Force Recruitment of Neuromuscular Magnetic Stimulation Predicted Through High-Resolution Anatomical 3D Models

Neuromuscular magnetic stimulation is a promising tool in neurorehabilitation due to its deeper penetration, notably lower distress, and respectable force levels compared to electrical stimulation. However, this method faces great challenges from a technological perspective. The systematic design of better equipment and the incorporation into modern training setups requires better understanding of the mechanisms and predictive quantitative models of the recruited forces. This article proposes a model for simulating the force recruitment in isometric muscle stimulation of the thigh extensors based on previous theoretical and experimental findings. The model couples a 3D field model for the physics with a parametric recruitment model, which is identified with a mixed-effects design to learn the most likely model based on available experimental data with a wide range of field conditions. This approach intentionally keeps the model as mathematically simple and statistically parsimonious as possible in order to avoid over-fitting. The coupled model is able to accurately predict key phenomena observed so far, such as a threshold shift for different distances between coil and body, the different recruiting performance of various coils with available measurement data in the literature, and the saturation behaviour with its onset amplitude. The presented recruitment model could also be readily incorporated into dynamic models for biomechanics as soon as sufficient experimental data are available for calibration.

Long-term dynamics of the human oral microbiome during clinical disease progression

Background Oral microbiome dysbiosis is linked to overt inflammation of tooth-supporting tissues, leading to periodontitis, an oral condition that can cause tooth and bone loss. Microbiome dysbiosis has been described as a disruption in the symbiotic microbiota composition’s stability that could adversely affect the host’s health status. However, the precise microbiome dynamics that lead to dysbiosis and the progression of the disease are largely unknown. The objective of our study was to investigate the long-term dynamics of periodontitis progression and its connection to dysbiosis. Results We studied three different teeth groups: sites that showed disease progression, sites that remained stable during the study, and sites that exhibited a cyclic deepening followed by spontaneous recovery. Time-series analysis revealed that communities followed a characteristic succession of bacteria clusters. Stable and fluctuating sites showed high asynchrony in the communities (i.e., different species responding dissimilarly through time) and a reordering of the communities where directional changes dominated (i.e., sample distance increases over time) in the stable sites but not in the fluctuating sites. Progressing sites exhibited low asynchrony and convergence (i.e., samples distance decreases over time). Moreover, new species were more likely to be recruited in stable samples if a close relative was not recruited previously. In contrast, progressing and fluctuating sites followed a neutral recruitment model, indicating that competition between closely related species is a significant component of species-species interactions in stable samples. Finally, periodontal treatment did not select similar communities but stabilized α-diversity, centered the abundance of different clusters to the mean, and increased community rearrangement. Conclusions Here, we show that ecological principles can define dysbiosis and explain the evolution and outcomes of specific microbial communities of the oral microbiome in periodontitis progression. All sites showed an ecological succession in community composition. Stable sites were characterized by high asynchrony, a reordering of the communities where directional changes dominated, and new species were more likely to be recruited if a close relative was not recruited previously. Progressing sites were characterized by low asynchrony, community convergence, and a neutral model of recruitment. Finally, fluctuating sites were characterized by high asynchrony, community convergence, and a neutral recruitment model.

ANALISIS MODEL DAN IDENTIFIKASI FAKTOR PENDUKUNG DAN PENGHAMBAT DALAM PROSES REKRUTMEN BAGI TENAGA KERJA PENYANDANG DISABILITAS FISIK DI KOTA SERANG

The difficulty of people with disabilities in Serang City in getting a job both in government agencies and in private companies, even though the right to get a job has been supported by Law Regulation No. 13 of 2019. One of the causes is supporting factors and obstacles in the recruitment process that cause problems in the recruitment model of people with disabilities. The purpose of the study is to analyze recruitment models and identify supporting factors and inhibit the recruitment process of people with physical disabilities in Serang City. This research uses descriptive qualitative methods, data collection techniques using interviews, observations with relevant parties and document studies. The results of the study are that the recruitment model of people with disabilities is closely related to supporting factors in the recruitment process of prospective workers with disabilities including skills, relationships and education, while the inhibiting factors are lack of family support, self-spirit, accessibility and environment. The conclusion of this study is that there are several obstacles to the recruitment model, namely the availability of limited quality resources, low levels of education and knowledge and criteria that cannot be met by prospective employees who are closely related to supporting factors and obstacles in the recruitment process of prospective workers with physical disabilities in Serang City. The existence of inhibitory factors in the recruitment process resulted in supporting factors not running optimally, thus causing various obstacles in the existing recruitment model

Stock-recruitment models, principles of management and rules for regulating the fishery on the main Chukotka stocks of sockeye and chum salmon

Fishery pressure on populations of pacific salmons has increased in the Rusian Far East in the last decade because of growing fishing and processing capacity, so measures for the fishery regulation are necessary, as the regime of pass days in rivers and marine coastal areas. Chukotka is now almost the only region where such restrictions are still absent. However, if the interest of fishery industry to the stocks of pacific salmon in Chukotka will grow, a successful scientifically based strategy of fishery should be developed to maintain exploitation of the stocks without exceeding the limits of excessive use. Year-to-year time series on spawning stock and recruitment of chum salmon in the Anadyr area and sockeye salmon in the Meynypilgyn area were analysed for development of recruitment models and establishment of general principles for adaptive fishery management. Nonlinear adaptive fishery management based on principles of buffer managing is proposed and tested under various regimes of landing using the stock simulation models accounting deviations from the standard stock-recruitment model. There is concluded that the level of exploitation is much lower than optimal for the Anadyr chum salmon, whereas escapement for spawning of the Meynypilgyn sockeye salmon should be increased in cases of low spawning stock of this species.

Effects of Adult Biomass and Environmental Conditions on Bigheaded Carp Reproductive Output

Bighead Carp Hypothalmichthys nobilis and Silver Carp Hypothalmichthys moltrix (hereafter collectively referred to as Bigheaded Carp) have spread throughout the majority of the Mississippi River since the 1970s. The current northern invasion edge of Bigheaded Carp in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) spans between Pools 14 and 20 because of limited passage at Lock and Dam (LD) 19. Mechanisms limiting adult Bigheaded Carp abundance above LD19 are unknown but may be due in part to lack of reproductive success influenced by adult abundance and environmental factors. Our objective was to investigate how relative adult biomass and river temperature and discharge affect maximum annual Bigheaded Carp larval production in the UMR using a Ricker stock-recruitment model. Adult Bigheaded Carp relative biomass (kg/h) was estimated annually with boat electrofishing and larvae were collected every 10 d between May and August 2014–2017 in Pools 14–20 in the UMR. Adult relative biomass ranged from 0.0 to 880.9 kg/h, whereas maximum annual larval densities ranged from 0.0 to 2,869.4 larvae/m3. After accounting for variability among pools and years, the most supported linear Ricker stock-recruitment model indicated the number of recruits per spawner decreased with increasing adult relative biomass and increased with mean discharge. Our results highlight the importance of adult biomass and river discharge conditions for reproduction of Bigheaded Carp along leading edges of invasion. Management strategies that aim to maintain low adult abundance where reproduction is not yet occurring could help limit population increases via reproduction, whereas reducing high adult biomass (e.g., commercial harvest, barriers) may result in greater Bigheaded Carp reproductive output in the UMR.

Increasing underrepresented minority cancer patient enrollment into cancer clinical trials: A systematic review.

e18574 Background: Minorities continue to be underrepresented in clinical trials despite the National Institute of Health’s Revitalization Act, passed in 1993, mandating the representation of women and underrepresented minority groups in clinical trials. Studies have shown that although Blacks represent 15% and Hispanics 13% of the cancer population, their clinical trial enrollment rates in are disproportionately low at 4-6% and 3-6% respectively. We conducted a systematic review exploring interventions aimed at improving clinical trial enrollment for racial and ethnic minorities. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Ovid PsycINFO was conducted for English-language studies of humans since 1993. Inclusion criteria included peer-reviewed, U.S.-based studies with interventions aimed to recruit underrepresented minority adult cancer patients into cancer clinical trials. We defined underrepresented minority groups as Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, American Indian/Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian/other Pacific Islander. Results: A total of 2471 titles and abstracts were identified and 2324 were excluded based on the eligibility criteria. A full text review was conducted of the remaining 147 articles, of which only 9 met criteria for our review. The interventions included patient navigation/coaching (n = 4), a clinical trial educational video (n = 2), institutional research infrastructure changes (n = 1), a relationship building and social marketing recruitment model (n = 1) and cultural competency training for providers (n = 1). Studies were conducted in a variety of practice settings including national cancer institutes and community practices. The quality of evidence was limited by the heterogeneity of study methods, patient representation and bias. Several studies had a homogeneous population of Black patients. Most studies (n = 7) were single arm trials that compared results to either historical controls or those cited in the existing literature; two studies were randomized controlled trials. A statistically significant improvement in accrual was shown in three of the patient navigation interventions, one of the clinical trial educational videos, the institutional research infrastructure change and the relationship building and social marketing recruitment model. The common threads to many of these successful interventions were support through the cancer care continuum, cultural congruency of research staff and culturally catered clinical trial educational materials. Conclusions: This systematic review illustrates several mechanisms by which to increase cancer clinical trial recruitment for cancer patients of underrepresented minority backgrounds in a variety of clinical settings. Randomized controlled trials with representation of multiple races/ethnicities are needed to further explore the benefits of these interventions.

Development of an Optimized Digital E-Recruitment Model for Sindh Police

Information and communication technology (ICT) have profound influence in the modern world such that it has taken every sphere of life today. The advent of ICT has made the all activities relating to human and material resources utilize unto optimum level and making every aspect of life easier. In these days, the use of latest ICT technology like digital finger print identification, surveillance camera, and radiofrequency identificationdevices ensure transparency and identity fraud. However, existing manual recruitment process in Sindh Police of Pakistanhas been disputed at various platforms to ensure transparency. There have been several issues such as physical document identification and verification, physical tests, such as, running, jumping, obstaclesoverpassing, finger printsneed to be transparent and apparent to respective authorities and aspirants during the recruitment process. Therefore, the purpose of this research article isto identify existing issues in current recruitment process. It provides appropriate solutions for fare recruitment process in Sindh Police Pakistan. This research isintended to Development of an Optimized Digital E-Recruitment Model of Sindh Policefor Sindh Police connectedto National Database & Registration Authority (NADARA) of Pakistan to verify aspirants’ identity online, monitor their physical tests using RFID, surveillance cameras, GPS enabled bracelets generating automated digital reports of all aspirants, ensuring transparency and fairness in recruitment system ofSindh Police of Pakistan.

Feasibility and acceptability of breath research in primary care: a prospective, cross-sectional, observational study

ObjectivesTo examine the feasibility and acceptability of breath research in primary care.DesignNon-randomised, prospective, mixed-methods cross-sectional observational study.SettingTwenty-six urban primary care practices.Participants1002 patients aged 18–90 years with gastrointestinal symptoms.Main outcome measuresDuring the first 6 months of the study (phase 1), feasibility of patient enrolment using face-to-face, telephone or SMS-messaging (Short Message Service) enrolment strategies, as well as processes for breath testing at local primary care practices, were evaluated. A mixed-method iterative study design was adopted and outcomes evaluated using weekly Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles, focus groups and general practitioner (GP) questionnaires.During the second 6 months of the study (phase 2), patient and GP acceptability of the breath test and testing process was assessed using questionnaires. In addition a ‘single practice’ recruitment model was compared with a ‘hub and spoke’ centralised recruitment model with regards to enrolment ability and patient acceptability.Throughout the study feasibility of the collection of a large number of breath samples by clinical staff over multiple study sites was evaluated and quantified by the analysis of these samples using mass spectrometry.Results1002 patients were recruited within 192 sampling days. Both ‘single practice’ and ‘hub and spoke’ recruitment models were effective with an average of 5.3 and 4.3 patients accrued per day, respectively. The ‘hub and spoke’ model with SMS messaging was the most efficient combined method of patient accrual. Acceptability of the test was high among both patients and GPs. The methodology for collection, handling and analysis of breath samples was effective, with 95% of samples meeting quality criteria.ConclusionsLarge-scale breath testing in primary care was feasible and acceptable. This study provides a practical framework to guide the design of Phase III trials examining the performance of breath testing in primary care.