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Mechanical behavior of CFRP partially confined coal cylinders under uniaxial compression
The loss of bearing capacity in abandoned coal pillars within air-mining areas is prone to cause surface settlement issues, which poses a serious threat to the safety of surface buildings. This paper thoroughly investigates the mechanical behavior of carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) partially-confined coal cylinders under uniaxial compression, aiming to explore a cost-effective technology for reinforcing coal pillars. The influence of CFRP strips on the axial compression performance of coal cylinders was systematically analyzed by adjusting two parameters: the net spacing ratio and the number of CFRP strip layers. The study shows that CFRP strip partially-confined coal cylinders and fully-confined coal cylinders exhibit similar mechanical properties, and the failure of partially-confined coal cylinders is mainly characterized by the fracture of CFRP strips and the localized fracturing of the coal cylinder. As the net spacing ratio decreases and the number of CFRP layers increases, the peak strength and deformation capacity of the coal cylinders are significantly improved, with the maximum enhancement rate reaching up to 409.36%. Under different confining conditions, the energy evolution pattern of CFRP-confined coal cylinders is generally consistent, with energy primarily accumulating in the form of elastic energy prior to reaching peak strength, and dissipated energy increasing sharply after peak strength is reached. Considering factors such as equivalent thickness, the amount of CFRP material used, and a comprehensive evaluation of economic benefits and performance enhancement, the optimal solution was identified as the CFRP confinement with a net spacing ratio of 0.25 and six layers of wrapping, offering the most cost-effective option.
Exploring patient and health care provider perspectives on barriers to diabetic retinopathy screening in public health facilities in North India
Abstract Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a prevalent microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), can be prevented with early detection and timely intervention. DR is asymptomatic in its early stages, highlighting the importance of screening for accurate referral and effective management. Multiple barriers impede access to diabetic retinopathy screening (DRS), creating significant public health challenges in regions with high DM prevalence. This study explores the perspectives of people with DM (PwDM) and healthcare providers (HCP) on these barriers. A qualitative study using in-depth interviews (IDI) was conducted between October 2022 and January 2023 in Punjab and Chandigarh. Through purposive sampling, IDIs were conducted with 7 PwDM and 19 HCPs, including retina specialists, ophthalmologists, optometrists, medical officers (MO), Community Health Officers (CHO), and ASHA workers from various public health facilities. A semi-structured topic guide facilitated the interviews, and thematic analysis was applied, utilizing the healthcare access barrier (HCAB) model as a framework. The study identified financial barriers due to insurance unawareness and employment constraints. Structural challenges included insufficient DRS infrastructure, untrained staff, the need for accompaniment, and limited access to screening sites. Limited awareness and misconceptions about DR characterized cognitive barriers, while psychological barriers involved mistrust of the health system, anxiety, and frustration from low vision. Addressing these issues is essential to improve DRS uptake and eye health outcomes. Managing diabetes and VTDR is challenging, highlighting the need for community-level DRS. Enhancing DR awareness and promoting public health insurance benefits are crucial for overcoming barriers and improving screening rates.
The association between material hardship and physical and mental health among older adults: Multi-channel sequence Approach
Older adults often face financial difficulties due to declining physical and cognitive abilities, and rising healthcare costs exacerbate these issues. Despite a general decrease in poverty, the rate among those aged 65 and older has increased. Material hardship is particularly relevant for older adults due to their complex healthcare needs. However, research on long-term material hardship patterns among older adults is limited and often focuses on only a few dimensions of hardship. This study aims to explore the long-term patterns of material hardship and their impact on well-being using data from the Health and Retirement Study. Employing multi-channel sequence analysis, we model various material hardship trajectories and examine their association with mental and physical health. Five distinct patterns of material hardship were identified, with the Multiply burdened group experiencing the most severe hardships, often linked to females, low education, and poverty. The findings highlight the significant negative effects of persistent material hardship on health, emphasizing the need for targeted policies and support programs to address the unique challenges faced by older adults, especially those related to housing and financial stress.
Study on the potential clinical significance of subclinical stent edge effects after drug-eluting stent implantation
Correction: Investigating the functional and structural effect of non-synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms in the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 gene: An in-silico study
DeCoTa: a lightweight decentralized cross-chain transfer scheme based on hash-locking
Association of a cleaner-burning stove with blood pressure in adults in rural Malawi
Background Hypertension is a leading risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and its association with household air pollution (HAP) in sub-Saharan Africa is understudied. Main objective To investigate the association between blood pressure (BP) and HAP exposure in a population-based cohort in rural Malawi. Materials and methods In the Chikwawa district, the site of a previous randomized controlled trial of a cleaner-burning cookstove intervention (the Cooking and Pneumonia Study or CAPS), we recruited 1,481 randomly selected adults. A subset (∼21%) were from participating households in CAPS. This cross-sectional analysis investigates associations of BP with stove type and, in a sample of participants, with particulate matter ≤ 2.5 μm diameter (PM2.5) and carbon monoxide (CO), both measured using 48-hour personal monitoring. Two main types of analysis were conducted: a) assessment of differences in mean systolic BP (SPB) and diastolic BP (DBP) among three groups based on stove use/type and b) assessment of the associations between PM2.5 and CO with mean SBP and DBP; both analyses using multivariable linear regression. Results Of the 1481 participants, 910 provided BP data. There was no difference for either mean SBP or DBP between the CAPS intervention and control groups. However, when comparing all CAPS participants (i.e., those provided cleaner-burning cookstoves by study’s end) to the non-CAPS group, mean SBP was reduced (-3.53 mmHg, 95% CI:-6.54,-0.52), but not DBP (-0.73 mmHg, 95% CI:-2.36,0.90). Of these, 599 participants also had ≥24 hours personal exposure monitoring data. Neither the log mean PM2.5 concentration nor the log mean CO concentration was associated with either SBP or DBP. Discussion In this cross-sectional study in non-pregnant adults to measure both exposure to HAP and blood pressure in sub-Saharan Africa, we found evidence for an association between receiving a cleaner-burning cookstove and reduced SBP, but no evidence for an association between BP and personal exposure to PM2.5 or CO.
The optimization of youth football training using deep learning and artificial intelligence
Exploring the role of environmental pollution and trade openness in human health in the context of sustainable development
Carbon-neutral development can significantly reduce the concentration of pollutants in the atmosphere and the occurrence of human health problems through the use of clean energy and promotion of energy efficiency. Both environmental pollution and trade openness are important factors that affect human health, and this paper verifies the relationship between the three by using systematic GMM modeling. The following conclusions are drawn: (1) At the national level, although trade openness inhibits human health, this effect is not significant. From the perspective of different regions, trade openness can enhance public health in the eastern region but is unfavorable to human health in the central and western regions. (2) Environmental pollution reduces the human health level in all regions; however, it is not significant in the eastern region, which is related to the high proportion of clean energy, and the central and western regions are mainly dominated by and overly dependent on the energy industry, thus causing serious negative impacts on the environment, which is not conducive to human health. (3) Urbanization and human health show a significant and homogeneous relationship in the national and eastern samples, fail the test of significance in the central region, and have a lower level of significance in the western region. Increases in public health expenditures reduce population mortality, and the effect is significant in all regions. Increasing population size has a significant dampening effect on human health at the national level and in the western and central regions, but there is a positive ameliorating effect in the eastern region. Environmental regulatory policies can be effective in reducing population mortality in all regions, thus enhancing human health.
Precision soil sampling strategy for the delineation of management zones in olive cultivation using unsupervised machine learning methods
Enhancing green bean crop maturity and yield prediction by harnessing the power of statistical analysis, crop records and weather data
Climate change impacts require us to reexamine crop growth and yield under increasing temperatures and continuing yearly climate variability. Agronomic and agro-meteorological variables were concorded for a large number of plantings of green bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) in three growing seasons over several years from semi-tropical Queensland. Using the Queensland government’s SILO meteorological database matched to sowing dates and crop phenology, we derived planting specific agro-meteorological variables. Linear and nonlinear statistical models were used to predict duration of vegetative and pod filling periods and fresh yield using agro-meteorological variables including thermal time, radiation and days of high temperature stress. High temperatures over 27.5∘C and 30∘C in the pod fill period were associated with a lower fresh bean yield. Differences between specific bean growing sites were examined using our bespoke open source software to derive agro-meteorological variables. Agronomically informed statistical models using production data were useful in predicting time of harvest. These methods can be applied to other commercial crops when crop phenology dates are collected.
Numerical study of the separation characteristics of gas mixtures with large mass difference in a strong rotating flow field
The prevalence and correlation of cancer-related fatigue and locomotive syndrome in geriatric cancer patients
Objective To explore the relationship between cancer-related fatigue (CRF) and locomotive syndrome (LS) among Chinese older adults with cancer. Methods This study was a cross-sectional survey. Staged random sampling method was employed to enroll 500 geriatric cancer patients from the Oncology Center of Jiangnan University Hospital in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China. Data were collected using General Information Questionnaire, Cancer Fatigue Scale and the Geriatric Locomotive Function Scale. χ2 test, Logistic regression analysis and Spearman analysis were utilized to analyze the data. Results A total of 466 geriatric cancer patients were enrolled in this survey. The occurrence of CRF was 43.8%, and the occurrence of LS was 30.9%. LS were risk factors for the occurrence of CRF in geriatric cancer patients. Advanced old age, fear of falling, comorbid with chronic diseases and CRF were risk factors for LS. CRF was positively associated with LS (r = 0.446, P < 0.001). Conclusion Our findings indicate a potential link between CRF and LS. By addressing LS from various aspects, including controlling the number of complications due to advanced old age and other factors, as well as spreading proper fall-related knowledge and controlling the awareness of fear of falling, healthcare professionals can indirectly alleviate CRF symptoms and improve the overall quality of life for these patients.
Investigating ferroptosis-related genes NFE2L2 in neutrophils for ankylosing spondylitis: therapeutic potential of cassia twigs
Risk management in POCT blood glucose monitoring: FMEA approach aligned with ISO 15189:2022
Objective Point-of-care testing (POCT) blood glucose meters provide rapid and convenient monitoring for clinical care and chronic disease management. However, their accuracy is often compromised by risks associated with personnel, equipment, and procedural inconsistencies. This study systematically assesses these risks using the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method and proposes control measures aligned with ISO 15189:2022 standards. Methods This study evaluated the risks associated with POCT blood glucose meters in clinical laboratory settings, encompassing the pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases. A multidisciplinary team employed FMEA to identify potential failure modes and their impacts. A risk matrix classified risks based on probability and severity, with “unacceptable” risks prompting targeted control measures. A follow-up assessment conducted three months later evaluated the effectiveness of these measures through feedback collection and quality control data analysis, ensuring effective risk mitigation in POCT practices. Results The risk assessment identified distinct issues at each hospital: Peking University Shenzhen Hospital faced significant risks related to inadequate performance verification prior to hospital entry, insufficient personnel training, and data management problems, while Wuhan Third Hospital primarily encountered challenges with inadequate training and insufficient calibration and inadequate quality control. Control measures implemented at Peking University Shenzhen Hospital included stringent validation protocols, comprehensive training systems, and automated data management. At Wuhan Third Hospital, the focus was on enhancing training oversight and establishing rigorous quality control measures and calibration Schedule. These interventions effectively reduced unacceptable risks and improved the safety and reliability of the monitoring process. Conclusion Integrating FMEA with ISO 15189:2022 provides a structured approach for identifying and mitigating risks in the use of POCT blood glucose meters. Implementing tailored measures significantly enhances POCT accuracy and reliability, offering clinical institutions effective strategies to improve quality and ensure better patient outcomes.
Comprehensive immunophenotyping reveals distinct tumor microenvironment alterations in anti-PD-1 sensitive and resistant syngeneic mouse model
Comparative effectiveness of different surgical timings on neurological outcomes for cranioplasty: Protocol for a prospective non-randomized controlled trial
Background Cranioplasty (CP), a surgical procedure that restores cranial integrity and potentially enhances neurological outcomes, is commonly performed following decompressive craniectomy for various reasons. However, there is considerable controversy and variation regarding the optimal timing for cranioplasty, particularly concerning its impact on neurological functional outcomes. This paper outlines the protocol for a multicenter, non-randomized controlled trial designed to investigate whether the timing of cranioplasty influences neurological outcomes. Methods/Design This study will be conducted from June 2025 to June 2026 across multiple clinical centers in China, targeting the enrollment of at least 500 adults aged 18-65 years with skull defects larger than 25 cm². Participants will be divided based on the timing of their cranioplasty relative to decompressive craniectomy into two groups: early (within 3 months post-decompression) and late (after 3 months). The primary outcome, assessed through the Barthel Index, will measure functional recovery 6 months post-surgery, with secondary outcomes including mortality, quality of life, cognitive performance and complication rates. Discussion This non-randomized clinical trial focuses on the neurological outcomes associated with different timings of cranioplasty. It is anticipated that the findings will contribute valuable insights and support more informed clinical decisions regarding the timing of cranioplasty. By comparing early and late cranioplasty, the trial aims to clarify how timing affects recovery and overall neurological improvement post-surgery. Trial Registration: ChiCTR2400094619