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Research on the evaporation pressure calculation model of LNG tank container
The changes in pressure, temperature, and filling rate inside LNG tank container are related to non-destructive storage time. In order to solve these problems, it was necessary to understand the distribution of temperature, pressure and evaporation in the LNG storage tank during transportation. The study on the relationship between the initial filling rate and safe storage time is still rare. Based on the principle of mass conservation and energy conservation, the pressure calculation model of the horizontal low-temperature LNG tank was established and verified by an experiment. A study was conducted on the LNG tank container in Golmud-Lhasa, and experimental data such as pressure changes in LNG tank containers during transportation were obtained. The storage calculation results obtained by the model were compared with the experimental data. The research results show that the simulated calculated values agree well with the experimental values, there was an “optimal initial filling rate” in the LNG tank. When the initial filling rate was less than the optimal initial filling rate, the safe storage time of the tank increases with the increase of the initial filling rate. When the initial filling rate was greater than the optimal initial filling rate, the safe storage time of the tank decreases with the increase of the initial filling rate.
Publisher Correction: Performance prediction and optimization of a high-efficiency tessellated diamond fractal MIMO antenna for terahertz 6G communication using machine learning approaches
Distinct chromosome abnormality patterns for differential diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma and cholangiocarcinoma
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) are primary liver cancers with overlapping histopathological features, making accurate diagnosis challenging. This study aimed to identify chromosomal abnormalities that could aid in differentiating these cancers using chromosome microarray analysis (CMA). We analyzed ten frozen tumor tissues each of HCC and CCA, identifying distinct patterns of chromosomal gains and losses. HCC exhibited gains in regions 1p36.32, 1q23.3-q24.1, 3q21.3, 4p16.1, 5q31.1, and 11p15.5, and losses in 2p15, 3p11.1-q11.1, 4q12, 5p12-q11.1, 7q11.23, 14q23.2, 17p11.2, 17p13.3, 22q12.1, 22q12.2-q12.3, and 22q13.2. In contrast, CCA showed gains in 5p13.2, 5p14.1, 8p12-p11.23, 8p22, and 19p13.2, and losses in 1q31.1, 1q42.13, 3p25.3, 6p12.1, 6p25.3, and 17q21.33. Heatmap analysis revealed 17 distinct chromosomal regions between the two groups including 2q14.2, 4p16.3, 5q32, 7p14.3, 7p22.1, 7q11.21, 7q11.23, 7q21.3, 7q22.1, 10q21.3, 18q23, 19p13.2, 19q13.2, 21q21.3, 21q22.13, 22q11.21, and 22q12.2. Among these 1p36.32, 19p13.2, and 19q13.2 emerged as potential biomarkers for differential diagnosis. These findings may aid in confirming cases with overlapping histopathological features contribute to the development of diagnostic tools and improved targeted therapies for HCC and CCA.
Author Correction: MiR-571 affects the development and progression of liver fibrosis by regulating the Notch3 pathway
Retraction: Protective role of taurine against arsenic-induced mitochondria-dependent hepatic apoptosis via the inhibition of PKCδ-JNK pathway
Experimental study of shear strength and CBR improvement of silty clay soil reinforced with waste tires
Influence of scanning plane on Human Spinal Cord functional Magnetic Resonance echo planar imaging
Background Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) is based on the Blood Oxygenation Level Dependent contrast and has been exploited for the indirect study of the neuronal activity within both the brain and the spinal cord. However, the interpretation of spinal cord fMRI (scfMRI) is still controversial and its adoption is rather restricted because of technical limitations. Overcoming these limitations would have a beneficial effect for the assessment and follow-up of spinal injuries and neurodegenerative diseases. Purpose This study was aimed at systematically verifying whether sagittal scanning in scfMRI using EPI readout is a viable alternative to the more common axial scanning, and at optimizing a pipeline for EPI-based scfMRI data analysis, based on Spinal Cord Toolbox (SCT). Methods Forty-five healthy subjects underwent MRI acquisition in a Philips Achieva 3T MRI scanner. T2*-weighted fMRI data were acquired using a GE-EPI sequence along sagittal and axial planes during an isometric motor task. Differences on benchmarks were assessed via paired two-sample t-test at p < 0.05. Results We investigated the impact of the acquisition strategy by means of various metrics such as Temporal Signal to Noise Ratio (tSNR), Dice Coefficient to assess geometric distortions, Reproducibility and BOLD signal sensitivity to the stimulus. tSNR was higher in axial than in sagittal scans, as well as reproducibility within the whole cord mask (t = 7.4, p < 0.01) and within the GM mask (t = 4.2, p < 0.01). The other benchmarks, associated with distortion and functional response, showed no difference between images obtained along the axial and sagittal planes. Conclusions Quantitative metrics of data quality suggest that axial scanning would be the optimal choice. We conclude that axial acquisition is advantageous specially to mitigate the effects of physiological noise and to minimize inter-subject variance.
An integrated 3D model of water shutoff considering the gelation kinetics of nanosilica gel
Dose response comparison of Nipah virus strains Malaysia and Bangladesh in hamsters exposed by the intranasal or intraperitoneal route
Nipah virus, a zoonotic pathogen, can cause debilitating disease and death in humans. Currently, countermeasures are limited, with several in various stages of testing but none yet FDA-approved for human use. Evaluation of countermeasure candidates requires safety testing in humans, as well as efficacy testing against lethal challenge in animal models. Herein, we describe the characterization and comparison of the intraperitoneal and intranasal Syrian golden hamster models for Nipah virus strains Malaysia and Bangladesh. Overall, the intraperitoneal route of exposure resulted in a more consistent lethal outcome, regardless of virus strain. Therefore, the IP model was subsequently used to evaluate the use of Favipiravir as a potential positive control for future studies investigating NiV countermeasures. In contrast to prior reported results regarding Favipiravir in Nipah virus-infected hamsters, Favipiravir was only fifty percent effective at preventing death following lethal challenge, regardless of Nipah virus strain. The data suggest that Favipiravir is only partially protective against Nipah virus in hamsters, and, thus, would likely not be an ideal candidate as a positive control in future efficacy studies.
Steric and energetic studies on adsorption of toxic arsenic ions by hematite nano-rods from laterite highlighting the impact of modification periods
Children’s right to play in Chilean hospitals: A forgotten right?—A qualitative study protocol
Background Despite being a recognised human right (art. 31 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child), children’s right to play is still insufficiently researched, understood and, above all, implemented. In Chile, the National Child Health Programme recognises the importance of this right for the hospitalised children but makes its provision dependent on the hospital’s capacity. We therefore hypothesise that the provision of children’s right to play in Chilean hospital settings will be irregular, varying from institution to institution, possibly reflecting the existing socio-economic inequalities in the country, thereby leaving much room for improvement. Aims This study aims to collect qualitative data on the institutional arrangements and opportunities for children’s play in public hospitals in Chile. Specifically, our goal is to (a) interpret the conditions and opportunities for play that Chilean public hospitals provide to children and adolescents; (b) interpret institutional arrangements and professional experiences of children’s play in those institutions; (c) identify factors that favour and/or limit opportunities for children’s play in the Chilean hospital setting. Methods This is exploratory qualitative research, combining multiple and instrumental case study with ethnographic research. Its data collection techniques are semi-structured interviews with professionals in hospital settings (supported by a self-assessment questionnaire), and non-participant observations of hospital playrooms (and/or other play spaces). Conclusion This will be the first study to investigate children’s right to play in Chilean hospitals, with a particular focus on the extent of its implementation, its understanding among health professionals, as well as existing limitations and opportunities for its development.
Author Correction: Plasma bioactive adrenomedullin predicts mortality and need for dialysis in critical COVID-19
Infectious potential and circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in wild rats
Since the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a wide range of animal species (pets, mink…) have been naturally infected with this betacoronavirus. The emergence of new variants has increased the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to infect species that were not susceptible to the “original” SARS-CoV-2, such as mice and rats. This work attempted to evaluate the role of urban rats in the SARS-CoV-2 transmission by combining surveillance studies of rat populations in urban environments, in vivo experimental inoculation of SARS-CoV-2 and comparative viral-receptor interaction in silico analyses. We studied the circulation of SARS-CoV-2 in wild Rattus norvegicus (n = 401) captured in urban areas and sewage systems of several French cities. Except for 3 inconclusive samples (2/75 from Bordeaux and 1/261 from Lyon) none of the 353 sera tested showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies by microsphere immunoassay. However, the 3 inconclusive sera samples were negative by virus neutralisation assay. No SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA was detected in all lungs collected from the 401 captured urban brown rats. In complement, four rat groups (two wild-type colonies, Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus , and two laboratory strains, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar) were inoculated with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5. At 4 days post-inoculation, no infectious viral particles were detected in the lungs and upper respiratory tract (URT) while viral RNA was detected at a low level only in the URT of all groups. In addition, seroconversion was observed 14 days after inoculation in the four groups. By molecular modelling, the Omicron BA.5 receptor binding domain (RBD) had lower affinities for Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus ACE2 than Homo sapiens ACE2. Based on these results the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5 was unable to infect laboratory and wild type rats. In addition, Rattus norvegicus collected for this study in different areas of France were not infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Novel Flexible Ureteroscopic System for intrarenal pelvic and intracaliceal pressure measurement in porcine models
Editorial Note: Repeatability and reproducibility of eight macular intra-retinal layer thicknesses determined by an automated segmentation algorithm using two SD-OCT instruments
Maternal adiposity moderates associations between dietary, serum, and human milk n-3 and n-6 PUFA
The effect of the universal test and treat strategy on the kidney function in adults living with HIV in Zambia: A six-month multicenter cohort study
Background Kidney disease is prevalent among people living with HIV (PLHIV), especially in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), due to complications of HIV infection, co-morbidities, and antiretroviral therapy (ART). Despite SSA shouldering a disproportionate burden of HIV, there is limited data on the effect of clinical and demographic factors on the kidney with the introduction of the Test and Treat policy. This study aimed to determine the incidence and factors associated with kidney impairment among PLHIV on ART in the Southern Province of Zambia. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study among 1216 adult individuals living with HIV who initiated ART between January 1, 2014, and July 31, 2016 [before test-and-treat cohort (BTT), n = 814] and August 1, 2016, and October 1, 2020 [after test-and-treat cohort (ATT), n = 402] without kidney function impairment at baseline, followed for 6 months in 12 districts of the Southern Province. The primary outcome was kidney function impairment, defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of < 60 ml/min/1.73m² estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. We used multivariable logistic regression (xtlogit model) to identify factors associated with kidney function impairment. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results The median age was 36.4 years (interquartile range (IQR): 29.9, 43.3), and the majority of participants were women (57.2%, n = 695). Tenofovir Disoproxil Fumarate (TDF) and XTC exposure was noted among 1,173/1216 (96.5%) enrolled participants and 92.9% (26/28)of those with renal impairment. The overall cumulative incidence of kidney impairment was 2.3% (n = 28/1216: 95% confidence interval (CI) 3%, 5%), and it was higher BTT compared to the ATT (2.8% vs. 1.2%). Every unit increase in age was associated with an increased odds of having kidney function impairment (adjusted odds ratio (AOR):1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.09, p = 0.008).. Participants from urban facilities also had a higher risk (AOR: 5.14, 95% CI: 1.95–13.55, p < 0.001). In contrast, being enrolled after the implementation of the “test-and-treat” policy was associated with lower odds of having kidney function impairment (AOR: 0.45, 95% CI: 0.12–0.97, p = 0.042). Conclusions This study found a 2.3% incidence of kidney function impairment among PLHIV within 6 months of initiating ART. An increase in age and receiving care at an urban facility were positively associated with kidney function impairment, whereas ART enrollment following the implementation of the “test-and-treat” policy was negatively associated. This study highlights the benefits of early ART initiation on kidney function, reinforcing the need to maintain the universal test-and-treat policy.
The Laryngovibrogram as a normalized spatiotemporal representation of vocal fold dynamics
Abstract Laryngeal high-speed video (HSV)-endoscopy allows for fast, non-invasive diagnosis of voice disorders and forms the basis for a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the vocal folds’ (VFs’) spatiotemporal vibrational behavior. Previous approaches, such as the Phonovibrogram (PVG), describe the vibrational behavior of vocal folds (VFs) based exclusively on the time-varying glottal opening. However, focusing solely on the glottal area overlooks the full extent and dynamic behavior of the VF tissue, factors that are crucial for the voice production process. This complicates clinical interpretation and, thus, the comparability of vibrational dynamics in both cross-sectional and longitudinal interventional studies. To address these limitations, this work aims to extend the PVG to provide a more comprehensive representation of the vibrational behavior across the entire VF tissue. Here, we present the Laryngovibrogram (LVG), which is obtained by segmenting not only the glottal area but also the VFs’ tissue, providing a compact quantitative representation of the VFs’ vibrational behavior. The potential of the proposed LVG representation was investigated on 73 HSV recordings from healthy (38 HSVs) and pathological subjects (35 HSVs) in stationary as well as non-stationary phonations. It is demonstrated that the LVG reliably maps the vibrational behavior along the entire length of the VFs tissue for both physiological and pathological phonations. Compared to PVG-based measures, LVG-based measures exhibited greater stability in healthy subjects, allowing for a narrower normative range, and showed stronger effect sizes in differentiating clinical groups, suggesting a more robust assessment of vibratory impairments. By scaling the vibration amplitude relative to the length of the segmented VF tissue, the VF vibrations are normalized, enabling meaningful quantitative intra- and inter-individual comparisons. Additionally, calculating the angle enclosed by the two VFs makes it possible to analyze transient effects that occur during non-stationary phonation maneuvers, such as voice onset. By integrating information about the VF tissue, the LVG introduced here represents a paradigm shift in the analysis of laryngeal dynamics from focusing solely on the glottal area to a holistic analysis of the entire VF kinematics, which might improve pathology detection accuracy, reduce subjective assessment errors, and optimize treatment follow-ups, ultimately enhancing both clinical diagnostics and therapeutic outcomes.