Laboratory-based Assessment Research Articles

8684 Lifetime Duration of Amenorrhea Is Associated With Monetary Decision-Making and Hedonic Eating In Females With a Low-Weight Eating Disorder

Abstract Disclosure: F. Plessow: None. M. Wronski: None. M. Rogers: None. M.G. Turley: None. E.R. Golden: None. M. Slattery: None. J.J. Thomas: None. E.A. Lawson: None. M. Misra: None. K.T. Eddy: None. Background: Low estrogen levels and oligomenorrhea are common characteristics in females with a low-weight eating disorder (LWED). In animal models, estrogen status is associated with neural activity in dopaminergic reward pathways affecting reward processing and decision-making. Whether a similar link exists in humans is unknown but important to understand, as reduced reward-driven behavior and an increased delay of gratification driving decision-making hinder recovery from a LWED. To fill this knowledge gap, we studied the relationship between lifetime duration of amenorrhea and hedonic eating and monetary decision-making in a group of females with a LWED. We hypothesized that longer lifetime duration of amenorrhea is associated with reduced hedonic food intake and a smaller delay discounting rate (indicating an increased delay of gratification) in females with a LWED (independent of age and illness severity). Methods: Fifty-six females with a LWED (mean age±SD: 19.84±2.98 years, range: 13.6-23.5 years) and 34 female healthy controls (HC; 19.08±2.41 years, 13.4-22.2 years) underwent a menstrual history to determine the number of missed menses since menarche, Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) to assess ED psychopathology, anthropometric measurements to calculate body mass index (BMI), Cookie Taste Test as a laboratory-based assessment of reward-related eating beyond satiety, and a monetary Delay Discounting Task to determine their delay discounting rate. Between-group differences were tested using Mann-Whitney U-tests, and associations between duration of amenorrhea and caloric intake at the Cookie Taste Test and delay discounting rate in the LWED group were examined using partial Spearman correlations adjusted for age and BMI as a marker for illness severity. Results: By study design, females with a LWED had a lower BMI (17.97±2.16 vs. 21.71±2.57 kg/m2, U=1,802.50, p<0.001, r=0.75) and more pronounced ED psychopathology (EDE Global Score: 2.38±2.50 vs. 0.00±0.00, U=22.50, p<0.001, r=0.83) than HC. They had missed 16.50±22.64 menses since menarche. When controlling for age and BMI, longer lifetime duration of amenorrhea was correlated with lower caloric intake in the Cookie Taste Test (rs=-0.34, p=0.011) and a smaller delay discounting rate indicating an increased delay of gratification (rs=-0.40, p=0.004). Conclusions: This is the first demonstration that lifetime duration of amenorrhea is associated with hedonic food intake and monetary decision-making in females with a LWED, pointing towards a potential role of cumulative estrogen status in reward processing and decision-making in this population. Future research avenues include investigating whether estrogen replacement can increase reward responsiveness and reduce delay of gratification to promote a faster recovery from a LWED. Presentation: 6/1/2024

8684 Lifetime Duration of Amenorrhea Is Associated With Monetary Decision-Making and Hedonic Eating In Females With a Low-Weight Eating Disorder

Abstract Disclosure: F. Plessow: None. M. Wronski: None. M. Rogers: None. M.G. Turley: None. E.R. Golden: None. M. Slattery: None. J.J. Thomas: None. E.A. Lawson: None. M. Misra: None. K.T. Eddy: None. Background: Low estrogen levels and oligomenorrhea are common characteristics in females with a low-weight eating disorder (LWED). In animal models, estrogen status is associated with neural activity in dopaminergic reward pathways affecting reward processing and decision-making. Whether a similar link exists in humans is unknown but important to understand, as reduced reward-driven behavior and an increased delay of gratification driving decision-making hinder recovery from a LWED. To fill this knowledge gap, we studied the relationship between lifetime duration of amenorrhea and hedonic eating and monetary decision-making in a group of females with a LWED. We hypothesized that longer lifetime duration of amenorrhea is associated with reduced hedonic food intake and a smaller delay discounting rate (indicating an increased delay of gratification) in females with a LWED (independent of age and illness severity). Methods: Fifty-six females with a LWED (mean age±SD: 19.84±2.98 years, range: 13.6-23.5 years) and 34 female healthy controls (HC; 19.08±2.41 years, 13.4-22.2 years) underwent a menstrual history to determine the number of missed menses since menarche, Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) to assess ED psychopathology, anthropometric measurements to calculate body mass index (BMI), Cookie Taste Test as a laboratory-based assessment of reward-related eating beyond satiety, and a monetary Delay Discounting Task to determine their delay discounting rate. Between-group differences were tested using Mann-Whitney U-tests, and associations between duration of amenorrhea and caloric intake at the Cookie Taste Test and delay discounting rate in the LWED group were examined using partial Spearman correlations adjusted for age and BMI as a marker for illness severity. Results: By study design, females with a LWED had a lower BMI (17.97±2.16 vs. 21.71±2.57 kg/m2, U=1,802.50, p<0.001, r=0.75) and more pronounced ED psychopathology (EDE Global Score: 2.38±2.50 vs. 0.00±0.00, U=22.50, p<0.001, r=0.83) than HC. They had missed 16.50±22.64 menses since menarche. When controlling for age and BMI, longer lifetime duration of amenorrhea was correlated with lower caloric intake in the Cookie Taste Test (rs=-0.34, p=0.011) and a smaller delay discounting rate indicating an increased delay of gratification (rs=-0.40, p=0.004). Conclusions: This is the first demonstration that lifetime duration of amenorrhea is associated with hedonic food intake and monetary decision-making in females with a LWED, pointing towards a potential role of cumulative estrogen status in reward processing and decision-making in this population. Future research avenues include investigating whether estrogen replacement can increase reward responsiveness and reduce delay of gratification to promote a faster recovery from a LWED. Presentation: 6/1/2024

Autoimmune Neurobeachin Cerebellar Ataxia.

There are more than 30 immunoglobulin G (IgG) autoantibody biomarkers of autoimmune cerebellar ataxia reported. To describe a novel IgG biomarker targeting neurobeachin, a scaffolding protein integral to synapse formation and function. Clinical and laboratory-based assessment was used for a novel diagnostic biomarker of autoimmune ataxia. A 46-year-old woman had ataxia onset followed by bilateral knee pain, attributable to rheumatoid arthritis. She was negative for standard neural antibodies. Her ataxia stabilized and tremor initially improved after corticosteroid treatment, but she progressed to wheelchair-dependence (on methotrexate and then rituximab) over 4 years, in keeping with the trajectory encountered by many with autoimmune ataxia. In contrast, her inflammatory arthritis remitted with immunotherapy. Neurobeachin-IgG was unmasked in serum and cerebrospinal fluid using protein arrays and confirmed using neurobeachin-specific confocal immunofluorescence and Western blot. Neurobeachin-IgG is a new neural antibody biomarker of cerebellar ataxia among a growing antibody repertoire, collectively common but often individually rare. © 2024 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Dancing in the purple rain: color affinity and oviposition choices in Aedes sierrensis (Diptera: Culicidae).

The western tree hole mosquito, Aedes sierrensis (Ludlow) (Diptera: Clucidae), is a pestiferous mosquito with a range extending over the entire pacific seaboard and into portions of the intermountain west. As a peridomestic heartworm vector, it demands at least some level of surveillance to understand its abundance. However, the species is refractory to a majority of conventional vector surveillance approaches for tracking mosquitoes. To find more options for Aedes sierrensis surveillance, a variety of oviposition attractants were evaluated in arena-style choice assays using colony reared adults. A range of infusion treatments (e.g., alfalfa, oak, and beetroot) were examined and then combined with investigations of liquid color as well as ovicup color and entryway position. These studies revealed that Ae. sierrensis have an affinity for purple coloration, plain water, and larger entryway sizes for oviposition cups. A prototype ovicup was 3D-printed using purple filament and multiple types of entryways, and used to re-test infusion waters. No particular attraction differences were detected after normalizing for purple color. Comparisons to black 3D-printed cups yielded surprising observations that male mosquitoes also aggregated on purple cups while females sheltered, but not necessarily oviposited, in black cups. Although this was only a laboratory-based assessment, these studies provide useful information for future field trials of potential oviposition traps for surveillance of Ae. sierrensis.

Aberrant positive affect dynamics in individuals with subthreshold depression: Evidence from laboratory and real-world assessments

Background/ObjectiveReduced positive affect (PA) is a core feature of major depressive disorder (MDD). However, the precursor of MDD, subthreshold depression (StD), has received less attention in this regard. Therefore, we examined PA dynamics in StD, integrating laboratory-based and ecological momentary assessment (EMA) approaches. MethodParticipants were college students recruited from Chinese universities (31 with StD, and 39 healthy controls (HC)). Positive mood was induced in the laboratory by an eight-minute comedy clip used to assess PA reactivity and maintenance. To extend findings to the real world and explore mechanisms of PA maintenance, 53 participants with StD and 64 HC reported their emotional states 14 times daily for one week via EMA. Multilevel models were used to test for predictors of PA inertia. ResultsIn the laboratory, participants with StD achieved the same PA reactivity as HC when facing positive stimuli, yet the curve-fitting revealed difficulties for the StD group in maintaining PA over time. Such reduced capacity was further observed in real-world settings, manifesting in significantly greater PA inertia. ConclusionsHigh PA inertia in daily life may reflect resistance to mood change in StD, explaining anhedonia and difficulties with emotional maintenance, and highlighting the need for early identification.

Probability Assessment of Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Using Laboratory Values in Hospitalized Patients: A Single Center, Retrospective Observational Study and a Review of the Literature

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT), is a common and potentially life-threatening condition in hospitals. Currently, the assessment of PE probability relies on subjective scoring systems, such as Well's and Geneva's scores, which have limitations in certain patient populations (demented, sedated, or intubated patients). This study aims to investigate the use of laboratory values for PE probability assessment, which has not been explored before. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 855 patients meeting the inclusion criteria for suspected PE (age 18 or older and the presence of signs and symptoms of suspected PE such as shortness of breath, chest pain, hemoptysis, tachypnea, tachycardia, and signs of DVT). Sixteen variables were examined, including laboratory values and clinical factors (Table 1). Logistic regression analysis, adjusting for confounding factors, was performed, and significant variables were used to develop a scoring method. Continuous variables that showed statistical significance were transformed into categorical variables using their respective maximum Youden index as the cut-off score. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to detect PE using the developed scoring system and determine the optimal cut-off value. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The logistic regression model, incorporating several variables, achieved an 84.6% accuracy in predicting PE after accounting for confounding factors. Among the variables, hypocapnia, fever, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), D-dimer, and lactate had significant predictive values for PE (Table 1). ALP, D-dimer, and lactate were continuous variables with respective maximum Youden indices of 83.89, 952.50, and 1.614. Hypocapnia, ALP, and lactate showed negative slopes (B values), while fever and D-dimer had positive slopes in the logistic regression model. A scoring method was developed based on these variables. Fever, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.995, received a score of 2 for values above the cut-off, while other variables with adjusted OR values at or below 1 were assigned a score of 1 above the cut-off. The mean ± SD score among all study participants was 1.84 ± 1.10, with a median (IQR) 2.0 (1.0 - 2.0). Patients without PE had a mean ± SD score of 1.80 ± 1.13, with a median (IQR) of 2 (1 - 2), while patients with PE had a mean ± SD score of 2.07 ± 0.91, with a median (IQR) of 2 (1 - 3). Patients with PE exhibited significantly higher mean ± SD scores than those without PE (P = 0.001; t = -5.813) (Table 2). The area under the ROC curve was 0.585 (95% CI: 0.563 - 0.606), indicating a statistically significant ability to detect PE (p-value = 0.001). Using a cut-off score of 1.5 based on the maximum Youden index, the scoring system achieved a sensitivity of 73.1% and specificity of 43.4% in detecting PE among the study participants. The Well's score, calculated for the study participants, demonstrated a sensitivity of 51.13% and specificity of 75.10% in detecting PE. Conclusion: This study presents a novel approach using laboratory values for PE probability assessment. The developed scoring method showed promising results, providing an alternative to the current accepted scoring systems. Further research and validation are needed to confirm the utility of laboratory-based assessment in clinical practice.

Remote, tablet-based assessment of gaze following: a nationwide infant twin study.

Much of our understanding of infant psychological development relies on an in-person, laboratory-based assessment. This limits research generalizability, scalability, and equity in access. One solution is the development of new, remotely deployed assessment tools that do not require real-time experimenter supervision. The current nationwide (Sweden) infant twin study assessed participants remotely via their caregiver's tablets (N = 104, ages 3 to 17 months). To anchor our findings in previous research, we used a gaze-following task where experimental and age effects are well established. Closely mimicking results from conventional eye tracking, we found that a full head movement elicited more gaze following than isolated eye movements. Furthermore, predictably, we found that older infants followed gaze more frequently than younger infants. Finally, while we found no indication of genetic contributions to gaze-following accuracy, the latency to disengage from the gaze cue and orient toward a target was significantly more similar in monozygotic twins than in dizygotic twins, an indicative of heritability. Together, these results highlight the potential of remote assessment of infants' psychological development, which can improve generalizability, inclusion, and scalability in developmental research.

An assessment of the impact of adhesive coverage and wire type on fixed retainer failures and force propagation along two types of orthodontic retainer wires: an in vitro study.

To evaluate the force required to promote the failure of fixed orthodontic retainers with different adhesive (composite) coverage and to assess the presence and extent of force propagation with two different orthodontic retainer wires. Ortho-FlexTech and Ortho-Care Perform (0.0175 inches), each of 15-cm length, were bonded on acrylic blocks with different adhesive surface diameters (2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, and 5 mm). The samples (n = 160) were subjected to a tensile pull-out test, and debonding force was recorded. Fixed retainers using two different wires and 4-mm adhesive diameter were bonded on acrylic bases resembling a maxillary dental arch (n = 72). The retainers were loaded occluso-apically until the first sign of failure while being video recorded. Individual frames of the recordings were extracted and compared. A force propagation scoring index was developed to quantify the extent of force transmission under load. A 4-mm adhesive surface diameter required the highest debonding force for both retainer wires with significant differences compared with 2 mm (P < .001; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.69, 21.69) and 3 mm (P = .026; 95% CI: 0.60, 13.59). Force propagation scores were significantly higher for Ortho-Care Perform. Based on this laboratory-based assessment, consideration should be given to the fabrication of maxillary fixed retainers using a minimum of 4-mm diameter composite coverage on each tooth. Force appeared to propagate more readily with Ortho-Care Perform than with a flexible chain alternative. This may risk stress accumulation at the terminal ends with potential for causing associated unwanted tooth movement in the presence of intact fixed retainers.

Strategies for Online-education Model for Project and Laboratory-based Assessment in Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Course

The global COVID-19 epidemic compelled all educational institutions, including universities, to cease academic instruction. To assure the ongoing process of teaching, learning, and assessment, several universities have transitioned from traditional face-to-face techniques to online ones. The purpose of the study was to examine the online-education experience in an Environmental Engineering course using a virtual lab and simulation software, as well as to determine the student's perception of the implementation of virtual labs and simulation software and the benefits of these tools for enhancing learning activities. To familiarize students with various areas of environmental engineering analysis, two simulated experiments were developed: water quality monitoring and adsorption spectroscopy. The virtual labs were generally well-received, as indicated by the responses to the Likert-type questions. Virtual laboratories are more acceptable for senior students than for first-year students, according to the consensus. 88% of respondents agreed with the average of twenty claims, compared with 3% who disagreed and 9% who agreed but disagreed with the statement. This illustrates that, although students believe that substituting virtual laboratories for conventional laboratories is not a complete solution, they believe that virtual laboratories can be used in conjunction with conventional methods to facilitate improved study outside of laboratory hours. Virtual and online learning in engineering labs are still relatively new; additional research is necessary before instructors can effectively utilize this delivery medium and its accompanying technologies to enhance student learning.

Diminished baseline autonomic outflow in semantic dementia relates to left-lateralized insula atrophy

In semantic dementia (SD), asymmetric degeneration of the anterior temporal lobes is associated with loss of semantic knowledge and alterations in socioemotional behavior. There are two clinical variants of SD: semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), which is characterized by predominant atrophy in the anterior temporal lobe and insula in the left hemisphere, and semantic behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (sbvFTD), which is characterized by predominant atrophy in those structures in the right hemisphere. Previous studies of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia, an associated clinical syndrome that targets the frontal lobes and anterior insula, have found impairments in baseline autonomic nervous system activity that correlate with left-lateralized frontotemporal atrophy patterns and disruptions in socioemotional functioning. Here, we evaluated whether there are similar impairments in resting autonomic nervous system activity in SD that also reflect left-lateralized atrophy and relate to diminished affiliative behavior. A total of 82 participants including 33 people with SD (20 svPPA and 13 sbvFTD) and 49 healthy older controls completed a laboratory-based assessment of respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA; a parasympathetic measure) and skin conductance level (SCL; a sympathetic measure) during a two-minute resting baseline period. Participants also underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging, and informants rated their current affiliative behavior on the Interpersonal Adjective Scale. Results indicated that baseline RSA and SCL were lower in SD than in healthy controls, with significant impairments present in both svPPA and sbvFTD. Voxel-based morphometry analyses revealed left-greater-than-right atrophy related to diminished parasympathetic and sympathetic outflow in SD. While left-lateralized atrophy in the mid-to-posterior insula correlated with lower RSA, left-lateralized atrophy in the ventral anterior insula correlated with lower SCL. In SD, lower baseline RSA, but not lower SCL, was associated with lower gregariousness/extraversion. Neither autonomic measure related to warmth/agreeableness, however. Through the assessment of baseline autonomic nervous system physiology, the present study contributes to expanding conceptualizations of the biological basis of socioemotional alterations in svPPA and sbvFTD.

Environmental, economic and experimental assessment of the valorization of dredged sediment through sand substitution in concrete

The integrated life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle cost assessment (LCC) and laboratory-based experimental assessment were applied to provide insight for early stage decision-making on the valorization of the dredged sediments. The objective was to find a viable and sustainable solution for the valorization of the dredged sediment in concrete, holding up a certain level of standard concrete performance without compromising in terms of economy and environment. For the sensitivity analysis, parametric life cycle inventories were developed to assess the sensitivity of environmental and economic costs to the rate of sand substitution by sediment, as well as the variations in the concrete components. The workability of fresh concrete and the compressive strength of hardened concrete at 28 days were assigned as the quality indicators to evaluate the influence of sand substitution by sediment on the concrete performance. The compressive strength evaluation in the laboratory demonstrated that a maximum rate of sand substitution in concrete up to 40 % by predominantly sandy sediment could sustain the concrete strength class. However, LCA and LCC negated the rate of sand substitution by sediment higher than 20 %. The integrated environmental, economic, and experimental assessments demonstrated that the substitution of sand by predominantly fine sediment downgrades the strength class of concrete, even in the low rate of incorporation (10 %) and increases the environmental and economic costs. Inferred from the results, the maximum rate of sustainable sand substitution by sediment in concrete could be optimized through a compromise between the expected mechanical strength and workability of the concrete, the economic and environmental impacts of the superplasticiser and the sediment transport. Overall, integrating environmental and economic cost assessments into the laboratory-based assessment of the valorization scenarios would determine the threshold for the sustainable rate of incorporation of sediment in valorization scenarios.

The Future of Laboratory Chemistry Learning and Teaching Must be Accessible.

This commentary is a call to make the future of chemistry laboratories accessible and inclusive. We draw from research and lived experience to put forward a list of recommendations for laboratory-based teaching. Our authorial team includes undergraduate and postgraduate chemistry students, graduate teaching assistants, teaching-focused and traditional research and teaching academics, and a Diversity Equality Inclusion (DEI/EDI) academic expert. We all have lived experiences of disability, chronic illness, neurodivergence, and other marginalizations related to race, religion, sexuality, or other characteristics. We believe that laboratory-based chemistry learning environments, teaching, assessment, and resources should be accessible to all students and staff.

Accuracy Of A Portable Motion Capture System For Kinematic Analysis Of Movement Skills In Children

PURPOSE: With recent advances in motion capture technology, there remains to be an accessible field-based measurement system for kinematic analysis in physical education. The purpose of this research is to assess the accuracy of a portable, cost-effective motion capture system to assess movement skills in children. METHODS: Eighteen healthy children ages 5-17 years performed the vertical jump and land (JL) and leap while being recorded by the Microsoft Kinect V2 with AssessLink software and Vicon MX13 with Nexus 2.0. Data was analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficient and a Bland-Altman plot to determine accuracy of the Kinect V2 to collect kinematic data for nine body segments during five phases of the JL and eight body segments during three phases of a leap. RESULTS: Overall, the correlation and mean bias between the two devices varied by body segment, movement type, and movement phase. For JL, the Pearson r for knees and shoulder ranged from -.239 (p = .109) to .521 (p < .001) and -.743 (p < .001) to .410 (p < .05), respectively. For JL, bias and level of agreement showed better agreement in the spine, hips, and knees. Sagittal assessment of leap often produced results for the appendicular skeleton that did not appear valid. Pearson r for axial segments including the sagittal spine ranged from .345 (p = .032) to .553 (p < .001) across the three movement phases. CONCLUSIONS: With limited measurements that are considered acceptable, our results indicate the Kinect V2 with AssessLink should not be used as a replacement for laboratory-based kinematic assessment. If used, the intrinsic limitations of the Kinect V2 promote a necessity to be selective of body segments, movement skills, and phases to be quantitatively assessed.

Paving roads with recycled plastics: Microplastic pollution or eco-friendly solution?

Although plastic-modified roads are a promising approach to reducing the amount of landfilled and incinerated plastic and improving asphalt pavement performance, the contribution of plastic-modified roads to microplastic pollution is unknown. This study aimed to develop a new abrasion procedure to quantify the release of microplastics from recycled plastic-modified asphalt depending on environmental factors, the type and content of plastic used, and the incorporation method in bitumen/asphalt. A Wet Track Abrasion machine was used to simulate road traffic abrasion on a plastic-modified asphalt sample, and a novel microplastic extraction procedure was designed to extract the generated microplastics. Incorporating recycled plastic as a polymer modifier in the bitumen matrix resulted in an early release of microplastics compared to its addition as a synthetic aggregate substitute in the asphalt mix. Cold temperatures and low pH values favoured the generation of microplastics from plastic-modified asphalt. Due to the lack of universal thresholds for the release of microplastics into the environment, environmental agencies and local authorities could benefit from this novel laboratory-based microplastic assessment procedure to foster the sustainable use of recycled plastic in roads.

Synthesis, stability, density, viscosity of ethylene glycol-based ternary hybrid nanofluids: Experimental investigations and model -prediction using modern machine learning techniques

A direct sol-gel technique was utilized to produce rGO-Fe3O4-TiO2 ternary hybrid nanocomposites to produce ethylene glycol (EG) based stable nanofluids, characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray, X-ray dispersion, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and zeta potential. Viscosity and density analysis were investigated by varying temperatures (25 to 50 °C), and wt% (0.01 to 0.25). For 0.25 wt% at 50 °C, density increased by 2.45%, and viscosity by 133.5%. The development of a prediction model by processing the variational parameters with machine learning and studying properties such as characterization, stability, and density of rGO-Fe3O4-TiO2 hybrid nanofluids has provided an unprecedented study in the literature. The nonlinear nature and volume of data generated by the subsequent experimental study were difficult to model using traditional analytical methods. As a result, for the creation of prognostic models, advanced machine learning techniques such as Boosted Regression Tree (BRT), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) was applied. These prediction models' prognostic skills and uncertainty were assessed using statistical indices, Theil's statistics, and Taylor's diagram. The R-value for the BRT-based density (0.9989) and viscosity (0.9979) prediction models was higher than that of the ANN-based and SVM-based prediction models. In developed density models, Theil's U2 uncertainty was as low as 0.0689, 0.0775, and 0.0981 for BRT, ANN, and SVM, respectively. As a conclusion, it is stated that BRT, ANN, and SVM can accurately imitate the laboratory-based assessment of density and viscosity values of ternary hybrid nanofluids over a wide temperature and nanoparticle concentration ratio range. On the other hand, the BRT was marginally better than ANN but much better than SVM. The current study's findings are appropriate for applications needing long-term stability and improved heat transfer performance.

Validation of the Chinese version of the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQHK) in Hong Kong Chinese youths

ABSTRACT Chronotype, referred to as an individual’s diurnal preference of timing for rest and activity, can be subjectively measured using the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ). However, the validity of MCTQ has yet to be tested in the youth population. In addition, it remains uncertain if MCTQ is a good measure of chronotype in individuals with insomnia. The current study aimed to validate the Chinese version of MCTQ (MCTQHK) in the youth population and to explore the utility of MCTQHK in individuals with insomnia. The original MCTQ was translated into Chinese language using the translation-back-translation method. Part one of this study included 988 youths who completed a battery of self-report questionnaires online consisting of the MCTQHK and the morningness-eveningness questionnaire (MEQ) for the measures of circadian preference, Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) to assess insomnia symptoms, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure depressive symptoms. Test–retest reliability was examined in 442 participants at one-month follow-up. Of the overall sample, 69 participants were randomly drawn to complete the second part of the study, which included prospective 7-day actigraphy monitoring and a further subset (n = 40) additionally completed a laboratory-based assessment of dim-light melatonin onset (DLMO) as a circadian phase marker. A total of 659 participants with valid responses were finally included in the analyses of the data collected from part one of the study (female = 67.7%; mean age: 20.7 ± 2.02). Results showed that MCTQ parameters, namely the midpoint of sleep on free days (MSF), midpoint of sleep on workdays (MSW), and midpoint of sleep adjusted for sleep debt (MSFsc), were significantly correlated with MEQ score (r = −.514 to −.650, p < .01). Test–retest reliability for MCTQHK was good (intraclass correlation = 0.75 to 0.84). Later MSFsc was significantly associated with greater insomnia and depressive symptoms after controlling for age and sex. All MCTQ parameters showed significant correlations with actigraphy-based midpoint of sleep and circadian rhythm parameters, i.e., acrophase and L5 onset (r = .362 to .619, p < .01), as well as DLMO (r = .393 to .517, p < .05). The associations remained significant after controlling for age. MSFsc derived from MCTQ was significantly correlated with MEQ score in both the healthy sleepers and participants with insomnia (as defined by ISI > 14), r = −.600, p < .001 and r = −.543, p < .001, respectively. The present study demonstrated that MCTQHK is suitable for assessing chronotype with good reliability and validity in Chinese youths and supported the utility of MCTQHK in individuals with insomnia.

In-Lab Drone’s Attitude Maneuvering Fluency Evaluation by a Gyroscopic Lurch Index

The present paper reports on the current progress about the laboratory-based assessment of the fluency of attitude maneuvering of a quadcopter. The manuscript illustrates a laboratory-based data-acquisition setup and a mathematical data-processing algorithm to test a novel attitude maneuvering fluency estimation index termed geometric lurch. The geometric lurch index is defined in terms of angular variables’ values as returned by gyroscopic sensors that a quadcopter vehicle is equipped with. The results of several numerical tests, conducted on both synthetic and real-world gyroscopic signals, show that the geometric lurch index is fairly sensitive to the fluency of attitude maneuvering.

Validation of shoe-worn Gait Up Physilog®5 wearable inertial sensors in adolescents

BackgroundGait Up Physilog® wearable inertial sensors are a powerful alternative to traditional laboratory-based gait assessment for children with gait impairment. To build clinician trust in these devices and ultimately facilitate their use outside confined spaces, studies have examined performance of previous versions of Physilog® wearable inertial sensors but predominant focus has been on older adults. Despite their different gait patterns and behavioural/cognitive profiles, there are limited studies in children. Research questionTo determine whether key spatiotemporal gait parameters (stride length, time and velocity) collected by shoe-worn Physilog®5 sensors in a hallway assessment protocol are a valid method of gait assessment in typically developing adolescents aged 12–15 years. MethodsA total 30 typically developing participants (50 % female) median age 13.7 (interquartile range 2.34) were assessed in an exploratory study whilst walking at self-selected speed over the GAITRite® electronic walkway, concurrently wearing Physilog®5 sensors. Concurrent validity was analysed by Lin’s concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), Bland-Altman plots and 95 % limit of agreement. Systematic bias was assessed using 95 % confidence interval of the mean difference. ResultsMean stride data demonstrated substantial agreement for stride length (CCC = 0.975) and stride velocity (CCC = 0.979) to almost perfect agreement for stride time (CCC > 0.996). Agreement between the technologies for individual stride-to-stride data remained high for stride time (CCC = 0.952); yet reduced for stride length (CCC = 0.868) and stride velocity (CCC = 0.877). Male/female differences in performance of the technology were observed for stride velocity, favouring females. SignificancePhysilog®5 inertial sensors accurately measure walking in adolescents, with stride time the most accurately detected parameter. This demonstrates that wearables can be used by researchers and clinicians working with adolescent groups as an alternative to fixed systems. These findings will ultimately pave the way to using wearables for assessments with children outside of the laboratory environment.

Face processing in police service: the relationship between laboratory-based assessment of face processing abilities and performance in a real-world identity matching task

In the present study, we investigated whether police officers’ performance in searching for unfamiliar faces in a video-based real-world task is predicted by laboratory-based face processing tests that are typically used to assess individual differences in face processing abilities. Specifically, perceptual performance in the field was operationalized via the identification of target individuals in self-made close-circuit television (CCTV) video tapes. Police officers’ abilities in the laboratory were measured by the Cambridge Face Memory Test long form (CFMT+). We hypothesized that the CFMT+ predicts individual differences in the CCTV task performance. A total of N = 186 police officers of the Rhineland-Palatinate State Police participated in the study (i.e., N = 139 novice and advanced cadets with either 3 months, 15 months or 24 months of pre-service experience; N = 47 experienced police officers with three years of pre-service experience and at least two years of full-service experience, who participated in the assessment center of the special police forces, specifically the surveillance and technical unit). Results revealed that the CFMT+ explained variance in the CCTV task. In sample 1, CFMT+ scores predicted hits, but not false alarms. In contrast, in sample 2, CFMT+ scores were correlated with both hits and false alarms. From a theoretical perspective, we discuss factors that might explain CCTV task performance. From a practical perspective, we recommend that personnel selection processes investigating individual differences of police officers’ face processing abilities should comprise of two steps. At first, laboratory-based tests of face processing abilities should be applied. Subsequently, to validate laboratory-based individual differences in face processing abilities, we recommend that work samples such as CCTV tasks from the field should be added.

Combining Inertial Sensors and Machine Learning to Predict vGRF and Knee Biomechanics during a Double Limb Jump Landing Task.

(1) Background: Biomechanics during landing tasks, such as the kinematics and kinetics of the knee, are altered following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and reconstruction. These variables are recommended to assess prior to clearance for return to sport, but clinicians lack access to the current gold-standard laboratory-based assessment. Inertial sensors serve as a potential solution to provide a clinically feasible means to assess biomechanics and augment the return to sport testing. The purposes of this study were to (a) develop multi-sensor machine learning algorithms for predicting biomechanics and (b) quantify the accuracy of each algorithm. (2) Methods: 26 healthy young adults completed 8 trials of a double limb jump landing task. Peak vertical ground reaction force, peak knee flexion angle, peak knee extension moment, and peak sagittal knee power absorption were assessed using 3D motion capture and force plates. Shank- and thigh- mounted inertial sensors were used to collect data concurrently. Inertial data were submitted as inputs to single- and multiple- feature linear regressions to predict biomechanical variables in each limb. (3) Results: Multiple-feature models, particularly when an accelerometer and gyroscope were used together, were valid predictors of biomechanics (R2 = 0.68–0.94, normalized root mean square error = 4.6–10.2%). Single-feature models had decreased performance (R2 = 0.16–0.60, normalized root mean square error = 10.0–16.2%). (4) Conclusions: The combination of inertial sensors and machine learning provides a valid prediction of biomechanics during a double limb landing task. This is a feasible solution to assess biomechanics for both clinical and real-world settings outside the traditional biomechanics laboratory.