Analysis Of Impact Research Articles

Analysis of the Practical Impact of Mixing Pavement Thickness Design Methods: Study on Rigid Aircraft Pavement Concrete Strength in Australia

Analysis of the Practical Impact of Mixing Pavement Thickness Design Methods: Study on Rigid Aircraft Pavement Concrete Strength in Australia

Environmental Impact Analysis in the Cement Industry with Life Cycle Assessment Method

Environmental Impact Analysis in the Cement Industry with Life Cycle Assessment Method

Analysis of causes and prognostic impact of tube occlusion during hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for appendiceal pseudomyxoma peritonei

BackgroundAppendiceal pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP), a rare tumor from mucinous appendiceal origins, is treated with Cytoreductive Surgery (CRS) and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC). However, tubing blockages during HIPEC treatment pose a common challenge, impeding the smooth progression of therapy. Few studies to date have explored the incidence and risk factors of tube occlusion during HIPEC in patients with appendiceal PMP, as well as its adverse impact on postoperative complications.MethodsFrom October 2017 to June 2023, a total of 80 patients with appendiceal PMP undergoing combined CRS and HIPEC were included in this study. Tubing blockage events were strictly defined, with patients experiencing blockages during HIPEC treatment allocated to the study group, while those with unobstructed perfusion were assigned to the control group. A comparative analysis was conducted between the two groups regarding post-HIPEC health assessments and occurrence of complications. Risk factors for luminal occlusion during closed HIPEC procedures were identified through univariate and multivariate analysis of data from 303 HIPEC treatments.ResultsTubing blockages occurred in 41 patients (51.3%). The study group experienced prolonged gastrointestinal decompression time (4.1 ± 3.0 vs. 2.5 ± 1.7 days, P = 0.003) and prolonged time to bowel movement (6.1 ± 2.3 vs. 5.1 ± 1.8 days, P = 0.022) compared to the control group. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups. The 1-year survival rate postoperatively was 97%, and the 3-year survival rate was 81%, with no association found between tubing blockage and poorer survival. Additionally, In 303 instances of HIPEC treatment among these 80 patients, tube occlusion occurred in 89 cases (89/303, 29.4%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed age, diabetes, hypertension, and pathology as independent risk factors for tube occlusion.ConclusionTubing blockages are a common occurrence during HIPEC treatment, leading to prolonged postoperative gastrointestinal functional recovery time. When patients are elderly and have concomitant hypertension and diabetes, along with a histological type of low-grade mucinous tumor, the risk of tube occlusion increases. However, this study did not find a significant correlation between tubing blockage and the incidence of postoperative complications or overall patient survival.

Impact of COVID-19 on women living with HIV who are survivors of intimate partner violence

BackgroundWomen living with HIV (WLWH) experience higher rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) compared to women without HIV, but there has been minimal research to date on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the lived experiences of WLWH who are IPV survivors.MethodsThis is a secondary analysis of COVID-19 impact using baseline data from an ongoing, prospective, micro-longitudinal cohort study of HIV care engagement among WLWH who have experienced lifetime IPV. We measured the impact of COVID-19 along key domains (i.e., physical health, day-to-day life, sexual/relationship behavior, substance use, HIV care, mental health, financial status, and having conflict with partners). Using independent t-tests or Fisher’s exact tests, and Pearson’s chi-squared tests, we compared women with and without ongoing IPV across sociodemographic characteristics, psychiatric disorders, substance use, and COVID-19 impact domains. We then built separate multivariate linear regression models for each of the different COVID-19 impact domains; ongoing IPV exposure was the primary explanatory variable of interest.ResultsEnrolled participants (n = 84) comprised a group of women (mean age 53.6y; SD = 9.9) who were living with HIV for a mean 23.3 years (SD = 10), all of whom had experienced lifetime IPV. Among 49 women who were currently partnered, 79.6% (n = 39) reported ongoing IPV. There were no statistically significant differences between those experiencing ongoing IPV and those who were not (or not partnered) in terms of demographic characteristics, substance use, or mental health. In multivariate models, ongoing IPV exposure was not associated with any COVID-19 impact domain. Anxiety and depression, however, were associated with COVID-19-related physical health, HIV care, and relationship conflict. Hispanic ethnicity was significantly associated with COVID-19-related physical health. More severe cocaine and opioid use were also significantly associated with COVID-19-related impact on day-to-day life.ConclusionsAmong this sample of WLWH who are all lifetime IPV-survivors, nearly half had ongoing IPV exposure. The COVID-19 public health emergency period affected WLWH in varied ways, but impacts were most profound for women experiencing concurrent mental health and substance use problems. Findings have important implications for future interventions to improve women’s health and social outcomes.

Dampak Teknologi terhadap Pembelajaran di Abad 21

The progress of the education sector in the modern 5.0 era presents significant challenges and opportunities. This article reviews the positive and negative impacts of technology on 21st-century education and efforts to optimize its usage. The research methodology employed is qualitative descriptive, involving the exploration of learning and educational technology definitions and the analysis of technology's impact on 21st-century learning. Research findings indicate that technology facilitates information access, creates new learning methods, and enhances data processing efficiency. However, there are also negative impacts such as dependence on technology, cybercrime risks, and a decline in ethics and social interaction. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, technology industries, and governments to strengthen technological literacy, develop competency-based curricula, ensure adequate infrastructure, and monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of technology-based learning. Recommendations for optimizing technology in 21st-century education include training for educators and learners, parental supervision reinforcement, promotion of interdisciplinary learning, and regular updates in teaching methods. With this approach, educational institutions are expected to be more effective in addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities offered by the 21st-century education era, thus preparing a generation ready to compete on the global stage.

Adaptive impact analysis in flexible multibody systems based on hierarchically refined IGA models

AbstractUsually, detailed impact simulation models within flexible multibody systems have to be set up manually rather than being generated automatically. This is because the process requires prior knowledge of the time and location of the impact, as well as the element resolution within the contact area. If the penalty method is used to determine the occurring contact forces, the corresponding penalty factor also needs to be determined manually. This work, however, presents an adaptive algorithm to simulate impacts within flexible multibody systems fully automatically using reduced isogeometric analysis models, the floating frame of reference formulation, and quasistatic contact models for an efficient but still accurate simulation. The adaptive algorithm detects impacts in the system, determines the contact locations on the bodies, refines the contact area, and determines the penalty factor, and therefore automatically simulates impacts. The work shows how to automatically simulate impacts in flexible multibody systems without user action or prior knowledge of impact location and size. The first application example simulates significant elastodynamic effects within a long flexible rod. The goal is to validate the algorithm by preserving the wave propagation and energy of the system. The second application example simulates the impacts of two flexible double pendulums. This setup is a suitable benchmark for the complete adaptive impact analysis procedure as the flexible double pendulums undergo large rigid body motions.

Driving towards sustainability: A review of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites for eco-friendly automotive light-weighting

The automotive industry stands at a critical juncture, compelled by the imperative of sustainability to seek innovative materials for eco-friendly light-weighting. Natural fiber reinforced polymer composites (NFRPCs) have gained popularity due to their environmentally friendly nature and excellent engineering capabilities. This review paper comprehensively examines the landscape of NFRPCs in the context of automotive applications. Beginning with an overview of the ecological urgency and regulatory framework driving sustainable automotive materials, the review navigates through key advancements in NFRPC technology. The paper delineates the diverse array of natural fibers employed as reinforcements, elucidating their intrinsic properties, sources, and processing considerations. Concurrently, an in-depth analysis of various polymer matrices showcases their compatibility with different fiber types, emphasizing the critical interplay between fiber and matrix for optimal composite performance. A pivotal facet of this review manuscript lies in the rigorous evaluation of NFRPC performance across an array of metrics, including mechanical, thermal, and environmental considerations. Studies examining the interfacial interactions between natural fibers and polymers, as well as enhancements through additives and treatments, are critically assessed. Environmental and economic considerations are paramount in the quest for sustainable automotive materials. While economic evaluations delve into the viability and cost-effectiveness of widespread adoption, life cycle assessments and environmental impact analyses are evaluated to estimate the ecological footprint of NFRPCs. The paper also surveys current trends and prospects, offering insights into forthcoming innovations and directions for research. Therefore, this review article consolidates a comprehensive body of knowledge on NFRPCs for eco-friendly automotive light-weighting. By synthesizing findings from diverse studies, it provides a holistic perspective on the potential, challenges, and future trajectory of NFRPCs in the automotive sector.

Comparison of numerical calculations and ALOHA modeling in consequence assessment of chlorine gas emissions from ethylene dichloride reactors.

Incidents involving chemical storage tanks in the petrochemical industry are significant events with severe consequences. Within the petrochemical industry, EDC is a sector that produces ethylene dichloride through the reaction of chlorine and ethylene. The present research was conducted to evaluate the consequences of chlorine gas released from the EDC reactor in a petrochemical industry in southern Iran. Data regarding reactor specifications were obtained from the factory's technical office, while climatic data was acquired from the Meteorological Organization. The consequences of chlorine gas release from the reactor were assessed in four predefined scenarios using numerical calculation methods and modeling with the ALOHA software. The numerical calculation method involved thermodynamic fluid path analysis, discharge coefficient calculations, and wind speed impact analysis. The hazard radius was determined based on the ERPG1-2-3 index. Results showed that in the scenario of chlorine gas release from EDC reactors, according to the ALOHA model, an increase in wind speed from 3 to 7m/h led to an expanded dispersion radius. At a radius of 700m from the reactor, the maximum outdoor concentration reached 3.12ppm, decreasing to 2.27ppm at 800m and further to 1.53ppm at 1000m. The comparison of numerical calculations and modeling using the ALOHA software indicates the desirable conformity of the results with each other. The R2 coefficient for evaluating the conformity of the results was 0.9964, indicating the desired efficiency of the model in evaluating the consequences of the release of toxic gasses from the EDC tank. The results of this research can be useful in designing the site and emergency response plan.

Effect of Bimekizumab on Patient-Reported Disease Impact in Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis: 1-Year Results from Two Phase 3 Studies.

To evaluate 1-year bimekizumab efficacy in psoriatic arthritis (PsA) from the patient perspective using the 12-item PsA Impact of Disease (PsAID-12) questionnaire. BE OPTIMAL (NCT03895203; biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug [bDMARD]-naïve), BE COMPLETE (NCT03896581; inadequate response/intolerance to tumour necrosis factor inhibitors [TNFi-IR]) and BE VITAL (NCT04009499; open-label extension) assessed bimekizumab 160 mg every 4 weeks in patients with PsA. Post hoc analyses of patient-reported disease impact, assessed by the PsAID-12 questionnaire, are reported to 1 year (collected to week 40 in BE COMPLETE). Overall, 1,112 total patients were included (698 bimekizumab, 414 placebo). Rapid improvements observed with bimekizumab treatment at week 4 continued to week 16 and were sustained to 1 year. At 1 year, mean (standard error) change from baseline in PsAID-12 total score was comparable between bimekizumab-randomized patients and patients who switched to bimekizumab at week 16 (bDMARD-naïve bimekizumab -2.3 [0.1], placebo/bimekizumab -2.2 [0.1]; TNFi-IR bimekizumab -‍2.5 [0.1], placebo/bimekizumab -2.2 [0.2]). Proportions of bimekizumab-randomized patients achieving clinically meaningful within-patient improvement (≥3-point decrease from baseline) at week 16 were sustained to 1 year (bDMARD-naïve 49.0%; TNFi-IR 48.5%) and were similar for placebo/bimekizumab patients (bDMARD-naïve 44.4%; TNFi-IR 40.6%). Across studies and arms, 35.3% to 47.8% of patients had minimal or no symptom impact at 1 year. Improvements were observed to 1 year across all single-item domains, including pain, fatigue and skin problems. Bimekizumab treatment resulted in rapid and sustained clinically meaningful improvements in disease impact up to 1 year in bDMARD-naïve and TNFi-IR patients with PsA.

Regulators Should Value Nonhuman Animals

Abstract Some regulations do not only reduce human deaths, injuries, and illnesses; they also protect nonhuman animals. Regulatory Impact Analyses, required by prevailing executive orders, usually do not disclose or explore benefits or costs with respect to nonhuman animals, even when those benefits or costs are significant. This is an inexcusable gap. If a regulation prevents dogs, horses, or cats from being killed or hurt, the benefits should be specified and quantified. This proposition holds even if those benefits are in some sense incidental to the main goal of the regulation. At the same time, turning the relevant benefits into monetary equivalents raises serious challenges, akin to those raised by the valuation of statistical children.

Pharmacoeconomic evaluation of optical coherence tomography for imaging in cardiac interventions

Introduction: OCT is a noninvasive, contactless, optical method that uses infrared light to produce images of blood vessel anatomy, tissue microstructure, and stents during cardiac catheterization. Aim: This review aims to present a cost-effectiveness analysis and budget impact analysis of optical coherence tomography for imaging in patients undergoing cardiac catheterization and percutaneous coronary interventions. Methods: An incomplete economic analysis was chosen to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of OCT, in which only direct medical costs were assessed. The time horizon for estimating the costs and health benefi ts of OCT was one year. In addition, a budget impact analysis was conducted. Results: As a result of the incomplete economic analysis of the costs of OCT-guided PCI, it could be seen that the total cost per patient amounted to BGN 4,954.89. These costs include the unit cost of the device (OCT catheters) – BGN 2,000.00 including VAT, and the weighted average cost of the OCT-guided PCI procedure – BGN 2,954.89. Conclusion: The OCT-guided PCI strategy is associated with higher procedural costs but with more favorable clinical benefi ts, making it a cost-effective option for intravascular imaging in the long term.

Point-of-Care Tests for COVID-19 and Influenza in Canada

What Is the Issue? Health care providers rely on laboratory tests to differentiate between respiratory illnesses that manifest in similar symptoms, such as COVID-19 and influenza. However, samples may travel to centralized laboratories to process, delaying test results and treatment. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) allow for diagnosis at the site of care but at the expense of diagnostic performance. Several commercial POCTs, specifically for COVID-19, have become increasingly available in Canada since the start of the pandemic. Decision-makers will need to consider which commercial POCT can meet their jurisdiction’s testing needs. POCTs in Canada and their Potential Impact Some POCTs, called “Multiplex tests,” can detect and differentiate between certain illnesses using a single sample. Some studies suggest that using POCTs for respiratory illness in hospitals and emergency departments can expedite diagnosis, improve patient flow, reduce admissions, and shorten the length of stay. Commercial POCTs vary in diagnostic performance, complexity, and costs. There are at least 37 authorized POCTs for COVID-19, influenza, or both in Canada. All devices accept a nasal, nasopharyngeal sample, or both sample types for testing. Some tests require a reader or analyzer to use test kits for diagnosis. POCTs can provide results in 1 hour or less. However, laboratory testing (i.e., nucleic acid amplification tests) remains the standard of care to diagnose COVID-19 and influenza, given their better diagnostic performance compared to POCTs. What Else Do We Need to Know? Confirmatory laboratory tests can reaffirm the diagnosis from POCTs. However, budget impact analyses and clinical studies on authorized tests in Canada do not consider how confirmatory lab tests impact findings on POCT use. Future studies should investigate the cost-effectiveness of POCTs with confirmatory testing, as well as the impact of incorrect diagnosis from POCT on patient outcomes. Rural and remote communities may benefit from POCTs for respiratory illness, given their distance to centralized laboratories.

Green Alginate Extraction from Macrocystis pyrifera for Bioplastic Applications: Physicochemical, Environmental Impact, and Chemical Hazard Analyses

Green Alginate Extraction from <i>Macrocystis pyrifera</i> for Bioplastic Applications: Physicochemical, Environmental Impact, and Chemical Hazard Analyses

Insights into the structural and functional analysis of impact of the missense mutations on α-synuclein: an in silico study

BackgroundAlpha synuclein (α-synuclein) is coded by SNCA gene and found in a helical form with phospholipids or in an unfolded arrangement in the cytosol and belongs to the synuclein family other than beta synuclein and gamma synuclein. It is a short protein made of 140 amino acids with three domains: an N-terminal lipid binding helix, a non-amyloid-ß component (NAC), and an acidic tail at the C-terminus. α-Synuclein is present in aggregated and fibrillar form in Lewy bodies and its association has been related to multiple system atrophy (MSA), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Our objective is to investigate and prioritise the possible nsSNPs in the α-synuclein protein that have been potentially connected to human neurodegenerative diseases.ResultsWe used the series of computational tools to predict the mutation's harmful effect on three-dimensional structure of α-synuclein based on consensus approach. Our findings pointed to a significant computational blueprint for discovering nsSNPs connected to neurodegenerative illnesses from a large SNP data set while also minimising the expenses of experimentally showing harmful nsSNPs.ConclusionsThe prioritised G25S (rs1433622151), V66E (rs1261243630), and V77D (rs745815563) mutations can be employed in additional experimental studies to assess the α-synuclein protein mutation in relation to neurodegenerative illnesses and develop a therapeutics against them.Graphical

The “Holistic Approach to the Cultural Heritage Impact Method” (HACHI Method) as a Method for Indicator-Based Impact Analysis: An Application to the Case of Imperial Fora in Rome (Italy)

The “Holistic Approach to the Cultural Heritage Impact Method” (HACHI Method) as a Method for Indicator-Based Impact Analysis: An Application to the Case of Imperial Fora in Rome (Italy)

Spatiotemporal distribution of mangrove along the Egyptian Red Sea coast and analysis of hydrological impact on growth patterns

AbstractThis study presents an in-depth spatiotemporal analysis of mangrove ecosystems along Egypt’s Red Sea coast, utilizing satellite imagery and GIS to examine changes from 2003 to 2022. We evaluate the effects of hydrological factors, specifically rainfall and runoff -presented by Stream Power Index-, on mangrove growth patterns. Results indicate a significant increase in mangrove areas, with a notable annual growth rate, despite a reduction in a specific region. This research highlights the integral role of catchment area runoff (R2 = 0.735, R = 0.857, P-value = 0.003 &lt; 0.05, CV = 70.26%), rather than direct rainfall, in mangrove expansion, contributing to the understanding of mangrove resilience and informing sustainable coastal management strategies. The study bridges a significant research gap by mapping decadal mangrove changes, offering insights into the dynamics affecting these crucial ecosystems.

Assessing Dry Matter Content of Potato Affected by Irrigating with Fish Effluent Through Sensitivity Analysis of Nutrient Concentration Impact

Assessing Dry Matter Content of Potato Affected by Irrigating with Fish Effluent Through Sensitivity Analysis of Nutrient Concentration Impact

A retrospective budget impact analysis of fidaxomicin treatment for Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) in Germany

ABSTRACT Background Clostridioides difficile is the most common cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea. Research suggests that treating C. difficile infections (CDI) with fidaxomicin (FDX) is more effective than vancomycin (VAN), with potential cost savings. The objective was to calculate the budget impact of FDX treatment compared to VAN from a German payer perspective. Research design and methods The analysis used real-world data of patients discharged from University Hospital Cologne between Jan-01–2018 and Dec-31–2019. We identified recurrent and non-recurrent CDI cases and calculated direct treatment costs based on G-DRG flat rates. To calculate average costs per treatment and the budget impact, recurrence probabilities for VAN and FDX were taken from published evidence (28-day and 90-day scenarios). Results Totally, 475 cases were analyzed, thereof 421 non-recurrent, causing mean costs of €32,901 per case (95% CI: 27.752–38.050). Thirty-two patients experienced a recurrence within 28 days, yielding mean costs of €10,952 (95% CI: 5.627–16.277) for their additional hospital stay. The resulting budget impact was €1,303 (95% CI: 670–1.937) in favor of FDX, ranging from €148.34 to €2,190.30 in scenario analyses. Conclusion The analysis indicates FDX treatment can lead to cost savings compared to VAN. Future research should focus on specific patient groups, such as refractory CDI patients.

Analyzing the impact of timetable elements on railway line capacity

Train timetabling poses inherent challenges, prompting the need to enhance existing schedules by extracting valuable insights from the current timetable structure. By such philosophy, this paper studies the impact of timetable elements on the consumed capacity. These elements primarily encompass train operation parameters, including running times and stop plans. Their impact is defined as the deviation of consumed capacity relative to their variations. We initially establish a link between consumed capacity and timetable elements. This relationship is articulated as the signed sum of timetable elements along a designated ”critical path”. Then, the limited impact of any timetable element is clarified, namely changing an element can impact the consumed capacity with its neighbor trains in a combinatorial way. With this knowledge, we analyze the impact of a single element, using stop plans for example. This result is then generalized into analyzing the impact of several dependent and independent stop plans. The findings on capacity calculation and impact analysis of a single element are tested through real-world numerical computations and then extended to analyzing various capacity factors, such as average speed and heterogeneity.

Comparative Analysis of Impact of Soil Mixture and Fertilization on Growth and Seedling Quality of Selected Agroforestry Tree Species

The study was conducted to determine the most suitable soil amendment for germination and early seedling growth of selected indigenous multipurpose agroforestry tree species, viz., Cordia africana, Fiadherbia albida, Millettia ferruginea, and Moringa stenopetala at Haramaya University, Ethiopia. Seedlings were raised in polythene tubes having 10 cm diameter and 15 cm height and the experimental plots were laid out with eight treatments (i.e., potting soil mixture of, A = agricultural soil, M = manure, S = sand, D = DAP, and U = Urea) and three replications. The morphological attributes of seedlings such as shoot and root height, root collar diameter, leaf area were measured to assess tree seedlings vigor and robustness. Analysis of variance indicated that the shoot height of C. africana, F. albida, and M. ferruginea were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) whereas shoot height of M. stenopetala was highly significant (P&lt;0.01). Actual leaf area (cm2) of F. albida and M. stenopetala were significantly different (P&lt;0.05) and estimated leaf area (cm2) of the four species were highly significant at (P&lt;0.01). Treatment 8 (3A: 2M: 1S) for C. africana, treatment 5 (3A: 2M: 1S: 23U) for F. albida and treatment 2 (2A: 2M: 2S: 25D) for both M. stenopetala and M. ferruginea exhibited the lowest sturdiness quotient, which indicates that they are good-quality seedling for plantation. The shoot-to-height ratio indicated positive correlation with most seedling growth parameters whereas root collar diameter and sturdiness quotient showed negative correlation for all species. Treatment 3 (3A: 2M: 1S: 75D) is recommended as the best pot soil mix and fertilization compared to all other treatments, though it needs further study.