Sensitivity Of Instrument Research Articles

Nursing Professionalism: A Scoping Review of Implementation Level, Evaluation Instruments, Influential Factors, and Intervention Strategies

Aim. The objective of this study is to provide a comprehensive analysis and synthesis of pertinent research on the subject of nursing professionalism. Background. The number of studies documenting nursing professionalism has been consistently increasing over the years; however, a comprehensive synthesis and analysis of the evidence presented in these reports is currently lacking. Evaluation. The scope reviews were conducted using electronic databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Science and Technology Periodical Database (VIP), and Wanfang database. Key Issues. This review included 15 studies and identified 4 significant pertinent issues: (1) the need for further investigation into the implementation level of nursing professionalism; (2) the development of culturally sensitive instruments to assess nursing professionalism; (3) an in‐depth exploration of the associated factors influencing nursing professionalism; and (4) the critical implementation of diverse intervention strategies to enhance nursing professionalism. Conclusions. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the implementation level, assessment tools, influential factors, and intervention strategies in nursing professionalism research. In addition, it emphasizes the future research direction in this field. Implications for Nursing Management. Nursing administrators need to understand the significance of improving the professional education and training of nurses, fostering a conducive work environment, and providing support for their active development of professional skills and nursing professionalism. These factors collectively contribute to the long‐term professional development of nurses and enhance the quality of patient care.

HRMS-based suspect screening of pharmaceuticals and their transformation products in multiple environmental compartments: An alternative to target analysis?

The comprehensive monitoring of pharmaceutically active compounds (PhACs) in the environment is challenging given the myriad of substances continuously discharged, the increasing number of new compounds being produced (and released), or the variety of the associated human metabolites and transformation products (TPs). Approaches such as high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS)-based suspect analysis have emerged to overcome the drawbacks of classical target analytical methods, e.g., restricted chemical coverage. In this study, we assess the readiness of HRMS-based suspect screening to replace or rather complement target methodologies by comparing the performance of both approaches in terms of i) detection of PhACs in various environmental samples (water, sediments, biofilm, fish plasma, muscle and liver) in a field study; ii) PhACs (semi)quantification and iii) prediction of their environmental risks. Our findings revealed that target strategies alone significantly underestimate the variety of PhACs potentially impacting the environment. However, relying solely on suspect strategies can misjudge the presence and risk of low-level but potentially risky PhACs. Additionally, semiquantitative approaches, despite slightly overestimating concentrations, can provide a realistic overview of PhACs concentrations. Hence, it is recommended to adopt a combined strategy that first evaluates suspected threats and subsequently includes the relevant ones in the established target methodologies.

Probing Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry Response Dynamics and Nonlinear Effects for Response Level Defined Calibration Strategies with Simple Methods To Expand Linear Dynamic Ranges.

The response characteristics of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) serve as the basis for selecting calibration methods in quantitative analysis. LC-MS/MS inherently exhibits nonlinear detection behavior, primarily attributed to the disproportionate growth observed between peak area and peak height at elevated response levels, potentially leading to signal saturation. This disproportionate peak growth results in reduced unit response (UR), which quantifies the instrument's detection sensitivity. LC-MS/MS typically operates within a narrow near-linear response range (NLRR) due to approximately proportional peak growth, yet the NLRR width varies across different analytes or platforms. Although the inclusion of stable isotope-labeled (SIL) internal standards (IS) in LC-MS/MS analysis can mitigate certain instrument response variations, it does not eliminate the fundamental cause of nonlinearity. Moreover, the concentration range accommodated by the NLRR can significantly fluctuate at different sensitivity levels. LC-MS/MS also encounters various other nonlinear effects, including ion suppression during ionization, signal cross-contribution between the analyte/IS, and matrix effects (ME). Consequently, quadratic regression emerges as a more adaptable approach to LC-MS/MS nonlinear response dynamics, offering a broader calibration range. The application of linear regression, on the other hand, requires strict conditions. Although the signal saturation zone typically remains inaccessible to calibration methods, reducing responses by employing less-optimal selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions and/or lower detection gain can facilitate fitting a wide concentration range into the NLRR, thereby enabling accurate linear regression calibration. This report delves into examining the LC-MS/MS response profile, its dynamics, and major nonlinear effects through instrument response mapping to elucidate their influence on the selection of calibration methods.

Sparse linear dictionary reconstruction for removing microphonic noise from nuclear spectrometry measurements

The deployment of precise and sensitive nuclear spectroscopy instrumentation, using high purity germanium (HPGe), requires sustained cryogenic temperatures that can be achieved with cryocooler heat pumps. However, these pumps introduce microphonic noise that broaden the peaks of the spectra. This work demonstrates the efficacy of L1-norm regularization for the purpose of removing microphonic noise generated by the cryocooler, while still recovering the correct detector pulse amplitudes. Data are first collected from an He3 neutron detector with an attached cryocooler which enables the controlled addition of microphonic noise. A dictionary is then created by combining two relatively incoherent matrices, the first is the Fourier basis and the second is a matrix created from normalized and shifted pulses. By applying this dictionary to background noise, the regularization parameter λ is obtained. Using an L1-regularization least squares solver, microphonic noise can be effectively separated, therefore reducing the variance of the detector pulses while preserving the correct amplitude.

Single-Impact Electrochemistry for Bacterial Sensing

The main objective in the detection and analysis of bio-entities such as bacteria is a low detection limit, a short assay time and a high selectivity in identification, ideally combined with easy-handling and cheap instrumentation. In this way, the development of innovative analytical methods in terms of high sensitivity and spatial-temporal resolution allowing both qualitative and quantitative analysis at single-cell and subcellular levels is becoming a technological requirement. The main advantage of electrochemistry in biosensing applications is to combine high sensitivity and ease of use with the possibility of miniaturization at low cost. Especially, new electrochemical techniques and various types of electrodes have been recently developed offering the feasibility of analysis at the single-cell level with high sensitivity and selectivity. Nano-electrochemistry has been widely extended to various applications such as biosensing thanks to the continuous improvement of the instrumentation sensitivity, especially for individual entity electrochemical detection. Single-impact electrochemistry provides a low limit of detection (in principle, one single species) inherent to this electro-analytical method and the ability to study single entities (cells, viruses, bacteria, nanoparticles...) in real-time through a dynamic measurement [1]. The electrochemical nano-impacts method or discrete collisions technique (stochastic events) consists in detecting single impacts of various entities such as nanoparticles, cells, bacteria, vesicles, viruses, proteins in solution at a polarized ultramicroelectrode (UME) [2]. For each collision event, a specific signal is recorded in the chronoamperometry curve (current as a function of time) corresponding to an “impact” of the entity onto the UME surface. Crucial information can be reached from the analysis of the electrochemical impact event in the amperometry measurement, such as the concentration and the size of the colliding entity.Electrochemical nano-impacts (or collisions) of single bacteria are usually detected by recording a chronoamperometry measurement (i–t curve) at a UME biased at a redox potential of an electroactive species in an aqueous electrolyte containing between 106 and 109 bacteria per milliliter [1, 3]. Since 2015, most of the reports in this area concern Escherichia coli (E. coli) as a model bacterium but this sensitive electro-analytical technique has not proved to be efficient for selective detection yet, except for the discrimination between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In order to develop single-impact electrochemistry toward the identification of bacterial cells, several studies deal with the use of redox mediators for probing the electrochemical activity of the bacterium. Also, an original and recent approach is to detect the virulence factors released by pathogenic bacteria rather than the cells themselves, based on redox liposomes single-impact electrochemistry [2, 4].

Sensitivity improvement of a single-NV diamond magnetometer using a chiral waveguide.

A single nitrogen-vacancy (NV) center in diamond is utilized to perform nanoscale magnetic measurements. However, the low contrast and poor collection efficiency of spin-dependent emitted photons limited the instrument sensitivity to approximately several nT/Hz. Here, we design a diamond magnetometer based on a chiral waveguide. We numerically demonstrate that the proposed device achieves a sensitivity of 170 pT/Hz owing to near-unity contrast and efficient photon collection. We also confirm that the device sensitivity is robust against position misalignment and dipole misorientation of an NV center. The proposed approach will enable the construction of a highly-sensitive magnetometer with high spatial resolution.

Positive association between omega-3/6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a mendelian randomization study.

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a common disease among the elderly, which brings great harm to the health of patients and imposes a huge economic burden on the healthcare system. Research has shown that it is possible to prevent iNPH through nutritional and dietary interventions. Intake of omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) can reduce the risk of many diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore the association between omega-3/6 PUFAs and iNPH. Methods: We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study using summary data from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to evaluate the potential impact of omega-3 and omega-6 PUFAs on the risk of iNPH in European populations. Inverse variance weighting was used as the main method for MR analysis, with Wald ratio, weighted median, MR-Egger, simple mode, and weighted mode as supplementary methods. In addition, we performed a series of instrument variable strength evaluations and sensitivity analyses to test the reliability of the study results. Finally, we also conducted a linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) analysis to assess the genetic correlation and distinguish between causal associations and shared genetic variants between PUFAs and iNPH. Results: One SD increase in genetically predicted levels of total omega-3 PUFAs (OR: 0.748; 95% CI: 0.597-0.937; p = 0.012; IVW), DHA (OR: 0.709; 95% CI: 0.532-0.945; p = 0.019; IVW), ALA (OR: 0.001; 95% CI: 1.17E-06-0.423; p = 0.026; Wald ratio), and DHA (OR: 0.709; 95% CI: 0.532-0.945; p = 0.019; IVW) were associated with a reduced iNPH risk. LDSC did not reveal any significant genetic correlations. Conclusion: Higher genetically predicted levels of total omega-3 PUFAs, ALA, DHA, and DPA are associated with a reduced risk of iNPH. These findings have important implications for preventing iNPH and future nutritional guidance.

Non-targeted analysis of lipidic extracts by high-resolution mass spectrometry to characterise the chemical exposome: Comparison of four clean-up strategies applied to egg

Biota samples are used to monitor chemical stressors and their impact on the ecosystem and to describe dietary chemical exposure. These complex matrices require an extraction step followed by clean-up to avoid damaging sensitive analytical instruments based on chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. While interest for non-targeted analysis (NTA) is increasing, there is no versatile or generic sample preparation for a wide range of contaminants suitable for a diversity of biotic matrices. Among the contaminants’ variety, persistent contaminants are mostly hydrophobic (mid- to non-polar) and bio-magnify through the lipidic fraction. During their extraction, lipids are generally co-extracted, which may cause matrix effect during the analysis such as hindering the acquired signal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of four clean-up methods to selectively remove lipids from extracts prior to NTA. We evaluated (i) gel permeation chromatography (GPC), (ii) Captiva EMR-lipid cartridge (EMR), (iii) sulphuric acid degradation (H2SO4) and (iv) polydimethyl siloxane (PDMS) for their efficiency to remove lipids from hen egg extracts. Gas and liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry fitted with either electron ionisation or electrospray ionisation sources operating in positive and negative modes were used to determine the performances of the clean-up methods. A set of 102 chemicals with a wide range of physico-chemical properties that covers the chemical space of mid- to non-polar contaminants, was used to assess and compare recoveries and matrix effects. Matrix effects, that could hinder the mass spectrometer signal, were lower for extracts cleaned-up with H2SO4 than for the ones cleaned-up with PDMS, EMR and GPC. The recoveries were satisfactory for both GPC and EMR while those determined for PDMS and H2SO4 were low due to poor partitioning and degradation/dissociation of the compounds, respectively. The choice of the clean-up methods, among those assessed, should be a compromise that takes into account the matrix under consideration, the levels and the physico-chemical properties of the contaminants.

Validation of the anxiety subscale of the Spanish version of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS-A).

There is a need to implement routine perinatal mental health screening in Spain. Therefore, it is necessary to systematise the detection of depressive and anxious symptoms in pregnancy and postpartum using the same instrument. The Edinburgh Postnatal Stress Depression Scale (EPDS) is frequently used as a rapid, effective and cross-culturally validated screening tool for perinatal depression. In several countries, an Anxiety subscale, the EPDS-A, was identified within the EPDS. Although the factorial structure of the EPDS has been investigated in Spanish population, the EPDS-A has not yet been validated. This study aimed to validate the EPDS-A as a measure of perinatal anxiety in Spanish population. 161 women were evaluated with the EPDS and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) during pregnancy and postpartum. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to confirm the trifactorial structure of the EPDS, comprising the dimensions of Depression, Anhedonia and Anxiety. Likewise, the invariance of the trifactorial model between pregnancy and postpartum was tested. Finally, the correlations between the EPDS-A and the STAI subscales (State Anxiety and Trait Anxiety) were calculated. The Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) driven three-factor structure of the EPDS, consisting of an Anhedonia factor (Items 1, 2, and 10), an Anxiety factor (Items 3, 4, 5, and 6) and a Depression factor (Items 7, 8, and 9), was the best measurement model for the current data compared to the alternative model tested [χ2 = 34.592, df = 32, p = 0.34; χ2/df = 1.08; RMSEA = 0.023, 90% Confidence Interval [CI] [0.000, 0.064], CFI = 0.996, GFI = 0.960]. The model's invariance between pregnant and postpartum women was confirmed. The existence of an Anxiety subscale within the EPDS was also confirmed. The scores obtained with the EPDS-A correlated moderately with scores on both subscales of the STAI during pregnancy and after delivery. Using the STAI as a criterion and prioritising the instrument's sensitivity, a cut-off point of 4 points was established for the EPDS-A. Our results confirm the trifactorial structure of the EPDS in Spanish population. The Anxiety subscale was validated for routine perinatal mental health screening.

Individual perceptions of community efficacy for non-communicable disease management in twelve communities in China: cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses

ObjectivesThis objective of this study was to use empirical data to assess cross-sectional variation singular and changes over time in community efficacy for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) management (COEN) and to examine individual factors associated with changes in COEN. Study designThis was a longitudinal observational study. MethodsParticipants with hypertension and diabetes were randomly selected from 12 communities from three cities in eastern China, and a baseline survey and a 1-year follow-up were conducted. The COEN scale has five dimensions: community physical environment (CPE), behavioral risk factors (BRF), mental health and social relationships (MHSR), community health management (CHM), and community organisations and activities (COA). Mixed-effects models were used to investigate the change in COEN over time and the association between individual factors and changes in COEN. ResultsCOEN scores showed significant variation singular among the 12 communities (P < 0.001) at the baseline. In the mixed-effects model, CPE (β coefficient: 1.62, P < 0.001), BRF (0.90, P < 0.001), MHSR (0.86, P < 0.001), CHM (0.46, P < 0.001), and total scores (β = 3.57, P < 0.001) increased significantly over time. The changes in COEN were associated with individual characteristics (e.g., older, men, more educated). ConclusionsCross-sectional variations and changes over time in COEN demonstrated the utility of a sensitive instrument. Factors such as age, gender, marriage, education level, and employment may affect the financial and social resources assignment for NCD management. Our findings suggest that further high-quality studies are needed to better evaluate the effect of community empowerment on the prevention and control of NCDs.

Development of Environmental Sensitivity Instruments (Esi) Based on Green Chemistry Principles (Gcp) For Chemistry Learning in High Schools

Objective: The developing environmental sensitivity instruments oriented towards the Green Chemistry Principles (GCP). GCP-oriented environmental sensitivity instrument products feasible in terms of validity and reliability. Theoretical framework: International scientific reports, articles, and publications served as the basis for the theoretical contents. Additionally, produce an instrument on environmental sensitivity that is valid and reliable. Method: Research on the development of instruments for environmental sensitivity was designed in three stages. First stage; design and development of environmental sensitivity grids and instruments based on aspects that have been studied theoretically. Second Stage; content validity testing. Third Stage; Construct Validity Testing and Instrument Reliability. This environmental sensitivity instrument was developed from four aspects, namely Harmony and diversity, environmental balance, interdependence, and sustainability. The indicators of these four aspects are related to the principles of green chemistry (GCP) which can be implemented in chemistry learning. Testing the validity of the content validity ratio (CVR) and Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) techniques. Results and Conclusion: Reliability testing with the Cronbach's Alpha technique shows that the instrument has a consistency of 0.792 (high). The results of testing the content validity using the CVR technique by eight experts obtained 24 items including in good validity category and one item in valid. The results of the EFA test conducted on 116 high school students in South Sulawesi, Indonesia showed that the sample met the adequacy of the test with the KMO and Barlett's tests. EFA analysis shows that the anti-image correlation of 24 indicators is greater than 0.5 with communality not deviating from the factor analysis, meaning that there is a consistent relationship between the indicators in the four aspects studied. Thus, the GCP-oriented environmental sensitivity instrument is declared valid and reliable to use. Originality/value: The results showed that the instrument for assessing environmental sensitivity in GCP-oriented chemistry learning was declared valid and reliable because it met all the criteria of content validity with CVR, construction validity with EFA, and high instrument reliability. The findings of this study add to knowledge and information about assessment in the realm of environmental sensitivity which of course greatly contributes to learning. There are so many phenomena of environmental damage that need to be addressed around us and that requires a sense of care and sensitivity from teachers, students and the community. Chemistry teachers or other researchers can use this instrument to find out attitudes in the form of students' sensitivity to GCP-oriented environments.

Alleviating vibrations along a harmonically driven nonuniform Euler–Bernoulli beam by imposing nodes

AbstractA passive approach is developed to quench excess vibration along a harmonically driven, arbitrarily supported, nonuniform Euler–Bernoulli beam with constant thickness (height) and varying width. Vibration suppression is achieved by attaching properly tuned vibration absorbers to enforce nodes, or points of zero vibration, along the beam. An efficient hybrid method is proposed whereby the finite element method is used to model the nonuniform beams, and a formulation based on the assumed modes method is used to determine the required attachment force supplied by each absorber to induce the desired nodes. Knowing the attachment forces needed to induce nodes, design plots are generated for the absorber parameters as a function of the tolerable vibration amplitude for each absorber mass. When the node locations are judiciously chosen, it is possible to dramatically suppress the vibration along a selected region of the beam. As such, sensitive instruments can be placed in this region and will remain nearly stationary. Numerical studies illustrate the application to several systems with various types of nonuniformity, boundary conditions, and attachment and node locations; these examples validate the proposed method to passively control excess vibration by inducing nodes on nonuniform beams subjected to harmonic excitations.

Density calculations of NGC 3783 warm absorbers using a time-dependent photoionisation model

Outflowing wind, as one type of AGN feedback involving non-collimated ionised winds such as those prevalent in Seyfert-1 AGNs, impacts the host galaxy by carrying kinetic energy outwards. However, the distance of the outflowing wind is poorly constrained because of a lack of direct imaging observations, which limits our understanding of its kinetic power, and thus of its impact on the local galactic environment. One potential approach to solving this problem involves determination of the density of the ionised plasma, making it possible to derive the distance using the ionisation parameter ξ, which can be measured based on the ionisation state. Here, by applying a new time-dependent photoionisation model, tpho, in SPEX, we define a new approach, the tpho-delay method, which we use to calculate or predict a detectable density range for warm absorbers of NGC 3783. The tpho model solves self-consistently the time-dependent ionic concentrations, which enables us to study the delayed states of the plasma in detail. We show that it is crucial to model the non-equilibrium effects accurately for the delayed phase, where the non-equilibrium and equilibrium models diverge significantly. Finally, we calculate the crossing time to consider the effect of the transverse motion of the outflow on the intrinsic luminosity variation. Future spectroscopic observations with more sensitive instruments are expected to provide more accurate constraints on the outflow density, and therefore on the feedback energetics.

Radio Absorption in the Nightside Ionosphere of Mars During Solar Energetic Particle Events

AbstractCharacterization, understanding, and prediction of the Martian radio environment are of increasing importance to the forthcoming human exploration of Mars. Here we investigate 3–5 MHz radio absorption in the nightside ionosphere of Mars caused by enhanced ionization at &lt;100 km altitudes during solar energetic particle (SEP) events. We conduct a quantitative analysis of radio absorption and SEP flux data that have been accumulated by two spacecraft currently orbiting Mars, thereby demonstrating that radio absorption is clearly correlated with SEP fluxes. A comparison of the observations with radio absorption properties predicted by a numerical model indicates that the relative temporal changes, radio frequency dependence, and SEP energy dependence of the observed radio absorption are in agreement with the model prediction. Meanwhile, the model systematically overestimates the radio absorption in the ionosphere by a factor of 3.7. We explore several sources of uncertainty, including the electron‐neutral collision frequency, absolute sensitivity of the SEP instrument, and limited transport of SEPs to the atmosphere, but the ultimate cause of the systematic discrepancy between the measured and modeled radio absorption is yet to be identified. Further efforts should be put into the development of a comprehensive and observationally validated model of radio absorption in the Martian ionosphere to assist the future crew and spacecraft activities on the surface of Mars.

Translation, Cultural Adaptation, and Psychometric Validation of the European Portuguese Version of the Iceland-Expressive Family Functioning Questionnaire (ICE-EFFQ).

A family's experience of mental illness can change the family's functioning. In clinical contexts, valid and reliable instruments that assess family functioning, therapeutic changes, and the effects of family nursing interventions are needed. This study focuses on the linguistic and cultural adaptation of the Iceland-Expressive Family Functioning Questionnaire (ICE-EFFQ) to European Portuguese and examines the psychometric properties of this instrument. A non-random sample of 121 Portuguese depressed patients and their relatives completed the questionnaire. Principal components analysis extracted 4 factors, explaining 55.58% of the total variance. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed acceptable adjustment quality indices. Cronbach's alpha coefficient was adequate for the global scale α = .86 and for the 4 subscales: communication α = .79, expression of emotions α = .68, problem-solving α = .71, and cooperation α = .61. The Portuguese version of ICE-EFFQ is a sensitive, valid, and reliable instrument for use with Portuguese families with adult members with depression and can be valuable in assessing these families' expressive functioning, before and after intervention.

Quantitative flow cytometry enables end-to-end optimization of cross-platform extracellular vesicle studies

Flow cytometry (FCM) is a common method for characterizing extracellular particles (EPs), including viruses and extracellular vesicles (EVs). Frameworks such as MIFlowCyt-EV exist to provide reporting guidelines for metadata, controls, and data reporting. However, tools to optimize FCM for EP analysis in a systematic and quantitative way are lacking. Here, we demonstrate a cohesive set of methods and software tools that optimize FCM settings and facilitate cross-platform comparisons for EP studies. We introduce an automated small-particle optimization (SPOT) pipeline to optimize FCM fluorescence and light scatter detector settings for EP analysis and leverage quantitative FCM (qFCM) as a tool to further enable FCM optimization of fluorophore panel selection, laser power, pulse statistics, and window extensions. Finally, we demonstrate the value of qFCM to facilitate standardized cross-platform comparisons, irrespective of instrument configuration, settings, and sensitivity, in a cross-platform standardization study utilizing a commercially available EV reference material.

Psychometric Properties of the Chinese Version of the ElectroConvulsive Therapy Cognitive Assessment: An Electroconvulsive Therapy-Specific Cognitive Screening Tool.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective somatic treatment, but it may be limited by cognitive adverse effects. The existing cognitive screening instruments often lack specificity to ECT-associated cognitive deficits. The ElectroConvulsive Therapy Cognitive Assessment was developed and validated in a clinical setting, but the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of ElectroConvulsive Therapy Cognitive Assessment (ECCA-C) have not been studied in a large clinical sample. The ECCA-C and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were administered to patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) undergoing ECT at 3 time points: pretreatment (baseline), before the fifth treatment, and 1 week posttreatment. The instruments were also administered to a sample of healthy subjects. Sixty-five patients with MDD and 50 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were recruited in this study. Overall, the patient group had statistically significantly lower MoCA and ECCA-C scores than the control group (both P values <0.001). The Cronbach α of the ECCA-C was 0.88 at baseline. Statistically significant decreases over time were observed in ECCA-C: pre-ECT (23.9 ± 4.0) > mid-ECT (21.3 ± 3.4) > post-ECT (18.7 ± 4.8) (all P values <0.001), whereas no statistically significant changes in MoCA scores were found at these 3 time points (F = 1.86, P = 0.165). A cutoff score of 26.5 on the ECCA-C was found to best differentiate between MDD patients and healthy controls. The ECCA-C showed satisfactory psychometric properties and may be a more sensitive instrument than the MoCA to assess cognitive impairment associated with ECT.

Design, Implementation, and Characterization of a Signal Acquisition Chain for SADino: The Precursor of the Italian Low-Frequency Telescope Named the Sardinia Aperture Array Demonstrator (SAAD).

Low-frequency aperture arrays represent sensitive instruments to detect signals from radio astronomic sources situated in the universe. In Italy, the Sardinia Aperture Array Demonstrator (SAAD) consists of an ongoing project of the Italian National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) aimed to install an aperture array constituted of 128 dual-polarized Vivaldi antennas at the Sardinia Radio Telescope (SRT) site. The originally envisaged 128 elements of SAAD were re-scoped to the 16 elements of its precursor named SADino, with the aim to quickly test the system with a digital beam-former based on the Italian Tile Processing Module (iTPM) digital back-end. A preliminary measurements campaign of radio frequency interference (RFI) was performed to survey the less contaminated spectral region. The results of these measurements permitted the establishment of the technical requirements for receiving a chain for the SADino telescope. In this paper, the design, implementation, and characterization of this signal acquisition chain are proposed. The operative frequency window of SAAD and its precursor, SADino, sweeps from 260 MHz to 420 MHz, which appears very attractive for radio astronomy applications and radar observation in space and surveillance awareness (SSA) activities.

Nanomotion of bacteria to determine metabolic profile

In addition to their visible motion such as swimming (e.g., with the help of flagella), bacteria can also exhibit nanomotion that is detectable only with highly sensitive instruments, and this study shows that it is possible to detect bacterial nanomotion using an AFM detection system. The results show that the nanomotion characteristics depend on the bacterial strain, and that nanomotion can be used to sense the metabolic activity of bacteria because the oscillations are sensitive to the food preferences of the bacteria and the type of surrounding medium.

The sensitivity and specificity of the WHO's ICOPE screening tool, and the prevalence of loss of intrinsic capacity in older adults: A scoping review.

The World Health Organization has developed the Integrated Care for Older People (ICOPE) program, a public health strategy to maintain older adults' functional abilities and promote healthier aging. The approach comprises a 5-step pathway. Step 1 is the screening for impairment in functions, and Step 2 is an in-depth evaluation to confirm the presence and severity of functional impairment. These initial two steps are crucial to determine the subsequent plan of care (Step 3) and follow-up (Step 4). The fifth step encompasses actions to support families and caregivers and to engage communities. This review gathers data from the literature on the prevalence of positive screenings regarding intrinsic capacity detected by the program's first-step screening tool, and on currently available results regarding the instrument's sensitivity and specificity. Electronic searches were conducted in the PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and SciElo databases, the medRxiv platform, and recent human aging scientific events, looking for research analyzing the ICOPE screening instrument. Studies reporting data on the prevalence of positive screenings for loss of intrinsic capacity using the proposed screening tool and/or findings on the instrument's sensitivity and specificity were included. A total of 7 publications with participants aged 50years or more were selected. The prevalence of at least one impairment in intrinsic capacity detected by the instrument varied among the studies from 17.1% to 94.3%. Sensitivity ranged from 26.4% to 100% and specificity from 22% to 96%, depending on the setting and the assessed domain. Currently available data are heterogeneous, and different results were found among the studies due to diverse settings and methodologies. The evidence on the ICOPE screening tool's performance in different populations is still scarce and reinforces the need for further research worldwide.