Search Results (9,383)

Rumors have become a serious issue in today’s modern era, particularly in view of increased activity in social and online platforms. False information can go viral almost instantaneously through social networks, which immediately affect society and people’s minds. The form of rumor it develops within, whether fabricated intentionally or not, impacts public perspectives through manipulation of emotion and cognition. We propose and analyze a mathematical model describing how rumors can spread through an online social media (OSM) platform. Our model focuses on two coexisting rumors (two strains). The results provide some conditions under which rumors die out or become persistent, and they show the influence of delays, skepticism levels, and incidence rates on the dynamics of information spread. We combine analytical tools (Routh–Hurwitz tests and delay-induced stability switches) with MATLAB/Python simulations to validate the theoretical predictions. Full article

The integration of three-dimensional inward-turning inlets with airframes has broad application prospects. This paper develops an integrated design method for the inlet forebody with a controllable incident shock wave shape, aiming at the three-dimensional inward-turning inlet with a circular entrance, and it is applied to the forebody design of a given inward-turning inlet to obtain a three-dimensional inward-turning inlet/forebody matching scheme. Numerical simulation and wind tunnel experiment were carried out to investigate the aerodynamic performance of the inlet. The results show that the inlet/forebody matching scheme successfully realizes both geometric and aerodynamic matching between the inlet and forebody, resulting in a shock-on-lip condition at the design point, with only a 2% reduction in mass flow rate. This indicates that the forebody design and matching method are highly effective. It should be noted that after the forebody matching is achieved, the overall compression effect of the inlet on the airflow is weakened, and both the Mach number and total pressure at the inlet outlet increase slightly. Full article

Background/Objectives: Soft tissues are essential for maintaining the function and long-term success of dental implants. In many cases, implant placement necessitates soft tissue augmentation procedures such as free gingival grafts (FGGs) or connective tissue grafts (CTGs) to restore lost gingival architecture. Nevertheless, a significant challenge associated with FGG and CTG is postoperative pain, largely due to morbidity at the palatal donor site. To address this issue, various approaches have been proposed to reduce patient discomfort and promote improved wound healing at the donor site. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of four different methods for protecting the palatal donor site following free gingival graft harvesting. Methods: A total of 76 patients undergoing implant therapy with an indication for free gingival grafting were selected and divided into four groups based on the method used to protect the palatal donor site: an absorbable gelatin sponge secured with sutures (GS); an absorbable gelatin sponge with sutures and cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (GS+CTA); oxidized regenerated cellulose combined with cyanoacrylate tissue adhesive (ORC+CTA); and an absorbable gelatin sponge covered with a flowable resin composite and stabilized with sutures (GS+FRC). The effectiveness of each method was evaluated in terms of postoperative pain, bleeding, and wound healing. Results: Although the differences in pain intensity among the groups were not statistically significant throughout the observation period (p > 0.05), the GS+FRC group consistently exhibited the lowest mean pain scores. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups regarding the incidence of secondary bleeding. The highest mean wound healing rate was recorded in the GS+FRC group (75.95 ± 18.75%), whereas the ORC+CTA group demonstrated the lowest rate (43.66 ± 25.74%). Conclusions: The use of an absorbable gelatin sponge covered with a flowable resin composite and secured with sutures, despite the presented limitations, appears to be a promising approach for palatal wound protection. While this group consistently demonstrated the lowest mean pain scores, differences in pain intensity among the groups were not statistically significant. Nonetheless, it achieved the most favorable outcomes in terms of wound epithelialization. Full article

Background/Objectives: The burden of early-onset cancer (cancer incidence <50 years) has increased globally. Early-onset cancer carries significant societal and economic consequences. We aim to provide updated estimates for incidence and mortality of early-onset cancer. Methods: We analyzed the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 to describe the incidence, death, age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR), age-standardized death rate (ASDR) from early-onset cancer (i.e., cancer in people aged 15–49), and its changes from 2000 to 2021 (reflected as annual percent change [APC]), using Joinpoint regression analysis. Results: In 2021, there were 3.16 million new cases and 989,650 deaths from early-onset cancer. From 2000 to 2021, the ASIR of early-onset cancer increased (APC: 0.40%, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.47%), with the highest increase observed in the Eastern Mediterranean region (APC: 1.63%, 95% CI 1.53 to 1.72%), whereas the ASDR decreased across most regions. The ASIR for early-onset cancer had a higher increase in females (APC: 0.62%, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.73%) than males (APC: 0.14%, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.23%). Breast cancer (n = 567,900) constituted the highest burden of incident cases, followed by non-melanoma skin (n = 507,810) and cervical cancers (n = 307,430). The highest increase in the ASIR was observed in non-melanoma skin cancer (APC:2.18%, 95% CI 1.85–2.51%), thyroid (APC: 1.70%, 95% CI 1.60 to 1.79%), and testicular (APC:1.37%, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.78%) cancers. The greatest increases in the ASDR were observed in peripheral nervous system cancer (APC: 0.97%, 95% CI 0.82 to 1.11%) and multiple myeloma (APC: 0.62%, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.72%). Conclusions: From 2000 to 2021, the age-adjusted incidence of early-onset cancer increased, with variation across regions and cancer types. Immediate measures are required at a global, regional, and national level to mitigate the burden of early-onset cancer. Full article

Background/Objectives: After an initial course of anticoagulation for deep vein thrombosis (DVT), identifying patients at higher risk of recurrence remains a clinical challenge. The role of residual vein thrombosis (RVT) in this setting is still debated, as most available evidence derives from retrospective studies or from the Warfarin era. We conducted a study to evaluate the incidence of RVT in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and to identify the clinical factors associated with its persistence. We also compared the outcomes from the two most prescribed drugs in Italy, Apixaban and Rivaroxaban. Methods: A total of 113 patients with newly diagnosed DVT underwent follow-up visits at 6 weeks (T1), 3 months (T2) and 6 months (T3) after diagnosis. RVT was assessed by compression ultrasonography and clinical, family and pathological history data were collected. Ninety-six patients were included in the final statistical analysis. Results: RVT was detected in 68.2%, 52.1% and 37.7% of patients at T1, T2 and T3, respectively. Factors significantly associated with RVT at T2 were male sex, femoral vein involvement and a family history of DVT. No significant differences were observed between Apixaban and Rivaroxaban. Prior episodes of thrombosis, smoking, diabetes and obesity were not associated with RVT at 3 months. Conclusions: Our findings confirm that RVT rates progressively decrease over time, as previously observed in the Coumarins era, but suggest a stronger early response to DOACs, particularly during the first three months of therapy. Moreover, DOACs appear to provide more effective protection in patients with risk factors for venous disease. Full article

Objectives: We wished to demonstrate the utility of a novel quantitative assessment tool for the efficacy of regional anesthesia in children. Methods: The authors examined the records of all patients evaluated by the acute pain service during a 6-month period at a large quaternary-care pediatric hospital. The morphine equivalency rate (MER) in mcg/kg/hour was employed to compare the opioid use in children undergoing similar procedures with and without regional anesthesia (RA). Results: A total of 744 patients were included in this study, 333 of whom received RA. The RA group demonstrated a statistical and clinical benefit from having regional anesthesia, as demonstrated by the MER, compared to the non-RA group. Discussion: Objective measurements of RA in adults are overshadowed by subjective evidence of surgical tolerance in awake or lightly sedated patients. However, in pediatrics, objective measures are still needed to highlight the importance and utility of RA. Such objective tools could impact the adoption of RA by our surgical colleagues and have a long-term impact on opioid use and even abuse. We implemented the MER to quantify the benefit of RA. Given the adverse effects of opioids on gut motility, the incidence of nausea and vomiting, hypersensitivity reactions, and ubiquitous potential for abuse, the MER objectively demonstrates RA’s impact on pediatric surgical patients and why its utilization as an assessment tool could ultimately change practice. Full article

The DHI data is crucial for monitoring the udder health of dairy cows during the breeding process. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing milk production in dairy cows throughout this period. We analyzed DHI data from Holstein dairy cows in the Heilongjiang region, alongside the incidence of mastitis. The findings revealed that high-yielding cows demonstrated significantly higher peak milk yield days, peak milk yield, urea nitrogen levels, 305-day milk yield, and persistency (p < 0.0001) compared to their low-yielding counterparts. Conversely, high-yielding cows exhibited lower protein rates, fat-to-protein ratios, and milk fat rates (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the somatic cell count (SCC) in high-yielding cows was significantly lower than that in low-yielding cows (p < 0.0001). The multivariate linear regression analysis of the DHI data indicated that parity was the primary determinant affecting both milk yield and SCC. Statistical analysis of cows with clinical mastitis revealed that those experiencing a single episode of clinical mastitis during the lactation period were predominantly in their first and second parities, while recurrent cases were primarily observed in the second and third parities. These results suggest that as the number of lactations increases, the SCC also rises, reflecting the cumulative impact of parity on the udder health of dairy cows. Full article

Background: Adhesive small bowel obstruction (ASBO) is a common and challenging surgical condition. In the absence of peritonitis, bowel ischemia, or clear surgical indicators on CT imaging, the initial management is typically non-operative. While clinical and radiological factors influencing non-operative management (NOM) are well described, the role of age and chronic health conditions remains less well defined. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of NOM failure in patients with various comorbidities. Methods: This study utilized data from the National Inpatient Sample to analyze cases of ASBO between 2016 and 2019. Collected data included demographics, diagnosis, presence of chronic health conditions (diabetes mellitus, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic pulmonary diseases, peripheral vascular disease), length of hospital stay, and mortality. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A (18–65 years) and Group B (>65 years). We compared demographics comorbidities, NOM failure rates, and mortality between the groups. Univariate analysis was performed to assess age and comorbidities and risk factors for NOM failure in each group, followed by multivariable analysis within each group. Results: A total of 1,611,099 admissions with ASBO were identified in the NIS database; 63.03% were females. The failure rate of NOM in patients without comorbidities was 21%, compared to 26.5% in patients with one or more comorbidities. In Group A, 20% of patients required surgery, compared to 26.2% of patients in Group B (p = 0.001). Conclusions: Being aged over 65 and the presence of chronic health disease, excluding diabetes mellitus, are independent predictors of NOM failure in patients with ASBO. The presence of multiple comorbidities further increases the risk of NOM failure. Full article

Mastitis, an inflammatory disease caused by the invasion of various pathogenic microorganisms into mammary gland tissue, is a core health issue plaguing the global dairy industry. The consequences of this disease are manifold. In addition to directly compromising the health and welfare of dairy cows, it also precipitates a substantial decline in lactation function, a precipitous drop in raw milk production, and alterations in milk composition (e.g., increased somatic cell counts and imbalanced ratios of milk protein to fat). These changes result in a marked degradation of milk quality and safety, and in turn, engender significant economic losses for the livestock industry. Therefore, the establishment and implementation of a comprehensive prevention and control system is a key strategy to effectively curb the occurrence of mastitis, reduce its incidence rate, and minimise economic losses. This review systematically explores the complex etiological factors and pathogenic mechanisms of mastitis in dairy cows, and summarises various diagnostic methods, including milk apparent indicators monitoring, pathogen detection, physiological parameter monitoring, omics technologies, and emerging technologies. Furthermore, it undertakes an analysis of treatment protocols for mastitis in dairy cows, with a particular emphasis on the significance of rational antibiotic use and alternative therapies. Moreover, it delineates preventive measures encompassing both environmental and hygiene management, and dairy cow health management. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive and scientific theoretical basis and practical guidance for dairy farming practices. This will help to improve the health of dairy cows, ensure a stable supply of high-quality dairy products, and promote the sustainable and healthy development of the dairy farming industry. Full article

Metastatic cancer, characterized by poor survival outcomes and grim prognosis, represents the final stage of malignancy. The current evidence regarding the prophylactic effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors on metastatic cancer remains largely unexamined. With a confirmatory approach based on the Cochrane recommendation, we conducted a frequentist-based network meta-analysis (NMA) of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating such medications. The primary outcome was the incidence of metastatic cancer, while secondary outcomes included safety profiles assessed through dropout rates. The findings were reaffirmed by sensitivity analysis with a Bayesian-based NMA. This NMA of 207,606 participants from 67 RCTs revealed that only efpeglenatide demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in metastatic cancer events compared to controls (odds ratio = 0.26, 95% confidence intervals = 0.09 to 0.70, p = 0.010, number needed to treat = 188.4). Efpeglenatide’s efficacy was not confined to specific cancer types. Safety profiles were comparable across all treatments. These findings indicate that efpeglenatide may possess a broad, systemic preventive effect against metastatic cancers, potentially operating through mechanisms that are not restricted to individual organ systems. Further research is warranted to elucidate the molecular pathways underlying its anti-metastatic properties and to explore its role in preventive oncology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Proteinuria, a marker of renal dysfunction, has been implicated in cancer risk, yet its role in gastric carcinogenesis remains underexplored in high-incidence populations. This study evaluated the association between urine dipstick proteinuria severity and gastric cancer incidence in a nationwide Korean cohort. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort, including 220,941 adults aged > 40 years, without a diagnosis of cancer, who received health examinations in 2009. Proteinuria was classified by single dipstick testing as negative, 1+, or ≥2+. Participants were followed for a mean of 4.37 ± 0.49 years (965,601.2 person-years). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, LDL cholesterol, estimated glomerular filtration rate, smoking status, alcohol intake, and physical activity were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: During follow-up, 1934 participants (0.88%) developed gastric cancer. A significant dose–response relationship emerged (p for trend = 0.037). In fully adjusted models, 1+ proteinuria conferred no significant risk increase (HR 1.10; 95% CI, 0.80–1.51), whereas ≥2+ proteinuria was associated with a 42% higher gastric cancer risk (HR 1.42; 95% CI, 1.00–2.02). Conclusions: Severe dipstick proteinuria independently predicts elevated gastric cancer risk in Korean adults. Integration of urine dipstick testing into gastric cancer screening protocols may offer a simple, cost-effective strategy for risk stratification, particularly in high-incidence settings. Full article

Background: The guidelines recommend mitral valve repair whenever possible in patients undergoing surgical treatment for active infective endocarditis of the native mitral valve. However, the impact of causative microorganisms in relation to treatment strategies, especially Staphylococcus aureus, has not been studied. In this study, we aimed to compare the outcomes of mitral valve repair versus replacement in patients with native mitral valve infective endocarditis caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. Methods: Consecutive patients with definitive active infective endocarditis of the native mitral valve caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus undergoing cardiac surgery between 2012 and 2022 were selected. Patients were classified according to the treatment received in two groups: repair and replacement. Inverse propensity treatment weighting was employed to correct for confounders. The endpoints were all-cause mortality, incidence of recurrent endocarditis, reoperation rate, and event-free survival at two-year follow-up. Results: Among 170 operated-upon patients with active infective endocarditis of the native mitral valve, 44 cases were caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. A total of 23 patients underwent mitral valve repair and 21 patients received mitral valve replacement. Weighted 30-day mortality in the repair group was 43%, versus 27% in the replacement group (p = 0.15). Two-year mortality increased to 57% in the repair group and 32% in the replacement group (p = 0.02). Three patients developed recurrent endocarditis in the repair group, while no recurrent endocarditis occurred in the replacement group. Three patients in the repair group required reoperation due to recurrence and one patient in the replacement group underwent re-operation due to paravalvular leakage. Weighted two-year event-free survival was 29% in the repair group and 59% in the replacement group (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Mortality in patients with mitral valve infective endocarditis caused by Staphylococcus aureus is extremely high, especially in patients undergoing mitral valve repair. The risk of recurrent endocarditis and mid-term mortality seems to be higher in mitral valve repair, resulting in poor event-free survival during two-year follow-up. However, the sample size was likely insufficient for drawing definitive conclusions. Full article

This paper investigates the oscillatory effect of a single blade on the turbulence wake downstream of a low-pressure turbine cascade. Experimental investigations were conducted at a chord-based Reynolds number of $2.3\times {10}^5$ with an excitation frequency of 73 Hz. The experimental campaign encompassed two incidence angles (−3° and +6°) and three blade motion conditions: stationary, bending, and torsional vibrations. Turbulence characteristics were analyzed using hot-wire anemometry. The results indicate that the bending mode notably alters the wake topology, causing a 5% decline in streamwise velocity deficit compared to other modes. Additionally, the bending motion promotes the formation of large-scale coherent vortices within the wake, increasing the integral length scale by 7.5 times. In contrast, Kolmogorov’s microscale stays mostly unaffected by blade oscillations. However, increasing the incidence angle causes the smallest eddies in the inter-blade region to grow three times larger. Moreover, the data indicate that at −3°, bending-mode results in an approximate 13% reduction in the turbulence energy dissipation rate compared to the stationary configuration. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the spectral features of turbulent flow and provides a detailed assessment of the Taylor microscale under different experimental conditions. Full article

As human–robot shared service environments become increasingly common, autonomous navigation in narrow space environments (NSEs), such as indoor corridors and crosswalks, becomes challenging. Mobile robots must go beyond reactive collision avoidance and interpret surrounding risks to proactively select safer routes in dynamic and spatially constrained environments. This study proposes a deep reinforcement learning (DRL)-based navigation framework that enables mobile robots to interact with pedestrians while identifying and traversing open and safe spaces. The framework fuses 3D LiDAR and RGB camera data to recognize individual pedestrians and estimate their position and velocity in real time. Based on this, a human-aware occupancy map (HAOM) is constructed, combining both static obstacles and dynamic risk zones, and used as the input state for DRL. To promote proactive and safe navigation behaviors, we design a state representation and reward structure that guide the robot toward less risky areas, overcoming the limitations of traditional approaches. The proposed method is validated through a series of simulation experiments, including straight, L-shaped, and cross-shaped layouts, designed to reflect typical narrow space environments. Various dynamic obstacle scenarios were incorporated during both training and evaluation. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach significantly improves navigation success rates and reduces collision incidents compared to conventional navigation planners across diverse NSE conditions. Full article

Background: Breast cancer is a major health concern in Poland, with significant incidence and mortality rates despite national screening programs. This retrospective study aimed to evaluate critical aspects of breast cancer management, focusing on waiting times, treatment coordination, cancer characteristics, diagnostic testing, and staging. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 587 medical records of breast cancer patients (585 female, 2 male) collected between March 2023 and June 2024 through a data donation model. Data included tumor characteristics (histological type, grade, stage, biological subtype, receptor status, Ki-67), diagnostic and genetic tests, and timelines of key events in the diagnostic and therapeutic pathways. Results: Although referral to first oncology consult (18 days) and MDT referral/admission to treatment (10 days) met NFZ guidelines, diagnosis to surgery (94 days) and diagnosis to drug treatment (109 days) were significantly delayed. No records showed oncology coordinator assignment or educational material provision. Clinically, invasive carcinoma NST (77%) and early-stage (IA/IIA, 61%) were prevalent, with Luminal B (HER2-negative) being the most common biological subtype. BRCA1/2 testing was common, but Oncotype DX was not. For 314 HR+ HER2- patients, stage IA (44%) was most common, with no BRCA1/2 mutations found. Conclusion: Breast cancer care in the Łódź voivodeship falls short of national guidelines due to long waiting times and poor care coordination, a problem worsened by incomplete data. Improving record-keeping and speeding up diagnostic and treatment pathways are crucial for better breast cancer management in Poland. While patient data donation can help analyze real clinical pathways, data completeness, and consistency remain challenges. Full article