Instrumental Measurements Research Articles

Quantifying the impact of rail longitudinal level changes on dynamic load magnitudes through instrumented wheelset measurements

Track geometry significantly influences train-track dynamic interactions, primarily due to irregularities at the wheel-rail interface. These irregularities generate dynamic load excitations, leading to defects and damage. This study evaluates how track surface profile longitudinal level vertical changes affect vertical wheel-to-rail loads, quantified by the dynamic load factor ( ϕ ), due to the importance of ϕ in track design. A limitation of the existing studies is their focus on instrumented sections and numerical modellings without considering different track structures. This study conducted dynamic load measurements using two instrumented wheelsets (IWS) over a 340 km section operated by a North American Class 1 freight railway in the Canadian Prairies under various track structures and train speeds. Rail surface longitudinal level measurements were obtained as routine measurements through a track geometry car. The paper presents statistical distributions of rail longitudinal level across different track structures and evaluates two widely used and recently developed ϕ equations within the context of North American freight railways to quantify the impact of rail longitudinal level (i.e. profile) changes on dynamic load magnitudes. The study also evaluates regulated threshold values by considering observed trends in the measured data, which aims to quantify and compare these values with our current understanding.

Comparison between a Novel Knee Arthrometer and Simultaneous Stress Radiography for the Diagnosis of Complete and Partial Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears.

The type of ligamentous tear and the degree of knee laxity have important guiding significancefor the diagnosis and management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Instrumental measurement is necessary for ACL tears since physical examination and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) cannot provide an objective and quantitative assessment of knee laxity. This study aimed to compare the application of a novel knee arthrometer and simultaneous stress radiography in differentiating between complete and partial acute ACL tears, and further assess the correlation between the two measurements. A total of 106 patients with complete acute ACL tears and 52 patients with partial acute ACL tears were included in the study. Preoperative arthrometry and simultaneous stress radiography were performed using the Ligs arthrometer at 90, 120, and 150 N to assess side-to-side difference (SSD) in anterior knee laxity. The optimal threshold was determined using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to assess the diagnostic value of the measurement. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to assess the correlation between the two measurements. The optimal differential SSD thresholds in the Ligs arthrometer were 2.7 mm at 90 N, 3.8 mm at 120 N, and 4.6 mm at 150 N. Similarly, the optimal differential SSD thresholds in simultaneous stress radiography were 3.8 mm at 90 N, 5.1 mm at 120 N, and 5.6 mm at 150 N. The AUC analysis revealed that the Ligs arthrometer was fairly informative at 90 N (AUC = 0.851), 120 N (AUC = 0.878), and 150 N (AUC = 0.884), and simultaneous stress radiography was highly informative at 90 N (AUC = 0.910), 120 N (AUC = 0.925), and 150 N (AUC = 0.948). Moreover, the AUC of the combined measurements was 0.914 at 90 N, 0.931 at 120 N, and 0.951 at 150 N. A significantly strong correlation was found between the two measurements at 90 N (r = 0.743, p < 0.001), 120 N (r = 0.802, p < 0.001), and 150 N (r = 0.823, p < 0.001). The Ligs arthrometer and simultaneous stress radiography proved to be valid diagnostic tools to differentiate between complete and partial acute ACL tears, with a strong correlation between the two measurements in SSD values. Compared with single instrumental measurement, the combination of the two measurements can further improve the diagnostic value in this regard.

Measures Teachers’ Perceptions of Differentiated Instruction : A Combination of Guttman Scale and Item Response Theory

This study aims to develop an instrument for teachers’ perceptions of differentiated instruction by adopting Oriondo and Antonio's instrument development model. This study involves three stages of development: instrument planning, pilot testing, and measurement. The respondents involved were 152 subject teachers at the secondary school level. The instrument developed contains differentiated instruction principles: learning environment, quality curriculum, responsive teaching, continuous assessment, and leadership and routines. A combination of the Guttman Scale and Item Response Theory was used to measure teachers' perceptions, which gave significant results. The analysis results show that most instrument items follow the model used, but some items require adjustment. The implication of this study is the importance of developing valid and reliable instruments to measure teachers' perceptions of differentiated instruction. The findings can contribute to improving classroom learning practices and student learning outcomes. Thus, this study provides a strong foundation for the development of teacher professionalism and the overall improvement of education quality.

ОБСЛЕДОВАНИЕ И УСИЛЕНИЕ ПЛИТ ПОКРЫТИЯ ПРОИЗВОДСТВЕННОГО КОРПУСА ООО "РОССНАБ"

The article presents a survey and a technical solution for strengthening precast reinforced concrete ribbed coating slabs. Due to the destruction of the roofing material, precipitation freely penetrated into the interior of the building, and the coating plates were soaked for a long time. The constant soaking of the coating plates caused the development of corrosion processes in the working and structural fittings, destruction and detachment of the protective layer of concrete. The weighting of the roof composition led to the appearance of inclined cracks in the longitudinal ribs of individual slabs. The analysis of the defects in the plates showed that some plates are not able to perceive the actual values of loads. Their condition is assessed as emergency, these plates require reinforcement. Subject of research: prefabricated reinforced concrete ribbed coating plates. Materials and methods: The materials for this article were obtained during the survey of precast reinforced concrete ribbed slabs covering the production building of ROSSNAB LLC. The general parameters of the plates and visible defects were determined by visual inspection. During the instrumental examination, autopsies and measurements of the coating plates were performed, the strength and deformative parameters of the structures were determined. Results: According to the results of the study, data were obtained to assess the technical condition of precast reinforced concrete ribbed coating slabs. Lists of defects and damages have been compiled with a description of the set parameters and their values. Some plates are not able to perceive the actual values of the loads. Their condition is assessed as emergency, these plates require reinforcement. Conclusions: In view of the current emergency situation and to prevent the development of subsequent deformations, resulting in destruction, an engineering solution was prepared to strengthen the coating plates. The recommended composition of repair and restoration work and reinforcement provides for the possibility of further safe operation of the production building of ROSSNAB LLC.

Bridging the gaps – A mixed methods approach to evaluating novel feedback surveys of children on school buildings

Feedback is critical to improve the sustainability of all buildings. Current post occupancy feedback is not useful for architects and designers and barriers to obtaining post-occupancy data have been well documented. In addition, there are delays in feedback of research conclusions appearing in Continuing Professional Development. Therefore, architects need timely feedback on their own building designs and methods they can use to obtain feedback for themselves. Previously, a literature review and survey of architects were conducted to identify gaps in feedback for school buildings compared to an Integral Sustainable Design (ISD) framework. A suite of ISD comprehensive on-line surveys were developed for various school user groups to target the identified gaps. This paper presents data from testing a novel survey of children in a case study and comparison of some questions to instrument measurement. The results show that the spatial questions with reasons yielded valuable insights. Some qualitative questions will require amendment to yield useful information. Univariate analysis shows that some thermal comfort questions would be suitable as a substitute for instrument measurement whereas lighting questions would not. Conversely, the question on vocal comprehension provided clear responses, supported by instrument measurement. Likert-style questions regarding sense of place, connection to outside, feelings of safety, etc. Were generally successful. Overall, the new ISD children's survey provides useful information for architects to address feedback gaps identified and will continue to improve with lessons from this case study.

Pose Measurement of the EndoWrist Round Tip Scissor Instrument with Optical Coherence Tomography

Pose Measurement of the EndoWrist Round Tip Scissor Instrument with Optical Coherence Tomography

Experimental studies of the generating capabilities of mine hoists in industrial conditions

The article is devoted to a topical subject of distributed generation of electrical energy. The cage and skip mine hoists of the iron ore mining enterprise were considered as generators of electrical energy. The purpose of the study is to compare theoretical and experimental data on electricity generation by mine hoisting units of the Sukha Balka PJSK (Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine). The research methods are theoretical ones – on the transformation of the potential energy of a solid body into electrical energy during its movement through a mine shaft, and experimental ones – involving instrumental measurements of the consumption and generation of electrical energy by cage and skip hoists units during industrial operation. Research schedule: collection and processing of information on the operation of the cage and skip hoists of the mine named after Frunze and similar indicators of the cage and skip hoists units of the Yuvileyna mine for the period from September 1 to December 31, 2021. The novelty of the research lies in the instrumental measurement of the electrical parameters of mine hoists in real Ukrainian operating conditions. The most significant results: it was found that the volumes of electricity generation by mine cage hoists significantly exceed the results of skip hoists. The actual indicators of electricity generation by cage hoists units are much lower than the results of theoretical estimates. There is an imbalance between the generation and consumption of energy resources – 9% for the cage elevation of the mine Frunze; about 2% for the cage hoist of the Yuvileyna mine; less than 1% on skip units. It was found that there is a statistically significant correlative relationship between the generation and consumption of electricity by the cage hoist of the mine named after Frunze and no statistically significant relationship between the generation and consumption of electricity by the cage hoist unit of the Yuvileyna mine. The electricity obtained from the daily operation of two cage and two skip units of the Sukha Balka PJSC (approximately 400 kWh) is enough to power 58 average Ukrainian households.

Testing a Motor Score Based on PANSS Ratings: A Proxy for Comprehensive Motor Assessment.

Abnormal psychomotor behavior is a core schizophrenia symptom. However, assessment of motor abnormalities with expert rating scales is challenging. The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) includes 3 items broadly related to hypokinetic motor behavior. Here, we tested whether a sum score of the PANSS items mannerisms and posturing (G5), motor retardation (G7), and disturbance of volition (G13) corresponds to expert ratings, potentially qualifying as a proxy-marker of motor abnormalities. Combining baseline datasets (n = 196) of 2 clinical trials (OCoPS-P, BrAGG-SoS), we correlated PANSS motor score (PANSSmot) and 5 motor rating scales. In addition, we tested whether the cutoff set at ≥3 on each PANSS motor item, ie, "mild" on G05, G07, and G13 (in total ≥9 on PANSSmot) would differentiate the patients into groups with high vs low scores in motor scales. We further sought for replication in an independent trial (RESIS, n = 102), tested the longitudinal stability using week 3 data of OCoPS-P (n = 75), and evaluated the validity of PANSSmot with instrumental measures of physical activity (n = 113). PANSSmot correlated with all motor scales (Spearman-Rho-range 0.19-0.52, all P ≤ .007). Furthermore, the cutoff set at ≥3 on each PANSS motor item was able to distinguish patients with high vs low motor scores in all motor scales except using Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (Mann-Whitney-U-Tests: all U ≥ 580, P ≤ .017). Our findings suggest that PANSSmot could be a proxy measure for hypokinetic motor abnormalities. This might help to combine large datasets from clinical trials to explore whether some interventions may hold promise to alleviate hypokinetic motor abnormalities in psychosis.

Visual pollution in urban parks areas: a case study of Vorobyovy gory nature reserve in Moscow

The problems of negative ecological changes of Vorobyovy Gory Nature Reserve associated with visual pollution of its territory, which simultaneously performs environmental and recreational functions, were considered. In particular, two of its aspects were distinguished: information and light pollution. Their implications for the environment and humans were analyzed. The methods of quantitative assessment of these implications were given, the issues of objectivity of information pollution assessments were discussed. Based on instrumental measurements of light pollution, a map of its distribution on the territory of the nature reserve was made. The risks of visual pollution of this territory associated with the loss of its natural and cultural heritage were indicated. Ways of regulating visual pollution were proposed.

Efficacy of a Multi-lamellar Emulsion Containing a Synthetic Sphingosine Kinase 1 Activator and Pseudoceramide in Patients with Atopic Dermatitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Patients with atopic dermatitis(AD) have impaired barrier function, which decreases skin hydration, weakens their defense against microorganisms, and culminates in increased inflammatory responses. Here, we conducted a clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy of a multi-lamellar emulsion (MLE) containing the pseudoceramide PC-9S and a synthetic sphingosine kinase 1 (SPHK1) activator, Defensamide™, in improving mild-to-moderate atopic dermatitis. Forty patients aged ≥ 2years were randomized into a combined-therapy group treated with the MLE containing PC-9S and Defensamide™ plus a topical corticosteroid and a topical-corticosteroid-only group. Assessments based on therapeutic methods included the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), the Investigator Global Assessment (IGA), transepidermal water loss (TEWL), stratum corneum hydration (SCH), skin dryness, a visual analogue scale (VAS) of itchiness, a VAS of sleep disturbance, patientsatisfaction, and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Thirty-eight patients completed this study. In the combined-therapy group, significant improvements in clinical and instrumental measures such as EASI scores, skin hydration, and skin dryness were noted at 4weeks compared to baseline, but such improvements were not noted in the topical corticosteroid-only group. Subjective assessments of itching and sleep disturbance and DLQI scores also showed significant improvements in the combined-therapy group. Combined therapy with the MLE containing Defensamide™ and PC-9S and with topical corticosteroid demonstrated superior clinical outcomes compared with topical corticosteroid monotherapy. Our findings underscore the potential of MLE-containing formulations as effective adjunctive therapies for AD, offering both objective and subjective symptomatic relief and enhancing patients' quality of life.

A Postlaunch Update on the Effects of Instrumental Measurement Errors on SWOT Estimates of Sea Surface Height, Velocity, and Vorticity

Abstract The Ka-band radar interferometer (KaRIn) on the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite that was launched in December 2022 is providing the first two-dimensional altimetric views of sea surface height (SSH). Measurements are made across two parallel swaths of 50-km width separated by a 20-km gap. In the data product that will be used for most oceanographic applications, SSH estimates with a footprint diameter of about 3 km are provided on a 2 km × 2 km grid. Early analyses of in-flight KaRIn data conclude that the instrumental noise for this footprint diameter has a standard deviation less than σ3km = 0.40 cm for conditions of 2-m significant wave height. This is a factor of 2.3 better than the prelaunch expectation based on the science requirement specification. The SSH fields measured by KaRIn allow the first satellite estimates of essentially instantaneous surface current velocity and vorticity computed geostrophically from SSH. The effects of instrumental noise on smoothed estimates of velocity and vorticity based on early postlaunch assessments are quantified here as functions of the half-power filter cutoff wavelength of the smoothing. Signal-to-noise ratios for smoothed estimates of velocity and vorticity are determined from simulated noisy KaRIn data derived from a high-resolution numerical model of the California Current System. The wavelength resolution capabilities for σ3km = 0.40 cm are found to be about 17 and 35 km for velocity and vorticity, respectively, which correspond to feature diameters of about 8.5 and 17.5 km, and are better than the prelaunch expectations by about 45% and 35%.

A Dynamically Consistent ENsemble of Temperature at the Earth surface since 1850 from the DCENT dataset

Accurate historical records of Earth’s surface temperatures are central to climate research and policy development. Widely-used estimates based on instrumental measurements from land and sea are, however, not fully consistent at either global or regional scales. To address these challenges, we develop the Dynamically Consistent ENsemble of Temperature (DCENT), a 200-member ensemble of monthly surface temperature anomalies relative to the 1982–2014 climatology. Each DCENT member starts from 1850 and has a 5° × 5° resolution. DCENT leverages several updated or recently-developed approaches of data homogenization and bias adjustments: an optimized pairwise homogenization algorithm for identifying breakpoints in land surface air temperature records, a physics-informed inter-comparison method to adjust systematic offsets in sea-surface temperatures recorded by ships, and a coupled energy balance model to homogenize continental and marine records. Each approach was published individually, and this paper describes a combined approach and its application in developing a gridded analysis. A notable difference of DCENT relative to existing temperature estimates is a cooler baseline for 1850–1900 that implies greater historical warming.

Incorporation of coenzyme Q10-loaded nanoemulsions in soy protein gels and assessment of the effects in their microstructure and bioaccessibility of the bioactive

Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is a potent antioxidant that provides multiple health benefits, but its incorporation into foods is challenging due to its high hydrophobicity. This study aimed to develop soy protein isolate (SPI) gels filled with CoQ10-loaded nanoemulsion. Minimum gelation concentration tests were performed at pH 5, 6 and 7, as well as 11, 13 and 15 (SPI% w/w), to determine the best conditions for gel production. Gels with 15% SPI at pH 7 and various aqueous phase replacements by YNano Q10 (25%–85%) were produced. Uniaxial compression tests indicated that oil droplets were active particles interacting with the microgels of SPI, which structured the protein network. According to the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) micrographs, the gel structure was formed by microgels, common for SPI gels, and nanodroplets occupied the gels’ pores, possibly interacting with each other and with the protein matrix, forming a type of “emulsion network”; the scanning electron microscopy data corroborated the CLSM results. The stability of CoQ10 was evaluated using instrumental colorimetry and showed that the bioactive was highly stable after 45 days of storage according to instrumental color measurements. Regarding the release of CoQ10 during in vitro static digestion, the bioactive was present in the final digesta of gastric phase (GP) and intestinal phase (IP), indicating that EFGs protected the active against the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal tract. Notably, the higher the amount of nanoemulsion, the higher the concentration of CoQ10 present in the digesta, and the presence of nanoemulsion droplets did not influence on protein hydrolysis.

The Role of International Accounting Standard 39 in Disclosing Financial Derivatives/ Financial Instruments in the Financial Statements of Jordanian Banks Listed on the Amman

This study objective to know the nature of financial derivatives of both types (stocks and bonds) and the role of International Accounting Standard (39) in disclosing them in the financial statements, in addition to identifying their problems, how they are dealt with, and what is the mechanism for disclosing them in accordance with international accounting standards. The study used the content analysis method to determine the volume of disclosure of financial derivatives in the financial statements of a number of Jordanian banks registered on the Amman Stock Exchange. The descriptive analytical method was also used in the theoretical aspect The study showed through the conclusions that the financial reports of Jordanian banks have dealings with financial instruments and that the banks have applied the standard, but only partially and in accordance with the standard (39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement), which led to a significant improvement in the measurement and disclosure of financial instruments (stocks and bonds). Thus, the auditor is able to give an impartial technical opinion The study presented several recommendations, the most important of which are: the need to pay attention to applying Accounting Standard 39 completely and not partially for the purpose of being able to compete internationally and not just at the local level through developing and qualifying employees/and resorting to foreign companies specialized in the field of applying international accounting standards.

Prediction of blueberry sensory texture attributes by integrating multiple instrumental measurements

Blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) texture contributes to consumer satisfaction, shelf-life, and machine harvestability and is now a critical goal in breeding for new fresh market cultivars. The industry commonly uses instrumental methods to phenotype texture, assuming that instrumental measurements correlate with sensory perceptions. However, the relationship between perceived sensory textures and mechanical parameters is not well established. In this study, we characterized the fruit texture profile of 43 blueberry cultivars using nine sensory descriptors and determined the predictability of the sensory attributes using mechanical parameters. The sensory study was done by a trained descriptive sensory analysis panel, and instrumental analysis was performed using flat probe penetration and texture profile analysis (TPA) methods. Differences in the perceived firmness of blueberries were mainly due to springiness, hardness, and snap/crisp attributes. Among the mechanical parameters, maximum force (FM; a flat probe penetration parameter) and gumminess (a TPA parameter) had the strongest correlations with these three sensory attributes. To develop predictive models for the nine sensory attributes, multivariate statistical methods were used. The highest level of prediction accuracy was achieved when all the penetration or TPA parameters were used for model development. The R2 values increased by up to 0.66 compared to using a single mechanical parameter. Springiness, hardness, and snap/crisp were predictable with R2 > 0.5, regardless of the instrumental method used. TPA parameters were more suitable for predicting juiciness while residual skin was only predictable using penetration parameters. Mealiness was not predictable with any instrumental measure (R2 < 0.05). For most of the sensory attributes, the models were able to effectively discern the cultivars with the highest or lowest intensity scores. This study provides a basis for breeding programs to utilize improved estimations of the sensorial texture using diverse mechanical parameters to enhance selection for desired blueberry textures.

Aroma volatiles and sensory quality of organically-grown apple cultivars after dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage and comparison with CA-stored fruit with and without 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP)

Long-term storage of many apple cultivars can be especially challenging for organic production where use of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), a crop protectant that controls ripening is disallowed. For many cultivars, controlled atmosphere (CA) storage alone, is inadequate for managing disorders and ripening. Dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA), by determining the pO2 just above the lower oxygen limit (LOL), permits the use of lower pO2 setpoints without any negative impacts of anaerobiosis. Consequently, DCA can replace 1-MCP for maintenance of fruit quality. The goal of this study was to determine where this held true for a selection of old and new release organically-grown cultivars in the context of sensory perception. Cultivars included ‘Enterprise’ and ‘GoldRush’ harvested in 2018 (year 1), and ‘Honeycrisp’, ‘Golden Delicious’, ‘Jonagold’, and ‘Fuji’ harvested in 2020 (year 2). The LOL was monitored for DCA using chlorophyll fluorescence (CF) and compared with conventional static CA with or without 1-MCP treatment at harvest. DCA storage suppressed ripening to a similar level as 1-MCP plus CA in both years as indicated by reduced ester biosynthesis and, for some cultivars, maintenance of flesh firmness. However, ripening suppression did not impact the overall sensory preference of ‘Enterprise’, ‘Honeycrisp’, or ‘Fuji’, as all cultivars retained firmness and tartness regardless of storage regime and even negatively impacted it for ‘Goldrush’, an especially tart and firm cultivar. Sensory liking of ‘Golden Delicious’ and ‘Jonagold’ which have more typical diminishing firmness and acid profiles were most benefited by either 1-MCP treatment or DCA storage. The results highlight that use of storage technologies that suppress ripening beyond conventional CA storage are best employed on cultivars with more conventional softening and acid metabolism profiles as opposed to new cultivars that were selected primarily against these ripening phenotypes. The results also demonstrate the value of sensory evaluation compared with instrumental measurements to reveal the influence of different storage regimes on human perception.

Tongue strength and swallowing-related masseter activity and oropharyngeal timing across the lifespan

Purpose: This study examined lifespan changes in maximum tongue strength, swallowing time, and masseter activity during swallowing. It provides normative data with which to compare clinical assessments of orofacial myofunctional disorders (OMD) and oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD). Method: 409 healthy participants without identified OMD or OPD (ages 5 – 79 years) provided instrumental measures of tongue strength and electromyographic measurements for oropharyngeal transit time and masseter activity during swallows of four boluses. Participants were placed in three broad age groups (5 – 15, 16 – 59, 60 – 79) for crosssectional analysis. Results: Differences were found between age groups for tongue strength, such that the youngest group had significantly lower anterior tongue strength than the other groups, and lower posterior tongue strength than the 16 – 59 age group. Anterior tongue strength was significantly greater for males than females; posterior tongue strength did not differ significantly between the sexes. The youngest group had longer oropharyngeal transit times than either of the two older groups for most boluses. Swallowing transit time decreased in duration across the age groups, from youngest to oldest, for the 2.5 cc pudding bolus. Both right and left masseters differed in activation among tasks and age groups. The oldest age group had consistently greater levels of activation of the right masseter, and all groups had greater activation for the cracker bolus. Spearman rank-order correlations largely confirmed the inferential statistics and provided evidence of a relationship between tongue weakness and increased oropharyngeal transit time. Conclusion: Maximum tongue pressure generation and oropharyngeal timing measures support a developmental hypothesis, with lower tongue strength and longer swallowing transit times for children ages 5 through 15. The smaller pudding bolus provided the greatest differentiation among the age groups, which may prove to be a functional indicator for clinical evaluation. These results are largely consistent with existing data for tongue strength and oropharyngeal swallowing transit times.

Assessment of the efficacy and safety of Indulekha svetakutaja hair oil in management of dandruff: a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Indulekha Svetakutaja Hair Oil in comparison with coconut oil in the management of dandruff through a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study. Methods: A total of 110 subjects with clinically diagnosed moderate dandruff were randomly assigned into two groups: Group A (The Indulekha Svetakutaja Hair Oil group, n=55) and Group B (Placebo coconut hair oil group, n=55), where 50 subjects in each group completed the study. The treatment phase was for 4 weeks, followed by a regression phase of 2 weeks. Subjects applied the allotted oil on their scalp, massaged and kept it for a minimum of 30 mins or overnight thrice a week, then washed it with the provided neutral shampoo for a duration of 4 weeks. Dermatological assessments, instrumental measurements and subject self-assessment questionnaire were evaluated in comparison to baseline at weekly intervals throughout the study period. Results: After 4 weeks of treatment, group A demonstrated a significantly greater reduction (p&lt;0.05) in dandruff severity compared to group B. The Total Dandruff scores in Group A showed a significant reduction of 70.62 units while in Group B, it was noted to be 48.79 units. Nearly all participants (98%) in Group A reported a subjective perception improvement in dandruff symptoms compared to Group B. Conclusions: Indulekha Svetakutaja Hair Oil is safe and effective in controlling dandruff and improving scalp and hair health, making it a promising therapeutic option for individuals with dandruff.

Effectiveness of the A3 robot on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients: A prospective, randomized controlled trial

BACKGROUND The results of existing lower extremity robotics studies are conflicting, and few relevant clinical trials have examined short-term efficacy. In addition, most of the outcome indicators in existing studies are scales, which are not objective enough. We used the combination of objective instrument measurement and scale to explore the short-term efficacy of the lower limb A3 robot, to provide a clinical reference. AIM To investigate the improvement of lower limb walking ability and balance in stroke treated by A3 lower limb robot. METHODS Sixty stroke patients were recruited prospectively in a hospital and randomized into the A3 group and the control group. They received 30 min of A3 robotics training and 30 min of floor walking training in addition to 30 min of regular rehabilitation training. The training was performed five times a week, once a day, for 2 wk. The t -test or non-parametric test was used to compare the three-dimensional gait parameters and balance between the two groups before and after treatment. RESULTS The scores of basic activities of daily living, Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale, FM balance meter, Fugl-Meyer Assessment scores, Rivermead Mobility Index, Stride speed, Stride length, and Time Up and Go test in the two groups were significantly better than before treatment (19.29 ± 12.15 vs 3.52 ± 4.34; 22.57 ± 17.99 vs 4.07 ± 2.51; 1.21 ± 0.83 vs 0.18 ± 0.40; 3.50 ± 3.80 vs 0.96 ± 2.08; 2.07 ± 1.21 vs 0.41 ± 0.57; 0.89 ± 0.63 vs 0.11 ± 0.32; 12.38 ± 9.00 vs 2.80 ± 3.43; 18.84 ± 11.24 vs 3.80 ± 10.83; 45.12 ± 69.41 vs 8.41 ± 10.20; 29.45 ± 16.62 vs 8.68 ± 10.74; P &lt; 0.05). All outcome indicators were significantly better in the A3 group than in the control group, except the area of the balance parameter. CONCLUSION For the short-term treatment of patients with subacute stroke, the addition of A3 robotic walking training to conventional physiotherapy appears to be more effective than the addition of ground-based walking training.

Crucial textural properties of braised pork to evaluate the oral mastication behavior and its water distribution to influence tenderness.

The complex composition of braised pork, including lean meat, pigskin, and fat, makes it difficult for sensory evaluation of its texture properties. This study investigated the correlation between sensory texture attributes and physicochemical properties to achieve an objective and comprehensive evaluation of the texture of braised pork. Sensory analysis demonstrated that the overall texture acceptability of braised pork was significantly and negatively influenced by sensory texture attributes (including sensory hardness, chewiness, and toughness), while it was positively impacted by sensory adhesiveness, softness, and juiciness. Shear force and texture profile analysis (TPA) variables, reflecting mastication behavior, were used to characterize the textural properties of braised pork. They were closely related to water distribution, with a higher proportion of immobilized water (P21), indicating a higher water holding capacity and a more tender texture. Correlation analysis between sensory texture attributes and physicochemical properties through partial least squares regression further revealed significant associations between shear force, TPA variables, and sensory texture attributes. Moreover, the proportion of immobilized water (P21) significantly and negatively affected sensory hardness and chewiness, whereas the proportion of free water (P22) significantly influenced sensory toughness. Sensory texture attributes could be well predicted by the physicochemical properties by projecting test samples onto calibration models established by known samples. Therefore, a combination of sensory and instrumental measures can reliably reflect the texture properties of braised pork. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: The combination of sensory and instrumental methods is an effective strategy to accurately and objectively evaluate the texture properties of braised pork, which overcomes the limitations caused by the complexity of the composition and texture traits of braised pork. The accurate evaluation and standardization of texture properties is an important premise for the repeatable and stable cooking of traditional braised pork. Furthermore, this research method and findings can also be applied to guide the procedural optimization of smart appliances (e.g., induction cookers) for cooking braised pork.