehrviru and Sacace test results, and the diagnostic accuracy indices were similar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal transmissible spongiform encephalopathy in cervids. The disease is caused by a pathogenic prion, namely PrPSc. Currently, diagnosis of CWD relies on IHC detection of PrPSc in the obex or retropharyngeal lymph nodes (RPLN) or ELISA screening of obex and RPLN followed by IHC confirmation of positive results. In this study, we assessed the performance characteristics of two immunoassays: CWD Ag-ELISA and TeSeE ELISA, RT-QuIC, and MEMS biosensor via testing 30 CWD + and 30 CWD- white-tailed deer RPLN samples. Results: Both CWD Ag-ELISA and TeSeE ELISA correctly identified all CWD + and CWD- samples. A greater intra-assay coefficient of variation (CV) in S/P ratios was observed for the TeSeE ELISA (16.52%), compared to CWD Ag-ELISA (9.49%). However, the high CV did not affect the qualitative results of triplicate assays when the corresponding manufacturer's cutoff was used. The MEMS biosensor not only correctly identified all CWD + and CWD- RPLN samples, but also demonstrated a 100% detection rate for all CWD + samples at dilutions from 10− 0 to 10− 3. Evaluation of RT-QuIC indicated that the rate of false negative reactions decreased from 21.98% at 10− 2 dilution to 0% at 10− 4 and 10− 5 dilutions; and the rate of false positive reactions reduced from 56.42% at 10− 2 dilution to 8.89% and 2.22% at 10− 4 and 10− 5 dilutions, respectively. Based on a stringent threshold of 2 x the first 10 fluorescent readings of each well and a final cutoff of 2/3 positive reactions for each sample, RT-QuIC correctly identified all positive and negative samples at 10− 4 and 10− 5 dilutions. Both MEMS biosensor and RT-QuIC achieved 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity under the experimental conditions described in this study. Conclusions: The two immunoassays (CWD Ag-ELISA and TeSeE ELISA) performed comparably on white-tailed deer RPLN samples. MEMS biosensor is a reliable portable tool for CWD diagnosis and RT-QuIC can be used for routine testing of CWD if appropriate testing parameters and interpretive criteria are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Concentric and eccentric contractions show different patterns of neural activity at both peripheral and cortical levels, which are thought to influence the perception of action properties such as the weight of objects moved by others. The aim of this study was to investigate how the type of muscle contraction influences weight estimation during action observation.Forty‐eight volunteers completed the Main experiment and the Control experiment. In the Main experiment, they performed a weight discrimination video task in which they watched videos of an actor moving two objects, a comparison, and a reference box, executing concentric or eccentric contractions and they had to indicate which box was the heaviest. Sensitivity analysis and psychometric functions were used to analyse the data. In the Control experiment, observers judged the actor's effort in moving the boxes.The results of the Main experiment showed that the weight discrimination sensitivity was higher in the eccentric condition for the light boxes. Conversely, for the heaviest boxes, discrimination sensitivity was higher in the concentric condition. These results were confirmed by the psychometric function analysis. The control experiment showed that the perceived difference in effort between the comparison and reference stimuli was greater in the eccentric than in the concentric condition for light stimuli.These results showed that the ability to evaluate the weight of the object involved in the observed action was influenced by the type of contraction and the amount of weight. The effort attributed to the actor influenced the observer's perception. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advancements in medical technology, the challenges of diagnosing fever of unknown origin (FUO) and inflammation of unknown origin (IUO) persist. Positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) has been used to assess these conditions; however, it is unclear which patients most benefit from this approach. This study aimed to assess the clinical value and optimal use of fluorine-18-labelled-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG)-PET/CT in patients with FUO/IUO. We reviewed FDG-PET/CT scans conducted at our department between January 2014 and December 2020 to further assess FUO/IUO. FUO was defined as a fever lasting over three weeks without a diagnosis based on conventional assessment. IUO was defined as prolonged inflammation with a body temperature below 38.3 ℃ and without a diagnosis after conventional diagnostic procedures. The efficacy of FDG-PET/CT was determined based on the diagnostic outcomes achieved by integrating imaging findings with histopathological or microbiological evidence, clinical criteria, or follow-up assessments. We conducted crude and age-sex adjusted logistic regression for potential risk factors to determine the degree of burden on demographic and clinical characteristics. Forty-five patients with FUO/IUO underwent FDG-PET/CT, and final diagnoses were made in 32 patients (71.1%). The percentages of diagnostic categories were 53.3%, 8.9%, and 6.7% for non-infectious inflammatory diseases, malignancy, and infection, respectively. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, IUO was the only independent predictor of the efficacy of FDG-PET/CT in the final diagnosis (odds ratio, 67.02; 95% confidence interval, 4.02–1119). Our results indicate that IUO was associated with a higher diagnostic yield compared to those with FUO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to gain a deeper understanding of the patterns of allergen detection positivity rates among different age and gender groups, and to explore cross-reactivity patterns among allergens. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent allergen testing at our hospital. The sample for this study included all patients who underwent allergen testing. We utilized immune blotting to detect specific IgE antibodies to 20 allergens in patient sera. Results: The study results showed a higher proportion of female samples (72.35%) compared to male samples (27.65%). Among all participants, the age distribution was primarily concentrated in the 25–35 age group, accounting for 37.43% of the total sample, followed by the 45 years and older age group, accounting for 27.00%. This indicates that allergic symptoms may occur not only in children and adolescents but also at any time after adulthood. We further observed significant influences of factors such as gender and age on individual sensitivity to specific allergens. For example, compared to males, females were found to be more sensitive to certain allergens such as cat hair, dust mites, and dog epithelium. Similarly, we also found variations in sensitivity to specific allergens among different age groups. Conclusion: Close monitoring of allergen distribution in populations facilitates active engagement of allergic individuals in self-management, while gender and age may be important factors influencing individual sensitivity to specific allergens. These findings provide valuable insights for understanding the pathogenesis of allergic diseases and designing more effective prevention and treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The bowl‐shaped flexible carboxylic acid zwitterion 1,1′,1″‐(2,4,6‐trimethylbenzene‐1,3,5‐triyl)tris (methylene)‐tris(4‐carboxy‐pyridinium)tribromide (H3LBr3) ligand‐based lanthanide metal–organic framework (Ln‐MOF) was synthesized for the first time under solvothermal conditions. Single crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis indicates that the molecular formula of Ln‐MOF is [EuL2(H2O)4Br3]·2H2O (1). Luminescence sensing experiments demonstrate that 1 shows obvious fluorescence quenching for nitrobenzene (NB), Fe3+, and Cr2O72− with low detection limits of 0.118 μM, 9.098 nM, and 17.409 nM, respectively. 1 can be regarded as a luminescence sensor with multiple functions, displaying high selectivity, wonderful antiinterference ability, outstanding sensitivity, and recyclability to detect NB, Fe3+, and Cr2O72−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, Charge Plasma Nanowire Tunnel Field Effect Transistor based sensor is proposed for the recognition of Oxygen (O2) gas molecules by means of a Silicon Germanium (Si1-xGex) sourced device abbreviated as SiGe-CP-NW-TFET. The electrical performances of SiGe-CP-NW-TFET have been compared with the conventional Charge Plasma Nanowire Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (CP-NW-TFET). The parameters measured for comparison are ION, IOFF, ION/IOFF, Subthreshold slope (SS), and threshold voltage (Vt). The proposed SiGe-CP-NW-TFET has better electrical performance as compared to Si-CP-NW-TFET. Further, the device characteristics such as electric potential, electric field, charge carriers, and energy band diagram of both the devices have also been compared. The fundamental physics of the proposed sensor is also explored from a comprehensive electrostatic study of the tunnelling junction in the context of gas molecule adsorption. The influence of device constraints of the proposed SiGe-CP-NW-TFET on the electrical performance indicators has also been studied. The device parameters e.g. oxide thickness, extended gate length, silicon film thickness, and molar concentration of SiGe at the source side are considered. The impact of oxide thickness, extended gate length, the radius of NW, and the concentration of SiGe (molar) at the source side have been analysed on the sensitivity of the O2 gas sensor. The presented Oxygen gas sensor has an ION/IOFF ratio of 3.65 × 107 and a subthreshold slope of 58.23 mV/decade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the sensitivity of Underlap Gate Cavity-based Reconfigurable Silicon Nanowire Schottky Barrier Transistor (UCG-RSiNW SBT) with an underlap gate-drain region for biosensing application. The featured unique reconfigurable capability enables the device to operate as either p-type or n-type, dependent on the applied bias polarity. The proposed biosensor incorporates a cavity beneath the control gate on the source side, facilitating the placement of both neutral and charged biomolecules with varying dielectric constant (K) values. Upon injection of biomolecules into the cavity, the device changes electrostatic characteristics, including modulation in threshold voltage, potential, electric field, and sub-threshold swing, I ON , I ON / I OFF ratio. The threshold voltage ( V TH ) Sensitivity of n-mode is enhanced by 97.91 % , while that of p-mode is raised by 16 % compared to conventional RFET biosensors. The drain current sensitivity and the linearity of proposed biosensor is enhanced upto the values of 2792 and 0.997 respectively in n-mode configuration whereas in p-mode configuration, the drain current sensitivity and the linearity comes out to be 968 and 0.995 respectively. These high sensitivity and linearity values make this biosensor superior to the existing state-of-the-art biosensors. The findings from this study provide valuable insights into the development of highly sensitive biosensors for applications in diverse fields, including healthcare and biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current investigation inquiry involves silicon dioxide (SiO2) and nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles to enhance the structural and dielectric properties of a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with polyethylene glycol (PEG) combination for use in flexible pressure sensors and nanoelectrical devices. Solution casting was used to fabricate PVA-PEG-SiO2/NiO nanocomposites at various weight percentages of (SiO2/NiO) N.Ps (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8) wt%. The structural properties of PVA-PEG-SiO2/NiO nanocomposites were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the amorphous state of the mixture consisting of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyethylene glycol (PEG) was revealed. Furthermore, the characteristic peak of the original polymers was much smaller at higher doping concentrations. According to field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), when the weight percentage approaches 8%, the top surface of the (PVA-PEG-SiO2/NiO) N.Cs films exhibits homogenous and cohesive clumps or fragments dispersed randomly. Optical microscopy made it possible to observe that nanoparticles (SiO2/NiO) generate an integrated network inside the matrix of polymers, unlike the pure film of (PVA-PEG). The electrical properties of alternating current illustrate that as the frequency of the applied electrical field increases, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss of nanocomposites decline. Also, on the contrary, these values increase in conjunction with the increase in the concentration of nanoparticles, and the highest value is at a frequency of 100 Hz at a concentration of 8%. The (PVA-PEG) blend's dielectric constant and A.C. electrical conductivity were improved by almost 300% and 112%, respectively, at the highest addition rate (8 wt.%). The findings obtained revealed that the structural and AC electrical conductivity were enhanced by doping (PVA-PEG) with (SiO2/NiO) NPs. Findings indicated that the (PVA-PEG-SiO2/NiO) nanostructures would be excellent materials for a range of nanoelectronics industries. The results obtained showed an increase in parallel capacity. It reached 400 pf with an increase in applied pressure, as well as an increase in sensitivity to pressure of about 77.2 with the biggest percentage of weight addition of nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate detection is a prerequisite for effective prevention and control of Mycoplasma synoviae infection. ELISA is the most popular method for the clinical detection of M. synoviae because of its convenience, low cost, and high detection rate. However, the cross-reactivity of commercially available ELISA kits with other avian pathogen-positive sera needs to be addressed. The aim of this study was to establish an ELISA method with high specificity for the detection of anti- M. synoviae antibodies in chicken serum to evaluate the M. synoviae infection status on poultry farms. The recombinant MS087 (rMS087) protein was expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) and purified by Ni2+ affinity chromatography. An antibody against rMS087 was generated by immunizing BALB/c mice. Bioinformatic analysis revealed that MS087 was conserved among M. synoviae strains. Western blotting and indirect immunofluorescence results indicated that MS087 was not only localized in the cytoplasm and on the membrane but also secreted by the organism. For the established ELISA method based on rMS087, the optimal antigen concentration, blocking buffer, blocking duration, serum dilution, serum incubation duration, secondary antibody dilution, secondary antibody incubation duration and colorimetric reaction duration were 2 μg/mL, 1% BSA, 3 h, 1:500, 1.5 h, 1:20,000, 2 h and 5 min, respectively. Validation of the rMS087-based ELISA revealed a cut-off value of 0.5. The coefficients of variation of both the intra-batch and inter-batch methods were less than 9%. The assay was able to differentiate positive serum against M. synoviae from antisera against nine other avian pathogens and was able to recognize M. synoviae -positive sera at a dilution of 1:1,000. Compared with the commercial ELISA method, the rMS087-based ELISA has the potential to recognize more positive sera against M. synoviae. Collectively, the rMS087-based ELISA is a reproducible, specific, and sensitive serological method for detecting antibodies against M. synoviae in chicken serum and has robust potential for large-scale serological epidemiology of M. synoviae infection on poultry farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) accounts for the highest proportion of lung cancers; however, specific biomarkers are lacking for diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic assessment. Cell division cycle-associated 8 (CDCA8) is a cell cycle regulator with elevated expression in various cancers. However, the association between CDCA8 expression and LUAD prognosis remains unclear. Methods: The association between CDCA8 and LUAD prognosis was evaluated based on the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset, and CDCA8 related functions were determined using gene enrichment and gene ontology analyses. We also analyzed the association between CDCA8 expression and immune cell infiltration. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the differential expression of CDCA8 in tumors and controls. Finally, we evaluated the differences in the sensitivity of different levels of CDCA8 to different anticancer drugs in LUAD. Results: CDCA8 expression was significantly higher in primary LUAD tumors than in normal tissues (P < 0.001). Moreover, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis demonstrated that high CDCA8 expression predicted poor survival in patients with LUAD (P = 0.006). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicated that CDCA8 was an effective guide for the diagnosis of LUAD. Functional annotation indicated that CDCA8 might be involved in functions such as p53 stabilization, nucleotide metabolism, RNA-mediated gene silencing, and the G2/M phase checkpoint. Immune infiltration results suggested that CDCA8 was positively correlated with Th2 cells and Tgd and negatively correlated with Eosinophils and Mast cells (P < 0.01). In addition, elevated expression of CDCA8 may increase the sensitivity of patients to certain anticancer drugs. Conclusions: CDCA8 upregulation is significantly associated with poor survival and immune infiltration in patients with LUAD. Our study suggests that CDCA8 can be used as a biomarker for LUAD prognosis and a reference for personalized medication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Method Results Discussion Eating disorders (EDs) represent a significant public health concern, with a high prevalence among adolescent girls. The COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a marked increase in EDs, underlining the need for a brief screening tool in clinical settings. The present study compared ICD‐10‐based ED‐diagnoses with SCOFF‐identified at‐risk female patients in a clinical setting and assessed the tool's reliability.Routine data (n = 955 participants) from a child and adolescent psychiatric hospital were evaluated regarding the incidence of ED‐diagnoses before (n = 312) and during the pandemic (n = 643) and compared with SCOFF results. The SCOFF's sensitivity and specificity were examined.ED‐diagnoses significantly increased, almost doubling from before to during the pandemic. The number of at‐risk patients identified by the SCOFF likewise differed between the two time points. The SCOFF showed high sensitivity at cut‐offs of 2 (pre‐pandemic) and 3 (peri‐pandemic) but low specificity. Internal consistency was poor.The findings align with previous research indicating an elevated rate of admission to clinical care for ED‐diagnoses during the pandemic, a trend also reflected in the SCOFF results. However, the SCOFF's low specificity and poor internal consistency raise concerns about its applicability among adolescent psychiatric inpatients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Physical activity (PA) plays an important role in human health. However, the relationship between the PA and dysthyreosis was not clear. This study aimed to explore this question. Methods: We performed a population-based study on the basis of the participant's information that was collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. The association of the thyroid hormone and total PA metabolic equivalent task (MET) were assessed via linear regression analysis with adjusting for different covariates. Moreover, we also used path analysis to explore the causality between PA, thyroid hormone index, and dysthyreosis. The restricted cubic spline analysis was used to explore the non-linear relationship between the thyroid hormone index and the PA total MET. Results: A total of 2118 participants aged≥20, including 969 females and 1149 males, were collected from NHANES. The linear regression with multivariate adjustment suggested a linear relationship between the PA total MET and Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone Index (TSHI), and Thyroid Feedback Quantile-Based Index (TFQI), respectively. And TFQI and dysthyresis occurrence were significantly correlated (P<0.05). The path analysis showed that the PA total MET affected dysthyreosis occurrence by TFQI. In addition, we found a non-linear relationship between the total PA met and dysthyreosis via restricted cubic spline analysis. Conclusions: PA was significantly correlated with dysthyreosis via thyroid hormone sensitivity. Therefore, it can be considered to prevent the occurrence of dysthyreosis by regulating thyroid hormone sensitivity through PA in daily life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Senecavirus A (SVA) is a newly pathogenic virus correlated with the acute death of piglets and vesicular lesions in pigs. The further prevalence of SVA will cause considerable economic damage to the global pig farming industry. Therefore, rapid and accurate diagnostic tools for SVA are crucial for preventing and controlling the disease. Methods: We designed multiple primer pairs targeting the most conserved region of the SVA 3D gene and selected those with the highest specificity. Nfo-probes were subsequently developed based on the highest specificity primer pairs. Subsequently, the recombinase-assisted amplification (RAA) reaction was completed, and the reaction temperature and duration were optimized. The RAA amplicons were detected using a lateral flow device (LFD). Finally, a rapid and intuitive RAA-LFD assay was established against SVA. Results: The SVA RAA-LFD assay can be performed under reaction conditions of 35°C within 17 minutes, with results observable to the naked eye. We then evaluated the performance of this method. It exhibited high specificity and no cross-reaction with the other common swine pathogens. The lowest detectable limits of this method for the plasmid of pMD18-SVA-3D, DNA amplification product, and viral were 3.86×101 copies/µL, 8.76×10-7 ng/µL, and 1×100.25 TCID50/mL, respectively. A total of 44 clinical samples were then tested using the RAA-LFD, PCR, and RT-qPCR methods. The results demonstrated a consistent detection rate between the RAA-LFD and RT-qPCR assays. Conclusion: The SVA RAA-LFD assay developed in our study exhibits excellent specificity, sensitivity, and time-saving attributes, making it ideally suited for utilization in lack-instrumented laboratory and field settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health economic appraisals often rely on the assessment of health utilities using preference-based measures (PBM). The cancer-specific PBM, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Utility — Core 10 Dimensions (EORTC QLU-C10D), was developed recently, and now needs to be validated in various clinical populations. Methods: In a multicenter, multinational prospective cohort study, we longitudinally collected EORTC QLQ-C30 and EQ-5D-5L data from patients with thyroid cancer. We applied seven country-specific value sets to the QLQ-C30 data to derive country-specific utility values and used the EQ-5D-5L as a comparator PBM. Criterion validity was assessed by correlating index scores and Bland–Altman plots. Construct validity was investigated by correlating domain scores. Known-group comparisons and responsiveness were assessed using external clinical criteria. Results: A total of 181 patients with thyroid cancer from nine countries (three continents) provided analyzable data. Patients were included if they had differentiated, medullary, or anaplastic thyroid cancer. Mean utility values of both instruments were generally lower compared to general population norms. No floor or ceiling effects were present for the QLU-C10D. The intra-class correlation for EQ-5D-5L and QLU-C10D index values ranged from 0.761 to 0.901 across the measurement timepoints, supporting criterion validity. Spearman's correlation coefficients ranged from 0.289 to 0.716 for theoretically corresponding domain pairs. The QLU-C10D detected differences in 9 of 15 known-group comparisons, supporting sensitivity. Clinically important changes were detected by all QLU-C10D country specific value sets, supporting responsiveness. Further, the QLU-C10D had higher statistical efficiency than the EQ-5D-5L in 74.7% of comparisons. Conclusions: The QLU-C10D is a valid PBM for health economic evaluations in thyroid cancer studies. We recommend its use to estimate health utilities in economic evaluations of thyroid cancer therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of X-rays in detecting osteoarthritis (OA) in comparison to MRI. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Setting: The Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi. Period: August, 2023 to March, 2024. Methods: Total 350 patients consented to clinical interviews, physical examinations, standing radiographs, and MRIs. Standing, semi-flexed posteroanterior radiographs of the knees were obtained with proper alignment to accurately detect joint space narrowing. Manual measurements of joint space width were conducted by a blinded orthopedic surgeon using the Kellgren-Lawrence grading system. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 23, with frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations calculated for relevant variables. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed using a 2x2 table. Results: Of the 350 patients, 61.1% were up to 60 years old, and 38.9% were over 60 years old. Among those with positive MRI results, 70.1% also had a positive X-ray, while 29.6% did not. Cohen's Kappa was 0.377, indicating fair to moderate agreement. Sensitivity was 54.3%, specificity 82.4%, positive predictive value 70.1%, and negative predictive value 70.4%, with an overall diagnostic accuracy of 70.3%. Conclusion: X-rays demonstrated high specificity and moderate predictive values, but low sensitivity, suggesting that some OA cases may be missed if relying solely on X-rays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a nanoelectromechanical system (NEMS) field‐effect transistor (FET)‐based ultra‐high pressure (PR) multi‐directional sensor utilizing a junctionless profile and gate‐all‐around geometry is proposed with the advanced materials GaN/TiO2, named MD‐JLFET PR sensor. A design guide approach is considered, and accurate analysis is conducted starting from the bending of cantilevers based on materials' Young's moduli due to applied pressure and finally extracting the dynamic range of the proposed PR sensor. For the first time, the direction and magnitude of pressure can be measured using gate‐source capacitances (CGS). By employing oxide engineering and fringing field, the sensor achieves distinguishable states compared to previous works. Simulation results demonstrate that the PR sensor can measure pressures ranging from 10 to 30 MPa with high sensitivity in terms of CGS, IOFF, ION, and ION/IOFF. Therefore, the proposed FET‐based PR sensor holds promise for widespread industrial applications requiring ultra‐high pressure range measurement, directional pressure sensing, and high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Early risk stratification tools for COVID-19 patients have been indicated yet there are few data about their ability to effectively detect clinical deterioration among COVID-19 patients. Objectives: To evaluate the NEWS-2 to predict severe morbidity and mortality for COVID-19 patients admitted to hospitals. Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study among adult COVID-19 patients with a confirmed diagnosis who were admitted to the inpatient units at COVID-19 Martyrs Medical Military Complex Hospital, from 1 March 2022, until 29 February 2023. NEWS-2 scores were measured at admission and 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after their admission to the hospital using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Overall, 192 adult COVID-19 patients aged 25–94 years (mean = 62.1, SD = 13.9) were enrolled. Of those, 49.0% were males, 47.4% were vaccinated, and 53.6% had diabetes. The 192 enrolled patients were classified into NEWS-2 score categories, with almost 13% (12.5%) falling into the high-risk category already upon admission. The mean NEWS-2 scores were excellent predictors of mechanical ventilation, admission to the ICU, and mortality, as indicated by an AUROC of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–1.00, p < 0.001), 0.91 (95% CI: 0.87–0.96, p < 0.001), and 0.96 (95% CI: 0.92–1.00, p < 0.001), respectively. Significant differences in mean NEWS-2 scores were found between the participating patients, both with and without comorbidity in the course of the patient's stay in the ICU, and mortality (p = 0.004, p = 0.043, respectively). Positive correlations of the high NEWS-2 scores were revealed using a multiple linear regression model, indicating the necessity of administering non-invasive ventilatory assistance (p = 0.013), hospitalization for a minimum of six days (p = 0.013), and admission to the ICU (p = 0.006). Nonetheless, there was a negative association between mortality and the NEWS-2 score (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The NEWS-2 had moderate sensitivity and specificity in predicting the deterioration of patients with COVID-19 whereas there was high sensitivity and specificity in predicting the mortality for patients with COVID-19, both with and without comorbidity. Our findings support the utility of NEWS-2 monitoring as a sensitive approach for initially assessing COVID-19 patients. It could be helpful to enhance the accuracy of predictive performance by supplementing the score parameters by adding biological parameters in addition to clinical judgment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within this manuscript, we provide a novel Fano resonance-driven micro-nanosensor. Its primary structural components are a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) waveguide, a shield with three disks, and a T-shaped cavity (STDTC). The finite element approach was used to study the gadget in theory. It is found that the adjustment of the structure and the change of the dimensions are closely related to the sensitivity (S) and the quality factor (FOM). Different model structural parameters affect the Fano resonance, which in turn changes the transmission characteristics of the resonator. Through in-depth experimental analysis and selection of appropriate parameters, the sensor sensitivity finally reaches 3020 nm/RIU and the quality factor reaches 51.89. Furthermore, the installation of this microrefractive index sensor allows for the quick and sensitive measurement of glucose levels. It is a positive contribution to the field of optical devices and micro-nano sensors and meets the demand for efficient detection when applied in medical and environmental scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the cognitive process of establishing a diagnosis, the performance of a diagnostician can be characterized in terms of sensitivity and specificity. The aims of the present study are to analyze in quantitative terms how cognitive bias affects the performance of a diagnostician, and how a diagnostician's biased decision making is further influenced by personal cost-benefit considerations. The test matrices of two sequential diagnostic tests are manipulated according to the rules of linear algebra, using multiplication of the second with the first test matrix to calculate their joint test characteristics. The decision tree and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) of a biased and unbiased diagnostician are used to calculate which combination of test characteristics maximizes the expected utility value. Biased diagnosticians cannot establish a diagnosis beyond their own limited or distorted level of understanding. An unbiased and a biased diagnostician alike adjust their choice of test characteristics according to their different cost-benefit estimation of the various test outcomes. From the perspective of an unbiased diagnostician, the choices made by a biased diagnostician appear to invert reality. However, the same appearance of inverted reality is perceived by the biased diagnostician, judging the choices made by the unbiased diagnostician. As a general principle, human testers cannot test beyond their own level of understanding. They only see what they know. As they base their judgment on preconceived notions about the utilities associated with different test outcomes, human testers also tend to only know what they want to know. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microsensor is modeled as a two-layer micro beam in which the first layer is quartz and the second layer is silicon. This beam is clamped-free and beam has a rectangular cross-section. Sensitivity and quality factors which are two important functions in sensors are selected as objective functions. Dimensions of the micro beam are design variables, so this optimization has two functions and four variables of the design. Objective functions are depended on the natural frequency, material properties, and dimensions of the beam. The natural frequency is obtained according to the modified couple stress theory by using Rayleigh's method. Optimization is done by using genetic algorithm. Results show the length of the beam has a significant effect on the sensitivity and quality factor. Also, it can be seen that when dimensions of the beam decrease, sensitivity increases, and quality factor decreases. Results are presented based on non-classical and the classical theories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infancy is a sensitive period of development, during which experiences of parental care are particularly important for shaping the developing brain. In a longitudinal study of N = 95 mothers and infants, we examined links between caregiving behavior (maternal sensitivity observed during a mother–infant free‐play) and infants' neural response to emotion (happy, angry, and fearful faces) at 5 and 7 months of age. Neural activity was assessed using functional Near‐Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (dlPFC), a region involved in cognitive control and emotion regulation. Maternal sensitivity was positively correlated with infants' neural responses to happy faces in the bilateral dlPFC and was associated with relative increases in such responses from 5 to 7 months. Multilevel analyses revealed caregiving‐related individual differences in infants' neural responses to happy compared to fearful faces in the bilateral dlPFC, as well as other brain regions. We suggest that variability in dlPFC responses to emotion in the developing brain may be one correlate of early experiences of caregiving, with implications for social‐emotional functioning and self‐regulation. Research Highlights: Infancy is a sensitive period of brain development, during which experiences with caregivers are especially important.This study examined links between sensitive maternal care and infants' neural responses to emotion at 5–7 months of age, using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).Experiences of sensitive care were associated with infants' neural responses to emotion—particularly happy faces—in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current paper, we examined the dimensional structure of parenting using a bifactor model of observed parenting domains during infancy. We validated our parenting dimensions by examining correlations with indicators of family well‐being and child development. Data come from a longitudinal cohort that recruited a diverse sample of mothers (56.5% White) and their newborn child (50.7% males). Parenting was assessed using multiple indicators at an average of 18 months (N = 397). Bifactor modelling revealed a general latent dimension of sensitivity and two unique dimensions indexing emotional input and cognitive input. We found a pattern of shared and unique correlations of the three parenting dimensions with family and child well‐being. The most robust correlations were with the general sensitivity dimension, which we argue cuts across parentings behaviors and is fundamental to development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The risk of malignancy (ROM) remains an area of interest for further evaluation in reporting systems including in International System for reporting serous fluid cytopathology (TIS), which is a standardized system for reporting effusion cytology. Herein, we report our findings in further investigation of ROM in TIS by studying on paired pleural effusion specimens and corresponding pleural biopsies with emphasis on negative for malignancy, and atypia of undetermined significance categories. Materials and Methods: The Johns Hopkins Hospital pathology database was retrospectively searched for patients with a pleural biopsy (PBX) and a paired pleural effusion (PF) cytology specimens over a 4‐year period. We employed the TIS categories. The following statistical parameters were evaluated: sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), negative predictive value (NPV), and ROM. Results: A total of 223 patient cases were included. Effusions TIS reclassification and ROM were as follows: 1.8% non‐diagnostic (ROM 75%), 75.8% negative for malignancy (ROM 23%), 4.9% atypical cells of undetermined significance (ROM 45%), 2.2% suspicious for malignancy (ROM 80%), and 15.2% malignant (ROM 100%). Overall accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were calculated and were 79.4%, 45%, 97.7%, 91.2% and 77%, respectively. Among, discordant cases diagnosed negative for malignancy on PF and positive for malignancy on PBX, there were significant number of lymphomas, mesotheliomas, and sarcomas. Lung cancer was the most common carcinoma; however, rare types of carcinomas were noted. Cells blocks and immunohistochemistry (IHC) studies were utilized to confirm either malignant conditions or rule out malignancy in both cell blocks and histology biopsies. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the high specificity and ROM for 'malignant' and 'suspicious for malignancy' categories in the TIS reporting system and highlights the modest negative predictive value for the 'negative for malignancy' category. Although Tissue biopsies are usually considered as 'gold standard', any definitive diagnosis of malignancy of body fluid should be considered positive for malignancy in further clinical decision‐making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to devise a modified oximetry scoring system and calculate its diagnostic accuracy in detecting paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). Study Design: This prospective diagnostic accuracy study was divided into two phases. Setting: The study was conducted at a quaternary teaching hospital. Methods: Polysomnograms performed from 1 April 2014 to 31 December 2021 were included. In Phase 1, the parameters of 95 oximetry trend graphs were evaluated, and a modified scoring system was constructed. In Phase 2, the modified scoring system was employed in 272 oximetry trend graphs, and its diagnostic accuracy was determined. A logistic regression model was used to assess the ability of each scoring system to predict paediatric OSAS. Results: A total of 367 patients were recruited. In Phase 1, a four‐tier severity classification system was constructed. In Phase 2, its diagnostic accuracy was found to be 53.3% sensitive, 97% specific, with positive predictive value of 98.5% and negative predictive value of 34.6%. The lowest detectable apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) was 4.5. The inter‐rater reliability calculated was 80%. Logistic regression was applied to assess associations of the modified McGill score (MMS) or McGill oximetry score (MOS) with OSAS. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was higher for the MMS than for MOS (0.78 [95% CI 0.73–0.84] vs. 0.59 [95% CI 0.51–0.66]). Conclusion: This study demonstrated that our modified scoring system had increased sensitivity at detecting OSAS at a much lower AHI and showed a much greater ability to predict paediatric OSAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Tb3+-activated Ca 2 BB'O 6 (B = Y, Gd, La, and In; B' = Ta and Nb) double-perovskite phosphors with yellowish-green emission were synthesized to explore the beneficial occupation site and chemical composition for realizing strong emission intensity and high luminescence lifetime sensitivity. Interestingly, all the as-prepared eight samples have the same monoclinic phase structure. Notably, all the obtained samples had a strong excitation peak (4f 8 → 4f 7 5d) while the dominant emission peak was assigned to the 5 D 4 → 7 F 5 magnetic dipole transition. By analyzing the photoluminescence (PL) emission intensity and internal PL quantum yield, it is suggested that Ta5+ chemical composition can achieve stronger emission intensity than Nb5+, and further, the preferred substituted occupation was the [InO 6 ] at the 2a site. However, the opposite results were observed in the application of the luminescence lifetime thermometry. The luminescence sensitivity of the Nb5+ chemical composition was much more excellent than Ta5+ while the substituted occupation of [InO 6 ] had the lowest luminescence sensitivity. Interestingly, it is also found that strong thermal quenching materials with a short average lifetime can possess high lifetime sensitivity. This work aims to systematically and comprehensively investigate the occupation site and chemical composition's effect on the PL performance and luminescence lifetime sensitivity of the single Tb3+-activated Ca 2 BB'O 6 double-perovskite matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The accuracy of neuropsychological assessments relies on participants exhibiting their true abilities during administration. The Test of Memory Malingering (TOMM) is a popular performance validity test used to determine whether an individual is providing honest answers. While the TOMM has proven to be highly sensitive to those who are deliberately exaggerating their symptoms, there is a limited explanation regarding the significance of using 45 as a cutoff score. The present study aims to further investigate this question by examining TOMM scores obtained in a large sample of active-duty military personnel (N = 859, M = 26 years, SD = 6.14, 97.31% males, 72.44% white). Results indicated that no notable discrepancies existed between the frequency of participants who scored a 45 and those who scored slightly below a 45 on the TOMM. The sensitivity and specificity of the TOMM were derived using the forced-choice recognition (FCR) scores obtained by participants on the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition (CVLT-II). The sensitivity for each trial of the TOMM was 0.84, 0.55, and 0.63, respectively; the specificity for each trial of the TOMM was 0.69, 0.93, and 0.92, respectively. Because sensitivity and specificity rates are both of importance in this study, balanced accuracy scores were also reported. Results suggested that various alternative cutoff scores produced a more accurate classification compared to the traditional cutoff of 45. Further analyses using Fisher's exact test also indicated that there were no significant performance differences on the FCR of the CVLT-II between individuals who received a 44 and individuals who received a 45 on the TOMM. The current study provides evidence on why the traditional cutoff may not be the most effective score. Future research should consider employing alternative methods which do not rely on a single score. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic contamination in groundwater of Bengal basin was first reported in early 80s. Even after two decades of extensive research, our ability to pinpoint the arsenic-free sources, with precision, is limited. Proxies as indicator of arsenic concentration in groundwater are also lacking. It is imperative to formulate some cost-effective, user-friendly screening tool for the detection of arsenic safe wells. The present study utilises validation tests, colourimetry and statistics, to validate the platform colour hypothesis. Results show that red-stained platforms can identify arsenic-contaminated wells with 83% certainty; while black-stained platforms identify arsenic safe wells with 62% certainty, 78% sensitivity and 69% specificity. Black-coloured well platforms identify manganese-contaminated wells with 96% certainty; while red-stained well platforms mark manganese safe wells with 36% certainty and 93% specificity. The performances of such tests improve with increasing prevalence. A comprehensive colour chart thus prepared can be used as handy tool for identification of arsenic-contaminated wells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of China Textile Leader is the property of China Textile Information Center and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Early warning scores serve as valuable tools for predicting adverse events in patients. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performance of National Early Warning Score, Hamilton Early Warning Score, Standardized Early Warning Score, and Triage Early Warning Score in forecasting intubation and mortality among patients with coronavirus disease 2019. This predictive correlation study included 370 patients admitted to the emergency department of 22 Bahman Hospital in Neyshabur, Iran, from December 2021 to March 2022. The aforementioned scores were assessed daily upon patient admission and throughout a 1-month hospitalization period, alongside intubation and mortality occurrences. Data analysis used SPSS 26 and MEDCALC 20.0.13 software. We adhered to the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies guidelines to ensure the accurate reporting of our study. The patients' mean age was 65.03 ± 18.47 years, with 209 (56.5%) being male. Both Standardized Early Warning Score and Hamilton Early Warning Score demonstrated high diagnostic performance, with area under the curve values of 0.92 and 0.95, respectively. For Standardized Early Warning Score, the positive likelihood ratio was 10.81 for intubation and 17.90 for mortality, whereas for Hamilton Early Warning Score, the positive likelihood ratio was 7.88 for intubation and 10.40 for mortality. The negative likelihood ratio values were 0.23 and 0.17 for Standardized Early Warning Score and 0.21 and 0.18 for Hamilton Early Warning Score, respectively, for the 24-hour period preceding intubation events and mortality. Findings suggest that Standardized Early Warning Score, followed by Hamilton Early Warning Score, has superior diagnostic performance in predicting intubation and mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 within 24 hours before these outcomes. Therefore, serial assessments of Hamilton Early Warning Score or Standardized Early Warning Score may be valuable tools for health care providers in identifying high-risk patients with coronavirus disease 2019 who require intubation or are at increased risk of mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new nanothermite system, composed of titanium and tungsten trioxide is reported. Initial investigations show that it has low-average sensitivity to mechanical stimuli (friction, impact), but that its sensitivity to laser irradiation can be controlled in a moderately wide range. The combustion of this nanothermite system takes place at a very high apparent temperature (> 3695 K) and it follows the key predictions of the established reactive sintering mechanism, as supported by SEM-EDS and XRD analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Railway Standard Design is the property of Railway Standard Design Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A p-type (DiketoPyrroloPyrrole as organic semiconductor) Dual Gate OFET based biosensor is proposed for the detection of biomolecules in the nanocavity provided at the source end underlapping the region of the structure both at the top and at the bottom. Various biomolecules have been investigated for their effect on Drain current, ID which is a measure of sensitivity of the device. This device is then compared with different organic p-type semiconductor materials such as pentacene and tetracene based OFET biosensor. Drain current and sensitivity of these devices have also been calculated which shows that DPP (DiketoPyrroloPyrrole) based OFET biosensor has higher sensitivity of 3.0 x 10³ as compared to pentacene and tetracene based OFET biosensors. Simulation of these devices has been done in SILVACO ATLAS TCAD tool. The simulation results also show that the proposed device even shows higher sensitivity for high-k dielectrics such as HfO2, Ta2O5, TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oil spills pose significant threats to marine and coastal ecosystems, necessitating advanced methodologies for environmental sensitivity and vulnerability assessments. This study enhances existing frameworks to better manage oil spill risks in the Caspian Sea, a region characterized by its ecological sensitivity and economic dependence on oil extraction. Utilizing the Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI), we adapted global standards to the unique conditions of the Caspian Sea and built a sensitivity map of the coastline, which later became one of the components of the integral sensitivity map for the entire Caspian Sea, which includes several biotic and abiotic components. We also developed a comprehensive geodatabase incorporating topographic, infrastructural, and hydrodynamic data. Through the sophisticated modeling of oil spill scenarios using the Oil Spill model of the MIKE 21 software (Release 2016) suite, we simulated spills of varying magnitudes to analyze their potential impacts on the marine and coastal environment. The results enabled the creation of vulnerability maps, pinpointing areas at highest risk and facilitating strategic response planning. Our study demonstrates the critical importance of integrating advanced geospatial analyses and dynamic modeling techniques to improve oil spill preparedness and response strategies. The findings of this study suggest that enhanced monitoring and adaptive management strategies are essential for protecting the Caspian Sea from environmental risks posed by its oil industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In areas where C. sinensis is endemic, early screening and diagnosis of C. sinensis infection is crucial to prevent complications and interrupt the chain of transmission. Testing for C. sinensis IgG antibodies is frequently employed as a screening method for detecting the disease. However, its effectiveness in populations with a high risk remains to be determined. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of IgG antibody testing for screening C. sinensis infection in high-risk populations. Methods: Between October 2020 and September 2023, 1,080 participants from Liuzhou Municipal Liutie Central Hospital patients were recruited. All participants underwent enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect IgG antibodies and fecal examination for C. sinensis eggs using the Kato-Katz technique. The study examined the diagnostic concordance between two methods by using inter-rater agreement evaluation (Kappa). The diagnostic effectiveness of IgG antibodies was assessed comprehensively and across different gender and age categories, with the outcomes of the parasite egg test serving as the benchmark for diagnosis. Results: Out of the 1,080 participants, 48.0% (518/1,080) tested positive for C. sinensis eggs, and 46.9% (506/1,080) tested positive for IgG antibodies. The Kappa value of the two methods' diagnostic concordance was 0.599. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of IgG antibody detection were 78.0%, 81.9%, 79.8%, 80.1%, and 80.0%, respectively, using C. sinensis eggs as the diagnostic criterion. Gender and age subgroup analyses revealed that diagnostic specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and accuracy were higher in females than males (p = 0.003, 0.001, and 0.049, respectively). Sensitivity tended to decrease, while specificity tended to increase with age (p = 0.007 and 0.010, respectively). Conclusions: The technique for detecting Clonorchiasis IgG antibodies has a certain degree of accuracy in diagnosing C. sinensis, but its sensitivity is low, particularly in mild infections and in the elderly population. Diagnosis requires a combination of other assays or further optimization of the technique's performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Cotton Textile Technology is the property of Cotton Textile Technology Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Poverty alleviation through relocation (PAR) is an important component of poverty alleviation programmes and relocates vulnerable rural households from inhospitable areas to help them get out of poverty. To examine the impact of a poverty alleviation programme on rural households' ability to establish a sustainable livelihood, this article analyzes the influence of PAR on rural households from the perspective of livelihood vulnerability in a two-way fixed effects model. We have found that PAR significantly reduced rural households' livelihood vulnerability, and the longer the households remained relocated, the stronger the effect. PAR reduced livelihood vulnerability by lowering exposure and increasing adaptive capacity. Moreover, adaptive capacity increased with the relocation time. Finally, the influence of PAR was stronger in rural relocation than urban relocation, but the influence of relocation time was opposite. Given this, the government should improve the construction of the resettlement areas to reduce the risk exposure of the relocated population. Industry and employment assistance need to be implemented to enhance their adaptive capacity. Finally, it's necessary to promote the social integration of urban relocated households and help them adapt to life in new communities to accelerate the reduction of livelihood vulnerability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pancreatitis is a serious and complex inflammatory disease that imposes a severe effect on quality of life. Links between plasma lipidome and pancreatitis have been reported, some of which have not yet been clearly elucidated. Methods: Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the causal relationships between plasma lipidome and four types of pancreatitis by conducting a bidirectional, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. We obtained genetic variants associated with 179 lipid species from a Genome-wide association analysis of plasma lipidome. The aggregated statistical data of acute pancreatitis (AP), alcohol-induced acute pancreatitis (AAP), chronic pancreatitis (CP), and alcohol-induced chronic pancreatitis (ACP) from the FinnGen consortium were exploited as the outcome. The inverse variance weighted (IVW) technique as the main method was used for MR analysis and sensitivity analyses were used to evaluate heterogeneity and pleiotropy. Results: After FDR correction, SE (27:1/20:4) (OR = 0.938, 95%CI = 0.906-0.972, P = 4.38 × 10-4, PFDR = 0.039) was identified to be significantly associated with AP risk. Eight lipid species were identified to be significantly associated with CP risk: SE (27:1/20:4) (OR = 0.911, 95%CI = 0.869-0.954, P = 8.89 × 10-5, PFDR = 0.016), LPC (20:4) (OR = 0.892, 95%CI = 0.843-0.945, P = 9.74 × 10-5, PFDR = 0.009), PC (16:0_22:5) (OR = 0.880, 95%CI = 0.818-0.947, P = 6.29 × 10-4, PFDR = 0.028), PC (17:0_20:4) (OR = 0.893, 95%CI = 0.842-0.948, P = 1.76 × 10-4, PFDR = 0.010), PC (18:0_20:4) (OR = 0.920, 95%CI = 0.874-0.969, P = 1.70 × 10-3, PFDR = 0.038), PC (O-16:0/20:4) (OR = 0.871, 95%CI = 0.804-0.943, P = 6.95 × 10-4, PFDR = 0.025), PC (O-16:1/20:4) (OR = 0.890, 95%CI = 0.832-0.953, P = 7.85 × 10-4, PFDR = 0.023), and PE (O-18:1/20:4) (OR = 0.866, 95%CI = 0.791-0.947, P = 1.61 × 10-3, PFDR = 0.041). Furthermore, genetically predicted increased LPC (20:4) (OR = 0.862, 95%CI = 0.796-0.934, P = 3.00 × 10-4, PFDR = 0.027) and SM (34:2;O2) (OR = 0.753, 95%CI = 0.659-0.860, P = 2.97 × 10-5, PFDR = 0.005) levels were associated with decreased risk of ACP. Conclusions: Our findings provide evidence of causal associations between the specific types of lipidome and pancreatitis, offering new insights into future clinical research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The VIPP-SD (Video-feedback Intervention to promote Positive Parenting and Sensitive Discipline) program has been shown to promote positive interactions between parents and children with behavior problems. This study evaluated an adapted version for teachers (VIPP-School) through a parallel-group randomized controlled trial involving 58 teacher–child dyads from kindergarten to second grade. Teacher–child dyads were randomly assigned to VIPP-School (n = 28) or an active control group (n = 30). Intention-to-treat analyses showed improvements in teacher sensitivity (d  = 0.87) and supportive teacher classroom interactions (d  = 0.53) in the VIPP-School condition compared to the control condition. VIPP-School had no significant effect on teachers’ observed sensitive discipline (although changes were in the expected direction), nor on reported child externalizing behavior, overall relationship quality, school happiness or teacher self-efficacy. These findings show that the intervention, originally developed for families, could be effectively applied to early elementary education. The limited number of sessions increases the feasibility of VIPP-School. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tactile sensors have garnered considerable interest for their capacity to detect and quantify tactile information. The incorporation of microstructural designs into flexible tactile sensors has emerged as a potent strategy to augment their sensitivity to pressure variations, thereby enhancing their linearity, response spectrum, and mechanical robustness. This review underscores the imperative for progress in microstructured flexible tactile sensors. Subsequently, the discourse transitions to the prevalent materials employed in the fabrication of sensor electrodes, encapsulation layers, and active sensing mediums, elucidating their merits and limitations. In‐depth discussions are devoted to tactile sensors adorned with microstructures, including but not limited to, micropyramids, microhemispheres, micropillars, microporous configurations, microcracks, topological interconnections, multilevel constructs, random roughness, biomimetic microstructures inspired by flora and fauna, accompanied by exemplar studies from each category. Moreover, the utility of flexible tactile sensors within the realm of intelligent environments is explicated, highlighting their application in the monitoring of physiological signals, the detection of sliding motions, and the discernment of surface textures. The review culminates in a critical examination of the paramount challenges and predicaments that must be surmounted to further the development and enhance the functional performance of tactile sensors, paving the way for their integration into advanced sensory systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Aims Methods Results Conclusions The Rome IV criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may be too restrictive for clinical practice and research.To validate the Rome IV criteria and study the diagnostic performance of simple modifications to them.We collected symptom data from consecutive adults with suspected IBS seen in a single clinic. We used a reference standard to confirm IBS (presence of lower abdominal pain associated with altered stool form or frequency; no evidence of organic gastrointestinal disease after limited investigation). We applied Rome IV criteria, but also two modifications. First, we re‐incorporated abdominal discomfort but kept symptom frequency required for both abdominal pain and discomfort to at least 1 day per week. Second, we included only abdominal pain but relaxed symptom frequency back to 3 days per month. We calculated sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative likelihood ratios (LRs), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), for each diagnostic criterion.We recruited 170 patients (76.5% female, mean age 37.9 years). Sensitivity and specificity of the Rome IV criteria were 82.1% and 85.1%, respectively; positive and negative LRs were 5.51 (95% CI 2.95–11.3) and 0.21 (95% CI 0.14–0.31), respectively. Modifying the criteria by relaxing the frequency of abdominal pain to 3 days per month led to the best performance [sensitivity 90.2%, specificity 85.1%, positive LR 6.06 (95% CI 3.25–12.2), and negative LR 0.11 (95% CI 0.07–0.19)].The Rome IV criteria performed well in diagnosing IBS. A simple modification relaxing the required frequency of abdominal pain improved their performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The detrimental impact of foodborne pathogens on human health makes food safety a major concern at all levels of production. Conventional methods to detect foodborne pathogens, such as live culture, high-performance liquid chromatography, and molecular techniques, are relatively tedious, time-consuming, laborious, and expensive, which hinders their use for on-site applications. Recurrent outbreaks of foodborne illness have heightened the demand for rapid and simple technologies for detection of foodborne pathogens. Recently, Lateral flow assays (LFA) have drawn attention because of their ability to detect pathogens rapidly, cheaply, and on-site. Here, we reviewed the latest developments in LFAs to detect various foodborne pathogens in food samples, giving special attention to how reporters and labels have improved LFA performance. We also discussed different approaches to improve LFA sensitivity and specificity. Most importantly, due to the lack of studies on LFAs for the detection of viral foodborne pathogens in food samples, we summarized our recent research on developing LFAs for the detection of viral foodborne pathogens. Finally, we highlighted the main challenges for further development of LFA platforms. In summary, with continuing improvements, LFAs may soon offer excellent performance at point-of-care that is competitive with laboratory techniques while retaining a rapid format. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]