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Functional Coupling between Hand Muscles during Dynamic Handgrip Exercise in Post-Stroke Patients
Get PDFStroke results in impairments of motor function, which are frequently assessed by using clinical scales. However, these scales can only reflect patients’ global motor performance and may not be sensitive to subtle changes in motor function. This study investigates functional coupling between hand muscles during dynamic handgrip exercise in post-stroke patients. Ten post-stroke patients with chronic hemiparesis and 10 healthy young aduts were recruited into this study. The subjects performed dynamic handgrip exercise at 30% maximal voluntary contraction while surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals from the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS), flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU), and extensor carpi ulnaris (ECU) were recorded. Wavelet coherence between the sEMG signals within the frequency bands 0-5 Hz, 8-12 Hz (band), 15-35 Hz ( band), and 35-60 Hz ( band) was quantified by the area under the time-avereged coherence function of the original data and above the threshold obtained from surrogates.
The resuts showed that changes in EMG-EMG coherence caused by handgrip exercise in post-stroke patients differed from that in healthy controls and that these changes were muscle pair specific and particularly frequency band specific. During the handgrip period, EMG-EMG coherence for the muscle pair FDS/FCU showed a significantly higher value in the band and a significantly lower value in the band in post-stroke patients compared to healthy controls; for the muscle pair FCU/ECU, coherence showed a significantly higher value in the band and a significantly lower value in the band inpost-stroke patients. These findings contribute to a better understanding of altered control mechanisms of hand muscles in post-stroke patients, which could be useful in the development of diagnostic and treatment strategies
The Socio Economic Impact of Cultural Heretage on Sierra Leone: Acase of Brookfield , Freetown
Get PDFSierra Leone is arguably a country with massive and amiable cultural heritage assets which have greater bearing on the social and economic trajectory of the country. This heritage can be evident in terms of the country’s tangible culture such as buildings, monuments, landscapes, works of art, and artifacts, et al, intangible culture such as folklore, language, knowledge, and natural heritage including culturally significant landscapes, and biodiversity. Sierra Leone’s cultural heritage is a diverse blend influenced by the topography of the country and large amount of different ethnic groups inhibiting the country. The country and the people are well known for their friendliness and hospitality, with a relaxed pace on life. This Country’s cultural heritage makes it common to be entertained in hotels or restaurants, particularly business visitors.This study employed a cross sectional design with mixed methods of research approach involving questionnaire, and interviews. A purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of the respondents. A sample of eighty (80) respondents was selected purposively in the study areas. Questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to solicit primary data from targeted population. The data generated were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics and results were presented in tables, frequency, graphs and charts. The following were the main findings of the research:Moreover, this study also concluded that there are a range of factors that hinder cultural heritage and this study concludes that lack of human capital on specialized preservation techniques is a major factor that hinders cultural heritage in Sierra Leone and that this can result into devaluation of country’s culture, decreased employment in cultural heritage sector, and most importantly, undergrowth of government’s foreign earnings.Findings in this study also indicated that stakeholders played diverse roles in promoting cultural heritage and such roles could be policy development role, protection and preservation role, funding role and most importantly, education role. This study concluded by providing recommendations for the protection and preservation of cultural heritage. The study recommends that government should build the human capital base on specialized preservation and conservation techniques; cultural heritage studies, archaeological, anthropology and museum education should be taught across all universities; strengthen partnership across the board to sustainably develop the heritage sector; vigorous educational campaign on the promotion of culture and to strengthen the regulatory framework to preserve cultural heritage. The study will help Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of government to have a clear understanding on the potential of Cultural Heritage to national development thereby -making government to pay more attention to the sector as an essential tool for massive revenue generation. It will also help government to have essential understandings on the factors that undermine the potential of cultural heritage to the socioeconomic development of Sierra Leone
On Model Selection Criterion for Finite Gaussian Mixture Models
Get PDFThis paper delves into the realm of model selection criteria for Finite Mixture Models (FMM), focusing on key evaluation methods such as the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC), Integrated Completed Likelihood (ICL), and the Bootstrap Likelihood Ratio Test (BLRT). These criteria aid in balancing model fit and complexity, guiding researchers in choosing the most appropriate FMM for analyzing simulated and real datasets. Through extensive simulation studies, the paper meticulously evaluates and contrasts the performance of these criteria under various parameter settings and sample sizes, offering valuable insights for advancements in statistical modeling. The study underscores the importance of selecting the right criterion tailored to the dataset characteristics and research objectives. It highlights the impact of sample size on model selection, noting AIC\u27s tendency to favor complexity and potential overfitting, while BIC and ICL excel in handling sample size variations by penalizing complexity effectively. The utilization of BLRT for comparing models with different complexities aids in identifying the optimal model configuration. Statistical analyses, including p-value assessments and visual aids like scatter plots and density functions, enhance the understanding of model performance and complexity. Overall, the paper emphasizes the significance of informed model selection decisions, ensuring a robust and accurate representation of underlying models in regression analysis
Risk Factors for HIV/AIDS Incidence at the Imbi Health Center Jayapura City
Get PDFHIV/AIDS cases globally and in Indonesia from year to year increase due to individual characteristics including risk factors influenced by age, gender, education, occupation, ethnicity, partner status, number of sexual partners, and injecting drug use. The purpose of the study was to determine the Risk Factors for HIV/AIDS Incidence at the Imbi Health Center, Jayapura City. The type of case-control research on the respondent population that conducts HIV screening with a sample number of 1 : 3 or 100 samples, namely 25 HIV/AIDS case samples and 75 control samples was carried out from June 1 to 15, 2024 at the Imbi Health Center. Data were obtained using questionnaires and medical record data and analyzed using chi-square, fisher exact, and logistical binary regression.The results of the study obtained that the risk and significant factor with the incidence of HIV/AIDS at the Imbi Health Center in Jayapura City was age (p-value 0.027; OR = 3,431; CI95% (1,233 – 9,547), education (p-value 0.001: OR = 6,476; CI95% (2,121 – 19,770), occupation (p-value 0.001; OR =5,118; CI95% (1,949-13,441), tribe (p-value 0.049; OR =2,939; CI95% (1,099-7,861), while the factor that is not at risk and not significant with the incidence of HIV/AIDS at the Imbi Health Center in Jayapura City is gender (p-value 0.298: OR = 1,826; CI95% (0.718 – 4.645) and the most dominant factor is age with a p-value of 0.004 and OR 7.0 CI 95% (1.88-26.1)
How are Teachers and Students\u27 Perceptions of Problems with Practicum-Based Learning Methods and Media to Improve Students Critical Thinking Skills
Get PDFThe purpose of this study is to find out the perception of teachers and students towards the problems of practicum-based learning methods and media to improve the critical thinking skills of students in grade XI. The research was carried out from December 9, 2021 to January 27, 2022 with a sample of all grade XI teachers and ten students in each grade XI at State High School 5, 11, 13, 17 and Wahidiyah Samarinda Senior High School. Qualitative descriptive is used as a research method by interviewing teachers and students. The results of the perception of teachers and students from the results of the interviews are that not all biology materials in class XI carry out practicum activities and the students\u27 low thinking ability. Practicum activities cannot be carried out due to constraints due to the availability of facilities and infrastructure, difficult maintenance of tools and materials, and limited teaching and learning time in the classroom. In addition, the lack of skills of students in using tools and materials that can endanger students and the damage of practicum tools also affects practicum activities. The low ability to think critically is due to the cognitive score of students not always reaching the Minimum Completeness Criteria score and low interest in asking questions in the learning process. Therefore, it is necessary to develop practicum-based media (virtual lab) in collaboration with a guided inquiry model to support the learning process and improve students\u27 critical thinking skills
Literature Review: Role of Budesonide with Surfactant on Preterm Infants
Get PDFThis review analyzes the advocacy of budesonide-booster and surfactant in treating respiratory disorders in preterm neonates. Premature labor leads to respiratory distress syndrome [RDS] because of inadequate surfactant production and immature lungs, which in turn raises the probability of chronic lung disorders like BPD. However, while promoting lung function and oxygenation as provided in exogenous surfactant therapy is effective, it does not meet the processes causing inflammation to reduce pulmonary complications in the long run. Budesonide, a highly selective anti-inflammatory glucocorticosteroid, can be used as an adjuvant to surfactant treatment because of its ability to act on the lungs with minimal systemic effects directly. Studies from PubMed and Embase also show that when combined, budesonide and surfactant have beneficial effects in decreasing the severity of RDS, enhancing lung function, and reducing the prevalence of BPD in premature infants. However, these promising results should be further investigated in terms of the determination of optimal dosing, administration time, and therapeutic application concerning safety issues in the long term. This combined strategy has valuable prospects for enhancing the respiratory prognosis in premature newborns
Causes of Miscarriage: Evidence from Logistic Regression Analysis
Get PDFThe unexpected end of a pregnancy before the birth is called Miscarriage. The miscarriage rate among pregnant women is about 15 to 20%. The first step in emotional recovery is to gain a better understanding of miscarriages. Next, it’s important to identify the factors that can elevate the risk of miscarriage. The objective of this study was employing a logistic regression model to evaluate the impact of various factors, including maternal age, embryo weight, chronic conditions, the number of previous miscarriages, and the embryo\u27s gender. Our analysis reveals that when we control for these characteristics, the findings based on the data sample show that maternal age, chronic conditions, and the number of previous miscarriages have statistically significant impact on the incidence of miscarriage
Systematic Literature Review on Landscape Design Education and Innovative Creative Thinking
Get PDFThis systematic literature review explores the evolving landscape of environmental and landscape art design education in the face of globalization, with a focus on the integration of innovative creative thinking within the educational frameworks of the United States, the United Kingdom, and China. The review examines how global technological advances, cultural exchanges, and socio-economic shifts are compelling art education to transcend traditional paradigms, advocating for curricular reforms that nurture creativity and innovation. Central to this discourse is the role of motivation and self-concept in enhancing students\u27 creative thinking and learning experiences. Drawing on seminal theories such as Self-Determination Theory, Expectancy-Value Theory, the ARCS model of motivation, Pace\u27s Quality of Students’ Effort Theory, and Self-Concept Theory, the review delineates the multifaceted influences on student engagement and creativity in art education. Through a structured methodological approach, this review synthesizes findings from a diverse array of sources to construct a comprehensive perspective on the current state and future directions of landscape design education. The synthesis underscores the need for educational environments that foster intrinsic motivation, build self-efficacy, and cultivate positive self-concepts to empower students to reach their creative potential. This review contributes valuable insights into pedagogical strategies conducive to fostering innovative thinkers, poised to navigate and address the complex challenges of contemporary environmental and landscape design
The Impact of Using English Medium Instruction on Learners\u27 Academic Performance and Their Learning Experience
Get PDFThis study aims to investigate the impact of EMI on students’ learning experience and their perceptions towards the policy as little research has been conducted in this field. It supports the work of other scholars who have a critical attitude towards the EMI policy. This study provides a voice for voiceless learners who will talk about their academic performance. A mixed methods approach has been adopted to collect the research data. The triangulation was used in the study design to enhance the consistency of the data. A closed-ended questionnaire, interviews with both lecturers and students, and class observations were employed to collect the data. The findings revealed that the policy has not given the learners equal opportunities to study in the program stream. The learners at the institution under study were deprived of their human right to receive their education in their L1. This would create a negative impact on their attitudes especially those who are struggling due to their weak English although they were successful when they were studying in Arabic. Finally, appropriate measures need to be taken in order to better prepare the students for their study in English if the UAE intends to continue implementing the EMI policy at higher education institutions
Design of a Bandpass Filter with an Absorptive Stopband for Multifeed Antenna Systems
Get PDFThis paper presents a filtering solution for enhanced multiband and multisource antenna systems used for space applications. Covering a large surface of the Earth necessitates numerous apertures closely spaced over a reflector antenna. Since these multi-feed systems generally employ multiple bands and multiple polarizations, these architectures induce significant coupling and consequently influence the effectiveness of the solution. The approach of signal retransmission with a controlled phase is proven to be efficient despite a delay concern. On the other hand, as shown in this paper, dissipating the reflected signal can also provide an adequate solution. For this second approach, we have synthesized a two-band filter, one passing the signal, the other absorbing it. This behaviour fits the desired antenna performance and improves the isolation between the two channels. We have designed such a filter and a comparison was made between the two approaches to investigate and derive the efficiency and benefit of each solution. A resized version of the microwave filter with dual behaviour has been manufactured and characterized for experimental verification