Development and application of a nitrogen oxides analyzer based on the cavity attenuated phase shift technique.

Nitrogen oxides (NOx) are crucial in tropospheric photochemical ozone (O3) production and oxidation capacity. Currently, the widely used NOx measurement technique is chemiluminescence (CL) (CL-NOx), which tends to overestimate NO2 due to atmospheric oxidation products of NOx (i.e., NOz). We developed and characterized a NOx measurement system using the cavity attenuated phase shift (CAPS) technique (CAPS-NOx), which is free from interferences with nitrogen-containing species. The NOx measured by the CAPS-NOx and CL-NOx analyzers were compared. Results show that both analyzers showed consistent measurement results for NO, but the NO2 measured by the CAPS-NOx analyzer (NO2_CAPS) was mostly lower than that measured by the CL-NOx analyzer (NO2_CL), which led to the deviations in O3 formation sensitivity regime and Ox (= O3 + NO2) sources (i.e., regional background and photochemically produced Ox) determined by the ozone production efficiencies (OPE) calculated from NO2_CL and NO2_CAPS. Overall, OPE_CL exceeded OPE_CAPS by 18.9%, which shifted 3 out of 13 observation days from the VOCs-limited to the transition regime when judging using OPE_CL, as compared to calculations using OPE_CAPS. During the observation period, days dominated by regional background Ox accounted for 46% and 62% when determined using NO2_CL and NO2_CAPS, respectively. These findings suggest that the use of the CL-NOx analyzer tends to underestimate both the VOCs-limited regime and the regional background Ox dominated days. The newly built CAPS-NOx analyzer here can promote the accurate measurement of NO2, which is meaningful for diagnosing O3 formation regimes and Ox sources.

La aplicación del saber médico. Hipertensión y daño cognitivo

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Introduction: High blood pressure (HBP) is the leading cause of death from cardiovascular disease. Despite the advances, the percentage of undiagnosed and untreated hypertensive patients is 58.4%. The evaluation of cognitive damage in HBP focuses on preventing stroke, while functional damage is ignored. This inadequate management may be multifactorial. The objective was to analyze the opinions that doctors have about the relationship between high blood pressure and cognitive damage. Methodology: Observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study developed in the period between August 2020 and August 2023. Analysis of data obtained from a self-administered, anonymous and voluntary questionnaire. Revealing information on the professional profile, knowledge of HBP, its link with cognitive impairment (CD), diagnosis and treatment. Results: 222 professionals were included, 215 (96.8%) agree with the existence of a link between HBP and other cardiovascular risk factors in CD, and 218 (98.1%) acknowledge assisting patients at risk of suffering from CD. The CD evaluation is carried out in selected cases by 132 (59.4%) participants and 59 (26.7%) always do it. Of those who perform evaluation, 103 (54%) use the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), 10 (5.2%) use the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and 9 (4.7%) use the Clock Drawing Test. Regarding the decrease in blood pressure in elderly patients and the link with risk of CD: 54 (24.3%) do not recognize risk and 65 (29.2%) recognize a moderate-high risk. In reference to the implication of the treatment of cardiovascular disease and CD: 217 (97.7%) recognized a beneficial effect. Discussion: Given the recognition of the link between HBP and CD, it would be expected that CD would be investigated in the vast majority, however only 26.7% always evaluate it. There is no consensus on the method, the MMSE being the most used, with a low application of the MoCA test and/or Clock Drawing Test, the latter being the ones that evaluate executive function, mostly altered in CD linked to HBP. Although the treatment of cardiovascular disease is recognized as beneficial with respect to CD, the control of HBP in older adults is considered risky. A diagnosis is made of a situation where a disparity is evident between what one recognizes as knowing and what one claims to do. Conclusions: The role of vascular disease in functional brain damage is recognized, considering it necessary to know the cognitive status of patients, however there is a low application of screening tests that evaluate executive function. In this context, a gap between medical knowledge and practice is shown.

Introdução: A hipertensão arterial (HA) é a principal causa de morte por doenças cardiovasculares. Apesar dos avanços, o percentual de hipertensos não diagnosticados e não tratados é de 58,4%. A avaliação do dano cognitivo na hipertensão concentra-se na prevenção do acidente vascular cerebral, enquanto o dano funcional é ignorado. Esse manejo inadequado pode ser multifatorial. É objetivo fue analisar a opinião dos médicos sobre a relação entre hipertensão arterial e danos cognitivos. Metodologia: Estudo observacional, descritivo, transversal desenvolvido no período entre agosto de 2020 e agosto de 2023. Análise de dados obtidos a partir de questionário autoaplicável, anônimo e voluntário. Revelar informações sobre o perfil profissional, conhecimento sobre a HA, sua ligação com o comprometimento cognitivo (DC), diagnóstico e tratamento. Resultados: Foram incluídos 222 profissionais, 215 (96,8%) concordam com a existência de ligação entre hipertensão e outros fatores de risco cardiovascular na DC e 218 (98,1%) reconhecem ajudar pacientes com risco de sofrer de D.C. A avaliação da DC é realizada em casos selecionados por 132 (59,4%) participantes e 59 (26,7%) a fazem sempre. Dos que realizam avaliação, 103 (54%) utilizam o Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), 10 (5,2%) utilizam a Avaliação Cognitiva de Montreal (MoCA) e 9 (4,7%) utilizam o Clock Drawing Test. Em relação à diminuição da pressão arterial em pacientes idosos e a ligação com o risco de DC: 54 (24,3%) não reconhecem risco e 65 (29,2%) reconhecem risco moderado-alto. Em referência à implicação do tratamento de doenças cardiovasculares e DC: 217 (97,7%) reconheceram o efeito benéfico. Discussão: Dado o reconhecimento da ligação entre hipertensão e DC, seria de esperar que a DC fosse investigada na grande maioria, no entanto apenas 26,7% sempre a avaliam. Não há consenso sobre o método, sendo o MEEM o mais utilizado, com baixa aplicação do teste MoCA e/ou Clock Drawing Test, sendo estes últimos os que avaliam a função executiva, majoritariamente alterada nos DC vinculados à HA. Embora o tratamento das doenças cardiovasculares seja reconhecido como benéfico em relação à DC, o controle da HA em idosos é considerado arriscado. É feito um diagnóstico de uma situação em que é evidente uma disparidade entre o que se reconhece como saber e o que se afirma fazer. Conclusões: O papel da doença vascular no dano cerebral funcional é reconhecido, considerando-se necessário conhecer o estado cognitivo dos pacientes, porém há baixa aplicação de testes de triagem que avaliam a função executiva. Nesse contexto, evidencia-se uma lacuna entre o conhecimento e a prática médica.

Design and Implementation of a Desorption Electro-flow Focusing Sprayer on an Orbitrap Mass Spectrometer for DESI Mass Spectrometry Imaging at High Spatial Resolution and at High Speed.

Since desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) was first presented in 2004, the fundamental design of the sprayer has undergone relatively minor modifications. This changed in 2022 when Takats and co-workers implemented the desorption electro-flow focusing (DEFFI) sprayer design by modifying the sprayer from a commercial DESI system, leading to significantly improved spatial resolution and robustness compared with the traditional DESI-MSI sprayer design. Here, we present the design of a new DEFFI sprayer that can be built from standard fittings and connectors in combination with an aluminum spray head that can be machined in most mechanic workshops. The new design represents a cost-efficient approach to improved DESI-MSI on mass spectrometers from all vendors, including high-resolution instruments such as Orbitraps and FT-ICR. The new DEFFI sprayer is demonstrated on a QExactive Orbitrap mass spectrometer, resulting in a massively improved ion yield compared with the classic DESI sprayer. The improved ion yield enables DESI-MSI at ion injection times down to 5 ms, allowing for DESI-MSI at a potentially very high speed. More importantly, the DEFFI sprayer delivers a more robust and focused spray, which is easier to use and requires less optimization. It provides high spatial resolution with limited effort compared with previous modifications of the traditional DESI design. Imaging of rat testis was performed at pixel sizes down to 12 µm, suggesting a spatial resolution of approximately 30 µm, which may have potential for further improvement.

The effect of animal-assisted intervention on fear in children in the emergency department: A randomized controlled trial.

AIM: This study aimed to determine the effect of animal-assisted intervention on the fears of hospitalized children in the emergency department (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The randomized controlled trial was conducted between April and June 2023 in the Central Black Sea Region of Turkiye. The study included 70 children aged 5 to 7 years old (the study group was 35, and the control group was 35). The study and control groups were randomly assigned to strata using simple randomization. While goldfish were used for animal-assisted intervention in the study group, routine care was continued in the control group. The "Child Fear Scale" and "The Scale of Children's Fear of Nursing Interventions and Instruments Used in Hospital" were used as data collection tools. RESULTS: The mean score of the fear scale in the post-test scores of the study group children was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.001). After the animal-assisted intervention, the mean fear scores of the children in the care study group toward nursing interventions and the materials used decreased significantly (p < 0.001). Furthermore, when the two groups were compared, the difference between the post-test scores was not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Animal-assisted intervention was determined to be effective in decreasing the fear levels of the children in the study group. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: During hospitalization in the emergency department, methods appropriate to the child's developmental level and animal-assisted interventions were found to be effective in reducing children's fear levels.

Cultural adaptation and psychometric analysis of Communication Activities of Daily Living third edition in Spanish and Catalan for people with aphasia.

BACKGROUND: In the Spanish and Catalan context, there is currently a lack of standardized, linguistically adapted tools to assess people with communication disorders. This lack is especially evident when it comes to instruments designed to assess functional communication. AIMS: The main objective of this study is to adapt the instrument entitled Communication Activities of Daily Living 3rd edition (CADL-3) into European Spanish (CADL-3VE) and Catalan (CADL-3VC), thus providing a new tool to assess the functional communication of patients with aphasia in the Spanish and Catalan populations. METHODS & PROCEDURES: A total of 152 people, all residents of Catalonia, took part in the study. The CADL-3VE test was administered to 125 Spanish-speaking participants, who were divided into two groups, one consisting of patients with aphasia and the other a control group. The CADL-3VC test was administered to 27 Catalan-speaking patients with aphasia. Other tests and assessment scales were used for the external validation of the test. OUTCOMES & RESULTS: Reliability scores were recorded for both new versions of the test. There was a very strong correlation between the CADL-3VE test and external criteria. The scores for both of the new versions showed significant differences in terms of performance between the aphasia and control groups. Both versions displayed similarities with the original test with respect to most of the psychometric analyses carried out. CONCLUSION & IMPLICATIONS: The test makes it possible to assess everyday communicative functioning and participation in real-world contexts. As such, it helps inform the creation of personalized, interdisciplinary treatment plans aimed at functional objectives that consider the patient's context. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: What is already known on the subject In order to effectively assess aphasia based on a bio-psycho-social perspective, it is necessary to examine functional communication. In other words, there is a need to explore the kinds of communication difficulties that people face in their everyday lives. Communication Activities of Daily Living (CADL-3) is an English-language test that was developed to assess functional communication by simulating certain everyday activities. What this study adds This paper offers an analysis of the items, reliability and validity of the Spanish and Catalan versions of the CADL-3 test. What are the clinical implications of this work? This new instrument has the potential to play an essential role in assessing the everyday functional communication of people with aphasia in Spain.

Designing and psychometric evaluation of safe nursing care instrument in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Providing safe care in a sensitive and high-risk unit such as the ICU is one of the most crucial tasks for nurses. One way to establish the criteria for safe care is by creating a instrument to assess it. Therefore, this study was conducted with the aim of designing and psychometrically evaluating an instrument for safe nursing care in the ICU. METHODS: The current study employed a sequential-exploratory mixed-method approach with two qualitative and quantitative phases. Based on the results of qualitative phase and the literature review, the primary instrument was designed. In the quantitative phase, the designed instrument underwent psychometric evaluation. Face, content and construct validity were assessed. Face validity was assessed by 20 nurses, and content validity was assessed by 26 experts. In the construct validity stage, the sample size for the exploratory factor analysis (EFA) included 300 nurses, and for the confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) included 200 nurses who work full-time in the ICUs of hospitals affiliated with Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences in western Iran. EFA sampling was conducted in three hospitals, encompassing six ICUs, while CFA sampling was carried out in two hospitals, covering four ICUs. Sampling was done using the convenience method. The reliability of the instrument was also assessed. Finally, the interpretability, feasibility, weighting, and scoring of the instrument were evaluated. RESULTS: The qualitative phase identified three themes, including professional behavior (with categories: Implementation of policies, organizing communication, professional ethics), holistic care (with categories: systematic care, comprehensive care of all systems), and safety-oriented organization (with categories: human resource management and safe environment). The primary instrument was designed with 107 items rated on a five-point Likert scale. In the quantitative phase, the psychometrics of the instrument were conducted. First, the face and content validity were assessed, and the average scale content validity index (S-CVI) was 0.94. Then, a preliminary test was conducted to assess the initial reliability (α = 0.92) and the correlation of each item with the total score. After completing these steps, the number of items in the instrument was reduced to 52. The results of the EFA explained 58% of the total variance, with 4 factors identified: professional behavior by following guidelines, comprehensive care, accurate documentation, and pressure ulcer care. At the CFA stage, the results of the calculation of indices and goodness of fit showed that the model had a good fit. The reliability of the relative stability by examining the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for the whole instrument in 20 samples was 0.92 with a confidence interval of 0.97 - 0.81. To measure absolute stability and determine the responsiveness of the instrument, the standard error of measurement (SEM) was 4.39 and the minimum detectable change (MDC) was 12.13. CONCLUSION: The instrument for safe nursing care in the ICU has favorable psychometric properties.

Surface Coating of Nickel-Titanium (Ni-Ti) Pediatric Rotary File Using Graphene Oxide: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of endodontic files relies significantly on the characteristics of the outermost layer, which can be greatly improved through suitable surface treatments and appropriate coatings. Graphene-based materials (GBMs) have been utilized to fabricate nanocomposite coatings aimed at improving surface characteristics and mechanical behavior, including resilience, sustainability, oxidation resistance, solidity, and traction. AIM: This research aims to study the surface topography of a nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) pediatric rotary file coated with graphene oxide (GO) using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). METHODS: The study utilized Ni-Ti pediatric rotary instruments that were 16 mm long and had the same ISO tip size of #25. The Ni-Ti pediatric rotary files had a titanium oxide coating that needed to be removed for the application of the GO coating. The GO coating was applied to the files using an electrophoretic deposition (EPD) procedure. Data were gathered to evaluate the surface topography and structural profiles of the GO-coated endodontic files through SEM analysis. RESULTS: SEM imaging showed that the GO coatings consisted of numerous layers of GO sheets, which were uniformly and thoroughly applied to the endodontic instrument. A substantial portion of the GO layers aligned with neighboring layers along the edges, creating a continuous structure. CONCLUSION: GO coatings were effectively applied to Ni-Ti endodontic instruments using EPD. The deposition of the GO coating is consistent throughout the surface of the Ni-Ti rotary instrument.

Shared decision-making in long-term care: A systematic review of assessment instruments.

This systematic review explored the instruments used to measure Shared Decision Making (SDM) within long-term care (LTC) settings. Relevant publications from the period between January 2000 and October 2022 were searched across five databases. Thirty-six SDM assessment instruments were identified, which encompassed those measuring SDM for LTC recipients/family caregivers and/or healthcare providers. These instruments were either specifically tailored for LTC settings or more broadly applicable across healthcare contexts, including LTC. In terms of psychometric properties of the instruments, internal consistency reliability, content validity, structural validity, and hypothesis testing were commonly tested. The findings of this research can aid health researchers, managers, and scholars in choosing suitable instruments for assessing SDM in specific LTC scenarios, considering factors such as measurement scope, assessment methods, and instrument reliability. Additionally, these findings offer valuable insights for the future development of high-quality SDM assessment instruments in LTC field.

A systematic literature review of the measurement of patient-reported fatigue in studies of disease modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: Fatigue is the most commonly experienced symptom among people with multiple sclerosis (MS) and has the greatest impact in reducing quality of life. It is important to measure change in MS-related fatigue (MS-fatigue) in response to treatment, particularly the more recent disease modifying therapies (DMTs). To date there has been no systematic literature review of the patient reported outcome (PRO) tools used to measure MS- fatigue specifically in the context of DMTs. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase and Clinicaltrials.gov were searched from 01 January 2000 to 13 April 2021 to identify published studies of the treatment of MS with DMTs. Studies where MS-fatigue was measured as an outcome using a PRO tool were included in the review. Further literature searches were undertaken to provide information about the development and validation of each PRO tool. RESULTS: 739 abstracts and 96 clinical trials were manually screened resulting in 68 articles for full text screening. 48 studies were identified for the review; 10 of these were RCTs that considered MS-fatigue as a secondary outcome (4 were Phase 3 trials). The PRO instruments used in the 10 RCTs were the Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive Functions, Fatigue Impact Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Fatigue Severity Scale, and Fatigue Symptoms and Impacts Questionnaire - Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis. The other 38 studies were all open-label, longitudinal, non-randomized studies and used the following PRO instruments in addition to those listed above: the Visual Analogue Scale for Fatigue, the Fatigue Descriptive Scale, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (5 items) and the Würzburger Fatigue Inventory for MS. All these PRO tools were specifically developed for MS-fatigue. Of these 9 PRO tools, 7 were of good methodological quality according to the existing validation studies using the Consensus-based standards for the selection of health measurement instruments (COSMIN) check list and were used in the majority of the MS DMT studies (44/48, 92%). The median follow-up time from baseline to PRO measurement was 12 months (range 1-36 months). Most studies reported on MS fatigue in terms of its change from baseline and whether the change was statistically significant. 5 studies also reported what they considered to be a clinically meaningful difference. CONCLUSIONS: Although fatigue has the greatest impact on quality of life in people with MS, few studies have rigorously investigated the impact of DMTs on fatigue. Comparisons between study outcomes using different PRO tools is challenging due to the variety of psychometric constructs addressed by the questionnaires and differences in the recall period for fatigue symptoms and the measurement scale. Furthermore most of the PRO tools used to quantify MS-fatigue in studies of DMTs are descended from PRO tools developed during the 1990s before DMTs emerged and before widespread patient involvement in PRO development. New PRO tools should involve patients in their development as recommended by the US Food and Drug Administration and the validation process should consider the sensitivity of the PRO tool to change in fatigue over time or between groups.

Validity and reliability of the Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition 15 (PAIC15) observation scale in persons with aphasia.

BACKGROUND: The use of self-report pain scales in persons with aphasia can be challenging due to communication and cognitive problems, while for assessing pain self-report pain is considered the gold standard (Harrison RA, Field TS. Post stroke pain: identification, assessment, and therapy. Cerebrovasc Dis. 2015;39(3-4):190-201.). An observational scale may be used as an alternative. This study examines the validity and reliability of the observational Pain Assessment in Impaired Cognition (PAIC15) scale in persons with aphasia. METHODS: Persons with aphasia were observed during rest and transfer by two observers using the PAIC15. The PAIC15 comprises 15 items covering the three domains of facial expressions, body movements, and vocalizations. When able, the participant completed four self-report pain scales after each observation. The observations were repeated within one week. For criterion validity, correlations between the PAIC15 and self-report pain scales were calculated and for construct validity, three hypotheses were tested. Reliability was determined by assessing internal consistency, and intra- and interobserver agreement. RESULTS: PAIC15 observations were obtained for 71 persons (mean age 75.5 years) with aphasia. Fair positive correlations (rest: 0.35-0.50; transfer: 0.38-0.43) were reported between PAIC15 and almost all self-report pain scales. Results show that significantly more pain was observed in persons with aphasia during transfer than during rest. No differences were found for observed pain between persons with aphasia who use pain medication and those without, or persons who have joint diseases compared to those without. Results showed acceptable internal consistency. Intra- and interobserver agreement was high for most PAIC15 items, particularly for the domains body movements and vocalizations during rest and transfer. CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of pain in persons aphasia using the PAIC15 showed mixed yet promising results.

Assessing the Risks and Benefits of Hypotensive Anesthesia and Piezosurgical Instruments in Bimaxillary Surgery.

The challenge in bimaxillary surgery lies in significant intraoperative bleeding, prompting various strategies to minimize blood loss. Among the methods considered for controlling intraoperative bleeding, hypotensive anesthesia and the use of piezosurgical instruments (Osada, Tokyo, Japan) have been explored. However, hypotensive anesthesia may have adverse effects on cardiac function, and surgical time is likely to be prolonged when using piezosurgical instruments. This study retrospectively examined whether the combined use of hypotensive anesthesia and piezosurgical instruments reduces intraoperative bleeding and whether the combination impacts cardiac function. The combination of hypotensive anesthesia and piezosurgical instruments significantly reduced intraoperative bleeding. Furthermore, the combination was associated with a significantly higher incidence of tachycardia, particularly with the use of nicardipine. Additionally, the combination significantly lengthened the duration of the surgery and may have increased the burden on cardiac function. Landiolol was effectively employed to manage tachycardia. When selecting hypotensive anesthesia as a means to limit bleeding, proactive preparation and preventive small-dose administration of landiolol could be beneficial in managing the potential occurrence of tachycardia.

Assessing Skin Tear Knowledge Among Nurses: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Survey.

AIMS: To assess the knowledge of nurses in Chinese hospitals regarding skin tears, focusing on evaluating their understanding and proficiency in managing and preventing skin tears, exploring the impact of demographic and professional factors on their knowledge levels and identifying specific areas where additional training or education is needed. DESIGN: This study is a multicentre cross-sectional survey conducted in the Henan province of China using a stratified cluster sampling method. METHODS: The study utilised the Chinese version of the Skin Tear Knowledge Assessment Instrument (OASES) for evaluating nurses' knowledge levels based on a questionnaire comprising 22 questions on the online platform Wenjuanxing (www.wjx.cn). All questions had to be answered, with only one option selectable per question. Response validity was ensured by excluding questionnaires that showed a clear response pattern, were completed in under 60 s, or scored 0 points. Descriptive analysis, item-level analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed. RESULTS: A total of 1675 clinical nurses participated in this study. Age was a significant factor influencing skin tear knowledge, with older nurses (age, 41-60 vs. 18-40 years) demonstrating higher knowledge scores. Additionally, female nurses exhibited higher average knowledge scores compared to male nurses. Further, different departments, education levels, job titles and having completed relevant courses significantly influenced skin tear knowledge among nurses. However, on multivariate analyses, we found that working in the intensive care unit, having a higher education background and job title and having studied courses on wound, ostomy or incontinence were independent factors influencing knowledge on skin tear, indicating the need for targeted educational interventions. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, targeted educational interventions and continuous professional development are essential to bridge the identified knowledge gaps among nurses in Chinese hospitals regarding skin tear management. REPORTING METHOD: The Strengthening the Report of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist guidelines were followed. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Enhancing nurses' knowledge and skills in skin tear management through targeted educational programmes could improve patient care quality, reduce the incidence of skin tears and promote better wound care outcomes in clinical settings. IMPACT: This study addresses the problem of knowledge gaps in skin tear management among nurses. The main findings indicate varied understanding and significant factors influencing this knowledge. The research impacts nurses and patients in Chinese hospitals, emphasising the need for specialised training and professional development to improve skin tear management and patient care. No patient or public contribution.

Assessment of tropospheric NO2 concentrations over greater Doha using Sentinel-5 TROPOspheric monitoring instrument (TROPOMI) satellite data: Temporal analysis, 2018-2023.

This study presents a temporal evaluation of the tropospheric NO2 column densities over Greater Doha using TROPOMI satellite data from May 2018 to December 2023, and an assessment of the impact of the preparations and hosting of the FIFA Football World Cup Qatar 2022, on NO2 levels before, during and after the tournament over Greater Doha. Analysis of annual NO2 levels from 2019 to 2023 showed an increase in 2022 compared to that of the previous three years and a clear decrease in 2023 post the completion of the world cup preparations and hosting. Results also showed an increase in NO2 levels during winter compared to that in summer, with wind speed being an important determining factor. Findings showed that Fridays and Saturdays (both constitute the local weekend in Qatar) were 44% and 13% lower than that of the averaged weekdays, respectively. The annual NO2 levels in the post-world cup year of 2023 were found to be 24% lower than that in 2022 and around 16% lower than that of the previous years. NO2 levels during the World Cup tournament (20 Nov to Dec 18, 2022) were found to be higher than that of the same corresponding periods in all other available years including an increase of 27% compared to that in 2023. Wind speed played an important role in determining the NO2 levels during the world cup period and accounted for >96% of their daily variability, indicating that meteorological factors substantially influenced the NO2 column during the event.

Attention-language interface in Multilingual Assessment instrument for Narratives.

The current study employed the Multilingual Assessment Instrument for Narratives (MAIN) to test comprehension of narrative macrostructure in Russian in a visual world eye-tracking paradigm. The four MAIN visual narratives are structurally similar and question referents' goals and internal states (IS). Previous research revealed that children's MAIN comprehension differed among the four narratives in German, Swedish, Russian, and Turkish, but it is not clear why. We tested whether the difference in comprehension was (a) present, (b) caused by complicated inferences in understanding IS compared with goals, and (c) ameliorated by orienting visual attention to the referents whose IS was critical for accurate comprehension. Our findings confirmed (a) and (b) but found no effect of attentional cues on accuracy for (c). The multidimensional theory of narrative organization of children's knowledge of macrostructure needs to consider the type of inferences necessary for IS that are influenced by subjective interpretation and reasoning.

A first step towards the detection of damage processes in endodontic Ni-Ti alloy files, using acoustic emission.

Despite major instrumental developments over the last decade, endodontic files are still not infallible. It is well known that NiTi rotary files can break without any visible sign of deformation. Instrument breakage under combined flexion-torsion loading is still common in clinical practice. Unfortunately, breakage of this type of instrument mainly occurs in narrow canals, through pinching in the apical region. When such an incident occurs, the endodontist must adopt a debris retrieval strategy that is both stressful and not guaranteed success. This study proposes a new method for experimental damage detection leading to the fracture of Ni-Ti shape memory alloy endodontic files. It is based on the acoustic emission (AE) technique and mechanical parameters measured in real-time and image analysis. It has been shown that the AE results correlate with the damage observations and torque and force measurements recorded during the tests. Having carried out numerous root canal treatment on resin blocks, it appears that this new detection and analysis technique can be used to analyze and anticipate the first signs of damage leading to endodontic file failure. The technological development of such a method, at the level of the engine itself, associated with the act in service procedure, would constitute a revolution in the field of endodontics.

Lord of the (Magnetic) Rings: Rigid Bronchoscopy for Aspirated Magnetic Foreign Bodies in Tertiary Bronchi.

OBJECTIVES: To describe operative techniques using rigid bronchoscopy and ferromagnetic bronchoscopic equipment to retrieve magnetic foreign bodies in distal tertiary bronchi beyond the reach of traditional optical instrumentation. METHODS: A 13-year-old presented to the Emergency Department following aspiration of three backing magnets from a magnetic nose ring. Chest radiographs demonstrated a 4 mm × 3 mm foreign body in the right lower lobe 0.5 cm from diaphragm on expiratory film. She was taken to the operating room for removal of an airway foreign body. RESULTS: The foreign body was visualized with direct laryngoscopy followed by rigid bronchoscopy in the distal right lower tertiary bronchus. Attempts to pass optical instruments were limited both by distance of the object and size of instrumentation compared to the diameter of the tertiary bronchus. A salivary wire basket and ureteral stone retrieval basket were then passed with endoscopic visualization into the tertiary bronchus but were unable to engage the foreign body. An attempt was made to pass a 2 French Fogarty embolectomy catheter distally, but the catheter was too large to bypass the foreign body. Finally, ferromagnetic pulmonary rat tooth biopsy forceps were advanced into the tertiary bronchus and successfully attracted the magnetic foreign body for safe removal through our rigid bronchoscope. CONCLUSION: We present a novel method of utilizing ferromagnetic flexible bronchoscopic instruments to safely remove magnetic foreign bodies in the tertiary bronchi beyond the reach of traditional bronchoscopic instruments. Laryngoscope, 2024.

Does patient-specific instrument or robot improve imaging and functional outcomes in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty? A bayesian analysis.

INTRODUCTION: This study conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) to compare the imaging and functional outcomes of patient-specific instrument-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (P-UKA), robot-assisted unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (R-UKA), and conventional unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (C-UKA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed on five electronic databases and major orthopedic journals as of September 24, 2023. We included randomized controlled studies featuring at least two interventions of P-UKA, R-UKA, or C-UKA. Primary outcomes encompassed the deviation angle of hip-knee-ankle angle, as well as the coronal and sagittal plane alignment of femoral and tibial components. Secondary outcomes included patient-reported outcome measures (PROM), surgery time, revision rate, and complication rate. Bayesian framework was employed for risk ratio (RR) or mean deviation (MD) analysis, and treatment hierarchy was established based on rank probabilities. RESULTS: This NMA included 871 knees from 12 selected studies. In sagittal plane, R-UKA exhibited a significantly reduced deviation angle of femoral component compared to P-UKA (MD: 4.16, 95% CI: 0.21, 8.07), and of tibial component in comparison to C-UKA (MD: -2.45, 95% CI: -4.20, -0.68). Notably, the surgery time was significantly longer in R-UKA than in C-UKA (MD: 15.98, 95% CI: 3.11, 28.88). However, no significant differences were observed in other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Compared with P-UKA or C-UKA, R-UKA significantly improves the femoral and tibial component alignment in the sagittal plane, although this does not translate into discernible differences in functional outcomes. Comprehensive considerations of economic and learning costs are imperative for the judicious selection of the appropriate procedure.

A novel self-rating instrument designed for long-term, app-based monitoring of ADHD symptoms: A mixed-methods development and validation study.

Background: Regular outcome monitoring is essential for effective attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) treatment, yet routine care often limits long-term contacts to annual visits. Smartphone apps can complement current practice by offering low-threshold, long-term sustainable monitoring capabilities. However, special considerations apply for such measurement which should be anchored in stakeholder preferences. Methods: This mixed-methods study engaged 13 experienced clinicians from Region Stockholm in iterative qualitative interviews to inform development of an instrument for app-based ADHD monitoring: the mHealth scale for Continuous ADHD Symptom Self-monitoring (mCASS). A subsequent survey, including the mCASS and addressing app-based monitoring preferences, was administered to 397 individuals with self-reported ADHD. Psychometric properties of the mCASS were explored through exploratory factor analysis and examinations of internal consistency. Concurrent validity was calculated between the mCASS and the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale-V1.1 (ASRS-V1.1). Additional quantitative analyses included summary statistics and repeated-measures ANOVAs. Results: Clinicians identified properties influencing willingness to use and adherence including content validity, clinical relevance, respondent burden, tone, wording and preferences for in-app results presentation. The final 12-item mCASS version demonstrated four factors covering everyday tasks, productivity, rest and recovery and interactions with others, explaining 47.4% of variance. Preliminary psychometric assessment indicated satisfactory concurrent validity (r = .595) and internal consistency (α = .826). Conclusions: The mCASS, informed by clinician and patient experiences, appears to be valid for app-based assessment of ADHD symptoms. Furthermore, insights are presented regarding important considerations when developing mobile health (mHealth) instruments for ADHD individuals. These can be of value for future, similar endeavours.

Relationship between Playing Musical Instruments and Subjective Well-Being: Enjoyment of Playing Instruments Scale.

While the positive effects of listening to music on mental health and well-being have been extensively studied, the effects of enjoying playing musical instruments have rarely been examined. Many tools have been developed to measure music listening; however, tools to measure the enjoyment of playing instruments have not yet been developed. This study aimed to develop and validate a tool to measure such enjoyment and to examine its relationship with subjective well-being and happiness. Primary information about the aforementioned enjoyment were collected from fourteen Chinese laypersons, five music graduates, and five music teachers using open-ended questions. Item and exploratory factor analyses were conducted using data from 361 Chinese adults, and the reliability and validity of the scale and the relationships between the variables were analyzed using data from 277 Chinese adults. The results revealed that the three-factor model for the enjoyment of playing instruments demonstrated excellent model fit, and satisfactory internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and criterion-related validity were demonstrated for the learning/social bonds, achievement/pride, and cognitive refreshment/stimulation subscales. All subscales of enjoyment were positively correlated with subjective well-being and happiness. This study highlights the usefulness of the Enjoyment of Playing Instruments Scale (EPIS) as a measure for research, educational, and clinical use, providing a rationale for using instrument playing as a therapeutic approach to promote subjective well-being.

Frequency Detection for String Instruments Using 1D-2D Non-Contact Mode Triboelectric Sensors.

The proliferation of small electronic devices has significantly increased the demand for self-powered sensors. This study introduces a triboelectric frequency sensor (TFS) that combines the frequency-responsive characteristics of triboelectric nanogenerators with a simple one-dimensional structure for sustainable vibration measurement. This sensor is specifically designed to aid in the tuning of string instruments, capable of detecting frequency responses up to 330 Hz generated by string vibrations. Structural optimization was achieved by setting a non-contact mode with a gap distance of 3 mm and utilizing perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA) as the contact dielectric material. The TFS exhibits dynamic response characteristics by varying the vibrating frequency and the tension of the string, facilitated by a custom-built testing setup. Frequency data captured by the sensor can be visualized on a monitor through the integration of a microcontroller unit (MCU) and dedicated coding. The practical applicability and effectiveness of this sensor in real-world scenarios are demonstrated experimentally. This innovation represents a significant step forward in the development of self-sustaining sensing technologies for precision instrument tuning.