Conventional Programming Research Articles

The Growing Role of Telerehabilitation and Teleassessment in the Management of Movement Disorders in Rare Neurological Diseases: A Scoping Review.

Background: People with rare neurological diseases (RNDs) often experience symptoms related to movement disorders, requiring a multidisciplinary approach, including rehabilitation. Telemedicine applied to rehabilitation and symptom monitoring may be suitable to ensure treatment consistency and personalized intervention. The objective of this scoping review aimed to emphasize the potential role of telerehabilitation and teleassessment in managing movement disorders within RNDs. By providing a systematic overview of the available literature, we sought to highlight potential interventions, outcomes, and critical issues. Methods: A literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, IEEE, and Scopus up to March 2024. Two inclusion criteria were followed: (1) papers focusing on telerehabilitation and teleassessment and (2) papers dealing with movement disorders in RNDs. Results: Eighteen papers fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The main interventions were home-based software and training programs, exergames, wearable sensors, smartphone applications, virtual reality and digital music players for telerehabilitation; wearable sensors, mobile applications, and patient home video for teleassessment. Key findings revealed positive outcomes in gait, balance, limb disability, and in remote monitoring. Limitations include small sample sizes, short intervention durations, and the lack of standardized protocols. Conclusion: This review highlighted the potential of telerehabilitation and teleassessment in addressing movement disorders within RNDs. Data indicate that these modalities may play a major role in supporting conventional programs. Addressing limitations through multicenter studies, longer-term follow-ups, and standardized protocols is essential. These measures are essential for improving remote rehabilitation and assessment, contributing to an improved quality of life for people with RNDs.

Effect of Integrated Postural Training in Individuals with Text Neck Syndrome

Background: Text neck syndrome is a repetitive stress injury caused by prolonged use of electronic gadgets, particularly smartphones. With smartphone addiction surpassing internet addiction, it has led to increased musculoskeletal problems. Currently, symptomatic treatment for text neck syndrome includes neck pain, postural changes, and cervical proprioceptive errors. The condition is chronic and progressive, and timely intervention and postural correction are crucial to minimize early consequences in later life. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of integrated postural training in individuals with text neck syndrome. Methods: This study included 80 participants clinically diagnosed with text neck syndrome who were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were further divided into two groups, with Group A receiving a conventional exercise program and Group B receiving integrated postural training 3 times a week for 6 weeks. Pre- and post-assessment scores of visual analog scale (VAS), neck disability index (NDI), range of motion (ROM) of the cervical spine, tragus to wall test (TTW), Vernier Caliper measurements for rounded shoulders and cervical joint position error testing (CPJE Testing) were taken and the results were obtained by statistical analysis of the data. Results: The results of this study showed that there was an extremely significant improvement in neck pain, cervical ROM, forward head posture, and rounded shoulder posture in both the groups with a p-value of <0.0001 except for the CPJE testing, which showed to be significant in the Group B with a p-value <0.0001 as compared to Group A. Conclusion: The study concluded that integrated postural training showed significant improvement and has been beneficial in relieving pain, improving cervical range of motion, posture, and the cervical joint position error in individuals with text neck syndrome.

Using Virtual Reality to teach ultrasound-guided needling skills for regional anaesthesia: A randomised controlled trial

Study objectiveWe previously designed and validated a virtual reality-based simulator to help train novices in ultrasound-guided needling skills necessary for safe and competent ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia. This study was designed to compare the performance and error rates of novices trained by a human faculty aided with the assistance of this virtual reality simulator (virtual reality-assisted training), versus novices trained wholly by humans (conventional training). Design, setting, and participantsIn this single centre, randomised controlled study, we used a standardised teaching protocol, rigorous blinding, iterative training of assessors, and validated global rating scale and composite error score checklists to assess skills learning of novice participants. Main resultsWe recruited 45 novices and scored 270 assessments of performance and error rates. Inter-rater correlation coefficient of reliability of scoring between assessors for the global rating scale was 0.84 (95%CI 0.68–0.92) and for the composite error score checklist was 0.87 (95%CI 0.73–0.93). After adjustment for age, sex, Depression, Anxiety and Stress-21, and baseline score, there was no statistical difference for virtual reality-assisted training compared to conventional training in final global rating score (average treatment effect −3.30 (95%CI-13.07–6.48), p = 0.51) or in the final composite error score (average treatment effect 1.14 (95%CI -0.60–2.88), p = 0.20). Realism in the virtual reality simulator was similar to real-life when measured by the Presence Questionnaire, all components p > 0.79; and task workload assessed by the NASA-Task Load Index was not statistically different between groups, average treatment effect 5.02 (95%CI -3.51–13.54), p = 0.25. Results were achieved in the virtual reality-assisted group with half the human faculty involvement. ConclusionNovices trained using a hybrid, virtual reality-assisted teaching program showed no superiority to novices trained using a conventional teaching program, but with less burden on teaching resources.

A randomized controlled trial of an acceptance-based, insight-inducing medication adherence therapy (AIM-AT) for adults with early-stage psychosis

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of an acceptance-based medication adherence intervention for people with early-stage psychosis. An assessor-blind, three-arm randomized controlled trial design was used. One hundred and twenty-six participants who were adults with ≤3 years of psychosis were recruited from four district Integrated Community Centers for Mental Wellness in Hong Kong. They were randomly assigned to receive a 10-session acceptance-based, insight-inducing medication adherence therapy (AIM-AT) intervention, a conventional psychoeducation group program, or usual treatment (n = 42 per group). Primary outcomes were medication adherence and insight into the illness/treatment. All study outcomes were measured at recruitment and immediately, 6 months, and 12 months post-intervention. Participants in the AIM-AT experienced statistically significant improvements in the primary outcomes (levels of medication adherence and insight into illness/treatment), when compared to those in the other two groups over the 12-month follow-ups. The AIM-AT group also had significantly greater improvements in psychotic symptoms, psychosocial functioning, service satisfaction, length of rehospitalization, and total number of patients hospitalized over the follow-up period. These findings support the effectiveness of the AIM-AT to improve medication adherence, psychosocial health, and service satisfaction in people with early-stage psychosis.

Use of simulation to optimize a sweet corn breeding program: implementing genomic selection and doubled haploid technology.

Genomic selection and doubled haploids hold significant potential to enhance genetic gains and shorten breeding cycles across various crops. Here, we utilized stochastic simulations to investigate the best strategies for optimize a sweet corn breeding program. We assessed the effects of incorporating varying proportions of old and new parents into the crossing block (3:1, 1:1, 1:3, and 0:1 ratio, representing different degrees of parental substitution), as well as the implementation of genomic selection in two distinct pipelines: one calibrated using the phenotypes of testcross parents (GSTC scenario) and another using F1 individuals (GSF1). Additionally, we examined scenarios with doubled haploids, both with (DH) and without (DHGS) genomic selection. Across 20 years of simulated breeding, we evaluated scenarios considering traits with varying heritabilities, the presence or absence of genotype-by-environment effects, and two program sizes (50 vs 200 crosses per generation). We also assessed parameters such as parental genetic mean, average genetic variance, hybrid mean, and implementation costs for each scenario. Results indicated that within a conventional selection program, a 1:3 parental substitution ratio (replacing 75% of parents each generation with new lines) yielded the highest performance. Furthermore, the GSTC model outperformed the GSF1 model in enhancing genetic gain. The DHGS model emerged as the most effective, reducing cycle time from 5 to 4 years and enhancing hybrid gains despite increased costs. In conclusion, our findings strongly advocate for the integration of genomic selection and doubled haploids into sweet corn breeding programs, offering accelerated genetic gains and efficiency improvements.

Low‐carbon demand response program for power systems considering uncertainty based on the data‐driven distributionally robust chance constrained optimization

AbstractThe demand response (DR) program is an effective solution to promote the low‐carbon operation of power systems with increasing penetration of renewable energy sources (RESs). This paper proposes a low‐carbon DR program for power systems to enhance both the environmental friendliness and uncertainty resilience of the system operation. The system operator aims to minimize both the system's operation cost and carbon trading cost. To handle the uncertainty associated with stochastic RES generation power and load consumption power, a data‐driven method named the two‐sided distributionally robust chance‐constrained (TS‐DRCC) approach is adopted to enhance the system's uncertainty resilience. A ladder‐type carbon trading scheme is utilized to calculate the carbon emission cost of the system. Comprehensive analyses of case studies have been conducted to validate that the proposed strategy can effectively reduce the total carbon emissions and total operation costs with good uncertainty resilience performance. The proposed low‐carbon DR program is verified to achieve 63.64% more carbon emission reduction compared with the conventional DR program. Besides this, the proposed low‐carbon DR program can also achieve 4.39% carbon‐intensive generation power reduction and 5.52% RES power consumption compared with the conventional DR program.

Mentoring for Discipleship and Spiritual Growth: An Assessment of Cases in Bentiu District of the SDA Church in South Sudan

This study sought to explore experiences in mentoring for discipleship and spiritual growth in Bentiu District of the SDA Church in South Sudan. The study involved three focus groups to receive data. There were two groups composed of seven participants each. The third group had eight participants, making a sample size of 22 respondents, selected randomly. Before venturing into the field to collect the data, the researcher secured permission from the Adventist church authority. Respondents signed the informed consent forms. Data analysis took place in the form of content analysis in the sense that the researcher assembled common themes to answer the research questions. Based on the findings, the study concludes that the youth in Bentiu District experienced mentoring for discipleship and spiritual growth through spiritual programs such as public evangelistic meetings, personal witnessing, small group meetings and through school programs. Women experienced mentoring through convention programs, association of younger women in various activities and through adult education programs. Special groups of people, also experienced the mentoring in various ways. The study recommends that church leaders need to explore more ways of mentoring the youth and the inexperienced by providing more trainings and involving them in spiritual programs. The church leaders should encourage disadvantaged women to enroll in adult education programs. Moreover, there is a need to integrate spiritual programs in the Adult Education programs so that women will be well equipped for service in the church and in the community.

Extending contingency management for smoking cessation to patients with or at risk for cardiovascular disease: A preliminary trial of a home-based intervention.

Cigarette smoking puts individuals with or at risk for developing cardiovascular disease (CVD) in jeopardy of experiencing a major cardiovascular event. Contingency management (CM) for smoking cessation is an intervention wherein financial incentives are provided contingent on biochemically verified smoking abstinence. Conventional CM programs typically require frequent clinic visits for abstinence monitoring, a potential obstacle for patients with medical comorbidities who may face barriers to access. This preliminary study examined the feasibility and comparative efficacy of (a) usual care (UC; advice to quit smoking, self-help materials, quitline referral) versus (b) UC plus home-based CM for smoking cessation (UC + HBCM). HBCM entailed earning monetary-based vouchers contingent on self-reported 24-hr smoking abstinence biochemically verified by a breath carbon monoxide (CO) sample ≤ 6 ppm. Participants were 20 outpatients with a CVD diagnosis or qualifying CVD risk factor randomly assigned 1:1 to the two conditions. Intervention participants received 14 in-home abstinence visits over 6 weeks. Voucher monetary value started at $10 and escalated by $2.50 for each subsequent negative sample (maximum earnings: $367.50). Positive samples earned no vouchers and reset voucher value to $10, but two negative samples following a positive allowed participants to continue earning vouchers at the prereset value. Primary outcome was point-prevalence smoking abstinence at Week 6 assessment. More participants assigned to UC + HBCM than UC were smoking abstinent at that Week 6 assessment (90% vs. 30%), χ²(1, N = 20) = 7.5, p < .01. These results provide initial evidence that HBCM can effectively promote smoking abstinence in CVD outpatients. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).

Social and biological innovations are essential to deliver transformative forest biotechnologies.

Forests make immense contributions to societies in the form of ecological services and sustainable industrial products. However, they face major challenges to their viability and economic use due to climate change and growing biotic and economic threats, for which recombinant DNA (rDNA) technology can sometimes provide solutions. But the application of rDNA technologies to forest trees faces major social and biological obstacles that make its societal acceptance a 'wicked' problem without straightforward solutions. We discuss the nature of these problems, and the social and biological innovations that we consider essential for progress. As case studies of biological challenges, we focus on studies of modifications in wood chemistry and transformation efficiency. We call for major innovations in regulations, and the dissolution of method-based market barriers, that together could lead to greater research investments, enable wide use of field studies, and facilitate the integration of rDNA-modified trees into conventional breeding programs. Without near-term adoption of such innovations, rDNA-based solutions will be largely unavailable to help forests adapt to the growing stresses from climate change and the proliferation of forest pests, nor will they be available to provide economic and environmental benefits from expanded use of wood and related bioproducts as part of an expanding bioeconomy.

The predicted benefits of genomic selection on pig breeding objectives.

The premise was tested that the additional genetic gain was achieved in the overall breeding objective in a pig breeding program using genomic selection (GS) compared to a conventional breeding program, however, some traits achieved larger gain than other traits. GS scenarios based on different reference population sizes were evaluated. The scenarios were compared using a deterministic simulation model to predict genetic gain in scenarios with and without using genomic information as an additional information source. All scenarios were compared based on selection accuracy and predicted genetic gain per round of selection for objective traits in both sire and dam lines. The results showed that GS scenarios increased overall response in the breeding objectives by 9% to 56% and 3.5% to 27% in the dam and sire lines, respectively. The difference in response resulted from differences in the size of the reference population. Although all traits achieved higher selection accuracy in GS, traits with limited phenotypic information at the time of selection or with low heritability, such as sow longevity, number of piglets born alive, pre- and post-weaning survival, as well as meat and carcass quality traits achieved the largest additional response. This additional response came at the expense of smaller responses for traits that are easy to measure, such as back fat and average daily gain in GS compared to the conventional breeding program. Sow longevity and drip loss percentage did not change in a favourable direction in GS with a reference population of 500 pigs. With a reference population of 1000 pigs or onwards, sow longevity and drip loss percentage began to change in a favourable direction. Despite the smaller responses for average daily gain and back fat thickness in GS, the overall breeding objective achieved additional gain in GS.

Analysis of the Application Effect of Family Collaborative Care Model on Elderly Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the Situation of Self-Care Ability

Objective: To study the application effect of the family collaborative care model on elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and its influence on self-care ability. Methods: The elderly type 2 diabetes mellitus patients (400 cases) treated in our hospital between March 2020 and July 2023 were divided into two groups by randomized grouping method; the control group received the conventional nursing program, while the observation group received the family collaborative nursing model. Blood glucose level, self-care ability, and quality of life were compared between the groups. Results: The blood glucose level of the observation group was lower than that of the control group (P &lt; 0.05). The self-care ability and quality of life scores of the observation group were higher than those of the control group (P &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The family collaborative care model for elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus can promote their self-care ability, improve the effect of glycemic control, and improve their quality of life, and is suitable for further promotion and application.

Effects of a Tai Chi rehabilitation program implemented using a hybrid online and offline mode on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in patients with coronary heart disease: a randomized controlled trial.

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of death in both developed and many developing countries. Exercise training is a fundamental component of cardiac rehabilitation programs for patients with CHD. This study aims to investigate the effects of a Tai Chi rehabilitation program, which is provided through a hybrid online and offline mode, on oxidative stress and inflammatory responses in patients with CHD. A total of 34 patients with coronary heart disease were randomly assigned to two groups: an experiment group (n = 14, age 62.07 ± 9.076 years) and a control group (n = 20, age 61.90 ± 9.700 years). The experiment group underwent a 12-week Tai Chi cardiac rehabilitation program (TCCRP), while the control group followed a conventional exercise rehabilitation program (CERP) consisting of 1-h sessions, 3 times per week, for a total of 36 sessions. Participants were studied at baseline and post-intervention. The main assessments include the levels of Malondialdehyde (MDA), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and Interleukin-10 (IL - 10) in blood samples. Pearson correlation analysis was used, and the differences between the two groups were subsequently tested using two-way repeated ANOVA. Statistical significance was defined as a two-sided p-value of <0.05. The key finding of the study reveals that MDA was significantly reduced by 1.027 nmoL/mL. Additionally, the TCCRP showed significant improvements in SOD and IL-10, with values of 10.110 U/mL and 2.441 pg./mL, respectively. Notably, a significant positive correlation was found between SOD and IL-10 (r = 0.689, p = 0.006), while MDA showed a significant positive correlation with TNF-a (r = 0.542, p = 0.045). In contrast, the ECRP group only showed a significant improvement in SOD. The study conducted a 12-week program on TCCRP, which utilized a hybrid online and offline model for individuals with coronary heart disease. The program showed promising results in alleviating oxidative stress and inflammation, possibly by regulating the balance between oxidative and antioxidative factors, as well as pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory factors.

Relationship between young learners’ L2 proficiency and subject knowledge: evaluating a CLIL programme in China

While CLIL programmes have been extensively researched for their impact on L2 learning outcomes, the relationship between young learners’ L2 proficiency and subject knowledge has received less attention. This study aimed to address this research gap by examining the science content knowledge of two cohorts of Grade 5 students (n = 100) from two primary schools in China, with one school implementing a CLIL science programme and the other offering a conventional science programme. The study also investigated the correlation between science achievement and L2 proficiency, measured by assessing learners’ English speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills using the Cambridge Young Learners English Tests. Science knowledge was evaluated with a tailored test aligned with the National Science Curriculum. Results indicated no statistically significant differences in science achievement between CLIL and non-CLIL students, with the former achieving higher mean scores. We also found a significant positive correlation between science knowledge and overall L2 proficiency. Notably, receptive language skills significantly correlated with science scores, while productive language skills did not. These findings provide positive evidence for the potential effectiveness of CLIL programmes in the primary education setting in China.

OSLD nanoDot characterization for carbon radiotherapy dosimetry

Objective. This study characterized optically-stimulated luminescent dosimeter (OSLD) nanoDots for use in a therapeutic carbon beam using the Imaging and Radiation Oncology Core (IROC) framework for remote output verification. Approach. The absorbed dose correction factors for OSLD (fading, linearity, beam quality, angularity, and depletion), as defined by AAPM TG 191, were characterized for carbon beams. For the various correction factors, the effect of linear energy transfer (LET) was examined by characterizing in both a low and high LET setting. Main results. Fading was not statistically different between reference photons and carbon, nor between low and high LET beams; thus, the standard IROC-defined exponential function could be used to characterize fading. Dose linearity was characterized with a linear fit; while low and high LET carbon linearity was different, these differences were small and could be rolled into the uncertainty budget if using a single linearity correction. A linear fit between beam quality and dose-averaged LET was determined. The OSLD response at various angles of incidence was not statistically different, thus a correction factor need not be applied. There was a difference in depletion between low and high LET irradiations in a primary carbon beam, but this difference was small over the standard five readings. The largest uncertainty associated with the use of OSLDs in carbon was because of the k Q correction factor, with an uncertainty of 6.0%. The overall uncertainty budget was 6.3% for standard irradiation conditions. Significance. OSLD nanoDot response was characterized in a therapeutic carbon beam. The uncertainty was larger than for traditional photon applications. These findings enable the use of OSLDs for carbon absorbed dose measurements, but with less accuracy than conventional OSLD audit programs.

Assessment of the usability of four molecular markers to ıdentify potato genotypes suitable for processing

The development of processing potato cultivars through a conventional breeding program requires a detailed analysis of post-harvest traits, which is a process that demands high labor and is often time-consuming. Visual selection by breeders is biased and difficult in the field, particularly for quality traits, which shows the importance of marker-assisted selection over conventional techniques. In this study, four allele-specific markers, AGPsS-9a, Stp23-8b, StpL-3e, and Pain1-8c, developed from tuber quality-related genes, were used to screen a breeding population of the NOHU for processing traits to check the efficiency of these markers in processing trait selection. Marker association with tuber quality trait results showed that AGPsS-9a (0, absent) and StpL-3e (0) individually were associated with increased chips quality, yet their individual presence improved the reducing sugar content. Further, Pain1-8c presence was associated with high levels of reducing sugar accumulation and lower dry matter content, specific gravity, and starch content. The marker combination Stp23-8b (0) and StpL-3e (0) reached statistical significance (P≤0.05) for better chips quality in the NOHU population. However, the markers (individual and combination) showed poor selection efficiency as a diagnostic marker, possibly reasoning from the multigenic inheritance of tuber quality traits, population structure, and environment.

Evolution-guided value iteration for optimal tracking control

In this article, an evolution-guided value iteration (EGVI) algorithm is established to address optimal tracking problems for nonlinear nonaffine systems. Conventional adaptive dynamic programming algorithms rely on gradient information to improve the policy, which adheres to the first order necessity condition. Nonetheless, these methods encounter limitations when gradient information is intricate or system dynamics lack differentiability. In response to this challenge, evolutionary computation is leveraged by EGVI to search for the optimal policy without requiring an action network. The competition within the policy population serves as the driving force for policy improvement. Therefore, EGVI can effectively handle complex and non-differentiable systems. Additionally, this innovative method has the potential to enhance exploration efficiency and bolster the robustness of algorithms due to its population-based characteristics. Furthermore, the convergence of the algorithm and the stability of the policy are investigated based on the EGVI framework. Finally, the effectiveness of the established method is comprehensively demonstrated through two simulation experiments.

Graph-based decomposition for electrical wiring design in interior finishing

Electrical wiring design within interior finishing is subject to various practical criteria, thereby resulting in time-intensive manual implementation. Despite this, most applications offer only basic collision detection tools, limiting design capabilities. In response, a graph-based decomposition approach is introduced, framing electrical wiring design as an optimization problem on a non-uniform grid graph derived from building information. This method breaks down the problem into two distinct subproblems, which are sequentially solved to achieve an optimal overall solution. Through experimentation across synthetic and real-world instances, performance improvements are demonstrated compared to two conventional integer programming solvers, yielding cost reductions averaging 12.3% when compared to a leading commercial application for interior design. These findings demonstrate the potential integration of this approach into building information modeling platforms, offering an efficient toolset for electrical wiring design in interior finishing.

Exploring natural genetic variation in photosynthesis-related traits of barley in the field.

Optimizing photosynthesis is considered an important strategy for improving crop yields to ensure food security. To evaluate the potential of using photosynthesis-related parameters in crop breeding programs, we measured chlorophyll fluorescence along with growth-related and morphological traits of 23 barley inbred lines across different developmental stages in field conditions. The photosynthesis-related parameters were highly variable, changing with light intensity and developmental progression of plants. Yet, the variation in photosystem II quantum yield observed among the inbred lines in the field largely reflected the variation in CO2 assimilation properties in controlled climate chamber conditions, confirming that the chlorophyll fluorescence-based technique can provide proxy parameters of photosynthesis to explore genetic variation under field conditions. Heritability (H2) of the photosynthesis-related parameters in the field ranged from 0.16 for the quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching to 0.78 for the fraction of open photosystem II center. Two parameters, the maximum photosystem II efficiency in the light-adapted state (H2=0.58) and the total non-photochemical quenching (H2=0.53), showed significant positive and negative correlations, respectively, with yield-related traits (dry weight per plant and net straw weight) in the barley inbred lines. These results indicate the possibility of improving crop yield through optimizing photosynthetic light use efficiency by conventional breeding programs.

Extremely low frequency–electromagnetic fields promote chondrogenic differentiation of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells through a conventional genetic program

Progressive cartilage deterioration leads to chronic inflammation and loss of joint function, causing osteoarthritis (OA) and joint disease. Although symptoms vary among individuals, the disease can cause severe pain and permanent disability, and effective therapies are urgently needed. Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells (ADSCs) may differentiate into chondrocytes and are promising for treating OA. Moreover, recent studies indicate that electromagnetic fields (EMFs) could positively affect the chondrogenic differentiation potential of ADSCs. In this work, we investigated the impact of EMFs with frequencies of 35 Hertz and 58 Hertz, referred to as extremely low frequency-EMFs (ELF–EMFs), on the chondrogenesis of ADSCs, cultured in both monolayer and 3D cell micromasses. ADSC cultures were daily stimulated for 36 min with ELF–EMFs or left unstimulated, and the progression of the differentiation process was evaluated by morphological analysis, extracellular matrix deposition, and gene expression profiling of chondrogenic markers. In both culturing conditions, stimulation with ELF–EMFs did not compromise cell viability but accelerated chondrogenesis by enhancing the secretion and deposition of extracellular matrix components at earlier time points in comparison to unstimulated cells. This study showed that, in an appropriate chondrogenic microenvironment, ELF–EMFs enhance chondrogenic differentiation and may be an important tool for supporting and accelerating the treatment of OA through autologous adipose stem cell therapy.

Effect of Structured Cardio-Respiratory Fitness Protocol on Physical Function and Performance in Geriatric Patients: A Quasi Experimental Study

Background: Exercise interventions have emerged as a promising avenue for mitigating age-related declines, particularly in the context of physiological changes such as sarcopenia and muscle strength loss. A recent study utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework underscored declines in physical functioning among older adults. Geriatric individuals commonly undergo cardio-respiratory changes and experience a decrease in physical fitness. This study seeks to compare the effects of a structured cardio-respiratory fitness protocol with a conventional exercise program on physical function and performance in geriatric patients, with a specific focus on the impact of cardio-respiratory fitness on overall physical function. Methods: Employing a quasi-experimental pre-test post-test design spanning six months, two groups of participants aged 50 to 70, encompassing both genders and with a BMI between 20 and 30, was included. The experimental group adhered to the structured cardio-respiratory fitness protocol, while the control group received conventional physiotherapy. Measured parameters included heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR), and Borg scale ratings. Pre and post-treatment data underwent statistical analysis. Results: Both groups demonstrated improvements in HR, RR, PEFR, and Borg scale ratings post-intervention. Notably, the experimental group exhibited significantly greater improvements in these parameters compared to the control group (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusion: The structured cardio-respiratory fitness protocol yielded a significant enhancement in physical function and performance among geriatric patients. Recommendations for future research involve incorporating larger sample sizes, extended intervention durations, and personalized approaches to maximize effectiveness. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential benefits of structured cardio-respiratory fitness interventions for augmenting geriatric physical function and overall quality of life.