Accumulating evidence indicates that stroke risk may be increased following herpes zoster. The aim of this study is to perform a meta-analysis of current literature to systematically analyze and ...quantitatively estimate the short and long-term effects of herpes zoster on the risk of stroke.
Embase, PubMed and Cochrane library databases were searched for relevant studies up to March 2016. Studies were selected for analysis based on certain inclusion and exclusion criteria. Relative risks with 95% confidence interval (CI) were extracted to assess the association between herpes zoster and stroke.
A total of 8 articles were included in our analysis. The present meta-analysis showed that the risks of stroke after herpes zoster were 2.36 (95% CI: 2.17-2.56) for first 2 weeks, 1.56 (95% CI: 1.46-1.66) for first month, 1.17 (95% CI: 1.13-1.22) for first year, and 1.09 (95% CI: 1.02-1.16) for more than 1 year, respectively.
The results of our study demonstrated that herpes zoster was associated with a higher risk of stroke, but the risks decreased along with the time after herpes zoster.
Mass optimization of crane box girder considering both ribs and diaphragms is a crucial aspect of crane structural design in mechanical engineering. However, two common challenges often obscure this ...process: the sizing of stiffeners such as diaphragms and ribs, and the selection of constraints on state variables related to stresses and deformations for various load cases. In response, this paper focuses on optimizing the dimensions, number, and placement of stiffeners, including ribs and diaphragms, in a two-girder overhead crane structure. The paper begins by establishing criteria for the initial height of the box girder through a comparative analysis of structural strength and stiffness. Subsequently, dimensional relationships between stiffeners and the girder section are built in accordance with the principles of local plate stability. Following this, the ANSYS Parametric Design Language (APDL) program is coded and executed to optimize the crane mass using three methods: sub-problem approximation, sweep, and first-order methods via Module Design OPT for four chosen sets of state variables. A comparative analysis of the optimum crane mass, based on the rounded-up design variables, reveals that constraints on stresses and deformations from both vertical and transversal impact cases, as well as the vertical frequency from dynamic vibration cases, yield the best results. Furthermore, the proposed APDL method is compared and validated against Grey Wolf Optimizer, Whale Optimization Algorithm, Particle Swarm Optimization, and Genetic Algorithm. Finally, a parametric study is conducted using curves and tables to explore the influence of structural stiffness and material property on the optimized dimensions of the girder and stiffeners, as well as the overall mass and mechanical performance.
In order to solve the problem of “abandoned” wind caused by short circuit faults in a wind farm, a wind farm fault locating method based on redundancy parameter estimation is proposed. Using the ...characteristics of the traveling wave, transmission equations containing the position of the fault point are constructed. Parameter estimation from statistical theory is used to solve the redundant transmission equations formed by multiple measuring points to locate the faults. In addition, the bad data error detection capability of the parameter estimation is used to determine bad data and remove them. This improves locating accuracy. A length coefficient is introduced to solve the error enlargement problem caused by a transmission line sag. The proposed fault locating method can solve the fault branch misjudgment problem caused by the short circuit faults near the data measuring nodes of the wind farm based on the proposed fault interval criterion. It also avoids the requirements to the traveling wave speed of traditional methods, thus its fault location is more accurate. Its effectiveness is verified through simulations in PSCAD/EMTDC, and the results shows that it can be used in the fault locating of hybrid transmission lines.
Biofilms in reactors usually grow on impermeable surfaces, and the mass transfer of nutrients in biofilms is mainly driven by diffusion, which is inefficient especially for thick biofilms. In this ...study, permeable materials (i.e., nylon meshes) were used as biocarriers in a biofilm reactor, and their performance was evaluated and compared with the commercial biocarriers (PE08 and PE10) used for treating slightly polluted water. The results indicate that the mesh-based bioreactor achieved complete nitrification faster than the commercial biocarriers, with a more stable and better effluent quality during long-term operation. At a two-hour hydraulic retention time, the average effluent ammonia (NH4+-N) and nitrite (NO2−-N) concentrations during the stabilized phase were 0.97 ± 0.79 and 0.61 ± 0.32 mg-N, respectively, which are significantly lower than those with commercial carriers. The estimated specific surface area activities for the mesh, PE08, and PE10 carriers were 1620, 769, and 1300 mg-N/(m2·d)), respectively. The biofilms formed on the nylon mesh were porous, while they were compact and nonporous on the PE carriers. Water with substrates might pass through the porous biofilms formed on the meshes, which could enhance mass transfer and result in a better and more stable treatment performance.
To examine associations of sleep duration and quality with cognitive impairment in older adults and the moderating role of gender and age in these associations.
This community-based cross-sectional ...study included 4,837 participants aged 60 years and above. Cognitive function was assessed using the Chinese version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the participants were grouped based on the presence of cognitive impairment. The duration and quality of sleep were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze associations of sleep duration and quality with cognitive impairment. The role of age and gender in these associations have also been explored.
The age (mean ± SD) of the participants was 71.13 ± 5.50 years. Of all older adults, 1,811 (37.44%) were detected as cognitive impairment, and 1755 (36.8%) had poor sleep quality. Among those with cognitive impairment, 51.09% were female. The proportion of the participants with cognitive impairment is significantly higher in those with symptoms of depression (49.73%, 273/549) (
= 41.275,
< 0.001) than in those without depressive symptoms. After adjustment for multiple confounding factors and the crucial covariate (depressive symptoms), the odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval CI) of cognitive impairment (with 7-7.9 h regarded as the reference group) for individuals with a sleep duration of <6, 6-6.9, 8-8.9, and ≥ 9 h were 1.280 (1.053-1.557), 1.425 (1.175-1.728), 1.294 (1.068-1.566), and 1.360 (1.109-1.668), respectively. Subgroup analysis showed a V-shaped association between night sleep duration and cognitive impairment in males (
≤ 0.05), and the association was stronger for individuals aged 60-80 years. With regard to sleep quality, the fully adjusted OR (95%CI) of cognitive impairment were 1.263 (1.108-1.440). According to scores of subscales in the PSQI, daytime dysfunction was associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment (OR: 1.128, 95%CI: 1.055-1.207). Subgroup analysis also revealed a statistically significant correlation between poor sleep quality (including daytime dysfunction) and cognitive impairment in different gender and age groups, with the association being stronger in females (OR: 1.287, 95%CI: 1.080-1.534) and those aged 81-97 years (OR: 2.128, 95%CI: 1.152-3.934). For cognitive impairment, the group aged 81-97 years with daytime dysfunction was associated with a higher odds ratio than other age groups.
The present study showed that inadequate or excessive sleep was associated with cognitive impairment, especially in males, who exhibited a V-shaped association. Cognitive impairment was also associated with poor sleep quality as well as daytime dysfunction, with females and individuals aged 81-97 years exhibiting the strongest association.
This paper proposes a site-bolted connection that is suitable for modularized prefabricated steel structures. Excellent ductility is achieved by various structural measures. Six connection specimens ...with different parameters were subjected to quasi-static loading tests and finite element analysis (FEA) to determine the seismic performance of the proposed connection (e.g., hysteretic behavior, skeleton curve, ductility, and failure mode). The results of the tests and FEA showed that the connection underwent sufficient plastic deformation under cyclic loading and that its ultimate rotation angle could reach 0.09 rad. A clear plastic hinge formed on the beam before the connection failed, which suggests a ductile failure mode. The connection exhibited a wide hysteresis loop, which indicated good seismic performance. The results also showed that the connection does not slip under small earthquakes and could dissipate energy through slippage in the connection region under a moderate earthquake and through slippage in the connection region as well as plastic deformation at the beam end under a severe earthquake. The number of bolts was the main parameter that affected the seismic performance of the connection. The test and FEA results demonstrated that all six specimens had excellent seismic and ductile performance and an exceptional plastic rotation capacity.
Sarcopenia leads to complications (infections, hepatic encephalopathy and ascites) and poor overall survival in patients with cirrhosis, in which the phenotypic presentation is loss of muscle mass. ...This study aimed to reveal the metabolic profile and identify potential biomarkers in cirrhotic patients with hepatitis B virus and muscle mass loss.
Twenty decompensated cirrhotic patients with HBV and muscle mass loss were designated Group S; 20 decompensated cirrhotic patients with HBV and normal muscle mass were designated Group NS; and 20 healthy people were designated Group H. Muscle mass loss was defined as the skeletal muscle mass index less than 46.96 cm
/m
for males and less than 32.46 cm
/m
for females. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to explore the distinct metabolites and pathways in the three groups.
Thirty-seven metabolic products and 25 associated metabolic pathways were significantly different in the Group S patients from Group NS patients. Strong predictive value of 11 metabolites (inosine-5'-monophosphate, phosphoglycolic acid, D-fructose-6-phosphate, N-acetylglutamate, pyrophosphate, trehalose-6-phosphate, fumaric acid, citrulline, creatinine, (r)-3-hydroxybutyric acid, and 2-ketobutyric acid) were selected as potential biomarkers in Group S patients compared with Group NS patients. Two pathways may be associated with loss of muscle mass in patients with liver cirrhosis: amino acid metabolism and central carbon metabolism in cancer.
Seventy differential metabolites were identified in patients who have liver cirrhosis and loss of muscle mass compared with patients who have cirrhosis and normal muscle mass. Certain biomarkers might distinguish between muscle mass loss and normal muscle mass in HBV-related cirrhosis patients.
A 3D printed geometric phantom was developed that can be scanned with computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure the geometric distortion and determine the relevant dose ...changes.
A self-designed 3D printed photosensitive resin phantom was used, which adopts grid-like structures and has 822 1 cm
squares. The scanning plan was delivered by three MRI scanners: the Elekta Unity MR-Linac 1.5T, GE Signa HDe 1.5T, and GE Discovery-sim 750 3.0T. The geometric distortion comparison was concentrated on two 1.5T MRI systems, whereas the 3.0T MRI was used as a supplemental experiment. The most central transverse images in each dataset were selected to demonstrate the plane distortion. Some mark points were selected to analyze the distortion in the 3D direction based on the plane geometric distortion. A treatment plan was created with the off-line Monaco system.
The distortion increases gradually from the center to the outside. The distortion range is 0.79 ± 0.40 mm for the Unity, 1.31 ± 0.56 mm for the GE Signa HDe, and 2.82 ± 1.48 mm for the GE Discovery-sim 750. Additionally, the geometric distortion slightly affects the actual planning dose of the radiotherapy.
Geometric distortion increases gradually from the center to the outside. The distortion values of the Unity were smaller than those of the GE Signa HDe, and the Unity has the smallest geometric distortion. Finally, the Unity's dose variation best matched with the standard treatment plan.
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