Modeling the systematic behavior at the micro and nano length scales

The assessment of the systematic behavior based on frequentist statistics was analyzed in the context of micro/nano metrology. The proposed method is in agreement with the well-known GUM recommendations. The investigation assessed three different case studies with definition of model equations and establishment of the traceability. The systematic behavior was modeled in Sq roughness parameters and step height measurements obtained from different types of optical microscopes, and in comparison with a calibrated contact instrument. The sequence of case studies demonstrated the applicability of the method to micrographs when their elements are averaged. Moreover, a number of influence factors, which are typical causes of inaccuracy at the micro and nano length scales, were analyzed in relation to the correction of the systematic behavior, viz. the amount of repeated measurements, the time sequence of the acquired micrographs and the instrument-operator chain. The possibility of applying the method individually to the elements of the micrographs was instead proven not convenient and too onerous for the industry. Eventually, the method was also examined against the framework of the metrological characteristics defined in ISO 25178-600 with hints on possible future developments.

Reusable and pH-Stable Luminescent Sensors for Highly Selective Detection of Phosphate

Phosphate sensors have been actively studied owing to their importance in water environment monitoring because phosphate is one of the nutrients that result in algal blooms. As with other nutrients, seamless monitoring of phosphate is important for understanding and evaluating eutrophication. However, field-deployable phosphate sensors have not been well developed yet due to the chemical characteristics of phosphate. In this paper, we report on a luminescent coordination polymer particle (CPP) that can respond selectively and sensitively to a phosphate ion against other ions in an aquatic ecosystem. The CPPs with an average size of 88.1 ± 12.2 nm are embedded into membranes for reusable purpose. Due to the specific binding of phosphates to europium ions, the luminescence quenching behavior of CPPs embedded into membranes shows a linear relationship with phosphate concentrations (3–500 μM) and detection limit of 1.52 μM. Consistent luminescence signals were also observed during repeated measurements in the pH range of 3–10. Moreover, the practical application was confirmed by sensing phosphate in actual environmental samples such as tap water and lake water.

Comparison of zero heat flux and double sensor thermometers during spinal anaesthesia: a prospective observational study

Because of the difficulties involved in the invasive monitoring of conscious patients, core temperature monitoring is frequently neglected during neuraxial anaesthesia. Zero heat flux (ZHF) and double sensor (DS) are non-invasive methods that measure core temperature from the forehead skin. Here, we compare these methods in patients under spinal anaesthesia. Sixty patients scheduled for elective unilateral knee arthroplasty were recruited and divided into two groups. Of these, thirty patients were fitted with bilateral ZHF sensors (ZHF group), and thirty patients were fitted with both a ZHF sensor and a DS sensor (DS group). Temperatures were saved at 5-min intervals from the beginning of prewarming up to one hour postoperatively. Bland–Altman analysis for repeated measurements was performed and a proportion of differences within 0.5 °C was calculated as well as Lin`s concordance correlation coefficient (LCCC). A total of 1261 and 1129 measurement pairs were obtained. The mean difference between ZHF sensors was 0.05 °C with 95% limits of agreement − 0.36 to 0.47 °C, 99% of the readings were within 0.5 °C and LCCC was 0.88. The mean difference between ZHF and DS sensors was 0.33 °C with 95% limits of agreement − 0.55 to 1.21 °C, 66% of readings were within 0.5 °C and LCCC was 0.59. Bilaterally measured ZHF temperatures were almost identical. DS temperatures were mostly lower than ZHF temperatures. The mean difference between ZHF and DS temperatures increased when the core temperature decreased.Trial registration: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov on 13th May 2019, Code NCT03408197.

Effect of gender, carrying and planting the pole on approach step parameters in young pole vaulters

In pole vaulting, take-off speed is considered as a major determinant of performance. Pole carriage could affect the speed acquired during the approach and at the take-off. This study investigated different types of runs performed randomly by young male and female expert athletes: maximal sprint, maximal pole carriage run, maximal run-up with simulated pole plant and competition situation. Speed profile was determined with a radar gun and spatiotemporal parameters were recorded for the last 20 m of the approach with the Optojump Next system. For both genders, mechanical variables were compared using two-way ANOVAs with repeated measurements. Pole carriage represents the main cause of speed decrease for both men (−5.8%) and women (−6.2%). A step rate decrease during pole carriage was pointed out with an increase of contact time for both men and women. Significant speed decrease was observed for women at the take-off compared to pole plant simulation (−4.3%), while not for men. Those results provide a new insight for pole vault training allowing to update training process with specific exercises leading to reduce speed loss at take-off.

Electromagnetic Induction Measurements for Investigating Soil Salinization Caused by Saline Reclaimed Water

This paper focused on the use of electromagnetic induction measurements in order to investigate soil salinization caused by irrigation with saline reclaimed water. An experimental activity was carried out during the growing season of tomato crop in order to evaluate expected soil salinization effects caused by different saline agro-industrial wastewaters used as irrigation sources. Soil electrical conductivity, strictly related to the soil salinity, has been monitored for three months by means of Electromagnetic Induction (EMI) measurements, and evident differences in the soil response have been observed. The study highlighted two aspects that can improve soil investigation due to the utilization of geophysical tools. First, EMI data can map large areas in a short period of time with an unprecedented level of detail by overcoming practical difficulties in order to massively sample soil. At the same time, repeated measurements over time allow updating real-time soil salinity maps by using accurate correlations with soil electrical conductivity. This application points out how integrated agro-geophysical research approaches can play a strategic role in agricultural saline water management in order to prevent soil salinization risks in medium to long-term periods.

The Effect of Winter Mountaineering Training on Athlete Success and Permanency of Learning

Introduction and Purpose: The aim of this research is to examine the effects of athlete success and permanency of learning the winter mountaineering training given by the Turkish Mountaineering Federation. The research group consists of a total of 105 participants, 21 women (20%) and 84 men (80%) who attended the winter mountaineering training course organized by the Turkish Mountaineering Federation. Materials and Methods: In this study, quasi-experimental design was used in the research. A multiple-choice achievement test of 25 questions which includes knowledge and practice issues related to winter mountaineering education was prepared. The reliability analysis of the achievement test was made with the “ITEMAN” program. The pre-test-post-test data of the study were collected on 20-27 January 2019 on Zigana Mountain, and 4 weeks later, the permanency test data was collected on 28 February 2019 on Erciyes Mountain. In data analysis, for correlated samples (repeated measures) one-factor ANOVA and for repeated measurements two-factor ANOVA analyzes were performed. Findings: There was a significant difference between the pre-test-post-tests-permanency test total, knowledge, and application scores of the athletes. It is seen that the achievement scores of male and female athletes before and after the training do not differ significantly. Results: According to the research results; It has seen that the winter mountaineering training given by the Turkish mountaineering federation has a positive effect on the knowledge and practice levels of the athletes and has an important contribution in the context of the permanency of learning. In addition, it was determined that the success scores of female athletes who received training were higher than male athletes.

Number of Days Required to Estimate Habitual Vegetable Variety: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Using Dietary Records for 7 Consecutive Days

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the number of days required to estimate habitual vegetable variety by conducting a multiday, dietary record. Sixty respondents from three groups in Japan (rural residents, general students, and nutrition students) participated in the study using a self-administered questionnaire in September 2018. To measure vegetable variety, the number of different vegetables consumed was extracted from the dietary records of seven consecutive days. Differences in the number of vegetables consumed and the capture proportion over seven consecutive days between groups were examined using repeated measures analysis of variance and one-way analysis of variance. The vegetable variety between each day was also compared using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The vegetable variety based on dietary records for seven consecutive days confirmed the differences between groups by repeated measurements (p = 0.013). However, there was no significant difference among groups in the capture proportion per survey day based on seven consecutive days. Furthermore, there were significant correlations between the number of vegetables consumed over seven consecutive days and that consumed on two or more days (r > 0.50, p < 0.01) and especially three or more days in all groups (r > 0.70, p < 0.001). The present study suggested that a dietary survey over two or more days could provide an estimate of habitual vegetable variety.

Well Recovered and More Creative? A Longitudinal Study on the Relationship Between Vacation and Creativity

The aim of this study was to investigate employees’ self-reported creativity before and after vacation and to examine the impact of recovery experiences (detachment, relaxation, mastery, meaning, autonomy, affiliation) on changes in creativity. The DRAMMA model of Newman et al. provides the theoretical background of our approach. Longitudinal data was assessed with four repeated measurements. The study encompassed data from 274 white-collar workers. Analyses showed that employees subjectively perceive their creativity to benefit not immediately after their vacation but 2 weeks later. Detachment was significantly related to lower creativity within persons, while mastery experiences explained differences in creativity between persons. This study provides a detailed picture of changes in creativity around vacations.

COMPARISON OF SCAPULAR MORPHOLOGY IN DEGENERATIVE AND TRAUMATIC ROTATOR CUFF TEARS

Background: Degenerative cuff tears have impingement pathophysiology due to altered scapular morphology as measured by increased critical shoulder angle (CSA), decreased lateral acromial angle (LAA) and increased acromion index (AI). But scapular morphology in traumatic tears has neither been studied nor compared with degenerative tears. Aim: To compare scapular morphology with CSA, LAA, AI between traumatic and degenerative tears and determine their reliability. Methods: This observational study includes 100 patients (50 with traumatic and degenerative tears). We analyzed MRI and standardized AP shoulder radiograph of these patients. Parameters, such as CSA, LAA, AI, were measured on AP radiographs by two separate observers in a blinded manner. The 1st observer repeated measurements after four weeks. We compared age, gender, degree of cuff tear, and CSA values, LAA, and AI between the two groups. Results: On comparison using chi-square test, degenerative group had significantly higher age, higher CSA (mean 37.55, SD 0.88 versus traumatic group mean 36.6, SD 0.95, [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text], highly significant), higher AI (mean 0.73, SD 0.02 versus traumatic mean 0.69, SD 0.04 [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text], highly significant), and lower LAA (77.14, SD 2.03 versus traumatic mean 78.36, SD 2.73, [Formula: see text]-value 0.013, significant). Interobserver and intraobserver reliability of parameters using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) revealed excellent (CSA, LAA) and good (AI) agreement. ROC curve analysis calculated sensitivity (0.7) and specificity (0.66) to diagnose degenerative tear for CSA above 37.05[Formula: see text]. Conclusion: Scapular morphology in traumatic tears differs from degenerative. CSA, LAA, AI can be reliably measured on standardized shoulder AP radiographs.

Validation of the infrared spectroscopy method for analysis of the composition of urine concretes

The aim of this study was to validate the method for analyzing the composition of calculus using infrared (IR) spectroscopy by studying model mixtures of salts. Study was made with an ALPHA-P IR Fourier spectrometer with OPUS software (Bruker, Germany). The samples of pure chemical salts manufactured by Sigma-Aldrich USA were used to validate the method. Salt mixtures were prepared in ratios of 10/90, 50/50 and 90/10. To assess the effect of the fraction size on the calculus component results, were used calculi of patients with urolithiasis. For each mixture were used 10 repeated measurements. Analysis of the composition of model salts showed that in the study of pure cystine salt CV(%) was 0,79%, calcium carbonate - 0,92%, sodium urate - 0,97%, calcium oxalate monohydrate - 4,94%, magnesium ammonium phosphate - 5,59%. And the most common components were analyzed in the composition of complex mixtures, including 90%, 50% and 10% of the investigated component. Calcium oxalate monohydrate has CV(%) 5.70% in mixture 9 part of it to one part of impurities, in mixture 50/50 - 21.57% and in 10/90 - 5.70%. For uric acid in 90/10 - 2.20%, in 50/50 - 10.09%, in 10/90 - 31.94%. For calcium carbonate in 90/10 - 9.02%, in 50/50 - 11.98%, in 10/90 - 24.70%. The dispersion analysis showed that the weighed portions of salts with a particle diameter of more than 0.8 mm provide reproducibility with a CV - 11.48%, with a diameter of 0.2-0.8 mm - 5.35%, and finally less than 0.1 mm - 2.28%. The accuracy of the method is high, but the reproducibility of the IR-spectroscopy method is relatively low in the analysis of stones of mixed composition, due to the greater error in the determination of impurities. Laboratories should pay special attention to optimizing sample preparation to ensure particle fineness less than 0.1 mm.