Validity of the SS-QOL in Germany and in Survivors of Hemorrhagic or Ischemic Stroke

Objective: The Stroke-Specific Quality of Life Scale (SS-QOL) is a recently developed measure to assess health-related quality of life in stroke patients. The objective of this study was to translate the American version of the SS-QOL and examine the validity of the German proxy version, in both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke survivors. Methods: The translation was conducted according to published guidelines. The validation was performed in consecutive adult stroke survivors. Data were obtained 1 year after discharge. To examine the dimensionality of the SS-QOL, factor analyses were conducted. The validity was examined by the associations of the subscales with the Functional Independence Measure and Short Form 36. Results: The literal translation revealed no major changes between the American and the German versions of the SS-QOL. Three hundred seven stroke survivors were included in the study. Unlike the 1st validation study, most of the variance could be explained by 8 instead of 12 factors; therefore, the 8-factor solution was further examined. The validity of the SS-QOL total score and “observable” scales such as “activities” was shown. Conclusions. For the German proxy version of the SS-QOL, an 8-factor solution was found to be the most appropriate. The psychometric properties of these 8 subscales were good or excellent with respect to internal consistency. The validity of the total score was shown, but some subscales(energy, mood, and thinking) failed the hypothesized associations. Therefore, the SS-QOL needs to be further explored in other settings and populations

Segmental stabilizing exercises and low back pain: What is the evidence?

Study design: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of segmental stabilizing exercises for acute, subacute and chronic low back pain with regard to pain, recurrence of pain, disability and return to work. Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, PEDro and article reference lists were searched from 1988 onward. Randomized controlled trials with segmental stabilizing exercises for adult low back pain patients were included. Four comparisons were foreseen: (1) effectiveness of segmental stabilizing exercises versus treatment by general practitioner (GP); (2) effectiveness of segmental stabilizing exercises versus other physiotherapy treatment; (3) effectiveness of segmental stabilizing exercises combined with other physiotherapy treatment versus treatment by GP and (4) effectiveness of segmental stabilizing exercises combined with other physiotherapy treatment versus other physiotherapy treatment. Results: Seven trials were included. For acute low back pain, segmental stabilizing exercises are equally effective in reducing short-term disability and pain and more effective in reducing long-term recurrence of low back pain than treatment by GP. For chronic low back pain, segmental stabilizing exercises are, in the short and long term, more effective than GP treatment and may be as effective as other physiotherapy treatments in reducing disability and pain. There is limited evidence that segmental stabilizing exercises additional to other physiotherapy treatment are equally effective for pain and more effective concerning disability than other physiotherapy treatments alone. There is no evidence concerning subacute low back pain. Conclusion: For low back pain, segmental stabilizing exercises are more effective than treatment by GP but they are not more effective than other physiotherapy interventions

A Robust, Gravity-Insensitive, High-Temperature Condenser for Water Recovery

Regenerative life support systems are vital for NASA's future long-duration human space exploration missions. A Heat Melt Compactor (HMC) system is being developed by NASA to dry and compress trash generated during space missions. The resulting water vapor is recovered and separated from the process gas flow by a gravity-insensitive condenser. Creare is developing a high-temperature condenser for this application. The entire condenser is constructed from metals that have excellent resistance to chemical attack from contaminants and is suitable for high-temperature operation. The metal construction and design configuration also offer greatest flexibility for potential coating and regeneration processes to reduce biofilm growth and thus enhancing the reliability of the condenser. The proposed condenser builds on the gravity-insensitive phase separator technology Creare developed for aircraft and spacecraft applications. This paper will first discuss the design requirements for the condenser in an HMC system that will be demonstrated on the International Space Station (ISS). Then, it will present the overall design of the condenser and the preliminary thermal test results of a subscale condenser. Finally, this paper will discuss the predicted performance of the full-size condenser and the development plan to mature the technology and enhance its long-term reliability for a flight system

Group Key Distribution Procedures For The L-Band Digital Aeronautical Communications System (LDACS)

Since the beginning of the century, an increasing amount of air traffic has pushed current aeronautical communication systems to their limits. Therefore, a modernization process is ongoing aiming to digitalize previously analog systems and prepare them for future requirements. Among these efforts is the L-Band Digital Aeronautical Communication System (LDACS). Being the worldwide first integrated Communication, Navigation and Surveillance (CNS) system, it will replace legacy analog voice communications in the future. Any newly developed system must provide strong cyber security, especially when deployed within critical infrastructures. While previous work has been focused on implementing Mutual Authentication and Key Establishment protocols in LDACS, applying security mechanisms in a group wise fashion has not been evaluated yet. As LDACS control messages apply to all members of an LDACS cell, Group Key Management (GKM) methods are a vital step in introducing control channel security to LDACS. The objective of this paper is to evaluate GKM procedures to support secure group communication within LDACS control channels

Improving Usable LDACS Data Rate via Certificate Validity Optimization

Since the beginning of the century, an increasing amount of air traffic has pushed current aeronautical communication systems to their limits. Therefore, a modernization process is ongoing, envisioning to digitalize previously analog systems and prepare them for future requirements. Among these efforts is the L-Band Digital Aeronautical Communications System (LDACS), which is a cellular broadband digital data link system, foreseen for regularity-of-flight and safety-communications. Any newly developed system must provide strong cybersecurity, especially when deployed within critical infrastructures. Similar to other communication systems, LDACS will utilize digital certificates within its Public Key Infrastructure (PKI). Such certificates must be available to the respective communication partner, and therefore might have to be transmitted via the radio link upon first contact. With bandwidth generally being a restricting factor in wireless communication, especially in the spectrum-scarce Lband different certificate lifetimes have varying impacts on the amount of security data. In previous research work, reduction of the LDACS security overhead has already been considered in e.g., the secure cell-attachment procedure between ground and aircraft stations or within a proposal for the utilization of group key distribution procedures in LDACS. However, the effect of different certificate lifetimes on the amount of security data and therefore the available user data rate has not been investigated so far. The objective of this paper is to compare different approaches for certificate validity periods in respect to the additional network overheads being created. Computer simulations using historical flight data from the OpenSky Network and a dedicated LDACS simulator help identifying the most effective solution

A New Model of Project Based Learning

A new model for engineering education has been developed and funded. The model is 100% project based learning (PBL) where the students develop their own learning objectives. The projects are authentic needs contributed by collaborating industries. Students monitor the acquisition of 32 technical competencies and all of the design and professionalism competencies required of new practicing engineers. The reasons for the new model, description of the model, research supporting the model, methods for evaluating the model and its transportability are discussed

Assessing pollen beetle dynamics in diversified agricultural landscapes with reduced pesticide management strategies: Exploring the potential of digital yellow water traps for continuous, high-resolution monitoring in oilseed rape

The European Farm to Fork strategy strives to reduce pesticide use and risk by 50% by 2030, preserving agricultural productivity, biodiversity, and human health. Novel research on crop diversification and new field arrangements, supported by digital technologies, offers sustainable innovations for pest control. This study evaluates digital yellow water traps, equipped with a camera and associated artificial intelligence model for continuous pollen beetle monitoring in diversified agricultural landscapes. Data were collected in oilseed rape from three harvest years (2021-2023) at the experimental site patchCROP, a landscape experiment established to study the effects of spatial and temporal crop diversification measures on yield, ecosystem services, and biodiversity. In patchCROP, crops were planted in smaller, 0.5 ha (72 × 72 m) squares called "patches" with different pesticide management strategies and were compared to surrounding commercial fields. The digital yellow water traps and AI were evaluated and found to be useful for gauging pollen beetle immigration into the crop. Across all years, higher insect pest pressure was recorded in the patches compared to commercial fields but did not necessarily compromise yields. Implementation of pesticide management strategies, including targeted insecticide applications at specific insect pest thresholds, were not associated with reduced yields in patches with flower strips. Future studies should consider examining the role of field size and alternative diversification approaches to fine-tune insecticide reduction strategies at the landscape scale

Telemental Health Training in Counselor Education: A Qualitative Research Study

Telemental health training in counselor education is uncommon, mostly because telemental health delivery of counseling has been limited. However, the COVID-19 pandemic required a sudden pivot to technology in order to continue to provide services to clients. Counselors-in-Training also had to pivot to telemental health field experiences, most without intentional training for such in their master’s programs. This grounded theory qualitative study describes the lived experiences of seven students in their Practicum course during this period in a master’s-level clinical mental health counseling program. Particular themes that emerged were concerns about lack of training in various areas, including crisis intervention/risk assessment online, and positive perceptions of creativity and accessibility

Stretch controlled shading capabilities of special elastomeric silicone films

A hitherto unexploited effect: the reversible stretch-induced change of translucency and transparency of certain silicone materials is experimentally investigated with regard to an application in a new type of shading system for biaxial bent, free-form building envelopes. In a first step the silicone raw materials showing the effect are processed into membrane shape and the stretch-dependent optical characteristics of the silicone film samples are examined. Shading effects are measured during cyclic and long term uniaxial tension tests. For multiaxial loading conditions, as appearing in planar biaxial tension tests with cross shaped specimens and bulge tests with inflated circular specimens, optical inhomogeneity effects due to locally varying elongations are documented. Further results concerning a variable transparency depending on the distance of the observer and an object behind the membrane are discussed. A conceptual application of the materials into translucent facades for shading purposes is presented. The closed cavity concept of planar stretched films located between window screens and the implementation of silicone films as inflatable shading structures are discussed. Furthermore, the advantages of silicone films in these kinds of cladding types are pointed out, as typical problems i.e. fogging and high-temperature stability pose no major issue