Research Perspectives Research Articles

Development of clinical considerations for ankle-foot orthosis prescription and monitoring in young children with cerebral palsy: a Delphi study

Purpose To seek agreement on evidence-based, family-centered, clinical considerations for Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) prescription and monitoring for young, ambulatory children with cerebral palsy. Materials and Methods An online Delphi survey focusing on parent, clinician, and researcher perspectives on specific processes and outcomes concerning AFO prescription and monitoring practices was conducted over two rounds. Participants rated each survey item as critical, important but not critical, or less important. Items were included in Round 2 if >70% of participants in all three groups scored critical and <15% scored less important. A subgroup of survey respondents participated in a meeting to ratify the survey results. Results Twenty-two pediatric clinicians, seven researchers, and ten parents of young children with cerebral palsy participated in Round 1. Two clinicians and two parents dropped out in the second round. A total of 36 clinical considerations were deemed to be critically important for inclusion across contributor groups. Conclusions The proposed clinical considerations for AFO prescription and monitoring that embeds the perspectives of families is a valuable contribution to clinical practice. They can be used by clinicians as a guide when prescribing and introducing AFOs to families of young, ambulatory children with cerebral palsy.

Acceptance of new agricultural technology among small rural farmers

Amid China’s 2023 policy shift toward rural revitalization and agricultural modernization driven by a substantial agricultural population and the foundational role of agriculture in the national economy, there is an urgent need for the widespread adoption of new agricultural technologies to boost production quality, efficiency, and economic development. This study examines the determinants of technology adoption in agriculture among small rural farmers, focusing on the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework. Using a cross-sectional survey approach and a convenience sampling method, the study ultimately collected 326 responses from rural farmers. The collected data were analyzed using a structural equation modeling method with SmartPLS 4 software. The results reveal significant determinants of the intention to use new agricultural technology and the use of new agricultural technology, with performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and hedonic motivation exhibiting positive effects. Facilitating conditions have emerged as key factors influencing both the intention and usage of new agricultural technology. Although age does not moderate any of the relationships, using years moderates the relationship between performance expectancy and intention to use new agricultural technology as well as price value and intention to use new agricultural technology. Intention to use new agricultural technology has significant and positive mediating effects on the proposed relationships. The theoretical implications of this study underscore the significance of understanding the complex interplay of determinants, moderating factors, and mediating pathways within the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology framework to advance the knowledge of agricultural technology adoption. This study provides valuable perspectives for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers dedicated to promoting the adoption of sustainable technology in the agricultural sector.

Current updates and future perspectives in uric acid research, 2024.

Uric acid, the final product of purine metabolism, plays a significant role in hypertension Research on uric acid has advanced significantly, particularly regarding its links to hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Our 2023 review covered the relationship between uric acid, hypertension; and CVD, however, numerous new studies have emerged since then. This paper provides an update, summarizing recent findings over the past two years on hyperuricemia and its association with hypertension, preeclampsia, arteriosclerosis, kidney disease, sleep-disordered breathing, CVD, and so on. Hyperuricemia, often driven by reduced uric acid excretion or increased production, is influenced by genetic factors and lifestyle habits, including high-purine foods, alcohol, and fructose intake. While hyperuricemia has been proposed to contribute to hypertension and CVD through mechanisms like inflammasome activation and oxidative stress, its causal role remains debated. Further clinical and basic science studies on hyperuricemia and purine metabolism are necessary to clarify its impact on CVD and guide therapeutic approaches.

Three-dimensional nanocomposites derived from combined metal organic frameworks doped with Ce, La, and Cu as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for supercapacitors and oxygen reduction reaction

Fabrication of a nanocomposite with a low-cost and efficient synthesis method instead of using electrocatalysts based on platinum metal has become one of the main challenges in energy storage devices and fuel cells. In this regard, a bifunctional electrocatalyst for supercapacitors and oxygen reduction reaction is fabricated and tested. The novelty of this study is the synthesis method and enhancement of the electrochemical characteristics of synthesized electrocatalysts. The core-shell method is used for the electrocatalyst's synthesis which uses Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF)-8, ZIF-67, and Material Institute Lavoisiers (MIL)-101 for the fabrication of three types of electrocatalysts. In the following, to increase the characteristics such as conductivity and stability, doping of Copper (Cu), Cerium (Ce), and Lanthanum (La) are added to the nanocomposites. The Co@NC, CoZn@NC, and CoZn@FeNC prepared electrocatalysts are obtained from the pyrolyze process of La/ZIF-67, CeCu/ZIF-8@ La/ZIF-67, MIL-101@CeCu/ZIF-8/La/ZIF-67. The results indicated that the CoZn@NC electrocatalyst has the best performance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) with an onset potential of 0.062 (V vs Ag/AgCl) and current density of −12.97 (mA/cm2) at a constant voltage of −1 V. Furthermore, the electron transfer number of CoZn@NC electrocatalyst for ORR was 3.64. The conducted Galvanostatic Charge-Discharge (GCD) tests demonstrated that the CoZn@NC electrode has the highest capacitance of 271.14 F/g. The outcomes showed that by the core-shell method, various properties of nanocomposites can be utilized to solve the weaknesses of catalysts by using proper metals. Moreover, the presence of Cu2+,Ce3+,La3+ improve the structural defects in the carbon matrix, the stability based on the chronoamperometry results, and the mass transfer. The study provides a perspective for future researches to fill the research gaps to obtain the new supercapacitors utilize on a large scale in the electronics industry.

Theory and History of „Governmentality“ and Governmental Regimes in The Work of Michel Foucault

In this article we reconstruct and systematize the theoretical apparatus used by Michel Foucault in his research on the phenomenon of governance, as well as his investigations into specific governing regimes that have existed in the history of Western modernity. The aim of the article is to contribute to the resolution of conceptual confusion that has accompanied the governmentality studies since their emergence in the early 1990s and thereby facilitate the development and application of this perspective in future research. The article begins by situating Foucault’s research on governance within the broader context of his career and highlighting the socio-political conditions under which Foucault changed the direction of his academic work towards this field. We will then proceed with a systematic exposition of some of Foucault’s basic concepts like “practice”, “power” and “dispositive”. We will also highlight how the problematic of governance entered his work through the concepts of “pastorality” and “subjectivity”. In the next section we will reconstruct the theoretical apparatus Foucault used when researching government and governmental regimes. Here we will point out the specific meaning the notion of “governmentality” has in his research and how it is used to signify rationalities embodied in governmental regimes. Considering this theoretical apparatus, we will, in the second part of this section, reconstruct the history of governmental regimes in Foucault’s work starting from the regime of raison d’État in early modernity, through the liberal regime of governance in 18th and 19th centuries and concluding with the neoliberal regime. In conclusion, we will reflect on the advantages that the perspective of governmentality studies offers in researching the social world.

Assessing the Effectiveness of Tourism Promotional Videos: Creativity, Emotional Impact, Perceived Quality, and Attitude Towards the Destination

Tourism promotional videos (TPVs) are widely used by destination management organizations (DMOs) in promotional campaigns. With the aim of opening new research perspectives in the field of tourism promotion, this article proposes a model for evaluating the effectiveness of TPVs—the Emovie model—conceptually anchored in studies on transformational and symbolic advertising. The model describes the interrelationship of four constructs: artistic value, positive emotional impact, perceived quality of the video, and perceived quality of the destination. The model was tested in three empirical studies carried out in parallel and using the same methodological procedures for quantitative analysis, applied to three samples totaling 674 individuals. The results show that the creativity and originality of TPVs elicit positive emotional reactions, resulting in favorable attitudes towards the message and the destination. This study is particularly important because it provides DMOs with a tool for evaluating the effectiveness of their promotional videos.

A novel photoluminescence theory and design rule based on solution entropy for rare earth ion doped alkaline metal silicates

This paper introduces an innovative theory for customizing photoluminescence (PL) emission wavelengths in rare earth ion (Eu2+) doped alkaline earth metals (Ca, Mg) silicates, rooted in the entropy of fusion and configurational entropy of congruent and incongruent silicates, respectively, aiming to reveal dynamic deformation of the tetrahedral SiO4 ligand within these materials. Using FactSage, we computationally calculate the fusion entropy of congruent silicates in the CaO-MgO-SiO2 system. Synthesized ternary silicates confirm our theory by highlighting correlations between lower/higher fusion entropy (for congruent) and configurational entropy (for incongruent) silicates, leading to red/blue shifts in PL emission wavelengths. In binary silicate systems, we observe an inverse correlation between PL emission wavelengths and fusion entropy of congruent silicates or pseudo-congruent silicates like MgSiO3, whose solid-liquid decomposition temperature is close to its melting point. Furthermore, the non-ideal liquid phase entropy of incongruent silicates positioned between congruent CaMgSi2O6 (Pyroxene) and congruent Ca2MgSi2O7 (Akermanite) in the MgO-CaO-SiO2 ternary phase diagram comprehensively explains diverse PL emission wavelengths. Beyond its scholarly impact, this work expands perspectives in lighting and photonic research, opening an exciting frontier in entropy-lighting research and enabling predictions of host chemical composition and tunable PL emission wavelengths, particularly relevant to LED technologies.

Does corporate board gender diversity influence shareholder value?

This study investigates the influence of board gender diversity on the shareholder value of South African-listed non-financial companies on the JSE from 2013 to 2022. The study used a quantitative quasi-experimental method to examine the influence of board gender diversity on shareholder value creation measures from a multi-theoretical perspective. The board gender diversity measures include the proportion of women directors on the board, the Blau index for board gender diversity, and dummy variables indicating the presence of one, two, three, or more women directors on the board, as well as skewed board, tilted board, and balanced board. Shareholder value creation is proxied using standardised market value added, market-to-book ratio, and Tobin’s Q. The study utilises fixed effects models based on linear and curvilinear models to test the hypotheses. According to linear models, all board gender diversity measures demonstrate a significant positive, negative, or no effect on shareholder value creation measures, aligning with the multi-theoretical perspective of corporate governance research. However, curvilinear quadratic models suggest that the Blau index for board gender diversity and the proportion of women directors on board positively and negatively affect shareholder value creation, highlighting an inverted U-shaped effect. The results recognise the "too much- of- a -good- thing” effect and a possible optimal(or worse) level of board gender diversity as crucial. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that the claim of the ‘‘one size fits all’’ board gender diversity mechanism in creating and maximising shareholder value, often implicitly stated by regulators and advisors, may be misleading.

'Motivating Implicit Chinese to Express Themselves Is the Biggest Barrier': A Qualitative Study of Chinese Researchers' Perceptions of Barriers and Facilitators to Patient Engagement in Research.

Patient Engagement in Research (PER) has demonstrated benefits for patients, researchers and research outcomes. However, China lacks substantial experience in implementing PER. The implementation of PER in China faces unique challenges due to social-cultural differences. This study explores the perspectives of Chinese researchers to identify barriers and facilitators, aiming to guide future PER initiatives and enhance the role of patients in research. Purposive sampling was employed to recruit clinical researchers with diverse healthcare backgrounds in China. Semi-structured interviews, conducted by a qualified researcher, followed interview guidelines derived from a literature review and pilot study modifications. Thematic analysis was applied using QSR Nvivo 8.0. A total of 13 participants were included. Five main themes were identified from interview: (1) selection of patients for research engagement, (2) strategies to alleviate the patient burden in implementing PER, (3) strategies to encourage patients for active expression, (4) benefits to attract patient engagement and (5) researcher's preparation. The cultural trait of 'reservedness' in Chinese culture hinders active expression by patients in the research engagement process. Researchers tend to recruit patients with specific characteristics and emphasize the importance of aligning benefits with patient values to motivate engagement. Addressing patient burden is crucial, and researchers should be well-prepared before PER. These findings underscore the necessity of adopting culturally adapted strategies in PER to effectively address specific challenges. The public participated in the interpretation of the interview results, enriching our understanding of the results.

Customer Sentiment Analysis for E-Commerce: A Hybrid approach using CNNs &amp; BERT

As the online shopping industry continues to grow at a staggering rate, e-commerce channels have also begun the use of automated systems for sentiment analysis so as to be able to assess comprehension of user reviews. Over the past few years, machine learning (ML) has come of age with the introduction of deep learning models such as Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) and Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) which have greatly improved the levels of accuracy achieved in sentiment analysis. This paper aims to address this problem by proposing a hybrid model, based on networks of convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and BERT, for the purposes of e-commerce sentiment classification. Posting more plausible situations, academic findings, and perspectives for future research, we focus more on practical issues. When we compared traditional approaches with our hybrid, it became clear that the model performs better in many dimensions: accuracy, precision, and progressively recall

Factors Influencing Malays as a Second Language Learning in Essay Writing: A case study of Iban Ethnic Students in Sarawak, Malaysia

Second language learners, such as Iban students studying Malay, often face significant challenges in essay writing due to the proficiency gap between their first language and Malay. The lack of daily use of Malay further complicates their ability to grasp complex sentence structures and vocabulary, making essay writing a particularly difficult task for non-native speakers. This study aims to identify the factors influencing the learning of Malay as a second language in essay writing among Iban ethnic students. The study employed a qualitative research approach, involving semi-structured interviews with eight primary school Malay language teachers in the Kapit district of Sarawak. The data were analysed thematically using Nvivo 12 software. The findings identified three main factors: (i) mother tongue factors influence, (ii) linguistic environment factors influence, and (iii) psychological factors influence. As a result, the process of second language acquisition in educational settings requires deliberate and structured approaches, rather than relying on the natural language development seen with a first language. This study offers useful perspectives for both researchers and educators to refine teaching methods, focusing on more targeted strategies that can better support Iban students in improving their proficiency in Malay as a second language.

FROM ACADEMIA TO INDUSTRY: A JOURNEY OF INNOVATION IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING - INTERVIEW WITH PROFESSOR FERNANDO LUIZ PELLEGRINI PESSOA

Background: The interview with Professor Dr. Fernando Luiz Pellegrini Pessoa covers his extensive career and contributions to chemical engineering, focusing on innovations and sustainability. Objectives: To explore Professor Pellegrini's experiences in various areas of chemical engineering, including teaching methods, research in supercritical extraction, biodiesel production, and process intensification. Methods: Semi-structured interview addressing topics such as academic and industrial career, teaching methods, ongoing research, and future perspectives for the chemical industry. Results: Professor Pellegrini highlighted the importance of practical application of theoretical knowledge, the development of the Water Source Diagram method, advances in supercritical extraction and biodiesel production, and the need for process intensification in the industry. Discussion: The interview revealed the importance of integration between academia and industry, the need for teaching methods that facilitate learning, and the challenges in implementing sustainable and efficient technologies in the chemical industry. Conclusion: Professor Pellegrini emphasizes the importance of process intensification and sustainability in the evolution of the chemical industry. He highlights the need for greater collaboration between academia and industry to address future challenges and implement innovative solutions.

Impedance for Assistance: Upper-Limb Assistive Soft Robotic Suit Using Linked-Layer Jamming Mechanisms.

Wearable robots, especially those composed of soft materials, are increasingly attracting interest due to their comfort, ease of donning and doffing, and their ability to provide assistance across various applications. In wearable robotics, striking a balance between ensuring low impedance for wearer comfort and providing sufficient assistive force is a notable design challenge. In this study, we propose exploiting impedance variation in accordance with the types of muscle contraction in the human body. Particularly in eccentric muscle contraction, the impedance can help reduce the muscular load, since it exerts force in the same direction as the muscles. To utilize the relation, we proposed a linked-layer jamming mechanism, which adjusts its impedance largely in various directions. This mechanism allows not only a broad variable range of impedance in multiple rotation directions but also directional torque design, even when equipped in human multi-degree-of-freedom (DoF) joints. By constructing a wearable robot prototype equipped with the proposed linked-layer jamming mechanisms, the effectiveness of this impedance-based assistance approach was confirmed through experiments. The findings from this study present new possibilities in wearable robot design, showing that suitably amplified impedance can assist human motion, potentially enhancing task efficiency and lowering injury risk. This work thus offers a new perspective for researchers in the field of wearable robots, demonstrating that impedance, often minimized in existing designs, can be utilized beneficially when properly amplified.

DGTNet:dynamic graph attention transformer network for traffic flow forecasting

Abstract Graph-based traffic flow prediction plays a crucial role in urban traffic management and planning. In this paper, we propose a novel Dynamic Graph Attention Transformer Network (DGTNet), which is designed to address the issue of inadequate integration of temporal and spatial dimensions in traditional models. DGTNet maintains temporal continuity while revealing the complex dynamic relationships between key nodes in the urban traffic system, capturing the periodic changes in the rhythm of city life. Specifically, this study adopts adaptive signal decomposition technology to decompose traffic data into multiple Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs), effectively capturing the dynamic changes in traffic flow. This decomposition method is key to the implementation of DGTNet’s dynamic graph construction, enabling the analysis of traffic flow at different time scales, thereby providing a new perspective for traffic flow prediction research. In the traffic prediction module, we comprehensively consider node, edge, and graph structural information, adopting a multi-head self-attention mechanism to achieve direct cross-modeling in both temporal and spatial dimensions. Finally, we introduce a position-wise feedforward network layer to integrate different types of data and capture nonlinear relationships. The experimental results, based on public transportation network datasets METR_LA, PEMS_BAY, PEMS03, and PEMS07, demonstrate that DGTNet exhibits notable enhancements in three evaluation indicators, namely the Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE), the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), and the Mean Absolute Error (MAE). The pertinent code has been made available for public access at https://github.com/chenjing0616/DGTNet.

Necessary but not sufficient – examining the Belmont principles’ application in social and behavioral research ethics from a Confucian perspective

Purpose Much prior literature has discussed bioethics from a Confucian perspective in biomedical research, but little has applied Confucianism in examining ethics in social and behavioral research involving human subjects. This paper aims to reexamine the Belmont principles in social and behavioral research from a Confucian perspective to discuss their applicability and limitations and propose implications for revising or extending them potentially in the future. Design/methodology/approach A comparison is conducted on bioethics and social and behavioral research ethics. Afterward, a critical analysis is conducted on the Belmont principles of respect for persons, beneficence and justice from a Confucian perspective regarding their application in social and behavioral research. Findings From a Confucian perspective, the Belmont principles are necessary but may not be sufficient to cover the width and depth of ethical issues in social and behavioral research, such as those in crowd work-based research. This paper proposes that ethical guidelines for social and behavioral research may need to be updated from the Belmont principles adopting or incorporating certain Confucian ethics. Originality/value Social and behavioral research ethics have been relatively marginal compared to the bioethics deliberation in the existing literature. Unlike Beauchamp and Childress’s continued efforts in refining ethical guidelines for biomedical research specifically, little similar work has been done in this area since the Belmont report’s publication in 1979. This paper sheds light on building more refined and specific ethical guidelines to navigate the ever-growing numbers and diversities of nonmedical research topics, methodologies and contexts.

Priorities and expectations of researchers, funders, patients and the public regarding the funding of medical research: results from the PERSPECT qualitative study

BackgroundIdeally, medical research provides crucial data about disease processes, diagnoses, prognoses, treatment targets and outcomes, and systems of care. However, medical research is costly, and funding is difficult to receive...

MarvelHideDroid: Reliable on-the-fly data anonymization based on Android virtualization

Modern mobile applications harvest many user-generated events during execution using proper libraries called analytic libraries. The collection of such events allows the app developers to acquire helpful information to further improve the app. The same collected events are likewise an essential source of information for analytic library providers (e.g., Google and Meta) to understand users’ preferences. However, the user is not involved in this process. To counteract this problem, some proposals arose from legal (e.g., General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)) and research perspectives. Concerning the latter point, some research efforts led to the definition of solutions for the Android ecosystem that allow one to limit the gathering of such data before the analytic libraries collect it or give the user control of the process. To this aim, HideDroid was the first proposal to allow the user to define different privacy levels for each app installed on the device by leveraging k-anonymity and differential privacy techniques. Subsequently, VirtualHideDroid extended HideDroid by taking advantage of the same approach to virtualized Android environments, in which an application (plugin) can run within another application (container). In this scenario, VirtualHideDroid anonymizes user event data running as the container app. However, according to standard threat models regarding virtualized Android environments, assuming that the container app is fully trusted is too optimistic in real deployments.For this reason, in this paper, we extend the work of the original VirtualHideDroid work by assuming that the same tool may be untrusted, i.e., controlled by an external attacker that has access to the container app, thereby having full access to the user data. To solve this problem, we define a new approach, named MarvelHideDroid, which gives reliable anonymization of event data in the Plugin app, even in the event of a malicious/compromised container. Moreover, and differently from VirtualHideDroid, MarvelHideDroid relies on LLM to automatically build up the generalizations required by k-anonymity, resulting in an anonymization strategy that is more reliable against modification in the data structure of the events captured by the analytic libraries. We empirically demonstrate the viability and reliability of the proposal by testing an implementation of MarvelHideDroid on a set of real Android apps in a virtualized environment.

Molecular Pathophysiology of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Clinical Update from a Basic Research Perspective

Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a rare but severe condition characterized by persistent obstruction and vascular remodeling in the pulmonary arteries following an acute pulmonary embolism (APE). Although APE is a significant risk factor, up to 25% of CTEPH cases occur without a history of APE or deep vein thrombosis, complicating the understanding of its pathogenesis. Herein, we carried out a narrative review discussing the mechanisms involved in CTEPH development, including fibrotic thrombus formation, pulmonary vascular remodeling, and abnormal angiogenesis, leading to elevated pulmonary vascular resistance and right heart failure. We also outlined how the disease’s pathophysiology reveals both proximal and distal pulmonary artery obstruction, contributing to the development of pulmonary hypertension. We depicted the risk factors predicting CTEPH, including thrombotic history, hemostatic disorders, and certain medical conditions. We finally looked at the molecular mechanisms behind the role of endothelial dysfunction, gene expression alterations, and inflammatory processes in CTEPH progression and detection. Despite these insights, there is still a need for improved diagnostic tools, biomarkers, and therapeutic strategies to enhance early detection and management of CTEPH, ultimately aiming to reduce diagnostic delay and improve patient outcomes.

Diagnosis progress of carcinoma of unknown primary

Carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) is a common and complex type of tumor in clinical practice, where the primary site cannot be determined through conventional diagnostic methods, posing significant challenges for clinical diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, advancements in gene expression profiling and genetic testing technologies have provided new perspectives for CUP research, driving progress in this field. By analyzing gene expression profiles, researchers can more effectively identify the tissue origin of tumors, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. At the same time, the potential application of genetic testing is continuously being explored, offering new possibilities for personalized treatment. This article aims to discuss the latest advancements in the diagnosis of CUP, analyze the importance of gene expression profiling and genetic testing in tumor origin identification and their clinical applications, and summarize current research progress and future research directions, with the goal of providing a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis and treatment of CUP.

Sensory encounters with landscapes – atmospheres and the social construction of landscapes

This article links atmospheres with the social construction of landscapes. The examination of the social construction of landscapes is an important research perspective, especially in German-speaking geographical landscape research. However, the sensory encounter with landscapes as a moment in the construction of conceptions of landscape has so far been ignored. Nor has research on atmosphere yet systematically addressed the question of how the experience of atmospheres can be linked to the social construction of spaces. In a conceptual argumentation, this article shows two ways in which atmospheres can be relevant to the individual construction of landscape. On the one hand, the conscious experience of atmospheres is emphasised as a moment in which atmospheres can flow into constructions of landscape. On the other hand, it shows how atmospheres as a background phenomenon can influence situated perception and thus individual constructions of landscapes.