Experimental Research Research Articles

Causal association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and cataract development: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study

BACKGROUND Vitamin deficiencies are linked to various eye diseases, and the influence of vitamin D on cataract formation has been noted in prior research. However, detailed investigations into the causal relationship between 25-(OH)D status and cataract development remain scarce. AIM To explore a possible causal link between cataracts and vitamin D. METHODS In this study, we explored the causal link between 25-(OH)D levels and cataract development using Mendelian randomization. Our analytical approach included inverse-variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. The primary analyses utilized IVW with random effects, supplemented by sensitivity and heterogeneity tests using both IVW and MR-Egger. MR-Egger was also applied for pleiotropy testing. Additionally, a leave-one-out analysis helped identify potentially impactful single-nucleotide polymorphisms. RESULTS The analysis revealed a positive association between 25-(OH)D levels and the risk of developing cataracts (OR = 1.11, 95%CI: 1.00-1.22; P = 0.032). The heterogeneity test revealed that our IVW analysis exhibited minimal heterogeneity (P > 0.05), and the pleiotropy test findings confirmed the absence of pleiotropy within our IVW analysis (P > 0.05). Furthermore, a search of the human genotype-phenotype association database failed to identify any potentially relevant risk-factor single nucleotide polymorphisms. CONCLUSION There is a potential causal link between 25-(OH)D levels and the development of cataracts, suggesting that greater 25-(OH)D levels may be a contributing risk factor for cataract formation. Further experimental research is required to confirm these findings.

Effect of perineal massage and gentle techniques on perineal rupture in primigravida maternity mothers

Background: Perineal rupture is a tear that occurs when a baby is born, either spontaneously or by using tools/actions. Preventive efforts can be made to reduce the risk of perineal rupture by massaging the perineum and using good pressure techniques during labor. Objective: To determine the effect of perineal massage techniques and pressure on perineal rupture in primigravida mothers who give birth. Method: This research uses experimental research methods; this type of research is quantitative with a pretest-posttest research design with a control group and an analytical study design with a retrospective approach. The total research sample required was 30 primigravidas, with details, namely 15 people from the perineal massage group and 15 from the gentle technique. Sampling was taken using an accidental sampling technique, where subjects were selected as research samples based on cases/respondents who happened to be available in a place according to the context. Results: research results of primigravid mothers who experienced perineal rupture in the perineal massage group were two people (20%), and in the menstrual technique group, there were eight people (80%), based on the results of data analysis using the Wilcoxon test, the p-value was obtained. In the perineal massage group, it was 0.000; in the gentle technique group, it was 0.005. Conclusion: It can be concluded that perineal massage is more effective than gentle techniques in preventing perineal rupture in primigravida mothers. To ensure the effectiveness of the chosen method, it is advisable to consult with medical personnel experienced in this field and follow the recommendations and protocols approved by the relevant health authorities. In addition, careful monitoring and care during labor is also essential to minimize the risk of perineal rupture.

Stereo matching algorithm using deep learning and edge-preserving filter for machine vision

Machine vision research began with a single-camera system, but these systems had various limitations from having just one point-of-view of the environment and no depth information, therefore stereo cameras were invented. This paper proposes a hybrid method of a stereo matching algorithm with the goal of generating an accurate disparity map critical for applications such as 3D surface reconstruction and robot navigation to name a few. Convolutional neural network (CNN) is utilised to generate the matching cost, which is then input into cost aggregation to increase accuracy with the help of a bilateral filter (BF). Winner-take-all (WTA) is used to generate the preliminary disparity map. An edge-preserving filter (EPF) is applied to that output based on a transform that defines an isometry between curves on the 2D image manifold in 5D and the real line to eliminate these artefacts. The transform warps the input signal adaptively to allow linear 1D filtering. Due to the filter's resistance to high contrast and brightness, it is effective in refining and removing noise from the output image. Based on experimental research employing a Middlebury standard validation benchmark, this approach gives high accuracy with an average non-occluded error of 6.71% comparable to other published methods.

Refining disparity maps using deep learning and edge-aware smoothing filter

Stereo matching algorithm is crucial for applications that rely on three-dimensional (3D) surface reconstruction, producing a disparity map that contains depth information by computing the disparity values between corresponding points from a stereo image pair. In order to yield desirable results, the proposed stereo matching algorithm must possess a high degree of resilience against radiometric variation and edge inconsistencies. In this article convolutional neural network (CNN) is employed in the first stage to generate the raw matching cost, which is subsequently filtered with a bilateral filter (BF) and applied with cross-based cost aggregation (CBCA) during the cost aggregation stage to enhance precision. Winner-take-all (WTA) strategy is implemented to normalise the disparity map values. Finally, the resulting output is subjected to an edge-aware smoothing filter (EASF) to reduce the noise. Due to its resistance to high contrast and brightness, the filter is found to be effective in refining and eliminating noise from the output image. Despite discontinuities like adiron's lost cup handle or artl's shattered rods, this approach, based on experimental research utilizing a Middlebury standard validation benchmark, yields a high level of accuracy, with an average non-occluded error of 6.79%, comparable to other published methods.

Aromatic Plants as Potential Resources to Combat Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, which affects an estimated 10% of men and 18% of women over the age of 60 and is increasing in genetic prevalence and incidence, is acknowledged as the condition that degrades the quality of life for older adults in the world. There is currently no known treatment for osteoarthritis. The majority of therapeutic methods slow the progression of arthritis or treat its symptoms, making effective treatment to end the degenerative process of arthritis elusive. When non-pharmacological therapy is ineffective, various pharmacological therapies may be used to treat osteoarthritis. Pharmacological therapy, however, can have major adverse effects and be very expensive. As a result, alternative remedies have been researched. The promise for the safe and efficient management of osteoarthritis has been demonstrated by herbal remedies. Experimental research suggests that herbal extracts and compounds can reduce inflammation, inhibit catabolic processes, and promote anabolic processes that are important for treating osteoarthritis. Due to their therapeutic and innate pharmacological qualities, aromatic herbs are frequently employed as herbal remedies. Recent research has shown that aromatic plants have the potency to treat osteoarthritis. Additionally, complex mixtures of essential oils and their bioactive ingredients, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties and are obtained from aromatic plants, are frequently utilized as complementary therapies for osteoarthritis. To establish new study avenues, the advantageous anti-osteoarthritic effects of aromatic herbal medicines, including plants, essential oils, and their bioactive components, are extensively discussed.

Portunus pelagicus (Blue Manna Crab) Shells as Polvoron

The primary purpose of this study was to develop a polvoron produced from P. pelagicus (blue manna crab) shells. It sought to answer the questions: (1.) Was Portunus pelagicus crab capable of producing polvoron? (2.) What were the characteristics of Blue manna crab polvoron in appearance, aroma, taste, and texture? This study employed an experimental research design conducted in five phases: (1) dehydration of P. pelagicus shells, (2) pulverization of P. pelagicus shells, (3) polvoron production, (4) sample preparation and delivery, and (5) sensory evaluation of the polvoron. This study used an experimental research design to develop a polvoron produced from P. pelagicus (blue manna crab) shells. This study used a research-made questionnaire as the primary tool for gathering data, consisting of two parts, the Descriptive Rating Test and the Hedonic Rating Scale, to evaluate the product's characteristics. Based on criteria, a Random Sampling Method was utilized by identifying thirty (30) participants, consisting of fourteen (14) Canteen Staff, two (2) TLE teachers, and fourteen (14) Fetchers, who were chosen as evaluators. Based on the findings, the research showed that the P. pelagicus (blue manna crab) shells could make polvoron and were highly acceptable in appearance, aroma, taste, and texture.

Study on the application of self-fixing and self-detachable drainage stent in pancreaticojejunostomy

Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the self-fixing and self-detachable drainage stent in pancreaticojejunostomy and to provide supportive data for the follow clinical trials. Methods: This is an experimental research in animals which completed from February 2022 to September 2022. A self-fixing and self-detachable pancreaticojejunostomy drainage stent was designed for Hong's pancreaticojejunostomy technique based on the theory of "fistula healing" in pancreaticojejunostomy. Ten biocompatibility tests were completed in vitro before this study. Twenty-five Bama minipigs were selected and double-ligated in the neck of the pancreas to dilate the distal main pancreatic duct. Twenty-three of them were successfully modelled and divided into three groups by a stratified random method: pancreaticojejunostomy drainage stent group (referred to as stent group) with 11 pigs, pancreatic duct to jejunal mucosa anastomosis group (referred to as manual suture group) with 8 pigs, sham operation group with 4 pigs. The anastomic time,amylase content in postoperative abdominal drainage fluid and the tolerable pressure value of pancreaticojejunostomy were compared between the stent group and the manual suture. An abdominal X-ray fluoroscopy examination was adopted to detect the detach time of the stent. A postoperative pathological examination was performed to verify the healing time,the type of treatment and the stricture rate of pancreaticojejunostomy. Quantitative data was analyzed by independent sample t-test. The classified data were analyzed by Pearson χ2 test. Results: There were no significant differences in the diameter of the pancreatic duct and pancreatic texture,the time of pancreaticojejunostomy,the amylase content in postoperative peritoneal drainage fluid,and the tolerable pressure value of the pancreaticojejunostomy between the stent group and the manual suture group(all P>0.05). Abdominal X-ray fluoroscopy showed that the stents gradually detached and were removed from the body 21 days after operation,and all stents were detached in the follow 3 months after operation. Pancreaticojejunostomy healed 7 days after operation based on fistula formation in the stent group,and 14 days in the manual suture group. The incidence of anastomotic stricture within 35 days after operation was 2/8 in the stent group and 6/8 in the manual suture group (χ2=4.000,P=0.046). Conclusion: The stent method is safer and simpler than the manual suture method in pancreaticojejunostomy of Bama minipigs, with shorter anastomotic healing time and lower stricture rate.

Experimental Research on Shipborne SINS Rapid Mooring Alignment with Variance-Constraint Kalman Filter and GNSS Position Updates

Analytical coarse alignment and Kalman filter fine alignment based on zero-velocity are typically used to obtain initial attitude for inertial navigation systems (SINS) on a static base. However, in the shipboard mooring state, the static observation condition is corrupted. This paper presents a rapid alignment method for SINS on swaying bases. The proposed method begins with a coarse alignment technique in the inertial frame to obtain an initial rough attitude. Subsequently, a Kalman filter with position updates is employed to estimate the remaining misalignment error. To enhance the filter estimation performance, an appropriate lower boundary is set to the target states’ variances according to a carefully designed relative convergence index. The variance-constraint Kalman filter (VCKF) approach is proposed in this paper, and the shipborne experiments validate its effectiveness. The results demonstrate that the VCKF approach significantly reduces the time requirement for fine alignment to achieve the same accuracy on a swaying base, from 90 min in the classic Kalman filter to 30 min. Additionally, the parameter estimation performance in the Kalman filter is also improved, particularly in situations where unpredicted external interference is involved during fine alignment.

Improving Sound Insulation in Low Frequencies by a Three-Component Cladding Acoustic Metamaterial Panel

In this paper, a three-component cladding acoustic metamaterial panel with good sound insulation effect in the low-frequency range is proposed. The sound transmission loss of metamaterial panels under different structural configurations and different material parameters is investigated by combining finite element simulation calculations with experimental research. The results show that the closer the center of gravity of the scatterer is to the substrate, the better the stability of the resonance unit, the wider the range of effective sound isolation frequencies, and the higher the degree of normalization. The filling rate of the scatterer is maintained at about 0.5 to obtain a better sound insulation effect. At the same time, choosing lower density materials for the substrate and metal materials with high density and high modulus of elasticity for the scatterer can maximally widen the bandgap and allows for low-frequency sound insulation below 600 Hz. This approach improves the low-frequency sound insulation efficiency of acoustic metamaterials. The results provide important explanations and references for a deeper understanding of the sound insulation mechanism and the effects of different parameters on sound insulation.

Magnetohydrodynamics simulation of magnetic reconnection process based on the laser-driven Helmholtz capacitor-coil targets

Magnetic reconnection is an important rapid energy release mechanism in astrophysics. Magnetic energy can be effectively converted into plasma kinetic energy, thermal energy, and radiation energy. This study is based on the magnetohydrodynamics simulation method and utilizes the FLASH code to investigate the laser-driven magnetic reconnection physical process of the Helmholtz capacitor-coil target. The simulation model incorporates the laser driving effect, and the external magnetic field consistent with the Helmholtz capacitor-coil target is written in. This approach achieves a magnetic reconnection process that is more consistent with the experiment. By changing the resistivity, subtle differences in energy conversion during the evolution of magnetic reconnection are observed. Under conditions of low resistivity, there is a more pronounced increase in the thermal energy of ions compared to other energy components. In simulations with high resistivity, the increase in electrons thermal energy is more prominent. The simulation gives the evolution trajectory of magnetic reconnection, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. This has important reference value for experimental research on the low-β magnetic reconnection.

Limiting environmental reporting flexibility: investor judgment based on the EU taxonomy

AbstractThis experimental research investigates the effect of different types of environmental information on investor judgment. By examining three experimental cases varying the level of environmental disclosure, we evaluate the investment judgments of professional (Study 1) and private German investors (Study 2). Primarily, we investigate whether traditional, commonly disclosed environmental information affects investor judgments. Furthermore, we explore the effects of linking non-financial reporting elements to quantitative financial measures through the EU taxonomy by adding taxonomy indicators. Specifically, we operationalized the case where companies fall into a category of poor environmental performance by taxonomy classification. We find that only traditional environmental disclosure in combination with standardized taxonomy-aligned information (below average), influences the investment judgment. However, professional investors exhibit a significantly negative response, while private investors show a significantly positive reaction when constraining reporting flexibility through the inclusion of standardized taxonomy measures with poor performance. Consequently, we conclude that the connection between non-financial reporting elements and quantitative standardized financial measures enhances transparency for professional investors. Private investors, on the other hand, reward additional taxonomy-aligned environmental information irrespective of its content. This implies that environmental information generally conveys positive signals to private investors, but uncertainty in investment judgment can be assumed.

Historical comments on ethics in psychiatry : Challenges in the 19th century

With the emergence of an early psychiatry around 1800, anumber of questions arose on dealing with agroup of persons whose "alien", irritating and disruptive behavior was considered to be aphenomenon of being sick. In the context of the growing importance of human rights, the term humanitarianism attained ahigh relevance as the reference for early psychiatrists. Based on historical sources it is shown that despite amultitude of psychiatric beliefs on humanitarianism the established psychiatric practice was dominated by patriarchal order regimes up to the first decade of the twentieth century, later superimposed by the challenges of somatophysiological and experimental research as well as perceptions of biological racism. The associated new ethical questions were partially addressed within psychiatry but did not prevent an increase in the assessment of the mentally ill as "inferior".

Experimental research on dynamic responses and hydrodynamic pressures of deep-water bridge piers under seismic and wave actions

Earthquakes and extreme waves pose significant threats to the safety of offshore bridges, particularly in deep-water environments. The temporal sequence of earthquakes and waves and the specific type of earthquake are critical factors that contribute to the potential risks involved. This study aimed to fill a key knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive series of physical tests on a deep-water bridge pier at a scale factor of 1:30. White noise tests, shaking table tests, wavemaker tests, and combined shaking table and wavemaker tests were carried out. Near-field pulsed earthquakes, far-field long-period earthquakes and earthquake-wave phase differences were examined in the tests. The test results indicate that the presence of water has a noticeable impact on the natural frequency, particularly the 2nd-order frequency, of bridge piers, which may significantly influence the dynamic responses of high bridge piers. The effects of water–pier interactions are further intensified by seismic actions such as the pulsed Loma Prieta and long-period Chi-Chi earthquakes. Moreover, the earthquake-induced hydrodynamic pressures on the upstream and downstream faces of the pier are nearly identical, whereas there is a notable difference when the pressures are caused by incident waves. The magnitude of the combined earthquake and wave responses in relation to the individual responses is influenced by the earthquake–wave phase differences, and the combined responses are less than the sum of the individual responses.

Experimental and Theoretical Research on Photocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Using MoS2 Nanosheets with Polysulfide Vacancies.

MoS2 nanosheets with different concentrations of S vacancies (VS-MoS2) were synthesized and used for photocatalytic nitrogen reduction reactions (pNRR), and the mechanism of S vacancies enhancing the activity of MoS2 was explored through DFT calculation. The material characterization confirmed the successful construction of S vacancies at different concentrations on the spherical cluster structure of MoS2. The experimental results show that the introduction of S vacancies significantly improves the activity of pNRR, and it increases significantly with the increase of vacancy number, consistent with the trend of photoelectric performance. VS-MoS2-3 exhibits the highest pNRR efficiency, which is 3.5 times higher than that of pristine MoS2, and after being reused three times, the activity only decreased by about 11%. DFT calculation results indicate that the exposed Mo atoms generated by S vacancies alter the charge layout on the MoS2 surface while providing abundant Mo active sites. Meanwhile, the band gap structure will narrow with the increase of S vacancies, which is beneficial for the transfer of surface charges. In addition, the increase of S vacancies, on the one hand, strengthens the adsorption of MoS2 on N2, weakens the adsorption of H, improves the selectivity of nitrogen, and is conducive to the progress of NRR. On the other hand, more electrons can be transferred from MoS2 to the adsorbed N2 molecules, enhancing the hybridization between them and better activating N2.

Biophilic design reframed. The theoretical basis for experimental research

Biophilic design reframed. The theoretical basis for experimental research

A fundus image dataset for intelligent retinopathy of prematurity system

Image-based artificial intelligence (AI) systems stand as the major modality for evaluating ophthalmic conditions. However, most of the currently available AI systems are designed for experimental research using single-central datasets. Most of them fell short of application in real-world clinical settings. In this study, we collected a dataset of 1,099 fundus images in both normal and pathologic eyes from 483 premature infants for intelligent retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) system development and validation. Dataset diversity was visualized with a spatial scatter plot. Image classification was conducted by three annotators. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the largest fundus datasets on ROP, and we believe it is conducive to the real-world application of AI systems.

Effective lifetime of non‐equilibrium carriers in perovskite‐inspired Cu2AgBiI6

: Perovskite‐inspired materials are potential alternatives to lead halide perovskites, as they not only inherit the benign optoelectronic properties, but also diminish the stability and toxicity issues of lead halide perovskites. As a newly discovered perovskite‐inspired material, Cu2AgBiI6 has exhibited promising potential for photovoltaic applications. However, studies on its fundamental properties related to photovoltaic performance are scarce, particularly from a theoretical perspective. Here, we systematically investigate the effective lifetime of non‐equilibrium carriers (photo‐excited charge carriers), a critical property affecting the photovoltaic performance of Cu2AgBiI6, based on the non‐adiabatic molecular dynamics simulations. We find that under the standard solar spectrum illumination, the dominant recombination mechanism affecting the effective lifetime can be band‐to‐band nonradiative decay, band‐to‐band radiative decay, or Shockey‐Read‐Hall (SRH) defect‐assisted decay. The specific mechanism is highly dependent on the radiative recombination coefficient and the density of defect recombination levels. The effective lifetime can vary from 0.1 ms to 10 ns. When considering different illumination conditions (generation rates), Auger decay can also become the dominant recombination mechanism, with the effective lifetime varying from 0.1 s to 0.1 ns. These findings could be vital for further experimental researches aimed at enhancing the power conversion efficiency of Cu2AgBiI6‐based solar devices.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Effect of Using Karuta Card on Students’ Ability to Comprehend Vocabulary (Experimental Research for the Seventh Grade at Sabilul Mukminin Boarding School Binjai)

The research question is: Is there an effect of using the Karuta card on students’ ability in the seventh grade at the Sabilul Mukminin Binjai Boarding School to comprehend vocabulary? Its purpose is to know the effect of using the Karuta card on students’ ability in the seventh grade at the Sabilul Mukminin Binjai Boarding School to comprehend vocabulary, especially to pronounce its letters correctly. The method used is quantitative field research of the experimental type, and the method used is a statistical method using SPSS 25 and a t-test. The result of this research is that the use of the Karuta card does not affect students’ ability in the seventh grade at the Sabilul Mukminin Binjai Boarding School to pronounce vocabulary correctly, and the author infers this from the results of the female students on the test in the experimental class and the control class. The average score for vocabulary comprehension in the control class was 72.68, which is higher than the average score for vocabulary comprehension in the experimental class, which was 64.85. From these two rates, t0 is found at 1,252 It is lower than ttable (2,026). Therefore, the null hypothesis is accepted, and the alternative hypothesis is rejected, meaning that the use of the Karuta card does not affect the ability of the female students of the seventh intermediate semester at the Sabeel Al-Muminin Benjay Institute to comprehend vocabulary, especially in pronouncing its letters correctly.

Effect of Indian Classical Music on Flow State and Emotional Competence of Young Adults

The aim of this research study was to see the effect of Indian Classical Music on Flow State and Emotional Competence of young adults. The objectives included studying the difference in flow state and emotional competence of the participants before and after exposure to the Indian classical music intervention track. This was done through comparing the pre test mid test and post test results. The population for this study included a total of 29 young adults between the age group of 22 to 30, a mixture of learners and non-learners of music. It was a - Single Group Pre & Post Experimental Research Design. Convenient sampling method was used. The instrumental music intervention track was set to Raag Miyan ki Malhar, the Emotional Competence Scale, the Flow Short Scale and the feelings wheel were some of the tools used for this research. Results revealed that there was a significant increase in the Flow State dimensions including Fluency, Absorption and a decrease in Worry from pre test to both mid test and post test. This indicates that the Indian classical music intervention was able to promote a state of flow. With regard to emotional competence, the dimensions Ability to Function with Emotions (AFE) and Ability to Cope with Problem Emotions (ACPE) showed a significant increase from pre test to post test indicating that the intervention track was able to have a positive impact on the emotional competence dimensions.

THE EFFECT OF CONSUMING FE TABLETS AND VITAMIN C COMBINATION TABLETS ON HB LEVELS IN PREGNANT WOMEN AT SHAQI CLINIC SEYEGAN IN 2023

Pregnancy with anemia increases the risk of morbidity and mortality because it causes postpartum hemorrhage. In addition, mothers with anemia can experience difficulty breathing, fainting, fatigue, increased heart rate, difficulty sleeping, perinatal infections, and pre eclampsia. It also has an impact on pregnancy outcomes, namely babies can experience Intra Uterine Growth Retardation (IUGR) and LBW. The study aims to determine the effect of consuming Fe tablets and Vitamin C combination tablets on Hb levels in pregnant women. This study employed Quasy experimental research with One Group pre-test and post-test design obtained directly from respondents through questionnaires that have been prepared by researchers and the data obtained by researchers are processed using the Wilcoxon test. The results of statistical tests using the Wilcoxon test showed a P value of 0.001 (<0.05), meaning that there was an effect before and after giving FE tablets combined with vitamin C on hemoglobin levels in pregnant women. The results showed that from a total of 15 respondents who experienced anemia before treatment decreased to 2 respondents who experienced anemia after treatment. The patients are suggested to follow the instructions given by health workers when doing ANC anywhere to be obedient in taking Fe tablets combined with vitamin C as prevention and treatment of anemia during pregnancy.