bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
DEVELOPMENT OF CALCULATION MODELS OF PASSIVE STRUCTURAL SUSPENSION ELEMENTS WITH QUASI-ZERO STIFFNESS MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIALS
Authors: Potopalska Ksenia , Larin Oleksii , Grinchenko Eugen , Razumovska Nadiia , Vaslilchenko Nikita
Published: December 2024

This study introduces the design and analysis of a novel metastructure with quasi-zero dynamic stiffness for potential use in vibration isolation systems. The proposed metastructure is constructed from unit cells that integrate elements with both negative and positive stiffness. These elements are arranged in parallel to create a region of quasi-zero stiffness. This unique configuration allows the metastructure to achieve a balance between stability and flexibility, making it highly adaptable for various engineering applications.Numerical simulations were conducted to evaluate the static characteristics of a single unit cell under uniaxial compression. The results demonstrated that the unit cell exhibits a quasi-zero stiffness zone, characterized by a displacement range between 11 mm and 40 mm, where the applied force remains nearly constant at approximately 300 N. Additionally, a comprehensive multi-cell design was developed to explore the scalability and practical applicability of the metastructure in larger systems.The analysis showed that the metastructure's static stiffness and the boundaries of the quasi-zero stiffness zone can be tailored by adjusting the geometric and material properties of the unit cells. Graphical results, including displacements along the Y-axis and equivalent stress distributions for a displacement of 30 mm, confirm the effectiveness of the design. The ability to maintain consistent force in the quasi-zero stiffness zone highlights the potential for this metastructure to enhance vibration isolation performance across a broad spectrum of operating conditions.The proposed metastructure demonstrates significant promise for use in vibration protection systems due to its tunable properties and efficient isolation capabilities. By utilizing the derived dependencies between platform displacement and applied load, engineers can optimize the design parameters during the development phase to achieve desired performance outcomes. This work lays a foundation for the practical implementation of metastructures in vibration-sensitive applications, offering innovative solutions for challenges in dynamic load management and structural stability.
METHODS OF THE DYNAMIC BEHAVIOR MODELLING, THE STRENGTH ASSESSMENT AND THE STRUCTURAL STABILITY EVALUATION OF COMPOSITE BLADES OF ROTARY MACHINES
Authors: Martynenko Volodymyr
Published: December 2024

The work considers methods of joining and analysis of composite blades of rotary machines, namely options for connecting metal and composite parts, approaches to creating a calculation model and modeling the static and dynamic mechanical behavior of composite blades, and techniques of determining their strength according to various criteria, taking into account the characteristics of connections. For this purpose, a detailed review of the applications of composite blades in rotary machines for various purposes, available in the literature, was carried out, as well as options for combining composite and metal parts were given to determine the most optimal approach to creating a strong blade consisting of such parts. The method of construction of the calculation model includes features of joints, illustrated on the example of a composite rotor blade, which contains a steel root and a composite airfoil with layers of different thicknesses and stiffening ribs connecting two side surfaces of the airfoil and passing along the radial direction of the rotor from the root to peripheral sections of the blade airfoil to ensure its strength and structural stability. The analysis of the strength of the composite blade is performed on the basis of criteria specially developed for composite materials, in particular, the Hashin criterion. It is proposed to analyze the structural stability of the composite blade profile under the influence of the aerodynamic pressure of the flow to determine its critical value, at which the buckling may occur by certain shapes. The dynamic characteristics of the airfoil are found in the form of natural frequencies and natural forms of vibrations, taking into account the prestressed state from centrifugal forces and the aerodynamic pressure of the flow. It is proposed to identify the properties of the composite material of the blade airfoil using numerical experiments and full-scale experimental studies, and the adequacy of the modelling of its mechanical behavior and strength can be checked on the basis of the rig considered in the work.
HEURISTIC APPROACH TO THE SOFTWARE IMPLEMENTATION OF LITTLE'S METHOD USING THE TRAVELER'S PROBLEM AS AN EXAMPLE
Authors: Misiura Ievgeniia , Misiura Serhii , Smetankina Natalia
Published: December 2024

The travelling salesman problem has been considered as one of the most popular optimization problems. This problem consists in finding the most advantageous route that passes through each of the specified cities only once. The criterion of the route profitability (i.e. the shortest and cheapest one) and the corresponding distance matrices (in kilometers) are applied using the conditions of this problem. It is known that the route must pass through each city only once, in which case the solution is among Hamiltonian cycles. In order to use a mathematical means to solve a problem, it is presented in the form of a mathematical model. The travelling salesman problem is represented as a model on a graph, that is, using the vertices and edges between them. The authors propose the use of the heuristic method to solve this problem. To do this, the software implementation of Little's algorithm, which chooses a set with a minimum boundary for partition from all possible branches, rather than from two resulting from the last partition, has been improved. The heuristic approach is used to the choice of the set with a limit of no more than minimal. The program realization has been demonstrated based on the example of driving between the cities of Ukraine given by the real distance matrix (in kilometers). It has been found that the speed of work of the software implementation of Little’s modified algorithm, developed by the authors, is much higher, which makes it possible to use the latter instead of the complete re-selection method.
MODELLING OF DAMAGE ACCUMULATION PROCESSES AT PLANE STRESS STATE
Authors: Tatarinova Oksana , Breslavsky Dmytro , Hroshevyi Mykhailo , Khoroshun Andriy
Published: December 2024

An approach to modeling the processes of damage accumulation during creep is proposed- The case of the stress state in a structural element is characterized by the presence of areas with different stress levels is considered. As a result of aging, oxidation, and other high-temperature degradation processes in zones with low stress levels, the rate of accumulation of hidden damage may increase, which is not reflected in the classical formulations of Damage Mechanics. A description of the evolution equation for the scalar damage parameter is provided, in which the parameters included in it are the functions of the stress values, which at a given time before the finishing of hidden damage accumulation are destructive. The mathematical formulation of the problem and its finite element formulation are performed for the case of a plane stress state. Numerical modeling of damage accumulation processes in plates with circular notches made of heat-resistant alloy CMSX-4 is carried out. The distributions of the damage parameter along the plate obtained using the classical Kachanov-Rabotnov damage parameter equation and the one proposed in this work for a wide range of stresses are compared. It is shown that taking into account a different, increased rate of damage accumulation in areas with a low level of stresses in the analysis of long-term strength leads to a significant reduction in the time to completion of hidden damage accumulation. It is demonstrated that in the case of using the modified evolution equation, the zone with a high level of damage is distributed throughout the volume of the plate, which may indicate further rapid fracture. The proposed approach to modifying the evolution equation for the damage parameter can be used in the case when there is an information about the real value of the time to fracture in operational conditions with the subsequent execution of a cycle of numerical experiments to obtain the characteristics of the long-term strength curve, which will be incorporated into the modified evolution equation.
STUDY OF THE ACCURACY OF PHYSICALLY INFORMED NEURAL NETWORKS USING THE EXAMPLE OF BEAM DEFORMATION
Authors: Babudzhan Ruslan , Shapovalova Mariia , Vodka Oleksii
Published: December 2024

The paper investigates the accuracy of beam deformation prediction using physically informed neural networks (PINN) compared to conventional fully connected neural networks. For the experiment, an analytical solution to the deflection problem of a beam hinged at one end, fixed at the other, and loaded with a point force was used. A dataset was created in which the position of load application was varied to obtain different deflection values.
The architecture of the neural network was based on a fully connected structure trained for deflection prediction. During the study, two loss functions were compared: a standard one that minimizes the mean square error (MSE) and a complex one that includes a physical component. The latter took into account the laws of mechanics, in particular the differential equations of beam deflection, which were integrated into the learning process through the gradients of the network's output data.
The results showed that incorporating physical laws into the training process significantly improves the accuracy of predictions, especially with limited data. The comparison demonstrated that the physically informed neural network provides better results than the conventional model and more accurately reflects the behavior of the beam under load. The obtained findings emphasize the effectiveness of the PINN approach for solving engineering problems where physical models and laws play an important role.
Insights into healthcare workers' perceptions of electronic medical record system utilization: A cross-sectional study in Mafeteng District, Lesotho
Authors: Sekoai Tebeli E. , Turner Astrid C , Mitchell Janine
Published: December 2024

Background: Electronic medical record (EMR) systems have significantly transformed the way healthcare data is created, managed and utilized. The advantages offered by the systems over paper-based records include improved legibility and accessibility to up-to-date patient information and provision of support for clinical decision-making. The system’s implementation in Lesotho aimed to enhance patient care, track patients, and generate routine reports for evidence-based programming. It is imperative to understand how healthcare workers (HCWs) perceive the system as frontline end-users; thus, the objective of the study was to explore HCWs’ perceptions of the system, focusing on their perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use and factors influencing acceptance and utilization in Mafeteng district.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study design was conducted; 145 healthcare workers from 17 health facilities were invited to participate in the study. A structured questionnaire based on the Technology Acceptance Model was administered for data collection. The analysis included descriptive statistics; the perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use using Stata/BE 18.0 and multiple regression analysis to identify the outcomes of the HCWs’ perceptions. Additional text by participants was extracted to explain quantitative results.
Results: There was a 49% response rate (n= 71). The majority of respondents in the study were female (70.42%), and the most common profession was registered nurse midwife (45.07%). A large proportion of the participants reported having good computer skills. 87.32% HCWs found the EMR system useful, with 83.1% agreeing that it improves job performance and saves time. Additionally, 85.91% participants found the system easy to use, with 81.69% able to recover from errors and 85% able to remember how to perform tasks. However, 32.39% experienced unexpected system behaviour.
Conclusion: Overall, HCWs showed positive attitudes towards the EMR system, appreciating its usefulness, ease of use and efficiency. Nevertheless, unexpected behavioural issues, such as network issues, unavailability of electricity, and computer skills gaps among the respondents were identified. Addressing these challenges is crucial for successful implementation and adoption of the system, ultimately leading to improved patient care.
Exploring the Interrelationship of Intra- and Inter-network Alteration in Motor Recovery After Stroke
Authors: Lee Jungsoo , Kim Yun-Hee
Published: December 2024

Brain networks demonstrate various dynamics during recovery after stroke. Recovery of interhemispheric interaction and balance and the occurrence of network reorganization have also been reported during stroke recovery. This study aimed to investigate the dynamics of brain networks after stroke. At the large-scale brain network level, this study focuses on determining whether changes in brain networks during the functional recovery period following a stroke, along with concurrent changes in connected networks, facilitate functional recovery. Eighty-three subacute ischemic stroke patients participated. All patients underwent resting-state functional MRI and motor function assessments at two weeks and three months after stroke onset. Intra- and inter-networks from 12 resting-state networks were extracted from functional MRI data. The interrelationship between changes in intra-network values and changes in inter-network values between the corresponding network and other networks during the recovery period was investigated. The interrelationship between the good and poor recovery subgroups was compared. The interrelationship of intra- and inter-network alterations could be observed in both groups. This interrelationship was more pronounced across multiple networks in the good recovery group compared to the poor recovery group. The group differences in the interrelationship of intra- and inter-network alteration were shown in diverse sub-networks, including cognitive and sensory networks as well as motor networks. This study suggests the importance of adopting a plasticity-oriented perspective focused on changes in intra- and inter-network connectivity throughout the entire brain rather than solely emphasizing the motor function area for predicting and treating motor function recovery.
Using An Oversized and Cross-Regional Retrograde Pedicled Island Flap Repairing Soft Tissue Defects in the Knee
Authors: Li Yong , Liu Ji-song , Ying Yu-fong , Sun Xing-chen , Deng Jia-bing , Wu Jun-jun , Fu Quan-you
Published: December 2024

The anterior outer region of the thigh is the most common donor site and is often used as a free flap; however, there are few reports of knee injury repair with a pedicle skin flap. This study analyzed the blood supply within the thigh skin fascia tissue and concluded that perforating blood vessels from different sources anastomose with each other within the fascia tissue to form a three-dimensional chain network structure, which can achieve cross-regional compensatory blood supply and that cutaneous nerves enhance the blood supply. Therefore, it is feasible to choose an appropriate perforator as the vascular pedicle to design a oversized and cross-regional retrograde pedicled flap to repair large defects in the knee.In this study, the distal perforating branch of the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex artery was used as the vascular pedicle in 8 cases, and the perforating branch of the lateral superior genicular artery was used as the vascular pedicle in 7 cases to design an oversized and cross-regional retrograde pedicled flap containing skin and fascial tissue on the anterior, lateral, or medial thigh. The flaps survived, and the morphology and function of the flaps were satisfactory.
Insights into Moral Reasoning Capabilities of AI: A Comparative Study between Humans and Large Language Models.
Authors: Bajpai Srajal , Sameer Ahmed , Fatima Rabiya
Published: December 2024

Background
The primary purpose of this research is to investigate the moral reasoning capabilities of Large Language Models (LLMs), especially to find out possible biases in moral reasoning by ChatGPT and other LLM-based chatbots, and whether they engage in reasoning or simply reproduce information. The study employed an experiment to assess LLMs’ performance on their moral reasoning abilities.
Methods
Moral reasoning is assessed using the Moral Competence Test (MCT) and the Moral Foundation Questionnaire (MFQ). Both human participants and chatbots based on LLM technology undergo these exams to conduct a comparative analysis of their moral reasoning abilities.
Results
In the MCT, human participants consistently demonstrate superior performance compared to LLMs. Examining moral foundations through the use of the Moral Foundations Questionnaire (MFQ) uncovers subtle differences, which draw attention to possible prejudices in the moral decision-making procedures of LLMs.
Conclusions
Our study concludes that LLM-based chatbots have not yet achieved human-level moral reasoning. There is a clear bias whereby individualist values are prioritized over collective ones. This bias may affect how users judge when making moral decisions, thereby shaping public discourse and the decision-making process. It is important to be careful while incorporating LLMs into decision-making processes by focusing on regular evaluation and improvement to ensure the ethical development of AI.
TFIIB-related factor 2 inhibits lung squamous carcinoma cell apoptosis through SLC8A3-mediated mitochondrial homeostasis
Authors: lu ming , Yi Shen , Qi Xing , Luo Fei , Feng Zitong , Luyuan Ma , Wenhao Yu , Wang Cong , Tian Hui
Published: December 2024

Background
Lung cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Developing therapies for lung cancer is challenging, and new targets are urgently required. TFIIB-related factor 2 (BRF2) plays a crucial role in the development and progression of various tumors. However, the potential role of BRF2 in lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC) is unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism of BRF2 regulation in LUSC development.
Method
Flow cytometry, protein blotting, and in vivo experiments were performed to assess the function of BRF2 in LUSC. Transmission electron microscopy imaging and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) measurements were used to determine the effect of BRF2 on mitochondria in LUSC. The impact of the downstream molecule SLC8A3 was predicted using bioinformatics analysis, and the mechanism was investigated by analyzing quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and immunoprecipitation (IP) assays, which were confirmed through rescue experiments.
Results
BRF2 expression was upregulated in squamous carcinoma cells, which increased SLC8A3 protein expression, promoted mitochondrial autophagy, stabilized MMP, and reduced apoptosis. In addition, SLC8A3 overexpression inhibited PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) binding to TIM23 to promote mitochondrial autophagy and stabilize the MMP, which counteracted BRF2 knockdown-induced apoptosis.
Conclusion
BRF2 mediated SLC8A3 expression to reduce apoptosis in LUSC cells by maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis. These findings provide novel selective therapeutic targets and ideas for the treatment of LUSC.
Comparison supraspinatus tendon retear rate after tenotomy or tenodesis or no procedure of the long head of the biceps tendon on Patte 2-3 types patients
Authors: Liu Xinxin , Chen Xuxu , Ma Xiaowen
Published: December 2024

Background: Rotator cuff retear after arthroscopic consistently challenges medical staff and patients. The operation method affects the shoulder function and tendon healing. How to deal with the long head of the biceps tendon (LHBT) in the arthroscopic surgery is a controversial issue. We compared supraspinatus tendon retear rate after tenotomy or tenodesis or no procedure of the LHBT in shoulder arthroscopic surgery on Patte 2-3 types patients.
Methods: The authors reviewed the records of 108 patients who had magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and 3 months after the surgery. The mean age was 56.39±7.87 years (range, 38-73 years), and 71 patients were women (65.7%). The surgical methods of LHBT include tenotomy, tenodesis (simple tenodesis, tenotomy with tenodesis) and no procedure. Retraction of the supraspinatus tendon was graded according to Patte classification. The postoperative tendon integrity was evaluated by Sugaya classification on MR coronal T2WI. The classifications of Sugaya 4 and 5 were considered as tendon retear. The patients basic information and MR manifestations before surgery were compared in different LHBT treatments. Comparing the difference in the rotator cuff retear rate among tenotomy, tenodesis versus no procedure of LHBT was evaluated by Chi-square test.
Results: Among the 108 patients, in the LHBT surgical treatments, 41 patients underwent no procedure, 38 underwent tenotomy and 29 underwent tenodesis. The rotator cuff retear rate was 18.5% in all the patients. There were statistic differences in rotator cuff retear rate between no procedure and tenotomy or tenodesis patients in the LHBT.(P=0.032) There was a lower tendon retear rate in tenotomy and tenodesis patients than no procedure of LHBT. Between tenotomy and tenodesis patients, there was no statistic differences in the rotator cuff retear rate. (P=0.485)
Conclusions: For the LHBT management of the supraspinatus tendon tear patients on Patte 2-3 types, both tenotomy and tenodesis of LHBT had good outcomes in the rotator cuff repair integrity after the shoulder arthroscopic. No procedure of LHBT had a higher supraspinatus tendon retear rate after the arthroscopic surgery.
Adipokine Profiles and Their Association with Body Composition and Disease Activity in Pediatric Crohn's Disease
Authors: Magen-Rimon Ramit , Cohen Michal , Rosen Irit , Spector-Cohen Inna , Garah Jamal , Weiss Ram , Shaoul Ron
Published: December 2024

Objectives
Emerging evidence implicates an important role for visceral fat, particularly "creeping fat", in the pathogeneses and progression of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), specifically Crohn's disease (CD).
In this study, we aimed to explore the association between body composition, adipocytokine profiles and disease activity in pediatric CD patients.
Methods
We recruited patients with active and quiescent CD, aged 6-18, along with age matched healthy controls. Body composition was analyzed via bio-impedance analysis, adipocytokines were assessed by ELISA–multiplex.
Results
Patients with active CD exhibited significantly elevated levels of adiponectin and resisitn compared to healthy controls and patients in remission even upon adjustment for body composition indices. Leptin correlated only with body composition and not with disease activity. Patients with active CD had relatively higher percentage of body fat and total body fat than the other groups.
Conclusions
This study underscores the complex interactions between adipocytokine profiles and disease activity in CD. Further studies are needed to investigate the potential mechanistic role of adiponectin and resisitin in CD pathogenesis.
A complication of double-lumen endotracheal tubes resulting in delayed laryngeal injury and dyspnea: A case report and literature analysis
Authors: Shi Qinye , Fang Yunxia , Xu Jianhong
Published: December 2024

Background
Double-lumen endotracheal tubes(DLTs) is often used in lung surgery and is more likely to cause throat injury than single-lumen endotracheal tubes. However, it is rare to have an occult giant laryngeal cyst and upper airway obstruction after DLTs, causing severe complications such as dyspnea. This serious complication endangers the patient's life and safety.
Case presentation:
A 55-year-old woman underwent surgical resection of a lung tumor under DLTs. Approximately 3 months after surgery, she went to the hospital for treatment due to hoarseness and dyspnea after a change in body position. Laryngoscopy revealed that the upper airway was obstructed due to a large cyst in the throat, which required surgical resection. Although the crisis was resolved by surgical resection, this serious complication of endotracheal intubation, which could have endangered the patient's life, was indeed worrisome.
Conclusions
The DLTs is thick, and the positioning of the intubation technology is high, which increases the likelihood of a throat injury. Thus, it is necessary to actively prevent its occurrence during operation. Hoarseness after operation needs early examination to detect and treat the injury early and avoid such serious complications.
Karyotype analysis of diploid and autotetraploid of seven tartary buckwheat cultivars in China
Authors: Lian L. , Zhang P. , Wu X. , Zhang Y. , Chen Q.
Published: December 2024

Diploid and autotetid taraplortary buckwheat cultivars were used to conduct a karyotype study using the conventional squash method, establishing a reference for polyploid breeding. In the present study, the seven cultivars exhibited similar karyotypic features in both diploid and autotetraploid accessions. The diploid chromosome number was 2n = 2x = 16, whereas it was 2n = 2x = 32 in the autotetraploid accessions. No. T6, T9, T18, T22, T27 and T36 contained one pair of SAT chromosomes, whereas No. T25 had two pairs. Compared with diploids, the total number of chromosomes and SAT chromosomes doubled in autotetraploids. However, the karyotype asymmetry coefficient for the seven diploids ranged from 59.38–61.78%, and for the autotetraploids, it ranged from 59.73–61.76%. Additionally, the karyotype of autotetraploids remained unchanged in 2A type cases. Chromosome doubling did not affect the evolutionary relationship or clustering of tartary buckwheat (P < 0.01). The karyotypes and chromosome numbers of these seven autotetraploid cultivars have been reported for the first time.
Triglyceride-glucose index and short-term functional prognosis in patients with acute ischemic stroke : a retrospective study
Authors: Wu Zhuqing , Shi Juan , Zhang Yueyu , Zhang Chi , Liu Qiuwan , Wang Xiaoqiang , Zhang Kangrui , Wu Juncang
Published: December 2024

Background
Stroke is the most significant cause of death and disability around the world. It is the second leading cause of death after cardiovascular disease. Currently, The triglyceride-Glucose index (TyG) has proven to be a reliable surrogate indicator of IR in stroke studies. However, the relationship between TyG and poor functional outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke remains unclear. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the relationship between TyG and clinical outcomes at 3 months after acute ischemic stroke (AIS).
Methods
The clinical data of 564 AIS patients admitted to the Second People's Hospital of Hefei from from January 2020 to September 2024 were collected, and they were divided into poor function outcome group and good function outcome group according to mRS Score 3 months after onset. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to investigate the correlation between TyG index at admission and 3-month functional outcomes of AIS patients. Receiver operating curve (ROC curve) was used to evaluate the predictive value of TyG index in 3-month functional outcomes of AIS patients.
Results
A total of 564 AIS patients were included, of which 165 patients (29.25%) were in the poor function outcome group and 399 patients (70.75%) were in the good function outcome group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that systolic blood pressure, NIHSS score and TyG index at admission were independent risk factors affecting the 3-month outcome of adverse function in AIS patients (P < 0.05). The higher the TyG index, the higher the risk of adverse functional outcomes at 3 months (OR = 3.18,95%CI = 2.252–4.499,P < 0.001). ROC curve showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of TyG index was 0.650 (95%CI: 0.598–0.702, P < 0.001) in predicting poor outcomes ,with predictive sensitivity of 61.2% and specificity of 62.7%.
Conclusion
TyG index is an independent risk factor for adverse clinical function prognosis of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) at 3 months and has predictive value for early clinical prognosis of stroke patients.
Quantification of intra-amniotic inflammation in late preterm prelabour rupture of membranes
Authors: Marie Vajrychova , Jaroslav Stranik , Rudolf Kupcik , Michaela Sadibolova , Rudolf Kukla , Radka Bolehovska , Marian Kacerovsky
Published: December 2024

Preterm prelabor rupture of membranes (PPROM) complicated by intra-amniotic inflammation (IAI) represents a substantial portion of preterm birth cases. Currently, IAI is frequently defined as amniotic fluid IL-6 concentration above 2,600 pg/mL However, the amniotic fluid IL-6 concentration was never correlated with the global response of other proinflammatory proteins to the ongoing IAI. In this cross-sectional study, protein quantification was performed using mass spectrometry (MS) analysis followed by target quantification of selected proinflammatory proteins. Levels of amniotic fluid proteins determined by MS were put into the correlation with IL-6 concentration determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method (ECLIA). In total, 925 proteins were efficiently quantified and differential expression analysis revealed 378 proteins upregulated towards IL-6 concentration above 10,000 pg/mL. Four proteins (LCN2, MMP8, MPO, and S100A12) were selected to verify the achieved results and IL-6 concentration of 10,000 pg/mL was determined as the cutoff value for global IAI response.
Association between Estimated Glucose Disposal Rate and Impaired Cardiovascular Fitness in Non-diabetic Young Population: A Cross-sectional Study Based on NHANES Database
Authors: Yang Boning , Zou Junhua , Hu Wenwen , Xu Wenkai , Dai Songyuan , Ma Xue , Wang Jing
Published: December 2024

Background
Recent studies have demonstrated that insulin resistance (IR) is associated with the development of cardiovascular diseases (CVD), and estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR) has emerged as a reliable surrogate marker for IR. However, the majority of existing evidence is derived from studies involving elderly populations and diabetic patients, leaving early intervention strategies in non-diabetic young adults unclear. Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between eGDR and Impaired Cardiovascular Fitness(CVF) in young non-diabetic populations.
Methods
We screened data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study in a cross-sectional study of 3438 participants who completed the CVF examinations. Low and moderate levels of CVF, as determined by estimating maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max) according to sex and age specific criteria, were defined as CVF impairment. Weighted logistic regression and subgroup analysis were used to explore the association between eGDR and impaired CVF. A smoothed curve fitting and threshold effect analysis were used to test for a linear relationship between eGDR and impaired CVF. Subgroup analyses with interaction tests were performed to assess the stability of the results. Furthermore, the mediation effect analysis was used to investigate whether certain variables mediate the association between the eGDR index and impaired CVF.
Results
Compared to the low eGDR group individuals with high eGDR were more likely to be female, younger, physically active and never smokers, and exhibited elevated HDL levels. In addition, BMI, WC, SBP, DBP, FPG, HbA 1 c, TG, and LDL showed lower levels in the high eGDR group. A significant negative relationship between eGDR index and impaired CVF appeared in weighted logistic regression analysis. Smoothed curve fitting further indicates that the strong negative association between eGDR and impaired CVF. Associations such as gender, age, and race remained stable in the subgroup analyses. In addition, BMI and LDL as mediators significantly affected the association of the eGDR index with the impaired CVF.
Conclusions
A lower level of eGDR was found to be associated with Impaired CVF among participants in our study. This finding highlights eGDR's potential as a valuable predictor and intervention target for CVF.
Moving Through Time: Stability and Change in Adolescent Movement Behaviour and links with Future Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Knowles Christopher , Breslin Gavin , Carlin Angela , Paradis Kyle , Shannon Stephen
Published: December 2024

Background
Movement behaviours are consistently recognised as having long-term implications for health and wellbeing. Adolescence is often accompanied by diminishing bodily movement and an increased onset of depressive symptoms. Time Displacement dictates that when awake, altering time spent in one movement state (i.e., Sedentary, Light- Moderate-, or Vigorous-Physical Activity) must alter time spent in others. However, few studies evaluate these interdependent movement behaviours as indicators within a composite profile of overall daily movement. The current study included a Random Intercepts Latent Transition Analysis (RI-LTA) to establish latent profiles of movement behaviour across three timepoints in adolescence; the likelihood and predictors of profile transitions over time; and whether differences in transition patterns contributed to variance in future depressive symptoms.
Methods
Data were represented from 4,964 participants of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and their Children. Movement behaviours were measured using Actigraph AM7164 2.2 accelerometers age 12, 14, and 16. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Short Mood and Feelings Questionnaire at ages 18 and 22.
Results
A 3x3 non-invariant RI-LTA was an excellent fit to the data (BIC = 410417; Entropy = .902) distinguishing between Maximal-, Moderate-, and Minimal-Movers. Once accounting for non-invariance (i.e., that all profiles moved less over time), transition probabilities presented the Moderate-Mover profile as extremely stable across adolescence. Females, and those with higher BMI and more educated parents were more likely to transition to profiles characterised by lesser movement. Transition patterns containing a period of minimal movement were associated with worse depressive symptoms at ages 18 and 22. Similarly, maximal movement age 12 conferred protection against depressive symptoms age 22 even after shifting to an enduring period of moderate movement thereafter.
Conclusions
Maximising PA and minimising time spent sedentary when age 12 can protect against depressive symptoms in early adulthood, even if daily movement later decreases. Early intervention has potential to promote health-supportive behaviour and mitigate depressive symptoms across the lifespan. Implications extend to the promotion of PA, and public-health strategies centred on young peoples’ movement behaviour and the reduction of depressive symptoms.
FarmCoSwiss: The first Swiss agricultural health cohort
Authors: Doetzer Julia , Ammann Priska , Imboden Medea , Ingold Karin , Jeong Ayoung , Kaiser-Grolimund Andrea , Schaffner Emmanuel , Winkler Mirko S , Fuhrimann Samuel , Probst-Hensch Nicole
Published: December 2024

FarmCoSwiss is Switzerland's first agricultural cohort study on farmers’ health and wellbeing. It aims to longitudinally describe farmers’ mental and physical health and identify risk and protective factors. Between November 2022 and August 2023, the baseline survey assessed farm characteristics, lifestyle, occupational hazards, wellbeing, and physical and mental health. Descriptive statistics on selected variables were compared to the general population using Swiss Health Survey (SHS) data (2022) and the Swiss-wide SAPALDIA cohort (2020–2023). At baseline, 872 participants (65.9% men) were enrolled. Younger participants had better physical health-related quality of life (HRQoL), while older participants reported better mental HRQoL. Women had better physical, but worse mental HRQoL than men. Most participants (60.5%) had a BMI over 25. Compared to the Swiss general population, FarmCoSwiss participants sat less, consumed less alcohol and tobacco, but ate more red and processed meat. They reported lower prevalences of most diseases than SAPALDIA participants. Occupational accidents were common. Descriptive analyses indicate sex- and gender based differences in health challenges, highlighting the need for further research. Mental health issues, high rates of occupational accidents, and high BMI values call for in-depth studies. Given increasing political, societal, and environmental pressures on agriculture, these findings emphasize the importance of enhancing farmers’ health and wellbeing to maintain a thriving agricultural workforce.
Development and Validation of an Interpretable Prediction Model for Early Screening of Acute Myocardial Infarction in Young and Middle-Aged Patients
Authors: Ruan QingQing , Su Shuzhi , Wang Xian , Li Xiumei , Qiao Zengyong , Dai Yong
Published: December 2024

Background: In recent years, the incidence of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) has been rising among young individuals. However, existing research predominantly concentrates on AMI patients who are elderly. This study employs machine learning models to analyze multidimensional clinical features, with the objective of developing an accurate early screening tool for AMI in young and middle-aged populations.
Methods: We analyzed data from 772 young and middle-aged patients who visited the Chest Pain Center at the South Campus of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital between January 2018 and April 2024. This cohort included 640 patients diagnosed with AMI and 132 patients with non-AMI conditions. We optimized model parameters and evaluated the performance of eight machine learning algorithms. The SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanations) method was employed to analyze feature importance and conduct feature screening to identify the optimal model. Additionally, we performed age-stratified SHAP analysis to investigate variations in feature importance across different age groups.
Results: Among the eight machine learning models evaluated, the eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) model exhibited the highest performance, achieving an AUC of 0.973. Utilizing the ranking of SHAP feature importance, a refined three-feature XGBoost model was developed, which demonstrated an improved AUC of 0.979. The final selected features included: the maximum emergency troponin value (Max cTnI), the maximum emergency BNP (Max BNP), and the duration from symptom onset to first medical treatment (SO-to-FMC). Subgroup analysis revealed variations in feature importance across different age groups.
Conclusion:This study developed and validated a machine learning model using XGBoost for the early screening of AMI in young and middle-aged individuals, demonstrating high predictive accuracy and excellent interpretability, thereby making it suitable for diverse age cohorts within these populations.
Deep Learning-based approach for screening neonatal cerebral lesions on ultrasound images in China: a stepwise, multicenter, early-stage clinical validation study
Authors: Zhou Luyao , Lin Zhouqin , Zhang Haoming , Duan Xingxing , Bai Yan , Wang Jian , Liang Qianhong , Zhou Jingran , Xie Fusui , Shentu Zhen , Huang Ruobing , Chen Yayan , Yu Hongkui , Wen Zongjie , Ni Dong , Liu Lei
Published: December 2024

Timely and accurate diagnosis of severe neonatal cerebral lesions is critical for preventing long-term neurological damage and addressing life-threatening conditions. Cranial ultrasound (CUS) is the primary screening tool, but the process is time-consuming and reliant on operator proficiency, leading to variability in both image quality and diagnostic outcomes across different radiologists. While artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant strides in many areas of healthcare, its application in CUS screening remains limited. In this study, we developed and evaluated a Neonatal Cerebral Lesions Screening system (NCLS) capable of automatically extracting standard views from CUS videos and identifying cases with severe cerebral lesions. The system was trained and validated using a dataset of 8,757 neonatal CUS images. It demonstrated strong performance, achieving an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.982 and 0.969, with sensitivities of 0.875 and 0.885 on internal and external validation sets, respectively. Furthermore, the NCLS outperformed junior radiologists (with 1–2 years of CUS diagnostic experience) and performed comparably to mid-level radiologists (with 3–7 years of experience), with 55.11% faster examination efficiency.
Research and Implementation of Mural Classification Based on Lightweight Network
Authors: Zheng Jin , Zhang Yinghui , Zhang Manjun , Yuan Wuxin
Published: December 2024

Dunhuang murals are a crucial historical and cultural heritage, presenting challenges in feature extraction and classification due to their number, age, and similarity. This study introduces SER-Net, a lightweight classification network for real-time mural analysis on mobile devices. A dataset covering nine dynasties—Early Tang, Northern Wei, Northern Zhou, Peak Tang, Sui, Late Tang, Middle Tang, Five Dynasties, and Western Wei—was created through manual collection and annotation. Data augmentation addressed uneven image distribution. SER-Net, based on RepVGG and ResNet18, features the SE D-Block module, which integrates SE attention and Channel-Shuffle mechanisms for enhanced feature fusion while using deep separable convolution to control model size. Experimental results show SER-Net reduces model size, boosts efficiency, and increases accuracy.
G-tube contrast check: Transition from fluoroscopy to abdominal radiographs
Authors: Hameed Muhammad , James Charles , Wong Kevin , Lewis Paul , Roberson Paula , Schmitz Kelli , Jayappa Sateesh , Rowell Amy , McVay-Gilam Marcene , Frost Todd , Springer Adam , Moore Mary
Published: December 2024

Background: Reports of radiographic exam evaluation for G-tube malposition in children are limited.
Objective: Evaluate effectiveness of a new 2-view abdominal radiograph exam protocol instituted to provide 24/7 coverage at 2 affiliated hospitals and replace the prior fluoroscopic G-tube contrast check exam.
Materials and Methods: G-tube radiographic exams performed between December 2019 and May 2022 at 2 affiliated hospitals were identified and retrospective chart review was performed to delineate exam test yield, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity. Additional data collected included exam adherence to protocol, years of experience of the reporting pediatric radiologist, reporting time, and 30-day adverse events.
Results: 227 exams were performed in 186 patients. 2-view radiograph protocol was followed in 81.9% (186/227); Additional radiograph views were performed in 18.1% (41/227); additional contrast volume in 9.3% (21/227). Reporting time under 1 hour occurred in 79.7% (181/227). 5.7% (13/227) exams were reported as indeterminate adding a median time delay of 40 minutes (IQR 90). Indeterminate exam reporting did not correlate with years of experience of the reporting pediatric radiologist (p=0.19); reporting time over 1 hour occurred more often in the after-hours group (p= 0.032). Fluoroscopic G-tube contrast check was requested in 8 of 13 indeterminate readings. Following reclassification of indeterminate exams based on clinical suspicion, test performance: yield 94.3%, accuracy 97.3%, sensitivity 81.8%, specificity 98.2%, PPV 69.2%, NPV 99.1%,
Conclusion: This new diagnostic exam performed well with high test yield, accuracy, specificity and negative predictive value. The exam mostly followed protocol, allowed timely resumption of G-tube use, and provided a needed 24/7 remote coverage option for the new affiliated hospital.
Large Vessel Involvement in Children With Tuberculous Meningitis
Authors: Kharb BHAGAT , KHAN IRAJ ALAM , KHALID SAIFULLAH , Maheshwari RIYA , Rishu Raunak
Published: December 2024

Background: Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) is the most severe manifestation of tuberculosis (TB) in paediatric patients, leading to significant rates of both mortality and morbidity.While cerebral infarction involving the perforators and cortical branches (small vessel involvement) is the main focus of majority of studies on patients with tuberculous meningitis, a significant number of large vessel involvement with corresponding infarcts in paediatric TBM patients have been observed in our clinical settings.
Therefore, the current study intends to assess cranial vessel involvement in children with TBM, investigate the incidence, distribution, and etiology of large vessels involvements .
Objective: This study aims to evaluate the vascular involvement in children with TBM, specifically assessing the incidence and distribution of large vessel involvement.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted at the Department of Radiodiagnosis and Department of Pediatrics, in tertiary care hospital over two years, involving 98 pediatric patients aged 0-18 years with clinical suspicion of TBM. Diagnosis was based on Computed Tomography(CT) and Magentic resonance imaging (MRI) findings consistent with TBM. Data collection included demographic details, clinical presentation, laboratory investigations, and neuroimaging. MRI with contrast was the preferred imaging modality, with detailed analysis of MRI and MR Angiography findings.
Results: Large vessel involvement was noted in 21.42% of cases and Middle cerebral artery (MCA) was the most common artery involved with smooth narrowing of vessel being the most predominant pattern of large vessel involvement . Significant associations were found between hydrocephalus and thick exudates with large vessel involvement. Smooth narrowing
Conclusion: Large vessel involvement and corresponding large territory infarcts are also a significant complication in TBM. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for improving prognosis. The study highlights the importance of comprehensive neuroimaging in managing pediatric TBM, aiding in timely identification and treatment of vascular complications.
In vivo investigation of Ag/Fe3O4 nanocomposite on Staphylococcus aureus wound infection in normal and diabetic rats under static magnetic field
Authors: Farjam Seyedeh Nazila Jafari , Hashemi-Najafabadi Sameereh , Shojaosadati Seyed Abbas
Published: December 2024

Bacterial infection, which is resistant to antibiotics, is one of the causes of non-healing wounds. This study aims to investigate the effect of increasing the penetration of silver nanoparticles into infected wounds in normal and diabetic rats by static magnetic field (SMF). After synthesis and physicochemical investigation of Ag/Fe3O4 NCs, antibacterial and cytotoxic properties were investigated. 45 normal and 27 diabetic rats with Staphylococcus aureus infected wounds were randomly divided into groups of 9 with different treatments. Ag/Fe3O4 NCs showed superparamagnetic behavior and had uniform and spherical particles with an average size of 32 nm. In normal infected wound in vivo study, a significant biofilm reduction was observed in group Ag/Fe3O4 NCs with SMF on day 7. Also, on day 14, the group's wound healing percentage was 94%. Hair follicles were observed only in the group on day 21. In diabetic rats, on day 7 wound healing in the Ag/Fe3O4 NCs with SMF group was 50%. On day 21, the high scores in epithelization, new vessel, and collagen maturation belonged to mentioned group. In vivo evaluation of Ag/Fe3O4 NCs under SMF exhibited acceleration of wound healing in diabetic rats, which can provide a noninvasive therapeutic tool for chronic wound healing of diabetic patients.