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The Effect of Telerehabilitation on Activity Performance and Participation in Daily Life in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial
No full text<p><strong>Background:</strong> Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition that adversely impacts motor skills, sensory processing, and daily activity participation. Telerehabilitation has recently emerged as a promising method to improve therapy access and foster family involvement. This study investigated the effects of integrating telerehabilitation with sensory-based intervention on motor performance, sensory processing, and participation in children with DCD.</p>
<p><strong>Methods:</strong> This randomized controlled trial included 20 children aged 3–7 years with a confirmed diagnosis of DCD. Participants were randomly assigned to either a sensory-based intervention (SBI) group or a telerehabilitation sensory-based intervention (TBSI) group. Both groups received weekly face-to-face sensory-based therapy for eight weeks. Additionally, the TBSI group participated in 30-minute weekly home-based telerehabilitation sessions. Outcome measures included the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), the Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM), and the Dunn Sensory Profile.</p>
<p><strong>Results:</strong> Both groups demonstrated statistically significant improvements; however, the TBSI group showed greater gains in WeeFIM motor, cognitive, and total scores as well as COPM performance and satisfaction scores (p<0.01). Furthermore, larger improvements and greater effect sizes were observed in the sensory processing subdomains of the TBSI group. Parental training and active participation appeared to enhance the effectiveness of the telerehabilitation program.</p>
<p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Telerehabilitation is an effective intervention for improving motor and cognitive functions, sensory processing, and daily life participation in children with DCD. The findings support the integration of telerehabilitation into sensory-based approaches as part of a holistic model of care in occupational therapy practice.</p>
<p><strong>Trial registration:</strong> NCT06977256.</p>
<p>Keywords: activity performance, developmental coordination disorder, participation in daily life, sensory integration, telerehabilitation</p>
Distributed order hantavirus model and its nonstandard discretizations and stability analysis
No full text<p>It is crucial to understand the effects of deadly viruses on humans in advance. One such virus is the infectious hantavirus. Since the effects of viruses vary under different conditions, this study models the virus using distributed order differential equations. Because distributed order differential equations effectively capture variable effects in different conditions through the incorporated density function, this study aims to achieve a solution via the discretization method after presenting the equation system. A nonstandard finite difference scheme (NSFD) is used for the discretization. Then the stability analysis of the discretized system is investigated.</p>
Development of replaceable core all-steel buckling-restrained braces
No full text<p>This paper presents a replaceable core all-steel buckling-restrained brace (BRB). In this proposed BRB, as the encasing system composed of steel members alone without any filling material can be separated into two pieces by unfastening bolts, the damaged core plate inside the BRB can be easily replaced with the new one after an earthquake event. Two-directional slots at the end connections circumvent assembly and disassembly problems of the BRBs into the frames under residual drift. Pursuant the seismic performance of the proposed BRB, ten core plates, five encasement systems and one set of connection plates were produced and a total of ten full-scale subassemblage testing was performed. The connection set was used ten times and each encasing system was used two times. Based on the test results, all specimens exhibited stable behavior up to 4 % axial strain and the cumulative inelastic axial strain was computed as 744 for Specimen 1 and 643 for others. As a result of experimental and numerical studies, the seismic performance of the proposed BRBs, both in their first use and in the second use, satisfy AISC 341-22 requirements.</p>
Application of a Size Measurement Standard for Data Warehouse Projects
No full text<p>MethodologyIn this research, we conducted a case study to establish a foundation for size measurement and effort estimation in DWH projects. We first applied a productivity-based estimation approach using linear regression with the ISBSG repository to assist organizations without historical data. We then evaluated various machine learning algorithms to improve estimation accuracy. Finally, we tested a combined model that integrates both approaches for estimating effort in external projects.ResultsUsing the ISBSG dataset, linear regression models based on productivity achieved a Mean Magnitude of Relative Error (MMRE) of 0.285. Machine learning algorithms improved accuracy by 22.81%, reducing the MMRE to 0.220. The final model, applied to external projects, yielded MRE values between 0.010 and 0.245.ConclusionThe ISBSG repository is a valuable resource for effort estimation in DWH projects. Combining productivity-based estimation with machine learning enhances accuracy and predictive performance, making it a more reliable approach than traditional models.</p>
Design, modelling and control of a textile-based wearable actuating system with sensor feedback for therapeutic applications
No full text<p>This work proposes a textile-dominated wearable actuating system utilizing textile force sensor feedback. The study explores the liquid/gas phase transition behaviour of low boiling point liquids to develop a thermally driven fluidic soft actuator. The research also focuses on obtaining feedback through capacitive textile force sensors and developing a feedback control law for a single actuator as well as sequential actuation of multiple actuators. The findings demonstrate that the proposed actuators produce the desired pressure level utilized in mechanotherapy applications. Moreover, high accuracy is achieved by the capacitive textile force sensors specifically designed for detecting the applied force exerted by the textile-based actuators. The developed system constitutes a comprehensive textile-based system encompassing heating, actuation and sensing capabilities. Following the calibration of the developed system in conjunction with its sensor, a pilot-scale implementation of sequential massage application was conducted to showcase the system's capabilities and potential. Considering its pressure and heating properties, the developed system exhibits a great potential for utilization in mechanotherapy as well as in thermotherapy applications.</p>
Organelle-targeting activity-based hemicyanine derivatives for enhanced and selective type-I photodynamic therapy under hypoxia conditions
No full text<p>Type-I photosensitizers (PSs) have attracted great attention in recent years as they minimally rely on the tissue oxygen (3O2) to generate highly cytotoxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the scope of photodynamic therapy (PDT). Thus, they hold great promise for effective treatment of hypoxic cancer cells, which is a challenging task for type-II PSs. However, compared to conventional type-II PSs, the number of cancer cell selective type-I PSs is quite low. Thus, there is still a need for type-I PSs that can induce photocytotoxicity only in cancer cells without causing damage to normal tissues even under light irradiation. Additionally, targeting PSs to specific organelles has lately appeared to be a promising approach to improve the therapeutic outcome of PDT. Although a few examples of organelle-targeted type-I PS cores have emerged recently, activity-based and organelle-targeted type-I PSs have remained scarce. In this study, we report two organelle-targeted and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) responsive type-I PSs (HEHM and HEH) based on a highly modular and easily accessible heavy atom decorated hemicyanine core. HEHM localizes to mitochondria due to its cationic structure, whereas HEH targets endoplasmic reticulum (ER) as it bears an ER-targeting sulfonamide moiety, and it marks the first example of an activity-based and ER-targeted type-I PS based on a hemicyanine core. Both PSs can be selectively activated in neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) upon reacting with high levels of endogenous H2S and induce similar photocytotoxicity through a type-I PDT mechanism under both normoxic (20% O2) and hypoxic (1% O2) conditions. HEHM is shown to cause PDT-induced mitochondria stress, while HEH triggers ER stress upon LED irradiation (640 nm, 66.7 mW cm-2). Additionally, HEH is shown to induce immunogenic cell death (ICD) followed by PDT action. In contrast, negligible ROS generation and cell death are observed in normal cells, which is a critical and challenging task for any type of therapeutic modality. They also allow fluorescence imaging of cancer cells due to their emissive nature, suggesting that they function as phototheranostic agents. This study introduces a rational approach to develop new generation activity-based and organelle-targeted type-I PDT agents towards effective and selective treatment of hypoxic tumors.</p>
A rotary extrusion system with a rectangular-orifice nozzle: toward adaptive resolution in material extrusion additive manufacturing
No full text<p>Material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEAM) has revolutionized the production of complex designs while minimizing the amount of effort required due to its simple production pipeline. However, MEAM naturally comes with a well-known trade-off; higher build resolution often tends to enhance the product quality at the cost of a slower build rate. Nozzles, the standard tool for thermoplastic extrusion in MEAM, have evolved into a crucial component of the process for controlling the product's build resolution. The purpose of this study is to investigate the details of a novel extrusion system that makes use of a rotating nozzle with an unconventional aperture, in contrast to its typical (i.e., circular-orifice) counterparts. The unique nozzle configuration that lacks axial symmetry allows for precise control over the effective dimension of the extrusion via rotational guiding. By positioning the oblong orifice at intermediate orientations, the presented approach seeks to provide continuously variable intralayer and interlayer resolutions for MEAM processes. This paper explores the distinctive characteristics of this new nozzle design as well as the potential uses of the novel extrusion system. The outcomes of the conducted tests demonstrate the proof-of-concept for creating variable bead width within the layers, in addition to adaptable layer heights throughout the 3D objects. Possible limitations of the new approach and future perspectives are discussed in detail.</p>
A Novel Mesoporous SBA-15 Supported Bifunctional Heterogeneous Catalyst for Base-Free Transfer Hydrogenation Reaction of Ketones
No full text<p>Among the problems encountered in the catalytic transfer hydrogenation reactions of ketones, the base sensitivity of ketones and the corrosive effects of the bases used in the reaction have an important place especially in industrial terms. Although there are various approaches to overcome this problem, solutions based on the intrinsic properties of the catalyst used seem more suitable. Within the scope of this study, a novel heterogeneous catalyst was prepared for the transfer hydrogenation reaction of ketones, which can operate in base-free environment. To prepare the heterogeneous catalyst, 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine was first tosylated and then the silyl derivative was synthesized and grafted onto mesoporous silica SBA-15. Characterizations of the obtained heterogeneous catalyst and SBA-15 were carried out by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), N2 sorption, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis. The results obtained showed that the functionalized 1,2-diphenylethane-1,2-diamine compound was successfully immobilized into the SBA-15 structure. Determination of the catalytic activity of the heterogeneous catalyst was carried out in transfer hydrogenation reactions of various aromatic ketones. After determining the optimum reaction conditions with acetophenone, a conversion rate of (70%) was observed in the acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol reaction that took place without a base. Under same conditions a higher conversion rate of (73%) was observed in the 4 '-chloroacetophenone to 1-(4-chlorophenyl)ethanol reaction. In the reactions performed to determine recyclability, after a 70% conversion rate, 61% and 65% conversion rates, respectively, were observed in the reaction from acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol under the same conditions.</p>
Tribological investigation of the new combustion chamber with wall-guided fuel injection in a diesel engine
No full text<p>Reducing pollutants and increasing thermal efficiency in internal combustion engines is possible by creating better air-fuel mixtures and optimizing the combustion process. In this context, a new combustion chamber providing directed fuel injection was used in a single cylinder diesel engine with a standard combustion chamber. Thus, it was aimed to investigate the tribological behavior of engines with different combustion chambers on long-term engine operation. In engine experiments using two different combustion chambers, the engine was operated at 100 h and partial load. The results of the study showed that changes in combustion chamber structure closely modify engine tribology under the same engine and operating conditions (compression ratio, spray angle and amount, speed, etc.). Looking at the cylinder surfaces examined under an optical microscope, the new combustion chamber showed abrasive wear lines with lower intensity than the standard combustion chamber, while SEM/EDX analysis of the piston ring surfaces showed a similar result. Especially when the analysis of the second ring used in the standard combustion chamber is examined, abrasion occurred in a wider area. Abrasive wear lines were found to be longer, especially in the first ring of the new combustion chamber. It is considered that combustion parameters and exhaust formation processes bring about load/temperature variations of engine lubricating oil and engine components in a chain reaction. This has been found to change the wear levels in engine components and could directly contribute to engine life.</p>
Photobioreactor facade panels: enhancing comfort, reducing energy use, and capturing carbon in temperate continental climates
No full text<p>Buildings contribute around 37% to global carbon emissions, prompting a growing interest in innovative carbon capture technologies. Among these, the integration of microalgae-based photosynthesis into building facades has emerged as a promising solution. This approach offers multiple benefits, including carbon sequestration, reduced energy consumption, dynamic shading, and improved thermal regulation. This paper investigates the impact of integrating photobioreactor (PBR) facade elements, specifically on the south-facing facade of an office building in a temperate continental climate. The study evaluates the system's effects on indoor thermal and visual comfort, energy production, and carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration for three distinct PBR facade alternatives and compares them with a commercial curtain wall. The continuous PBR system varies in performance depending on production intensity, necessitating an initial optimization for thermal and visual comfort alongside energy use. Simulations were conducted using Rhinoceros/Grasshopper plug-ins, with optimization performed via the Octopus tool. The results, focusing on the Chlorella vulgaris algae strain, demonstrate that all facade configurations achieve a daylight performance exceeding 50% and meet desired thermal comfort levels. Although the energy generated by the PBR facade does not fully offset the building's energy consumption, annual CO2 sequestration ranges from 84.87 kg to 770.13 kg. This study concludes that microalgae facades offer a viable strategy for enhancing a building's energy performance and reducing CO2 emissions, without compromising occupant comfort. Additionally, the findings provide valuable insights for designers, researchers, investors and stakeholders and provides a payback period of these systems (16-24 years) for commercialization in the building industry.</p>