26207 research outputs found
Sort by
Physical activity, fatigue severity, and health-related quality of life of community-dwelling stroke survivors: A cross-sectional study
Get PDFBackground: Physical inactivity among stroke survivors (SSV) may result from fatigue, physical disabilities, and psychosocial factors, all of which adversely affect health-related quality of life (HRQL). Studies on combined interactions among physical activity (PA), fatigue severity (FS), and HRQL in SSV are scarce. This study was aimed to determine the relationships among PA, FS, and HRQL in community-dwelling SSV and to predict the association with selected socio-demographic and clinical variables. Methods: This analytical cross-sectional correlation study involved 102 consented community-dwelling SSV. Respondents were purposively recruited from physiotherapy outpatient clinics of selected secondary and tertiary hospitals in southwest Nigeria. PA, FS, and HRQL of the SSV were assessed using the Stroke Physical Activities Questionnaire (SPAQ), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Stroke-Specific Quality-of-Life (SS-QoL) scale, respectively. Information on respondents’ socio-demographic and clinical characteristics was also collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics at p 0.05), and fair (R = 0.326) level of prediction for FS (F 8, 93 = 1.386; p > 0.05). Conclusion: Moderate correlations among fatigue severity, physical activity, and health-related quality of life in stroke survivors suggested that enhancing one domain can benefit others, while the limited predictive ability of socio-demographic and clinical variables highlighted the need to consider cultural and psychological factors in post-stroke outcomes
Hypoxia compromises the differentiation of human osteosarcoma cells to CAR-R, a hydroxylated derivative of lithocholic acid and potent agonist of the vitamin D receptor
Get PDFThe active metabolite of vitamin D3, calcitriol (1,25D), is widely recognised for its direct anti-proliferative and pro-differentiation effects. However, 1,25D is calcaemic, which restricts its clinical use for cancer treatment. Non-calcaemic agonists of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) could be better candidates for cancer treatment. In this study, we examined the influence of the hydroxylated lithocholic acid derivative CAR-R on osteosarcoma (OS) cell (MG63) growth and differentiation. Treatment of MG63 cells with CAR-R inhibited growth under conventional and hypoxic conditions. Co-treating cells with CAR-R and a lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) analogue resulted in their differentiation, as supported by synergistic increases in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity. Under hypoxic conditions, however, this differentiation response was attenuated. The importance of observed increases in hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) were investigated through targeted disruption using pharmacological and genetic approaches. Disruption elicited a reduction in ALP activity, suggesting an important role for HIFs in OS differentiation. Finally, we examined the expression of the VDR protein. Hypoxic MG63s expressed less VDR, with the levels increasing with CAR-R exposure. Whilst these findings are encouraging, future studies aimed at bolstering the pro-differentiating effect of CAR-R under hypoxic conditions are warranted if this agent is to gain traction in the treatment of OS
Signaling and perceiving on equity crowdfunding decisions — a machine learning approach
Get PDFThis study explores how signaling and perceiving jointly influence crowd investors’ decision-making. We utilize five machine learning models to assess the predictive power of various information types on crowdfunding success. Our findings indicate that investors prioritize well-structured quantitative data over complex qualitative content. Processing quantitative information is also found to be less cognitively taxing than extracting useful information from qualitative text and images. Entrepreneurs’ signaling and investors’ processing jointly reduce information asymmetry in crowdfunding, highlighting the critical yet often-overlooked role of investors’ information processing. Additionally, we test the policy effect of the ‘2016 Interim Measures on Online Lending’ on crowdfunding success by comparing the predictive accuracy of information during the thriving and constraining periods of crowdfunding development in China. Our results have significant implications for policymakers that crowdfunding fosters economic growth by connecting entrepreneurs and investors and should not be halted due to risks, especially during periods of financial constraints
Sustainable reservoir computing with liquid egg albumen
Get PDFWhile physical reservoir computing offers a promising approach for efficient information processing, identifying suitable substrates remains challenging. Here, we demonstrated that colloidal albumen proteins could function as an effective physical reservoir for classifying multivariate datasets and electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. We exploited the nonlinear dynamics of protein macromolecules and ions in the albumen to perform high-dimensional mappings of input data. Our albumen-based reservoir achieved classification accuracy comparable to conventional machine learning methods on benchmark datasets while consuming over 5000 times less energy during training. Notably, the reservoir exhibited short-term plasticity analogous to biological synapses, with conductance spikes and fading memory. This bio-inspired computing paradigm not only offered a sustainable alternative to traditional architectures but also provided insights into the information-processing capabilities of biological systems. Our findings opened new avenues for low-power, environmentally friendly computing solutions with potential applications in real-time health monitoring and edge computing
High performance anion-exchange chromatography electro-chemical determination of uric acid as a contamination marker
Get PDFThis study presents the first instance of determining environmental uric acid in urban dust using high-performance anion-exchange chromatography coupled with electrochemical detection. The optimum chromatographic conditions were identified as a 10 mm x 4.6 mm, 10 µm anion exchange column with a mobile phase of pH 8 50 mM phosphate buffer. Cyclic voltammetric investigations over the pH range 2 to 12 showed that uric acid gave a single diffusion-controlled peak. Hydrodynamic voltammetric studies of uric acid using a mobile phase of 50 mM pH 8.0 phosphate buffer, over the range 0.0 V to +1.4 V (vs. stainless steel) showed a similar single oxidation wave which plateaued at potentials more positive than +0.7 V (vs. stainless steel). An applied potential of +0.90 V (vs. stainless steel) was chosen for further investigations, and a linear range of 0.10 to 100 mg/L was obtained, with a detection limit of 0.866 mg/L based on a signal-to-noise ratio of three. Dust wipe samples were extracted in pH 8, 50 mM phosphate buffer with the aid of sonication. Recoveries of 99.6 % (% CV = 4.52 %) were achieved for dust wipe fortified at 16.8 µg of uric acid. Nitrate, nitrite, chloride, acetate and sulphate ions were found not to interfere. Dust wipe samples were found to have uric acid levels of between 32.6 µg/m2 and 3.98 mg/m2
‘Go with the "wave of music" to dive deep’: Exploring perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the role of music within this practice
No full textThere is increasing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PT) as a mental health intervention; however, there is a long history of stigma associated with psychedelics, which may be a barrier to implementation. For this reason, it is important to examine the acceptability and perceptions of PT among mental health professionals, service users and the wider public. In almost all PT research carried out to date, music listening is used as an essential adjunct to support the therapeutic aims, such as having a ‘peak experience’ and emotional release, however existing research has not addressed the perceptions of the role of music in PT. This qualitative study used a novel hybrid vignette-story completion method to explore understandings of PT and the role of music in the practice. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop three themes: 1) ‘Psychedelic therapy can reach the parts that other therapies cannot reach’; 2) ‘Music as a guide’; and 3) ‘It’s no magic bullet’: the potential risks of PT. The analysis highlights the important role that music is perceived to play in the practice of PT, positive perceptions of PT as a mental health intervention, alongside concerns about potential risks
Participative rights in Welsh primary schools: Unpicking the policy rhetoric
No full textThis paper presents the findings from the initial stage of an Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded project which examines the pedagogic practices that embed young children's participative rights in lower primary classrooms in Wales. An evaluation of relevant legislation and policy in Wales from 2000 to 2022 was undertaken using the work of Cardno (2018) and the United Nations Framework for Human Rights Education (UN General Assembly, 2011), to explicate the positioning of teachers and their responsibilities regarding children’s participative rights. Data analysis detailed here sets out the legislative and statutory context within which teachers work, as well as the curricular and pedagogic framework which steers classroom activity. The Welsh Government has, for two decades, been explicitly sympathetic to embedding children’s rights in policy development, yet there is limited research evidencing the changes in educational curricula and practice. The gap between policy intention and implementation is not unique to Wales and therefore of universal interest. We report that although there is evidence of the increased inclusion of children’s participative rights in more recent legislation and policy, the move to education about, through and for human rights (UN General Assembly, 2011) is only significantly pronounced in recent reforms such as the Curriculum and Assessment (Wales) Act 2021. We advocate that the commitment to human rights education made in the Curriculum for Wales (2021) is perpetuated and ongoing critical appraisal of legislation and policy is needed, alongside further research to understand how that commitment is being interpreted in Welsh education settings. Key words: children’s rights, Wales, legislation, critical policy analysis, human rights educatio
“No one has ever asked me and I’m grateful that you have” men’s experiences of their partner’s female sexual pain
No full textFemale sexual pain (FSP) occurs within a relational context, yet little is known about partners’ experiences. We explored 26 men’s understandings and experiences of FSP within their different-sex relationships, using an online qualitative survey and semi-structured interviews. Nine of the 25 men who completed the survey were also interviewed, and one man shared his experience via interview only. We report our reflexive thematic analysis which resulted in the following themes: 1. Pain is a communication of a problem: It could be a problem in me captured how men made sense of FSP; 2. On the outside - Where potency is problematic illustrated men’s experiences of being marginalised, and the ways in which this shaped their sense of power and agency within the medical setting and their relationship; 3. Downplaying suffering: My experience doesn’t matter… and yet described men’s view of their own distress, though complex and significant, as less worthy of attention compared to their partner’s; and 4. Hegemonic heterosexuality and the individual man illustrated how men resisted dominant cultural notions of men’s sexuality to various extents, and oriented towards an ‘intimacy imperative’. The implications of our findings are discussed in relation to the help-seeking context for men and couples
From accuracy to vulnerability: Quantifying the impact of adversarial perturbations on healthcare AI models
Get PDFAs AI becomes indispensable in healthcare, its vulnerability to adversarial attacks demands serious attention. Even minimal changes to the input data can mislead Deep Learning (DL) models, leading to critical errors in diagnosis and endangering patient safety. In this study, we developed an optimized Multi-layer Perceptron (MLP) model for breast cancer classification and exposed its cybersecurity vulnerabilities through a real-world-inspired adversarial attack. Unlike prior studies, we conducted a quantitative evaluation on the impact of a Fast Gradient Sign Method (FGSM) attack on an optimized DL model designed for breast cancer detection to demonstrate how minor perturbations reduced the model’s accuracy from 98% to 53%, and led to a substantial increase in the classification errors, as revealed by the confusion matrix. Our findings demonstrate how an adversarial attack can significantly compromise the performance of a healthcare AI model, underscoring the importance of aligning AI development with cybersecurity readiness. This research highlights the demand for designing resilient AI by integrating rigorous cybersecurity practices at every stage of the AI development lifecycle, i.e., before, during, and after the model engineering to prioritize the effectiveness, accuracy, and safety of AI in real-world healthcare environments
The adoption of UAVs for enhancing safety in construction industry: A systematic literature review
Get PDFThe nexus between sustainability and safety in construction is crucial for improving a resilient and responsible built environment. By adhering to sustainable principles, construction practices can not only mitigate the environmental impact but also prioritize the health and safety of workers and communities. To prevent accidents and enhance safety in construction, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are utilized for aerial inspection, site monitoring, surveying, emergency response, and training purposes. However, no systematic review has yet identified UAV deployment’s adoption, challenges, and prospects. UAVs have emerged as promising technologies for improving safety through applications such as aerial inspections, site monitoring, surveying, emergency response, and training. However, a comprehensive review of UAV adoption, challenges, and prospects in the construction industry is still lacking. To address this gap, this study conducts a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis to examine the current state of UAV implementation in construction safety management. The analysis reveals the interconnectedness between construction, engineering disciplines, and safety management, providing a holistic overview of influential contributors and prevalent themes. Content analysis further uncovers significant barriers hindering widespread UAV implementation, emphasizing technical, regulatory, and safety concerns. This study highlights strategies for overcoming these challenges and optimizing UAV deployment to enhance safety in construction, aligning with broader principles of social sustainability