Search

Abstract 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.

IntroductionApplication of Deep Learning (DL) methods is being increasingly appreciated by researchers from the biomedical engineering domain in which heart sound analysis is an important topic of study. Diversity in methodology, results, and complexity causes uncertainties in obtaining a realistic picture of the methodological performance from the reported methods.MethodsThis survey paper provides the results of a broad retrospective study on the recent advances in heart sound analysis using DL methods. Representation of the results is performed according to both methodological and applicative taxonomies. The study method covers a wide span of related keywords using well-known search engines. Implementation of the observed methods along with the related results is pervasively represented and compared.Results and discussionIt is observed that convolutional neural networks and recurrent neural networks are the most commonly used ones for discriminating abnormal heart sounds and localization of heart sounds with 67.97% and 33.33% of the related papers, respectively. The convolutional neural network and the autoencoder network show a perfect accuracy of 100% in the case studies on the classification of abnormal from normal heart sounds. Nevertheless, this superiority against other methods with lower accuracy is not conclusive due to the inconsistency in evaluation.

Objective: The main goal is to propose a model for quality control in the defense industry, utilizing image processing and fuzzy transform. Emphasis is on selecting the optimal generalized fuzzy transform section for image compression to enhance the performance of defense and combat weapons. Methodology: The methodology employs modern image processing and fuzzy transform techniques for statistical quality control. High-volume data analysis occurs in production lines, managing processes for defense and combat weapon products like glass and metals. MATLAB is the implementation platform, emphasizing the optimal selection of the generalized fuzzy transform section for image compression and processing. Results: MATLAB validation confirms the success of our model in quality control for defense systems. Comparative studies show the triangular fuzzy section model excels, especially in defect detection post-illumination changes, surpassing Kusha et al. in most cases. Conclusion: In conclusion, our study emphasizes the vital role of image processing and fuzzy transform techniques in defense. The developed model successfully achieves quality control goals, optimizes processes, and enhances defense and combat weapon quality. This reflects a growing industry trend, with an increasing adoption of these methods to meet goals and address challenges.

Abstract 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.

IntroductionAltruistic prosocial behaviors (i.e., actions primarily intended to benefit others with little to no regard for self-benefit) are of special interest to researchers interested in growth in character strengths following exposure to adversity and trauma (referred to as the altruism-born-of-suffering hypothesis). The present study was designed to examine this hypothesis. Changes in prosocial behaviors following trauma exposure and whether problem-focused coping and familism facilitated prosocial behaviors were investigated in U.S. Mexican youth.MethodsA total of 749 Mexican-origin students (initial M age = 10.42 years, SD = 0.55; 48.9% girls) from the U.S. Southwest completed surveys from 5th grade to early adulthood.ResultsU.S. Mexican girls who reported earlier trauma exhibited increases in altruistic behaviors into young adulthood but only when they reported relatively high levels of familism values in middle adolescence. A similar trend pattern was found for U.S. Mexican boys but only when they expressed relatively high levels of problem-focused coping in middle adolescence. There was other evidence of significant relations between both familism and problem focused coping and prosocial behaviors in these youth.DiscussionFindings demonstrate the potential for prosocial development across adolescence to young adulthood among trauma-exposed youth from a U.S. ethnic/racial minority background.

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.

Background and purpose: Cardiovascular disease is the main cause of death in the world, including Iran. Cardiac rehabilitation is associated with improving patients' performance and reducing mortality from all causes of death. This study aimed to investigate the changes in exercise capacity and hemodynamic factors following cardiac rehabilitation in patients referred to the cardiac rehabilitation department of Mazandaran Heart Center. Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out by examining the medical records of 262 patients referred between February 2018 to February 2020. Each of the three groups of patients with coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, and chronic heart failure were separately examined in terms of values before and after cardiac rehabilitation related to systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), and resting heart rate (HR). Data were analyzed with SPSS-22, STAT-15 software. Results: In each of the three mentioned groups of cardiac patients, the mean SBP, DBP, and MAP variables had a significant decrease (P0.2). Conclusion: Cardiac rehabilitation may improve exercise capacity and hemodynamic factors, including SBP, DBP, and MAP in patients with various heart diseases and is recommended as a class І suggestion in eligible patients.

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.

Shakespeare’s travels into Persia started in the middle of the nineteenth century when modern socio-political forces and the need for a powerful army were fomenting important changes in the traditional structure of government, production, and culture alike. Shakespeare appeared in Persia at a time when the country was experiencing a fundamental transition from older traditions into a western-like government, infrastructure, education, and ideas. Shakespeare was important to this process in two ways. He was enlisted to enrich the cultural property of the country and therefore became ensconced in the educational system. Perhaps more importantly, his plays were used to critique the ruling political system and the prevailing habits of the people. Hamlet has always been a favorite play for the translators and the intellectuals because it starts with regicide and ends with murdering a monarch and replacing him with a just king. Othello, another favorite, was frequently retranslated partly because there were similar themes in Persian culture with which readers could easily connect. Thus, Shakespeare became a Persian Knight and moved from one historical era to another to function as a mirror to reflect the aspirations of the elite, if not those of the common folk. This paper traces Shakespeare’s steps in Persia chronologically, expounding the socio-political context in which Shakespeare and his plays operated not only within the context of academia, but also without in society amongst the people and the elites as political allegories to sidestep censorship and to attack the despotic monarchs and ruling power.

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 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 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 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 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 (T min). As a novelty, this research intends to maximize A and minimize T min since augmenting A expedites the discharge rate, and by lowering T min, 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 T min). 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 T min, 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.

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.

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.

The paper provides analysis of findings from research on "pupil voice" collected from 88 Iranian pupils within five primary classrooms. No previous research has been carried out in Iran on "pupil voice" emphasising children's right to a say about different matters in their school lives. Two methods of data collection were applied: (a) participant observation where the observer facilitated workshops within each classroom enabling children to reflect on issues that matter to them; (b) individual interviews with pupils, teachers and headteachers aimed at gathering information regarding school participants' insights into their experiences in schools, including the role of teachers, school regulations and pupil voice activities. Our data reports on the preoccupation teachers and children had with our workshop as an alternative pedagogic form in their schools. While both pupils and teachers saw the advantages of a participatory approach to classroom interactions, national, educational and pedagogic cultural factors provided substantial challenges.