Time Interaction Research Articles

A resiliency intervention adapted for older women with HIV: Results from a pilot randomized controlled trial in the northeastern US.

Aging with HIV often results in psychosocial and health-related challenges for women; however, no resiliency interventions exist for older women with HIV (WWH). WWH aged ≥50 were randomized to 10 group sessions of an adapted resiliency intervention or time-matched supportive psychotherapy. Assessments were conducted at three timepoints. Feasibility and acceptability metrics were defined a priori; differences in resilience, stress coping, anxiety, and depression across timepoints were assessed. Overall, 44 WWH enrolled; participants were 58 years old on average, and 56.4% identified as Black/African American. Among those who attended any sessions, all feasibility metrics were met, and the intervention was acceptable. The interaction of study arm and time was associated with significant decreases in depression and a trend toward significant decreases in anxiety. The intervention was not associated with changes in resilience or stress coping. Adjusting delivery modality may further reduce barriers to attendance, improving feasibility and clinical outcomes.

Identification of Peripheral Fatigue through Exercise-Induced Changes in Muscle Contractility

The aim of this study was to assess whether tensiomyography is a tool sensitive enough to detect peripheral fatigue. Twenty-six strength-trained men were split into two groups: 1) a fatigued group (FG), who performed a full-squat (SQ) standardized warm-up plus 3 x 8 SQs with 75% 1RM with a 5-min rest interval, and 2) a non-fatigued group (NFG), who only did the SQ standardized warm-up. The countermovement jump (CMJ), maximal isometric force (MIF) in the SQ at 90º knee flexion, and TMG in vastus medialis (VM) and vastus lateralis (VL) muscles were assessed pre- and post-protocols. Data were analyzed through mixed ANOVA, logistic regression analysis, and receiver-operating curves. There were significant group x time interactions (p < 0.01) for CMJ height, MIF, maximal radial displacement (Dm), and radial displacement velocity (Vrd90) since the FG acutely decreased in these variables, while no significant changes were observed for the NFG. The logistic regression showed a significant model for detecting fatigue, whether it used the CMJ or MIF, with only the relative change in VL-Vrd90 as a fatigue predictor. The determination of the area under the curve showed that Dm and Vrd90 had good to excellent discriminative ability. Dm and Vrd90 are sensitive to detect fatigue in VL and VM muscles in resistance training contexts.

Experimental Investigation on Thermal Performance of Solar Air Heater using Nano-PCM

Herein, the performance of a solar air heater (SAH) is experimentally investigated, utilising an array of tubes as the absorbent part. The study evaluates the impact of incorporating Al2O3-paraffin wax as a non-PCM storage medium in comparison to a traditional flat-plate solar air heater, specifically under Najaf-Iraq climate conditions. The SAH is positioned at an inclination of 32.1 degrees with respect to the horizon, allowing it to align optimally with the solar direction. The results reveal notable differences in thermal performance characteristics among the various models. The highest thermal efficiency values are observed for distinct configurations: the proposed model achieves about 55.2%, the wax-supported model reaches 55.9%, and the nano-PCM-reinforced model attains 57.7%, while the traditional model lags at 48.2%. Furthermore, an analysis of different air mass flow rates highlights a crucial finding. Specifically, an air mass flow rate of 0.01 kg/s results in a higher temperature exiting from the system compared to a flow rate of 0.02 kg/s. This is attributed to the extended interaction time between the passing air and the absorbing surface, facilitating enhanced heat exchange. Consequently, the system's thermal efficiency experiences an increase. The study underscores the superior thermal performance and efficiency of the tube array nano-PCM collector type under Najaf city-Iraq climate conditions.

Unlocking Team Dynamics: Exploring the Influence of Group Regulation on Technical Development in Small-Sided Soccer Games

Abstract Purpose Discussions held by players during the halftime of a soccer match are widely recognized as influential factors in boosting their involvement and physical activity of soccer players. This study aimed to investigate the impact of learning small-sided games (SSG) through player discussions on decision-making, as well as the technical and tactical skills of young soccer players. Methods Forty-two U-15 male amateur soccer players were randomly assigned to 6 groups and participated in a study comprising 4 sessions of small-sided games (SSG). Each session consisted of two sets of 15 min each. The SSG sessions were conducted with and without the inclusion of self-regulation of learning. Technical actions (i.e., balls won, balls received, balls lost, shots, and goals) were measured during each set of sessions using a digital camera recorder. Results The results showed no significant differences in the main effects of the time, group, session, and group × session × time interactions for most technical actions. However, there was a significant main effect of group observed for shoot action (P = 0.021; ηp2 = 0.102), with a higher number of shoot actions in the co-regulation of learning group than in the self-regulation of learning group. Conclusion The self-regulation approach employed by players alone did not lead to significant improvements in technical performance during SSG. Further research is needed to explore additional factors and/or interventions that could potentially enhance the effectiveness of learning through discussions in SSG.

Online Reading Comprehension Assessment of Primary School Students: Analysis of Testing Behavior Indicators

Online Reading Comprehension Assessment of Primary School Students: Analysis of Testing Behavior Indicators

Determination of zinc in dried nuts by slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (SQT-FAAS) with citric acid-coated magnetic nanoparticle (CAMNP) based solid phase extraction (SPE)

This study reports a sensitive method for trace zinc using slotted quartz tube-flame atomic absorption spectrometry (SQT-FAAS) with citric acid-coated magnetic nanoparticle-solid phase extraction (CAMNP-SPE). To increase the efficiency, we univariately optimized the pH, buffer volume, CAMNP mass, eluent concentration and volume, mixing type and time, temperature, and interaction time. The study identified the limits of detection and quantification values for CAMNP-SPE-SQT-FAAS under the specified optimum conditions to be 12.30 and 41.00 μg L−1, respectively. The newly developed method improved the detection power of traditional FAAS by 13.25 times. The findings of this study report a sensitive and accurate method to determine trace zinc in complex matrices.

Adsorption of the Antibiotic Roxithromycin on Low-Cost Food Waste Materials: Batch and Column Studies

Antibiotics are widely utilized for a variety of medical conditions. Antibiotic residues in wastewater are dangerous to all living beings. Antibiotics remain in the wastewater environment when general treatment plant technologies are employed. The literature has numerous techniques for getting rid of antibiotics. Compared to other techniques for removing contaminants in the solution environment, the adsorption method is preferred due to its benefits, such as ease of use, high efficiency, and low cost. The study investigated using the green walnut shell (GWS), a natural sorbent, as an adsorbent to discharge roxithromycin (ROX) antibiotics from the solution medium. Adsorption conditions were studied in batch and continuous systems. pH, adsorbent amount, interaction time, sorbate concentration, and salt effect parameters were investigated in the batch system. The data obtained were calculated with kinetic and isotherm models. The adsorption process has been based on the so-called pseudo-second-order kinetic model. GWS was characterized using SEM and FTIR techniques. The amount of absorbent, flow rate, and breakdown in the continuous system were explored. In the batch system, the adsorption equilibrium was set up at the solution's original pH with 0.1 g of adsorbent in 40 minutes, and 79% ROX removal was achieved. The optimum flow rate and adsorbent amount in the continuous system were determined as 0.1 mL/min and 0.3 g, respectively.

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Optical Biosensor for Simple Detection of Deoxyribonucleic Acid Mismatches

Optical biosensors are optical technologies that evaluate changes in the refractive index as they monitor non‐covalent molecular interactions in real time. These make use of unsophisticated, label‐free analytical approaches, which do not require dyes to produce a visible signal. In this study, the efficiency of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) biosensor in detecting a single nucleotide mismatch in deoxyribonucleic acid is examined. The detection is based on the hybridization of a target DNA at 100 ng μL−1 with a complementary biotinylated probe as well as a partially complementary biotinylated with one nucleotide mismatch probe on a gold‐coated surface. Both probes are used at a concentration of 0.1 μm. The LSPR exhibited sensitivity by differentiating sample M+ from sample C+ through varying transmission intensities of 0.28 and 0.26 μA, respectively. Based on these findings, this approach demonstrates a great potential due to its ability to distinguish samples that differ with a single base pair, and its efficiency will be explored in the development of a point‐of‐care device as a simpler and cost‐effective approach for detection of various biologically and medically significant mutations such as antimicrobial resistance mutations. More work is underway to determine the robustness of the LSPR biosensor using the biotin–neutravidin approach.

Caffeine Attenuates Exacerbated Central Fatigue during Moderate Intensity Cycling Exercise in Women with Fibromyalgia.

To compare the development of fatigability during a moderate intensity cycling exercise between women with fibromyalgia (FM) and control women (CON) after acute ingestion of caffeine and placebo. Ten FM and 10 CON women performed a 30-minute moderate intensity cycling exercise one hour after the ingestion of a capsule containing either caffeine or a placebo. Fatigability and its central and peripheral determinants were determined via changes from pre- to post-15 and post-30 minutes of exercise in maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC), voluntary activation (VA), and quadriceps potentiated twitch torque (Qtw-pot), respectively. Heart rate, muscle oxygen saturation, perceptive responses, mood state, localized and widespread pain, and sleepiness were also monitored during and after exercise. There was a time vs. group interaction for MVIC and VA (p < 0.001) but not for Qtw-pot (p = 0.363), indicating a greater rate of fatigability development, mainly caused by central mechanisms, in the FM than in the CON group. There was also a main effect of condition for VA (p = 0.011), indicating that caffeine attenuates central mechanisms of fatigability in both groups. Caffeine ingestion also increased muscle oxygenation, perceived vigor, and energy, and decreased leg muscle pain, sleepiness, and perceived fatigue in both groups. However, caffeine improved perceived pleasure/displeasure and exercise adherence likelihood only in the FM group. Compared to CON, women with FM present a greater rate of fatigability during exercise, mainly of central origin. Caffeine seems to be a promising bioactive to counteract the central mechanisms of fatigability and improve the exercise experience among FM women.

Patients' Preferences for Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Receptor Modulators in Multiple Sclerosis Based on Clinical Management Considerations: A Choice Experiment.

Several sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor (S1PR) modulators are available in the US for treating relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (RMS). Given that these S1PR modulators have similar efficacy and safety, patients may consider the clinical management characteristics of the S1PR modulators when deciding among treatments. However, none of the S1PR modulators is clearly superior in every aspect of clinical management, and for some treatments, clinical management varies based on a patient's comorbid health conditions (e.g., heart conditions [HC]). This study aimed to determine which S1PR modulator patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) would prefer based on clinical management considerations, and to estimate how different clinical management considerations might drive these preferences. Preferences were explored separately for patients with and without comorbid HC. A multicriteria decision analysis was conducted on S1PR modulators approved to treat RMS: fingolimod, ozanimod, siponimod, and ponesimod. Clinical management preferences of patients with RRMS were elicited in a discrete choice experiment (DCE) in which participants repeatedly chose between hypothetical S1PR modulator profiles based on their clinical management attributes. Attributes included first-dose observations, genotyping, liver function tests, eye examinations, drug-drug interactions, interactions with antidepressants, interactions with foods high in tyramine, and immune system recovery time. Preferences were estimated separately for patients with HC and without HC (noHC). Marginal utilities were calculated from the DCE data for each attribute and level using a mixed logit model. In the multicriteria decision analysis, partial value scores were created by applying the marginal utilities for each attribute and level to the real-world profiles of S1PR modulators. Partial value scores were summed to determine an overall clinical management value score for each S1PR modulator. Four hundred patients with RRMS completed the DCE. Ponesimod had the highest overall value score for patients both without (n=341) and with (n=59) HC (noHC: 5.1; HC: 4.0), followed by siponimod (noHC: 4.9; HC: 3.3), fingolimod (noHC: 3.4; HC: 2.8), and ozanimod (noHC: 0.9; HC: 0.8). Overall, immune system recovery time contributed the highest partial value scores (noHC: up to 1.9 points; HC: up to 1.2 points), followed by the number of drug-drug interactions (noHC: up to 1.2 points; HC: up to 1.7 points). When considering the clinical management of S1PR modulators, the average patient with RRMS is expected to choose a treatment with shorter immune system recovery time and fewer interactions with other drugs. Patients both with and without heart conditions are likely to prefer the clinical management profile of ponesimod over those of siponimod, fingolimod, and ozanimod. This information can help inform recommendations for treating RRMS and facilitate shared decision making between patients and their doctors.

Impact resistance behaviors of boride reinforced Ti-6Al-4 V functionally graded materials: Experimental and numerical analysis

The impact resistant behaviors of boride reinforced Ti-6Al-4 V functionally graded materials prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS) with compositional gradients of 90°, 84°, 82°and 79° were investigated based on the experimental test and the finite element method. The material constitutive parameters of the boride reinforced Ti-6Al-4 V alloys with different TiB2 contents were determined, and the Johnson Holmquist Ceramics (JH-2) model and a cohesive contact model were established and developed to predict the crack propagation and the impact resistance behaviors of the materials. The calculated results agreed well with the split Hopkinson press bar (SHPB) experimental results. The optimum material composition gradient design scheme with a continuous transition property from a high-toughness end to a high-strength end along the thin-thickness direction was determined. The G84 (0, 0, 15, 30 wt% TiB2) had the best impact resistance, with Young's modulus of 55505±5 GPa, compressive strength of 2045±5 MPa, and microhardness ranging from 535±5HV to 1246±5HV, exhibiting high strength and hardness at a high-strength end that can prolong the interaction time between the impactor and the materials, while the elongation of 39 % at its high-toughness end can cause tensile deformation, consuming impact kinetic energy efficiently. Combined with the experimental and numerical analysis results, the impact resistance and the crack-alleviated mechanisms of boride reinforced Ti-6Al-4 V functionally graded materials were discussed. Reducing the compositional gradient can alleviate the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion between composites, which may lead to strengthen the reflected wave, lower the compression wave, and suppress high-strength end failure efficiently, meaning of relieving the stress concentration under extreme service conditions. Moreover, the effects of the presence of the borides, such as in situ-formed TiB, remained TiB2at al., the dislocation defects and the whisker-like TiB on the armour materials resist fracture and layer cracking were also analyzed. This work provided a method for designing high performance of boride reinforced Ti-6Al-4 V functionally graded materials with high impact resistance and thin thickness.

Directed Assembly of Elastic Fibers via Coacervate Droplet Deposition on Electrospun Templates.

Elastic fibers provide critical elasticity to the arteries, lungs, and other organs. Elastic fiber assembly is a process where soluble tropoelastin is coacervated into liquid droplets, cross-linked, and deposited onto and into microfibrils. While much progress has been made in understanding the biology of this process, questions remain regarding the timing of interactions during assembly. Furthermore, it is unclear to what extent fibrous templates are needed to guide coacervate droplets into the correct architecture. The organization and shaping of coacervate droplets onto a fiber template have never been previously modeled or employed as a strategy for shaping elastin fiber materials. Using an in vitro system consisting of elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs), genipin cross-linker, electrospun polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) fibers, and tannic acid surface coatings for fibers, we explored ELP coacervation, cross-linking, and deposition onto fiber templates. We demonstrate that integration of coacervate droplets into a fibrous template is primarily influenced by two factors: (1) the balance of coacervation and cross-linking and (2) the surface energy of the fiber templates. The success of this integration affects the mechanical properties of the final fiber network. Our resulting membrane materials exhibit highly tunable morphologies and a range of elastic moduli (0.8-1.6 MPa) comparable to native elastic fibers.

Gravity-induced entanglement between two massive microscopic particles in curved spacetime: II. Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker universe

In our previous work (Zhang and Shu in Eur Phys J. C 84(3):256, 2024), we have explored quantum gravity induced entanglement of masses (QGEM) in curved spacetime, observing entanglement formation between particles moving along geodesics in a Schwarzschild spacetime background. We find that long interaction time induces entanglement, even for particles with microscopic mass, addressing decoherence concerns. In this work, we build upon our previous work (Zhang and Shu 2024) by extending our investigation to a time-dependent spacetime. Specifically, we explore the entanglement induced by the mutual gravitation of massive particles in the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) universe. With the help of the phase shift and the QGEM spectrum, our proposed scheme offers a potential method for observing the formation of entanglement caused by the quantum gravity of massive particles as they propagate in the FLRW universe. Consequently, it provides insights into the field of entanglement in cosmology.

Impact of social isolation on corticosterone release and recovery after stroke in aged rats: A behavioral and biochemical analysis

Social isolation (SI) after stroke reduces recovery. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SI on corticosterone release and recovery after stroke in aged rats. A total of 64 male Wistar rats (aged 24 months) were used in the present study. All rats were housed in pairs for two weeks. After two weeks, rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) rats underwent sham surgery and kept socially isolated (control/social isolated (CO/SI) group); (2) rats underwent sham surgery and kept pair housed (control/pair housed (CO/PH) group); (3) rats underwent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) surgery and kept socially isolated (stroke/isolated (ST/SI) group); (4) rats underwent MCAO surgery and kept pair housed (stroke/pair housed (ST/PH)) group. Behaviors were assessed using the adhesive removal test, rotarod test and social interaction test at 1st, 7th, 14th and 21st days after stroke. Serum biochemical analysis was also performed on the behavioral testing days. Results showed THAT serum corticosterone and MDA levels in CO/PH group were significantly lower than CO/SI group. Serum BDNF levels in CO/PH group was significantly higher than CO/SI group. Serum corticosterone and MDA levels in ST/PH group were lower than ST/SI group. In ST/PH group, serum Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and BDNF levels were significantly higher than ST/SI group. Biochemical analysis of certain regions of the brain (hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex) was performed on 21st day after stroke. In the hippocampus of CO/PH group, BDNF and TAC levels were significantly higher than CO/SI group. The hippocampal MDA level of CO/PH group were significantly lower than CO/SI group. BDNF and TAC levels in the hippocampus, striatum and cerebral cortex of ST/PH group were significantly higher and MDA level was significantly lower as compared with ST/SI group. Both ischemic groups showed sensorimotor recovery over a 21-day period, but recovery of ST/PH group was significantly greater than ST/SI group. Total social interaction time in ST/PH group was significantly longer than ST/SI group. Based on the results of this study, social interaction after stroke enhances histologic and sensorimotor recovery through reduction of HPA activity and corticosterone release, leading to increased TAC and BDNF levels.

Effects of a ‘Rebuilding Myself’ intervention on enhancing the adaptability of cancer patients to return to work: a randomized controlled trial

ObjectivesTo explore the effects of a ‘Rebuilding Myself’ intervention on enhancing the adaptability of cancer patients to return to work.MethodsA single-center, single-blind, randomized controlled trial design was used. Eligible patients who were receiving routine hospital treatment were recruited from the university-affiliated hospital in our city. Patients in the control group only received usual care, while patients in the intervention group received additional ‘Rebuilding Myself’ intervention. Adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy of returning to work, mental resilience, quality of life and work ability were measured at baseline, the 6th and 12th of the intervention. The general estimation equations were used to compare the overall changes of each outcome index between the two groups at different time points. Considering that there may be patient shedding and rejection, Per-Protocol and Intention-to-Treat analysis were used to analyze the data in this study.ResultsThere were statistically significant differences between the two groups of patients in the cancer patients’ adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy to return to work, mental resilience, work abilities, the physical, emotional, cognitive function, fatigue, insomnia and overall health status dimensions of quality of life (P < 0.05). And no significant difference was found in other dimensions (P > 0.05). The group effect, time effect, and interaction effect of patients’ return to work adaptability and return to work self-efficacy were statistically significant in both groups (P < 0.05). Mental resilience, working ability, and quality of life had obvious time effect and interaction effect (P < 0.05).ConclusionThis intervention could improve cancer patients’ adaptability to return to work, self-efficacy to return to work, mental resilience, work abilities and quality of life. And it can be further expanded to improve the adaptability of patients to return to work, then to help patients achieve comprehensive rehabilitation.Implications for cancer survivorsThe application of ‘Rebuilding Myself’ interventions can effectively improve the adaptability of cancer patients returning to work.Trial registrationThis study was registered at the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (Registration number: ChiCTR2200057943) on 23 March, 2022.

Inhibition of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine formation in air-fried beef tenderloins marinated with concentrated cranberry juice

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of marinating beef tenderloin with concentrated cranberry juice on the formation of Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL). In order to achieve this, the concentrated cranberry juice was prepared from cranberry fruit and characterised. Subsequently, beef tenderloins were marinated at two different concentrations (25% and 50%) and three different marination times (2, 6 and 24 h), after which they were cooked in an airfryer at 200 °C for 12 min. Following the cooking process, CML, CEL, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and colour were analysed. It was found that concentrated cranberry juice has high phytochemical and bioactivity properties. Cranberry juice was found to be high in total phenolic compounds (TPC), total flavonoid compounds (TFC), antioxidant activity and rich in bioactive compounds. It was found that cranberry juice significantly altered the colour properties (L*, a*, and b*) of raw beef tenderloin samples (p < 0.05). It was observed that increasing the concentration and time of the marinade significantly inhibited the formation of CML (p < 0.05), but that it did not significantly inhibit the formation of CEL (p > 0.05). As the concentration*time interaction increased from the control variable, the level of CML decreased (p < 0.01). This interaction inhibited CML by up to 12.39 μg/g, reducing it to 1.2 μg/g. An interaction between CML and TBARS and pH values was identified. In conclusion, marinating beef tenderloin with concentrated cranberry juice effectively inhibits the formation of CML while stabilising the formation of CEL, demonstrating its potential as a strategy to mitigate the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) in meat products.

Influence of acute dietary nitrate supplementation on oxygen delivery/consumption and critical impulse during maximal effort forearm exercise in males: a randomized crossover trial.

Beetroot juice supplementation (BRJ) increases nitric oxide bioavailability under conditions of hypoxia and acidosis, characteristics of maximal effort exercise, which is required to identify forearm critical impulse. We hypothesized BRJ would improve oxygen delivery:demand matching and forearm critical impulse performance. Healthy males (20.8±2.4 years) participated in a randomized crossover trial between October 2017-May 2018 (Queen's University, Kingston, ON). Participants completed 10-minutes of rhythmic maximal effort forearm handgrip exercise 2.5 hours post placebo (PL) vs. BRJ (9 completed PL/BRJ vs. 4 completed BRJ/PL) within a 2 week period. Data are presented as mean±SD. There was a main effect of drink (PL > BRJ) for oxygen extraction (P=0.033,ηp2=0.351) and oxygen consumption/force (P=0.017,ηp2=0.417). There was a drink x time interaction (PL > BRJ) for oxygen consumption/force (P=0.035,ηp2=0.216) between 75-360s (1.25-6 min) from exercise onset. BRJ did not influence oxygen delivery (P=0.953,ηp2=0.000), oxygen consumption (P=0.064,ηp2=0.278), metabolites [[lactate] (P=0.196,ηp2=0.135), pH (P=0.759,ηp2=0.008)] or power-duration performance parameters [critical impulse (P=0.379,d=0.253), W' (P=0.733,d=0.097)]. BRJ during all-out handgrip exercise does not influence oxygen delivery or exercise performance. Oxygen cost of contraction with BRJ is reduced as contraction impulse is declining during maximal effort exercise resulting in less oxygen extraction. https://osf.io/pga37/registrations.

Yoga improves self-reported cognitive function among cancer survivors: results from the STAYFit trial

IntroductionVarious physical activity-based interventions have been tested to determine their efficacy in improving cancer related cognitive decline (CRCD), however the role of mind-body practices such as yoga remains to be explored. In this manuscript we present preliminary effects of yoga vs. aerobic and stretching-toning modalities of exercise on CRCD among adult cancer survivors.MethodsParticipants (N = 78) were randomized to one of the three exercise groups for a duration of 12-weeks and engaged in ≥150 min per week of supervised group exercises. At baseline and following the 12-week interventions, participants completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy–Cognitive Function.ResultsResults demonstrated a significant group*time interaction for FACT-Cog perceived cognitive abilities subscale, with participants in the yoga group demonstrating a significant increase as compared to the aerobic and stretching-toning groups. The FACT-Cog total score showed a significant time effect with all groups demonstrating a significant increase at follow-up. Other subscales did not show any significant improvements.DiscussionThese findings provide promising evidence for the effects of yoga on self-reported cognitive function in cancer survivors. Notably, 12-weeks of yoga showed an increase in the perceived cognitive abilities and demonstrated a clinically meaningful increase in total cognitive function as measured by the FACT-Cog, suggesting that this exercise modality has the potential to impact this important health outcome during cancer survivorship.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03650322.

Investigation of Two Laser Heat Treatment Strategies for Local Softening of a Sheet in Age-Hardening Aluminum Alloy by Means of Physical Simulation

AbstractCar manufacturers increasingly aid high-strength aluminum alloys for their advantageous weight-to-strength ratio, but their limited formability poses challenges in plastic deformation processes. Tailored heat-treated blanks (THTBs) are a propitious approach to improve formability. Surface laser treatment is the predominant technology for obtaining THTB. To design this process quickly and accurately, without material waste, the use of physical simulation is increasingly promising. It allows replicating the process on a lab-scale and studying posttreatment mechanical and metallurgical properties. By adopting Gleeble® physical simulator, this study investigates the softening effects of local surface laser heat treatment on a EN AW 6082 T6 aluminum alloy blank. Two laser movement strategies—single linear path and multiple rectangular paths—were investigated at two treatment speeds for each. A finite element (FE) model was developed for simulating the process under all explored conditions. FE-derived thermal cycles were reproduced by means of physical simulation. After physical tests, alloy mechanical properties were evaluated. Results show that these properties depend on both the peak temperature thermal cycle and the interaction time between the laser source and the material surface. The comparison between the two strategies revealed that the multiple rectangular paths strategy allows to achieve a wider softened area at comparable interaction times.

Using generative AI in human resource development: an applied research study

ABSTRACT In this article, we report results of an experimental study investigating the use of ChatGPT in the design of an HRD intervention. Our goal was to identify the benefits and drawbacks of using this technology in HRD practice. The theoretical framework for the study was provided by the Activity Theory, an often used approach in Human-Computer Interaction research. The study participants were HRD doctoral students from two large public universities in the USA. The participants used ChatGPT in developing an HRD intervention plan, based on a supplied organisational scenario. Data for the analysis included the intervention plans, prompts used by participants, outputs received from ChatGPT, and participants’ responses to open-ended questions. The study revealed varied participant experiences with ChatGPT, including differences in time investment and interaction rules. Among key findings were the tendency to interact with ChatGPT as if it were a human consultant, and steps to establish division of labour between the tool and the human agent. ChatGPT was valued for its usefulness in initial planning and brainstorming ideas for HRD interventions, yet its limitations were apparent in generic responses and lack of contextual understanding. Across all participants, the crucial role of human expertise in refining ChatGPT’s output was consistently highlighted.