Superior Levels Research Articles

Characterization of Static Strength, Vertical Jumping, and Isokinetic Strength in Soccer Players According to Age, Competitive Level, and Field Position.

Muscular strength is strongly related to speed and agility tasks, which have been described as the most decisive actions preceding goals in the soccer game. This study aimed to characterize the players' strength indicators and to analyze the variation associated with age, competition level, and positional role. Eighty-three male soccer players from A team (n = 22), B team (n = 17), U-23 (n = 19), and U-19 (n = 25) participated in this study. Handgrip strength was assessed using a hand dynamometer (Jamar Plus+), countermovement jump (CMJ) and the squat jump (SJ) were evaluated using Optojump Next, and a Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer was used to assess the isokinetic strength of knee extension/flexion. Team A players showed increased lower-body strength compared to their peers, mainly through their increased vertical jumping capacity (i.e., CMJ and SJ; ps < 0.019), and superior performance in isokinetic assessments (i.e., peak torque, total work, and average power). Overall, older players outperformed their younger peers regarding vertical jumping, static strength, and average power in isokinetic strength (ps < 0.005). This study emphasizes the superior strength levels of professional soccer players compared with their lower-division peers, even after controlling by age. This information is of great value to sports agents and coaches, underlining the need to design and include strength-specific content during soccer training.

Content-Based Audio Classification and Retrieving Using Modified Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm.

Audio classification and retrieval has been recognized as a fascinating field of endeavor for as long as it has existed due to the topic of identifying and choosing the most useful audio attributes. The categorization of audio files is significant not only in the area of multimedia applications but also in the disciplines of medicine, sound analysis, intelligent homes and cities, urban informatics, entertainment, and surveillance. This study introduces a new algorithm called the modified bacterial foraging optimization algorithm (MBFOA), which is based on a method that retrieves and classifies audio data. The goal of this algorithm is to reduce the computational complexity of existing techniques. Along with the combination of the peak estimated signal, the enhanced mel-frequency cepstral coefficient (EMFCC) and the enhanced power normalized cepstral coefficients (EPNCC) are used. These are then optimized using the fitness function utilizing MBFOA. The probabilistic neural network is used to differentiate between a music signal and a spoken signal from an audio source (PNN). It is next necessary to extract and list the characteristics that correspond to the class that was arrived at as a consequence of the categorization. When compared to other approaches that are somewhat similar, MBFOA demonstrates superior levels of sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy.

The EFQM Model as an Exquisite Tool for the Analysis of Business Excellence and Its Use in the Healthcare Industry

The author links together business analysis and business excellence as an ideal that all well- performing organisations wish to achieve while attaining and continuously maintaining superior levels of business performance, thus fulfilling and even exceeding the expectations of their stakeholders. He leans on the EFQM model and uses it as an excellent tool for analysing the business of an organisation throughout all the phases defined by traditional business analysis. This includes the observation of facts and identification of problems, which can be construed as defining the organisation’s strengths and areas for improvement. This entails setting up hypotheses and testing them by applying appropriate measures. After a short introduction, the author makes first a thorough literature review on business excellence in the last two decades with an emphasis on the EFQM Model. He focuses particularly on the assessment and critical attitude of individual researchers who have studied this topic. Further, the author presents the basic concepts and elements of the EFQM model of business excellence, with a particular emphasis on the RADAR matrix as a very useful instrument (management tool) for business excellence analysis. He also presents the use of the model for analysing and assessing the business excellence of organisations in the public sector, specifically in the healthcare industry (hospitals). He presents the key attributes (select healthcare aspects) that define the quality of healthcare services for its key participants, i.e., patients and the payers of these services. These attributes, namely technical performance, interpersonal relationships, amenities and access, patient preferences, efficiency and cost effectiveness, are then highlighted by select business excellence criteria, mainly referring to the stakeholders’ perception of the organisation in question and business performance indicators. The author rounds off his paper with a couple of recommendations regarding the identification of strengths and areas for continuous improvement, which he, as a leading assessor with many years’ experience, including in the healthcare industry, considers as the most important aspect of business excellence analysis.

Intensive reading to improve reading comprehension skills in International Baccalaureate (IB) students

The article presented a study on intensive work to improve reading comprehension skills in International Baccalaureate (IB) students. This research is based on the information the students acquire essentially that allows the understanding of the English language through reading at lower levels, so when they meet at superior levels do not have all the skills to perceive what they are reading and doing so optimally it is difficult for them to understand a text to deduce meanings, words, phrases or a conversation in the English language. The work aims to analyze Reading Competence as a fundamental need for learning English as a second language. The studio is focused on the group of high school students from the Unidad Educativa Particular “Redemptio” in the city of Jipijapa, province of Manabi. The work had a mixed approach, of bibliographic type and descriptive scope, which are used to obtain information, together with techniques such as surveys of International Baccalaureate students of the Educational Unit and interviews with teachers of the same institution. Obtaining as results that most of the students have a fascination for reading in English unlike the study, in addition, you teach a good understanding regarding the chosen reading in terms of the organization of teachers.&#x0D; Keywords: Comprehension skills, international baccalaureate, reading, learning, English

Adaptación argentina del Cuestionario de Reserva Cognitiva: CRC-a

Cognitive reserve (CR) refers to the level of adaptability of cognition after brain changes. It is based on processes that allow the activation of new synaptic connections after neurodegeneration, which permits to better withstand the consequences. This reserve is constituted by the interaction of innate individual characteristics (intrauterine or genetically determined) and the exposure to different life experiences. It begins its development in early stages of life and continues its transformation up to advances ages. The sociodemographic variables reported as the main ones to build the reserve are education, leisure activities, lifestyle, socioeconomic level and intelligence. Several studies have considered it as a protective factor for Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Subjects with high levels of CR have lower prevalence and incidence of AD in comparison to those with low levels of reserve. CR would lead to a late onset of symptoms, despite not having any effect on the underlying pathophysiological process of the disease. The reserve would not prevent AD from developing, but it would compensate the symptoms and, therefore, delay their onset. In some cases, there is such compensation that the symptoms do not manifest. There is no validated instrument available for the Argentinian region that allows to measure this construct. The aim of this study is to adapt the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire to the Argentinian population, to establish cut-off scores to distinguish between low, medium, high and superior levels of CR and analyze which variables could predict the total reserve score. The modifications introduced in the adaptation were evaluated through an expert judgment process. A total of 177 healthy subjects completed the Cognitive Reserve Questionnaire in its Argentinian adaptation (CRQ-a). Through the measure of quartiles, cut-off scores were established to determine low, medium, high and superior levels of the reserve. A lineal regression was made to evaluate if age, education, and sex might predict the level of CR. Three of the eight total dimensions and 16 of the 33 total items that make up the original questionnaire were modified. The mean of the total score obtained by the sample from the questionnaire was 15.06 with SD = 3.42. Scores under 13 reflected low CR levels, scores between 13 and 16 reflected medium levels, scores between 16 and 20 reflected high levels, and scores above 20 reflected superior levels. Education turned out to be the only predictor variable for the level of CR. Although differences were found between groups of different sex, this variable turned out to be not predictive. The CRQ-a is the first instrument for the Argentinian population to measure the level of the reserve. It allows to quickly explore different dimensions, considered as the most relevant for its formation. These are: formal education, courses, parents' formal education, employment, musical training, languages, reading activity and intellectual games. In patients with AD, is particularly important to have a measure for CR to prepare interventions for those subjects whose reserve levels are perceived as low, aiming to delay and, when possible, prevent the clinical manifestation of the disease. Its validation would open future lines of research on possible interventions for the prevention of diseases such as AD. https://doi.org/10.16888/interd.2023.40.1.8

MEASURING THE SUPERIOR EFFICIENCY OF PROTECTED FARMS OPERATING IN ANBAR GOVERNORATE FOR THE SPRING SEASON OF 2020

This research aims to measure the superior efficiency of protected farms in Anbar Governorate using (Data Envelopment Analysises) for a sample that consisted of 91 farms for the year 2020 for the spring season, as well as clarifying the internal reasons behind achieving superior levels of efficiency. For the indicators of the statistical questionnaire collected from 91 operating protected farms in Anbar Governorate, a set of conclusions were reached, the most important of which are: Low efficiency levels for most of the protected farms due to the waste of resources used for these farms, efficient farms according to the high efficiency index can reduce variable costs A greater percentage than reducing fixed costs, and Fallujah district achieved the highest levels of efficiency and high efficiency, as it averaged efficiency and high efficiency 0.81 and 0.80 respectively, followed by spending his work, and the research reached a set of recommendations, the most important of which are: Provide the necessary environment for it, especially financially, in order to achieve more efficiency in order for its products to compete with the protected farms in neighboring countries, and on the other hand Owners of protected farms in Anbar Governorate are encouraged to reduce the waste in the use of their resources, especially the waste in fixed costs, a large part of which is due to the decrease in the houses on one farm optimum level.

Endotheliopathy, Innate-Immune Activation and Hemostatic Misbalance Underlying CAR-T Cell Toxicities: Tools for Early and Differential Diagnosis

Background: The CAR-T cell-based immunotherapy constitutes one of the most revolutionary and feasible advances for the treatment of relapsed/refractory (R/R) hematologic malignancies nowadays. Nevertheless, the toxicities related to the treatment, such as cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and the immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) can be life-threatening and early diagnosis is cornerstone. Emerging evidence points to endothelial damage as a crucial pathophysiological substrate. Furthermore, differential diagnosis among these toxicities and septic syndromes is usually challenging. Since their treatments are different, a laboratory tool for the differential diagnosis would be of great interest. Methods: We prospectively included 62 patients admitted to our center for the treatment with CAR-T cell immunotherapy (76% anti-CD19, 24% anti-BCMA). Plasma samples were collected: (A) before the CAR-T cell infusion; (B), 24-48h after; (C), at the suspicion of the onset of any toxicity (fever, hypotension, hypoxia and/or neurotoxicity); and (D) 24-48h after immunomodulatory treatment. Biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction (sVCAM-1, sTNFR-1, ST-2, ANG-2), innate immunity activation (NETs, sC5b-9) and hemostasis/fibrinolysis balance (VWF:Ag, ADAMTS-13, alpha-2-antiplasmin, PAI-1) were evaluated by ELISA, fluorimetry or immunoturbidimetry. Levels of these biomarkers were also compared with those in septic patients and healthy donors. Results: Patients who developed CAR-T cell-related toxicities (n=19) presented a significant increase in the levels sVCAM-1, sTNFR-1 and ST-2 at the clinical onset of the toxicity (point C) vs. the values at the post-infusional point (point B). Values expressed as median ± interquartile range (IQR) were of: VCAM-1 of 359 ng/mL ± 455 ng/mL vs. 223 ng/mL ± 499 ng/mL, p=0.028; sTNFR-1 of 4252 pg/mL ± 4733 vs. 3559 pg/mL ± 2259 pg/mL , p=0.023; and ST-2 of 191 ng/mL ± 130 ng/mL vs. 124 ng/mL ± 130 ng/mL, p=0.031, respectively. ST-2, already at point B, exhibited a good sensitivity for the early diagnosis of any CAR-T cell-related toxicity (AUC 0.7, P=0.020) (Panel A). Moreover, levels of ST-2, ANG-2, NETs and sC5b-9 at point B were also significantly higher in patients who required ICU admission due to CAR-T cell-related toxicity (n=17) than in those with milder clinical scenarios (ANG-2 of 2841 ng/mL ± 2959 pg/mL vs. 1729 ng/mL ± 1354 pg/mL, p= 0.043; ST-2 of 76 ng/mL ± 176 ng/mL vs. 28 ± 29, p=0.000; NETs of 9 μg/mL ± 6 μg/mL vs. 6 μg/mL ± 2 μg/mL, p=0.008; and sC5b-9 of 763 ng/mL ± 659 ng/mL vs. 440 ng/mL ± 351 ng/mL, p=0.05, respectively). Patients with sepsis presented superior levels of NETs, sC5b-9, VWF:Ag and PAI-1 Ag than those with CAR-T cell toxicity at their onset (point C). When considering only severe patients who required ICU admission, in both groups, the ROC curve from the regression model created by the combination of the four biomarkers showed an excellent discrimination for the diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock (AUC 0.96, p=0.000) (Panel B). Conclusions: Biomarkers based on endotheliopathy, innate-immunity activation and hemostatic misbalance pathways have a potential role in the laboratory confirmation of the CAR-T cell-related toxicities, for the prediction of their clinical severity and, finally, for the differential diagnosis between CAR-T cell toxicities and septic syndromes. Figure 1View largeDownload PPTFigure 1View largeDownload PPT Close modal

Perbandingan produktivitas kambing Peranakan Etawa dan kambing Senduro

There are various types of dairy goats that develop in Indonesia. The Peranakan Etawa and Senduro goat are types of dairy goats that are widely developed in Indonesia. This study aimed to compare the productivity of Etawa Peranakan goats and Senduro goats. This study used 5 Etawa Peranakan goats and 5 Senduro goats. The feed used in the form of complete feed with a nutrient content of dry matter as much as 45.93%. The parameters measured were the level of feed consumption, milk production and milk quality. The data obtained were analyzed using the Independent Sample T-Test. The research that has been done shows that the senduro goat has a higher level of productivity compared to the Peranakan Etawa goat. Senduro goats had superior levels of asfed consumption of 0.19 kg/head/day and BK of 0.09 kg/head/day and milk production of 73.92 ml/head/day. The quality of Senduro goat's milk is superior in protein quality by 0.15%, lactose by 0.15%, dry matter without fat 0.34%, and specific gravity by 0.002 g/ml.

Female directors and working capital management: aggressive vs. conservative strategy

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of board gender diversity (BGD) on working capital management (WCM) decision by scrutinizing different positions covered by female board directors.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses a panel data regression model with fixed effect estimations and the generalized method of moments (GMM) to determine the impact of BGD on WCM strategy. This study uses a panel data analysis for 277 non-financial firms listed on Bursa Malaysia over the period from 2011 to 2019.FindingsThe results of this study show that female directors fulfilling either monitoring or executive positions increase the investment in working capital (WC), suggesting a conservative WCM. Precisely, results from this study are consistent with the embedded risk aversion traits of female executives and, hence, preserve high level of investment in WC, which allows superior levels of liquidity to meet firms’ financial commitments. The results also show that Malaysia commitment to gender equality is a key moderator in the female directors – firm WCM relation. The authors find that when the level of gender equality is greater, female directors support firms in adopting aggressive WCM strategies.Practical implicationsThis study’s findings provide insights for corporate decision-makers in helping them to determine the board’s design in term of roles and composition that enhances the efficiency of WC. The results also provide guidelines for policymakers and regulators to formulate strategies that support more female board representation. In this way, firms should appoint more female directors on their boards to ensure prudent WC decisions. Moreover, given that female directors are an important determinant of a firm’s WC policy, investors and various internal or external monitoring groups need to factor boardroom gender diversity into their investing, hiring and monitoring mechanisms.Originality/valueWhile prior research has examined the effect of BGD on firm performance, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to investigate the effect of BGD on the WCM decision.

Personality Trait Comparison of Pararescue Personnel and Elite Athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Pararescue personnel (PJs) deploy in high-risk environments and perform extraordinary missions under intense conditions, requiring an unusual combination of physical and psychological abilities. The rigorous nature of PJ training and the superior levels of fitness and cognitive functioning to perform challenging physical feats in high-pressure, high-intensity environments have prompted military commanders and embedded health care providers to compare successful performance in the PJ mission with the characteristics required of elite, Olympic-level athletes.METHODS: In the current study, we tested this assumption by comparing the social, emotional, and behavioral functioning of 160 U.S. PJ training candidate graduates and 73 elite, Olympic-level track and field athletes using scores on the NEO Personality Inventory-3.RESULTS: Results from this study suggest that although there are physical and psychological challenges inherent in both the PJ and elite athlete career fields, the emotional, social, and behavioral performance of PJs differs in functional ways from the elite athlete population, with PJs scoring significantly lower in Neuroticism and higher in Extraversion and Conscientiousness.DISCUSSION: The results of this study can be used to improve the delivery of embedded mental health services geared toward improving training and enhancing health, recovery, and performance within operational units.Shadle A, Waite L, Chappelle W. Personality trait comparison of pararescue personnel and elite athletes. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2022; 93(11):783-790.

MRNA produced by VSW-3 RNAP has high-level translation efficiency with low inflammatory stimulation

In vitro preparation of mRNA is a key step for mRNA therapeutics. The widely used T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) was shown to have many by-products during in vitro transcription (IVT) process, among which double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) is the major by-product to activate the intracellular immune response. Here, we describe the use of a new VSW-3 RNAP that reduced dsRNA production during IVT and the resulting mRNA exhibited low inflammatory stimulation in cells. Compared to T7 RNAP transcripts, these mRNA exhibited superior protein expression levels, with an average of 14-fold increase in Hela cells and 5-fold increase in mice. In addition, we found that VSW-3 RNAP did not require modified nucleotides to improve protein production of IVT products. Our data suggest that VSW-3 RNAP could be a useful tool for mRNA therapeutics. • Compared to T7 RNAP, VSW-3 RNAP reduces dsRNA byproducts. • mRNA by VSW-3 RNAP exhibits higher levels of protein expression than that by T7 RNAP. • VSW-3 RNAP does not need modified nucleotides for mRNA production.

Ecobehavioral Analysis of the Experiences of Students With Complex Support Needs in Different Classroom Types

Students with complex support needs frequently experience restrictive educational placements such as self-contained and separate school classrooms. Given the need to support students with complex support needs to experience positive outcomes and make progress in the general education curriculum, there is a need to investigate the characteristics of the classroom contexts in which they are learning. The purpose of this study was to use ecobehavioral assessment observation methods to investigate how student behaviors, educator behaviors, and classroom ecology vary across general education, resource, self-contained, and separate school classrooms. We observed 116 students with complex support needs across the United States, and results indicated that contextual features of resource, self-contained, and separate school classrooms do not offer superior levels of instruction or supports for students with complex support needs as compared with general education classrooms. We were more likely to observe no one interacting with the focus student, no instruction, and the presence of distractions in self-contained and separate school classrooms compared with general education classrooms. Implications for policy, research, and practice are presented.

SARS-CoV-2 infection, vaccination, and antibody response trajectories in adults: a cohort study in Catalonia

BackgroundHeterogeneity of the population in relation to infection, COVID-19 vaccination, and host characteristics is likely reflected in the underlying SARS-CoV-2 antibody responses.MethodsWe measured IgM, IgA, and IgG levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid antigens in 1076 adults of a cohort study in Catalonia between June and November 2020 and a second time between May and July 2021. Questionnaire data and electronic health records on vaccination and COVID-19 testing were available in both periods. Data on several lifestyle, health-related, and sociodemographic characteristics were also available.ResultsAntibody seroreversion occurred in 35.8% of the 64 participants non-vaccinated and infected almost a year ago and was related to asymptomatic infection, age above 60 years, and smoking. Moreover, the analysis on kinetics revealed that among all responses, IgG RBD, IgA RBD, and IgG S2 decreased less within 1 year after infection. Among vaccinated, 2.1% did not present antibodies at the time of testing and approximately 1% had breakthrough infections post-vaccination. In the post-vaccination era, IgM responses and those against nucleoprotein were much less prevalent. In previously infected individuals, vaccination boosted the immune response and there was a slight but statistically significant increase in responses after a 2nd compared to the 1st dose. Infected vaccinated participants had superior antibody levels across time compared to naïve-vaccinated people. mRNA vaccines and, particularly the Spikevax, induced higher antibodies after 1st and 2nd doses compared to Vaxzevria or Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. In multivariable regression analyses, antibody responses after vaccination were predicted by the type of vaccine, infection age, sex, smoking, and mental and cardiovascular diseases.ConclusionsOur data support that infected people would benefit from vaccination. Results also indicate that hybrid immunity results in superior antibody responses and infection-naïve people would need a booster dose earlier than previously infected people. Mental diseases are associated with less efficient responses to vaccination.

Deformation Rate and Temperature Sensitivity in TWIP/TRIP VCrFeCoNi Multi-Principal Element Alloy

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) and medium-entropy alloys (MEAs), also sometimes referred to as multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs), present opportunities to develop new materials with outstanding mechanical properties. Through the careful selection of constituent elements along with optimized thermal processing for proper control of structure, grain size, and deformation mechanisms, many of the newly developed HEA systems exhibit superior strength and ductility levels across a wide range of temperatures, particularly at cryogenic deformation temperatures. Such a remarkable response has been attributed to the hardening capacity of many MPEAs that is achieved through the activation of deformation twinning. More recent compositions have considered phase transforming systems, which have the potential for enhanced strengthening and therefore high strength and ductility levels. However, the strain rate sensitivity of such transforming MPEAs is not well understood and requires further investigation. In this study, the tensile properties of the non-equiatomic V10Cr10Fe45Co30Ni5 MPEA were investigated at different deformation rates and temperatures ranging from 77 K (−196 °C) to 573 K (300 °C). Depending on the deformation temperature, the considered MPEA exhibits plasticity through either crystallographic slip, deformation twinning, or solid-state phase transformation. At 300 °C, only slip-mediated plasticity was observed for all the considered deformation rates. Deformation twinning was detected in samples deformed at room temperature, while face-centered cubic to body-centered cubic phase transformation became more favorable at cryogenic deformation temperatures. The trends are nonlinear with twinning-induced plasticity (TWIP) favored at the intermediate deformation rate, while transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) was observed, although limited, only at the slowest deformation rate. For all the considered deformation rates at cryogenic deformation temperature, a significant TRIP activity was always detected. The extent of TRIP, however, was dependent on the deformation rate. Increasing the deformation rate is not conducive to TRIP and thus hinders the hardening capacity.

Horseradish Peroxidase–mediated Polymerization of Natural Phenol and Pyrrole for Coloration and Functionalization of Silk Fabrics

ABSTRACT In this study, we successfully polymerized natural phenol (gallic acid, ferulic acid) and pyrrole (Py) monomers by oxidative polymerization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Then, we successfully colored silk fabrics using these chemicals. We analyzed the polymerization mechanism of polyphenol and polypyrrole complexes in detail using UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS). In addition, we investigated the electrochemical activity, thermal properties and anti-UV activity of the colored silk fabrics. We found that the oxidative polymerization of phenol and Py on silk fibers under mild reaction conditions using HRP produced technically conductive silk fabrics that combine the superior chemical and physical properties of silk fabrics with superior levels of electrochemical activity and thermal stability. Upon analyzing the color depth of the fabrics, we found that silk fabrics treated with Py have a darker color than silk fabrics treated in the absence of Py. Additionally, the fabrics had slightly different levels of color fastness, but all were within the acceptable range. This technique expands the range of applications of natural phenols for textile dyeing and functionalization as well as providing new prospects for the enzymatically environmentally friendly production of natural functional fabric.

Comparison of the Antibody Responses Following Vaccination with AstraZeneca and Sinopharm.

Vaccines are the most effective way to prevent Coronavirus 2 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2). To compare the antibody response of healthy individuals vaccinated with either the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) or the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccine, in those who had no prior infection with SARS-CoV-2. Thirty seven participants were included, of which 17 were administered the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine, while 20 were given the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) vaccine. SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibody and anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) IgG levels were checked 4 weeks after giving the first and the second dose of either vaccine using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. The AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) vaccine exhibited a higher levels of anti-(RBD) IgG compared with the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) in both the first (14.51 μg/ml vs. 1.160 μg/ml) and the second (46.68 μg/ml vs. 11.43 μg/ml) doses. About neutralizing Abs, the titer of the antibody was higher in the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) recipients than in the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) subjects after the first (7.77 μg/ml vs. 1.79 μg/ml, p < 0.0001) and the second dose (10. 36 μg/ml vs. 4.88 μg/ml, p < 0.0001). Recipients vaccinated with two doses of the AstraZeneca (ChAdOx1 nCoV-19) had superior quantitative antibody levels than Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV)-vaccinated subjects. These data suggest that a booster dose may be needed for the Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) recipients, to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Boosting the Enantioselectivity of Conjugate Borylation of α,β-Disubstituted Cyclobutenones with Monooxides of Chiral C2 -Symmetric Bis(phosphine) Ligands.

Chiral bis(phosphine) monooxides (BPMOs) derived from C2 -symmetric bis(phosphines) have been found to induce superior levels of enantioselection in copper-catalyzed conjugate borylation of α,β-disubstituted cyclobutenones. More precisely, enantiomeric excesses as well as chemical yields are exceedingly high with (R,R)-Bozphos as the chiral ligand while these values are low with parent (R,R)-Me-Duphos. A similar yet less pronounced effect was seen in the corresponding 1,6-addition to para-quinone methides.

Mediation Role of Perceived Organizational Support on Nurses’ Work Engagement and Leadership Styles

Background: Nurses’ work engagement is essential both for the quality of the service provided and occupational health. However, there is a lack of adequate information about nurses’ engagement in healthcare organizations that are affected by various factors in the context of Health Psychology.Purpose: This study was aimed at investigating the association between leadership styles of supervisors and work engagement, and elucidating the role of organizational support in this relationship.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 85 nurses from the health organizations in Catalonia, Spain, recruited via a snowball procedure. Leadership styles and Three Outcome Scales (TOS) were evaluated through the Multifactorial Leadership Questionnaire (MLQ) as independent variables. POS as an Organizational Support Test assessed a mediating variable (POS), and work engagement as a dependent variable was evaluated by the Utrecht Job Involvement Scale (UWES).Results: The results displayed differences in work engagement depending on job positions. Besides, the results revealed a positive association between leadership styles and TOS with work engagement, other than laissez-faire. Additionally, POS illustrated a positive association with work engagement (r=0.447, p&lt;0.01). Leadership styles except for laissez-faire and TOS positively affect POS; also, TOS significantly predicted work engagement (β=0.581, t(78)=2.196, p&lt;.05). Furthermore, results confirmed that POS mediates the relationship between leadership styles and TOS with work engagement (z=-3.490; z=3.117; z=3.521; z=3.791, p=0.000).Conclusion: Transformational and transactional leadership are two main styles significantly affecting nurses’ engagement with their work, while laissez-faire decreases nurses’ work engagement; therefore, supervisors and leaders of healthcare organizations should consider it. Consequently, nurses with a high POS show superior engagement levels at work. The research sheds new light on health psychology and the clinical area, particularly in nurses’ work engagement.

Towards a Reliable and Rapid Automated Grading System in Facial Palsy Patients: Facial Palsy Surgery Meets Computer Science.

Background: Reliable, time- and cost-effective, and clinician-friendly diagnostic tools are cornerstones in facial palsy (FP) patient management. Different automated FP grading systems have been developed but revealed persisting downsides such as insufficient accuracy and cost-intensive hardware. We aimed to overcome these barriers and programmed an automated grading system for FP patients utilizing the House and Brackmann scale (HBS). Methods: Image datasets of 86 patients seen at the Department of Plastic, Hand, and Reconstructive Surgery at the University Hospital Regensburg, Germany, between June 2017 and May 2021, were used to train the neural network and evaluate its accuracy. Nine facial poses per patient were analyzed by the algorithm. Results: The algorithm showed an accuracy of 100%. Oversampling did not result in altered outcomes, while the direct form displayed superior accuracy levels when compared to the modular classification form (n = 86; 100% vs. 99%). The Early Fusion technique was linked to improved accuracy outcomes in comparison to the Late Fusion and sequential method (n = 86; 100% vs. 96% vs. 97%). Conclusions: Our automated FP grading system combines high-level accuracy with cost- and time-effectiveness. Our algorithm may accelerate the grading process in FP patients and facilitate the FP surgeon’s workflow.

Evaluating Operator Training Performance Using Recurrence Quantification Analysis of Autocorrelation Transformed Eye Gaze Data.

This research aimed to investigate the relationship between gaze behaviour dynamics and operator performance. Individuals differ in their approach when learning a new task often resulting in performance disparity. During training some individuals learn the structure and dynamics of the task and develop a systematic approach, whereas others may achieve the same result albeit with increased perceived workload, or indeed some may fail to achieve superior performance levels. Previous research has shown that comparing gaze of experts with novices can provide unique insights into cognitive functioning of superior performers. Twenty-five individuals participated in a computer-based simulation task. The concept of coefficient of variation (CoV) of task scores was used to compute the participants' consistency of performance. Based on CoV, the cohort was split into two performance categories. The temporal patterns in participants gaze data were transformed using autocorrelation, and recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) was employed to analyse and quantify the patterns. A Mann-Whitney U analysis demonstrated significantly (p < .01) higher determinism, entropy and laminarity in the superior group compared to the moderate group. Pearson's correlation revealed a significant (p < .01) negative correlation between the consistency of task performance (CoV) and the RQA measures. The results demonstrated that eye gaze dynamics can be used as an objective measure of performance. Participants classified as superior performers consistently demonstrated a systematic gaze activity which were in line with the task structure. The methods presented here are applicable to observe and evaluate operators' strategic distribution of gaze. Specifically, for tactical monitoring and decision making in task environments where spatial locations of elements-of-interest vary continuously.