Pre-exponential Factor Research Articles

Selection and Success in Badminton: The Role of Lobs and Smashes in Junior Athletes' Performance

The purpose of the study. This study examines the effectiveness and tactical implications of lob and smash strategies in competitive badminton among junior athletes. Materials and methods. Through quantitative analysis of 32 junior players (16 males, 16 females, aged 14-18 years), we investigated shot frequency, success rates, and contextual factors influencing strategy selection. Results. Results indicate that lobs constituted 18.3% (±3.2%) of total shots with a 62.1% (±5.7%) success rate, while smashes accounted for 12.7% (±2.8%) of shots with a 71.4% (±6.3%) success rate. Logistic regression analysis revealed that court position, rally length, and score difference significantly influenced shot selection (p < 0.001). Smashes were predominantly used from the forecourt (OR = 3.842, p < 0.001), while lobs were more frequent in longer rallies (OR = 1.180 per additional shot, p < 0.001). Gender differences were observed, with female players using lobs more frequently than males (19.5% ±3.0% vs. 17.1% ±3.4%, p = 0.037). Two-way ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between shot type and rally length on success rate (F(3, 124) = 7.936, p < 0.001, partial η² = 0.161). Conclusions. These findings provide insights into optimal shot selection and its impact on game outcomes among junior badminton players. The study contributes to the development of effective training programs and tactical approaches, emphasizing the importance of contextual factors in strategic decision-making. Future research directions include longitudinal studies of tactical development and investigation of these strategies in doubles play.

Modelling and kinetics of the toluene/methylcyclohexane‐based hydrogen storage system

AbstractThe coupling of toluene and methylcyclohexane is one of the most promising liquid organic hydrogen carriers. In this study, the kinetics models of toluene hydrogenation and methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation are established. The reactions were carried out in fixed bed reactors, and the kinetics parameters were fitted with the obtained data. In this experiment, hydrogenation and dehydrogenation reactions were carried out under ambient pressure. Ni/SGA_CnTES catalyst was employed for toluene hydrogenation, the fitting activation energy is 36.27 kJ/mol, and the preexponential factor is 1212 s−1. Meanwhile, the catalyst of Pt/MgAl2O4 was for methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation, the fitting activation energy is 83.92 kJ/mol, and the preexponential factor is 7.28 × 106 s−1. Aspen Plus was used to simulate on a larger scale and determine the optimal process conditions: the optimum reaction conditions for toluene hydrogenation were determined to be 185°C and 0.3 MPa, and the optimized hydrogen flow rate is 3970 kg/d (The molar ratio is 5.88). Additionally, the optimal conditions for methylcyclohexane dehydrogenation are 325°C and 0.15 MPa.

Frequency and Risk Factors of Advanced Neoplasia in Korean Inflammatory Bowel Disease Patients with Low-grade Dysplasia.

Studies on the clinical outcomes after detecting low-grade dysplasia (LGD) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are insufficient. This study evaluated the clinical features, frequency, and risk factors for advanced neoplasia in patients with IBD after an LGD diagnosis. The medical records of 166 patients with IBD from six university hospitals in Korea from 2010 to 2019 were reviewed retrospectively. LGD was diagnosed in all patients during surveillance. The frequency and risk factors for advanced neoplasia were evaluated, and the clinical features of patients with and without advanced neoplasia were compared. Advanced neoplasia developed in 12 patients (six with large LGD, three with tubulovillous adenoma, and three with high-grade dysplasia), and all cases developed from UC. Patients with advanced neoplasia had significantly higher Mayo scores, and colitis-associated dysplasia was more common than sporadic lesions (83.3% vs. 29.9%; p<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that colitis-associated LGD significantly increased the risk of developing advanced neoplasia (odds ratio [OR], 10.516; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.064-53.577). Among patients with colitis-associated lesions, a significant risk factor for advanced neoplasia was a prior history of LGD (OR, 9.429; 95% CI, 1.330-66.863). Advanced neoplasia developed in 7.2% of patients with IBD and LGD. Most advanced neoplasms developed from colitis-associated lesions, and the risk was higher in patients with a history of LGD before index colonoscopy.

Use of Kinetic Parameters from Thermal Analysis for Balancing Free Energy of Activation Based on Calcite Decomposition

Based on the literature data, including our published paper on the thermal decomposition of solids, research regarding the possibility of balancing free energy of activation against Gibbs free energy was extended. The importance of nucleation accompanying the thermal decomposition reaction/process was established. For calcite, a symmetrical model was considered for the formation of the active state, followed by the formation into the solid, crystalline decomposition product CaO. When the decomposition is chemical in nature, we do not identify nucleation processes. This is determined by the forwards–backwards balance compatibility, and when an additional term appears, a reversible structural transformation is to be expected. An excess free energy model was proposed to determine the rate constant of activation. It is shown that the results of tests under dynamic conditions allow, with a good approximation, the determination of this quantity as tending towards a maximum rate constant equal to the Arrhenius pre-exponential factor. The solid product of the thermal decomposition of calcite is of great developmental importance, currently utilized for Calcium Looping (CaL) or for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies using a reversible reaction of carbonation.

Thermal Decomposition of Date Seed/Polypropylene Homopolymer: Machine Learning CDNN, Kinetics, and Thermodynamics

The buildup of abandoned plastics in the environment and the need to optimize agricultural waste utilization have garnered scrutiny from environmental organizations and policymakers globally. This study presents an assessment of the thermal decomposition of date seeds (DS), polypropylene homopolymer (PP), and their composites (DS/PP) through experimental measurements, machine learning convolutional deep neural networks (CDNN), and kinetic and thermodynamic analyses. The experimental measurements involved the pyrolysis and co-pyrolysis of these materials in a nitrogen-filled thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), investigating degradation temperatures between 25 and 600 °C with heating rates of 10, 20, and 40 °C.min−1. These measurements revealed a two-stage process for the bio-composites and a decrease in the thermal stability of pure PP due to the moisture, hemicellulose, and cellulose content of the DS material. By utilizing machine learning CDNN, algorithms and frameworks were developed, providing responses that closely matched (R2~0.942) the experimental data. After various modelling modifications, adjustments, and regularization techniques, a framework comprising four hidden neurons was determined to be most effective. Furthermore, the analysis revealed that temperature was the most influential parameter affecting the thermal decomposition process. Kinetic and thermodynamic analyses were performed using the Coats–Redfern and general Arrhenius model-fitting methods, as well as the Flynn–Wall–Ozawa and Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose model-free approaches. The first-order reaction mechanism was identified as the most appropriate compared to the second and third order F-Series solid-state reaction mechanisms. The overall activation energy values were estimated at 51.471, 51.221, 156.080, and 153.767 kJ·mol−1 for the respective kinetic models. Additionally, the kinetic compensation effect showed an exponential increase in the pre-exponential factor with increasing activation energy values, and the estimated thermodynamic parameters indicated that the process is endothermic, non-spontaneous, and less disordered.

Frequency and risk factors associated with Low Birth Weight (LBW) at Bandung Regional General Hospital Indonesia

Low birth weight (LBW) was the highest contributor to the infant mortality rate at 52.4% in Bandung, Indonesia. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence of LBW and associated risk factors. This study used a retrospective cross-sectional approach to identify 233 newborns with low birth weight from January to December 2022. The dependent (LBW) and independent variables (risk factors) were analyzed with a chi-square and Multivariate logistic regression test. The results in the bivariate analysis of this study were LBW was associated with preeclampsia (p = 0.001), gestational age (p = 0.000), premature rupture of the membranes (PROM) (p = 0.000), oligohydramnios (p = 0.019), multiple pregnancy (p = 0.000), and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (p = 0.000). In multivariate analysis, LBW was associated with preeclampsia (p = 0.040 OR 1.806 CI 95% 1.028-3.173), gestational age (p = 0.000 OR 18.365 CI 95% 12.272-27.484), PROM (p = 0.007 OR 0.514 CI 95% 0.317-0.832), multiple pregnancy (p = 0.000 OR 4.934 CI 95% 2.246-10.841), and IUGR (p = 0.000 OR 0.043 CI 95% 0.018-0.107). Meanwhile, oligohydramnios was not associated with LBW (p = 0.099 OR 2.004 CI 95% 0.018-0.107).

Sonority Constraints in Frozen Jordanian Arabic Binomials

This study examines whether binomial constraints reflect universal linguistic trends or are influenced by language-specific factors, with a particular focus on phonological patterns in Jordanian Arabic binomials. Setting aside potential influences from semantics, pragmatics, morphology, word frequency, prosody, and cultural factors, the analysis centers on the applicability of onset and coda sonority constraints. While these principles are often associated with universal linguistic tendencies, examining a corpus comprising 400 frozen Jordanian Arabic binomials reveals that 60.25% of onset binomials and 67.33% of coda binomials deviate from expected sonority sequences. These deviations, manifesting as "reversals"(sonority inversion) and "plateaus" (sonority stagnation), challenge the universality of such principles and highlight context-specific and language-driven variability. Statistical analysis highlights pronounced patterns of non-conformity, indicating that universal applicability is more the exception than the rule. These findings underscore the need for further cross-linguistic research to investigate the interplay between universal trends and language-specific factors in binomial ordering.

Thermal Characteristics and Kinetics of the Thermal Degradation of Sugar Beet Waste Leaves and Pulp in Relation to Chemical Composition.

Thermal characteristics of dried sugar beet pulp, leaves and leaf fractions obtained after extraction: fibrous leaf pulp and fibre rich leaf fraction, were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry. The sugar beet samples showed a similar thermal behaviour associated with a similar composition. Two endotherms are found on the differential scanning calorimetry curves. First one in the temperature range 31-153 °C and the second from 150-160 °C. Thermal degradation kinetics was studied by thermogravimetric analysis. Four degradation stages were observed within the temperature range 25-700 °C. The kinetic parameters of the degradation, obtained by Ortega and Friedman non-isothermal isoconversional methods did not significantly differ between models: Ea-activation energy at a conversion degree 0.1-0.9 ranged 50-200 kJ/mol; lnA- the natural logarithm of the pre-exponential factor 8-48; kp1-thermal degradation rate constant at a conversion extent of 0.5 ranged of 0.19-2.55 min-1. Constant rate of degradation is highest for the sugar beet leaves kp1 (2.58-2.55 min-1), and kp2 (70.1-70.4 min-1). The results obtained are valuable for sugar beet leaf industrial processing. A positive environmental impact is achieved by transforming the waste into high-value food additives.

Epidemiology of diagnostic errors in pediatric emergency departments using electronic triggers.

We applied three electronic triggers to study frequency and contributory factors of missed opportunities for improving diagnosis (MOIDs) in pediatric emergency departments (EDs): return visits within 10 days resulting in admission (Trigger 1), care escalation within 24 h of ED presentation (Trigger 2), and death within 24 h of ED visit (Trigger 3). We created an electronic query and reporting template for the triggers and applied them to electronic health record systems of five pediatric EDs for visits from 2019. Clinician reviewers manually screened identified charts and initially categorized them as "unlikely for MOIDs" or "unable to rule out MOIDs" without a detailed chart review. For the latter category, reviewers performed a detailed chart review using the Revised Safer Dx Instrument to determine the presence of a MOID. A total of 2937 ED records met trigger criteria (Trigger 1 1996 [68%], Trigger 2 829 [28%], Trigger 3 112 [4%]), of which 2786 (95%) were categorized as unlikely for MOIDs. The Revised Safer Dx Instrument was applied to 151 (5%) records and 76 (50%) had MOIDs. The overall frequency of MOIDs was 2.6% for the entire cohort, 3.0% for Trigger 1, 1.9% for Trigger 2, and 0% for Trigger 3. Brain lesions, infections, or hemorrhage; pneumonias and lung abscess; and appendicitis were the top three missed diagnoses. The majority (54%) of MOIDs cases resulted in patient harm. Contributory factors were related to patient-provider (52.6%), followed by patient factors (21.1%), system factors (13.2%), and provider factors (10.5%). Using electronic triggers with selective record review is an effective process to screen for harmful diagnostic errors in EDs: detailed review of 5% of charts revealed MOIDs in half, of which half were harmful to the patient. With further refining, triggers can be used as effective patient safety tools to monitor diagnostic quality.

Possibilities of Using Regional Index-Flood Method with Annual Maximum and Partial Duration Series: A Case Study of Susurluk River Basin, Turkey

Among the natural disasters experienced in Turkey, floods, which cause the most loss of life and property after the earthquake, have increased their impact and frequency of occurrence over time, as well as unplanned urbanization caused by the increasing population, uncontrolled construction in stream beds, and changing climate. Therefore, it is important to accurately predict the magnitude and frequency of floods. This study investigated the possibilities of using the regional index-flood method and annual maximum series (AMS) and partial duration series (PDS) in the Susurluk River basin. Annual maximum flood series provided homogeneity in the Susurluk basin as a single region, and the Generalized Logistic (GLO) distribution fits the AMS. PDS was extracted according to the threshold levels determined using the variance-mean ratio and frequency factors. The PDS's most appropriate frequency factors (k) were determined according to the Poisson distribution, which makes the variance-mean ratio equal. k=3.5 was determined for only two stations. k=4 was suitable for seven stations, and k=5 was suitable for thirteen stations. The average number of peaks over the threshold level (λ`) varies between 1.26 and 5.31. Since PDS is not homogeneous in a single region, cluster analysis divided the basin into three regions. After homogeneity was achieved, Pearson Type 3 (PE3) and Generalized Pareto (GPA) distributions were suitable with the PDS. The study concluded that instead of annual maximum flood series, partial duration flood series can be used in many stations in the short and medium term but can be used in fewer stations in the long-term estimations. Since Regions I and II are relatively lower and flatter areas than Region III, it was observed that the flows started to accumulate at the stations in these regions, and larger floods were predicted. Region III is close to the basin upstream, and smaller floods were predicted at the stations in this region. Since partial duration flood estimations are lower than annual maximum flood ones, they can provide advantages to engineering projects with lower costs. In addition, PDS can be useful in regionalizing floods, which are very common due to the data extraction process.

Biocrude production via hydrothermal liquefaction of cycas circinalis seed shell: A machine learning approach

ABSTRACT Hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) is a promising thermochemical method for converting biomass into bio-crude fuel. This study explores the HTL of Cycas circinalis seed shell (CSS), focusing on the impacts of reaction time, feed slurry concentration, and temperature on bio-crude yield. Experiments were conducted at temperatures ranging from 250 to 375°C, reaction times from 10 to 40 minutes, and feed slurry concentrations between 10% and 30%. A decision tree regression (DTR) model predicted the optimal bio-crude yield of 35% at 375°C, 30% feed slurry concentration, and 40 minutes, with high accuracy (R² = 0.9853, RMSE = 0.992). Results highlight temperature and time as key factors influencing bio-crude production.The bio-crude was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Degradation kinetics of bio-crude and CSS biomass were analyzed using the Coats-Redfern method at heating rates of 5, 10, and 20°C/min. Parameters such as activation energy (E), rate constant, pre-exponential factor (A), enthalpy, entropy, and Gibbs free energy were determined. This research advances hydrothermal technology and promotes the development of sustainable and efficient biomass conversion processes.

Evaluation of the risk factors for postoperative pectus excavatum and scoliosis in cystic lung disease

PurposeTo analyze the frequency and predictive factors of the development of postoperative pectus excavatum and scoliosis in children who underwent surgery for cystic lung disease.MethodsThis study examined patients who underwent surgery for cystic lung disease (open and thoracoscopic) between July 2000 and December 2018 with a > 3-year follow-up period. Lesion size, surgical outcomes, and subsequent musculoskeletal complications were compared between the open surgery and thoracoscopic surgery groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify predictive factors.ResultsOverall, 90 patients (19 and 71 patients in the open and thoracoscopic groups, respectively) were included in this study. There was no significant difference in the incidence of pectus excavatum or scoliosis between open and thoracoscopic surgery; however, Haller’s index and Cobb angle were significantly higher in the open surgery group. In the univariate analysis, neonatal surgery and lesion size were substantial predictors of musculoskeletal malformations.ConclusionPostoperative musculoskeletal deformities emerge after surgical treatment for cystic lung disease, with thoracoscopic surgery showing advantages in selected dimensions. Neonatal surgery and lesion size are pivotal prognostic factors for musculoskeletal complications. Further corroborative multicenter studies are imperative to substantiate these findings and foster enhanced patient outcomes.

The effect of a closed back cavity on air-coupled piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer performance

In conventional piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUTs), the backside acoustic energy is often used inefficiently, resulting in up to half of the energy being wasted. Vacuum encapsulation can improve the energy utilization efficiency, but this technique is not compatible with state-of-the-art devices such as cantilever-based PMUTs. A closed back cavity provides an alternative method for effectively utilizing the backside acoustic energy. This paper investigates the effects of a closed back cavity on PMUT performance through theoretical analysis, simulations, and experimental verification. Increasing the cavity depth produces a periodic modulation of several key PMUT metrics, such as the relative frequency deviation and quality factor. The optimal cavity depth for PMUTs that ensures a robust resonant frequency and high quality factor is defined as a function of the acoustic wavelength. A closed back cavity also provides an effective method for continuously tuning the quality factor, and thus the bandwidth, of PMUTs. This work paves the way for air-coupled PMUTs with adjustable performance for various applications.

Variations and Opportunities in Postnatal Management of Hemolytic Disease of the Fetus and Newborn

Preventive efforts in pregnancy-related alloimmunization have considerably decreased the prevalence of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN). International studies are therefore essential to obtain a deeper understanding of the postnatal management and outcomes of HDFN. Taken together with numerous treatment options, large practice variations among centers may exist. To assess variations in postnatal management and outcomes of HDFN among international centers and to identify opportunities to improve care. In this international, retrospective, cohort study, 31 expert centers from 22 countries retrieved data on neonates with HDFN managed between January 1, 2006, and July 1, 2021. Statistical analysis was performed from July 19, 2023, to October 28, 2024. Main outcomes included the frequency of exchange transfusions, administration of intravenous immunoglobulin, administration of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, and red blood cell transfusions, as well as the association of gestational age at birth with exchange transfusion frequency and risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes. The study included 1855 neonates (median gestational age at birth, 36.4 weeks [IQR, 35.0-37.3 weeks]; 1034 boys [55.7%]), of whom 1017 (54.8%) received any form of antenatal treatment. Most neonates (1447 [78.0%]) had anti-D antibodies. Exchange transfusions were performed in 436 neonates (23.5%), with proportions in exchange transfusion frequency varying from 0% to 78% among centers. Intravenous immunoglobulin was administered to 429 of 1743 neonates (24.6%), with proportions varying from 0% to 100% among centers. A higher gestational age at birth was associated with a reduction in exchange transfusion frequency in neonates with intrauterine transfusion, decreasing from approximately 38.2% (13 of 34) at 34 weeks to 16.8% (18 of 107) after 37 weeks and 0 days. A weekly increase in gestational age at birth was associated with a 43.3% decrease (95% CI, 36.1%-49.7%) in the likelihood of adverse neonatal outcomes, and neonates who received an exchange transfusion were 1.55 (95% CI, 1.10-2.18) times more likely to experience unfavorable outcomes. In this cohort study of neonates with HDFN managed at 31 centers in 22 countries, significant practice variations in the postnatal management of HDFN were identified, highlighting the lack of, and need for, consensus. The study suggests that there is a potential beneficial clinical association of waiting for delivery until after 37 weeks and 0 days with frequency of exchange transfusions among neonates with HDFN. The framework to implement international guidelines is provided.

Multi-perspective kinetic analysis of plastic blends under thermogravimetric pyrolysis conditions.

Plastic blends were co-pyrolyzed under non-isothermal conditions in a thermogravimetric (TG) analyzer. The co-pyrolysis characteristics and kinetic triplet, i.e., apparent activation energies, reaction models, and preexponential factors, were investigated from different perspectives, including the overall, weight-loss stage, and overlapping complex reaction deconvolution perspective. Fraser Suzuki (FS) deconvolution was adopted for the peak fitting of the differential TG curves. A model-free method and the master plot theory were used to solve the kinetic equations and fit the reaction mechanism models, respectively. The results indicated that the co-pyrolysis of plastic blends (polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/polypropylene, PVC/polystyrene, PVC/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) could not be adequately described using the overall approach or the weight-loss stage approach. The pyrolysis reaction exhibited a complex multistep overlapping reaction mechanism. FS deconvolution identified and separated four pseudo-reactions from the pyrolysis reaction. The kinetic triplet of the separated reactions was estimated and used to establish kinetic rate equations. Mathematical relations were established between the mass loss rate and pyrolysis temperature. The TG curves of the co-pyrolysis of plastic blends can be parameterized and predicted using the overlapping complex reaction deconvolution model. This study can act as a basis for the development of thermal conversion of mixed plastic waste.

Composition of the isopropanol-soluble portion and fast pyrolysis product distribution of the insoluble part from Pakistani lignite.

Pakistani lignite (PLC) was thermally dissolved at 300 °C using isopropanol (IPA) to obtain a soluble portion (SP) and insoluble portion (ISP). Proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) results were compared to explore the influence of the thermal dissolution process on the pyrolysis for PLC and ISP. Results showed that the thermal dissolution process mainly dissolved some light components of low-rank coal, and more phenols, aldehydes, esters and ethers were found in the SP, indicating that low-carbon alcohols can break the ether bridge bond in coal and generate oxygen-containing organic compounds (OCOCs). Compared with PLC, ISP had better thermal stability, low activation energy and pre-exponential factor. Furthermore, thermal dissolution dissolves small molecular compounds in coal channels, enlarges the pore structure and mass transfer rate, and enables the compounds produced in the pyrolysis process to diffuse to the surface of coal faster. On the other hand, IPA could be used as a hydrogen supply solvent to weaken the oxygen bridge bond in the macromolecular structure of coal, so that it is easier to break during pyrolysis. Thus, it was demonstrated that the low molecular weight compounds have a significant effect on the low temperature pyrolysis characteristics of PLC, and these two processes could potentially improve the added value of coal.

Enhanced microwave performance in spinel dielectric ceramics using entropy strategy for 5G/6G communication devices

Microwave dielectric ceramics are favored materials for microwave devices because of their stable dielectric properties. However, balancing the interdependent relationships among the dielectric constant (εr), quality factor (Q × f), and temperature coefficient of resonant frequency (τf) to meet the technical specifications of microwave dielectric components (low εr, high Q × f, and near-zero τf) remains a significant challenge. This paper reports a type of high-entropy spinel ceramic Mg3AlGaTi0.5Sn0.5O8. The relationships between configuration entropy, mechanical properties, and microwave dielectric properties (MDPs) of the ceramic were systematically investigated. Adjusting configuration entropy enhances phase stability, attributed to the high disorder in the ceramic caused by Ga3+ ion doping. With an entropy value of 1.56R, the ceramic achieved optimal MDPs, including a low εr of 9.87, a high Q × f of 132,564 GHz, and a near-zero of τf –10.8 ppm/°C. Designing a dielectric resonant antenna with high-entropy ceramic Mg3AlGaTi0.5Sn0.5O8 as the resonator can meet 5G/6G communication requirements. This study demonstrates that a high-entropy strategy can significantly improve the MDPs of spinel ceramics, expanding the materials suitable for microwave device applications.

Adult With Tinea Capitis: A Five-Year (2015-2019) Trend Study Among Patients Attending the Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital in Dakar, Senegal.

Although tinea capitis (TC) is most commonly diagnosed in children, several studies have also shown that it is far from unusual in adults. To determine the frequency and risk factors of TC in adults in Dakar, Senegal. A cross-sectional study including all patients who visited the Parasitology and Mycology Lab at Aristide Le Dantec University Hospital for suspicion of TC was conducted from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019. The diagnosis was performed using conventional techniques. In sum, 458 adults were included. The majority (89%) were female. The patients' mean age was 35 ± 12 years (ranges: 18-84). Of the 458, 92 (20%) were confirmed with TC. The frequency trend, by year, showed a significant decrease ranging from 26.3% in 2015 to 19.2% in 2019. By sex, females (20.5%) were more affected than males (17.6%). According to age, the elderly present the highest infestation rate (36.4%). TC was diagnosed alone in 91.3%. T. soudanense (57.6%) was the most common species, followed by M. audouinii (34.8%). TC is frequent among adults in Senegal, particularly in women, and the main causal agent is T. soudanense. Its duration seems to indicate a chronic form previously acquired between 1 and 10 years ago. Thus, early management will be essential to avoid epidemic proportions.

Hypothermia-associated acute pancreatitis: A multicenter prospective observational study.

Hypothermia-associated pancreatitis lacks comprehensive understanding owing to limited studies exploring its mechanism, epidemiology, risk factors, and outcomes. We aimed to investigate the frequency, characteristics, and predictive factors associated with the development of acute pancreatitis in patients with accidental hypothermia. This study comprised a post hoc analysis of data from a multicenter prospective observational study (ICE-CRASH study) conducted in 36 tertiary emergency hospitals in Japan. Patients aged ≥18 years with core body temperatures ≤32°C admitted to emergency departments between 2019 and 2022 were enrolled. We identified patients who developed acute pancreatitis within 1 week of admission and described their characteristics. Age, vital signs, and blood gas analysis data were analyzed as potential predictors of acute pancreatitis using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Of 421 eligible patients with accidental hypothermia, 16 (3.8%) developed acute pancreatitis within 1 week. The age distribution of patients with acute pancreatitis showed bimodal peaks around 50-80 years. Patients with acute pancreatitis had a higher proportion of alcohol consumption than those without acute pancreatitis. ROC curve analysis showed age and pH as significant factors; however, their predictive power was not high. The incidence of acute pancreatitis was 3.8% in patients with accidental hypothermia with core body temperatures ≤32°C. An association was found between the development of acute pancreatitis and alcohol consumption. No strong predictors of acute pancreatitis were identified.

Frequency, Etiology and Risk Factors of Infant Burn Injuries

Background: Pediatric population in Pakistan is exposed to alarming consequences of burn injuries. Infants have a higher risk of fatality from burns than adolescents and adults. Merely few burn centers across the country are equipped with the resources and trained doctors/paramedical staff who can cater well to the neonatal and infant burn patients. We studied the frequency, etiology and risk factors of infant burn injuries to call attention and bring in public policy for its prevention and awareness among public. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Pediatric Burn Unit, Mayo Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan from September 2023 to August 2024. All patients being admitted with burn injuries who were 12 months old or younger were included in the study. A structured questionnaire was filled by the duty doctor after interviewing the parents/guardians. Results: Total 2638 children presented with burns. Out of 867 admissions 75 were infants with male predominance. Mean age was 9.4+3.4 months ranging from 11 days to 12 months. 62 were scalds, 12 flame burns and one electric burn. Mothers were primary caretakers in 89% cases and 97% mothers were house wives. 71% lived in nuclear families. 64 out of 75 were kitchen accidents. All families faced major disruption in natural gas supply in their homes. Majority accidents occurred in winters and 62.6% in January and February alone. Conclusion: Infant burns can be prevented by close surveillance, keeping infants away from kitchen, support system for mothers at home and keeping stove and hot items on shelves away from reach. Provision of hot running water and infrastructure for adequate power and gas supply along with awareness/prevention campaigns by government bodies are needed to save vulnerable infants from this adversity.