Effects of different slopes on hip and ankle biomechanics of replaced and non-replaced limbs of patients with total knee arthroplasty during incline ramp walking.

Although knee biomechanics has been examined, hip and ankle biomechanics in incline ramp walking has not been explored for patients with total knee arthroplasty (TKA). The purpose of this study was to investigate the hip and ankle joint kinematic and kinetic biomechanics of different incline slopes for replaced limbs and non-replaced limbs in individuals with TKA compared to healthy controls. Twenty-five patients with TKR and ten healthy controls performed walking trials on four slope conditions of level (0°), 5°, 10° and 15° on a customized instrumented ramp system. A 3x4 (limb x slope) repeated analysis of variance was used to evaluate selected variables. The results showed a greater peak ankle dorsiflexion angle in the replaced limbs compared to healthy limbs. No significant interactions or limb main effect for other ankle and hip variables. The peak dorsiflexion angle, eversion angle and dorsiflexion moment were progressively higher in each comparison from level to 15°. The peak plantarflexion moment was also increased with each increase of slopes. Both the replaced and non-replaced limbs of patients with TKA had lower hip flexion moments than the healthy control limbs. Hip angle at contact and hip extension range of motion increased with each increase of slopes. Peak hip loading-response internal extension moment increased with each increase in slope and peak hip push-off internal flexion moment decreased with each increase of slope. Our results showed increased dorsiflexion in replaced limbs but no other compensations of hip and ankle joints of replaced limbs compared to non-replaced limbs and their healthy controls during incline walking, providing further support of using incline walking in rehabilitation for patients with TKA.

Linearity and intermodulation distortion analysis of single and dual metal gate junctionless transistor.

Linearity and intermodulation distortion are very crucial parameters for RFICs design. Therefore, in this work, a detailed comparative analysis on linearity and intermodulation distortion of single metal (SMG) and double metal (DMG) double gate junction less transistor (JLT) is done using TCAD silvaco suite. Furthermore, the effects of temperature fluctuation, gate length variation, and gate material engineering on the linearity performance of both devices are also studied. A few significant figures of merit, including Voltage Intercept Point 2 (VIP2), Voltage Intercept Point 3 (VIP3), Third Order Intercept Power (IIP3), 1 dB Compression Point (P1dB), Third Order Intermodulation Distortion (IMD3), and the transconductance derivative parameters First Order Transconductance (gm1), Second Order Transconductance (gm2), and Third Order Transconductance (gm3) are used to assess the device linearity and intermodulation distortion of SMG and DMG JLT's. The findings show that higher VIP2, VIP3, IIP3, 1-dB compression point and lower gm3, IMD3 values are obtained for the SMG JLT device when compared to its counterpart DMG JLT. SMG JLT, which assures strong linearity and low distortion.

Analyzing results of cervical sagittal parameters in patients operated with polyetheretherketone cages without plate.

Study Design: This was a retrospective longitudinal observational study. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of cervical sagittal parameters on preoperative and postoperative lateral radiographs in anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF). ACDF is believed to change craniocervical parameters and thus cervical curvature using polyetheretherketone (PEEK) or titanium cages with or without self-locking as well as an anterior plate, the latter of which has not been shown to provide better clinical or radiological results. Overview of Literature: Cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is a common degenerative pathology that can affect one or more levels and treatment has varied over time trying to maintain sagittal parameters within acceptable values where the ACDF is the main treatment. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in patients with CSM who underwent anterior cervical discectomy, and their pre- and postoperative radiographs were analyzed using Surgimap software a few days before and 3 months after surgery. Results: Fifteen files were included in the study. Statistically significant sagittal balance variables were observed in cervical lordosis (CL) with an increase of 4.73° (P = 0.019) and T1 slope (T1S)-CL with a decrease of -5.93° (P = 0.007). Conclusions: CL and T1S-CL showed favorably modified values when performing ACDF using stand-alone PEEK cages without the need for self-blocking or an anterior plate.

Study on the differences between Hoek-Brown parameters and equivalent Mohr-Coulomb parameters in the calculation slope critical acceleration and permanent displacement.

Mohr-Coulomb (MC) strength criterion has been widely used in many classical analytical expressions and numerical modeling due to its simple physical calculation, but the MC criterion is not suitable for describing the failure envelope of rock masses. In order to directly apply MC parameters to analytical expressions or numerical modeling in rock slope stability analysis, scholars established a criterion for converting Hoek-Brown (HB) parameters to equivalent MC parameters. However, the consistency of HB parameters and equivalent MC parameters in calculating critical acceleration of slope needs to be further explored and confirmed. Therefore, HB parameters are converted into equivalent MC parameters by considering the influence of slope angle (1# case and 2# case when slope angle is not considered and slope angle is considered respectively). Then, the lower-bound of finite element limit analysis is used for numerical modeling, and the results of calculating critical acceleration using HB parameters and equivalent MC parameters are compared, and the influence of related parameters on the calculation of critical acceleration is studied. Finally, the influence of different critical accelerations on the calculation of slope permanent displacement is further analyzed through numerical cases and engineering examples. The results show that: (1) In the 1# case, the critical acceleration obtained by the equivalent MC parameters are significantly larger than that obtained by the 2 #case and the HB parameters, and this difference becomes more obvious with the increase of slope angle. The critical acceleration obtained by the 2# case is very close to the HB parameters; (2) In the 1# case, slope height is inversely proportional to ΔAc (HB(Ac) - 1#(Ac)), and with the increase of slope height, ΔAc decreases, while in the 2# case, the difference of ΔAc (HB(Ac) - 2#(Ac)) is not significant; (3) In the 1# case, the sensitivity of the HB parameters to ΔAc is D > GSI > mi > σci, but in the 2# case, there is no sensitivity-related regularity; (4) The application of HB parameters and equivalent MC parameters in slope permanent displacement is studied through numerical cases and engineering examples, and the limitations of equivalent MC parameters in rock slope stability evaluation are revealed.

Guidelines for clinical evaluation of chronic kidney disease in early stages : AMED research on regulatory science of pharmaceuticals and medical devices.

BACKGROUND: For the development of pharmaceutical products in kidney field, appropriate surrogate endpoints which can predict long-term prognosis are needed as an alternative to hard endpoints, such as end-stage kidney disease. Though international workshop has proposed estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) slope reduction of 0.5-1.0 mL/min/1.73 m /year and 30% decrease in albuminuria/proteinuria as surrogate endpoints in early and advanced chronic kidney disease (CKD), it was not clear whether these are applicable to Japanese patients. METHODS: We analyzed J-CKD-DB and CKD-JAC, Japanese databases/cohorts of CKD patients, and J-DREAMS, a Japanese database of patients with diabetes mellitus to investigate the applicability of eGFR slope and albuminuria/proteinuria to the Japanese population. Systematic review on those endpoints was also conducted including the results of clinical trials published after the above proposal. RESULTS: Our analysis showed an association between eGFR slope and the risk of end-stage kidney disease. A 30% decrease in albuminuria/proteinuria over 2 years corresponded to a 20% decrease in the risk of end-stage kidney disease patients with baseline UACR ≥ 30 mg/gCre or UPCR ≥ 0.15 g/gCre in the analysis of CKD-JAC, though this analysis was not performed on the other database/cohort. Those results suggested similar trends to those of the systematic review. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that eGFR slope and decreased albuminuria/proteinuria may be used as a surrogate endpoint in clinical trials for early CKD (including diabetic kidney disease) in Japanese population, though its validity and cutoff values must be carefully considered based on the latest evidence and other factors.

Evaluation of distal tibia slope in pilon fractures after surgical fixation.

INTRODUCTION: Alteration of sagittal alignment during fracture fixation directly impacts ankle motion in dorsiflexion and plantarflexion. Previously research measured the anterior distal tibia angle (ADTA) in a normal healthy population. The null hypothesis for this study is that ADTA is restored to normal range following unstable pilon fractures. The aim of this study is to identify the range of the ADTA in distal tibia fractures after surgical fixation, compared to a previously published normal population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective review of operative distal tibia fractures (AO/OTA classification 43A and 43C - 43B were excluded due to lower likelihood of fracture changing the ADTA) was performed. ADTA on lateral radiograph was measured as the angle relative to the tibia shaft. RESULTS: 100 patients with post-operative radiographs that met inclusion criteria were analyzed. The average ADTA was 6.9° (⌠=4.62°) with a maximum slope of 19.2° (i.e. anterior orientation) and a minimum of -3.3° (i.e. posterior orientation). The uninjured population had an average ADTA of 6.0° (range -2.0°-14°, ⌠=3.0°). CONCLUSION: This analysis shows the average distal tibia sagittal alignment in the post-surgical group is similar to a normal, uninjured population. Large alterations in ADTA would directly impact the ankle in the plane of motion (i.e. negative ADTA would decrease ankle dorsiflexion). Considering ADTA as an objective intra-operative parameter optimizes sagittal plane alignment.

The influence of tibial length on radiographic posterior tibial slope measurement: How much tibia do we need?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether significant differences exist when comparing posterior tibial slope (PTS) measured using increasing lengths of the tibia to determine the anatomical axis. METHODS: Patients with full-length weight-bearing tibial radiographs were retrospectively identified from 2014 to 2022 at a single institution. Patients were excluded if there was any previous history of lower extremity fracture or osteotomy. The anatomical axis of the tibia was determined using the full length of tibial radiographs, and the "reference PTS" was measured using this axis. Using the same radiograph, the PTS was measured using four different anatomical axes at standardized tibial lengths. While the center of the proximal circle remained constant at 5-cm below the tibial plateau, the center of the distal circle was drawn at four points: a) overlapping circles; b) 10-cm distal to the tibial plateau; c) 15-cm distal to the tibial plateau; d) half the length of the tibia, measured from the tibial plateau to the tibial plafond. Bivariate correlation and frequency distribution analysis (measurements >2-degrees from reference PTS) were performed between the reference PTS and PTS measured at each of the four other lengths. RESULTS: A total of 154 patients (39.8 ± 17.4 years old, 44.2% male) were included in the final analysis. Measurements at each of the four tibial lengths were all significantly different from the reference PTS (p < 0.001). The correlation strength improved with increasing tibial length (overlapping: R = 0.681, 10-cm: R = 0.821, 15-cm: R = 0.937, and half-tibia: R = 0.963). The number of PTS measurements >2-degree absolute difference from the reference PTS decreased with increasing tibial length (overlapping: 40.3%, 10-cm: 24.0%, 15-cm: 26.0%, and half-tibia: 18.8%). CONCLUSION: Assessment of PTS is dependent on the length of the tibia utilized to obtain the anatomical axis. Accuracy and precision of PTS measurements improved with increasing length of tibia used to determine the anatomical axis. STUDY DESIGN: Case series.

Evaluation of biocementation of slope soil for erosion control with low-cost materials.

In this study, biocementation of slope soil was performed using low-cost, commercially available materials to create a nutrient solution with native Cytobacillus hornekea. The high cost of laboratory-grade materials and microbes for biocementation is one of the main obstacles to its popularity. However, the cost of biocementation has been reduced significantly without reducing the strength when low-cost materials were used instead of laboratory-grade materials in this study. Direct shear test results and SEM also proved the suitability of the low-cost biocementation. Artificial rainfall with an intensity of 50-60 mm/h resulted in soil erosion of around 10% and 2% without and with biocementation, respectively. The amount of produced calcium carbonate was around 3.9% while using the low-cost materials with native microbes which is quite comparable with the laboratory-grade materials (3.4%).

Oxygen Saturation Curve Analysis in 2298 Hypoxia Awareness Training Tests of Military Aircrew Members in a Hypobaric Chamber.

We aim to provide reference values for military aircrews participating in hypoxia awareness training (HAT). We describe several parameters with potential biomedical interest based on selected segments and slopes of the changes in oxygen saturation (SatO2) during a standard HAT. A retrospective analysis of 2298 records of the SatO2 curve was performed, including 1526 military men aged 30.48 ± 6.47 years during HAT in a hypobaric chamber. HAT consisted of pre-oxygenation at 100% and an ascent to 7620 m, followed by O2 disconnection starting the phase of descent of SatO2 until reaching the time of useful consciousness (TUC), and finally reconnection to 100% O2 in the recovery phase. Using an ad hoc computational procedure, the time taken to reach several defined critical values was computed. These key parameters were the time until desaturation of 97% and 90% (hypoxia) after oxygen mask disconnection (D97/D90) and reconnection (R97/R90) phases, the time of desaturation (TUC-D97) and hypoxia (TUC-D90) during disconnection, the total time in desaturation (L97) or hypoxia (L90), and the slopes of SatO2 drop (SDSAT97 and SDSAT90) and recovery (SRSAT97). The mean of the quartiles according to TUC were compared by ANOVA. The correlations between the different parameters were studied using Pearson's test and the effect size was estimated with ω2. Potentially useful parameters for the HAT study were those with statistical significance (p < 0.05) and a large effect size. D97, D90, R97, and R90 showed significant differences with small effect sizes, while TUC-D97, TUC-D90, L97, L90, and SDSAT97 showed significant differences and large effect sizes. SDSAT97 correlated with TUC (R = 0.79), TUC-D97 (R = 0.81), and TUC-D90 (R = 0.81). In conclusion, several parameters of the SatO2 curve are useful for the study and monitoring of HAT. The SDSAT97 measured during the test can estimate the TUC and thus contribute to taking measures to characterize and protect the aircrew members.

Temporal turnover in species' ranks can explain variation in Taylor's slope for ecological timeseries.

The scaling exponent relating the mean and variance of the density of individual organisms in space (i.e., Taylor's slope: zspace) is well studied in ecology, but the analogous scaling exponent for temporal datasets (ztime) is underdeveloped. Previous theory suggests the narrow distribution of ztime (e.g., typically 1-2) could be due to interspecific competition. Here, using 1694 communities time series, we show that ztime can exceed 2, and reaffirm how this can affect our inference about the stabilizing effect of biodiversity. We also develop a new theory, based on temporal change in the ranks of species abundances, to help account for the observed ztime distribution. Specifically, we find that communities with minimal turnover in species' rank abundances are more likely to have higher ztime. Our analysis shows how species-level variability affects our inference about the stability of ecological communities.

Diurnal cortisol profiles in autistic adolescents and young adults: Associations with social difficulties and internalizing mental health symptoms.

Several autism-related characteristics, such as social difficulties, may contribute to high perceived stress and increased exposure to stressful life events in some autistic individuals. Repeated exposure to stress might lead to the dysfunction of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical-axis and be a vulnerability factor for developing mental health difficulties. Previous studies show contradictory findings on salivary cortisol in autism. In the current study, we investigated diurnal cortisol profiles in autistic adolescents and young adults, as well as their associations with social difficulties, stress exposure, and mental health symptoms. Autistic (n = 48, Mage = 17.6) and nonautistic (n = 51, Mage = 18.4) participants collected salivary cortisol at home six times a day for 2 days. Social difficulties, exposure to stressful life events/bullying, and mental health symptoms were assessed with questionnaires and clinical interviews. Similar diurnal cortisol slopes (DCS) and cortisol awakening responses were observed between the groups, but autistic participants showed higher total cortisol output (AUCG, area under the curve with respect to ground) during the day (b = 19.09, p = 0.009). In the autistic group, more severe social difficulties were associated with flatter DCS (b = 0.01, p = 0.007). Finally, cortisol alterations were associated with self-reported mental health symptoms, especially in autistic females in analyses uncorrected for multiple comparisons. In conclusion, our results do not indicate autism-related group-level alterations in most diurnal cortisol measures, but autistic youth showed higher total cortisol (AUCG) compared with nonautistic peers. More detailed investigation of interindividual variability in cortisol profiles within autistic people might give us important insights into vulnerability to developing stress-related mental health difficulties.

Using the phase III slope of exhaled methane during a single breath DLCO test to assess ventilation heterogeneity.

BACKGROUND: The Phase III slope from a single breath nitrogen washout test provides information about ventilation heterogeneity (VH) in the lungs. PURPOSE: To determine if the Phase III slope from the exhaled tracer gas concentration during a standard, single breath DLCO test using rapid gas analysis provides similar information about VH. BASIC PROCEDURES: Retrospective analysis of clinical pulmonary function laboratory data including spirometry, lung volumes, and DLCO. The normalized Phase III slope from the exhaled CH4 concentration (SnCH4) was compared among different patterns of physiologic abnormality and with VA/TLC as an indicator of VH. MAIN FINDINGS: SnCH4 was the steepest in the group with "Obstruction and Low DLCO", with significant differences between this group and the "Normal", "Obstruction with Normal DLCO", "Mixed Obstruction and Restriction" and "Isolated Low DLCO" groups. SnCH4 was steeper in current and former smokers compared to non-smokers. Among the entire study sample, SnCH4 correlated with VA/TLC (Spearman rho = -0.56, p < 0.01) and remained a significant determinant of VA/TLC by regression modeling. PRINCIPAL CONCLUSIONS: The SnCH4 derived from a standard, single breath DLCO test using rapid gas analysis varied among distinct patterns of physiologic abnormalities and was associated with VA/TLC as a measure of VH.

Mallard hindlimbs locomotion system respond to changes in sandy ground hardness and slope.

Mallards inhabit soft grounds such as mudflats, marshes, and beaches, demonstrating remarkable proficiency in traversing these grounds. This adeptness is closely linked to the adjustments in the operation of their hindlimbs. This study employs high-speed videography to observe postural adjustments during locomotion across mudflats. Analysis of spatiotemporal parameters of the hindlimbs reveals transient and continuous changes in joints (tarsometatarso-phalangeal joint (TMTPJ), intertarsal joint (ITJ), knee, and hip) during movement on different ground hardness and slope (horizontal and uphill). The results indicate that as the stride length of the mallard increases, its speed also increases. Additionally, the stance phase duration decreases, leading to a decrease in the duty factor. Reduced ground hardness and increased slope lead to delayed adjustment of the TMTPJ, ITJ, and knee. Mallards adjust their stride length by augmenting ITJ flexion on steeper slopes, while reduced hardness prompts a decrease in TMTPJ flexion at touch-down. Additionally, the hip undergoes two brief extensions during the stance phase, indicating its crucial role in posture adjustment and propulsion on uphill grounds. Overall, the hindlimb joints of the mallard function as a whole musculoskeletal system, with each joint employing a distinct strategy for adjusting to adapt to various ground conditions.

Application of New Polymer Soil Amendment in Ecological Restoration of High-Steep Rocky Slope in Seasonally Frozen Soil Areas.

In seasonally frozen soil areas, high-steep rocky slopes resulting from open-pit mining and slope cutting during road construction undergo slow natural restoration, making ecological restoration generally challenging. In order to improve the problems of external soil attachment and long-term vegetation growth in the ecological restoration of high-steep rocky slopes in seasonally frozen areas, this study conducted a series of experiments through the combined application of polyacrylamide (PAM) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to assess the effects of soil amendments on soil shear strength, water stability, freeze-thaw resistance, erosion resistance, and vegetation growth. This study showed that the addition of PAM-CMC significantly increased the shear resistance and cohesion of the soil, as well as improving the water stability, freeze-thaw resistance, and erosion resistance, but the internal friction angle of the soil was not significantly increased after reaching a certain content. Moderate amounts of PAM-CMC can extend the survival of vegetation, but overuse may cause soil hardening and inhibit vegetation growth by limiting air permeability. It was observed by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) that the gel membrane formed by PAM-CMC helped to "bridge" and bind the soil particles. After discussion and analysis, the optimum application rate of PAM-CMC was 3%, which not only improved the soil structure but also ensured the growth of vegetation in the later stage under the optimum application rate. Field application studies have shown that 3% PAM-CMC-amended soil stably attaches to high-steep rocky slopes, with stable vegetation growth, and continues to grow after five months of freeze-thaw action, with no need for manual maintenance after one year.

[Spatial and Temporal Scale Effects of Landscape Pattern on Riverine Nitrogen and Phosphorus Nutrients in the Qingshan Lake Watershed].

The influences of landscape pattern on water quality are dependent on spatial-temporal scales. However, the effects of landscape composition, landscape configuration, and landscape slope metrics on seasonal water quality at different spatial scales remain unclear. Based on the total nitrogen, total phosphorus, nitrate-N, and ammonium-N data from 26 sampling sites in the Qingshan Lake watershed, this study coupled landscape pattern analysis, redundancy analysis, and partial redundancy analysis to quantify the spatiotemporal scale effects of landscape pattern on riverine nitrogen （N） and phosphorus （P） concentrations. The results showed that： ① The explanatory ability of landscape pattern at the sub-watershed scale on riverine N and P concentrations was 6.8%-8.4% higher than that at the buffer scale, and this effect was more obvious in the dry season. ② At the sub-watershed scale, the percentage of forestland and the interspersion and juxtaposition degree of residential land had a greater influence on riverine N and P concentrations. At the buffer scale, the slope of farmland and residential land and the aggregation degree of forestland patches were the key factors affecting riverine N and P concentrations. ③ The contribution rate of landscape configuration to riverine N and P concentration variations （20.1%-36.5%） was the highest. The sensitivity of the effect of landscape configuration on riverine N and P concentrations to seasonal changes was the highest, and the effect of landscape slope on riverine N and P concentrations had the highest sensitivity to spatial scale changes. Therefore, landscape pattern-regulated non-point source pollution should be considered from a multi-scale perspective. These results can provide scientific basis for the formulation of landscape pattern optimization measures aiming at non-point source pollution control.

[Effects of"Grain for Green "on the Spatial Distribution of Soil Carbon and Nitrogen in Purple Hilly Area of China].

In order to remedy the lack of research on the effect of "Grain for Green" on soil carbon （C） and nitrogen （N） distribution on slope soil in purple hilly areas of Sichuan Basin, China, a study was conducted on a long-term observation site established in the Wanan small watershed of Yanting Agro-ecological Experimental Station of Purple Soil, Chinese Academy of Sciences. The morphology, content, and storage of C and N in soil at different slope positions of farmland and the artificial forests in rehabilitated land with a history of approximately 30 years were compared. Our results showed that "Grain for Green" significantly increased soil organic carbon （SOC） content and SOC stock in all soil layers. The SOC stock of the surface layer （0-20 cm） increased by 25.86 t·hm-2, and the annual SOC stocks ratio was 0.89 t·hm-2. Soil total nitrogen （TN） content increased slightly but only in the 0-20 cm soil layer. Compared with those in sloping farmland, the differences in available C and N nutrients such as soil nitrate N （NO3--N）, ammonia N （NH4+-N）, and dissolved organic C （DOC） in the whole soil profile （0-70 cm） were basically not significant （P > 0.05）. In addition, our research also found that slope position had significant effects on the contents of TN, SOC, NO3--N, NH4+-N, and DOC in farmland soil （P< 0.05）. The variation trend of soil NO3--N, NH4+-N, and DOC contents along the slope was as follows： upper slope < middle slope < lower slope, whereas the soil TN and SOC contents were highest in the lower slope, followed by the upper slope and middle slope. The position of the slope had a significant impact only on DOC content in forest soil, which increased along the slope. This research indicated that when evaluating the impact of land use changes on soil C and N stocks in the purple soil hilly region, the influence of topographic factors cannot be ignored.

GIS-based spatio-temporal analysis of rainfall trends under climate change in different agro-ecological zones of Wolaita zone, south Ethiopia.

Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of climatic conditions within a region is paramount for informed rural planning and decision-making processes, particularly in light of the prevailing challenges posed by climate change and variability. This study undertook an assessment of the spatial and temporal patterns of rainfall trends across various agro-ecological zones (AEZs) within Wolaita, utilizing data collected from ten strategically positioned rain gauge stations. The detection of trends and their magnitudes was facilitated through the application of the Mann-Kendall (MKs) test in conjunction with Sen's slope estimator. Spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall were further analyzed utilizing ArcGIS10.8 environment and XLSTAT with R programming tools. The outcomes derived from ordinary kriging analyses unveiled notable disparities in the coefficient of variability (CV) for mean annual rainfall across distinct AEZs. Specifically, observations indicated that lowland regions exhibit relatively warmer climates and lower precipitation levels compared to their highland counterparts. Within the lowland AEZs, the majority of stations showcased statistically non-significant positive trends (p > 0.05) in annual rainfall, whereas approximately two-thirds of midland AEZ stations depicted statistically non-significant negative trends. Conversely, over half of the stations situated within highland AEZs displayed statistically non-significant positive trends in annual rainfall. During the rainy season, highland AEZs experienced higher precipitation levels, while the south-central midland areas received a moderate amount of rainfall. In contrast, the northeast and southeast lowland AEZs consistently received diminished rainfall across all seasons compared to other regions. This study underscores the necessity for the climate resilient development and implementation of spatiotemporally informed interventions through implementing region-specific adaptation strategies, such as water conservation measures and crop diversification, to mitigate the potential impact of changing rainfall patterns on agricultural productivity in Wolaita.

Comparative study of the effects of custom-made insole and ordinary insole in adults with flexible flatfoot on different slopes.

BACKGROUND: Flatfoot (pes planus) is a common foot deformity, and its causes are mainly related to age, gender, weight, and genetics. Previous studies have shown that custom-made insoles could have a positive effect in improving plantar pressure and symptoms in individuals with flexible flatfeet, but it remains to be explored whether they can still show benefits in daily walking on different slopes. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate a custom-made insole based on plantar pressure redistribution and to verify its effectiveness by gait analysis on different slopes. METHODS: We recruited 10 subjects and compared the peak pressure and impulse in each area between custom-made insole (CI) and ordinary insole (OI) groups. RESULTS: The results illustrate that CI raises the pressure in T area, improves the ability of the subjects to move forward in the slope walking, which was beneficial to gait stability. CONCLUSION: The redistribution of pressure in MF and MH area is promoted to provide active protection for subjects. Meanwhile, CI could decrease the impulse in MF area during uphill and level walking, which effectively reduces the accumulation of fatigue during gait. Moreover, avoiding downhill walking could be able to protect foot from injury in daily life.

Looking beyond LCI: Multiple breath washout phase III slope derived indices and their application in chronic respiratory disease in children.

The multiple breath washout (MBW) test is widely reported in the context of Lung Clearance Index (LCI). LCI reflects global ventilation inhomogeneity but does not provide information regarding the localization of disease along the respiratory tree. The MBW-derived normalized phase III slope (SnIII) indices (Scond and Sacin), instead, can distinguish between convective-dependent and diffusion-convection-dependent ventilation inhomogeneity considered to occur within the conductive and acinar airways, respectively. In cystic fibrosis, Scond tends to become abnormal even earlier than LCI and spirometry. The value of Scond and Sacin in clinical practice has been recently explored in other respiratory conditions, including asthma, primary ciliary dyskinesia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, bronchiolitis obliterans, and sickle cell disease. In this narrative review we offer an overview on the theoretical background, potentialities, and limitations of SnIII analysis in children, including challenges and feasibility aspects. Moreover, we summarize current evidence on the use of SnIII-derived indices across different groups of pediatric chronic respiratory disease and we highlight the gaps in knowledge that need to be addressed in future studies.

Fully Printed Negative-Capacitance Field-Effect Transistors with Ultralow Subthreshold Swing and High Inverter Signal Gain.

The switching of conventional field-effect transistors (FETs) is limited by the Boltzmann barrier of thermionic emission, which prevents the realization of low-power electronics. In order to overcome this limitation, among others, unconventional device geometry with a ferroelectric/dielectric insulator stack has been proposed to demonstrate stable negative-capacitance behavior. Here, the switching of the ferroelectric layer behaves like a step-up amplifier and results in a body factor less than 1. This implies a larger change in the semiconductor surface potential compared to the applied gate voltage variation. The transistors with such ferroelectric/dielectric stack are known as negative-capacitance field-effect transistors (nc-FETs), and can demonstrate a subthreshold slope lower than the Boltzmann's limit (60 mV/decade). While nc-FETs have typically been realized with high-vacuum-deposition processes, here we show fully printed nc-FETs with amorphous indium-gallium-zinc oxide (a-IGZO) as the semiconductor material, Al2O3 as the dielectric, and poly(vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene) (PVDF-TrFE) as the polymer ferroelectric. The printed nc-FETs demonstrate an extremely low subthreshold slope of ∼2.3 mV/decade at room temperature, which remains below the Boltzmann's limit for over 5 orders of magnitude of drain currents. Furthermore, the unipolar depletion-load-type inverters fabricated using n-type nc-FETs have demonstrated an extraordinary signal gain of 2691.