Assessment of the Enhanced Paper Grip Test for Quantifying Balance Deficits in People with Multiple Sclerosis:A Reliability and Applicability Study

This study assessed the reliability and applicability of the Enhanced Paper Grip Test (EPGT) for quantifying balance deficits in people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Thirty individuals with MS (mean age: 41.9 ± 9.66 years, mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score: 2.13 ± 0.94; mean disease duration: 8.3 ± 6.0 years) were recruited. The EPGT demonstrated excellent intra-visit reliability, with intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) of 0.96 (95 % CI: 0.93–0.98) for the weaker side and 0.94 (95 % CI: 0.89–0.97) for the stronger side. Inter-visit reliability, assessed in 15 participants, also showed excellent ICCs (0.97–0.99), with coefficients of variation ranging from 4.23 % to 5.50 %. Additionally, high and statistically significant correlations were observed between EPGT performance and balance, as assessed by the modified Mini-BESTest (r = 0.81–0.87, p &lt; 0.001). Small but statistically significant correlations were found between EPGT results and EDSS scores (r = −0.36 to −0.38, p &lt; 0.05). These findings suggest that the EPGT can reliably assess foot/ankle strength and identify balance deficits in people with MS, with potential clinical application for monitoring disease progression and guiding rehabilitation interventions.</p

Accelerating Isotope Dilution LC-MS-based Desmosine Quantification for Estimating Elastin Turnover

Aims: Circulating total desmosine, representing endogenous systemic elastin degradation activity, is an emerging biomarker for mortality risk in several diseases and aging. However, the existing analytical method takes more than 23 hours to complete, limiting its potential applications. The objective of this study was to shorten the turnover time of a stable isotope dilution liquid chromatogram mass spectrometry-based desmosine assay. Materials &amp; Methods: Plasma samples were analysed using acid hydrolysis followed by solid-phase extraction and LC-MS. Two approaches to reduce assay time were tested: microwave-assisted acid hydrolysis and direct injection following solid-phase extraction. Results: The combination of acid hydrolysis at 180°C for 8 minutes and a low-volume elution design for solid-phase extraction reduced the overall assay time to ~30 minutes. The assay was validated with intra-day precision and accuracy ranging from 4% to 14%, and -7% to 9%, respectively, while inter-day precision and accuracy were 0% to 9% and 1% to 3%, respectively. The assay was tested in a cohort of patients with acute aortic dissection and control subjects, where desmosine concentrations were approximately three-fold higher in patients. Conclusions: These results demonstrated that rapid desmosine analysis can be achieved with the use of both microwave-assisted hydrolysis and streamlined solid-phase extraction

Beyond Code:Leveraging ChatGPT to Enhance (Not Replace) Traditional Programming Education

The rise of OpenAI tools like ChatGPT has sparked debate in programming education, balancing benefits for learning against concerns over reduced critical thinking and reliance on traditional methods. This study explores ChatGPT’s impact on student learning in a university programming course through assessment analysis and student feedback. Findings show that, when used as a scaffold rather than a shortcut, ChatGPT can enhance understanding and support effective educational integration.</p

Graddiv-conforming spectral element method for fourth-order div problems

This paper introduces a novel numerical method to solve fourth-order div problems using graddiv-conforming spectral elements on cuboidal meshes. We start by determining the continuity requirements for graddiv-conforming spectral elements, followed by constructing these elements using generalized Jacobi polynomials and the Piola transformation. The resulting basis functions exhibit a hierarchical structure, making them easily extendable to higher orders. We apply these graddiv-conforming spectral elements to solve the fourth-order div problem and present numerical examples to verify both the efficiency and effectiveness of the method.</p

Influence of heat input and uniform temperature distribution during wire arc additive manufacturing process:a critical review

The effect of heat input and uniform temperature on the surface quality of wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) components is crucial for producing defect-free WAAM components. However, in most WAAM technologies, the heat input significantly impacts the layer-by-layer molten pool deposits, potentially leading to defect formation if not properly controlled and optimized. In this paper, we critically review the effect of heat input, uniform temperature distribution, interlayer temperature, and heat input parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties of WAAM components during fabrication. Based on our findings, wire feed speed and torch speed parameters significantly control heat input in the WAAM process. It is established that optimizing parameters with a lower input can result in a finer and more homogeneous morphology, which can substantially enhance mechanical properties in the fabricated components. To manufacture high-quality metallic components that meet industrial demands, there is a need to provide an evidence-based framework for understanding these critical issues in the WAAM process, ensuring that WAAM processes are thoroughly planned before use in design and fabrication, which is one main contribution of this paper.</p

Interprofessional Co-Debriefing in Simulation—Role Modeling Collaboration:A Qualitative Study

Introduction: Effective debriefing is a key element of simulation-based learning, providing an opportunity to facilitate critical reflection and promote constructive conversations, with generalization of the learning experience to real-life health care and collaborative practice. Co-debriefing, meaning a debrief involving more than 1 simulation facilitator, has potential benefits as well as challenges. Interprofessional co-debriefing, where 2 or more members of different professional groups debrief together, has not yet been fully explored in the literature. Methods: A qualitative approach was used to explore the benefits and challenges of interprofessional co-debriefing from a simulation faculty perspective. Individual semistructured interviews were recorded and transcribed, with data analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Ten interviews were conducted with health care professionals in Christchurch, New Zealand, who co-debrief simulation with faculty from other professions. Three major themes were identified: 1. Developing Debriefers—simulation faculty require opportunities to develop interprofessional co-debriefing skills; 2. Teaming and Collaboration —bringing co-debriefing teams together, role modeling interprofessional collaboration; 3. Logistics and Sustainability—top-down institutional/bottom-up champion support is required to overcome logistical barriers of bringing together multiple professional groups. The reported benefits and challenges of interprofessional co-debriefing were linked to these themes. Conclusions: This interprofessional group of simulation debriefers identified a number of benefits to interprofessional co-debriefing, along with several challenges. Debriefers require support to develop as role models of interprofessional collaboration. Peer mentoring and faculty development opportunities, along with consideration of the logistics that make this model of debriefing sustainable are needed for this nascent field of simulation-based education practice to evolve and mature.</p

The Scottish jury in the 21st century:Challenges and Changes

Some of the distinctive features of Scottish juries in criminal trials are considered in this chapter, as are several controversial aspects, such as juror impartiality, issues regarding eligibility for jury service, and allegations of jury misconduct. The Scottish Government’s proposals to reduce the size of the jury, and to pilot judge-only trials for charges of rape and attempted rape, are described and assessed. Suggestions are made for further reform, including whether more could be done to improve juror understanding of the evidence and the judge’s directions, and what further steps may be needed to lessen the impact of jury service on members of the public

Direct shear tests on the effects of displacement rate and particle size ratio on the shear behavior of fine gravel-rubber mixtures

Gravel-rubber mixtures (GRM) are eco-friendly materials created by combining gravel and granulated rubber, which are effectively used for geotechnical seismic isolation. The shear strength parameters of GRM are crucial for assessing its effectiveness in seismic isolation; however, the effects of displacement rate and particle size ratio are not yet fully understood. To investigate this, a series of large-scale direct shear tests were conducted, varying displacement rates, particle size ratios, rubber contents, and normal stresses. The results indicated that the displacement rates (0.1 mm/min to 4 mm/min) had a minimal impact on the shear strength and internal friction angle of GRM. However, cohesion increased significantly at displacement rates within 0.5 mm/min. Additionally, a higher displacement rate led to a marked reduction in the contraction of GRM, with the maximum difference reaching approximately 50 %. The shear strength of the mixtures decreased as rubber content increased, particularly with smaller rubber particles and lower normal stresses. Conversely, when the particle size ratio increased from 0.2 to 2, the shear strength of GRM improved by 6∼29 %, while the corresponding vertical displacement decreased by 38∼82 %. A notable increase in cohesion and a slight decrease in the internal friction angle were observed within a particle size ratio of 0.4. Furthermore, while the internal friction angle gradually decreased, the cohesion initially dropped (up to 20 % rubber content) before beginning to rise with increasing rubber content. The findings of this research will improve the understanding of the shear strength of GRMs.</p