Value Of Factor Research Articles

Cervical facet joint degeneration, facet joint angle and paraspinal muscle degeneration are correlated with degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis at C4/5: a propensity score-matched study

BACKGROUND CONTEXTPrior studies have hypothesized that degenerative cervical spondylolisthesis (DCS) may be influenced by loss of stability due to disc, facet joint or cervical alignment. Meanwhile, it is commonly believed that the facet joints and paraspinal muscles participate in maintaining cervical spine stability. However, the impact of paraspinal muscle morphology and detailed facet joint features on DCS requires further investigation. PURPOSETo compare facet joint characteristics, disc degeneration and muscle morphology between patients with DCS and those without DCS. STUDY DESIGN/SETTINGRetrospective cohort study. PATIENT SAMPLEConsecutive surgical patients with degenerative cervical spondylosis from June 2016 to August 2023 were recruited. OUTCOME MEASURESDCS was assessed on X-ray based on the translation distance. Cervical facet joint degeneration (CFD), the facet joint angle on the axial plane (FA-A) and the facet joint angle on the sagittal plane (FA-S), and facet joint tropism (FT) were measured on computerized tomography (CT). Paraspinal muscle degeneration was assessed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) including by the adjusted cross-sectional area (aCSA), the functional aCSA, the fat infiltration ratio (FI%). The Pfirrmann grade of the cervical disc was also evaluated. METHODSDemographic and clinical data were compared in matched and unmatched cohorts. Disc degeneration, muscle degeneration and facet joint characteristics, including FA, FT and CFD, were compared between patients with and without DCS. Furthermore, the degree of CFD was compared with that of adjacent segments in both groups. Additionally, logistic regression was performed to determine independent risk factors for DCS. Finally, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, area under the curve (AUC) and cutoff value for the risk factors were calculated. RESULTSA total of 431 surgical patients were propensity score matched for age, sex and BMI, and 146 patients were included in the final analysis, with 73 patients in the DCS group and 73 patients in the non-DCS group. DCS patients exhibited more severe CFD at C4/5 (segment with spondylolisthesis). Additionally, DCS was generally associated with more severe CFD, a more horizontal FA-S, more FT and worse paraspinal muscle health but similar disc degeneration. In addition, anterior spondylolisthesis was related to more severe CFD and decreased functional aCSA of the flexors and extensors. Finally, more severe CFD, a more horizontal FA-S and a higher FI% on deep extensor were revealed to be risk factors for DCS, with cutoff values of 1.5, 44.5̊, and 37.1%, respectively. CONCLUSIONSThis study demonstrated that CFD, the FA and FT and parasipnal muscle degeneration were associated with DCS. And may provide novel insight into the pathogenesis and nature history of DCS and suggest the evolution of degeneration in the cervical spine.

Comparative analysis of macular characteristics in mCNV and contralateral eyes.

To illustrate the characteristics of perforating scleral vessels in macular regions between mCNV eyes and contralateral eyes in unilateral mCNV patients. This was a retrospective study that included patients with unilateral naive mCNV. The study aimed to identify and analyze the distribution of perforating scleral vessels (PSVs) in the macular region of mCNV eyes and contralateral eyes. The central macular choroidal thicknesses (mChT) were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). The grades of myopic atrophic maculopathy (MAM) and macular myopic diffuse chorioretinal atrophy (DCA) were evaluated within groups. The number of PSVs and mChT were compared between contralateral and mCNV eyes based on the grade of DCA. The ROC curves were utilized to explore the diagnostic indexes for mCNV. A total of 102 eyes from 51 patients with unilateral mCNV were included. There was no significance in the severity of MAM or the grade of DCA between mCNV eyes and contralateral eyes (p = 0.074, p = 0.054, respectively). The mean number of PSVs in mCNV eyes was fewer than the contralateral eyes [1.00 (1.00-2.00) vs. 2.00 (0.75-3.00), p = 0.030]. The mChT in mCNV eyes was thinner than the contralateral eyes [36.00 (25.00-53.75) μm vs. 46.00 (31.00-75.25) μm, p = 0.001]. The mean grade of DCA in mCNV eyes was higher than that in contralateral eyes [3.00 (3.00-3.00) vs. 3.00 (2.00-3.00), p = 0.004]. When DCA involved the macular region, there were more PSVs in contralateral eyes than in mCNV eyes [1.50 (1.00-2.00) vs. 2.00 (1.00-3.00), p = 0.042]. Similarly, when DCA involved the foveal region, there were more PSVs in contralateral eyes than in mCNV eyes [1.50 (1.00-2.00) vs. 3.00 (2.00-4.00), p = 0.004]. The grade of DCA and mChT were valuable factors for predicting mCNV eyes (AUC = 0.6566, p = 0.021; AUC = 0.6304, p = 0.029; respectively). When the extent of DCA exceeded the foveal region, the count of PSVs was a good diagnostic factor for predicting mCNV (AUC = 0.7430, p = 0.003). The mean amount of PSVs was significantly lower in the mCNV eyes compared to the contralateral eyes. When the extent of DCA exceeded the foveal region, the count of PSVs was a good diagnostic factor for predicting mCNV. Myopic eyes with a higher grade of DCA and a thinner mChT were more likely to develop mCNV.

Numerical integration method for two-parameter singularly perturbed time delay parabolic problem

This study presents an (ε, μ)−uniform numerical method for a two-parameter singularly perturbed time-delayed parabolic problems. The proposed approach is based on a fitted operator finite difference method. The Crank–Nicolson method is used on a uniform mesh to discretize the time variables initially. Subsequently, the resulting semi-discrete scheme is further discretized in space using Simpson's 1/3rd rule. Finally, the finite difference approximation of the first derivatives is applied. The method is unique in that it is not dependent on delay terms, asymptotic expansions, or fitted meshes. The fitting factor's value, which is used to account for abrupt changes in the solution, is calculated using the theory of singular perturbations. The developed scheme is demonstrated to be second-order accurate and uniformly convergent. The proposed method's applicability is validated by three model examples, which yielded more accurate results than some other methods found in the literature.

The Effect of a Vegan Diet on the Health Indicators and Outcomes of P atients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Recently, there has been a notable increase in interest in various forms of vegetarianism, which may be due to the growing prevalence of health issues, such as Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Adhering to a vegan diet may have positive health outcomes. As a result, we conducted a review article to gather data from previous research studies on the effects of a vegan diet on different aspects of managing patients with T2DM. We searched the PubMed website for research studies on how a vegan diet affects the outcomes of patients with T2DM. The research studies were categorized according to the type of data collected, such as prevalence, incidence, body weight, insulin resistance, glycemic control, and lipid profile. It was found that following a vegetarian diet can significantly reduce the risk of mortality from heart disease. Additionally, studies have demonstrated that a vegetarian diet is linked to several improvements in T2DM. However, long-term weight loss plans and managing T2DM is a comprehensive intervention that includes caloric restriction, exercise, and behavioral modification. Incorporating a vegan diet can be a valuable factor to consider in managing T2DM, as it can offer numerous benefits, such as increased insulin sensitivity, weight loss, and reduced blood sugar levels. It helps to reduce cholesterol levels, LDL, and triglyceride levels, which are all risk factors associated with T2DM. By reducing these risk factors, the vegan diet can improve the overall health of T2DM patients. </p>.

دراسة توصيلية وحسابية للكلورامفينيكول في مذيبات ودرجات حرارية مختلفة

في العمل الحالي ، تم قياس الموصلية الكهربائية للكلورامفينيكول في الماء والميثانول عند درجات حرارة مختلفة 293-313 كلفن . تم تسجيل كل من المواصلة المكافئة عند درجة التخفيف اللانهائي (Λ0) وثابت التجمع الايوني (KA) والمسافة بين الايونات (R) باستخدام معادلة لي ويتون وتم حساب المعلمات الديناميكية الحرارية (متغير المحتوى الحراري، طاقة جيبس الحرة، متغير العشوائية) وبالمثل ، هناك معلومات نظرية وفيرة حول سلوك المركب مع المذيبات المختلفة (الماء والميثانول) من خلال حساب طاقات أعلى مدار جزيئي مشغول وادنى مدار جزيئي مشغول من المركب 2،2-ثنائي كلورو – N- (1R,2S)]- 1،3- ثنائي هيدروكسي-1- (4- نيتروفينيل) بروبان-2- يل] أسيتاميد عن طريق الحسابات الكومبيوترية (AM1, PM3, HF) وكانت إمكانات المركب مختلفة عند تغيير المذيب نتيجة لتباين قيمة الطاقة والعوامل النظرية الأخرى مثل الحجم الجزيئي ، معلمات كونولي.

Risk predictive score and cord morphology classification for intraoperative neuromonitoring alerts in kyphosis surgery

BACKGROUNDIntraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) alert is one of the worrying events of kyphosis corrective surgery, which can result in a postoperative neurological deficit. To our knowledge, there is no risk prediction score to predict such events in patients undergoing kyphosis surgery. PURPOSETo develop a new preoperative MRI-based cord morphology classification (CMC) and risk prediction score for predicting IONM alerts in patients with kyphotic deformity. STUDY DESIGNRetrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. PATIENT SAMPLEAbout 114 patients undergoing surgical correction for kyphotic deformity. OUTCOME MEASURESIntraoperative neuromonitoring alerts and postoperative neurological status using AIS grading. METHODSKyphotic deformity patients undergoing posterior spinal fusion were retrospectively reviewed. Based on the morphology of the spinal cord and surrounding CSF in MRI, there are 5 types of cord. Type 1 (normal cord): circular cord with surrounding visible CSF between the cord and the apex, Type 2 (flattened cord): cord with <50% distortion at the apex with obliteration of the anterior CSF; Type 3 (deformed cord): cord with >50% distortion at the apex with complete obliteration of the surrounding CSF; Type 4 (stretched cord): the cord is stretched and atrophied over the apex of the curve. Type 5 (translated cord): horizontal translation of the cord at the apex with buckling collapse of the vertebral column. Preoperative radiographs were used to measure the preoperative sagittal cobbs angle, sagittal deformity angular ratio (S-DAR), sagittal vertical axis (SVA), apex of the curve, and type of kyphosis. Clinical data like the duration of symptoms, clinical signs of myelopathy, neurological status (AIS grade), grade of myelopathy using the mJOA score, and type of osteotomy were documented. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the risk factors for IONM alerts and the risk prediction score was developed which was validated with new cohort of 30 patients. RESULTSA total of 114 patients met the inclusion criteria. IONM alerts were documented in 33 patients (28.9%), with full recovery of the signal in 25 patients and a postoperative deficit in 8 patients. Rate of IONM alerts was significantly higher in Type 5 (66%), followed by Type 4 (50%), Type 3 (21.1%), Type 2 (11.1%), and Type 1 (11.1%) (p-value<.001). Based on multiple logistic regression, 7 factors, namely preoperative neurological status, mJOA score≤6, presence of signs of myelopathy, apex of the curve above T5, preoperative sagittal cobbs, S-DAR, and MRI-based CMC, were identified as risk predictors. The value for the risk factors varies from 0 to 4, and the maximum total risk score was 13. The cut-off value of 6 had good sensitivity (84.9%) and specificity (77.8%) indicating a high risk for IONM alerts. The AUC of the predictive model was 0.92, indicating excellent discriminative ability. CONCLUSIONWe developed and validated a risk predictive score that identifies patients at risk of IONM alerts during kyphosis surgery. Identification of such high-risk patients (risk score≥6) helps in proper evaluation and preoperative counselling and helps in providing a proper evidence-based reference for treatment strategies.

Impact of Organizational Justice on Employee Productivity in Millat Tractors Limited

Employee Productivity has a significant effect on the wellbeing of employees and it is a valuable factor in an organization’s functions. The main intention of current research is to explore the connection of organizational Justice with employee productivity and this has impact on employee productivity. In Industrial sector of Lahore (Pakistan) so Millat Tractor Company has been considered as target population. We are selected randomly for conducting the research. Overall, 220 questionnaires were distributed. 190 complete questionnaires were returned back and used for analysis. Results demonstrated the direct positive influence of organizational justice on employee productivity. Moreover, results showed that the positive relationship between organizational justice and employee productivity. These results will be very helpful in fostering the efforts of HR specialists towards formulating and embedding the employee’s voice mechanism in industrial sector.

Association between trunk extensor strength and gait-induced back pain in the elderly with adult spinal deformity: a cross-sectional study.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between quantitatively assessed trunk extensor strength and gait-induced back pain (GIBP) in patients with adult spinal deformity (ASD). Ninety-five patients with ASD aged ≥ 50 years who were admitted to our hospital between April 2018 and March 2023 were included in the study. GIBP was evaluated through a 6-minute walking test (6MWT), with GIBP being defined as the occurrence of back pain during the evaluation and inability to complete the test. The patients were divided into three groups: difficulty completing the 6MWT (Group 1), ability to complete the 6MWT with breaks (Group 2), and ability to complete the 6MWT without taking a break (Group 3). The main independent variable was trunk extensor strength, which was measured using a hand-held dynamometer. Ordered logistic regression analysis was conducted to assess the association between GIBP and trunk extensor strength while adjusting for basic characteristics and radiographic parameters as covariates. The numbers of patients with ASD included in each group were; 27 in Group 1 (28.4%), 31 in Group 2 (32.6%), and 37 in Group 3 (39.0%). An ordered logistic regression analysis adjusted for basic characteristics and radiographic parameters, trunk extensor strength was significantly associated with GIBP (odds ratios, 1.128; 95% confidence intervals, 1.025-1.242). The results of the present study strongly indicate that trunk extensor strength is a valuable factor associated with GIBP in patients with ASD.

Left atrial strain in neonates with congenital diaphragmatic hernia and length of stay in pediatric intensive care unit.

The role of cardiac left ventricle (LV) dysfunction in children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) has gained increasing attention. The hernia allows abdominal mass to enter thorax and subsequently both dislocating and compressing the heart. The pressure on vessels and myocardium alters blood flow and may interfere with normal development of the LV. A dysfunctional LV is concerning and impacts the complex pathophysiology of CDH. Hence, assessing both the systolic and diastolic LV function in the newborn with CDH is important, and it may add value for medical treatment and prognostic factors as length of stay (LOS) in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). LV strain is considered an early marker of systolic dysfunction used in the pediatric population. Left atrial (LA) strain is an echocardiographic marker of LV diastolic dysfunction used in the adult population. When filling pressure of the LV increases, the strain of the atrial wall is decreased. We hypothesized that reduced LA strain and LV strain are correlated with the LOS in the PICU of newborns with CDH. This retrospective observational cohort study included data of 55 children born with CDH between 2018 and 2020 and treated at Karolinska University Hospital, Sweden. Overall, 46 parents provided consent. Echocardiograms were performed in 35 children <72 h after birth. The LA reservoir strain (LASr), LV global longitudinal strain, LV dimensions, and direction of blood flow through the patent foramen ovale (PFO) were retrospectively assessed using the echocardiograms. Children with LASr <33% (n = 27) had longer stays in the PICU than children with LA strain ≥33% (n = 8) (mean: 20.8 vs. 8.6 days; p < 0.002). The LASr was correlated with the LOS in the PICU (correlation coefficient: -0.378; p = 0.025). The LV dimension was correlated with the LOS (correlation coefficient: -0.546; p = 0.01). However, LV strain was not correlated to LOS. Newborns with CDH and a lower LASr (<33%) had longer stays in the PICU than children with LASr ≥33%. LASr is a feasible echocardiographic marker of diastolic LV dysfunction in newborns with CDH and may indicate the severity of the condition.

Trochlear Dysplasia Is Associated With Increased Sagittal Tibial Tubercle Trochlear-Groove Distance in Patients With Patellar Instability

To compare the sagittal position of the tibial tubercle in relation the trochlea groove in patients with and without trochlear dysplasia (TD). Patients with high-grade TD show a significantly increased sagittal position of the tibial tubercle in relation to the trochlear groove (sTTTG) compared with patients without TD. This may affect patellofemoral loading and contribute to the increased prevalence of cartilage lesions seen in the patellofemoral joint of patients with dysplasia of the trochlear groove. All patients between January 2017 and December 2020 with high-grade TD (Dejour type B, C, and D) who underwent patellar-stabilizing surgery for patellar instability at a single institution were included in the current study. Patients without preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), any previous osteotomy on the affected lower extremity, or cruciate ligament insufficiency were excluded. Patients who underwent knee arthroscopy for meniscal repair/debridement without any signs of TD or any of the aforementioned criteria served as the control group. Preoperative MRI was retrospectively assessed to compare common patellofemoral anatomic parameters including patellar angle, patellar tilt, patella morphology according to Wiberg, Caton-Deschamps index, PF index, trochlear sulcus angle, sulcus depth, lateral inclination angle of the trochlea, tibiofemoral rotation, TTTG, and sTTTG distance between both groups. The sTTTG is measured as the distance between the nadir point of the cartilaginous trochlear groove and the most anterior point of the tibial tubercle on an axial MRI. Independent predictors for the sTTTG were assessed for patients with TD. Patients with high-grade TD (n= 82) showed an increased patellar tilt, Caton-Deschamps index, trochlear sulcus angle, lateral tibiofemoral rotation angle, TTTG, and sTTTG (9.16 ± 4.47 mm vs 2.66 ± 4.21 mm) compared with the control group (n=83) (P < .001). Patellar angle, PF index, sulcus depth, and lateral inclination angle of the trochlear were significantly decreased in the TD group (P < .001). The sTTTG was similar in all TD groups (n.s.). Among patients with TD, both tibiofemoral rotation and patellar height were independent predictors of the sTTTG (P < .05). Patients with high-grade TD show not only abnormal values in common patellofemoral instability risk factors but also a significantly increased sTTTG compared with patients without TD. Level III, retrospective case comparative study.

Gambaran Kualitas Partikel Debu Respirable Pada Karyawan Pengrajin Perahu UD. Aira Fiberglass Di Dusun Kalauli Negeri Kaitetu Kecamatan Leihitu Kabupaten Maluku Tengah

According to WHO, the size of dust particles can range from 0.1-5 or 10 microns, while the Indonesian Ministry of Health suggests that the size of dangerous dust is in the range of 0.1-10 microns. Based on the Republic of Indonesia Minister of Health Regulation No. 13 of 2011 concerning the threshold value for chemical factors in places where the maximum dust content in the workplace is 3mg/Nm3 (WHO 2018). This research aims to determine the dust levels at UD. Aira Fiberglass in Kalauli Hamlet, Kaitetu District, Leihitu District, Central Maluku Regency. The type of research used is descriptive research supported by laboratory examinations to see the results of measuring exposure to Respirable dust in UD Furniture. Aira Fiberglas, Leihitu District, Central Maluku Regency. Based on the results of research on dust measurements, it can be concluded that the dust on UD furniture. Aira Fiberglass examined at the Maluku Occupational Safety and Health Development Center UPTD, 70% met the requirements and 30% did not meet the requirements. Based on the results of research on dust measurements, it can be concluded that there are employees who have dust levels that exceed the Threshold Limit Value (NAB). ) 3. For this reason, efforts are needed to improve the work environment, especially ventilation and education on PPE (masks) for employees.

Sleep problems and circadian rhythm functioning in autistic children, autism with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and typically developing children: A comparative study.

Sleep problems are common in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and different factors can contribute to its occurrence in this population. Misalignment of the biological clock (our circadian system) has been described as one possible explanation. While there is a body of research on sleep problems, relatively less is known about circadian functioning and the specific population of autistic children with co-occurring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Using an ambulatory circadian monitoring (ACM) system, which resembles a common watch, we gathered sleep parameters and the different rhythms obtained from measuring motor activity, light exposure and distal temperature in 87 autistic children and adolescents, 27 of whom were diagnosed with co-occurring ADHD, and 30 neurotypical children and adolescents as a comparison group. Autistic children and, especially, those with co-occurring ADHD showed greater motor activity during sleep which would be worth studying in future projects which could better define this restless sleep. Of note, we observed an atypical pattern of wrist temperature, with higher values in neurotypical children, followed by autistic children and, ultimately, those with co-occurring ADHD. Temperature is one of the most valuable factors evaluated here as it is closely connected to sleep-wakefulness and the hormone melatonin. Its special pattern during day and nighttime would support the hypothesis of an atypical secretion of melatonin in autistic individuals which would also link with the higher presence of sleep problems in this neurodevelopmental condition.

Direct interaction in digital interactive media and stock performance: Evidence from Panorama.

Media information plays an essential role in the stock market. Recent financial research has verified that media information could shock stock price by influencing investors' expectation. Now, a new type of interactive media, called Digital Interactive Media (DIM), is popular in Chinese stock market and becomes the main channel for investors to understand listed companies. Unlike general news media or investor forums, DIM enables direct interaction between listed companies and investors. In the modern society where digital economy is booming, media information would largely affect investors' decisions. Therefore, it is urgent to use natural language processing (NLP) technology to deconstruct the massive questions and answers (Q&A) interactive information in DIM and extract valuable factors that affect stock prices and stock performances to explore the influence mechanism of digital interactive information on stock performances. This paper firstly uses web crawling technology to obtain approximately 110000 Q&A text information from the digital interactive platform ('Panoramic Network') from 2015 to 2021. Then we use big data text analysis technology and emotional quantification technology to extract valuable influencing factors from the massive text. A Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) model was created to explore specific influence mechanism of digital interactive information on stock price performance. The empirical results show that the emotions implicit in investors' questions do not significantly impact stock performance. However, the emotions and attitudes of the answers by listed companies can significantly affect corresponding stock prices, which indirectly confirms the Proximate Cause Effect of behavioral finance. This effect is particularly evident in the stock prices on the current trading day and the next trading day. In the Robustness Test, this paper replaces dependent variable and adds relevant control variables, and the conclusion remains valid. In the Endogeneity Test, this paper selects sample data before the launch of Panorama Network in 2014 as a comparison, and uses a Difference-in-Difference (DID) model to prove the significant impact of the launch of Panorama Network on Chinese stock market. In the Heterogeneity Test, the paper classifies the market value, region, and industry of listed companies and regressed the sub samples, once again confirming the reliability of the empirical conclusions. The results of Robustness Test, Endogeneity Test, and Heterogeneity Test conducted in this paper all support empirical conclusions.

Atherogenic index of plasma as a predictor of coronary artery disease: a cohort study in south of Iran

BackgroundCoronary artery disease (CAD) is an atherosclerotic disease of an inflammatory nature. Previous studies examining the relationship between triglycerides and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol have highlighted the importance of plasma atherogenic index (AIP) as an important predictor of coronary heart disease. However, due to the lack of adequate information on this topic, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between AIP and coronary heart disease risk.ResultsThis study included 2,226 women and 1,690 men aged 35–70 years who participated in the Bandar Kong Cohort study and met the eligibility criteria. The data was collected using a checklist and questionnaires, which were designed by experienced individuals. After participants completed a registration form and gave informed consent, face-to-face interviews were conducted by trained experts. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire had been verified by the national cohort team prior to its use. The Ethics Committee of Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences (IR.HUMS.REC.1400.171) approved the study. Data from the initial cohort survey using SPSS software version 25, were analyzed to include several factors, including age, sex, smoking status, body mass index (BMI), physical activity level, socioeconomic status, AIP, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. The prevalence of coronary heart disease was found to be 7.5% higher in people with a BMI of 25 or higher. Also, Individuals with low physical activity had a higher prevalence. Individuals with CAD had significantly higher mean values for the AIP, age, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure (0.46, 57.50, 128.43, and 81.10, respectively) compared to those without CAD. Furthermore, patients with CAD had lower years of education (2649.45 and 3.59) than individuals without CAD (P < 0.05). Importantly, our findings showed that AIP increased the odds ratio of coronary heart disease by 1.86 as an independent risk factor.ConclusionsBased on our investigation, the AIP is a valuable and independent predictive risk factor for coronary artery disease. This index can be utilized effectively due to its accessibility and affordability, making it a promising tool for risk assessment in clinical settings.

Selecting Pedal Load for Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Based on the Combination of Muscle Synergy and Fourier Series

This paper introduces a new lower-limb rehabilitation machine that meets the rehabilitation needs of hemiplegic patients. First, a left–right independent rotary pedal mechanism was selected to facilitate rehabilitation and adapt to the user’s physical condition. Then, a half model of the lower-limb rehabilitation machine is designed and manufactured with ergonomics in mind. As analytical tools, we combine non-negative matrix factorization and non-negative double singular value decomposition to calculate muscle synergy of the walking muscle surface electromyography (sEMG) signal, and use cosine similarity to evaluate the similarity between walking and pedaling activities. By comparing the results of the walking and pedaling experiments, the effectiveness of pedaling in gait rehabilitation is revealed. To further improve the similarity between walking and pedaling, double integration of the sEMG signal is introduced, and the relationship between load input and rotation angle is described for the first time using Fourier series. The results of the experiment confirmed that more than half of the 10 subjects performed pedaling exercises similar to walking using Fourier series loading compared to pedaling exercises with normal constant loading. This loading parameter may have the potential to improve rehabilitation efficiency for many subjects compared to the usual exercise.

Quantitative analysis of social influence and digital piracy contagion with differential equations on networks

Illegal file sharing of copyrighted contents through popular file sharing networks poses an enormous threat to providers of digital contents, such as, games, softwares, music and movies. Though empirical studies of network effects on piracy is a well-studied domain, the dynamics of peer effect in the context of evolving social contagion has not been enough explored using dynamical models. In this research, we methodically study the trends of online piracy with a continuous ODE approach and differential equations on graphs to have a clear comparative view. We first formulate a compartmental model to study bifurcations and thresholds mathematically. We later move on with a network-based analysis to illustrate the proliferation of online piracy dynamics with an epidemiological approach over a social network. We figure out a solution for this online piracy problem by developing awareness among individuals and introducing media campaigns, which could be a valuable factor in eradicating and controlling online piracy. Next, using degree-block approximation, network analysis has been performed to investigate the phenomena from a heterogeneous approach and to derive the threshold condition for the persistence of piracy in the population in a steady state. Considering the dual control of positive peer influence and media-driven awareness, we examine the system through realistic parameter selection to better understand the complexity of the dynamics and suggest policy implications.

Analysis of rock grinding results in centrifugal-vibrational disintegrating module

This scientific study is devoted to analysis of the results of grinding materials such as marble, sandstone and granite in a disintegrating module. This module combines grinding of particles in the countercurrent centrifugal mill with simultaneous vibrational screening of the finished product. The essence of the study is that two-factor experiments have been carried out according to the full factor scheme. Here, the achieved degree of crushing is used as the response function. The valuable factors have the initial size and the ultimate strength of the material. As a result of two-factor analysis of variance, it has been found that the compressive strength and the initial size of the material, regardless of the sieve vibration amplitude, have a significant and comparable scale effect on the material crushing ratio. At the same time, the interaction of factors has no statistical significance. Also, approximation of experimental data by the first- and the second-order regression equations has been performed. For simplified calculations, it is recommended to use the linear regression equation, while for more accurate ones, the second-order equation is more suitable.

Time to Positivity in Blood Culture Bottles Inoculated with Sonication Fluid from Fracture-Related Infections.

The timely and accurate identification of causative agents is crucial for effectively managing fracture-related infections (FRIs). Among various diagnostic methods, the "time to positivity" (TTP) of cultures has emerged as a valuable predictive factor in infectious diseases. While sonication of implants and inoculation of blood culture bottles with sonication fluid have enhanced sensitivity, data on the TTP of this microbiological technique remain limited. Therefore, patients with ICM criteria for confirmed FRI treated at our institution between March 2019 and March 2023 were retrospectively identified and their microbiological records were analyzed. The primary outcome parameter was TTP for different microorganism species cultured in a liquid culture collected from patients with confirmed FRI. A total of 155 sonication fluid samples from 126 patients (average age 57.0 ± 17.4 years, 68.3% males) was analyzed. Positive bacterial detection was observed in 78.7% (122/155) of the liquid culture pairs infused with sonication fluid. Staphylococcus aureus was the most prevalent organism (42.6%). Streptococcus species exhibited the fastest TTP (median 11.9 h), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (median 12.1 h) and Gram-negative bacteria (median 12.5 h), all of which had a 100% detection rate within 48 h after inoculation. Since all Gram-negative pathogens yielded positive culture results within 24 h, it could be discussed if empirical antibiotic therapy could be de-escalated early and limited towards the Gram-positive germ spectrum if no Gram-negative pathogens are detected up to this time point in the context of antibiotic stewardship.

On the importance of asset pricing factors in the relative valuation

In this study, we examine the implications of multi-factor asset pricing models in corporate valuation, focusing on the relative valuation approach. Our investigation centers around an eight-factor model, which we compare against traditional valuation methods that rely on industry or risk grouping and cross-sectional averages. The purpose of this comparison is to assess the efficacy of incorporating pricing factor variables into the valuation process and to understand their impact on valuation accuracy. The findings of our analysis suggest that the use of the eight-factor model leads to a reduction in estimation errors of valuation multiples, indicating an important improvement in precision compared to conventional valuation methods. Additionally, our research offers insights into the practicality of applying multi-factor models. It contributes to the intersection between empirical asset pricing and corporate finance by providing a detailed evaluation of advanced valuation models and their relevance in improving the accuracy of relative valuation.

A hypoxia–glycolysis–lactate-related gene signature for prognosis prediction in hepatocellular carcinoma

BackgroundLiver cancer ranks sixth in incidence and third in mortality globally and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of it. Hypoxia, glycolysis, and lactate metabolism have been found to regulate the progression of HCC separately. However, there is a lack of studies linking the above three to predict the prognosis of HCC. The present study aimed to identify a hypoxia–glycolysis–lactate-related gene signature for assessing the prognosis of HCC.MethodsThis study collected 510 hypoxia-glycolysis-lactate genes from Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) and then classified HCC patients from TCGA-LIHC by analyzing their hypoxia-glycolysis-lactate genes expression. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out to construct a gene signature by LASSO-Cox analysis. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were used to evaluate the independent prognostic value of the gene signature. Analyses of immune infiltration, somatic cell mutations, and correlation heatmap were conducted by “GSVA” R package. Single-cell analysis conducted by “SingleR”, “celldex”, “Seurat”, and “CellCha” R packages revealed how signature genes participated in hypoxia/glycolysis/lactate metabolism and PPI network identified hub genes.ResultsWe classified HCC patients from TCGA-LIHC into two clusters and screened out DEGs. An 18-genes prognostic signature including CDCA8, CBX2, PDE6A, MED8, DYNC1LI1, PSMD1, EIF5B, GNL2, SEPHS1, CCNJL, SOCS2, LDHA, G6PD, YBX1, RTN3, ADAMTS5, CLEC3B, and UCK2 was built to stratify the risk of HCC. The risk score of the hypoxia-glycolysis-lactate gene signature was further identified as a valuable independent factor for estimating the prognosis of HCC. Then we found that the features of clinical characteristics, immune infiltration, somatic cell mutations, and correlation analysis differed between the high-risk and low-risk groups. Furthermore, single-cell analysis indicated that the signature genes could interact with the ligand-receptors of hepatocytes/fibroblasts/plasma cells to participate in hypoxia/glycolysis/lactate metabolism and PPI network identified potential hub genes in this process: CDCA8, LDHA, YBX1.ConclusionThe hypoxia–glycolysis–lactate-related gene signature we built could provide prognostic value for HCC and suggest several hub genes for future HCC studies.