Search

The sloshing in a tank with a specific geometric shape containing fluid was modeled numerically to reduce its effects by applying a porous medium to the tank wall. The thickness and position of the porous layer and the geometric shape of the tank were investigated as the main parameters to select an optimal approach to reduce the effects of sloshing. Different fluid tank filling percentages (Hw/Htot) were evaluated. Results indicate that performance at Hw/Htot = 0.33 and two tank modes with and without a porous environment layer have the greatest impact on reducing sloshing. A thickness of 30 cm and placement on the side walls are determined to be the ideal thickness and location of the porous layer. A porous layer with a thickness (t) relative to the tank length at the middle (Lm), t/Lm= 0.1 applied to the side walls of the tank effectively reduces the pressure by 65%. This study provided suggestions for the aspect ratio of a chamfered tank designed against sloshing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers show promise for wound healing by facilitating active agent delivery, moisture retention, and tissue regeneration. However, selecting suitable dressings for diverse wound types and managing varying exudate levels remains challenging. This study synthesized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from citrate salt and thiourea using a hydrothermal method. The CQDs displayed antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. A nanoscaffold comprising gelatin, chitosan, and polycaprolactone (GCP) was synthesized and enhanced with silver nanoparticle-coated CQDs (Ag-CQDs) to form GCP-Q, while citrate addition yielded GCP-QC. Multiple analytical techniques, including electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, UV–Vis, photoluminescence, X-ray diffraction, porosity, degradability, contact angle, and histopathology assessments characterized the CQDs and nanofibers. Integration of CQDs and citrate into the GCP nanofibers increased porosity, hydrophilicity, and degradability—properties favorable for wound healing. Hematoxylin and eosin staining showed accelerated wound closure with GCP-Q and GCP-QC compared to GCP alone. Overall, GCP-Q and GCP-QC nanofibers exhibit significant potential for skin tissue engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context Omnipod DASH Insulin Management System is a tubeless insulin pump that overcomes the physical inconveniences of conventional tubed insulin pump therapy (IPT). Objective We compared treatment satisfaction with Omnipod DASH System to usual care (multiple daily injections [MDIs] or tubed IPT) in adults with type 1 diabetes using self-monitoring blood glucose (SMBG). Methods Adults with type 1 diabetes on MDI (n = 40) or IPT (n = 25) from 4 diabetes centers in Australia were randomly assigned in a 1:1 nonblinded manner to Omnipod DASH System (Omnipod group) or continue usual care (Usual Care group) for 12 weeks, followed by a further 12-week extension during which all participants used the device. The primary outcome was treatment satisfaction assessed by change in Diabetes Technology Questionnaire "current" (ΔDTQ-current) score at 12 weeks (study end). Secondary outcomes included ΔDTQ-current following extension and other participant-reported outcomes (PROs) measuring quality of life, burden of disease treatment, and glycemic and device-related outcomes at 12 weeks (study end) and 24 weeks (end extension). Results Treatment satisfaction improved more in the Omnipod group vs the Usual Care group (ΔDTQ-current score of 16.4 [21.2] vs 0.0 [12.8]; P <.001) at study end. Significantly greater improvements in other PROs and glycated hemoglobin A1c were also observed. Improvements in DTQ-current and other PROs comparing study end and end extension were similar. While percentage in time in range change from baseline did not differ at study end (−2.0 [12.7] %), it was significantly greater at end extension (5.6 [10.9] %; P =.016). Conclusion The Omnipod DASH System resulted in greater treatment satisfaction at 12 weeks in adults with type 1 diabetes using SMBG that was sustained after 24 weeks of device use without compromising sleep quality and fear of hypoglycemia. Improvements in glycemia were also observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary stones are a growing disease that results from pathological biomineralization. Cassia fistula Lin. is traditionally used to treat urinary stones. However, no scientific evidence is available to prove its antilithiatic effect. This study evaluates the antilithiatic potential of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Cassia fistula Lin. fruit (Cff) against calcium oxalate kidney stones. Forty‐two male Wistar rats were divided into seven groups (n = 6/group): Group I (control), Group II (rats treated with ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride developed nephrolithiasis after 28 days), Group III (lithiatic rats receiving distilled water for 30 days), Group IV and V (lithiatic rats receiving aqueous extract of Cff at doses of 1 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 30 days, respectively) and Group VI and VII (lithiatic rats receiving ethanolic extract of Cff at doses of 1 and 100 mg/kg body weight for 30 days, respectively). Some parameters of urine and serum, and also renal oxidative stress and histopathology were used to determine the antilithiatic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extract of Cff. Therefore, the types of extracts of Cff improved abnormal levels of urine, serum, and renal oxidative stress and histopathology parameters. This antilithiatic effect of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cff, can be attributed to the anti‐crystallization and antioxidant properties of the extracts and the ability to improve urine and serum biochemistry. Research Highlights: Ethylene glycol and ammonium chloride‐induced urolithiasis, aggregation of calcium oxalate deposits, increase of some urinary and serum parameters, relative kidney weight, kidney size and MDA activity, decrease of some urinary parameters, relative body weight and SOD activity.Aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Cassia fistula Lin. lead to the treatment of urolithic rats by decreasing levels of urinary oxalate, phosphate, urea, serum urea, uric acid, creatinine, calcium, phosphate, MDA, kidney weight and kidney size, increasing levels of urinary calcium, creatinine, magnesium, citrate, body weight and SOD activity in the kidney, eliminating CaOx deposition (esp. ethanolic extract). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Despite its importance to global health, hydatid disease remains difficult to diagnose and control without accurate and accessible diagnostic tools. A One Health approach is necessary for cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic disease affecting humans and animals. Antibodies detection of Echinococcus granulosus by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting can confirm CE diagnosis, particularly in cases where other techniques may fail. A correct and early diagnosis is fundamental to determining the treatment outcome of the CE patient. Nanotechnologies and nanobiosensors have advanced diagnostic capabilities in recent years. The development of nanobiosensors has the potential to bridge the gap between human and veterinary diagnostics, enabling more integrated surveillance and control strategies. Nanobiosensors present a significant step forward in CE detection in resource-constrained settings when integrated into field-based surveillance systems. Due to their portability and ease of use, these sensors can be used as point-of-care diagnostic devices, enabling timely, decentralized diagnosis. Ensuring access to advanced laboratory tools in regions with limited access is crucial. Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonotic disease affecting humans and animals. Despite a lack of clarity about many details of parasite–intermediate host interactions, the nature of the immune responses triggered by hydatid infection has revealed new perspectives. This study discusses the latest advances in elucidating the immunologic mechanism of echinococcosis and its detection and potential approaches to enhance serodiagnosis accuracy. Moreover, nanobiosensors have been evaluated according to their potential to improve treatment efficiency and aid in an early diagnosis of cystic echinococcosis. The serum of an intermediate host can diagnose CE by analyzing antibodies induced by Echinococcus granulosus. Among the most notable features of this method are its noninvasive ability and high sensitivity, both of which make it an excellent tool for clinical diagnosis. Several serological tests, including ELISAs and immunoblotting, can detect these antibodies to assess the disease's state and determine the treatment outcome. A thorough understanding of what cross-reactivity means and the stage of the disease are crucial to interpreting serological results. Nanobiosensors have also proven better than conventional biosensors in detecting hydatid cysts. Additionally, they are highly sensitive and versatile when detecting specific biomarkers, improving diagnostic accuracy. These immunomodulatory molecules, induced by E. granulosus, are a good candidate for diagnosing cystic echinococcosis because they alter intermediate host immune responses. Hydatid cyst detection is also enhanced through nanobiosensors, which provide better accuracy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper develops a numerical code for modelling liquid sloshing. The coupled boundary element-finite element method was used to solve the Laplace equation for inviscid fluid and nonlinear free surface boundary conditions. Using Nakayama and Washizu's results, the code performance was validated. Using the developed numerical mode, we proposed artificial neural network (ANN) and genetic algorithm (GA) methods for evaluating sloshing loads and comparing them. To compare the efficiency of the suggested methods, the maximum free surface displacement and the maximum horizontal force exerted on a rectangular tank's perimeter are examined. It can be seen from the results that both ANNs and GAs can accurately predict ηmax and Fmax. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trimodal polymerization of polyethylene has become a research interest in recent years due to its excellent potential for altering material properties and overcoming the limitations of the bimodal process. Here, we have comprehensively investigated the effects of manipulating polymerization parameters, such as split value (SV), hydrogen‐to‐ethylene ratio (H2/C2), and stage switching, on the rheological, thermal, and mechanical properties of synthesized trimodal high‐density polyethylene (HDPE). The synthesized samples were obtained through three consecutive stages in a slurry lab‐scale reactor. The results of molten state analysis demonstrate that recipe modification, particularly SV and H2/C2 balancing in the second and third stages, had a dramatic effect on the rheological properties including dynamic moduli, G′‐G″ crossover, and the shear‐thinning behavior. Concurrently, improvements in physio‐mechanical properties, such as sagging behavior and slow crack growth resistance (SCG), were observed compared to the bimodal resin. The thermal characterization indicates that the polymerization adjustments made did not notably impact the thermal properties of HDPE samples (e.g., Tm), throughout the all‐recipe manipulation. However, minor fluctuations in crystallinity and crystallization kinetics were observed which was presumably attributed to the molecular weight of the final resin. Overall, in our trimodal polymerization recipe, the HDPE powder is within the specified range of particle size distribution, which ensures excellent bulk density and flowability. Highlights: Influence of polymerization parameters such as split value, H2/C2, and stage switching in properties of trimodal HDPE.HDPE resin received from split value and H2/C2 balancing have superior SCG and sagging resistance.All HDPE samples synthesized by different recipes have similar thermal properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: To evaluate radiation exposure in standard interventional radiology procedures using a twin robotic X-ray system compared to a state-of-the-art conventional angiography system. Methods: Standard interventional radiology procedures (port implantation, SIRT, and pelvic angiography) were simulated using an anthropomorphic Alderson RANDO phantom (Alderson Research Laboratories Inc. Stamford, CT, USA) on an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray scanner (Multitom Rax, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany) and a conventional below-the-table angiography system (Artis Zeego, Siemens Healthineers, Forchheim, Germany). The phantom's radiation exposure (representing the potential patient on the procedure table) was measured with thermoluminescent dosimeters. Height-dependent dose curves were generated for examiners and radiation technologists in representative positions using a RaySafe X2 system (RaySafe, Billdal, Sweden). Results: For all scenarios, the device-specific dose distribution differs depending on the imaging chain, with specific advantages and disadvantages. Radiation exposure for the patient is significantly increased when using the Multitom Rax for pelvic angiography compared to the Artis Zeego, which is evident in the dose progression through the phantom's body as well as in the organ-related radiation exposure. In line with these findings, there is an increased radiation exposure for the performing proceduralist, especially at eye level, which can be significantly minimized by using protective equipment (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this study, the state-of-the-art conventional below-the-table angiography system is associated with lower radiation dose exposures for both the patient and the interventional radiology physician compared to an above-the-table twin robotic X-ray system for pelvic angiographies. However, in other clinical scenarios (port implantation or SIRT), both devices are suitable options with acceptable radiation exposure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Offshore wind-turbine (OWT) support structures are subjected to cyclic dynamic loads with variations in loadings from wind and waves as well as the rotation of blades throughout their lifetime. The magnitude and extent of the cyclic loading can create a fatigue limit state controlling the design of support structures. In this paper, the remaining fatigue life of the support structure for a GE Haliade 6 MW fixed-bottom jacket offshore wind turbine within the Block Island Wind Farm (BIWF) is assessed. The fatigue damage to the tower and the jacket support structure using stress time histories at instrumented and non-instrumented locations are processed. Two validated finite-element models are utilized for assessing the stress cycles. The modal expansion method and a simplified approach using static calculations of the responses are employed to estimate the stress at the non-instrumented locations—known as virtual sensors. It is found that the hotspots at the base of the tower have longer service lives than the jacket. The fatigue damage to the jacket leg joints is less than 20% and 40% of its fatigue capacity during the 25-year design lifetime of the BIWF OWT, using the modal expansion method and the simplified static approach, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Relaying Cinema in Midcentury Iran: Material Cultures in Transit" by Kaveh Askari explores the transfer of cinema technology to Iran during the middle decades of the twentieth century. The book focuses on the creative processes involved in Iranians' physical use of cinema technology, highlighting the circulation of film prints, soundtracks, and production equipment. Askari's research sheds light on midcentury Iranian films previously overlooked, challenging the historical narrative of a national cinema that transcends local conditions. The book's major contribution lies in reevaluating Iranian commercial cinema's copy culture as a form of creative labor, though it could benefit from further exploration of cinematic relay networks beyond Euro-American influences. [Extracted from the article]

This study investigated the effects of Trachyspermum copticum essential oil nanoemulsion (TCEO-NE) coating on chemical, microbial and sensory changes of Oncorhynchus aguabonita fillets during storage at 4 ℃. The components of T. copticum EO were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. TCEO-NE was prepared by ultrasonic method and its properties were determined. Fresh O. aguabonita fillets were immersed in TCEO-NE and stored at 4 ℃. Chemical (pH, TVB-N, peroxide and TBARS), microbiological (total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, psychrotrophs, Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria and Staphylococcus aureus) and sensory analyses (color, odor and taste) of fish fillets were evaluated on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 11. Thymol, limonene, and alpha-terpinene were the major compounds in T. copticum EO. The droplet size of TCEO-NE was 127.6 nm and PDI was 0.210. The control group exceeded the peroxide limit on day 6, while TCEO-NE 500.00 and 666.66 did so on day 8. The TBARS value in fish fillets was 0.57 mg MDA/kg on day zero which reached 4.76 mg MDA/kg in the control group and 2.90 mg MDA/kg in TCEO-NE 666.66 after 11 days at 4 ℃. Aerobic mesophilic count in the control group exceeded the permissible level on day 6 and, in TCEO-NE 500.00 and 666.66, on day 8, therefore the shelf life of fish fillets was improved by two days. On the grounds of the favorable properties of TCEO-NE and its positive effects on chemical, microbial and sensory changes in fish fillets, it can be used as a natural food additive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is recognized as the leading cause of death worldwide. This study analyses CAD risk factors using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict CAD. Methods: The research data were obtained from a multi-center study, namely the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD). The current study used the medical records of 415 patients with CAD hospitalized in Razi Hospital, Birjand, Iran, between May 2016 and June 2019. A total of 43 variables that affect CAD were selected, and the relevant data was extracted. Once the data were cleaned and normalized, they were imported into SPSS (V26) for analysis. The present study used the ANN technique. Results: The study revealed that 48% of the study population had a history of CAD, including 9.4% with premature CAD and 38.8% with CAD. The variables of age, sex, occupation, smoking, opium use, pesticide exposure, anxiety, sexual activity, and high fasting blood sugar were found to be significantly different among the three groups of CAD, premature CAD, and non-CAD individuals. The neural network achieved success with five hidden fitted layers and an accuracy of 81% in non-CAD diagnosis, 79% in premature diagnosis, and 78% in CAD diagnosis. Anxiety, acceptance, eduction and gender were the four most important factors in the ANN model. Conclusions: The current study shows that anxiety is a high-prevalence risk factor for CAD in the hospitalized population. There is a need to implement measures to increase awareness about the psychological factors that can be managed in individuals at high risk for future CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using in ovo injection method, specific nutrients and antioxidants can be provided in precise doses at certain times for maximum absorption by the embryo. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of in ovo injection of flaxseed oil on the quality and antioxidant properties as well as fatty acid profile of breast meat of day-old broilers. 20 one-day-old fertilized eggs were randomly divided into two groups of 10; one control and one FSO (flaxseed oil) which received 100 μL of flaxseed oil by injection into the allantoic sac. The amounts of fat, vitamin E, total phenol, carotenoid, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) value, color, texture and fatty acid profile of the chicken breast meat were measured. In ovo injection of flaxseed oil significantly increased the fat content. The mean amounts of vitamin E in control and FSO were 0.54 and 0.71 mg/100g, respectively (P<0.05). Carotenoid content, redness and yellowness of the broilers breast meat in FSO increased in comparison to control, while TBARS value and lightness index decreased insignificantly. FSO showed lower saturated fatty acids and higher unsaturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, unsaturated/saturated and n-3 fatty acids, but these differences were not significant. Based on the results of this study, in ovo injection of flaxseed oil improved oxidative stability of day-old broiler breast meat through increasing vitamin E content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current research has selected the best course of action and assessed the performance in power production plants using a combined method of the Organizational Excellence Model and SWOT methodologies. The primary goal of this study is to evaluate the organization's current performance status, identify its issues, and propose appropriate implementation strategies to address negative circumstances. Components of the Organizational Excellence Model include leadership, policy and strategy, human resources (people), partnerships and resources, procedures, customer outcomes, human resource results, community results, and key performance results. Descriptive surveys constitute the current research methodology. The managers and specialists of the power plants within the firm under study comprise the statistical population of this research. The Organizational Excellence Model questionnaire was an integral part of the research instrument. SPSS software was utilized to analyze the collected data. The results analysis revealed that only the element of key performance results was rated as average, whereas other components, such as processes, customer results (clients), human resources results, and community results, all scored above average. Leadership, policy and strategy, partnerships, and resources also scored above average, along with the components of human resources (employees), processes, and customer results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of employer premium rate on operating profit per share and change in net sales income of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. This study, in terms of the type of research; Correlation is cross-sectional and is considered as a practical goal. The statistical population of the study included 666 companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange from the beginning of 2013 to the end of 2019, of which 111 companies were selected as a sample by systematic elimination method. In descriptive statistics, population parameters including central indices and population dispersion were measured and data analysis was performed using regression method based on composite data and Hausman’s tests, F (Limer), by Oveys software. The results showed that there is a significant relationship between the employer’s share insurance rate, operating profit per share and the change in net sales income of companies listed on the Tehran Stock Exchange. Therefore, it is better for the Social Security Organization to consider the premium rate according to the inflationary conditions and labor income in order to support the industries in attracting labor and the high premium rate should not cause the managers of the companies to increase the total price. Goods and services are driven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Coronary artery disease (CAD) is recognized as the leading cause of death worldwide. This study analyses CAD risk factors using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict CAD. Methods: The research data were obtained from a multi-center study, namely the Iran-premature coronary artery disease (I-PAD). The current study used the medical records of 415 patients with CAD hospitalized in Razi Hospital, Birjand, Iran, between May 2016 and June 2019. A total of 43 variables that affect CAD were selected, and the relevant data was extracted. Once the data were cleaned and normalized, they were imported into SPSS (V26) for analysis. The present study used the ANN technique. Results: The study revealed that 48% of the study population had a history of CAD, including 9.4% with premature CAD and 38.8% with CAD. The variables of age, sex, occupation, smoking, opium use, pesticide exposure, anxiety, sexual activity, and high fasting blood sugar were found to be significantly different among the three groups of CAD, premature CAD, and non-CAD individuals. The neural network achieved success with five hidden fitted layers and an accuracy of 81% in non-CAD diagnosis, 79% in premature diagnosis, and 78% in CAD diagnosis. Anxiety, acceptance, eduction and gender were the four most important factors in the ANN model. Conclusions: The current study shows that anxiety is a high-prevalence risk factor for CAD in the hospitalized population. There is a need to implement measures to increase awareness about the psychological factors that can be managed in individuals at high risk for future CAD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Herbs possess a large amount of antioxidants; thus, using them in the poultry diet can improve the quality of final products. Objectives: This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of artichoke, Silybum marianum, and their mixture on Japanese quail's carcass characteristics, oxidative stability, and breast meat quality. Methods: A total of 120 one-day-old Japanese quail were studied in a completely randomized design with 4 experimental treatments (0%, 1.5% artichoke, 1.5% S. marianum, 1.5% mixture of artichoke and S. marianum). Each treatment consisted of 3 replicates of 10 birds. At the end of the experiment (day 42), the carcass characteristics of the birds were recorded, and the physical characteristics, chemical composition, color, and oxidative stability of breast meat were evaluated. Results: The results showed no significant difference among the experimental groups regarding pH, dry matter, ash, drip loss, and cooking loss. Dietary enrichment with artichoke and S. marianum caused a decrease in the mean body weight in the experimental treatments compared to the control group (P<0.05). Dietary supplementation with herbal powders increased the crude protein and fat content of breast meat, and group 4 (artichoke+S. marianum) had a higher mean than other groups (P<0.05). The hardness of breast meat in the treatment groups has decreased compared to the control group. Compared to the control group, the amount of lightness in the treatments has reduced, and redness and yellowness have increased. TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances) index showed a significant decrease in the investigated treatments compared to the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Dietary supplementation of S. marianum and artichoke improved nutritional value and increased oxidative stability of breast meat in Japanese quail. However, they adversely affected birds' weight gain and feed consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Amitriptyline (AT) is recommended as first‐line prophylactic therapy in patients with cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). However, significant side effects limit its use and dosing is based on trial and error. Though the Clinical Pharmacogenetic Implementation Consortium (CPIC) Guidelines recommend dosing for AT based on CY2D6 and CYP2C19 genotype profile, this is not followed in clinical practice. Methods: This pilot study determined CYP2C19 and CYP2D6 genotypes and ascertained its association with adverse drug reactions (ADRs), clinical response, and serum concentration of AT and nortriptyline in a well‐characterized cohort of adults with CVS. Key Results: Of 46 subjects with CVS, age 33 ± 12 years, 61% female, 85% Caucasian, a third (33%) had normal CYP2C19 metabolizer status, while 4% were poor, and 43% were ultrarapid metabolizers. Most (61%) had normal CYP2D6 genotype while 9% were poor and 2% were ultra‐rapid metabolizers. There was no statistically significant association between genotype and ADRs, clinical response or serum drug concentration. There was a trend towards significance between genotype and clinical response, with 64% of responders having normal CYP2D6 metabolism versus 36% of nonresponders (p = 0.06). ADRs were encountered in 46% of patients with 28% discontinuing the medication as a result. Conclusions and Inferences: A subset of patients with CVS have dysfunctional alleles of CYP2C19 and CYP2D6. Larger prospective studies to evaluate the clinical impact of pharmacogenomic testing in CVS are needed. This has the potential to optimize clinical management, predict ADRs and allow for personalized therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy / Journal Canadien de la Pharmacie Hospitalière is the property of Canadian Society of Hospital Pharmacists and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The spectrum of venous thromboembolic (VTE) disease encompasses both acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and chronic postthrombotic changes (CPC). A large percentage of acute DVT patients experience recurrent VTE despite adequate anticoagulation, and may progress to CPC. Further, the role of iliocaval venous obstruction (ICVO) in lower-extremity VTE has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Imaging continues to play an important role in both acute and chronic venous disease. Venous duplex ultrasound remains the gold standard for diagnosing acute VTE. However, imaging of CPC is more complex and may involve computed tomography, magnetic resonance, contrast-enhanced ultrasound, or intravascular ultrasound. In this narrative review, we aim to discuss the full spectrum of venous disease imaging for both acute and chronic venous thrombotic disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wideband linear frequency modulation (LFM) signals are widely used in radar, sonar, mobile, and similar applications. One of the common problems of algorithms for estimating the direction of arrival (DOA) of LFM signals is that the number of snapshots must be large for good estimation. Therefore, they are not suitable for real-time and low-power applications. In this paper, we proposed a method of estimating DOA based on the sparse iterative covariance (SPICE) algorithm, which has features such as low computational complexity for the uniform linear array (ULA) using the Fourier transform (FFT). We first developed the dechirp process for linear frequency modulation signals using the Fourier transform. Then we modified the SPICE algorithm for linear arrays. Finally, we have obtained the calculation of the DOA estimation for a few snapshots with low computational complexity and high resolution. Compared to other methods, the simulation results of the proposed LSPICE algorithm show an increase in estimation accuracy, higher resolution, more acceptable accuracy in low SNRs, less error in high SNRs, favorable response with low snapshots, and lower computational complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Monitoring systems have become increasingly prevalent in order to increase the safety of elderly people who live alone. These systems are designed to raise alerts when adverse events are detected, which in turn enables family and carers to take action in a timely manner. However, monitoring systems typically suffer from two problems: they may generate false alerts or miss true adverse events. This motivates the two user studies presented in this paper: (1) in the first study, we investigate the effect of the performance of different monitoring systems, in terms of accuracy and error type, on users' trust in these systems and behaviour; and (2) in the second study, we examine the effect of recommendations made by an advisor agent on users' behaviour. Our user studies take the form of a web-based game set in a retirement village, where elderly residents live in smart homes equipped with monitoring systems. Players, who "work" in the village, perform a primary task whereby they must ensure the welfare of the residents by attending to adverse events in a timely manner, and a secondary routine task that demands their attention. These conditions are typical of a retirement setting, where workers perform various duties in addition to keeping an eye on a monitoring system. Our main findings pertain to: (1) the identification of user types that shed light on users' trust in automation and aspects of their behaviour; (2) the effect of monitoring-system accuracy and error type on users' trust and behaviour; (3) the effect of the recommendations made by an advisor agent on users' behaviour; and (4) the identification of influential factors in models that predict users' trust and behaviour. The studies that yield these findings are enabled by two methodological contributions: (5) the game itself, which supports experimentation with various factors, and a version of the game augmented with an advisor agent; and (6) techniques for calibrating the parameters of the game and determining the recommendations of the advisor agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed at the evaluation of anti antiproliferative activity of Lonicera nummularifolia, Lilium ledebourii, Campsis radicans and Parthenocissus quinquefolia extracts. Materials and Methods: The extract was taken from the fresh leaves and bulbs of the plants by maceration method in the dark. After separating the solvent, the remaining dry matter was added to the culture medium containing G292, A431 and KB cancer and HGF-1 normal cells. Cytotoxicity tests, as well as cell cycle and apoptosis tests were performed on cells treated with dry substances and untreated cells. Finally, the most effective extract was separated into fractions by preparative HPLC and the effective fraction was characterized by Triple-Quad LC/MS connected to the UHPLC system. Results: All extracts significantly enhanced cell death rate in the three cancer cell lines more than the HGF-1 line. The Methanolic extract of L. ledebourii bulbs exhibited considerable efficacy on apoptosis induction in the cancer cell lines. It seems that the mode of action for L. ledebourii methanolic extract is mediated through increased BID/MAPK14 expression and decreased MDM2/BCL2/MYC expression, which led to activation of the p53 protein-induced apoptosis. It was also determined that the effective fraction of L. ledebourii methanolic extract consists of substances such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, coumarin acid, catechin and apigenin. Conclusion: Overall, the findings suggest that L. ledebourii is a promising source of bioactive compounds with anticancer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiovascular imaging to enhance non-invasive screening for coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic male marathon runners. The study evaluates the diagnostic performance of two AI models, CorEx and Spimed-AI, in detecting significant CAD using CCTA scans. While the AI models showed high sensitivity and negative predictive value, they also exhibited lower positive predictive value, indicating potential false-positive results. The study highlights the potential of AI as a screening tool for CAD diagnosis but emphasizes the need for caution in integrating AI into clinical practice to avoid overdiagnosis. [Extracted from the article]

Many fundamental chemical reactions are triggered by electronic excitations. Here, we propose and benchmark a novel approximate first-principles molecular dynamics simulation idea for increasing the computational efficiency of density functional theory-based calculations of the excited states. We focus on obtaining proton transfer energy at the S1 excited state through actual density functional theory calculations at the T1 state with additional optimized effective potentials. The potentials are optimized as such to reproduce the excited-state energy surface obtained using time-dependent density functional theory, but can be generalized to other more accurate quantum chemical methods. We believe that the presented method is not only suitable for studies on excited-state proton transfer and ion mobility in general systems but can also be extended to investigate more involved processes, such as photo-induced isomerization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Climate change has been identified as the greatest threat to global health in the twenty-first century, with its unfavorable health consequences being among its impacts on humans. Exploring the perspectives and understanding of healthcare professionals and service providers concerning climate change becomes imperative. The aim of this study is to investigate the perceptions and understanding of final-year medical students regarding the health impacts of climate change on individuals and the healthcare system using a qualitative content analysis. Methods: This study employed a qualitative content analysis approach. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with the aid of an interview guide to explore the students' awareness, understanding, and attitudes towards the impacts of climate change on public health and the healthcare system. The collected interview data were subsequently organized into codes, categories, and subcategories based on the students' perspectives and attitudes towards climate change. Results: Fifteen medical intern students were interviewed for this study, and the qualitative findings were categorized into 3 categories, 23 subcategories, and 229 codes. The study's findings revealed various health impacts of climate change, which were classified into three main categories, including environmental effects with 8 subcategories, socio-economic effects with 8 subcategories, and health effects with 7 subcategories. The study's findings revealed medical students' perceptions of various health impacts of climate change and These findings suggest that medical student understand that climate change has significant impacts on individuals' health and society, mainly through environmental degradation, increased risks, and climate-related disasters, which ultimately lead to adverse health outcomes. Conclusions: The perspectives of medical students in this study indicate that climate change may not have a direct and immediate impact on the health of individuals and communities. However, it can significantly influence their health and socio-economic well-being by exacerbating or causing environmental problems, increasing the risk of weather-related events and natural disasters, ultimately leading to adverse health outcomes. While the medical students' perspectives on the health impacts of climate change are indeed broad, incorporating scientific knowledge about this topic into the medical curriculum and educating students on how to deal with patients affected by these consequences can have a significant impact on health management. This proactive approach, despite the students' already comprehensive understanding, can enhance their preparedness to address the health effects of climate change and contribute to strengthening the healthcare system's resilience in the face of climate-related challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin pump therapy (IPT) improves glucose control in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) compared with multiple daily injections (MDI). However, their size, the tethered insulin infusion set, intrusiveness when operating the device and the need to disconnect during showering limit their acceptance to many who may benefit. The Omnipod DASH® Insulin Management System is a small waterproof tubeless device which is wirelessly controlled by a handheld device which may be an acceptable alternative. However, there are no randomised controlled trials focusing on the impact on user perceptions of tubeless insulin pump therapy. This pilot study aims to assess study feasibility and acceptability of patch pump therapy compared with usual care in adults with T1D in Australia to inform power calculations and progression to a large-scale multi-site randomised controlled study. Methods: A pilot multi-site parallel randomised controlled study will be conducted in sixty-four adults with T1D who are managed on MDI or IPT and self-monitoring with finger-stick blood glucose from four specialist diabetes centres in Victoria, Australia. Following carbohydrate counting education, participants will be randomised to use Omnipod DASH® System (Omnipod group) or continue usual care (usual care group) for 12 weeks, followed by a 12-week extension phase where all participants will use Omnipod DASH® System. The primary outcome measure is feasibility determined by study completion rates with a threshold of 0.80. Acceptability of the intervention (Omnipod DASH® System) will be assessed by the difference in Diabetes Technology Questionnaire 'current' (DTQ-current) score at 12 weeks post-randomisation compared to baseline. Secondary outcomes will include other measures of user acceptance, process outcomes, resource outcomes, participant-centred outcomes, healthcare professional perceptions and glycaemic outcomes. Discussion: This pilot study will provide insights regarding the feasibility of the study design and the first data regarding user acceptance of insulin patch pump technology in Australian T1D adults. We anticipate that this study will provide information informing the design of a larger study evaluating the impact of patch pumps on subjective outcomes that are of significance to the person living with T1D. Trial registration: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (https://anzctr.org.au/) ACTRN12621001195842 (8th September 2021). Please refer to Additional file 1: Appendix 1 for full details. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of ultrasound (US) techniques has greatly improved the evaluation of many parameters in dialysis vascular access, which is typically achieved through an arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft (AVG). These techniques include grayscale B-mode, color Doppler, power Doppler, spectral Doppler, non-Doppler US flow imaging techniques, contrast-enhanced US, and elastography. In conjunction with a patient's medical history and physical examination, US provides crucial information about the native vascular bed prior to the surgical creation of an arteriovenous anastomosis. It also tracks the maturation progress of the newly created AVF or AVG and aids in diagnosing potential complications of the vascular access. These complications include thrombosis, steal syndrome, aneurysms, pseudoaneurysms, hematomas, infection, ischemic neuropathy, exacerbation of preexisting congestive heart failure, and stenosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper suggests a solution for validating an ANP model in multi‐channel retailing proposed by Salmani et al. (2018) through its application in the pet consumables industry. The purpose of the proposed ANP model is to develop a measurement for estimating the demand proportion attributed to each established sales channel. Utilizing an ANP model, channel selection customer criteria as well as the interrelations between channel structures in a multi‐channel setting are quantified. This paper applies a survey‐based study to collect data from random pet consumable customers. Using a compatibility measurement, per‐channel proportions of demand found by ANP are compared with actual data to examine the validity of the proposed model. The results of this study demonstrated the validity of the proposed ANP model applied in the pet consumables industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) have the potential to deal with the steady increase in road traffic while solving transportation related issues such as traffic congestion, pollution, and road safety. Therefore, CAVs are becoming increasingly popular and viewed as the next generation transportation solution. Although modular advancements have been achieved in the development of CAVs, these efforts are not fully integrated to operationalize CAVs in realistic driving scenarios. This paper surveys a wide range of efforts reported in the literature about the CAV developments, summarizes the CAV impacts from a statistical perspective, explores current state of practice in the field of CAVs in terms of autonomy technologies, communication backbone, and computation needs. Furthermore, this paper provides general guidance on how transportation infrastructures need to be prepared in order to effectively operationalize CAVs. The paper also identifies challenges that need to be addressed in near future for effective and reliable adoption of CAVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The preserving potential of biopolymer coatings can be improved by adding natural antimicrobial and antioxidant compounds. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of natural coatings (gelatin (Gel), chitosan (Ch), and modified starch (MS)) incorporated with bitter orange peel extract (BOE) on the quality of the chicken fillets during cold. BOE had a high amount of phenolic compounds (145.28 mgGAE/g). Coating the fillets with pure BOE exerted a higher inhibitory effect against bacterial growth compared to composite coatings without extract. Lower microbial count (2–3 log CFU/g on days 9 and 12 of storage) was observed in the samples coated with composite biopolymers incorporated with BOE in comparison to the coatings without BOE. Composite coatings of Gel/MS/BOE showed lower FFA in the fillets followed by Gel/Ch/BOE and MS/Ch/BOE. The lowest TVB‐N belonged to MS/Ch/BOE followed by Gel/Ch/BOE and Gel/MS/BOE which were 17.05, 17.39, and 19.40 mg/100 g at the end of the storage. Among the samples, pure BOE, Gel/MS/BOE, Gel/Ch/BOE, and MS/Ch/BOE showed the lowest peroxide value and the coatings containing chitosan had a slower rate of hydroperoxide generation. Drip loss showed a descending trend in all coated samples except for an enhancement in control and BOE‐coated fillets, 6.42% and 6.39%, respectively, on day 12 of storage. Samples coated with Gel/MS and Gel/MS/BOE had the lowest drip loss during the storage period (5.96% and 5.98%, respectively). It should be noted that coatings containing chitosan had higher antimicrobial and antioxidant effects. The effect of the coatings as antimicrobial barriers and preservative agents were as follows: Gel/Ch/BOE > MS/Ch/BOE > Gel/MS/BOE. It can be concluded that the applied composite coatings in this work have a high potential to maintain and improve the quality of raw chicken fillets during storage in the refrigerator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate estimation of offshore wind turbine (OWT) modal parameters has a prominent effect on the design loads, lifetime prediction, and dynamic response of the system. Modal parameters can vary during the operation of OWTs. This paper studies the variation and sensitivity analysis of an OWT's modal parameters with respect to operational and environmental conditions. Three finite element models of a jacket-supported OWT at the Block Island Wind Farm are created within the OpenSees, SAP2000, and OpenFAST platforms and validated using experimental measurements. The OpenFAST model is used to simulate the modal parameters of the turbine under various wind speed, rotor speed, power, yaw angle, mean sea level, blade pitch angle, and soil spring values. The model-predicted modal parameters of the first fore–aft (FA) and side–side (SS) modes are compared to those identified from experimental measurements. Results from the simulations show that the first FA natural frequency and damping ratio mostly depend on the rotor speed and wind speed, respectively, while yaw angle and mean sea level do not have a visible effect. It is observed that there is about 8% stiffening in the first FA frequency and an aerodynamic damping of 7.5% during the operation of the OWT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate efficacy, safety, and outcomes of endovascular treatment of hepatic vein stenosis post major liver resection. Methods: A retrospective data analysis was performed including all interventional treatments of hepatic vein stenosis post major liver resection since 2010. Post procedural course and clinical parameters including amount of ascites accumulation and relevant laboratory values were assessed during the follow-up period. Primary and primary assisted hepatic venous patency time were calculated. Results: Twelve patients (median age 55.5, IQR 49.75 to 61.5 years) undergoing a total of 16 interventions were included. Interventions were primary stent placement (n = 3), primary balloon angioplasty (n = 8), three re-interventions and two aborted interventions (no significant pressure gradient). Technical success was 100% (16/16). Permanent reduction and / or complete resolution of ascites was achieved in 72% (8/11). Laboratory parameters related to liver function did not show significant improvement after intervention. Median follow-up period was 6 months (IQR: 1.5 to 18 months). The median primary patency time for patients with balloon angioplasty was 11 months (IQR: 1.375 to 22.25 months) and assisted patency time was 13.25 months (IQR: 4.5 to 22.25 months). The median primary patency time for patients with angioplasty and stent placement was 1 months (IQR: 1.0 to 1.5 months) and assisted patency time was 2.0 months (IQR: 1.5 to 2.5months). Conclusion: An endovascular approach for the treatment of hepatic venous stenosis post major liver resection is safe and efficient to reduce and / or resolve refractory ascites. However, liver function parameters seem not to be improved by the procedure. Stent placement can be a reasonable option in patients with significant residual stenotic disease post angioplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) is a disorder of gut–brain interaction (DGBI) characterized by recurrent episodes of nausea and vomiting. Most children outgrow their CVS symptoms and develop migraine headaches, but there are limited data in adults. We thus sought to determine the natural history of CVS in adults. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients at a specialized tertiary care clinic. Frequency of CVS episodes, emergency department (ED) visits, and hospitalizations were recorded at the index visit and at follow‐up. Key Results: Of 455 CVS patients with complete data, mean age was 33 ± 13 years, 294 (65%) were female, and 392 (86%) were Caucasian. Mean duration of follow‐up was 47.4 ± 37.2 months. There was a significant reduction in frequency of CVS episodes/year (18 to 6.8), ED visits (6.1 to 2), and hospitalizations (2.3 to 0.7) (all p‐values < 0.001) but only 88 (19%) of patients had complete resolution of episodes at follow‐up. On multivariable regression analysis, non‐white race [0.33 (0.11–0.98) p = 0.01], comorbidity count [0.77 (0.62–0.95) p = 0.01], cannabis use [0.36 (0.2–0.65) p = 0.0007], and aprepitant use [0.2 (0.08–0.005) p < 0.001] were associated with a reduced odds of complete resolution of CVS episodes. Of note, 19 patients (4%) died. Conclusions and Inferences: While most adults with CVS improved with specialized care, in contrast to children, only a small subset (~1 in 5) had complete resolution of symptoms. Reasons for the effects of race, cannabis use, and comorbidity burden on outcomes in CVS are unclear and warrant further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Embracing an interaction between the phase change material (PCM) and the droplets of a heat transfer fluid, the direct contact (DC) method suggests a cutting-edge solution for expediting the phase change rates of PCMs in thermal energy storage (TES) units. In the direct contact TES configuration, when impacting the molten PCM pool, droplets evaporate, provoking the formation of a solidified PCM area (A). Then, they reduce the created solid temperature, leading to a minimum temperature value (Tmin). As a novelty, this research intends to maximize A and minimize Tmin since augmenting A expedites the discharge rate, and by lowering Tmin, the generated solid is preserved longer, resulting in a higher storage efficacy. To take the influences of interaction between droplets into account, the simultaneous impingement of two ethanol droplets on a molten paraffin wax is surveyed. Impact parameters (Weber number, impact spacing, and the pool temperature) govern the objective functions (A and Tmin). Initially, through high-speed and IR thermal imaging, the experimental values of objective functions are achieved for a wide range of impact parameters. Afterward, exploiting an artificial neural network (ANN), two models are fitted to A and Tmin, respectively. Subsequently, the models are provided for the NSGA-II algorithm to implement multi-objective optimization (MOO). Eventually, utilizing two different final decision-making (FDM) approaches (LINMAP and TOPSIS), optimized impact parameters are attained from the Pareto front. Regarding the results, the optimum amount of Weber number, impact spacing, and pool temperature accomplished by LINMAP and TOPSIS procedures are 309.44, 2.84 mm, 66.89 °C, and 294.98, 2.78 mm, 66.89 °C, respectively. This is the first investigation delving into the optimization of multiple droplet impacts for TES applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate Quiescent Interval Slice Selective (QISS) balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) and QISS fast low-angle shot (FLASH) sequences for non-contrast Magnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA) of iliac arteries regarding image quality and diagnostic confidence in order to establish these sequences in daily clinical practice. A prospective study of healthy subjects (n = 10) was performed. All subjects underwent the QISS MRI protocol with bSSFP und FLASH sequences. Vessel contrast-to-background ratio (VCBR) were measured in pre-defined vessel segments. Image quality and diagnostic confidence was assessed using a Likert scale (five-point scale). Inter-reader agreement was determined using Cohen's kappa coefficient (κ). Ten healthy subjects (median age 29 years, IQR: 26.25 to 30 years) were included in this prospective study. Median MR examination time was 2:05 min (IQR 1:58 to 2:16) for QISS bSSFP and 4:11 min (IQR 3:57 to 4:32) for QISS FLASH. Both sequences revealed good VCBR in all examined vessel segments. VCBR (muscle tissue) were marginally higher for FLASH sequences (e.g., 0.82 vs. 0.78 in the right femoral artery, p = 0.035*), while bSSFP sequence showed significantly higher VCBR (fat tissue) in the majority of examined arterials vessels (e.g., 0.78 vs. 0.62 in right femoral artery, p = 0.001*). The image quality and diagnostic confidence of both sequences were rated as good to excellent. Moderate to good inter-reader agreement was found. QISS MRA using bSSFP and FLASH sequences are diagnostic for visualization of iliac arterial vasculature. The QISS bSSFP sequence might offer advantages due to the markedly shorter exam time and superior visualization of smaller vessels. The QISS FLASH sequence seems to be a robust alternative for non-contrast MRA since it is less sensitive to magnetic field inhomogeneities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Proximal splenic artery embolization (pSAE) has been advocated as a valuable tool to ameliorate portal hyper-perfusion (PHP). The purpose of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of pSAE to treat refractory ascites (RA) and/or refractory hydrothorax (RH) in the setting of PHP post-liver transplant. Material and Methods: A total of 30 patients who underwent pSAE for RA and/or RH after liver transplantation (LT) between January 2007 and December 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. The patients were divided into groups according to the time frame from pSAE to clinical resolution in order to identify predictors of RA/RH response to the procedure. Results: Twenty-four (80%) patients responded to pSAE within three months, whereas 6 (20%) still required additional treatments for RA/RH at three months post-pSAE. In all cases clinical symptoms resolved within six months. Complications after pSAE were as follows: 2 cases of splenic infarction (6.6%), one case of post-splenic embolization syndrome (3.3%), one case of hepatic artery thrombosis (3.3%) and one case of portal vein (PV) thrombosis (3.3%). Increased intraoperative PV flow volume and increased pre-pSAE PV velocity, as well as higher estimated glomerular filtration rate were associated with early RA/RH resolution. Conclusion: pSAE is safe and effective in treating RA and RH due to PHP after LT. This study suggests that clinical parameters indicating more severe PHP and better kidney function are possible predictors for early response to pSAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aprepitant is a neurokinin‐1 receptor antagonist, and recent guidelines by the American Neurogastoenterology and Motility Society recommend its use as prophylaxis in moderate‐to severe cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS). Data are limited to small studies in children. We aimed to determine its efficacy in adults with CVS. Methods: A retrospective review of CVS patients diagnosed using Rome criteria at a tertiary referral center was conducted. Drug response was defined as >50% reduction in symptoms and/or healthcare utilization. An intent‐to‐treat (ITT) analysis was conducted. Key Results: Of 96 patients prescribed aprepitant, 26 (27%) were unable to start due to cost/lack of insurance coverage. Of 70 receiving therapy, mean age was 33 ± 11 years; 51 (73%) were female and 56 (80%) Caucasian. The majority (93%) were refractory to other prophylactic medications. Aprepitant was taken thrice weekly in 51 (73%), daily in 16 (23%) and a few times a month in 3 (4%) due to cost. Fifty (71.4%) had a global symptom response to aprepitant. There was significant reduction in the number of CVS episodes (14.5 ± 11.7 to 6.2 ± 8.0, p < 0.0001), emergency department visits (4.2 ± 7.7 to 1.8 ± 3.4, p = 0.006), and hospital admissions (1.6 ± 3.9 to 0.8 ± 2.1, p = 0.02) in patients treated with aprepitant. Seven (10%) discontinued the drug due to minor side effects. Conclusions and Inferences: Aprepitant is a safe and effective prophylactic medication in adults with refractory CVS. Adequate insurance coverage is a major barrier preventing its use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) has been widely proposed for different tasks of heart sound analysis. This paper presents the results of a novel study on the performance of a conventional CNN in comparison to the different architectures of recurrent neural networks combined with CNN for the classification task of abnormal-normal heart sounds. The study considers various combinations of parallel and cascaded integration of CNN with Gated Recurrent Network (GRN) as well as Long- Short Term Memory (LSTM) and explores the accuracy and sensitivity of each integration independently, using the Physionet dataset of heart sound recordings. The accuracy of the parallel architecture of LSTM-CNN reached 98.0% outperforming all the combined architectures, with a sensitivity of 87.2%. The conventional CNN offered sensitivity/accuracy of 95.9%/97.3% with far less complexity. Results show that a conventional CNN can appropriately perform and solely employed for the classification of heart sound signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complex and dynamic nature of shield‐driven tunnel excavation, staged construction, segmental lining installation process, and tail‐void grouting necessitate using detailed numerical modeling for predicting ground behavior and response of segmental lining. In this article, results of three‐dimensional advanced finite element modeling are presented for one of the major ongoing construction projects in the North America. Different segment joint models, i.e., rigid joints, perfect hinge joints, Janssen joints, and rigid joints with reduced lining thickness, are used in the analysis. Critical responses such as ground deformation, settlement trough, crown deformation, and the internal forces in the linings considering different segment joint modeling are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycoplasma capricolum subspecies capripneumoniae (Mccp) is the etiological agent of caprine contagious pleuropneumonia (CCPP) disease. The CCPP is one of the most severe diseases of goats. A herd of 2,000 goats located in the countryside of Tehran city, Iran, was examined for the study in August 2021. In history taking, observation, inspection and clinical examination, high case fatality rate (46.00%) due to respiratory distress and high morbidity of pleuropneumonia (15.00%) syndrome were recorded. Accordingly, ten carcasses of goats were dissected. The epidemiological pattern of the disease, clinical examination findings and the signs of necropsy of dead patients were suspected to CCPP. Four lung samples of necropsied goats were sent to the laboratory for PCR test and in all of them, Mccp was detected and CCPP was also confirmed. The disease was controlled by two measures: (a) the whole herd was first treated with antibiotics (florfenicol and tylosin) and (b) then the Pulmovac-In vaccine was then administered. This study is the first documented report of CCPP occurrence caused by Mccp in Iran and shows the importance of availability of effective vaccines to control and prevention of CCPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) is an emerging network of connected vehicles as a branch of dynamic objects in the Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem. With the rapid development of IoV, real‐time data‐centric applications would be a significant concern in academia and industry to promote efficiency and realize modern services in such high dynamic networks. In this paper, we aim to present a systematic literature review (SLR) for the IoV networks to investigate the different attitudes in the field of data‐centric approaches. This paper systematically categorizes the 48 recent articles on data‐driven techniques in the IoV field published from 2017 to March 2022. A complete technical taxonomy is presented for the data‐centric approaches in IoV according to the content of current studies. Collected methods are chosen with the SLR process, and they are investigated considering some technical classifications including IoV security, data traffic, vehicular social network, data propagation, energy, and multimedia categories. The achievements, drawbacks, and new findings of studies are carefully investigated for addressing the deficiencies, as well as emphasizing future research direction and open issues of data‐driven approaches in IoV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]