Independent Analysis Research Articles

Sex differences in neurocognitive performance in older adults with bipolar disorder

IntroductionIn recent years, research has focused on the older adults with bipolar disorder (OABD), aged 50 years and over, a constantly growing population due to the increased of life expectancy. Actually, some authors suggest that these individuals constitute a distinct subtype with a specific and different needs such as seen in epidemiologic, clinical and cognitive features. Further research has revealed significant differences between females and males with BD in clinical and cognitive variables in middle-aged and young patients, but this topic among OABD population remains unclear.ObjectivesThe aim of this study is to identify the distinctive profile in clinical, functional and neurocognitive variables between females and males in OABD.MethodsA sample of OABD and Healthy Controls (HC) were included. Euthymic patients or in partial remission were included. Neurocognition was measured with a battery of tests that included premorbid intelligence quotient, working memory, verbal and visual memory, processing speed, language and executive functions. Independent t-test and Chi-squared test analysis were performed as appropriated.ResultsAccording to the analysis, statistically significant differences were seen between females and males. A more impaired cognitive profile is observed in women. They performed worse in the subscales of Arithmetic (F= 6.728, p = <0.001), forward digits (F= 0.936, p= 0.019) and Total Digits (F= 1.208, p= 0.019) of the WAIS-III, in the Stroop Color Word Test, color reading (F= 0.130, p= < 0.001), in the Continuous Performance Test, block change measure (F= 2.059, p= 0.037), in the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure-copy (F= 0.005, p= 0.029) and in the Boston Naming Test (F= 0.011, p= 0.024). Nor significant differences were found in clinical neither in psychosocial functioning variables.ConclusionsIn view of the following results, and since no differences were observed between women and men in terms of clinical and functional outcomes, it could be said that the differences observed in cognition cannot be explained by disease-related factors. Furthermore, these results highlight the need to develop a gender-specific cognitive interventions in OABD population. In this way, we could have an impact on the course of the illness to reach a better quality of life.Disclosure of InterestS. Martín-Parra: None Declared, C. Torrent Grant / Research support from: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI20/00344) integrated into the Plan Nacional de I+D+I and co-financed by the ISCIIISubdireccion General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), A. Ruiz: None Declared, M. Bort: None Declared, G. Fico Grant / Research support from: Fellowship from “La Caixa” Foundation (ID 100010434 - fellowship code LCF/BQ/DR21/11880019), V. Oliva: None Declared, M. Prisco: None Declared, J. Sanchez-Moreno Grant / Research support from: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI20/00060) integrated into the Plan Nacional de I+D+I and co-financed by the ISCIII-Subdireccion General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), E. Jimenez Grant / Research support from: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI20/00060) integrated into the Plan Nacional de I+D+I and co-financed by the ISCIII-Subdireccion General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER), A. Martinez-Aran: None Declared, E. Vieta Grant / Research support from: Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PI18/ 00805, PI21/00787) integrated into the Plan Nacional de I+D+I and cofinanced by the ISCIII Subdirección General de Evaluación and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); the Instituto de Salud Carlos III; the CIBER of Mental Health (CIBERSAM); the Secretaria d’Universitats i Recerca del Departament d’Economia i Coneixement (2017 SGR 1365), the CERCA Programme, and the Departament de Salut de la Generalitat de Catalunya for the PERIS grant SLT006/17/00357; the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (EU.3.1.1. Understanding health, wellbeing and disease: Grant No 754907 and EU.3.1.3. Treating and managing disease: Grant No 945151), B. Sole: None Declared, L. Montejo: None Declared

A Comprehensive Integration of Data Regarding the Correlation of TNF-α rs1800629 Polymorphism with Susceptibility to Cervical Cancer.

Cervical cancer, globally, ranks as the runner-up among the most prevalent forms of cancer affecting women. The role of the tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) polymorphism in the susceptibility to cervical cancer has been a subject of interest. However, the current evidence regarding this association remains inconclusive. To address this uncertainty, eligible studies were systematically searched and retrieved from various databases including Cochrane Library, EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang database. The search was conducted until September 01, 2023. The collected literature was then subjected to independent analysis by two authors. The pooled odds ratio along with the corresponding 95% confidence interval was calculated using different genetic models. Additionally, sensitivity and cumulative analyses were performed to assess the stability of the obtained results. A total of 29 case-control studies involving 8850 cases and 9286 controls were included in the present analysis. The findings revealed that the TNF-α rs1800629 polymorphism increased the risk of cervical cancer under the allele genetic model (A vs. G: OR = 1.277, 95% CI = 1.104-1.477, P = 0.001) in the general population. Subgroup analysis based on ethnicity demonstrated that this polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer in Caucasian and African women, but not in Asians. Furthermore, subgroup analysis based on country of origin indicated a significant correlation between the TNF-α rs1800629 polymorphism and an increased risk of cervical cancer in American and Chinese women, but not in Iranian women. The findings from this meta-analysis suggest that the TNF-α rs1800629 polymorphism is a risk factor for cervical cancer in the general population, particularly in Caucasian and African women. However, further well-designed studies are warranted to validate these findings.

Terminology at the border of linguistics and psychology: to the problem of strict definitions

The article is devoted to an analytical review of ambiguously defined terms and commonly used lexical units related to the mental sphere, which linguists use to some extent. The article reveals in detail the problem of the importance of the strictest possible definitions for such vocabulary when it is used both in linguistic texts and in general in the texts of humanitarian studies. In order to accurately formulate definitions for the twenty lexical units listed in the introduction, the main part of the article provides an independent analysis of basic psychological and semiotic concepts based on current anthropological knowledge. For each of the twenty lexical units, a strict definition is independently formulated. In a number of cases, detailed comments are given on the expected degree of accuracy of the definition, on the shortcomings of possible alternative definitions, on the ambiguity of the lexical unit, etc. In addition to independent definitions of some lexical units, definitions already existing in scientific circulation are given, which are evaluated in the article as successful. At the end of the analytical review, a model of speech communication is formulated in the form of a scheme, based on the conclusions made in the review. The practical orientation of the review is the preparation of a fundamental theoretical basis for a Ph.D. research devoted to the compilation of an original lexical thesaurus for machine sentiment analysis.

Automatic tunnel point cloud creation using photogrammetry and deviation analysis of excavation and shotcrete surfaces

AbstractDuring new Austrian tunnelling method excavation, it is necessary to carry out an analysis of the compliance of the actual surfaces with the theoretical lines prescribed in the support types for each tunnel excavation step. With our own software solutions, we created point clouds of the excavation and shotcrete of the primary tunnel support through the automated process of photogrammetric data. Together with the tunnel axis and theoretical profiles, the georeferenced and filtered point clouds were then used in the analysis of the deviation from the theoretical lines of excavation and primary support shotcrete and shotcrete thickness. The final products of the independent analysis are deviation profiles and unwrapped extrados views with numerical results and a color legend.

Political Dynamics in the Selection of Judges of the Constitutional Court of Indonesia: A Critical Analysis of Integrity and Independence

This study aims to examine the influence of political dynamics on the selection process of Constitutional Court (MK) judges in Indonesia and its implications for the integrity and independence of the institution. The research method used is the normative juridical method with reference to Law No. 24/2003 on the Constitutional Court as amended by Law No. 7/2020. Analysis was conducted on relevant regulations and legal documents through literature studies and interviews with legal experts. The results show that in the selection of Constitutional Court judges, political factors often dominate over the principle of meritocracy, which threatens the principle of constitutional justice and reduces public trust in the Constitutional Court. The findings highlight the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the selection process of judges to strengthen the integrity and independence of the Constitutional Court. A transparent selection process will allow the public to understand and assess the process, while accountability will ensure that the selection of judges is based on objective criteria. The implication of this research is the need to strengthen public oversight mechanisms to maintain the Constitutional Court as a guardian of the constitution with integrity and independence. These measures are also expected to strengthen public trust and constitutional justice in Indonesia.

Development of an Early Detection Tool for Pneumonia in Toddlers with Ari Program Respiratory Rate Timer Based on the Internet of Things

Delays in establishing a diagnosis of pneumonia in toddlers can increase toddler morbidity and mortality. Early pneumonia detection tools are very necessary to be able to provide appropriate intervention. The objective is to develop an early-detection tool for pneumonia in toddlers using the ARI Programme Respiratory Rate Time based on the Internet of Things by calculating respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation. The research methods use Research and Development (R&D) was carried out on toddlers with cough complaints in the working area of the Grogol Health Center, Sukoharjo Regency from December 2023 to January 2024. The sample consisted of 100 toddlers who were selected using consecutive sampling. The dependent variables are respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation. The independent variables are ARI based on IoT, ARI Timer, and pulse oximeter. Other data is collected through observation sheets. Data were analyzed using independent t-test analysis using the SPSS version 26. The results of the validation test assessment by 6 experts obtained a total average score of 95.48% with very valid assessment criteria, which means the tool is suitable for use. The results of the Independent T-Test show that there is no difference between IoT-based ARI (Mean=39.28; SD=9.05) and Timer ARI (Mean±SD= 39.29±9.07), this result is not statistically significant (p=0.994) and does not exist. the difference between IoT-based ARI (Mean±SD= 94.90±2.55) and pulse oximeter (Mean±SD= 95.15±2.61), this result is not statistically significant (p=0.494). The conclusion is an ARI Programme Respiratory Rate Timer based on the Internet of Things tool can be developed for the early detection of pneumonia in toddlers and is suitable for use to determine the respiratory frequency and oxygen saturation in toddlers.

Impact of Socio-Economic Factors on the Educational Attainment of the Students in Pakistan: A Case Study of Bahawalpur District

Analyzing factors of student’s educational attainment is imperative and needs special attention. Therefore, this study analyzes the influence of socioeconomic factors on the educational attainment of students utilizing the data of 700 students from both public and private educational institutions in the Bahawalpur district. For data analysis, the ordinary least square method, independent sample t-test, and One-Way ANOVA analysis are used. The outcomes show that the variables family background, gender of the respondent, family system, household size, father education, parental involvement, household income, and wealth index are the significant factors of the student’s educational attainment. An Independent sample t-test analysis shows a significant mean difference in students’ educational attainment concerning family background, gender of the respondent, father's occupation, mother's participation in the labor force, and family system. One-Way ANOVA analysis shows a significant mean difference in students’ educational attainment concerning father education, mother education, and household income. It is proposed that socioeconomic status is imperative and should be taken into consideration to improve the educational attainment of students.

An Analysis of Independence in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities at MILB YKTM Budi Asih

An Analysis of Independence in Children and Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities at MILB YKTM Budi Asih

Organizational Commitment: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions in Punjab

This study examined and compared levels of organizational commitment (OC) between public and private university teachers in Punjab province, Pakistan. Understanding distinctions in factors influencing teacher retention and engagement across institutional contexts holds value. Yet this topic remains under-researched, especially locally. Multistage stratified sampling selected comparable public and private Punjab-based universities and faculty profiles. A sample of 315 public and private sector university faculty completed an adapted (OC) scale. Independent t-tests and descriptive analyses were utilized to assess differences across affective, normative, and continuance commitment means. Analyses revealed moderately higher overall OC among public university teachers, particularly driven by heightened continuance commitment tied to perceiving greater barriers and difficulties exiting their jobs. Affective and normative commitment promoting emotional connections and a sense of obligation also differed slightly. Tailored OC interventions should account for public teachers' "trapped" mindsets due to limited career alternatives; private faculty warrant strengthening of socioemotional rewards and mentoring. Developing context-appropriate retention strategies necessitates addressing differential needs across university types. Implementing targeted professional growth, culture building, career pathing services, and HR policies catering to distinct public and private settings can enhance teacher commitment. Further qualitative inquiries to deeply explore influencing factors are also advised.

Organizational Commitment: A Comparative Study of Public and Private Higher Education Institutions in Punjab

This study examined and compared levels of organizational commitment (OC) between public and private university teachers in Punjab province, Pakistan. Understanding distinctions in factors influencing teacher retention and engagement across institutional contexts holds value. Yet this topic remains under-researched, especially locally. Multistage stratified sampling selected comparable public and private Punjab-based universities and faculty profiles. A sample of 315 public and private sector university faculty completed an adapted (OC) scale. Independent t-tests and descriptive analyses were utilized to assess differences across affective, normative, and continuance commitment means. Analyses revealed moderately higher overall OC among public university teachers, particularly driven by heightened continuance commitment tied to perceiving greater barriers and difficulties exiting their jobs. Affective and normative commitment promoting emotional connections and a sense of obligation also differed slightly. Tailored OC interventions should account for public teachers' "trapped" mindsets due to limited career alternatives; private faculty warrant strengthening of socioemotional rewards and mentoring. Developing context-appropriate retention strategies necessitates addressing differential needs across university types. Implementing targeted professional growth, culture building, career pathing services, and HR policies catering to distinct public and private settings can enhance teacher commitment. Further qualitative inquiries to deeply explore influencing factors are also advised.

Academic Struggle: A Case Study of Undergraduate First Year Medical Students

Academic struggle is a concern for students, medical schools, and the society. As academic struggle is not idiopathic and instantaneous, qualitative research could provide an in-depth understanding on why it occurs. This qualitative research aimed to explore reasons of failure among Malaysian Year 1 struggling medical students through the lens of Theories of Action. This study adopted a single, embedded case design. Six medical students repeating their Year 1 studies performed a written reflection describing their experiences and behaviours during Year 1. Then, semistructured interviews were conducted with each student, and data were analysed by two researchers. Independent analysis was compared, and discrepancies were resolved through discussions between the researchers. Each student narrative demonstrated difference in behaviours and experiences. Students showed limited learning engagement or demonstrated ineffective learning methods. Narratives indicated various reasons such as being overconfident or unmotivated to study for these behaviours. However, interpreting based on Theories of Action, the students’ failures could be explained by three types of invalid governing variables found in the data. Students may have performed their actions based on inadequate knowledge, possessing misbeliefs, or demonstrating no rationales at all. Invalid governing variables may have led to ineffective actions, and subsequently, resulting in unintended consequences. Hence, all students failed the mid-year and/or end-year assessments. Struggling students lacked the valid governing variables in rationalising their actions. Based on the Theories of Action, to deeply assess and alter their governing variables, struggling students are recommended to perform double loop learning.

The linear pattern of therapeutic alliance development: Exploring the relationship between alliance trajectories over time and the outcomes of systemic psychotherapy treatment for adaptation disorders

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the trajectories of therapeutic alliance development in individual systemic psychotherapy for adults with adaptation disorders and the differences in alliance development between groups with different treatment outcomes.MethodThe longitudinal quasi‐experiment included 20 patients undergoing individual outpatient psychotherapy treatment in private practice for over a year. Therapeutic alliance was evaluated three times, by the psychotherapist and the patient simultaneously. Treatment outcomes were estimated twice based on patient ratings. Their clinical significance was assessed using the Reliable Change Index, analysis of variance for independent groups and trend analysis. The analyses concerned global therapeutic alliance and its three dimensions: goals, tasks and bonds.ResultsThe study supported the hypothesised linear trend. It also confirmed a greater increase in alliance quality over the course of treatment in patients whose therapy was more successful.ConclusionThe results indicate that, in patients with adaptation disorders, alliance development in systemic therapy follows a stable linear trend. The linear change observed for global therapeutic alliance is paralleled by similar trends in goals, tasks and bonds. Strong alliance correlates with better treatment outcomes.

New role of fat-free mass in cancer risk linked with genetic predisposition

Cancer risk is associated with the widely debated measure body mass index (BMI). Fat mass and fat-free mass measurements from bioelectrical impedance may further clarify this association. The UK Biobank is a rare resource in which bioelectrical impedance and BMI data was collected on ~ 500,000 individuals. Using this dataset, a comprehensive analysis using regression, principal component and genome-wide genetic association, provided multiple levels of evidence that increasing whole body fat (WBFM) and fat-free mass (WBFFM) are both associated with increased post-menopausal breast cancer risk, and colorectal cancer risk in men. WBFM was inversely associated with prostate cancer. We also identified rs615029[T] and rs1485995[G] as associated in independent analyses with both PMBC (p = 1.56E–17 and 1.78E–11) and WBFFM (p = 2.88E–08 and 8.24E–12), highlighting splice variants of the intriguing long non-coding RNA CUPID1 (LINC01488) as a potential link between PMBC risk and fat-free mass.

Identification of cuproptosis-related miRNAs in triple-negative breast cancer and analysis of the miRNA–mRNA regulatory network

IntroductionThe close association between cuproptosis and tumor immunity in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) allows its monitoring for predicting the prognosis of patients with TNBC. Nevertheless, the biological function and prognostic value of cuproptosis-related miRNAs and their target genes have not been reported. PurposeTo construct the miRNA and mRNA-based risk models associated with cuproptosis for patients with TNBC. MethodsComparison of expression levels for genes associated with cuproptosis was executed between patients in the normal individuals and the TCGA-TNBC cohort. Conducting differential analysis resulted in the identification of differentially expressed miRNA (DE-miRNAs) and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the TNBC and Control samples. Screening for prognostic miRNAs and biomarkers involved employing univariate Cox analysis and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analyses. These methods were utilized to construct risk models aimed at predicting the survival of patients with TNBC. Based on the median value of risk scores, patients were then stratified into low- and high-risk groups. Functional enrichment analysis was employed to explore the potential function and pathways of prognostic genes. Additionally, independent prognostic analysis was performed through univariate and multivariate Cox regression. Immune infiltration analysis was performed to examine disparities in the infiltration of immune cells between the two risk groups. Finally, the prognostic gene expression was mined in key cell types of TNBC. ResultsWe obtained 5213 DEGs and 204 DE-miRNAs related to cuproptosis between TNBC and Control samples. Five prognostic miRNAs (miR-203a-3p, miR-1277–3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-200c-3p, and miR-592) and three biomarkers (DENND5B, IGF1R, and MEF2C) were closely associated with TNBC. Significant differences in the functions of prognostic genes between the two risk groups were observed, encompassing adipogenesis, inflammatory response, and hormone metabolic process. The prognostic gene regulatory network revealed that miR200C-3p regulated ZFPM2 and CFL2, and miR-1277–3p regulated BMP2 and RORA. A nomogram was created based on riskScore, cancer status, and pathologic stage to predict 1/3/5-year survival of patients with TNBC. Immune infiltration analysis indicated that the immune microenvironment may be associated with the progression of TNBC. Interestingly, prognostic genes exhibited higher expression levels in T cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and monocytes compared to other cells. ConclusionsFive prognostic miRNA (miR-203a-3p, miR-1277–3p, miR-135b-5p, miR-200c-3p, and miR-592) and three biomarkers (DENND5B, IGF1R, and MEF2C) were significantly associated with TNBC, it provides new therapeutic targets for the treatment and prognosis of TNBC.

Simultaneous Recording of Remote Domain Dynamics in Membrane Proteins Using the Double-Labeled DXB/DXT Technique.

Protein dynamics play important roles in biological functions, which accompany allosteric structure changes. Diffracted X-ray blinking (DXB) uses monochromatic X-rays and nanocrystal probes. The intramolecular motion of target proteins is analyzed from the intensity changes in detector signals at the diffraction rings. In contrast, diffracted X-ray tracking (DXT) elucidates molecular dynamics by analyzing the trajectories of Laue spots. In this study, we have developed a dual-labeling technique for DXB and DXT, allowing the simultaneous observation of motions at different domains in proteins. We identified zinc oxide (ZnO) crystals as promising candidates for the second labeling probes due to their excellent diffraction patterns, high chemical stability, and favorable binding properties with proteins. The diffraction spots from the ZnO crystals are sufficiently separated from those of gold, enabling independent motion analysis at different domains. Dual-labeling DXB was employed for the motion analysis of the 5-HT2A receptor in living cells. Simultaneous motion recording of the N-terminus and the second extracellular loop demonstrated ligand-induced motion suppression at both domains. The dual-labeling DXT technique demonstrated a capsaicin-induced peak shift in the two-dimensional motion maps at the N-terminus of the TRPV1 protein, but the peak shift was not obvious in the C-terminus. The capsaicin-induced motion modulation was recovered by the addition of the competitive inhibitor AMG9810.

Develop a Novel Signature to Predict the Survival and Affect the Immune Microenvironment of Osteosarcoma Patients: Anoikis-Related Genes.

Osteosarcoma (OS) represents a prevalent primary bone neoplasm predominantly affecting the pediatric and adolescent populations, presenting a considerable challenge to human health. The objective of this investigation is to develop a prognostic model centered on anoikis-related genes (ARGs), with the aim of accurately forecasting the survival outcomes of individuals diagnosed with OS and offering insights into modulating the immune microenvironment. The study's training cohort comprised 86 OS patients sourced from The Cancer Genome Atlas database, while the validation cohort consisted of 53 OS patients extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differential analysis utilized the GSE33382 dataset, encompassing three normal samples and 84 OS samples. Subsequently, the study executed gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses. Identification of differentially expressed ARGs associated with OS prognosis was carried out through univariate COX regression analysis, followed by LASSO regression analysis to mitigate overfitting risks and construct a robust prognostic model. Model accuracy was assessed via risk curves, survival curves, receiver operating characteristic curves, independent prognostic analysis, principal component analysis, and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) analysis. Additionally, a nomogram model was devised, exhibiting promising potential in predicting OS patient prognosis. Further investigations incorporated gene set enrichment analysis to delineate active pathways in high- and low-risk groups. Furthermore, the impact of the risk prognostic model on the immune microenvironment of OS was evaluated through tumor microenvironment analysis, single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA), and immune infiltration cell correlation analysis. Drug sensitivity analysis was conducted to identify potentially effective drugs for OS treatment. Ultimately, the verification of the implicated ARGs in the model construction was conducted through the utilization of real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The ARGs risk prognostic model was developed, comprising seven high-risk ARGs (CBS, MYC, MMP3, CD36, SCD, COL13A1, and HSP90B1) and four low-risk ARGs (VASH1, TNFRSF1A, PIP5K1C, and CTNNBIP1). This prognostic model demonstrates a robust capability in predicting overall survival among patients. Analysis of immune correlations revealed that the high-risk group exhibited lower immune scores compared to the low-risk group within our prognostic model. Specifically, CD8+ T cells, neutrophils, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes were notably downregulated in the high-risk group, alongside significant downregulation of checkpoint and T cell coinhibition mechanisms. Additionally, three immune checkpoint-related genes (CD200R1, HAVCR2, and LAIR1) displayed significant differences between the high- and low-risk groups. The utilization of a nomogram model demonstrated significant efficacy in prognosticating the outcomes of OS patients. Furthermore, tumor metastasis emerged as an independent prognostic factor, suggesting a potential association between ARGs and OS metastasis. Notably, our study identified eight drugs-Bortezomib, Midostaurin, CHIR.99021, JNK.Inhibitor.VIII, Lenalidomide, Sunitinib, GDC0941, and GW.441756-as exhibiting sensitivity toward OS. The RT-qPCR findings indicate diminished expression levels of CBS, MYC, MMP3, and PIP5K1C within the context of OS. Conversely, elevated expression levels were observed for CD36, SCD, COL13A1, HSP90B1, VASH1, and CTNNBIP1 in OS. The outcomes of this investigation present an opportunity to predict the survival outcomes among individuals diagnosed with OS. Furthermore, these findings hold promise for progressing research endeavors focused on prognostic evaluation and therapeutic interventions pertaining to this particular ailment.

Continuum limit of the mobility edge and taste-degeneracy effects in high-temperature lattice QCD with staggered quarks

We study the effects of taste degeneracy on the continuum scaling of the localization properties of the staggered Dirac operator in high-temperature QCD using numerical simulations on the lattice, focusing in particular on the position of the mobility edge separating localized and delocalized modes at the low end of the spectrum. We find that, if the continuum limit is approached at fixed spatial volume, the restoration of taste symmetry leads to sizeable systematic effects on estimates for the mobility edge obtained from spectral statistics, which become larger and larger as the lattice spacing is decreased. Such systematics, however, are found to decrease if the volume is increased at fixed lattice spacing. We argue that spectral statistics estimate correctly the position of the mobility edge in the thermodynamic limit at fixed spacing, and support this with an independent numerical analysis based directly on the properties of the Dirac eigenvectors, that are unaffected by taste degeneracy. We then provide a theoretical argument justifying the exchange of the thermodynamic and continuum limits when studying localization. This allows us to use spectral statistics to determine the position of the mobility edge, and to obtain a controlled continuum extrapolation of the mobility edge for the first time. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Prevalence of Pain With Movement in Active Duty US Army Soldiers.

Soldiers must be able to perform a multitude of physically demanding tasks as part of their regular duty, but their physical readiness is often degraded due to pain and musculoskeletal injury (MSKI). The presence of pain with movement has been associated with increased MSKI risk in Soldiers. Improved awareness of the prevalence of painful movements in uninjured Soldiers could help inform Army injury mitigation efforts. The purpose of this study was to identify the prevalence of pain with movement in a population of healthy active duty Soldiers. The Selective Functional Movement Assessment-Top Tier Movements (SFMA-TTM), active range of motion (AROM) of the hips and shoulders, and the elicitation of pain with movement were measured in 268 healthy US Army Soldiers. Descriptive statistics were generated for the number of painful movements for each measure and inferential statistics; independent t-test and one-way independent analysis of variance (ANOVA) were used for analysis of the other measures. Greater than half (59%) of the participants reported pain with at least 1 movement and more than 41% reported pain with 2 or more movements. Soldiers reported a mean of 1.35 painful movements on the SFMA-TTM assessment and a mean of 1.54 painful AROM movements. Pain with functional movement patterns was common across a sample of uninjured Soldiers. The presence of pain with movement warrants further evaluation as it may impact a Soldier's physical performance, risk for future injury, and overall quality of life.

Novel approach for ECG separation using adaptive constrained IVABMGGMM

In this paper, we introduce the constrained independent vector analysis integrated with the bounded multivariate generalized Gaussian mixture model (cIVABMGGMM) to tackle the limitations of independent component analysis (ICA) when applied to multivariate data, accompanied by its adaptive version, the acIVABMGGMM, aimed at alleviating associated constraints. The acIVABMGGMM employs a full covariance matrix that considers feature correlations, effectively addressing the challenges posed by ICA and independent vector analysis (IVA) models when analyzing multivariate data. The innovative acIVABMGGMM framework merges the adaptability inherent in data-driven methods with the capability to manage noise and other artifacts often encountered in model-based approaches. This technique effectively employs prior knowledge to guide the solution, avoiding the imposition of inaccurate constraints. To overcome these challenges, our set of two constrained methods incorporates prior source information into the IVA model, effectively mitigating its limitations in data with a high number of sources. We assess the efficacy of our proposed models through three distinct ECG separation experiments, which include heartbeat separation, fetal ECG extraction, and arrhythmia detection. Notably, the performance metrics demonstrate the superiority of our models over the baseline approaches in the conducted experiments.

Interaction between ice cover and floating platform simulated by dilated-polyhedron-based DEM

This study presents a dilated-polyhedron-based discrete element method (DPDEM) aimed at investigating the interaction between the self-propelled ice-resistant platform (IRSPP) and drifting sea ice. The IRSPP is treated as a rigid body anchored by a mooring system, providing six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) in translations and rotations. The simulation of the ice-IRSPP interaction utilizes the DPDEM, incorporating contact forces and bond-failure criteria to account for sea ice collisions and fractures, respectively. To address disparities between DEM sea ice and actual sea ice, as well as the random nature of fracture and fragmentation following IRSPP interaction, an analysis of the dimensional independence of DEM calculation elements is conducted. Additionally, the validity of DEM parameters is assessed by comparing the numerical ice resistance of various previous icebreakers with the Lindqvist formula. Then, the time history of structural ice forces, ice heeling moments, and platform motion responses under varying ice floe thicknesses are investigated. Furthermore, the influences of sea ice conditions on ice load and the value of the ice heeling moment for the IRSPP are analyzed.