134125 research outputs found
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Does Scanner Choice Matter for the Design of Foot Orthosis?
No full textA variety of 3D volumetric scanners and smart-device applications are currently being used in podiatry for recording virtual foot data. The accuracy and reliability of these devices vary, resulting in a large variation in the quality of foot scans used for orthotic design. While it is widely believed that a higher quality scanner yields a better scan and thus is expected to produce a more accurate orthotic design, the direct impact of scanning quality on orthotic design has not yet been tested. Therefore, in this study, three commonly used industrial 3D scanners with varying output qualities were used to obtain foot scans of three participants in two weight-bearing conditions. A total of 54 foot scans were obtained, out of which 18 were used to design orthotic insoles using commercial software (FitFoot360). We found variation in the quality of foot scans produced by the different scanners (61.75 ± 2.23% similarity of the foot scans showing a deviation of less than ±1 mm). However, there were no significant differences in the designed foot orthoses within the same weight-bearing condition (83.59 ± 1.97% similarity of the orthotic designs showing a deviation of less than ±1 mm). The medial arch height and heel width differed significantly only when the weight-bearing condition was changed. The findings from this study suggest that the industrial design and production of an orthotic insole using current methods does not depend on the scanning quality of the scanner used but is dependent on the extent of weight bearing.Full Tex
Characterizing predictors of response to behavioral interventions for children with autism spectrum disorder: A meta-analytic approach
No full textA comprehensive understanding of specific factors contributing to variability in responsiveness of children with autism to interventions is paramount for making evidence-based clinical and policy decisions. This meta-analysis examined child and family characteristics, as well as intervention design factors, associated with outcomes of behavioral interventions for children with autism. A systematic review identified 95 studies published between 1987 and 2024, encompassing 6780 children on the autism spectrum and 2150 independent effect sizes. Results indicated that stronger post-intervention effects were observed across intervention approaches for children with higher cognitive, language, and other developmental abilities, greater adaptive functioning, and fewer autism-related features. Additionally, interventions of longer duration and greater total hours were associated with stronger post-intervention outcomes. In contrast, intervention approach (Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention, Naturalistic Developmental Behavioral Interventions, or Developmental Interventions), delivery agent, and child age at intervention onset did not significantly predict the strength of post-intervention outcomes. While study methodology and reporting quality were marginally associated with predictive strength, adjusting for these factors had minimal impact on the reported findings. The insights from this meta-analysis have significant implications for the development of personalized intervention models for children with autism. These models have the potential to optimize outcomes and offer critical guidance for decision-making in both the service and policy levels, ensuring efficient and equitable allocation of resources.No Full Tex
Nanoconfined MXene/Cellulose Membranes for Selective Lithium Extraction from Brines and Black Mass
No full textA nanoconfined thermoresponsive membrane composed of Ti3C2Tx MXene and hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was developed for selective Li+ extraction. By integrating the electrothermal conductivity of MXenes and hydration-responsive gating of HPC, the membrane forms heterochannels with tunable spacing that regulate ion transport through nanoconfinement-enhanced mechanisms based on interaction energy and hydration radius. While density functional theory calculations predicted stronger sorption for Mg2+, experimental data revealed a clear preference for Li+ uptake from both simulated brine and battery black mass. This selectivity is attributed to favorable interactions of Li+ within the nanoconfined composite channels, where the subnanometer interlayer spacings promote partial dehydration and size-sieving effects. Li+ retention is governed not only by thermodynamic affinity but also by kinetic acceleration in nanoconfined pathways and hydration-based steric control. The membrane exhibits a reversible thermal response and maintains stable performance under Joule heating. It achieves >90% extraction efficiency from simulated Atacama brine and up to 98% Li+ recovery from black mass supplied by VGM Sustainability Solutions (SG3R, Pte. Ltd.).No Full Tex
The Efficacy and Safety of a Preoperative Dietitian-Led Very Low Calorie Diet Clinic for Adults With Obesity for Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Study
No full textBackground: Obesity increases the risk of complications in colorectal cancer surgery. While preoperative very low calorie diet (VLCD) interventions may provide weight loss prior to various surgeries, no data on preoperative VLCD in colorectal cancer surgery exist. This retrospective cohort study therefore aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a dietitian-led preoperative VLCD clinic for adults with obesity prior to colorectal cancer surgery. Methods: Patients who received the VLCD clinic intervention between 2017 and 2023 were matched 1:1 with adults who did not receive VLCD clinic intervention (controls). Primary outcome was efficacy, measured as ≥ 3% weight change from baseline to surgery. Secondary outcome was safety, measured via occurrence of adverse and serious adverse events during VLCD clinic intervention. Descriptive and clinical data were collected from medical charts. Chi-squared, Fisher's exact and nonparametric tests were used to compare data between groups. Results: Thirteen VLCD and 13 controls were recruited (age (median(IQR) 63(59–69)years, 65% male). Baseline descriptors were similar, including planned surgical procedure, age and co-morbidities (p > 0.05). However, VLCD participants were ~9 kg heavier (median(IQR) 114.1(104.5–131.7)kg) at baseline than controls (p < 0.05). The VLCD group lost median 4.75 kg (3.8%) (p < 0.05), with 67% achieving ≥ 3% body weight loss from baseline to surgery (median(IQR) 30(18–47) days). No VLCD-related adverse events occurred. The VLCD and control groups experienced eight and 15 surgical complications, respectively. Conclusion: A dietitian-led preoperative VLCD clinic intervention achieved weight loss and appears safe. This novel approach may be useful for the preoperative optimisation of colorectal cancer patients with obesity.No Full Tex
Indelible imprint: CEOs' poverty experience and corporate labor income share
No full textThis study examines the impact of CEOs’ poverty experiences on firms’ labor income share. Using a manually compiled dataset that matches the birthplaces of CEOs with poverty-stricken counties in China, we find that firms led by CEOs with poverty experience have a considerably higher labor income share. This effect is stronger for firms located in CEOs’ hometowns, labor-intensive firms, and CEOs with higher educational attainment. Further analysis reveals that CEO poverty experience increases labor income share through self-restraint in expenses (reducing discretionary managerial costs) and investment in employees (enhancing wages, benefits, and training programs). Our findings support imprinting theory and distributive justice theory, suggesting that early-life adversity leaves a lasting effect on CEOs’ decision-making, thereby influencing corporate resource allocation and employee welfare policies.No Full Tex
Injury Risk Reduction Strategies in Professional Football (Soccer): What Is the Evidence?
No full textFootball (soccer) is the most popular sport worldwide. A wide variety of injuries occur at different competitive levels. Some of these injuries are rare, but may have devastating consequences for players, such as anterior cruciate ligament rupture. On the other hand, there are more common injuries, such as mild muscle strains, that usually result in a short return-to-play period. There is a paucity of existing evidence supporting the use of specific preventative practices for certain injuries. The purpose of this review is to highlight current injury prevention measures that are used among professional football players and to review the level of evidence for each specific program. The resources available in professional football can lend itself to conduct high-level research to develop injury prevention programs.No Full Tex
Molecular Dynamics Identify Variances Between Galectin Carbohydrate-Binding Sites That Impact the Binding Site Conformation and Ligand Binding
No full textGalectins are a family of carbohydrate-binding proteins that aid in the progression of pathological conditions such as inflammation, bone disease, and cancers, making them attractive drug targets. Galectins share a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain providing a focus for inhibitor design incorporating modification of carbohydrate-based scaffolds that includes the addition of aromatic moieties. Some compounds exhibit nanomolar affinities but often show poor specificity toward particular galectins; thus cross-reactivity in the body is difficult to avoid and potentially detrimental for drug therapies. The low selectivity is due to the high conservation of amino acid residues among galectins that partake in ligand binding. Critically, although these amino acids are highly conserved, there are differences in the shape and physical characteristics of the binding site due to the slight variation in the surrounding amino acid residues of the more extended regions. Using molecular dynamic simulations, the effect of amino acids associated with the galectin binding site was explored. Besides the impact of large bulky side chain amino acids such as phenylalanine, tyrosine, and histidine, a series of salt-bridge interactions were identified within some galectins that influence the resulting shape of the binding site cavity, thus affecting ligand selectivity. In silico alanine point mutations disrupting these salt-bridge interactions or replacing the bulky side chain amino acid residues led to changes in the binding site conformation impacting ligand binding, as indicated by our cluster and energetic analyses. This investigation gives further insight into the galectin carbohydrate binding site that has relevance for ligand design as potential therapeutics.No Full Tex
Evaluation of a novel smart mandibular advancement device for nightly monitoring of treatment
No full textStudy Objectives: A current gap in oral appliance therapy, relative to continuous positive airway pressure, in the management of obstructive sleep apnea is access to nightly therapy data. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the performance of a novel intraoral, multisensory array embedded within a mandibular advancement device (MAD). Methods: Patients established on MAD therapy for obstructive sleep apnea underwent 2 level 2 diagnostic polysomnography (PSG) studies with the smart MAD (sMAD) in situ, under 0 protrusion (control) and usual mandibular protrusion (treatment) conditions. The studies occurred within 2 weeks of one another, and the sequence of studies was randomly allocated. The agreement between sMAD and PSG was assessed using apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), total sleep time, and sleep position. An additional aim was to assess the ability of the device to detect the change in AHI across the 2 conditions (control vs treatment). Results: Overall, there was a high level of agreement between sMAD and PSG in the treatment condition with regards to the AHI (r = .81, P < .001). Both PSG and sMAD detected a significant change in AHI associated with mandibular advancement in the treatment condition relative to control, and this change was not significantly different between the 2 (212.7 ± 13.8 vs 26.9 ± 8.5 events/h for PSG and sMAD, respectively, P = .1). There was a high level of agreement for total sleep time in the combined control and treatment groups (r = .80, P < .001). Sleep position showed high concordance in the lateral position (98%), but supine sleep showed moderate concordance (64%) related to differences in position monitoring between sMAD and PSG (ie, head vs torso). Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of estimating clinically relevant therapy data with high accuracy from a sensor system within a MAD. The ability to provide clinicians with relevant sleep metrics including AHI, total sleep time, adherence, sleep position, and response to MAD therapy on a nightly basis has the potential to enhance clinical uptake of MAD therapy. Further research is required to validate these results in a larger sample over a longer term.No Full Tex
Microbial phosphorus in loamy, basalt-derived forest soil is altered by plant nutritional status: a root-splitting study
No full textBackground and aims: Soil nutrient content is a major driver of primary productivity. Microbial biomass comprises a substantial soil nutrient pool, the properties of which could be shaped by plant nutrient-limitation status. We aimed to determine how plant nutrition affects soil microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and phosphorus (MBP), and whether such effects are linked to microbial composition. Methods: To isolate the effect of plant nutrition on soil microbes, we used a split-root system with Syncarpia glomulifera Smith seedlings fertilised with either P-free Hoagland solution or a P-only solution, and quantified rhizosphere soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC), MBN, MBP, and microbial polar lipid fatty acids (PLFAs). Results: Provision of N + micronutrients to S. glomulifera seedlings in basalt-derived soils led to a 19% decline in soil MBP relative to controls. This effect was not evident in comparatively P-depleted sandstone-derived soils. MBC and MBN were not affected by plant nutritional status, and neither were the abundances and composition of microbial PLFAs. Conclusion: Rhizosphere microbial nutrient pools are potentially sensitive to plant nutritional status. Microbial P can be reduced when plants are P-limited. These effects are not necessarily paralleled by altered microbial composition, implicating microbial physiology as a possible driver of variation in microbial P.Full Tex
Investigation of a Y-chromosome screening approach for sexual assault evidence using the QIAGEN Investigator Casework GO! kit
No full textFollowing an alleged sexual assault, a victim may undergo a medical examination whereby internal or external bodily swabs may be collected and submitted to a forensic laboratory to be screened for the presence of semen. At Forensic Science SA (FSSA), this involves microscopic examination of a smear prepared from each swab for the presence of sperm. Microscopic detection of sperm is confirmatory for semen, but the process is very time- consuming, especially where very low levels are present. Moreover, microscopy results are not a reliable predictor of the amount of male DNA that might be recovered. SWGDAM recommends a direct- to- DNA approach as an efficient alternative. Therefore, we investigated the Qiagen Casework GO! kit (CWG), in conjunction with the Y-chromosome marker in the Quantifiler Trio DNA quantification kit, for the rapid screening of sexual assault swabs for the presence of male DNA (termed ‘Y- screen’). We initially investigated two swab types, the Copan cotton swab (currently used in Forensic Examination Collection Kits (FECK) submitted to FSSA) and the Sarstedt Forensic XL swab (a Forensic DNA grade alternative). The optimal size of the swab cutting and the volume of CWG lysis mix for the Y- screen was determined to be 1/8 and 100 μL, respectively, which ensured cost minimization and sample preservation. The performance of the optimized Y- screen method was compared with conventional microscopy using a series of simulated sexual assault swabs constructed by spiking female buccal swabs with serial dilutions of semen. For Copan cotton swabs, all samples with detectable sperm by microscopy had detectable levels of male DNA using the Y- screen. The Y- screen also showed greater sensitivity than microscopy for this swab type, detecting male DNA in 8% of samples where sperm was not observed. In contrast, 36% of Forensic XL swabs gave undetectable male DNA when sperm was observed by microscopy, which indicated that the Y- screen approach with CWG may not be compatible with all swab types. A casework trial of the Y- screen approach using 46 FECK swabs (Copan cotton swabs) submitted across 29 cases confirmed the higher sensitivity of the Y- screen approach as compared to conventional microscopy. Here, 44% of FECK swabs that had no observable sperm by
microscopy had detectable male DNA using the Y- screen. There were no instances where the FECK swabs with observable sperm by microscopy had undetectable male
DNA using the Y- screen. Our study confirmed the utility of the Y- screen approach using CWG to expedite the downstream DNA analysis of FECK swab samples in operational casework.Full Tex