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KWS-2 is a classical small angle neutron diffractometer where, following recent upgrades, the pinhole mode with different neutron-wavelengths and detector distances can be combined with focusing mode with MgF2 lenses to reach a wide Q-range between 2x10−4 and 1.0 Å−1. Further upgrades of the detection system and sample positioning system are currently in progress. A wide-angle detection prototype is currently being tested and optimized aiming at measurement conditions over an extended Q-range up to 2.0 Å−1, which will be beneficial for semi-crystalline materials and small biological morphologies. The high neutron flux provided by the FRMII reactor and transported by the optimized neutron guidance system requires an adjustment of the measurement routine for a more rational use of the beam time. A new versatile in-beam sample positioning system, which includes a multi-position carousel with temperature control, robotic elements, and a storage pool for sample cuvettes, has just been installed at the instrument’s sample position. This allows the instrument to be continuously supplied with samples and provides the ability to combine experiments on similar samples or topics into a common long experimental session. Here we report in detail on the expanded Q-range option of the KWS-2 from the perspective of current performance and planned upgrades, as well as the new sample positioning system with robotic elements.

This research investigates the seismic performance of structures equipped with the seesaw system in relation to conventional structures within two- and five-storey mixed concrete and steel buildings. Through time history analysis, the study assesses structural responses to severe ground motion accelerograms, taking into account both fixed-base conditions and soil–structure interaction (SSI) scenarios. The focus is on essential performance indicators such as maximum and residual displacements, inter-storey drift ratios, and floor accelerations. By comparing the structures with the seesaw system with bare structures, the research seeks to quantify the benefits of this novel design in mitigating seismic effects. A significant component of this study is the examination of various seismic incidence angles, specifically 0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°. This extensive approach facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of structural behavior under diverse directional loadings, thereby capturing a wide range of potential seismic responses. The analysis of these different incidence angles is vital for understanding how the orientation of structural elements, particularly steel columns in the mixed system, affects the seismic performance of the building. Additionally, incorporating SSI effects yields a more precise depiction of structural behavior during earthquakes, considering the impact of soil flexibility on the overall system response.

This paper reviews the applications of the multi degree-of-freedom (MDOF) equivalent linear system in seismic analysis and design of planar steel and reinforced concrete framed structures. An equivalent MDOF linear structure, analogous to the original MDOF nonlinear structure, is constructed, which has the same mass and elastic stiffness as the original structure and modal damping ratios that account for the effects of geometrical and material nonlinearities. The equivalence implies a balance between the viscous damping work of the equivalent linear structure and that of the nonlinearities in the original nonlinear structure. This work balance is established with the aid of a transfer function in the frequency domain. Thus, equivalent modal damping ratios can be explicitly determined in terms of the period and deformation levels of the structure as well as the soil types. Use of these equivalent modal damping ratios can help address a variety of seismic analysis and design problems associated with planar steel and reinforced concrete framed structures in a rational and accurate manner. These include force - based seismic design with the aid of acceleration response spectra characterized by high amounts of damping, improved direct displacement-based seismic design and the development of advanced seismic intensity measures. The equivalent modal damping ratios are also utilized in the context of linear modal analysis for the definition and construction of the MDOF response spectrum. Furthermore, the equivalent modal damping ratios are employed in a seismic retrofit method for steel-framed structures with viscous dampers. Finally, it is demonstrated that modal behavior (or strength reduction) factors can be easily constructed based on these modal damping ratios for a more rational and accurate force-based seismic design, including the determination of inelastic displacement profiles.

Background and objective: Systemic autoinflammatory diseases (SAIDs) are characterized by widespread inflammation, but for most of them there is a lack of specific biomarkers for accurate diagnosis. Although a number of machine learning algorithms have been used to analyze SAID datasets, aiding in the discovery of novel biomarkers, there is a growing recognition of the importance of SAID timeseries clustering, as it can capture the temporal dynamics of gene expression patterns. Methodology: This paper proposes a novel clustering methodology to efficiently associate three-dimensional data. The algorithm utilizes competitive learning to create a self-organizing neural network and adjust neuron positions in time-dependent and high dimensional feature space in order to assign them as clustering centers. The quantitative evaluation of the clustering was based on well-known clustering indices. Furthermore, a differential expression analysis and classification pipeline was employed to assess the capability of the proposed methodology to extract more accurate pathway-specific genes from its clusters. For that, a comparative analysis was also conducted against a heuristic timeseries clustering method. Results: The proposed methodology achieved better overall clustering indices scores and classification metrics using genes derived from its clusters. Notable cases include a threefold increase in the Calinski-Harabasz clustering index, a twofold improvement in the Davies–Bouldin clustering index and a ∼60% increase in the classification specificity score. Conclusion: A novel clustering methodology was developed and applied on several gene expression timeseries datasets from systemic autoinflammatory diseases, and its ability to efficiently produce well separated clusters compared to existing heuristic methods was demonstrated.

This research examines the seismic behavior of a cable-stayed bridge featuring concrete-filled steel tube (CFST) pylons, which includes the seesaw system. The objective of the study is to assess the efficacy of the seesaw system in mitigating the seismic response of the bridge across various earthquake scenarios, while also accounting for the implications of soil–structure interaction (SSI). A comprehensive finite element model of the bridge is constructed, incorporating the CFST pylons, cable system, and the novel seesaw energy dissipation system. This model is tested against a range of ground motions that reflect different seismic hazard levels and characteristics. The impact of SSI is analyzed through a series of parametric studies that explore various soil conditions and foundation types. The findings indicate that the implementation of the seesaw system markedly decreases the seismic demands placed on the bridge structure, particularly regarding deck displacements, pylon base shear, and cable forces. Furthermore, the study underscores the significant influence of SSI on the dynamic behavior of the bridge system, emphasizing the necessity of its inclusion in seismic design and analysis. This research enhances the understanding of seismic protection strategies for cable-stayed bridges, providing valuable insights into the advantages of integrating energy dissipation systems and recognizing the importance of SSI effects in evaluating seismic performance.

Background The underlying biological mechanisms linking blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are only partly understood. We aimed to identify metabolic signatures associated with systolic and diastolic BP and investigate their subsequent association with risk of CVD. Methods and Results The study included 201 742 UK Biobank participants with measurements on 249 metabolic biomarkers. A multistep adaptive elastic net penalized regression with 10‐fold cross‐validation was employed to identify metabolic signatures for systolic BP and diastolic BP. External validation was conducted on 848 participants from the EHS (Epirus Health Study). We further assessed the associations between BP metabolic signatures and incident composite CVD (N=6742), myocardial infarction (N=4192), and stroke (N=2757) in the UK Biobank, using multivariable Cox regression models. The metabolic signatures comprised 31 and 25 metabolites, robustly correlated with systolic BP and diastolic BP, respectively, in both the UK Biobank and the EHS. Following adjustments (including BP), the metabolic signature for systolic BP was positively associated with incident myocardial infarction (hazard ratio [HR], 1.11 [95% CI, 1.07–1.15]) and CVD (HR, 1.07 [95% CI, 1.04–1.10]). Similarly, the metabolic signature for diastolic BP was associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction (HR, 1.16 [95% CI, 1.12–1.20]) and CVD (HR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.05–1.12]). The associations between the signatures and stroke were not significant. The metabolic signatures partly mediated the total effect of the BP traits on the risk of myocardial infarction and CVD. Conclusions Our findings may enhance our understanding of the biological mechanisms through which BP affects CVD.

Objective: To evaluate the oncologic outcome of patients with hypermetabolic tumors resected by segmentectomy or lobectomy. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of all consecutive patients with peripheral clinical stage IA1-2 non–small cell lung cancer (January 2017-June 2023) who underwent resection by segmentectomy or lobectomy in a single center. A hypermetabolic tumor was defined as a tumor with a positron emission tomography (PET) maximum standardized uptake value >2.5. Propensity score case-matching analysis was used to generate 2 balanced groups of patients with hypermetabolic tumors operated by segmentectomy or lobectomy. Four-year overall survival (OS), event-free survival (EFS), and cancer-specific survival were compared between the matched groups. Results: A total of 164 segmentectomies and 234 lobectomies were analyzed. There were 91 (55%) hypermetabolic tumors in the segmentectomy group versus 178 in the lobectomy group (76%), P

Objectives  Skull base chordomas are locally aggressive malignant tumors derived from the notochord remnant. There are limited large-scale studies examining the role and extent of surgery and radiation therapy. Design  Analysis of the National Cancer Database (NCDB) was performed to evaluate the survival outcomes of various treatments, and to assess for predictors of overall survival (OS). Participants  This is a retrospective, population-based cohort study of patients diagnosed with a clival/skull base chordoma between 2004 and 2015 in the NCDB. Main Outcome Measures  The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). Results  In all, 468 cases were identified. Forty-nine percent of patients received surgery and 20.7% had positive margins. Mean age at diagnosis was 48.4 years in the surgical cohort, and 55% were males. Of the surgical cohort, 33.8% had negative margins, 20.7% had positive margins, and 45.5% had unknown margin status. Age ≥ 65 (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.07; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.63-5.76; p  5 cm (HR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.26-4.15; p  = 0.007), and government insurance (HR: 2.28; 95% CI: 1.24-4.2; p  = 0.008) were independent predictors of OS. When comparing surgery with or without adjuvant radiation, no survival differences were found, regardless of margin status ( p  = 0.66). Conclusion  Surgery remains the mainstay of therapy. Advanced age (>65 years), large tumor size, and government insurance were predictors of worse OS. Whereas negative margins and the use of adjuvant radiation did not appear to impact OS, these may very well reduce local recurrences. A multidisciplinary approach is critical in achieving optimal outcomes in this challenging disease.

This paper presents a comprehensive method for analyzing prestressed concrete bridges subjected to multiple concurrent dynamic loads, incorporating soil–structure interaction (SSI) and seismic wave propagation effects. The study develops a comprehensive numerical framework that simultaneously accounts for traveling seismic waves, train-induced vibrations, and soil–foundation dynamics. Three-dimensional finite element modeling captures the complex interaction between the bridge structure, foundation system, and surrounding soil medium. The investigation considers the spatial variability of ground motion and its influence on the bridge’s dynamic response, particularly examining how different wave velocities and coherency patterns affect structural behavior. Advanced material constitutive models based on damage mechanics theory are implemented to represent both linear and non-linear structure responses under dynamic loading conditions. The analysis reveals that traditional simplified approaches, which neglect SSI, train, and seismic loading combinations, and traveling wave effects may significantly misestimate the structural demands. The results demonstrate how wave passage effects can either amplify or attenuate the combined response depending on the relationship between seismic wave velocity, the frequency content of the ground motion recordings, and the local soil conditions. These findings could contribute to the development of more reliable design methodologies for prestressed bridges in seismically active regions with significant railway traffic.

This study investigates the behavior and capacity of concrete-filled steel tubes (CFTs) with rectangular and circular sections under various loading conditions: axial loads, pure-bending, and combined axial load-bending moments. A finite element-based numerical model is developed and validated against existing experimental data. Using an extensive databank generated from finite element analysis, this research proposes analytical empirical relations for determining the bearing capacity of rectangular and circular composite beams, columns, and beam–columns. These relations provide a direct, concise, and efficient method for calculating the ultimate strength of CFT members, making them valuable for engineering design. Comparisons between the proposed analytical results and previous experimental studies demonstrate the high accuracy of this method in analyzing rectangular and circular CFT member behavior. The findings contribute to a better understanding of CFT structural performance and offer practical tools for designers working with these composite elements.

Objectives/hypothesisThis study utilizes a large population national database to comprehensively analyze prognosticators and overall survival (OS) outcomes of varying treatment modalities in a large cohort of sinonasal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (SN-DLBCL) patients.Study designRetrospective database study.MethodsThe National Cancer Database was queried for all SN-DLBCL cases diagnosed from 2004 to 2015. Kaplan-Meier log-rank test determined differences in OS based on clinical covariates. Cox proportional-hazards analysis was used to determine clinical and sociodemographic covariates predictive of mortality.ResultsA total of 2,073 SN-DLBCL patients were included, consisting of 48% female with a mean age of 66.0 ± 16.2 years. Overall, 82% of patients were Caucasian, 74% had early-stage disease, and 49% had primary tumors in the paranasal sinuses. Early-stage patients were more likely to receive multi-agent chemoradiotherapy compared to multi-agent chemotherapy alone (P

BackgroundNo study to date has analyzed the progression of sinonasal symptoms over time in COVID-19 patients. The purpose of this study is to analyze the progression of sinonasal symptoms and risk factors for olfactory dysfunction in the mild severity COVID-19 patient.MethodsAn internet survey was used to assess sinonasal symptoms in patients with COVID-19. Changes in rhinologic domain and symptom-specific Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores were compared at five time points: two weeks before diagnosis, at diagnosis, two weeks after diagnosis, four weeks after diagnosis, and six months after diagnosis.Results521 responses were collected. Rhinologic domain SNOT-22 scores increased significantly (p  0.999). Taste-specific SNOT-22 scores also peaked at diagnosis (2.06, p  0.999). There were no significant differences in sense of smell or taste between 1-month and 6-month timepoints.ConclusionSinonasal symptoms, particularly loss of smell and taste, may be important presenting symptoms in the mild severity COVID-19 patient. Our findings support incorporating these symptoms into screening protocols.Level of evidence4.

IntroductionThe emergence of popular online rating websites, social media platforms, and public databases for industry payments and scholarly outputs provide a complete physician online presence which may guide choice and satisfaction.MethodsWebsites of all U.S. otolaryngology academic institutions were queried for fellowship-trained rhinologists. Additional well-known and academically active rhinologists were identified by the senior author. Online ratings and comments were collected from Google, Healthgrades, Vitals, and RateMD websites, and weighted rating scores (RS) were calculated on a 1-5 scale.ResultsA total of 210 rhinologists with 16 ± 9 years of practice were included, where 6901 online ratings (33 ± 47 per rhinologist) provided an average RS of 4.3 ± 0.6. RS was not different according to gender (p = 0.58), geographic quartile (p = 0.48), social media presence (p = 0.41), or attending top-ranked medical school (p = 0.86) or residency programs (p = 0.89). Years of practice negatively correlated with RS (R = -0.22, p$300 (n = 113). Attending a top-ranked medical school was associated with higher industry payments (p

The current literature lacks strong guidelines regarding surgical management of patients with aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD), who present with the clinical triad of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), bronchial asthma, and aspirin/nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug intolerance. To further define the effectiveness of sinus surgery in treating AERD patients, this review article discusses current evidence regarding outcomes associated with more extensive surgery, the benefits of frontal sinus surgery on polyposis, and the role of Draf III intervention. Numerous studies suggest that Draf III frontal sinusotomy may be an efficacious early intervention due to increased neo-ostial patency and subsequent distribution of topical therapies. Future studies that further investigate the efficacy and safety of extensive surgery in AERD patients are warranted.