Submission Research Articles

User-Centred Design and Development of a Smartphone Application (OverSight) for Digital Phenotyping in Ophthalmology

Background: Visual impairment can significantly impact an individual’s daily activities. Patients require regular monitoring, typically occurring within hospital eye services. Capacity constraints have necessitated innovative solutions to improve patient care. Existing digital solutions rely on task-based digital home monitoring such as visual acuity testing. These require active involvement from patients and do not typically offer an indication of quality of life. Digital phenotyping refers to the use of personal digital devices to quantify passive behaviour for detecting clinically significant changes in vision and act as biomarkers for disease. Its uniqueness lies in the ability to detect changes passively. The objective was to co-design an accessible smartphone app (OverSight) for the purposes of digital phenotyping in people with sight impairment. Methods: Development of OverSight included stakeholder consultations following principles of user-centred design. Apple iOS software frameworks (HealthKit, ResearchKit, and SensorKit) and a SwiftUI developer toolkit were used to enable the collection of active and passive data streams. Accessibility and usability were assessed using the System Usability Scale (SUS) and feedback following a 3-month pilot study. Consultations with patients informed the design of OverSight, including preferred survey scheduling and the relevancy of patient support resources. Results: Twenty visually impaired participants (mean age 42 ± 19 years) were recruited to the pilot study. The average score on the SUS was 76.8 (±8.9), indicating good usability. There was a statistically significant moderate negative correlation between SUS scores and visual acuity in both the better (r = −0.494; p ≤ 0.001) and worse eye (r = −0.421; p ≤ 0.001). Conclusions: OverSight offers promising potential for collecting patient-generated health data for the purposes of digital phenotyping in patients with eye disease. Through further testing and validation, this novel approach to patient care may ultimately provide opportunities for remote monitoring in ophthalmology.

Longitudinal Associations Between TikTok Use, Self-Concept Clarity, and Anxiety Among Chinese Emerging Adults: Exploring Differential Impacts of Active and Passive TikTok Use

Short-form video applications, such as TikTok, have gained significant popularity among emerging adults. We conducted a longitudinal study to gather data at three time points from two universities in South China. A total of 590 university students ( M age = 19.83; SD age = 1.24) completed the questionnaires measuring active and passive TikTok use behaviors at time 1 (T1, April 2022), self-concept clarity at time 2 (T2, October 2022), and anxiety both at Time 1 (T1, April 2022) and at Time 3 (T3, April 2023). The results showed that T1 active TikTok use had a negative correlation with T3 anxiety ( r = −0.23, p < .001), while T1 passive TikTok use had a positive correlation with T3 anxiety ( r = 0.30, p < .001). Both T1 active TikTok use (95% CI [0.03, 0.09]) and T1 passive TikTok use (95% CI [0.07, 0.16]) can predict T3 anxiety indirectly by reducing T2 self-concept clarity. Moreover, even after considering T2 self-concept clarity, the direct impact of T1 active TikTok use on T3 anxiety remained significant (95% CI [−0.24, −0.09]), but the direct effect of T1 passive TikTok use on T3 anxiety was not significant (95% CI [−0.04, 0.12]).

Supervisor Authority and its Impacts on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Athletic Training.

The demographic landscape of the United States is changing daily and the demand for representation in todays workforce is both a moral and practical imperative for creating workplaces diverse in thought, expression, and people. The purpose of this study was to investigate workplace culture and the direct and indirect influence of supervisors on inclusion of minoritized communities, including those who have experienced marginalization for race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, age, marital status, ability, sexual orientation, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, socioeconomic status, spirituality, political affiliation, literacy, or the intersectionality of multiple identities. Consensual qualitative research study. Semi-structured interview. Eighteen participants were recruited through direct contact via their public domain email addresses that are located on college/university websites. Demographic data was collected through a web-based recruitment survey which was also used to schedule a semi-structured interview. We used the multi-phased CQR tradition to identify domains and categories representative of the data. Three domains emerged. The environment domain spoke to the culture each supervisor created through relationship building and intention; intention was further characterized as active or passive behaviors whereby almost all pa rticipants described both. Only one-third of participants referenced DEIA policies and procedures within their organization. The resources domain represented the existence and awareness of organizational DEIA resources, or lack thereof. The perceptions domain characterized the beliefs of the supervisors relative to DEIA. Structural efforts must include the creation and implementation of policies and procedures for employee inclusion, not just patient inclusion. The awareness and use of organizational resources is an important component to support supervisor efforts and should be leveraged from within the unit.

Effect of Nb contents on the passivation behavior of high-strength anti-seismic rebar in concrete environments

In this study, the surface analysis, cross-section analysis and electrochemical analysis were used to explore the formation mechanism of Nb contents on the passive film of high-strength anti-seismic rebar in simulated concrete pore solution. The passivation experiments confirmed that the addition of Nb promoted the stability and compactness of surface passive film of Nb-containing rebar, and the passivation efficiency of Nb-containing rebar was stronger than that of CS rebar. Firstly, with the decreases of pH, the increases of Nb promoted that the outer layer of the passive film were mainly composed of Fe oxides and Fe oxyhydroxides, the inner layer were mainly composed of Fe oxides and Nb oxides. Secondly, the increases of Nb were beneficial to the formation of Nb oxides, which enhanced the passivation rate of the passive film and inhibited the degradation of Fe oxides, thus enhancing the thickness of surface passive film of Nb-containing rebar.

Supervision of Instruction: Teachers and School Heads’ Perspective

The research focused on discovering the tactics used by school heads and the challenges faced when overseeing teaching in selected public secondary schools in Puerto Princesa City Division. The research utilized descriptive, correlation methods. The study included 139 participants, with 124 being teachers and 15 being school heads from the 15 public secondary schools in Puerto Princesa City Division. The researcher collected data from a survey questionnaire they created, the School Improvement Plan (SIP), The data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, weighted mean, ranking, Pearson-r correlation, and t-test methods. The results showed that the school heads’ supervisory strategies focused on enhancing instruction. They informed the teachers about the professional development opportunities that are available to them in certain areas. They frequently conducted their instructional supervision. The most popular functions were giving teachers feedback through performance assessment and evaluation that was constructive and accurate. The mentoring abilities of the school heads, along with the passive and uncooperative behavior of teachers, hindered their ability to supervise instruction effectively. The school heads’ instructional supervisory strategies were influenced by the frequency of instructional supervision provided to teachers, as they focused on developing, adopting, and implementing programs for instructional improvement, learning assessment, and teacher improvement. The research suggests that during mentorship sessions, school administrators should provide teachers with advice, specifically focusing on teaching techniques and the discovery and use of educational materials; Within the school improvement initiative, it is critical for school heads to establish or modify a program based on research. School administrators need to collaborate with expert teachers to evaluate and improve the curriculum in order to address the unique requirements of the community.

Pair bond quality influences social conditioned place preference expression, passive coping behavior, and central oxytocin receptor expression following partner loss in male prairie voles

ABSTRACT The dissolving of social bonds is disruptive and leads to increased stress responsivity and a strong desire for reunion. The oxytocin (OXT) system is critical for the formation of social attachments, such as pair bonds, and is also involved in social recognition, social memory, and social vigilance. Therefore, long-term changes in the OXT system resulting from cohabitation and pair bonding may contribute to reunion-seeking behavior. Here, we employed social conditioned place preference (SCPP) and the forced swim test (FST) to examine sensitivity to partner-associated contexts and passive stress coping following a period of partner separation. We found that opposite-sex cohabitation led to SCPP formation only in male prairie voles with a strong preference for their partner, and this SCPP was maintained following short-term loss of a pair bonded partner. Furthermore, pair bonded males that were separated from their partner displayed more passive stress-coping than those that were not bonded to their lost partner, suggesting that differences in prairie vole mating tactics (i.e. formation of a bond or not) influence the behavioral response to partner separation. Finally, we found changes in OXTR binding that may reflect variation in loss-related behavioral phenotypes based on different mating strategies.

Influence of Faradarmani Consciousness Field on Spatial Memory and Passive Avoidance Behavior of Scopolamine Model of Alzheimer Disease in Male Wistar Rats

Influence of Faradarmani Consciousness Field on Spatial Memory and Passive Avoidance Behavior of Scopolamine Model of Alzheimer Disease in Male Wistar Rats

Exploration of Gas-Dependent Self-Adaptive Reconstruction Behavior of Cu2O for Electrochemical CO2 Conversion to Multi-Carbon Products

HighlightsWe revealed a universal self-adaptive structural reconstruction from Cu2O to Cu@CuxO composites, ending with feeding gas-dependent microstructures and catalytic performances.We uncovered a CO2-induced passivation behavior by identifying a reduction-resistant but catalytic active Cu(I)-rich amorphous layer.We designed and fabricated hollow Cu2O nanospheres, demonstrating durable electrolysis at a partial current density of −200 mA cm−2 in producing C2H4 with an FE of up to 61% at −0.6 VRHE.

Personality and Interpersonal Influence: Low Adjustment and Low Competitiveness is Associated With Low Assertiveness.

This study examined the relationship between personality and interpersonal assertiveness styles, an important and neglected topic. In all, 396 working adults completed a six-factor personality test measuring work-related traits (HPTI) and a two-dimensional assessment of interpersonal styles (III) assessing four styles: Assertiveness, Passiveness, Hostile aggression, and Manipulative aggression. We were particularly interested in the correlates of aggressive and passive behaviour, as opposed to assertive behaviour. The results suggested that those with low Conscientiousness and Adjustment (i.e. Neuroticism) but high Competitiveness (low Agreeableness) were more interpersonally aggressive, while passivity was negatively associated with all traits, particularly Adjustment, but not with Conscientiousness. Regressions indicated very different traits associated with each of the four interpersonal styles. Assertiveness was associated with sex and age, but only one trait, Risk Approach (or Courage). Limitations of these findings and implications of assessing and teaching assertiveness are discussed and considered.

Corrosion and passivation behavior of Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 high-entropy alloys in artificial seawater: Effect of rare earth Ce

The pitting and passivation film properties of Ce-modified Fe40Mn20Cr20Ni20 high-entropy alloys in artificial seawater were investigated. Corrosion morphology and kinetic potential polarization curves indicated that the doping of Ce changed the compositions of the alloy inclusions, increased the pitting potentials and reduced the alloy's sensitivity to pitting. The reduction of the defect density and the diffusion coefficient of pitting defects (D0) within the passivate film proved the effectiveness of Ce in enhancing the protective property of the passivate film, with Ce-0.10 being the most prominent.

A novel multicomponent micro-alloyed magnesium for orthopaedic applications: a microstructural, mechanical, degradation and bioactivity study

ABSTRACT The current study focuses on development of magnesium based micro-alloy with the composition of Mg–0.5Zn–0.15Ca–0.1Mn–0.1Sn–0.1Ag–0.2Ce–0.2Sr using casting method. Microstructural examinations conducted using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) unveiled a uniform grain distribution in the alloy with minimal intermetallic content, corroborated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis matching the magnesium peak precisely. Tensile testing indicated that the solution strengthening process boosted the alloy’s required yield strength and stiffness, while enhancing magnesium’s ductility up to 19.07% elongation. Electrochemical tests demonstrated an outstanding corrosion resistance rate of 0.91 mm/year, supported by Nyquist plots indicating passivation behaviour and film formation. The pH variations revealed an initial spike to 8.13 within the first 24 hours, gradually declining thereafter. The bioactivity assessment of the developed alloy showcased the formation of near-stoichiometric apatite layers on the alloy surface, confirming its potential as a suitable orthopaedic implant material.

Usability of the digit-tracking technique in a geriatric population of inpatients with and without neurocognitive disorders: The DIGICOG-start study.

Tools for the early diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders (NCD) both accessible, fast, fun and efficient are currently needed. A digit-tracking technique (Digitrack) has been developed based on the exploration of blurred images on a tablet with the finger, related to the exploration of images during eye-tracking. The present study aimed at assessing the objective usability and the subjective User eXperience (UX) of the Digitrack by older adults according to the presence and the severity of NCD. A total of 135 patients were included in a geriatric acute care unit. Objective usability was assessed through the number of patients able to complete the Digitrack's training (3 images) and evaluation (20 images) phases. UX was measured through standard questionnaires (AttrakDiff and meCUE), and through the description of engagement behaviors following an internally developed scale which included 5 levels (interactive, constructive, active, passive and disengaged behaviors). The success rate of the device was 94.1%. The Digitrack had a very good overall attractiveness, standard hedonic and pragmatic qualities, and the emotions perceived were predominantly positive. These findings were not homogeneously observed in the whole studied population. Patients highly impaired due to NCD tended to rate the device with more neutral scores and to perceive more negative emotions. The participants mainly demonstrated active behaviors, but patients with severe major NCD were mostly passive. The study showed promising results regarding the usability and acceptability of a digit-tracking technique within older adults. Further studies should evaluate the potential of this novel methods to make a cognitive diagnosis.

Polymerization and characterization of benzoxazine synthesized from para-diamines and their epoxy composite for electronic and aerospace applications

We have created a resilient, non-corrosive, insulating substance for electronics and aeronautics by synthesizing benzoxazine (Bz) from diamine, phenol, and paraformaldehyde. The synthesized Bz is characterised and polymerised (PolyBz) by curing at 150, 200, 250 and 300 °C. PolyBz exhibited significant dielectric loss of 5.15, 6.59, and 6.36 at 1 MHz and high dielectric constants of 3.05, 1.70, and 1.69 at 50, 125, and 150 °C respectively. Better passive corrosion behaviour is demonstrated by electrochemical impedance measurements for the polyBz cured at 300 °C. Epoxy composites at various compositions of Bz were made and characterised. The composites were found to be stable upto around 350 °C. The crosslinking of Bz with epoxy was confirmed with the disappearance of oxazine peak around 930–980 cm−1 in Infrared spectroscopy. The tensile strength of epoxy composite is increased to 3600 N for 6 % Bz from 1500 N for 4 % Bz, indicates that Bz functions as a cross-linking agent. It was found that the composites' water contact angle increases from 56 to 90° from 0 to 6 % of Bz with epoxide. It has been demonstrated that the Bz composite is a promising material for the above said applications.

Effect of liquid droplet impingement on electrochemical passivation behavior of 321 stainless steel in 0.5 wt% NaCl solution

Liquid droplet impingement (LDI) treatment changes the roughness and introduces residual compressive stress on 321 stainless steel (SS). Compared to untreated 321 SS, 1 h of LDI treatment with 100, 150 and 175 m/s gradually increases the pitting potential of 321 SS, while 1 h of LDI treatment with 200 m/s decreased the pitting potential of 321 SS. The passive films grown on the 321 SS after LDI treatment with 100, 150 and 175 m/s show a decreased receptor density, an increased Cr content and an increased thickness, whereas a dense passive film with good corrosion resistance cannot be formed on the 321 SS after LDI treatment with 200 m/s. The effect of the change in surface state due to LDI treatment on the electrochemical passivation behavior is explained in detail.

Physical fitness in youth: a systematic review of changes during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract Background Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic induced changes in the fitness behavior of children and adolescents, which may be associated with long-term public health challenges. This systematic review analyses how physical fitness has changed during the pandemic and to what extent the changes remain in the aftermath of the pandemic. Methods We conducted a systematic search in seven databases with a peer-reviewed search string for studies until Dec 2023. Our inclusion criteria encompassed studies with children and adolescents ≤19 years living in the WHO European Region and in which validated measurements were used (single measurements or test batteries). Eligibility screening, data extraction and risk of bias assessment (using ROBINS-E instrument) were all carried out independently by two reviewers. We published an a priori protocol in a peer-review journal and conducted reporting in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. Trial registration: PROSPERO: CRD42023395871. Results Our search retrieved 28 studies from 15 WHO European Region countries with an age range from 5 to 19 years. Physical fitness was reported in 21 validated single measurements (e.g. 20 m shuttle run, handgrip strength, standing long jump) and 9 validated test batteries (e.g. Alpha-Fitness Battery, German Motor Test, International Physical Performance Test Profile). The preliminary analyses pointed to a sharp decline in youth physical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic. After restrictions were eased, physical fitness improved, but remained under pre-pandemic levels, particularly in boys. Conclusions The findings indicate a potential suboptimal behavioral adaptation of children and adolescents after the COVID-19 pandemic. Medium and long-term programs to change passive behavior and improve physical fitness are urgently needed. In addition to individual prevention programs, stronger consideration should also be given to schools and sport clubs regarding activities promoting physical fitness. Key messages • Physical fitness in children and adolescents remains below pre-pandemic levels after restrictions removal. • Initiating immediate public health action to increase physical fitness is urgently needed.

Investigation of kinetics of passive layer formation on various microstructures in thermo-mechanically treated steel in simulated concrete pore solution

Carbon steel bars are critical in steel-reinforced concrete structures, and their corrosion can lead to significant deterioration. This research explored the passive layer formation on different carbon steel microstructures using a high throughput approach. Thermomechanically treated steel bars with three distinct microstructures, i.e., martensite in the outer layer, bainite in the middle, and pearlite in the center, were vertically cut and immersed in the simulated concrete pore solution. Scanning electrochemical microscopy was employed to study the formation of the passive layer, the kinetics of the passivation, and the effective rate constant of the species inside the solution on each microstructure. Results showed that the formation of the passive layer is a time-dependent process, and passivation was influenced by the local microstructure. Martensite demonstrated superior passivation behavior compared to pearlite and bainite.

Mechanical and Corrosion Behaviour in Simulated Body Fluid of As-Fabricated 3D Porous L-PBF 316L Stainless Steel Structures for Biomedical Implants.

Laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) is one of the most promising additive manufacturing technologies for creating customised 316L Stainless Steel (SS) implants with biomimetic characteristics, controlled porosity, and optimal structural and functional properties. However, the behaviour of as-fabricated 3D 316L SS structures without any surface finishing in environments that simulate body fluids remains largely unknown. To address this knowledge gap, the present study investigates the surface characteristics, the internal porosity, the corrosion in simulated body fluid (SBF), and the mechanical properties of as-fabricated 316L SS structures manufactured by L-PBF with rhombitruncated cuboctahedron (RTCO) unit cells with two distinct relative densities (10 and 35%). The microstructural analysis confirmed that the RTCO structure has a pure austenitic phase with a roughness of ~20 µm and a fine cellular morphology. The micro-CT revealed the presence of keyholes and a lack of fusion pores in both RTCO structures. Despite the difference in the internal porosity, the mechanical properties of both structures remain within the range of bone tissue and in line with the Gibson and Ashby model. Additionally, the as-fabricated RTCO structures demonstrated passive corrosion behaviour in the SBF solution. Thus, as-fabricated porous structures are promising biomaterials for implants due to their suitable surface roughness, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance, facilitating bone tissue growth.

University Students’ Perceptions and Reactions to Cyberbullying on Social Media: The Case of Türkiye

ABSTRACT With cyberbullying emerging as a significant concern in contemporary society, understanding its prevalence, forms, and impacts is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies. This study aims to delve into the underlying factors contributing to cyberbullying incidents among university students. Employing quantitative methodologies, this research utilized a questionnaire comprising multiple-choice, scaled responses, and open-ended questions to explore students’ encounters, perceptions, and responses to cyberbullying. The study’s development was informed by theoretical frameworks and existing literature, with data analysis conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The sample comprised 392 participants, predominantly female (79.1 percent) and Turkish (98.7 percent). Most participants were 18–21 (46.9 percent) and 21–25 (41.3 percent). The majority (84.9 percent) were studying at a state university. The study reveals a widespread acknowledgment of cyberbullying as a severe problem among social media users, particularly prevalent on platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Offensive comments and hate speech were identified as dominant forms of cyberbullying, alongside newer tactics like emoji-based ridicule. Participant responses ranged from passive bystander behavior to active intervention, reflecting diverse coping mechanisms and strategies. The findings underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to combat cyberbullying, including educational programs, institutional support mechanisms, and interventions promoting digital citizenship. Furthermore, fostering peer support networks and enhancing awareness in university settings is crucial for effectively addressing cyberbullying. The study highlights various intervention areas and approaches to mitigate the impact of cyberbullying and promote a healthier digital environment. Future research should continue exploring the underlying motivations and barriers to seeking help, aiming to develop targeted strategies for prevention and intervention.

Research on the Corrosion Resistance and Cytotoxicity of Medical Forged Co-28Cr-6Mo Alloy

Co-Cr-Mo alloy as a human body implant material has a long history, because of its excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, and is widely used in human hip joint materials. Co-Cr-Mo alloy in the human body is often in a passivation state; the formation of dense oxide film on the alloy surface prevents further corrosion of the alloy. The main component of the passivation film is the oxide of Cr, so a layer of oxide film formed by Cr on the surface of Co-Cr-Mo alloy is the reason for its good corrosion resistance. In biocompatibility, cytotoxicity is the first choice and necessary option for biological evaluation, and cytotoxicity can quickly detect the effect of materials on cells in a relatively short time. Therefore, this research conducted a comparative evaluation on the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of forged Co-Cr-Mo alloys produced in domestic and foreign alloys in line with medical standards. Three simulated human body fluids and Princeton electrochemical station were selected for corrosion resistance experiments, and it was found that the corrosion resistance of four alloys in sodium citrate solution inside and outside China would be reduced. All the alloys exhibit secondary passivation behavior in Hanks solution, which improves the corrosion resistance of the alloys. According to the self-corrosion potential Ecorr analysis, the corrosion resistance of domestic B alloy is the best, while that of foreign R31537 alloy is poor. In the biocompatibility experiment, the biocompatibility of Co-Cr-Mo alloy was evaluated through the measurement of contact Angle and cytotoxicity reaction. The experimental results show that Co-Cr-Mo alloy is a hydrophilic material, and the contact Angle of foreign R31537 alloy is smaller, indicating that the surface of R31537 alloy is more suitable for cell adhesion and spreading. According to the qualitative and quantitative analysis of the cytotoxicity experiment, the toxic reaction grade of domestic A, B and R31537 alloy is grade 1, the toxic reaction grade of C alloy is grade 2, and C alloy has a slight toxic reaction.

Enhancing Passivation Behaviors and Wear Resistance of Biomedical Ti-15Mo Alloy via {332} Twinning Pre-Tension and Aging

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the extent to which a combination of pre-deformation and aging procedures could enhance the corrosion and wear resistance of the Ti-15Mo alloy for biomedical materials. The initial grains were refined with {332} twins and other defects after the pre-deformation, increasing the amount of precipitation nucleation and forming finer α phases during aging. The finer precipitates with numerous boundaries are beneficial in forming a thicker passivation film in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) solution, and the corrosion resistance of the 20% pre-deform plus aged alloy is improved by 4.23 times. The result indicates that the corrosion passivation behavior and film structure of the biomedical Ti-15Mo alloy are significantly influenced by its microstructure. The worn track and debris of the alloy after pre-tension and aging gradually decreases with the increase in pre-deformation rates, caused by the increase in the hardness and wear resistance. The mechanism of corrosion and wear resistance in PBS solution were revealed, which showed the pre-tension and aging processes that were performed on the Ti-15Mo alloy. This study proposes that pre-tension with {332} twins contributed to precipitation refinement, which would enhance the passivation behaviors and wear resistance of the biomedical β titanium alloy.