Complementary Means Research Articles

Full-Field Electroretinogram Responses in Rodent Models of Ganglion Cell Injury.

Preclinical studies of optic nerve injury models have led to significant insight into the mechanism underlying retinal ganglion cell neurodegeneration. During the process of ganglion cell injury, morphological changes can occur prior to gross structural changes and cell death. Similarly, following injury, functional changes can occur in the absence of substantive structural changes. These more subtle effects can often be detected using functional tools such as the electroretinogram. Moreover, the electroretinogram is a sensitive and complementary means to quantify treatment efficacy. Here, we describe in vivo electroretinography for assessing ganglion cell injury in rodent models.

Motional Resistance as Highly Selective Descriptor to Probe Dynamic Formation of Surface Films on Zinc Anode

AbstractZinc anodes are expected as a promising alternative to lithium‐based anodes in energy storage systems due to their low cost, high theoretical capacity, and environmental friendliness. However, the development of efficient and stable zinc anode requires a fundamental understanding of the interfacial processes occurring during zinc deposition and dissolution cycling. In this study, we employed electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) analysis to investigate the potential‐dependent formation and decomposition of surface films on zinc metal anodes in sulfate‐based aqueous electrolytes. Changes in frequency and motional resistance served as complementary descriptors, with motional resistance being a highly selective indicator for probing dynamic surface film formation driven by side reactions at the zinc anode. While the frequency change provided the overall changes in the mass of both zinc metal and surface films, changes in the motional resistance selectively reflected the amount and nature of the visco‐elastic interface that comprise the surface films. The two descriptors provide quantitative and complementary means to discover the complex interfacial processes such as the formation of surface visco‐elastic films, guiding to the development of more stable and efficient zinc‐based electrochemical systems.

Precipitation measurements experiment using microwave links in Eastern China from October 2020 to March 2022

Precipitation is an important piece of information needed in many areas such as transportation, military and agriculture, and microwave links have proven to be an effective means of acquiring it and can be used as a complementary means for professional precipitation measurement instruments such as rain gauges, weather radar, rain measuring satellites, etc. In this paper, two microwave links (at 26 GHz, both vertically polarised) located across a river in eastern China and a nearby OTT PARSIVEL disdrometer were used to carry out a precipitation observation experiment from October 2020 to March 2022 (March to November 2021 for liquid precipitation, others for possible non-liquid precipitation). The applicability of the dry and rainy period identification methods (standard deviation method and correlation coefficient method) based on this link data is analyzed first. In addition, a wet antenna attenuation correction model based on a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network was applied to non-winter precipitation inversion. The results show that the rain rate and cumulative rainfall calculated from the two links are in good agreement with that calculated by the disdrometer data. Furthermore, quantitative inversion of winter precipitation using two microwave links is performed, and the variation characteristics of the link levels during non-liquid precipitation periods are also analyzed.

Orofacial Harmonization versus Facial Deformities: A Literature Review

In the current context, orofacial harmonization can serve as a complementary means to treat deformities, whether from an aesthetic or functional perspective. In this scope, the present study aims to evaluate the use of hyaluronic acid fillers and botulinum toxin in correcting facial defects. This study consists of a literature review based on the determination of the theme, using the databases PubMed, EBSCO, SciELO, and Google Scholar. The temporal delimitation was established from 2018 to the present. The MeSH descriptors used in the research were: "hyaluronic acid filler," "facial abnormalities," and "augmentation," adding respective descriptors for each topic (ocular, nasal, ear, and lip palate oral). Data were collected between March and April 2023. A final sample of eight articles was obtained, based on the inclusion criteria adopted, with the highest number of publications identified in 2021 (n=3; 37.5%). All the results were in English, predominantly from the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Regarding the type of facial deformity, it was observed that cleft lip and palate and chin deformity were the majority of the studies analyzed. In terms of the type of orofacial harmonization approach, hyaluronic acid injection was the most used method. Therefore, it was concluded that orofacial harmonization can assist in the rehabilitation of patients with some facial deformity, whether congenital or acquired, thus being a viable treatment option for patients with facial deformities.

Spectral CT for preoperative diagnosis of N2 station lymph node metastasis in solid T1 non-small cell lung cancer

PurposeTo evaluate the diagnostic value of spectral CT for the preoperative diagnosis of N2 station lymph nodes metastasis in solid T1 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). MethodFor this retrospective study, dual-phase contrast agent-enhanced CT was performed in patients with NSCLC from September 2019 to June 2023. Quantitative spectral CT parameters measurements were performed by 2 radiologists independently. Logistic regression analysis and Delong test were performed. Results60 NSCLC patients (mean age, 62.85 years ± 8.49, 44men) were evaluated. A total of 121 lymph nodes (38 with metastasis) were enrolled. There was no significant difference in the slope of the spectral Hounsfield unit curve (λHu) on arterial phase (AP) or venous phase (VP) between primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes (P > 0.05), but significant difference in VP λHu between primary lesions and non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.001). The CT40KeV, λHu, normalized iodine concentration (nIC), normalized effective atomic number (nZeff) measured during both AP and VP were lower in metastatic lymph nodes than in non-metastatic lymph nodes (all P < 0.05). Short-axis diameter (S) of metastatic lymph nodes was higher than non-metastatic lymph nodes (P < 0.001). Area under the curve (AUC) for S performed the highest (0.788) in diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes. When combined with VP λHu, VP nZeff, AUC increased to 0.871. ConclusionSpectral CT is a complementary means for the preoperative diagnosis of N2 station lymph nodes metastasis in solid T1 NSCLC. The combined parameters have higher diagnostic efficiency.

Outcome measures for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

With the recent proliferation of novel therapeutics for chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), there is an immediate need for comprehensive means to assess CRSwNP disease status as well as to determine treatment efficacy. Outcome measures exist in different forms. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) allow patients to provide direct input about their condition that is not possible to obtain in any other way. Common constructs that are measured using PROMs include quality of life or the burden of disease manifestations (e.g., symptom severity). Outcomes may also include the results of objective diagnostic testing/measurement of clinical signs or measured using psychophysical tests. Biomarkers represent an emerging class of outcome measures for CRSwNP and are chosen to directly reflect the active pathophysiologic processes of CRSwNP in the peripheral blood, sinus/polyp tissues, and sinonasal mucus. Narrative review of the literature, identifying and describing outcome measures that may be used in the evaluation of CRSwNP and for assessment of treatment responses. In this review, we identify many different outcome measures for CRSwNP that fall under the categories of PROM, objective test, psychophysical test or biomarker. We describe the history of each - including seminal studies - and demonstrate the formal validation, psychometric performance, and limitations of each. PROMs, objective tests, psychophysical tests and biomarkers represent different classes of outcome measures that are complementary means of assessing CRSwNP disease status and treatment efficacy. The choice or interpretation of a CRSwNP outcome measure should be undertaken with full knowledge of its formal validation, psychometric performance, and limitations.

Delayed effects of air pollution on public bike-sharing system use in Seoul, South Korea: A time series analysis

Background:As a complementary means to urban public transit systems, public bike-sharing provides a green and active mode of sustainable mobility, while reducing carbon-dioxide emissions and promoting health. There has been increasing interest in factors affecting bike-sharing usage, but little is known about the effect of ambient air pollution. Method:To assess the short-term impact of daily exposure to multiple air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, NO2, and O3) on the public bike-sharing system (PBS) usage in Seoul, South Korea (2018–2021), we applied a quasi-Poisson generalized linear model combined with a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM). The model was adjusted for day of the week, holiday, temperature, relative humidity, and long-term trend. We also conducted stratification analyses to examine the potential effect modification by age group, seasonality, and COVID-19. Results:We found that there was a negative association between daily ambient air pollution and the PBS usage level at a single lag day 1 (i.e., air quality a day before the event) across all four pollutants. Our results suggest that days with high levels of air pollutants (at 95th percentile) are associated with a 0.91% (0.86% to 0.96%) for PM2.5, 0.89% (0.85% to 0.94%) for PM10, 0.87% (0.82% to 0.91%) for O3, and 0.92% (0.87% to 0.98%) for NO2, reduction in cycling behavior in the next day compared to days with low levels of pollutants (at 25th percentile). No evidence of effect modification was found by seasonality, age nor the COVID-19 pandemic for any of the four pollutants. Conclusions:Our findings suggest that high concentrations of ambient air pollution are associated with decreased rates of PBS usage on the subsequent day regardless of the type of air pollutant measured.

Apologies, Remorse, and Amends: Empirical Legal Studies Across Domains and Disciplines

The role of apologies in law is offered as an example of a topic that cuts across legal fields, and one that is quintessentially interdisciplinary. Because apologies are an often-desired response in the wake of a wrongful act, they can be significant in many legal settings. Apologies or the lack thereof affect attributions of responsibility and blame, provide information, and alter relationships. Apologies play a role in motivating or forestalling legal action, shape settlement in civilcases, influence punishment in criminal cases, provide alternate or complementary means of accountability, and impact relations among parties to conflict from the interpersonal to the geopolitical. An understanding of apologies is enriched by research conducted by legal scholars, sociologists and psychologists, economists and political scientists, historians and linguists, and criminologists, using methods drawn from each of these fields. This range of empirical research is necessary to successfully develop a better understanding of the desire for, effects of, and limits of apologies across varied legal contexts and the implications for client counseling and legal strategy, for legal reform and systems design, for political decision making, and for procedural, restorative, and transitional justice.

A Score-Based Evaluation Model for Rehabilitation of Existing Pumped Storage Hydropower Plant Construction

As the proportion of new and renewable energy increases, power control demands are becoming more frequent due to variability in power generation. As a complementary means against this, the pumped storage hydropower plants (PSHP) are attracting attention as energy storage systems (ESS), but it has high construction costs. Therefore, this study aims to improve the economic feasibility by developing the evaluation model of the existing infrastructure into an upper/lower dam suitable for PSHP. The concept of upper dam capacity is newly defined, and the evaluation index is constructed using normalization. A new evaluation system is presented for five factors: environment, stability, energy, capacity, and economy. Finally, it is tested in the pilot area in Korea. Several candidates, including the PSHP in operation, are found to have been distributed with higher scores. These results will help to satisfy the selection of candidates during the preliminary feasibility study phase, and programming them will enable more accurate and rapid assessment.

SHALLOTS PRICE PARADIGM IN INDONESIA AND ITS INFLUENCED FACTORS

Shallot is a horticultural commodity that, although it is minor, works as a culinary flavor enhancer in Indonesia. The fluctuations and dynamics of shallot prices contribute to the inflation rate in the Republic of Indonesia. Consequently, the government includes this commodity in the national strategic food group. This study aims to examine the factors that influence the dynamics of shallot prices in Indonesia. It analyzes the causes and provides alternative solutions to stabilize the shallot price. This research is a systematic literature review, which utilizes secondary data available on government information/data websites and several supporting articles. It used descriptive and explanatory methods to analyze the qualitative and quantitative components. The research also used the statistical regression methods, anova by Excel, and R software as differential analysis. This study shows that the most significant factors in determining shallot price are trade margin and transportation margin. Meanwhile, production factors have almost no effect regionally. The consumption factor and the length of the supply chain considerably affect certain areas. Expansion of the planting area, especially in the northern part of Indonesia, can be used as a complementary means to meet the demand for shallots on an ongoing basis. This research is a compilation of advanced analyses of reports on the performance of departments in the government of the Republic of Indonesia, taking into account and referring to the results of research by other academics.

DNA Barcoding in Species Delimitation: From Genetic Distances to Integrative Taxonomy.

Over the past two decades, DNA barcoding has become the most popular exploration approach in molecular taxonomy, whether for identification, discovery, delimitation, or description of species. The present contribution focuses on the utility of DNA barcoding for taxonomic research activities related to species delimitation, emphasizing the following aspects:(1) To what extent DNA barcoding can be a valuable ally for fundamental taxonomic research, (2) its methodological and theoretical limitations, (3) the conceptual background and practical use of pairwise distances between DNA barcode sequences in taxonomy, and (4) the different ways in which DNA barcoding can be combined with complementary means of investigation within a broader integrative framework. In this chapter, we recall and discuss the key conceptual advances that have led to the so-called renaissance of taxonomy, elaboratea detailed glossary for the terms specific to this discipline (see Glossary in Chap. 35 ), and propose a newly designed step-by-step species delimitation protocol starting from DNA barcode data that includes stepsfrom the preliminary elaboration of an optimal sampling strategy to the final decision-making process which potentially leads to nomenclatural changes.

The Online and Offline Communication Preferences of Armenian Social Network Users

Online is one of the main types of communication and relationship building. Social networking site users are increasing day by day, not only in Armenia but worldwide. Currently, debates are actively underway about the impact of online communication on offline communication. Are online and offline communications two complementary means, or does one completely replace the other? "If people stay at home and do their daily activities without engaging with others, they will not put in the effort to establish social connections beyond the online world, as it would seem futile." The article explores the prevalence of social networks among Armenian users, their variations, online and/or offline communication preferences of Armenian users in various spheres of life, connected with age, gender, and depending on the subject of communication. As a result of a survey conducted using questionnaires, a range of preferences were identified, based on which users construct online communications. The main differences were observed among different age groups, rather than gender.

Financial accessibility and crime – Empirical study based on panel data from Chinese cities

PurposeThis paper empirically investigates the relationship between financial availability and crime by measuring it across five dimensions: banking, securities, insurance, private lending and digital inclusive finance.Design/methodology/approachThe study utilizes 2011–2017 data from prefecture-level cities as a representative sample. Moreover, these findings remain robust after addressing endogeneity through the use of the historical distance between cities and the railroad network as an instrumental variable.FindingsThe findings demonstrate a significant negative relationship between financial accessibility and crime rates. Heterogeneity exists in the inhibitory effect of different types of financial accessibility on crime, with banking finance exhibiting a stronger inhibitory effect compared to private lending. Areas affected by natural disasters and infectious diseases exhibit a stronger inhibitory effect of financial accessibility on crime rates, particularly in areas with severe shocks of natural disasters and epidemics. This effect is attributed to the low financing threshold and easy access to private lending, which plays a more effective role than bank finance when people face extreme risks.Practical implicationsThere should be stricter regulations imposed on private lending markets and the introduction of more rational legislation aimed at guiding a healthy development within these markets; such measures serve as effective and complementary means for individuals from all walks of life to access credit financing.Social implicationsThe regulation of financial resources by the government should always prioritize ensuring the accessibility of financial policies to cater to the needs of the majority population.Originality/valueThis study is for the first time in an emerging economy context, the causal relationship between financial accessibility and crime. To provide a more comprehensive measure of financial accessibility in a region, this paper proposes a five-dimensional methodology.

Developing Interactive Digital Modules on Discovery Learning to Improve Students Learning Interest

Abstract is a short description of an article or scientific paper consisting four components, namely: (1) Problem and objective; (2) Method; (3) Result and Discussion; and (4) Conclusion and Suggestion. Abstract is written in two languages, that is, Indonesian and English. Besides, abstract is written in one paragraph without any footnote or citation, single space among rows. The impact of online system learning during the Covid-19 pandemic caused the discovery learning model to be less efective, resulting in a decrease on student interest learning. The addition of an interactive digital module supplement is a complementary means to maximize the online process with the discovery learning model. This study aims to: (1) determine the feasibility of an interactive digital module based on discovery learning, (2) increase student interest in learning. This research is a development research with a 4 D model which is summarized and optimized into 3 D. The research into 3 D. The research subjects were selected by purposive sampling, in class XI MIPA 2 SMA Negeri I Karanganyar. Research instruments include learning tools, observation sheets, interview guides and questionnaires. The questionnaire consisted of validation of the learning practitioner’s assesment, validation of the learning practitioner’s assesment, learning interest questionnaire, student needs analysis questitionnaire, and student response questionnaire of the media. Data analysis technique consisted of the qualitative descriptive and quantitative descriptive using Rasch analysis in the Winstep 3.73. The results of the research to: (1) interactive digital module is categorized as very suitable for use in learning based on the result of the assesment of the expert practitioners, learning experts, media experts, and material experts, and (2) pre-post results of the interest in learning questionnaire ere analyzed Rasch using the stacking method. The difference between the average results of the post-questionnaire and pre questionnaire shows that there is an improve in student interest learning.Â

Do My Parents Support My Career? Role of Adolescent-Parent Career Congruence in Employability of Vocational Education Graduates

As qualified human resources, vocational education graduates significantly sustain economic growth, specifically in developing countries. However, the graduates’ age that falls into the age range of adolescents and the career pattern direction that remains centered on their parents impact the graduates’ competency development. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the role of adolescent–parent career congruence in students’ employability development. This study used convenience sampling. The sample size was 147 final students at one vocational school in West Java, Indonesia. Multiple-linear regression was used for data processing. The result showed that adolescent–parent career congruence had a significantly positive relationship with employability development. Specifically, the complementary congruence of adolescent–parent career congruence predicted employability development. Complementary congruence means that parents provide real social support for students to explore, plan, and set their future career goals. This study can be used practically as an alternative framework in developing vocational graduates’ employability. Some development programs can be implemented to increase parental awareness about students’ careers. Support provided by parents can make students more optimal in continuing to develop their capabilities for work.

Single Non‐Blinking Graphene Quantum Dots Identified by Single‐Particle Catalysis

AbstractQuantum dots (QDs) with non‐blinking applied in bio‐imaging is important for understanding cellular dynamics by monitoring single particles in living cells. Antibunching is once believed to be applied to identify a single QD, which shows a strong dependence on the atom or ion number. However, recent works indicate that the antibunching alone may not be sufficient to demonstrate that the fluorescence comes from a single QD. To some extent, it is neither necessary nor sufficient for a single QD, though it is absolutely right for a single atom because a single QD is composed of thousands of atoms, which in principle are favorable to the formation of multi‐excitonic states. Blinking behavior, almost unobservable in ensembles due to the averaging, is characteristic of the single QD which owns the quantum effect due to its discrete energy levels. Here, a method of transformation of a single graphene quantum dot from non‐blinking to blinking via catalytic reaction to identify a single QD is reported, which can also help with understanding the catalytic dynamics of a single QD, which is a complementary means of confirming a single QD. The reported technique paves the way to understanding a single QD and its catalytic and kinetic behaviors.

Combined machine-learning and optimization models for predicting carbon dioxide trapping indexes in deep geological formations

Emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) are a major source of atmospheric pollution contributing to global warming. Carbon geological sequestration (CGS) in saline aquifers offers a feasible solution to reduce the atmospheric buildup of CO2. The direct determination of the trapping efficiency of CO2 in potential storage formations requires extensive, time-consuming simulations. Machine-learning (ML) models offer a complementary means of determining trapping indexes, thereby reducing the number of simulations required. However, ML models have to date found it difficult to accurately predict two specific reservoir CO2 indexes: residual-trapping index (RTI) and solubility-trapping index (STI). Hybridizing ML models with optimizers (HML) demonstrate better RTI and STI prediction performance by selecting the ML model’s hyperparameters more precisely. This study develops and evaluates six HML models, combining a least-squares-support-vector machine (LSSVM) and a radial-basis-function neural network (RBFNN) with three effective optimizer algorithms: genetic (GA), cuckoo optimization (COA), and particle-swarm optimization (PSO). 6810 geological-formation simulation records for RTI and STI were compiled from published studies and evaluated with the six HML models. Error and score analysis reveal that the HML models outperform standalone ML models in predicting RTI and STI for this dataset, with the LSSVM-COA model achieving the lowest root mean squared errors of 0.00421 and 0.00067 for RTI and STI, respectively. Sensitivity analysis identifies residual gas saturation and permeability as the most influential input variables on STI and RTI predictions. The high RTI and STI prediction accuracy achieved by the HML models offers to reduce the uncertainties associated with CGS projects substantially.

Undergraduate Preservice EFL Teachers' Digital Technology Engagement and Beliefs

In today’s world, technology plays a vital role in every aspect of daily life both personally and professionally. To this, the domain of education is not an exception. Indeed, as an ever-progressing field that is interrelated and intertwined with real life where instantaneous change and development exist due to the period of modernisation and globalisation, education necessitates more technology integration, especially in language teaching to address diverse sorts of learners. In addition, teacher beliefs hold a key point in putting theory into practice. Therefore, conducted on 52 preservice EFL teachers studying at a Turkish state university, the current study aimed to investigate teacher beliefs and engagement with digital technology with a survey research design following a quantitative trend. Descriptively analysed results indicated that preservice teachers positively view digital technology as a complementary means for their instructional purposes within the classroom and know the importance thereof. Inferential statistics done indicated a significant difference in the participants’ beliefs between genders only. On the other hand, the participants are dissatisfied with their institution’s technical infrastructure and resources providing information on digital technology use. Furthermore, they report to have received insufficient education regarding digital technology use. Thus, the suggestions would be to resolve technical issues, provide more relevant resources, and enhance digital technology education within the faculties of education.

Non-face-to-face Treatment in Korea: Suggestions for Essential Conditions

Since February 24, 2020, non-face-to-face treatment has been temporarily allowed in Korea to protect patients and medical staff from COVID-19, and it has continued to be conducted until now. And on May 3, 2022, the Presidential Transition Committee announced the ‘National Tasks’ to be focused on, including the institutionalization of non-face-to-face treatment centered on primary medical care. Concerns about non-face-to-face treatment in the medical community are increasing, but non-face-to-face treatment is currently being conducted without any restrictions. In this article, I would like to propose essential conditions for the safety of patients so that non-face-to-face treatment can be performed as a complementary means of face-to-face treatment.

Serum cross-linked N-telopeptide of type I collagen as a potential diagnostic marker for bone metastasis in lung cancer: An updated meta-analysis.

To investigate the clinical value of serum type I collagen cross-linked amino terminal peptide (NTx) for the diagnosis of bone metastasis in lung cancer patients by evidence-based medicine. Diagnostic studies relevant to NTx as a serum marker for the diagnosis of bone metastasis in lung cancer patients included in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, PubMed, Embase, and VIP database from the establishment of the databases to November 2022 were retrieved. Meta-analysis was conducted with Stata 16.0 software to calculate the combined sensitivity (SEN), specificity (SPN), positive likelihood ratio (+LR), negative likelihood ratio (-LR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and its 95% confidence interval (CI). The total subject working characteristic curve (summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve) was drawn, and the area under the curve was calculated to evaluate its diagnostic value. A total of 1742 patients with lung cancer were included in 14 articles. Meta-analysis showed heterogeneity among the studies. The results of random-effect model analysis demonstrated that the combined SEN, SPN, +LR, -LR, and DOR were 0.76 (95% CI 0.66-0.83), 0.80 (95% CI 0.74-0.85), 3.80 (95% CI 2.90-4.80), 0.30 (95% CI 0.22-0.42), and 12 (95% CI 8-19), respectively, and the area under SROC was 0.85. Serum NTx has a high clinical value in the diagnosis of bone metastasis in lung cancer patients and can be used as an effective complementary means for imaging diagnosis of bone metastasis in lung cancer patients.