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One of the most significant, intricate, and little-discussed aspects of pressurized irrigation is cost estimation. This study attempts to model the early-stage cost of the drip irrigation system using a database of 515 projects divided into four sections the cost of the pumping station and central control system (TCP), the cost of on-farm equipment (TCF), the cost of installation and operation on-farm and pumping station (TCI), and the total cost (TCT). First, 39 environmental and management features affecting the cost of the listed sectors were extracted for each of the 515 projects previously mentioned. A database (a matrix of 515 × 43) was created, and the costs of all projects were updated for the baseline year of 2022. Then, several feature selection algorithms, such as WCC, LCA, GA, PSO, ACO, ICA, LA, HTS, FOA, DSOS, and CUK, were employed to choose the most significant features that had the biggest influence on the system cost. The selection of features was carried out for all features (a total of 39 features) as well as for easily available features (those features that existed before the irrigation system's design phase, 18 features). Then, different machine learning models such as Multivariate Linear Regression, Support Vector Regression, Artificial Neural Networks, Gene Expression Programming, Genetic Algorithms, Deep Learning, and Decision Trees, were used to estimate the costs of each of the of the aforementioned sections. Support vector machine (SVM) and optimization algorithms (Wrapper) were found to be the best learner and feature selection techniques, respectively, out of all the available feature selection algorithms. The two LCA and FOA algorithms produced the best estimation, according to the evaluation criteria results. Their RMSE for all features was 0.0020 and 0.0018, respectively, and their R2 was 0.94 and 0.94. For readily available features, these criteria were 0.0006 and 0.95 for both algorithms. In the part of the overall feature, the early-stage cost modeling with selected features revealed that the SVM model (with RBF Kernel) is the best model among the four cost sections discussed. Its evaluation criteria in the training stage are R2 = 0.923, RMSE = 0.008, and VE = 0.082; in the testing stage, they are R2 = 0.893, RMSE = 0.009, and VE = 0.102. The ANN model (MLP) was found to be the best model for a subset of features in the easily available feature part, with R2 = 0.912, RMSE = 0.008, and VE = 0.083 in the training stage and R2 = 0.882, RMSE = 0.009, and VE = 0.103 in the testing stage. The findings of this study can be utilized to highly accurately estimate the cost of local irrigation systems based on the recognized environmental and management parameters and by employing particular models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crashworthiness behavior of horsetail-inspired sandwich tubes was analyzed in this study. Multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithms with the Levenberg-Marquardt training algorithm (LMA) were used to predict force-displacement curve and optimize the geometrical parameters according to minimum peak crushing force and specific energy absorption. Based on the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) optimization results, the specimen with four core tubes and a thickness of 1 mm, and a height of 92 mm has the optimal crashworthiness performance. Finally, the optimal specimen is fabricated and the results of the numerical and MLP methods are validated versus experimental approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the crashworthiness properties of thin-walled foam-filled Auxetic metal/composite cellular tubes under quasi-static and low-velocity impact axial loading. The specimens were fabricated using thin-walled steel tubes and Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite (GFRC) laminates. The crashworthiness characteristics including peak load, absorbed energy, specific absorbed energy, and failure mechanisms of the hybrid structures were studied and compared with individual hollow section and foam-filled Auxetic tubes. In addition, detailed FE simulations were performed using LS-DYNA software, which was verified by the experiments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Monobenzyl ether hydroquinone (MEBHQ) is a cream that promotes the spread and evenness of skin patches in vitiligo. Our aim was to investigate the oxidative and inflammatory effects of this cream on vitiligo patients consuming MEBHQ. Methods: A case–control study was conducted with three groups of 30 people from the control group, vitiligo patients before and after treatment. The percentage of vitiligo spots was determined by a specialist doctor. The levels of biochemical factors, oxidative stress profile and inflammatory factors were measured by enzymatic, colorimetric and ELISA methods, respectively. Results: Vitiligo patients showed a high level of inflammation and oxidative stress compared to healthy people. Although after 3 months of using MBEHQ cream, the percentage of skin spots in vitiligo patients increased from an average of 63%–91% and the skin color became almost uniform, but it still increased the level of oxidative stress and inflammation in these patients. Although the level of oxidative stress increased significantly in these patients, there was no significant increase in the level of malondialdehyde. The lack of significant differences in the levels of biochemical factors between healthy people and vitiligo patients before and after using the treatment shows the absence of side effects. Conclusion: The use of MBEHQ increased the size of skin spots and uneven skin color in vitiligo patients. Although MBEHQ did not show side effects such as diabetes, liver and kidney diseases, it increased the levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory cytokines, which needs further study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The movement of solutes in soil is crucial due to their potential to cause soil and groundwater pollution. In this study, a mathematical model based on the Advection Dispersion Equation (ADE) was developed to evaluate solutions for solute transport. This equation enabled us to attain a relationship for concentrations at different locations and times, also known as the breakthrough curve. Five columns (5 cm in diameter and 30 cm in height) of soil types were prepared to check the validity of the results. An evaluation of the calculated relations showed high accuracy in estimating the breakthrough curve and the saturated hydraulic conductivity of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Auxetic materials or materials with a negative Poissons ratio have a great potential to be used in many industries because of their specific mechanical properties such as high stiffness and strength with significant weight saving. In this article, the effect of various parameters of the fabrication process on the microstructure of a polyurethane auxetic foam was investigated. Moreover, the compression behavior of this foam in different situations, from quasi-static to high strain rate loading, was studied comprehensively. Results indicated that 70% volume reduction, being heated to 180[degrees]C and kept at that temperature for 1 h and 45 min could maximize the auxeticity of the foam. Microscopic images demonstrated that the foam structure cells were transformed from honeycomb to re-entrant, causing the Poisson's ratio to become negative. With increasing the re-entrant cells, the auxeticity of the foam increased, which leads to increasing the absorbed energy in quasi-static compression up to 443%, and in high strain rate loading up to 617%. KEYWORDS low-velocity impact, negative Poisson's ratio, polyurethane auxetic foam, quasi-static compression, split Hopkinson pressure Bar, 1 | INTRODUCTION Over the three decades, the development of designing in engineering structures and technology in industries such as aircraft, automotive, and sports industries has led to the widespread [...]

Wick irrigation is a combination of subsurface and pot irrigation methods that provides water to the plant roots through the wick by means of capillary ascent. The salient features of this method are the elimination of evaporation losses and deep penetration, and thus increase plant yield and water use efficiency. The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance and water use efficiency of a wick system designed for corn cultivation in comparison with surface-furrow irrigation method. In this study, after reviewing and selecting the most suitable wick, field studies with two treatments of wick irrigation and furrow irrigation were performed in the summer of 2017 in one crop season and the wick system was prepared and implemented. Based on the results obtained, the total volume of water consumed in the wick system has decreased by about 30% on average compared with the surface system and its wet and dry performance has increased by about 1.4 and 1.7 times, respectively. Therefore, water use efficiency for maize plant in wick irrigation method increased by 2.5 times compared with surface method. The results show the effectiveness of wick irrigation method on yield and water use efficiency for corn cultivation in semi-arid areas compared with surface-furrow irrigation method.

Global water demand is constantly increasing, while freshwater resources are limited due to increased demand and the effects of climate change, especially in arid and semi-arid regions such as Iran. The cost of water production is one of the most important factors in choosing a desalination method. In the adsorption method using natural materials, the cost of desalination can be reduced. In this study, Iranian zeolite and bentonite were used to reduce salinity by batch test. The adsorbents were identified by EDx, XRD, and BET. Clays were also modified with 1 M hydrochloric acid. The results showed that Iranian zeolite and bentonite used in this study as mineral adsorbents do not have the efficiency to reduce salinity and increase the electrical conductivity and sodium content of water. The highest increase in sodium concentration in samples was related to natural bentonite (102.5 mg/g) at the highest salinity concentration (64000 mg/L) and the lowest increase in sodium concentration was related to natural zeolite at 0.066 mg/g in the lowest salinity concentration (640 mg/L). Also, the highest increase in electrical conductivity was related to natural bentonite with an increase of 4.3 dS/m. It is noteworthy that after acid correction, the amount of electrical conductivity increased significantly in both clays. Therefore, due to the differences between the clays, it is better to first examine them in terms of construction and then use them in the field of desalination.

Background and Importance: Developmental craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomalies are often comprised of irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation (AAD) and basilar invagination (BI) associated with the fusion of the C1 arch. BI is described as a congenital upward displacement of mostly the odontoid process into the foramen magnum, which AAD can accompany. The DCER (Distraction, Compression, Extension, and Reduction) consists of decompression of craniocervical junction, BI reduction followed by occipitocervical fusion in anatomic lordotic curvature –performing extension and compression. This technique has recently been applied in patients with BI and AAD, demonstrating satisfactory results. Case Presentation: Herein, we report two cases of BI with AAD who underwent surgery with the DCER technique for the first time in our center. Conclusion: BI has been managed with combined approach (anterior odontoid resection followed by posterior craniocervical fusion). Since last decade, single posterior approaches has been utilized to reduce and stabilize BI and AAD. DCER approach is the most recent and successful procedure.

Color gamut of cochineal, Dactylopius coccus costa, is limited to several tones restricting its application, so, it is necessary to explore a simple and economic method to develop its color shades on textiles. To this aim, in the present study, binary combinations of eight metal salts (Al, Sn, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Co, Zn) were exploited in conventional pre-mordant dyeing of wool with cochineal, afterwards, color strength, color shade, and color fastness were investigated using reflectance spectroscopy and standard test methods. Binary metal mordanting produced different sober new color shades of dark and light red, brown, magenta, purple, and black on wool with enhanced light, washing, and rubbing fastness. Interestingly, color matching of some legally restricted hazardous mordants like Cr was plausible with alternative eco-friendlier binary mordants like Fe + Zn. It was concluded that binary combination of metal mordants not only is a simple route to extend the color gamut of cochineal on wool with satisfactory color fastness but also makes natural dyeing eco-friendlier compared to conventional dyeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shoulder injuries are a common problem in handball. One likely cause of such injuries is excessive throwing. However, it is difficult to measure the number of player throws in large cohort studies using existing methods accurately. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to develop and validate a method for identifying overhead throws using a low-cost inertial measurement unit (IMU) worn on the wrist. In a two-stage approach, we developed a threshold-based automatic identification method for overhead throws in a laboratory study using the IMU. Subsequently, we validated the suggested thresholds in a field setting by comparing throws identified by the threshold-method to throws identified by video recordings of handball practices. The best set of threshold values resulted in a per-player median sensitivity of 100% (range: 84–100%) and a median positive predictive value (PPV) of 96% (range: 86–100%) in the development study. In the validation study, the per-player median sensitivity dropped to 78% sensitivity (range: 52–91%), while the per-player median PPV dropped to 79% (range: 47–90%). The proposed method is a promising method for automatically identifying handball throws in a cheap and feasible way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the mechanical response of a bi-directional functionally graded plate consisting of three distinct materials when subjected to low-velocity impact. Utilizing the New Refined Plate Theory, the research explores the mechanical behavior of the plate resting on a Pasternak elastic foundation, providing insights useful for engineering applications. The investigation examines various parameters, including initial impact velocity, projectile radius, volume fraction indices, and elastic foundation stiffness, and their effects on critical response characteristics such as contact force, indentation, lateral deflection, and projectile velocity. The theoretical predictions are validated through detailed comparisons with existing literature and numerical simulations, ensuring the reliability and applicability of the proposed methodology. This study introduces a novel approach using refined plate theory to analyze low-velocity impact on 2D-FGMs, providing practical insights for structural analysis. The findings deepen understanding of functionally graded materials and enhance the evaluation of impact-resistant structures. The research highlights the importance of diverse parameters in improving structural performance and reliability, relevant across aerospace, civil, and mechanical engineering. Detailed exploration shows that initial impact velocities and projectile radius enhance impact force and deflection, while volume fraction indices and foundation stiffness influence the dynamic response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Abstract Background Joint hypermobility in athletes is associated with increased risk of knee injuries, but its role in relation to shoulder injuries has not been scrutinized. Therefore, our aim was to synthesize the evidence on the association between joint hypermobility and shoulder injuries in athletes. Methods Data sources were MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, and SPORTDiscus from inception to 27th February 2021. Eligibility criteria were observational studies of athletes (including military personnel), mean age ≥ 16 years, and with a transparent grouping of those with and without joint hypermobility. A broad definition of joint hypermobility as the exposure was accepted (i.e., generalised joint hypermobility (GJH), shoulder joint hypermobility including joint instability). Shoulder injuries included acute and overuse injuries, and self-reported pain was accepted as a proxy for shoulder injuries. The Odds Ratios (OR) for having shoulder injuries in exposed compared with non-exposed athletes were estimated using a random effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed to explore the effect of sex, activity type, sports level, study type, risk of bias, and exposure definition. Risk of bias and the overall quality of evidence were assessed using, respectively, the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale and the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE). Results Among 6207 records, six studies were included with 2335 (range 118–718) participants (34.1% females; athlete mean age 19.9 years). Athletes with joint hypermobility were more likely to have shoulder injuries compared with athletes without joint hypermobility (OR = 3.25, 95% CI 1.64, 6.43, I2 = 75.3%; p = 0.001). Exposure definition (GJH, OR = 1.97, 95% CI 1.32, 2.94; shoulder joint hypermobility, OR = 8.23, 95% CI 3.63, 18.66; p = 0.002) and risk of bias (low, OR = 5.25, 95% CI 2.56, 10.8; high, OR = 1.6, 95% CI 0.78, 3.29; p = 0.024) had large impacts on estimates, while the remaining subgroup analyses showed no differences. The overall quality of evidence was low. Conclusion Joint hypermobility in athletes is associated with a threefold higher odds of having shoulder injuries, highlighting the need for prevention strategies in this population. However, due to low quality of evidence, future research will likely change the estimated strength of the association. Protocol registration Open Science Framework registration osf.io/3wrn9.

Having the issue of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in mind, there is always a dilemma surrounding elective and non-urgent neurosurgical operations. The unanswered question is regarding whether there is any post-COVID-19 complications that hinder a patient from becoming a candidate for a neurosurgical operation. If that is the case, what should we do? In the present article, we report our single-center experience with an unusual bleeding during the operation of a huge cerebellar tumor in a girl previously infected with COVID-19. In the end, we recommend our experience to our colleagues. Abstract There are still some conditions that pediatric neurosurgeons may face in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) which have not been fully addressed so far. Authors have postulated an ongoing inflammatory myocardial status in a significant proportion of patients who have recovered from COVID-19. We report our experience with a 10-month-old girl who had recovered form COVID-19 and had a case of fourth-ventricle mass in the midline of the posterior fossa. She was scheduled for microneurosurgical resection of the mass following the insertion of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. There were no significant issues regarding the induction of anesthesia. A midline suboccipital approach was chosen, and the patient was fully prepared and draped. Suboccipital soft tissues and muscles were dissected layer by layer through the midline avascular line. A marked gush of blood off the midline was observed during the opening in Y of the dura mater. Then, we started to approach the occipital sinus. However, there was an unusual loss of ∼ 200 mL of blood lost from this area. Despite the proper packed-cell transfusion, the patient developed bradycardia and a sudden rhythm of asystole. The cardiopulmonary cerebral resuscitation (CPCR) was initiated immediately. Despite the maximal effort, the heart rate did not change and remained asystole. We recommend that pediatric neurosurgeons postpone the procedures to be performed in patients who have recovered from COVID-19 for more than one month after a thorough preoperative cardiac evaluation has been performed.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the push-out bond strength of AH Plus sealer to dentin treated with the essential oils of Cumimum cyminum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum as herbal final irrigants. Forty human mandibular first premolars were selected. After smear layer removal, the samples were divided into 4 groups and irrigated with experimental solutions for 1 min and later with distilled water. G1: Cinnamomum zeylanicum (CZ) in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC); G2: Sodium hypochlorite 2.5%; G3: Sodium hypochlorite in MIC; G4: Cuminum cyminum (CC) in MIC. After obturation, the roots were sectioned in order to obtain 1-mm discs for push-out assessment. The push-out test was performed using a universal testing machine. The slices were examined using a stereomicroscope at 30× to determine the mode of failure. The data were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and Tukey's post-hoc test. The teeth irrigated with CZ showed significantly lower push-out resistance than those irrigated with NaOCl 2.5% and NaOCl at MIC. The other groups had no significant difference. The modes of failure were predominantly mixed. Under the limitations of the present study, CC does not have adverse effects on the bond strength of AH Plus and can be used as a good alternative for currently used final irrigants.