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This study aimed to conduct a finite element analysis-based seismic evaluation of an existing reinforced concrete (RC) building for a high seismic zone in northeast India. The building model was evaluated for demands using response spectrum analysis (RSA) per the latest Indian standards. Data on the condition of existing material strength, geometry, and initial design are collected on site. Here, a procedure has been introduced to evaluate the seismic demand and capacity of structural members, for prioritizing strengthening work. The focus of the study was on assessing the potential failure of columns, with an aim to evaluate a building's susceptibility to failure and collapse. This evaluation procedure was applied to an existing low-rise RC building in northeastern India that was originally designed for gravity loads. The building had significant plan irregularities and stiffness irregularities. As anticipated, it was observed that the building did not withstand seismic design action, and all the columns failed, while the beams failed partially. For various load combinations, the demand–capacity ratio, particularly in terms of axial load and biaxial bending moments of the columns, emerged as a critical force-based factor in evaluating the building's safety under combined forces. The obtained results were validated on site by visual inspection of structural longitudinal cracks under high combined (axial with biaxial moment) demand in columns. The case study identified the six most critical columns that might lead to building collapse and need immediate strengthening. This approach demonstrated its feasibility as a tool for assessing the seismic performance of existing low-rise RC buildings for prioritizing structural strengthening work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurements of brain deformations under injurious loading scenarios are actively sought. In this work, we report experimentally measured head kinematics and corresponding dynamic, two-dimensional brain simulant deformations in head surrogates under a blunt impact, with and without a helmet. Head surrogates used in this work consisted of skin, skull, dura, falx, tentorium, and brain stimulants. The head surrogate geometry was based on the global human body models consortium's head model. A base head surrogate consisting of skin-skull-brain was considered. In addition, the response of two other head surrogates, skin-skull-dura-brain, and skin-skull-dura-brain-falx-tentorium, was investigated. Head surrogate response was studied for sagittal and coronal plane rotations for impactor velocities of 1 and 3 m/s. Response of head surrogates was compared against strain measurements in PMHS. The strain pattern in the brain simulant was heterogenous, and peak strains were established within ∼30 ms. The choice of head surrogate affect the spatiotemporal evolution of strain. For no helmet case, peak MPS of ∼50–60% and peak MSS of ∼35–50% were seen in brain simulant corresponding to peak rotational accelerations of ∼5000–7000 rad/s2. Peak head kinematics and peak MPS have been reduced by up to 75% and 45%, respectively, with the conventional helmet and by up to 90% and 85%, respectively, with the helmet with antirotational pads. Overall, these results provide important, new data on brain simulant strains under a variety of loading scenarios—with and without the helmets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetic variants are predisposing factors to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a multifactorial condition that often gets triggered due to various environmental factors. The study investigates the association of the variants of genes that are involved in the steroidogenesis pathway or gonadotropin pathway with the risk of PCOS. Appropriate keywords for predetermined genes were used to search in PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and Central Cochrane Library up to January 11, 2023. PROSPERO (CRD42022275425). Inclusion criteria: (a) case–control study; (b) genotype or allelic data. Exclusion criteria were: (a) duplicate studies; (b) clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analysis or conference abstract, case reports; (c) other than the English language; (d) having insufficient data; e) genetic variants for which meta-analysis has been reported recently and does not have a scope of the update. Various genetic models were applied as per data availability. Overall 12 variants of 7 genes were selected for the analysis. Relevant data were extracted from 47 studies which include 10,584 PCOS subjects and 16,150 healthy controls. Meta-analysis indicates a significant association between TOX3 rs4784165 [ORs = 1.08, 95% CI (1.00–1.16)], HMGA2 rs2272046 [ORs = 2.73, 95% CI (1.97–3.78)], YAP1 rs1894116 [OR = 1.22, 95% CI (1.13–1.33)] and increased risk of PCOS. Whereas FSHR rs2268361 [ORs = 0.84, 95% CI (0.78–0.89)] is associated with decreased PCOS risk. When sensitivity analysis was carried out, the association became significant for CYP19 rs700519 and FSHR rs6165 under an additive model. In addition, C9Orf3 rs3802457 became significantly associated with decreased PCOS risk with the removal of one study. Insignificant association was observed for CYP19A (rs2470152), FSHR (rs2349415, rs6166), C9Orf3 (rs4385527), GnRH1 (rs6185) and risk of PCOS. Our findings suggest association of CYP19A (rs700519), TOX3 (rs4784165), HMGA2 (rs2272046), FSHR (rs6165, rs2268361), C9orf3 (rs3802457), and YAP1 (rs1894116) with risk for PCOS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mild head injury (MHI) complicated by an intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is a common cause of hospital admission after head trauma. The majority of patients get nonoperative care, maintain neurological stability, and are successfully discharged. However, a small proportion of people experience delayed neurological deterioration (DND). The characteristics of DND following an MHI exacerbated by ICH are poorly understood. Aims and Objectives: The study was conducted to evaluate the temporal course and outcome of MHI patients with respect to DND. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was performed on all adult patients presenting over 15 consecutive months with MHI. Patients who were treated conservatively after initial head computed tomography and had a subsequent DND (Glasgow Coma Scale score decrease =2) were identified. Demographics, neurological status, clinical and temporal course, radiographic findings, and outcome data were collected. Results: Over 15 months, 150 patients with MHI were included in the study for observation; of these, 49 patients experienced DND. 31.33% of patients deteriorated within 24 h after admission. 14 patients (9.37%) died. Variables significantly associated with mortality included age >60 years delayed presentation at tertiary center, progressive intracranial bleed, or increase in cerebral edema. Conclusion: The incidence of DND after MHI with ICH is low and usually occurs within 24 h after admission. It results in significant morbidity and mortality if it is the result of progressive ICH. Further research is needed to identify risk factors that can allow early detection and improve outcomes in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]