Digital Commons Network^™

Plant-Dominant Low-Protein Diet Versus Standard Care In Adults With Chronic Kidney Disease Stages 3–5: A Randomized Controlled Trial Protocol, Joelle Abi Kharma, Rana Sultan, Rana Rizk, Dalya Haroun, Hala Kilani, Kamyar Kalantar-Zadeh, Jessica Gubbels, Kathelijne Bessems

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Background The plant-dominant low-protein diet (PLADO), providing 0.6-0.8 g/kg/d of protein with ≥50% derived from plant sources, may improve acid–base balance and metabolic outcomes in chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, concerns remain regarding safety and feasibility, and experimental evidence is limited. Objective This protocol describes a randomized controlled trial (RCT), designed to evaluate the efficacy, nutritional and biochemical safety, implementation feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of PLADO compared with the standard renal diet in adults with CKD stages 3-5. Methods This unblinded, parallel-group RCT will enroll 48 adults with CKD stages 3-5 in a medical center in Lebanon and randomize participants 1:1 …

Best Strategies To Teach Nutrition Courses In Graduate Programs: A Systematic Review, Zeina Hojeij, Suzan Haidar, Rana Rizk, Nadine Mahboub

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Introduction – Graduate-level nutrition education requires innovative teaching strategies that foster advanced clinical competence, professional communication, cultural responsiveness, and self-directed learning. Methods – This systematic review synthesized evidence from fifteen peer-reviewed studies examining diverse teaching strategies in graduate nutrition programs. Results – Most interventions employed simulation-based learning, experiential placements, or flipped classrooms, often incorporating technology such as virtual simulations and online collaborative platforms. Simulation and experiential approaches improved clinical competence, communication skills, empathy, and self-efficacy by providing realistic, hands-on experiences that bridged theoretical knowledge with professional practice. Flipped classrooms, though less frequently implemented, promoted teamwork, problem-solving, and reflective learning, while …

From Farm To Plate: Q-Analysis Of Consumer Requirements In Blockchain-Based Agri-Food Supply Chains, Pouyan Jahanbin, Stephen C. Wingreen, Ravishankar Sharma, Arnob Zahid

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Blockchain platforms have revolutionized the food industry by establishing a more trustworthy supply chain. By providing a secure and open record of all transactions, blockchain technology helps improve food safety. This reassures consumers who may wish to ensure that products are guaranteed to meet certain dietary or nutritional standards. However, the adaptability of existing supply chains and consumers' full adoption of such systems remains a gap in scholarly research. This field study employs Q-methodology to explore the concourse of requirements and priorities of food consumers in blockchain-based agri-food supply chains. Abductive reasoning is utilized to elaborate on the subjective perspective …

Prevalence And Factors Associated With Regular Fast-Food Consumption Among The Adult Population In Qatar: Cross-Sectional Analysis From Qatar Biobank Cohort, Alaa Zuhair Massarweh, Lynne Alexandra Kennedy, Asayel Saleh, Aljazi Al-Thani, Ala Al Rajabi

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Background The Eastern Mediterranean Region has undergone a rapid nutrition transition over the last three decades, with healthier traditional table diets displaced by energy-dense convenience foods. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first large cohort-based estimate of regular fast-food consumption (RFFC >= 1 time/week) and its correlates among the adult population in Qatar using Qatar Biobank, a volunteer prospective cohort of Qataris and long-term residents.Methods A cross-sectional study using a simple randomized sample of 2,000 adult participants from the Qatar Biobank (QBB) longitudinal cohort. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated food-frequency questionnaire. RFFC was modeled as …

Mark "Po" Dean, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Dean, first exposed to music through his mother’s occasional record playing, would attend parties and occasionally dance against other b-boys. Upon watching DJ Kool Herc continually unload equipment, Dean found himself immersed in hip hop by first helping DJ Kool Herc move his equipment. He reminisces on the free park parties that these sound systems were taken to, and the ability of the people across the river to hear the sound. Continuing, he discusses the difference between b-boys and breakers, the profound influence of MC’s on hip hop, and the necessary contributions of graffiti to the overall culture. Each part …

Impact Of High-Protein, Low-Calorie Diet On Anthropometric Indices, Glycation, And Inflammation Associated With The Fat Mass And Obesity (Fto) Gene Among Individuals With Overweight/Obesity, Bibi Hajira, Bismillah Sehar, Fakhrunisa, Sami Siraj, Muhammad Omar Malik, Huma Naqeeb, Ali Madi Almajwal, Sharifa Alblooshi, Hayder Hasan, Iftikhar Alam, Falak Zeb, Fahad Lodhi

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Background: The common polymorphism rs9939609 of the fat mass and obesity gene (FTO) has been associated with increased susceptibility to obesity, but this association appears to be modified by diet. High protein diets have been shown to reduce weight and may increase the formation of circulating advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Obesity, on the other hand, is also associated with increased formation of AGEs, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation. Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the impact of a high-protein and low-calorie (HPLC) diet on anthropometric indices and circulating AGEs levels associated with the FTO variant rs9939609 among …

Graphrag-Enabled Local Large Language Model For Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Development Of A Proof-Of-Concept, Edmund Evangelista, Fathima Ruba, Salman Bukhari, Amril Nazir, Ravishankar Sharma

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Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a prevalent chronic condition that affects maternal and fetal health outcomes worldwide, increasingly in underserved populations. While generative artificial intelligence (AI) and large language models (LLMs) have shown promise in health care, their application in GDM management remains underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether retrieval-augmented generation techniques, when combined with knowledge graphs (KGs), could improve the contextual relevance and accuracy of AI-driven clinical decision support. For this, we developed and validated a graph-based retrieval-augmented generation (GraphRAG)–enabled local LLM as a clinical support tool for GDM management, assessing its performance against open-source LLM …

Dataset Of Raman Spectra And Matlab Code For: Elucidating Time-Resolved Intracellular Metabolic Dynamics Via Label-Free Raman Microspectroscopy And 2d Correlation Spectroscopy, Zohreh Mirveis, Nitin Patil, Hugh J. Byrne

Other Resources

This dataset contains raw spectral data obtained from single-cell Raman microspectroscopy under two nutritional conditions: glucose alone and glucose supplemented with glutamine. LLC-MK2 cells were starved for 2 h, then exposed to nutrients and fixed every 15 min for up to 120 min. At each time point, spectra were recorded from 25 individual cells (cytoplasm regions) and exported as machine-readable files (.csv). MATLAB scripts are provided to implement two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) for generating synchronous maps, along with utilities for loading spectra, averaging, and reproducing key figures. A set of simulated time-series spectra used to validate 2D-COS under high background …

Cocoa Polyphenols Modulate The Mouse Gut Microbiome In A Site-Specific Manner, Abby D. Benninghoff

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Background/Objectives: Dietary modulation of the gut microbiome is a promising strategy for mitigating gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). Cocoa powder is rich in polyphenols, including (-)-epicatechin and (+)-catechin, which have been associated with beneficial effects on gut health and microbiome modulation. Importantly, changes in the bacterial populations associated with the gut mucosal layer may have different health impacts compared to changes in cecal or fecal microbiomes. This study investigated the effects of cocoa polyphenol supplementation on microbiome composition across the cecal, fecal, and mucosal compartments in a mouse model of colitis. Methods: …

The Dynamic Responses Of The Mouse Gut Microbiome To Dietary Supplementation With Various Anthocyanin-Rich Foods In The Context Of A Western Diet, Abby D. Benninghoff

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Background/Objectives: Chronic inflammation and Western-style diets elevate colorectal cancer (CRC) risk, particularly in individuals with colitis, a feature of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Diets rich in polyphenol-containing functional foods, such as cocoa, may reduce gut inflammation and modulate the gut microbiome. This study examined the effects of cocoa polyphenol (CP) supplementation on inflammation and microbiome composition before, during, and after colitis in mice fed either a healthy or Western diet. We hypothesized that CPs would attenuate inflammation and promote distinct micro-biome shifts, especially in the context of a Western diet. Methods: A 2×2 factorial design tested the effects of basal …

Cost-Effectiveness Of Intrapartum Azithromycin To Prevent Maternal Infection, Sepsis, Or Death In Low-Income And Middle-Income Countries: A Modelling Analysis Of Data From A Randomised, Multicentre, Placebo-Controlled Trial, Jackie K. Patterson, Simon Neuwahl, Sydney Kirsch, Janet L. Moore, Alan T.N. Tita, Waldemar A. Carlo, Adrien Lokangaka, Antoinette Tshefu, Musaku Mwenechanya, Elwyn Chomba, Avinash Kavi, Mrityunjay C. Metgud, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman, Poonam Shivkumar, Manju Waikar, Archana Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Paul Nyongesa, Fabian Esamai, Osa A. Ekhaguere, Sherri Bucher, Saleem Jessani, Shiyam S. Tikmani, Sarah Saleem, Blair J. Wylie, Robert L. Goldenberg, Sk Masum Billah, Ruth Lennox, Rashidul Haque, William A. Petri, Manolo Mazariegos, Nancy F. Krebs, Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday, Denise Babineau, Marion Koso-Thomas, Elizabeth M. Mcclure, Melissa Bauserman

Global Health Articles

BACKGROUND: Sepsis is one of the leading causes of maternal mortality globally. In 2023, the Azithromycin Prevention in Labor Use (A-PLUS) trial showed intrapartum azithromycin for women planning a vaginal birth reduced the risk of maternal sepsis or death and infection. We aimed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of intrapartum azithromycin for pregnant people planning a vaginal birth in low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs) using A-PLUS trial data.

METHODS: We compared the benefits and costs of intrapartum azithromycin versus standard care across 100 000 model simulations using data from the A-PLUS trial and a probabilistic decision tree model that included 24 …

No Door To Slam This Time, Patricia Amanda J. Dela Cruz

Fine Arts Department Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Fieldnote 20: Writing On Purpose What Is My Purpose, Venus Evans-Winters Dr.

Fieldnotes of a Black Woman Scholar: Research, Culture, and Wellness

Welcome to the podcast, where we explore the intersection of writing, mental health, and well-being through the lens of education and spirituality. In today's episode, Dr. Venus Evans-Winters discusses how to identify your purpose in life and the role of mindfulness in this process. Identifying your purpose in life is a journey, not a destination. It's an ongoing process of self-discovery and growth. By reflecting on your values, passions, and strengths and incorporating mindfulness practices, you can uncover your unique purpose and live a true life. Grab your reflection journals!

Diabetes Interactive Case Study, Steph Fanelli

Open Course Materials

This interactive case study about diabetes care requires learners to use critical thinking and problem solving skills to work their way through the case study and provide the patient with appropriate care. Each decision the learner makes will have consequences, similar to interactions with patients in the field, and the learner will adapt as new information is presented.

Global, Regional, And National Progress Towards The 2030 Global Nutrition Targets And Forecasts To 2050: A Systematic Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021, Michael Benjamin Arndt, Aleksandr Y. Aravkin, Natalia V. Bhattacharjee, Julian Chalek

Open Access archive

Background: The six global nutrition targets (GNTs) related to low birthweight, exclusive breastfeeding, child growth (ie, wasting, stunting, and overweight), and anaemia among females of reproductive age were chosen by the World Health Assembly in 2012 as key indicators of maternal and child health, but there has yet to be a comprehensive report on progress for the period 2012 to 2021. We aimed to evaluate levels, trends, and observed-to-expected progress in prevalence and attributable burden from 2012 to 2021, with prevalence projections to 2050, in 204 countries and territories. Methods: The prevalence and attributable burden of each target indicator were …

Disparities In Kidney Care In Vulnerable Populations: A Multinational Study From The Isn-Gkha, Robin L. Erickson, Nivedita Kamath, Arpana Iyengar, Adebowale Ademola

Open Access archive

Vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, children, displaced people, and refugees, often encounter challenges in accessing healthcare. In this study, we used data from the third iteration of the International Society of Nephrology Global Kidney Health Atlas (ISN-GKHA) to describe kidney care access and delivery to vulnerable populations across countries and regions. Using data from an international survey of clinicians, policymakers, and patient advocates, we assessed the funding and coverage of vulnerable populations on all aspects of kidney replacement therapies (KRT). Overall, 167 countries or jurisdictions participated in the survey, representing 97.4% of the world’s population. Children had less access …

Evaluations Of Digital Public Health Interventions In The Who Southeast Asia Region: A Systematic Literature Review, Nachiket Gudi, Elstin Anbu Raj, Beate Jahn, Uwe Siebert

Open Access archive

Introduction Digital health technologies have been enhancing the capacity of healthcare providers and, thereby, the delivery of targeted health services. The Southeast Asia Region (SEAR) has invested in strengthening digital public health. Many digital health interventions have been implemented in public health settings but are rarely assessed using the holistic health technology assessment (HTA) approach. Methods A systematic literature review was performed to provide an overview of evaluations of digital public health interventions in the World Health Organization (WHO) SEAR. Searches were conducted on four electronic databases. Screening title abstracts and full texts was independently conducted by two reviewers, followed …

Burden Of Disease Scenarios By State In The Usa, 2022–50: A Forecasting Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study 2021, Ali H. Mokdad, Catherine Bisignano, Johnathan M. Hsu, Dana Bryazka

Open Access archive

Background: The capacity to anticipate future health issues is important for both policy makers and practitioners in the USA, as such insights can facilitate effective planning, investment, and implementation strategies. Forecasting trends in disease and injury burden is not only crucial for policy makers but also garners substantial interest from the general populace and leads to a better-informed public. Through the integration of new data sources, the refinement of methodologies, and the inclusion of additional causes, we have improved our previous forecasting efforts within the scope of the Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) to produce …

Arima-Genetic Algorithm Approach For Forecasting Milk Production In India, Pramit Pandit, Bishvajit Bakshi, Moumita Paul, B. S. Pooja

Open Access archive

Background: Dairying in India has witnessed a radical transformation from a largely unorganised activity into a thriving organised industry. However, there are only a limited number of earlier attempts that specifically evaluated the milk production pattern of India. Moreover, most of these earlier studies are quite dated and have employed autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) models, which suffer from the problem of local optima. To overcome this lacuna, we have utilised a genetic algorithm (GA) in the ARIMA framework. Its suitability to forecast the annual milk production in India has also been assessed comparatively with respect to the traditional ARIMA …

Examining Nursing Students' Awareness Of Various Medical Errors During Clinical Internships To Enhance Patient Safety: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study, Ola Mousa, Basma Salameh, Asmaa Saber Ghaly, Md Gulzarull Hasan

Open Access archive

Background Patient safety is a global concern within health facilities, primarily attributed to medical errors, constituting a significant global public health issue. Patients experiencing medication errors face serious problems, with increasing mortality rates and escalating hospital costs. Aim The study aims to examine nursing students' awareness of various medical errors during their clinical internships at Al- Ahsa, identifying types of errors to enhance patient safety. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 nursing students during their internship at King Faisal University, Al Ahasa, Saudi Arabia.A total of 131 participants completed a self-administered questionnaire based on a medical error scale …

Prevalence And Associated Factors Of Impaired Kidney Functions Among Children And Adolescents In India: Insights From The Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (Cnns) 2016-18, Angad Singh, Madhur Verma, Milan Das, Pragyan Paramita Parija

Open Access archive

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant public health problem. The burden of CKD in children and adolescents in India is not well described. We used data from the recent Comprehensive National Nutrition Survey (CNNS) to estimate the prevalence of impaired kidney function (IKF) and its determinants in children and adolescents between the ages of 5 and 19. Methods: CNNS 2016–18 adopted a multi-stage sampling design using probability proportional to size sampling procedure after geographical stratification of urban and rural areas. Serum creatinine was tested once in 24,690 children and adolescents aged 5–19 years. The estimated glomerular filtration rate …

Relation Of Skinfold Thickness With The Serum Lipids, Glucose And Blood Pressure Among Indian Sedentary Office Workers, Nikhil Gopal Naik, Baskaran Chandrasekaran, Rakshith N. Patil, Saritha U. Kamath

Open Access archive

Background: Serum glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are established cardiovascular disease (CVD) markers, however accessibility to these markers is less in individuals from low-middle income countries. The non-invasive CVD risk marker especially skinfold measured fat percentages are less explored for its relevance with established serum biochemistry markers. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 70 sedentary office workers (aged 30–40 years) who were healthy. Peripheral fat percentages were estimated from four skinfold thickness measurements and biochemistry markers were measured and analysed using standard laboratory measurements. Blood pressure was also measured. Multivariate linear regression models were drawn to establish …

Antibiogram Pattern Of Enterococcus Species Among Urinary Tract-Infected Patients Visiting Tertiary Care Hospital In Karnataka, India, Sujatha Bhat, Dushan Uvindu Gunawardana, Delisha Kaur Boparai, Tharinya Kasundie Bamunusinghe

Open Access archive

Background: During the past several decades, enterococci are emerging as an important cause of healthcare-associated infections. They have developed resistance to various antimicrobials previously used for the treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study was aimed to determine the prevalence of Enterococcus species among urinary tract-infected patients in a tertiary care hospital, in Karnataka, India. Material and Methods: We have analyzed 4341 culture-positive urine samples received by microbiology laboratory during the year 2021. The bacterial identification was done by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. The antibiotic sensitivity was tested by automated VITEK-2® COMPACT (bioMérieux) system. Results: …

Surveillance For Surgical Site Infections Developed During Hospital Stay & After Discharge: A Multicentric Study, Sharad Srivastav, Surbhi Khurana, Chiranjay Mukhopadhyay, Sheila N. Myatra

Open Access archive

Background & objectives: Surgical site infections (SSIs) are among the most prevalent healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs). They cause significant morbidity, leading to excess health expenditures and increased length of hospital stay. Despite a high population burden, data on post-discharge SSIs is lacking from low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is no existing surveillance system of SSIs in India that covers the post-discharge period. Therefore, we proposed a multicentric analysis to estimate the proportion and identify the risk factors associated with SSIs occurring during hospital stay and after discharge. Methods: SSI Surveillance was conducted in three hospitals in different parts of India according …

Is The Population Of The Critically Endangered White-Bellied Heron Declining In Namdapha Tiger Reserve, India?, Rohan K. Menzies, Kulbhushansingh R. Surya Wanshi, Rohit Naniwadekar

Open Access archive

The Critically Endangered white-bellied heron Ardea insignis is a large-bodied, range-restricted, piscivorous bird of the Himalayan mountains. With fewer than 60 individuals remaining globally, regular monitoring is required for this rare species. We present the results of surveys during 2017 and 2023-2024 in Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh, India. The encounter rate of white-bellied herons in 2017 was 0.55 individuals per km of river, but we did not detect the bird during intensive surveys in the same location during 2023-2024. The surveyed area within the Reserve was once a stronghold for the species, but its population appears to be declining. …

Impact Of Premenstrual Syndrome (Pms) On Quality Of Life Among Adolescent Girls Of Rural Area Of Gautam Buddh Nagar: A Cross Sectional Study, Ambren Chauhan, Khushboo Juneja, Neha Tyagi, Vanshika Agarwal

Open Access archive

Background: PMS causes purposeful impairment in efficiency at school/work, impaired relations with friends,, poor social life activities and home responsibilities affecting quality of life. Aims &Objectives: This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence and symptoms of premenstrual syndrome in adolescent girls and to assess the impact of premenstrual syndrome on their quality of life. Methodology: A cross‐sectional study was done among 380 adolescent girls using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire residing in rural field study areas of Department of Community Medicine of a medical college. Results: The prevalence of PMS was reported to be 65.7 %. Head ache (66%) was …

An Investigation Of Vitamin C And Chronic Diseases With Inflammatory/Autoimmune Components: A Literature Review, Jennifer M. Crook

Leadership Connection

This literature review combines emerging and established research regarding the multifaceted functions of Vitamin C in chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. The importance of assessment of sub-optimal and marginal plasma Vitamin C status will be identified.

Exploring The Contribution Of Cancer Palliative Care Development Toward Alleviating The Human Crisis Of Suffering In Low- And Middle-Income Countries: A Framework Synthesis Protocol, Shrikant Atreya, Arathi Rao, Vijay Shree Dhyani, Mebin Mathew

Open Access archive

Objectives. Inadequate access to cancer care, high mortality, and out-of-pocket expenditure contribute to health-related suffering in low- and middle-income countries, making palliative care a relevant option. How palliative care development has alleviated suffering is not systematically studied, necessitating this review’s conduct. The objective of this systematic review with a framework synthesis approach is to identify and map the dimensions and indicators of cancer palliative care development and the components of integration between cancer and palliative care in LMICs. Methods. Uni- and multi-disciplinary databases like Cochrane, MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, CINAHL Complete, and PsycINFO will be systematically searched for eligible studies exploring …

Role Of Absolute Versus Relative Voice Rest In Post-Operative Management Of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions, Mihika Sinha, Suresh Pillai, Shama Shetty, Usha Devadas

Open Access archive

Objective Most otolaryngologists advocate absolute voice rest after laryngeal surgery, which proves difficult for patients, so we decided to evaluate the role of absolute voice rest versus relative voice rest in the post-operative management of benign lesions. Methods Forty patients were recruited and divided in two groups: absolute voice rest and relative voice rest. Pre- and post-operative voice analysis (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, voice handicap index, voice-related quality-of-life scale scores and compliance) were noted at one week and one month. Results Voice analysis parameters including jitter (p = 0.035), shimmer (p = 0.020), voice handicap index (p < 0.001) and compliance (p < 0.001) were better in the relative voice-rest group. Frequency, number of voice breaks and voice-related quality of life showed no statistically significant results. Conclusion There was no significant benefit of absolute voice rest on post-operative outcomes as determined by acoustic variables. Compliance and quality-of-life scores were low in the strict voice-rest group. Therefore, we should reconsider post-surgical voice-rest protocol.

“It’S Not A One-Person Show” E-Learning Course In Neuropalliative Care: A Qualitative Analysis Of Participants’ Educational Gains And Self-Reported Outcomes, Sarah K. Bublitz, Mara Lugassy, Roop Gursahani, Winnie Lau

Open Access archive

Objectives. Patients with progressive neurologic illness still lack access to quality palliative care services. Barriers to the comprehensive provision of neuropalliative care include gaps in palliative care education. To address this barrier, a novel international model of neuropalliative care education e-learning program was launched in 2022. Methods. This is a qualitative study on the self-reported learning outcomes and educational gains of participants of a neuropalliative care e-learning course. Results. Thematic analysis shows changes in the participants’ perceptions of neuropalliative care and several specific educational gains. After attending the course, participants recognized neuropalliative care as a multiprofessional and interdisciplinary effort requiring …