bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Friction torque prediction of Precision Ball Bearing unit for Reaction Wheel actuators for Spacecraft applications
Authors: P MUTHUGANAPATHY , Chaturvedi Sanjay K , Gargama Heeralal , P SASIKUMAR
Published: October 2024

The Reaction Wheels (RW) actuator provide three-axis attitude control and pointing accuracy of the spacecraft. They consist of Brushless DC motors (BLDC) and its rotor is connected to a flywheel using a precision ball bearing with different lubrication to meet the required mission life of the spacecraft. The wheel accelerates or decelerates at very low rates due to the torque produced by the motor and the high moment of inertia. However, the non-linear reaction of the wheel due to bearing friction could jeopardize the spacecraft's attitude control system's accuracy and stability during docking. Typically, the RW bearing unit health is being assessed by the motor current, bearing temperature etc. However, health condition with respect to the lubricant distribution at different speeds lack the systematic analysis in the literatures. This paper presents the friction torque performance assessment and its prediction using free deceleration characterization and Machine learning (ML) techniques for precision ball bearing for RW with different lubricants, viz., Kluber and Nye Torr, which are operating at different temperatures and speeds. The run-down time prediction and prediction of lubricant type are also studied using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) technique. Machine learning models can be trained to yield multiple benefits, such as processing large amounts of data rapidly, detecting patterns, spotting abnormalities, or evaluating relationships.
Symptom-specific brain circuit stimulation: A head-to-head randomized trial
Authors: Taylor Joseph , Li Jing , Lin Christopher , Jones Emma , Frandsen Summer , Becker Claudia , Drew William , Haj-Darwish Dania , Jabbour Sandrine , Leach Jessica , Palm Stephan , Sanderson Lauren , Santos Emanuella , Sterina Lera , Baratono Sheena , Gonsalvez Irene , Lyndon Stanley , Snider Samuel , Fox Michael , Siddiqi Shan
Published: October 2024

Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is effective for major depressive disorder (MDD) despite imprecise scalp-based targeting. Retrospective analyses suggest that targeting one brain circuit improves “dysphoric” symptoms, while targeting a different brain circuit improves “anxiosomatic” symptoms. Here, we tested this hypothesis prospectively. Individuals with moderate-to-severe MDD and moderate-to-severe anxiety (n=40) were randomized to receive TMS with dysphoric circuit targeting (dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) or anxiosomatic circuit targeting (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex). As hypothesized, dysphoric circuit targeting (n=16) improved BDI more than BAI (ratio 1.08, IQR 0.69-2.02), while anxiosomatic circuit targeting (n=20) improved BAI more than BDI (ratio 0.70, IQR 0.01-1.01) (Wilcoxon rank-sum test p=0.0195). This result was driven by larger improvements in anxiety with -anxiosomatic circuit targeting (p=0.0301). Thus, TMS targeting different brain circuits differentially modulates comorbid anxiety and depression symptoms. Symptom- and circuit-specific trial designs may improve power and better control for placebo and non-specific effects.
Pesticide transformation products: a potential new source of interest for drinking water
Authors: Pasquini Laure , Lardy-Fontan Sophie , Rosin Christophe
Published: October 2024

Pesticide transformation products (TPs) are considered pseudo ubiquitous in aquatic systems, including surface and ground water. They often present higher polarity than parent compounds, are less volatile and less biodegradable, and are therefore more mobile and persistent. These properties make them compounds of main interest in water resources and drinking water. With more than 600 samples collected over two years and nearly 100,000 results available, this study was carried out to evaluate the occurrence of 157 pesticide TPs and certain active substances in raw and drinking water in France. Our study made it possible to assess the potential exposure of the population to pesticides and their metabolites through drinking water consumption, and finally to put forward new TPs of interest for the monitoring of drinking water. Among TPs, chlorothalonil R471811 and metolachlor ESA were the most frequently quantified compounds, with quantification in more than 50% of raw and drinking water. TPs dimethachlor CGA369873, chlorothalonil R471811 and R417888, terbuthylazine LM2 and LM6, desphenyl chloridazon (DPC) and methyldesphenyl chloridazon (MeDPC) were monitored for the first time in drinking water in France. Concentrations exceeding the regulatory quality standard of 0.1 µg/L were observed in more than 30% of drinking water samples for chlorothalonil R471811, and a maximum concentration was measured at 9.8 µg/L for DPC in drinking water. The quantification frequencies were relatively similar in raw water and tap water, which appears to indicate poor efficiency of the majority of the currently used drinking water treatment plants. This research confirmed the benefit of focusing on TPs and parent compounds, and also to continue monitoring TPs that originate from compounds already withdrawn from the market for several years that appear to be highly persistent.
Design and Manufacturing of Molds for Spherical Monofocal Intra-ocular Lens Production via Injection Molding
Authors: Naeini Seyed Pouria Pourabedi , Mosaddegh Peiman , Barghikar Hamed
Published: October 2024

The cast molding method, a form of injection molding, is commonly used for manufacturing intraocular lenses. In this study, we investigate the plastic injection of two components, namely the male and female pieces referred to as "molding body". These molding bodies play a crucial role as they define the fundamental geometry of the intraocular lens. Therefore, the main focus of this research is to achieve high precision in fabricating the molding bodies by selecting an efficient runner system and optimizing the injection parameters. The objective is to minimize average volumetric shrinkage percentage and dimensional deviations in the molding bodies' geometry. To analyze the plastic injection process, Moldflow commercial software is used. process parameters including melt temperature, injection pressure, holding pressure, holding pressure time, cooling time and injection time were considered as model variables. Using Taguchi method and analysis of variance, the effect of the desired parameters on average of volumetric shrinkage was investigated. The optimal value of the average volumetric shrinkage parameter in the molded body parts was found to be 4.29%, and the plastic injection mold was designed and manufactured based on this coefficient. Finally, Simulation results were compared to parts produced using this mold. By comparing the experimental and numerical results, it was found that the percentage of average volumetric shrinkage in the male part was higher than the female part. Also, the difference between the simulation and experimental values in the optimal state has an error of 3.5%, which confirms the correctness of the method used.
Comparative Outcomes of Artificial Heart Transplants Versus Donor Heart Transplants in Patients with End-stage Heart Failure: A Narrative Review
Authors: Ali Mohammad Eisa , Pandit Maleeha , Ali Motassam
Published: October 2024

End-stage heart failure (ESHF) necessitates advanced therapeutic interventions such as orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT). Due to the scarcity of donor hearts, mechanical circulatory support systems, including total artificial hearts (TAHs) and ventricular assist devices (VADs), have emerged as critical alternatives. Despite significant technological advancements, comprehensive comparative analyses of outcomes between artificial and donor heart transplants remain limited.
Current literature exhibits gaps in detailed comparative analyses of long-term survival rates, quality of life (QoL), and complication profiles. Specific deficiencies include inadequate data on patient selection criteria, the impact of recent technological advancements in artificial heart technology, and the economic and healthcare resource implications.
Additionally, patient-reported outcomes are underexplored. This review aims to rigorously compare the survival rates, QoL, and complication profiles of TAHs, VADs, and OHT in ESHF patients to inform clinical practice and guide future research.
Purpose of Review: To compare the clinical outcomes of artificial heart transplants versus donor heart transplants in patients with end-stage heart failure, focusing on survival rates, quality of life, and post-transplant complications.
Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar was conducted using keywords such as "artificial heart transplants," "donor heart transplants," and "end-stage heart failure." Studies were selected based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the quality of the studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool.
Results: The review included 20 studies that met the inclusion criteria. The analysis revealed that donor heart transplants generally exhibited higher survival rates compared to artificial heart transplants. However, advancements in artificial heart technology have enhanced quality of life and reduced the incidence of certain complications. Both transplant modalities presented unique benefits and challenges.
Summary: While donor heart transplants currently offer superior survival outcomes, artificial heart transplants are becoming a viable alternative for improving quality of life metrics. Continued advancements and further comparative studies are essential to optimise transplantation strategies for end-stage heart failure patients. Clinicians should consider both options based on individual patient profiles and technological advancements.
The association between cognitive performance and meniscal injuries: A Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Li Chao , Yin Jie , Zhou Yifan , Cao Diping , Liu Bingli , Yu Baoqing
Published: October 2024

Background
The causal relationship between cognitive performance and meniscal injuries is unclear. This study aims to elucidate the genetic causality between cognitive performance and meniscal injuries.
Methods
We conducted a two-sample Mendelian Randomization (MR) analysis utilizing summary-level data from extensive genome-wide association studies. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) achieving genome-wide significance (P < 5*10− 8) were employed as instrumental variables for each exposure. The inverse-variance weighted (IVW) method served as the principal statistical technique, complemented by the weighted median, MR-Egger regression, and MR-PRESSO methods for sensitivity analyses, accommodating some of the assumptions inherent in IVs.
Results
Genetically predicted cognitive performance was inversely correlated with the odds of meniscal injuries. However, the MR-Egger regression analysis did not corroborate this association. The inverse-variance weighting (IVW) method yielded a pooled odds ratio(OR) of 0.76 (95% CI 0.66–0.88; P = 2*10− 4) per standard deviation increase in the prevalence of cognitive performance, a finding echoed by the weighted median method(OR:0.81, 95% CI 0.67–0.98; P = 3*10− 2).Additionally, we did not detect pleiotropy of effects in our investigation using the MR-Egger intercept and Cochran’s Q test(P > 0.05). But there is heterogeneity between them (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
This study used MR analysis to analyze and explore the genetic data, which showed that cognitive decline is a risk factor for meniscal injuries, and further studies on the mechanisms of the role between the two are needed in the future.
Oral health status of nursing home residents in Flanders, Belgium: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Vandenbulcke Patricia Ann Ivonne , Mello Johanna de Almeida , Schoebrechts Emilie , De Lepeleire Jan , Declercq Anja , Declerck Dominique , Duyck Joke
Published: October 2024

Background A decline in self-care due to deteriorating general health presents a challenge for oral health in care-dependent older people. The most recently published data on the oral health of nursing home residents in Flanders, as assessed by oral health professionals, dates from 2010 to 2012. This study aimed to update the condition on the current oral health status of nursing home residents in Flanders.Methods In this cross-sectional study, the oral health of nursing home residents was evaluated by oral health professionals using the Oral Health Section as developed for use within the interRAI Suite of Instruments (OHS-interRAI). Validated dental indices were used to provide more detailed information about the condition of oral hygiene, gums, and teeth. Bivariate analyses were performed to investigate associations between oral health items and participants’ clinical characteristics.Results A total of 458 residents participated in the study with a mean age of 82.7 (± 7.8) years (70.3% female). For people with natural teeth (53.9%), the most prevalent oral health problems were insufficient oral hygiene (75.7%), and poor condition of teeth (56.6%) and gums (49.9%). High levels of dental plaque resulted in a mean Oral Hygiene Index of 4.5 (± 2.6). About 44.0% of the participants had at least one tooth with untreated caries affecting the nerve. The mean Modified Gingival Index was 1.8 (± 1.2), indicating mild inflammation of the entire gingiva. Denture hygiene was insufficient in 68.5% of the cases. Self-reported oral health problems were mainly related to dry mouth (32.8%) and chewing difficulty (23.4%). Strongest correlations were found between oral hygiene and gum condition (r = .324, p < .0001) and chewing difficulty and pain (r = .247, p < .0001). Furthermore, cognitive impairment showed strongest correlation with the level of oral hygiene and gingival health.Conclusion Despite the advances in dentistry, the oral health of nursing home residents still remains poor. Oral health of people with cognitive decline or functional impairment needs more attention. The regular oral health assessment with the OHS-interRAI by healthcare providers without a dental background has the potential to facilitate the early detection and prevention of oral health problems.Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT06536322- Retrospectively registered July 23rd, 2024.
Mendelian Randomization Analysis of Plasma Proteins Reveals Potential Novel Tumor Markers for Gastric Cancer
Authors: Fan Wenhai , Wu Zhengjiang , Xu Shenghao , Liu Zhiheng , Huang Yiming , Wang Pan
Published: October 2024

This study aimed to elucidate the potential causal relationship between 4,907 plasma proteins and the risk of gastric cancer using a two-sample Mendelian randomization approach. We utilized genome-wide association study (GWAS) data to perform two-sample Mendelian randomization analyses, treating the 4,907 plasma proteins as exposure factors and gastric cancer as the outcome. Instrumental variables for plasma proteins were selected based on strongly correlated SNPs identified through data processing and screening of the GWAS data provided by the deCode database. We employed a set of statistical methods centered on inverse variance weighting (IVW) for Mendelian randomization analysis to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) for the effects of these plasma proteins on gastric cancer susceptibility. According to the IVW method, 14 plasma proteins were associated with gastric cancer (p < 0.005). Specifically, CHST15 (OR = 0.7553, 95% CI = 0.6346 − 0.8988), L1CAM (OR = 0.7230, 95% CI = 0.5876 − 0.8896), FTMT (OR = 0.8246, 95% CI = 0.7241 − 0.9391), and PMM2 (OR = 0.5767, 95% CI = 0.3943 − 0.8433) were negatively correlated with gastric cancer, whereas ABO (OR = 1.1868, 95% CI = 1.0638 − 1.3240), FAM3D (OR = 1.2109, 95% CI = 1.0850 − 1.3515), FAM3B (OR = 1.2988, 95% CI = 1.0953 − 1.5402), ADH7 (OR = 1.3568, 95% CI = 1.1044 − 1.6670), MAP1LC3A (OR = 1.3704, 95% CI = 1.1194 − 1.6778), PGLYRP1 (OR = 1.4071, 95% CI = 1.1235 − 1.7623), PDE5A (OR = 1.7446, 95% CI = 1.2693 − 2.3978), GLUL (OR = 3.1203, 95% CI = 1.5017 − 6.4839), NFE2L1 (OR = 3.1759, 95% CI = 1.6163 − 6.2402), and MAFG (OR = 3.1945, 95% CI = 1.5329 − 6.6575) were positively correlated. Convergent results from Weighted Median and MR-Egger analyses confirmed these associations. Reverse Mendelian randomization analysis indicated that gastric cancer does not significantly alter the levels of these 14 plasma proteins (p > 0.05). Sensitivity analyses, including assessments of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy, confirmed the robustness and reliability of our findings without significant bias. Pathway enrichment analysis of gene expression associated with these 14 plasma proteins, using GO and KEGG pathways, revealed that CHST15, L1CAM, FTMT, and PMM2 may serve as protective factors against gastric cancer, while ABO, FAM3D, FAM3B, ADH7, MAP1LC3A, PGLYRP1, PDE5A, GLUL, NFE2L1, and MAFG may contribute to gastric cancer pathogenesis. These results highlight the complex biological interactions between plasma proteins and tumorigenesis, providing valuable insights for preventive and therapeutic strategies in gastric malignancy management.
Investigating the Effects of Nitrogen Fertilizer and Irrigation Management on Yield and Yield Components of Maize
Authors: kordkatooli yaser , Norouzi Hossein Ajam , Amiri Ebrahim , Soltani Afshin , dadashi Mohamad reza
Published: October 2024

Nitrogen consumption management in the condition of water scarcity is considered as one of the most important factors in improving the maize yield. In order to investigate the effects of drought stress and nitrogen fertilizer on yield and yield, an experiment as split-plot design on completely randomized blocks with three iterations was carried out at Rasht, Iran. The main factor consisted of four irrigation levels and subfactor consisted of four nitrogen levels were considered. Empirical results have proved that in longer irrigation intervals, using more nitrogen had negative effects and caused the decrease in growth (morphological attributes), yield and yield components. The results presented that under 7 days irrigation interval condition with consumption of 240 kg of nitrogen, the highest grain yield and biological yield were obtained. In addition, there were no significant differences in yield and yield components under various treatment of using 180 and 240 kg N/ha or 7–14 days of irrigation intervals. Therefore, in order to reduce costs and use water and nitrogen optimally, utilizing more nitrogen and 7 days irrigation interval must be avoided to achieve the same yield with optimal management.
Food Safety for Health Promotion: Unravelling Spirulina's Antimicrobial Power in Controlling Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus isolated from fresh Tilapia Fillet and AI Verification
Authors: Metekia Wubshet Asnake , Ulusoy Beyza Hatice , Kidanie Seblewongiel Aynalem
Published: October 2024

Seafood products, including fresh tilapia fish fillets, are prone to rapid quality deterioration due to microbial contamination, which is a concern for food safety and health promotion to the general public. This study focused on experimental investigation and artificial intelligence model verification of the antimicrobial activity of Spirulina platensis (SP) extracts on two common foodborne pathogens, Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The SP extracts were obtained using the freeze-thaw method at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 5% (w/v) and labeled as EA, EB, and EC, respectively. Microbial analysis was conducted from 25 fresh Nile Tilapia fish fillets. Each fresh fish was dissected into four quarters; one for the control and three were for the treatments. Bacterial count was conducted before and after the treatment with the extracts at 1 hour, 24 hours, and 48 hours with storage at 4°C. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts was modeled using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and Adaptive Neuro Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) models. The results showed that the SP extracts exhibited effective antimicrobial activity against E. coli and S. aureus in fresh tilapia fish fillets. The ANN and ANFIS models accurately verified the reduction in microbial count after treatment with the extracts. Notably, EC demonstrated superior antimicrobial activity compared to EB and EA. The findings suggest that SP extracts can serve as a natural preservative technology for food products. It could be used as a strategy for food safety and health promotion to protect the public from pathogenic foodborne bacteria. Future research should focus on exploring the bioactive compounds of SP extracts in various food matrices and in super food and drug discoveries.
Crop suitability analysis for the coastal region of India: A fusion of remote sensing, geospatial analysis and multi-criteria decision making
Authors: Sawant Nishtha , Das Bappa , Mahajan Gopal , Desai Sujeet , Raizada Anurag , Kumar Parveen , Singh Pooja
Published: October 2024

Crop suitability analysis plays an important role in identifying and utilizing the areas suitable for better crop growth and higher yield without deteriorating the natural resources. The present study aimed to identify suitable areas for rice and coconut cultivation across the coastal region of India using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) integrated with GIS and remote sensing. A total of nine parameters were selected for suitability analysis including elevation, slope, soil depth, drainage, texture, pH, soil organic carbon, rainfall, temperature and a land use land cover (LULC) constraint map. The weights for the parameters and subclasses were assigned using the AHP method based on experts’ opinions. Subsequently, all the thematic maps were overlaid using the weighted overlay analysis to generate a land suitability map. Separately, the LULC crop mask map was used to extract suitable areas for rice and coconut cultivation to create crop-specific suitability maps. The final suitability maps were classified into four different classes: highly suitable, moderately suitable, marginally suitable, and not suitable for crop production. The findings revealed that approximately 13.68% of the study area was highly suitable, with around 19.26% and 18.35% being moderately and marginally suitable, respectively, and 13.76% was not suitable for rice cultivation. Similarly, for coconut cultivation, approximately 11% were highly suitable, with 27.40% and 18.34% being moderately and marginally suitable. However, about 35% of the total study region was deemed permanently unsuitable for any type of cultivation. The validation was conducted by comparing the reported area under cultivation for the year 2019-20 with highly and highly + moderately suitable areas which demonstrated a good correlation for rice (R = 0.77 and 0.74, respectively). However, the correlations for coconut were found to be poor. By strategically cultivating rice and coconut in highly and moderately suitable locations, and utilizing marginally suitable areas for other crops, it is possible to achieve financial viability in agricultural production by increasing crop yield without causing harm to natural resources.
Minimally invasive management of Hidradenitis suppurativa using a 1470nm diode laser. A step-by-step description of our technique.
Authors: Brown Nana Kwame D. , Kumassah Philemon K. , Brown George D. , Brookman Solomon , Ambe Peter C. , Agbedinu Kwabena
Published: October 2024

Background
The management of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) requires a multidisciplinary approach to ensure sustainable treatment results, especially in the advanced stages. Traditionally, deroofing and wide excision represented commonly employed surgical techniques. Due to the recurrent nature of HS, tissue preservation should be a relevant aspect of the surgical management. The aim of this manuscript is to demonstrate the use of a diode laser for the management of different stages of HS, paying attention on tissue preservation.
Methods
This is a technical manuscript demonstrating our technique for laser–assisted management of HS. A diode laser with a wavelength of 1470nm was used for this indication. The depth of the sinus/tract dictates the amount of energy required. Our preference is to use 8 Watts for deep lesions and 5 Watts for shallow lesions.
Results:
The following 7 critical steps are important to achieve an optimal result with this technique:
Drain all collections, minimalize tissue damage, protect healthy skin, control risk factors, adopt a multidisciplinary approach, follow-up closely, and be patient.
Conclusion:
Laser-based management of hidradenitis suppurativa is a promising surgical option in the multidisciplinary treatment of this difficult pathology. The minimally invasive nature of laser surgery, especially tissue preservation, is a strong argument for the role of this technique in the management of this chronic, recurrent condition.
Brain volume loss after cranial irradiation: a controlled comparison study between photon vs proton radiotherapy for WHO grade 2-3 gliomas
Authors: Gardner Melissa M. , Winter Sebastian F. , Stahl Franziska , Gerstner Elizabeth R. , Shih Helen A. , Sherman Janet , Dietrich Jorg , Parsons Michael W.
Published: October 2024

Purpose
Radiation therapy (RT) is an integral treatment component in patients with glioma but associated with neurotoxicity. Proton RT (PRT), as compared with photon RT (XRT), reduces excess radiation to nontarget tissue. We used a retrospective method to evaluate brain imaging metrics of neurotoxicity after treatment with PRT and XRT for glioma.
Methods
We analyzed brain volume change in thirty-four patients with WHO grade 2–3 gliomas treated with either PRT (n = 17) or XRT (n = 17). Both groups were carefully matched by demographic/clinical criteria and assessed longitudinally for two years post-radiotherapy. Brain volume change was measured as ventricular volume expansion in the tumor free hemisphere (contralateral to RT target) as a proxy indicator of brain volume loss. We further assessed the impact of volumetric changes on cognition in PRT patients, who completed neuropsychological testing as part of an outcome study.
Results
We found significant ventricular volume increases in the contralesional hemisphere in both groups at two years post-RT (F(1, 31) = 18.45, p < .000, partial η2 = .373), with greater volume change observed in XRT (26.55%) vs. PRT (12.03%) (M = 12.03%, SD = 16.26; F(1,31) = 4.26, p = 0.048, partial η2 = 0.121). Although, there was no group-level change on any cognitive test in PRT treated patients, individual changes on cognitive screening, working memory, processing speed and visual memory tasks correlated with contralesional brain volume loss.
Conclusion
This study suggests progressive brain volume loss following cranial irradiation, with greater severity after XRT vs PRT. Radiation-induced brain volume loss appears to be associated with measurable cognitive changes on an individual level. Prospective studies are warranted to validate these findings and their impacts on long-term cognitive function and quality of life. An improved understanding of the structural and functional consequences of cranial radiation is essential to develop neuroprotective strategies.
Dynamic mechanical properties of deep coal rocks under three-dimensional dynamic and static loading
Authors: Ren Feng , Yao Chunlei , Xu Shuqi , Wang Jie , Bao Jiming , Chen Hua , Wei Guangchao
Published: October 2024

Gaining a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic mechanical properties of deep coal rock is highly important for ensuring the safe design and evaluation of coal rock engineering. This paper conducted triaxial coal samples using SHPB loading experiments on deep Using the split Hopkinson pressure bar to test coal samples test equipment, under various situations. The findings indicate that the stress-strain curves of coal subjected to coupled triaxial dynamic-static loading exhibit a consistent pattern. The stress-strain curves did not exhibit a compaction phase because of the initial axial prestress. Furthermore, the dynamic peak stress and secant modulus of the deep coal samples exhibited a linear increase as the constraint pressure and strain increased, followed by a decrease as the axial prestress increased. The threshold pressure for alterations in axial prestress is approximately 8 MPa (equivalent to 44% of the compressive strength). Amount of energy taken in by the deep coal samples during impact loading varies with the rise of axial static prestress at the same strain rate and confining pressure. Initially, it increases and then declines. Axial static tension grows as increased, the coal samples transitioned from experiencing shear damage to experiencing a combination of shear and tension damage. This study aims to provide guidance for preventing coal rock dynamic disasters and assessing the stability of mining engineering.
A new noninvasive evaluation method of pulmonary thromboembolism in rabbits—pulmonary transit time
Authors: Zhang He , Chen Jianfeng , Wang Jiayu , Kang Song , Liu Yingying , Zhu Binyang , Mei Xue , AI Xin , Li Guangyin , Jiang Shuangquan
Published: October 2024

Background and aim
Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a common cause of cardiovascular death worldwide. Due to its nonspecific clinical symptoms, PTE is easy to be missed or misdiagnosed. Pulmonary transit time (PTT) is a noninvasive cardiopulmonary hemodynamic index, which is the time required for a blood sample to pass through pulmonary circulation. This study is aim to establish a rabbit PTE model using auto-thrombus, evaluating the dynamic changes in a rabbit’s heart structure and function at multiple time points before and after modeling by echocardiography and exploring the application value of PTT obtained by contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in evaluating a PTE model.
Methods
Twenty-four healthy rabbits were intubated by femoral vein puncture to establish the PTE model. Echocardiography was performed before embolization, 2 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days after embolization to obtain conventional ultrasonic parameters. Then, CEUS was performed to obtain the PTT.
Results
Seventh day after modeling, nineteen rabbits were alive. Compared with pre-modeling, right heart parameters and heart rate in echocardiography were significantly impaired in the acute phase (2 and 24 hours after modeling) and gradually returned to normal in the compensatory phase (3, 5, and 7 days after modeling). In contrast with conventional ultrasound parameters, PTT and nPTT revealed a gradually increasing trend at each time point. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed with an extension of molding time, the area under the curve (AUC) of (n)PTT is larger and larger.
Conclusions
Right heart parameters obtained using conventional echocardiography can accurately indicate changes in the structure and function of the right heart during the acute phase of PTE, while (n)PTT measured by CEUS continues to extend during the acute and compensatory phases of PTE. Therefore, PTT (nPTT) obtained by CEUS is a useful clinical indicator for the diagnosis of PTE and can be utilized as a supplement to conventional echocardiography parameters.
Sexual Coercion Related Knowledge and Perceptions Among Female Undergraduate Students of a Nigerian Private University: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Ogunwale Akintayo Olamide , Olaleye Oladipupo Samuel , Esuola Olubunmi Oladokun , Omoyajowo Adefunke Christinanah , Adigun Adekemi Temitope , Adedeji Phebe Obaseyi , Oyewo Ireoluwa Oluwafeyikemi , Oladele Olatoke , Adentan Oluwanifemi Faith , Mbah Favour Eze
Published: October 2024

Background
Sexual coercion remains a serious public health problem that is disproportionately affecting many young women. In Nigeria, there is a dearth of evidence-based information on sexual coercion related issues among female undergraduates especially in private university setting which is crucial for tailoring appropriate interventions. This study, therefore, explored the sexual coercion related knowledge and perceptions among female undergraduate students of Bowen University Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria.
Methodology
The cross-sectional study involved 402 female undergraduates selected using multistage sampling. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. This instrument included a 30-point sexual coercion knowledge scale and a 20-point scale on perception of sexual coercion. Knowledge scores of < 50th percentile and ≥ 50th percentile were classified as poor and good knowledge respectively, while perception scores of < 50th percentile and ≥ 50th percentile were classified as supportive perception and non-supportive perception respectively. Descriptive statistics and Chi-squared test were used to analyse the data at p < 0.05.
Results
Respondents’ mean age was 18.24 ± 1.69 years and 91.1% were Christians. Respondents’ mean knowledge score was 26.25 ± 3.56 and 43.3% had poor knowledge of sexual coercion. The proportions of Christians and Islamic adherents with poor knowledge of sexual coercion were 41.1% and 68.8% respectively (p < 0.05). Respondents’ mean perception score was 14.85 + 4.63 and 44.1% had sexual coercion supportive perception. For instance, some (23.8%) respondents perceived that men do not usually intend to force sex on a girl, but sometimes they become too sexually carried away. Respondents with supportive perception of sexual coercion among those aged < 18years, 18–19 and ≥ 20 years were 50.4%, 40.1%, 42.2% respectively (p > 0.05).
Conclusion
Sexual coercion is a common phenomenon among the female undergraduates. Despite this, many female undergraduates lacked adequate knowledge and appropriate perceptions relating to sexual coercion. Educational interventions are needed to address the phenomenon.
Bone regrowth after cervical corpectomy: long-term follow-up in a series of 34 patients
Authors: Lioi Francesco M.C. , Paolini Sergio , Ambrosone Angela , Marruzzo Daniele , Peschillo Simone , Missori Paolo
Published: October 2024

Background Cervical corpectomy and fusion is widely performed for relieving spinal cord compression due to vertebral body spondylosis. Bone regrowth in the empty space should occur, but there are not long-term follow-up studies demonstrating the timeline and the steps of this process.Methods Patients with spondylotic myelopathy that underwent single or multilevel cervical corpectomy and fusion, with or without posterior longitudinal ligament removal were submitted to long term CT follow-up to ascertain how and how much the resected bone reacts in the empty corpectomy space.Results Bone regrows and fills the empty space in a stepwise and time dependent fashion. Starting from the lateral edges of the corpectomy, new bone grips develop and progressively envelope the titanium implant. At the final stage the bone regrowth reaches the posterior ligament or the extradural space, and a smooth plane results in the posterior corpectomy space. The posterior longitudinal ligament does not appear play a role in the bone regrowth since no morphological differences occur between patients jointly submitted or not to its removal.Conclusion After cervical corpectomy the empty space undergoes a stepwise and time-dependent bone regrowth without redo mielo-radicular compression in the long-term.
The Experience of Hospital Autonomy in Tanzania; A Qualitative Case Study of Muhimbili National Hospital, Tanzania
Authors: Ally Salma Jumatatu , Mbwambo Jessie , Mwangu Mughwira
Published: October 2024

Background
Lower- and Middle-income countries strive to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of healthcare services. Hospital reforms, especially hospital autonomy, serve as an alternative solution to capacitate hospitals to deliver quality services effectively. In Tanzania, Muhimbili National Hospital was granted a mandate to become an autonomous institution in 2000 through The Muhimbili National Hospital Act 2000. Since its inception, the merits and limitations of its autonomy have not been explored enough to inform hospital transformation countrywide. Thus, this study aimed to explore the experience of Muhimbili National Hospital autonomy and how it exercises its mandate as indicated in The Muhimbili National Hospital Act, 2000.
Methods
The study employed qualitative methods. The interviews were audiotaped, and verbatim transcription was performed. NVivo 12 Plus was used to analyze data.
Results
It was found that components of autonomy were variably exercised, with none being entirely managed by the Board of Trustees (BOT) without external influences, especially the central government. The Muhimbili National Hospital Acts, 2000 is still valid regarding establishment but does not cater to current needs. The hospital has not attained financial independence, hindering it from exercising its power. Other areas of autonomy, such as the health domain, strategic management, administration, human resources management, procurement, and other cross-cutting issues, are widely affected by the central government operations through regulations and monetary inadequacy of the hospital to manage these components independently.
Conclusion
The Muhimbili National Hospital is not fully autonomous as stated in the Act, nor does it exercise the Act as written. Financial constraints hinder Muhimbili National Hospital from realizing its goals. The Muhimbili National Hospital Act should be revised to address all autonomy areas accordingly to accommodate current needs, especially with changes in population dynamics and disease patterns.
VEXAS Syndrome in a Moroccan Patient: A Story of a Two-year Diagnostic Lag
Authors: Allaoui Abire , Hadri Halima , Zizi Lilia , Kabil Doha , Bousfiha Ahmed Abdelaziz , Naitlho Abdelhamid
Published: October 2024

Background: VEXAS syndrome, also known as Vacuoles, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic syndrome, is a newly identified genetic condition characterized by a combination of autoinflammatory symptoms and myeloid dysplasia. The initial description was documented in 2020, and since then, there has been an increasing number of cases and series reported globally.
Case presentation: In this report, we present a case of VEXAS syndrome in an 88-year-old male patient. The patient has a p.Met41Val mutation in the UBA1 gene, with notable skin, joint, and lung involvement. As far as we know, this is the first documentation of VEXAS syndrome in Morocco and Africa. This condition may exhibit characteristics of recurrent fever, neutrophilic dermatitis, arthritis, and chondritis, along with cytopenias and myelodysplastic syndrome. The p.Met41Val mutation is known to be associated with severe clinical presentation and poor prognosis, with less chondritis involvement and more undifferentiated inflammatory syndrome, as seen in the described case.
Conclusions: Vexas syndrome represents a prototype for a new classification of diseases, although it is still insufficiently identified in many underdeveloped countries, especially in Africa, it should be considered in elderly males with unexplained fever associated with systemic manifestations and worsening hematologic abnormalities.
Kinetic investigation and scale-up of bulk ring-opening copolymerization of L-lactide and ɛ- caprolactone in the presence of liquid tin(II) n-butoxide
Authors: Sri Montira , Chaiwon Tawan , Meepowpan Puttinan , Molloy Robert , Nalampang Kanarat , Worajittiphon Patnarin , Kaabbuatong Narin , Punyodom Winita
Published: October 2024

This work aims to study the effectiveness of using liquid tin(II) n-butoxide (Sn(OnBu)2) as an initiator in the bulk ring-opening copolymerization (ROCOP) of L-lactide (LL) and ɛ-caprolactone (ε-CL). The effects of initiator concentration and polymerization temperature on the kinetics are investigated using proton-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H-NMR). The results indicate that increasing the initiator concentration enhances the final % conversion and the apparent rate constant (kapp). The findings also show that kapp increases with increasing temperature, as predicted. A comparative study between liquid Sn(OnBu)2 and the conventional initiating system of tin(II) 2-ethylhexanoate (stannous octoate, SnOct2) and n-butyl alcohol (Sn(Oct)2/n-BuOH) reveals that liquid Sn(OnBu)2 provides a higher kapp under the same polymerization conditions. Additionally, the copolymerization of LL and ɛ-CL using liquid Sn(OnBu)2 results in lower activation energy (Ea = 25.7 kJ mol−1 K−1) compared to the Sn(Oct)2/n-BuOH system (Ea = 34.6 kJ mol−1 K−1). In terms of molecular weight, using liquid Sn(OnBu)2 tends to yield poly(L-lactide-co-ɛ-caprolactone) (PLCL) copolymer with a higher molecular weight than the Sn(Oct)2/n-BuOH system under the same conditions. These combined results show that liquid Sn(OnBu)2 is a highly effective initiator in the ROCOP of LL and ɛ-CL cyclic ester monomers and can be used as a promising candidate for scaling up production.
Achieving sustainability by identifying the influences of cutting parameters on the carbon emissions of a milling process
Authors: Mishra Aniket , Yau Her-Terng , Kuo Ping-Huan , Wang Cheng Chi
Published: October 2024

Computer numerical control (CNC) machining tools emit considerable amounts of carbon owing to their energy consumption,material waste and coolant usage which can harm the environment, society, and public health. This study explores the environmental impact of CNC machining tools which focus on carbon emissions. This study investigated the influence of four machining parameters on carbon emissions for a Mytech 850VS (Vertical Spindle) CNC machine tool. Analysis of variance identified spindle speed as the most influential parameter, explaining 43.44% of the carbon emissions variance. Of the five machine learning techniques evaluated the XGBoost algorithm was found to have the highest performance in predicting carbon emissions. The Shapley plots confirmed the key role of spindle speed. Furthermore, novel metaheuristic algorithms were employed to identify the optimal combinations of cutting parameters to minimize carbon emissions. This integrated approach is a robust framework for mitigating the environmental impacts of machining processes aligned with sustainability objectives. This study’s insights into the influence of specific cutting parameters on carbon emissions can contribute to sustainability goals by reducing the environmental footprint of machining operations. By optimizing the machining parameters, manufacturers can successfully decrease the environmental impacts while enhancing the process efficiency. This study innovatively focuses on carbon emissions from CNC machine tools, highlighting spindle speed's significant role in explaining 43.44% of emissions variance. Advanced XGBoost machine learning is employed for precise prediction, complemented by Shapley plots to visually confirm spindle speed's pivotal role. Innovative metaheuristic algorithms contribute by identifying optimal cutting parameter combinations to minimize carbon emissions, forming an integrated framework that assesses and actively mitigates environmental impacts. By offering actionable insights for the manufacturers to optimize the machining processes, this study pushes forward sustainable manufacturing practices, emphasizing both efficiency gains and environmental stewardship in the CNC machining operations.
Small area population estimation from health intervention campaign surveys and partially observed settlement data
Authors: Nnanatu Chibuzor , Bonnie Amy , Joseph Josiah , Yankey Ortis , Cihan Duygu , Gadiaga Assane , Voepel Hal E. , Abbott Thomas , Chamberlain Heather , Tia Mercedita , Sander Marielle , Davies Justin , Lázár Attila N. , Tatem Andrew
Published: October 2024

Recent and reliable small area population numbers are required for effective governance, but financial and logistical challenges mean that national censuses are typically only undertaken every ten years or more. Geospatial modelling approaches have been developed that utilise bespoke microcensus surveys linked with satellite-derived settlement maps and other spatial datasets to fill population data gaps across countries with outdated or incomplete census data. However, microcensus surveys can be complex logistically and expensive, while satellite-based settlement maps can often be incomplete in tropical rural areas where tree canopies and cloud cover can obscure them. These factors limit the wider application of geospatial modelling approaches. Here, we present a novel two-step Bayesian hierarchical modelling approach that can integrate routinely collected health intervention campaign data and partially observed settlement data to produce reliable small area population estimates. Reductions in relative error rates were 32-73% in a simulation study, and ~32% when applied to malaria survey data in Papua New Guinea. The results highlight the value of demographic data that is collected routinely through health intervention campaigns or household surveys for improving small area population estimates, and how biases introduced through satellite data limitations can be overcome.
Expansive spatial pattern of Aß deposition in patients with cerebral amyloid angiopathy: a large-scale and surface-to-depth analysis
Authors: Hayashi Hideki , Saito Rie , Miyashita Akinori , Ikeuchi Takeshi , Tada Mari , Akazawa Kohei , Onodera Osamu , Tainaka Kazuki , Kakita Akiyoshi
Published: October 2024

Sporadic cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) in the cerebrovascular wall, often coexisting with Alzheimer’s disease. CAA is thought to be caused by impaired efflux of Aβ through small vessels. However, the precise locations of Aβ accumulation within the spatial cerebrovascular system remain unclear in the human brain because of its large size and complex organization. This study aimed to clarify the three-dimensional (3D) distribution and possible progression pattern of Aβ and vascular degeneration in relation to perivascular senile plaques in CAA, employing a highly tissue-clearing technique and light-sheet fluorescence microscopy. We prepared formalin-fixed 0.5-cm3 tissue blocks from the frontal and occipital lobes of postmortem brains of six patients with CAA (CAA Thal stage 2 or 3 and Braak stage III-VI) using double-immunofluorescence labeling for smooth muscle actin (SMA) and Aβ17-24. We identified 1104 Aβ-positive and 535 Aβ-negative vascular units. The 3D analysis revealed that Aβ deposition was predominantly distributed in the leptomeningeal arteries (LMA) and superficial cortical segment within Aβ-positive vascular units (96.2% and 99.5% positivity, respectively), and appeared to develop continuously from the brain surface to deeper vascular segments. Similar to this pattern, SMA loss was common in leptomeningeal and cortical surface segments within Aβ-positive vascular units, and these units had a significantly larger median external diameter than those that were Aβ-negative (36.73 μm vs 25.94 μm, P<0.0001). The density of perivascular plaques was significantly lower around Aβ-positive than around Aβ-negative vascular units (P<0.0001). These findings suggest that Aβ deposition in CAA develops preferentially from the cerebral surface and extends to the deeper layer. There may be an inverse relationship between the perivascular and vascular Aβ loads.