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A dynamic damage constitutive model considering the effect of joint inclination on the modulus of elasticity of slates
Vertical bearing performance of inclined high-pressure rotary spray pile
Inclined piles are increasingly adopted in the foundation design of large-scale transmission line towers. Nine inclined pile tests were conducted in red clay soil to investigate the load-bearing and deformation behavior and the load transfer mechanism of inclined piles under vertical loading. The effects of pile inclination and length-to-diameter ratio on axial force, bending moment, shear force, and lateral friction force were analyzed. The test results indicate that: (1) As the inclination angle increases, the settlement of the inclined pile increases under vertical loading. (2) The axial force in the inclined pile is smaller compared to that of the corresponding vertical pile with the same material and dimensions. (3) Bending moment and shear force are observed in the upper section of the inclined pile, with the maximum bending moment influenced by both the pile’s inclination angle and length-to-diameter ratio. (4) In the upper section of the pile, the average soil-side frictional resistance of inclined piles is higher than that of vertical piles. The maximum resistance occurs in the section from the top of the pile to a relative depth (Z/L) of approximately 0.14.
Design and optimization of an innovative lining structure for high-pressure water transmission tunnels subjected to strike-slip fault creep
Abstract Long-distance water transmission tunnel projects face significant challenges in crossing active faults. This paper presents a novel multi-layer flexible lining (MFL) structure for high-pressure tunnels that can accommodate fault creep deformation. Finite element numerical analysis was utilized to validate the feasibility of the MFL structure under the actual conditions of a particular engineering project. Additionally, the effects of various parameters on the tunnel structure were examined. The results indicated that shorter concrete segments and longer flexible joints are better able to accommodate fault dislocations and reduce concrete damage. A thicker cushion layer, with a thickness ranging from 0.1 to 0.4 m, is more advantageous for the tunnel lining to adapt to fault dislocations. However, an excessively thick cushion layer will have a negative impact on the lining’s stress. Appropriate use of bellows joints can improve the tunnel resistance to fault displacement. The number of bellows joints needed for effectiveness and the potential failure of the joints at the edge of the fault zone were examined. The research findings can provide valuable guidance for the structural design of high-pressure water transmission tunnels in dealing with fault creep deformation.
A systematic review of sport-based adolescent mental health awareness programmes
Background Adolescent mental illness is of increasing concern, with a high prevalence in many parts of the world. Early engagement, detection and receiving support are warranted to reduce the severity of symptoms. Increasing mental health literacy (MHL) through sport to adolescents is one way of engaging young people and signposting them to services. The aim of this systematic review was to identify the effect of interventions, risk of bias, and theoretical application in sport-based adolescent mental health awareness programmes. Methods: Six electronic databases (MEDLINE Ovid, PsycINFO, Scopus, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, Cochrane) were searched from 2012 to September 2022 (updated January 2024). Inclusion criteria stated the sample had to include adolescents aged 11–17 years, include mental health outcomes, and a sport component. Results: Six studies met the inclusion criteria. Sample size ranged from nine to 816 participants. Four distinct sport-based programmes were evaluated, with three interventions applying a psychological behaviour change theory. The results of the interventions indicated positive effects on several indices of MHL, such as increased knowledge of mental health, depression and anxiety literacy and the recognition of disorders, increased resilience and intentions to provide help. It was found that addressing stigma remains a challenge. The interventions produced the most significant effects for those who scored lower at baseline measures and the younger cohorts. Conclusions: Sport is useful for the engagement and dissemination of mental health awareness information to adolescents. Given the limited number of psychological theory informed interventions, there is a need for further interventions that explicitly adopt behaviour change theories and improve the quality of research design for these interventions. The findings from this review will be of interest to health promotion and public health practitioners and those designing mental health awareness programmes for adolescents. Systematic review registration PROSPERO CRD42022312260
Ureteral stent biomaterial encrustation after endoscopic lithotripsy: a randomized, single-blind study
Correction: A randomized, parallel group, pragmatic comparative-effectiveness trial comparing medication-assisted treatment induction methods in primary care practices: The HOMER study protocol
Perspectives on terahertz honey bee sensing
Abstract Terahertz (THz) technology provides precise monitoring capabilities in dynamic environments, offering unique insights into insect habitats. Our study focuses on environmental monitoring of European honey bees (Apis mellifera) through a combination of measurements and simulations. Initially, the dielectric material properties of honey bee body parts are characterized across the spectral range of 1–500 GHz to collect heterogeneous empirical data. To extend the study, honey bee mockups made from polyamide 12 (PA12) and epoxy resin are employed and validated as effective substitutes for real bees through comparative scattering analyses. The research further explores radar cross-section (RCS), imaging, and spectral properties using advanced THz technologies, including resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs) operating at 250 GHz and THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) for frequencies exceeding 250 GHz. High-resolution imaging, utilizing a 450 GHz bandwidth, captures intricate anatomical features of both real and 3D-printed bees, showcasing the potential of THz technology for detailed environmental monitoring. Finally, simulations at 300 GHz assess the dosimetry and feasibility of non-invasive, continuous monitoring approaches based on the heterogeneous honey bee model.
Disability-adjusted life years associated with COVID-19 in Brazil, 2020
Background We quantified the national- and state-level burden of COVID-19 in Brazil and its states during 2020 and contrasted it to the burden from other causes of disease and injury. Methods We used national surveillance data on COVID-19 cases, hospitalisations and deaths between February/2020 to December/2020. We calculated disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) based on the COVID-19 consensus model and methods developed by the European Burden of Disease Network, which includes mild to moderate, severe, and critical COVID-19 cases, long covid and deaths due to COVID-19. We used Brazil DALYs estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Collaborative Network to compare the COVID-19 burden to that from other causes of disease and injury. Results COVID-19’s led to 5,445,785 DALYs, or 2,603 DALYs/100,000, with > 99% of the burden caused by mortality. Males accounted for the largest fraction of DALYs (3,214,905 or 59%) and DALYs per 100,000 population (140,594 or 63%). Most populated states experienced the highest DALYs. However, the DALYs per 100,000 population were higher in the states of Rio de Janeiro (4,504 DALYs/100,000), Amapá (4,106 DALYs/100,000) and Roraima (3,981 DALYs/100,000). Assuming no major changes in disease burden from other causes of disease and injury from 2019 to 2020 in Brazil, COVID-19’s burden would rank as the leading cause of disability in 2020. Conclusions Compared with studies with similar methodology, our findings showed that Brazil experienced the highest COVID-19 burden (per 100,000 population) in the world. COVID-19 severely impacted Brazil’s populational health in 2020, highlighting the lack of effective mitigation efforts.
Hypertension and orthostatic hypertension in 85-year-olds and associations with mortality and cognitive decline in a longitudinal cohort study
Abstract Hypertension is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the evidence for treatment and blood pressure (BP) targets in the elderly is less robust. Orthostatic hypertension is a potential risk factor for cardiovascular mortality and cognitive decline. All 85-years-olds in Linköping municipality, Sweden, were invited to a prospective birth cohort study including questionnaires, cognitive testing and physical examinations, including supine and orthostatic BP measurements. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the impact of baseline supine and orthostatic BP on cognitive decline and all-cause mortality after 5- and 7.2 years respectively. Of 650 invited 85-year-olds, 322 were included. During follow-up, 190 persons died, and 28 persons developed cognitive decline. Neither elevated supine BP nor orthostatic hypertension were associated with cognitive decline. After adjustments, elevated supine BP was not associated with mortality in all participants, but was associated with lower all-cause mortality in participants with previously diagnosed hypertension, HR 0.59 (95% CI 0.41–0.85). Orthostatic hypertension was not associated with all-cause mortality, HR 0.56 (95% CI 0.26–1.22) after multiple adjustments. In 85-year-olds with known hypertension, elevated supine BP was associated with lower all-cause mortality. Orthostatic hypertension was not associated with cognitive decline but trended towards a lower all-cause mortality.
A metagenomic ‘dark matter’ enzyme catalyses oxidative cellulose conversion
Correction: The impact of tax burden on welfare attitudes: Micro evidence from welfare states
A retrospective case-control study of reasons for referral, main distresses, and goals of care among HIV/AIDS and cancer patients in palliative care
Impact analysis assessment of UAS collision with a human body
This study investigates the safety risks of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) collisions with humans, focusing on impact dynamics through controlled crash testing. Utilizing a custom-designed drop mechanism, 49 impact tests were conducted on a Hybrid III anthropomorphic test device at various velocities and kinetic energies (7–24 m/s and 1–280 J). Tested UASs included a range of designs and weights (20 g to over 1 kg). Results demonstrated limitations in using kinetic energy models and peak head acceleration for injury prediction. The Head Injury Criterion showed greater consistency, reflecting the temporal profile of impacts. Findings revealed that UAS structural fragility reduces energy transfer at higher impacts through deformation and fracturing. This work underscores the need for improved testing protocols and nuanced safety standards.
Non-invasive liver fibrosis markers are increased in obese individuals with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and the metabolic syndrome
Drug regulatory affairs under focus: Knowledge and perceptions among pharmacists and pharmacy students
Objectives Pharmaceutical product development, registration, and post-marketing surveillance are the main concerns of the Regulatory Affairs (RA) profession in regulated pharmaceutical industries. The RA assumes a pivotal role in ensuring product quality, patient safety, and drug efficacy and constitutes a vital part of the pharmaceutical industry. The current study aims to evaluate the knowledge and understanding of the concept of RA and Drug Registration (DR) among pharmacists and pharmacy students in Jordan. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted targeting pharmacists in different sectors and pharmacy students to assess knowledge and perceptions of RA and DR in Jordan. The participants were invited to participate by sending the survey link through social media platforms (WhatsApp). Results A total of 411 participants completed the study survey. Among the study participants, 193 were pharmacists (47.0%), while the rest were pharmacy students. The majority indicated that they had never taken a course related to RA during their undergraduate studies (77.4%). About half of the participants lacked awareness of RA personnel responsibilities with most of the participants agreeing that workshops, lectures, and training are required. Interpretation of results and conclusion This study aims to elevate Jordanian pharmacists’ awareness by focusing the efforts on young pharmacists and pharmacy students. This can be achieved by implementing RA courses within the pharmacy curricula and upholding the role of the regulatory bodies in Jordan.
Green and sustainable synthesis of MWCNT@g-C₃N₄@Ag photocatalyst from PET for efficient wastewater treatment
Nomogram for predicting olfactory disorder in obstructive sleep apnea: A retrospective study based on a multicenter database
Objective Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) increases the risk of olfactory disorder (OD), which may serve as an early warning of adverse health consequences. In this study, we aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for early detection of OD in patients with OSA. Methods We retrospectively analyzed 125 patients with OSA at Beijing Anzhen Hospital for the development and internal validation of the nomogram. For external validation, 30 patients with OSA were recruited from the Air Force Medical Center. The included participants completed polysomnography (PSG) and the Sniffin’ Sticks test. Patients with OSA were divided into two groups: OSA with OD and OSA without OD. Results The nomogram included age, sex, and time spent with oxygen saturation below 90%. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the nomogram was 0.814 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.673–0.955) for the internal validation group, and 0.778 (95% CI: 0.601–0.955) for the external validation group. The nomogram exhibited excellent discrimination and calibration, showing substantial benefits in clinical applications. Conclusion The present nomogram developed based on clinical characteristics and PSG features can serve as a convenient tool for clinicians to detect OD in OSA, aiding in patient stratification and personalized treatment.
Accelerators of chronic hepatitis B fibrosis cirrhosis CCND1 gene expression and promoter hypomethylation
Association of a CHEK2 somatic variant with tumor microenvironment calprotectin expression predicts platinum resistance in a small cohort of ovarian carcinoma
High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) low overall survival rate is often attributed to platinum resistance. Recent studies suggest that the tumor associated-microenvironment (TME) is a determining factor in malignant tumor progression and DNA damage plays a crucial role in this process. Here, we sought to identify platinum resistance biomarkers associating the TME immune profile and the mutational landscape of the homologous repair pathway genes with the HGSOC patients prognosis and response to chemotherapy. Using a decision tree classifier approach, we found that platinum resistant (PR) patients were characterized by the presence of a novel deep intronic variant, the CHEK2 c.319+ 3943A > T, and higher L1 expression (p = 0.016), (100% accuracy). Chek2 protein is an important component of DNA repair and L1, also known as calprotectin, is one component of the neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) during inflammation, previously suggested as a key contributor to the metastatic process in HGSOC. Also, PD-L2 levels were significantly higher in PR patients positive for this CHEK2 variant (p = 0.048), underscoring the need to explore its potential therapeutic role for this cancer. Our results suggest an interplay between TME and DNA repair variants that results in a multifactorial nature of HGSOC resistance to platinum chemotherapy.