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Product inhibition poses a persistent challenge in catalysis, adversely affecting reaction rates and selectivity, leading to substantial economic losses in industrial settings. This phenomenon is particularly pronounced in sustainable hydrogen production, where byproduct-induced inhibition often obstructs catalyst regeneration and sustained catalytic activity. Despite numerous reports highlighting the issues associated with product inhibition, studies directly addressing this critical problem while maintaining a high turnover frequency (TOF) of the catalyst throughout the cycle remain unexplored. In this work, we have engineered a unique catalyst comprising Ru atomic clusters (ACs) installed on the surface of Co–Co2B (10% RuACs/Co–Co2B) that remarkably combats product inhibition by borates during ammonia borane (AB) dehydrogenation, while sustaining the catalyst's efficacy in hydrogen production throughout the reaction cycle. The hydrogen generation proceeds with a superior rate (26559.14 ± 169.67 mL min−1 gcat−1) and a high TOF (1032.2 ± 114.6 molH2 molRu−1 min−1) that dehydrogenates AB in only 9 s. Through a comprehensive analysis combining detailed experimental evidence, computational studies, and successive half-life analyses, we have uncovered significant charge reorganization between the Ru atomic clusters and the Co–Co2B support, which cooperatively facilitates rapid kinetics and greatly enhances the removal of the byproduct, ammonium tetramethoxyborate (AMB), from the catalyst's surface. This unique chemistry to combat product inhibition without compromising high rate and TOF distinguishes the 10% RuACs/Co–Co2B catalyst from others reported in the literature. Our findings not only hold significant promise for a sustainable hydrogen economy but open up avenues for the fundamental engineering of atomically clustered multitasking catalysts capable of addressing product inhibition in various crucial reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traffic is an important pollution factor causing environmental damages such as soil, water and atmospheric pollution, greenhouse effect, and climate change. Effects of traffic pollution on various organisms enlightened with various studies. In this study, it was aimed to examine the effects of traffic-based pollution on Auchenorrhyncha (Insecta: Hemiptera) species in apple orchards and their potential as biomonitor for heavy metal pollution. The Auchenorrhyncha specimens were collected from the apple orchards near the Amasya-Samsun motorway in Türkiye. The heavy metal concentrations were determined by ICP-OES. Five Auchenorrhyncha species were determined from three sites from each of three different distance. Empoasca decipiens specimens were collected only from 0 m while others found in all localities. Heavy metal concentrations in insect specimens tended to decrease with the increasing distance from the motorway. These differences were clearly indicated in Psammotettix provincialis and Phlepsius intricatus, which were found in all localities. Except for Ni, Fe and Mn for Phlepsius intricatus, all examined heavy metals significantly varied in both species. Results showed that heavy metals tended to accumulate in the body of Auchenorrhyncha specimens and because of this they may be evaluated as a biomonitor for heavy metal pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing concerns about seismic events enforced structural engineers and architects to embrace the hazardous effect of ground motion in design. To address this, researchers have developed various base isolation (BI) techniques. This study comprehensively reviews BI system types, techniques, and implementation. Exploring the dynamic response of three-dimensional BI devices and the mutual effects of isolation devices and soil-structure interaction during strong ground motion, the paper covers topics such as seismic isolation of nuclear power plants, cost analysis, and various optimization techniques. Furthermore, the paper investigates the behavior of isolation devices in beyond-design events, including blast and aircraft impact loading. In general, the seismic isolation and control device response is demonstrated through shaking table tests and computational analysis. The study sheds light on the functions of seismic isolation system by comparing them with fixed base structures. Additionally, the paper presents codal recommendations, recent advancements, and current practices, aligning them with historical developments and past reviews of different BI techniques, along with their advantages and disadvantages. In conclusion, the closing remarks emphasize the future research prospects in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Estimates for the effects of environmental exposures on health outcomes, including secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure, often present considerable variability across studies. Knowledge of the reasons behind these differences can aid our understanding of effects in specific populations as well as inform practices of combining data from multiple studies. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the presence of effect modification by measured sociodemographic characteristics on the effect of SHS exposure during pregnancy on birth weights that may drive differences observed across cohorts. We also aimed to quantify the extent to which differences in the cohort mean effects observed across cohorts in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) consortium are due to differing distributions of these characteristics. METHODS: We assessed the presence of effect modification and transportability of effect estimates across five ECHO cohorts in a total of 6,771 mother–offspring dyads. We assessed the presence of effect modification via gradient boosting of regression trees based on the H-statistic. We estimated individual cohort effects using linear models and targeted maximum likelihood estimation (TMLE). We then estimated transported effects from one cohort to each of the remaining cohorts using a robust nonparametric estimation approach relying on TMLE estimators and compared them to the original effect estimates for these cohorts. RESULTS: Observed effect estimates varied across the five cohorts, ranging from significantly lower birth weight associated with exposure [-167.3 g; 95% confidence interval (CI): -270.4, -64.1] to higher birth weight with wide CIs, including the null (42.4 g; 95% CI: -15.0, 99.8). Transported effect estimates only minimally explained differences in the point estimates for two out of the four cohort pairs. DISCUSSION: Our findings of weak to moderate evidence of effect modification and transportability indicate that unmeasured individual-level and contextual factors and sources of bias may be responsible for differences in the effect estimates observed across ECHO cohorts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widely used, and their fluorinated state contributes to unique uses and stability but also long half-lives in the environment and humans. PFAS have been shown to be toxic, leading to immunosuppression, cancer, and other adverse health outcomes. Only a small fraction of the PFAS in commerce have been evaluated for toxicity using in vivo tests, which leads to a need to prioritize which compounds to examine further. Here, we demonstrate a prioritization approach that combines human biomonitoring data (blood concentrations) with bioactivity data (concentrations at which bioactivity is observed in vitro) for 31 PFAS. The in vitro data are taken from a battery of cell-based assays, mostly run on human cells. The result is a Bioactive Concentration to Blood Concentration Ratio (BCBCR), similar to a margin of exposure (MoE). Chemicals with low BCBCR values could then be prioritized for further risk assessment. Using this method, two of the PFAS, PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid) and PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonic Acid), have BCBCR values < 1 for some populations. An additional 9 PFAS have BCBCR values < 100 for some populations. This study shows a promising approach to screening level risk assessments of compounds such as PFAS that are long-lived in humans and other species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental exposure to heavy metals is ubiquitous. However, its relationship with steroid hormone levels is not well understood, particularly in pregnant women. This study investigated the association between prenatal heavy metal exposure and steroid hormone levels in an e-waste disposal area in China. We analyzed the Cd, Cr, Mn, Pb, Cu, and As concentrations in 102 human milk samples collected 4 weeks after delivery. Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the associations and interactions between heavy metals and steroidal hormones. We found positive associations between Mn and estrone and estriol (estrone: β = 0.713, 95%CI = 0.046, 1.381 and estriol: β = 1.290, 95%CI = 0.494, 2.085) and between Cd and progesterone (β = 0.280; 95%CI = 0.053, 0.506). We observed negative associations between Cr and estrone and estriol (estrone: β =  - 0.757, 95%CI =  - 1.473, - 0.041 and estriol: β =  - 1.354, 95%CI =  - 2.209, - 0.499). At last, we found that Pb was negatively associated with estrone (estrone: β =  - 0.537, 95%CI =  - 1.053, - 0.020). Our results suggest that exposure to heavy metals may affect steroid hormone levels in mothers living in an e-waste recycling area in China., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate: This study was approved by the ethics committee of the Affiliated Chinese Hospital of Jiaxing University (approval No. JHTCM-IRB-2019). All experiments were performed in accordance with relevant named guidelines and regulations. Informed consent was obtained from all participants. Consent for Publication: Not applicable. Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Introduction: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are prevalent among older adults, a population that faces multiple medical challenges, with frailty being a major concern. Despite the high prevalence of LUTS, current treatment strategies for older adults are often inadequate. This paper aims to address these issues by defining daytime and/or nighttime LUTS and examining the impact of comorbid conditions on these symptoms. We will identify the priorities of older patients regarding LUTS management and propose treatment strategies to improve outcomes in this vulnerable population., Methods: This review is based on discussions at the ICI-RS 2024 meeting in Bristol, UK, alongside an extensive literature review examining LUTS in older adults. The review explores distinctions between daytime and nighttime symptoms, the impact of frailty, patient priorities, treatment strategies and the role of comorbidities., Results: LUTS in older adults present a complex and multifaceted challenge, with notable differences between daytime and nighttime manifestations, which may coexist. Clear definitions are needed. There is a lack of evidence that treating associated comorbidities will improve LUTS or urinary incontinence. Personalized care approaches, integrated into broader geriatric health strategies, are essential for addressing these symptoms. An ideal treatment strategy is proposed, focusing on daytime, nighttime or combined day- and nighttime LUTS. Further research is needed to refine treatment pathways and optimize outcomes for this population., Conclusions: A comprehensive, individualized approach is necessary to address LUTS in older adults. Future research should focus on refining diagnostic definitions, exploring the interplay between comorbidities and LUTS, and developing patient-centered treatment strategies that account for both daytime and nighttime (or combined) symptoms., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

This study proposes a novel seismic protection strategy that applies and distributes extended KDamper devices (d-EKD) along the height of an existing mid-rise building structure. The performance of the d-EKD is assessed on a set of real earthquake records and is compared to a system with optimally distributed Tuned Mass Dampers (d-TMD). The proposed framework with the d-EKDs manages to outperform the d-TMDs, regardless the number of installed devices, further reducing the structure's dynamic responses by more than5%, using0 times lower total additional masses, rendering it a realistic and compelling alternative for passive seismic protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper begins by investigating a power quality problem in the case study area using monthly energy consumption data, the peak and minimum load of the substation, a fault summary, and the RMS voltage profile of the case study area. The content of the paper comprises three parts: the first involves MATLAB design and simulation of D-STATCOM with a fuzzy logic controller for the selected case study area. The second part entails MATLAB design and simulation of the DVR with a fuzzy logic controller. The final part presents a hybrid of the DVR and the D-STATCOM back-to-back using a DC link capacitor to implement a more recent and effective power quality improvement technique, namely UPQC. In the case of a three-phase fault, the voltage sag in the case study area is 0.6PU, with the remaining 0.4PU drop-down voltage requiring injection using the proposed FACT device for compensation. All proposed power quality problem mitigation techniques inject the required voltage and compensate for the voltage sag in the substation. For instance, D-STATCOM compensates the RMS voltage from 9KV to 14KV, DVR compensates the RMS voltage from 9KV to 14.7 KV, and UPQC compensates the value to 14.9KV. Due to the three-phase fault, the rise in reactive power of the existing outgoing feeder is 13MW. This unexpected rise in reactive power is reduced to 2.6 MW using D-STATCOM, DVR reduces it to 1.2 MW, and UPQC reduces the value below 1MW. The existing power factor of the case study area without any mitigation technique is 0.68. All proposed techniques improve the existing power factor to a more acceptable value. For instance, D-STATCOM improves the power factor from 0.68 to 0.83, DVR improves the value to 0.88, and UPQC, the more accurate power quality mitigation technique, improves the power factor to 0.93. Finally, the results are compared based on the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hysteretic damping tuned mass damper (HD-TMD), which exhibits linear damping force, has been achieved by variable friction devices. Such devices own the advantages of stable mitigation capacity and easy maintenance compared to viscous damping devices. Previous studies have mainly concentrated on the vibration mitigation effect of the HD-TMD system without explicit consideration of structural acceleration control. In this context, seismic optimizations of HD-TMD for structural acceleration control were presented, and the effective damping of HD-TMD was investigated. H∞ optimizations of the HD-TMD were considered for undamped and lightly damped structures with fixed-point theory, where the closed-form solutions of optimal and improved parameters were derived. Parametric analysis for the dynamic amplification factors (DAFs) of structural acceleration revealed that the closed-form solutions effectively tuned the DAF into double peaks and reduced the maximum response overall frequency. H2 optimizations were conducted with residue theory for the optimization of the undamped structure, and the optimal parameters of HD-TMD subjected to stochastic ground excitation were obtained by numerical searching and curve-fitting techniques. Effective damping of the HD-TMD was consequently examined using the stochastic stationary process in which the damping effect additionally provided to the structure was measured. The effectiveness of the proposed optimal solutions for the HD-TMD in the form of an available engineering variable friction device was thereby corroborated by twenty sets of seismic ground motions. Spectrum's results indicated that the proposed optimal parameters greatly improved the absolute structural acceleration response and provided excellent seismic mitigation capacity for structural displacement response. The response of the equivalent SDOF demonstrated almost the same trend of absolute structural acceleration reduction, which revealed the successful application of effective damping of HD-TMD for designers. Detailed analysis of the earthquake record indicated the functionality and effectiveness of the proposed methods of HD-TMD with the average absolute structural acceleration reduction ratio of 65.86% and 42.66% for maximum reduction and standard deviation reduction, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This exploratory narrative review investigates the association between exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sociodemographic factors, stressors, and endometrial cancer risk. It explores the diverse sources of PFAS exposure and examines the role of income, education, occupation, ethnicity, and geographic location in influencing exposure levels and cancer risk. The review finds significant correlations between these sociodemographic factors and both PFAS exposure and endometrial cancer risk. It emphasizes the need for further interdisciplinary research and targeted interventions to understand and address these complex relationships, highlighting the importance of addressing health disparities for effective disease prevention and management. This exploratory narrative review paper delves into the intricate interplay between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure, sociodemographic factors, and the influence of stressors in the context of endometrial cancer. PFAS, ubiquitous environmental contaminants notorious for their persistence in the ecosystem, have garnered attention for their potential to disrupt endocrine systems and provoke immune responses. We comprehensively examine the various sources of PFAS exposure, encompassing household items, water, air, and soil, thus shedding light on the multifaceted routes through which individuals encounter these compounds. Furthermore, we explore the influence of sociodemographic factors, such as income, education, occupation, ethnicity/race, and geographical location and their relationship to endometrial cancer risk. We also investigated the role of stress on PFAS exposure and endometrial cancer risk. The results revealed a significant impact of sociodemographic factors on both PFAS levels and endometrial cancer risk. Stress emerged as a notable contributing factor influencing PFAS exposure and the development of endometrial cancer, further emphasizing the importance of stress management practices for overall well-being. By synthesizing evidence from diverse fields, this review underscores the need for interdisciplinary research and targeted interventions to comprehensively address the complex relationship between PFAS, sociodemographic factors, stressors, and endometrial cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stochastic response of multi-story buildings isolated by laminated rubber bearing (LRB), lead-rubber bearing (N-Z system), friction pendulum system (FPS), and resilient-friction base isolator (R-FBI) is investigated under the independent multi-hazard scenario of earthquake ground motion (EQGM), wind load (WL), and blast-induced ground motion (BIGM), which are considered as uncertain inputs. A polynomial regression-based Monte Carlo simulation (PRBMCS) is proposed to enable computationally efficient fragility assessment of base-isolated buildings. The suitability of the PRBMCS for stochastic assessment of the base-isolated buildings is compared with the conventional Monte Carlo simulation (MCS), response surface method (RSM) and Cloud analysis. The fragility curves obtained using the PRBMCS are in good agreement with that of the MCS relatively. The study includes: the effects of the characteristic parameters of the four base isolators on the fragility of the base-isolated buildings under the three hazards; influence of the extent of uncertainty in the excitations; and comparison of fragilities of the base-isolated and fixed-base buildings. Notably, the influences of characteristic parameters of the isolators on the fragility of the base-isolated buildings are different under the three hazards. The differences in the stochastic behaviour under the different hazards could have contradictory influences on the selection of isolation parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This research examines the effects of depression and anxiety on patients' recovery and quality of life following cardiac intervention, highlighting the frequent occurrence of these psychological conditions after ICU stays and intensive rehab, emphasizing the need for addressing pain perception and providing patient education and counseling. Methodology: A descriptive cross-sectional research design was used, and the research was conducted in Saudi Arabia from April 2023 to September 2023. All participants were from Saudi Arabia and had cardiac intervention. Questionnaires collected data: The Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 (GAD-7) questionnaire. Results: Among the 543 patients included who underwent cardiac intervention, 61.3% (n=333) were males, and 38.7% (n=210) were females. The most common types of intervention were percutaneous coronary intervention (30.8%, n=167) and coronary artery bypass grafting (26.7%, n=145). Notable comorbidities included arrhythmia (22.1%, n=120), diabetes (42.7%, n=232), high cholesterol (41.8%, n=227), hypertension (52.3%, n=284), a sedentary lifestyle (37.8%, n=205), and smoking (33.1%, n=180). Patients with depressive and anxiety symptoms were further categorized into different levels of severity based on their PHQ and GAD-7 scores, respectively. Conclusion: Our study indicated a high prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in this population. Factors such as comorbidities, demographics, and intervention characteristics were associated with the presence and severity of these symptoms. The findings highlight the importance of addressing psychological well-being and implementing targeted interventions to improve the mental health outcomes of cardiac intervention patients in Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Vitamin E is an important antioxidant and plays an essential role in cellular respiration. At room temperature, it exists in the form of viscous oil and is highly soluble in fat. Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. In this study, α-tocopherol (α -TOH) was characterized using cyclic and differential pulse voltammetry and was detected with high)performance liquid chromatography in real samples (kale, parsley, and a powdered dietary supplement). Cyclic and differential pulse voltammograms have shown one oxidation peak which corresponds to the oxidation of α -TOH. In the oxidation of α -TOH, rapid two-electron oxidation coupled with one proton loss (–2e− /– 1H+ ) occurred, and a diamagnetic cation (α -TO+ ) was formed. Oxidation of α -TOH α is an irreversible and a diffusion-controlled process since the linear correlation between anodic peak current, Ip,a, and the square root of scan rate (ν) 1/2 was observed. It was also determined that the anodic peak current of α -TOH increases with the increase of its concentration (linear response was obtained in the concentration range from 0.43 mg/dm³ to 70.41 mg/dm³ ). The obtained values of α -TOH in real samples were 8.267 mg/kg for parsley, 1.492 mg/kg for kale, and 0.067 mg/kg for powdered dietary supplement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 defines equal and inclusive education, countries in the Global South, including South Africa, have a long way to go to achieve this goal. South Africa has a unique political and historical narrative, and three decades after apartheid, there remain stark differences in education. This research focuses on learners with learning disabilities, such as dyscalculia and dyslexia. The introduction of digital technologies within higher education institutions excludes these learners, as the adaptability of digital learning techniques has not been considered for specific learning disabilities. The challenges are now heightened. Although primary studies have been conducted in the past, no definitive solutions have been established for the seamless integration of these learners into mainstream education. Hence, a different research approach was undertaken. An expansive review of existing scholarship was conducted using online academic resources and search platforms such as Google Scholar, Scopus, and EBSCOhost. The purpose was to engage with global literature responding to South African-specific issues. A discussion and comparison of available resources and tools were outlined and structured according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The study was underpinned by the universal design for learning theory. Global research indicated the availability of online tools that were too expensive for South African education and incompatible with the lack of technological skills and infrastructure. Popular and effective tools, including augmented reality and gamification-type applications, have seen positive results but are currently impractical for South African usage. The literature provided adequate information to develop an introductory clinical sociology intervention and embark on a process of awareness and support for educators and affected learners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim of study. Neuronal pentraxin-2 (NPTX2) is a synaptic protein responsible for modulating plasticity at excitatory synapses. While the role of NPTX2 as a novel synaptic biomarker in cognitive disorders has been elucidated recently, its role in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is not yet understood. Clinical rationale for study. To determine if NPTX2 predicts cognition in patients with iNPH, and whether it could serve as a predictive marker for shunt outcomes. Materials and methods. 354 iNPH patients underwent cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSF) as part of the tap test or extended lumbar drainage. Demographic and clinical measures including age, Evans Index (EI), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score, Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) score, and baseline and post-shunt surgery Timed Up and Go (TUG) test scores were ascertained. CSF NPTX2 concentrations were measured using an ELISA. CSF ß-amyloid 1-40 (Aß1-40), ß-amyloid 1-42 (Aß1-42), and phosphorylated tau-181 (pTau-181) were measured by chemiluminescent assays. Spearman's correlation was used to determine the correlation between CSF NPTX2 concentrations and age, EI, MoCA and FAQ, TUG, Aß1-40/Aß1-42 ratio, and pTau-181 concentrations. Logistic regression was used to determine if CSF NPTX2 values were a predictor of short-term improvement post-CSF drainage or long-term improvement post-shunt surgery. Results. There were 225 males and 129 females with a mean age of 77.7 years (± 7.06). Average CSF NPTX2 level in all iNPH patients was 559.97 pg/mL (± 432.87). CSF NPTX2 level in those selected for shunt surgery was 505.61 pg/mL (± 322.38). NPTX2 showed modest correlations with pTau-181 (r = 0.44, p < 0.001) with a trend for Aß42/Aß40 ratio (r = -0.1, p = 0.053). NPTX2 concentrations did not correlate with age (r = -0.012, p = 0.83) or MoCA score (r = 0.001, p = 0.87), but correlated negatively with FAQ (r = -0.15, p = 0.019). Conclusions. While CSF NPTX2 values correlate with neurodegeneration, they do not correlate with cognitive or functional measures in iNPH. CSF NPTX2 cannot serve as a predictor of either short-term or long-term improvement after CSF drainage. Clinical implications. These results suggest that synaptic degeneration is not a core feature of iNPH pathophysiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, an extensive number of studies related to the performance of base isolation systems implemented in regular reinforced concrete structures subjected to various types of earthquakes can be found in the literature. On the other hand, investigations regarding the irregular base-isolated reinforced concrete structures' performance when subjected to pulse-like earthquakes are very scarce. The severity of pulse-like earthquakes emerges from their ability to destabilize the base-isolated structure by remarkably increasing the displacement demands. Thus, this study is intended to investigate the effects of pulse-like earthquake characteristics on the behavior of low-rise irregular base-isolated reinforced concrete structures. Within the study scope, investigations related to the impact of the pulse-like earthquake characteristics, irregularity type, and isolator properties will be conducted. To do so, different values of damping ratios of the base isolation system were selected to investigate the efficiency of the lead rubber-bearing isolator. In general, the outcomes of the study have shown the significance of vertical irregularity on the performance of base-isolated structures and the considerable effect of pulse-like ground motions on the buildings' behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the association between financial strain and psychological distress among middle-aged and older adults, exploring how this association is mediated by sleep problems and moderated by marital status. A subsample of 12,095 adults aged 50 and older was selected from the 2018 National Health Interview Survey. Results showed that financial strain was associated with higher psychological distress, and sleep problems partially mediated this association. Marital status moderated the association between sleep problems and psychological distress, and between financial strain and psychological distress, but not between financial strain and sleep problems. These findings partially support the stress-buffering role of marriage. The study offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between financial strain, sleep problems, marital status, and psychological distress among middle-aged and older adults in the United States, highlighting the need for interventions targeting financial stressors and sleep problems, especially for unmarried individuals, to improve mental health outcomes in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This paper proposes an optimal active vibration control system to control an active tuned mass damper (ATMD), which can help reduce the seismic structural damages caused by the earthquake effects. Methods: The proposed controller exploits the features of the fractional-order calculus to improve the performances of the derivative and the integral actions of the conventional PID controller, the parameters gains ( K p , K i , K d ), λ and μ of the fractional-order PID controller (FO-PID) are selected optimally using the recent artificial hummingbird algorithm (AHA), A comparative study conducted against the classical PID controller in different earthquake excitations, to highlight the advantages of proposed FO-PID. Finally, A new graphical user interface (GUI) based on MATLAB called "SVCS Structural Vibration Control Simulator" is developed to facilitate the simulation of different vibration control systems using different earthquake excitations. Conclusion: The results obtained reflect that using FO-PID controller improves the performance of active control and can reduce further the structural response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives: Patients hospitalized with alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) are typically treated with CIWA-directed benzodiazepines to prevent complications, such as seizures and delirium tremens. Gabapentin is an evidence-based alternative to benzodiazepines in the outpatient setting, but there is limited data for hospitalized patients with AWS. This study compared fixed-dose gabapentin to CIWA-directed benzodiazepines for AWS in the hospital setting. Methods: This open-label, randomized controlled trial enrolled 88 adults from February 1, 2017 to August 16, 2020 with a risk of complicated alcohol withdrawal as defined by the Prediction of Alcohol Withdrawal Severity Scale (PAWSS) ≥4. Patients were randomized within 16 h of admission to either fixed-dose gabapentin taper or continued CIWA-directed benzodiazepine administration. The primary outcome was the length of stay (LOS). Secondary outcomes included seizure, delirium tremens, ICU transfer, and patient-reported symptoms (alcohol cravings, anxiety, sleepiness). Results: LOS was shorter, but not statistically different in the gabapentin group compared to the benzodiazepine group. Because benzodiazepines were received in both gabapentin and benzodiazepine groups before randomization, the mean amount of benzodiazepines received in each group was also not statistically different, although the amount received by the gabapentin group was less than half of that received by the benzodiazepine group (4.3 vs. 10.6 mg, p = 0.146 by per protocol analysis). There were no statistical differences in secondary measures. Conclusions: Fixed-dose gabapentin taper showed similar outcomes compared to CIWA-directed benzodiazepines for the treatment of hospitalized patients with mild/moderate AWS, but the interpretation of the results is limited due to under-enrollment and the use of benzodiazepines in both groups pre-enrollment. Clinical trial registration: NCT03012815. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insect consumption is a traditional practice in many countries. Currently, the urgent need for ensuring food sustainability and the high pressure from degrading environment are urging food scientists to rethink the possibility of introducing edible insects as a promising food type. However, due to the lack of the standardized legislative rules and the adequate scientific data that demonstrate the safety of edible insects, many countries still consider it a grey area to introduce edible insects into food supply chains. In this review, we comprehensively reviewed the legal situation, consumer willingness, acceptance, and the knowledge on edible insect harvesting, processing as well as their safety concerns. We found that, despite the great advantage of introducing edible insects in food supply chains, the legal situation and consumer acceptance for edible insects are still unsatisfactory and vary considerably in different countries, which mostly depend on geographical locations and cultural backgrounds involving psychological, social, religious, and anthropological factors. Besides, the safety concern of edible insect consumption is still a major issue hurdling the promotion of edible insects, which is particularly concerning for countries with no practice in consuming insects. Fortunately, the situation is improving. So far, some commercial insect products like energy bars, burgers, and snack foods have emerged in the market. Furthermore, the European Union has also recently issued a specific item for regulating new foods, which is believed to establish an authorized procedure to promote insect‐based foods and should be an important step for marketizing edible insects in the near future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nontechnical losses of electrical energy (NTLEE) have been a persistent issue in both the Russian and global electric power industries since the end of the 20th century. Every year, these losses result in tens of billions of dollars in damages. Promptly identifying unscrupulous consumers can prevent the onset of NTLEE sources, substantially reduce the amount of NTLEE and economic damages to network grids, and generally improve the economic climate. The contemporary advancements in machine learning and artificial intelligence facilitate the identification of NTLEE sources through anomaly detection in energy consumption data. This article aims to analyze the current efficacy of computational methods in locating, detecting, and identifying nontechnical losses and their origins, highlighting the application of neural network technologies. Our research indicates that nearly half of the recent studies on identifying NTLEE sources (41%) employ neural networks. The most utilized tools are convolutional networks and autoencoders, the latter being recognized for their high-speed performance. This paper discusses the main metrics and criteria for assessing the effectiveness of NTLEE identification utilized in training and testing phases. Additionally, it explores the sources of initial data, their composition, and their impact on the outcomes of various algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material science advancements have resulted in the development of high-strength concrete and steel reinforcement, allowing more efficient and stable buildings against natural and manmade disasters. Increasing security concerns and the potential threat from terrorist activities have led to the safety and resilience of structures against blast loads in modern construction. The present study investigates the performance of reinforced concrete shear walls in mitigating blast-induced vibrations. The study examines four different reinforced concrete buildings based on their shapes, namely square, rectangular, C-shaped, and L-shaped, to understand the blast behaviours with and without shear walls. The study presents a methodology to protect the regular and irregular buildings equipped with shear walls against blast loads at varying standoff distances of 100 m, 200 m, 300 m, and 400 m, respectively. The study also compares the efficiency of passive control dampers and shear walls in enhancing the buildings' performance against blast vibrations. The best placement of the shear walls is also evaluated for all the selected buildings. The study also considers the effect of shear wall thickness in mitigating blast-induced vibrations in multi-storey buildings. The study also discusses the design guidelines and reinforcement detailing of shear walls to protect buildings against detrimental blast effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are environmental chemicals characterized by long half-lives in nature and human bodies, posing significant health risks. The concept of the exposome, encompassing all lifetime environmental exposures, underscores the importance of studying POP as mixtures rather than in isolation. The increasing body of evidence on the health impacts of POP mixtures necessitates the proper application of statistical methods., Objectives: We aimed to summarize studies on the overall effects of POP mixtures, identify patterns in applications of mixture methods-statistical methods for investigating the association of mixtures-and highlight current challenges in synthesizing epidemiologic evidence of POP mixtures on health effects as illustrated through a case study., Methods: We conducted a systematic literature search on PubMed and Embase for epidemiological studies published between January 2011 and April 2023., Results: We included 240 studies that met our eligibility criteria. 126 studies focused on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) mixtures only, while 40 analyzed three or more classes of POPs in mixture analyses. We identified 23 unique mixture methods used to estimate the overall effects of POP mixtures, with Bayesian Kernel Machine Regression (BKMR), a type of response-surface modeling, being the most common. Additionally, 22.9% of studies used a combination of methods, including response-surface modeling, index modeling, dimension reduction, and latent variable models. The most extensively explored health outcome category was body weight and birth sizes (n = 43), and neurological outcomes (n = 41). In the case study of PFAS mixtures and birth weight, 12 studies showed negative associations, while 4 showed null results, and 2 showed positive associations., Impact Statement: This scoping review consolidates the existing literature on the overall effects of POP mixtures using statistical methods. By providing a comprehensive overview, our study illuminates the present landscape of knowledge in this field and underscores the methodological hurdles prevalent in epidemiological studies focused on POP mixtures. Through this analysis, we aim to steer future research directions, fostering a more nuanced comprehension of the intricate dynamics involved in assessing the health effects of POP mixtures. Our work stands as a significant contribution to the ongoing exploration of the chemical exposome., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

The open circuit voltage (V OC ) losses at multiple interfaces within perovskite solar cells (PSCs) limit the improvements in power conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a tailored strategy is proposed to reduce the energy offset at both hetero-interfaces within PSCs to decrease the V OC losses. For the interface of perovskite and electron transport layer where exists a mass of defects, it uses the pyromellitic acid to serve as a molecular bridge, which reduces non-radiative recombination and energy level offset. For the interface of perovskite and hole transport layer, which includes a passivator of PEAI, the detrimental effect (negative shift of work function) of PEAI passivation and optimizing the interface energy level alignment are neutralized by incorporating (2-(4-(bis(4-methoxyphenyl)amino)phenyl)-1-cyanovinyl)phosphonic acid. Owing to synergistically reduced hetero-interface energy offset, the PSCs achieve a PCE of 25.13%, and the V OC is increased from 1.134 to 1.174 V. In addition, the resulting PSCs possess enhanced stability, the unencapsulated PSCs can maintain ≈96% and ≈97% of their initial PCE after 2000 h of aging under ambient conditions and 210 h under operation conditions., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

In order to balance the blast protective performance and lightweight property, sandwich panels with various geometries of core are being employed in the military armours and modern-day combat vehicles. Owing to the superior energy absorption capacity of auxetic-reentrant cellular structures, hybridizing auxetic cells with the regular hexagonal cells in the honeycomb core for the purpose of blast protection could be a promising method. Therefore, novel honeycomb cores with combined auxetic and hexagonal cells (AuxHex and Star-Reentrant) are designed for blast protection panel with an aim to enhance the blast performance by improving the energy absorption and minimizing the dynamic deflection of the back plate. Initially, the dynamic response of honeycomb sandwich panels with various regular geometrical cores is analysed and validated with the experimental results from the literature. Further, air blast analysis has been performed on AuxHex and Star-Reentrant honeycomb cored sandwich panel having same relative density as that of hexagonal honeycomb core under exactly same conditions. In addition to that, the study is extended for varying charges of TNT and at different stand-off distances. It has been revealed that the sandwich panel with AuxHex and Star-Reentrant core of same relative density as that of hexagonal honeycomb core absorbs 28% and 19.2% more amount of energy and experiences 17% and 8% less deflection, respectively, than those with regular hexagonal honeycomb core. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer–drug conjugates (PDCs) have shown great promise in enhancing the efficacy and safety of cancer therapy. These conjugates combine the advantageous properties of both polymers and drugs, leading to improved pharmacokinetics, controlled drug release, and targeted delivery to tumor tissues. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent developments in PDCs for cancer therapy. First, various types of polymers used in these conjugates are discussed, including synthetic polymers, such as poly(↋-caprolactone) (PCL), D-α-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol (TPGS), and polyethylene glycol (PEG), as well as natural polymers such as hyaluronic acid (HA). The choice of polymer is crucial to achieving desired properties, such as stability, biocompatibility, and controlled drug release. Subsequently, the strategies for conjugating drugs to polymers are explored, including covalent bonding, which enables a stable linkage between the polymer and the drug, ensuring controlled release and minimizing premature drug release. The use of polymers can extend the circulation time of the drug, facilitating enhanced accumulation within tumor tissues through the enhanced permeability and retention (EPR) effect. This, in turn, results in improved drug efficacy and reduced systemic toxicity. Moreover, the importance of tumor-targeting ligands in PDCs is highlighted. Various ligands, such as antibodies, peptides, aptamers, folic acid, herceptin, and HA, can be incorporated into conjugates to selectively deliver the drug to tumor cells, reducing off-target effects and improving therapeutic outcomes. In conclusion, PDCs have emerged as a versatile and effective approach to cancer therapy. Their ability to combine the advantages of polymers and drugs offers enhanced drug delivery, controlled release, and targeted treatment, thereby improving the overall efficacy and safety of cancer therapies. Further research and development in this field has great potential to advance personalized cancer treatment options. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a pivotal role in cancer development and progression. In this line, revealing the precise mechanisms of the TME and associated signaling pathways of tumor resistance could pave the road for cancer prevention and efficient treatment. The use of nanomedicine could be a step forward in overcoming the barriers in tumor-targeted therapy. Novel delivery systems benefit from enhanced permeability and retention effect, decreasing tumor resistance, reducing tumor hypoxia, and targeting tumor-associated factors, including immune cells, endothelial cells, and fibroblasts. Emerging evidence also indicates the engagement of multiple dysregulated mediators in the TME, such as matrix metalloproteinase, vascular endothelial growth factor, cytokines/chemokines, Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, Hedgehog, and related inflammatory and apoptotic pathways. Hence, investigating novel multitargeted agents using a novel delivery system could be a promising strategy for regulating TME and drug resistance. In recent years, small molecules from natural sources have shown favorable anticancer responses by targeting TME components. Nanoformulations of natural compounds are promising therapeutic agents in simultaneously targeting multiple dysregulated factors and mediators of TME, reducing tumor resistance mechanisms, overcoming interstitial fluid pressure and pericyte coverage, and involvement of basement membrane. The novel nanoformulations employ a vascular normalization strategy, stromal/matrix normalization, and stress alleviation mechanisms to exert higher efficacy and lower side effects. Accordingly, the nanoformulations of anticancer monoclonal antibodies and conventional chemotherapeutic agents also improved their efficacy and lessened the pharmacokinetic limitations. Additionally, the coadministration of nanoformulations of natural compounds along with conventional chemotherapeutic agents, monoclonal antibodies, and nanomedicine-based radiotherapy exhibits encouraging results. This critical review evaluates the current body of knowledge in targeting TME components by nanoformulation-based delivery systems of natural small molecules, monoclonal antibodies, conventional chemotherapeutic agents, and combination therapies in both preclinical and clinical settings. Current challenges, pitfalls, limitations, and future perspectives are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To help to tackle gender-based violence against women in the aftermath of COVID-19 or other potential crisis situations, as recommended by the European Institute for Gender Equality, the present study aims to investigate the relationship between calls to the National Anti-violence Number (NAN) and the socio-sanitary pandemic factors during 2021, a period in which the scenario changed due to containment measures that gradually allowed women to emerge from the condition of isolation. In addition, the present work aims to identify significant changes in the number of calls to NAN during the progression of the pandemic in 2021. Methods: Using Italian Civil Protection Department data on the socio-sanitary pandemic factors (defined by daily number of cases, swabs, deaths, hospitalizations, dismissions, intensive care unit hospitalizations, people isolated at home, and quarantine after 15 and 30 days) and NAN data. Correlation analyses, a joinpoint regression analysis, and Granger causality tests were performed. Results: The number of calls correlated with the daily number of cases, swabs, deaths, hospitalizations, dismissions, intensive care unit hospitalizations, and quarantine after 15 and 30 days. The identified joinpoints showed significant changes in the number of daily anti-violence calls during the year. Furthermore, we found evidence of a significant causality between daily hospitalizations, daily home quarantined, daily dismissed patients, and calls to NAN. Conclusions: The results underline the influence of containment measures on the increased access to NAN, suggesting the need for a greater implementation of social and psychological support services in other potential crisis situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, copper oxide (CuO) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by the sol–gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and tunneling electron microscopy (TEM) that all confirmed monoclinic crystalline structure with the particle size of ~ 24 nm. Then, different amounts of doxepin were loaded on the prepared NPs and loading efficacy was evaluated by the linear absorption spectroscopy and nonlinear optical measurements. In the DLS analysis, it is found that enhancing drug loading increases the hydrodynamic radius due to aggregation of NPs and formation of the drug corona around NPs, leading to the increase of light absorption. Moreover, increment of the particle absorption leads to enhancing population of the electrons in the upper level (conduction band) compared to the lower one (valence band) and promotes saturation of the absorption, as confirmed by the open-aperture Z-scan experiment. Finally, to describe the in vitro cellular cytotoxicity of the prepared CuO NPs, this nanomaterial was treated with PC3 human prostate cancer cells and the average growth of cells was monitored by a preliminary MTT assay. This investigation proved a noticeable decrease in the MTT signal compared to the untreated cells; therefore, CuO affects the metabolic activity of the performed cell line. This study shows that CuO can be used as a suitable carrier for a range of drugs, treating PC3 human prostate cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of nitrogen‐doped TiO2 were prepared through a simple sol‐solvothermal method. The catalysts were characterized by BET, XRD, SEM‐EDS, Raman, XPS, FTIR, UV‐Vis, etc. The results show that N−TiO2 photocatalyst has a larger specific surface area, stable anatase phase, and narrow forbidden band energy (3.17–3.24 eV). The N‐doped TiO2 has more oxygen vacancies (OVs) than pure TiO2, as confirmed by results such as XPS and ESR. The photocatalytic evaluation results show that the decolorization of methyl orange reached 99.03 % over the 3 % N‐doped TiO2, which is 40 % higher than that of pure TiO2. Meanwhile, 3 % N‐doped TiO2 exhibited a faster MO mineralisation rate than TiO2. After repeatedly used for 5 times, the photocatalyst 3‐N−TiO2 still showed high activity in the degradation of MO. The improvement of the visible light performance of the N−TiO2 photocatalyst could be attributed to the introduction of N in TiO2 to generate new N 2p energy levels and rich OVs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the optimal design issue of a passive tuned mass damper (TMD) was transformed into the nonsparse control gain matrix optimization problem, and a general passive TMD optimization design method to minimize structural mean square responses or impulse response is therefore proposed. The proposed optimization procedure combines the static output feedback (also known as direct output feedback) algorithm and the updating iterative procedure. The proposed method can be applied to variant design scenario, whether the main structure is single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) or multidegree-of-freedom (MDOF) structures, undamped or damped structures, subjected to wind disturbances or earthquake excitations. In addition, the proposed method is capable to consider the excitation shaping filter, so the design results are more suitable for practical application. The design procedure of the proposed method is presented, and all the required weighting matrices are introduced and derived in detail. Firstly, the SDOF structures are used as the main structure to demonstrate the correctness of the proposed method. The numerical simulation results verify that the obtained optimal design parameters of TMD were found identical to some cases which contain the analytic solution. The accuracy and feasibility of the proposed design method are confirmed. Finally, a passive TMD is optimally designed for a 5-story MDOF structure subjected to Kanai–Tajimi spectrum comparable earthquakes and a 60-story high-rise MDOF structure subjected to Davenport spectrum comparable wind loads for demonstration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blasting demolition plays an important role in building demolition, and numerical-simulation methods can facilitate the optimization of blasting-demolition schemes. To study the influence of the delay-time differences between columns on the blasting and demolition effect of small-aspect-ratio reinforced concrete structures, a separated common node model of small-aspect-ratio structures was established through the finite element numerical simulation software ANSYS/LS-DYNA. The results showed that the delay-time differences between columns influenced the position of the plastic hinge of the structure, and the plastic hinge was located at the end of the back span beam when the delay-time difference was 0.1~0.3 s. The plastic hinge moves to the top of the back row of the columns of the first floor at 0.4~0.8 s and to the end of each span of the beams at 0.9 s. When the plastic hinge is at the end of the beam, the orientation axis is located at the bottom of the back row of the columns of the first floor. Moreover, when the plastic hinge is at the top of the back row of the columns of the first floor, the orientation axis is at the same position as the plastic hinge. The delay-time difference also affects the recoil distance of the structure as well as the height of the burst pile. To ensure that the structure can be successfully collapsed under the preconditions of disintegration, for a small height-to-width ratio structure, the appropriate intercolumn delay-time difference is 0.4~0.5 s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In this study, the effective damping coefficient of the fluid viscous dampers (FVDs) used for coupling two adjacent multi-story frames was investigated, considering soil-structure interaction (SSI) effects under seismic excitation. Methods: A numerical procedure was employed to obtain the dynamic response of the interconnected frames-soil system. The two-dimensional (2D) finite elements were used for the numerical treatment of the adjacent frames and soil region. Viscous boundary conditions were used as special non-reflecting boundaries on the edges of finite soil region. Five different damping coefficients of FVDs are considered to determine the effective damping coefficient. The effective damping coefficient of FVDs was determined by comparing the results from coupled frames with those of the uncoupled frames. Results: The results showed that the most affecting parameter on the system response was found to be soil type. It was also found that the sufficient damping coefficient of the viscous damper is equal to 1 × 105 N s/m for minimum response. Conclusion: When the effective damping coefficient of the FVDs was provided, the maximum values of the roof displacements, the roof accelerations, and the base shear forces are found to decrease by more than 40%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water contamination caused by highly toxic Cr(VI) should be resolved imminently with a more efficient photocatalytic approach. The interaction between photocatalyst heterostructure is critical for charge separation which largely affects the photocatalytic efficiency. Herein, TiO2 hollow sphere/UiO‐66‐NH2 (TiO2/UiO‐66‐NH2) heterostructures were successfully synthesized by an adsorption‐induced in‐situ solvothermal growth strategy. The UiO‐66‐NH2 particles were well dispersed on TiO2 hollow spheres by solvothermal treatment of Zr4+ adsorbed TiO2 hollow spheres with NH2‐BDC ligand. The photocatalytic activities of TiO2/UiO‐66‐NH2 heterostructures were investigated by reduction of Cr(VI) with visible light irradiation. With the introduction of UiO‐66‐NH2, the reduction efficiency toward Cr(VI) by TiO2/UiO‐66‐NH2 heterostructures reached 89% after 180 min of irradiation, which is much higher than those of TiO2 hollow spheres (10%) and UiO‐66‐NH2 crystals (29%). Moreover, the TiO2/UiO‐66‐NH2 heterostructures display good regeneration ability and can still maintain 70% of Cr(VI) removal ability after four cycles. The integration of TiO2 and UiO‐66‐NH2 could construct a type‐II heterojunction to broaden the absorption range of light and suppress the recombination of photoproduced electrons and holes. As a result, such unique composite structure significantly enhance the photocatalytic performance towards Cr(VI) reduction. This work not only inspires a new approach for in‐situ solvothermal synthesis of semiconductor@MOFs composites, but provides a novel photocatalyst for highly efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

10-hydroxy decanoic acid (HDA), a naturally derived fatty acid, was used for the preparation of novel fatty acid vesicles for comparison with oleic acid (OA) ufasomes. The vesicles were loaded with magnolol (Mag), a potential natural drug for skin cancer. Different formulations were prepared using the thin film hydration method and were statistically evaluated according to a Box–Behnken design in terms of particle size (PS), polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), and entrapment efficiency (EE). The ex vivo skin permeation and deposition were assessed for Mag skin delivery. In vivo, an assessment of the optimized formulae using 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)-induced skin cancer in mice was also conducted. The PS and ZP of the optimized OA vesicles were 358.9 ± 3.2 nm and −82.50 ± 7.13 mV compared to 191.9 ± 6.28 nm and −59.60 ± 3.07 mV for HDA vesicles, respectively. The EE was high (>78%) for both types of vesicles. Ex vivo permeation studies revealed enhanced Mag permeation from all optimized formulations compared to a drug suspension. Skin deposition demonstrated that HDA-based vesicles provided the highest drug retention. In vivo, studies confirmed the superiority of HDA-based formulations in attenuating DMBA-induced skin cancer during treatment and prophylactic studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is known that bomb-laden vehicles target many buildings as a result of terrorist activities. The effects of such attacks must be reduced and structures must be protected against blast effects. In high seismic hazard regions, buildings are designed to be earthquake resistant. One of the methods used to dampen earthquake effects on structures is base isolation. Base isolation is effective in distributing blast loads to the structure, similar to seismic loading. In this study, the effects of this distribution on the structure will be evaluated. The scope of the study encompasses the numerical estimation of explosive loads at different distances according to the explosive material carrying capacity of various vehicles and their effects on structures. Linear and nonlinear analysis methods were used to compare the dynamic behaviour of school buildings designed with and without base isolators. The Turkish Building Earthquake Code (2018), which includes the maximum seismic loads, was used in the design of the isolators. Numerical analysis was performed using SAP2000 software based on the finite element method. The blast loads were applied to the floors of the building using the direct integration method in the time domain. FEMA standards were used to determine the blast loads and the performance was evaluated in comparison with the numerical analysis results. As a result of the study, it was concluded that structures with base isolators are efficient in reducing the effects of an explosion at certain distances and these distances will affect the design of the shelter walls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Psychosis associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been previously, but infrequently, reported in the literature. We present a rare case of COVID-19-associated severe psychosis and suicide attempt in an 80-year-old male with no personal or known family history of psychiatric disease. Our patient's symptoms appeared to be longer lasting than most other reported cases in the available literature. Case Report: After a COVID-19 diagnosis, our patient experienced fluctuating, long-lasting psychiatric symptoms over a six-month period. During this time, he was unable to function independently. Suggested mechanisms involve a multifactorial combination of neuroinflammation and increased societal stress due to the direct and indirect effects of the virus, respectively. Conclusion: More research is needed to help identify risk factors, prognostic indicators, and a standard of care for psychosis associated with COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]