Browse Articles

Smart technique for calculating fault current model parameters using short circuit current measurements

Abstract Precise evaluation of fault current model parameters is an important issue in protection and automation systems. These parameters play a crucial role in selecting protective relay settings, detecting, and compensating saturated CT waveforms, calculating AC and DC components, estimating the sub-transient and transient time periods for the short-circuit current, determining fault locations, and controlling a fault interruption to avoid very fast transients that arise from switching. A new strategy for calculating the fault parameters using short-circuit current model is presented. The short-circuit current data is used to estimate fault inception angle, decay time constant, power system angle and maximum symmetrical AC fault current. The difference concept can be utilized to obtain precise mathematical formulas for evaluating the parameters of the fault current model. This is for efficient implementation of multiple functions that include digital protective relay, fault locator, digital filter, CT saturation detector and compensator. The strategy can be applied offline or in real-time. To verify the developed methodology, comprehensive numerical studies on a power system with real parameters data are presented. The power system is simulated using the Alternative Transient Program (ATP) tool. The algorithm is processed using MATLAB© software application. It is examined under variable operating and fault conditions for the system. The quantitative findings indicate that the method has high feasibility, and can achieve reliability, accuracy, and speed in estimating fault current parameters. The results also demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm, as well as its robustness with respect to changes in system parameters. Its performance is sustainable as the data window moves, and it is immune to different fault and operational conditions. A key highlight of the proposed approach is the ability to perform many tasks of computer applications in power systems using the accurate calculated parameters for the fault current model.

Trend of cancer mortality of the female reproductive system in China from 2005 to 2018 and prediction to 2035: A log-linear regression and Bayesian age-period- cohort analysis

Objective In recent years, the number of deaths from female reproductive system cancer in China has been continuously increasing, and there are relatively few studies on their mortality situation. This study aimed to analyze the mortality rate and its trend of the female reproductive system cancer in China from 2005 to 2018, to predict the situation until 2035, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of the female reproductive system cancer in China. Methods The mortality rate latest data of the female reproductive system cancer was obtained from the Chinese Cancer Registry Annual Report from 2008 to 2021. Using the Joinpoint regression model, the annual percent change (APC) and average annual percentage change (AAPC) were calculated to describe the time trend. Age-period- cohort models were constructed to analyze the effects of age, period, and cohort. The study predicted the situation up to 2035 using a Bayesian age-period-cohort model. Result The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of the female reproductive system cancer in China from 2005 to 2018 was 8.75/100,000, with rural areas being higher than urban areas. The mortality rate showed an upward trend from 2005 to 2018, with AAPC = 1.92% (95% CI: 1.68%, 2.16%). The growth trend in urban areas was more pronounced than that in rural areas, and the mortality risk was highest among the population aged 80–84 years. The period effect showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing from 2005 to 2018, with the highest risk in the population born between 1990 and 1994. The mortality rate of the female reproductive system cancer in China will increase from 9.96/100,000 (95% CI: 9.37/100,000, 10.54/100,000) in 2019 to 11.98/100,000 (95% CI: 3.64/100,000, 20.31/100,000) in 2035. Conclusion The mortality rate of the female reproductive system cancer in China showed an upward trend from 2005 to 2018, and will continue to rise from 2019 to 2035. The female reproductive system cancer in China require continuous attention.

Rates of eye donation amongst multi-organ donors over a decade (2013–2022) in new Zealand/Aotearoa

Glucose-containing vs. glucose-free dialysate for patients with maintenance hemodialysis: Study protocol for a multicenter randomized controlled study-GLUMO study

Purpose To mitigate the risk of infection and disordered blood lipid metabolism, glucose-free dialysate is widely utilized in China and European countries. While glucose-free dialysis does not necessarily lead to hypoglycemia, several other metabolic adjustments must occur to maintain normal blood glucose levels. Additionally, glucose-free dialysis may also increase the loss of amino acids and the susceptibility to hypotension and cardiovascular events. Incorporating an appropriate amount of glucose into the dialysate can help to offset the insufficient blood glucose during hemodialysis (HD), potentially reducing the incidence of hypoglycemia. Currently, the efficacy and safety of glucose-containing dialysate during HD remain contentious, and this study will be conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of 5.5 mmol/L glucose-containing dialysate for maintenance HD patients. Study design and methods A multicenter, prospective, open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted at more than 30 dialysis centers in China. Approximately 600 participants undergoing maintenance HD will be enrolled. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned to two groups, receiving either glucose-containing dialysate or glucose-free dialysate for HD at a 1:1 ratio, determined by a central computer-generated randomized sequence. The primary outcome is the incidence of the major cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events (MACCE). Secondary outcomes are all-cause mortality, incidence of intradialytic hypotension (IDH), incidence of hypoglycemia, blood pressure and blood glucose variability, dysfunction of vascular access, cardiac function and fatigue level. Outcome assessors and data analysts will be blinded. All data will be analyzed using either intention-to-treat or per-protocol analysis methods. Discussion The results of this study will provide evidence on the efficacy and safety of 5.5 mmol/L glucose-containing dialysate for maintenance HD patients, and will provide valuable insights for future dialysate selection and the enhancement of dialysis treatment prescriptions. Trial registration number ChiCTR2400083153.

Long intergenic non-coding RNA 00511 (LINC00511) genetic variations and haplotype implication for colorectal cancer susceptibility and prognosis

Abstract Long intergenic non-coding RNA 00,511 (LINC00511) is considered an oncogene for various cancers. However, the association between LINC00511 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear. Our study aims to study whether LINC00511 SNPs could predict CRC susceptibility or prognosis, an important step-toward precision-health, based on an Egyptian CRC patient cohort. A total of 200 CRC patients and 200 cancer-free controls were genotyped for three LINC00511 SNPs − rs9906859, rs1558535, and rs17780195 using qRT-PCR. Studied SNPs were in strong linkage disequilibrium and moderately correlated in all groups. Genotype association concerning tumor stage, revealed rs1558535 AT and rs17780195 AG variants correlated significantly with CRC advanced stages (adjusted OR: 3.99 and 2.72), respectively. Logistic regression showed that rs1558535 and rs9906859 genotypes were associated with CRC. Haplotype analysis disclosed that ‘Trs155535Ars17780195Crs9906859’ mutant-wild-mutant haplotype has 1.5-fold increased CRC risk (OR: 1.46, 95% CI: 1.07–1.99). ‘Trs155535Ars17780195Trs9906859’ haplotype conferred fivefold lower CRC risk (OR: 0.20, 95% CI: 0.09–0.47). Epistasis analysis showed individuals heterozygote and homozygote or homozygote and heterozygote for rs1558535 and rs9906859 are at high risk for CRC. Both rs1558535 and rs17780195 were associated with late stages of CRC. A strong interaction was observed between rs1558535 and rs9906859 in predicting CRC risk.

Cold atmospheric plasma improves antifungal responsiveness of Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium keratoplasticum conidia and mycelia

The purpose of this study is to evaluate sublethal cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) treatment of filamentous fungal pathogen susceptibility to commonly used antifungal drugs in vitro. Response to CAP in combination with voriconazole, fluconazole, amphotericin B, and caspofungin was evaluated in Aspergillus flavus and Fusarium keratoplasticum conidia and mycelium; conidial response to fluconazole was also assessed in three strains of F. falciforme. Conidial susceptibility to antifungal drugs alone or in combination with CAP was assessed using a modified CLSI broth microdilution assay with MIC determination and colony-forming unit (CFU) enumeration. Mycelial viability and biofilm thickness changes in response to antifungal drugs alone or in combination with CAP were assessed over 24 hours post treatment. CAP enhanced antifungal drug efficacy against all fungal species, though effects differed by drug and growth form. CAP enhanced antifungal drug susceptibility in conidia, with the strongest effect observed for F. keratoplasticum conidia, where caspofungin MIC decreased fourfold (from 16 to 4−8 μg/mL) and sensitivity to fluconazole, which exerted no effect in absence of CAP, was restored when combined with sublethal CAP treatment. In A. flavus, CAP lowered the MIC of voriconazole (from 0.25 to 0.06–0.125 μg/mL) but increased the MIC of amphotericin B (from 4 to >4 μg/mL), despite reductions in viable cell counts. Differential responses to CAP and fluconazole were observed across three strains of F. falciforme, suggesting variability in CAP response. In treated biofilms, CAP alone initially reduced mycelial viability and biofilm thickness, but partial recovery of the fungus was observed over time in most cases. When combined with antifungal drugs, CAP significantly enhanced reduction of mycelial viability and thickness beyond antifungal treatment alone. In F. keratoplasticum biofilms, the combination of CAP and antifungal drugs produced sustained reductions in mycelial viability and biofilm thickness, whereas A. flavus biofilms were more resistant to CAP treatment and exhibited consistent recovery after 24 hours.

Chimeric SF-25 monoclonal antibody as a targeted therapy for SLC3A2 in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Exploring two-way text messages for post-discharge follow-up and quality improvement in rural Uganda

Introduction Automated messaging through text (SMS) and instant messaging services (IMS) offers low-cost solutions for patient follow-up in resource-constrained contexts. This study aims to evaluate a quality improvement (QI) initiative to improve caregiver response rates to an automated messaging system for post-discharge follow-up of children in rural Uganda. Methods From June 2022 to June 2024, caregivers of children triaged through the Smart Triage platform at Gulu Regional Referral Hospital were invited to participate in an automated follow-up program. Messages were sent seven days after discharge via SMS and IMS (WhatsApp), prompting caregivers to report if their child had “improved” or “not improved”. Non-responders and “not improved” cases were followed up with a phone call from a study nurse. From April 2023 to November 2023, a QI initiative refined the messaging system to improve response rates and a post-QI period then continued the intervention with no changes until June 2024. Response rates were analyzed over three periods: historical (pre-QI, June 2022 – March 2023), QI intervention, and post-QI. Additionally, data on message delivery rates, improvement strategies, and health outcomes were analyzed. Results Of 6826 participants, 6469 (95%) messages were successfully delivered. Response rates improved from 20% in April 2023 to 40% in June 2024 and remained stable between 33% and 41% during the post-QI period. Compared to the historical period, post-QI response rates were significantly higher (95% CI: 12.5% to 18.2%, p < 0.001). This improvement reflected a statistically significant positive trend during the QI period. Overall, 1856 caregivers responded: 1244 (67%) reported improvement and 612 (33%) reported no improvement. Follow-up phone calls for those “not improved” revealed 58 (9%) sought care, 12 (2%) were readmitted, and no deaths occurred. For non-responders, 206 (5%) sought care, 33 (0.7%) were readmitted, and 3 (0.07%) deaths occurred. Discussion Automated two-way text messages for post-discharge pediatric follow-up yielded high delivery and moderate response rates. Iterative QI efforts increased response rates, highlighting the importance of tailored communication strategies. Automated messages can facilitate timely intervention for high-risk children and enable efficient collection of health outcomes, offering a viable alternative to in-person follow-up in resource-poor settings.

Accelerated increase in ferritin levels during menopausal transition as a marker of metabolic health

Nature of innovations affecting photovoltaic system costs

Innovations improve technology costs through various kinds of engineering advancements, including changes to materials choices and device or process designs. Understanding how these innovations relate to cost change can reveal aspects of the process of technology evolution, yet developing such understanding is often not possible with a strictly quantitative approach due to data limitations. In this paper we develop a hybrid quantitative-qualitative framework for relating specific innovations to cost change by using the variables in a quantitative technology cost change model as an organizing principle. We demonstrate this framework by applying it to the cost decline in photovoltaic (PV) systems over the last five decades. This framework generates new understanding of a set of innovations that contributed to PV modules’ sustained cost decline and the more modest trends observed in balance-of-system (BOS) costs. The results show the great diversity of innovations that affected PV costs, drawing on wide-ranging fields of expertise within scientific research and practice. We find that there are differences in the characteristics of innovations that reduced the cost of PV modules compared to innovations influencing BOS costs. Numerous module innovations reduced costs by advancing manufacturing tools and processes that improved material quality. Many BOS innovations reduced costs through a combination of component design changes, integration, automation, digitalization, and standardization. Overall, most innovations in our sample affected PV hardware. However, some also target ‘soft technologies’ such as task durations through innovations like fast-track permitting, which require improved collaboration and process streamlining. This framework also provides insight into the nature of knowledge spillovers between technologies. Both module and BOS hardware innovations show the benefits of PV’s position within an ‘ecosystem’ of continuously advancing technologies in many industries, in particular semiconductors and electronics, and also point to the importance of public institutions for accelerating testing, permitting, and training.

Scavenging sunblock agents from aquatic environment through encapsulation in cucurbit[7]uril

A multi-omics atlas of CAF subtypes reveals apCAF–M2 macrophage interactions driving immune resistance in glioma

Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are a critical component of the glioma microenvi-ronment and play essential roles in tumor progression and resistance to immunotherapy. To comprehensively characterize CAF heterogeneity and their interactions with immune cells, we conducted an integrative multi-omics analysis incorporating single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and multiplex immunofluorescence. This approach identified nine distinct CAF subtypes with phenotypic and functional diversity, including tumor-like CAFs (tCAFs), myofibroblast-like CAFs (myCAFs), vascular CAFs (vCAFs), metabolic CAFs (meCAFs), proliferative CAFs (pCAFs), antigen-presenting CAFs (apCAFs), interferon-responsive CAFs (infCAFs), inflammatory CAFs (iCAFs), and a group of CAFs with unknown identity. Several subtypes were significantly associated with poor clinical outcomes. Notably, apCAFs engaged in extensive crosstalk with M2-polarized macrophages via TGF-β signaling pathways. Spatial transcriptomic pro-filing and immunofluorescence imaging revealed the co-localization of apCAFs and M2 macrophages at the tumor periphery, indicating the formation of an immunosuppressive niche. Moreover, AQP4 was identified as a specific marker of apCAFs, and its expression was significantly correlated with poor prognosis and resistance to immunotherapy. These findings offer a comprehensive atlas of CAF heterogeneity in glioma and highlight the therapeutic promise of targeting apCAF–M2 macrophage interactions or AQP4 to over-come immune resistance and improve clinical outcomes.

Multitask allocation model of the coal foreign object sorting robot based on optimal capacity and benefit

Behavioral spillover between the use of reusable shopping bags and recycling at home: A field experiment

This study examines positive behavioral spillover between waste-related behaviors that vary in complexity. Specifically, we test whether encouraging a relatively simple behavior—using reusable shopping bags—can lead to increased adoption of a more complex behavior, such as recycling. To investigate this, we conducted a longitudinal field experiment. Additionally, we explored the moderating roles of three individual-level constructs: Perceived Difficulty, Self-efficacy, and Perceived Consumer Effectiveness. Our findings show that positive spillover occurs for recycling at home, but not for recycling elsewhere. Moreover, Perceived Difficulty strengthens this effect, while Perceived Consumer Effectiveness diminishes it. We conclude by discussing how these insights can inform public and private interventions aimed at promoting recycling.

Deep learning and radiomics fusion for predicting the invasiveness of lung adenocarcinoma within ground glass nodules

Assessing changes in ultraviolet radiation-exposed mouse skin using optical coherence tomography

Skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, frequently resulting from excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Early detection and effective prevention of photodamage are important to mitigate the long-term risks of skin cancer. In this study, we investigate the use of optical coherence tomography (OCT) for assessing photodamage over time and the efficacy of photodamage prevention treatments non-invasively. Of the n = 81 hairless mice, 75 of them were exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) three times per week to induce photodamage. Two different systemic photodamage prevention treatments were tested: nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and polypodium leucotomos (PL). OCT images were acquired monthly on the back, side, and stomach of the mice over 7 months. Two OCT-derived metrics, skin thickness and the attenuation coefficient, μOCT, were quantified using a custom-developed algorithm to evaluate photodamage. Significant differences in skin thickness (p = 0.038) and attenuation coefficient (p<0.001) were observed between the UVR control group and the non-irradiated control group after 7 months at the back. At month 7, no significant difference was observed in the attenuation coefficient between the UVR control group and the UVR + PL group, however, a significant difference was observed between the UVR control group and the UVR + NMN group. Additionally, our OCT-derived skin thickness was well correlated with the skin thickness measured from histology, demonstrating a strong alignment with these invasive ground truth findings. Altogether, our results indicate that OCT could be a useful tool for non-invasive monitoring of photodamage in skin and for monitoring the efficacy of photodamage prevention treatments.

Quantitative imaging of 478-keV prompt gamma rays from Boron neutron capture reactions

Abstract The accurate imaging and quantitative measurement of 478-keV prompt gamma rays are critical for advancing boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), a promising cancer treatment. Although numerical simulations have indicated that such measurements are feasible, their practical application has proven challenging. This study introduces a gamma-ray imaging detector designed specifically for precise BNCT measurements. Using boron-rich phantom samples, we successfully imaged 478-keV gamma rays and established a linear correlation between gamma-ray production and boron concentration. Furthermore, applying this technique in a recognized BNCT treatment facility demonstrated the detector’s effectiveness in monitoring boron dose distribution during neutron irradiation, both in pre-treatment diagnostics and throughout the treatment process.

Modeling the differential effect of prescribed fire on multi-vector tick-borne tularemia disease

Tularemia is a zoonotic disease caused by Francisella tularensis bacteria, a gram-negative coccobacillus-shaped bacterium. There are multiple transmission routes of the infection to humans such as consumption of contaminated food or water, handling of infected animals or bites from haematophagous arthropods (such as ticks, deer flies, or mosquitoes). In this study, we focus on transmission via the bites of ticks and developed a deterministic model of ordinary and impulsive differential equations to gain insight about the differential effect of prescribed fire on Dermacentor variabilis and Amblyomma americanum ticks and the prevalence of tularemina. We found that prescribed fire differentially reduce the number of the two ticks with A. americanum reduced the least compare to D. variabilis subsequently leading to differential increase of tularemia new infected cases in humans and rodents. Our result further indicates that the spatial arrangement of burn against unburn areas may not matter for humans and D. variabilis unlike A. americanum and the rodents which had more infected in unburn areas compare to burn areas when prescribed fire was implemented. The results of this study provide important new understandings of the intricate effect of prescribed fire on tick species, and the dynamics of the tick-borne disease.

Investigating the spatial variability of soil parameters and mineralogical characterization in the tea growing area of Kishanganj district Bihar India

A protocol for the development of a validated scale of household water insecurity in the United States: HWISE-USA

Background New metrics of household water insecurity have been validated for low- to middle-income countries, but it is unclear how these measurements apply to the experiences of people living in high-income countries. This project aims to develop and validate a novel metric for household water insecurity experiences in the United States (HWISE-USA) using a cross-sectional design and data from the Southwest, Midwest, and Western regions. Methods We outline the protocol for the development and validation of a novel household water insecurity scale for the United States to address this scientific need, including the following key steps: (1) item development through literature and theory; (2) pre-testing of items and expert review; (3) scale development and item reduction; and (4) scale validation. To assess the performance of the HWISE-USA scale, we will follow the same scale development analytics on a separate, quasi-nationally-representative U.S. sample. The scale will be generated from household survey data collected from communities at risk of water insecurity throughout the United States. Discussion We explain how a novel metric of water insecurity experiences for households in the United States has important implications for resource allocation, structural interventions, public health and infrastructure planning, and reductions in inequalities. Registration osf.io/zvqs4