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Constraints of weathering intensity in different climate zones on coal accumulation environment
Abstract There are currently multiple hypotheses regarding coal accumulation models, each with certain limitations in applicability. This article investigates the relationship between modern sedimentation, soil and climate to analyze the distribution of coal across different geological periods, aiming to explain the coal accumulation environment within a unified theoretical framework. The research concludes that the intensity of weathering in various climate zones is a determining factor influencing coal formation, which also affects the distribution of two other climate-sensitive sedimentary deposits - evaporite and bauxite. These three types of sedimentary minerals can be considered as paleoclimatic indicators: cold and humid, warm and dry, and hot and humid. Furthermore, the impact of temperature on the mineralization of organic matter is significantly greater than that of redox conditions; in general, the mineralization of organic matter in high-temperature environments at mid-to-low latitudes exceeds productivity, resulting in low carbon sequestration rates. The conclusion drawn is that the optimal environment for peat or coal enrichment exists in a cold-humid climate zone characterized by low primary productivity, rather than in a tropical zone with high primary productivity. Additionally, the latitudinal shifts of cold temperate climate-controlled coal distribution, and the sediment types in these three climate zones sufficiently constrain coal-forming environments.
Insights into associations between Life’s essential 8 and lung function from NHANES data
Aloe polysaccharide promotes keratinocyte proliferation, migration, and differentiation by upregulating the EGFR/PKC-dependent signaling pathways
Probing mechanical attributes and microstructural ties in modified concrete blended with recycled rubber and straw powder
An intelligent ransomware based cyberthreat detection model using multi head attention-based recurrent neural networks with optimization algorithm in IoT environment
Long-term clinical outcomes of dienogest for perimenopausal women with symptomatic adenomyosis
Assessing social support’s mediating effects on rational antimicrobial prescribing: a structural equation modeling study of healthcare professionals’ behavior
Author Correction: Identification of new ClpC1-NTD binders for Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug development
Association between heavy metal exposure and asthma in adults: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2013
Risk factors for asthma include genetic, host, and environmental factors such as allergens, smoking, and exposure to chemicals. Heavy metals from air pollution or contaminated water and food can also trigger asthma. This study aimed to identify the biological exposure levels of blood lead, mercury, and cadmium, and determine the association of asthma with single and multiple exposures to these heavy metals using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2008 and 2013. A weighted analysis of 40,328 adults aged ≥ 20 years was conducted. Variables included blood heavy metal levels, health behaviors, demographic characteristics, and asthma status. Logistic regression was used to identify the association between the blood heavy metal levels and the odds ratio (OR) of asthma in adults. The overall asthma prevalence was 3.0%. The geometric mean values for blood lead, mercury, and cadmium were 2.14 μg/dL, 3.72 μg/L, and 0.96 μg/L, respectively. An association between asthma and high blood lead levels was observed, with the highest level group showing a statistically significant association. Blood mercury and cadmium were significantly associated with asthma in the highest quartile of blood levels. After adjusting for the demographic and health behavior variables, significant associations with asthma persisted for the highest quartiles of all heavy metals. Multiple exposures in the highest quartile also showed a significant association with asthma. This study demonstrated a significant association between blood heavy metal levels and asthma in adults, emphasizing the need to reduce exposure to lead, cadmium, and mercury as a preventive measure against asthma in adults.
Research on the unsteady flow characteristics of high specific speed axial flow impellers with small aspect ratio and double blades
Abstract High specific speed impeller with low aspect ratio is ideal for high-speed pump-jet propulsion. This study investigates its unsteady hydrodynamic characteristics using experimental and numerical methods. At the design flow rate (Q d ), the pressure amplitude at the blade’s leading and trailing edges varies significantly along the streamline. Blade shape minimally affects flow velocity but significantly impacts leading-edge pressure fluctuations. For the mainstream, the highest fluctuation peak occurs at 0.9Q d . The pressure amplitude gradually decreases from blade’s shroud to hub. Along circumferential direction the minimum pressure amplitude is located in the middle of the two blades. In gap flow, the leading-edge pressure peaks at Q d , with fluctuations primarily at 5 times and 10 times the rotation frequency. Meanwhile, pressure fluctuations in the tip clearance’s height direction exhibit a consistent distribution, reaching their maximum at the leading edge. Vortex structure analysis using various Q criteria reveals that increasing Q enhances vortexes in the impeller while reducing them in the diffuser. Moreover, flow rates result in a simultaneous decrease in vortexes within both components, while the pressure distribution on the isotropic vortex surface remained stable.
CT-based multi-regional radiomics model for predicting contrast medium extravasation in patients with tumors: A case-control study
Objective To develop a non-contrast CT based multi-regional radiomics model for predicting contrast medium (CM) extravasation in patients with tumors. Methods A retrospective analysis of non-contrast CT scans from 282 tumor patients across two medical centers led to the development of a radiomics model, using 157 patients for training, 68 for validation, and 57 from an external center as an independent test cohort. The different volumes of interest from right common carotid artery/right internal jugular vein, right subclavian artery/vein and thoracic aorta were delineated. Radiomics features from the training cohort were used to calculate radiomics scores (Rad scores) and develop radiomics model. Non-contrast CT radiomics features were combined with clinical factors to develop an integrated model. A nomogram was created to visually represent the integration of radiomic signatures and clinical factors. The model’s predictive performance and clinical utility were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and decision curve analysis (DCA), respectively. Calibration curves were also used to assess the concordance between the model-predicted probabilities and the observed event probabilities. Results Thirteen radiomics features were selected to determine the Rad score. The radiomic model outperformed the clinical model in the training, validation, and external test cohorts, achieving a greater area under the ROC curve (AUC) with values of 0.877, 0.866, 0.828 compared to the clinical model’s 0.852, 0.806, 0.740. The combined model yielded better AUC of 0.945, 0.911, and 0.869 in the respective cohorts. The nomogram identified females, the elderly, individuals with hypertension, long term chemotherapy, radiomic signatures as independent risk factors for CM extravasation in patients with tumors. Calibration and DCA validated the high accuracy and clinical utility of this model. Conclusions Radiomics models based on multi-regional non-contrast CT image offered improved prediction of CM extravasation compared with clinical model alone.
Evaluation of soybean germplasms for resistance to stay-green syndrome
Minimally invasive interventions for intracranial pathologies using tubular retractors in the pediatric population: Safety, efficacy, technical aspects and outcomes
Background Minimally invasive surgeries for intracranial pathologies are gaining popularity, recognizing the intrinsic benefits, mostly related to recovery time, while minimizing injury to healthy parenchyma and adjacent functional areas, especially during the resection of deep and centrally located lesions. These procedures require technical familiarity and cultivated surgical experience, coupled with dedicated instruments, appropriate planning, and a stringent patient selection. Objective To describe our novel experience with minimally invasive trans-sulcal parafascicular surgery (MIPS) in a single-center pediatric population, emphasizing the interdependencies between surgical experience, best practices, preparation, and positive surgical outcomes. Methods This single center retrospective review included an electronic medical record (EMR) retrieval of all pediatric patients undergoing minimally invasive trans-sulcal parafascicular surgeries (MIPS) between 2018 and 2023. Clinical, demographic, and radiographic data were captured as were previous surgical procedures, operative approach and technique, operative duration, post-operative day discharge (POD) and length of follow up. Outcomes, including complications and the need for additional interventions, are reported. Results A total of 27 consecutive procedures, treating 22 patients aged 10-months to 19-years were evaluated. Treated pathologies included tumors, vascular lesions, infections, hemorrhage, and hydrocephalus, with the average follow-up > 19 months. Surgical outcomes were similar, if not superior to, the standard of care, considering the extent of resection of various types of lesions, evacuation of hematoma or abscess, as well as complex fenestrations. MIPS procedures were successfully used in a subgroup of patients previously undergoing operations with “standard” approaches. No patients experienced direct complications as a result of the procedure. Recovery times were shorter and the procedure itself was better tolerated in comparison to classical interventions. Conclusions This largest reported pediatric series using MIPS for a variety of pathologies, demonstrates the feasibility, safety, and possibly superior outcomes in children. Technical familiarity and development of surgical experience with MIPS is critical to optimal outcomes.
Spatially fractionated minibeam radiation delivered at clinically feasible dose rates induces transient vascular permeability
Abstract Microbeam Radiation Therapy is a preclinical form of spatially fractionated radiation therapy that utilizes synchrotron X-rays to deliver highly heterogeneous dose distributions at a micrometric scale. This radiation scheme has been shown to facilitate the induction of controlled and reversible vascular permeability, enhancing treatment efficacy of systemic therapeutic agents. Despite the promising preclinical results, translating microbeam SFRT to the clinic has been hindered by a reliance on synchrotron sources that operate at dose rates orders of magnitude greater than what is possible with clinical machines. Without rapid dose delivery, the microbeam geometry is susceptible to blurring due to physiologic motion when delivered at clinical dose rates. Therefore, larger beam widths, spaced further apart (minibeams) were employed to determine whether such effects can be observed with clinically achievable doses and dose rates. Vascular permeability was assessed in the chick chorioallantoic membrane vasculature following minibeam irradiation delivered at peak doses (10 Gy) and dose rates (10 Gy/s and 0.05 Gy/s) approaching clinical relevance. Transient, reversible permeability could be induced at these dose rates beginning 1–2 h post-irradiation. This was followed by temporary vascular occlusion in the beam path that was resolved by 7 h when delivered at 10 Gy/s but persisted longer when delivered at 0.05 Gy/s. Despite these changes, vascular function was maintained at both dose rates by 24 h post-IR, differing only in the degree of regeneration. The induction of permeability was also maintained when using a clinical orthovoltage system further supporting the potential clinical application of minibeam radiation therapy.
Comparison of short controlled ankle motion boots and barefoot walking on spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution
Controlled ankle motion (CAM) boots are commonly recommended to protect the foot-ankle complex in reducing loading, continuing ambulation, and maintaining daily activities. However, maintaining a normal and comfortable gait while wearing CAM boots is quite challenging. The added weight of the CAM boot, coupled with reduced ankle work capacity, hinders the full execution of gait parameters, leading to spatiotemporal asymmetry. Different loads on the sole also increase the total mechanical work in the foot. The primary aim of this study was to investigate the impact of short CAM boots on spatiotemporal gait parameters and plantar pressure distribution. Twenty-four healthy participants were recruited for the study. The participants were asked to walk barefoot and wear bilateral short CAM boots at their comfortable speed. Spatiotemporal gait parameters, foot-pressure distribution, and force were evaluated with Zebris FDM-THM-S treadmill system (Zebris Medical GmbH, Germany) under both conditions, the right and left extremities were evaluated independently. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the spatiotemporal characteristics of the participants. Significant differences were observed between barefoot and CAM boot walking for all parameters(p < 0.05), except walking speed (p > 0.05). Short CAM boots walking showed a notable increase in the forefoot, midfoot, and hindfoot pressure distribution, with the highest rise in the midfoot region (p < 0.05). Short CAM boots cause an increase in pressure of the entire sole, therefore, caution should be taken before recommending this device, particularly in midfoot pathologies.
Assessment of sarcopenia in young patients with inflammatory arthritis: a cross-sectional study
Effect of co-encapsulation using white and red onion peel extract on the viability and stability of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus under stressful conditions
The study aimed to probe the effect of white and red onion extract on the viability and stability of encapsulated probiotics under stressed conditions. Intentionally, white and red onion peel extract was obtained and used with wall materials to encapsulate the probiotic. Symbiotic microcapsules were characterized for their morphological, molecular, and in vitro attributes. Similarly, free and co-encapsulated probiotics cells were also subjected to a simulated gastrointestinal assay. The SEM images demonstrated the successful encapsulation of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus within sodium alginate, along with white and red onion extract. The FTIR spectra showed the intermolecular interaction between the components of microcapsules. The in vitro assay showed that co-encapsulated probiotics showed better survival compared to free cells. In a nutshell, the co-encapsulation with red and white onion extract is an effective approach to enhance the viability of probiotics under stressed conditions.
Impact of delayed amputation on clinical outcomes compared to that of early amputation in patients with blunt polytrauma
An anomaly detection scheme for data stream in cold chain logistics
Anomaly detection is widely used in cold chain logistics (CCL). But, because of the high cost and technical problem, the anomaly detection performance is poor, and the anomaly can not be detected in time, which affects the quality of goods. To solve these problems, the paper presents a new anomaly detection scheme for CCL. At first, the characteristics of the collected data of CCL are analyzed, the mathematical model of data flow is established, and the sliding window and correlation coefficient are defined. Then the abnormal events in CCL are summarized, and three types of abnormal judgment conditions based on cor-relation coefficient ρjk are deduced. A measurement anomaly detection algorithm based on the improved isolated forest algorithm is proposed. Subsampling and cross factor are designed and used to overcome the shortcomings of the isolated forest algorithm (iForest). Experiments have shown that as the dimensionality of the data increases, the performance indicators of the new scheme, such as P (precision), R (recall), F1 score, and AUC (area under the curve), become increasingly superior to commonly used support vector machines (SVM), local outlier factors (LOF), and iForests. Its average P is 0.8784, average R is 0.8731, average F1 score is 0.8639, and average AUC is 0.9064. However, the execution time of the improved algorithm is slightly longer than that of the iForest.