Search Results (89)

Landslides are among the most significant disasters that threaten communities worldwide. This study sampled 384 respondents, using standardized interviews and field observations, to analyze how they perceived the factors influencing the incidence of landslides in the Kivu catchment of Rwanda, especially in landslide-prone areas. This study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines household surveys and interviews with key informants to assess how residents perceive landslide causes, warning signs, and impacts, which were analyzed statistically using SPSS. For further analysis, a binary logistic regression model and chi-square tests were used. The chi-square test findings highlighted that heavy rainfall, inappropriate agricultural practices, steep slopes, deforestation, road construction, earthquakes, and climate change were strongly correlated with landslide occurrence, with a p < 0.05 level of significance, while mining activities were not correlated with landslides. On the other hand, a binary logistic regression model revealed that, among the selected factors influencing landslide occurrence in the Kivu catchment, road construction (B = −0.644; p = 0.014), inappropriate agriculturalpractices (−1.177; p = 0.000), steep slopes (B = −0.648; p = 0.018), deforestation (B = −0.854; p = 0.007), and earthquakes (B = −1.59; p = 0.008) were negatively correlated, while heavy rainfall (B = 1.686; p = 0.000) and climate change (B = 1.784; p = 0.001) were positively correlated, and this was statistically significant for landslide occurrence at a p-value < 0.05. In contrast, mining activities (B = −0.065; p = 0.917) showed a negative coefficient that was statistically insignificant with respect to landslide occurrence in the study area. Future studies should integrate surveys with landslide hazard modeling tools for better spatial prediction of vulnerability and economic losses. Therefore, the findings from this study will contribute to sustainable natural disaster management planning in the western region of Rwanda. Full article

Rapid industrialization in peri-urban centers has accelerated the accumulation of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils, with implications for food safety and public health concerns. This study quantified PTEs (Cu, Cd, Cr, Pb, and Zn) in soils and yam (Colocasia esculenta) tubers from Kampala’s Luzira Industrial Area. Soil contamination levels were evaluated using the geoaccumulation index (I_geo), contamination factor (CF), and pollution load index (PLI), while soil-to-crop transfer of the PTEs was assessed using the biological accumulation factor (BAF). Statistical analyses (One Way Analysis of Variance, Pearson bivariate correlation, and Principal Component Analysis) were applied to identify relationships among PTEs and sampling sites. Soils exhibited marked industrial influence, with PTE concentrations in the order Zn > Pb > Cu > Cr > Cd. The PLI values above unity confirmed cumulative pollution, with hotspots dominated by Zn, Pb, and Cu. Yam tubers contained lower PTE concentrations but reflected a similar contamination pattern as in the soils. The BAF values were <1 for all the PTEs except Zn, pointing to its greater solubility and mobility in the area’s acidic soils. Health risk assessment indicated that yam consumption was the dominant exposure pathway, with hazard indices (HI) for children exceeding the safe threshold at all industrial sites (HI = 1.14–2.06), and total cancer risks (TCR) ranging from 1.27 × 10⁻⁴ to 5.83 × 10⁻⁴, well above the US EPA limit. For adults, the TCR also surpassed 1 × 10⁻⁴ at sampling points SP3 and SP4. These results found potential transfer of the PTEs from soils into yam tubers, with Cd and Cr being the key drivers of dietary risk. Full article

This research enhances and evaluates the performance of a Decentralized Nash Bargaining (DNB) adaptive traffic signal controller that operates a flexible National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) phasing and timing scheme responding dynamically to fluctuating traffic demands. The DNB controller is enhanced to (1) use traffic density estimates instead of queues to optimize signal timings; (2) to consider the eight-phase two-ring NEMA controller configuration within the game-theoretic approach; and (3) to consider dynamically adaptable control time steps. The enhanced DNB controller is benchmarked against (1) a fixed-time traffic signal control using the state-of-practice Webster’s method and an emerging Laguna-Du-Rakha (LDR) method for computing the optimum cycle length; (2) a state-of-the-practice actuated traffic signal control; and (3) a state-of-the-art reinforcement learning (RL) traffic signal controller presented in the literature. The controller is tested on two isolated signalized intersections, demonstrating enhanced overall intersection performance compared to the baseline pretimed and actuated controllers at various demand levels, and offers better performance than a previously developed RL controller. Specifically, the DNB controller results in a decrease in the average vehicle delay and queue size by up to 54% and 63%, respectively, compared to Webster’s state-of-the-practice pretimed control. Unlike the RL controller, the DNB controller requires no pre-training while adapting to fluctuating traffic conditions, thereby providing a flexible framework for reducing traffic congestion at signalized intersections. As such, this research contributes to the development of smarter and more responsive urban traffic control systems. Full article

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are valuable biological control agents and research models in agriculture and ecology. Traditional extraction and rearing methods for EPNs, such as the Baermann funnel and White trap, work well but have limitations in efficiency and practicality. The NEMA Device, constructed from PVC components, was designed to address these limitations by combining extraction and rearing into a single tool with improved portability, scalability, and ease of use. The efficiency of the NEMA Device was evaluated by comparing it to the conventional Baermann funnel extraction method and the White trap method for nematode multiplication. Validation of the instrument was performed using two nematode species, Steinernema khuongi and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, which vary in size and can be used for pest control. Our results demonstrated that the NEMA Device achieved higher recovery rates of both S. khuongi and H. bacteriophora compared to the Baermann method. Additionally, the production rate of nematodes using the NEMA Device was comparable to that of the White trap method, with no significant difference observed between the two methods. The NEMA Device offers a standardized, cost-effective methodology for the extraction and multiplication of EPNs, enhancing the accessibility and efficiency of studying these agriculturally important nematodes and potentially improving biological control outcomes. Full article

Background/Objective: The long-term implications of spinal interventional pain procedures (IPPs) remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate pain intensity, overall health quality, and disability over a four-year period following an IPP, while also assessing physical therapy (PT) compliance, the need for repeated procedures, and analgesic consumption. Methods: A prospective observational study with retrospective registration was conducted on patients with chronic spinal pain at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC), Qatar. Patients were assessed using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), and the EuroQol 5-Dimension Index (EQ-5D). Additional tools included the EQ-Health Visual Analog Scale and the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC). Follow-ups were performed at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months. Results: A total of 766 patients were initially recruited, of whom 174 met the inclusion criteria. All patients demonstrated significant improvement across all outcome measures compared to the baseline. No significant differences were observed in pain or functional outcomes between PT-compliant and non-compliant groups. By the end of this study, 56.9% of patients reported reduced analgesic use, while 43.1% reported increased use. The patient satisfaction data showed that 55% (62/113) of those receiving a single IPP were satisfied, compared to 54% (33/61) in the multiple IPP group. The PGIC satisfaction scores revealed no statistically significant differences (p = 1). Overall health status, as measured by the EQ-5D Health scale, also showed no meaningful differences between groups. Conclusions: Despite several limitations, patients reported sustained improvement and satisfaction four years post-IPP. PT compliance did not appear to significantly influence long-term outcomes. Further research is needed to identify factors affecting post-IPP recovery and medication usage. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases are associated with the senescence of functional neurons, which hampers brain functions. These diseases are caused by the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, cholinesterase malfunction, neuronal inflammation, and mitochondrial dysfunction. The incidence of neurodegenerative disease has been on the rise. Current therapeutic interventions are expensive, exhibit poor efficacy, and have numerous side effects. Several studies have explored the potential of crucial dietary substances rich in antioxidants and micronutrients in alleviating the clinical manifestations of such deadly diseases. Consumption of sufficient antioxidants, fatty acids, and polyphenols in regular diets delays the onset of neurodegenerative diseases. Several medicinal plants, such as Withania somnifera, Curcuma longa, Panax ginseng, Ginkgo biloba, aloe vera, Punica granatum, and various phytoextracts, contain such micronutrients in reasonable amounts. Specific dietary interventions, supplements, and patterns such as the Mediterranean-DASH intervention for neurodegenerative delay, ketogenic, paleolithic, and Wahls elimination diets have been beneficial in neurodegenerative conditions. These diet interventions and other functional foods can be an attractive, non-invasive, and inexpensive approach in the management and prevention of neurodegenerative conditions. This review discusses potential pharmacological bases involved in neurodegeneration, covering mitochondrial damage, impaired mitophagy, neuroinflammation, ferroptosis, glymphatic clearance dysfunction, brain–body interactions, and disruption of vagus nerve stimulation. The review further highlights clinical diet interventions and assorted functional foods, including fruits, vegetables, vitamins, specific supplements, and special diets, for neurodegenerative conditions. The discussion extends insights into clinical research and trials of these functional foods under neurodegenerative conditions. Overall, dietary interventions show promise in the prevention and management of neurodegenerative conditions. Full article

Background: Radiation dose escalation for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) using stereotactic magnetic resonance (MR)-guided online adaptive radiation therapy (SMART) or computed tomography (CT)-guided moderately hypofractionated ablative radiation therapy (HART) can achieve favorable outcomes although have not previously been compared. Methods: We performed a multi-center retrospective analysis of SMART (50 Gy/5 fractions) vs. HART (75 Gy/25 fractions or 67.5 Gy/15 fractions with concurrent capecitabine) for LAPC. Gray’s test and Cox proportional regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with local failure (LF) and overall survival (OS). Results: A total of 211 patients (SMART, n = 91; HART, n = 120) were evaluated, and none had surgery. Median follow-up after SMART and HART was 27.0 and 40.0 months, respectively (p < 0.0002). SMART achieved higher gross tumor volume (GTV) coverage and greater hotspots. Two-year LF after SMART and HART was 6.5% and 32.9% (p < 0.001), while two-year OS was 31.0% vs. 35.3% (p = 0.056), respectively. LF was associated with SMART vs. HART (HR 5.389, 95% CI: 1.298–21.975; p = 0.021) and induction mFOLFIRINOX vs. non-mFOLFIRINOX (HR 2.067, 95% CI 1.038–4.052; p = 0.047), while OS was associated with CA19-9 decrease > 40% (HR 0.725, 95% CI 0.515–0.996; p = 0.046) and GTV V120% (HR 1.022, 95% CI 1.006–1.037; p = 0.015). Acute grade > 3 toxicity was similar (3.3% vs. 5.8%; p = 0.390), while late grade > 3 toxicity was less common after SMART (2.2% vs. 9.2%; p = 0.037). Conclusions: Ablative SMART and HART both achieve favorable oncologic outcomes for LAPC with minimal toxicity. We did not observe an OS difference, although technical advantages of SMART might improve target coverage and reduce LF. Full article

Carbon cap-and-trade is a practical policy in guiding manufacturers to produce economic and environmental production plans. However, previous studies on carbon cap-and-trade are from a macro level to guide manufacturers to make production plans, rather than from a perspective of specific production scheduling, which leads to a lack of theoretical guidance for manufacturers to develop reasonable production scheduling schemes for specific production orders. This article investigates a specific scheduling problem in a flexible job-shop environment that considers the carbon cap-and-trade policy, aiming to provide guidance for specific production scheduling (i.e., resource allocation). In the proposed problem, carbon emissions have an upper limit. A penalty will be generated if the emissions overpass the predetermined cap. To satisfy the carbon emission cap, the manufacturer can trade carbon credits or adopt outsourcing strategy, that is, outsourcing partial orders to partners at the expense of outsourcing costs. To solve the proposed model, a novel and efficient memetic algorithm (NEMA) is proposed. An initialization method and four local search operators are developed to enhance the search ability. Numerous experiments are conducted and the results validate that NEMA is a superior algorithm in both solution quality and efficiency. Full article

Women’s decision-making autonomy is widely recognized as a critical determinant of maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH). However, prevailing measures often conflate genuine autonomy with decisions made within traditional gender roles, risking an overstatement of women’s empowerment. This study examines the extent to which reported female decision-making autonomy reflects authentic agency versus role-based compliance in a patriarchal context. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 280 male household heads in Kakamega County, Kenya, whose partners were pregnant or recently postpartum. Using multi-stage cluster sampling and structured interviews, men reported on household and MNCH decision-making and their rationales, categorized as gender-role conformity, belief in gender equality, or other reasons. Although 40.4% reported that their partners made decisions independently, only 11.4% attributed it to a belief in women’s equality; 28% framed it within traditional gender roles. Men were over four times more likely to perceive women’s decisions as role-based than autonomous (AOR = 4.40; 95% CI: 2.48–5.78). Younger men (18–34) were more likely to report female decision-making (AOR = 5.54; 95% CI: 5.08–7.27), without necessarily endorsing egalitarian norms. Findings highlight the urgent need for gender-transformative MNCH interventions that move beyond surface-level autonomy to address deeper structural inequities. Full article

Improved antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH). At the same time, other complications like metabolic syndrome (MetS) are coming up as new challenges to handle. This review aims to explore the emerging evidence of gut microbiome and virome alterations in human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and associated metabolic disorders, such as type-2 diabetes (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD), with a focus on their interplay, contribution to immune dysfunction, and potential as therapeutic targets. We conducted a comprehensive review of the current literature on gut bacteriome and virome changes in HIV-1-infected individuals and those with metabolic comorbidities emphasizing their complex interplay and potential as biomarkers or therapeutic targets. HIV-1 infection disrupts gut microbial homeostasis, promoting bacterial translocation, systemic inflammation, and metabolic dysregulation. Similarly, metabolic disorders are marked by reduced beneficial short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria and an increase in pro-inflammatory taxa. Alterations in the gut virome, particularly involving bacteriophages, may exacerbate bacterial dysbiosis and immune dysfunction. Conversely, some viral populations have been associated with immune restoration post-ART. These findings point toward a dynamic and bidirectional relationship between the gut virome, bacteriome, and host immunity. Targeted interventions such as microbiome modulation and fecal virome transplantation (FVT) offer promising avenues for restoring gut homeostasis and improving long-term outcomes in PLWH. Full article

Background/Objectives: Non-ablative stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) is commonly employed for locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) using computed tomography-guided radiotherapy (CTgRT) without online adaptive radiation therapy (oART). The safe delivery of ablative SBRT has been demonstrated using stereotactic magnetic resonance-guided online adaptive radiation therapy (SMART). We performed an in silico comparison of non-adapted CTgRT versus SMART to better understand the potential benefit of oART for ablative pancreatic SBRT. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated original and daily adapted SMART plans that were previously delivered for 20 consecutive LAPC cases (120 total plans across all patients) treated on a 0.35 T MR-linac prescribed to 50 Gy (gross disease) and 33 Gy (elective sites) simultaneously in five fractions. Six comparative CTgRT plans for each patient (one original, five daily treatment) were retrospectively generated with the same prescribed dose and planning parameters as the SMART plans assuming no oART availability. The impact of daily anatomic changes on CTgRT and SMART plans without oART was evaluated across each treatment day MRI scan acquired for SMART. Results: Ninety percent of cases involved the pancreatic head. No statistically significant differences were seen between CTgRT and SMART with respect to target coverage. Nearly all (96%) fractions planned on either CT or MRI platforms exceeded at least one GI organ at risk (OAR) constraint without oART. Significant differences favoring SMART over non-adaptive CTgRT were observed for the duodenum V35 Gy ≤ 0.5 cc (34.2 vs. 41.9 Gy, p = 0.0035) and duodenum V40 Gy ≤ 0.03 cc (37 vs. 52.5 Gy, p = 0.0006) constraints. Stomach V40 Gy trended towards significance favoring SMART (37 vs. 40.3 Gy, p = 0.057) while no significant differences were seen. Conclusions: This is the first study that quantifies the frequency and extent of GI OAR constraint violations that would occur during ablative five-fraction SBRT using SMART vs. CTgRT. GI OAR constraint violations are expected for most fractions without oART whereas all constraints can be achieved with oART. As such, these data suggest that oART should be required for ablative five-fraction pancreatic SBRT. Full article

HIV, primarily targeting CD4 cells, infiltrates the CNS through various mechanisms, including chemokine-mediated signaling and blood–brain barrier disruption, leading to neuroinflammation and neuronal dysfunction. Viral proteins such as gp120, Tat, and Vpr directly induce neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction, exacerbating cognitive deficits and motor impairments observed in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HANDs). Host genetic factors, including CCR5 mutations and HLA alleles, influence susceptibility to HIV-related neurologic complications, shaping disease progression and treatment responses. Advanced molecular and bioinformatics techniques, from genome sequencing to structural modeling and network analysis, provide insights into viral pathogenesis and identify potential therapeutic targets. These findings underscore the future potential of precision medicine approaches tailored to individual genetic profiles to mitigate neurologic complications and improve outcomes in HIV-infected populations. This comprehensive review explores the intricate interplay between HIV infection and neurogenetics, focusing on how the virus impacts the central nervous system (CNS) and contributes to neurocognitive disorders. This report delves into how the virus influences genetic expression, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration, offering insights into molecular mechanisms behind HAND. Full article

With the strengthening of international motor efficiency regulations, the new line-start synchronous reluctance motor (LS-SynRM), which does not require magnets or control units, is being studied to improve the efficiency of motors in industrial applications. However, the LS-SynRM features a complex structure with numerous design parameters, requiring the consideration of various factors such as electromagnetic performance, mechanical strength, starting capability, and ease of manufacturing. Additionally, starting capability analysis consumes a large amount of transient calculation time. The prototype stage typically comes after all simulation resources have been exhausted. The aim of this paper is to optimize the LS-SynRM by splitting the starting analysis and steady-state analysis, using a metamodel-based optimization method to quickly identify rotors of varying complexity (magnetic barriers and ribs) that meet steady-state efficiency and mechanical strength requirements. Finally, the rotor slot structure for starting is optimized within the magnetic barrier space. This approach significantly reduces the total optimization time from several weeks to just a few days. The final model obtained through the design process is analyzed using finite element analysis (FEA), and the results indicate that the target performance is achieved. To verify the FEA results, the final model is manufactured, and experiments are conducted. Full article

Most existing mobile LIDAR measurement systems use a GNSS/INS combination method for attitude positioning. This method requires a constant GNSS signal to correct the IMU’s positioning and attitude. In the absence of GNSS signals, the IMU’s positioning accuracy rapidly deteriorates from the centimeter to sub-meter, or even meter levels. To address the positioning limitations of mobile measurement systems without GNSS signals, this paper presents a dual-mode mobile lidar measurement system that combines the GNSS/INS and INS/wheel speed sensor positioning methods, with a time-synchronization controller that automatically switches between the two modes to cope with the loss of GNSS signals. The system uses a high-precision quartz crystal oscillator to simulate the GNSS time data and converts them to an NEMA standard time signal and a PPS signal to synchronize each sensor. The experimental results of the system show that the trajectory error of the dual-mode mobile measurement system reaches 3 m in the X-direction within 600 S compared with that of the ordinary mobile measurement system with GNSS/INS integration mode, and the dual-mode mobile measurement system controls the trajectory error within 1 m, reduces the error in the Y-direction from 2 m to less than 1 m, and reduces the error in the Z-direction from 3 m to less than 2 m. The dual-mode mobile LiDAR measurement system is not only suitable for outdoor road measurement, but also can effectively correct the positioning and attitude errors in the environment without GNSS signals, such as underground and tunnel, showing significant advantages in a variety of measurement scenarios. Full article

The long regimen of drug therapy, the emergence of drug-resistance (DR), and infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs) are alarming challenges in controlling tuberculosis (TB), a disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), necessitating the pursuit of new, broad-spectrum anti-mycobacterials. With more than two-thirds of the clinically useful antibiotics originating from the bacterial phylum Actinomycetota, and their enormous diversity in India, we explored atypical environments for new bacterial strains with potential anti-M.tb activity. In this study, we the examined the secondary metabolites of soil and endophytic bacterial isolates from the wetland niches of Manipur, India, and determined their anti-mycobacterial properties using viability assays. The ethyl acetate culture filtrate extracts of one of the isolates, named Streptomyces sp. SbAr007, showed broad-spectrum anti-mycobacterial activity against laboratory M.tb strains H37Ra and H37Rv, a clinical drug-resistant M.tb and non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). The isolate was characterized for its phenotype and genetic identity, which indicated its closeness to Streptomyces samsunensis, Streptomyces malaysiensis, and Streptomyces solisilvae. Further, macrophage infection assays showed that the extracts could effectively control the intracellular mycobacterial growth but had negligible cytotoxicity to PBMCs from healthy donors. LC-MS identified an unusual combination of antibiotics in these culture filtrate extracts, which can be further explored for specific active molecules or as a formulation against DR-TB. Full article