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4D trajectory prediction and conflict detection in terminal areas based on an improved convolutional network
At present, the passenger traffic volume of civil aviation is gradually increasing, and the scale of the airline network is gradually expanding. In order to optimize the air traffic service mode more safely and scientifically, the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) has proposed a new concept of trajectory based operation (TBO). According to the basic principle and core structure of TBO, aiming at improving the accuracy of Four Dimensional (4D) Trajectory prediction and the reliability of multi-trajectory flight conflict detection, the trajectory prediction model is established by using convolutional neural networks-bidirectional gated recurrent unit (CNN-BiGRU), and the conflict evaluation of prediction results is realized by using trajectory distance detection function. The simulation experiment shows that the simulation experiment is carried out by introducing the real automatic dependent surveillance-broadcast (ADS-B) historical track data in the terminal area of the busy airport. The experimental results are compared with the experimental results of the single long short-term memory (LSTM) model and the gated recurrent unit (GRU) model in the same data set. The results show that the CNN-BiGRU trajectory prediction model is superior to the comparison model in many evaluation indexes, and the conflict detection results can be evaluated for the future 800 seconds interval of the two trajectories.
Developing a nomogram model for predicting non-obstructive azoospermia using machine learning techniques
Integrated metagenomic and metabolomic analyses of the effects of total flavonoids of Rhizoma Drynariae on reducing ovariectomized-induced osteoporosis by regulating gut microbiota and related metabolites
TFRD has been widely used in China to treat osteoporosis (OP). However, the specific molecular mechanism of TFRD against OP has not been fully clarified. Our previous studies have also proved that TFRD could attenuate OP and the clinical equivalent dose of 67.5mg/kg/d is the effective dose for TFRD treating OP. Therefore, this study used 67.5mg/kg as the dosage of TFRD in combination with multi omics to investigate the mechanism of action of TFRD in the treatment of OP. The aim of this study was to further elucidate molecular mechanism of TFRD for treating OP based on metagenomic and metabolomic analyses. In this study, hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, micro computed tomography (micro-CT) and bone mineral density (BMD) analysis were used to observe pharmacological effects of TFRD against ovariectomized (OVX)-induced OP. Subsequently, multiomics analysis including metagenomics, untargeted and short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) metabolomics were carried out to identify whether the anti-osteoporosis mechanism of TFRD correlated with gut microbiota and related metabolites. Our results indicate that TFRD could improve the microstructure and density of trabecular bone in OVX rats. 17 differential species, which mainly from Akkermansia, Bacteroides, and Phascolarctobacterium genus, 14 related differential metabolites and acetic acid in SCFAs were significantly altered by OVX and reversed by TFRD. Furthermore, according to results of untargeted metabolomics analysis, it was found that several metabolic pathways such as phenylalanine metabolism, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis and so on might play an important role in TFRD against OP. In order to further study the relationship between gut microbiota and related metabolites, spearman correlation analysis was used, and showed that gut microbiota such as Akkermansia muciniphila might be closely related to several metabolites and metabolic pathways. These findings suggest that TFRD treatment could reduce the effects of OVX-induced OP by altering community composition and abundance of gut microbiota, regulating metabolites and SCFAs. It was speculated that the gut microbiota especially Akkermansia muciniphila and related metabolites might play an important role in TFRD against OP, and deserve further study by follow-up experiment. This conclusion provides new theoretical support for mechanism research of TFRD against OP.
Genome-wide identification and functional validation of the WW domain containing oxidoreductase gene associated with sleep duration
Specialised palliative care in nursing homes – Retrospective analysis on the basis of claims data
Background The aim of palliative care is to improve the quality of life of patients with a life limiting illness. In Germany, nursing homes are increasingly the last residence and a common place of death for older people. This renders these institutions as places with a high need for palliative care. However, the frequency of specialised palliative care services in nursing homes in Germany is often low. Objectives The aim of this study is 1) to analyse the types and frequencies of services provided by specialised ambulatory palliative care teams in nursing homes in the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, and 2) to examine whether the frequency of specialised palliative services in nursing homes is comparable to patients living in their private homes. Methods The analysis was based on data of the association of statutory health insurance physicians Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania (Germany), data of the statutory health insurance BARMER, and population data. All patients who received specialised ambulatory palliative care in nursing homes in the years 2015–2017 were included in the analysis. For the comparison of the utilisation of specialised ambulatory palliative care in nursing homes with patients in private households, two comparable groups were created using claims, population data and life-year-mortality tables of the general population. It was assumed that people ≥80 years with a life expectancy of <12 months were potential candidates for the utilisation of palliative care. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi-Square tests. Results In Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 6,096 patients received specialised ambulatory palliative care in the time period 2015 to 2017. Of these, 16.0% (n = 978) were nursing home residents. The median duration of specialised ambulatory palliative care in nursing homes was 12.0 days, for people in private households 27.2 days. The rate of patients receiving specialised ambulatory palliative care in nursing homes was 4.7%, for people in the comparable group in private households it was 9.2% (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Only a small number of nursing home residents received specialised ambulatory palliative care in their last year of life. The rate among those living in their own homes is about twice as high. The results indicate that nursing home residents may have less access to specialised ambulatory palliative care than patients living in private households. Specialised ambulatory palliative care services provision in nursing homes should be improved.
Physicochemical properties of plasma-activated water and associated antimicrobial activity against fungi and bacteria
Evaluation of four regimens of methyl aminolevulinate mediated by red light to treat actinic keratoses: A randomized controlled clinical protocol
The multifocality of actinic keratosis (AK), the unpredictability of lesion evolution with potential progression to squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and the consequent risk of local extension and metastasis, alongside the recent development of new therapies, make the selection of a therapeutic regimen challenging. The increasing incidence of this condition is associated with economic costs and its impact on quality of life, which has fostered interest in studying protocols for treating this skin condition. The topical application of 16% methyl aminolevulinate (MAL) is well-established in the literature for its local therapeutic effects and ease of application. However, the high cost of medication, long incubation time, and adverse effects such as itching and burning in some patients limit the dissemination of this treatment. Studies are needed to test other protocols of this promising therapy to increase acceptance among patients and professionals. Therefore, the objective of this protocol is to compare the efficacy of the topical application of MAL at concentrations of 8% and 16%, mediated by red light, as well as to evaluate the impact of different incubation times (1 or 3 hours) in the treatment of actinic keratoses on the face, with a 6-month follow-up. This parallel-arm, 6-month follow-up randomized controlled, double-blind clinical protocol will consist of 4 groups: G1 - Control Group - MAL 16% irradiated with 643 nm and 75 J/cm2 and 3-hour incubation time (n = 36), G2 - MAL 16% and 1-hour incubation (n = 36), G3 - MAL 8% - 3 hours (n = 36), and G4 - MAL 8% - 1 hour (n = 36). The primary outcome will be the complete remission of the lesion at six months. Secondary outcomes will include treatment success (75% reduction in the initial number of lesions), recurrence rate, emergence of SCC, incidence of adverse effects, and improvement in skin texture, wrinkles, and pigmentation using a validated scale. All outcomes will be assessed at 30 days, 3, and 6 months. At six months, quality of life will be assessed using the Actinic Keratosis Quality of Life questionnaire (AKQoL) and Face-Q. If data are normal, they will be subjected to 3-way ANOVA and presented as means ± standard deviation (SD). Otherwise, they will be presented as median and interquartile range and compared using the Kruskall-Wallis and Friedman tests. Categorical variables will be evaluated with the chi-square, Fisher’s exact, or likelihood ratio tests. A p-value < 0.05 will be considered significant.
Comparative analysis of Legionella lytica genome identifies specific metabolic traits and virulence factors
Abstract The complete genome of Legionella lytica PCM 2298 was sequenced and analyzed to provide insights into its genomic structure, virulence potential, and evolutionary position within the Legionella genus. The genome comprised a 3.2 Mbp chromosome and two plasmids, pLlyPCM2298_1 and pLlyPCM2298_2, contributing to a total genome size of 3.7 Mbp. Functional annotation identified 3,165 coding sequences, including genes associated with known virulence factors such as the major outer membrane protein (MOMP), the macrophage infectivity potentiator (Mip), and a comprehensive set of secretion systems (type II, type IVA, and type IVB Dot/Icm type IV secretion system). Notably, L. lytica contributed 383 unique genes to the Legionella pangenome, with 232 identified effector proteins, of which 35 were plasmid-encoded. The identification of unique genes, particularly those on plasmids, suggests an evolutionary strategy favoring horizontal gene transfer and niche adaptation. The effector repertoire included proteins with domains characteristic of host interaction strategies, such as ankyrin repeats and protein kinases. Comparative analyses showed that while L. lytica shares core virulence traits with other Legionella species, it has distinct features that may contribute to its adaptability and pathogenic potential. These findings underscore the genomic diversity within the genus and contribute to a deeper understanding of Legionella’s ecological and clinical significance. A custom web application was developed using the R Shiny library, enabling users to interactively explore the expanded Legionella pangenome through UpSet plots.
Process evaluation of Tuberculosis infection control and prevention practice at public health facilities in Tegede district, Northwest Ethiopia: Facility-based cross-sectional design
Background Tuberculosis Infection Prevention and Control practice (TB-IPC) is crucial to prevent nosocomial transmission of Tuberculosis (TB), especially in high-burden settings like Ethiopia. However, studies show that TB infection control practices among healthcare workers in Ethiopia are suboptimal. The study aims to evaluate TB-IPC practices at public health facilities in Tegede district, Northwest Ethiopia. Methods A facility-based cross-sectional design with mixed methods and a formative approach was used to evaluate the TB-IPC from May 1 to June 30, 2023. The practice was assessed using availability, compliance, and acceptability dimensions with 31 indicators. The quantitative data was collected from 525 clients using structured questionnaires. The data were coded, entered into EpiData version 4.6, and exported to SPSS version 25 for analysis. Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the predictor variables associated with client satisfaction. Furthermore, non-participatory direct observations, document reviews, and resource inventories were conducted. In the qualitative study, key informants were interviewed, and qualitative data were transcribed, translated, coded, and analyzed manually in themes. Result The overall implementation of TB-IPC practice was 54.4%. The availability dimension was 50.4%, compliance was 67.2%, and acceptability was 43.4%. A total of 525 clients participated, with a response rate of 96.2%. In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, occupation was the predicator variable with a p-value of <0.05. In total, 134 (25.5%) clients, with a 95% CI [22.0%, 29.4%], were satisfied with TB-IPC practices at public health centers in Tegede district. Conclusion The overall implementation of TB-IPC practices at public health facilities in Tegede district is currently poor and requires urgent improvement. Based on stakeholders’ judgment criteria, the dimensions of availability, compliance, and acceptability were rated as poor, fair, and poor, respectively. These findings provide a baseline understanding of how TB-IPC practices are implemented in Tegede district.
Author Correction: On modified Mittag–Leffler coupled hybrid fractional system constrained by Dhage hybrid fixed point in Banach algebra
A novel trajectory learning method for robotic arms based on Gaussian Mixture Model and k-value selection algorithm
In the field of robotic arm trajectory imitation learning, Gaussian Mixture Models are widely used for their ability to capture the characteristics of complex trajectories. However, one major challenge in utilizing these models lies in the initialization process, particularly in determining the number of Gaussian kernels, or the k-value. The choice of the k-value significantly impacts the model’s performance, and traditional methods, such as random selection or selection based on empirical knowledge, often lead to suboptimal outcomes. To address this challenge, this paper proposes a novel trajectory learning method for robotic arms that combines Gaussian Mixture Model with a k-value selection algorithm. The proposed approach leverages the principles of the elbow method along with the properties of exponential functions, correction terms, and weight adjustments to accurately determine the optimal k-value. Next, k-means clustering is applied with the optimal k-value to initialize the parameters of the Gaussian Mixture Model, which are then refined and trained through the Expectation-Maximization algorithm. The resulting model parameters are then employed in Gaussian Mixture Regression to generate the robotic arm trajectories. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated through both simulation experiments with two-dimensional theoretical nonlinear dynamic systems and physical experiments with actual robotic arm data. Experimental results demonstrate that, compared to the traditional Gaussian Mixture Model approach, the proposed method improves trajectory accuracy by more than 15%, as shown by reductions in both the Mean Absolute Error and the Root Mean Square Error. These results highlight that the proposed method significantly enhances the accuracy and efficiency of robotic arm trajectory generation, providing a promising solution for improving robotic manipulation tasks.
Tongue coating microbial communities vary in children with Henoch-Schönlein purpura
Retrospective and statistical analysis of hand and forearm injuries in the Silesian pediatric population – study of post-traumatic X-rays in 2022
Background and objectives Upper limb injuries are a common occurrence in the pediatric demographic, particularly wrist injuries, which constitute a noteworthy subset. Fractures involving the forearm, wrist, and phalanges are recurrent reasons prompting visits to emergency departments. This investigation endeavors to offer a comprehensive insight into hand and forearm fractures within the pediatric cohort, delineating data across various age groups, gender distributions, and fracture location. Materials and methods This study involved data from the reports of 834 post-traumatic wrist X-ray examinations conducted in 2022 at the Department of Diagnostic Imaging of the Upper Silesian Child Health Centre. The analysis included bone injuries, the age and gender of the child, the nature of the lesions, and anatomical location of the injury. The study group consisted of 327 girls and 511 boys, who were on average 11.4 ± 3.6 and 12.0 ± 3.8 years old, respectively. Results There were 273 single fractures and 66 multiple fractures in the study group. The highest number of fractures were recorded in the metacarpal bones (29,2%), among which the fifth meta-carpal bone was the most frequently injured (14,5%). The second most common fracture was in the forearm (28,9%). There were 55 phalangeal fractures in the study group (16,2%). Conclusions The risk of fractures is statistically highest among boys, peaking at 12 years of age. The metacarpal bones and the radius are most susceptible to fractures. The likelihood of fractures in the right and left hand is similar in females, whereas males are more likely to sustain injuries to the right hand.
Optimization of photodegradation of acid blue 1 dye on aluminosilicate supported Cu doped TiO2 magnetic nanocatalyst using response surface methodology
Geriatrics as a specialty: Insights from Mexican medical students’ decision-making process
Main objective To identify the elements associated with the decision to select or reject geriatrics as a medical specialty in Mexico. Methods Qualitative, with the focus group technique to obtain data. Two groups included students who rejected geriatrics, regardless of the specialty they chose, and two groups included students who chose geriatrics, interviews via Zoom were conducted. Data was analyzed qualitatively based on grounded theory. Results Thirty-four students were included in the final sample (52% women), mainly from the Central region of the country (44%). Students were mainly in their last year of medical school (97%). Previous experiences with older patients and older close relatives, both positive and negative, were important in choosing the specialty of geriatrics for most students. In contrast, personality, and interpretation of the experiences as good or bad was the main differentiator between groups. For those who did not choose geriatrics, the main factor was the lack of knowledge regarding contents, aims, and professional opportunities for geriatricians. Previous experiences with geriatric care influenced positively towards choosing geriatrics as a medical specialty. High-quality, structured exposure to geriatrics should be encouraged among medical students in order to increase knowledge and eventually interest in the specialty.
Effects of Nanoscale precipitates on mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility in Zn-Mn alloy
Abstract Controlling degradation rate is essential for the biomedical application of biodegradable Zn alloys. Alloying with soluble elements is an effective way to regulate formation of second phases, which differ in potential from the Zn matrix. The potential difference exhibits positive or negative effects on corrosion resistance. This study successfully forms MnZn13 phase with nano size by altering ECAP temperature. Subsequently, MnZn13 phase promotes grain refinement, improvement of elongation, and corrosion resistance. Higher elongation in Zn-Mn alloy with MnZn13 phase is attributed to the grain boundary sliding, deformation twins in MnZn13 phase. Meanwhile, grain boundary corrosion in Zn-Mn alloy with MnZn13 phase is incomplete. Corrosion mode of Zn-Mn alloys without MnZn13 phase is dominated by grain boundary corrosion, accompanied by pitting corrosion. The increased corrosion resistance from MnZn13 phase stems from its higher potential than Zn matrix. Zn-Mn alloys with and without MnZn13 phase show a comparable cytocompatibility and osteogenic properties. Our findings provide an effective way to regulating mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Zn alloys via controlling precipitation.
NOTCH1 promotes the elevation of GM-CSF and IL-6 through the EZH2/STAT3 pathway to facilitate the fibrotic state of the myocardium in DLBCL
Objective Investigate the role of the Neurogenic locus notch homolog protein 1 (NOTCH1) signaling pathway in Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL)-related heart pathogenesis. Methods Utilize R (version 4.2.1) to retrieve DLBCL and myocardial infarction datasets from the GEO database, normalize data with limma, perform differential analysis and GO analysis with GOplot, and visualize findings with ggplot2. Various assays were conducted including stable cell line construction, myocardial infarction modeling, imaging, Western Blot, ELISA, staining, and functional assays. Results Significant gene expression and pathway disparities were found between DLBCL and myocardial infarction samples. NOTCH1, The molecules named Recosomal-binding protein 70 (RBP-J), zeste 2 polycomb repressive complex 2 subunit (EZH2), trimethylated histone H3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3), Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription 3 (STAT3) and Jumonji domain containing-3 (JMJD3) matters a lot in DLBCL. NOTCH1 inhibition decreased DLBCL cell proliferation and activity, reduced inflammatory factors, and improved myocardial fibrosis and infarction severity. NOTCH1 inhibits Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and Interleukin-6 (IL-6) expressions depending on STAT3 and EZH2. Co-culturing with DLBCL cells increased fibroblast proliferation, invasion, and fibrosis. Conclusion NOTCH1 signaling influences DLBCL development and myocardial infarction severity through the EZH2/STAT3 pathway, leading to increased heart fibrosis.
Diabetic retinopathy detection via exudates and hemorrhages segmentation using iterative NICK thresholding, watershed, and Chi2 feature ranking
The political economy of reshoring: Evidence from the semiconductor industry
States have increasingly taken steps to reshore manufacturing by shifting production back home from abroad. Although the literature on responses to globalization is increasingly robust, scholars tend to focus on the political consequences of economic dislocations, the effectiveness of government policies intended to roll back globalization, and the macroeconomic consequences of such policies. Our research is among the first to study public attitudes toward reshoring, including the basis of support, demographic variation, and sensitivity to factors like consumer prices. We advance hypotheses about the role of national security considerations and economic self-interest in shaping why and under what conditions the public backs incentives and investments that bring manufacturing home. We field two pre-registered survey experiments to representative samples of the American public, finding that US citizens support reshoring in most cases, irrespective of political party. Only the prospect of severe price increases and reshoring from geographically proximate allies moderate these responses. Our findings advance literatures on reshoring and public attitudes toward economic relationships, with implications for policy as governments consider reshoring a range of industries from technology to pharmaceuticals.