Aspects Of Process Research Articles

Social face processing in chronic severe traumatic brain injury: Altered decoding of emotions and mental states but preserved gaze cueing of attention

The processing of social information transmitted by facial stimuli is altered in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). This study investigated whether these alterations also affect the mechanisms underlying the orienting of visual attention in response to eye-gaze signals. TBI patients and a control group of healthy individuals matched on relevant criteria completed a spatial cueing task. In this task, a lateral visual target was presented along with a task-irrelevant face, with the gaze averted to the left or right. Arrows pointing towards the left or right were also used as non-social control stimuli. Social cognition abilities were further investigated through tests based on decoding emotional expressions and mental states conveyed by facial stimuli. The decoding of emotions and mental states was worse in the TBI group than in the control group. However, both groups demonstrated reliable and comparable orienting of attention to both eye-gaze and arrow stimuli. Despite impairments in certain aspects of social face processing among TBI patients, gaze cueing of attention appears to be preserved in this neuropsychological population.

GFP Chromophore Integrated Conjugated Microporous Polymers toward Bioinspired Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CO.

The development of highly active, durable, and low-cost metal-free catalysts for the photocatalytic CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an efficient and environmentally friendly solution to address significant problems like global warming and high energy demand. In the present study, we have demonstrated the design and synthesis of a donor-acceptor based conjugated microporous polymer (CMP), TPA-GFP, by integrating an electron donor, tris(4-ethynylphenyl)amine (TPA), with a green fluorescent protein chromophore analogue (Z)-4-(2-hydroxy-3,5-diiodobenzylidene)-1-(4-iodophenyl)-2-methyl-1H-imidazol-5(4H)-one (o-HBDI-I3) (GFP). In comparison to nondonor 1,3,5-triethynylbenzene (TEB) based TEB-GFP CMP, photocatalytic CO2 reduction using donor-acceptor based TPA-GFP CMP displays a 3-fold increment of CO production yield with a maximum CO yield of 1666 μmol g-1 at 12 h. Further, the CO selectivity increases significantly from a mere 54% in TEB-GFP to an impressive 95% in TPA-GFP. The impressive CO2 reduction efficiency and selectivity for TPA-GFP can be attributed to the efficient light-harvesting capability and facile charge separation and migration through donor-acceptor building units of the CMP. The mechanistic aspect of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction process is explored using in situ DRIFTS and DFT calculation, and a plausible photocatalytic mechanism is proposed.

Bridging the gap: evaluation of preoperative patients’ education by comparing expectations and real-perioperative surgical experiences: a mixed-methods descriptive cross-sectional study

BackgroundEducating patients regarding surgery is an important aspect of the preoperative process. It helps individuals answer their queries, reduce anxiety, and improve overall satisfaction with the surgical experience.ObjectiveTo compare patients’ expectations with their real-perioperative surgical experiences. Also, to evaluate the effectiveness of preoperative education and, thus, improve the doctor-patient relationship.MethodologyThrough consecutive sampling, 65 adult patients were selected from the ENT department of Khyber Teaching Hospital. Preoperative education was provided to all the subjects using a 25-point pro-forma, and their queries were addressed. Postoperatively, all participants were interviewed regarding their expectations and real perioperative surgical experiences. The gaps were noted, and participants were asked about their preferences for addressing such gaps in future interactions. Postoperatively, patients were asked to give comments on how a certain part of preoperative education could have been better delivered.ResultsAmong the 65 patients, 28 (43.1%) were male, and 37 (56.9%) were female. The majority (38.5%) had a primary/secondary school education. Eight (12.3%) patients had ear surgery, 19 (29.2%) had nose surgery, and 38 (58.5%) had throat surgery. Almost 39 (60%) patients had preoperative fear/anxiety. After preoperative education, 17 (26.2%) patients experienced perioperative fear/anxiety, which was a significant reduction (p = 0.001). Preoperative anxiety was greater in females (M: F = 8:13, p = 0.00), while perioperative anxiety was comparable among both genders after patient education (M: F = 5:12, p = 0.18). The greatest dissatisfaction was noted regarding the surgical schedule (33.8%), range of motion (16.9%), deep breathing exercises (13.8%), and preoperative fasting (12.3%). Most importantly, patients’ comments were noted, when they were asked to suggest a better way to educate preoperatively in their respective area of dissatisfaction. Patients appreciated detailed explanations with practical demonstrations for range of motion exercises. One patient complained about no clear instructions on postoperative resumption of snuff.ConclusionPreoperative patient education should be a two-way process involving active participation and continuous feedback. By educating patients properly through a multidisciplinary approach, healthcare providers can further enhance patient satisfaction, alleviate anxiety, and improve the overall quality of care.

Designing Mini Modeling Projects

This paper is written as a guide for any instructor seeking to develop the mathematical modeling process or open-ended problem solving in their courses. We describe a pedagogical approach to create mini modeling problems to develop the modeling process. These are problems that fall between traditional homework problems and open-ended modeling problems, and focus on specific aspects of the modeling process. Implementing such mini modeling problems is a means of scaffolding the modeling process to engage the students in smaller stages of modeling and prepare them for the full modeling process. This is intended as a means to empower the students so they can engage confidently in the modeling process.

The Role of Religious Comfort and Strain on Social Well-Being among Emerging Adults in Poland: Serial Mediation by Meaning Making Processes.

Religious struggles tend noticeably to influence the sphere of social well-being in emerging adulthood as individuals modify their religious beliefs and practices, form personal identity patterns, and rediscover new life purpose and values. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether meaning-making and meaning in life (presence and search) can serially mediate the hypothesized links between religious comfort vs. strain and social well-being. Self-report measures of religious struggles, meaning-making, meaning in life, and social well-being were completed by 368 emerging adults (aged 18 to 29, 52.2% female). The serial mediation analysis showed that the relationship between religious comfort vs. strain and social well-being was mediated by meaning-making and presence of meaning, but not by a search for meaning. These results suggest that religious struggles may represent unique aspects of developmental spiritual processes in emerging adulthood with implications for social well-being.

Deciphering Depression: Epigenetic Mechanisms and Treatment Strategies.

Depression, a significant mental health disorder, is under intense research scrutiny to uncover its molecular foundations. Epigenetics, which focuses on controlling gene expression without altering DNA sequences, offers promising avenues for innovative treatment. This review explores the pivotal role of epigenetics in depression, emphasizing two key aspects: (I) identifying epigenetic targets for new antidepressants and (II) using personalized medicine based on distinct epigenetic profiles, highlighting potential epigenetic focal points such as DNA methylation, histone structure alterations, and non-coding RNA molecules such as miRNAs. Variations in DNA methylation in individuals with depression provide opportunities to target genes that are associated with neuroplasticity and synaptic activity. Aberrant histone acetylation may indicate that antidepressant strategies involve enzyme modifications. Modulating miRNA levels can reshape depression-linked gene expression. The second section discusses personalized medicine based on epigenetic profiles. Analyzing these patterns could identify biomarkers associated with treatment response and susceptibility to depression, facilitating tailored treatments and proactive mental health care. Addressing ethical concerns regarding epigenetic information, such as privacy and stigmatization, is crucial in understanding the biological basis of depression. Therefore, researchers must consider these issues when examining the role of epigenetics in mental health disorders. The importance of epigenetics in depression is a critical aspect of modern medical research. These findings hold great potential for novel antidepressant medications and personalized treatments, which would significantly improve patient outcomes, and transform psychiatry. As research progresses, it is expected to uncover more complex aspects of epigenetic processes associated with depression, enhance our comprehension, and increase the effectiveness of therapies.

Information Technology Governance Analysis to Reduce Information Security Risks Using Cobit 2019: A Case Study of Manufacturing Companies

PT Krakatau Steel (Persero) Tbk is a company engaged in the manufacturing industry that utilizes digital transformation to improve efficiency, optimize facilities and assist organizations in making business decisions quickly. However, there are new challenges in implementing digital transformation, namely increasing dependence on information technology (IT) and triggering high potential threats to information security. Therefore, good information technology governance is needed in managing information security. The research method is based on the Control Objectives for Information Technologies (COBIT) framework version 2019 as the best guide in managing information technology governance. The research was conducted in several stages, including data collection through observation of policy documents and interviews with employees of the BEICT (Business Enables & Information Communication Technology) Department who are responsible for managing services and maintaining the company's digital assets. Evaluation of the maturity level was carried out on 8 priority objectives consisting of EDM03, EDM05, APO12, APO13, APO14, BAI09, DSS05, and MEA04 based on design factor assessment. The results of the analysis of selected domain activities, the IT governance maturity level was at 2.56 (managed level). Indicates that the organization has managed and implemented information security activities, but some activities do not yet have written policies or procedures. With recommendations in the form of proposed improvements to the aspects of people, processes and technology, it is hoped that it can increase the level of maturity of IT governance in reducing information security risks and supporting digital transformation programs.

A Comprehensive Approach for an Interpretable Diabetic Macular Edema Grading System Based on ConvUNext

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a leading cause of vision impairment in diabetic patients, necessitating a timely and accurate diagnosis. This paper proposes a comprehensive system for DME grading using retinal fundus images. Our approach integrates multiple deep learning modules, each designed to address key aspects of the diagnostic process. The first module employs the ConvUNeXt model for segmenting hard exudates (HaEx), crucial indicators of DME. The second module uses RetinaNet for precise optic disc (OD) localization, which is essential for subsequent macula localization. The third module refines macula localization, leveraging preprocessing techniques to enhance image clarity. Finally, our system consolidates these results to provide interpretable DME grading. Experimental evaluations were conducted on the Messidor dataset, demonstrating the system’s robust performance. The HaEx segmentation module achieved a mean IoU of 70.5% and a Dice coefficient of 0.64. The OD localization module showed perfect accuracy, recall, and precision at 1.0. For macula localization, our method satisfied the 1R criterion with 99.38% accuracy. The DME grading module achieved an overall accuracy of 91.12%, with an AUC of 0.9334. Our method offers a balanced performance across accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity compared to other non-interpretable and partially interpretable methods.

Advancement and Potential Applications of Epididymal Organoids.

The epididymis, a key reproductive organ, is crucial for sperm concentration, maturation, and storage. Despite a comprehensive understanding of many of its functions, several aspects of the complex processes within the epididymis remain obscure. Dysfunction in this organ is intricately connected to the formation of the microenvironment, disruptions in sperm maturation, and the progression of male infertility. Thus, elucidating the functional mechanisms of the epididymal epithelium is imperative. Given the variety of cell types present within the epididymal epithelium, utilizing a three-dimensional (3D) in vitro model provides a holistic and practical framework for exploring the multifaceted roles of the epididymis. Organoid cell culture, involving the co-cultivation of pluripotent or adult stem cells with growth factors on artificial matrix scaffolds, effectively recreates the in vivo cell growth microenvironment, thereby offering a promising avenue for studying the epididymis. The field of epididymal organoids is relatively new, with few studies focusing on their formation and even fewer detailing the generation of organoids that exhibit epididymis-specific structures and functions. Ongoing challenges in both clinical applications and mechanistic studies underscore the importance of this research. This review summarizes the established methodologies for inducing the in vitro cultivation of epididymal cells, outlines the various approaches for the development of epididymal organoids, and explores their potential applications in the field of male reproductive biology.

Omega Fatty Acid-Based Therapy for Healing of Recalcitrant Wounds in Patients with Complex Comorbidities.

The human body possesses the unique ability to repair itself after injury through complex, sequential phases. Current development of advanced wound care therapies generally focuses on addressing a single aspect of this biological process that can result in delayed or ineffective wound healing. When patients present with further systemic and local confounding pathologies it can result in painful, chronic wounds that are especially challenging to treat.In this case report, the authors demonstrate how treatment with a novel multimodal wound matrix expedited healing and decreased pain in two patients who had each been unresponsive to treatment with advanced modalities for more than 7 months. The first patient had factor V Leiden and the second patient had sickle cell disease. Use of a once-weekly treatment protocol with the multimodal wound matrix, combined with sharp debridement when deemed clinically necessary, resulted in elimination of pain and expedited wound healing to closure. The wound matrix's omega fatty acid-based formulation is designed to target multiple factors common among hard-to-heal wounds that when not addressed, can adversely inhibit the wound-healing cascade.

Osseous cyst‐like lesions in an unusual location in the equine distal phalanx

SummaryOsseous cyst‐like lesions (OCLLs) of the distal phalanx commonly occur around midline. The dorsopalmar location can be challenging to identify radiographically; however, advanced imaging has shown they are typically located in the central and palmar thirds of the bone. This study reports unusually located OCLLs in the dorsal, axial aspect of the palmar processes of the distal phalanx in three horses, with communication with the distal interphalangeal (DIP) joint confirmed by contrast arthrography in two horses. All horses were lame and had lameness localised to the distal limb with diagnostic anaesthesia. A rounded radiolucency with a surrounding rim of increased opacity was identified in the dorsal aspect of a palmar process on radiographs, with the palmaroproximal–palmarodistal oblique (PaPrPaDiO) view being most useful. On magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the lesions were seen as hyperintense structure on T2*, T2 FSE and STIR sequences; a thin rim of intermediate signal surrounding a low signal centre was seen on T1 images. A rim of low T1/T2 FSE signal was seen in the surrounding bone in all cases, consistent with sclerosis, and mildly increased STIR signal was present in the surrounding trabecular bone in two cases. Two horses underwent standing cone‐beam computed tomography (CT) examination of the affected foot, revealing a well‐defined hypoattenuating region within the dorsal, axial aspect of the palmar process of the distal phalanx, with surrounding rim of increased attenuation. Contrast arthrography was performed in two cases, one using radiographs and the other CT, and confirmed communication of the cystic lesion with the DIP joint in both cases. Although advanced imaging provided further information and allowed other possible causes of lameness to be identified, careful assessment of radiographs allowed these unusually located OCLLs to be identified in all cases.

Unveiling distinct kinematic profiles among total knee arthroplasty candidates through clustering technique

Background:Characterizing the condition of patients suffering from knee osteoarthritis is complex due to multiple associations between clinical, functional, and structural parameters. While significant variability exists within this population, especially in candidates for total knee arthroplasty, there is increasing interest in knee kinematics among orthopedic surgeons aiming for more personalized approaches to achieve better outcomes and satisfaction. The primary objective of this study was to identify distinct kinematic phenotypes in total knee arthroplasty candidates and to compare different methods for the identification of these phenotypes.Methods:Three-dimensional kinematic data obtained from a Knee Kinesiography exam during treadmill walking in the clinic were used. Various aspects of the clustering process were evaluated and compared to achieve optimal clustering, including data preparation, transformation, and representation methods.Results:A K-Means clustering algorithm, performed using Euclidean distance, combined with principal component analysis applied on data transformed by standardization, was the optimal approach. Two unique kinematic phenotypes were identified among 80 total knee arthroplasty candidates. The two distinct phenotypes divided patients who significantly differed both in terms of knee kinematic representation and clinical outcomes, including a notable variation in 63.3% of frontal plane features and 81.8% of transverse plane features across 77.33% of the gait cycle, as well as differences in the Pain Catastrophizing Scale, highlighting the impact of these kinematic variations on patient pain and function.Conclusion:Results from this study provide valuable insights for clinicians to develop personalized treatment approaches based on patients’ phenotype affiliation, ultimately helping to improve total knee arthroplasty outcomes.

Response processes for patients providing quantitative self-report data: a qualitative study.

To identify factors that influence response processes for patients providing quantitative self-report data. Secondly, due to the lack of integrative and explanatory models in this area, to develop a model of patients' response processes that can guide what to look for when considering validity evidence and interpreting scores on individual items. Participants (n = 13) were recruited from a specialized substance use disorder treatment clinic and interviewed while responding to items from a clinical feedback system implemented for routine outcome monitoring in that setting. The interview approach was based on cognitive interviewing. Data collection and analysis were inspired by a grounded theory approach. We identified several variables that influenced the participants' response processes. The variables were organized into five categories: context-related variables; item-related variables; response base variables; reasoning strategies; and response selection strategies. We also found that the participants' responses for many items were affected by different aspects of the response process in ways that are relevant to interpretation but not necessarily discernible from the numerical scores alone, and we developed response categories to capture this. The findings suggest that patients providing quantitative self-report data encounter conditions in the response process that challenge and influence their ability to convey meaning and accuracy. This results in responses that for many of the items reflect messages important for interpretation and follow-up, even if it does not appear from the numerical scores alone. The proposed model may be a useful tool when developing items, assessing validity, and interpreting responses.

The ‘meathybrid’ concept: bridging the gap between texture, taste, sustainability and nutrition

SummaryPositioned midway between traditional meat and plant‐based options, hybrid alternatives cater to a broader consumer category due to the intersection of flavours, textures and ethical considerations. This review aims to provide a current landscape and forthcoming challenges of hybrid options, exploring their formulation, processing, distinctive features, consumer acceptance and sustainability aspects. Even though there is no standard definition of the ‘meathybrid concept’, scientists and industrials explored different ingredients including purified proteins or whole vegetables/grains/seeds to formulate palatable hybrid products maintaining comparable sensory features to meat. Consumers' attraction to hybrid meat products is mostly related to taste, sustainability and nutritional aspects. Future challenges for hybrid options may include optimising production scalability, ensuring consistent quality and taste and effectively communicating the benefits of hybrid products to diverse consumer segments. Additionally, ongoing research and development efforts will be crucial in enhancing hybrid alternatives' sensory attributes, nutritional profiles and environmental sustainability.

A deeper consideration of sex/gender in quantitative health research: a checklist for incorporating multidimensionality, variety, embodiment, and intersectionality throughout the whole research process

BackgroundThere is a growing awareness of the need to adequately integrate sex and gender into health-related research. Although it is widely known that the entangled dimensions sex/gender are not comprehensively considered in most studies to date, current publications of conceptual considerations and guidelines often only give recommendations for certain stages of the research process and - to the best of our knowledge - there is a lack of a detailed guidance that accompanies each step of the entire research process. The interdisciplinary project “Integrating gender into environmental health research” (INGER) aimed to fill this gap by developing a comprehensive checklist that encourages sex/gender transformative research at all stages of the research process of quantitative health research. In the long term this contributes to a more sex/gender-equitable research.MethodsThe checklist builds on current guidelines on sex/gender in health-related research. Starting from important key documents, publications from disciplines involved in INGER were collected. Furthermore, we used a snowball method to include further relevant titles. The identification of relevant publications was continued until saturation was reached. 55 relevant publications published between 2000 and 2021 were identified, assessed, summarised and included in the developed checklist. After noticing that most publications did not cover every step of the research process and often considered sex/gender in a binary way, the recommendations were modified and enriched based on the authors’ expertise to cover every research step and to add further categories to the binary sex/gender categories.ResultsThe checklist comprises 67 items in 15 sections for integrating sex/gender in quantitative health-related research and addresses aspects of the whole research process of planning, implementing and analysing quantitative health studies as well as aspects of appropriate language, communication of results to the scientific community and the public, and research team composition.ConclusionThe developed comprehensive checklist goes beyond a binary consideration of sex/gender and thus enables sex/gender-transformative research. Although the project INGER focused on environmental health research, no aspects that were specific to this research area were identified in the checklist. The resulting comprehensive checklist can therefore be used in different quantitative health-related research fields.

The benefits of exercise on aging: focus on muscle biomarkers.

The focus on maintaining health and vitality (e.g., good healthspan) in later life has become increasingly important as the world's population is getting older. In the last decade, advances in aging research have identified biomarkers like DNA methylation (DNAm) and gene expression, offering insights into both chronological and biological aging. This understanding opens up possibilities for interventions that can slow down molecular aspects of the aging process. Exploring the impact of exercise on these biomarkers in human skeletal muscle (a critical tissue for metabolism, thermogenesis and movement) reveals its potential to foster healthier aging.

Roughness regularization for functional data analysis with free knots spline estimation

In the era of big data, an ever-growing volume of information is recorded, either continuously over time or sporadically, at distinct time intervals. Functional Data Analysis (FDA) stands at the cutting edge of this data revolution, offering a powerful framework for handling and extracting meaningful insights from such complex datasets. The currently proposed FDA methods can often encounter challenges, especially when dealing with curves of varying shapes. This can largely be attributed to the method’s strong dependence on data approximation as a key aspect of the analysis process. In this work, we propose a free knots spline estimation method for functional data with two penalty terms and demonstrate its performance by comparing the results of several clustering methods on simulated and real data.

‘Partners in a conversation’: emotional intimacy and the creation of Holocaust survivor interviews

ABSTRACT The work of Hank Greenspan has provided essential insights for rethinking foundational conceptions and methods of collecting interviews with Holocaust survivors. As Greenspan urges us to consider, not all interviews are alike and there are those that entail sustained and intimate interpersonal connections, often developed over several years between ‘partners in a conversation.’ Greenspan’s emphasis on interviewers and survivors ‘learning together’ underscores the contingent, emotionally intimate, and collaborative aspects of the interview process that are often kept at the margins by Holocaust testimony archives.

Design Optimization of a THz Receiver Based on 60 nm Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Technology

The technology transfer of terahertz wireless communication from research laboratories to commercial applications is a global strategic achievement currently pursued to match the ever-increasing demand for high-speed communication. The use of commercial integrated electronics for the detection of THz waves is an intriguing challenge which has enticed great interest in the scientific research community. Rapid progress in this field has led to the exploitation of THz direct detection using standard CMOS technology based on the so-called self-mixing effect. Our research, stemming out of a collaboration between Sapienza University of Rome and STMicroelectronics company, is focused on the complete design process of a THz rectifier, realized using 50 nm ST B55 CMOS technology. In this paper, we report the optimization process of a case-study receiver, aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of direct demodulation of the transmitted OOK signal. A relatively limited bandwidth extension is considered since the device will be included in a system adopting a radiation source with a limited band. The design refers to a specific technology, the 60 nm MOS in B55X ST; nevertheless, the proposed optimization procedure can be applied in principle to any MOS device. Several aspects of the rectification process and of the receiver design are investigated by combining different numerical simulation methodologies. The direct representation of the rectification effect through the equivalent circuit of the detector is provided, which allows for the investigation of the detector–amplifier coupling, and the computation of output noise equivalent power. Numerical results are presented and used as the basis for the optimization of the receiver parameters.

Job satisfaction of nurses and the determinants of organizational climate: insights from hospitals in Lubelskie Voivodeship

Abstract Aim. Evaluation of nurses’ job satisfaction and the interconnectedness of the infl uence of dimensions of organizational climate. Material and methods. The study was conducted in 2022 among 300 nurses working in fi ve hospitals in Lublin Voivodeship. Methodology focused on outcomes was employed, highlighting the signifi cance of factors related to the organizational environment in shaping “job satisfaction”. The research tool was the Organizational Climate Questionnaire by L. Rosenstiel and R. Boegel, adapted from the Polish version by K. Durniat. Results. Most respondents report a high 121 (40.3%) or relatively high 142 (47.3%) level of satisfaction with their profession. Only 37 (12.4%) nurses reported a low level. Factors contributing to decreased satisfaction included negative relationships with management, diminished importance of organizational procedures implemented by supervisors, insufficient time for direct patient care, failure to meet patient and family expectations, and inadequate compensation. Conclusions. Nurses’ job satisfaction depended on the overall organizational climate in the hospital and its components: the overall image of the organization, employees’ perceptions of their superiors’ leadership style, and various aspects of the work organization process, ways of structuring, division of tasks and the degree of control over their implementation.