Strong Consistency Research Articles

Spatially resolved CFD-DEM model with innovative experimental validation methods to improve understanding of sand retention in oil and gas wells with the consideration of filter-beds on standalone screens

Coupling CFD and DEM is commonly used to study particle-fluid flow in sand retention systems for oil and gas wells, addressing the limitations of laboratory experiments and reliance on empirical data. These numerical studies aid in optimising standalone sand screens, which are favoured over gravel-pack completions for cost-effectiveness. However, such studies overlook the critical role of the bulk filter-bed in retaining permeability for both particulate and fluid phases. This paper presents a robust numerical methodology using resolved CFD-DEM to model a sand retention system that accurately captures filter-bed permeability, which has a greater impact on sand production and retained fluid productivity than the screen itself from a long-term perspective. The numerical model's accuracy is validated through a novel experimental methodology, which involves benchmarking the numerically derived porosity and single-phase permeability against micro-CT imaging of the filter-bed. Results show strong consistency between the numerical model and micro-CT imaging of the laboratory-derived filter-bed. This validated model provides a solid foundation for running more accurate sand retention tests and improving standalone sand screen selection criteria. Future work will explore the effects of varying parameters on the filter-bed formation to determine optimal conditions for maximising sand retention while maintaining hydrocarbon productivity from a long-term perspective.

Brazilian Portuguese version of questionnaires assessing evidence-based practice competencies in healthcare students: Translation, cross-cultural adaptation, and measurement properties

BackgroundWhile several instruments assess evidence-based practice (EBP) competencies, few are available for the Brazilian population, particularly healthcare students. ObjectiveTo perform a cross-cultural translation of the Student Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (S-EBPQ) and Evidence-Based Practice Evaluation Competence Questionnaire (EBP-COQ) into Brazilian Portuguese; to adapt and validate the Brazilian Portuguese versions for use with healthcare students from diverse courses; and to assess the measurement properties of the translated and adapted versions. MethodsFour hundred forty-two healthcare students were included, and three versions were tested: S-EBPQ-BR, EBP-COQ-BR for nursing students, and EBP-COQ-BR for healthcare students. We assessed internal consistency, reliability, construct validity, responsiveness, and ceiling/floor effects. For reliability, participants completed the questionnaires twice, one week apart. For responsiveness, they completed them after participating in an educational program. ResultsNo issues were identified with understanding or applicability. For overall scores, the translated questionnaires demonstrated strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.87-0.92), good to moderate reliability (ICC3,1=0.63-0.88), construct validity with moderate to very strong correlations to the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (r=0.43-0.89), no ceiling or floor effects, and adequate responsiveness with significant pre- and post-educational program score differences. For subscales, the majority of them demonstrated satisfactory measurement properties, except for S-EBPQ-BR attitude (low internal consistency, poor reliability, and ceiling effect), EBP-COQ attitude (inadequate construct validity), and EBP-COQ skills (inadequate construct validity). ConclusionThe Brazilian Portuguese versions of S-EBPQ and EBP-COQ exhibit strong measurement properties, including high internal consistency, adequate reliability, valid construct validity, and responsiveness. However, some subscales present suboptimal internal consistency, reliability, and construct validity.

Preliminary Global NO2 Retrieval from EMI-II Onboard GF5B/DQ1 and Comparison to TROPOMI

The Environmental Trace Gases Monitoring Instrument (EMI-II) onboard the Chinese GaoFen-5B (GF5B) and DaQi-1 (DQ1) satellites is the successor of the previous EMI onboard the Chinese GaoFen-5 (GF5) satellite, and has a higher spatial resolution and a better signal-to-noise ratio. The GF5B and DQ1 were launched in September 2021 and April 2022, respectively. As part of China’s ultraviolet-visible hyperspectral satellite instrument series, the EMI-II aims to conduct network observations of pollution gases globally in the morning and early afternoon. In this study, NO2 data were retrieved from the EMI-II payloads on the GF5B and DQ1 satellites using the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) algorithm. The two satellites were consistently compared, and the results showed strong consistency on various spatial and temporal scales (R2 > 0.8). In four representative regions worldwide, NO2 data from the EMI-II exhibited good spatial consistency with those from the TROPOMI. The correlation coefficient (R2) of the total vertical column density (VCD) between the EMI-II and TROPOMI exceeded 0.85, and that of the tropospheric NO2 VCD exceeded 0.57. Compared with single-satellite observations, the dual-satellite network of the GF5B and DQ1 can effectively increase the observation frequency. On a daily scale, dual-satellite observations can reduce the impact of cloud coverage by 6–8% compared to single-satellite observations, and there are two valid observations of nearly 50% of the world’s regions. Additionally, the differences between the two satellites can reflect the NO2 diurnal variations, which demonstrates the potential for studying pollutant gas diurnal variations.

Simulating New Fusidic Acid Derivatives to Target Gram‐Positive Bacteria by Using Computational Methods

AbstractGram‐positive bacteria represent a significant threat due to their resistance to conventional antibiotics. This study employs computational methods to investigate fusidic acid (FA) derivatives (1–24) as potential antibiotics against Gram‐positive bacteria. Techniques such as density functional theory calculations, molecular docking, and molecular dynamics simulations were utilized to evaluate ligand interactions with target proteins Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) elongation factor G (fusA) (2XEX), fusidic acid resistance protein (fusB) (4ADN), and fusidic acid resistance protein (fusC) (2YB5), comparing them to established antibiotics (ceftobiprole, linezolid, vancomycin). Notably, ligand 16 demonstrated a remarkable binding affinity to the S. aureus elongation factor G protein (−8.7 kcal mol⁻¹), closely aligning with both in vitro and in vivo results and outperforming fusidic acid and reference drugs. In silico methods (SwissADME, AdmetSAR, Molinspiration, Molsoft) were used to assess pharmacokinetics and drug‐likeness. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations confirmed superior S. aureus elongation factor G stability for ligands fusidic acid 1, (Z)‐2‐((3R,4S,8S,9R,10S,11R,13S,14S,16S)‐16‐acetoxy‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐4,8,10,14‐tetramethylhexadecahydro‐17H‐cyclopenta[a]phenanthren‐17‐ylidene)‐5‐cyclohexylidene‐ pentanoic acid (14), (Z)‐2‐((3R,4S,8S,9R,10S,11R,13S, 14S,16S)‐16‐acetoxy‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐4,8,10,14‐tetramethylhexadecahydro‐17H‐cyclopenta[a]phenanthren‐17‐ylidene)‐5cyclohexylidenepentanoic acid (16), and (Z)‐2‐((3R,4S,8S,9R,10S,11R,13S,14S,16S)‐16‐acetoxy‐3,11‐dihydroxy‐4,8,10,14‐tetramethylhexadecahydro‐17H‐cyclopenta[a]phenanthren‐17‐ylidene)‐5‐cyclopentylidenepentanoic acid (17), with ligand 16 exhibiting exceptional stability across various temperatures, especially at human body temperature (310 K). Further molecular dynamics simulations of ligand 16 validated its robust stability and potential to disrupt S. aureus elongation factor G, supporting the docking results and showing strong consistency with in vitro and in vivo findings. Consequently, ligand 16 emerges as a promising candidate for further development as an anti‐Gram‐positive bacterial drug, pending validation through rigorous clinical trials.

Forensic bone age assessment of hand and wrist joint MRI images in Chinese han male adolescents based on deep convolutional neural networks.

In Chinese criminal law, the ages of 12, 14, 16, and 18 years old play a significant role in the determination of criminal responsibility. In this study, we developed an epiphyseal grading system based on magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the hand and wrist for the Chinese Han population and explored the feasibility of employing deep learning techniques for bone age assessment based on MRI of the hand and wrist. This study selected 282 Chinese Han Chinese males aged 6.0-21.0 years old. In the course of our study, we proposed a novel deep learning model for extracting and enhancing MRI hand and wrist bone features to enhance the prediction of target MRI hand and wrist bone age and achieve precise classification of the target MRI and regression of bone age. The evaluation metric for the classification model including precision, specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy, while the evaluation metrics chosen for the regression model are MAE. The epiphyseal grading was used as a supervised method, which effectively solved the problem of unbalanced sample distribution, and the two experts showed strong consistency in the epiphyseal plate grading process. In the classification results, the accuracy in distinguishing between adults and minors was 91.1%, and the lowest accuracy in the three minor classifications (12, 14, and 16 years of age) was 94.6%, 91.1% and 96.4%, respectively. The MAE of the regression results was 1.24 years. In conclusion, the deep learning model proposed enabled the age assessment of hand and wrist bones based on MRI.

Selection of a classroom observation tool for disability inclusion in Uganda.

Obuntu Bulamu is a Ugandan intervention promoting inclusive education for children with disabilities. This culturally appropriate approach, based on the Ubuntu philosophy, utilises peer-to-peer support activities for children, parents and teachers. To effectively measure the intervention's impact on disability inclusion, the study aimed to select, adapt and test classroom observation instruments suitable for the Ugandan context. Three structured classroom observation tools were selected and piloted in 10 primary schools in Wakiso District: The Classroom Observation Checklist (CoC), the Teacher-Pupil Observation Tool (T-POT) and the Interaction Engagement Scale (IES). These tools were adapted to ensure cultural relevance and applicability within Ugandan school settings. Factors like class size, teaching methods, cultural relevance, language and ease of use influenced the suitability of the selected tool. The CoC emerged as a more effective tool with a strong internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha of 0.80) for capturing inclusiveness and peer-to-peer support in the classroom compared to the T-POT and IES. The study findings emphasise the significance of adapting and testing tools in specific cultural contexts and low-income country settings and considering culturally contextual factors like class size, teaching methods, language complexity and ease of use when measuring disability inclusion in primary schools. The selection of a classroom observation tool for the Obuntu Bulamu randomised control trial contributed to African disability knowledge and practices designed on and for the continent.

Reliability and validity study of the Turkish version of the Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale (SCoRS-TR)

BackgroundSchizophrenia is characterized by significant dysfunction in cognitive domains. Despite its crucial role in prognosis, evaluating neurocognitive impairments is challenging in outpatient settings because of the time-consuming nature of neurocognitive assessments. SCoRS “Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale” is a scale that provides brief cognitive evaluation. This study aimed to establish the validity and reliability of the Turkish version of the “Schizophrenia Cognition Rating Scale” (SCoRS-TR) in patients with schizophrenia and examine the correlation between SCoRS and cognitive tests. MethodsData were collected from 130 patients with schizophrenia who met the DSM-5 criteria and 40 healthy controls. SCoRS rating, Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS), and a neurocognitive test battery were administered. ResultsFindings indicated that SCoRS-TR is a reliable and valid scale for the Turkish population. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency, with Cronbach's alpha values ranging from 0.937 to 0.940. High interrater reliability (ranging from 0.90 to 0.98) and test-retest reliability (ranging from 0.976 to 0.990) were observed. SCoRS-TR significantly discriminated patients from healthy controls (p<0.001). SCoRS-TR exhibited significant correlations to neurocognitive tests. DiscussionResults indicated that SCoRS-TR had significant reliability and validity scores that may be useful for evaluating daily life functioning related to cognitive dysfunction in patients with schizophrenia. This approach may be useful for neurocognitive evaluation and monitoring in clinical follow-up and outpatient settings.

The factor structure of the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-R-20) among South African antiretroviral therapy users

Depression is a significant concern for people living with HIV and AIDS as it is associated with negative health outcomes and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). To this extent, screening for depression is essential for early detection. The CESD-R-20 is a revised four-factor questionnaire developed to assess depressive symptoms in adults. This study explored the factor structure and psychometric properties of the CESD-R-20 among 685 individuals receiving ART. Data were collected at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of a large public hospital outside Cape Town from participants who had been receiving ART for at least six months. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the CESD-R-20 was performed to identify its underlying factor structure. The EFA revealed a one-factor solution termed “depressive affect,” comprising 19 items that encompassed the original factors. This finding suggests that depression is a cohesive construct rather than a collection of interconnected dimensions. The scale exhibited high internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.95) among the sample of persons living with HIV and AIDS. Our findings indicate that the CESD-R-20 can effectively measure depressive affect as a one-factor scale in South Africans receiving ART. The scale demonstrated strong internal consistency and is suitable for screening for depressive symptoms among persons living with HIV and AIDS.

Conformable Sumudu Transform Based Adomian Decomposition Method for Linear and Nonlinear Fractional-Order Schrödinger Equations

Fractional-order Schrödinger differential equations extend the classical Schrödinger equation by incorporating fractional calculus to describe more complex physical phenomena. In the literature, the Schr ̈odinger equation is mostly solved using fractional derivatives expressed through the Caputo derivative. However, there is limited research on exact and approximate solutionsinvolving conformable fractional derivatives. This study aims to fill this gap by employing a hybrid approach that combines the Sumudu transform with the decomposition technique to solve the Schrödinger equation with conformable fractional derivatives, considering zero and nonzero trapping potentials. The efficiency of this approach is evaluated through the analysis of relative andabsolute errors, confirming its accuracy. Moreover, the obtained results are compared with other techniques, including the homotopy analysis method (HAM) and the residual power series method (RPSM). The comparison demonstrates strong consistency with these methods, suggesting that our approach is a viable alternative to Caputo derivative-based methods for solving time-fractionalSchr ̈odinger equations. Furthermore, we can conclude that the conformable fractional derivative serves as a suitable substitute for the Caputo derivative in modeling Schrödinger equations.

Validation of the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire in Patients With Tricuspid Regurgitation.

Improving patients' health status is a key goal of treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR). The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire (KCCQ) is a heart failure disease-specific health status measure used to capture the health status impact of TR and the benefit of transcatheter tricuspid valve intervention (TTVI), but its validity in this clinical setting is unknown. To evaluate the psychometric properties of the KCCQ in patients with TR. Data were pooled from patients with severe TR enrolled in 11 manufacturer-sponsored trials of TTVI. The data were transferred to the US Food and Drug Administration to harmonize and anonymize prior to analysis by an independent center. Data were collected from December 2015 to April 2023, and data analysis was performed from July to October 2023. Prespecified analyses included evaluation of internal consistency, reproducibility, responsiveness, construct validity, and predictive validity. Outcomes were determined using Cronbach α, score comparisons, intraclass correlation, Cohen d, Spearman correlations with best available reference measures, and association of scores and changes in scores with risk of subsequent clinical events. The study cohort was composed of 2693 patients enrolled in either single-arm (n = 1517) or randomized (n = 1176) investigations of TTVI. Mean (SD) patient age was 78.6 (8.0) years, 1658 of 2693 patients (61.6%) were female, and the mean (SD) baseline KCCQ Overall Summary (KCCQ-OS) score was 50 (23). There was strong internal consistency within individual domains (Cronbach α, .77-.83). Among clinically stable patients between 1 and 6 months, there were small mean changes in KCCQ domain and summary scores (differences of -0.1 to 1.9 points), demonstrating reproducibility. In contrast, domain and summary scores of patients who underwent TTVI showed large improvements at 1 month after treatment (mean changes, 12.1-21.4 points), indicating excellent perceived responsiveness. Construct validity was moderately strong when domains were compared with best available reference measures (Spearman correlations, 0.47-0.69). In both cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses, the KCCQ-OS was associated with clinical events, with lower scores associated with an increased risk of mortality (hazard ratio, 1.34 per 10-point decrement; 95% CI, 1.22-1.47) and heart failure hospitalization (hazard ratio, 1.24 per 10-point decrement; 95% CI, 1.17-1.31). In this cohort study, the KCCQ had strong psychometric properties in patients with severe TR, including reliability, responsiveness, and validity. These data support use of the KCCQ in patients with severe TR as a measure of their symptoms, function, and quality of life and also for assessing the impact of interventions, such as TTVI, in rigorously controlled trials.

Translating and validating the Ghosting Questionnaire into Arabic: results from classical test theory and item response theory analyses

BackgroundGhosting refers to the sudden cessation of communication in interpersonal relationships. Ghosting has gained attention as a phenomenon commonly encountered in the context of digital communication. Earlier studies on ghosting mostly focused on Western societies while, in Arab societies, research into this practice has yet to be initiated. The current study aimed to address this gap by translating and validating the commonly used Ghosting Questionnaire (GHOST) into Arabic.MethodsThe translation process involved forward and back translation, expert review, and pilot testing to ensure linguistic and cultural equivalence. A convenience sample of 607 participants from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Oman, and Tunisia completed the Arabic version of the GHOST. Statistical analyses, including reliability testing and confirmatory factor analysis, were conducted to assess the psychometric properties of the instrument.ResultsThe Arabic version of the GHOST demonstrated high reliability. The Cronbach’s alpha (α = 0.87) and McDonald’s omega (ω = 0.87) coefficients indicated strong internal consistency. Test-retest reliability coefficients confirmed the stability of the responses over time (ICC 0.89, p < 0.001). CFA supported a single-factor structure in alignment with the conceptual framework of the original English version.ConclusionsThe successful translation and validation of the GHOST into Arabic provide researchers with a reliable tool for investigating ghosting behavior within Arab societies. Future research endeavors can build upon these findings to explore the psychological implications of ghosting. Researchers can now also develop culturally sensitive understanding of online dating and related practices in Arab communities.

Near-real-time atmospheric and oceanic science products of Himawari-8 and Himawari-9 geostationary satellites over the South China Sea

Abstract. The initial release of near-real-time (NRT) atmospheric and oceanic science products from Japanese Himawari-8 and Himawari-9 (H8/9) geostationary (GEO) satellites over the South China Sea (SCS) was unveiled in 2024. The primary objective behind crafting these NRT H8/9 satellite products is to facilitate weather and marine environment monitoring, enhance maritime security, and aid ocean navigation, among other purposes. As part of this investigation, a novel NRT data processing system was devised to generate a variety of regional H8/9 GEO satellite science products within a resolution of 10 min and a gridded resolution of 0.05° × 0.05° from 3 November 2022 to the present. This algorithm system was built upon the preceding Fengyun (FY) geostationary satellite algorithm test bed (FYGAT), which was the prototype of the FY-4 GEO meteorological satellite science product operational processing system. These regional H8/9 GEO satellite science products encompass a range of crucial data such as cloud mask, fraction, height, phase, optical, and microphysical properties; layered precipitable water; and sea surface temperature. We subjected these products to rigorous evaluations against high-quality analogous satellite products and reanalysis data spanning 1 year in 2023. The validations underscore a strong consistency between the H8/9 GEO satellite atmospheric and oceanic science products over the SCS and the referenced products. Nevertheless, slight discrepancies in these satellite science products were identified, primarily stemming from variations in sensor/dataset characteristics, retrieval algorithms, and geometric conditions. These outcomes demonstrate the suitability of the first edition of NRT atmospheric and oceanic science products of H8/9 satellites over the SCS in supporting the intended quantitative applications. This NRT GEO satellite data record is publicly accessible through the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) provided by the Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai) in China. Free access to the dataset is possible via https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25015853 (Liu et al., 2024).

The effect of magnetic nanofilm morphology on spintronic terahertz emission performance

Femtosecond laser-driven spintronic terahertz (THz) emitters based on magnetic nanofilms are poised to be the next-generation mainstream THz radiation devices due to their low cost, high performance, ultra-broadband, and easy integration. The radiation performance of spintronic THz emitters is related to the material characteristics, heterostructure interfaces, pump laser, and magnetic field intensity. Additionally, the THz emission performance is greatly reliant on the material surface morphology. Here, we employed ultrafast THz scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy with nanoscale spatial resolution to obtain the static THz scattering nano-imaging of ferromagnetic/antiferromagnetic heterostructures (W/Co20Fe60B20/IrMn3). We established the relationship between surface morphology and THz scattering intensity. Utilizing laser-induced THz emission technology, we achieve injection and detection of nanoscale ultrafast spin current without the external magnetic field. The strong consistency of the THz emission nanoscopy with the atomic force microscopy topography demonstrates that the sample surface morphology is critical to the THz radiation performance. This study serves as a valuable reference for the further optimization of spintronic THz emitters and promotes the development of high-performance, strong-field spintronic THz sources.

Establishing the Reliability of the GaitON® Motion Analysis System: A Foundational Study for Gait and Posture Analysis in a Healthy Population.

Gait and posture analysis plays a crucial role in understanding human movement, with significant applications in rehabilitation, sports science, and clinical settings. The GaitON® system, a 2D motion analysis tool, provides an accessible and cost-effective method for assessing gait and posture. However, its reliability in clinical practice, particularly for intra-rater consistency, remains to be evaluated. This study aims to assess the intra-rater reliability of the GaitON® system in a healthy population, focusing on gait and posture parameters. A total of 20 healthy participants (10 males and 10 females) aged 18 to 50 years were recruited for the study. Each participant underwent gait and posture assessments using the GaitON® system on two separate occasions, spaced one week apart. Video recordings from anterior and posterior views were used to analyze gait, while images from anterior, posterior, and lateral views were captured to assess posture with markers placed on key anatomical landmarks. The reliability of the measurements was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), a standard error of measurement (SEM), and the smallest detectable difference (SDD) method. The GaitON® system demonstrated excellent intra-rater reliability across a wide range of gait and posture parameters. ICC values for gait parameters, including hip, knee, and ankle joint angles, ranged from 0.90 to 0.979, indicating strong consistency in repeated measurements. Similarly, ICC values for posture parameters, such as the head alignment, shoulder position, and ASIS alignment, were above 0.90, reflecting excellent reliability. SEM values were low across all parameters, with the smallest SEM recorded for the hip joint angle (0.37°), and SDD values further confirmed the precision of the system. The GaitON® system provides reliable and consistent measurements for both gait and posture analysis in healthy individuals. Its high intra-rater reliability and low measurement error make it a promising tool for clinical and sports applications. Further research is needed to validate its use in clinical populations and compare its performance to more complex 3D motion analysis systems.

Audio-visual Media Instructional Use and Its Effect on Reading Competences among Grade Two Pupils in Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

ABSTRACT The main purpose of this study was to evaluate audio visual media instructional use and its effect on reading competences among grade two pupils in Maara sub county, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. The study sought to identify the audio-visual resources available for teaching and learning reading competences, investigate extent to which teachers use the available audio-visual media, examine the challenges faced by teachers and learners in use of audiovisual media in teaching and learning reading competences and assess the learners reading abilities. The French Bell system Theory and a descriptive survey design were adopted in this study. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 330 learners, 30 head teachers and 30 teachers, making a sample size of 390 respondents. The research instruments were questionnaires, interviews schedules, reading examination for grade two learners and classroom observation. Piloting of the research instruments was done in one public primary schools. The reliability of the research instruments was measured using a Cronbach's Alpha statitistic. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and presented using tables, percentages frequencies and other descriptive statistics. Descriptive statistics revealed that schools have limited computers (average 2.90 per school) with a low student-to-computer ratio (1:10). Tablets are more prevalent (average 19.17 per school), but functionality issues reduce their effectiveness. Projectors and mobile phones are more commonly available but are still not sufficiently utilized in classroom learning. The data on the competence of learners to read appears to be symmetrically distributed with the competence of learners tapering off at the tail ends. This implies that most of the learners on average could read between 21-69 words per minute. However, there are significant disparities in reading abilities among learners, with a notable percentage performing below expectations. This disparity highlights the need for targeted interventions to support learners who are struggling and to bridge the competence gap across different schools. The reliability statistics for variables testing on teacher’s attitude in the use of Audio-visual media, for variables testing on challenges in the use of audio-visual media and for variables testing on the classroom observation performance indicators, were 0.969, 0.981 and 0.944 respectively. The reliability statistics on all the research instruments was 0.990. A Cronbach's Alpha of 0.70 (70%) or higher reveals a strong internal consistency of a series of questions integrated to form a single scale measured by the coefficient. The study recommends the government to integrate digital learning in schools and ensure schools are fully equipped with an access to electricity and network connectivity. Ministry of Education to develop teachers’ capacity on the use of digital devices. The study also recommends the Kenya institute of Curriculum Development to develop a curriculum in line with competency based curriculum provided in digital devices. Lastly curriculum support officers and head teachers to support teachers to make use of available audio visual resources for teaching and learning.

Spatial downscaling of SMAP soil moisture to high resolution using machine learning over China’s Loess Plateau

Soil moisture (SM) is a critical physical parameter in land surface processes that affects the atmospheric and hydrological cycles. Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission produces high-quality global SM data, but its low spatial resolution limits the applications at a regional or local scale. In this study, we developed a novel method to select optimal factors from 34 candidate downscaling factors for each month using three machine learning methods (Back Propagation Neural Network (BPNN), Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Random Forest (RF)) to produce monthly time series SM products at a spatial resolution of 1 km for the entire Loess Plateau in China from 2015 to 2023. 11 in-situ SM measurements distributed in Loess Plateau and precipitation data were used to evaluate the downscaling performances of the three machine learning approaches. The results show that the spatial trends of the three downscaled SM were essentially the same as the SMAP SM, with similar spatial patterns, and all three downscaled SM can provide more spatial information and texture features than SMAP SM. Among the three types of downscaled SM, the RF downscaled SM reached the highest R (0.654) and the smallest unbiased Root Mean Square Error (ubRMSE) (0.044 m3m−3), better than the BPNN and SVM downscaled SM, and most closely matched the in-situ measurements. The dynamics of SM were successfully captured by RF downscaled SM, which exhibited strong temporal consistency with the in-situ SM and responded well to precipitation events, with significant increases in SM values in the month of high precipitation and subsequent months. In conclusion, the RF model has the best downscaling effect and it can be used to provide high spatial resolution SM data for applications at a regional or local scale across the Loess Plateau.

Psychometric characteristics of the decision‐making ability scale among high school students

AbstractThe process of decision‐making is a multifaceted cognitive endeavor encompassing various cognitive, emotional, psychological, and social processes. It empowers individuals to select from a range of alternatives. Its significance spans across age groups, impacting both adults and children, and the relevance of which goes beyond aiding learners in choosing their educational or professional paths; it also pertains to preparing them to navigate the diverse situations they will encounter throughout their lives. To approach this ability, we developed a scale comprising 20 items, assessing five distinct decision‐making factors. This scale was administered to a sample of 303 learners in the first and second years of the baccalaureate course (pre‐final and final years of secondary education), representing both genders, and studying in four high schools. The participants’ ages ranged between 16 and 20 years. The results of this study revealed positive psychometric properties of the scale after its apparent validity was verified. Additionally, principal component analysis, using a latent root criterion greater than one (Eigenvalue &gt; 1), and performing Varimax rotation, resulted in five factors that represent decision‐making styles (dependent, avoidant, confident, rational, intuitive) that explain 53.67% of the total variance. Through the application of confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), the outcomes showcased favorable conformity indicators. The ratio of chi‐square value to degrees of freedom was recorded at less than 5 (x²/df = 1.531). The RMSEA index, at 0.041, remained below the accepted threshold of 0.08. The metrics (CFI, TLI, GFI, IFI) all surpassed 0.90, falling within acceptable ranges. Strong internal consistency between item scores and their respective factors was established by Pearson coefficients. The correlation coefficients between each factor's score and the total scale score were robust, ranging from 0.483 to 0.727. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the scale's factors ranged from 0.788 (highest) to 0.723 (lowest), with an overall scale stability coefficient of 0.748. These high coefficients collectively confirm the scale's validity, reliability, and appropriateness for implementation within the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

Risk stratification model for foreseeing overall survival in Chinese patients with initially metastatic small-cell lung cancer.

The study was outlined to develop and approve a nomogram and chance stratification demonstrate for foreseeing overall survival of Chinese patients with at first metastatic small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). We collected information from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database approximately Chinese SCLC patients with at first distant metastases between 2010 and 2015. Patients with incomplete data about the follow-up time or clinicopathological information were excluded. The included patients were randomized into the training and validation set. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were performed. By integrating the significant variables screened, a prescient nomogram and risk stratification model were developed. In addition, we collected 198 small-cell lung cancer patients with metastasis at diagnosis from the case database of the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine as an external validation cohort. In all, 421 patients were screened from the SEER database. Multivariate examination showed that age (P = .049), sex (P = .001), grade (P = .008), chemotherapy (P = .001), liver metastasis (P = .001), and pleural invasion (P = .012) were independent prognostic factors. The C-indicator of the nomogram to anticipate overall survival was higher than that of the eighth edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer Tumor Node Metastasis classification system (0.75 vs 0.543; P < .001). A risk stratification model was encouraged to be created to precisely classify patients into 2 prognostic bunches. The survival rates anticipated by the nomogram appeared to have critical qualifications from the Kaplan-Meier curves in the entire SEER cohort. Calibration curves and survival predictions also showed strong accuracy and consistency in the external validation cohort. The nomogram provided a clear prognostic superiority over the traditional Tumor Node Metastasis system. It could help clinicians make individual risk predictions for initially metastatic Chinese SCLC cancer patients and give necessary treatment recommendations.

Synergistic impact mechanism of particle size and morphology in superalloy powders for additive manufacturing

The particle size and morphology of superalloy powders are crucial parameters that significantly influence the performance of additive manufacturing (AM) processes. This study investigates the effects of atomization pressure on these characteristics through a combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and vacuum induction melting gas atomization (VIGA) experiments. The CFD simulations revealed that increasing the atomization pressure from 2.0 MPa to 3.5 MPa resulted in a rise in maximum gas velocity from 526 m/s to 537 m/s and a reduction in median particle size (D50) from 60.9 μm to 37.5 μm. Subsequent experiments demonstrated a decrease in D50 from 52.9 μm to 35.6 μm, and sphericity from 0.9432 to 0.9377, as pressure increased. The particle size results of the atomization experiments and numerical simulations show strong consistency, validating the accuracy of the numerical simulation results. The volume of hollow particles also increased slightly in specific size fractions. These results suggest that higher atomization pressures produce finer powders with lower sphericity, but also promote particle adhesion, reducing the overall refinement effect. This study provides insights into optimizing atomization conditions for the precise control of superalloy powders in AM.

Distinctive water bodies surrounding lakes: An effective indicator for drought monitoring and assessment

The response mechanisms of surface water to drought and the potential and performance of water body changes in drought monitoring and assessment remain insufficiently elucidated. We take the Poyang Lake Basin, which suffers from drastic water body changes and frequent droughts, as a representative. Through integrating multisource data to extract long-term precise water bodies, we construct standardized water body area/number anomaly indices (SAAI/SNAI). Subsequently, we quantify the correlation and time lag response between SAAI, SNAI and drought. Our findings reveal that overall, water body area and number in the Poyang Lake Basin all exhibit a significant correlation with typical drought indices. Among them, the large water body area has a higher correlation coefficient with drought, making it a more effective indicator for drought monitoring. Water body changes of Poyang Lake surrounding area offer a more precise reflection of drought conditions than other sub-basins and exhibit greater sensitivity to drought. Meanwhile, water body area changes in Poyang Lake surrounding area lag behind meteorological drought by approximately half a month. And the basin’s water body area can typically respond with changes to some prolonged and severe hydrological droughts about 1 to 2 months in advance. We propose an integrated mechanism for drought monitoring and assessment informed by these conclusions and use actual drought events for qualitative validation. The results indicate that it is possible to assess water body drought conditions for the next approximately half month based on current meteorological drought conditions. Also, combining water body area changes with meteorological drought severity can aid in evaluating hydrological drought conditions for the following about 1–2 months. We extend our investigation to explore the universality of these phenomenon across eight shallow lakes globally characterized by significant water fluctuations. The results reveal that the water body changes in most of these lakes exhibit good potential for drought monitoring and assessment, and present a strong consistency with deep soil moisture, allowing for the accurate reflection of deep soil drought conditions. The lag response patterns between water bodies and drought in Dongting Lake, Hongze Lake, and Tonlé Sap Lake—also situated in the monsoon climate zone—are more similar to those observed in Poyang Lake. These distinctive lake water bodies can serve as an innovative indicator for drought monitoring and assessment, providing potential support for endeavors in drought prevention and mitigation.