Use In Conjunction Research Articles

The Leaky-Wave Perspective for Array-Fed Fabry–Perot Cavity and Bull’s-Eye Antennas

Two-dimensional leaky-wave antennas (LWAs) are a class of planar, traveling-wave radiators with attractive features of a low profile, ease of feeding, frequency reconfigurability of the radiation pattern, and polarization agility. Their use in conjunction with array feeders has been the subject of various investigations in recent decades, thanks to the additional degrees of freedom provided by the presence of multiple independent sources. Here, we provide a review of some of the most recent and promising array-fed two-dimensional (2-D) LWAs, selecting a couple of the most significant structures in application, namely Fabry–Perot cavity antennas and bull’s-eye antennas, and discussing some of their recently proposed advanced features.

A new 3D full-Stokes calving algorithm within Elmer/Ice (v9.0)

Abstract. A new calving algorithm is developed in the glacier model Elmer/Ice that allows unrestricted calving and terminus advance in 3D. The algorithm uses the meshing software Mmg to implement anisotropic remeshing and allow mesh adaptation at each time step. The development of the algorithm, along with the implementation of the crevasse depth law, produces a new full-Stokes calving model capable of simulating calving and terminus advance across an array of complex geometries. Using a synthetic tidewater glacier geometry, the model is tested to highlight the numerical model parameters that can alter calving when using the crevasse depth law. For a system with no clear attractor at a pinning point, the model time step and mesh resolution are shown to alter the simulated calving. In particular, the vertical mesh resolution has a large impact, increasing calving, as the frontal bending stresses are better resolved. However, when the system has a strong attractor, provided by basal pinning points, numerical model parameters have a limited effect on the terminus evolution. Conversely, transient systems with no clear attractors are highly influenced by the choice of numerical model parameters. The new algorithm is capable of implementing unlimited terminus advance and retreat, as well as unrestricted calving geometries, applying any vertically varying melt distribution to the front for use in conjunction with any calving law or potentially advecting variables downstream. In overcoming previous technical hurdles, the algorithm opens up the opportunity to improve both our understanding of the physical processes and our ability to predict calving.

What’s inside matters: an assessment of the family planning content of digital self-care platforms

BackgroundDigital technology has proliferated rapidly in low- and middle-income countries in recent decades. This trend will likely persist as costs decrease, dramatically expanding access to reproductive health and family planning (FP) information. As many digital tools aim to support informed choice among individuals with unmet contraceptive need, it is essential that high-quality information is provided. We set out to assess the accuracy and comprehensiveness of FP content in select user-facing digital self-care platforms.MethodsWe identified 29 digital tools in circulation between 2018–2021 and selected 11 that met our eligibility criteria for analysis. Referencing global guidance documents such as the Family Planning Handbook, Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use, and the Digital Health for Social and Behavior Change High Impact Practice Brief, we developed an original rubric outlining 12 key content areas necessary to support informed, person-centered counseling. We applied this to each tool, enabling assignment of a numerical score that represents content accuracy and comprehensiveness across the 12 key areas.ResultsFP content of digital tools varied greatly in accuracy and comprehensiveness. Of the 12 identified key content areas, 5 were included in all 11 tools, while 6 were addressed inconsistently or not at all. Four content areas were the most accurate and comprehensive: complete list of modern methods, duration of protection, dual method use, and return to fertility. The lowest scoring content areas were side effect management, non-contraceptive benefits, effectiveness, side effects, and instructions for use. ConclusionsComplete, accurate, and evidence-based FP content is a foundational element of quality digital self-care. Inaccuracies and omissions can impact individual user experiences and decision-making in critical ways. FP content quality should be verified before digital tools are scaled or researched at the programmatic level. From this exercise, we developed a checklist for use in conjunction with global guidance documents to improve future FP content of user-facing digital tools.

Fenofibrate’s impact on cardiovascular risk in patients with diabetes: a nationwide propensity-score matched cohort study

BackgroundThe beneficial effects of fenofibrate on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) outcomes in patients with diabetes and statin treatment are unclear. We investigated the effects of fenofibrate on all-cause mortality and ASCVD in patients with diabetes, high triglyceride (TG) levels and statin treatment.MethodsWe performed a nationwide propensity-score matched (1:1) cohort study using data from the National Health Information Database in the Republic of Korea from 2010 to 2017. The study included 110,723 individuals with diabetes, TG levels ≥ 150 mg/dL, and no prior diagnoses of ASCVD who used statins and fenofibrate, and an equal matched number of similar patients who used statins alone (control group). The study outcomes included newly diagnosed myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, both (MI and/or stroke), and all-cause mortality.ResultsOver a mean 4.03-year follow-up period, the hazard ratios (HR) for outcomes in the fenofibrate group in comparison to the control group were 0.878 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.827–0.933] for MI, 0.901 (95% CI 0.848–0.957) for stroke, 0.897 (95% CI 0.858–0.937) for MI and/or stroke, and 0.716 (95% CI 0.685–0.749) for all-cause death. These beneficial effects of fenofibrate were consistent in the subgroup with TG 150–199 mg/dL but differed according to low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.ConclusionIn this nationwide propensity-score matched cohort study involving individuals with diabetes and TG ≥ 150 mg/dL, the risk of all-cause death and ASCVD was significantly lower with fenofibrate use in conjunction with statin treatment compared to statin treatment alone. However, this finding was significant only in individuals with relatively high LDL-C levels.Graphical

Moms in motion: Predicting healthcare utilization patterns among mothers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Mothers have a significant influence on family dynamics, child development, and access to family services. There is a lack of literature on the typical Canadian maternal experience and its influence on access to services for mothers despite recognizing the importance of mothers. A cross-sectional study was conducted to address this research gap that employed Andersen's Behavioral Model of Health Service Use in conjunction with a feminist lens. A total of 1,082 mothers who resided in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) participated in a province-wide survey in 2017 and reported on their wellbeing, family life, and healthcare utilization. Stepwise binomial logistic regressions and linear regressions were used to predict initiation and continued service utilization within the preceding 12 months, respectively. Mothers who participated in this survey were older, and were more likely to be in a relationship than those in the Canadian census, while no difference was observed in annual income. Approximately half of mothers accessed services for themselves over the previous 12-months, with the overwhelming majority accessing services for their children. Medical services were the most likely to be utilized, and mental health and behavioural services were the most likely services to be needed, but not available. Sociodemographic (e.g., age, education attainment), familial relationships and role satisfaction, health need, and health practices predicted maternal initiation and continued use of services, with a larger number of variables influencing maternal service initiation as compared to continuous use of services. Sociodemographic (e.g., maternal age, community population), maternal social support, health need, and maternal health practices predicted maternal access of at least one child service while family relationships, health need, and maternal health practices predicted maternal use of a range of child services conditional on initial access. These results can support the provincial health system to better support access to care by acknowledging the interdependent nature of maternal and child health care utilization. They also highlight the importance of equitable healthcare access in rural locations. Results are discussed in terms of their clinical relevance to health policy.

Lessons from the Use of Explicit Conjunction in the Article Indexed Sinta-2: Lessons for New Authors

Lessons from the Use of Explicit Conjunction in the Article Indexed Sinta-2: Lessons for New Authors

Syntactic and Rhetorical Analysis of Joe Biden’s Inaugural Speech at Washington D.C.

Inaugural speech is the first chance for a president to engage the public in new strategies for success. Every inaugural speech is an example of the aims and objectives of the future. As president of America, Joe Biden has faced many challenges, including foreign affairs, a poor economy due to COVID-19, and, most importantly, American unity. The focus of the present investigation is to lead a stylistic examination from the viewpoint of syntax and rhetoric on Joe Biden's inaugural speech in Washington,D.C., on January 21, 2021. The researchers discovered that the speech is full of rhetorical and syntactic devices. The analysis revealed that the speech emphasized on unity and solidarity to preserve and promote American Identity through the excessive use of First-person pronouns and planned use of similes, repetitions, modality and conjunction. In this way, Biden made his speech productive and readily revealed his plans and motives to his audience.

Engaging stakeholders to address a complex water resource management issue in the Western Cape, South Africa

Engaging water users when developing water management plans is increasingly being embraced by a wide range of scientists in the water sector as imperative for dealing with present-day water resources challenges. However, the complexity presented by unique catchment situations makes it difficult to prescribe a ‘one size fits all’ solution to localised water resource challenges. South Africa is well-known for its population heterogeneity, which spreads into catchments, layering complexity in terms of water user types, needs and interests. This research presents a novel conjunctive use of classical and newly developed tools within a stakeholder engagement framework. This application of a suite of tools responds to the complex conflict of water user needs and interests in the Koue Bokkeveld catchment in the Western Cape Province of South Africa. We implement the Adaptive Planning Process, and the Actors, Resources, Dynamics, and Interactions approaches to unite conflicting stakeholders and develop a shared vision as the foundation for co-developing and negotiating a shared water management plan. We present the outcomes of a series of participatory workshops in which stakeholders developed a shared catchment vision. Stakeholders united around the vision and actively engaged in participatory Agent-based Model co-development with the research team. Increased attendance and active participation in the latter workshops demonstrate a positive progression in the engagement process. Outcomes of the stakeholder feedback evaluation validate increased participant satisfaction with the process. We then reflect on the practicalities of stakeholder engagement based on our experience. Learnings from this conjunctive application of approaches suggest that providing a conducive engagement platform, facilitation, and appropriate tools can enable conflicting water users to develop shared solutions collaboratively.

Conjunction as a cohesive device in the disturbed discourse of people with aphasia

Aphasia is a speech disorder that signifi cantly affects the social functioning of people who have suffered a stroke. Although there is an increase in linguistic research on discourse, there is also an observable shortage of studies concerning cohesion and coherence in mixed aphasia in the Polish context. One of the determinants of cohesion is the conjunction, which was analysed in the utterances in the presented research. Among other things, a more frequent use of conjunctions was observed in the control group, and, by contrast, conjunctions were the rarest in those with mixed aphasia with a motor component. The study showed that patients with mixed aphasia with a sensory component used more conjunctions indicating purpose and cause-and-effect reltionship, which may indicate attempts to form subordinate sentences and a desire to continue speaking. Research indicates the need to enrich therapeutic activities in exercises that develop the skill of using conjuncƟ ons properly in utt erances.

Revisiting cohesion in academic writing: A corpus-based analysis of EFL learners’ use of conjunctions

Revisiting cohesion in academic writing: A corpus-based analysis of EFL learners’ use of conjunctions

A Chelex-100-based rapid DNA extraction method and its application in the detection of shrimp pathogens

BackgroundThe Pacific white shrimp is one of the world’s most economically significant aquatic species, being one of the top three species cultured globally. However, the increasing incidence of diseases such as acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease and hepatopancreatic microsporidia has led to a serious decline in shrimp production and severe economic losses. With the increasing demand for pathogen detection in shrimp farms, rapid DNA extraction technology has become more sophisticated. In this study, a rapid and crude method of extracting genomic DNA from shrimp muscle and hepatopancreas using Chelex-100 was established. ResultsDNA was successfully extracted from muscle and hepatopancreatic tissues using both the Chelex-100 method and commercial kits. The internal reference genes of shrimp were successfully amplified via PCR and real-time PCR using the obtained DNA samples. Moreover, a field assay was successfully conducted using real-time PCR and real-time enzymatic recombinase amplification (real-time ERA), indicating that the quality of the DNA extracted using Chelex-100 is sufficient for use in conjunction with nucleic acid amplification to detect pathogens in shrimps. ConclusionsChelex-100 is an efficient method for extracting DNA from shrimp muscle or hepatopancreas tissues, with a short extraction time, high extraction efficiency, and simple operation, making it appropriate for use in the detection of pathogens in shrimp.How to cite: Yang H, Zhou Q, Hu J, et al. A Chelex-100-based rapid DNA extraction method and its application in the detection of shrimp pathogens. Electron J Biotechnol 2024;70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejbt.2024.04.004.

Review: Application of hydrogeological models coupled with agent-based models to address sustainable groundwater management in Latin America

Agent-based models (ABMs) have long been applied in economics and social science research. The combination or coupling of these models with those of natural systems is a more recent application, and their use in conjunction with groundwater flow and transport models can be considered an innovative way to take advantage of their potential. In the Latin American region, sustainable management of groundwater resources can still be considered understudied. Among other characteristics, the existence of large transboundary aquifers in the region adds a further complication for addressing the sustainability of groundwater resource use. In this type of system, the impacts of joint regulations for utilization by different countries, the diversity of socioeconomic drivers and the conservation interests of each group of users might be consistently represented and explored through flow models coupled with ABMs. This review of the scientific literature aims to compile up-to-date information regarding the application of hydrogeological models coupled with agent-based models, focusing on their contributions to the sustainable management of groundwater resources and analyzing their potential for the Latin American region.

Explicitation of Conjunctions in Two English Translations of Luoyang Jialan Ji

The translation of Chinese classics is vital to promoting Chinese culture, gaining increasing attention from the academic community in recent years. This study selected Luoyang Jialan Ji, a representative of Chinese classics, as the research data. The study examines conjunctions in different texts by constructing comparable and parallel corpora of the source text and two English translations. The findings indicate that the frequency of conjunctions in the two English versions is higher than that in the Chinese version, which proves a tendency of explicitation in the translation process from Chinese to English. Notably, there are some differences between the two English versions in the use of conjunctions, especially conditional and causal conjunctions, which reveals the different styles of translators. Furthermore, the paper summarizes translation methods of conjunctions, offering insights into the translation practice of Chinese classics.

Resmetirom: First Approval.

Resmetirom (Rezdiffra™) is an oral thyroid hormone receptor-β (THR-β) agonist being developed by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Inc., to target the key underlying causes of metabolic dysfunction associated steatohepatitis (MASH) [previously known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH)]. In March 2024, resmetirom was approved for use (under accelerated approval) in conjunction with diet and exercise for the treatment of adults with noncirrhotic NASH with moderate to advanced liver fibrosis (consistent with stages F2 to F3 fibrosis) in the USA. Resmetirom is also under regulatory review in the EU for the treatment of MASH/NASH. This article summarizes the milestones in the development of resmetirom leading to this first approval for the treatment of adults with MASH/NASH.

Alternate use of fresh and saline waters to improve water productivity and soil sustainability of drip irrigated wheat in a semi-arid region

Severe problems of rising groundwater and secondary soil salinization demand holistic agricultural water management in canal command areas. Drip irrigation with alternate use of fresh and saline waters is an excellent irrigation approach to mitigate salinity stress caused by highly saline ground water and also to avoid soil sodicity hazards from canal water. Therefore, a study on cyclic mode conjunctive use of good quality surface water (SW) and highly saline ground water (GW) having average electric conductivity 0.3 and 7.6 dS m−1, respectively was carried out in wheat with five treatments of drip viz. 1SW1GW (1:1 :: SW:GW), 1SW2GW (1:2 :: SW:GW), 2SW1GW (2:1 :: SW:GW), SW (all SW), GW (all GW), and one treatment of conventional border ­irrigation method (BI). Highest grain yield was observed in SW (2.99 t ha−1) in 2017–2018 and BI (3.83 t ha−1) in 2018–2019 season. However, yield of SW and BI were statistically at par in both seasons. Grain yield of 1SW1GW, in which only 50% freshwater was used was found statistically at par with SW and BI. Physical Water Productivity was highest for SW, amounting 9.34 and 14.13 kg ha−1.mm−1 during 2017–2018 and 2018–2019, respectively. Soil salinity build up was highest for GW and lowest for SW, whereas it was almost similar for BI and 1SW1GW. Thus, 1SW1GW showed added benefits as its grain yield was statistically at par with SW and BI along with 50% fresh water saving over SW and higher water productivity than BI for similar salinity levels.

Impingement of NPK and Rhizobium on Physico-chemical Properties of Soil under Cluster Bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.)

The study pertaining to the present topic under field investigation entitled “effect of different levels of NPK and Rhizobium on Physico-chemical properties of soil, growth and yield attributes of cluster bean” beginning from kharif seasons of the years 2023 at Research Farm, Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry. The excavated soil sample from experimental site before conducting research operation, mentioned that, the land topography range was nearly levelled with 1-3% slope, soil is of sandy loam texture with neutral to alkaline in reaction (7.140), electrical conductivity was non-saline (0.346 dS m-1) in nature, low organic carbon content (0.38%), low to medium available N (261.39 kg ha-1), available P (14.60 kg ha- 1) and available K (193.99 kg ha-1). Among nine treatments, during field experimentation, the conjunctive use of NPK and different Rhizobium levels, together come with best results significantly. However, the physical and chemical soil parameters, cumulative mean value for Bulk density (1.42 Mg m-3 and 1.45 Mg m-3),Particle density (2.64 Mg m-3 and 2.66 Mg m-3) and Soil pH (7.140 and 7.370) was found optimum in T1 (Absolute control) at 0-15 cm depth and 15-30 cm depth, respectively. Percentage porespace (45.17% and 43.17%), Water holding capacity (42.32% and 39.70%), Electrical conductivity (0.323 dS m-1 and 0.300 dS m-1), Percentage organic carbon (0.49% and 0.46%), Available N (284.41 kg ha-1 and 281.48 kg ha- 1 ), Available P (22.54 kg ha-1 and 21.29 kg ha-1 ), Available K (210.52 kg ha-1 and 203.98 kg ha-1 ) were found optimum in T9 consisting of (@ 100% NPK + @ 100% Rhizobium) in comparison to other NPK and Rhizobium levels application.

Conjunctive surface water and groundwater management in a multiple user environment

The conjunctive use of surface water and groundwater is practiced worldwide as a measure to address water supply uncertainty. This paper focuses on a scenario in which an aquifer is open to multiple users and examines the impact of such an open-access environment on the stabilization function of conjunctive management. We construct a non-cooperative stochastic dynamic game model where multiple users utilize groundwater intake from a common aquifer as a complement to fluctuating surface water. We also propose a simpler baseline applicable to dynamic environments to compute the benefits of the stabilization function when users are unable to adjust groundwater intake to surface water uncertainties. We then apply the model to the real-world case of the water supply environment of the Cao’e River in China. Simulation results show that open access leads to diminishing stabilization values as higher pumping costs due to declining stocks lead to a weakening of users’ incentive to utilize groundwater flexibly. Furthermore, the stabilization function itself is destabilized as the number of users increases. This is because greater groundwater intake and a decline in stocks amplify variations in pumping costs caused by different patterns of surface-water fluctuation.

Effectiveness of Resistance Band Use in Conjunction With Tai Chi Among Older Adults With Prefrailty to Improve Functional Fitness, Quality of Life, and Heart Rate Variability.

The current randomized controlled trial aimed to bolster the physical fitness of prefrail older adults, potentially delaying their need for admission to care facilities and enhancing their overall well-being. The experimental group received a physical fitness intervention comprising resistance band use and tai chi three times per week for 12 weeks, whereas the control group received frailty-related health education. Thirty-four male participants completed the study. A total of seven items had statistically significant differences at 12- and 16-week posttest, respectively: frailty index (p = 0.03; p = 0.03); Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (p < 0.001; p < 0.001); and physical fitness, back (p < 0.001; p < 0.001); physical fitness, arm curl (p = 0.02; p < 0.001); physical activity (p < 0.001; p = 0.009); quality of life, physiological (p = 0.04; p < 0.001); and heart rate variability (p < 0.001; p < 0.001). Results revealed substantial improvements in physical fitness, frailty conditions, self-care abilities, and quality of life, but not balance or lower limb flexibility, for the experimental group. Therefore, exercise interventions may effectively improve prefrail older adults' quality of life. [Journal of Gerontological Nursing, 50(5), 19-26.].

Conjunctive use of floodwater harvesting for managed aquifer recharge and irrigation on a date farm in Morocco

AbstractIn arid regions, harvesting floodwater can mitigate irrigation‐induced groundwater depletion by providing additional surface water and recharging aquifers. We designed an experimental protocol to quantify these fluxes on a date farm located along the Wadi Satt, whose flow originates from the Anti‐Atlas Mountains in south‐eastern Morocco. Automatic barometric sensors were used to monitor the water level in a 6500 m3 floodwater harvesting pond and in surrounding boreholes. Six flood events occurred from 2021 to 2023. The pond water balance indicated that most stored water is pumped for irrigation (56% of harvested floodwater). More than 40% infiltrates at a rate of approximately 90 mm day−1, and the remainder evaporated. Analytical modelling of the pond water table system showed that the radius of the piezometric mound resulting from pond infiltration is less than 360 m. Groundwater recharge from the irrigated plot could be observed after two close floods that enabled continuous pumping for several weeks, suggesting that in this specific context, over‐irrigation using surface water allows the aquifer to be recharged. The hydrological effects of possible future expansion of these ponds at the watershed scale should be analysed to assess possible negative impacts on downstream water resources.

Groundwater Sustainability and Land Subsidence in California’s Central Valley

The Central Valley of California is one of the most prolific agricultural regions in the world. Agriculture is reliant on the conjunctive use of surface-water and groundwater. The lack of available surface-water and land-use changes have led to pumping-induced groundwater-level and storage declines, land subsidence, changes to streamflow and the environment, and the degradation of water quality. As a result, in part, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) was developed. An examination of the components of SGMA and contextualizing regional model applications within the SGMA framework was undertaken to better understand and quantify many of the components of SGMA. Specifically, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) updated the Central Valley Hydrologic Model (CVHM) to assess hydrologic system responses to climatic variation, surface-water availability, land-use changes, and groundwater pumping. MODFLOW-OWHM has been enhanced to simulate the timing of land subsidence and attribute its inelastic and elastic portions. In addition to extending CVHM through 2019, the new version, CVHM2, includes several enhancements as follows: managed aquifer recharge (MAR), pumping with multi-aquifer wells, inflows from ungauged watersheds, and more detailed water-balance subregions, streamflow network, diversions, tile drains, land use, aquifer properties, and groundwater level and land subsidence observations. Combined with historical approximations, CVHM2 estimates approximately 158 km3 of storage loss in the Central Valley from pre-development to 2019. About 15% of the total storage loss is permanent loss of storage from subsidence that has caused damage to infrastructure. Climate extremes will likely complicate the efforts of water managers to store more water in the ground. CVHM2 can provide data in the form of aggregated input datasets, simulate climatic variations and changes, land-use changes or water management scenarios, and resulting changes in groundwater levels, storage, and land subsidence to assist decision-makers in the conjunctive management of water supplies.