Analysis Of Distribution Research Articles

Unveiling non-communicable disease trends among Indian states: predicting health outcomes with socioeconomic and demographic factors

PurposeThe present study examines the fluctuations in Socioeconomic and demographic (SED) factors and the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) across clusters of states in India. Further, it attempts to analyze the extent to which the SED determinants can serve as predictive indicators for the prevalence of NCDs.Design/methodology/approachThe study uses three rounds of unit-level National Sample Survey self-reported morbidity data for the analysis. A machine learning model was constructed to predict the prevalence of NCDs based on SED characteristics. In addition, probit regression was adopted to identify the relevant SED variables across the cluster of states that significantly impact disease prevalence.FindingsOverall, the study finds that the disease prevalence can be reasonably predicted with a given set of SED characteristics. Also, it highlights age as the most important factor across a cluster of states in understanding the distribution of disease prevalence, followed by income, education, and marital status. Understanding these variations is essential for policymakers and public health officials to develop targeted strategies that address each state’s unique challenges and opportunities.Originality/valueThe study complements the existing literature on the interplay of SEDs with the prevalence of NCDs across diverse state-level dynamics. Its predictive analysis of NCD distribution through SED factors adds valuable depth to our understanding, making a notable contribution to the field.

Hydraulic property variations with depth in a loess mudstone landslide

In areas where loess is distributed, landslides represent a significant geohazard with severe implications. Among these events, loess-mudstone landslides are particularly prevalent, posing substantial risks to the safety and property of local residents, and moisture plays a pivotal role as a key factor in causing these disasters. In this study, the hydraulic properties of the soils along the longitudinal section of an ongoing loess-mudstone landslide are investigated through the variation of soil water characteristic curves, which are subsequently fitted by utilizing van Genuchten model. Moreover, a comprehensive experimental investigation was conducted on the loess, mudstone, and loess-mudstone mixtures to facilitate analysis, including X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation, particle size distribution (PSD) analysis, along with fundamental geotechnical tests for parameter determination. It is found that mudstone and loess have distinct SWCC distribution. The SWCC of loess at various depths exhibits a similar distribution pattern due to the occurrence of landslide. The SWCC distribution of loess-mudstone mixture displays a transitional trend between the SWCC of mudstone and that of loess, and the water retention capacity increases as the mudstone content increases. The experimental findings have demonstrated notable agreement between each other and exhibited a satisfactory level of concurrence with the observed phenomena in geological surveys.

Intra- and interspecies variation and population dynamics of Fasciola gigantica among ruminants in Sudan.

Fasciola gigantica is a widespread parasite that causes neglected disease in livestock worldwide. Its high transmissibility and dispersion are attributed to its ability to infect intermediate snail hosts and adapt to various mammalian definitive hosts. This study investigated the variation and population dynamics of F. gigantica in cattle, sheep, and goats from three states in Sudan. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1) genes were sequenced successfully to examine intra and interspecific differences. ND1 exhibited higher diversity than COI, with 15 haplotypes and 10 haplotypes, respectively. Both genes had high haplotype diversity but low nucleotide diversity, with 21 and 11 polymorphic sites for ND1 and COI, respectively. Mismatch distribution analysis and neutrality tests revealed that F. gigantica from different host species was in a state of population expansion. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic trees and median networks revealed that F. gigantica in Sudan and other African countries had host-specific and country-specific lineages for both genes. The study also indicated that F. gigantica-infected small ruminants were evolutionarily distant, suggesting deep and historical interspecies adaptation.

Expanding the wrench feasible workspace of quadrotor-based mobile cable-driven parallel manipulators using multi-objective optimization and machine learning

Quadrotor-based Reconfigurable Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulators (QRCDPMs) have previously been introduced as having significant potential in extending the feasible workspace of Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulators (CDPMs). However, such configurations have limitations in executing positive Z-direction trajectories resulting in non-optimal workspace and performance. This study proposes a novel Quadrotor-based Enhanced Reconfiguration Cable-Driven Parallel Manipulator (QERCDPM) that significantly enhances the Wrench Feasible Workspace (WFW). This allows for extended safe platform operation along all XYZ directions by adjusting the bottom cable exit point. Simulation results indicate that the proposed setup achieves a 96.39 % ratio of safe workspace to available workspace in various cable exit points configurations. Tension Distribution analysis for different trajectories demonstrates the proposed setup's superior cable tension management, increased flexibility and reachability. A Random Forest based Particle Swarm Optimization - Modified Frequency Bat Algorithm (RFPSOMFB) optimization algorithm is proposed, which outperforms existing methods in terms of run time and solution quality. The findings hold significance for applications requiring safe and efficient trajectory execution in dynamic and constrained environments, contributing to the evolution of multi-robot based intelligent and distributed systems.

Mechanical recycling process: An alternative for a viable disposal of carbon fiber‐reinforced thermoplastic waste

AbstractConcern for the environment has increased the interest of the automotive and aerospace industries in evaluating the feasibility of mechanical recycling of waste carbon‐fiber‐reinforced polymer composites (CFRP) and waste from protective films used during the transport and storage of thermosetting composites, which are removed and discarded during manufacturing. Therefore, this work aimed to develop a recyclable composite from protective film waste by incorporating carbon fiber/poly(aryl ether ketone) (CF/PAEK) composite particles obtained through grinding in knife mills, followed by an analysis of the particle size distribution. Protective film residues (PEres) were cut to facilitate processing. A mixture of low‐density polyethylene and PEres (50/50) was used as the composite matrix, and 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt% CF/PAEK composite particles were added as the reinforcing agents. Then, these recycled composites were prepared by melt mixing using a twin‐screw extruder and injection molding to obtain standardized samples. Mechanical, thermal, electrical, and electromagnetic properties were evaluated. It was possible to observe that the increase in the addition of CF/PAEK composite particles contributed to a 290% increase in elastic modulus values and a 9.1% increase in Shore D hardness, electrical conductivity, and attenuation of the electromagnetic wave. Furthermore, satisfactory adhesion between filler and matrix contributed to a good interface and reinforcement of the final material.Highlights Mechanical recycling by extrusion of waste from the automotive and aerospace sectors Grinding of carbon fiber/poly(aryl ether ketone) composite waste to be used as filler Protective film waste used as matrix Composites developed with waste with good electrical and electromagnetic properties The addition of thermoplastic composite residues does not affect thermal and mechanical properties

Cost Budget Analysis for Equal Distribution of Labour for Multi-Storey Buildings Construction

Although all resources on a construction project have their respective roles, the availability of labour significantly impacts how far the project moves forward and is completed. According to Kastor and Sirakoulis (2009), calculating the number of workers according to the construction schedule is crucial because, without this consideration, the resulting schedule may not be effective and efficient. process used for construction project resources to reduce fluctuations (Waluyo & Aditama, 2017). This research compares labour allocation, duration, and labour wage cost budgets under several conditions. These conditions include actual project conditions, planning, and results after levelling using an auto schedule. In project planning, the fluctuations obtained are pretty sharp. After the auto schedule levelling, the manpower no longer experienced overallocation, but fluctuations between weeks were still relatively high. This can happen because the quantity of work and labour in the construction projects under review is not comparable to the effects of project delays. The results obtained from the comparisons analyzed on the X-storey building construction project are that the auto schedule does not change the initial planning duration, which remains at 133 days. There was a disparity of 0.02% in auto schedule planning costs from 1,098,345,000.00. Meanwhile, in actual conditions, the labour cost budget increased by 0.12% from IDR 967,880,000.00 after the auto-schedule levelling process. It can be concluded that before resource levelling is carried out, it is necessary to review project scheduling and accelerate the duration of implementation, specifically if construction projects experience delays and other factors, so as not to cause fluctuations caused by the uneven quantity of work over some time.

Nuclear patterns of phosphatidylinositol 4,5- and 3,4-bisphosphate revealed by super-resolution microscopy differ between the consecutive stages of RNA polymerase II transcription.

Phosphatidylinositol phosphates are powerful signaling molecules that orchestrate signaling and direct membrane trafficking in the cytosol. Interestingly, phosphatidylinositol phosphates also localize within the membrane-less compartments of the cell nucleus, where they participate in the regulation of gene expression. Nevertheless, current models of gene expression, which include condensates of proteins and nucleic acids, do not include nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphates. This gap is partly a result of the missing detailed analysis of the subnuclear distribution of phosphatidylinositol phosphates and their relationships with gene expression. Here, we used quantitative dual-color direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy to analyze the nanoscale co-patterning between RNA polymerase II transcription initiation and elongation markers with respect to phosphatidylinositol 4,5- or 3,4-bisphosphate in the nucleoplasm and nuclear speckles and compared it with randomized data and cells with inhibited transcription. We found specific co-patterning of the transcription initiation marker P-S5 with phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate in the nucleoplasm and with phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate at the periphery of nuclear speckles. We showed the specific accumulation of the transcription elongation marker PS-2 and of nascent RNA in the proximity of phosphatidylinositol 3,4-bisphosphate associated with nuclear speckles. Taken together, this shows that the distinct spatial associations between the consecutive stages of RNA polymerase II transcription and nuclear phosphatidylinositol phosphates exhibit specificity within the gene expression compartments. Thus, in analogy to the cellular membranes, where phospholipid composition orchestrates signaling pathways and directs membrane trafficking, we propose a model in which the phospholipid identity of gene expression compartments orchestrates RNA polymerase II transcription.

Temperature distribution analysis and mechanical property prediction of wire loops in the Stelmor air-cooling system

During the Stelmor air-cooling process, the temperature distribution has a significant impact on the wire loops' final mechanical properties. The temperature distribution during air-cooling process is accurately solved by establishing three-dimensional model and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation. It is also found that the heat transfer coefficient on the cross section of the wire loop is very different, with a difference of 70–100 Wm−2K−1. The average value of the surface heat transfer coefficient of the wire loops section is used to replace the surface heat transfer coefficient of the wire loops, which improves the temperature distribution calculation accuracy, which is not considered by previous scholars. The finite difference method is used to calculate the mathematical model of the temperature distribution during the Stelmor air-cooling process. It is found that the maximum temperature difference of the wire during the cooling process is 90–110 K. The prediction model of mechanical property of wire after air-cooling was established, and distribution of mechanical property of the wire loops was obtained, and the reason for the uneven distribution of mechanical property of the wire loops was found.

Assessment and measurement of ground motion risk levels for structures isolated by double concave friction pendulum system

Determining the risk level of ground motions (GM) for structures is crucial for their damage control and resilience enhancement, while the assessment and measurement criteria of GM risk levels for structures isolated by double concave friction pendulum system (DCFPS) remain unclear. Through statistical analysis of the response distribution of DCFPS with various design parameters under 1013 GM records, this study determines an energy dissipation efficacy of 99 %, a floor velocity of 0.35 m/s, a floor velocity of 0.60 m/s, and the displacement capacity of DCFPS as the response criteria for assessing four performance states of efficacy, habitability, functionality, and safety, respectively. In addition, the value of GM intensity in PGA, PGV, PGD, and the equivalent velocity of seismic input energy (VE) for measuring the four GM risk levels corresponding to the four performance states are obtained. Furthermore, a classification of GMs based on earthquake magnitude and fault distance is proposed according to their risk to DCFPS. It is found that the intensity value of each GM risk level varies for different design parameters of DCFPS but fluctuate within a small range, however, great differences exist when using different intensity measures (IM) in classifying GM risk levels. Therefore, based on the correlation between IMs and DCFPS responses, the conservatism of PGA, PGV, PGD and VE in assessing the risk of GMs for DCFPS are evaluated.

Program VUE: analysing distributions of cryo-EM projections using uniform spherical grids

Three-dimensional cryo electron microscopy reconstructions are obtained by extracting information from a large number of projections of the object. These projections correspond to different `views' or `orientations', i.e. directions in which these projections show the reconstructed object. Uneven distribution of these views and the presence of dominating preferred orientations may distort the reconstructed spatial images. This work describes the program VUE (views on uniform grids for cryo electron microscopy), designed to study such distributions. Its algorithms, based on uniform virtual grids on a sphere, allow an easy calculation and accurate quantitative analysis of the frequency distribution of the views. The key computational element is the Lambert azimuthal equal-area projection of a spherical uniform grid onto a disc. This projection keeps the surface area constant and represents the frequency distribution with no visual bias. Since it has multiple tunable parameters, the program is easily adaptable to individual needs, and to the features of a particular project or of the figure to be produced. It can help identify problems related to an uneven distribution of views. Optionally, it can modify the list of projections, distributing the views more uniformly. The program can also be used as a teaching tool.

Inhibitory subpopulations in preBötzinger Complex play distinct roles in modulating inspiratory rhythm and pattern.

Inhibitory neurons embedded within mammalian neural circuits shape breathing, walking, and other rhythmic motor behaviors. At the core of the neural circuit controlling breathing is the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC), where GABAergic (GAD1/2+) and glycinergic (GlyT2+) neurons are functionally and anatomically intercalated among glutamatergic Dbx1-derived (Dbx1+) neurons that generate rhythmic inspiratory drive. The roles of these preBötC inhibitory neurons in breathing remain unclear. We first characterized the spatial distribution of molecularly-defined preBötC inhibitory subpopulations in male and female neonatal double reporter mice expressing either tdTomato or EGFP in GlyT2+, GAD1+, or GAD2+ neurons. We found that the majority of preBötC inhibitory neurons expressed both GlyT2 and GAD2 while a much smaller subpopulation also expressed GAD1. To determine the functional role of these subpopulations, we used holographic photostimulation, a patterned illumination technique, in rhythmically active medullary slices from neonatal Dbx1tdTomato;GlyT2EGFP and Dbx1tdTomato;GAD1EGFP double reporter mice of either sex. Stimulation of 4 or 8 preBötC GlyT2+ neurons during endogenous rhythm prolonged the interburst interval in a phase-dependent manner and increased the latency to burst initiation when bursts were evoked by stimulation of Dbx1+ neurons. In contrast, stimulation of 4 or 8 preBötC GAD1+ neurons did not affect interburst interval or latency to burst initiation. Instead, photoactivation of GAD1+ neurons during the inspiratory burst prolonged endogenous and evoked burst duration and decreased evoked burst amplitude. We conclude that GlyT2+/GAD2+ neurons modulate breathing rhythm by delaying burst initiation while a smaller GAD1+ subpopulation shapes inspiratory patterning by altering burst duration and amplitude.Significance Statement Inhibition is critical for control of rhythmic motor behaviors, such as breathing, walking, and chewing. We reveal functional differences among embedded preBötC inhibitory micro-cir-cuits that contribute to excitation-inhibition balance governing distinct processes in the breathing motor program. We develop approaches for high throughput analysis of spatial distributions of neurons in tissue and for dynamic functional manipulations via an important extension of holographic photostimulation to sequences of patterns that more closely mimics physiological neural activity. Our study challenges the current understanding of the role of inhibition in breathing and provides novel insights into specific roles of inhibitory neurons in neural circuits controlling breathing that are applicable to other rhythmic motor behaviors in health and disease.

Managing the E-commerce Data Deluge through Text Analytics and Web Management (Overview of Amazon.com)

Today, more than 80% of the big data handled in the e-commerce industry is text and unstructured data. Text analytics is an automated process for analyzing text and extracting useful information from it. It can discover trends and relationships in data. Web analytics is the collection, processing, and analysis of data in order to draw conclusions to optimize usability on a website. Web analytics can be used to improve the usability of a site by analyzing user behavior patterns such as time spent on the site, abandonment rates, most frequently accessed products, click-through rates, etc. It can also help analyze the interests of different user demographics, as it tracks granular details such as user demographics, age and gender, geography, and devices used as data. In order to obtain UpToDate information, the business can utilize business intelligence for real-time data processing, then they can practice stream analysis to analyse continuous flow of data. For instance, the business can collect instant information in Twitter or other social media and analyse it by using social media analysis. For website management, business can practice web analysis to analyse the customer’s behaviours. Tracking the customer’s activity, page view and conversion rate is important for business to analyse how to improve the website performance. Text analytics of comments received on Amazon can be used to group text data and produce results in terms of word frequency distribution and sentiment analysis. Text analytics could be used for decision making, improving service quality, and developing new business models.

Spatial and Temporal Characteristic Analysis and Risk Assessment of Global Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N8 Subtype

H5N8 HPAI is a highly infectious avian disease that now poses a serious threat and potential risk to poultry farming, wild birds, and public health. In this study, to investigate the seasonality and transmission directionality of global H5N8 HPAI, the spatial and temporal analysis of H5N8 HPAI was conducted using time series decomposition and directional distribution analysis. An ecological niche model was developed for H5N8 HPAI in poultry to identify areas at high risk of H5N8 HPAI in poultry and associated risk factors. The results indicated that three global pandemics of H5N8 HPAI emerged from 2014 to 2022, all showing a southeast–northwest distribution direction. H5N8 HPAI occurred more frequently in winter and less frequently in summer. The southwestern border region and the southeastern region of North America, the southern region of South America, most of Europe, the southern border region and the northern border region of Africa, and the southwestern region and the southeastern region of Asia provide the suitable environment for the occurrence of H5N8 HPAI in poultry. Chicken density, duck density, population density, bio1 (annual mean temperature), and land cover were considered important variables for the occurrence of H5N8 HPAI in poultry. This study can help optimize the use of resources and provide new information for policymakers to carry out prevention and control efforts.

Correlation of TRPA1 RNAscope and Agonist Responses.

The TRPA1 ion channel is a sensitive detector of reactive chemicals, found primarily on sensory neurons. The phenotype exhibited by mice lacking TRPA1 suggests its potential as a target for pharmacological intervention. Antibody-based detection for distribution analysis is a standard technique. In the case of TRPA1, however, there is no antibody with a plausible validation in knockout animals or functional studies, but many that have failed in this regard. To this end we employed the single molecule in situ hybridization technique RNAscope on sensory neurons immediately after detection of calcium responses to the TRPA1 agonist allyl isothiocyanate. There is a clearly positive correlation between TRPA1 calcium imaging and RNAscope detection (R = 0.43), although less than what might have been expected. Thus, the technique of choice should be carefully considered to suit the research question. The marginal correlation between TRPV1 RNAscope and the specific agonist capsaicin indicates that such validation is advisable for every RNAscope target. Given the recent description of a long-awaited TRPA1 reporter mouse, TRPA1 RNAscope detection might still have its use cases, for detection of RNA at particular sites, for example, defined structurally or by other molecular markers.

Re-discovery and taxonomic clarification of Oreocharis leveilleana (Gesneriaceae) in Guizhou, China, over 100 years

Oreocharis leveilleana Fedde was collected in Ta-pin in 1910 and published in 1911. The collected location was verified within western Luodian County, Guizhou Province, China. However, there have been no records of the species’ collection for more than 100 years since then. After extensive investigations by our research team on the type locality and its surrounding areas, we found that it is widely distributed in western Luodian County and eastern Wangmo County, Guizhou Province, China. During further research on the original literature, type specimens and type locality of O. leveilleana, the taxonomic position of O. leveilleana, which was once treated as a synonym of O. auricula (S.Moore) C.B.Clarke, was found to have a taxonomic problem. Through morphological research combined with geographical distribution analysis, it has been determined that it should belong to the genus Petrocodon Hance and it is the same species as P. coccineus (C.Y.Wu ex H.W.Li) Yin Z.Wang. According to the regulations and suggestions of the 2018 "International Code of Nomenclature for Algae, Fungi, and Plants (Shenzhen Code)", we propose and confirm a new combination – Petrocodon leveilleanus (Fedde) X.X.Bai & F.Wen and treat P. coccineus as a synonym of the new combination. Due to its unique bright red flowers within Petrocodon, its original Chinese name has been retained.

Theoretical characterization and its application of electromagnetic anisotropy in high-temperature superconducting bulks under rotated postures

The electromagnetic anisotropy of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) bulks limits their levitation ability in the applied magnetic fields from the permanent magnet guideway (PMG), thus impeding the enhancement of load-carrying capacity in HTS pinning maglev systems. Developing a suitable matching scheme between bulk orientation and magnetic field direction is a valuable way to relieve this restriction. In this paper, a method for characterizing bulk anisotropy in a rotating coordinate system is proposed to explore the best bulk orientation. The method is based on the concept of equivalent resistivity tensor and its eigenvectors, and includes an extended description of two types of anisotropy: conductivity anisotropy and magnetic field angle dependence. It provides a theoretical foundation for simulating anisotropic bulks under any rotated posture. Experimental investigations on the levitation force distribution of cylindrical bulks with different c-axis orientation were conducted, through which the accuracy of the characterization method and calculated results were validated. Analysis of current distribution reveals that aligning the c-axis parallel to the external magnetic field helps achieve the best match between the bulk and the PMG. Additionally, considering that the two types of anisotropy have opposite effects on levitation force distribution trends, prioritizing conductivity anisotropy when analyzing anisotropic bulk is recommended. This research not only offers a theoretical framework for simulating the anisotropy of rotated HTS bulks but also provides guidance for matching the optimal bulk orientation in applied magnetic fields.

Antimicrobial resistance and genetic relatedness of Salmonella serotypes isolated from food, asymptomatic carriers, and clinical cases in Shiyan, China.

Salmonella is a primary cause of foodborne diseases globally. Despite food contamination and clinical infections garnering substantial attention and research, asymptomatic Salmonella carriers, potential sources of infection, have been comparatively overlooked. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of serotype distribution, antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, and genetic profiles of archived Salmonella strains isolated from food (26), asymptomatic carriers (41), and clinical cases (47) in Shiyan City, China. Among the 114 Salmonella strains identified, representing 31 serotypes and 34 Sequence Types (STs), the most prevalent serovars included Typhimurium, Derby, Enteritidis, Thompson, and London, with the most predominant STs being ST11, ST40, ST26, ST34, and ST155. Antimicrobial resistance testing revealed that all strains were only sensitive to meropenem, with 74.6% showing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and 53.5% demonstrating multidrug resistance (MDR). Strains resistant to five and six classes of antibiotics were the most common. Pearson's chi-square test showed no statistically significant difference in the occurrence of AMR (p = 0.105) or MDR (p = 0.326) among Salmonella isolates from the three sources. Our findings underscore associations and diversities among Salmonella strains isolated from food, asymptomatic carriers, and clinical patients, emphasizing the need for increased vigilance towards asymptomatic Salmonella carriers by authorities.

Effect analysis on passive and active regeneration performance of catalytic diesel particulate filters at the equilibrium point in the presence of ash layer

AbstractCatalytic diesel particulate filters (CDPF) form the main post‐processing devices for the diesel engines. Particulates trapped by CDPF can be oxidized by nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and oxygen (O2). The CDPF passive and active regeneration model on platinum‐based catalyst in the presence of ash layer, including the mass, momentum, and enthalpy balances of the gas and the solid phase, the gas diffusion, and the kinetic of the soot oxidation reaction is performed and validated by the bench test. The effects of different temperatures on CDPF passive and active regeneration at the equilibrium point are analyzed. Further, the effective analysis of ash loading and ash layer distribution on the equilibrium state is conducted. The research on CDPF passive and active regeneration at the equilibrium point in the presence of ash layer provides a theoretical basis for CDPF application.

Artificial neural network-based approach for prediction of nanomechanical properties of anodic coating on additively manufactured Al–10Si–Mg alloy

Nowadays, anodic coating on additively manufactured (AM) or 3D printed Al–10Si–Mg alloy are used for various components in spacecraft such as antenna feeds, wave guides, structural brackets, collimators, thermal radiators etc. In this study, artificial neural network (ANN) and power law-based models are developed from experimental nanoindentation data for predicting elastic modulus and hardness of anodized AM Al–10Si–Mg at any desired loads. Data from nanoindentation experiments conducted on plan- and cross-sections of anodized coating on AM Al–10Si–Mg alloy was considered for modeling. Apart from nanomechanical properties, load and displacement curves were predicted using Python software from ANN and the Power law model of nanoindentation. It is observed that the ANN model of 50 mN nanoindentation experimental data can accurately predict the loading pattern at any desired load below 50 mN. Elastic modulus and hardness of anodized AM Al–10Si–Mg computed from ANN and the power law model of the unloading curve are also comparable with the values obtained from Weibull distribution analysis reported elsewhere. The derived models were also used to predict nanomechanical properties at 25 and 35 mN, for which no experimental data was available. The computed hardness of plan section of the anodic coating is 3.99 and 4.02 GPa for 25 and 35 mN, respectively. The computed hardness of cross-section of the anodic coating of is 7.16 and 6.61 GPa for 25 and 35 mN, respectively. Thus, the ANN and Power law model of nanoindentation can predict elastic modulus and hardness at different loads by conducting the minimum number of experiments. The novel approach to predict nanomechanical properties using ANN resulted in determining realistic and design specific data on hardness and modulus of the anodized coating on AM Al–10Si–Mg alloy.

MIC distribution analysis identifies differences in AMR between population sub-groups

Background Phenotypic data, such as the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of bacterial isolates from clinical samples, are widely available through routine surveillance. MIC distributions inform antibiotic dosing in clinical care by determining cutoffs to define isolates as susceptible or resistant. However, differences in MIC distributions between patient sub-populations could indicate strain variation and hence differences in transmission, infection, or selection. Methods The Vivli AMR register contains a wealth of MIC and metadata for a vast range of bacteria-antibiotic combinations. Using a generalisable methodology followed by multivariate regression, we explored MIC distribution variations across 4 bacteria, covering 7,135,070 samples, by key population sub-groups such as age, sex and infection type, and over time. Results We found clear differences between MIC distributions across various patient sub-groups for a subset of bacteria-antibiotic pairings. For example, within Staphylococcus aureus, MIC distributions by age group and infection site displayed clear trends, especially for levofloxacin with higher resistance levels in older age groups (odds of 2.17 in those aged 85+ compared to 19–64), which appeared more often in men. This trend could reflect greater use of fluoroquinolones in adults than children but also reveals an increasing MIC level with age, suggesting either transmission differences or accumulation of resistance effects. We also observed high variations by WHO region, and over time, with the latter likely linked to changes in surveillance. Conclusions We found that MIC distributions can be used to identify differences in AMR levels between population sub-groups. Our methodology could be used more widely to unveil hidden transmission sources and effects of antibiotic use in different patient sub-groups, highlighting opportunities to improve stewardship programmes and interventions, particularly at local scales.