Dynamic Concept Research Articles

P1271 The Astur-Frailty-IBD Study: Prevalence and factors associated with Frailty in elderly patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Abstract Background Frailty is a dynamic concept that provide a more comprehensive assessment of biological reserve and functional status rather than chronological age alone. The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of frailty and to analyse the factors associated with this condition in elderly inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Methods As part of the Astur-Frailty-IBD study (a multicentre prospective study of elderly IBD patients attended at three hospitals in Asturias, Spain), we present the baseline data of the cohort. We recruited all consecutive IBD patients ≥ 60 years during outpatient visits between March 1 and June 30, 2024. Demographic data and clinical characteristics of IBD were collected from the medical records and disease activity was assessed using clinical scores and biomarkers. All the patients were surveyed by face-to-face questionaries. Frailty was assessed using the Fried Frailty Phenotype which defines non-frail (0 criteria), prefrail (1-2), and frail phenotype (≥ 3 criteria). Comorbidity was assessed using Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatric (CIRS-G). Univariable and multivariable ordinal logistic regression model was performed. Results A total of 612 IBD patients (median age 68.8 years, 50.2% females, 56.4% Crohn’s disease, median duration of the disease 15 years) were included in our study. One hundred and three (16.8%) patients were considered frail, 302 (49.3%) prefrail and 207 (33.8%) non-frail. Association of demographic, social and clinical factors according to different frailty levels are shown in Table 1. Univariate analysis showed the factors that are independently associated with increased risk of frailty were higher age, female gender, higher BMI, osteoarticular disease, polypharmacy, clinical activity, faecal calprotectin ≥ 250 μg/g, currently use of steroids, immunomodulator, or biologics, CCI ≥4, and CIRS-G ≥ 3. In contrast, ulcerative colitis, IBD-Unclassified and having good family support were associated with a lower risk of frailty (p=0.02). On multivariate analysis, higher age, female gender, family support, osteoarticular disease, both axial and peripheral, polypharmacy, clinical activity, currently use of steroids, and CIRS-G ≥ 3 were independent predictors of increased risk of frailty. The strongest predictor of risk of frailty was the clinical activity. These results are presented in table 2. Conclusion In our cohort, higher age, female gender, poor family support, osteoarticular disease, polypharmacy, clinical activity, current use of steroids, and CIRS-G ≥ 3 are independent predictors of increased risk of frailty.

Let´s meet: the communication dynamics of value propositions of convention bureaus

ABSTRACT This study responds to calls for more knowledge regarding the dynamics of value propositions. The study develops knowledge about the communication dynamics of VPs by exploring the marketing communication of convention bureaus in post-COVID times. The data includes 120 marketing communication items from 12 Swedish convention bureaus. The data is analysed inductively using content analysis. Subsequently, discourse theory is applied as an approach to analyse value proposition dynamics. The findings reveal three value proposition themes constructed as communicated benefits, emphasising personal interactions in a special place, hybrid meetings technology and support of sustainable development. This study highlights the performative role that discourses play in shaping VPs in times of change. Place, flexibility and ethics emerge as distinct features of contemporary discourse. The study contributes to the theorising of VP dynamics by proposing that benefits are continuously constituted in communication. It showcases how sociocultural norms permeate marketing communication and expands the concept of value proposition dynamics with a time- and place-sensitive communication approach. Further, the study provides guidance for marketing professionals' responses to adverse events, innovations, and long-term changes in society.

Functioning performance trajectory and its associated factors for people with disability—A 4-year national study

BackgroundHumans experience functioning difficulties in daily life, which are dependent on the interaction between health conditions and barriers in life. In general, functioning is an umbrella term and a dynamic concept. Thus, identifying the factors associated with long-term functioning would be beneficial to the development of specific health policies and quality of life for people with disabilities. However, previous studies are mainly cross-sectional ones, and fewer studies focus on the long-term effect of changes in functioning for people with disabilities. The current study aims to examine functioning performance trajectory and the associated factors for people with disabilities.MethodsA longitudinal study was conducted over four years, for which data were retrieved from the National Disability Eligibility Determination System in Taiwan. The assessment methods used are as follows: activity and participation rated using the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (with high scores indicating increased limitations in daily life), personal factors, body function and structure, and environmental factors. Statistical analysis was conducted using latent growth curve models.ResultsWe recruited 3,720 people with disabilities. We found that females, people with moderate and severe disability level, and those who were employed were associated with rapid increases in functioning scores every year. Conversely, improved social participation was linked to relatively slow increases in functioning scores regardless of the type of disability (p <.05).ConclusionsDetermining the factors associated with long-term functioning can serve as a reference for the development of health policies and improvement of quality of life for people with disabilities.

An Introduction to Quantum Mechanics Through Neuroscience and CERN Data

(1) Background: One of the greatest challenges students face when studying quantum mechanics is the lack of daily experience and intuition about its concepts. This article introduces a holistic activity designed to present some foundational ideas of quantum mechanics in a new pedagogical approach to enhance students’ motivation. Using real open data from CERN, the activity connects classical concepts of dynamics and electromagnetism to their quantum counterparts, emphasizing both their similarities and differences. Teaching physics must consider the way the brain learns. That is why the activity is based on observed neuroscientific principles of physics learning. The approach maintains the rigor and precision required for these abstract concepts. (2) Methods: To evaluate the activity’s impact by gender, intrinsic motivation was assessed using a Likert-type scale with 81 undergraduate students from fields including artificial intelligence systems engineering, computer engineering, mathematical engineering, and architecture. (3) Results: a Mann–Whitney U test analysis indicates the activity significantly enhances students’ intrinsic motivation to study quantum mechanics, with improvements observed in both male and female students. (4) Conclusions: This result highlights the potential of the activity to promote greater interest in physics, both in men and women, since no significant differences have been observed between both samples.

The Issue of Public Law and Policies within Tourism and Marketing Strategy

The paper aims to analyse tourism management and marketing strategies and propose a dynamic system for tourism policy. We will apply this concept within the framework of destination management and marketing in the Czech Republic. The proposed dynamic tourism policy framework represents one of the possible approaches to the implementation of management and marketing strategies in the Czech Republic and other European countries. The framework of the dynamic tourism policy concept is aimed at improving the planning and effectiveness of tourism policy, including controlling the efficient use of resources. As a complementary part of the research, we will analyse potential responses of tourism policy to pandemic crises. We recommend leveraging the lessons learned during the Covid-19 pandemic to revive tourism and introduce innovative planning through strategies focused on resilience, communication, sustainability, and partnerships.

Integrating univariate and multivariate stability indices for breeding clime-resilient barley cultivars

Studying genetic variability through the phenotypic performance of genotypes is crucial in the breeding program. Therefore, evaluating both yield performance and stability across diverse environments is essential in yield trials to identify high-yield potential and stable cultivars. In this study, we employed 12 univariate and 10 multivariate stability models to analyze how genotype (G), environment (E), and their interaction (G × E) affect the yield performance of 32 barley genotypes across 10 environments. The environmental main effect explained 81.3% of the total variation, compared to 18.6% for genotypes and G × E interaction effects. Using the GGE biplot ‘which-won-where’ polygon, we categorized environments into five groups and genotypes into six groups, identifying eight genotypes with mean grain yield (GY) superior to the overall mean (4.43 tons ha− 1). Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated significant positive correlations (P < 0.01) between GY and various stability parameters such as linear regression coefficients (bi), Perkins and Jinks’s stability parameters (Bi), environmental variance (Sxi2) and Tai’s environmental effects (αi), among others, as univariate stability measures. Additionally, nonparametric measures such as Nassar and Huhn’s (SI 6 and SI 3) and Thennarasu’s (NP I (3) and NP I (4)), TOP-rank stability and the yield stability index (YSI), showed significant correlations with GY. Both univariate and multivariate stability models highlighted genotypes G32, G1, and G27 as the most stable, exhibiting minimal yield variation across environments. Furthermore, G15, followed by G13, G7, and G9, demonstrated high stability based on multivariate measures. Accordingly, it might be safe to utilize the stability parameters of different groups concerning static and dynamic concepts of stability to avoid the possibility of estimating the same concept of stability. This study emphasizes the importance of utilizing a combination of univariate and multivariate stability models to assess genotype stability comprehensively and select “ideal genotypes” that offer both high yield potential and stability.

A free association semantic task for fNIRS-based perinatal depression assessment.

Perinatal depression (PD) is a highly prevalent psychological disorder that has a detrimental effect on infant and maternal physical and mental health, but effective and objective assessment of PD is still insufficient. In recent years, the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) has been acknowledged as an effective non-invasive tool for clinical assessment of depression. This study proposed a free association semantic task (FAST) paradigm for fNIRS-based assessment of PD. To better address the emotion characteristics of PD, the participants are required to generate a dynamic concept chain based on positive, negative or neutral seed words, while 48-channel fNIRS recordings over frontal and bilateral temporal regions. Results from twenty-two late-pregnant women revealed that, the oxyhemoglobin (oxy-Hb) changes during the FAST with the positive and negative seed words over the frontal region were correlated with PD severity, which was different from the correlation patterns in the FAST with neutral seed word and the classical verbal fluency test (VFT). Furthermore, distinct correlation patterns were also observed in the FAST with the positive and negative seed words, manifested in fNIRS channels corresponding to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), respectively. Moreover, regression analyses showed that the FAST with positive and negative seed words can well explain the severity of PD. Our findings suggest the proposed FAST paradigm as a promising approach for PD assessment.

Intersubjectivity and co-constructed framings: students' role-play talks in online English-speaking sessions.

This study investigates how lower-level English language learners achieve and maintain intersubjectivity and navigate through co-constructed framings during context-embedded tasks such as improvised role-play. In language education settings, activities associated with interactions often reflect multi-layered participant orientations beyond mere linguistic execution. From the perspectives of ethnomethodology and conversation analysis, linguistic actions are effective only when they are intersubjectively understood: the complexity of an activity necessitates corresponding levels of intersubjectivity for smooth progression. A close examination of sequence development in role-play activities shows how intersubjectivity is preserved as interlocutors engage in aligning and affiliative moves to avoid potential disruptions and maximize mutual contributions. Interlocutors' progressive inputs are integrated as intersubjectively sustained elements of ongoing interaction framings only when collaboratively developed by the participating parties. The analysis also addresses the impact of online communication tools, acknowledging their increasingly essential role in online teaching. The results suggest the need for a dynamic concept of 'framing,' replacing 'frame,' and recommend that conversation analysis should account for the multi-layered contexts of surrounding activities.

Being Innovative at Work Through Psychological Contract for Sustainable Human Development

This research investigated the impact of the psychological contract on employees' innovative behaviour in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the tourism industry. The dimensional approach to the dynamic concept of psychological contract and innovative work behaviour was used to demonstrate employee perception. Survey data were collected from 327 employees across 19 SMEs in Central Java, Indonesia. The psychological contract was found to positively affect innovative work behaviour. Perceptions of psychological contract fulfilment have an impact on the increases in innovative work behaviour. These results highlight the importance of examining the dynamic concept of psychological contract on fostering innovative related behaviour on the context of SME's.

Artificial dynamic structure ensemble-guided rational design of a universal RNA aptamer–based sensing tag

Artificially functional RNAs, such as fluorogenic RNA aptamer (FRApt)-based biosensing tag, represent significant advancements in various biological applications but are limited by the lack of insight into dynamic structure ensembles and universal design concepts. Through the development of an artificial RNA structure ensemble, we rationally established an RNA reconstitution model, "SSPepper-Apt," to generate a universal fluorogenic RNA biosensing tag. By utilizing various target-recognizing RNA motifs, SSPepper-Apt enables the modular generation of sensing tags for low-background, highly selective imaging of metabolites, peptides, and proteins in living cells. Additionally, by employing single guide RNA (sgRNA) as the recognition RNA motif, SSPepper-Apt generates fluorescence in both CRISPR-mediated imaging and gene editing only when the Cas9-sgRNA complex is successfully assembled; therefore, it can be an effective sgRNA screening tool for gene editing. Our fluorogenic RNA-sensing tag provides a universal approach for constructing functional RNA systems, avoiding the laborious and time-consuming process of sequence combination, and expanding the application of synthetic biological tools.

Building a suicide perception scale from a dynamic point of view, on a sample of drug addicts. A field study at the Al-Waseet Center for drug addicts - in the city of Chlef

The aim of this study was to construct a scale for suicide ideation from a dynamic perspective among drug addicts, verify its psychometric properties, and then identify differences in suicide ideation between genders. The study was conducted on a sample of 45 male and female drug addicts, 39 males and 6 females, at the Al-Wasit Center for Drug Addicts in Chlef city. After collecting the study data and conducting appropriate statistical analyses, a suicide ideation scale was developed based on Karl Menninger's (dynamic) concept, with good validity and reliability, making it reliable for scientific studies and research. There were significant differences between genders in suicide ideation, favoring males.

Occupational Therapists' Perspectives on Community Implementation of Interventions Unfamiliar to Older Adults.

There is an increasing push for broad implementation of evidence-based interventions (EBIs) targeting older adults. Successful delivery of EBIs in communities requires therapists to adhere to protocols and to be responsive to contextual factors. This study explored the real-world implementation of an EBI, the Multiple-component Cognitive Intervention using Simulated Everyday Tasks (MCI-SET) in Taiwan from therapists' perspectives on fidelity, challenges, and strategies for program delivery. We used a convergent mixed-methods design. Quantitative data were collected from the 13-item Perceived Fidelity Questionnaire (PFQ), assessing the perceived importance, proficiency, and adherence to the essential skills of MCI-SET. Qualitative data were collected via two World-Café discussions on implementation challenges and strategies, which were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative and qualitative findings were then compared and integrated to enrich the interpretation. Forty-seven occupational therapists completed the PFQ. They rated community-oriented skills as more important, demonstrated greater proficiency, and achieved higher adherence. Qualitative analysis revealed that therapists need to increase and sustain participation by strategically introducing the program, adapting the intervention protocol to make it engaging, relevant to everyday issues, and tailored to local needs, and building rapport. Both quantitative and qualitative findings highlighted the importance of community engagement skills and the adaptability of intervention to implementation and sustainability in communities. Real-world scale-up of evidence-based interventions requires tailored adaptations responsive to community contexts, especially when initially introducing an intervention unfamiliar to the community. This emphasizes the need for a dynamic fidelity concept.

A system dynamics model for assessing the ripple effect of intertwined supply networks

ABSTRACT Supply chains (SC) are vulnerable due to the unprecedented environments. In addition, the subsequent risks derived from risk propagation are considered significant stressors. Therefore, it is essential to understand the dynamic nature of risks cascading across the SC nodes. Presently, the sudden interruption of semiconductor supply disrupts different SCs, and this would be an example of the negative impact due to sudden disruption. Given this, we attempt to analyze the ripple effect of an intertwined supply network using the system dynamics concept. The model aims to demonstrate the varying impacts of semiconductor shortages on different SCs. The results highlight the significant impact on automobile firms due to the demand surge in consumer electronics. The visual representation can help the researchers to understand the significance of stress testing for faster decision-making. Further investigation towards focusing the information distortion and coordination mechanisms can mitigate the disruption propagation due to demand volatility.

Application of the finite element method for analysis of the influence of dynamic loads on a machine foundation on piles

This work presents the fundamental concepts of structural dynamics, applied to the study of machine foundations. It discusses a method of obtaining the representative parameters of the pile-soil set considering the effect of the group acting by the proximity of the piles. In addition, this monograph is dedicated to preparing a detailed case study with the aid of ANSYS®, software based on finite elements, in order to reach the displacement values incorporated by the foundation element. These results were obtained according to normative criteria in the questions of severity of vibrations, effects on people and damage to the structure, allowing for attesting the capacity of the chosen foundation to resist the dynamic loads caused by the operation of the machine.

Sustainable supercapacitors using advanced hydrated amino acid ionic liquids: A novel approach to biodegradable energy storage

In this work, we explore the concepts of molecular dynamics (MD) to investigate the energy storage capacity of supercapacitors (SCs) composed of amino acid-based ionic liquids (AAILs) as pure and hydrated electrolytes, and graphene electrodes. The choice to use AAILs is motivated by environmental concerns, as these compounds are biodegradable. We focused our efforts on models composed of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (emim) combined with alanine (ala), valine (val), leucine (leu), and isoleucine (ile). Furthermore, we aimed to optimize the biodegradable properties by considering different hydration levels of the electrolyte. We analyzed the models subjected to hydration in proportions of 10 %, 20 %, 30 %, 40 %, and 90 %. This research addresses the lack of detailed studies on the effect of hydration on AAIL electrolytes in supercapacitors, evaluating their impact on energy storage and electric double layer (EDL) formation, and highlights the potential of AAILs as electrolytes for supercapacitors, offering a biodegradable option for energy storage without a loss of efficiency. The results obtained showed capacitances between 2.29 and 2.71 µF/cm2, and gravimetric energy densities ranging from 4.4 to 4.8 J/g for electrolytes with high ion concentrations, and from 6.5 to 6.8 J/g for devices with low ion concentration electrolytes. These values indicate excellent potential for application in the context of energy storage, reinforcing the viability of AAILs as an environmentally friendly and efficient solution for supercapacitors.

Optimization of Digital Finance to Improve the Performance of Klubanotic MSMEs in Brebes Regency

The rapid development of technology in Indonesia has changed the way of life in many aspects, including the financial sector. Financial technology (fintech) is one of the technological developments that has the potential to increase the productivity and efficiency of micro, small, and medium enterprises. (UMKM). SMEs play an important role in the Indonesian economy, contributing 60.5% to GDP and 96.9% to the national workforce. However, MSMEs face challenges in adopting digital financial technology due to a lack of digital skills and knowledge in accounting practices. To address this challenge, training programs on financial management systems, including accounting software applications, can be developed to help SMEs manage their finances effectively. Klubanostic UMKM Brebes, a community of MSMEs producing various types of products, faces similar challenges. By practicing with accounting software applications, SMEs can improve their accounting practices, which will contribute to the growth of their business. Fintech is a dynamic concept that brings about a paradigm shift in the financial and business sectors, with the potential to offer efficiency, cost reduction, process improvement, speed, flexibility, and innovation for SMEs.

"I Know it's Good to Do it": A Qualitative Study Exploring the Perspective of Autistic Men on Social Motivation.

The social motivation hypothesis states that people with Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) have a diminished social motivation, that is (1) less priority in attention for objects of social importance, (2) diminished social reward, and (3) less desire to maintain and strengthen relationships. Little is known about the perception of autistic people on their social motivation. This study used semi-structured interviews to explore how eleven autistic men perceived their social motivation, behaviour, and interactions. In the interpretative phenomenological analysis, five themes were identified: (1) social network, (2) importance of social contact, (3) challenges regarding social contact, (4) conditionality of social contact, and (5) the struggle between importance, challenges and conditionality of social contact. Social motivation appeared to be a dynamic concept that varied between individuals and contexts. Most participants struggled between valuing social contact as important and the challenges they faced on a social level over the different contexts in which they participated. Even though elements of the social motivation hypothesis were recognized, the main finding was that this struggle seemed to be the source of the diminished social motivation that was observed in some of these men. Although more research is needed, the findings of this study could imply that social motivation might not be as straightforward for autistic men as described in the social motivation hypothesis.

An Advanced Apriori Algorithm Technology to Enhance Sports Data Mining

This paper explores the optimization of association rule mining in the context of physical education (PE) data, focusing on modifying the Apriori algorithm to enhance its efficiency and accuracy. Recognizing the unique characteristics of PE data—such as the consistent length and limited scope of physical test metrics—the study proposes a novel approach that combines transaction compression with hash technology to refine the Apriori algorithm. This enhanced algorithm aims to analyze the correlations between physical fitness indicators effectively and quickly to identify key factors influencing student performance. Experimental results demonstrate that the improved model significantly increases operational efficiency while maintaining high mining accuracy. Additionally, the research addresses the integration of ecological education within PE, emphasizing the dynamic balance concept of “balance-unbalance-adaptation-balance” in optimizing the educational ecosystem. The findings are helpful for providing practical tools for educators to advance this field.

The spatial dimension of political dissent – Centre-periphery dynamics in Sweden

This article introduces the concept of centre-periphery dynamics, emphasising the multifaceted distribution of political power and resources between central and peripheral areas within a polity. The study examines how these dynamics influence party-political dissent in Swedish local governments. Drawing on data from a comprehensive survey of councillors across Sweden's 290 municipalities, it analyses whether political dissent vary across policy areas such as taxation, refugee reception, and public service locations. The findings indicate that while centre-periphery dynamics does not influence conflict levels in most areas, they significantly affect dissent regarding location of public services. Conflicts are more likely to escalate in municipalities with a larger portion of the population residing outside the administrative centre and spread across a wider area. These results suggest that centre-periphery dynamics play a crucial role in shaping party dissent, particularly on issues relevant to territorial politics, and that the level of dissent primarily depends on the capacity of disadvantaged groups to mobilise and advocate for their interests.

Tiger in a photographic gaze: an analysis of early animal photography in India

ABSTRACT This paper delves into the literary works of Frederick Walter Champion, particularly focusing on With a Camera in Tiger-Land, The Jungle in Sunlight and Shadow, and the article titled ‘From the Photographer’s Point of View’. Additionally, it examines Jim Corbett’s My Kumaon – Uncollected Writings to investigate the early phase of tiger photography in India, portraying it as a manifestation of imperial power. This power shift is subtly illustrated through a notable transformation in British sportsmanship from gun to camera. The intersections of human-animal relations undergo a profound reconfiguration as a sportsman’s tools and identity evolve with the integration of the camera into the hunting landscape. The concluding years of the British Raj in India ushered in a more civilized, advanced, and nonviolent approach to human-animal interactions through the advent of camera hunting. The act of photographing majestic felines serves as a tangible representation of the burgeoning animal welfare movement in the West and emerges as a symbolic gesture towards animal conservation in India. Furthermore, this paper delves into the exploration of how British hunters strategically employed cameras and photography as compelling justifications to uphold the integrity of their sportsmanship. By framing animal photography within the realm of sport, the discussed texts provide an avenue for this article to scrutinize tiger photography as a discursive space intricately interweaving the concepts of visuality, animal, power dynamics, and conservation efforts.