Initial Test Research Articles

Toilet effluent separation and brown water treatment: Survey and initial feasibility testing in Mexico

Separation of domestic effluents at the source and the utilization of low-flush toilets offer alternative approaches for developing efficient wastewater treatment systems while promoting energy generation through anaerobic digestion. This study focused on assessing toilet usage in Mexico and exploring the potential of anaerobic co-digestion of brown water (feces) and toilet paper as influential factors in wastewater treatment systems. A survey was conducted on a representative sample of Mexicans to gather information on toilet usage frequency, toilet paper use and disposal practices, as well as the type and quantity of commercial disinfectants and pharmaceutical compounds they use or consume. The survey revealed that per capita toilet paper consumption is 2.9 kg annually, that 58 % of respondents do not dispose used paper in the toilet, and that about 47 % use two to three cleaning and disinfection products. Notably, 97 % of the sampled Mexican population expressed a willingness to transition to more eco-friendly toilet options. Subsequently, in a second step, the anaerobic co-digestion of brown water with toilet paper was evaluated, demonstrating a relatively high production of volatile fatty acids but low methane production. This suggests an efficient hydrolysis/acidogenesis process coupled with restrained methanogenesis, probably due to pH decrease caused by acidogenesis. This study underscores that toilet paper and brown water are potential suitable substrates for anaerobic co-digestion. Furthermore, it sheds light on the behaviors of Mexican society regarding bathroom use and cleaning, contributing to the establishment of foundations for wastewater treatment systems with effluent separation at the source.

The use of ChatGPT to improve scientific article productivity of postgraduate students

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is increasingly promising. ChatGPT as an AI-based platform that can answer all questions can be a solution for learners. This article examines the use of ChatGPT in increasing the productivity of scientific articles of Postgraduate Students of IAIN Kediri. This study used a quasi-experimental design, with the experimental group engaging in scientific article writing using ChatGPT and the control group doing it conventionally. The sample of this study was 2nd semester Postgraduate Students of Islamic Education Management Study Program IAIN Kediri. Data were collected through initial and final tests in scientific article writing. Descriptive and inferential statistical analysis was conducted to analyze the data. The results showed that the average score of the experimental group was 82.68 while the control group score was 68.83. Then the N-Gain value data of the experimental group is greater than the control group with the results of 53.30> 23.01. These results explain the significant increase in scientific article productivity in the experimental group compared to the control group. This finding consistently supports the idea that the use of ChatGPT can increase the productivity of scientific articles for students. The implications of the results for scholarly writing practice are also discussed, along with recommendations for further research.

Gradient-Based Optimization for Intent Conflict Resolution

The evolving landscape of network systems necessitates automated tools for streamlined management and configuration. Intent-driven networking (IDN) has emerged as a promising solution for autonomous network management by prioritizing declaratively defined desired outcomes over traditional manual configurations without specifying the implementation details. This paradigm shift towards flexibility, agility, and simplification in network management is particularly crucial in addressing inefficiencies and high costs linked to manual management, notably in the radio access part. This paper explores the concurrent operation of multiple intents, acknowledging the potential for conflicts, and proposes an innovative reformulation of these conflicts to enhance network administration effectiveness. Following the initial detection of conflicts among intents using a gradient-based approach, our work employs the Multiple Gradient Descent Algorithm (MGDA) to minimize all loss functions assigned to each intent simultaneously. In response to the challenge posed by the absence of a closed-form representation for each key performance indicator in a dynamic environment for computing gradient descent, the Stochastic Perturbation Stochastic Approximation (SPSA) is integrated into the MGDA algorithm. The proposed method undergoes initial testing using a commonly employed toy example in the literature before being simulated for conflict scenarios within a mobile network using the ns3 network simulator.

Multi-User System for Earth Sensing Spacecraft Attitude Calibration and Analysis

The Teledyne Multiple User System for Earth Sensing (“MUSES”) was developed for commercial Earth imaging and instrument technology development on the International Space Station (ISS). MUSES simultaneously hosts up to four Earth ensing instruments and provides inertial pointing and tracking to orient instruments toward planned targets on the ground. Up to four instruments are robotically installed on MUSES and periodically interchanged as warranted. MUSES was delivered to the ISS in June 2017, with initial testing successfully completed and subsequently documented in an initial requirements verification report. Assessing the performance of the MUSES attitude estimation system is challenging due to the lack of an independent attitude estimate of the platform attitude. A novel approach is introduced herein where the ISS attitude estimate, derived from ISS Global Positioning System sensors, is employed as an independent measure of MUSES platform attitude. Spectral decomposition methods are used to account for the contributions of ISS deformations to the variance in disparities between the ISS and MUSES attitudes and thus enable a less conservative estimate of the variance in MUSES attitude error. Implementing the spectral decomposition results in a best estimate upper bound on MUSES attitude errors of 34.5 and 27.7 arcsec, respectively, in the along-track and cross-track axes. Both the simulated and real results obtained from the spacecraft are presented.

Development and initial testing of mindful journey: a digital mindfulness-based intervention for promoting recovery from Substance use disorder

Background/Objectives There is a great unmet need for accessible adjunctive interventions to promote long-term recovery from substance use disorder (SUD). This study aimed to iteratively develop and test the initial feasibility and acceptability of Mindful Journey, a novel digital mindfulness-based intervention for promoting recovery among individuals with SUD. Patients/Materials Ten adults receiving outpatient treatment for SUD. Methods Phase 1 (n = 5) involved developing and testing a single introductory digital lesson. Phase 2 included a separate sample (n = 5) and involved testing all 15 digital lessons (each 30- to 45-minutes) over a 6-week period, while also receiving weekly brief phone coaching for motivational/technical support. Results Across both phases, quantitative ratings (rated on a 5-point scale) were all at or above a 4 (corresponding with ‘agree’) for key acceptability dimensions, such as usability, understandability, appeal of visual content, how engaging the content was, and helpfulness for recovery. Additionally, in both phases, qualitative feedback indicated that participants particularly appreciated the BOAT (Breath, Observe, Accept, Take a Moment) tool for breaking down mindfulness into steps. Qualitative feedback was used to iteratively refine the intervention. For example, based on feedback, we added a second core mindfulness tool, the SOAK (Stop, Observe, Appreciate, Keep Curious), and we added more example clients and group therapy videos. In Phase 2, 4 out of 5 participants completed all 15 lessons, providing initial evidence of feasibility. Participants reported that the phone coaching motivated them to use the app. The final version of Mindful Journey was a smartphone app with additional features, including brief on-the-go audio exercises and a library of mindfulness practices. Although, participants used these additional features infrequently. Conclusions Based on promising initial findings, future acceptability and feasibility testing in a larger sample is warranted. Future versions might include push notifications to facilitate engagement in the additional app features.

The effects of combined transcranial brain stimulation and a 4-week visuomotor stepping training on voluntary step initiation in persons with chronic stroke-a pilot study.

Evidence suggests that transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) can enhance motor performance and learning of hand tasks in persons with chronic stroke (PCS). However, the effects of tDCS on the locomotor tasks in PCS are unclear. This pilot study aimed to: (1) determine aggregate effects of anodal tDCS combined with step training on improvements of the neural and biomechanical attributes of stepping initiation in a small cohort of persons with chronic stroke (PCS) over a 4-week training program; and (2) assess the feasibility and efficacy of this novel approach for improving voluntary stepping initiation in PCS. A total of 10 PCS were randomly assigned to one of two training groups, consisting of either 12 sessions of VST paired with a-tDCS (n = 6) or sham tDCS (s-tDCS, n = 4) over 4 weeks, with step initiation (SI) tests at pre-training, post-training, 1-week and 1-month follow-ups. Primary outcomes were: baseline vertical ground reaction force (B-vGRF), response time (RT) to initiate anticipatory postural adjustment (APA), and the retention of B-VGRF and RT. a-tDCS paired with a 4-week VST program results in a significant increase in paretic weight loading at 1-week follow up. Furthermore, a-tDCS in combination with VST led to significantly greater retention of paretic BWB compared with the sham group at 1 week post-training. The preliminary findings suggest a 4-week VST results in improved paretic limb weight bearing (WB) during SI in PCS. Furthermore, VST combined with a-tDCS may lead to better retention of gait improvements (NCT04437251) (https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04437251).

Waste to functions: Construction of a novel solar-thermal conversion material based on sludge-derived carbon dots via Ca-in-situ-functionalization for efficient solar-driven water evaporation

Solar interface water evaporator (SIWE) based on waste-derived carbon dots (CDs) are highly promising for large-scale production applications in the future, due to their low-cost, eco-friendly, and tunable structure and properties. However, there are still obstacles, including limited performance, blind selection of waste materials, and unknown underlying mechanisms between waste properties and the physicochemical properties of derived CDs. In this study, a novel CDs-based wooden SIWE derived from paper mill sludge (PMS) was constructed (called ESCDs-wood). Under 1 sun, ESCDs rapidly heated up from 15.6 °C to 53.5 °C and reached stability within 10 mins. The solar-thermal conversion efficiency of ESCDs was as high as 137.58 %, and the ESCDs-wood achieved a high evaporation rate of 2.94 kg m-2h−1. Moreover, the ESCDs-wood cost about $9 to complete 1 m2 evaporation. Meanwhile, the ESCDs-wood exhibited long-term stability, after 20 cycles, its solar-thermal conversion efficiency and water evaporation rate remained at 84.21 % and 85.03 % of the initial test, respectively. Moreover, the Ca-doping was found to be a key factor in effectively enhancing the solar-thermal conversion and the thermal stability of ESCDs, and the exact role of Ca-doping on the solar-thermal conversion performance enhancement of CDs was validated and revealed. Therefore, this study not only constructed a cost-effectiveness, high performance, sustainability, chemical-free, and eco-friendly SIWE, but also innovatively proposed the functionalization mechanism of Ca-doping for CDs and thus provided a new sight for the targeted regulation and design of CDs.

Development and initial evaluation of the usefulness of a question prompt list to promote patients' level of information about work-related medical rehabilitation: a pilot study.

The purpose of this study was to develop a question prompt list (QPL) to support patients undergoing work-related medical rehabilitation in obtaining relevant information and to explore how patients and physicians rate the QPL regarding its usefulness, practicability, and perceived (additional) effort. An initial item pool was assessed by rehabilitation patients (N = 3) in cognitive interviews, rated by physicians and other health professionals (N = 11), and then further modified. The final QPL version (16 items) was used by patients (N = 36) in medical admission interviews in an inpatient medical rehabilitation facility and then evaluated. Physicians evaluated the QPL after each interview with a study participant (N = 6; k = 39 interviews). The QPL was used by 50% of patients who rated its usefulness and comprehensibility positively. Neither the need for information nor satisfaction with the information received was correlated with QPL use. The physicians' assessment showed a positive evaluation regarding the provision of information and structuring of the conversation, but also a higher perceived time expenditure. While initial testing of the QPL in work-related medical rehabilitation as a tool to support patient-provider communication generally showed a favorable evaluation by patients using it and physicians, future research should address its validity and effectiveness.

Mechanical characterization and torsional buckling of pediatric cardiovascular materials

In complex cardiovascular surgical reconstructions, conduit materials that avoid possible large-scale structural deformations should be considered. A fundamental mode of mechanical complication is torsional buckling which occurs at the anastomosis site due to the mechanical instability, leading surgical conduit/patch surface deformation. The objective of this study is to investigate the torsional buckling behavior of commonly used materials and to develop a practical method for estimating the critical buckling rotation angle under physiological intramural vessel pressures. For this task, mechanical tests of four clinically approved materials, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE), Dacron, porcine and bovine pericardia, commonly used in pediatric cardiovascular surgeries, are conducted (n = 6). Torsional buckling initiation tests with n = 4 for the baseline case (L = 7.5 cm) and n = 3 for the validation of ePTFE (L = 15 cm) and Dacron (L = 15 cm and L = 25 cm) for each are also conducted at low venous pressures. A practical predictive formulation for the buckling potential is proposed using experimental observations and available theory. The relationship between the critical buckling rotation angle and the lumen pressure is determined by balancing the circumferential component of the compressive principal stress with the shear stress generated by the modified critical buckling torque, where the modified critical buckling torque depends linearly on the lumen pressure. While the proposed technique successfully predicted the critical rotation angle values lying within two standard deviations of the mean in the baseline case for all four materials at all lumen pressures, it could reliably predict the critical buckling rotation angles for ePTFE and Dacron samples of length 15 cm with maximum relative errors of 31% and 38%, respectively, in the validation phase. However, the validation of the performance of the technique demonstrated lower accuracy for Dacron samples of length 25 cm at higher pressure levels of 12 mmHg and 15 mmHg. Applicable to all surgical materials, this formulation enables surgeons to assess the torsional buckling potential of vascular conduits noninvasively. Bovine pericardium has been found to exhibit the highest stability, while Dacron (the lowest) and porcine pericardium have been identified as the least stable with the (unitless) torsional buckling resistance constants, 43,800, 12,300 and 14,000, respectively. There was no significant difference between ePTFE and Dacron, and between porcine and bovine pericardia. However, both porcine and bovine pericardia were found to be statistically different from ePTFE and Dacron individually (p < 0.0001). ePTFE exhibited highly nonlinear behavior across the entire strain range [0, 0.1] (or 10% elongation). The significant differences among the surgical materials reported here require special care in conduit construction and anastomosis design.

A287 LEVERAGING MACHINE LEARNING TO IMPROVE THE DIAGNOSTIC ACCURACY OF ULTRASOUND SCREENING FOR HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA

Abstract Background Ultrasound screening stands out as the gold standard for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) detection, attributed to its broad accessibility, patient-friendly, and cost-efficient nature. Nevertheless, the five-year survival rate for HCC currently rests at 32.7%, with suboptimal screening being a key contributor to this. The recent years have witnessed the rise of machine learning models, powered by artificial neural networks. Among these, convolutional neural networks (CNNs) have taken the lead in revolutionizing medical image analysis, offering unprecedented success in predictive tasks and giving us hope for a brighter future in the fight against HCC Aims To train and test a machine learning algorithm using pre-trained CNNs to improve early detection of HCC through ultrasound screening. Methods In this retrospective study, 1835 charts of patients with chronic liver disease were reviewed: 346 with histologically confirmed HCC and 1457 with ultrasounds without HCC. A diagnosis of HCC was confirmed pathologically on biopsy or surgical resection, and/or radiographically with a Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI-RADS) score of five on CT and/or MRI. Patients with benign lesions were required to have at least two ultrasounds three years apart that confirmed benign characteristics. Cases were excluded if they had a prior history of treated HCC, post-transplant HCC, or HCC with Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) Stage B and above. All ultrasound images were reviewed by experienced radiologists, and segmented as liver lesions (HCC versus benign) and surrounding liver. Results A total of 149 patients have been included to date, comprising 72 with benign lesions, 73 with HCC, and four with both benign and malignant lesions. 224 lesions have been segmented, consisting of 87 HCC and 137 benign lesions. Candidate networks are under development and evaluation for the classification of liver lesions. Imaging pre-processing was performed such that the liver region of interest (ROI) and the lesion ROI were standardized, with 2-channel greyscale images on two separate channels. The algorithm was constructed using a per-lesion analysis. Initial testing has achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 73.3%, 95% CI [68.6, 77.0] with 2 repetitions of 10-fold cross-validation. Conclusions Enhancing ultrasound screening for HCC is imperative for improving patient care. Analysis of remaining cases is ongoing. Future studies will be essential, including prospective evaluation and external validation. Funding Agencies None

Didactic Use of the Publisher Processor to Enhance Meaningful Learning in Peruvian Secondary School Students

The coronavirus pandemic has changed the course of education from face-to-face to remote. In response to this context, we investigated the positive effect of the didactic use of the Publisher processor to enhance meaningful learning in the competence "explain the physical world based on scientific knowledge about matter and energy, biodiversity, earth and universe" of the science and technology area in fifth grade students of secondary education of a Public Educational Institution of Chiclayo (Peru). For this purpose, a pre-experimental design with pre- and post-test was used with a sample of 102 students selected in a non-probabilistic way. A program based on activities incorporated in learning experiences proposed by the Ministry of Education (Peru) was applied. As a result, 72% of the students increased their academic performance after the application of the program, improving up to five (5) points compared to the initial test. Thus, the development of didactic material using the Publisher processor strengthens learning, which highlights the importance of information technologies in the achievement of active learning and the need to use them in the processes of mediation, reinforcement and teacher feedback in virtual and/or face-to-face scenarios.

IN VIVO ACUTE TOXICITY TEST OF ALOIN EXTRACT ON CHICKEN WHITE MENCITES (Mus musculus)

Aloin has many benefits potential as a medicine. However, it is necessary to carry out toxicity tests on experimental animals as a pre-screening test. Toxic effect parameters were seen from changes in body weight, tremors, convulsions, salivation, weakness, walking backward, walking on the stomach, death, and levels of SGOT and SGPT in experimental animals. This study aims to evaluate the in vivo acute aloin toxicity test results in mice (Mus Musculus) regarding potential toxic symptoms and animal death. A sample of 27 mice were separated into three groups for this investigation: the control group, the treatment group I at a dose of 2500 µg/kg BW, and the treatment group II at an amount of 5000 µg/kg BW, and 5 mice in the preliminary test. This study employed a laboratory experimental test method using a pre-post control group design study. Based on observations of experimental animals, it concluded neither the preliminary test nor the toxicity test revealed any toxic signs. Neither the initial test nor the toxicity test resulted in any observed animal fatalities. Before and after aloin administration, changes in body weight were significantly different. Treatment group II, treatment group I, and the control group's SGOT levels were classified from highest to lowest, with subsequent values of 22.4 U/L, 21.9 U/L, and 19.9 U/L. The highest value of 35.7 U/L, 32.1 U/L, and 26.2 U/L in the treatment groups II, I, and the control group was used to rank the SGPT levels. There were no toxic symptoms and no mortality in experimental animals, so it can be concluded that aloin did not cause harmful effects in mice, so it was categorized as a pseudo-lethal dose.

Monitoring trends in the absolute lymphocyte count and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in patients with breast cancer receiving eribulin

BackgroundStudies have shown that the absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) are related to the outcomes in patients with breast cancer receiving specific chemotherapies. However, the reports have focussed on the initial blood test and there is a lack of evidence or data to support that dynamic changes of ALC or NLR are associated with the patients’ survival outcomes.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records from patients with breast cancer treated with eribulin from 2015 to 2019 at our institution. Blood test data were available prior to starting eribulin (baseline), and at 1, 3 and 6 months after initiating eribulin. We classified the patients into ALC and NLR high and low groups using the following cut-offs: 1000/µl for ALC and 3 for NLR. We defined ALC and NLR trends as increasing or decreasing compared with the initial data. We assessed the associations between the ALC and NLR with progression-free survival and overall survival.ResultsThere were 136 patients with breast cancer treated with eribulin. Of these patients, 60 had complete blood tests and follow-up data. Neither a high ALC nor a low baseline NLR was associated with the survival outcome. One month after initiating eribulin treatment, a high ALC and a low NLR were significantly associated with longer progression-free survival (p = 0.044 for each). Three months after initiating eribulin, a high ALC was significantly associated with better overall survival (p = 0.006). A high NLR at 3 or 6 months after initiating eribulin was associated with worse overall survival (p = 0.017 and p = 0.001, respectively). The ALC and NLR trends across times were not associated with survivals.ConclusionWe showed that 1, 3 and 6 months after initiating eribulin, a high ALC and a low NLR may be related to the patients’ survival outcomes. The ALC and NLR trends were not associated with survival. Accordingly, we believe patients who maintain a high ALC and a low NLR may have better clinical outcomes after initiating eribulin.

STUDY OF COMMUNAL BASIUNI IMRAN ISLAMIC BOARDING SCHOOL WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT (WWTP) IN SAMBAS REGENCY

Islamic Boarding School has a treatment capacity of 33 m3 and an area of 24 m2. Based on the results of initial wastewater quality tests on communal WWTP, the TSS, COD, and BOD parameters are above the quality standard threshold based on the Wastewater Quality Standard of the Minister of Environment Regulation Number 68 of 2016. This evaluation aims to determine the processing efficiency of communal WWTP and evaluate the processing unit in communal WWTP as well as alternative improvements that effectively reduce the parameters of pH, TSS, BOD, COD, and fatty oils. This research method is descriptive analytics, which analyses problems from data collected descriptively to find solutions to problems. The results of this evaluation show that the TSS, COD, and BOD parameters are above the quality standard threshold. The pH parameter increased by 3.6%, removal efficiency for BOD by 76.4%, COD by 71.9%, TSS by 84.3%, and oil grease by 91.9%. Alternative WWTP improvements are carried out by redesigning the Communal WWTP, which consists of calculating the equalization unit, precipitator I, anaerobic filter, Precipitator II, disinfection, and sludge thickener, Sludge digester, sludge drying bed and analysis of the Budget Plan Cost (RAB). The communal WWTP redesign requires a land area of 52.62 m2 with a processing capacity of 56.8 m3 and a cost budget plan of Rp.157,224,000.00. The redesign results of this evaluation can reduce environmental impacts due to domestic wastewater.

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD) or Chronic-Relapsing Inflammatory Optic Neuropathy (CRION)?: A Challenge in Diagnosis and Treatment

Abstract&#x0D; Introduction : Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a chronic inflammatory, immune-mediated central nervous system disease targeting the AQP4-water channel membrane protein of the optic nerve and the spinal cord. This case report aims to present a case of seroconverting NMOSD which was initially diagnosed as chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (CRION).&#x0D; Case Illustration : 15-year-old female with recurrent, steroid-dependent optic neuritis of the LE. During the first attack, brain MRI showed optic nerve inflammation with normal brain findings. Initial test for AQP4-IgG, MOG-Ab and ANA profile were negative. The diagnosis of CRION was made. Treatment with corticosteroid and immunosuppressant agent was maintained for one year. After treatment cessation, however, LE optic neuritis recurred with bilateral lower limb weakness. Spinal MRI showed signs of longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis. Re-testing for AQP4-IgG showed positive result. Diagnosis of NMOSD was made, and the patient was treated with high-dose intravenous corticosteroid followed by oral dose, and immunosuppressant. Final visual acuity of the LE was 1.0, with minimal residual visual field defect and good motor function.&#x0D; Discussion : During the initial attack, the patient did not meet the 2015 NMOSD international consensus diagnostic criteria. The AQP4-IgG was negative and no other corresponding signs and symptoms. The criteria was met one year after: optic neuritis, LETM and positive seroconversion of AQP4-IgG.&#x0D; Conclusion : Diagnosing NMOSD is at times challenging especially during initial attack. Retesting of the AQP4- IgG is at times necessary in seronegative patients, especially in children showing ADEM-like event with optic neuritis and LETM to achieve diagnosis and proper treatment strategy.

Real-world utility of overnight oximetry for the screening of obstructive sleep apnea in children

BackgroundObstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common problem in children and can result in developmental and cognitive complications if untreated. The gold-standard tool for diagnosis is polysomnography (PSG); however, it is an expensive and time-consuming test to undertake. Overnight oximetry has been suggested as a faster and cheaper initial test in comparison to PSG as it can be performed at home using limited, reusable equipment. AimThis retrospective case control study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a home oximetry service (implemented in response to extended waiting times for routine PSG) in reducing the time between patient referral and treatment. MethodsPatients undergoing diagnostic sleep evaluation for suspected OSA who utilized the Queensland Children's Hospital screening home oximetry service in the first year since its inception in 2021 (n = 163) were compared to a historical group of patients who underwent PSG in 2018 (n = 311). Parameters compared between the two groups included time from sleep physician review to sleep test, ENT review, and definitive treatment in the form of adenotonsillectomy surgery (or CPAP initiation for those who had already undergone surgery). ResultsThe time from sleep physician review and request of the sleep-related study to ENT surgical treatment was significantly reduced (187 days for the HITH oximetry group vs 359 days for the comparable PSG group; p-value <0.05), and time from sleep study request to the report of results was significantly lower for patients in the oximetry group compared to those in the PSG group (11 days vs 105 days; p-value <0.05). ConclusionThese results suggest that for children referred to a tertiary sleep center for possible obstructive sleep disordered breathing, a home oximetry service can be effective in assisting sleep evaluation and reducing the time to OSA treatment.

Non-Invasive Assessment of Liver Fibrosis in Hepatitis B Patients.

The aim of this review is to provide updated information on the clinical use of non-invasive serum and imaging-based tests for fibrosis assessment in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection. In recent years, non-invasive tests (NIT) have been increasingly used to determine eligibility for treatment. Liver biopsy is still considered the gold standard for assessing inflammatory activity and fibrosis staging, but it is an invasive procedure with inherent limitations. Simple serum markers such as APRI and FIB-4 are limited by indeterminate results but remain useful initial tests for fibrosis severity if imaging elastography is not available. Point-of-care US-based elastography techniques, such as vibration-controlled transient elastography or 2D shear wave elastography, are increasingly available and have better accuracy than simple serum tests for advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis, although stiffness cut-offs are variable based on E-antigen status and inflammatory activity. Current NITs have poor diagnostic performance for following changes in fibrosis with antiviral therapy. However, NITs may have greater clinical utility for determining prognosis in patients with CHB that have advanced disease, especially for the development of hepatocellular carcinoma and/or liver decompensation. Algorithms combining serum and imaging NITs appear promising for advanced fibrosis and prognostic risk stratification.

Prevalence of nandrolone preparations with endogenous carbon isotope ratios in Australia

AbstractNandrolone and its prohormones, including 19‐norandrost‐4‐ene‐3,17‐dione and 19‐norandrost‐4‐ene‐3β,17β‐diol, are anabolic steroids forbidden at all times in sports according to the World Anti‐Doping Code Prohibited List and its metabolite 19‐norandrosterone (19NA) is the preferred urinary target compound to identify their abuse. In recent years, an increasing number of 19NA isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) cases have arisen that, based on the initial testing procedure, were likely to result in an adverse analytical finding but were concluded negative after IRMS analysis. The current study was therefore set up to gain a better insight on the prevalence of nandrolone preparations with endogenous carbon isotope ratio values in Australia. Suitable workplace (non‐athlete) urine samples that had previously been reported positive for 19NA were identified and analysed on IRMS. A total of 82% of the samples that were analysed were reported with enriched carbon isotope ratios of 19NA (i.e., 19NA greater than −26‰). This indicates that there is a high prevalence of nandrolone‐containing anabolic androgenic steroid preparations in Australia that have ‘endogenous’ carbon isotope ratios which reduces the ability to identify exogenous nandrolone.

The Performative Teaching Inventory: Instrument Development and Estimates of Reliability and Validity

Engaged pedagogy through performative teaching emanates from a teaching philosophy that recognizes the importance of making teaching and learning processes into reality through actively engaging students. This study ascertained to develop and validate an instrument that measures performative teaching techniques. A review of relevant and recent literature on teaching practices was done which led to the writing of the items in the instrument evaluated by subject matter experts (SMEs). A total of 100 teachers participated in the initial test administration. The adequacy indicator of the sample ΚΜΟ=0.868 indicating that the sample data were enough for Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of extracting factor loadings based on the eigenvalue greater than 1. Results yielded valid items and extracted four (4) factor loadings around .511 to .830 while Cronbach’s Alpha indicates the instrument is internally consistent. The development of the final instrument was based on the results of the evaluation of the instrument’s reliability and validity. For purposes of recognition, the instrument was named “Performative Teaching Inventory for Teachers ( PTI ).”

Development of fiber reinforced compound bipolar foils for fuel cells

In the research project "InduRex", the challenge was to produce graphite polymer bipolar plates with the thinnest possible thickness. The physical and chemical requirements were defined according to the values set by the "Department of Energy". Within the scope of the project, the continuous production of highly filled foils, which were then successfully structured as bipolar foils and operated in a fuel cell, was successfully implemented. Initial cell tests demonstrated a good cell efficiency at low and medium current densities. For this reason, the approach of creating bipolar plates from compound foils is still being pursued. Now the challenge is to produce bipolar films with a larger active area and to increase the mechanical stability to such an extent that the construction of a multicell stack can be realized. As a result, a metallic bipolar plate design was successfully transferred to a compound foil as part of the "InduRex" project. The problem is that with a larger bipolar foil there is a risk of obtaining low mechanical stability. Therefore, carbon fibers are introduced into the films as part of the research project "Faserverstaerkte Folien" in order to improve the mechanical properties. In addition to continuous production, the thin-walled foils are reinforced with carbon fibers using a hot press. The fiber-reinforced foils will be characterized in the next steps to investigate the influence of the carbon fibers. The aim is to obtain even thinner bipolar plates with consistent properties from the extruded foils in order to reduce the overall weight and volume of the fuel cell.