Complete Staging Research Articles

The progress in the field of clinical staging for mental disorders within the last decade: an updated systematic review

IntroductionClinical staging aims to refine psychiatric diagnosis by describing mental disorders on a continuum of disorder progression, with the pragmatic goal of improved treatment planning and outcome prediction. The first systematic review on this topic, published a decade ago, included 78 papers, and identified separate staging models for schizophrenia, unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, panic disorder, substance use disorder, anorexia, and bulimia nervosa. The current review updates this review by including new proposals for staging models and by systematically reviewing research based upon full or partial staging models since 2012.MethodsPsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane databases were systematically searched from 2012 to June 2023. The original review’s eligibility criteria were used and extended with newly introduced categories of DSM-5 mental disorders, along with mental disorders for which a progressive course might be expected. Included papers: a) contained a complete or partial staging model, or b) focused upon clinical features that might be associated with stages, or c) focused upon treatment research associated with specific stages.ResultsSeventy-one publications met the inclusion criteria. They described staging models for schizophrenia and related psychoses (21 papers), bipolar (20), depressive (4), anxiety (2), obsessive-compulsive (3), trauma related (4), eating (3), personality disorders (2), and ‘transdiagnostic’ staging models (13).DiscussionThere is a steady but slow increase in interest in clinical staging and evidence for the validity of staging remains scarce. Staging models might need to be better tailored to the complexities of mental disorders to improve their clinical utility.Systematic review registrationhttps://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42021291703.

Masalah Kejiwaan sebagai Inspirasi Karya Seni Lukis Surealis

The purpose of the final work is to provide education about several types of mental health problems that originate from social factors of surrealist paintings. The author took data through observations of people with mental health problems around the author, and developed it into an idea using I Bandem method as an art consortium the has five stages, from the preparation stage, the elaboration stage, the synthesis stage, the realization stage, the concept and the completion stage. Based on observation and development of ideas, the author can visualize ten surrealist paintings, with various size ranging from 100cm x 100cm to 100cm x 130cm with the title of the :“Nolep”, “Lebay”, “Bodoh”,“Jangan”, “Pembohong”, “Caper”, “Moodyan”, “Istirahat”, “Liburan”, “Pikun”.

Nutrient status, water consumption and productivity of grain sorghum in the southern part of the Rostov region depending on sowing dates and seeding rates

Sorghum is a drought-resistant, heat-loving crop, the grain of which is highly nutritious and widely used in animal husbandry. In the Russian Federation, the Rostov Region ranks first in terms of sowing areas for this crop. The purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of seeding rates and sowing dates of grain sorghum on productivity, water consumption and nutrient status in the southern part of the Rostov Region. The study was conducted at the FSBSI “ARC “Donskoy” in 2022–2023. As a result of the study, there has been found a decrease of grain nitrogen available to sorghum plants to 4.1–4.7; 4.1-4.9 and 4.2–4.7 mg/kg of soil for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, ‘Ataman’ and ‘Esaul’, respectively. By the complete maturity stage, the mobile phosphorus content in soil decreased to 15.3–17.0; 16.0–17.0; 14.1–15.7 mg/kg of soil, respectively, for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoe 88’, ‘Ataman’, and ‘Esaul’. At the end of grain sorghum vegetation period, the exchangeable potassium content was at the level of 271–306; 275–295; 261–290 mg/kg of soil, respectively, for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoe 88’, ‘Ataman’, and ‘Esaul’. Water consumption was at the level of 227.4–277.9 mm/ha for the variety ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, 219.6–272.1 mm/ha for the variety ‘Ataman’ and 222.8–271.5 mm/ha for the variety ‘Esaul’. At the same time, moisture consumption for the formation of grain productivity was 48.42–70.41; 42.92–69.85; 47.15–83.70 mm/t, respectively, for the varieties ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, ‘Ataman’, and ‘Esaul’. Over the years of study, the mean grain productivity was 4.51 t/ha for the variety ‘Zernogradskoye 88’, 4.66 t/ha for the variety ‘Ataman’, 4.11 t/ha for the variety ‘Esaul’. The largest productivity was identified in the third sowing date (4.66 t/ha on average according to a sowing date) and at a seeding rate of 0.4 million germ. pcs. per ha (4.94 t/ha on average according to a seeding rate).

Pemanfaatan Biji Cempedak (Artocarpus Champeden) dalam Produksi Tempe Inovatif : Program Edukasi Mahasiswa Berbasis Kearifan Lokal

Tempe is an inherent food source for Indonesians, with a large number of tempe consumers in the local community. This community service program aims to improve students' understanding and skills in processing cempedak seeds into tempe, including drying methods that allow long-term storage. This activity was carried out from July to November 2024. This activity was carried out in several stages, namely the preparation stage, the implementation stage, and the completion stage. The program on the utilization of cempedak seeds in tempeh production shows promising potential as a food innovation based on local resources. The success rate of this program is not only measured from the production aspect, but also from the transfer of knowledge to students who act as agents of change in alternative food development. Some of the advantages of this activity program are that it provides an alternative utilization of cempedak seed waste into products with nutritional value. In addition, the production cost is relatively affordable compared to the use of soybean. The disadvantage of this program is that the availability of raw materials depends on the cempedak harvest season.

Complications of Intracanal Irrigation During Root Canal Therapy of a Maxillary Canine Tooth in a Cat.

This case describes a previously unreported complication of maxillary canine root canal therapy in a cat. A 5-year-old Russian Blue cat was presented with a complicated crown fracture (pulp exposure) of its left maxillary canine tooth (204). To salvage the tooth, root canal therapy was initiated but not completed due to hemorrhage within the canal. The procedure was staged. On recovery from the procedure, unilateral facial swelling and corneal ulceration were observed. This was consistent with retrograde passage of sodium hypochlorite through the nasolacrimal duct, inducing chemical injury to the cornea. The patient was treated with topical antibiotics, ophthalmic lubrication and systemic analgesia. After seven days of treatment, vast improvements to the eye were noted, with a full recovery confirmed at subsequent follow-up. Rather than complete stage two of the root canal therapy, the affected tooth was extracted; due to progression of pathology affecting the periapical bone. Clinicians should be aware of retrograde chemical irrigation as a potential complication when undertaking root canal therapy of maxillary canine teeth in cats. The close association between the maxillary canine tooth root and the nasolacrimal duct in cats needs to be taken into consideration and may require further evaluation prior to undertaking endodontic treatment. Advanced imaging should be considered. Immediate management of chemical corneal injuries should include copious flushing of the corneal surface, followed by swift referral for ophthalmic assessment.

Core outcome set of daily monitoring of gastrointestinal function in adult critically ill patients: a modified Delphi consensus process (COSMOGI)

PurposeGastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common in critically ill patients and associated with poor outcomes. There is a lack of standardised methods for daily monitoring of GI function. COSMOGI aimed to develop a Core Outcome Set (COS) for daily monitoring of GI function to improve consistency and comparability in future studies in critically ill patients.MethodsA modified Delphi consensus process engaging healthcare providers, clinical researchers, and patient representatives was performed. A systematic review identified existing parameters to monitor GI function, informing the development of potential outcomes. In Stage 1, participants rated outcomes (i.e., variables used for daily monitoring). In Stage 2, they refined and agreed on the definitions for the selected outcomes. The COS was ratified through consensus meetings.Results368 individuals registered for the Delphi process. 285 participants (77.4%) completed Stage 1, and 181 participants (63.5%) completed Stage 2. From 77 potential outcomes, 13 essential outcomes for daily monitoring of GI function in studies, each with an agreed-upon definition, were established: abdominal distension, bowel dilatation, intra-abdominal pressure, abdominal pain, stool passage, vomiting, GI bleeding (upper and lower), use of parenteral nutrition due to intolerance of enteral nutrition, prokinetics, postpyloric feeding due to gastroparesis, lower GI paralysis, gastroparesis, intolerance to enteral nutrition.ConclusionsUsing a modified Delphi consensus process, COSMOGI established a COS for monitoring GI function in critically ill patients in research. This COS and definitions provide a framework to guide future research, enabling comparability across studies and allowing for future definitions of GI dysfunction.Trial registration: This project was registered at (www.comet-initiative.org) on 27.03.2023 (number 2609) and was an ESICM-endorsed research project.

Intraoperative support of patients with infective endocarditis complicated by acute heart failure

Background. Infective endocarditis (IE) is associated with certain risks and complications that can be controlled only by surgery. There is a limited number of recommendations on the anesthetic management of patients with IE during cardiovascular surgery or in the postoperative period in the intensive care unit. The aim of the study: to determine the peculiarities of intraoperative anesthetic management in patients with IE complicated by acute heart failure (AHF). Materials and methods. The study included clinical data of 72 patients with IE complicated by preoperative AHF who underwent cardiac surgery at the State Institution “Amosov National Institute of Cardiovascular Surgery of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine” from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2022. The diagnosis of IE was made in accordance with the Duke criteria. All patients had NYHA class IV. Results. In the group with IE complicated by preoperative AHF, 72 patients (100.0 %) were brought into the operating room from the intensive care unit in a critical condition and underwent urgent surgery for vital signs. The oxygenation index at baseline was 196.9 (123.8–287.5). A severe degree of respiratory failure at the preoperative stage was observed in 25 % of patients with IE complicated by HF. Patients were characterized by a significant need to restore the volume of circulating blood: the median value of intraoperatively transfused red blood cell mass was 688 ml (470–1092). Assessment of the baseline level of C-reactive protein revealed a median of 52.61 ng/ml (22.94–109.31). At the stage of completion of the surgical intervention, the content of C-reactive protein was 69.33 ng/ml (45.89–120.64). Multicomponent (administration of dobutamine and norepinephrine) support of the cardiovascular system was recorded in 42 (58.3 %) patients with IE complicated by preoperative AHF. Single-component support included the isolated use of one of the drugs in 30 (41.7 %) cases. Conclusions. The study highlights the main issues that anesthesiologists face during cardiac surgeries with bypass in these patients. The limited number of recommendations for the intraoperative management of patients with IE complicated by preoperative AHF encourages further research.

Neonatal Liver Imaging: Techniques, Role of Imaging, and Indications.

The neonatal liver may be affected by a variety of congenital and acquired diseases. Imaging has an important role in the workup and management of many neonatal hepatic abnormalities. Some aspects of imaging the liver and imaging findings are specific to neonatal patients when compared with those in older children. Therefore, selecting and tailoring the imaging technique for each indication in the neonate is important for optimal care, with minimal invasiveness. Common indications for imaging include incidental focal lesions, neonatal liver failure, cholestasis, and sepsis. US is the primary imaging modality, and for most conditions it is the only imaging modality required. MRI is the next modality after US for neonatal liver assessment and is especially required for complete assessment and staging of neoplasms, vascular abnormalities, and diagnosis of neonatal hemochromatosis. CT can be used when MRI is not available and should be used sparingly and in patients with acute conditions such as intra-abdominal bleeding. The authors emphasize imaging modalities that can be used for assessment of neonatal liver abnormalities, the imaging appearances of normal and changing structures in the neonatal liver, and indications for imaging. Abnormalities that are described include neonatal liver failure, infections, hepatic calcifications, umbilical venous catheter-related complications, and vascular abnormalities. ©RSNA, 2024 Supplemental material is available for this article.

Extraction of uranium from remains at the stage of completion of production units by in-situ leaching method

Extraction of uranium from remains at the stage of completion of production units by in-situ leaching method

Study of the failure characteristics and mechanical response of railway tunnel under oblique-slip fault displacement

When a tunnel intersects an active fault, the dislocation of the fault often leads to failures such as lining fractures and structural deformations, severely threatening the safe operation of the tunnel. To investigate the fracture characteristics and mechanical responses of tunnels under oblique-slip fault conditions, a large-scale indoor model test with a geometric similarity ratio of 1:35 was conducted. This study was based on a railway tunnel in Western China that crosses an oblique-slip active fault. Additionally, a three-dimensional model of the tunnel-surrounding rock-fault fracture zone interaction was established using ABAQUS finite element analysis software. The purpose of this study is to clarify the structural cracking characteristics, deformation modes, strain trends, changes in bending moment and shear force of tunnels under fault displacement, as well as the contact force between tunnels and surrounding rocks, and further reveal the differences in the impact of oblique-slip faults and other types of faults on tunnels. The results indicate that under oblique-slip fault dislocation, the tunnel experiences shear failure at the fault fracture zone manifested as shear diagonal cracks. Tensile bending failures, characterized by bending circumferential cracks, occur at the hanging wall and footwall. At the fault fracture zone, the strain, contact pressure, bending moment, and shear force of the tunnel undergo drastic changes and peak values appear. The tunnel exhibits distinct three-dimensional failure characteristics, including horizontal bending, axial stretching and twisting, and vertical shearing. The damage zone of the tunnel extends approximately 2D (where D is the tunnel diameter) from both the hanging wall and footwall towards the fault fracture zone, with the severity of damage increasing closer to the fault fracture zone. The damage process of the tunnel under increasing fault dislocation displacement can be divided into three stages: initial intact stage, onset of damage stage, and complete failure stage. When the strike-slip dislocation reaches 20.7 mm (corresponding to an actual displacement of 724.5 mm), structural damage accumulates to its limit, leading to large-scale failure of the tunnel. Compared to purely strike-slip faults, the tunnel is more prone to damage and exhibits a larger range of structural failure under oblique-slip fault dislocation. These findings provide scientific and rational data support and reference for disaster prevention and mitigation design of tunnels.

Study on polymer-containing oily sludge as a potential fuel by combustion thermochemistry

The environmental and resource issues posed by oil sludge have sparked a renewed interest in cleaner and more efficient oil production. The investigation on the combustion process of polymer-containing oily sludge (POS) is expected to open up new markets for POS as an alternative fuel. TGA was used to examine the combustion behaviour, kinetics, and thermodynamics of POS, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) was used to measure the chemical composition of POS ash to predict ash fouling and slagging. Based on the TG-DTG curves, the mass loss of POS in combustion studies was split into four major areas. The combined calculation method of model-free methods, Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), was applied to determine the activation energies from stage 1 to stage 4, which were 47.89 kJ/mol, 66.09 kJ/mol, 190.55 kJ/mol, and 98.37 kJ/mol, respectively. A four-stage kinetic model (D4→D2→D3→R2) was established to describe the combustion process of POS. Compared to other conventional sludges, POS has a relatively low activation energy and is more susceptible to thermochemical transformations. The difference between the enthalpy change (ΔH) and activation energy (E) indicated that the reactions benefit the formation of the activated complex. Meanwhile, the change in entropy (ΔS) implied the thermodynamic disequilibrium in the 3rd stage of POS and completion of the thermal conversion at the end of the reaction. The change in Gibbs free energy (ΔG) increased in a stepwise manner and its lower average value reflected the greater reaction favourability of combustion for POS. The composition of POS ash was mainly metal oxides, with the slagging index, fouling index, and slagging viscosity index of 1.0, 9.1, and 32.0, respectively. POS ash has high fouling and slagging, with special attention in the combustion application.

Are All Prognostic Stage IB Breast Cancers Equivalent?

Background/Objectives: The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer integrates histology and biomarker status with anatomic extent in breast cancer (BC) pathologic prognostic staging (PPS). However, PPS IB includes anatomic locally advanced hormone-receptor-positive/HER2-negative (LA-HR+/HER2-) and early-stage triple-negative BC (ES-TNBC). Previous research shows that increased nodal involvement is a critical predictor of worse prognosis, raising questions about whether biological subtype or anatomic stage has a greater influence on outcomes in these discordant cases. We hypothesized that overall survival (OS) remains worse for LA-HR+/HER2- BC compared to ES-TNBC, despite both being classified as PPS IB. Methods: Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients with LA-HR+/HER2- BC (pT3N1 or pT1-3N2, grade 1-2) and ES-TNBC (T1N0, grade 2-3) treated between 2004 and 2017. Patients without complete primary tumor stage, biomarker status, grade, TNM staging, or treated with neoadjuvant therapy were excluded. The primary endpoint was OS. Multivariable Cox regression evaluated OS between LA-HR+/HER2- BC and ES-TNBC. Results: Among 45,818 patients (17,359 LA-HR+/HER2- BC and 28,459 ES-TNBC), LA-HR+/HER2- BC had significantly worse 6-year OS (86.1% vs. 90.4%; HR = 1.63; p < 0.0001). Among patients receiving appropriate therapies, patients with LA-HR+/HER2- BC had 35% relatively higher risk of death (HR = 1.35; 1.24-1.48; p < 0.0001). These results highlight that LA-HR+/HER2- breast cancer has worse survival compared to ES-TNBC, despite both being classified as PPS IB and receiving all appropriate treatments. Conclusions: Anatomic disease extent remains an important factor in patients with discordant AS and PPS. Future iterations of PPS should re-classify LA-HR+/HER2- breast cancer from PPS IB to ensure more accurate prognostic and survival information.

Utility of Multiparametric Prostate MRI to Predict Regional or Distant Metastatic Disease Against Conventional Staging Using CT and Bone Scintigraphy or 68Ga-PSMA PET in Intermediate-to-High-Risk Prostate Cancer.

Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is now the standard of care to guide prostate biopsies during workups and assessment of men with suspected prostate cancer (PCa). In addition to intraprostatic lesion detection, MRI usually covers the bony pelvis and pelvic lymph nodes, two of the commonest sites for metastatic disease. Subsequent staging has traditionally been based on further scanning using a combination of computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy (BS), and more recently, positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) ligand. However, the value of additional staging investigations for men who are negative for metastatic disease on pelvic MRI is unclear. This study aims to evaluate the concordance of MRI findings with other imaging performed during staging. Patients with a Gleason score (GS) of ≥ 7 who had received both a pre-biopsy mpMRI and subsequent staging investigations from a single institution between 2019 to 2022 were identified. Imaging reports for PET, CT, and BS were used as the reference standard to evaluate MRI accuracy. PSMA-PET was considered the definitive outcome if multiple scans were performed. MRI findings were then classified as positive, negative, or equivocal. The accuracy was calculated using interpretations where equivocal cases were considered positive or negative for spread, representing a 'pessimistic' or 'optimistic' reading, respectively. A subgroup assessment of results considering only the use of CT + BS and PET was also done. This study identified 214 patients for inclusion. The median age was 70 (IQR: 65-75) years, prostate-specific antigen (PSA) was 9.65 (IQR: 6.9-14.3) (ng/ml), and PSA density was 0.26 (ng/ml/cc) (IQR: 0.15-0.46). Complete conventional staging was performed for 130 patients, and PSMA-PET was performed for 102 patients. The results for the optimistic against pessimistic interpretations were the following: overall accuracy (90% vs 89%), sensitivity (0.48 vs 0.52), specificity (0.97 vs 0.95), negative predictive value (NPV) (0.84 vs 0.93), and positive predictive value (PPV) (0.71 vs 0.63). When comparing subgroup results considering only conventional imaging against only PSMA-PET, there were markedly more discordant findings in the PET group. The impression of nodal and metastatic status through mpMRI poorly correlates with results from conventional staging and PSMA-PET. PSMA-PET more often produces discordant results to mpMRI, signifying an additive diagnostic value. MRI should not be used alone in the workup of prostate cancer in patients with a GS ≥ 7, where metastasis is a concern.

Exploring the Genre of International Online Communication to Map the Stages and Phases in the Participants’ Analytical Exposition Texts

In the current digital age, an online messaging platform called the International Virtual Exchange (IVE) Program is widely utilized in the English language learning process. The participants of the IVE Program are learners from non-native English-speaking countries with different cultural contexts, so they may have different realizations of genre structures. Most studies employing genre analysis only covered the genre stages without analyzing their phases. Therefore, this study aims to explore the stages and phases of the participants’ Analytical Exposition texts in the IVE 2021 Program, as one of the micro-genre texts on the international online communication with the topic Lessons from the Pandemic. The results showed that the participants of the IVE 2021 Program, who come from six different countries, had different stages and phases of the genre because the schematic structure could change based on the type and number of arguments/issues described in the text. This research can be used as a reference for participants of international online communication, especially in the IVE Program, so that they can implement complete and holistic stages and phases of the genre in their communication texts to minimize misunderstandings from other participants.

Analyzing creative metaphors in advertising: Integrating relevance theory and conceptual blending approaches

This article introduces a hybrid model for analyzing creative metaphors in commercial advertising by combining Relevance Theory and Conceptual Blending Theory. The model's algorithm for metaphorical mapping considers contextual assumptions and relevance principles to select mental input structures for blending. The initial stage of explicature decoding, following Relevance Theory, identifies input mental spaces through reference assignment and content enrichment. In the Composition stage, an ad hoc source concept is adapted to the target, establishing metaphorical alignments within the blend. The blending's cognitive context involves abstract structures and vital relations in a generic space, rooted in human experience, to facilitate interpretations with minimal cognitive effort. At the Completion stage, contextual assumptions about the brand’s implied meanings generate new structures within the blend. Finally, the Elaboration stage incorporates assumptions about the brand’s messaging, aimed at addressing the audience's motivational needs and encouraging them to fulfill these needs by purchasing the advertised product.

Factors Influencing the Timeliness and Completeness of Appropriate Staging Investigations for Patients with Stage I-III Lung Cancer in Southeastern Ontario.

(1) Background: Comprehensive and timely lung cancer (LC) staging is essential for prognosis and management. The Lung Diagnostic Assessment Program (LDAP) in Southeastern (SE) Ontario aims to provide rapid, guideline-concordant care for suspected LC patients. We evaluated factors affecting the completeness and timeliness of staging for stage I-III LC patients in SE Ontario, including the impact of LDAP management. (2) Methods: This was a population-based retrospective cohort study using the LDAP database (January 2017-December 2019), linked with the Ontario Cancer Registry, to identify newly diagnosed LC patients. A Cox model approach identified variables associated with staging completeness and timeliness. (3) Results: Among 755 patients, 459 (60.8%) were managed through LDAP. Optimal staging was achieved in 596 patients (78.9%), 23 (3.0%) had alternative staging, and 136 (18.0%) had incomplete staging. In the adjusted analyses, LDAP management was associated with a higher likelihood of complete staging (OR 2.29, p < 0.0001) and faster staging completion (β = -18.53, p < 0.0001). Increased distance to PET centres was associated with a longer time to complete staging (β = 8.95 per 100 km, p = 0.0007), as was longer time to diagnosis (β = 21.63 per 30 days, p < 0.0001). (4) Conclusions: LDAP management in SE Ontario significantly improved staging completeness and shortened staging time for stage I-III LC patients.

Effectiveness of new antituberculosis drugs in the treatment of children and adolescents with chemoresistant tuberculosis

BACKGROUND. There is a significant decrease the effectiveness of antituberculous (anti-TB) treatment on the background of multidrug and extensive drug resistance (MDR/XDR) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Therefore, in order to increase the effectiveness of treatment MDR-/XDR-TB a new antimycobacterial drugs such as bedaquiline (Bdq), delamanid (Dlm) and pretomanid have been introduced both for adults, children and adolescents in recent years. MATERIALS AND METHODS. On the basis of a retrospective cohort analysis of the data of patients' medical records the evaluation of the clinical effectiveness of chemotherapy with Bdq and Dlm was carried out. The main group: 40 children and adolescents with MDR-/XDR-TB of lungs, who received complex antimycobacterial therapy (AMBT) with Bdq and Dlm. The control group consisted of 27 patients who received complex AMBT without Bdq and Dlm. Age range – from 3 to 18 years. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. On the background of AMBT during the first 3 months of treatment was established stopping bacterial secretion among all patients of main and control groups. However, in control group compare to main one stopping bacterial secretion was significant slowly (p&lt;0.05). At the stage of completion of the intensive phase of AMBT, the normalization of immunological indicators occurred in 29.6±2.8 % of control group and in 43.4±4.5 % of main one. A significant difference between the groups among the immunoregulatory index CD3+CD4+/CD3+CD8+, IgM and circulating immune complexes was obtained. Among children and adolescents of the main group positive dynamic of immunological changes were observed 1.5 times more often. Among all patients of main group the resolution of the infiltration, consolidation of the focus and the absence of decay cavities were ascertained at the end of the anti-TB course. Anti-TB treatment with the formation of small residual changes into lung tissue ended in 77.5 % patients of main group. In 12.5 % cases of control group destructions persisted and bacterial excretion resumed. A large residual changes such as multiple dense foci, fibrosis and residual decay cavities in control group were observed 2.3 times more often (51.9 % vs 22.5 %), p&lt;0.05, than in main one. Using Bdq and Dlm among children and adolescents with MDR-/XDR-TB significantly increased efficiency of complex treatment. Among main group (72.5 %) compare to control (33.3 %) one the results of treatment to be considered “cured” were 2.2 times more likely and 1.5 times less often – “completed” (27.5 % vs 51.8 % respectively). The success rate of treatment among children and adolescents who received Bdq and Dlm was 100.0 % and among patients without these new drugs – 85.2 %. CONCLUSIONS. The criteria used show that AMBT combined with Bdq and Dlm is 1.5-2.2 times more effective (according to a separate criterion) than AMBT without these drugs.

Scientific Research in Nova Scotia

On the evening of Monday, March 4, 2024, the Nova Scotian Institute of Science (NSIS) held a student symposium as part of its public lecture series. This year’s theme was Scientific Research in Nova Scotia, welcoming talks from all scientific disciplines.One goal was to highlight the diversity and breadth of research currently being conducted by students across the province. The NSIS Council therefore decided, as part of its lecture series, to invite short, 3-minute talks from students with projects at any stage of com-pletion. The focus was to attract young researchers to contribute more to NSIS activities. The limited time enabled the session to maximize the number of presenters. Many strong applications to present were received, and eight students were selected from various academic levels (from undergraduates to doctoral students) to give talks about their research. They also answered questions from the live audience and those watching and listening online. At the end of the evening, awards were presented to selected contributors, and all students were commended for very well-presented and interesting talks.The abstracts for the talks are provided below.

DEVELOPMENT OF THE THEORY OF GAS FUEL COMBUSTION TAKING INTO ACCOUNT MODERN KINETIC MECHANISMS OF COMBUSTION

An actuality of modernizing advancement the modern adopted combustion theory is due to a significant change in the composition of fuels at the market of developed countries by rejection of basic mineral (organic) fuels (fossil fuels), which have been used in the world for 250 years. The transformation of traditional fuels’ orientation towards an application of carbon-free fuels, primarily to hydrogen and its mixtures with natural gas. Each way of mentioned activity is connected with to ensure an environmental decarbonisation. Criteria for evaluating the CO2 emissions by fuels’ choice and selection have been proposed while numerical calculations of the specific CO2 content in the combustion products of the hydrocarbon-hydrogen mixture jʹ and j have been evaluated. It is possible to reduce these values when adding the shared H2 in the fuels (m3 CO2/ MJ; kg CO2/ MJ). Considering the combustion process in combustion systems (combustion chambers, boilers, furnaces) at constant pressure (p =const, dp =0 — isobaric process), the enthalpy of the reactants’ flow of the mixture (total (chemical) enthalpy I) can serve as a measure of the specific energy of the reacting mixture. An approach is proposed, according to which the main equations of heat and mass transfer in the torch (premixed flame) are composed basing upon the principle of conservation the total (chemical) enthalpy representing energy as basic function. The basic approach to the development of a modern combustion theory is focused on the concept of T. von Karman, according to which the combustion process is considered as “aerothermochemistry”, i.e. the description of physical and chemical processes is based on the combination of heat and mass transfer equations with chemical kinetics’ equations. At the current period, the problem of chemical kinetics (burning process) is considered through the combustion mechanisms of basic fuels, which consist of a large number of equations for molecules and particles involved in process at various stages of the combustion — from the preheating of the reaction mixture and through the stage of ignition (or self-ignition) — to the final temperature of flue gases. The laminar combustion velocity SL is a determinative characteristic of the combustible properties of gas fuels and, accordingly, of the safety restrictions by the fuel choice. Quantitative values of SL for the separate basic fuels, including the hydrogen, both the organic (fossil fuels) and alternative ones could be differed by an order of magnitude and more. The problem of estimable forecasting the SL value provides an option of the composition of the fuel-oxidant mixture in the industry, power and municipal energetics. The SL value’s prediction makes an especially important action at the current stage of modelling completion with an account of the global warming and by preventing an excess of CO2 emissions, including involvement of hydrogen-containing gases by substitution the carbon-friendly fuels, firstly the fossil fuels. The contemporary theory of combustion has been developed by extensive use the adequate kinetic mechanism GRI-Mech 3.0, the universality of which has been confirmed by our calculations of SL values for a wide range of the gas fuels — from methane CH4 to hydrogen H2 and their mixtures. An advanced modern theory of combustion using the adequate and approved GRI-Mech 3.0 combustion kinetic mechanism has been developed. The universality of this mechanism is confirmed by our calculations of SL values for a wide range of gaseous fuels — from methane CH4 to hydrogen H2 and their mixtures (mixed gases MG). For further analysis and development, the model of combustion in the reacting flow by Y.B. Zeldovich and D.A. Frank-Kamenetsky was used, considering the transfer processes of total enthalpy I as the energy characteristic of the combustible mixture. The kinetic component (on the example of natural gas) is taken into account using the combustion mechanism for GRI-Mech 3.0. The latter summarizes the combustion process of through 325 constituent reactions for 53 components. The adequacy of the combustion model proposed in the paper is confirmed by numerical examples of the coincidence of numerical SL values: ours — calculated; literary — experimental. The validity of experimental values of SL is provided by the use of different methods of measuring the SL. Calculations of the specific total enthalpy I of the reacting mixture along the length x º l (thickness of the front for a homogeneous flame in a one-dimensional formulation) have been performed as a result of researches confirmed the initial position: I(x) = const with deviations for CH4 +7 % / –2 %; for H2 +9,2 % / –2,8 % in relation to the heat of combustion. Bibl. 52, Fig. 9, Tab. 3.

Reliability Allocation of Compression Packer Based on Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process Method

Abstract The packer is a key component of the downhole sealing system during well completion stage, and its sealing reliability is directly related to the effectiveness of the downhole sealing system. The reliability assignment of the packer should meet the multi-level and multi-factor requirements, and it has the coexistence of quantity and quality analysis. Thus, how to achieve the reasonable reliability allocation of the packer is very important. This article introduced the reliability allocation for a typical compression packer based on the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) method. The structure of analytic hierarchy process for compression packer’s reliability allocation was established, which include the target layer, criterion layer and object layer. To quantitatively calculate the weights of the main part of the compression packer system, the FAHP method was performed, which consist of the sealing unit, anchoring unit, locking and anti-retreat unit, seating unit, unseating unit and anti-open unit. The three-scale judgment matrix scale was conducted to make the fuzzy consistency matrix meet the consistency conditions. Based on the weight analysis results and the preset reliability, the reliability allocation of the compression packer system was performed. The obtained distribution results satisfy the preset requirements and consistent with the actual operation of the packer, which proves the feasibility and validity of FAHP method. The proposed method reasonably solves fuzzy decision-making problem in the process of reliability allocation, and provides an efficient and reasonable way for the reliability allocation of the packer.