Practical Use Research Articles

Considerations on SiC MOSFET TSEP-based junction temperature measurement routines in practical use

Considerations on SiC MOSFET TSEP-based junction temperature measurement routines in practical use

Development and Validation of the Jawline Subject Satisfaction Scale

Introduction: Research in aesthetic medicine commonly includes evaluations of subject satisfaction with treatment results. However, conventional analytic methods typically generate statistically imprecise ordinal scores. To overcome this limitation, researchers have begun employing the Rasch model, an analytical framework grounded in item response theory. The Rasch model permits scale modifications capable of enhancing measurement accuracy. This study focuses on using the Rasch model to evaluate a scale measuring subject satisfaction following aesthetic treatments to the jawline. Objective: To develop and validate a multiitem, self-administered questionnaire measuring patient satisfaction with aesthetic treatment of the jawline. Methods: A 10-item questionnaire [The Jawline Subject Satisfaction Scale (JS3)] was devised to measure subject satisfaction following aesthetic treatments of the jawline. Each question was responded to using a 5-point Likert scale, with response selections ranging from “very much satisfied” to “very much dissatisfied” or “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” The scale's psychometric properties (reliability and separation for items and persons, item and person fit statistics, and unidimensionality and local independence) were validated using a Rasch model based on a dataset collected from a sample of forty subjects. Results: The results of the Rasch analysis revealed high internal consistency of the JS3, with a person reliability estimate of 0.86 and an item reliability estimate of 0.96. The separation estimates for persons and items were 2.50 and 4.72, respectively, demonstrating the scale's ability to differentiate between high and low responders and validating the instrument's construct. All infit and outfit values fell within the established range (0.5-1.5), and the data fit the model of unidimensionality and local independence. Raw score transformations into logits were conducted, which were then converted to Rasch measurements. These measurements are available for use in practice for conducting standard statistical analyses evaluating treatment and/or group effects. Conclusions: The application of the Rasch model produced a valid and reliable scale (ie, JS3) for measuring satisfaction with the appearance of the jawline following aesthetic treatments.

Reducing linguistic profiling of individuals with communication disabilities to enhance careers: avoiding assumptions based on speech, language and communication mode

PurposeThe paper aims to support employers in avoiding linguistic profiling of individuals with communication disabilities; thereby reducing their exclusion from the workforce. It provides employers and others in the workplace with examples of speech, language and communication differences, common false stereotypes and assumptions, and strategies to prevent and address the negative effects of linguistic profiling.Design/methodology/approachThe paper offers a general overview of linguistic profiling as it relates to individuals with communication disabilities. Pertinent examples and findings from previous literature are included to illustrate linguistic profiling across speech, language and mode of communication, and to provide recommendations for inclusive workplace practices to ensure that career success is accessible to individuals with communication disabilities.FindingsLinguistic profiling is a barrier to successful and inclusive employment for individuals with communication disabilities. Education, training and the use of inclusive practices can reduce linguistic profiling of individuals with communication disabilities in the workplace.Originality/valueThough linguistic profiling used to make inferences of social constructs such as race and gender has long been discussed, little discussion surrounds individuals with communication disabilities and the impact it has in their lives and careers. This paper uniquely highlights communication disability in the linguistic profiling discussion so that organizations can be more aware of the impact and the need to create supportive and inclusive workplace environments and in turn reduce discrimination and increase diversity.

Effectiveness of the Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC)-tool in patients with asthma, COPD, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and heart failure: A pragmatic clustered quasi-experimental study in the Netherlands

Background The Assessment of Burden of Chronic Conditions (ABCC)-tool was developed to optimise chronic care. Objectives This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the ABCC-tool in patients with COPD, asthma, type 2 diabetes, and/or heart failure in primary care in the Netherlands. Methods The study had a pragmatic, clustered, two-armed, quasi-experimental design. The intervention group (41 general practices; 176 patients) used the ABCC-tool during routine consultations and the control group (14 general practices; 61 patients) received usual care. The primary outcome was a change in perceived quality of care (PACIC; Patient Assessment of Chronic Illness Care) after 18 months. Secondary outcomes included change in the PACIC after 6 and 12 months, and in quality of life (EQ-5D-5L; EuroQol-5D-5L), capability well-being (ICECAP-A; ICEpop CAPability measure for Adults), and patients’ activation (PAM; Patient Activation Measure) after 6, 12, and 18 months for the total group and conditions separately. Results We observed a significant difference in the PACIC after 6, 12, and 18 months (18 months: 0.388 points; 95%CI: 0.089–0.687; p = 0.011) for the total group and after 6 and 12 months for type 2 diabetes. After 18 months, we observed a significant difference in the PAM for the total group but not at 6 and 12 months, and not for type 2 diabetes. All significant effects were in favour of the intervention group. No significant differences were found for the EQ-5D-5L and the ICECAP-A. Conclusion Use of the ABCC-tool has a positive effect on perceived quality of care and patients’ activation, which makes the tool ready for use in clinical practice. Healthcare providers (e.g. general practitioners and practice nurses) can use the tool to provide person-centred care. Trial registration number: ClinicalTrials.gov Registry (NCT04127383).

Structured Peer Observation and Targeted Training to Increase Consistency of Classroom Practices in a Self-Contained School for Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders

ABSTRACT Consistency, predictability, and structure have been identified as key components of recommended supports for students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders (EBD). This study describes an intervention implemented during behavioral school consultation aimed at increasing consistency in the use of classroom practices by teacher and paraprofessional participants in a self-contained school for students with EBD. A classroom observation form was developed with school personnel to measure key classroom practices, and participants then used this form to conduct structured peer observations in each other’s classes. This was followed by a single training targeting the practices that were least consistently used across classes during preceding phases of the intervention. Peer observations increased the consistency of the use of measured practices across classes, including the proper use of the school’s reward point system. The targeted training further increased the use of the least consistently used practices. These changes were maintained up to two months after the end of intervention. Data from the district’s Student Climate Survey were analyzed to evaluate the effects of the intervention from the perspectives of students. The benefits of targeting consultee observational skills as a goal during behavioral school consultation are discussed.

Aminobenzoic acid and prospects of its use in ophthalmology practice

Aminobenzoic acid and prospects of its use in ophthalmology practice

Synthesis of High‐Sodium‐Content Oxythiosilicate Glass Electrolytes Via Sodium Polysulfide

AbstractSulfide glass electrolytes with high ionic conductivities and formabilities are key materials for practical use in all‐solid‐state sodium secondary batteries. Both sealing and quenching are considered to be necessary for producing high‐alkali‐content sulfide glass electrolytes. In this study, the glass‐forming ability of sodium thiosilicate glasses is enhanced by adding a small quantity of SiO2. Consequently, high‐sodium‐content oxythiosilicate glass is synthesized without sealing and quenching processes under Ar atmosphere. The prepared Na4SiS4·0.200SiO2 (molar ratio) glass exhibits ionic conductivity of 4.0 × 10−5 S cm−1 at 25 °C, surpassing that of Na4SiS4 glass. The Na4SiS4·0.200SiO2 glass shows high reduction stability to sodium metal. The all‐solid‐state Na metal/Na4SiS4·0.200SiO2 glass/Na2.88Sb0.88W0.12S4/TiS2 cell shows a reversible capacity of 140 mAh g−1 for 5 cycles. The amount of H2S gas generated in Na4SiS4·0.0830SiO2 and Na4SiS4·0.200SiO2 glasses is one‐tenth that of the Na4SiS4 glass, suggesting increased chemical stability to humidity by incorporating oxygen in the structure. High‐sodium‐content oxythiosilicate glass with high ionic conductivity, high chemical stability against humidity, and high reduction stability is successfully prepared under ambient pressure without sealing and quenching processes.

Revolutionizing Supply Chain Management: Real-time Data Processing and Concurrency

In the contemporary business landscape, effective supply chain management (SCM) is paramount for organizations seeking to thrive amidst evolving market dynamics and heightened customer expectations. This research paper presents a pioneering approach to SCM that harnesses cutting-edge technologies, namely Kafka and Akka, to revolutionize data integration and decision-making processes. By leveraging Kafka as a robust distributed event streaming platform and Akka as a versatile toolkit for developing concurrent and distributed applications, our system facilitates seamless communication and coordination across diverse nodes within the supply chain network. This paper elucidates the intricacies of the proposed architecture, detailing the implementation methodology and performance evaluation metrics. Through a comprehensive examination, we demonstrate how our solution enhances supply chain visibility, fosters operational agility, and enables real-time responsiveness to market fluctuations and customer demands. Moreover, practical use cases exemplify the transformative impact of our approach on inventory management optimization, order fulfillment efficiency, and logistics optimization. Furthermore, we delve into the challenges encountered during implementation and deployment, offering insights into potential mitigative strategies. Finally, we outline avenues for future research, exploring emerging trends and opportunities in the realm of SCM empowered by Kafka and Akka technologies.

Using maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) to personalize taxane treatment and reduce toxicity.

Taxanes are a widely used class of anticancer agents that play a vital role in the treatment of a variety of cancers. However, toxicity remains a major concern of using taxane drugs as some toxicities are highly prevalent, they can not only adversely affect patient prognosis but also compromise the overall treatment plan. Among all kinds of factors that associated with taxane toxicity, taxane exposure has been extensively studied, with different pharmacokinetic (PK) parameters being used as toxicity predictors. Compared to other widely used predictors such as the area under the drug plasma concentration curve versus time (AUC) and time above threshold plasma drug concentration, maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) is easier to collect and shows promise for use in clinical practice. In this article, we review the previous research on using Cmax to predict taxane treatment outcomes. While Cmax and toxicity have been extensively studied, research on the relationship between Cmax and efficacy is lacking. Most of the articles find a positive relationship between Cmax and toxicity but several articles have contradictory findings. Future clinical trials are needed to validate the relationship between Cmax and treatment outcome and determine whether Cmax can serve as a useful surrogate endpoint of taxane treatment efficacy.

A Data-Driven Approach to Defining Risk-Adjusted Coding Specificity Metrics for a Large U.S. Dementia Patient Cohort

Medical coding impacts patient care quality, payor reimbursement, and system reliability through the precision of patient information documentation. Inadequate coding specificity can have significant consequences at administrative and patient levels. Models to identify and/or enhance coding specificity practices are needed. Clinical records are not always available, complete, or homogeneous, and clinically driven metrics to assess medical practices are not logistically feasible at the population level, particularly in non-centralized healthcare delivery systems and/or for those who only have access to claims data. Data-driven approaches that incorporate all available information are needed to explore coding specificity practices. Using N = 487,775 hospitalization records of individuals diagnosed with dementia and discharged in 2022 from a large all-payor administrative claims dataset, we fitted logistic regression models using patient and facility characteristics to explain the coding specificity of principal and secondary diagnoses of dementia. A two-step approach was produced to allow for the flexible clustering of patient-level outcomes. Model outcomes were then used within a Poisson binomial model to identify facilities that over- or under-specify dementia diagnoses against healthcare industry standards across hospitalizations. The results indicate that multiple factors are significantly associated with dementia coding specificity, especially for principal diagnoses of dementia (AUC = 0.727). The practical use of this novel risk-adjusted metric is demonstrated for a sample of facilities and geospatially via a U.S. map. This study’s findings provide healthcare facilities with a benchmark for assessing coding specificity practices and developing quality enhancements to align with healthcare industry standards, ultimately contributing to better patient care and healthcare system reliability.

Practical small ruminant nutrition: Applied nutrition for veterinarians

Small ruminants have unique nutritional requirements that vary from cattle and other ruminant species. Sheep and goats also differ from one another in their nutritional requirements. This paper covers concepts related to basic applied nutrition for feeding goats and sheep. The nutrition recommendations covered are for practical use by veterinarians who aim to assist clients in creating feeding guidelines.

Gradually tapering off antipsychotics: lessons for practice from case studies and neurobiological principles.

There has been an increasing focus on deprescribing in psychiatry recently, particularly of antipsychotic medication, with recognition that not all patients with psychotic disorders require lifelong medication. We summarize some empirical and theoretical papers, and examine case studies to provide instruction on this topic. Recent studies have found that slower tapering (over months or longer) of antipsychotics is associated with a lower relapse rate than quicker tapering (weeks). Case studies presented suggest that the process of reduction is associated with the precipitation or exacerbation of psychotic symptoms and that a slower process of reduction may minimize this effect. This may be because faster reductions cause greater disruption of homeostatic equilibria, provoking psychotic symptoms either as direct withdrawal symptoms or consequences of nonpsychotic withdrawal symptoms (e.g. insomnia) - although not all patients will experience withdrawal symptoms. This suggests that smaller dose reductions, especially at lower doses, made very gradually, may minimize the risk of psychotic symptoms. Slower tapering of antipsychotics may provide time for adaptations made to the presence of the medications to resolve, thus reducing the disruption to homeostatic equilibrium caused by dose reduction, potentially reducing the risk of relapse. Exacerbation of psychotic symptoms on antipsychotic reduction may not represent evidence of the need for a higher dose of antipsychotic on a long-term basis but may indicate the need for more gradual reduction. Gradual reduction of antipsychotics, especially after long-term use in clinical practice is prudent.

Radiation Awareness and X-Ray Use in Cardiology: An International Independent Web-Based Survey

Background. Cardiologists are today exposed to a growing dose of ionising radiation in their practice. Radiation awareness and correct management of X-ray use are the cornerstone to comply with the principles of exposure optimization and justification. Methods and Results. An investigator-initiated international voluntary-based survey including 28 questions was conducted across 19 European countries. 228 cardiologists participated in the survey. Invasive cardiology subspecialties were the most represented (83.6%). Radiation exposure is the cause of personal protective equipment-related orthopaedic injuries (personally or in coworkers) or anxiety in 68.5% and 62.9% of cases, respectively. 38.4% of participants have encountered difficulties in having their institutions recognizing periods off work for exceeding radiation exposure limit (16.3% usually and 22.1% on rare occasions). Gender was not associated with any difference in the answers. Age older than 40 years old was associated with an increased knowledge of personal dosimeter data (71.6% vs. 51.3%, p=0.008). Invasive cardiologists more frequently suffer from orthopaedic injuries (73.0% vs. 44.8%, p=0.006) and show greater participation to radioprotection courses (78.4 vs. 27.6%, p<0.001). Conclusion. European cardiologists show appropriate awareness of the risks associated with X-ray use in medical practice and of the principles guiding a proper management of radiation hazard. However, there is still room for improvement, and institutions should promote risk education policies, which are the basis for the creation and diffusion of a community consciousness on radiation hazard.

Developing new Hydrazine Carbothioamide Molecules for Selective Colorimetric/Fluorometric Detection of Environmentally Essential Hg2+ and Ag+ Metal Ions in Mixed Aqueous Media

Developing new Hydrazine Carbothioamide Molecules for Selective Colorimetric/Fluorometric Detection of Environmentally Essential Hg2+ and Ag+ Metal Ions in Mixed Aqueous Media

Understanding the influence of confounding factors in myoelectric control for discrete gesture recognition.

Discrete myoelectric control-based gesture recognition has recently gained interest as a possible input modality for many emerging ubiquitous computing applications. Unlike the continuous control commonly employed in powered prostheses, discrete systems seek to recognize the dynamic sequences associated with gestures to generate event-based inputs. More akin to those used in general-purpose human-computer interaction, these could include, for example, a flick of the wrist to dismiss a phone call or a double tap of the index finger and thumb to silence an alarm. Moelectric control systems have been shown to achieve near-perfect classification accuracy, but in highly constrained offline settings. Real-world, online systems are subject to ``confounding factors'' (i.e., factors that hinder the real-world robustness of myoelectric control that are not accounted for during typical offline analyses), which inevitably degrade system performance, limiting their practical use. Although these factors have been widely studied in continuous prosthesis control, there has been little exploration of their impacts on discrete myoelectric control systems for emerging applications and use cases. Correspondingly, this work examines, for the first time, three confounding factors and their effect on the robustness of discrete myoelectric control: (1) limb position variability, (2) cross-day use, and a newly identified confound faced by discrete systems (3) gesture elicitation speed. Results from four different discrete myoelectric control architectures: (1) Majority Vote LDA, (2) Dynamic Time Warping, (3) an LSTM network trained with Cross Entropy, and (4) an LSTM network trained with Contrastive Learning, show that classification accuracy is significantly degraded (p<0.05) as a result of each of these confounds. This work establishes that confounding factors are a critical barrier that must be addressed to enable the real-world adoption of discrete myoelectric control for robust and reliable gesture recognition.

In Situ Construction of a Multifunctional Interphase Enabling Continuous Capture of Unstable Lattice Oxygen Under Ultrahigh Voltages.

The use of nickel-rich layered materials as cathodes can boost the energy density of lithium batteries. However, developing a safe and long-term stable nickel-rich layered cathode is challenging primarily due to the release of lattice oxygen from the cathode during cycling, especially at high voltages, which will cause a series of adverse effects, leading to battery failure and thermal runaway. Surface coating is often considered effective in capturing active oxygen species; however, its process is rather complicated, and it is difficult to maintain intact on the cathode with large volume changes during cycling. Here, we propose an in situ construction of a multifunctional cathode/electrolyte interphase (CEI), which is easy to prepare, repairable, and, most importantly, capable of continuously capturing active oxygen species during the entire life span. This unique protective mechanism notably improves the cycling stability of Li||LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NCM811) cells at rigorous working conditions, including ultrahigh voltage (4.8 V), high temperature (60 °C), and fast charging (10 C). An industrial 1 A h graphite||NCM811 pouch cell achieved stable operation of 600 cycles with a capacity retention of 79.6% at 4.4 V, exhibiting great potential for practical use. This work provides insightful guidance for constructing a multifunctional CEI to bypass limitations associated with high-voltage operations of nickel-rich layered cathodes.

A social media adoption strategy for cultural dissemination in municipalities with tourist potential: Lamas, Peru, as a case study

Social media is commonly used by governments to disseminate information related to transparency and institutional promotion, but its potential for the dissemination of cultural resources is often overlooked. This research proposes a strategy for adopting social media to achieve cultural dissemination in the municipality of Lamas, Peru, which has tourism potential and has been awarded the “Best Tourism Villages” seal of the World Tourism Organisation. Methodologically, we propose a case study at a propositional exploratory level. We start by determining the current state of dissemination of tangible and intangible resources, as well as the practical use of social media, through a survey of 20 officials. The results reveal that crafts are the most widely disseminated tangible resource in the municipality (according to 55% of officials), and intangible resources are occasionally disseminated (50%). We also find that Facebook is the only digital channel used to disseminate cultural information. In this context, we formulate a strategy for adopting social media to improve cultural dissemination, which consists of six phases: (i) forming a work team, (ii) preparing a budget plan, (iii) strengthening capacities, (iv) taking inventory of cultural resources, (v) coordinating community interests and (vi) preparing a cultural dissemination plan. The findings can contribute to formulating public initiatives for the institutionalisation of social media in governments for the purposes of preserving, promoting and guaranteeing the accessibility of cultural heritage.

Entomopathogenic Fungi in Forest Habitats of Ixodes ricinus

(1) Background: In addition to the microclimate, host availability, and tick microbiota, soil environmental microorganisms can affect tick populations. This study aimed to (1) determine the presence and diversity of entomopathogenic fungi (EF) in forests, where ticks are abundant, and (2) estimate the effectiveness of the isolated EF strains against Ixodes ricinus. (2) Methods: EF were isolated using the trap insect method from soil collected from tick sites. A bioassay was used to estimate the effectiveness of EF against ticks. (3) Results: The presence of EF was found in all tested forest habitat types. A total of 53 strains belonging to the genera Metarhizium, Beauveria, and Isaria were isolated. All the six strains subjected to the bioassay showed potential efficacy against both adult and nymphal stages of I. ricinus; however, the strains differed in their effectiveness. The most effective isolate against I. ricinus was the soil environmental strain of Metarhizium anisopliae. (4) Conclusion: The study indicates that tick habitats can be the source of entomopathogenic fungi, which have a lethal effect on ticks, as demonstrated in preliminary laboratory tests with I. ricinus. However, for practical use, extensive field tests and further research on application methods and long-term effects are necessary to develop effective and sustainable tick management strategies.

Clinical experience of using a high-intensity erbium laser for the treatment of chronic wounds

Chronic wounds are a common surgical pathology. Some types of laser radiation allow for eff ective debridement of wounds and stimulation of healing processes. High-intensity erbium laser can comprehensively aff ect tissues in all phases of the wound process, leading to accelerated healing of chronic wounds. The aim of the study was to evaluate the eff ectiveness of using high-intensity erbium laser for treating patients with chronic wounds of various origins compared to traditional treatment. Material and methods: An analysis of the treatment of 144 patients with chronic wounds was conducted in two groups. In the 1st group (n = 71), a high-intensity erbium laser and dressings with water-soluble ointments were used. In the 2nd group (n = 73), standard surgical treatment with similar dressings was performed. Results were evaluated using visual assessment of wound defects, planimetry, bacteriological and cytological studies, assessment of procedure tolerability, and pain intensity before and after treatment. Results: рatients in the 1st group showed signs of healing signifi cantly earlier and more frequently achieved complete epithelialization of wounds. Laser treatment contributed to more effective decontamination of wound defects, and signs of tissue regeneration were more frequently observed in cytological images. Patients tolerated erbium laser treatment better than surgical treatment, although pain intensity after treatment did not differ between groups. Conclusion: The study confi rmed the effectiveness of using high-intensity erbium laser for treating chronic wounds. This method can be recommended for use in surgical practice alongside other technical and pharmacological tools.

A review: Pancreatic enzymes in the treatment of chronic pancreatic insufficiency in companion animals.

The purpose of this review was to analyze the scientific literature on exocrine pancreatic insufficiency (EPI) in dogs and cats and our own research on porcine model to compare animal- and microbial-derived enzymes in the treatment of animals with this disease. Clinical signs of EPI occur when more than 85% of the pancreatic parenchyma is non-functional. EPI can be a consequence of various diseases. The insufficient activity or deficiency of pancreatic enzymes leads to impaired digestion and absorption, and consequently, to malnutrition. The primary treatment for enzyme insufficiency is pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT). PERT in animals with EPI is a lifetime therapy. Most commercially available products are of animal origin (processed pancreata obtained from a slaughter house) and contain lipases, alpha-amylase, and proteases. Enzymes of microbial and plant origin seem to be a promising alternative to animal-derived enzymes, but to date there are no registered preparations containing all enzymes simultaneously for use in clinical practice to treat EPI. Results from some previous studies have highlighted the "extra-digestive" functions of pancreatic enzymes, as well as the actions of pancreatic-like microbial enzymes. For example, trypsin activates protease-activated receptor and provokes maturation of enterocytes and enterostatin inhibits fat absorption. It has been postulated that intrapancreatic amylase is the main component of the acini-islet-acinar axis-the reflex which down regulates insulin release, while gut and blood amylase exhibit anti-incretin actions "per se." Additionally, high but still physiological blood amylase activity coincide with physiological glucose homeostasis and a lack of obesity.