Search Results (215)

Double-layer barrel vault roofs with double-layer vertical walls are widely used in important public buildings because of their high structural efficiency, favorable stiffness-to-weight ratio, and architectural versatility. Although incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) is a widely accepted approach for seismic assessment, it requires numerous nonlinear time-history analyses (NTHAs), resulting in high computational cost. This study presents an artificial neural network (ANN)-based surrogate modeling framework to accurately predict the seismic response of these structural systems, reducing the need for repeated NTHAs, enabling rapid estimation of structural dynamic responses, and facilitating direct development of seismic fragility curves. The proposed framework substantially decreases computational effort while maintaining an effective balance between accuracy and efficiency. A comprehensive seismic damage database is first generated using finite element (FE) models developed in OpenSees. Fragility curves are then obtained using both the conventional IDA procedure and the proposed ANN-based surrogate approach. Results show that the ANN surrogate accurately predicts the responses of structures subjected to scaled ground motions and effectively captures their nonlinear seismic behavior. Furthermore, the resulting fragility curves closely match those from the conventional IDA method, demonstrating the accuracy, reliability, and efficiency of the proposed framework for rapid seismic assessment of double-layer barrel vault structures with double-layer walls. Full article

Electromechanical actuators (EMAs) are increasingly used in aerospace servo actuation because of their compact structure, high power density, and convenient integration with electric flight-control systems. However, load-side aerodynamic torque, friction, parameter perturbations, and unmodeled transmission effects enter the EMA dynamics through a channel different from the motor-current input, which leads to a mismatched disturbance rejection problem. This paper develops a feedback-linearization-assisted observer-based interconnection and damping assignment passivity-based control (IDA-PBC) method for EMA trajectory tracking. A fourth-order input–output feedback-linearized normal-coordinate model is first derived, through which the original load-side mismatched disturbance is transformed into a matched term acting on the highest-order channel. An extended state observer is then constructed to estimate the transformed disturbance. Based on the observer output, a desired Hamiltonian function is generated from a Lyapunov equation, and the interconnection and damping matrices are explicitly assigned so that the closed-loop tracking-error dynamics admit a dissipative port-Hamiltonian representation. A composite Lyapunov analysis proves closed-loop exponential stability under the assumption of slowly varying disturbance. The resulting framework combines the disturbance-channel-reshaping capability of feedback linearization with the energy-shaping interpretation of IDA-PBC, providing a systematic controller design for high-precision EMA servo systems subject to load-side disturbances. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death worldwide. Although chemotherapy is widely used, it is associated with severe side effects, including myelosuppression and systemic toxicity. Nanoparticles have emerged as promising candidates for modulating drug activity. In this study, we investigated whether platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) of various sizes interact with idarubicin (IDA), an anthracycline anticancer drug used primarily to treat acute leukaemia. Methods: Interactions between PtNPs and IDA were analysed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), fluorescence spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Thermodynamic and thermal properties were assessed using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Biological effects were evaluated using the Ames mutagenicity assay on the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TA98 strain and cytotoxicity assays on SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 cell lines. Results: DLS demonstrated changes in the hydrodynamic diameter of PtNPs following IDA addition, which were further supported by AFM imaging. PtNPs significantly quenched IDA fluorescence, indicating close molecular interactions, which were further supported by FTIR and NIR. ITC revealed that the interactions were endothermic, with enthalpy values ranging from 1.2 to 3.6 kcal/mol, and DSC demonstrated that the PtNP-IDA combination altered the melting temperature of IDA. Biological assays revealed that all examined PtNP sizes influenced IDA mutagenicity in the Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium TA98 strain. Furthermore, PtNPs modulated the cytotoxicity of IDA in SK-BR-3 and MCF-7 cell lines in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that PtNPs interact with IDA and modulate its biological activity. However, in this study no non-cancerous cell lines were examined; therefore, the observed interactions and biological effects support further investigation of the PtNP-IDA combination in the context of nanoparticle-assisted anticancer therapy on a broader range of in vitro cell lines. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity-related inflammation may disrupt iron homeostasis and increase the risk of iron deficiency, yet evidence among women in low- and middle-income countries remains limited. This study examined the independent association between overweight/obesity and iron status among Indonesian women of reproductive age. Methods: A case–control study was conducted among 340 nonpregnant women aged 20–29 years in Surabaya, Indonesia. Sociodemographic, dietary, menstrual, and anthropometric data were collected alongside venous blood samples. Logistic regression models were used to examine associations between adiposity measures and iron deficiency (ID), anaemia, and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), adjusting for potential confounders. Results: Inflammation-adjusted serum ferritin was significantly higher among women with overweight/obesity than among normal-weight women (22.39 ± 21.7 vs. 17.78 ± 17.6 µg/L; p = 0.033). Consistent with this, the prevalence of ID was lower among women with overweight/obesity, likely reflecting inflammation-related ferritin elevation that may influence diagnostic classification. BMI-defined overweight/obesity was not independently associated with ID, anaemia, or IDA. In contrast, higher body fat percentage was inversely associated with ID (AOR 0.93; 95% CI 0.86, 0.99) and IDA (AOR 0.86; 95% CI 0.75, 0.99). Elevated alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) was independently associated with higher odds of IDA, and menstrual iron loss was an independent predictor of anaemia and IDA. Conclusions: BMI alone is insufficient to capture the relationship between adiposity and iron status in women of reproductive age. Body fat percentage appears to be a more sensitive indicator of adiposity-related iron risk. These findings suggest that inflammation associated with adiposity may alter iron biomarkers, and reliance on BMI alone may obscure the true burden of iron deficiency in this population. Full article

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is among the most prevalent nutritional disorders worldwide and a growing public health concern among women in Saudi Arabia. Available Saudi evidence remains fragmented, with single-center studies that vary by population, region, and diagnostic criteria. This review evaluated the prevalence of anemia in Saudi Arabia, assessed gender-related differences across the lifespan, and highlighted local determinants and prevention strategies relevant to women. Methods: Eight cross-sectional studies (26,412 participants) reporting anemia prevalence in Saudi individuals aged ≥13 with both-sex data were identified across five databases (2007–2024), excluding chronic-disease and under-13 studies. Quality was appraised with the JBI checklist, and because of substantial heterogeneity, findings were synthesized narratively by population group (SWiM guideline) rather than pooled. Results: Anemia was consistently more prevalent in women than men across all population groups and regions. Female prevalence ranged from about 18–22% in older and community adults to over 65% in female university students, whereas male prevalence ranged from none detected to 28% in a hospital-based sample. The lowest mean hemoglobin (10.4 g/dL) occurred in young women. Between study heterogeneity was considerable (I² > 99%) and persisted within sex subgroups, so findings were synthesized by population group rather than pooled into a single estimate. Conclusions: Anemia remains a significant public health challenge among women in Saudi Arabia, shaped by an interacting set of dietary, sociocultural, hereditary, and health-system determinants specific to the local context. Beyond confirming the female burden, this review consolidates fragmented national evidence, appraises its quality, and translates the findings into targeted recommendations: dietary counseling to address local inhibitors of iron absorption, screening during peak-risk periods, and integration with existing premarital screening and food-fortification infrastructure. Full article

High-speed railways are expanding into seismic zones, where earthquakes severely threaten the safety of vehicles on bridges. Existing seismic studies of high-speed railway bridges mainly address the structural fragility of the overall bridge, piers, and bearings. However, field observations show vehicles often derail before major bridge damage during earthquakes. Fragility analysis based on vehicle derailment as the failure criterion is urgently needed. A core task in fragility analysis of vehicle derailment is to select an optimal ground motion intensity measure (IM). In this study, the dynamic analysis of the vehicle–bridge interaction system under earthquakes was conducted using the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method. The characteristics of the IDA curves of the derailment coefficient and the wheel unloading were investigated. Ground motion IMs are classified into time-history-related and spectrum-related categories. The derailment coefficient and wheel unloading are adopted as engineering demand parameters (EDPs). Probabilistic seismic demand models (PSDMs) are established, and 22 candidate IMs are evaluated based on efficiency, practicality, and proficiency criteria. The results revealed that the proficiency of spectrum-related IMs is better than that of time-history-related IMs. The Sa(T₁) performs the best among the 22 candidate IMs for the derailment coefficient, and ASI performs the best for the wheel unloading. Full article

Background/Objectives: Omentin-1 (intelectin-1) is an adipocytokine with anti-inflammatory, insulin-sensitizing, and iron-regulatory properties. This study aimed to compare circulating omentin-1 levels in patients with (IDA) and β-thalassemia trait and to evaluate their associations with haematological, iron-related, and metabolic parameters. Methods: A total of 90 adults (n = 90), including 29 patients with IDA, 31 individuals with β-thalassemia trait, and 30 healthy controls. Haematological indices, iron parameters, biochemical markers, and plasma omentin-1 levels were measured. Group comparisons, correlation analyses, multivariable linear regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed. Results: Plasma omentin-1 concentrations were significantly lower in patients with hypochromic microcytic anaemia than in healthy controls (36.4 vs. 147.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001). Among subgroups, the lowest levels were observed in IDA patients, followed by β-thalassemia trait and controls (p < 0.001). Omentin-1 showed positive correlations with haemoglobin, MCV, MCH, ferritin, serum iron, total cholesterol, HDL-C, and LDL-C, whereas negative correlations were observed with age, HbA1c, glucose, RDW, and total iron-binding capacity (all p < 0.05). In multivariable analysis, age (β = −0.215, p = 0.046), female sex (β = 0.305, p = 0.028), and MCV (β = 0.334, p = 0.015) were independent predictors of omentin-1 levels. ROC analysis demonstrated excellent discrimination between IDA and controls (AUC = 0.93) and good discrimination between β-thalassemia trait and controls (AUC = 0.79). Conclusions: Omentin-1 levels are reduced in IDA and β-thalassemia trait and are closely associated with iron status, erythroid indices, and metabolic parameters. Omentin-1 may serve as an adjunct biomarker for hypochromic microcytic anaemia, particularly in distinguishing affected individuals from healthy subjects. However, its limited utility in distinguishing iron-deficiency anaemia from β-thalassemia trait indicates that it should be used alongside established haematological and iron-related parameters. Full article

Background/Objectives: Initial data analysis (IDA) is essential for valid and reproducible statistical analyses, but existing IDA frameworks were primarily developed for single-study datasets. Cancer registries (CRs) are extensive data systems characterized by continuous updates, repeated data extraction, multiple analytical uses, and evolving classification systems, which create requirements not addressed by existing IDA frameworks. This study aims to develop a structured IDA framework adapted to CRs. Methods: We conceptualized IDA in CRs as a process spanning three data states: operational registry data, the extracted dataset and the analysis-ready dataset. The framework was developed by adapting existing IDA principles to the CR setting and organizing them into four stages: metadata, cleaning, screening, and reporting. The approach is based on predefined and versioned rule sets, structured recording of data processing, and metadata-based linkage between dataset definitions, data cleaning rules, screening outputs, the final report and dataset. A demonstrative survival dataset from the Slovenian Cancer Registry was used to illustrate implementation. Results: The framework is represented by the item set defining the activities and expected outputs of the structured IDA process in CRs. In the use case, metadata specified the dataset scope, intended use, variables, coding context, and applicable rules. Execution of the selected rules produced an analysis-ready dataset with traceable data cleaning steps, documented eligibility decisions, screening outputs describing the general and analysis-specific data properties, and the IDA report intended for external researchers to be delivered alongside the data. Conclusions: The proposed framework extends existing IDA approaches to meet the specific requirements of CRs. It supports consistent dataset preparation and with that improves transparent and reproducible data use. Full article

Buried pipelines with corrosion defects crossing reverse faults exhibit complex seismic responses under the combined effects of ground motion and fault displacement. Traditional finite-element analysis is computationally inefficient to comprehensively address such problems. This paper proposes a backpropagation neural network (BPNN)-based method for seismic response prediction and fragility assessment. A three-dimensional finite-element model is first employed to analyze the effects of corrosion depth-to-thickness ratio, diameter-to-thickness ratio, internal pressure, and burial depth on the axial compressive strain of the pipeline. Consequently, a BPNN model is constructed with these parameters, along with fault displacement, as inputs with the peak compressive strain as the output. The BPNN model demonstrated excellent predictive performance, with a maximum prediction error below 15%. The incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method is then applied to map strength and damage indices of the pipeline, enabling quantitative evaluation of its failure probability and functional integrity under various conditions. It is found that higher diameter-to-thickness ratio (D/t) corresponds to a higher likelihood of the pipeline reaching adverse performance levels; this is also accompanied by a reduction in functional integrity. Specifically, as D/t increases from 72 to 144, the probability of pipe wall damage and the risk of transmission function loss rise significantly, highlighting the pronounced fragility of thin-walled pipelines subjected to fault movement. Moreover, corrosion defects exacerbate pipeline fragility: a corrosion depth equivalent to 10% of the wall thickness substantially amplifies strain responses, resulting in an approximately 80% probability of moderate damage, while a corrosion depth of 40% elevates the probability of severe damage beyond 60%. Full article

Background/Objectives: Discrimination between iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and anemia of inflammation (AI), the major causes of anemia, remains a challenge and novel biomarkers are needed. This prospective study characterizes metabolomic changes in patients with anemia, compares IDA and AI, and evaluates the ability of metabolomic profiling to categorize otherwise unclassifiable anemia (UA) cases. Methods: In the single-center cross-sectional study, patients with anemia were classified as IDA, AI, or their combination (IDA + AI) according to traditional iron biomarkers. Targeted metabolomic analysis was conducted with tandem mass spectrometry using the MxP^® Quant 500 kit, with 617 individual metabolites and 227 calculated parameters in the final analysis. Results: The final cohort included 70 patients with anemia and 27 controls. The concentrations of six metabolites and six calculated parameters were significantly different in patients with anemia compared to controls. Anemia was associated with decreased concentrations of several polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-containing triglycerides (n = 3) and phosphatidylcholines (n = 2), as well as with increased asparagine/aspartate and docosahexaenoic acid/eicosapentaenoic acid ratio. Multivariate analysis using only metabolomic data differentiated between IDA and AI with a general classification accuracy of 88%. Unclassifiable anemia samples were reclassified mostly as IDA (n = 11) or IDA + AI (n = 6), with one sample reclassified as AI. Conclusions: Metabolomic markers of PUFAs differ between patients with anemia and controls, indicating possible alterations in lipid metabolism. Our preliminary findings suggest that metabolomic data may be capable of distinguishing between IDA and AI. However, owing to several limitations of the current study, the potential utility of metabolome-based approaches should be confirmed in independent validation studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) remains the most prevalent nutritional deficiency worldwide and a leading cause of years lived with disability, particularly in low-income countries. In Egypt, the burden is substantial and compounded by regional socioeconomic, nutritional, and parasitic factors. Despite this, the predictors of diagnostic delay within the Egyptian healthcare system remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to quantify the extent of diagnostic delay among Egyptian patients with IDA and to identify the sociodemographic and clinical risk factors independently associated with prolonged time to diagnostic confirmation. Methods: A single-center retrospective cohort study was conducted at Al-Minia University Hospital, Egypt, between March and April 2026, enrolling 350 adults with confirmed IDA diagnosed between 2015 and 2025. “Diagnostic delay” was defined as the interval in days from the index date (the first documented abnormal complete blood count) to laboratory confirmation of iron deficiency by serum ferritin and/or transferrin saturation. Secondary outcomes included patient delay, system/testing delay, and etiology work-up delay. Time-to-event analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards regression. All analyses were conducted in R version 4.4.0. Results: The cohort comprised 213 females (60.9%) and 137 males (39.1%), with a median age of 39 and 36 years, respectively. The median primary diagnostic delay was 76.0 days (IQR: 38.0, 182.8), with patient delay accounting for a median of 26.5 days and system/testing delay for 21.0 days. Overall, 155 patients (44.3%) experienced a diagnostic delay of more than 90 days. In the multivariable Cox model, urban residence (aHR = 0.69, 95% CI [0.53, 0.99], p = 0.045) was independently associated with a slower rate of diagnostic confirmation. Conclusions: Diagnostic delay in IDA is substantial in Egypt, driven by both patient-level symptom normalization and counterintuitive systemic bottlenecks. Urban residence was independently associated with prolonged time to diagnostic confirmation; ordering of iron studies at the first visit was associated with delay in bivariate analysis only and was not an independent predictor after multivariable adjustment. Targeted public health education, restructured primary care pathways, and improved laboratory turnaround times are essential to reduce this burden. Full article

Background/Objectives: Capsule endoscopy (CE) is a non-invasive tool for evaluating small bowel pathology, but prolonged reading times can lead to reader fatigue. Artificial intelligence-integrated reading software has shown promise to overcome this. This study assesses the diagnostic performance of TOP100 against standard human reading (SR) across different clinical indications. Methods: A retrospective single-centre cohort study was conducted at a tertiary referral centre, including patients who underwent PillCam™SB3 CE between January 2023 to August 2025. Initial reading was performed by expert CE readers (>1000 CE experience) considered as SR. Second blinded reading was performed with TOP100. CE findings from SR were compared with those from TOP100. Results: A total of 1382 CE were identified, of which 1374 had complete examinations and TOP100 data for analysis. The most common indications were inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) (51.5%) and iron-deficiency anaemia (IDA) (25.0%). Diagnostic yield was significantly higher with SR than TOP100 (36.0% vs. 27.5%, p < 0.001). TOP100 demonstrated moderate sensitivity but high specificity; 64.0% and 99.0% for active bleeding, 58.2% and 97.5% for angiodysplasia. In overt bleeding and IDA, sensitivity, and specificity for P2 lesions were 61.0% and 94.3%, respectively. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 55.3% and 95.9% for ulcers, 43.1% and 89.0% for erosions. In IBD, ulcer detection was similar, while TOP100 sensitivity for erosions improved by 9.4%. Conclusions: SR remains the reference standard for reading and reporting capsule endoscopies. However, TOP100 may be a useful adjunct to support interpretation and case prioritisation, especially in high-volume centres. Full article

Near-fault pulse-like ground motions (NFPLGMs) impose concentrated energy demands that can severely damage bridges, yet their scarcity and the influence of structural parameter uncertainties are often neglected in seismic fragility assessments. This study proposed a synthesis method for NFPLGMs by superposing low-frequency pulse components (extracted via the Gabor wavelet transform and low-pass filtering) with high-frequency stochastic components based on an evolutionary power spectrum. A three-span reinforced concrete bridge was modeled in OpenSeesPy, and Incremental Dynamic Analysis (IDA), together with a quadratic response surface model, were used to plot seismic fragility curves. The damping ratio (ξ), elastic modulus of steel reinforcement (E_s), yield strength of steel reinforcement (f_y), diameter of longitudinal reinforcement (D), and peak ground acceleration (PGA) were treated as random variables. Sensitivity indices were computed using Monte Carlo sampling (n = 10,000). Results show that ξ most strongly affects the displacement ductility ratio of the bridge pier (u_d) (variation of up to 32.6%), while E_s dominates the shear deformation of the bridge bearing (d) (variation of up to 43.8%). Neglecting structural parameter uncertainties overestimates median PGA thresholds (m_R) for different damage states by 1.5%–36.1%, and replacing NFPLGMs with ordinary ground motions overestimates seismic capacity by 1.7%–36.6%. The bridge bearing is consistently more vulnerable than the pier, with a collapse probability of 0.9566 at PGA = 1.0 g. These findings highlight the necessity of incorporating both NFPLGM characteristics and structural parameter uncertainties into bridge seismic fragility assessment. On the other hand, when seismic retrofitting of bridges is carried out using coating materials, priority should be given to more vulnerable components, such as bridge bearings, to improve the utilization efficiency of limited resources. Full article

High intake tower structures exhibit significant time-varying characteristics in their seismic performance during service life due to environmental erosion and material deterioration. This paper establishes a time-varying seismic fragility analysis framework for intake towers over their full life cycle based on the incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) method. By introducing time parameters, time-varying probabilistic seismic demand models based on displacement and local damage indices are constructed, and five performance levels are defined. The research results indicate that with increasing service life, the probability of the structure reaching critical performance levels exhibits a nonlinear growth. After 40 years of service, material strength and elastic modulus begin to decline significantly, with evident degradation of seismic performance. At a seismic acceleration of 0.8 g, the probability of the 60-year-service structure reaching the slight damage limit state (LS₁) has reached 99%, while the probability of reaching the collapse limit state (LS₄) exceeds 25%. The local damage index results demonstrate that under the same seismic intensity, the exceedance probability of tower-side damage exceeding LS₁ for the 60-year-service structure has increased by approximately 10% compared to that of the new structure (0-year service). Therefore, in the seismic design and retrofitting decision-making for intake towers, the time-varying characteristics over the entire service life must be fully considered. Particularly when the service life exceeds 40 years, seismic fortification standards should be appropriately enhanced or targeted strengthening strategies should be developed based on time-dependent fragility curves, so as to avoid underestimating long-term seismic risks. This study provides a quantifiable scientific basis for whole-life safety assessment and resilience enhancement of high-rise intake towers. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG), celiac disease (CD), and gastric surgery (GS) often cause iron deficiency anemia (IDA) due to iron malabsorption. In this clinical context, IDA treatment is often challenging. The first-line IDA treatment is oral iron supplementation followed by intravenous (IV) iron administration when ineffective or not tolerated. Ferric carboxymaltose (FCM) showed efficacy in various clinical settings. Prospective data evaluating the efficacy of IV FCM in IDA patients secondary to iron malabsorption are scant. The aim of the current study was to assess the tolerability, efficacy, and QoL impact of IV FCM for the treatment of IDA patients with iron malabsorption. Methods: Study design: single-center, prospective observational study: n = 37 adults with AIG, CD, or GS with IDA receiving IV FCM were consecutively included. Endpoints were (i) safety tolerability, (ii) efficacy on IDA recovery (Hb normalization), and (iii) QoL impact. At baseline (T0) and 12 weeks after treatment (T12), a QoL-SF12 questionnaire was assessed. Complete blood count (CBC) and iron status (ferritin, iron, transferrin, transferrin saturation (TS)) were assessed at T0, 4 weeks (T4), and T12 after treatment. Results: Of the 37 IDA patients, 19 (51.4%) had AIG, 9 (24.3%) CD, and 9 (24.3%) GS; Based on Ganzoni’s formula, 24 (64.9%) patients received a single IV FCM infusion (mean ± SEM dosage of 975 ± 12 mg); 13 (35.1%) required two IV infusion sessions with a mean ± SEM cumulative dose of 1400 ± 77 mg. One patient (2.7%) experienced mild adverse events without need for treatment interruption or hospitalization. At T0, anemia was moderate in 7 (18.9%) patients and severe in 1 (2.7%). IDA recovery was achieved in 26 (70.3%) patients at T4 and in 29 (78.4%) at T12. At T4, mean ± SEM Hb increased from 10.8 ± 0.2 g/dL to 12.7 ± 0.1 g/dL, ferritin from 28.5 ± 11.2 ng/mL to 188.2 ± 25.7 ng/mL, and TS from 6.7 ± 0.5% to 23.7 ± 1.9% (p < 0.0001). At T12, mean ± SEM Hb further increased to 13.1 ± 0.2 g/dL (p < 0.05 vs. T4), ferritin slightly decreased to 125 ± 26.7 ng/mL, and TS to 22.7 ± 2.8%. At T12, nonsignificant increases in QoL scores relative to baseline were observed. Conclusions: IV FCM is a safe and effective treatment leading to IDA recovery in nearly 80% of patients at T12. Thus, when oral iron treatment is not feasible or has failed, IV FCM treatment might be considered a first-line therapeutic option for IDA consequent to iron malabsorption. Full article