bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compressive response and failure mode of glass fiber reinforced polyimide composite honeycomb with cell wall defects
Authors: Chen Xi , Xiang Junxian , Li Huaguan , Yuan Lili , Tao Jie
Published: December 2024

Obtaining some functions for honeycombs can be normally realized by perforating holes on the cell walls. However, excessive perforations, which are always identified as defects, have been shown to reduce the mechanical properties of the honeycomb. Continuous glass fiber reinforced polyimide composite(GF/PI) honeycombs are prepared in this work to investigate their compression processes by finite element analysis and 3D-DIC assisted quasi-static compression tests in order to further reveal the influence mechanism of perforation-induced cell wall defects on their out-of-plane compressive responses and failure modes. The results show that the failure mode of defect-free GF/PI honeycomb is progressive crushing mode, while the GF/PI honeycombs with certain configurations of cell wall defects fail in a fracture mode and fracture/progressive crushing mixed mode. These failure modes ultimately lead to the degradation of the energy absorption performance of the GF/PI honeycombs with cell wall defects. Subsequently, by increasing the matrix content, the failure modes of GF/PI honeycombs with cell wall defects are altered to progressive crushing owing to the reduction of the average maximum damage strain of the cell wall. In addition, the energy absorption performance of GF/PI honeycomb with the same defects configuration is effectively enhanced by 14.24%. This method significantly improves the compressive response and provides theoretical guidance for the structural-functional integrated design of honeycomb sandwich structures in high-performance radomes.
International experts consensus on optimal central vascular access device selection and management for patients with cancer
Authors: Jahanzeb Mohammad , Wu Ching-Yang , Lim Howard , Muro Kei , Xu Lichao , Somashekhar Manjiri , Sampige Prasannakumar Somashekhar S P , Zhang Xiaotao , Qiu Xiaoxia , Fu Ying , Pittiruti Mauro
Published: December 2024

Background:

In patients with cancer, the choice of an appropriate venous access device is crucial for effective treatment, minimizing complications, and reducing healthcare costs. Key management decisions, such as the timing of device removal post-therapy, can impact clinical outcomes. As current international guidelines lack specific directives for these issues, a global consensus of experts, representing different countries, was deemed appropriate.

Methods:

A panel of 11 experts from three continents, including oncologists and healthcare professionals, was chosen. After a comprehensive review of clinical trials and guidelines on central venous access devices (CVAD) in oncology published between January 2013 and December 2023, the panel developed and voted on specific recommendations for the selection and management of CVADs in patients with cancer, during a 2-day meeting.

Results:

The panel reached consensus on 10 issues concerning (a) indications for a CVAD, (b) available options for CVADs, (c) role of the staff and patients in the choice of CVAD, (d) factors influencing the selection of a port over an external catheter, (e) logistical requirements for port and external catheter insertion, (f) stakeholders responsible for port and external catheter insertion, (g) factors determining the removal of a port after completing the definitive therapy, and (h) recommended frequency of flushing when the CVAD is not in use.

Conclusions:

The results of the consensus may offer healthcare professionals a global view of some critical issues concerning CVADs for cancer therapy, helping to establish recommendations for local clinical practice.
Analysis of eye movement features in patients with Alzheimer's disease based on intelligent eye movement analysis and evaluation system
Authors: Tao Meichun , Cui Lei , Du Yuanyuan , Liu Xiaotang , Wang Can , Zhao Jing , Qiao Huimin , Li Zhenzhong , Dong Mei
Published: December 2024

Background

The early identification of Alzheimer's disease (AD) benefits patients, so creating a simple and convenient method is crucial for diagnosing early symptoms.

Objective

To offer a potential approach for the early detection of both AD and mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Methods

Eye movement data from 66 patients were divided into three groups, including healthy control group (HC), MCI group, and AD group. We searched for parameters that can detect MCI at an early stage and drew receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. The correlation between eye movement parameters and cognitive scores was analyzed.

Results

The MCI group differed from the HC group in error correction rate of antisaccade ( p = 0.008) and total offset degrees (>4°) ( p = 0.011) of lateral fixation. The AD group had different overlap prosaccade accuracy ( p = 0.025), latency ( p = 0.009) and average completion time ( p = 0.015), gap prosaccade latency ( p = 0.005) and average completion time ( p = 0.005), antisaccade accuracy ( p = 0.006), error correction rate ( p  < 0.001) and average saccade velocity ( p = 0.035), and lateral fixation accuracy ( p = 0.018), total offset degrees (>4°) ( p = 0.041) compared to the HC group. The AD group differed significantly from the MCI group in accuracy ( p = 0.001) and error correction rate ( p = 0.044) of antisaccades, the latency ( p = 0.009) and average completion time ( p = 0.025) of overlap prosaccade and the latency ( p = 0.038) of gap prosaccade, these parameters can serve as indicators to monitor the progress of the disease. Lateral fixation combined with antisaccade was more conducive to identifying MCI patients with the area under the ROC curve of 0.837. Most eye movement parameters had a light to moderate correlation with cognitive scores.

Conclusions

Eye movements can be used for early identification of MCI/AD patients and to monitor disease progression.
Strontioborite: revalidation as a mineral species and new data
Authors: Pekov Igor V. , Zubkova Natalia V. , Chukanov Nikita V. , Yapaskurt Vasiliy O. , Britvin Sergey N. , Ksenofontov Dmitry A. , Pushcharovsky Dmitry Yu.
Published: December 2024

Strontioborite, which was first described in 1960 and later discredited by the then named Commission on New Minerals and Mineral Names of the International Mineralogical Association (IMA CNMMN), has been re-investigated (electron microprobe, single-crystal and powder X-ray diffraction, crystal structure determination and IR spectroscopy) on two specimens, including the holotype, and revalidated by the IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC). Strontioborite is known only at the Chelkar salt dome (North Caspian Region, Western Kazakhstan), in halite rocks with bischofite, magnesite, anhydrite, halurgite, boracite, ginorite and celestine. It forms colourless lamellar, scaly or tabular crystals up to 2 mm across. The chemical composition (wt.%, H2O is calculated for (OH)4 = 4 H apfu, according to structural data; holotype/neotype) is: CaO 1.42/0.27, SrO 23.10/23.79, B2O3 67.37/67.57, H2O 8.73/8.72, total 100.62/100.37. The empirical formulae [calculated based on 15 O apfu = O11(OH)4 pfu] of the holotype and neotype specimens are Sr0.92Ca0.10B7.98O11(OH)4 and Sr0.95Ca0.02B8.02O11(OH)4, respectively. The idealised formula is Sr[B8O11(OH)4]. Strontioborite is monoclinic, space group P21, a = 7.6192(3), b = 8.1867(2), c = 9.9164(3) Å, β = 108.357(4)°, V = 587.07(3) Å3 and Z = 2. The strongest reflections of the powder X-ray diffraction pattern [d,Å(I)(hkl)] are: 7.22(100)(100), 5.409(61)(110), 4.090(64)(020), 3.300(48)(210), 2.121(30)($\bar{1}$24) and 2.043(37)(040, 024, $\bar{2}$24). The crystal structure, solved from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (R = 0.0372), is based upon the (100) layers of polymerised B–O–OH polyanions [B8O11(OH)4]2– and Sr-centred nine-fold polyhedra SrO6(OH)3. The B–O–OH polyanion is the cluster of three tetrahedra and three triangles; these clusters are decorated by the [B2O2(OH)3] pyro-group consisting of two triangles. The layers are linked via vertices of Sr-centred polyhedra, which share seven vertices with B-centred polyhedra of one layer and two vertices with B-centred polyhedra of the adjacent layer, and by the system of H bonds. The crystal chemistry of strontioborite is discussed in comparison with other natural and synthetic borates.
Single-character insertion–deletion model preserves long indels in ancestral sequence reconstruction
Authors: Jowkar Gholamhossein , Pečerska Jūlija , Gil Manuel , Anisimova Maria
Published: December 2024

Insertions and deletions (indels) play a significant role in genome evolution across species. Realistic modelling of indel evolution is challenging and is still an open research question. Several attempts have been made to explicitly model multi-character (long) indels, such as TKF92, by relaxing the site independence assumption and introducing fragments. However, these methods are computationally expensive. On the other hand, the Poisson Indel Process (PIP) assumes site independence but allows one to infer single-character indels on the phylogenetic tree, distinguishing insertions from deletions. PIP’s marginal likelihood computation has linear time complexity, enabling ancestral sequence reconstruction (ASR) with indels in linear time. Recently, we developed ARPIP, an ASR method using PIP, capable of inferring indel events with explicit evolutionary interpretations. Here, we investigate the effect of the single-character indel assumption on reconstructed ancestral sequences on mammalian protein orthologs and on simulated data. We show that ARPIP’s ancestral estimates preserve the gap length distribution observed in the input alignment. In mammalian proteins the lengths of inserted segments appear to be substantially longer compared to deleted segments. Further, we confirm the well-established deletion bias observed in real data. To date, ARPIP is the only ancestral reconstruction method that explicitly models insertion and deletion events over time. Given a good quality input alignment, it can capture ancestral long indel events on the phylogeny.
The emergence of citizen collectives for care: the role of social cohesion
Authors: Wittenberg Kevin , Corten Rense , van der Lippe Tanja , de Moor Tine
Published: December 2024

Background

Ageing populations and the ability to cure an increasing number of ailments put pressure on the health care sector. Meanwhile, care institutions retreat from rural areas and some governments emphasizes the need for citizens to find informal care primarily in their own social network. In The Netherlands, citizens increasingly respond by coming together to organize (in)formal care among themselves in ‘care collectives’. However, little is known about the conditions that need to be met for such collective action to develop, and explanations that go beyond an individualist perspective are particularly lacking. In this study, we aim to fill this gap, and specifically argue for the potential role of social cohesion to facilitate collective action among citizens through fostering a social identity, and through the prevalence of social relations that facilitate reciprocity and mutual trust among citizens. We further test whether these relations vary between municipalities, and whether they depend on the necessity for care services.

Methods

We obtain data on the location of care collectives from an extensive Dutch inventory and match it to register data from Statistics Netherlands from 2020. We create measures for neighborhood attachment and contact using the ‘ecometric approach’. We test our hypotheses with multilevel logistic regression models and multilevel event history analysis for a subset of the data that can be analyzed longitudinally.

Results

We find evidence for a positive association between neighborhood attachment and the emergence of a care collective, which is stronger if the necessity for care is higher. We do not find a relation between neighborhood contact and care collectives, nor do we find evidence that these relations vary between municipalities. We cannot replicate our positive associations in the longitudinal model, and thus remain reserved about their causal interpretation.

Conclusions

There is considerable variability in the extent to which neighborhoods organize care services collectively. Partly, this may be attributable to differences in the prevalence of neighborhood identity, which would imply that an increasing reliance on citizen collectives may increase inequality in access to healthcare. Further research should emphasize combining community-level information with data on individual participation in care collectives to delve deeper into the dynamics of invitation, representation and embeddedness than current data allows.
The central role of housing key workers in supporting healthcare interactions for people experiencing homelessness and implications for palliative care: a qualitative study
Authors: Gott Merryn , Williams Lisa , Wiles Janine , Black Stella , Moeke-Maxwell Tess , Robinson Jackie ,   Te Ārai Palliative Care and End of Life Research Group
Published: December 2024

Background

People experiencing homelessness access specialist palliative care late in their illness trajectory, if at all. There is also little evidence they receive generalist palliative care or are given opportunities to engage in Advance Care Planning. This qualitative study describes the central role of key workers in supporting access to healthcare in homeless communities and identifies implications for improving palliative care provision.

Methods

Qualitative data were collected via focus groups and individual interviews with staff working for a key provider of support and housing/accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in an urban area of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Results

The ability to provide palliative care for people experiencing homelessness is dependent upon supporting engagement with mainstream health services. It is here that we identified the key worker role as central due to the complex and expert work they undertake to facilitate healthcare access for their clients. As a result of the high burden of chronic conditions this community experiences, most of this work related to support managing serious conditions, as well as death and dying. Key workers often went ‘above and beyond’ to support their clients in engaging with mainstream health services, during outpatient appointments, hospital admissions and in emergency department settings. They felt clinicians in these settings did not recognise the knowledge they held about the person, or their skills in terms of providing trauma informed care. The inflexibility of current care provision, as well as people experiencing homelessness feeling stigmatised, and neither valued nor respected in these settings, also created barriers to receiving care.

Conclusions

New models of palliative care are required which recognise the central role of non-health care key support staff and engage them more actively in supporting people experiencing homelessness when they interact with mainstream health services. Such models will need to be responsive to the nature and complexity of palliative care need in this population and facilitate support for people who typically do not see healthcare spaces as safe. The trusted relationships key workers have developed over time are crucial resources for identifying palliative care need and supporting access to palliative care for people experiencing homelessness.
Identification of predictors and construction of a prediction model for the quality of life in laryngeal carcinoma patients in China using revised core nursing outcomes
Authors: Ding Yongxia , Tian Yanzhi , Duan Ruirui , Xu Jing , Yang Huixian , Xu Jinxia , Tang Liyun
Published: December 2024

Background

This study aimed to identify potential predictors and construct a predictive model for the quality of life (QoL) in patients with laryngeal carcinoma (LC) using the revised core nursing outcomes.

Methods

We recruited 331 LC patients underwent laryngectomy between March 2018 and March 2022 from three hospitals. The revised core nursing outcomes contained 14 items in the “Physiologic Health,” “Psychosocial Health,” “Health Knowledge & Behavior,” and “Perceived Health”, while the QoL was assessed using the Chinese version of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Head and Neck. Potential predictors of QoL were explored using logistic regression analysis, and odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was applied as effect estimates. A prediction model was constructed to predict QoL using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the predictive value was assessed using the area under the ROC curve (AUC).

Results

Of the 331 included patients, 137 had a poor QoL. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, we noted female sex (OR: 10.91; 95%CI: 1.24–96.14; P = 0.031), and alcohol consumption (OR: 4.55; 95%CI: 1.32–14.29; P = 0.017) were associated with an elevated incidence of poor QoL, while age 50.0–65.0 years (OR: 0.02; 95%CI: 0.00-0.15; P < 0.001), junior high school as the highest level of schooling (OR: 0.10; 95%CI: 0.03–0.33; P < 0.001), living in cities and towns (OR: 0.07; 95%CI: 0.02–0.37; P = 0.002), and partial laryngectomy (OR: 0.10; 95%CI: 0.03–0.41; P = 0.001) were associated with a lower incidence of poor QoL. Moreover, Physiologic Health score (OR: 1.16; 95%CI: 1.06–1.27; P = 0.001), Psychosocial Health score (OR: 0.48; 95%CI: 0.39–0.58; P < 0.001), Health Knowledge & Behavior score (OR: 0.92; 95%CI: 0.86–0.97; P = 0.006), and Perceived Health score (OR: 0.36; 95%CI: 0.25–0.52; P < 0.001) were associated with the incidence of QoL in LC patients. The constructed prediction model based on these factors had an AUC for predicting QoL of 0.96 (95% CI: 0.94–0.98).

Conclusions

This study found age, sex, educational status, residential location, alcohol consumption, surgical approach, and the revised core nursing outcomes are significantly associated with QoL in LC patients. The predictive value of the constructed model was high, which suggesting the clinical nurses should pay attention to the evaluation of postoperative care outcomes in order to enhance QoL.
Acute remote home monitoring of acutely ill patients with COVID-19: how Dutch home monitoring initiatives were organized during the pandemic
Authors: Smit Karin , van Uum Rick T. , Rijks Stella , van de Pol Alma C. , Ahmad Abeer , Venekamp Roderick P. , Rutten Frans H. , Zwart Dorien L. M. ,   the Dutch General Practitioners Research Consortium
Published: December 2024

Background

Acute remote home monitoring of acutely ill patients with COVID-19 holds potential for early detection of deterioration and thus subsequentearly intervention that may prevent or mitigate progression to severe illness and need for respiratory support. Our aim was to describe common features of acute remote home monitoring programs for acutely ill patients with COVID-19 in the Netherlands.

Methods

We performed literature searches (both grey and academic) between 1st March 2020 and 1st March 2023 to identify Dutch acute remote home monitoring initiatives, excluding studies on early hospital discharge. From the available protocols, we extracted relevant information on patient eligibility, organization of acute remote home monitoring and home management.

Results

We identified and approached ten acute remote home monitoring initiatives for information regarding their used protocols. Seven out of ten protocols were retrieved and assessed. All initiatives focused on adult patients with COVID-19 who where at risk of developing severe COVID-19, and all initiatives provided close follow-up through remote home monitoring using medically certified pulse oximeters. Daily measurements included peripheral oxygen saturation (all initiatives, n = 7), body temperature (n = 6), heart frequency per minute (n = 4) and breathing rate per minute (n = 4). For follow-up and review of measured values, in most initiatives (n = 6) the physician (general practitioner or hospital physician) in charge was supported by a dedicated monitoring center. In 5 out of 7 initiatives, the general practitioner (GP) was responsible for supervising the patients and monitoring staff.

Conclusion

The acute remote home monitoring initiatives that emerged in the Netherlands during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic were similarly organized. Common building blocks for home monitoring include daily check of peripheral oxygen saturation, monitoring through a dedicated remote monitoring center alongside healthcare personnel and a supervising physician.
Comparing the contents of patient-reported outcome measures for fatigue: EORTC CAT Core, EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-FA12, FACIT, PRO-CTCAE, PROMIS, Brief Fatigue Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory, and Piper Fatigue Scale
Authors: Rothmund Maria , Pilz Micha J. , Egeter Nathalie , Lidington Emma , Piccinin Claire , Arraras Juan I. , Groenvold Mogens , Holzner Bernhard , van Leeuwen Marieke , Petersen Morten Aa. , Ramage John , Schmidt Heike , Young Teresa , Giesinger Johannes M. ,   on behalf of the EORTC Quality of Life Group
Published: December 2024

Background

To assess fatigue in cancer patients, several patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are available that differ in content. To support the selection of suitable measures for specific applications and to evaluate possibilities of quantitative linking, the present study provides a content comparison of common fatigue measures, scales, and item banks. We included the EORTC CAT Core, EORTC QLQ-FA12, EORTC QLQ-C30, FACIT-F, PROMIS Fatigue (Cancer item bank v1.0), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20), Piper Fatigue Scale (PFS-12), and PRO-CTCAE.

Methods

All items of the included measures were linked to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Additionally, they were categorized as assessing general, physical, emotional, or cognitive fatigue. Descriptive statistics were used to display the contents covered in each measure and to allow for a qualitative comparison.

Results

The measures consist of 160 items in total and covered primarily contents of the ICF components ‘Body functions’, ‘Activities and participation’, and ‘Environmental Factors’. Most ICF codings refer to ‘b1300 Energy level’ (9–67% of the codings per instrument; 47% of all coded content). Within the broad categorization of types of fatigue, most items were classified as general fatigue (33–100% of the codings per instrument; 49% of the overall item pool). While the EORTC CAT Core focuses exclusively on physical and general fatigue, FACIT and BFI additionally assess emotional fatigue. The EORTC QLQ-FA12, PROMIS, MFI-20, and PFS-12 cover all fatigue components, including cognitive fatigue.

Discussion

The review provides an in-depth content comparison of PROMs assessing cancer-related fatigue. This can inform the selection of suitable measures in different clinical contexts. Furthermore, it will inform quantitative analyses to facilitate comparison of scores obtained with different PROMs.
Evaluating the significance of Toxoplasma gondii sporozoite antibodies in cats: a pilot study
Authors: Scott Janelle , Morris Arianne , Hawley Jennifer , Scorza Andrea Valeria , Henriksen Michala , Lappin Michael
Published: December 2024

Background

People can acquire Toxoplasma gondii infection by ingestion of sporulated oocysts passed in cat feces; whether this route is common in cats is unknown. The primary objectives of this study were to (a) adapt a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of T. gondii tachyzoite IgG antibodies in feline sera to detect T. gondii sporozoite IgG antibodies, (b) utilize the ELISA to confirm that exposed cats can mount an antibody response to sporozoites, (c) estimate the prevalence of sporozoite antibodies in naturally exposed cats, and (d) evaluate associations between the serologic status of naturally exposed cats and clinical signs that could be caused by toxoplasmosis.

Methods

To generate positive control sera, three male cats were orally inoculated with approximately 100,000 sporulated oocysts of the ME49 strain of T. gondii. A human antisporozoite antibody ELISA was then adapted for use with cat sera. Detectable levels of antisporozoite IgG were found in two of the three experimentally inoculated cats. The sera of 100 healthy cats and 295 clinically ill cats were assessed in the prototype sporozoite ELISA and a commercially available tachyzoite ELISA.

Results

The ELISA estimated that prevalence of antisporozoite IgG was 2% in healthy cats and 3.1% in clinically ill cats; in contrast, the overall estimated prevalence of antitachyzoite IgG was 15%. Only two of 395 cats (0.5%) had both antisporozoite and antitachyzoite IgG.

Conclusions

While experimentally infected and naturally exposed cats developed antisporozoite antibodies, the low prevalence did not allow for the evaluation of associations among clinical signs.

Graphical Abstract
Community-based psychosocial support interventions to reduce stigma and improve mental health of people with infectious diseases: a scoping review
Authors: Anindhita Mariska , Haniifah Matsna , Putri Arieska Malia Novia , Karnasih Artasya , Agiananda Feranindhya , Yani Finny Fitry , Haya Marinda Asiah Nuril , Pakasi Trevino Aristaskus , Widyahening Indah Suci , Fuady Ahmad , Wingfield Tom
Published: December 2024

Background

Stigma experienced by people with infectious diseases impedes access to care, leading to adverse psychosocial consequences. Community-based interventions could prevent or mitigate these consequences but lack robust evidence. This scoping review aimed to identify and critically appraise community-based psychosocial support interventions to reduce stigma and improve mental health for people affected by stigmatizing infectious diseases including tuberculosis (TB), HIV/AIDS, and leprosy.

Methods

This was a scoping review of literature indexed in PubMed, Web of Science, Elton B. Stephens Company (EBSCO) database, as well as reports in the World Health Organization repository, published from January 2000 to June 2023. We included research articles and reports addressing stigma and mental health disorders among individuals with TB, HIV/AIDS, or leprosy and/or their household members in low- and middle-income and/or high TB burden countries. We extracted information regarding types of psychosocial interventions and their reported impact on health and psychosocial indicators.

Results

Thirty studies were included in this review: 21 (70%) related to HIV/AIDS, seven (23%) leprosy, and two (7%) TB. Of these, eleven were quantitative studies, nine qualitative, and ten mixed-methods. Eleven community-based interventions were reported to reduce infectious disease-related stigma, predominantly internalized and enacted stigma, and improve adherence to medication, quality of life, health-related knowledge, depression symptoms, and psychosocial wellbeing. Most studies involved lay people in the community as supporters of those affected. The predominant reported mechanism of intervention effect was the ability of supporters to enable those affected to feel seen and listened to, to accept their diagnosis, to improve their self-esteem, and to facilitate continuation of their daily lives, and thereby reducing anticipated stigma, self-stigma, and mental illness. Adequate training for lay people was reported to be essential to ensure success of interventions.

Conclusions

This review identified a paucity of high-quality evidence relating to community-based interventions to reduce stigma for infectious diseases. However, such interventions have been reported to reduce stigma and improve mental health among people with HIV/AIDS, leprosy, and TB. Engaging affected communities and peers, through the conception, planning, training, implementation, and evaluation phases, was reported to be essential to optimise intervention uptake, impact, and sustainability.
Dynamic response analysis of ancient pagodas under rockfall impact
Authors: Li XiaoPeng , He Qing , Zhao Guangxing , Ling Kangjie , Liu Dewen , Liu Yang
Published: December 2024

In order to protect the precious cultural heritage of the pagoda in the mountainous area from the damage caused by falling rocks, we provide targeted and effective research support and protection strategy basis. ABAQUS finite element analysis software is used to accurately simulate and analyze the response of the pagoda under the impact load of falling rocks. Firstly, the geometric modeling of the tower structure is carried out in a meticulous manner to ensure that the model accurately reflects the real shape and structural characteristics of the tower, and the material properties are assigned to it rigorously and accurately, so as to construct a finite element model that is highly adapted to the actual situation. Subsequently, the impacts of falling rocks on the pagoda under different working conditions, such as different velocities, radii, impact angles and impact heights, are comprehensively and systematically simulated to assess the structural safety and stability of the pagoda from all angles. This paper clearly reveals that the velocity, radius, impact angle and impact height of falling stones are the core key position in the structural safety assessment of the pagoda, and they are the decisive factors affecting the structural safety of the pagoda. These findings not only deepen the scientific knowledge of the response mechanism of the pagoda under the impact of falling rocks, but also provide a solid theoretical foundation and a clear direction for the subsequent development of accurate and efficient protection measures against falling rocks.
From adiposity to steatosis: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, a hepatic expression of metabolic syndrome – current insights and future directions
Authors: Basil Bruno , Myke-Mbata Blessing K. , Eze Onyinye E. , Akubue Augustine U.
Published: December 2024

Background

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a growing health concern and the risk of its development is connected with the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) which occurs as a result of some complex obesity-induced metabolic changes. It is a common chronic liver disease characterized by excessive fat accumulation in the liver, the tendency to progress to more severe forms, and a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality. Thus, effectively addressing the rising burden of the disease requires a thorough understanding of its complex interrelationship with obesity and MetS.

Main Body

MASLD results from complex interactions involving obesity, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia, leading to hepatic lipid accumulation, and is influenced by several genetic and environmental factors such as diet and gut microbiota dysbiosis. It has extensive metabolic and non-metabolic implications, including links to MetS components like hyperglycaemia, hypertension, and dyslipidaemia, and progresses to significant liver damage and other extra-hepatic risks like cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. Diagnosis often relies on imaging and histology, with non-invasive methods preferred over liver biopsies. Emerging biomarkers and OMIC technologies offer improved diagnostic capabilities but face practical challenges. Advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), lifestyle interventions, and pharmacological treatments show promise, with future efforts focusing on precision medicine and novel diagnostic tools to improve patient outcome.

Conclusion

Understanding the pathogenic mechanisms underlying the development of MASLD within the context of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is essential for identifying potential therapeutic targets. Advancements in non-invasive diagnostic tools and novel pharmacological treatments, hold promise for improving the management of MASLD. Future research should focus on precision medicine and innovative therapies to effectively address the disease and its consequences.
The types, characteristics, and contemporary implications of the Interaction-Exchange-Integration History of Chinese religious-cultures
Authors: Sun Wuhu , Banbur Dorje , Li Yue
Published: December 2024

Historically, China’s religious culture centered on the triumvirate of Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism, fostering a diverse, multi-ethnic, and multi-faceted communication model. Whether through grand narratives of official diplomacy, subtle and organic grassroots interactions, or the catalytic efforts of scholars, these exchanges consistently promoted interaction, exchange, and integration among numerous ethnic groups in China. The harmonious coexistence and vibrant interactions of multiple ethnicities and diverse religious beliefs not only enriched and expanded the mainstreams of traditional Chinese culture, namely Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism—developing flourishing branches and generating new innovations—but also infused fresh vitality into each ethnicity’s cultural practices. Together, these exchanges formed the profound, enduring, diverse and unified Chinese culture. This article primarily examines the types and characteristics of Interaction-Exchange-Integration History among diverse religious cultures of ethnic groups such as the Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian in Chinese history and derives insights from them for the contemporary era.
Energy consumption forecasting for laser manufacturing of large artifacts based on fusionable transfer learning
Authors: Wang Linxuan , Xu Jinghua , Zhang Shuyou , Tan Jianrong , Fei Shaomei , Shi Xuezhi , Pang Jihong , Luo Sheng
Published: December 2024

This study presents an energy consumption (EC) forecasting method for laser melting manufacturing of metal artifacts based on fusionable transfer learning (FTL). To predict the EC of manufacturing products, particularly from scale-down to scale-up, a general paradigm was first developed by categorizing the overall process into three main sub-steps. The operating electrical power was further formulated as a combinatorial function, based on which an operator learning network was adopted to fit the nonlinear relations between the fabricating arguments and EC. Parallel-arranged networks were constructed to investigate the impacts of fabrication variables and devices on power. Considering the interconnections among these factors, the outputs of the neural networks were blended and fused to jointly predict the electrical power. Most innovatively, large artifacts can be decomposed into time-dependent laser-scanning trajectories, which can be further transformed into fusionable information via neural networks, inspired by large language model. Accordingly, transfer learning can deal with either scale-down or scale-up forecasting, namely, FTL with scalability within artifact structures. The effectiveness of the proposed FTL was verified through physical fabrication experiments via laser powder bed fusion. The relative error of the average and overall EC predictions based on FTL was maintained below 0.83%. The melting fusion quality was examined using metallographic diagrams. The proposed FTL framework can forecast the EC of scaled structures, which is particularly helpful in price estimation and quotation of large metal products towards carbon peaking and carbon neutrality.
Adenomyosis or endometrial carcinoma? Radiological pitfalls in postmenopausal diagnosis: a case report
Authors: Kumar Naina , Sharma Abhimanyu , Mangla Mishu , Srirambhatla Annapurna
Published: December 2024

Background

Adenomyosis and endometrial carcinoma present distinct pathological conditions that pose considerable diagnostic hurdles, especially in postmenopausal women, as they share common clinical manifestations. Furthermore, postmenopausal adenomyosis may exhibit radiological features resembling those of endometrial carcinoma, potentially leading to misdiagnosis and inappropriate management.

Case presentation

A 64-year-old para four and live four (P4L4) postmenopausal woman, who had been postmenopausal for 15 years, sought evaluation at the Gynecological Outpatient Department due to heavy postmenopausal bleeding lasting 30–45 days. Ultrasonography and MRI findings indicated a loss of the endo-myometrial junctional zone, delayed enhancement of the lesion, and suspected myometrial invasion, suggestive of endometrial malignancy, alongside a polypoidal lesion. Given the strong suspicion of endometrial carcinoma, the patient underwent hysteroscopy-guided endometrial biopsy. However, histopathological analysis revealed disordered proliferative endometrium with no evidence of malignancy. Considering the patient's age, symptoms, and MRI findings, exploratory laparotomy with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy was planned. Subsequent histopathological examination confirmed adenomyosis of the uterus, with the fallopian tubes and ovaries found to be healthy.

Conclusion

The present case report underscores the radiological challenges encountered in distinguishing adenomyosis from endometrial carcinoma in postmenopausal women, emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance diagnostic accuracy and improve patient outcomes in this population.
Subclinical cardiac dysfunction detected by speckle-tracking echocardiography in patients with liver cirrhosis undergoing liver transplantation
Authors: Thu Nguyen Tai , Hai Pham Dang , Ly Nguyen Thi Kieu , Son Pham Nguyen , Thanh Nguyen Huu , Thien Dang Hoang
Published: December 2024

Background

Cirrhosis is associated with chronic cardiovascular dysfunction termed cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM), characterized by myocardial hypertrophy and diastolic dysfunction. Detecting early cardiac changes is crucial, especially in patients undergoing liver transplantation. Objective: This study aims to evaluate left ventricular systolic function in cirrhotic patients undergoing liver transplantation using speckle-tracking echocardiography.

Methods

A prospective observational study was conducted involving 54 cirrhotic patients who underwent liver transplantation, along with 28 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Echocardiography, including conventional and two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE), was performed at baseline and one-month post-transplantation.

Results

The mean age in the cirrhotic group was 52.2 ± 12.7 years, with no significant difference compared to the control group. Viral hepatitis was the predominant etiology of cirrhosis (68.6%). Conventional echocardiography did not reveal significant differences between groups in LV ejection fraction [62% (56–69) vs. 59% (56–62); p = 0.830]. However, in cirrhotic patients, 2D-STE demonstrated significantly lower LV global longitudinal strain (LV-GLS) [17.5 (15.5–19.1) vs 19.0 (18.0–19.7), p = 0.006]. Post-transplantation, conventional echocardiography indices remained unchanged, while 2D-STE showed remarkable improvement in LV function, with increased LV-GLS compared to pre-transplantation value.

Conclusions

2D-STE is a valuable tool for detecting and monitoring left ventricular systolic dysfunction in liver cirrhosis patients, particularly following transplantation. While conventional echocardiography may not detect subtle changes, 2D-STE reveals improvements in LV function post-transplantation, emphasizing its role in assessing cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.
Randomized, Phase III Trial of Mixed Formulation of Fosrolapitant and Palonosetron (HR20013) in Preventing Cisplatin-Based Highly Emetogenic Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting: PROFIT
Authors: Zhou Huaqiang , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zhang Mingjun , Yao Jun , Leng Shuang , Li Xiumin , Lin Li , Chen Jinping , Zhang Songnan , Qin Xia , Qin Zhiquan , Yi Tienan , Wang Ruoyu , Li Xiang , Yu Yan , Wang Zhenghua , Zheng Qinhong , Mei Jiazhuan , Zang Aimin , Li Na , Cao Fengjun , Cao Ke , Li Weiwei , Lu Yanda , Lin Dang , Zhou Yan , Yang Runxiang , Fang Wenfeng , Zhou Ningning , Yang Yunpeng , Zhang Yaxiong , Chen Gang , Zhou Ting , Yang Xue , Wang Huan , Wang Yujiao , Huang Yan , Zhang Li
Published: December 2024

PURPOSE

Mixed formulation of fosrolapitant and palonosetron (PALO), HR20013, is a novel fixed-dose intravenous antiemetic combination that could simultaneously antagonize neurokinin-1 and 5-hydroxytryptamine-3 receptors. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HR20013 plus dexamethasone (DEX) versus fosaprepitant (FAPR) plus PALO + DEX for preventing chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) in patients receiving highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC).

METHODS

This is a noninferiority study. Chemotherapy-naïve patients were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive HR20013 (day 1) or FAPR + PALO (day 1) before each cycle of cisplatin-based HEC (two cycles in total), together with oral DEX (day 1-4). The primary end point was overall (0-120 hours) complete response (CR; no vomiting/no rescue therapy) rate in cycle 1. The key secondary end point was CR rate at the beyond delayed phase (120-168 hours) in cycle 1.

RESULTS

Three hundred seventy-three patients were enrolled to receive HR20013 + DEX and 377 to FAPR + PALO + DEX. The overall CR rate in cycle 1 was 77.7% for HR20013 + DEX and 78.2% for FAPR + PALO + DEX (difference = –0.9% [95% CI, –6.7 to 5.0]; one-sided
P
< .01), demonstrating that HR20013 + DEX was noninferior to FAPR + PALO + DEX. The superiority of HR20013 + DEX over FAPR + PALO + DEX in CR rate at the beyond delayed phase in cycle 1 was not met (90.3%
v
86.5%; two-sided
P
= .11). In cycle 2, HR20013 + DEX showed greater proportions of patients reporting no impact on daily life at the delayed (24-120 hours) and beyond delayed phases compared with FAPR + PALO + DEX. The incidences of treatment-related adverse events were 35.7% during cycle 1 and 42.1% during entire study for HR20013 + DEX, versus 38.2% and 44.0% for FAPR + PALO + DEX.

CONCLUSION

HR20013 + DEX was noninferior to FAPR + PALO + DEX for preventing HEC-CINV and well tolerated, with the potential to reduce the impact of CINV on daily life.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Failure-to-Rescue After Postoperative Sepsis After Noncardiac Surgery
Authors: Laserna Andres , van Wijngaarden Edwin , Sun Eric C. , Li Yue , Nates Joseph L. , Glance Laurent G.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND:

Sepsis disproportionately affects marginalized communities. This study aims to evaluate racial and ethnic disparities in failure-to-rescue (FTR) after postoperative sepsis.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional study used data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program for patients who underwent inpatient noncardiac surgery between 2018 and 2021. Patients were categorized as non-Hispanic White (hereafter, White), non-Hispanic Black (hereafter, Black), Asian, and Hispanic individuals. The association between (1) FTR after sepsis and (2) FTR after septic shock and race and ethnicity was evaluated using multivariable logistic regression. Failure-to-rescue was defined as 30-day mortality among patients who developed postoperative sepsis or postoperative septic shock.

RESULTS:

Among the 1388,977 patients (mean [SD] age 60.5 [16]); 783,056 (56.4%) were female, 1017,875 (73%) were White, 171,774 (12%) were Black, 138,457 (10%) were Hispanic, and 60,871 (4%) were Asian. Compared to White individuals, Black (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.29; 95% CI, 1.23–1.35, P < .001) and Hispanic individuals (aOR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.09–1.21, P < .001) were more likely to develop sepsis; Black individuals were more likely to develop septic shock (aOR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.21–1.36; P < .001), and Asians were less likely to develop septic shock (aOR 0.84; 95% CI, 0.75–0.93, P = .002). Black individuals experienced lower rates of FTR after sepsis [Black: (aOR, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.54—0.94; P = .017), while Black (aOR, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.80–1.08; P = .35)], Hispanic (aOR, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.72–1.06; P = .16) and Asian Individuals (aOR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.8–1.37; P = .67) experienced similar rates of FTR after septic shock compared to White individuals.

CONCLUSIONS:

Black and Hispanic individuals experienced higher rates of postoperative sepsis but did not experience higher rates of failure-to-rescue. Reducing inequity in surgical care should focus on efforts to prevent postoperative sepsis.
Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities of Employing Persons with Disabilities
Authors: Aichner Thomas , Cologna Anna , Cvilak Lore , Zacca Robert
Published: December 2024

Background To supplement the extant literature on the economics of employing persons of disability, the present study explores the challenges and opportunities companies face with the employment of people with disabilities. Despite legal frameworks and growing awareness, individuals with disabilities often face significant barriers to securing meaningful employment. Misconceptions about their capabilities and concerns over potential costs persist, overshadowing evidence of economic and social benefits. This study explores these dynamics, emphasizing the potential advantages of inclusive hiring practices for organizations. Methods Semi-structured expert interviews were conducted with HR managers from five South Tyrolean companies across diverse industries. Participants were selected based on criteria such as company size (minimum 35 employees) and HR management experience (at least 3 years). Interviews focused on exploring workplace adjustments, employment motivations, challenges, and barriers, generating qualitative insights into inclusion practices. Results The study identified several advantages of employing individuals with disabilities, including low turnover rates, increased employee motivation, and a positive workplace atmosphere. Most companies incurred minimal costs for workplace adjustments. Challenges included insufficient understanding among staff, difficulty matching job roles with capabilities, and bureaucratic obstacles. The experts also noted a lack of job applications from individuals with disabilities, potentially due to low confidence or family overprotection. Conclusions Employing people with disabilities can be economically profitable and is not limited to social aspects alone. Existing barriers can often be dismantled without significant financial or time investment, with obstacles being readily overcome. This article contributes to a better understanding of challenges and opportunities of employing staff with disabilities and demonstrates the conditions under which economic benefits emerge for companies. The findings are discussed from an economical and social/cultural perspective with practical implications for human resource practice and operation management.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ITS DISRUPTIVE ROLE IN THE SOUTH AFRICAN FINTECH INDUSTRY
Authors: Cheteni Priviledge , Matsongoni Herrison , Umejesi Ikechukwu
Published: December 2024

Background The emergence of artificial intelligence presents both potential for growth and challenges for the financial industry. This study examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the South African fintech industry, focusing on its transformative nature. Method A purposive sampling technique was used to select 76 participants from the banking sector. Furthermore, the participants were divided into focus groups and interviewed. The thematic analysis conducted in this study revealed eight critical themes that encapsulated the myriad challenges and opportunities faced by industry professionals. From navigating the ever-changing regulatory environment to embracing technological advancements, addressing shifting customer expectations, and cultivating organisational agility and resilience, the financial industry grapples with a complex interplay of factors that demand strategic foresight, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning and innovation. Conclusions The results demonstrate that AI is propelling innovation, improving operational efficiency, and transforming customer experience in the finance industry. Nevertheless, substantial impediments have arisen in the form of issues over data protection, talent recruiting, and regulatory ambiguity.