Analysis Of Variability Research Articles

Rapid assessment of cardiac autonomic modulation and adaptive stress responses: Automatic calculation of time-varying parasympathetic, sympathetic, and Baevsky stress indexes

Cardiac autonomic modulation (CAM), which is regulated by the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, is involved in various physiological and pathological conditions. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis has been used to explore the complex relationship between the brain and heart, as described by Porges’ polyvagal theory and Thayer’s neurovisceral integration model. Recently, an automated calculation of new parasympathetic, sympathetic, and Baevsky stress indexes based on HRV parameters has been introduced for faster and more comprehensive CAM assessment, though their normal ranges remain undefined. This study aimed to determine the average values of these indexes in a healthy population of different ages during rest, daily activities, non-rapid eye movement sleep, graded physical effort, and acute psychophysiological stress. At rest, the parasympathetic and sympathetic indexes were consistently within the proposed normal range and inversely related. However, Baevsky stress index values from Kubios were higher than expected, conflicting with the assumption that they are simply the square root of those calculated using the original formula. Despite this, time-varying assessment of all indexes can provide valuable insights into CAM adaptation during physical effort and acute psychophysiological stress in real-world critical situations. Notably, our novel finding shows that the inverse correlation between parasympathetic and sympathetic/stress indexes under stress is better explained by non-linear functions, offering a potential new measure of brain–heart interaction during real-life critical events.

RASCAL v1.0: an open-source tool for climatological time series reconstruction and extension

Abstract. The reduction of in situ observations over the last few decades poses a potential risk of losing important information in regions where local effects dominate the climatology. Reanalyses face challenges in representing climatologies with highly localized effects, especially in regions with complex orography. Empirical downscaling methods offer a cost-effective and easier-to-implement alternative to dynamic downscaling methods and can partially overcome the aforementioned limitations of reanalyses by taking into account the local effects through statistical relationships. This article introduces RASCAL (Reconstruction by AnalogS of ClimatologicAL time series), an open-source Python tool designed to extend time series and fill gaps in observational climate data, especially in regions with limited long-term data and significant local effects, such as mountainous areas. Employing an object-oriented programming style, RASCAL's methodology effectively links large-scale circulation patterns with local atmospheric features using the analog method in combination with principal component analysis (PCA). The package contains routines for preprocessing observations and reanalysis data, generating reconstructions using various methods, and evaluating the reconstruction's performance in reproducing the time series of observations, statistical properties, and relevant climatic indices. Its high modularity and flexibility allow fast and reproducible downscaling. The evaluations carried out in central Spain, in mountainous and urbanized areas, demonstrate that RASCAL performs better than the ERA20C and ERA20CM reanalysis, as expected, in terms of R2, standard deviation, and bias. When analyzing reconstructions against observations, RASCAL generates series with statistical properties, such as seasonality and daily distributions, that closely resemble observations. This confirms the potential of this method for conducting robust climate research. The adaptability of RASCAL to diverse scientific objectives is also highlighted. However, as with any other method based on empirical training, this method requires the availability of sufficiently long-term data series. Furthermore, it is susceptible to disruption caused by changes in land use or urbanization processes that might compromise the homogeneity of the training data. Despite these limitations, RASCAL's positive outcomes offer opportunities for comprehensive climate variability analyses and potential applications in downscaling short-term forecasts, seasonal predictions, and climate change scenarios. The Python code and the Jupyter Notebook for the reconstruction validation are publicly available as an open project.

Comparative Analysis of Heart Rate Variability and Arterial Stiffness in Elite Male Athletes after COVID-19.

This study investigated the long-term cardiovascular effects of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in elite male athletes by comparing the heart rate variability (HRV), arterial stiffness, and other cardiovascular parameters between those with and without prior COVID-19 infection. Methods: This cross-sectional study evaluated 120 elite male athletes (60 post COVID-19, 60 controls) using anthropometric measurements, body composition analysis, pulmonary function tests, HRV analysis, arterial stiffness assessments, hemodynamic monitoring, and microcirculatory function tests. Results: Athletes post COVID-19 showed significantly higher lean mass (p = 0.007), forced vital capacity (p = 0.001), and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (p = 0.007) than controls. HRV parameters did not significantly differ between the groups. Post-COVID-19 athletes exhibited peripheral vascular resistance (p = 0.048) and reflection index (p = 0.038). No significant differences were observed in the blood pressure, cardiac output, oxygen saturation, or microcirculatory oxygen absorption. Conclusions: Elite male athletes showed notable cardiovascular resilience after COVID-19, with only minor differences in vascular function. The maintained cardiac autonomic function and improved lung parameters in post-COVID-19 athletes suggests an adaptive response. These findings support the cardiovascular health of elite athletes following COVID-19 but emphasize the importance of continued monitoring.

Infant Motor Milestones: Analysis of Content and Variability Among Popular Sources for Parents.

Evaluate the content and variability of infant motor milestone education provided to parents in popular sources. Sources were screened for inclusion, and their motor milestone content was coded. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed. Content from 241 websites, applications, and books was evaluated; 6984 motor milestones were extracted, representing 146 unique milestone codes across 14 categories. Books and applications had more milestone content than websites. There was variability in the milestones mentioned and their associated ages across the sources and relative to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) content. Several frequently mentioned milestones were behaviors that facilitate early learning. There is variability among sources in the motor milestones they provide to parents of infants. The AAP and CDC content likely has some influence on the broader content available, but there is substantial deviation from the information they provide.

Acoustic Analysis of Spatiotemporal Variability in Children With Childhood Apraxia of Speech.

The purpose of this study was to investigate acoustic spatiotemporal variability in children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) compared to children with typical development (TD). Increased spatiotemporal variability in children with CAS relative to nonapraxic peers has been documented in multiple kinematic studies. To date, few studies have investigated spatiotemporal variability in CAS using an acoustic signal. Data were drawn from 10 children with CAS and 10 children with TD, ranging in age from 5;0 to 11;2 (years;months), who participated in an online study. All children with CAS had a verified diagnosis and showed at least five CAS features across at least two tasks, independently confirmed by two speech-language pathologists with expertise in CAS. Children repeated the sentences "Buy Bobby a puppy" (BBAP) and "Mom pets the puppy" (MPP) 10 times each. The acoustic spatiotemporal index (STI), calculated from the amplitude envelope, was used to investigate acoustic spatiotemporal variability. Using a regression analysis, we analyzed group differences in STI values while controlling for age and gender. Children with CAS did not produce enough usable tokens of BBAP to analyze. MPP revealed significantly higher acoustic STI values in children with CAS compared to children with TD. No significant effects were observed for age or gender. Acoustic data collected online without the use of specialized equipment yielded high-quality audio data from which amplitude envelope tracing could be reliably accomplished. This study adds to a growing body of empirical data indicating that children with CAS produce speech with more variable spatiotemporal control compared to children with TD. In addition to producing more variable speech, children with CAS were less consistently able to form productions free of phonetic errors. These findings also demonstrate the feasibility of using remote data collection to investigate acoustic spatiotemporal variability, which allows for the recruitment of larger samples of low-incidence populations. https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.26814883.

Genetic variability, diversity and principal component analysis in B and R lines of rabi sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench

Hybrid technology is exploited in kharif (rainy) sorghum while the same is not the scenario in Rabi sorghum which is still dominated by landraces and varieties which have poor yield potentiality. Considering the necessity of development of heterotic hybrids, an attempt was made to screen hybrid parents (B and R lines) to assess variability and genetic diversity, for productivity traits. The study was conducted with 32 B and R lines at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Vijayapur during 2021-22. PCV was observed to surpass GCV across all traits. The traits grain yield per plant, fodder yield per plant, grain number per plant, and harvest index exhibited notably high PCV and GCV. Plant height, panicle length, panicle harvest index, and harvest index recorded high heritability and genetic advance, suggesting their control by additive gene action and potential for improvement via selection. Cluster analysis classified the 32 genotypes into four groups. PCA condensed 14 traits into five principal components, capturing 81.50% of total variation. The genotypes remained scattered in all four quadrants in PCA- Biplot, showing large genetic variability in quantitative traits studied. Keywords: Genetic variability, heritability, diversity, clusters, PCA and rabi sorghum

Estimation of genetic variability and association of yield and related traits in indigenous grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) genotypes

Twenty-five genotypes of grain amaranth (Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.) were tested during the rabi 2019-20, for genetic factors such as genetic variability, correlation, and path analysis. For each of the 13 characters under study, the results of the analysis of variance revealed a significant variation among the genotypes. Characteristics with high GCV and PCV were the leaf area, biological yield per plant, number of branches per plant, harvest index, plant height, stem diameter and grain yield per plant. The biological yield per plant, leaf area, number of branches per plant, harvest index, length of inflorescence, girth of inflorescence, stem diameter, plant height, grain yield per plant, days to 50% flowering, and days to maturity showed high estimates of heritability along with high genetic advance. Therefore, choosing such traits will be more beneficial. At the genotypic and phenotypic levels, there was a positive and highly significant correlation between the characters days to 50 per cent flowering, days to maturity, plant height, length of inflorescence, stem diameter, leaf area, biological yield per plant and grain yield per plant. Based on the results of the path co-efficient analysis high direct influence was observed between grain yield and the days to 50% flowering, plant height, inflorescence length and girth of inflorescence, number of branches per plant, and biological yield per plant. Keywords: Correlation, Grain amaranth, Genetic variability, Heritability, Path co-efficient analysis

Genetic Variability and Path Analysis of Wheat Yield Traits in Ethiopia

Genetic Variability and Path Analysis of Wheat Yield Traits in Ethiopia

Near-surface ozone concentration variability analysis in the Karadag Nature Reserve

The article presents the results of a study of a near-surface ozone concentration variability in the Crimea at the background environmental monitoring station in the Karadag Nature Reserve for 2012–2021 years with a more detailed analysis of the last six years from 2016 to 2021. A significantly high level air pollution of а near-surface ozone was revealed in the observation region, despite the absence of nearby sources of industrial emissions. The relationship of near-surface ozone concentration and meteorological parameters was investigated. Wind directions leading to increased levels of near-surface ozone pollution are established. Intra-annual variations of near-surface ozone concentration are analyzed, the factors causing the local summer minimum of surface ozone concentration in some years are established. By using the NOAA HYSPLIT model and ERA5 reanalysis, a spatial analysis of the atmospheric circulation pattern in the region was carried out. The recurrence of episodes of exceeding the ozone concentration 100 micrograms/m3 during 8 or more hours (WHO recommendation) was estimated. Possible causes of these episodes were determined. The mechanisms of long-range transport and its contribution to the near-surface ozone regime in the area of the station have been established. Annual trends of near-surface ozone concentration in the period 2012–2021 years are estimated as statistically insignificant.

Scalable on-chip multiplexing of silicon single and double quantum dots

Owing to the maturity of complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) microelectronics, qubits realized with spins in silicon quantum dots (QDs) are considered among the most promising technologies for building scalable quantum computers. For this goal, ultra-low-power on-chip cryogenic CMOS (cryo-CMOS) electronics for control, read-out, and interfacing of the qubits is an important milestone. We report on-chip interfacing of tunable electron and hole QDs by a 64-channel cryo-CMOS multiplexer with less-than-detectable static power dissipation. We analyze charge noise and measure state-of-the-art addition energies and gate lever arm parameters in the QDs. We correlate low noise in QDs and sharp turn-on characteristics in cryogenic transistors, both fabricated with the same gate stack. Finally, we demonstrate that our hybrid quantum-CMOS technology provides a route to scalable interfacing of a large number of QD devices, enabling, for example, variability analysis and QD qubit geometry optimization, which are prerequisites for building large-scale silicon-based quantum computers.

Chlorophyll-a and suspended matter variability in a data-scarce coastal-estuarine ecosystem

Analyzing the variability of chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) and total suspended matter (TSM) in estuarine and coastal environments is crucial for understanding ecosystem health, guiding environmental management decisions, and evaluating climate change impacts. Satellite remote sensing offers a powerful tool for this analysis due to its extensive spatial and temporal coverage. Although several algorithms exist for complex coastal and estuarine waters, long-term datasets such as GlobColor's Ocean Color (OC5) and neural network (NN) algorithms are frequently used for robust variability analysis. This study uses the GlobColor NN algorithm to investigate the seasonal and inter-annual variability of Chl-a and TSM in a data-scare region, namely the Meghna estuary in Bangladesh and its adjacent coastal fringe. The other algorithm (i.e. OC5), while offers the longest time series, cannot be used in this region due to the high number of invalid pixels. Therefore, this study examines different environmental factors (i.e. sea surface temperature (SST), photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), rainfall, zonal (ZWC) and meridional (MWC) wind components, and ocean currents) and climatic indices (i.e., El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)) to understand their influence on the seasonal and inter-annual variability of Chl-a and TSM derived from the GlobColor NN algorithm. Empirical orthogonal function analysis identifies the seasonal signal as dominant in the study region. The seasonal cycle of Chl-a is influenced by factors including MWC, TSM, SST, and rainfall. In contrast, TSM seasonal variations are primarily driven by rainfall and MWC. Post-monsoon Chl-a inter-annual fluctuations are mainly linked to TSM inter-annual variability, with secondary influences from monsoon rainfall and the winter ENSO index. Inter-annual changes in TSM are primarily associated with the winter ENSO index and monsoon rainfall. This research elucidates the primary mechanisms influencing Chl-a and TSM variability in the Meghna estuary and its adjacent coast, thus advancing the understanding of the dynamics in the study region. The information obtained through this study is valuable for scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders involved in the sustainable management of the Meghna estuary and its coastal resources, particularly in the context of climate change.

Optical and γ-ray variability analysis of BL Lacertae object TXS 1902+556

ABSTRACT The variability data for the BL Lacertae object TXS 1902+556 in the optical and $\gamma$-ray wavebands were obtained from the 0.76-m Katzman Automatic Imaging Telescope and the Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT), covering periods of 14.4 and 14.7 yr, respectively. The variability properties were systematically analysed, with particular emphasis on the first comprehensive investigation of radiation variation in the optical waveband. Four well-established techniques were employed for this purpose: the Lomb–Scargle periodogram, REDFIT program, Jurkevich method, and discrete correlation function (DCF) approach. The optical waveband exhibits quasi-periodic oscillations (QPO) with a time-scale of $P_{\rm O}=276.8\pm 6.1$ d at a significance level $3.87\sigma$, while the $\gamma$-ray waveband does not exhibit any significant periodicity. However, it should be noted that the QPO time-scale is consistent with the Sun-gaps in the optical light curve within 2$\sigma$ uncertainties. The optical QPO behaviour is most likely attributed to the helical motion of the jet driven by the orbital motion in a supermassive black hole binary system. Moreover, we have provided an explanation for the absence of QPO in the $\gamma$-ray light curves. Furthermore, utilizing the DCF method, a weak correlation between the variability in the optical and $\gamma$-ray wavebands was observed, suggesting that the emission of TXS 1902+556 may be generated through a combination of synchrotron self-Compton (SSC) and external Compton (EC) processes, or a leptonic–hadronic hybrid process.

Analysis of electrode performance on amplitude integrated electroencephalography in neonates: evaluation of a new electrode aCUP-E vs. liquid gel electrodes.

Neonatologists and clinical neurophysiologists face challenges with the current electrodes used for long-duration amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) in neonatal intensive care units (NICU), limiting the capacity to diagnose brain damage. The objectives of this study were to develop methods for comparing the performance of different electrodes to be used in aEEG. The comparison was done between a newly designed neonate-specific electrode, aCUP-E, with commercial liquid gel electrodes used in amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG). The comparison included impedance stability, electrode survival, recording quality, usability, and satisfaction of NICU staff. aEEG recordings with bipolar montage was used, with one hemisphere fitted with commercial electrodes and the other with aCUP-E electrodes, alternated among subjects. Continuous impedance and raw EEG data were collected over a minimum of 24 h, and signal processing was performed using Python and MATLAB. aCUP-E electrodes demonstrated superior performance, including: Increased impedance stability and electrode survival, enhanced recording quality with fewer artifacts, high correlation in signal capture between electrodes during optimal brain activity segments, higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) across varying impedance levels, greater staff satisfaction and ease of use. Moreover, Kaplan-Meier curves indicated a higher survival rate for aCUP-E electrodes over 24 h compared to commercial electrodes. Impedance variability analysis showed statistically significant stability improvements for aCUP-E. aCUP-E electrodes outperform commercial liquid gel electrodes in impedance stability, electrode survival, and recording quality. These results suggest that aCUP-E electrodes could significantly enhance aEEG utilization in diagnosing and treating neonatal brain conditions in NICUs. Future improvements to the aCUP-E electrode may further reduce artifacts and increase electrode longevity, potentially leading to a significant improvement in neonatal brain monitoring by means of aEEG.

B-064 Bovine Serum Albumin Coats Silicon Dioxide More Uniformly Near its Isoelectric Point Based on Atomic Force Microscopy Analysis

Abstract Background Bovine serum albumin (BSA) serves as a blocking agent in in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications, with fatty acid stabilized (FAS) and fatty acid free (FAF) BSA as common options. The presence of fatty acids and pH influence the conformation of BSA. While previous studies have explored the individual effects of fatty acids or pH on BSA blocking, limited data exists on their combined impact. This study employs atomic force microscopy (AFM) to investigate how pH and fatty acids jointly affect BSA adsorption onto silica, a surface relevant within diagnostics. Methods AFM, a sensitive microscopic technique, provides topographic images of surfaces with superior resolution compared to optical microscopy. We conducted experiments to assess the adsorption of 1% FAS and FAF BSA on a silica surface at pH 5.2 and pH 7. Evaluation of the coatings involved scratching to assess overall thickness, and roughness, indicating thickness variability. Results Results revealed that both fatty acids and pH play significant roles in shaping the BSA coating characteristics on silica surfaces. In three out of four experimental conditions, the average thickness of the BSA coating ranged between 3-4 nm, except for FAS BSA at pH 7, which exhibited a thicker average coating measuring 5.6 nm. The pH impacted the roughness of the BSA coating. Coatings prepared at pH 5.2 displayed smoother surfaces compared to those at pH 7. Utilizing the root mean square average height variability analysis, there is 95% confidence that the FAF and FAS BSA surfaces at pH 5.2 had a height range between 2.4-4.3 nm and 2.0-4.9 nm, respectively, indicating complete coverage of the silica surface without much height variation. In contrast, the FAF and FAS BSA coatings at pH 7 exhibited a wider range of heights, with 95% confidence intervals spanning from -1.5-8.6 nm and 0.0-11.2 nm, respectively. This variability suggests potential issues including incomplete BSA coverage at the lower range, and steric hindrance at the higher end, highlighting the importance of pH in optimizing BSA coatings for various applications. Conclusions Silica is commonly used in IVD assays, with BSA frequently employed to coat and passivate the surface. Our AFM experiments highlight the impact of pH and fatty acid presence on coating thickness and uniformity. Notably, FAS BSA at pH 7 exhibited the thickest coating; however, its increased roughness may pose challenges in IVD applications due to steric hindrance blocking antibody-antigen interactions. Alternatively, FAF BSA at pH 7 displayed an adequate thickness but also considerable roughness, suggesting potential insufficiencies in surface coverage and passivation. FAS and FAF BSA coatings at pH 5.2 showed relatively consistent thickness, indicating a more uniform surface which may be ideal for IVD coating applications. These AFM experiments were conducted on pure silica surfaces, which may differ from surfaces engineered for IVD. Additionally, both FAF and FAS BSA grades are proven to be effective in IVD applications. Further research employing AFM and other biophysical techniques is warranted to deepen our understanding of pH and fatty acid effects on BSA-surface interactions, aiming to enhance blocking strategies in IVD.

Are lithium-rich giants binaries? A radial velocity variability analysis of 1400 giants

Context. The existence of low-mass giants with large amounts of lithium (Li) in their surfaces has challenged stellar evolution for decades. One of the possibilities usually discussed in the literature to explain these Li-rich giants involves the interaction with a close binary companion, a scenario that predicts that, when compared against their non-enriched counterparts, Li-rich giants should preferentially be found as part of binary systems. Aims. We aim to assemble the largest possible sample of low-mass giants with well-measured Li abundances, to determine with high statistical significance the close binary fractions of Li-rich and Li-normal giants, and thus test the binary interaction scenario for the emergence of Li-rich giants. Methods. We developed a method that uses radial velocities (RVs) at three different epochs to quantify the degree of RV variability, which we used as a proxy for the presence of a close binary companion. The method was tested and calibrated against samples of known RV standard stars and known spectroscopic binaries. We then assembled a sample of 1418 giants with available RVs from RAVE, GALAH, and Gaia, as well as stellar parameters and Li abundances from GALAH, to which we applied our variability classification. We could determine an evolutionary state for 1030 of these giants. We also compared the results of our RV variability analysis with binarity indicators from the Gaia mission. Results. When applying our methodology to the control samples, we found that the accuracy of the classification is controlled by the precision of the RVs used in the analysis. For the set of RVs available for the giants, this accuracy is 80–85%. Consistent with seismic studies, the resulting sample of giants contains a fraction of Li-rich objects in the red clump (RC) that is twice as large as that in the first ascent red giant branch (RGB). Among RC giants, the fractions of Li-rich objects with a high RV variability and with no RV variability are the same as those for Li-normal objects, but we find some evidence that these fractions may be different for giants in the first-ascent RGB. Analysis of binary indicators in Gaia DR3 shows a smaller fraction of binary giants than our criteria, but no relation can be seen between Li enrichment and binarity either. Conclusions. Our RV variability analysis indicates that there is no preference for Li-rich giants in the RC to be part of binary systems, thus arguing against a binary interaction scenario for the genesis of the bulk of Li-rich giants at that evolutionary stage. On the other hand, Li-rich giants in the RGB appear to have a small but measurable preference for having close companions, something that deserves further scrutiny with more and better data. Additional measurements of the RVs of these giants at a higher RV precision would greatly help in confirming and more robustly quantifying these results.

Physiological and Performance Adaptations to Varying Rest Distributions During Short Sprint Interval Training Trials in Female Volleyball Players: A Comparative Analysis of Interindividual Variability.

This study aimed to examine the impact of different rest periods between short sprint interval training (SSIT) trials on the physiological and performance adaptations of female volleyball players. Twenty-four trained collegeathletes volunteered to participate in this study and were randomly assigned to 3 SSIT groups with different work-to-rest ratios (1:2 [5-s run:10-s rest], 1:4 [5-s run:20-s rest], and 1:6 [5-s work:30-s rest]). Before and after 6-week training, physiological parameters (maximum oxygen uptake, first and second ventilatory thresholds, and peak and mean power output) and physical performance measures (ie,countermovement vertical jump, 10-m sprint, and T-test change-of-direction speed) were evaluated. After the training period, all groups improved (P = .001) their sport-related performance and physiological parameters, ranging from moderate to very large effect sizes. Comparative analysis of the magnitude of training effects indicated thatthe 1:6 SSIT group had in a significantly greater change in countermovement vertical jump (P = .007), 10-m sprint (P = .014), peak power output (P = .019), and mean power output (P = .05) compared with 1:2 SSIT group. By contrast, the 1:2 SSIT group demonstrated significantly (P = .022) greater changes in maximum oxygen uptake than the 1:6 SSIT group. However, the change-of-direction speed and changes infirst and second ventilatory thresholds were the same among the groups (P > .05). When performing SSIT, longer rest intervals are suitable for physical and anaerobic performance, and shorter rest periods are appropriate for enhancing the cardiorespiratory fitness of female volleyball players' performance.

Influence of gate work function variations on characteristics of fin-shaped silicon quantum dot device with multi-gate under existence of gate electrostatic coupling

We explored the effects of gate work function variation (WFV) through device simulation on a fin-shaped silicon quantum dot device with a multi-gate configuration for a large-scale integrated array. The threshold voltage (Vth) of current–voltage characteristics is affected by WFV in both main and surrounding gates, indicating the existence of electrostatic coupling among these gates. The electrostatic coupling can be reduced by biasing on the surrounding gates. Furthermore, the concept of Vth, following conventional transistors, works as a reference of voltage and potential in the present multi-gate device. This knowledge contributes to establishing a practical method for the statistical analysis of qubit variability.

Japanese Clinical Physical Therapists With the Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy License Are More Competent and Confident in Pain Management Than Those Without It: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The McKenzie Method of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) has long been misunderstood as a biomedical approach. In fact, it is a biopsychosocial approach with an up-to-date evidence-based educational curriculum. Recently, it has become possible to partially measure competence in clinical decision-making based on contemporary pain understanding and confidence in pain management using the Pain Understanding and Confidence Questionnaire (PUnCQ). The primary aim of this study was to compare the following outcomes between physical therapists with and without credential license in MDT (Cred.MDT) and the PUnCQ as well as attitudes toward the biopsychosocial perspective, adherence to evidence-based management for low back pain (LBP), and knowledge of modern pain science. The secondary aim was to explore relevant factors in the PUnCQ. Methodology Clinical physical therapists who were managing patients with pain were recruited from two associations (the Japanese Society of Allied Health and Rehabilitationand the Japan Branch of the International McKenzie Institute, who had all acquired at least the Cred.MDT). The following outcomes were measured: (1) the PUnCQ-1 for partial competence in evidence-based clinical decision-making for pain management; (2) part 2 scores of the PUnCQ for confidence in pain management; (3) the Pain Attitudes and Beliefs Scale for Physical Therapists (PABS-PT) biopsychosocial/biomedical ratio for treatment perspectives; (4) the Knowledge and Attitudes of Pain (KNAP) for knowledge of modern pain science; and (5) a questionnaire for adherence to LBP practice guidelines. Two group comparisons were conducted for the primary aim and a multiple regression analysis for the independent variable of the PUnCQ-1 was conducted for the secondary aim. Results Data from 122 physical therapists (63 and 59 participants with and without the Cred.MDT, respectively) were analyzed. Statistically significantly higher scores were detected for physical therapists with Cred.MDT compared to those without (all p<0.05) for all of the above outcomes. The multiple regression analysis demonstrated that statistically significant contributors to the PUnCQ-1 were part 2 scores of the PUnCQ for the pain management factor (p = 0.016) and acquisition of the Cred.MDT (p = 0.038) (R2 = 0.12). Conclusion Competence and confidence in pain management, attitudes toward biopsychosocial approaches, knowledge of modern pain science and guideline adherence are higher in physical therapists with the Cred.MDT than those without it. Confidence in pain management and acquisition of the Cred.MDT contributed to competence in evidence-based clinical decision-making for pain management.

Preliminary investigation and analysis of nucleotide site variability of nine glycoproteins on varicella-zoster virus envelope, Jilin Province, China, 2010-March 2024

Varicella is endemic worldwide. In China, varicella has not yet been included in the list of legal infectious diseases, nor has a unified national surveillance program been established. And the live attenuated varicella vaccine has not been included in routine immunization. In this study, we analyzed for the first time the varicella epidemiology in Jilin Province in the past 20 years, and the nucleotide site, amino acid site and N-glycosylation site variation of glycoprotein in varicella-zoster virus (VZV) surface 9 in the past 15 years. The results showed that the reported incidence of varicella in Jilin Province in the last 20 years was fluctuating above and below 20/100,000, especially after the epidemic of the COVID-19, and fatal cases appeared in individual years. The genotypic branching of VZV was monitored as Clade 2 in the last 15 years. 9 glycogen nucleotide sites of VZV had different degrees of variability, and the variability had specificity. Therefore, it gives us the idea that in order to reduce the incidence of varicella and herpes zoster, a provincial or even national surveillance program should be introduced as early as possible, and the dynamic monitoring of the variability of the nucleotide sites of VZV should be strengthened at the same time as the vaccine immunization strategy is introduced.

Sympathetic reinnervation in cardiac transplant recipients: Prevalence, time course and association with long-term survival

BackgroundPartial cardiac sympathetic reinnervation after cardiac transplant has been extensively investigated and evidenced. However, there have been no large-scale, long-term studies evaluating the prevalence, time-course, and association with long-term survival of sympathetic reinnervation of the heart. MethodsCardiac transplant recipients (n=232) were recruited from outpatient clinic at a single transplant centre in the United Kingdom. Participants were each tested once for the presence of sympathetic reinnervation of the sinus node using the low frequency component of power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, with a cut-off defined as 2 standard deviations above the mean for denervated participants (those tested <56 days post-transplant). Time-course was calculated based on the timing of testing post-transplant. Patients were then followed-up over a period of up to 27 years after transplant for survival analysis. ResultsThe overall prevalence of cardiac sympathetic reinnervation in the 225 patients tested >56 days post-transplant was 64.9%. Sympathetic reinnervation primarily occurred in the first 18 months after transplant, with a plateau thereafter. The prevalence in participants tested >18 months post-transplant was 69.6%. In Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, sympathetic reinnervation was associated with significantly improved survival (Log-rank P=0.019), with a median survival time for reinnervated patients of 19.9 years compared to 14.4 years for the denervated group. ConclusionsSympathetic reinnervation of the sinus node occurs mostly within 18 months of transplant, is found in 70% of cardiac transplant recipients tested >18 months post-transplant, and is associated with significantly improved long-term survival.