Likelihood Of Failure Research Articles

Multiaxial creep–fatigue failure mechanism and life prediction of a turbine blade based on a unified numerical solution approach

AbstractExposure of turbine blades to cyclic torsional loading at high temperature, stemming from pre‐torque installation and the aerodynamic forces during operation, has the potential to induce substantial creep–fatigue damage, thereby contributing to the likelihood of premature failure. Investigating the deformation mechanisms and proposing a reliable life prediction method aiming at torsional loading is critical to ensure the structural integrity of turbine blades. This study conducted strain‐controlled fatigue and creep–fatigue tests on Inconel 718 superalloy, employing a multiaxial servo‐hydraulic testing machine. Electron backscattering diffraction elucidated deformation and damage mechanisms, forming a basis for subsequent constitutive modeling and life prediction. The lack of creep–fatigue mechanical behavior and microscopic failure mechanism when stress triaxiality equal to 0 is filled, which provides the theoretical basis and data support for the life design and damage assessment of this material under extreme service conditions. The unified viscoplasticity constitutive model effectively characterized macroscopic deformation under torsional loading. Prediction of creep–fatigue life under torsional loading, utilizing the multiaxial ductility factor‐modified strain energy density exhaustion model, demonstrated excellent alignment with experimental findings. Finally, parametric analyses of stress distribution and damage assessment under different conditions were carried out for the example of a turbine blade with relatively rarely considered aerodynamic loading as a variable. It is expected to be popularized and applied in life design and damage assessment of high‐temperature structures under multiaxial loading in engineering.

Positive Correlation between BMI and Left Ventricle and Atrium Inside Diameter Size in Chinese Type 2 Diabetes Patients with Left Ventricular and Atrial Enlargement.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) commonly exhibit overlooked left ventricular and atrial hypertrophy. This research identifies potential risk factors and intervention targets. T2DM patients with normal ejection fraction values were enrolled, while we eliminated influences on heart size, such as hypertension and coronary heart disease. Variables for each participant, including height, weight, age, body mass index (BMI), and blood biochemistry, were recorded before patients were categorized into four groups based on heart size. Multiple linear regression and Pearson's correlation analyses were applied to investigate the possible correlations. Three years of clinical data were collected for each T2DM patient, while patients with incomplete data or interference factors affecting heart size were excluded. BMI, adjusted fasting blood glucose (FBG), glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and age all showed a significant positive correlation with the inner diameter of the left ventricle and atrium in groups exhibiting hypertrophy. In T2DM patients, BMI correlated positively with left ventricular enlargement, suggesting its potential role as a risk factor. Weight control may be an effective intervention for left ventricular enlargement, to reduce the likelihood of heart failure.

Prognostic Role of Human Leukocyte Antigen Alleles and Cytokine Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated with Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Drugs.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drugs have significantly improved chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) outcomes. Neopeptides from CML cells may induce specific immune responses, which are crucial for deep molecular (DMR) and treatment-free remission (TFR). In this study of Ethiopian patients with CML (n = 162), the HLA alleles and single-nucleotide polymorphisms of five cytokines revealed significant associations with clinical outcomes. Clinically unfavorable outcomes correlated with HLA alleles A*03:01/02, A*23:17:01, B*57:01/02/03, and HLA-DRB4*01:01 (p-value = 0.0347, p-value = 0.0285, p-value = 0.037, and p-value = 0.0127, respectively), while HLA-DRB4*01:03:01 was associated with favorable outcomes (p-value = 0.0058). After assigning values for the 'low', 'intermediate', and 'high' gene expression of the SNPs' respective cytokine genes, Kaplan-Meier estimates for relapse-free survival, adjusted for age, treatment duration, and relapse risk among patients after the administration of TKIs, indicated that a gene expression ratio above the overall median of TNF-α, IL-6, and the combination of TGF-β1/IL-10, IFNγ, and IL-6/IL-10 TGF-β1 was correlated with a higher likelihood of treatment failure ((RR: 3.01; 95% CI: 1.1-8.3; p-value = 0.0261) and (RR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.1-5.2; p-value = 0.022), respectively). Multi-SNPs, surpassing single-SNPs, and HLA allele polymorphisms showed promise in predicting outcomes of patients with CML during TKI treatment, prompting further exploration into their potential utility.

Hospital challenges faced by frail patients with ovarian cancer and the adverse outcomes: A nationwide study.

5572 Background: Ovarian cancer is a leading cause of gynecological cancer-related deaths and one of the most common causes of cancer-related fatalities among women. Frailty has been identified as a predictor of unfavorable outcomes for cancer patients, but there is limited research on its impact on individuals with ovarian cancer. We examined the effects of Frailty in hospitalized ovarian cancer patients and the associated outcomes. Methods: National Inpatient Sample (NIS) 2020 was used to identify the patients with a primary diagnosis of ovarian cancer (local/regional and advanced metastatic) and was stratified into patients with and without Frailty. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes included length of stay, the total cost of hospitalization, and other in-hospital adverse outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the outcomes after adjusting for confounding variables. Results: A total of 19790 patients were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of Ovarian cancer, among which 3215 (16.24%) patients had the concurrent diagnosis of Frailty. The mean age of patients with and without Frailty was 65.76 (+/-13.10) and 60 (+/-14.45),p<0.001, respectively. After adjusting for confounding variables, Frailty was associated with an increased risk of mortality in patients with ovarian cancer (OR=3.01(1.83-4.95); p<0.001). Patients with Frailty were also at risk of increased length of stay (+3.80 Days (3.09-4.50; p<0.001) and total cost of hospitalization (+ $ 34662 (22973-46351); p<0.001). Frail patients also had an increased likelihood of Acute respiratory failure (OR=1.72 (1.22-2.42); p=0.002), Acute kidney injury (OR=2.40 (1.88-3.05); p<0.001), Sepsis (OR=4.97 (3.19-7.75); p<0.001), ICU admission (OR=2.23 (1.44-3.45); p<0.001), Pneumonia (OR=2.63 (1.69-4.10); p<0.001), total parenteral nutrition (OR=14.20 (7.80-25.83); p<0.001) and Intubation (OR=2.11 (1.21-3.69); p=0.008). However, there was no difference in the risk of noninvasive mechanical ventilation (OR=2.07 (0.95-4.52); p=0.48) or enteral feeding (OR=32.73 (0.63-1696); p=0.08). Conclusions: Frailty in ovarian cancer patients is considered an independent predictor of mortality. It is also associated with increased healthcare resource utilization and adverse in-hospital outcomes.[Table: see text]

Choices of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Variability and Its Determinants: Evidence from Farm Households of Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, Western Ethiopia

Climate variability and change is a serious threat to the livelihoods of rural communities because they are very sensitive to such changes. This study identified farmers’ choice of and factors determining adaptation strategies to climate variability and change in Benishangul Gumuz regional state, western Ethiopia which is harshly affected by climate change stresses. Both primary and secondary data were used for the study. Primary data were collected from a randomly selected 395 sample households through interviewed using field-based questionnaires and focus group discussions. Relevant secondary data were also obtained from Benishangul Gumuz region Agriculture and Natural resource Bureau, national meteorological agency and different reports. Descriptive statistics were used to describe farmers’ adaptation strategies to climate change. Multivariate probit model was estimated to identify the factors determining households’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change. The results of the model pointed out that the likelihood of households to adopt soil and water conservation practice, crop diversity, small scale irrigation, improved crop varieties, agrochemical applications and adjusting planting date were 64.7%, 70.4%, 65.5%, 64.2%, 63.6% and 58.9% respectively. The results also indicated that the joint likelihood of using all adaptation strategies was only 2.13% and the joint likelihood of failure to adopt all of the adaptation strategies was 2.82%. Moreover, Multivariate probit model confirmed that age, sex, education status, family size, dependency ratio, total land holding, farming experience, credit access, frequency of extension contacts, distance to the market, total livestock holding, farm income and off/non-farm income have a statistically significant impact on climate adaptation strategies. Therefore, policy makers should focus on towards supporting improved extension service, facilitating the availability of credit especially to adaptation technologies, improving farmers farm income earning opportunities, improving their literacy status, and improving their access to markets.

Risk Analysis of Operational Disruptions in Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations Using the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) Method

The Indonesia government is actively promoting the adoption of electric vehicles, as detailed in the 2021-2030 Electricity Supply Business Plan. The state-owned electricity provider, PLN, is responsible for establishing Public Electric Vehicle Charging Stations (PEVCS). However, several of these stations have encountered malfunctions; notably, 82 of the 567 stations are classified as Unavailable, indicating they are non-functional. Research literature points to a financial loss of $34,000 from operational issues at PEVCSs. This research aims to helps management understand and prioritize disruption that leads to failures or damages at these stations. Method used is the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method along with logistic regression to examine the disruptions at PEVCSs labeled as Unavailable. The data for this research comes from a six-month historical record of PEVCS disruptions. The variables utilized for logistic regression analysis include foundational variables from the FMEA methodology—Severity, Occurrence, and Disturbance—complemented by two supplementary variables: the speed and age of the PEVCS. Result was found that three out of twelve types of disruptions have a high likelihood of failure, specifically issues with Device Communication, Connectivity, and Emergency Stop functions. A disruption is deemed likely to cause failure if its probability exceeds 50%.

#2143 Unveiling key factors on arteriovenous fistulas maturation—a prospective observational study

Abstract Background and Aims The incidence of patients starting haemodialysis is increasing. While Arteriovenous Fistula (AVF) stands as the preferred vascular access method, a significant proportion of AVFs experience primary failure, with rates ranging from 20% to 65%. Moreover, around 50% require reintervention due to delayed maturation, resulting in increased costs and patient morbidity. Understanding the factors involved and their influence on AVF development is paramount. This analysis aims to improve the preoperative decision-making process, advocating for a personalized patient approach, thereby increasing the likelihood of success. Method A prospective observational cohort study that included patients with chronic kidney disease either on dialysis or in the pre-dialysis stage. The study enrolled a total of 140 patients attending a multidisciplinary team appointment (including a vascular surgeon and a nephrologist) at a Tertiary Hospital Centre during the first semester of 2023, of whom 98 patients were included. Demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and vascular parameters observed through ultrasound underwent a comprehensive analysis. The newly formed fistulas were then thoroughly reassessed for maturation using both physical and ultrasound examinations. Results The cohort comprised 56.1% male, with a mean age of 71.06 ± 12.51 years. Among the newly formed fistulas, there were 35.7% (n = 35) radiocephalic fistulas, 46.9% (n = 46) brachiocephalic fistulas, and 17.3% (n = 17) brachiobasilic fistulas. Out of the total 98 AVFs, 59.2% (n = 58) AVFs were maturate and 11.22% (n = 11) AVFs had delayed maturation and were proposed for surgery or angiography procedure. Primary failure occurred in 29.6% (n = 29) AVF, with 42.9% (n = 15) occurring in the forearm, and 22.2% (n = 14) in the upper arm. The major cause of primary failure was thrombosis, accounting for 93.1% (n = 27) of cases. The analysis unveiled that the absence of immediate post-operative thrill, forearm AVFs and previous fistula failure were associated with a higher likelihood of AVF primary failure and non-maturation. Conversely, a larger vein diameter was linked with a reduced likelihood of AVF primary failure, with a Youden Index-derived cut-off of 4.25 mm, with 40.9% sensitivity and 86.2% specificity (p < 0.05). No other clinical or ultrasound factors exhibited a statistically significant impact. Conclusion This study sheds light on the challenges faced in AVF maturation due to a high incidence of primary fistula failure and a maturation rate that only slightly surpasses 50%. A larger vein diameter emerges as a significant predictor of AVF maturation. Although the cut-off point for vein diameter is frequently cited as 2 mm, this value often varies in the literature. This study underscores the importance of considering higher vein diameters, but, more importantly, it suggests that establishing a rigid and uniform cut-off for all centres may not be beneficial. It is crucial to recognize that the optimal vascular characteristics may vary based on the unique circumstances of each centre and the specific needs and features of each patient. The lack of association between demographic parameters and comorbidities with primary failure, juxtaposed with the evidence of more susceptible patients to consecutive primary failure, underscores the need for further studies to explore the unique individual circumstances that may account for this phenomenon.

Investigation of punching shear performance in concrete slabs reinforced with GFRP and synthetic fibers: An experimental study

The punching shear resistance mechanism of reinforced concrete slabs with glass fiber-reinforced polymers (GFRP-RC) is weaker than that of steel-RC slabs. The reduced shear strength and modulus of elasticity of GFRP reinforcement which led to greater tensile strains of the reinforcement and shallower compressive zone reduce the contribution of concrete in compression, aggregate interlocking, and dowel action to the punching shear mechanism. This condition results in reduced capacity and a higher likelihood of catastrophic failure compared to their steel-RC counterparts. To address this weakness of GFRP-RC, this paper aims to examine the punching shear performance of GFRP-RC slabs and explore the potential improvements through the incorporation of synthetic fibers. A total of 11 two-way slabs having a dimension of 1000 × 1000 mm with a thickness of 80 mm were tested under punching shear load and the effect of several types of fiber (polypropylene (PP) and (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)), fiber content (0, 0.5%), reinforcement ratio, and reinforcement type (steel and GFRP) was investigated. The slabs’ behavior was assessed by considering crack width, deflection performance, the mode of failure, and the overall load-bearing capacity. The findings indicated that the influence of fibers was more noticeable in GFRP-RC slabs compared with steel-RC counterparts. Moreover, the fibers were found to effectively reduce deflections and crack widths. The results particularly showed the superior performance of PVA fibers in improving the capacity of the two-way slabs, whereby the addition of 0.5% PVA fibers led to the punching shear capacity increase of 44–51%. The findings of this study offer a better understanding of the punching shear behavior of slabs reinforced with GFRP reinforcement and synthetic fibers.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Electronic Monitoring with Probationers

ABSTRACT Despite growth in the use of electronic monitoring (EM), and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) tracking in particular over the last 20 years, limited research has examined the effectiveness of these approaches on community supervision outcomes (e.g. likelihood of failure on community supervision). This study makes use of data from over 59,000 probation cases collected over a 40-year time span in a midwestern state. Using Propensity Score Matching (PSM), the study compares the rates of unsuccessful sentence completion among those who were supervised with and without any EM (and also GPS specifically). Results reveal that after matching cases on a variety of relevant controls (e.g. demographics, risk level, current offense type), those receiving EM while on probation were significantly more likely to fail to complete their term of supervision, with similar results for those who received GPS, specifically. Limitations of the study and implications for the use of EM/GPS with probationers as a potential alternative to prison are discussed.

Network pharmacology speaking to ethnopharmacology: new data on an ancient remedy

Network pharmacology as a “green approach”, predicting metabolite behaviours chemically and biologically and guid¬ing biological experimental design, is a new strategy aiming to uncover the mechanism of action of natural products as drug candidates. It provides a powerful way to identify novel mechanisms of natural products with potential thera¬peutic effects. This approach has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome the limitations of traditional methods, such as the ability to predict the adverse effects of a drug and the likelihood of failure during clinical trials, by applying systems biology principles to the field of pharmacology. This method combines the multi-omics dataset, computer modeling, and chemical biology so as to reveal pharmaceutical actions and guide drug discovery. Therefore, computer-aided drug design combined with network pharmacology can be viewed as a novel in silico screening ap¬proach to drug discovery, by utilising chemoinformatics, bioinformatics, structure biology, and chemical biology. This strategy includes target-based virtual screening - molecular docking, ligand similarity-based virtual screening, and inverse screening (Inver-dock), providing a powerful tool for target identification of drug candidates, multitarget dis¬covery, and natural bioactive product profiling. It can also be used for selectivity profiling of drugs, drug repositioning, safety profiling, and metabolism profiling prediction (ADMET).

Modelling business bankruptcy for audit purposes

To facilitate informed decision-making and foster transparency, stakeholders require access to reliable financial information. Financial audits serve the purpose of assisting companies in achieving success by assuring the accuracy and transparency of their financial statements. However, due to the evolving and increasingly competitive nature of markets, companies may exhibit indicators of financial vulnerability, commonly referred to as "red flags." These warning signs could potentially lead to business failure and bankruptcy. To mitigate such risks, predictive models for assessing the likelihood of business failure have been developed. Such models offer valuable decision-making support for auditors, enabling them to identify and mitigate risks associated with financial distress. The primary objective of this study is to develop a predictive model based on logistic regression and compare its effectiveness with traditional audit opinions. The sample comprises Portuguese small and medium-sized enterprises from the textile sector. Data were collected from the SABI database (Iberian Balance Analysis System). For the years 2017 and 2018, 371 insolvent SMEs and 2412 active SMEs were obtained. Through empirical analysis, it was found that regression models possess greater predictive capability compared to conventional audits. The application of these models significantly enhances the accuracy of assessing a company's financial status, thereby enabling professionals to provide more informed and appropriate opinions.

Abstract PO1-11-12: Factors associated with treatment failure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy

Abstract Background Cancer patients often consider CINV as one of the most disturbing side effects of cytotoxic chemotherapy. Adriamycin and cyclophosphamide (AC), considered by many to be part of the standard adjuvant regimen for breast cancer patients, is highly emetogenic. Despite adopting optimal antiemetic prophylaxis, the control of CINV remains modest for some patients. Among Chinese breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant AC chemotherapy, the present analysis aims to determine the association of the number of risk factors for CINV with (i) likelihood of antiemetic treatment failure; (ii) time to first vomiting in 1st AC cycle. Methods: We retrieved data from three previously reported prospective antiemetic studies on patients who received AC, in whom different antiemetic regimens were administered. Treatment failure was defined as (i) not achieving CR (CR= no vomiting and no use of rescue medication over 120 hours after start of AC), or (ii) experiencing nausea (nausea VAS >/= 5mm during the 120 hours). Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to identify potential factors associated with the development of CINV. The Cochran–Armitage trend test was utilized to assess possible trends in the relationship between treatment failure and number of identified risk factors. The time-to-treatment failure curves, as classified by the number of identified factors in each subgroup, were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: Based on multivariate analysis of 303 breast cancer patients, not achieving CR was more likely among non-obese patients, not receiving guideline recommended prophylactic antiemetic regimens, history of motion sickness and history of vomiting in pregnancy. Experience of nausea was more likely in non-obese patients, not receiving guideline recommended prophylactic antiemetic regimens, and history of motion sickness. Treatment failure in terms of ‘no CR’ was associated with increased number of risk factors that an individual patient displayed; the figures increased from 18.8% for those with 0 risk factor to 94.1% for those with 4 risk factors (p < 0.0001). Treatment failure in terms of nausea was associated also with increased number of risk factors; the figures increased from 25.9% for those with 0 risk factor to 83.3% for patients with 3 risk factors (p < 0.0001). Time to first vomiting was significantly related to number of identified factors (p < 0.0001). Among patients who had 0, 1, 2 and 3 risk factors, the 24-hour rate of ‘no vomiting’ were 81.3%, 80.3%, 66.7%, 53.7% and 17.7%, respectively; similar trends were observed for analyses on 48-hour and 72-hour rates. Conclusions: The present study confirmed that reported risk factors for CINV in the literature were important in Chinese breast cancer patients receiving AC chemotherapy. Furthermore, patients who had more risk factors had increased likelihood of treatment failure and shorter time to first vomiting. Funding: Madam Diana Hon Fun Kong Donation for Cancer Research Citation Format: Winnie Yeo, Nicole Ngai, Horatio Yeo, Dong Lai, Elizabeth Pang, Carol Kwok, Thomas Lau, Frankie Mo. Factors associated with treatment failure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) among breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2023 Dec 5-9; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(9 Suppl):Abstract nr PO1-11-12.

Participant characteristics and exclusion from phase 3/4 industry funded trials of chronic medical conditions: meta-analysis of individual participant level data

ObjectivesTo assess whether age, sex, comorbidity count, and race and ethnic group are associated with the likelihood of trial participants not being enrolled in a trial for any reason (ie,...

Mapping coexisting hotspots of multidimensional food market (in)accessibility and climate vulnerability

With the increasing likelihood of agricultural production failures under a warmer global climate, the importance of markets in providing access to nutrient-dense foods (NDFs) through trade is predicted to grow. However, regions with relatively poor access to markets and supporting infrastructures (e.g. roads and storage facilities) are potentially ill-equipped to deal with both short-term hydrometeorological hazards such as droughts and floods, and longer-term shifts in agricultural productivity. Despite the increasing focus upon markets within academic and policymaking circles, a regional-scale assessment of these potentially coexisting hotspots of vulnerability has not been conducted. We conduct a two-stage geospatial analysis integrating three publicly available datasets across the Indian states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Odisha. Combining the 2011 national census with the new PMGSY-GeoSadak database, we conduct nearest neighbour analysis to measure multidimensional market inaccessibility by: (i) distance from a settlement to its nearest village, town or city with a market, (ii) distance from a settlement to its nearest major road, and (iii) distance from a settlement to its subdistrict headquarters. We then correlate these measures with India’s only district-wise assessment of climate vulnerability to identify hotspots of market inaccessibility and climate hazards. We find that the three market access measures are spatially autocorrelated and positively interrelated at the settlement (n = 129 555) and district (n = 107) levels, meaning that settlements located further from their nearest market tend to experience poorer road connectivity and access to the subdistrict economic hub. Approximately 18.5-million people live in districts with relatively high climate vulnerability and relatively high and multidimensional market inaccessibility. Hotspots of coexisting vulnerabilities are also disproportionately populated by ‘Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes’ (SC/ST) communities. The identification of coexisting hotspots has important implications for the development of equitable and resilient markets that bolster NDF access for climate vulnerable and nutritionally insecure populations.

Abstract 3121: Gender And Racial Differences In Complications Of Coronary Angiography

Background: Coronary angiography is an effective diagnostic tool for assessing coronary lesions and visualizing vascularization. Although research has been conducted on the occurrence of complications of the procedure, limited research is available comparing the occurrence of postoperative complications between various patient populations. Our study aims to bridge this gap by assessing the gender and racial disparities in outcomes of coronary angiography. Methods: Data was obtained from TriNetX, a national database of deidentified medical records with IRB pre-approval. Two distinct pairs of cohorts were identified - patients that underwent coronary angiography divided by gender (male and female) and race (White and Black). Cohorts were matched with a propensity score model. Four complications were studied 0-3 days post procedure: acute myocardial infarction (MI), cerebral infarction, arrhythmias, and acute renal failure. Statistical analysis included risk differences with a significance value of p ≤ 0.05. Results: (*incidence values included in parentheses are percentages) Gender: We identified 162,408 male patients and 102,461 female patients that had a coronary angiography performed. No significant difference between male and female patients was observed in the incidence of stroke (0.422 vs 0.482, p = 0.0820). Males had a higher incidence of MI (9.251 vs 7.547, p ≤ 0.001), arrhythmias (3.786 vs 2.877, p ≤ 0.001), and acute renal failure (1.385 vs 1.19, p = 0.003) Race: We identified 178,024 white patients and 24,616 black patients that had a coronary angiography performed. No significant difference between white and black patients was observed in the incidence of MI (8.485 vs 8.215, p = 0.2808). White patients had a higher incidence of arrhythmias (3.077 vs 2.722, p = 0.0191), whereas black patients had a higher likelihood of stroke (0.401 vs 0.666, p ≤ 0.001) and acute renal failure (0.335 vs 0.781, p ≤ 0.001). Conclusion: Gender and racial differences in complications of coronary angiography are evident within 72 hours (about 3 days) of the procedure. Male and Black patients had a higher risk of life-threatening complications. Physicians can use this information for postprocedural monitoring of high-risk patients to improve outcomes.

Institutional quality, economic development, and the sustainable outcomes of PPP projects: An empirical analysis of failed PPP projects in China from 2014 to 2020

The trajectory of China's PPP market since 2014, characterized by rapid expansion and a high failure rate, now plunges into a state of limbo and uncertainty. Through a quantitative analysis of failed PPP projects in China from 2014 to 2020, this study investigates the impact of local government institutional quality, private capital business environment, local economic development, and local fiscal affordability on the development and implementation of PPP projects. The findings reveal that larger government size is associated with a higher likelihood of PPP project failure, while a favorable private capital business environment can mitigate the failure rate of local PPP projects. Furthermore, empirical results demonstrate a positive relationship between local fiscal affordability and the success rate of PPP projects. The analysis underscores the significant influence of the institutional environment on the effectiveness of PPP projects and provides policy recommendations for local governments to enhance the business environment and other key factors contributing to the resilience of PPP projects.

Prevalence, Clinical Characteristics and Determinants of Unsuccessful Treatment Outcomes Among Pulmonary Tuberculosis Patients: A 5-Year Registry-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Despite the existence of effective medications, pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains a significant global public health concern, The evaluation and feedback of national TB control programs are crucial, requiring diligent monitoring of TB treatment outcomes and analysis of the factors influencing these outcomes. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the challenges faced by TB patients, which can inform better strategies for treatment and management in the future. We conducted a study in King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023. The study was a registry-based retrospective cohort study. Patients' data were sourced from the National Tuberculosis Registry database of Saudi Arabia. Treatment outcomes were determined as either success or failure, considering clinical evaluation, changes in chest X-rays, and the results of subsequent sputum examinations during follow-up. To evaluate the data, SPSS version 28.0 was used. A total of 427 PTB patients participated in the study. The results show successful treatment outcomes among 88.5% of patients. Among the patients, males exhibited a higher likelihood of treatment failure as compared to females (aOR 1.3; 95%Cl 1.2-1.5, p < 0.001). Patients with positive sputum smear (aOR 1.3; 95%Cl 1.1-1.3 p < 0.00) and the presence of cough were associated with an increased risk of treatment failure (aOR1.5; 95%Cl 1.1-1.4, p < 0.001). This study shows that the percentage of unsuccessful treatment outcomes is high, ie, 11.5%, due to patients' deaths and loss to follow-up. Enhanced supervision and treatment monitoring for tuberculosis patients at high risk of treatment failure can lead to improved treatment success rates in Saudi Arabia.

Mechanical Design and Tactical Placement Technique of Robust and Reliable Battery Pack for Electric Vehicle- A Review

The great sensitivity of lithium-ion battery packs to external factors such pressure, temperature, and dynamic mechanical stresses might result in a potential failure during thermal runaway in an electric car caused by shaking or collision with a car. Enormous electrification of the commercial and public transit industries is hampered, among other things, by concerns about battery pack safety and reliability. In order to solve these problems, this study covers mechanical design elements. Through examples, the paper shows how basic mechanical elements able to incorporated into the design of battery packing to reduce the likelihood of failure and lessen the previously listed safety issues. In addition, the essential elements of a durable The battery pack has been thoroughly examined, and the resources needed to create these elements and satisfy their operational specifications have been determined. A LEAF battery package design example is used to illustrate the strategic battery pack placement technique. Lastly, the fundamental technical design specifications for a durable and dependable battery packing methods are made public by contrasting the disclosed design choices presented in this article with battery pack design.

Identification of the effective crane hook's cross-section by incorporating finite element method and programming language

The crane hook is a widely utilized component in several industries for the purpose of lifting things. The crane hook must possess the capacity to withstand the intended load without encountering any complications, hence ensuring the safety of both personnel and the objects being lifted. The process of analysis is crucial for the effective utilization of a crane hook. The primary aim of this study was to determine the most efficient cross-sectional crane hook among five distinct geometric profiles. This was achieved through the application of finite element analysis using Solidworks software. Subsequently, the identified cross-sectional profile was further examined using the Python programming language, taking into account the classical equation of a curved beam. The five cross-sectional shapes seen in the study were circular, rectangular, trapezoidal, I-shaped, and T-shaped. For the purposes of this investigation, the chosen material for each cross-sectional crane hook model was 34CrMo4 steel. Despite the identical boundary constraints imposed on all the chosen cross-sectional crane hook profiles, it was observed that the trapezoidal cross-sectional crane hook exhibited superior performance compared to the others. The trapezoidal cross-sectional crane hook model exhibited a Von Mises stress of 203 MPa, with a corresponding factor of safety of 3.20. Further experimentation was conducted using Python to examine the trapezoidal profile. The results indicated that an increased level of parallelism in the inner side of the trapezoidal shape corresponded to a higher factor of safety. Hence, it is advisable to maintain the trapezoidal cross-sectional profile of the crane hook, with due consideration given to maximizing the length of the inner parallel side. The enhancement of design leads to a decrease in the likelihood of failure and the occurrence of undesirable accidents.

Agile product management as a catalyst for technological innovation

Agile Product Management (APM) has emerged as a critical driver of technological innovation, enabling organizations to rapidly adapt to changing market dynamics and customer needs. This abstract explores the key principles of APM and its role in fostering innovation in today's fast-paced business environment. At its core, APM is a collaborative, iterative approach to product development that emphasizes flexibility, customer feedback, and continuous improvement. By breaking down complex projects into manageable tasks and delivering value incrementally, APM enables teams to respond quickly to market feedback and evolving requirements. One of the key features of APM is its emphasis on customer collaboration. By involving customers early and often in the development process, organizations can ensure that their products meet customer needs and expectations. This customer-centric approach not only drives innovation but also helps organizations stay ahead of the competition. Another important aspect of APM is its focus on cross-functional teams. By bringing together individuals with diverse skills and backgrounds, APM fosters a culture of creativity and innovation. Cross-functional teams are able to quickly experiment with new ideas, iterate on designs, and deliver high-quality products to market faster. In addition to fostering innovation, APM also helps organizations manage risk more effectively. By breaking projects down into smaller, more manageable pieces, organizations can identify and address potential issues early in the development process, reducing the likelihood of costly delays or failures. Overall, APM has emerged as a powerful catalyst for technological innovation. By embracing the principles of flexibility, customer collaboration, and continuous improvement, organizations can not only drive innovation but also stay ahead of the competition in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.