Browse Articles

Seismic fragility and risk assessment of transportation tunnels in Marmara and Aegean regions of Türkiye

Partial verification bias correction using scaled inverse probability resampling for binary diagnostic tests

Diagnostic accuracy studies are crucial for evaluating new tests before their clinical application. These tests are compared with gold standard tests, and accuracy measures such as sensitivity (Sn) and specificity (Sp) are often calculated. However, these studies frequently suffer from partial verification bias (PVB) due to selective verification of patients, which leads to biased accuracy estimates. Among the methods for correcting PVB under the missing-at-random assumption for binary diagnostic tests, a bootstrap-based method known as the inverse probability bootstrap (IPB) was proposed. IPB demonstrated low bias for estimating Sn and Sp, but exhibited higher standard errors (SE) than other PVB correction methods and only corrected the distribution of the verified portion of the PVB data. This paper introduces two new methods to address these limitations: scaled inverse probability weighted resampling (SIPW) and scaled inverse probability weighted balanced resampling (SIPW-B), both built upon IPB. Using simulated and clinical datasets, SIPW and SIPW-B were compared against IPB and other existing methods (Begg and Greenes’, inverse probability weighting estimator, and multiple imputation). For the simulated data sets, different combinations of disease prevalence (0.4 and 0.1), Sn (0.3 to 0.9), Sp (0.6 and 0.9), and sample sizes (200 and 1000) were generated. Two commonly used clinical datasets in PVB correction studies were also used. Performance was evaluated using bias and SE for the simulated data. Simulation results showed that both new methods outperformed IPB by producing lower bias and SE for Sn and Sp estimation, showing results comparable to existing methods, and demonstrating good performance at low disease prevalence. In clinical datasets, SIPW and SIPW-B were consistent with existing methods. The new methods also improve upon IPB by allowing full data restoration. Although the methods are computationally demanding at present, this limitation is expected to become less important as computing power continues to increase.

A novel 3D indoor localization method integrating deep spatial feature augmentation and attention-based denoising

UCP3 gene variants and obesity in a Pakistani sample population

Numerical study on the stress and deformation behavior of buried PE pipeline exposed to stacking load

Oil and gas pipelines serve as critical infrastructure for ensuring energy resource supply and security. Stacking load, as one of the most widespread loads, frequently acts on the soil surface overlying buried polyethylene (PE) pipelines, influencing stress-strain dynamics and potential failure mechanisms. In this study, a numerical simulation model of pipeline-soil interaction for buried PE pipelines exposed to stacking load was established and verified. The variations in deformation and stress behavior were systematically analyzed. The results revealed that the maximum deformation of buried PE pipelines under stacking load occurred at the pipeline’s center, with upper and lower deformations, as well as diameter variations, diminishing progressively as the distance from the center increased. Furthermore, the difference between the upper and lower deformations was reduced as burial depth increased. Notably, the maximum deformation exhibited a direct proportionality with the stacking load, while both the deformation and its rate of reduction decreased with buried depth increased. Additionally, the peak stress within the buried PE pipeline emerged at the center of the load’s footprint, escalating in tandem with the increase in stacking load. Intriguingly, the stress response diverged between pipelines subjected to smaller and larger stacking loads, and the peak stress gradually attenuated as the pipeline’s diameter expanded. These findings highlight the importance of considering both stacking loads and buried depths in the design and installation for PE pipelines to safeguard structural integrity and extend operational lifespan.

An intelligent diagnosis method for PMSM radial misalignment based on current signal and Swin-BiGRU multimodal fusion

Utilizing partial information decomposition to evaluate the complex interplay between microRNA and RNA-binding protein in regulating the shared target mRNA

Predatory behavior, nesting habits, and impacts on honey bees (Apis mellifera) of an invasive hornet (Vespa tropica) on the island of Guam

Hornets (genus Vespa) are a conspicuous taxon of large eusocial wasps that are predators of other insects. Increasingly, hornets are gaining notoriety as damaging invaders after repeated introductions into novel habitats. Most hornets are highly effective predators, so they have the potential to greatly impact local entomofauna, including economically important pollinators. In 2016, Vespa tropica, a hornet with a broad natural range throughout subtropical and tropical Asia, was detected on Guam, although few details have been published since the initial alert. We provide the first comprehensive update on the status and impact of V. tropica hornets on Guam based on nine years of beekeeper and public reports, as well as field collections of nests, hornets, and videos of hunting behavior in managed apiaries. We show that the population of non-native V. tropica is established and thriving on Guam. Nests were found in a diversity of sites: below and above ground, sheltered and exposed, and in urban and greenspaces. V. tropica was a year-round predator in apiaries, with up to 12% of colony losses per year attributed to hornet attacks. Notably, hornets often attacked single honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies in groups, similar to the hunting strategy of their close relatives, the giant hornets Vespa mandarinia and Vespa soror. Hornets killed defending workers, eventually weakening colonies and entering hives to consume bee brood. Bees mounted defenses that included alarm piping, bee ‘carpets’, and attempts to ball hornets. Hornets were active all year, but were significantly more active during the wet season (July‒December). Preliminary analysis of color forms suggested that the source of V. tropica on Guam is likely continental southeast Asia, although genetic analyses are required. Our study reveals that Guam is facing a fierce invader in V. tropica, which is placing strong predatory pressure on pre-established honey bees.

Green synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3-NPs) from Citrus Limetta agrowaste for biological and photocatalytic applications

A data-driven typology of individually perceived workplace environments and employee well-being

The influence of the U.S. export controls against China on the resilience of Chinese corporates

As Sino-US trade frictions intensify, the United States has continually strengthened its export control measures against China, posing potential risks to the international supply chains and production operations of Chinese enterprises. This paper has compiled data from the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) Entity List and employed A-share manufacturing listed companies in China from 2015 to 2023 as research samples. By treating the U.S. export controls against China as a quasi-natural experiment, we employ a multi-period difference-in-differences model to analyze the impact of these export controls on the resilience of Chinese manufacturing listed companies and the underlying mechanisms. Our findings reveal that U.S. export controls significantly reduce the resilience of affected firms within the industry in China, primarily by inhibiting internationalization processes, exacerbating financing environments, and intensifying corporate risks. Further analysis shows that firms with higher product market competitive advantages, greater analyst coverage, and more aggressive development strategies are better equipped to mitigate the shocks of export controls. Conversely, firms lacking political connections or operating in environments with higher external uncertainties are more susceptible to negative impacts, with their resilience significantly diminished. This study broadens the research scope of international trade policies and corporate resilience, offering insights for Chinese enterprises to enhance their adaptive capabilities and optimize business strategies in the complex and volatile international trade environment.

Green synthesis of antimicrobial alginate/hydroxyethyl cellulose hydrogels crosslinked by Ca2+ and dual Ca2+/Mg2+

Leveraging multi-modal foundation model image encoders to enhance brain MRI-based headache classification

Analysis of bacterial biodiversity and ecological risk evaluation of organophosphorus in Lianhuan Lake

Shallow lakes are vital water resources, playing key roles in water conservation, landscape management, and drinking water supply. However, recent years have seen significant challenges in their ecological protection. Lianhuan Lake is selected as the study area. Water quality characteristics are evaluated using the eutrophication index (TLI), water quality index (WQI) and integrated water quality index (IWQI). High-throughput sequencing (HTS) is employed to analyze microbial diversity and community composition, while gas chromatography (GC) was used to identify commonly used organophosphorus pesticides—including suprofos, coumaphos, prothiophos and mevinphos. Ecological Structure-Activity Relationships (ECOSAR), the Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.) and the Risk Quotient (RQ) are used to evaluate the ecological safety of Lianhuan Lake. The results indicate that the water quality of the Lianhuan Lake is class V, mildly eutrophic. A total of 1,062 microbial genera are identified in the sediments and water samples. The order of influence of water quality indicators on bacterial diversity is pH > TP > DO > TN > NH3-N > NO2-N > WT. Ten distinct organic phosphorus contaminants are detected. Nine of these compounds exhibited varying degrees of acute and chronic toxicity to fish, daphnia, and algae. Suprofos, coumaphos and prothiophos are highly toxic to daphnia. Suprofos, mevinphos and prothiophos have high ecological risk. These findings not only provide critical insights for the targeted management and pollution control of Lianhuan Lake but also underscore the need for monitoring organophosphorus pesticide residues in shallow lakes worldwide to protect aquatic ecosystems.

Antimicrobial, synergistic and antibiofilm activities of Myristica fragrans Houtt. Bioactive compounds and their derivatives

Genetic and clinical characteristics of Japanese cystinuria with exon and exon–intron boundary variants

Right ventricular pressure–volume relations and effects of selective vena cava occlusion during cardiopulmonary resuscitation

Objectives To investigate right ventricular hemodynamics and determine how vena cava occlusion (VCO) influences right ventricular pressure–volume dynamics during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Methods We used a swine model of electrically induced ventricular fibrillation. Five animals were allocated to Experiment I to observe right ventricular hemodynamics during standard CPR, and 25 were assigned to Experiment II to assess right ventricular hemodynamic changes following VCO. In Experiment I, all animals received standard CPR. In Experiment II, all animals received CPR but were randomized according to the protocols used, which differed by the order of interventions. The interventions included alternating superior VCO, inferior VCO, and no VCO. Hemodynamic parameters were measured during CPR, and corresponding right ventricular pressure–volume loops were generated. Results Experiment I revealed that, during CPR, the right ventricular pressure–volume loop became trapezoidal in shape, with a progressive reduction in right ventricular volumes, including end-systolic volume (p = 0.029) and end-diastolic volume (p = 0.035). Experiment II demonstrated that systolic arterial pressure and end-tidal CO₂ levels were significantly lower during both superior and inferior VCO CPR than during no-VCO CPR (both p < 0.001). During superior and inferior VCO CPR, both end-systolic and end-diastolic right ventricular pressures were also significantly lower than those during no-VCO CPR (p < 0.001 and p = 0.003, respectively). Right ventricular stroke volumes did not differ significantly across the three VCO conditions. The shapes and values of right ventricular pressure–volume loops were relatively similar across the three VCO conditions. Conclusions During CPR, the right ventricular pressure–volume loop transforms into a trapezoidal shape, resembling a left-leaning triangle, because the isovolumetric phases disappear. VCO during CPR reduces ventricular systolic pressures, indicating that a reduction in the venous return affects perfusion pressures during resuscitation.

Input driven optimization of echo state network parameters for prediction on chaotic time series

Numerical modeling and simulation of stochastic fractional order model for COVID-19 infection in Mittag–Leffler kernel

Paxlovid plus glucocorticoids treatment in severe Omicron infected patients with hypoxaemia: A prospective multiple-center cohort study

Background Administration of Paxlovid in early stage has been proved to reduce the risk of hospitalization or death by 89% in mild to moderate COVID-19 patients with high-risk. There were few evidences of Paxlovid in severe COVID-19 patients. RECOVERY study has previously shown that the use of glucocorticoids reduces the risk of death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen or ventilatory support. The efficacy of Paxlovid plus glucocorticoids in COVID-19 patients with hypoxaemia is unclear. Methods In this multiple-centers prospective study, we collected the data of hospitalized adult Omicron infected subjects with hypoxaemia at 4 hospitals, who were treated with glucocorticoids or Paxlovid plus glucocorticoid. We compared the efficacy of Paxlovid plus glucocorticoids (P + GCS group) vs. glucocorticoids (GCS group). A 28-day composite outcome of disease progression was evaluated. Results Totally 266 Omicron infected patients with hypoxaemia were enrolled in this study. There was no difference in most of the baseline characteristics in two groups, including ages, sex and underlying diseases. The 28-day composite outcome in severe patients of P + GCS group was significantly lower than that of GCS group (16.9% vs. 33.8%, P = 0.013). The viral shedding time was shorter in P + GCS group than that in G group (6 days vs. 8 days, P = 0.015). The hospitalized time in severe patients of P + GCS group was significantly shorter than that of GCS group (15 days vs. 17 days, P = 0.0008). Cox analysis showed the benefit of P + GCS in sub-group of MODS, CRP ≥ 36 mg/L, d-dimer ≥1 µg/L, creatinine ≥ 90µmol/L). Conclusions Our study demonstrated the benefit of Paxlovid plus glucocorticoid administration in hospitalized Omicron infection patients with hypoxaemia. These results, as least partly, supported direct evidence about the necessity of antiviral treatment in severe COVID-19 patients with hypoxaemia.