The sequence of manipulation matters: Abstract thinking offsets ego-depletion when induced before, but not after a depleting task

Based on theoretical and empirical studies dealing with the facilitation and inhibiting effects of different psychic distances (low vs. high construal-level), we tested if the exhibition of self-control under a high construal-level is a more efficient and less resource exhausting mode, compared to the exhibition of self-control under a low construal level. Prior studies already showed that the execution of self-control results in a lower construal-level and a high construal-level has facilitating effects on self-control. We expand upon these studies by: 1. operationalizing the whole process of ego-depletion through two sequential self-control tasks, 2. combining one ego-depletion and one construal-level manipulation in a 2 by 2 design and 3. varying the sequence of manipulations. In Experiment 1, we examined how the manipulation of the participants before and after being depleted, affects the self-control performance in a final task. In Experiment 2, we re-tested the offset of ego-depletion on another self-control measurement, with the condition of a high construal-level manipulated first. In Experiment 1 the ego-depletion effect remained existent when the construal-level was manipulated after the execution of self-control in a stroop test, but it was offset, when the construal-level was manipulated before the stoop test. Drawing on measurements of the perceived available self-control resources in Experiment 2, we were able to rule out an alternative approach, explaining similar results by an attentional shift towards reduced resources under low construal-level.

Contact Lens Solutions Toxicity Evaluation by the Bioluminescence Method

Purpose. To study the possibility of using bioluminescence biotesting to evaluate the toxicity of contact lens care solutions.Methods. The examined solutions were tested both immediately upon unpacking (i.e. sterile) and after rinsing “Pure Vision 2” lenses in them (i.e. after use). As a test system, NADH:FMN oxidoreductase and luciferase bacterial bio enzyme system was used. It contained lyophilized highly purified ferments of EC 1.14.14.3 bacterial luciferase (0.4 mg/ml) from E.coli recombinant variant and EC 1.5.1.29 NADH:FMN oxidoreductase (Ph. leiognathi) (0.18 enzyme units). The bioluminescent testing was carried out with TriStar LB 941 microplate luminometer (Germany). The measurement of the luminescence intensity was carried out in two repetitions. Residual luminescence (T, %), calculated as the ratio of the average maximum luminescence intensities of the experimental measurement (solution) and the control measurement, multiplied by 100%, was used as an integral indicator. Results. The results of bioluminescent testing of sterile solutions showed that “Maxima” solution exhibited the greatest inhibition of bioluminescence, while “Optimed” (Russia) and “AVIZOR Aqua Soft Comfort” solutions demonstrated the least effect. “Bausch + Lomb Biotrue” solution did not affect the bioluminescence. The results of bioluminescence testing of the solutions after contact lenses that had previously been worn for 10 hours were stored in them, showed a strong inhibition of bioluminescence in all solutions. Conclusion. The results of the toxicity evaluation allow for a more reliable prognosis of the long-term consequences of using certain solutions by contact lens wearers from risk groups. The findings also provide more insight into the mechanisms of development of discomfort and other reasons for refusing to wear lenses, as well as to suggest more effective prevention measures.

CALIBRATION OF NON-METRIC UAV CAMERA USING DIFFERENT TEST FIELDS

The paper deals with the calibration of a non-metric digital camera Nikon EOS 6D with a 50 mm lens that could be adapted as a potential UAV sensor for the purposes of aerial inspections. The determination of the internal orientation parameters and the image errors of the non-metric digital camera involved self-calibration with Agisoft Metashape software solving the network of the images obtained from different test fields: a chessboard field, a professional laboratory field and a spatially diverse research area. The results of the control measurement for the examined object distance of 6 meters do not differ significantly. The RMSE from the control measurement for the second analyzed object distance of 15 meters was calculated on the basis of the internal orientation elements. The images from the laboratory field, the spatial test area and the chessboard field were used, and the obtained results amounted to 7.9, 9.9 and 11.5 mm, respectively. The conducted studies showed that in the case of very precise photogrammetric measurements performed by means of the Nikon EOS 6D camera equipped with a 50 mm lens, it is optimal to conduct calibration in a laboratory test field. The greatest RMSE errors were recorded for the control images with the elements of the internal camera orientation calculated on the basis of the chessboard area. The results of the experiments clearly show a relation between the accuracy of the Nikon EOS 6D camera calibrations and the percentage of the frame area filled with the test field. This explains why the weakest calibration results were obtained from the chessboard test field.

Face mask fit modifications that improve source control performance

BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, face masks are used as source control devices to reduce the expulsion of respiratory aerosols from infected people. Modifications such as mask braces, earloop straps, knotting and tucking, and double masking have been proposed to improve mask fit however the data on source control are limited. METHODS The effectiveness of mask fit modifications was determined by conducting fit tests on human subjects and simulator manikins and by performing simulated coughs and exhalations using a source control measurement system. RESULTS Medical masks without modification blocked ≥56% of cough aerosols and ≥42% of exhaled aerosols. Modifying fit by crossing the earloops or placing a bracket under the mask did not increase performance, while using earloop toggles, an earloop strap, and knotting and tucking the mask increased performance. The most effective modifications for improving source control performance were double masking and using a mask brace. Placing a cloth mask over a medical mask blocked ≥85% of cough aerosols and ≥91% of exhaled aerosols. Placing a brace over a medical mask blocked ≥95% of cough aerosols and ≥99% of exhaled aerosols. CONCLUSION Fit modifications can greatly improve the performance of face masks as source control devices for respiratory aerosols.

Validity and reliability of standing balance control measurement on the left unilateral spatial neglect model

BACKGROUND: The present study developed a head-mounted display with the visual direction of a web camera modified to the right as a left unilateral spatial neglect (USN) model with respect to postural balance control. AIM: We aimed to estimate the validity and reliability of center of pressure (CoP) measurements in static standing balance (SSB) and dynamic standing balance (DSB) of healthy participants were using the USN model and to examine whether this model's use influenced postural balance control. METHOD: A portable CoP force plate was used to quantify postural balance control in 64 healthy participants as the model. The CoP displacement of the non-USN and USN models in the medial-lateral (ML) and anterior-posterior (AP) planes, CoP length, and bilateral load ratio in SSB and DSB to the right (R) and left (L) were evaluated. RESULTS: Regression analysis indicated that most CoP measurements have excellent concurrent validity. Bland–Altman plots showed good agreement between the non-USN and USN models in the CoP measurements. Test-retest reliability estimation between two times measurements varied in the frontal and sagittal planes. A Comparison of the results demonstrated that the CoP-AP and CoP length changed (-1.40% and 7.67%, respectively) significantly in SSB (P<0.05). Moreover, the CoP-AP changed very significantly in DSB-R and DSB-L (-1.50% and 1.86%, respectively) in opposite directions (P<0.01) when the subjects performed as the model. CONCLUSION: CoP measurements are valid and reliable to quantify standing balance control in both non-USN and USN models that appear to modulate changes in postural adaptation and adjustment.

Relationship between Trunk Position Sense and Trunk Control in Children with Spastic Cerebral Palsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background and Aim. Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) have impaired trunk control. Joint position sense, a component of proprioception, plays a crucial role in maintaining spinal mobility and stability. The current study is aimed at analysing the relationship between trunk control and trunk position sense in children with spastic CP. Methods. In this study, 24 children with spastic CP aged between 8 and 15 years were recruited. They were classified based on their functional performance using Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Trunk control and trunk position sense were assessed using the trunk control measurement scale (TCMS) and digital goniometer, respectively. The correlation between these variables was tested using Spearman’s correlation coefficient. Results. Significant negative correlation was found between trunk position sense and TCMS score. Similarly, a significant moderate correlation was found between trunk position sense and GMFCS. A strong negative correlation was also found between GMFCS and TCMS. Conclusion. Children with spastic CP with better trunk position sense had better trunk control. Similarly, children with higher functional performance had better trunk control and lesser error in trunk position sense. The current findings imply the relevance of proprioceptive training of the trunk for enhancing trunk motor control in children with spastic CP.

Evaluation on Maturity Assessment System of Government Internal Control System (SPIP) in Local Government

The purpose of this research is to identify problems existing in the maturity assessment system of Government Internal Control System (SPIP) based on the Regulation of the Head of Finance and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Number 4 of 2016 and provide the solutions. The research method was qualitative, using primary data through interview and focus group discussion. Secondary data were in the form of laws and regulations, guidelines, as well as maturity assessment instrument for SPIP. The data analysis used an interactive model. This research found that the current assessment system did not direct the assessment team and quality assurance team to perform an analysis of relationship among SPIP indicators and between SPIP indicators and other governance indicators. In addition, the scoring system is considered to be emphasized more on the fulfillment of administrative evidence rather than the substance of the assessment. Therefore, the assessment system should consider the relationship of variables in the assessment process and put forward the substance of the assessment rather than the completeness of documentation. Keywords: SPIP, control, measurement, maturity

Correlation between the Korean Version of the Trunk Control Measurement Scale and the Selective Control Assessment of the Lower Extremity Scores in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Background and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between the Korean version of the trunk control measurement scale (K-TCMS) and the selective control assessment of the lower extremity (SCALE). Through this, we tried to find out the effect of proximal stabilization on distal motor development. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one children with gross motor function classification system level I–III, diagnosed with cerebral palsy (CP), were studied. The K-TCMS was used to evaluate the body control ability of the children. SCALE was used to quantify selective voluntary motor control (SVMC). Results: Analysis of SCALE and K-TCMS showed a significant positive correlation in all items. Multiple regression analysis showed that the SCALE score decreased as age increased, and that it increased as the static sitting balance ability score and the dynamic sitting balance ability score of the K-TCMS increased significantly (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In children with cerebral palsy, there was a close correlation between trunk control and selective voluntary motor control of the lower extremities. Therefore, when trying to improve the lower extremity function of a child with cerebral palsy, a trunk control intervention should be considered.

Investigation of Quality Control Measurements with Aging X-Ray Machines

The investigation of Quality Control measurement (QC) with ageing x-ray machines was undertaken. Ten x-ray machines were examined across different hospitals within Makurdi metropolis, Benue State using Gammex 330 kV meter and ten (10) X-ray Machines in government hospitals (GH) and private hospitals (PH) with age’s (4-12) years for new X-ray Machines and (22-47) years for aged X-ray Machines. With these, on the quality of diagnostic X-rays and patient’s dose were examined separately when a graph of age of the machine was plotted against the power n of the kVp and a graph of machines age was plotted against radiation intensity. Based on the analysis obtained in this study, the value of n for the new machines with ages (5-12) years has a value of and aged machines with ages (22-47) years has a value of. This shows that there is a relationship between age and n. In conclusion, the findings of the present study showed that the output radiation dose of new and aged x-ray units differs at the same kVp and mAs measurements, indicating that the x-ray tube deteriorates as its ages increase, thereby posing higher health risk to patients and as such, the study recommends that QC measurement be undertaken on x-ray machines at definite stages of the machines life to verify the effects of aging of a machine on patient's dose.

QUALITY CONTROL MEASUREMENT AND IN VITRO BIOEQUIVALENCE OF VALSARTAN AND ATENOLOL TABLETS MARKETED IN UKRAINE

Background. The urgent issue of hypertension is determined by its high population incidence, significant burden of the disease, risk of disability and impact on life expectancy. Rational combinations of drugs of different pharmacological groups in case of ineffectiveness of monotherapy to achieve the clinical effect of pharmacotherapy are clearly recommended in the world and national recommendations for diagnosis and treatment of hypertension. Therefore, innovative pharmaceutical development of a combination of antihypertensive drugs and creation of domestic drugs with antihypertensive action is an urgent task of contemporary pharmacy. Objective. The aim of this study was to perform the quality control measurements and evaluation of dissolution tests for different brands of valsartan and atenolol tablets available in Ukraine. Methods. The concentrations of valsartan and atenolol in samples (drug content and dissolution study) were determined by the proposed HPLC method. Results. The results of the tests conducted for evaluation of the tablets were found to be in acceptable limits for all the selected brands. The correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.9991 and the regression equation was y=61.39x+0.3117. It has been established that the equivalence of dissolution profiles for all recommended dissolution media is observed (рН 1.2, 4.5, and 6.8) for the studied drugs. In all three dissolution media, the release rates of valsartan and atenolol of all dosage forms are more than 85% in 15 min. The dissolution profile of all the selected brands was within the standard limits and was acceptable. Conclusions. Analytical method development is an integral part of the quality control measurements and evaluation of dissolution tests. Our previously developed HPLC method is essential for quality control of a large number of samples in short time intervals. Therefore, the method developed by our group is suitable for a routine quality control analysis of any pharmaceutical preparation containing two tested drugs with the suggested chromatographic method advantages for checking quality during dissolution studies of their dosage forms.