A 1-bit electronically reconfigurable beam steerable metasurface reflectarray with multiple polarization manipulations

A 1-bit electronically controlled metasurface reflectarray is presented to achieve beam steering with multiple polarization manipulations. A metsurface unit cell loaded by two PIN diodes is designed. By switching the two PIN diodes between ON and OFF states, the isotropic and anisotropic reflections can be flexibly achieved. For either the isotropic reflection or the anisotropic reflection, the two operation states achieve the reflection coefficients with approximately equal magnitude and 180°out of phase, thus giving rise to the isotropic/anisotropic 1-bit metasurface unit cells. With the 1-bit unit cells, a 12-by-12 metasurface reflectarray is optimally designed and fabricated. Under either y-or x-polarized incident wave illumination, the reflectarray can achieve the co-polarized and cross-polarized beam scanning, respectively, with the peak gains of 20.08 d Bi and 17.26 d Bi within the scan range of about ±50°. With the right-handed circular polarization(RHCP) excitation, the left-handed circular polarization(LHCP) radiation with the peak gain of 16.98 d Bic can be achieved within the scan range of ±50°. Good agreement between the experimental results and the simulation results are observed for 2D beam steering and polarization manipulation capabilities.

Epidemiological Patterns of Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders among Healthcare Workers in Five Reference Hospitals in the City of Douala, Cameroon

Introduction: Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSDs) are a public health problem and have forced many workers to quit their jobs prematurely. This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors of WRMSDs among Healthcare workers in five reference hospitals in the City of Douala-Cameroon. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022 among 561 healthcare workers working in five reference hospitals in the city of Douala, Cameroon. Participants were selected using a convenient sampling technique. Data were collected with structured questionnaires;data on the demographics and risk factors were collected using a well-designed questionnaire, while estimation of the prevalence of WRMSDs was done using the Modified Nordic questionnaire. Results: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was 83.4% (468/561). The prevalence per professional groups was as follows: 88.8% (71) for Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), 81.9% (289) for nurses, 21 (80.8%) for Physiotherapists (PTs) and 78.8% (41) for Medical Doctors (MDs). There was a significant difference (p = 0.001) in the prevalence of WRMSDs with respect to place of work where healthcare workers from HLD recorded the highest prevalence 89.9%, while Healthcare workers from NBDH were 2.91 times at risk (AOR = 2.91;95% CI: 1.32 - 6.41;p = 0.001) to develop WRMSDs than healthcare workers in the other hospitals. With respect to body region, the highest prevalence of WRMSDs was recorded on the lower back, 58.8% with the lowest at the elbows 11.2%. The age group 30 to 39 years was significantly associated with WRMSDs at level of the shoulder (p = 0.002), upper back (p = 0.019), elbows (p Conclusion: The overall prevalence rate of WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals was high. The prevalence of WRMSDs is highest among MLS and nurses and the most affected body parts are;lower back, neck and upper back. Working on the same posture, stressful job, and repetitive tasks were the major risk factors associated to WRMSDs among healthcare workers in Douala hospitals.

Adult-onset hypophosphatemic osteomalacia as a cause of widespread musculoskeletal pain:A retrospective case series of single center experience

BACKGROUND Osteomalacia(OM)is frequently confused with various musculoskeletal or other rheumatic diseases,especially in patients with adult-onset widespread musculoskeletal pain because of its low prevalence and non-specific manifestations.AIM To facilitate the early diagnosis and etiology-specific treatment of adult-onset hypophosphatemic OM.METHODS A retrospective review of medical records was performed to screen adult patients who visited a physiatry locomotive medicine clinic(spine and musculoskeletal pain clinic)primarily presenting with widespread musculoskeletal pain at a single tertiary hospital between January 2011 and December 2019.We enrolled patients with hypophosphatemia,high serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase levels,and at least one imaging finding suggestive of OM.RESULTS Eight patients with adult-onset hypophosphatemic OM were included.The back was the most common site of pain.Proximal dominant symmetric muscle weakness was observed in more than half of the patients.Bone scintigraphy was the most useful imaging modality for diagnosing OM because radiotracer uptake in OM showed characteristic patterns.Six patients were diagnosed with adefovir(ADV)-induced Fanconi syndrome,and the other two patients were diagnosed with tumor-induced OM and light-chain nephropathy,respectively.After phosphorus and vitamin D supplementation and treatment for the underlying etiologies,improvements in pain,muscle strength,and gait were observed in all patients.CONCLUSION Mechanical pain characteristics,hypophosphatemia,and distinctive bone scintigraphy patterns are the initial diagnostic indicators of adult-onset hypophosphatemic OM.ADV-induced Fanconi syndrome is the most common etiology of hypophosphatemic OM in hepatitis B virus-endemic countries.

High Prevalence of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Self-Medication among Street Vendors in Bangui, Central African Republic (CAR)

Introduction: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are a set of peri-articular conditions that result mainly in pain and functional discomfort. They represent a major occupational health problem in all areas of activity. The objective of this work was to determine the prevalence of MSDs among street vendors in the city of Bangui in the Central African Republic (CAR). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from September 01 to October 31, 2021 in Bangui, the capital of CAR. The study population consisted of street vendors which were included at the entrance of 4 large markets of Bangui after giving informed consent. The sample size, calculated according to the Schwartz formula, was 384. Sociodemographic data (age, gender, level of education, marital status), professional data (the duration of sale in hours, the distance traveled per day);and health data (the health problems suffered by itinerant sellers and the means of dealing with them) were collected using a pre-established self-questionnaire. This collected data was processed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and Epi-Info version 7 software. Results: Among 384 street vendors included, women represented a quarter (24.9%). The average age was 27 years;the 25-34 age group was the most represented (50%). About two-thirds (64.8%) sold for at least 12 hours and traveled more than 10 km (69.3%) per day. The main health problems reported by street vendors were musculoskeletal disorders (95.8%). Their locations concerned the upper limbs shoulder 65.36% (251), elbow 24.22% (93). Non-ergonomic postures that stress the back and joints all day long, causing pain are risk factors for MSDs. These MSDs were treated by self-medication with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (22.0%), mainly sold on the street. Conclusion: MSDs dominated the health problems of street vendors. These problems raise the need for recognition and support for these workers to optimize their performance while preserving their health through awareness and good management of MSDs whose chronicity generates a disability.

Quantification of Ride Comfort Using Musculoskeletal Mathematical Model Considering Vehicle Behavior

This research aims to quantify driver ride comfort due to changes in damper characteristics between comfort mode and sport mode,considering the vehicle’s inertial behavior.The comfort of riding in an automobile has been evaluated in recent years on the basis of a subjective sensory evaluation given by the driver.However,reflecting driving sensations in design work to improve ride comfort is abstract in nature and difficult to express theoretically.Therefore,we evaluated the human body’s effects while driving scientifically by quantifying the driver’s behavior while operating the steering wheel and the behavior of the automobile while in motion using physical quantities.To this end,we collected driver and vehicle data using amotion capture system and vehicle CAN and IMU sensors.We also constructed a three-dimensional musculoskeletal mathematical model to simulate driver movements and calculate the power and amount of energy per unit of time used for driving the joints and muscles of the human body.Here,we used comfort mode and sport mode to compare damper characteristics in terms of hardness.In comfort mode,damper characteristics are soft and steering stability is mild,but vibration from the road is not easily transmitted to the driver making for a lighter load on the driver.In sport mode,on the other hand,damper characteristics are hard and steering stability is comparatively better.Still,vibration from the road is easily transmitted to the driver,whichmakes it easy for a load to be placed on the driver.As a result of this comparison,it was found that a load was most likely to be applied to the driver’s neck.This result in relation to the neck joint can therefore be treated as an objective measure for quantifying ride comfort.

Expert consensus of Chinese Association for the Study of Pain on the non-opioid analgesics for chronic musculoskeletal pain

Chronic musculoskeletal pain(CMP)is a common occurrence in clinical practice and there are a variety of options for the treatment of it.However,the pharmacological therapy is still considered to be a primary treatment.The recent years have witnessed the emergence of opioid crisis,yet there are no relevant guidelines on how to treat CMP with non-opioid analgesics properly.The Chinese Medical Association for the Study of Pain convened a panel meeting to develop clinical practice consensus for the treatment of CMP with non-opioid analgesics.The purpose of this consensus is to present the application of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs,serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors,serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors,muscle relaxants,ion channel drugs and topical drugs in CMP.

Clinical Observation of 32 Cases of Scapulohumeral Periarthritis Treated by Manipulations and Acupuncture

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Cotton Genome Manipulations:Exploring Smart Tools,Novel Germplasm,and Elite Genes for Super Cotton Design

Plant regeneration is the first step to cotton biotechnology.We screened over 100 genotypes and found two genotypes,YZ-1 and Y668,which are very easy to regenerate.It takes about 5 to 6

Interior-Point Methods Applied to the Predispatch Problem of a Hydroelectric System with Scheduled Line Manipulations

Transmission line manipulations in a power system are necessary for the execution of preventative or corrective main- tenance in a network, thus ensuring the stability of the system. In this study, primal-dual interior-point methods are used to minimize costs and losses in the generation and transmission of the predispatch active power flow in a hydroelectric system with previously scheduled line manipulations for preventative maintenance, over a period of twenty-four hours. The matrix structure of this problem and the modification that it imposes on the system is also broached in this study. From the computational standpoint, the effort required to solve a problem with or without line manipulations is similar, and the reasons for this are also discussed in this study. Computational results sustain our findings.

Flow cytometric investigation on degradation of macro-DNA by common laboratory manipulations

The degree and characteristics of physical degradation of macro-DNA molecules by common laboratory manipulations are reported. With linearized lambda-phage viral DNA as the model DNA, fragmentation of macro-DNA by various indispensable laboratory manipulations were investigated using a high sensitivity flow cytometric setup. Investigated manipulations included pipetting, vortexing, rocking, freeze-thawing, ultrasonication and ultrafiltration. “Exhaustive counting” of the intact lambda DNA molecules following such manipulations enabled a quantitative assessment of the resulting fragmentation, which also revealed the type of degradation reflected in the fragmentation patterns. The use of high sensitivity flow cytometry was especially suited to investigate the degradation of dilute DNA solutions that may not be suitable for analysis using traditional methods. Notable findings of this study included: the boarderline-size of DNA chains in terms of susceptibility to shear stresses by such manipulations;discernable instability of nicked DNAs;shattering-fragmentation of DNAs by freeze-thawing or ultrasonication;effectiveness of some protection media;marked “self-protection effect” of concentrated DNA solutions. These findings support and refine our traditional knowledge on how to maintain the physical integrity of macro-DNA molecules against inevitable laboratory manipulations.

Effect of Needling Manipulations on Treatment of Cerebral Infarction

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The role of pain neuroscience education in the management of chronic musculoskeletal pain:a physiotherapeutic approach

Psychological,social,and environmental variables all have a role in the development,management,and treatment of chronic pain problems.Poor advice from healthcare professionals regarding movement,radiological findings,exercises,and the benefits of electrotherapeutic modalities may affect the mood and cognitive-psychological dimensions of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain.As per the available literature evidence as of now the inclusion of pain neuroscience education followed by bio-psychosocial assessment sessions in place of standard advice-based,clinician-dominated,and passive physiotherapy care may result in better clinical outcomes in the practice.

Sign Manipulations Adopted by the Actors in White Deer Plain-Take Bai Jiaxuan and Lu Zilin as a Case

The corpus of this research was selected from the novel White Deer Plain,focusing on the inter-characteristics of various sign text modalities(fiction,TV lines and TV series),involving the interaction between sign text interpreters such as authors,scriptwriters,directors,actors,censors,post-producers,audiences,etc.Sign manipulations were adopted in these processes.It can be said that these sign processes from linguistic signs to TV drama cross-media and multimedia composite signs are typical sign text.Therefore,the research about complexity of the sign process attracts authors’interest.There are relatively few studies on the analysis of Bai Jiaxuan and Lu Zilin in White Deer Plain from the perspective of semiotics.This paper will analyze the differences in the characterizing process between novels and TV series from the perspective of sign manipulations.

Gut microbiota and obesity:Impact of antibiotics and prebiotics and potential for musculoskeletal health

Obesity is a complex disease with multiple contributing factors.One of the most intensely studied factors during the past decade has been the gut microbiota,which is the community of all microbes in the intestinal tract.The gut microbiota,via energy extraction,inflammation,and other actions,is now recognized as an important player in the pathogenesis of obesity.Dysbiosis,or an imbalance in the microbial community,can initiate a cascade of metabolic disturbances in the host.Early life is a particularly important period for the development of the gut microbiota,and perturbations such as with antibiotic exposure can have long-lasting consequences for host health.In early life and throughout the life span,diet is one of the most important factors that shape the gut microbiota.Although diets high in fat and sugar have been shown to contribute to dysbiosis and disease,dietary fiber is recognized as an important fermentative fuel for the gut microbiota and results in the production of short-chain fatty acids that can act as signaling molecules in the host.One particular type of fiber,prebiotic fiber,contributes to changes in the gut microbiota,the most notable of which is an increase in the abundance of Bifidobacterium.This review highlights our current understanding of the role of gut microbiota in obesity development and the ways in which manipulating the microbiota through dietary means,specifically prebiotics,could contribute to improved health in the host,including musculo skeletal health.

A comprehensive musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous system assessment of war-related bilateral upper extremity amputees

Background: Upper limb amputations are one of the unpleasant war injuries that armed forces are exposed to frequently. The present study aimed to assess the musculoskeletal and peripheral nervous systems in Iraq-Iran war veterans with bilateral upper extremity amputation.Methods: The study consisted of taking a history and clinical examinations including demographic data, presence and location of pain, level of amputation, passive and active ranges of movement of the joints across the upper and lower extremities and spine, manual palpation, neurological examination, blood circulation pulses and issues related to a prosthetic limb. In this study, 103 Iranian bilateral upper extremity amputees(206 amputations) from the IranIraq war were evaluated, and a detailed questionnaire was also administered.Results: The most common level of amputation was the finger or wrist level(108, 52.4%). Based on clinical examination, we found high frequencies of limited active and passive joint range of movement across the scapula, shoulder, elbow, wrist and metacarpophalangeal, interphalangeal and thumb joints. Based on muscle strength testing, we found varying degrees of weakness across the upper limbs. Musculoskeletal disorders included epicondylitis(65, 31.6%), rotator cuff injury(24, 11.7%), bicipital tendonitis(69, 33.5%), shoulder drop(42, 20.4%) and muscle atrophy(19, 9.2%). Peripheral nerve disorders included carpal tunnel syndrome in 13(6.3%) and unilateral brachial plexus injury in 1(1%). Fifty-three(51.5%) were diagnosed with facet joint syndrome at the level of the cervical spine(the most frequent site). Using a prosthesis was reported by 65(63.1%), both left and right sides. The back was the most common site of pain(71.8%).Conclusion: The high prevalence of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders among bilateral upper extremity amputees indicates that they need regular rehabilitation care.

Stochastic resonance whole body vibration reduces musculoskeletal pain:A randomized controlled trial

AIM:To examined the effects of stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training on musculoskeletal pain in young healthy individuals.METHODS:Participants were 43 undergraduate students of a Swiss University.The study was designed as a randomized controlled trial(RCT)with randomized group allocation.The RCT consisted of two groups each given 12 training sessions during four weeks with either 5 Hz-Training frequency(training condition)or 1.5 Hz Training frequency(control condition).Outcome was current musculoskeletal pain assessed in the evening on each day during the four week training period.RESULTS:Multilevel regression analysis showed musculoskeletal pain was significantly decreased in the training condition whereas there was no change in the control condition(B=-0.023,SE=0.010,P=0.021).Decrease in current musculoskeletal pain over four weeks was linear.CONCLUSION:Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration reduced musculoskeletal pain in young healthy individuals.Stochastic resonance vibration and not any other exercise component within training caused pain reduction.

Effects of different acupuncture manipulations on protein expression in the parietal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats

Objective: To analyze the effects of twirling reinforcing and reducing manipulations on protein expression in parietal cortex of spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHRs), and elucidate the main mechanisms and differences between two manipulations in hypertension treatment.Methods: Rats were randomly divided into the control, model, twirling reinforcing manipulation(TRFM),and twirling reducing manipulation(TRDM) groups. The control and model groups received catch and fixation stimulations once a day for 14 days. The TRFM and TRDM groups were intervened once a day for 20 min for 14 days. On days 0, 2, 6, 10, and 14 after acupuncture, rat systolic blood pressures(SBPs) were measured. Differential protein(DP) expression in the rat parietal cortices was detected. Thereafter, GO functional significance and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed.Results: Compared with the model group, SBP of rats in the TRDM and TRFM groups decreased on days 6 and 10 of acupuncture, respectively(P=.009;P <.001). Moreover, SBP of the TRDM group was significantly lower than that of the TRFM group on days 10 and 14 of acupuncture(P=.015;P=.013).Compared with control group, 601 and 1040 DPs were up-and downregulated, respectively, in the model group. Compared with model group, 44 and 28 up-and downregulated DPs were expressed, respectively,in the TRFM group. Compared with model group, expression of 616 and 427 up-and downregulated DPs,respectively, was found in the TRDM group. After combining the results of GO and KEGG enrichment analyses, five and one pathways were found to be related to the central antihypertensive mechanism of the parietal cortex during twirling reducing and reinforcing manipulations, respectively.Conclusion: TRDM showed a more effective antihypertensive effect on SHRs than TRFM;this antihypertensive effect was related to the regulation of different proteins and their biological functions.

Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the military: a qualitative systematic review of the literature from the past two decades and a new prioritizing injury model

Background: Musculoskeletal injuries(MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training,operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available.Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2019. Additionally, a reference list scan was performed(using the “snowball method”). Thereafter, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel scored the level of evidence per risk factor, and a classification of modifiable/non-modifiable was made.Results: In total, 176 original papers and 3 meta-analyses were included in the review. A list of 57 reported potential risk factors was formed. For 21 risk factors, the level of evidence was considered moderate or strong. Based on this literature review and an in-depth analysis, the expert panel developed a model to display the most relevant risk factors identified, introducing the idea of the “order of importance” and including concepts that are modifiable/nonmodifiable, as well as extrinsic/intrinsic risk factors.Conclusions: This is the qualitative systematic review of studies on risk factors for MSkIs in the military that has attempted to be all-inclusive. A total of 57 different potential risk factors were identified, and a new, prioritizing injury model was developed. This model may help us to understand risk factors that can be addressed, and in which order they should be prioritized when planning intervention strategies within military groups.

The Application of NIOSH Lifting Equation to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disorder Risks

The objective of the study was to reduce musculoskeletal disorder risks by applying the NIOSH lifting equation variables include the horizontal location, the vertical location, the vertical travel distance, the asymmetric, the lifting frequency and the coupling classification. The 17 specific samples from 4W and ZECP division were selected by the weight of box 15.4 - 28.7 pounds. The standardized Nordic questionnaire for the analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms with pain scale from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain) was used to self-report feeling. The ergonomics redesigns trained for the workers included: 1) brought the load closer to the worker by training;2) raised the height of objects placed to reduce the vertical distance between the origin and destination of the lift;and 3) moved the origin and destination of lift closer together to reduce the angel twist. The new procedures were trained to all participated workers. The result found that the lifting index was safer (<1.0). For successful outcome, be supposed to monitoring is careful the data about a problem of the worker health, give the carefulness in case of specially exceed environment more than the LI advises and should do training continuously.