Search Results (22,251)

Background/Objectives: Pre-discharge NT-proBNP levels may serve as a helpful tool in the algorithm of assessing the long-term risk of mortality after a hospitalization for symptomatic heart failure (HF). The goals were: (a) to identify a cut-off for NT-proBNP concentrations for predicting the two-year all-cause mortality in our sample of patients, and (b) to identify risk factors associated with NT-proBNP concentrations being higher than this cut-off. Methods: The present prospective study included 96 patients diagnosed with symptomatic HF with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 50%, who were followed for up to 2 years post-hospital discharge. Results: Levels of pre-discharge NT-proBNP were found to be predictive of all-cause mortality. We determined that an NT-proBNP cut-off score of 8700 pg/mL may predict with 75.8% sensitivity and 70.1% specificity a 4.6-fold increase in mortality risk over a period of two years in our study sample, 95% CI (2–10.8), p = 0.001. Predictors of NT-proBNP concentrations > 8700 pg/mL included: older age, OR 4.73, 95% CI (1.74–12.85), p = 0.002; lack of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACE-I) treatment, OR 0.3, 95% CI (0.12–0.74), p = 0.009; low systolic blood pressure (SBP) at admission, OR 3.4, 95% CI (1.36–8.49), p = 0.009; and low serum hemoglobin at admission, OR 3.2, 95% CI (1.38–7.46), p = 0.007. Conclusions: NT-proBNP may serve as a helpful tool for predicting mortality after an episode of HF decompensation, thus allowing the implementation of appropriate long-term monitoring and treatment. Particular attention should be paid to older patients without ACE-I medication, who had SBP < 120 mmHg at admission, and/or low levels of serum hemoglobin—as these patients are more likely to have pre-discharge NT-proBNP concentrations higher than the cut-off. These findings have implications for the long-term community follow-up of patients with HF. Full article

Background/Objectives: The attainment of a stone-free (SF) condition is a fundamental indicator of successful outcomes after flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) for urinary stone disease. External confirmations of preoperative scores remain limited. We externally validated the T.O.HO. and S.T.O.N.E. scores in an independent Japanese cohort and examined calibration, decision curve utility, and threshold-guided use to support personalized planning. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 361 consecutive patients treated with fURS from March 2018 to August 2023. Postoperative SF status was defined as the absence of residual calculi greater than 2 mm on non-contrast computed tomography performed within three months of surgery. Independent determinants of SF were identified using multivariable logistic regression, predictive performance was quantified by receiver operating characteristic analyses with DeLong’s test, and model calibration and decision curve analysis were additionally assessed. Results: Among the 361 patients, 255 (70.6%) achieved an SF state. A larger stone diameter, the presence of lower-pole calculi, and preoperative pyuria (positive urine WBC) were significant independent predictors of residual fragments. T.O.HO. demonstrated superior discrimination (AUC 0.86) compared with S.T.O.N.E. (AUC 0.77; p < 0.01) and surpassed individual predictors. Both scores showed acceptable calibration. Decision curve analysis demonstrated higher net benefit for T.O.HO. across clinically relevant thresholds. We provide clinically useful cut-offs (e.g., T.O.HO. ≤5: high SF probability; 6: trade-off discussion; ≥7: higher residual risk) to align actions with patient priorities. Conclusions: Beyond discrimination, a calibrated, threshold-aware use of T.O.HO. enables personalized preoperative counseling and shared decision-making, potentially reducing unnecessary staging and enhancing routine fURS planning. Full article

In industrial bamboo machining, the suboptimal selection of cutting parameters leads to elevated cutting power and increased surface roughness. To enhance the machinability of bamboo, a multi-objective optimization of cutting parameters was conducted using orthogonal experimental methods, with special focus on the influences of fiber direction, feed per tooth, and cutting speed on cutting power and surface roughness. The main findings of this study are summarized as follows: feed per tooth exhibited the greatest effect on cutting power, followed by cutting speed and fiber direction. In contrast, fiber direction exerted the most substantial influence on surface roughness, with feed per tooth and cutting speed ranking second and third, respectively. Furthermore, the optimal milling parameters for minimizing both cutting power and surface roughness were identified as a fiber direction of 0°, a feed per tooth of 0.2 mm/z, and a cutting speed of 400 m/min. Therefore, the obtained optimal parameters are recommended for industrial bamboo machining to achieve reduced cutting power and improved surface quality. Full article

Background: Nowadays, there is a lack of reliable and minimally invasive diagnosis methods for the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The development and validation of such tools could significantly reduce the dependence on more invasive and costly confirmatory procedures, such as cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers analysis and neuroimaging techniques. Objectives: The main objective of this study is to validate the clinical performance of a previously developed diagnosis model based on plasma biomarkers from patients in a cognitive disorder unit. Methods: A new cohort of patients was recruited from the same cognitive disorder unit (n = 93). Specifically, demographic data (gender, age, and educational level), plasma biomarkers levels, and genotype (glial fibrillary acidic protein, phosphorylated Tau 181, amyloid-beta42/amyloid-beta40, apolipoprotein E) were collected to evaluate both approaches of the previous diagnosis model (one-cut-off, two-cut-off). Results: The one-cut-off approach showed a sensitivity of 74.3%, a specificity of 89.5%, and an area under the curve of 0.888, while the values for the two-cut-off approach were sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 99.9%, and area under the curve of 0.867. Conclusions: A multivariate diagnostic tool was temporally validated for implementation in a clinical unit. In fact, satisfactory results were obtained from both approaches (one-cut-off, two-cut-offs), but the two cut-offs approach was more consistent in correctly identifying non-Alzheimer’s disease cases, allowing us to identify a large number of cases with high specificity. Full article

Erosion wear is a major cause of surface degradation in metallic materials exposed to harsh marine environments. In this study, the erosion wear resistance of the 18Ni300 maraging steel repaired by underwater direct metal deposition (UDMD) is investigated. Results show that UDMD is successfully applied to repair the 18Ni300 samples in underwater environment. Full groove filling and sound metallurgical bonding without cracks are achieved, demonstrating its potential for underwater structural repair. Microstructural analyses reveal good forming quality with fine cellular structures and dense lath martensite in the deposited layer, attributed to rapid solidification under water cooling. Compared to in-air DMD, the UDMD sample exhibits higher surface microhardness due to increased dislocation density and microstructural refinement. Erosion wear behavior is evaluated at 30° and 90° impingement angles, showing that wear mechanisms shift from micro-cutting and plowing at 30° to indentation, crack propagation, and spallation at 90°. The UDMD samples demonstrate superior erosion wear resistance with lower mass loss, particularly at 30°, benefiting from surface work hardening and microstructural advantages. Progressive surface hardening occurs during erosion due to severe plastic deformation, reducing wear rates over time. The combination of refined microstructure, high dislocation density, and enhanced work hardening capability makes UDMD-repaired steel highly resistant to erosive degradation. These findings confirm that UDMD is a promising technique for repairing marine steel structures, offering enhanced durability and long-term performance in harsh offshore environments. Full article

Apple pomace, a by-product of juice production, is a rich source of dietary fiber and bioactive compounds, making it a promising functional ingredient for bakery applications. This study evaluated the physicochemical and sensory properties of shortbread cookies enriched with apple pomace dried under different conditions, while also analyzing the drying process, focusing on drying kinetics and powder characteristics. Pomace dried by either contact drying or freeze-drying was ground and used to replace 20% of wheat flour in the cookie formulation. Drying kinetics were best described by the modified Page model, and freeze-dried pomace showed higher grindability than contact-dried samples. Cookies enriched with pomace exhibited similar overall composition, with differences mainly observed in fiber content (9.82–11.75%). Those containing freeze-dried pomace were lighter, with reduced red and increased yellow tones, and were firmer, requiring approximately 30% higher cutting force. Despite differences in physical properties, enriched cookies were consistently rated higher in overall acceptability than the controls. The results indicate that the drying method and temperature influence the physicochemical properties of apple by-product and the resulting cookies, while having mainly minor effects on sensory acceptance, confirming the potential of apple pomace as a functional ingredient in bakery products. Full article

Erosion monitoring was carried out between 2003 and 2022 using a hydrological station with a Thomson overflow, a water gauge, and a limnigraph installed at the outlet of the Kolonia Celejów gully system. The study area is located in the north-western part of the Lublin Upland in the Nałęczów Plateau mesoregion (SE Poland). The total amount and intensity of precipitation were measured using an automatic station and water runoff and suspended sediment yield (SST) were also continuously measured. High variability in water runoff was observed during this period (max. of about 76,000 m³ and mean > 26,000 m³), and as a result of numerous heavy rains, a significant increase in SST (max. of about 95 Mg to about 1200 Mg and mean of 24 Mg to about 215 Mg) was noted in the second half of the measurement period. Most of the material removed at that time came from the cutting of the gully bottom and from the redeposition of material transported from the catchment used for agricultural purposes. In order to determine the volume of material delivered to the slope–gully cascade system in November 2012, a second station was installed at the gully head, which only operated until June 2013. However, the measurements covered all snowmelts and summer runoffs, as well as the June downpours. At the same time, these measurements represent the first unique attempt to quantify the delivery of material from the slope subcatchment to the gully system. The year 2013 was also important in terms of water runoff from the loess gully catchment area (about 40,000 m³) and was a record year (SST > 1197 Mg) for the total amount of suspended material runoff (7.6% and 33.5% of the 20-year total, respectively). During the cool half of the year, 16,490 m³ of water (i.e., 42% of the annual total) flowed out of the gully catchment area, and during the warm half of the year, 23,742 m³ of water (59% of the annual total) flowed out. In contrast, 24,076.7 m³ of water flowed out of the slope subcatchment area during the year, with slightly more flowing out in the cool half of the year (12,395.9 m³ or 51.5% of the annual total). In the slope and gully subcatchment areas, the suspended sediment discharge clearly dominated in the warm half of the year (98% and 97%). The record-breaking SST amount in June was over 1100 Mg of suspended sediment, which accounted for 93% of the annual SST from the gully catchment area and over 94% in the case of the slope subcatchment area. The relationships in the slope–gully cascade system in 2013 were considered representative of the entire measurement series, which were used to determine the degree of connectivity between the slope and gully subsystems. During summer downpours, the delivery of slope material from agricultural fields accounted for approx. 15% of the material removed from the catchment area, which confirms the predominance of transverse transport in the slope catchment area and longitudinal transport in the gully. The opposite situation occurs during thaws, with as much as 90% of the material removed coming from the slope catchment area. At that time, longitudinal transport dominates on the slope and transverse transport dominates in the gully. Full article

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs), which combine photocatalysis with membrane separation, represent a pivotal technology for sustainable water treatment and resource recovery. Although extensive research has documented various configurations of photocatalytic-membrane hybrid processes and their potential in water treatment applications, a comprehensive analysis of the interrelationships among reactor architectures, intrinsic physicochemical mechanisms, and overall process efficiency remains inadequately explored. This knowledge gap hinders the rational design of highly efficient and stable reactor systems—a shortcoming that this review seeks to remedy. Here, we critically examine the connections between reactor configurations, design principles, and cutting-edge applications to outline future research directions. We analyze the evolution of reactor architectures, relevant reaction kinetics, and key operational parameters that inform rational design, linking these fundamentals to recent advances in solar-driven hydrogen production, CO₂ conversion, and industrial scaling. Our analysis reveals a significant disconnect between the mechanistic understanding of reactor operation and the system-level performance required for innovative applications. This gap between theory and practice is particularly evident in efforts to translate laboratory success into robust and economically feasible industrial-scale operations. We believe that PMRs will realize their transformative potential in sustainable energy and environmental applications in future. Full article

This study focuses on optimizing the machinability of Al-Fe-Cu (8000 series) alloys by developing new compositions with varying Fe and Cu contents and evaluating their mechanical, microstructural, and energy performance. For this purpose, 6061 Al alloy was melted in an induction furnace and cast into molds, and samples containing 2.5% and 5% Fe were produced. Microstructural features were analyzed using Python-based image processing, while Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) theory was applied to assess machining efficiency. An alloy with 2.5% Fe and 2.64% Cu showed superior mechanical properties and the lowest energy consumption. Increasing cutting speed and depth of cut notably decreased SEC. Machine learning (ML) analysis confirmed strong predictive capability, with R² values above 0.80 for all models. Decision Tree (DT) achieved the highest accuracy for SEC prediction (R² = 0.98634, MAE = 0.02209, MSE = 0.00104), whereas XGBoost (XGB) performed best for SCEC (R² = 0.96533, MAE = 0.25578, MSE = 0.10178). Response Surface Methodology (RSM) optimization further validated the significant influence of machining parameters on SEC and specific cutting energy consumption (SCEC). Overall, the integration of machine learning (ML), response surface methodology (RSM), and energy equations provides a comprehensive approach to improve the machinability and energy efficiency of 8000 series alloys, offering practical insights for industrial applications. Full article

Inter-limb asymmetries may negatively affect performance and increase injury risk in team sports, but evidence in women’s futsal remains scarce. This study examined the relationship between inter-limb asymmetries in vertical (countermovement jump, CMJ), horizontal (standing broad jump, SBJ), and reactive (drop jump, DJ) tests, ankle dorsiflexion (DF), and change of direction (COD; 505, L-Run, V-Cut) with physical performance variables in adult female futsal players. Thirty-two highly trained athletes from the Spanish Women’s Second Division (age: 23.4 ± 4.8 years) completed a testing battery including bilateral and unilateral jumps, linear sprints (5, 10, 15 m), COD tests, and ankle dorsiflexion. Asymmetries were calculated as percentage differences between limbs, and their associations with unilateral performance were analyzed using Pearson’s correlations. The highest asymmetries were observed in DJ (15.7 ± 13.3%) and DF (15.3 ± 13.3%), whereas L-Run and 505 displayed the lowest values. Significant moderate negative correlations were found between SBJ asymmetry and right leg SBJ performance (r = −0.356, p < 0.05), and between DF asymmetry and right leg DF (r = −0.494, p < 0.01). No other meaningful associations were identified, and agreement in the direction of asymmetry across tests was generally slight. These findings highlight the task-specific nature of inter-limb asymmetries and suggest that diverse unilateral assessments are needed to comprehensively monitor imbalances and inform targeted training interventions in female futsal. Full article

One of the key measures of cutting tool efficiency in machining processes is tool wear. In recent decades, numerical modeling of this phenomenon—primarily through finite element cutting models—has gained increasing importance. A crucial requirement for the reliable application of such models is the selection of an appropriate friction model, which strongly affects the accuracy of wear predictions. However, choosing the friction model type and its parameters remains a nontrivial challenge. This paper examines the effect of different friction model types and their parameters on the Archard and Usui wear model indicators, as well as on the main cutting process characteristics: cutting force components, temperature in the primary cutting zone, contact length between the tool rake face and the chip, shear angle, and chip compression ratio. To evaluate their impact on predicted tool wear—expressed qualitatively through the wear indicators of the aforementioned models—several widely used friction models implemented in commercial FEM software were applied: the shear friction model, Coulomb friction model, hybrid friction model, and constant tau model. The simulated values of these cutting process characteristics were then compared with experimental results. Full article

This study examined muscle coordination during cutting movements in athletes with a history of groin pain. A total of 15 athletes who had experienced groin pain in the past two years (GP) and 14 healthy controls (CON) participated. Electromyography (EMG) and ground reaction force (GRF) data were collected, and EMG was analyzed using non-negative matrix factorization to extract muscle synergies. Three synergies were identified in both groups: Synergy 1 (landing), Synergy 2 (deceleration), and Synergy 3 (acceleration). No group differences were observed in GRF. However, compared with the CON, the GP demonstrated a 58.1% greater contribution of the latissimus dorsi and a 31.5% greater contribution of the erector spinae (SES) in Synergy 1, suggesting excessive trunk involvement during landing. In Synergy 2, SES contribution was 97.0% lower in the GP. In Synergy 3, the external oblique contribution decreased by 118.4%, while rectus abdominis contribution increased by 54.3%. These muscles are critical for pelvic stability, and their altered contributions indicate disrupted neuromuscular coordination in athletes with GP. Full article

To overcome wellbore instability problems in deep coalbed gas reservoirs in the Ordos Basin, drilling fluid additives were evaluated and a drilling fluid system was designed. According to the SEM and CT analysis results, there were not only face and butt cleats in the coal rock but also bedding and layered fractures. Potassium chloride (KCl) and Potassium formate (HCOOK) drilling fluid systems were formulated. The recovery rate of shale and coal rock cuttings reached 99%, and the linear swelling rates for coal rock in both types of drilling fluid were less than 0.18%. Measured with a servo-controlled compression frame at a loading rate of 1 mm/min, the uniaxial compression strength of coal rock was 11.74 MPa, and it was 9.13 MPa and 10.35 MPa after immersion in KCl and HCOOK drilling fluid, respectively. This indicates that both systems have good inhibition properties. The invasion depth in packed sand was 15.5 mm for KCl drilling fluid and 8 mm for HCOOK drilling fluid, demonstrating good sealing performance by the systems. Compared to KCl drilling fluid, the HCOOK system exhibited better inhibition and sealing performance. After the removal of the 10 mm deep invasion section of drilling fluid, the permeability of the coal rock recovered by more than 90%, and the drilling fluid caused minimum damage to the reservoir. The optimized drilling fluid exhibits excellent sealing and inhibition capabilities, making it highly effective in addressing wellbore stability challenges in carbonaceous mudstone formations at 4000 m in depth in the deep coalbed methane reservoirs of the Ordos Basin. Full article

We consider optimization for different production requirements from the viewpoint of a bio-inspired framework for system flexibility that allows us to study the ability of an algorithm to transfer solutions from previous optimization tasks, which also relates to dynamic evolutionary optimization. Optimizing manufacturing process parameters is typically a multi-objective problem with often contradictory objectives, such as production quality and production time. If production requirements change, process parameters have to be optimized again. Since optimization usually requires costly simulations based on, for example, the Finite Element method, it is of great interest to have a means to reduce the number of evaluations needed for optimization. Based on the extended Oxley model for orthogonal metal cutting, we introduce a multi-objective optimization benchmark where different materials define related optimization tasks. We use the benchmark to study the flexibility of NSGA-II, which we extend by developing two variants: (1) varying goals, which optimizes solutions for two tasks simultaneously to obtain in-between source solutions expected to be more adaptable, and (2) active–inactive genotype, which accommodates different possibilities that can be activated or deactivated. Results show that adaption with standard NSGA-II greatly reduces the number of evaluations required for optimization for a target goal. The proposed variants further improve the adaption costs, where on average, the computational effort is more than halved in comparison to the non-adapted baseline. We note that further work is needed for making the methods advantageous for real applications. Full article

We consider combinatorial multi-access coded caching with private caches, where users are connected to two types of caches: private caches and multi-access caches. Each user has its own private cache, while multi-access caches are connected in the same way as caches are connected in a combinatorial topology. A scheme is proposed that satisfies the following three requirements simultaneously: (a) Linear Function Retrieval (LFR), (b) content security against an eavesdropper, and (c) demand privacy against a colluding set of users. It is shown that the private caches included in this work enable the proposed scheme to provide privacy against colluding users. For the same rate, our scheme requires less total memory accessed by each user and less total system memory than the existing scheme for multi-access combinatorial topology (no private caches) in the literature. We derive a cut-set lower bound and prove optimality when $r\ge C-1$. For $r<C-1$, we show a constant gap of 5 under certain conditions. Finally, the proposed scheme is extended to a more general setup where different users are connected to different numbers of multi-access caches, and multiple users are connected to the same subset of multi-access caches. Full article