Magnitude Limit Research Articles

Quantified Metrics of Gastric Emptying Delay by Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Insights for Periprocedural Management.

Divergent recommendations for periprocedural management of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist (GLP-1 RA) medications rely on limited evidence. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to provide quantitative measures of gastric emptying relevant to mechanisms of weight loss and to periprocedural management of GLP-1 RA. We hypothesized that the magnitude of gastric emptying delay would be low and of limited clinical significance to procedural sedation risks. A protocolized search identified studies on GLP-1 RA that quantified gastric emptying measures. Pooled estimates using random effects were presented as a weighted mean difference with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Univariate meta-regression was performed to assess the influence of GLP-1 RA type, short-acting vs long-acting mechanism of action, and duration of treatment on gastric emptying. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Five studies (n = 247) utilized gastric emptying scintigraphy. Mean T 1/2 was 138.4 minutes (95% CI 74.5-202.3) for GLP-1 RA vs 95.0 minutes (95% CI 54.9-135.0) for placebo, with a pooled mean difference of 36.0 minutes (95% CI 17.0-55.0, P < 0.01, I2 = 79.4%). Ten studies (n = 411) utilized the acetaminophen absorption test, with no significant delay in gastric emptying measured by T max , area under the curve (AUC) 4hr , and AUC 5hr with GLP-1 RA ( P > 0.05). On meta-regression, the type of GLP-1 RA, mechanism of action, and treatment duration did not impact gastric emptying ( P > 0.05). While a gastric emptying delay of ∼36 minutes is quantifiable on GLP-1 RA medications, it is of limited magnitude relative to standard periprocedural fasting periods. There were no substantial differences in gastric emptying on modalities reflective of liquid emptying (acetaminophen absorption test), particularly at time points relevant to periprocedural care.

Validation of assessments to accurately analyze the body composition of highly trained sitting volleyball players: A pilot study

Body composition is a fundamental component of physical fitness related to the performance of Sitting volleyball (SV) players. Also, establishing the best method for evaluating the body composition of these para-athletes would be highly necessary for this field. The purpose of this study was (1) to describe the body composition of male and female highly trained SV players, (2) to compare the values obtained from this population by two different methods and (3) to establish validity on one of these methods. Thirteen Brazilian SV national team players (five males and eight females) participated in this study. The air-displacement plethysmography (ADP) method as the criterion assessment and the skinfolds (SF) method were conducted for each player. Results showed that there were no significant differences between the values of all players, which ADP and SF measured for body fat percentage (BF%) and body density (BD) (p > 0.05). We found significantly different values between male and female players for BF% by SF (p = 0.04) and BD by SF (p = 0.04). A high degree of reliability was found between ADP and SF measures for BF% and BD. There were statistically significant positive correlations between BF% and BD in all values for both methods (p < 0.01). This pilot study suggests that considering the magnitude of space, expense, and other limitations related to the ADP method against the SF method, we recommend using the SF method, which is a valid, viable and reliable method for measuring body composition in elite SV players.

CSST large-scale structure analysis pipeline: I. Constructing reference mock galaxy redshift surveys

ABSTRACT In this paper, we set out to construct a set of reference mock galaxy redshift surveys (MGRSs) for the future Chinese Space-station Survey Telescope (CSST) observation, where subsequent survey selection effects can be added and evaluated. This set of MGRSs is generated using the dark matter subhaloes extracted from a high-resolution Jiutian N-body simulation of the standard lambda-cold dark matter cosmogony with Ωm = 0.3111, ΩΛ = 0.6889, and σ8 = 0.8102. The simulation has a box size of 1 h−1Gpc, and consists of 61443 particles with mass resolution $3.723 \times 10^{8} \:h^{-1}\rm M_\odot$. In order to take into account the effect of redshift evolution, we first use all 128 snapshots in the Jiutian simulation to generate a light-cone halo/subhalo catalogue. Next, galaxy luminosities are assigned to the main and subhalo populations using the subhalo abundance matching (SHAM) method with the DESI (Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument) z-band luminosity functions at different redshifts. Multiband photometries, as well as images, are then assigned to each mock galaxy using a 3D parameter space nearest-neighbour sampling of the DESI LS (Legacy Imaging Survey) observational galaxies and groups. Finally, the CSST and DESI LS survey geometry and magnitude limit cuts are applied to generate the required MGRSs. As we have checked, this set of MGRSs can generally reproduce the observed galaxy luminosity/mass functions within 0.1 dex for galaxies with L &amp;gt; 108 h-2 L⊙ (or M* &amp;gt; 108.5 h-2M⊙) and within 1σ level for galaxies with L &amp;lt; 108 h-2 L⊙ (or M* &amp;lt; 108.5 h-2 M⊙). Together with the CSST slitless spectra and redshifts for our DESI LS seed galaxies that are under construction, we will set out to test various slitless observational selection effects in subsequent probes.

Upper limits for post-wildfire floods and distinction from debris flows.

Upper magnitude limits and scaling with basin size for post-wildfire floods are unknown. An envelope curve was estimated defining post-wildfire flood upper limits as a function of basin area. We show the importance of separating peak flows by floods versus debris flows. Post-wildfire flood maxima are a constant 43 m3 s-1 km-2 for basins from 0.01 to 23 to 34 km2 and then declining with added basin area according to a power law relation. Intense rainfall spatial scaling may cause the envelope curve threshold at 23 to 34 km2. Post-wildfire flood maxima are smaller than unburned flood maxima for similar basin area. Rainstorm comparisons indicate that post-wildfire floods are triggered by smaller precipitation depths than unburned floods. Post-wildfire exceptional floods are driven by extreme rainfall rates, in contrast to post-wildfire debris flows. Runoff rates for post-wildfire envelope floods are consistent with infiltration-excess runoff. Future increases in precipitation intensity or wildfire frequency and extent could increase post-wildfire flood upper limits.

Deeper than DEEP: a spectroscopic survey of z &amp;gt; 3 Ly α emitters in the Extended Groth Strip

ABSTRACT We present a spectroscopic survey of Ly α emitters in the Extended Groth Strip (EGS) field, targeting the regime near the Epoch of Reionization. Using Keck/DEep Imaging Multi-Object Spectrograph, we observed 947 high-z candidates with photometric redshifts from 3 &amp;lt; zphot &amp;lt; 7 and down to an H-band (Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 F160W) magnitude limit of &amp;lt;27.5. Observations were taken over the course of eight nights, with integration times ranging from 4 to 7.8 h. Our survey secured 137 unique redshifts, 126 of which are Ly α emitters at 2.8 &amp;lt; z &amp;lt; 6.3 with a mean redshift of $\overline{z} = 4.3$. We provide a comprehensive redshift catalogue for our targets, as well as the reduced one- and two-dimensional spectra for each object. These observations will provide an important auxiliary data set for the JWST Directors Discretionary Early Release Science programme the Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science Survey, which recently completed near- and mid-infrared imaging and spectroscopy of galaxies in the EGS field.

Berkovich indentation and the Oliver-Pharr method for shape memory alloys

Advances in instrumentation and interpretation of nanoindentation data with the Oliver-Pharr (O-P) method have fueled the reliable assessment of hardness and elastic modulus. However, shape memory alloys (SMAs) undergo a reversible phase transformation that complicates and challenges the conventional practice. This paper examines through finite element simulations the variation in nanoindentation response with SMA constitutive properties and the deformation regimes underneath a Berkovich indenter. Unique features of phase transformations – including tension-compression asymmetry, limited magnitude of transformation strain compared to plastic strain, and pressure-dependent transformation stress – inject fundamentally different patterns of elastic and inelastic deformation, compared to conventional elastic-plastic indentation. This can generate errors of up to 16% and 40% in hardness and modulus, respectively, when a conventional O-P approach for elastic-plastic materials is used. These errors are decreased if (1) contact stiffness is measured over a reduced (2% or less) portion of the initial unloading response and (2) new material-dependent expressions are used for geometric and correction factors in the O-P nanoindentation analysis. Approximate analytic expressions are obtained for the effective elastic modulus and martensite volume fraction in the inhomogeneous medium created by indentation. This new method is applied to Ni50.5Ti49.5 (at%) wire and for other SMAs, general guidance for selection of geometric and correction factors is provided.

Classification and parameterization of a large Gaia sample of white dwarfs using XP spectra

Context. The latest Gaia data release in July 2022, DR3, in addition to the refinement of the astrometric and photometric parameters from DR2, added a number of important data products to those available in earlier releases, including radial velocity data, information on stellar multiplicity, and XP spectra of a selected sample of stars. Gaia has proved to be an important search tool for white dwarf stars, which are readily identifiable from their absolute G magnitudes as low luminosity objects in the Hertzsprung–Russell (H–R) diagram. Each data release has yielded large catalogs of white dwarfs, containing several hundred thousand objects, far in excess of the numbers known from all previous surveys (∼40 000). While the normal Gaia photometry (G, GBP, and GRP bands) and astrometry can be used to identify white dwarfs with high confidence, it is much more difficult to parameterize the stars and determine the white dwarf spectral type from this information alone. Observing all stars in these catalogs with follow-up spectroscopy and photometry is also a huge logistical challenge with current facilities. Aims. The availability of the XP spectra and synthetic photometry presents an opportunity for a more detailed spectral classification and measurement of the effective temperature and surface gravity of Gaia white dwarfs. Methods. A magnitude limit of G &lt; 17.6 was applied to the routine production of XP spectra for Gaia sources, which would have excluded most white dwarfs. Therefore, we created a catalog of 100 000 high-quality white dwarf identifications for which XP spectra were processed, with a magnitude limit of G &lt; 20.5. Synthetic photometry was computed for all these stars, from the XP spectra, in Johnson, SDSS, and J-PAS, published as the Gaia Synthetic Photometry Catalog – White Dwarfs (GSPC-WD). We took this catalog and applied machine learning techniques to provide a classification of all the stars from the XP spectra. We have then applied an automated spectral fitting program, with χ-squared minimization, to measure their physical parameters (effective temperature and log g) from which we could estimate the white dwarf masses and radii. Results. We present the results of this work, demonstrating the power of being able to classify and parameterize such a large sample of ≈100 000 stars. We describe what we can learn about the white dwarf population from this dataset. We also explored the uncertainties in the process and the limitations of the dataset.

Bifurcation analysis of a tristable system with fractional derivative under colored noise excitation

Stochastic bifurcation has received much attention recently and is of great significance in the research on the dynamics of nonlinear systems. In this paper, we study the bifurcation of a self-sustained tristable system containing fractional derivative under the excitation of two colored noises, where the self-sustained tristable system consists of stable limit cycles and a stable state. The multiple scale method and generalized harmonic function are used to convert the original system into an equal system without obvious time delay and fractional derivative. Then the stationary probability density function (SPDF) of the system is obtained by using the stochastic averaging method to discuss stochastic bifurcation. Based on singularity theory, the equation satisfying amplitude is obtained to derive the corresponding bifurcation diagram. From the bifurcation analysis of the system, it is revealed that fractional order, fractional coefficient, and the intensity and correlation time of colored noise can be utilized as bifurcation parameters, causing peculiar stochastic bifurcation phenomena and regulating the output of the system, as well as the relatively big colored noise intensity and relatively small correlation time facilitate the realization of large magnitude limit cycle. Monte Carlo numerical results verify the validity of the theoretical approach. In addition, appropriately changing the delayed feedback parameter helps to govern the bifurcation range and causes richer bifurcation phenomena. The results of this paper contribute to a better understanding of self-sustained tristable systems with fractional derivative and may provide reference value in resolving the problems of chattering in high-speed aircraft and applications to viscoelastic materials.

Development of a new control rule for managing anthropogenic removals of protected, endangered or threatened species in marine ecosystems.

Human activities in the oceans are increasing and can result in additional mortality on many marine Protected, Endangered or Threatened Species (PETS). It is necessary to implement ambitious measures that aim to restore biodiversity at all nodes of marine food webs and to manage removals resulting from anthropogenic activities. We developed a stochastic surplus production model (SPM) linking abundance and removal processes under the assumption that variations in removals reflect variations in abundance. We then consider several 'harvest' control rules, included two candidate ones derived from this SPM (which we called 'Anthropogenic Removals Threshold', or ART), to manage removals of PETS. The two candidate rules hinge on the estimation of a stationary removal rate. We compared these candidate rules to other existing control rules (e.g. potential biological removal or a fixed percentage rule) in three scenarios: (i) a base scenario whereby unbiased but noisy data are available, (ii) scenario whereby abundance estimates are overestimated and (iii) scenario whereby abundance estimates are underestimated. The different rules were tested on a simulated set of data with life-history parameters close to a small-sized cetacean species of conservation interest in the North-East Atlantic, the harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and in a management strategy evaluation framework. The effectiveness of the rules were assessed by looking at performance metrics, such as time to reach the conservation objectives, the removal limits obtained with the rules or temporal autocorrelation in removal limits. Most control rules were robust against biases in data and allowed to reach conservation objectives with removal limits of similar magnitude when averaged over time. However, one of the candidate rule (ART) displayed greater alignment with policy requirements for PETS such as minimizing removals over time.

A validated UPLC-MS/MS method for quantification of pyrotinib and population pharmacokinetic study of pyrotinib in HER2-positive breast cancer patients.

Pyrotinb has been approved for the treatment of HER2-positive advanced or metastatic breast cancer in China. However, the plasma concentration of pyrotinb in different patients varies greatly, and in the course of treatment, if patients have intolerable adverse reactions, the drug dosage will be reduced or even stopped. This study set out to establish an ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) for the determination of pyrotinb in human plasma, analyze the population pharmacokinetics (PPK) of pyrotinib and assess the influence of patient variables on PK of pyrotinib in patients with HER2 positive breast cancer. An UPLC-MS/MS method was developed to measure pyrotinib in human plasma. Utilizing a gradient elution procedure and a Kinetex C18 column (2.1mm × 100mm, 1.7μm), sample separation was accomplished in 5.5min. Pyrotinb extraction via protein precipitation was used as a sample pre-treatment technique. In total, 50 patients provided 158 plasma samples, which were identified and used in the PPK investigation. The non-linear mixed-effects modeling (NONMEM) approach was used to assess the plasma concentrations and covariates information. For the final PPK model evaluation, external evaluation, non-parametric bootstrap, visual predictive check (VPC), and goodness-of-fit (GOF) were used. The UPLC-MS/MS method for determining plasma concentration of pyrotinib in patients had good selectivity and linearity in the range of 1-1,000ng/mL. Pyrotinib concentration profile in HER2-positive breast cancer patients was well described by a single-compartment PPK model with first-order absorption and elimination. The formulas for the final estimated values of overall parameters of CL/F and Vd/F and Ka are respectively: , , . No dosage adjustment was advised, despite the possibility that the total protein levels could have a substantial impact on the apparent distribution volume of pyrotinib with limited magnitude. In this study, an UPLC-MS/MS method was established to determine the concentration of pyrotinib in human plasma. A population pharmacokinetic model of pyrotinib in HER2 positive breast cancer patients suggested that low serum total protein reduced the clearance rate of pyrotinib in patients. Clinical medical staff should pay attention to the liver function of patients with abnormal serum total protein and be alert to the occurrence of adverse drug reactions.

Uncovering the State of Local News Databases in the UK: Limitations and Impacts on Research

Local journalism is fundamental for a thriving democracy, yet the UK faces a decline in the number of print and digital local news outlets. Large-scale mappings of the surviving outlets offer invaluable insights to policymakers designing interventions to strengthen the sector. Due to the lack of a comprehensive national directory of UK print and digital local news outlets, researchers have resorted to datasets such as circulation auditors’ databases, which have been noted to be incomplete and outdated. A lack of understanding of the magnitude of these data limitations hinders researchers from selecting optimal datasets. This study evaluates four commonly used local news databases, uncovering significant variations in their currentness and comprehensiveness. Thereafter, statistical analyses demonstrate the significant effect of each dataset’s shortcomings on findings in local news research. To address this issue, triangulation and manual verification are employed to create a more comprehensive and robust dataset. This procedure generates a new national dataset of print and digital local news outlets that can be used in future research, alongside a framework for leveraging public data to build an independent research dataset. This work paves the way for more rigorous research in data-driven local news provision studies. Concluding remarks stress the importance of setting definitions and establishing clear data pipelines in an increasingly diversified and dynamic sector.

The anabolic response to protein ingestion during recovery from exercise has no upper limit in magnitude and duration in vivo in humans

The belief that the anabolic response to feeding during postexercise recovery is transient and has an upper limit and that excess amino acids are being oxidized lacks scientific proof. Using a comprehensive quadruple isotope tracer feeding-infusion approach, we show that the ingestion of 100g protein results in a greater and more prolonged (>12 h) anabolic response when compared to the ingestion of 25g protein. We demonstrate a dose-response increase in dietary-protein-derived plasma amino acid availability and subsequent incorporation into muscle protein. Ingestion of a large bolus of protein further increases whole-body protein net balance, mixed-muscle, myofibrillar, muscle connective, and plasma protein synthesis rates. Protein ingestion has a negligible impact on whole-body protein breakdown rates or amino acid oxidation rates. These findings demonstrate that the magnitude and duration of the anabolic response to protein ingestion is not restricted and has previously been underestimated invivo in humans.

The Reliability of Self-Reported GPA in Educational Research: A Comparison of Self-Reported and Officially Recorded Data

Researchers use often self-reported grades as indicators of students’ educational achievement because of difficulties in obtaining the official records. However, the results of such studies are questionable due to doubts regarding the reliability of self-reported grade data and factors that may lead to distortion. In this study, we help to resolve this issue by comparing self-reported grade point averages (GPAs) of 926 eighth grade Romanian students from the previous academic year with their official GPAs. At the descriptive and practical levels, we conclude that the distortions are positive—overreporting is more frequent than underreporting—and that their limited magnitude allows for the use of self-reported grades for the usually description i.e. of achievements in a population of students but not for individual students’ diagnostics. At the explanatory level, the distortions are non-random, and there are two main causal mechanisms. First, overreporting is a cognitive and commitment-based error. Second, overreporting is an effect of social desirability, according to which students are expected to perform well based on their social characteristics. However, this second causal channel is not visible in bivariate tests because it is statistically suppressed by the main mechanism and the correlation of actual GPA with gender and socioeconomic status (SES – parents’ education and class) variables.

The effect of experimental pollinator decline on pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits.

Human-mediated environmental change, by reducing mean fitness, is hypothesized to strengthen selection on traits that mediate interactions among species. For example, human-mediated declines in pollinator populations are hypothesized to reduce mean seed production by increasing the magnitude of pollen limitation and thus strengthen pollinator-mediated selection on floral traits that increase pollinator attraction or pollen transfer efficiency. To test this hypothesis, we measured two female fitness components and six floral traits of Lobelia siphilitica plants exposed to supplemental hand-pollination, ambient open-pollination, or reduced open-pollination treatments. The reduced treatment simulated pollinator decline, while the supplemental treatment was used to estimate pollen limitation and pollinator-mediated selection. We found that plants in the reduced pollination treatment were significantly pollen limited, resulting in pollinator-mediated selection for taller inflorescences and more vibrant petals, both traits that could increase pollinator attraction. This contrasts with plants in the ambient pollination treatment, where reproduction was not pollen limited and there was not significant pollinator-mediated selection on any floral trait. Our results support the hypothesis that human-mediated environmental change can strengthen selection on traits of interacting species and suggest that these traits have the potential to evolve in response to changing environments.

Linear Quadratic Optimal Robust Multivariable Proportional-Integral Control Design for a Boiler-Turbine Unit

Abstract Boiler-turbine unit is a highly nonlinear, coupled, and ill-conditioned system. Moreover, the presence of physical constraints, such as actuator magnitude and rate limits, makes the system difficult to control. This paper employs a fixed multivariable proportional-integral (PI) controller of the I–P structure for robust linear quadratic (LQ) compensation of a nonlinear boiler-turbine benchmark. In order to ensure that a single PI controller works for the whole operating region of this nonlinear system, the linearized model of the system is represented as a norm-bounded, time-varying uncertain system. The ranges of the uncertain parameters of this linearized model are determined from different operating points of the nonlinear system. To design the PI controller for the uncertain system, first, it is transformed into a state feedback design for an augmented uncertain system and then the state feedback gains satisfying some LQ performance limit are computed by solving a linear matrix inequality (LMI) problem. As the uncertainty in the feedforward matrix of the linearized model cannot be considered in the above design process, an LMI-based method is developed to check if the designed PI controller performance in H∞ sense is close to the one if the neglected uncertainty is included. The performance of the controller is tested on the nonlinear boiler-turbine unit under several operating conditions and physical constraints. Comparisons are also made with some existing PI controllers, to show the superiority of the proposed robust PI controller.

OMEGACat. I. MUSE Spectroscopy of 300,000 Stars within the Half-light Radius of ω Centauri

Omega Centauri (ω Cen) is the most massive globular cluster of the Milky Way and has been the focus of many studies that reveal the complexity of its stellar populations and kinematics. However, most previous studies have used photometric and spectroscopic data sets with limited spatial or magnitude coverage, while we aim to investigate it having full spatial coverage out to its half-light radius and stars ranging from the main sequence to the tip of the red giant branch. This is the first paper in a new survey of ω Cen that combines uniform imaging and spectroscopic data out to its half-light radius to study its stellar populations, kinematics, and formation history. In this paper, we present an unprecedented MUSE spectroscopic data set combining 87 new MUSE pointings with previous observations collected from guaranteed time observations. We extract spectra of more than 300,000 stars reaching more than 2 magnitudes below the main-sequence turnoff. We use these spectra to derive metallicity and line-of-sight velocity measurements and determine robust uncertainties on these quantities using repeat measurements. Applying quality cuts we achieve signal-to-noise ratios (S/Ns) of 16.47/73.51 and mean metallicity errors of 0.174/0.031 dex for the main-sequence stars (18 mag <mag F625W < 22 mag) and red giant branch stars (16 mag <mag F625W < 10 mag), respectively. We correct the metallicities for atomic diffusion and identify foreground stars. This massive spectroscopic data set will enable future studies that will transform our understanding of ω Cen, allowing us to investigate the stellar populations, ages, and kinematics in great detail.

The impact of botanical fermented foods on metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials.

Our systematic review assessed the impact of botanical fermented food (BFF) consumption on glucose, lipid, anthropometric, inflammatory and gut microbiota parameters, in adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS), MetS components or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL and Google Scholar were searched with no language limits, from inception to August 31, 2022, for eligible randomised controlled trials (RCTs). Two independent reviewers screened 6873 abstracts and extracted relevant data. Risk of bias (ROB) was assessed using the Cochrane Collaboration's ROB2 tool. The final review included 26 RCTs, with 31 reports published between 2001 and 2022. Significant (p<0.05) within-group and between-group changes in cardiometabolic outcome means were reported in 23 and 19 studies, respectively. Gut microbiota composition was assessed in four studies, with two finding significant between-group differences. No significant difference between groups of any measured outcomes was observed in five studies. There were 14 studies at low ROB; ten were of some concern; and two were at high ROB. In 73% of included studies, BFF consumption by participants with obesity, MetS or T2DM led to significant between-group improvements in discrete cardiometabolic outcomes, including fasting blood glucose, lipid profile, blood pressure, waist circumference, body fat percentage, and C-reactive protein. BFF consumption increased the abundance of beneficial gut bacteria, such as Bifidobacterium and LAB, whilst reducing potential pathogens like Bacteroides. To determine the clinical significance of BFFs as therapeutic dietary adjuncts, their safety, tolerability and affordability must be balanced with the limited power and magnitude of these preliminary findings.

Driver of eustatic change during the early Aptian Ocean Anoxic Event 1a (∼120 Ma) [Global and Planetary Change, volume 229, October 2023, 104236]: Reply

The comment by Davies and Simmons et al. (2023) argues that aquifer-eustasy works in-phase with glacio-eustasy and its magnitudes are on scale of decimeters. However, the in-phase relationship and limited magnitudes are inferred by climate models which based solely on volume changes in shallow groundwater and fail to take into account the capacity of deeper-seated aquifers. If deep groundwater is properly considered as well, both the in-phase relationship and magnitudes of aquifer-eustasy need to be reevaluated. More through investigations are required to understand the processes of charge and discharge in continental aquifers at different depths.

Post-stroke limitations in daily activities: experience from a tertiary care hospital in Ethiopia

BackgroundThe disability of stroke patients remains an important global health problem; yet information on the extent of restriction from basic and instrumental activities of daily living is limited, particularly in lower-and middle-income (LMIC) countries. Therefore, we examined the issue under the caption, since it is the first step in planning several rehabilitation services.MethodA facility-based cross-sectional study was done to assess the magnitude and predictors of post-stroke limitations in basic activities of daily living (BADL) using the Barthel Index (BI) scale and instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) using the Frenchay Activities Index (FAI) scale among patients who visited Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Neurology Clinic from April-October, 2022. All patients having a diagnosis of stroke for more than six months duration were enrolled. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were done, and measures of estimated crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% CI were constructed and a p-value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The results are presented in figures and tables.ResultsA total of 150 stroke patients were enrolled in the present study. The mean age of participants was 53 (14.9) years with slight male preponderance (51.3%). Ischemic stroke was present in 106 (70.7%) of them, while 44 (29.3%) had hemorrhagic stroke. Of this, 57 (38%) and 115 (79.3%) of them had limitations in basic and instrumental ADL, respectively. Comorbid cardiac disease (AOR = 6.9; 95%CI = 1.3–37.5) and regular substance use (AOR = 11.1; 95%CI = 1.1–115) were associated with limitations in BADL, while an increase in age (AOR = 1.1; 95%CI = 1.04–1.15) was associated with severe limitations in BADL. Initial stroke severity (AOR = 7.3; 95%CI = 1.2–44.7) was associated with limitations in IADL, whereas depression (AOR = 5.1; 95%CI = 1.1–23.2) was identified as a predictor of severe limitation in IADL.ConclusionLimitation in activities of daily living (ADL) after stroke is common among Ethiopian patients. Therefore, screening for post-stroke limitations in daily activities is essential for further management and rehabilitative plans.

The Seismic Activity of the Nasudake Volcano Using Hypocenter Data (1998–2022) from the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience

The seismic activity of the Nasudake volcano is summarized based on hypocenter data from the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience (NIED). The observation period spans 24 years, from October 1998 to December 2022, and the number of earthquakes during the period is 12,064. Of these, 80.1% occurred between depths of 0.7 and 2.6 km; 94% registered between -1.6 and 0.9 on the Richter scale. The lower limit of the detectable magnitude (magnitude of completeness, Mc) for the transition of the volcano-observation system was examined and found to be -0.5 for Mc before 2005 and -1.4 for Mc after 2012. Focusing on zones where seismic activity was concentrated, we divided the active zones into four areas. The greatest concentration of seismic activity, 76.4% of the total number of earthquakes, was between Chausu-dake and Asahi-dake. The depth of the earthquakes in this active area was shallower than 2 km, and most were micro-earthquakes (1 ≤ M &lt; 3) or smaller. Earthquakes have been occurring regularly for 24 years. This active area includes the Chausu-dake lava dome formed by activities in 1408–1410 and two craters where phreatic eruptions have occurred since the Meiji era (1868–1912). Therefore, in considering volcano disaster-prevention measures, the relationship between this seismic area and volcanic activity should continue to be closely monitored.