Browse Articles

Research on the low-frequency band gap characteristics of longitudinal vibration of ship shafting based on bionic quasi-zero stiffness metamaterials

A Second Near-Infrared Window-Responsive Metal–Organic-Framework-Based Photosensitizer for Tumor Immunotherapy via Synergistic Ferroptosis and STING Activation

Early enteral nutrition with fructooligosaccharides improves prognosis in severe acute pancreatitis

Developing and improvement from depression at 4 years after childbirth: insights from the Fukushima Health Management Survey

Automated grading of oleaster fruit using deep learning

Mechanical, structural, electronic, magnetic, and thermomagnetic properties of the full-Heusler Fe2MnAs1−xSix alloy using DFT and Monte Carlo simulation

Adaptive grid resilient based protection method for multi fault scenarios in medium voltage quintuple DC microgrid system

Abstract Multi-microgrid systems offer a versatile solution to many of the challenges including issues on power glitches, grid flow optimization, stability and protection system malfunction faced by traditional centralized power grids. By enhancing resilience, integrating renewable energy, improving efficiency, and supporting economic and environmental goals, they represent a forward-looking approach to modern energy management. Despite of technological progress in fault current detection, significant challenges oriented to false tripping and protection blinding in multi- microgrid structures compared to single microgrid topology still remain unresolved. The primary aspects that require focus while multigrid resilience includes fast fault detection and interruption, nuisance tripping and blinding of protection. This paper enhances the fault isolation speed by proposing adaptive grid resilient scheme (AGRS) with fault identification method using level order tree traversal (LOTT) and Bidirectional Dial’s algorithm, which functions with the assistance of MGMFDS (Microgrid Monitoring Fault Detection System). The presented work analyses the implementation of the proposed adaptive algorithm and tested for various types of faults in a 35-bus quintuple system, where its efficacy in interrupting the fault takes 2.64 ms. The experiments for the proposed work are conducted using a real time simulator for model in loop (MIL) and control hardware in loop (CHIL) testing.

Pythium insidiosum-antigen enhances neutrophil-mediated killing of zoospores

Genome-wide profiling of circulating microRNAs in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis and their relation to spinal deformity severity, and disease pathophysiology

Effects of mobile application interventions on quality of life in patients with cancer: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Cancer is a public health burden that seriously affects patients’ daily quality of life. Mobile applications are increasingly being used in the field of health promotion, but the intervention effect of mobile apps on the quality of life of cancer patients is still inconsistent. Methods We will use key words and medical subject headings to search for randomized controlled trials in nine databases until January 10, 2024. The quality of the studies will be assessed using the risk of bias tool recommended in the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool, and a pooled analysis of data will be conducted using random effects models to assess the impact of mobile application interventions on pain and quality of life in cancer patients. Results We will publish our findings in a peer-reviewed journal. Conclusion We will draw conclusions based on the outcomes of the systematic review and meta-analysis. Prospero registration number CRD42024497649.

Thioredoxin related transmembrane protein 1acts as a prognostic indictor and promotes proliferation and TMZ resistance of lower-grade glioma

Correction: Barriers and facilitators to implementing comprehensive sex education in Texas public schools: A qualitative study

Social first impressions and perceived gender in autistic and non-autistic youth

“I don’t see a reason why we should be hidden from view”: Views of a convenience sample of people living with HIV on sharing HIV status data in routinely collected health and care databases in England

Introduction People living with HIV (PLWH) now have near-normal life-expectancy, but still experience stigma, and HIV status is treated as sensitive health information. When UK healthcare patient data is curated into anonymised datasets for research, HIV diagnostic codes are stripped out. As PLWH age, we must research how HIV affects conditions of ageing, but cannot do so in current NHS research datasets. We aimed to elicit views on HIV status being shared in NHS datasets, and identify appropriate safeguards. Methods We conducted three focus groups with a convenience sample of PLWH recruited through HIV charities, presenting information on data governance, data-sharing, patient privacy, law, and research areas envisaged for HIV and ageing. Each focus group involved two presentations, a question session, and facilitated breakout discussion groups. Discussions were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Results 37 PLWH (age range 23-58y) took part. The overarching theme was around trust, both the loss of trust experienced by participants due to previous negative or discriminatory experiences, and the need to slowly build trust in data-sharing initiatives. Further themes showed that participants were supportive of data being used for research and health care improvements, but needed a guarantee that their privacy would be protected. A loss of trust in systems and organisations using the data, suspicion of data users’ agendas, and worry about increased discrimination and stigmatisation made them cautious about data sharing. To rebuild trust participants wanted to see transparent security protocols, accountability for following these, and communication about data flows and uses, as well as awareness training about HIV, and clear involvement of PLWH as full stakeholders on project teams and decision-making panels. Conclusions PLWH were cautiously in favour of their data being shared for research into HIV, where this could be undertaken with high levels of security, and the close involvement of PLWH to set research agendas and avoid increased stigma.

Blockchain-integrated IoT device for advanced inspection of casting defects

Set stability and synchronization of generalized asynchronous probabilistic Boolean networks with impulsive effects

This paper investigates the set stability of generalized asynchronous probabilistic Boolean networks (GAPBNs) with impulsive effects. To this end, an efficient algorithm is designed to determine the largest invariant set of a given set. A necessary and sufficient criterion is then derived to determine set stability of GAPBNs with impulsive effects. Subsequently, the global stability and synchronization of GAPBNs with impulsive effects were verified by selecting different sets. Finally, examples are given to illustrate the results on set stability and synchronization.

Observation of Kelvin–Helmholtz billows in the marine atmospheric boundary layer by a ship-borne Doppler wind lidar

Abstract Kelvin–Helmholtz billows (KHB) and the associated turbulence characteristics in the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) are mainly investigated through simulations and limited observations. Traditional methods using in-situ wind sensors are constrained by mast height, resulting in a limited understanding of KHBs at higher altitudes. Lidar remote sensing provides a promising approach for studying KHBs at altitudes above 100 m. This study presents observations of KHBs in the marine ABL above 600 m, through ship-borne lidar observations. Two Doppler wind lidars, one scanning lidar, and one wind profiler, were installed for several months on a crew transfer vessel, operating in the Rødsand 2 wind farm off the coast of Denmark. On 2023-02-22, KHBs were detected between 600 and 800 m altitude over 10 min. The standard deviation of vertical turbulence was found to increase by a factor of two during KHB occurrence. The power spectral density of vertical fluctuations showed a greater increase in the frequency range below 0.1 Hz, with a peak indicating a periodic pattern with a period of 55 s. The kurtosis of the vertical component also showed a large increase near the edge of the billows, as documented in the scientific literature for billows occurring near the surface. The billows triggered a downward mixing of aerosols and momentum to around 550 m. Although no interaction between the wind farm and the KHBs was observed, we hypothesise that KHB may reduce wind farm wake losses in shallower stable layers above the farm by enhancing vertical mixing and downward momentum transport.

Diagnosis of neonatal and adult sepsis using a Serum Amyloid A lateral flow test

Sepsis is the overwhelming immunological response to infection, which if not treated can lead to multi-organ failure, shock and death. Specifically, neonatal sepsis results in 225,000 neonatal deaths globally per annum. Moreover, Uganda experiences one of the highest materno-fetal death rates (62,000 p.a.), with neonatal sepsis deaths at approximately 6,500 p.a.. The difficulty in diagnosing neonatal sepsis lies in the non-specific signs and symptoms associated with sepsis and an absence of definitive sepsis-specific biomarkers. However, serum amyloid A (SAA) detection has potential as a superior biomarker for the diagnosis of probable neonatal sepsis. Herein, in ethically-approved studies we have deployed a competitive lateral flow test (NeoSep-SAA (research-use only)) to detect SAA in whole blood at patient bedside in a resource-limited environment. Results are available within 10 minutes and test format is compatible with small blood volumes available from neonates (5 μl). NeoSep-SAA exhibited a high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of adult sepsis, and in neonates showed a sensitivity and specificity of 92% (89%, 95%) and 73% (68%, 77%) with PPV and NPV of 78% (75%, 81%) and 90% (86%, 93%), respectively (n = 714 individuals; 95% CI). NeoSep-SAA showed superior sensitivity for neonatal sepsis over C-Reactive Protein detection (sensitivity: 37%), albeit with some sacrifice of specificity. NeoSep-SAA enabled rapid diagnosis, which combined with minimally-invasive blood withdrawal, was less stressful for neonates. Overall, NeoSep-SAA can readily identify infection/inflammation and has the potential to enable rapid and informed clinical decisions to combat sepsis. This approach has potential to improve neonatal sepsis detection and reduce neonatal mortality in line with United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.2 objectives.

The impact of the combined application of biochar and organic fertilizer on the growth and nutrient distribution in wheat under reduced chemical fertilizer conditions

Impact of mothers’ and fathers’ math self-concept of ability, child-specific beliefs and behaviors on girls’ and boys’ math self-concept of ability

The present study investigated the longitudinal direct and indirect relations between mothers’ and fathers’ math ability self-concept, their child-specific math performance expectations and encouragement of math and science-related activities at home, and girls’ and boys’ math ability self-concept. Structural equation models were performed with longitudinal data from three waves of the Childhood and Beyond Study (CAB). The final sample consisted of 517 children and their mothers and fathers. The majority of children attended 2nd (26.1%), 3rd (25.5%) or 5th (40.4%) grade at first measurement point. Our results suggest that mothers and fathers with higher math ability self-concepts had higher expectations of their sons and encouraged their sons more, but not their daughters. Fathers’ math ability self-concept was indirectly related to the self-concept of their sons and this association was mediated by performance expectations. Furthermore, both boys and girls profited from their fathers’ expectations and girls benefitted from their fathers’ encouragement of math and science-related activities at home. In contrast, we found no effects from mothers’ beliefs and behaviors on child’s math ability self-concept. The findings underscore the relevance of fathers’ educational participation in the development of the math self-concept of ability of their children.