RCR Report of “A Language for Agent-Based Discrete-Event Modeling and Simulation of Linked Lives”

The artifact evaluated in this report is relevant to the article. In fact, it allows us to run the experiments and reproduce figures, and the dependencies are documented. The process to regenerate data presented in the article completes correctly, and the results are reproducible. Additionally, the authors have uploaded their artifact on permanent repositories, which ensures a long-term retention. This article can thus receive the Artifacts Available , Artifacts Evaluated–Reusable , and Results Reproduced badges.

Orthodontic Retention—Protocols and Materials—A Questionnaire Pilot Study among Polish Practitioners

The aim of the study was to analyze retention protocols and materials for fixed retainers used by clinicians providing orthodontic treatment in Poland. The survey was carried out from February to April 2021. The questionnaire was designed using the Google Forms tool. After validation, the questionnaire was delivered to verified active orthodontists gathered in a closed social media group of 615 members. Finally, 104 answers were received. Answers to individual questions were provided in percentages and tabularized. A chi-squared test of proportion was used to compare: the proportion of clinicians using retainers of different characteristics and the proportions of clinicians indicating the superiority of a given clinical solution. Rectangular steel braided wire was rated as most reliable. However, doctors who declared to use gold chain were mostly solely using this type of wire. Multistranded round wire was rated the worst. Fiber-reinforced composite was mainly used in periodontal patients. The protocols used by Polish orthodontic practitioners relied on double long-term retention with regular follow-up. The most popular material was stainless steel braided rectangular wire bonded with a flowable composite. Most clinicians believed they could maintain the treatment results, but they declared that patients’ cooperation was a challenge.

Increased cognitive load in immersive virtual reality during visuomotor adaptation is associated with decreased long-term retention and context transfer

Background: Complex motor tasks in immersive virtual reality using a head-mounted display (HMD-VR) have been shown to increase cognitive load and decrease motor performance compared to conventional computer screens (CS). Separately, visuomotor adaptation in HMD-VR has been shown to recruit more explicit, cognitive strategies, resulting in decreased implicit mechanisms thought to contribute to motor memory formation. However, it is unclear whether visuomotor adaptation in HMD-VR increases cognitive load and whether cognitive load is related to explicit mechanisms and long-term motor memory formation.Methods: We randomized 36 healthy participants into three equal groups. All groups completed an established visuomotor adaptation task measuring explicit and implicit mechanisms, combined with a dual-task probe measuring cognitive load. Then, all groups returned after 24-hours to measure retention of the overall adaptation. One group completed both training and retention tasks in CS (measuring long-term retention in a CS environment), one group completed both training and retention tasks in HMD-VR (measuring long-term retention in an HMD-VR environment), and one group completed the training task in HMD-VR and the retention task in CS (measuring context transfer from an HMD-VR environment). A Generalized Linear Mixed-Effect Model (GLMM) was used to compare cognitive load between CS and HMD-VR during visuomotor adaptation, t-tests were used to compare overall adaptation and explicit and implicit mechanisms between CS and HMD-VR training environments, and ANOVAs were used to compare group differences in long-term retention and context transfer.Results: Cognitive load was found to be greater in HMD-VR than in CS. This increased cognitive load was related to decreased use of explicit, cognitive mechanisms early in adaptation. Moreover, increased cognitive load was also related to decreased long-term motor memory formation. Finally, training in HMD-VR resulted in decreased long-term retention and context transfer.Conclusions: Our findings show that cognitive load increases in HMD-VR and relates to explicit learning and long-term motor memory formation during motor learning. Future studies should examine what factors cause increased cognitive load in HMD-VR motor learning and whether this impacts HMD-VR training and long-term retention in clinical populations.

Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) in areas used for agricultural purposes: the Rye Island pilot study

For a long-term retention of water in aquifers and its subsequent use in drier or heavier demand periods, the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) techniques are studied and implemented in 4 pilot areas of the DEEPWATER-CE project. In Slovakia, the pilot study is situated in the Rye Island. A calibrated MODFLOW model is used for a prediction of groundwater level changes caused by the Recharge Dam MAR. Results of the simulations showed that the increased groundwater level caused by the realization and operation of three proposed weirs affects the volume of water infiltrated to the aquifer but does not cause the flooding of the adjacent area.

Long-term retention and predictors of attrition for key populations receiving antiretroviral treatment through community-based ART in Benue State Nigeria: A retrospective cohort study

Background Key populations (KP) are disproportionately infected with HIV and experience barriers to HIV care. KP include men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers (FSW), persons who inject drugs (PWID) and transgender people (TG). We implemented three different approaches to the delivery of community-based antiretroviral therapy for KP (KP-CBART) in Benue State Nigeria, including One Stop Shop clinics (OSS), community drop-in-centres (DIC), and outreach venues. OSS are community-based health facilities serving KP only. DIC are small facilities led by lay healthcare providers and supported by an outreach team. Outreach venues are places in the community served by the outreach team. We studied long-term attrition of KP and virological non-suppression. Method This is a retrospective cohort study of KP living with HIV (KPLHIV) starting ART between 2016 and 2019 in 3 0SS, 2 DIC and 8 outreach venues. Attrition included lost to follow-up (LTFU) and death. A viral load >1000 copies/mL showed viral non-suppression. Survival analysis was used to assess retention on ART. Cox regression and Firth logistic regression were used to assess risk factors for attrition and virological non-suppression respectively. Result Of 3495 KPLHIV initiated on ART in KP-CBART, 51.8% (n = 1812) were enrolled in OSS, 28.1% (n = 982) in DIC, and 20.1% (n = 701) through outreach venues. The majority of participants were FSW—54.2% (n = 1896), while 29.8% (n = 1040), 15.8% (n = 551) and 0.2% (n = 8) were MSM, PWID, and TG respectively. The overall retention in the programme was 63.5%, 55.4%, 51.2%, and 46.7% at 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, and 4 years on ART. Of 1650 with attrition, 2.5% (n = 41) died and others were LTFU. Once adjusted for other factors (age, sex, place of residence, year of ART enrollment, WHO clinical stage, type of KP group, and KP-CBART approach), KP-CBART approach did not predict attrition. MSM were at a higher risk of attrition (vs FSW; adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.27; 95%CI: 1.14–1.42). Of 3495 patients, 48.4% (n = 1691) had a viral load test. Of those, 97.8% (n = 1654) were virally suppressed. Conclusion Although long-term retention in care is low, the virological suppression was optimal for KP on ART and retained in community-based ART care. However, viral load testing coverage was sub-optimal. Future research should explore the perspectives of clients on reasons for LTFU and how to adapt approach to CBART to meet individual client needs.