Integration of Sugar Markets between Swaziland and its Major Trading Partners

The study was designed to examine the extent of market integration between Swaziland sugar markets and its major trading partners (i.e., South Africa, EU and USA) using monthly export sugar price data from January 2001 to December 2013. Price series were tested for stationarity with the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test and it was found that all prices were integrated of order one I (1). Zivot and Andrews test was used to determine the structural break in the price series and it revealed that the Swaziland and USA price break was in August, 2009 while for the EU price break was in October, 2008. Price relationships were examined in one period (entire period) and two sub-periods (before structural break and after structural break). The Johansen’s cointegration test revealed long-run integration for almost all the pairs of sugar markets, except for the USA in the full sample period. The integrations between the markets shows a significant improvement after the structural break. The Vector Error Correction model (VECM) estimates showed that the Swaziland’s  export market prices adjust significantly to the short-run shocks that appeared in the South African’s and EU’s sugar market for the entire period while when the structural breaks period was allowed it adjusts significantly before the break for the South African’s market. Swaziland’s market only adjusts significantly to the EU and USA market shocks after the structural break. The overall coefficient of the adjustment parameter has been very low due to high government interventions in the sugar sector by the Swaziland trading partners which is an impediment to the efficient market functioning. It is therefore suggested that interventions of the respective governments should be reduced for efficient functioning of the markets Keywords: sugar, trading partners, cointegration, stationarity, structural brea

Cardiovascular responses during light-intensity aerobic exercise with varying levels of limb occlusion pressures.

International Journal of Exercise Science 16(2): 676-687, 2023. The study aimed to assess cardiovascular responses to low-intensity aerobic exercise with varying levels of limb occlusion pressures (LOP) in a healthy population of men and women 30 to 60 years. The study was a single-session repeated measures design. Thirty individuals completed the study. All subjects participated in a single bout of low-intensity cycling (30-39% HRR) with bilateral lower extremity (LE) BFR for four 5-minute stages [0% (No BFR), 40%, 60%, and 80% LOP] with a 2-minute active rest between stages (BFR pressure released). The subjects’ systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), oxygen saturation (SpO2), and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at rest, peak, immediately post, post-15 minutes, and post-30 minutes. Peak SBP (no BFR 160.7 ±19.1 mmHg; 40% LOP 173.6 ± 18.7 mmHg; 60 % LOP; 182.5 ± 21.1 mmHg; 80% LOP 193.5± 23.3 mmHg ; p\u3c0.001; =.747), DBP (no BFR 74.9 ± 8.5 mmHg; 40% LOP (83.0 ± 9.0 mmHg;60 % LOP 90.4 ± 8.7 mmHg; 80% LOP 97.7 ± 9.5 mmHg ;p\u3c0.001; =.924), MAP (no BFR 103.5 ± 10.1 mmHg; 40% LOP 113.2 ± 10.5 mmHg; 60% LOP 121.1 ± 11.7 mmHg; 80% LOP 129.7 ± 12.9 mmHg; p\u3c0.001; =.960), and RPE (No BFR 10.0 ± 2.0; 40 % LOP 11.5 ± 2.3; 60% LOP 13.2 ± 2.6; 80% LOP 14.5 ± 3.; p\u3c0.001; =.826) were significantly higher with each progressing stage. The results indicate that low-intensity cycling with bilateral LE BFR for each LOP stage resulted in elevated SBP, DBP, MAP, and RPE despite maintaining a fixed HR

Local Research Catalyzes National Surgical Planning Comment on “Global Surgery – Informing National Strategies for Scaling Up Surgery in Sub-Saharan Africa”

Abstract In 2015 the Lancet Commission on Global Surgery (LCoGS) argued that surgical care is important to national health systems along with the economic viability of countries. Gajewski and colleagues outlined how the Commission’s blueprint has been implemented in sub-Saharan Africa, including two funded research projects that were integrated into national surgical plans. Here, we outline how the five processes proposed by Gajewski and colleagues are critical to integrate research, policy, and on-the-ground implementation. We also propose that, moving forward, the most pressing adjunct in many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be a better characterization of rural surgical practices through rigorous research along with models that enable lessons to inform national policy

Performance of chemically modified reduced graphene oxide (CMrGO) in electrodynamic dust shield (EDS) applications

Electrodynamic Dust Shield (EDS) technology is a dust mitigation strategy that is commonly studied for applications such as photovoltaics or thermal radiators where soiling of the surfaces can reduce performance. The goal of the current work was to test the performance of a patterned nanocomposite EDS system produced through spray-coating and melt infiltration of chemically modified reduced graphene oxide (CMrGO) traces with thermoplastic high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The EDS performance was tested for a dusting of lunar regolith simulant under high vacuum conditions (~10-6 Torr) using both 2-phase and 3-phase configurations. Uncapped (bare) devices showed efficient dust removal at moderate voltages (1000 V) for both 2-phase and 3-phase designs, but the performance of the devices degraded after several sequential tests due to erosion of the traces caused by electric discharges. Further tests carried out while illuminating the dust surface with a UV excimer lamp showed that the EDS voltage needed to reach the maximum cleanliness was reduced by almost 50% for the 2-phase devices (500 V minimum for rough and 1000 V for smooth), while the 3-phase devices were unaffected by the application of UV. Capping the CMrGO traces with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) eliminated breakdown of the materials and device degradation, but larger voltages (3000 V) coupled with UV illumination were required to remove the grains from the capped devices.Comment: 22 pages, 7 figure

Measurement and Theory of Gas-Phase Ion Mobility Shifts Resulting from Isotopomer Mass Distribution Changes

The unanticipated discovery of recent ultra-high-resolution ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) measurements revealing that isotopomers—compounds that differ only in the isotopic substitution sites—can be separated has raised questions as to the physical basis for their separation. A study comparing IMS separations for two isotopomer sets in conjunction with theory and simulations accounting for ion rotational effects provides the first-ever prediction of rotation-mediated shifts. The simulations produce observable mobility shifts due to differences in gas−ion collision frequency and translational-to-rotational energy transfer. These differences can be attributed to distinct changes in the moment of inertia and center of mass between isotopomers. The simulations are in broad agreement with the observed experiments and consistent with relative mobility differences between isotopomers. These results provide a basis for refining IMS theory and a new foundation to obtain additional structural insights through IMS

Combining Clinical With Cognitive or Magnetic Resonance Imaging Data for Predicting Transition to Psychosis in Ultra High-Risk Patients:Data From the PACE 400 Cohort

Background: Multimodal modeling that combines biological and clinical data shows promise in predicting transition to psychosis in individuals who are at ultra-high risk. Individuals who transition to psychosis are known to have deficits at baseline in cognitive function and reductions in gray matter volume in multiple brain regions identified by magnetic resonance imaging.Methods: In this study, we used Cox proportional hazards regression models to assess the additive predictive value of each modality—cognition, cortical structure information, and the neuroanatomical measure of brain age gap—to a previously developed clinical model using functioning and duration of symptoms prior to service entry as predictors in the Personal Assessment and Crisis Evaluation (PACE) 400 cohort. The PACE 400 study is a well-characterized cohort of Australian youths who were identified as ultra-high risk of transitioning to psychosis using the Comprehensive Assessment of At Risk Mental States (CAARMS) and followed for up to 18 years; it contains clinical data (from N = 416 participants), cognitive data (n = 213), and magnetic resonance imaging cortical parameters extracted using FreeSurfer (n = 231).Results: The results showed that neuroimaging, brain age gap, and cognition added marginal predictive information to the previously developed clinical model (fraction of new information: neuroimaging 0%–12%, brain age gap 7%, cognition 0%–16%).Conclusions: In summary, adding a second modality to a clinical risk model predicting the onset of a psychotic disorder in the PACE 400 cohort showed little improvement in the fit of the model for long-term prediction of transition to psychosis

Experiences and Perspectives of Filipino Patients with Stroke on Physical Therapy Telerehabilitation: A Phenomenological Study Protocol

Introduction: Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the Philippines, so these patients must continuously undergo rehabilitation for faster recovery. With the rise of COVID-19, physical therapy (PT) telerehabilitation (TR) has emerged, where services are provided outside the usual rehabilitation setting for patients with stroke to continue their treatment while reducing the risk of acquiring COVID-19. However, it is a relatively new service in the country; hence, further research is needed to identify the factors and needs of these patients during TR, which may help improve PT TR services. Objective: This study aims to explore the experiences and perspectives of Filipino patients with stroke who have undergone PT TR in the Philippines since March 2020. Administrators of healthcare facilities, policy-makers, and other decision-makers involved in evaluating, implementing, and developing PT TR may benefit patients with stroke. This can expand the scope of rehabilitation to patients with stroke who have no access to face-to-face rehabilitation or improve the training or education of Physical Therapists who are providing TR to stroke patients. Methods: This will be a qualitative phenomenological study design that will use purposive sampling to recruit participants. Semi-structured interviews (SSI) will be conducted online using Google Meetings®, Zoom®, or Facebook Messenger® to record their experiences and perspectives. The NVivo data analysis software will be used to create codes and identify themes from the data gathered. The data that will be obtained is about the experiences and perspectives of Filipino patients with stroke regarding PT TR. The insights of the participants will undergo Thematic Analysis until no new information will be discovered from the analyzed data

Biomimetic rehabilitation engineering: the importance of somatosensory feedback for brain-machine interfaces.

Brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) re-establish communication channels between the nervous system and an external device. The use of BMI technology has generated significant developments in rehabilitative medicine, promising new ways to restore lost sensory-motor functions. However and despite high-caliber basic research, only a few prototypes have successfully left the laboratory and are currently home-deployed. The failure of this laboratory-to-user transfer likely relates to the absence of BMI solutions for providing naturalistic feedback about the consequences of the BMI's actions. To overcome this limitation, nowadays cutting-edge BMI advances are guided by the principle of biomimicry; i.e. the artificial reproduction of normal neural mechanisms. Here, we focus on the importance of somatosensory feedback in BMIs devoted to reproducing movements with the goal of serving as a reference framework for future research on innovative rehabilitation procedures. First, we address the correspondence between users' needs and BMI solutions. Then, we describe the main features of invasive and non-invasive BMIs, including their degree of biomimicry and respective advantages and drawbacks. Furthermore, we explore the prevalent approaches for providing quasi-natural sensory feedback in BMI settings. Finally, we cover special situations that can promote biomimicry and we present the future directions in basic research and clinical applications. The continued incorporation of biomimetic features into the design of BMIs will surely serve to further ameliorate the realism of BMIs, as well as tremendously improve their actuation, acceptance, and use

Evaluating Cumulative Ecosystem Response to Restoration Projects in the Lower Columbia River and Estuary, 2009

This is the sixth annual report of a seven-year project (2004 through 2010) to evaluate the cumulative effects of habitat restoration actions in the lower Columbia River and estuary (LCRE). The project, called the Cumulative Effects Study, is being conducted for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Portland District (USACE) by the Marine Sciences Laboratory of the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), the Pt. Adams Biological Field Station of the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the Columbia River Estuary Study Taskforce (CREST), and the University of Washington. The goal of the Cumulative Effects Study is to develop a methodology to evaluate the cumulative effects of multiple habitat restoration projects intended to benefit ecosystems supporting juvenile salmonids in the 235-km-long LCRE. Literature review in 2004 revealed no existing methods for such an evaluation and suggested that cumulative effects could be additive or synergistic. From 2005 through 2009, annual field research involved intensive, comparative studies paired by habitat type (tidal swamp versus marsh), trajectory (restoration versus reference site), and restoration action (tidegate replacement vs. culvert replacement vs. dike breach)