Equivalent Time Research Articles

Optimization of Ca/Si ratio in schists to enhance the pozzolanic supplementary cementitious material for OPC blending

AbstractSupplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) are partial substitutes for ordinary Portland cement (OPC) to reduce cost, the production of carbon dioxide (CO2), and fossil fuel consumption. Recent studies illustrated the effectiveness of calcined kaolinite clay as a proper partial replacement for OPC. Hence, schist‐type materials containing sufficient clay contents are regarded as promising candidates for OPC replacement. This study focuses on the possible use of activated calcium carbonates (CaCO3) to augment pozzolanic reactions of schists as a substitute for OPC. The use of activated calcium carbonates proved to be successful in expediting pozzolanic reactions and facilitating the formation of additional calcium aluminosilicate hydrate (C‐A‐S‐H). In this study, the optimal strength performance for blended cement was achieved by adjusting the total carbonate content to 30 wt.% of the schist. The decision to introduce carbonate to the schist was guided by calculations determining the need for an excess of calcium ions to fully harness the potential for C‐A‐S‐H formation. Virgin and augmented schists were activated by up to 80% of their respective potentials by heat treatment. Phase content and decomposition behavior of the active components were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cement paste samples incorporating 30 wt.% replacement of OPC with activated schist SCMs were prepared. The phase distribution and compressive strengths of these samples were assessed at hydration intervals of 2, 7, 28, 50, and 90 days. Cement formulations with activated calcium‐augmented SCMs exhibited compressive strength values at 109%, 101%, 96%, 95%, and 94% compared to pure cement paste at 2, 7, 28, 50, and 90 days, respectively. These values surpassed 90% of the compressive strength of pure OPC at equivalent hydration time points.

A daytime nap with REM sleep is linked to enhanced generalization of emotional stimuli.

How memory representations are shaped during and after their encoding is a central question in the study of human memory. Recognition responses to stimuli that are similar to those observed previously can hint at the fidelity of the memories or point to processes of generalization at the expense of precise memory representations. Experimental studies utilizing this approach showed that emotions and sleep both influence these responses. Sleep, and more specifically rapid eye movement sleep, is assumed to facilitate the generalization of emotional memories. We studied mnemonic discrimination by the emotional variant of the Mnemonic Separation Task in participants (N = 113) who spent a daytime nap between learning and testing compared with another group that spent an equivalent time awake between the two sessions. Our findings indicate that the discrimination of similar but previously not seen items from previously seen ones is enhanced in case of negative compared with neutral and positive stimuli. Moreover, whereas the sleep and the wake groups did not differ in memory performance, participants entering rapid eye movement sleep exhibited increased generalization of emotional memories. Our findings indicate that entering into rapid eye movement sleep during a daytime nap shapes emotional memories in a way that enhances recognition at the expense of detailed memory representations.

Exposure Time Control Method for Higher Intermediate Frequency in Optical Heterodyne Imaging and Its Application to Electric-Field Imaging Based on Electro-Optic Effect.

We propose and demonstrate a method for equivalent time sampling using image sensors to selectively detect only the target frequency. Shortening the exposure time of the image sensor and using equivalent time sampling allows for the detection of frequency components that are higher than the frame rate. However, the imaging system in our previous work was also sensitive to the frequency component at 1/4 of the frame rate. In this study, we control the phase relationship between the exposure time and observed signal by inserting an additional interval once every four frames to detect the target frequency selectively. With this technique, we conducted electric field imaging based on the electro-optic effect under high noise conditions in the low-frequency band to which the conventional method is sensitive. The results demonstrated that the proposed method improved the signal-to-noise ratio.

Neurobehavioral Abnormalities in Offspring of Young Adult Male Rats With a History of Traumatic Brain Injury.

Children of parents with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to develop psychiatric disorders. This association is usually attributed to TBI-induced changes in parents' personality and families' social environment. We tested the hypothesis that offspring of young adult male rats with TBI develop neurodevelopmental abnormalities in the absence of direct social contact with sires. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (F0 generation) in the TBI group underwent moderate TBI via a midline fluid percussion injury that involved craniectomy under sevoflurane (SEVO) anesthesia for 40 min on post-natal Day 60 (P60), while F0 rats in the control group were placed in a new cage, one per cage, for the equivalent time duration. A subset of F0 rats was sacrificed on P66 to assess acute changes in hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation markers. The remaining F0 males were mated with naive females on P90 to generate offspring (F1 generation). The F0 males and F1 males and females were sequentially evaluated in the elevated plus maze, for pre-pulse inhibition of acoustic startle, in the Morris water maze, and for resting and stress levels of serum corticosterone starting on ∼P105 (F0) and ∼P60 (F1), followed by tissue collection for further analyses. Acutely, the F0 TBI males had messenger RNA (mRNA) transcripts altered to support an increased hypothalamic and hippocampal Na+-K+-Cl- (Slc12a2) Cl- importer / K+-2Cl- (Slc12a5) Cl- exporter ratio and decreased hippocampal glucocorticoid receptors (Nr3c1), as well as increased serum levels of corticosterone, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and biomarkers of activated hippocampal microglia and astrocytes. Long-term, F0 TBI rats exhibited increased corticosterone concentrations at rest and under stress, anxiety-like behavior, impaired sensory-motor gating, and impaired spatial memory. These abnormalities were underpinned by reduced mRNA levels of hypothalamic and hippocampal mineralocorticoid receptors (Nr3c2), hippocampal Nr3c1, and hypothalamic brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf), as well as elevated serum levels of IL-1β, and biomarkers of activated hippocampal microglia and astrocytes. F1 male offspring of TBI sires exhibited abnormalities in all behavioral tests, while their F1 female counterparts had abnormal pre-pulse inhibition responses only. F1 male offspring of TBI sires also had reduced mRNA levels of hippocampal Nr3c1 and Nr3c2, as well as hypothalamic and hippocampal Bdnf, whereas increases in inflammatory markers were more profound in F1 females. These findings suggest that offspring of sires with a history of a moderate TBI that involved craniectomy under SEVO anesthesia for 40 min, develop sex-dependent neurobehavioral abnormalities in the absence of direct social interaction between the sire and the offspring.

Implementation of Constant Temperature–Constant Voltage Charging Method with Energy Loss Minimization for Lithium-Ion Batteries

Effective charging techniques must consider factors such as charging efficiency, lifecycle, charging time (CT), and battery temperature. Currently, most charging strategies primarily focus on CT and charging losses (CL), overlooking the crucial influence of battery temperature on battery life. Therefore, this study proposes a constant temperature–constant voltage (CT-CV) charging method based on minimizing energy losses. The charging process is primarily divided into three stages. In the first stage, a constant current (CC) charging is implemented using a 2C rate that aims to expedite battery charging but may result in a rapid temperature increase. The second stage involves constant temperature charging, where the charging current is regulated based on battery temperature feedback using a PID controller to maintain a stable battery temperature. The third stage is constant voltage (CV) charging, where a fixed current is applied continuously until the current drops below the charging cutoff current. After completion of the charging process, the charging time can be calculated, and charging losses can be determined by incorporating the battery equivalent circuit model (ECM). To determine the optimal transition time, the paper employs Coulomb counting and the battery ECM, considering both CT and losses to simulate the transition time with minimal CL. This approach achieves optimization of transition points by establishing ECM, measuring internal impedance of the battery, and simulating various charging scenarios, and eliminates the need for multiple actual experiments. Experimental results show that the charging time (CT) should be reduced and the maximum temperature rise (TR) should be reduced under the same average TR condition of the proposed method. At the same CT, the average TR and the maximum TR should both decrease. The charging method proposed in this study exhibits the following advantages: (1) simultaneous consideration of the battery’s equivalent circuit model and charging time; (2) the achieved transition point demonstrates characteristics of minimized charging losses; (3) eliminates the need for multiple experimental iterations.

Accelerometer-measured physical activity, sedentary behavior, and risk of incident pelvic organ prolapse: a prospective cohort study in the UK Biobank

BackgroundPrevious studies on physical activity (PA) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) were largely limited to self-reported PA in athletes, soldiers, and women in postpartum. We aimed to investigate the association of accelerometer-measured PA and sedentary behavior with the risk of POP in middle-aged and elderly women.MethodsIn this prospective cohort derived from the UK Biobank, the intensity and duration of PA and sedentary behavior were measured with wrist-worn accelerometers over a 7-day period in 2013–2015 for 47,674 participants (aged 42.8–77.9 years) without pre-existing POP. Participants were followed up until the end of 2022, during which incident POP was ascertained mainly by the electronic health records. Multivariable-adjusted Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic splines were used to assess the associations of interest. Isotemporal substitution models were applied to test the effects of substituting a type of activity with equivalent duration of others.ResultsDuring a median follow-up of 8.0 years, 779 cases of POP were recorded. The duration of light-intensity PA (LPA) was positively whereas sedentary time was negatively associated with the risk of POP. Every additional 1 h/day of LPA elevated the risk of POP by 18% (95% confidence interval [CI], 10%–26%). In contrast, the risk decreased by 5% (95% CI, 0–8%) per 1 h/day increment in sedentary behavior. No associations were found between moderate-intensity PA (MPA) or vigorous-intensity PA (VPA) and POP, except that women who had a history of hysterectomy were more likely to develop POP when performing more VPA (53% higher risk for every additional 15 min/day). Substituting 1 h/day of LPA with equivalent sedentary time was associated with a 18% (95% CI, 11%–24%) lower risk of POP. The risk can also be reduced by 17% (95% CI, 7%–25%) through substituting 30 min/day of LPA with MPA.ConclusionsMore time spent in LPA or less sedentary time was linked to an elevated risk of POP in middle-aged and elderly women, while MPA or VPA was not. Substituting LPA with equivalent duration of sedentary behavior or MPA may lower the risk of POP.

Abstract WMP97: Stroke Risk After Emergency Department Treat-and-Release Visit for Fall

Introduction: Previous cohort studies of hospitalized patients with a delayed diagnosis of ischemic stroke have found that these patients often had an initial admitting diagnosis of fall from the ED. We sought to evaluate whether ED visits resulting in discharge to home (i.e., treat-and-release) after a fall were associated with increased short-term stroke risk. Methods: A case-crossover design was used to compare ED visits for falls during case periods (0-15, 16-30, 31-90, 91-180, and 181-365 days prior to stroke) and control periods (equivalent time periods exactly 1 year prior to stroke) using administrative data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project on all hospital admissions and ED visits across New York and Florida from 2016-2018. To identify ED treat-and-release visits for falls, we used previously validated ICD-10-CM injury codes. To identify patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke, we used previously validated ICD-10-CM codes. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using conditional logistic regression. Results: We identified 62,849 hospitalized ischemic stroke patients, of whom 4,693 (7.5%) had an ED treat-and-release visit for fall one year prior to their stroke. Patients with an ED treat-and-release visit for fall were older (mean age 77 years [SD 14] vs 71 years [SD 15]), more often female (63% vs 49%), and had similar prevalence of vascular comorbidities as other stroke patients. ED treat-and-release visits for fall were significantly more common in the 15 days before stroke compared to the 15-day control period 1 year earlier (OR, 4.5; 95% CI, 3.8-5.5; P= 0.008). The association between stroke and a preceding ED visit for fall decreased in magnitude with increasing temporal distance from stroke but remained significantly elevated in all case periods compared to control periods as well as during the entire year prior to stroke hospitalization (0-365 days) (OR, 3.3; 95% CI, 3.1-3.6; P=0.049). Conclusion: ED treat-and-release visits for falls are associated with significantly increased stroke risk.

Wind energy potential of weather systems affecting South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province

AbstractAs a percentage of the total global energy supply, wind energy facilities could provide 10% of the total global energy supply by 2050 as reported in IEA World Energy Outlook (2022). Considering this, a just transition to renewable and sustainable energy in South Africa is a genuine possibility if steps are taken immediately to achieve this. The Eastern Cape Province exhibits a strong wind resource which can be exploited towards expediting such a just energy transition. No research and related modelling have, to date, been undertaken in quantifying and relating the detailed P50 energy yield analyses of representative wind energy facilities in temporal and spatial dimensions to the occurrence of specific synoptic types in South Africa. To quantify this energy meteorology climatology for a suitably sized geospatial area in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa (spatial focus area, latitude −30 to −35, longitude 20 to 30), the approach of using self-organising maps is proposed. These maps are used to identify the most common synoptic circulation types occurring in the Eastern Cape and can subsequently be mapped onto an equivalent time resolution wind energy production timeseries calculated based on probable wind energy facility sites. This paper describes comprehensive methodologies used to model the wind energy facilities, calculate with high confidence the P50 energy production, and then identify the predominant synoptic weather types responsible for the wind energy production in this spatial focus area. After quantifying the energy production, running a self-organising map software generates a purposely selected 35 node map that characterises archetypal synoptic patterns over the 10-year period. The synoptic types can be ranked by the highest energy production. It is shown that in this spatial area, monthly wind energy production is higher during the winter months. When the well-established high-pressure cells move northward, synoptic types associated with higher energy production are frequent and include tropical and temperate disturbances across South Africa, patterns resembling a ridging anticyclone off the west coast of South Africa and low-pressure cells occurring to the north and south. Low energy producing patterns show characteristics of the high-pressure cells moving southwards producing fine weather and mildly disturbed conditions. The purpose of this methodology is that it provides the foundation required to derive long-term frequency changes of these synoptic weather systems using global climate model ensembles and thus changes in wind energy production.

Theoretical justification of combined cropping of cotton and mung bean

In this work, combined crops of mung bean and cotton were studied in the conditions of the Tashkent region, Kibray region. The work evaluates such indicators of combined crops of mungbean and cotton as the area and time equivalence coefficient (ATER), the aggressiveness of crops, as well as the influence on these indicators of different doses of fertilizers in combination with different maximum field humidity. The value of ATER, that is, the coefficient of equivalent area and time, depended on the sowing methods, plant density, and duration of the growing season. Aggressiveness in the combined sowing of mung bean and cotton was not significant. Analysis of the studies showed that the use of different doses of fertilizers and maximum field humidity did not affect the aggressiveness of mung bean and cotton crops in combined sowing. The results obtained show the possibility of using combined crops in the conditions of Uzbekistan.

A self-paced online emotion socialization intervention for parents of children with challenging behavior: Tuning in to Kids OnLine.

Evidence-based parenting programs delivered using online technology are an important way to enhance program uptake. To date, programs that address emotion socialization processes, such as Tuning in to Kids, have always been delivered in person, via group or one-to-one delivery. This study used a randomized control design to examine the efficacy of the self-paced Tuning in to Kids OnLine (TIKOL). Participants were 150 parents of children aged 4-10 years old with challenging behaviors, randomized into intervention or 10-month waitlist control. Parents and teachers completed questionnaires at baseline and 6 months after the intervention (equivalent time points for controls) measuring parent wellbeing, parent emotion socialization, parent efficacy, child behavior, and anxiety. Analyses, using mixed methods multilevel modeling, showed that intervention parents reported significantly reduced emotion dismissiveness and increased emotion coaching, empathy and efficacy compared to controls who did not. Parents participating in TIKOL also reported that their children's behavior problems and anxiety were significantly improved. Greater engagement (modules watched and duration of support calls) was associated with more significant improvements. Findings provide preliminary support for the efficacy of TIKOL in improving parents' emotion socialization and reducing child behavior problems and anxiety, especially when efforts to support online engagement are utilized. Further evaluation using independent observations and a sample representing a wider demographic would strengthen these findings. Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No. ACTRN12618000310268.

Artificial Intelligence Equalizer for Equivalent Time Sampling

Artificial Intelligence Equalizer for Equivalent Time Sampling

Implementation of Virtual Integrative Oncology Shared Medical Appointment Series (VIOSMAS) Within Mixed Diagnosis Population.

Integrative oncology [IO] is sought-after by patients, endorsed by clinical guidelines, and valued within National Cancer Institute Centers. Shared Medical Appointments [SMA] leverage health education and social connection to deliver enhanced patient experience, population health, cost-reduction, and clinician well-being. Integrative Oncology Shared Medical Appointments increase access to integrative medicine but delivering these services via telehealth have not been evaluated. We created, and pilot tested a Virtual Integrative Oncology Shared Medical Appointment Series (VIOSMAS) to assess its feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy at an urban academic teaching hospital. The 7-session hour-long Living Well with and after Cancer series included didactics, multi-disciplinary experiential sessions, and group discussion. Topics included (1) Introduction, (2) Herbs/Botanicals/Fungi, (3) Mindful Movement, (4) Acupuncture, (5) Narratives and Nature, (6) Diet and Culinary Medicine, and (7) Vitamins/Supplements. Virtual visits via telehealth were offered to enhance patient participation during the pandemic. Outcome measures included recruitment, retention, pre/post-series patient survey and qualitative clinician feedback. Between 9/2021 and 4/2023, 72 unique patients were recruited to 5 cohorts and had a total of 332 VIOSMAS visits. A total of 50 patients (69%) attended 4 or more of the 7-session series; 60 (83% were women); patients ranged in age from 28 to 93 years (median 66); 36 (50%) lived outside the city center; the most common cancer diagnoses were breast, lymphoma, and lung cancer. Patients were from diverse demographics. Pre-program, patients reported desiring assistance in addressing diverse symptoms including fatigue, insomnia, pain, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, anxiety, and depression. Post-series, patients reported that the VIOSMAS addressed their goals and symptoms; they also reported incorporating recommended lifestyle changes in diet, exercise, sleep, and stress management; they were satisfied with the number of sessions and telehealth format. The participating clinicians reported high levels of satisfaction with VIOSMAS. Revenue to the institution from VIOSMAS exceeded the revenue potential of equivalent time spent for individual visits while supporting extended physician-patient contact. VIOSMAS is feasible for patients and clinicians, addresses patients' symptoms and questions about lifestyle and complementary therapies, and generates more revenue than individual visits. Larger implementation trials with appropriate comparison groups are recommended.

Assessing Trans-Inhibition of OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 by Calcineurin and/or PPIase Inhibitors and Global Identification of OATP1B1/3-Associated Proteins.

Organic anion transporting polypeptide (OATP) 1B1 and OATP1B3 are key determinants of drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Various drugs including the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) cyclosporine A (CsA) exert preincubation-induced trans-inhibitory effects upon OATP1B1 and/or OATP1B3 (abbreviated as OATP1B1/3) by unknown mechanism(s). OATP1B1/3 are phosphoproteins; calcineurin, which dephosphorylates and regulates numerous phosphoproteins, has not previously been investigated in the context of preincubation-induced trans-inhibition of OATP1B1/3. Herein, we compare the trans-inhibitory effects exerted on OATP1B1 and OATP1B3 by CsA, the non-analogous CNI tacrolimus, and the non-CNI CsA analogue SCY-635 in transporter-overexpressing human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 stable cell lines. Preincubation (10-60 min) with tacrolimus (1-10 µM) rapidly and significantly reduces OATP1B1- and OATP1B3-mediated transport up to 0.18 ± 0.03- and 0.20 ± 0.02-fold compared to the control, respectively. Both CsA and SCY-635 can trans-inhibit OATP1B1, with the inhibitory effects progressively increasing over a 60 min preincubation time. At each equivalent preincubation time, CsA has greater trans-inhibitory effects toward OATP1B1 than SCY-635. Preincubation with SCY-635 for 60 min yielded IC50 of 2.2 ± 1.4 µM against OATP1B1, which is ~18 fold greater than that of CsA (0.12 ± 0.04 µM). Furthermore, a proteomics-based screening for protein interactors was used to examine possible proteins and processes contributing to OATP1B1/3 regulation and preincubation-induced inhibition by CNIs and other drugs. A total of 861 and 357 proteins were identified as specifically associated with OATP1B1 and OATP1B3, respectively, including various protein kinases, ubiquitin-related enzymes, the tacrolimus (FK506)-binding proteins FKBP5 and FKBP8, and several known regulatory targets of calcineurin. The current study reports several novel findings that expand our understanding of impaired OATP1B1/3 function; these include preincubation-induced trans-inhibition of OATP1B1/3 by the CNI tacrolimus, greater preincubation-induced inhibition by CsA compared to its non-CNI analogue SCY-635, and association of OATP1B1/3 with various proteins relevant to established and candidate OATP1B1/3 regulatory processes.

Investigation of the Turkey’s Climate for Service Lifetime of Photovoltaic Modules: A Mapping Approach

The longevity of photovoltaic systems during real-world operation is a concern that needs to be addressed. Polymeric materials used in module constructions, particularly encapsulants, are susceptible to hydrolysis, which can lead to cell metallization corrosion and result in power loss and shortened service lifetime. One of the test protocols within the current certification standard of IEC 61215 is damp heat exposure, which subjects the modules to constant temperature and humidity level for a specific duration (85°C/85%RH for 1000 hours). However, its effectiveness as a reliability test for long-term durability is often debated. This study applies a methodology for calculating the equivalent damp heat testing time that corresponds to a targeted service lifetime (i.e., 30 years) in real-world conditions. The results are presented in the form of a country map, focusing on Turkey, illustrating the variations in testing times across different regions due to local climate conditions. This study shows that applying a single set of conditions for a fixed duration, as applied in the damp heat testing, to all modules with different components and for all climate conditions poses substantial risks when it comes to predicting service lifetime.

A lack of drebrin causes olfactory impairment.

Olfactory deficit often occurs during the prodromal stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although olfactory deficit is a useful measure for screening AD-related amnestic disorder, little is known about the cause of this deficit. Human and animal studies indicate that loss of the actin binding protein, drebrin, is closely related to cognitive dysfunction in AD. We hypothesized that the olfactory deficit in AD is caused by the loss of drebrin from the spine. To verify this hypothesis, we performed the buried food test in two types of drebrin knockout mice, such as drebrin-double (E and A) knockout (DXKO) mice, and drebrin A-specific knockout (DAKO) mice. The DXKO mice spent a significantly longer time to find food compared with the wild-type (WT) littermates. In contrast, the DAKO mice, in which drebrin E rather than drebrin A is expressed in the postsynaptic sites of mature neurons, spent an equivalent time trying to find food compared to that of the WT. The DXKO mice showed comparable food motivation and sensory functions other than olfaction, including visual and auditory functions. These results indicate that drebrin is necessary for normal olfactory function. Further study is needed to determine whether it is necessary for normal olfaction to express drebrin E during the developmental stage or to have drebrin (whether E or A) present after maturation.

CropLife Europe Crop Development Database: An open-source, pan-European, harmonized crop development database for use in regulatory pesticide exposure modeling and risk assessment.

There is a regulatory need for crop development dates to assess current default values used within chemical exposure assessments as well as to justify refinements within risk assessments. However, a readily available pan-European crop phenology database covering key FOrum for the Co-ordination of pesticide fate models and their USe (FOCUS) crops and scenarios to meet this need is not currently available. Therefore, we describe the development of a harmonized, pan-European, CropLife Europe Crop Development Database (C2D2), that is fully aligned with this regulatory requirement utilizing efficacy trials data generated for regulatory submissions when registering plant protection products under Regulation (EU)1107/2009. Evaluation of C2D2 against an independent data set showed good agreement for equivalent time periods, crop growth stages, and geographical regions. We illustrate how this database can be used to evaluate existing default crop development dates mandated by regulatory agencies for use within exposure assessments. Despite the large data set compiled and the geographical coverage of C2D2, not all FOCUSsw/gw scenarios have sufficient data to facilitate comparison, with less significant scenarios, like FOCUSgw Porto, being underrepresented. For those scenarios with sufficient data, clear differences between C2D2 and crop development dates assumed in the FOCUS modeling framework (using the AppDate tool) are often indicated over many growth stages, suggesting that amendment of the existing representation of crop development within the risk assessment process may be required. C2D2 is freely available under a Creative Commons license to facilitate innovation in exposure science to allow for more accurate and realistic risk assessment leading to enhanced crop and environmental protection. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1060-1074. © 2023 CropLife Europe (Corteva Agriscience) and The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).

Engaging carers in neuropsychological rehabilitation for brain cancer survivors: The “I’m aware: Patients And Carers Together” (ImPACT) program

BackgroundCognitive impairment is a common late effect in child and adult brain cancer survivors (BCS). Still, there is a dearth of research aimed at therapeutic interventions and no standard treatment options for most BCS. ObjectiveTo describe 1) a novel neuropsychological rehabilitation program for BCS – the “I'm aware: Patients And Carers Together” (ImPACT) program, and 2) two studies that aim to assess the feasibility of the ImPACT program in child and adult BCS, respectively. The program adapts the holistic neuropsychological approach pioneered by Leonard Diller and Yehuda Ben-Yishay to an outpatient setting. MethodsTwo feasibility studies are described: 1) A single-armed study with 15 child BCS (10–17 years) (ImPACT Child); and 2) a randomized waitlist-controlled trial with 26 adult BCS (>17 years) (ImPACT Adult). In both studies, patients will undergo an 8-week program together with a cohabiting carer. Primary outcomes (i.e., cognitive and neurobehavioral symptoms), and secondary outcomes (i.e., behavioral and psychological symptoms, e.g., quality of life, fatigue) will be assessed at four time points: pre-, mid-, and post intervention, and 8 weeks follow-up. Adult waitlist controls will be assessed at equivalent time points and will be included in the intervention group after all study assessments. Semi-structured interviews will be conducted at follow-up. Expected outcomesResults will provide feasibility data in support of future larger scale trials. DiscussionThe findings could potentially improve the management of cognitive impairment in BCS and transform available services. The program can be delivered in-person or remotely and harnesses existing resources in patients' lives.

Uniaxial tensile mechanical behavior research of HTPB propellant under wide temperature and confining pressure

To investigate the effects of confining pressure, strain rates, and temperatures on the mechanical properties of the Hydroxyl-terminated Polybutadiene (HTPB) propellant, uniaxial tensile tests were performed utilizing wide-temperature-confining pressure systems. The resulting damage was subsequently analyzed and characterized through scanning electron microscopy and mirco-ct. The results indicate that the stress–strain curves of HTPB at 20 and 70 °C are comparable, and the propellant damage is primarily attributed to de-wetting at 20 and 70 °C with respect to the mechanism. At −50 °C, the maximum tensile strength and ultimate tensile strain at 8 MPa surpass those at 0 and 2 MPa to a significant degree and the damage shifts from de-wetting and ductile fracture of particles to severe particle breakage with the elevated confining pressure. Ultimately, the primary curve of the HTPB propellant's maximum tensile strength was constructed by the curve fitting analysis based on the time–temperature equivalent superposition principle (TTSP) and time–pressure equivalent superposition principle (TPSP). Comparing to the properties of TPSP, TTSP exhibits a wider range of applicability and greater fitting precision in relation to the HTPB propellant. This study mainly serves to establish a fundamental theory and furnish data support for the enhancement of mechanical properties and structural integrity of solid rocket motors.

Quantitative reliability measures determination of a steel-reinforced concrete beam taking into account fatigue damage accumulation in flexible pin stops

Reliability is one of the most important properties of road bridges due to their degree of responsibility and strategic importance for the transport system. For steel-reinforced concrete bridges, which are widespread nowadays, the question of their overall structure reliability dependence on the element’s condition of steel beam and reinforced concrete slab connection remains not fully studied. The authors have performed fatigue damage accumulation numerical modelling in the conjunction elements of steel-reinforced concrete beam from the cyclic temporary loads influence and analysed this process influence on the overall structure reliability. Based on the previous studies data, a relationship model between the conjunction element shear rigidity and the amount of damage accumulated by it is proposed. The nonlinear finite element calculation algorithm with regard to the conjunction element’s rigidity reduction is proposed and tested on the model of the steel-reinforced concrete superstructure. The selection method of the equivalent time load for modelling the accumulation of fatigue damage process from traffic flow is proposed. In order to optimise the computational resources used it is proposed to use loading process clusterization into enlarged cycles groups and the rational group size is determined. A numerical experiment on the simply supported steel reinforced concrete beam model with different loading cycles number (from 1 loading to 100 million loading cycles) to determine the reliability index β under the assumption of variability of two parameters — design steel resistance and the value of temporary load. FORM (First Order Reliability Method) was used for probabilistic analysis. The study results have shown that the accumulation of fatigue damage in the elements of steel-reinforced concrete superstructures has a significant effect both on the load-bearing capacity of the superstructure beams and on the quantitative indicators of structural reliability (increase in the probability of structural failure, decrease in the reliability index β).

Time for Dementia: innovation in dementia education

Background:The future healthcare workforce needs the skills, attitudes, and empathy to better meet the needs of those with dementia. Time for Dementia is an educational programme in which healthcare students from a range of professional groups visit a person with dementia and their family carer over a two-year period. The first phase of research demonstrated positive outcomes for students (Banerjee et al., 2021; Daley et al., 2020). Here we discuss the most recent findings from the second phase.Objectives:to evaluate the impact of Time for Dementia on student attitudes, knowledge and empathy towards dementia, and satisfaction of students and families.Methods:A mixed methods longitudinal cohort study was conducted between 2014- 2021. Measures of dementia knowledge, attitudes and empathy were administered to healthcare students at five universities in the south of England before and after (24 months) they completed the Time for Dementia programme. Data were also collected at equivalent time points for a control group of students who had not taken part in the programme. Outcomes were modelled using multilevel linear regression models. Satisfaction surveys were completed by students and families at the end of the programme.Results:2,700 intervention group students, 562 control group students and 803 families consented to participate in the research. Students undertaking the Time for Dementia programme had higher levels of knowledge and positive attitudes at follow-up compared to equivalent students who did not undertake the programme. Satisfaction was high for both students and families, with both perceiving benefits of taking part.Conclusions:The results suggest the Time for Dementia programme is effective in improving the knowledge and attitudes of healthcare students across different professional groups and universities. It also demonstrates that dementia education that meaningfully involves people with dementia and their carers can be delivered at scale for healthcare professionals.