Orientation Measurements Research Articles

Decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation corrected by derotational distal femur osteotomy in patients with patellar dislocation yields satisfactory outcomes.

The femoral trochlea axial orientation has been shown to be a better predictor of patellar dislocation than the femoral anteversion angle. However, no study has investigated the importance of the femoral trochlea axial orientation in the surgical treatment of patellar dislocation. It is aimed to explore the pathological threshold of the femoral trochlea axial orientation and its guiding implications for surgical interventions in the study. Sixty-four patients with patellar dislocation and 64 controls were included for measurement of the femoral trochlea axial orientation. The ability to predict the patellar dislocation and the pathologic threshold of the femoral trochlea axial orientation were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic curve. One hundred patients with medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction and 25 patients with derotational distal femur osteotomy were divided into two groups based on the femoral trochlea axial orientation cut-off value and their postoperative knee functions, and patellar tilt angles were compared. There were significant differences in the femoral trochlea axial orientation (60.8 ± 7.9 vs. 67.8 ± 4.6, p < 0.05) between patients with patellar dislocation and the normal population. The sensitivity and specificity of the femoral trochlea axial orientation were 0.641 and 0.813, respectively, at the femoral trochlea axial orientation smaller than 63.8°. Amongst patients having had isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction with decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation, knee function was poorer after surgery. The prognosis of patients with the femoral trochlea axial orientation correction in derotational distal femur osteotomy was better than that for patients without correction. The femoral trochlea axial orientation had good predictive efficiency for patellar dislocation. Isolated medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction is not sufficiently effective for patients with patellar dislocation and decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation. Patients with a decreased femoral trochlea axial orientation can have better surgical outcomes after correction by derotational distal femur osteotomy. Level III.

Predictive Validity of the K-CAT-SS in High-Risk Adolescents and Young Adults

Suicide is a leading cause of death in adolescents and young adults and has increased substantially in the past 15 years. Accurate suicide risk stratification based on rapid screening can help reverse these trends. This study aimed to assess the ability of the Kiddie Computerized Adaptive Test Suicide Scale (K-CAT-SS), a brief computerized adaptive test of suicidality, to predict suicide attempts (SAs) in high-risk youth. A total of 652 participants (age range, 12-24 years), 78% of whom presented with suicidal ideation or behavior, were recruited within 1 month of mental health care contact. The K-CAT-SS, scaled from 0 to 100, was administered at baseline, and participants were assessed at about 1, 3, and 6 months after intake. Weekly incidence of SAs was assessed using the Adolescent Longitudinal Interval Follow-up Evaluation and Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale. A secondary outcome was suicidal behavior, including aborted, interrupted, and actual SAs. The K-CAT-SS showed a 4.91-fold increase in SAs for every 25-point increase in the baseline score (95% CI 2.83-8.52) and a 3.51-fold increase in suicidal behaviors (95% CI 2.32-5.30). These relations persisted following adjustment for prior attempts; demographic variables including age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, and race/ethnicity; and other measures of psychopathology. No moderating effects were identified. At 3 months, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.83 (95% CI 0.72-0.93) for 1 or more SAs. The K-CAT-SS is an excellent tool for suicide risk stratification, particularly in higher-risk populations where other measures have shown lower predictive validity.

Relationship between Personality Characteristics and Spiritual Health

Abstract Background: Spirituality significantly impacts our well-being. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the role of personality traits and Spiritual Well-Being (SWB) responses. Methods: We utilized the Five Factor Personality Inventory and the Spiritual Health and Life Orientation Measure. A total of 264 individuals aged 18 to 80 (M=37.17; SD=13.88) participated, with 78% female and 22% male. Results: Our findings indicate that individuals with higher levels of extraversion (β=-0.15) have greater spiritual well-being. Individuals who have higher levels of openness to experience (β=0.19) and neuroticism (β=0.17) tend to have lower spiritual health. Conclusion: Extraverted individuals perceive enhanced development in spiritual ideals, resulting in elevated levels of spiritual health. Future research could explore additional factors influencing spiritual well-being. Keywords: Personality Factors, Spiritual Well-Being, Extraversion, Correlational Study.

Strategic Social Value Orientation and Sustainability Performance: A commensuration perspective

Firms increasingly express the strategic importance of creating social value in addition to financial and market value in their communications to investors. Yet, it is unclear what a strategic orientation towards social value creation entails and whether it differentiates firms in terms of their sustainability performance. This article provides a conceptualization of strategic social value orientation (SSVO) consisting of three behavioral components (leading business with purpose, support of stakeholders, focus on consequences) and one shared belief (mutuality). Utilizing a novel linguistic, content-analytic measure of strategic social value orientation, we analyse annual letters to shareholders and sustainability ratings across 1580 firm-year observations, indicating that firms with a stronger strategic social value orientation show greater sustainability performance. The article explores commensurability of strategic attention towards social value creation, suggesting that future research prioritize more fine-grained assessments of social value, sustainability strategies and performance. Our study makes two main contributions. First, we advance theory at the intersection of sustainability and strategic orientation literatures by introducing a new concept of a firm’s strategic orientation toward social value creation (i.e. SSVO). Second, we develop and validate an empirical measure at the firm level for analysing a firm’s strategic social value orientation, making an important contribution to the commensuration of sustainability. Our findings offer guidance to scholars and implications for practitioners.

The Longitudinal Measurement of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity: A Study of Identity Change in a Nationally Representative Sample of U.S. Adults and Adolescents.

Purpose: Research and lived experience demonstrate that sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) can change over the life course; however, little empirical work exists to understand the prevalence of such changes. To address this gap, we used data from a large nationally representative panel of adults and adolescents to assess changes in self-reported SOGI over time and identify trends by sex assigned at birth, age, race and ethnicity, and survey mode. Methods: We reviewed SOGI data collected between 2014 and 2022 for a sample of 19,469 adults and 970 adolescents. Up to eight SOGI measurements per panelist were available over the nine-year period, collected through a combination of panel recruitment and demographic refresh surveys and topic-specific surveys. Results: Among adults older than 18 years, 4.1% reported a change in sexual orientation and 3.6% reported a change in gender identity. Among teens, who are developmentally more apt to change identity, 13.5% reported a change in sexual orientation and 9.3% reported a change in gender identity. Conclusions: Findings demonstrate that SOGI can change over time, particularly for adolescents, so it is important to re-ask SOGI questions to ensure current information. We recommend re-asking SOGI questions at least every three years of adults and every two years of adolescents. Potential undercounting of sexual and gender minority (SGM) respondents decreases visibility and our ability to understand health and economic disparities affecting these populations. Improvements in SOGI measurement can help advance data quality and, ultimately, evidence-based interventions in support of SGM communities that these data help to inform.

Can vocational interests of students be used to recruit suitable candidates for teacher training programmes in technical vocational education and training in Germany?

PurposeIn Germany, various approaches have been taken to tackle the current teacher shortage in technical and vocational education and training (TVET). One attempt to remedy the shortage in Bavaria has been the introduction of an engineering education study programme at universities of applied sciences. Ideal candidates for this programme should have an interest in both engineering and social interaction. For effective recruitment, therefore, it is necessary to know applicants’ characteristics such as their vocational interests. In this study, the vocational interest profiles of students in TVET teacher training programmes were identified and their interest profiles and further characteristics were compared with those of other VET students at universities and universities of applied sciences.Design/methodology/approachAn online questionnaire based on Holland’s interest theory and adapted from the Allgemeiner-Interessen-Struktur-Test-3 (interest structure test) was administered to 85 students in TVET teacher training programmes at universities and universities of applied sciences in Bavaria. Items regarding reasons for choosing a particular study programme, university location and other personal details were added.FindingsThe vocational interest profiles of students at universities and universities of applied sciences can be described as similar but weakly differentiated. Insights are provided by the characteristics of students such as the majority being first-time academics in the family. The reasons for choosing the degree programme and university location highlight the fact that a large proportion of students in engineering education would not have chosen a teaching-related degree programme if it had not been offered at the respective university of applied sciences.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the sample in this study was small and, therefore, limiting, it represented a high proportion of TVET teacher training students in Bavaria and a substantial proportion of first-year students in TVET teacher training programmes at universities and universities of applied sciences in Bavaria (section 2.2 and 3.1). Thus, the findings provide valuable insights into commonalities in interest profiles between engineering education students at universities of applied sciences and other TVET students at universities. With respect to the domain of the chosen vocational specialisation, differentiated profiles emerged that, for example, showed a stronger artistic orientation among students in construction technology/wood. For further analysis, the previous variable-centred orientation of the analysis can be supplemented by person-centred analyses (e.g. cluster analysis and latent variable mixture modelling, LVMM) (cf. Leon et al., 2021).Practical implicationsThe findings in this study reveal the potential for attracting candidates to universities of applied sciences if they prefer to study in rather rural areas close to their hometowns. With the aim to educate prospective teachers for future work not only in metropolitan regions but in rural areas too, offering bachelor degree programmes in rural areas would seem promising. A regional option can boost the recruitment of new students and attract candidates that otherwise would be unable to pursue studies or a career as a teacher in vocational education. The results of this study and those of previous studies suggest that universities of applied sciences can cooperate with universities to help solve the teacher shortage problem.Social implicationsOverall, it is apparent that the students' interests reached comparatively high values in all interest orientations and thus are only weakly differentiated. If undifferentiated profiles indicate low levels of career readiness, this significantly affects the recruitment of young people for the teaching profession. Assessing career orientation and promoting vocational interests should be prioritised during secondary school education. Vocational orientation measures are essential and should provide insight into typical activities of daily work life in different professions and thus pique and foster interests.Originality/valueThis study provides insight into how to respond to the teacher shortage in VET by identifying important characteristics of engineering education students using vocational interest profiling.

Poetry Workshop in the Acute Inpatient Psychiatric Setting: Feasible, Acceptable, and Significantly Beneficial

Objective: We investigated the feasibility and acceptability of establishing a therapeutic poetry writing workshop in an acute inpatient psychiatric setting, as well as the impact of participation on measures of mood, hope, and recovery orientation. Methods: Participants were recruited from the inpatient psychiatric units of an academic medical center. As a pre/post measure of effect of the poetry intervention, participants completed the Herth Hope Index (HHI) and the Mental Health Confidence Scale (MHCS) at baseline and follow-up, as well as a Brief Mood Survey (BMS) immediately before and after each instance of participation in the poetry workshop. Student’s t-tests were used to assess for changes on HHI, MHCS, and BMS, as well as to compare the before vs after in these metrics for individuals who attended only one workshop session versus those who attended two or more sessions to assess for dose-dependent effect of the intervention. Workshop participants also optionally completed a satisfaction survey of their qualitative experience of the group. The protocol for leading a workshop is described in detail. Results: There was a statistically significant improvement in multiple subscales of mood according to the pre- and post-measures on the BMS. Results of the HHI indicated a trend toward increased hopefulness. Results of the MHCS showed statistically significant improvement in participants’ confidence in managing day-to-day life with a mental illness. Results of satisfaction surveys indicate that participants had an overwhelmingly positive experience of the group. Conclusions and Implications for Practice: Workshops designed to foster writing and sharing poetry in a group format are likely to be clinically helpful to improve mood for patients in an acute inpatient psychiatric setting. Future research may examine the adaptability of this intervention for outpatient and virtual settings. Impact and Implications: We conducted a poetry workshop for patients in an acute inpatient psychiatric unit. Participation in the workshop even just once provided a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement in multiple subscales of mood and confidence in managing day-to-day life with a mental illness. Our study describes in detail the protocol for a mental health clinician to recreate a similar poetry workshop in their own clinic or hospital.

Navigating Faith: Unveiling the Reliability and Validity of the Circumplex Religious Orientation Inventory (CROI) in Indonesia's Diverse Spiritual Landscape

Despite Indonesia's designation as a religiously diverse nation, there is a notable absence of a universally applicable religiosity scale that encompasses all faiths within its borders. Thus, this paper aims to translate, validate, and ensure the reliability of the Circumplex Religious Orientation Inventory (CROI), originally developed by Krauss and Hood in 2013, within the Indonesian cultural context. Data were collected via an online survey administered to 571 male and female volunteers in Indonesia, aged 18 years and above. The translation and assessment of the scale's psychometric properties, including internal consistency, factor analysis, convergent validity, time consistency, and socio-demographic analysis, were conducted. The study findings revealed that the Indonesian version of the CROI exhibited strong internal consistency, positive factor analysis outcomes, consistent responses over time, socio-demographic variations, as well as robust convergent and discriminant validity when compared to widely recognized measures of religiosity, religious orientation, intellectual humility, and religious tolerance. In conclusion, this research underscores the Indonesian version of the CROI as a valuable instrument for assessing religious orientation among individuals aged 18 and above in Indonesia.

What Determines Global Flows of Entrepreneurial Finance?

Economists examine foreign direct investment, which mostly constitutes flows to established firms (sometimes characterized as “multinational corporations”) that might or might not engage in truly innovative activity in the FDI target country. Conversely, finance scholars have studied the pipeline of entrepreneurial finance from limited partnerships (LPs) to venture capitalists (VCs) or private equity general partners (GPs) to portfolio firms. Few studies examine relationships between general and limited partners, and those that do often examine only the United States, or a limited number of countries in a given region. This paper uses a novel dataset (LP Source) to examine secular trends in cross-national flows from the LP to the GP (in the form of various investment funds) to the portfolio firm. We find evidence for “home bias” and demonstrate that cross-border flows are affected by GDP per capita, export orientation, and country-level measures of the entrepreneurial environment.

Childhood Adversity and Offense-Supportive Cognitions Among Czech Adults with a Sexual Interest in Violence or Children.

Individuals with paraphilic interests in sexual violence or children may be more likely to sexually offend if they possess offense-supportive cognitions. These cognitions may develop in response to childhood adversity. However, this idea is largely based on research in men convicted of sexual offenses and may not generalize to non-incarcerated adults with paraphilic interests. In a sample of 178 adults screened for paraphilic interests in violence or children (from the general Czech population), we hypothesized that childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect would be associated with offense-supportive cognitions about rape and child molestation. Participants came from a nationally representative sample of Czech adults and were selected if they self-reported high levels of sexual interest in violence and/or children. Participants completed an online survey with self-report measures of sexual orientation, offense-supportive cognitions (Bumby RAPE and MOLEST scales), and childhood sexual abuse and emotional neglect (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire). Controlling for gender, age, and sexual orientation, we found that both rape-supportive cognitions and child molestation-supportive cognitions were significantly associated with higher levels of childhood sexual abuse, but not emotional neglect. These findings indicate that childhood sexual abuse may lead to offense-supportive cognitions among men and women with paraphilia.

Inverse Calculation and Regularization Process for the Solar Aspect System (SAS) of HXI Payload on ASO-S Spacecraft

For the ASO-S/HXI payload, the accuracy of the flare reconstruction is reliant on important factors such as the alignment of the dual grating and the precise measurement of observation orientation. To guarantee optimal functionality of the instrument throughout its life cycle, the Solar Aspect System (SAS) is imperative to ensure that measurements are accurate and reliable. This is achieved by capturing the target motion and utilizing a physical model-based inversion algorithm. However, the SAS optical system’s inversion model is a typical ill-posed inverse problem due to its optical parameters, which results in small target sampling errors triggering unacceptable shifts in the solution. To enhance inversion accuracy and make it more robust against observation errors, we suggest dividing the inversion operation into two stages based on the SAS spot motion model. First, the as-rigid-as-possible (ARAP) transformation algorithm calculates the relative rotations and an intermediate variable between the substrates. Second, we solve an inversion linear equation for the relative translation of the substrates, the offset of the optical axes, and the observation orientation. To address the ill-posed challenge, the Tikhonov method grounded on the discrepancy criterion and the maximum a posteriori (MAP) method founded on the Bayesian framework are utilized. The simulation results exhibit that the ARAP method achieves a solution with a rotational error of roughly ±3.″5 (1/2-quantile); both regularization techniques are successful in enhancing the stability of the solution, the variance of error in the MAP method is even smaller—it achieves a translational error of approximately ±18 μm (1/2-quantile) in comparison to the Tikhonov method’s error of around ±24 μm (1/2-quantile). Furthermore, the SAS practical application data indicates the method’s usability in this study. Lastly, this paper discusses the intrinsic interconnections between the regularization methods.

Monitoring of multiple fabrication parameters of electrospun polymer fibers using mueller matrix analysis

Electrospun polymer fiber mats feature versatile applications in tissue engineering, drug delivery, water treatment and chemical processes. The orientation of fibers within these mats is a crucial factor that significantly influences their properties and performance. However, the analysis of fiber samples using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) has limitations such as time consumption, fixed assembly, and restricted field of vision. Therefore, a fast and reliable method for qualitative measurements of fiber orientation is required. Mueller matrix polarimetry, a well-established method for measuring orientation of chemical and biological species, was employed in this case. We investigated the effect of four important parameters of the electrospinning process, namely collector speed, applied voltage, needle-to-collector distance, and solution concentration, on fiber orientation using Mueller matrix polarimetry thus extending the range of parameters analyzed. Measurements were performed using two extreme values and a central optimized value for each fabrication parameter. Changes in matrix values were observed for each fabrication parameter, and their correlation with fiber orientation was analyzed based on the Lu-Chipman decomposition. The results were compared with SEM images, which served as the ground truth, and showed overall good agreement. In the future, the analysis of electrospun polymer fibers can be done by using Mueller matrix polarimetry as alternative to current technology and fabrication parameters, including solution concentration for the first time in this context and the production can quickly be adjusted based on the outcome of the measurements.

Political orientation and education investment: an OECD perspective

Abstract This paper explores the potential causal relationship between political orientation and education investment by using panel data from 21 OECD countries from 1970 to 2020 and utilizing estimators that address endogeneity (i.e. 2SLS, System GMM, and Lewbel 2SLS). In particular, using communist influence as a physical instrument for political orientation, we find a positive impact of the right political orientation on education investment, and the impact of the left orientation is negative. The positive impact from the right orientation is also stronger than the negative impact from the left. Moreover, these core results are robust to alternative measures of political orientation and education investment, alternative estimators that address endogeneity, and the moderation effect of innovation.

Commissioning and Assessment of Radiation Field and Dose Inhomogeneity for a Dual X-ray Tube Cabinet Irradiator: To Ensure Accurate Dosimetry in Radiation Biology Experiments

PurposeStandardization of X-ray cabinet irradiators dose, geometry, and calibration reporting is an ongoing process. Multi-tube designs have been introduced onto the pre-clinical market and give a theoretical benefit but have not been widely assessed for use in pre-clinical irradiation conditions. The aim of this study was to report on our experience commissioning a dual x-ray source cabinet irradiator (CIXD, Xstrahl Limited, United Kingdom) and assess the dose distribution for various experimental conditions. Materials and MethodsHalf-value layer (HVL) measurement, profile measurements, and output calibration were performed with a calibrated ion chamber. Constancy measurements were performed twice daily over two weeks to assess output fluctuations. Film measurements were completed using solid water to assess percent depth dose and homogeneity within the field and within variable thickness of solid water and phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution. Film measurements were repeated for various arrangements of petri dishes filled with PBS or water and in a 3D printed mouse phantom. ResultsThe X-ray tubes measured in-air output was 1.27 Gy/min. The HVL was 1.7 mm Cu. The upper and lower tubes both exhibited the heel effect, but when operated simultaneously the effect was reduced. Ion chamber measurements revealed 15% dose inhomogeneity within the tray area (18 × 18 cm2). Film measurements in the petri dishes indicated minor non-uniformities with the arrangements of experimental apparatus. The mouse phantom with film agreed with ion chamber measurements for various phantom placement and orientations. ConclusionX-ray cell culture irradiation with the dual tube cabinet irradiation is efficient and robust when utilizing established dosimetric tools to confirm output and homogeneity. The conditions assumed for calibrations are often not maintained during experiments. We have confirmed that inhomogeneities are present for single tube use, however they are reduced with simultaneous tube use. Additional dosimetric monitoring should be performed for each unique irradiation setup.

Teflon AF–Coated Nanotextured Aluminum Surfaces for Jumping Droplet Thermal Rectification

AbstractJumping droplet thermal diodes (JDTDs) are promising candidates to achieve thermal rectification for next‐generation thermal control. However, most prior demonstrations of JDTDs have relied on monolayer‐coated copper‐based superhydrophobic (SHPB) surfaces, while lower‐cost aluminum JDTDs with more durable thin polymeric coatings have not been explored. In this work, a JDTD is constructed that employs SHPB aluminum surfaces coated with protective thin films of Teflon AF (amorphous fluoropolymer) 1601. Measurements for different heating orientations, gap heights (H), and fill ratios (ϕ) show that a maximum thermal rectification ratio of 7 can be achieved for H = 2.4 mm and ϕ = 10%. A thermal circuit is demonstrated that uses the JDTD to rectify time‐periodic temperature profiles, achieving thermal circuit effectiveness values up to 30% of the ideal‐diode limit. Coupon‐level durability tests and device‐level cycling show that dip coated Teflon AF enables stable operation of Al JDTDs over &gt;20 cycles, improving on the performance of a monolayer‐coated surface that fails after 5 cycles. The findings of this work signify that Teflon AF coated Al SHPB surfaces can be used for thermal rectification and motivate future research into Al JDTDs for advanced thermal management applications.

Pain trajectories and their associations with cognition among older adults: a 10-year cohort study from network perspective.

Few studies have examined the associations between pain trajectories and cognitive function in older adults. This study explored the associations between pain trajectories and different cognitive domains in older adults from a network perspective. Data on pain trajectories were derived from the Health and Retirement Study between 2010 and 2020 using latent class growth analyses. Measurements of key cognition domains, including memory, attention, calculation, orientation and language, were included. Linear regression and network analysis were performed to evaluate the associations between different pain trajectories and cognition. A total of 9,551 older adults were included in this study and three trajectories of pain were identified. After controlling for the covariates, persistent severe pain trajectory was associated with poorer overall cognition, memory and calculation ability when compared to mild or non-persistent pain trajectory. In the pain and cognition network model, memory (expected influence (EI) = 0.62), language (EI = 0.58) and calculation (EI = 0.41) were the most central domains. Pain trajectories appeared stable over time among older adults in this study. Severity of persistent pain was an important risk factor for poor cognition, especially in relation to memory and calculation domains. Interventions targeting memory, language and calculation domains might be useful in addressing cognitive decline in older adults with persistent pain.

A clinical 3D pointing test differentiates spatial memory deficits in dementia and bilateral vestibular failure

BackgroundDeficits in spatial memory, orientation, and navigation are often neglected early signs of cognitive impairment or loss of vestibular function. Real-world navigation tests require complex setups. In contrast, simple pointing at targets in a three-dimensional environment is a basic sensorimotor ability which provides an alternative measure of spatial orientation and memory at bedside. The aim of this study was to test the reliability of a previously established 3D-Real-World Pointing Test (3D-RWPT) in patients with cognitive impairment due to different neurodegenerative disorders, bilateral vestibulopathy, or a combination of both compared to healthy participants.MethodsThe 3D-RWPT was performed using a static array of targets in front of the seated participant before and, as a transformation task, after a 90-degree body rotation around the yaw-axis. Three groups of patients were enrolled: (1) chronic bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) with normal cognition (n = 32), (2) cognitive impairment with normal vestibular function (n = 28), and (3) combined BVP and cognitive impairment (n = 9). The control group consisted of age-matched participants (HP) without cognitive and vestibular deficits (n = 67). Analyses focused on paradigm-specific mean angular deviation of pointing in the azimuth (horizontal) and polar (vertical) spatial planes, of the preferred pointing strategy (egocentric or allocentric), and the resulting shape configuration of the pointing array relative to the stimulus array. Statistical analysis was performed using age-corrected ANCOVA-testing with Bonferroni correction and correlation analysis using Spearman’s rho.ResultsPatients with cognitive impairment employed more egocentric pointing strategies while patients with BVP but normal cognition and HP used more world-based solutions (pBonf 5.78 × 10-3**). Differences in pointing accuracy were only found in the azimuth plane, unveiling unique patterns where patients with cognitive impairment showed decreased accuracy in the transformation tasks of the 3D-RWPT (pBonf < 0.001***) while patients with BVP struggled in the post-rotation tasks (pBonf < 0.001***). Overall azimuth pointing performance was still adequate in some patients with BVP but significantly decreased when combined with a cognitive deficit.ConclusionThe 3D-RWPT provides a simple and fast measure of spatial orientation and memory. Cognitive impairment often led to a shift from world-based allocentric pointing strategy to an egocentric performance with less azimuth accuracy compared to age-matched controls. This supports the view that cognitive deficits hinder the mental buildup of the stimulus pattern represented as a geometrical form. Vestibular hypofunction negatively affected spatial memory and pointing performance in the azimuth plane. The most severe spatial impairments (angular deviation, figure frame configuration) were found in patients with combined cognitive and vestibular deficits.

Polarization-modulation-based orientation metrology of optically levitated rotating birefringent particles

The ultrafast rotation of optically levitated particles has propelled advancements in sensing and precision measurement, while its orientation remains largely unexplored for the spherical shape. Here, we proposed an orientation measurement method for the birefringent rotating particles, which extracts both the azimuthal and polar angles of the optical axis from the polarization of the transmitted laser. A bulk birefringent crystal with a known orientation is measured by this method to verify its effectiveness, and then the orientation of vaterite particles is extracted from the rotational signal. This method paves the way to investigate the orientational dynamics and gyroscope application. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Four-Dimensional Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy: Part II, Crystal Orientation and Phase, Short and Medium Range Order, and Electromagnetic Fields

Abstract Four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D-STEM) is a spatially resolved electron diffraction technique that records the electron scattering distribution at each point of the electron beam raster, thereby producing a four-dimensional dataset. This second installment of this series presents applications of 4D-STEM, including measurements of crystal orientation and phase, short- and medium-range order, and internal electromagnetic fields.

Sexual orientation and gender identity measures and viral suppression for people living with HIV: a protocol for a population-based cohort study

IntroductionThe measure of sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) data in electronic health records (EHR) has been critical for addressing health disparities and inequalities, especially for HIV care. Given that...