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The underwater towed system described here consists of tow cables, a towed body, an acoustic module and tail rope towed behind a surface ship. The required depth at a particular speed of the towing ship is obtained by paying out specified length of cable from the winch. However the excessive drag forces on the various components of the towed system results in impractically large values of cable length, especially at higher speeds. A hydrodynamic depressor is designed to improve the depth performance. The design is evolved based on numerical analysis and towing tank tests. Estimation of depth attained is carried out based on steady state theory of tow cables. Validation of the numerical analysis results is carried out through field evaluation of depressor performance during sea trial of the towed system.

This paper explores the relationship between Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration in the workplace, cultural orientation, and its impact on job autonomy and creative self-efficacy. Our study employs a mixed-method experimental design across 480 individuals from different cultural backgrounds, specifically individualistic (United Kingdom) and collectivistic (Mexico) cultures. We evaluate how they perceive AI’s role in their professional lives. We focus on two key aspects: job autonomy, the level of control and discretion employees have over their tasks, and creative self-efficacy, the confidence in one’s ability to generate innovative ideas. Our findings revealed a significant increase in job autonomy following AI integration across all participants. Interestingly, this increase was more pronounced in the individualistic participants. Regarding creative self-efficacy, we found gender-specific impacts, with male participants experiencing a decrease, contrary to our expectations. Finally, our results supported the hypothesis that cultural orientation influences perceptions of AI, with collectivistic participants being more receptive to AI integration. These findings have significant implications for organizations integrating AI in multicultural environments. They highlight the importance of considering cultural differences in AI deployment strategies and suggest a need for culturally sensitive AI systems. The study also opens avenues for future research, particularly in exploring the role of other cultural dimensions, conducting longitudinal studies, and investigating ethical and bias-related aspects of AI in the workplace.

Background Several anthropometric measures have been associated with hormone-related cancers, and it has been shown that estrogen metabolism in postmenopausal women plays an important role in these relationships. However, little is known about circulating estrogen levels in African women, and the relevance to breast cancer or breast cancer risk factors. To shed further light on the relationship of anthropometric factors and estrogen levels in African women, we examined whether measured body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), height, and self-reported body size were associated with serum estrogens/estrogen metabolites in a cross-sectional analysis among postmenopausal population-based controls of the Ghana Breast Health Study. Methods Fifteen estrogens/estrogen metabolites were quantified using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry in serum samples collected from postmenopausal female controls enrolled in the Ghana Breast Health Study, a population-based case–control study conducted in Accra and Kumasi. Geometric means (GMs) of estrogens/estrogen metabolites were estimated using linear regression, adjusting for potential confounders. Results Measured BMI (≥ 30 vs. 18.5–24.9 kg/m 2 ) was positively associated with parent estrogens (multivariable adjusted GM for unconjugated estrone: 78.90 (66.57–93.53) vs. 50.89 (43.47–59.59), p -value < 0.0001; and unconjugated estradiol: 27.83 (21.47–36.07) vs. 13.26 (10.37–16.95), p -value < 0.0001). Independent of unconjugated estradiol, measured BMI was associated with lower levels of 2-pathway metabolites and higher levels of 16-ketoestradriol. Similar patterns of association were found with WHR; however, the associations were not entirely independent of BMI. Height was not associated with postmenopausal estrogens/estrogen metabolite levels in African women. Conclusions We observed strong associations between measured BMI and parent estrogens and estrogen metabolite patterns that largely mirrored relations that have previously been associated with higher breast cancer risk in postmenopausal White women. The consistency of the BMI-estrogen metabolism associations in our study with those previously noted among White women suggests that estrogens likely explain part of the BMI-postmenopausal breast cancer risk in both groups. These findings merit evaluation in Black women, including prospective studies.

Understanding the habitat use of individuals can facilitate methods to measure the degree to which populations will be affected by potential stressors. Such insights can be hard to garner for marine species that are inaccessible during phases of their annual cycles. Here, we quantify the link between foraging habitat and behaviour in an aquatic bird of high conservation concern, the red‐throated diver (Gavia stellata) across three breeding populations (Finland, Iceland and Scotland) during their understudied moult period. Specifically, we quantify the relationship between feather isotope values (δ13C and δ15N) and diving behaviour, within and between populations, examining the use of intra‐depth zone (IDZ) dives as a proxy for benthic foraging. We found a strong positive relationship between both higher δ15N values and, to a lesser extent, δ13C values and the proportion of IDZ dives. This relationship was consistent across all three populations, but the baseline δ13C values varied between them, indicative of the populations' different moulting areas. Our results demonstrate that red‐throated divers continue to be generalist foragers after their breeding seasons, and that behavioural flexibility varies within and between populations. Furthermore, due to the existence of these relationships, we reveal the potential of stable isotope analysis as a standalone tool for monitoring changes in habitat use in this ecologically significant species. The approach may also apply to other generalist foragers that are known to use multiple foraging strategies (e.g., foraging benthically and pelagically), with implications for future conservation efforts. We demonstrate a link between foraging habitat and behaviour in an elusive aquatic bird, the red‐throated diver (Gavia stellata) across three populations (Finland, Iceland and Scotland) during their understudied moult period. We found strong positive relationships between feather isotope signatures (δ13C and δ15N) and the proportion of benthic rather than pelagic dives in all three populations. Our results demonstrate that red‐throated divers continue to be generalist foragers after their breeding seasons, and that behavioural flexibility varies within and between populations.

Migratory species have geographically separate distributions during their annual cycle, and these areas can vary between populations and individuals. This can lead to differential stress levels being experienced across a species range. Gathering information on the areas used during the annual cycle of red‐throated divers (RTDs; Gavia stellata) has become an increasingly pressing issue, as they are a species of concern when considering the effects of disturbance from offshore wind farms and the associated ship traffic. Here, we use light‐based geolocator tags, deployed during the summer breeding season, to determine the non‐breeding winter location of RTDs from breeding locations in Scotland, Finland, and Iceland. We also use δ15N and δ13C isotope signatures, from feather samples, to link population‐level differences in areas used in the molt period to population‐level differences in isotope signatures. We found from geolocator data that RTDs from the three different breeding locations did not overlap in their winter distributions. Differences in isotope signatures suggested this spatial separation was also evident in the molting period, when geolocation data were unavailable. We also found that of the three populations, RTDs breeding in Iceland moved the shortest distance from their breeding grounds to their wintering grounds. In contrast, RTDs breeding in Finland moved the furthest, with a westward migration from the Baltic into the southern North Sea. Overall, these results suggest that RTDs breeding in Finland are likely to encounter anthropogenic activity during the winter period, where they currently overlap with areas of future planned developments. Icelandic and Scottish birds are less likely to be affected, due to less ship activity and few or no offshore wind farms in their wintering distributions. We also demonstrate that separating the three populations isotopically is possible and suggest further work to allocate breeding individuals to wintering areas based solely on feather samples. Understanding the distributions of species vulnerable to disturbance from anthropogenic activity is vital in assessing future consequences. Using remote sensing technology, we tracked the movements of red‐throated divers from three breeding locations to identify their overwinter distributions. We then linked these population level differences in distribution to differences in isotopic signatures of feathers grown during the moulting period.

Background There is limited high-quality research examining conservative treatments for back-related leg pain (BRLP). This feasibility study was done in preparation for a full-scale trial comparing a whole-person supported self-management intervention to medical care for chronic BRLP. Methods Participants were randomized to 12 weeks of individualized supported self-management delivered by physical therapists and chiropractors or medical care consisting of guideline-based pharmacologic care. Supported self-management was based on a behavioral model that used a whole person approach to enhance participants capabilities, opportunities, and motivations to engage in self-care. It combined BRLP education with psychosocial strategies (e.g., relaxed breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery, communication skills) and physical modalities such as exercise and spinal manipulation therapy. Providers were trained to address participants’ individualized needs and use behavior change and motivational communication techniques to develop a therapeutic alliance to facilitate self-management. Feasibility was assessed using pre-specified targets for recruitment and enrollment, intervention delivery, and data collection over the six-month study period. In addition, areas for potential refinement and optimization of processes and protocols for the full-scale trial were assessed. Results We met or exceeded nearly all feasibility targets. Forty-two participants were enrolled over a six-month period in 2022 and very few individuals declined participation due to preferences for one treatment. All but one participant received treatment and 95% of participants attended the minimum number of visits (self-management = 6, medical care = 2). At 12 weeks, 95% of participants in the self-management group reported engaging in self-management practices learned in the program and 77% of medical care participants reported taking medications as prescribed. Satisfaction with the self-management intervention was high with 85% of participants reporting satisfaction with the program overall. Self-management intervention providers delivered all required activities at 72% of visits. Providers also noted some challenges navigating the shared decision-making process and deciding what self-management tools to prioritize. Over the six-month study period, completion rates were 91% for monthly surveys and 86% for weekly surveys. Conclusion We were able to demonstrate that a full-scale randomized trial comparing a whole-person supported self-management intervention to medical care for chronic BRLP is feasible and identified important areas for optimization.

BackgroundHair relaxers and skin lighteners have been commonly used by African women, with suggestions that they may have hormonal activity.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship of hair relaxer and skin lightener use to serum estrogen/estrogen metabolite levels.MethodsWe utilized the postmenopausal population-based controls of the Ghana Breast Health Study to estimate adjusted geometric means (GM) and 95% confidence intervals of individual circulating estrogen levels by hair relaxer/skin lightener exposure categories.ResultsOf the 585 postmenopausal women included in our analysis, 80.2% reported hair relaxer use and 29.4% skin lightener use. Ever hair relaxer use was positively associated with estriol (adjusted GM 95.4 pmol/L vs. never 74.5, p value = 0.02) and 16-epiestriol (20.4 vs. 16.8, p value = 0.05) particularly among users of lye-based hair relaxers. Positive associations between scalp burns and unconjugated estrogens were observed (e.g., unconjugated estrone: 5+ scalp burns 76.9 [59.6–99.2] vs. no burns 64.0 [53.7–76.3], p-trend = 0.03). No association was observed between use of skin lighteners and circulating estrogens.SignificanceThis study presents evidence that circulating 16-pathway estrogens (i.e., estriol and 16-epiestriol) may be increased in users of lye-based hair relaxer products. Among hair relaxer users, unconjugated estrogen levels were elevated in women with a greater number of scalp burns.Impact statementIn this population-based study of hair relaxer and skin lightener use among postmenopausal women in Ghana, altered estrogen metabolism was observed with hair relaxer use, particularly among women using lye-based products or with a greater number of scalp burns. In contrast, skin lightener use was not associated with differences in estrogen metabolism in this population. Continued investigation of the potential biological impact on breast cancer risk of hair relaxer use is warranted.

Background Chronic low back pain (cLBP) is widespread, costly, and burdensome to patients and health systems. Little is known about non-pharmacological treatments for the secondary prevention of cLBP. There is some evidence that treatments addressing psychosocial factors in higher risk patients are more effective than usual care. However, most clinical trials on acute and subacute LBP have evaluated interventions irrespective of prognosis. Methods We have designed a phase 3 randomized trial with a 2 × 2 factorial design. The study is also a Hybrid type 1 trial with focus on intervention effectiveness while simultaneously considering plausible implementation strategies. Adults (n = 1000) with acute/subacute LBP at moderate to high risk of chronicity based on the STarT Back screening tool will be randomized in to 1 of 4 interventions lasting up to 8 weeks: supported self-management (SSM), spinal manipulation therapy (SMT), both SSM and SMT, or medical care. The primary objective is to assess intervention effectiveness; the secondary objective is to assess barriers and facilitators impacting future implementation. Primary effectiveness outcome measures are: (1) average pain intensity over 12 months post-randomization (pain, numerical rating scale); (2) average low back disability over 12 months post-randomization (Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire); (3) prevention of cLBP that is impactful at 10–12 months follow-up (LBP impact from the PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0). Secondary outcomes include: recovery, PROMIS-29 Profile v2.0 measures to assess pain interference, physical function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and ability to participate in social roles and activities. Other patient-reported measures include LBP frequency, medication use, healthcare utilization, productivity loss, STarT Back screening tool status, patient satisfaction, prevention of chronicity, adverse events, and dissemination measures. Objective measures include the Quebec Task Force Classification, Timed Up & Go Test, the Sit to Stand Test, and the Sock Test assessed by clinicians blinded to the patients’ intervention assignment. Discussion By targeting those subjects at higher risk this trial aims to fill an important gap in the scientific literature regarding the effectiveness of promising non-pharmacological treatments compared to medical care for the management of patients with an acute episode of LBP and the prevention of progression to a severe chronic back problem. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03581123.

Ideal methods to monitor HPV neutralizing antibodies induced by vaccination have not been established yet. Here, we evaluated systemic and cervical antibody levels induced by HPV16/18 AS04-adjuvanted vaccine (GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals) using a secreted alkaline phosphatase neutralization assay (SEAP-NA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Serum and cervical secretions from 50 vaccinated women were used to assess (1) overall assay reproducibility; (2) inter-assay and inter-specimen correlation; (3) correlations between month 1 and month 12 titers. Strong correlations between SEAP-NA and ELISA were observed (serum anti-HPV16/18, ρ = 0.91/0.85; cervix anti-HPV16/18, ρ = 0.84/0.89). Systemic and cervical antibody measures also correlated well ( ρ range: 0.64–0.75); except at mid-cycle ( ρ range: 0.28–0.65). Correlations between antibody levels at 1 and 12 months following the start of vaccination were poor ( ρ range: 0.16–0.38). In conclusion, HPV16/18 VLP-based ELISA is a reliable and valid method to monitor anti-HPV16/18 neutralizing potential for the first year following vaccination; however, additional studies will be required to better define the effects of the time on cycle and patterns of antibody response over time following vaccination.