Search Results (44,225)

Purpose: To investigate the association between COVID-19 infection and the 1-year risk of acute urinary retention (AUR) and related urological complications in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTs). Materials and Methods: Using the TriNetX global network, patients with BPH and LUTs between January 2020 and January 2024 were identified. Participants were classified into a COVID-19 cohort (N = 32,948) and a non-COVID control cohort (N = 434,123). Propensity score matching (1:1) balanced demographics, comorbidities, medications, and laboratory parameters. The primary outcome was AUR within one year. Secondary outcomes included Foley catheterization, urinary tract infection (UTI), gross hematuria, bladder stones, and prostate-related surgery. Results: After matching, 32,918 patients remained in each cohort. The COVID-19 group showed a significantly higher 1-year incidence of AUR compared with controls (2.18% vs. 0.32%; aHR 6.89, 95% CI 5.62–8.45; p < 0.0001). Increased risks were also observed for Foley catheterization (aHR 4.10), UTI (aHR 3.52), and prostate-related surgery (aHR 6.02). Kaplan–Meier analysis demonstrated persistent divergence in AUR-free survival. Conclusion: COVID-19 infection is independently associated with a markedly increased risk of AUR and urological complications in patients with BPH, highlighting the need for closer post-infection monitoring. Full article

Hemophilia A (HA), an X-linked bleeding disorder caused by Factor VIII (F8) gene mutations, persists in the population due to sporadic cases arising from de novo mutations. This study analyzed 24 pedigrees from hemophilia registries of multiple medical centers in Taiwan to assess whether sporadic non-inversion variants (NIVs) recur in the same generation within families. Linkage analysis using intragenic and extragenic markers combined with amplification refractory mutation system-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (ARMS-qPCR) revealed that among 16 individuals inheriting the same X chromosome as the one bearing the sporadic HA-causing mutation, none carried the F8 variant. These findings strongly suggest that sporadic NIVs exhibit very low risk of recurrence. Our results provide critical information for recurrence risk assessment and counseling strategies for HA sporadic NIVs. Full article

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly embedded in technology-enhanced learning environments, where peer assessment now serves both instructional and analytic purposes. Beyond allocating feedback and grades, it also produces data that is later interpreted through learning analytics systems. In practice, visible indicators such as students’ fairness perceptions and the degree of agreement among peer raters are often treated as signs that the assessment process is functioning effectively. However, these indicators do not necessarily correspond to grading validity. Students may regard a peer assessment process as fair even when peer-generated ratings remain weakly aligned with expert judgement. This study, therefore, examines whether the socio-technical configurations associated with high perceived fairness in a digitally mediated peer assessment environment also correspond to criterion-referenced grading validity. Data were collected from 215 undergraduate students enrolled in an Artificial Intelligence Foundations course over two consecutive semesters at a university in Taiwan, with instructor ratings serving as an external expert reference within the course context, rather than as a universal ground truth. Because anonymity conditions and semester were fully confounded in the study design, differences linked to anonymity should not be interpreted as isolated causal effects. A two-stage fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) was used. In the first stage, three equifinal configurations associated with high perceived fairness were identified. In the second stage, these configurations were examined against four grading objectivity outcomes: peer–instructor alignment, peer convergence, familiarity bias, and leniency bias. The findings show that fairness perception and grading validity are only partially aligned. Configurations anchored in explicit criterion transparency consistently supported both experiential legitimacy and evaluative accuracy. By contrast, one configuration was associated with high peer convergence while remaining weakly aligned with instructor standards, a pattern described here as false objectivity; this context-dependent configurational finding warrants further investigation across other settings. The study contributes to research on digitally enhanced assessment and learning analytics by showing that fairness perception, peer convergence, and grading validity should be treated as analytically distinct dimensions of assessment quality. Full article

Background/Objectives: Altered lumbar sagittal alignment is associated with degenerative and mechanical musculoskeletal disorders. However, conventional angle-based measurements, such as the Cobb angle, may not fully reflect the overall curvature pattern of the lumbar spine. This pilot study investigated whether curvature distribution profiling on sagittal lumbar radiographs is associated with clinically confirmed lumbar musculoskeletal disorders. Methods: This retrospective pilot study included 50 adults who underwent standing sagittal lumbar radiography. Patients were classified as disease-positive or disease-negative according to radiographic findings, short-term clinical follow-up, and chart review. Vertebral body centroids from T12 to S1 were manually identified to construct continuous lumbar curvature profiles. Curvature height was normalized to a standardized baseline for cross-case comparison. Distribution patterns of curvature deviation were analyzed between groups. Total curvature was also calculated as a quantitative descriptor of overall lumbar bending, and group-wise comparisons were performed using the Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The disease-negative group showed a predominantly unimodal and symmetric curvature distribution, whereas the disease-positive group showed greater dispersion at both hypo-lordotic and hyper-lordotic extremes. The hypo-lordosis subgroup demonstrated a more consistent deviation pattern, whereas the hyper-lordosis subgroup partially overlapped with the disease-negative distribution. These pattern-based findings suggest that deviation from a central curvature profile, rather than lordosis magnitude alone, may be associated with lumbar musculoskeletal disorders. In exploratory quantitative analysis, total curvature showed a distributional shift in the disease-positive group, although the overall between-group difference did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.096). Conclusions: Curvature distribution profiling may provide complementary morphological information in conjunction with conventional angle-based assessment. Both reduced and exaggerated lumbar curvature patterns were observed in association with lumbar musculoskeletal disorders. Larger studies are needed to validate these preliminary findings and to determine the clinical relevance of this approach. Full article

Peripheral nerve injuries involving critical-sized gaps remain a major clinical challenge. Although autologous nerve grafting is considered the gold standard for peripheral nerve repair, its clinical application is limited by the availability of donor nerve tissue and the risk of donor-site morbidity, including sensory deficits and functional impairment. Therefore, nerve guidance conduits (NGCs) have emerged as a promising alternative when combined with bioactive modulation strategies. In this study, we evaluated bisvinyl sulfonemethyl (BVSM)-crosslinked gelatin conduits integrated with electrical stimulation (ES) at different frequencies (0, 2, 20, and 200 Hz) in a rat sciatic nerve defect model over a 4-week recovery period (n = 10 per group). Structural regeneration was assessed by morphometric analysis, electrophysiology, macrophage infiltration, CGRP immunoreactivity, retrograde Fluorogold tracing, quantitative PCR of growth factors and inflammatory cytokines, and behavioral testing. Among all stimulation paradigms, low-frequency ES at 2 Hz produced the most pronounced regenerative effects. The 2 Hz group demonstrated significantly greater axon number, axonal density, and regenerated nerve area compared with control and high-frequency groups (p < 0.05). Electrophysiological assessments revealed improved nerve conduction velocity, higher MAP amplitudes, and shorter latencies. Enhanced macrophage recruitment and elevated CGRP expression were observed, suggesting coordinated neuroimmune and neurochemical activation. Gene expression analysis indicated upregulation of neurotrophic factors and balanced inflammatory cytokine responses under low-frequency stimulation. In contrast, high-frequency stimulation (200 Hz) failed to enhance overall regeneration and showed reduced axonal metrics, suggesting possible overstimulation-associated suppression. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that BVSM-crosslinked conduits provide a stable and biocompatible regenerative scaffold, and that appropriately tuned low-frequency electrical stimulation (2 Hz) optimally enhances structural, molecular, and functional recovery. The integration of material engineering with bioelectrical modulation represents a promising strategy for next-generation bioelectronic interfaces in peripheral nerve repair. Full article

This work develops an analytical framework for the Hartley transform, which, unlike the Fourier transform, converts real-valued functions into real-valued functions. We derive Parseval–Goldstein-type identities for suitable classes of functions and establish Abelian theorems in the setting of compactly supported distributions and generalized functions. Moreover, a finite formulation of the Hartley transform is constructed and analyzed within the spaces of distributions of compact support and generalized functions. Full article

This paper proposes a continuous inertia estimation framework for transmission-level power systems with high renewable energy penetration, using a battery energy storage system (BESS) as a controllable small-signal power injection source. The proposed framework integrates BESS-based active power injection, a two-stage signal-smoothing scheme, and a rate-of-change-of-frequency (RoCoF)-based estimation mechanism to enable continuous inertia estimation without relying on major disturbance events. With noise-robust processing and moving-window analysis, the framework can reliably track inertia variations under noisy measurement conditions and diverse operating scenarios. The framework is validated on the IEEE 39-bus system under renewable energy source (RES) penetration levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. The estimation error remains within ±3.5% across all scenarios, ranging from 1.26% at 0% RES penetration to 3.43% at 30% penetration. In addition, the estimated inertia closely follows the theoretical decrease from 3.20 s to 2.22 s as RES penetration increases. These results demonstrate the accuracy and robustness of the proposed framework for continuous inertia monitoring in low-inertia power systems with high-RES penetration. Full article

This study presents the design, simulation, and experimental validation of a novel sector-shaped thread rolling machine aimed at improving forming efficiency, structural compactness, and process controllability compared with conventional linear thread rolling systems. A systematic engineering framework integrating mechanism design, curved-die implementation, motion control, finite-element simulation, and experimental verification is established. DEFORM-3D simulations are performed to investigate the effects of friction coefficient and die spacing on material flow and thread profile formation, and the results are used to guide machine construction and parameter optimization. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed mechanism can simultaneously form four screws within a single rotation cycle, significantly enhancing production efficiency. Under optimized parameters, the relative errors of pitch diameter and helix angle are maintained within 5%, showing good agreement with simulation predictions. The findings confirm the feasibility, controllability, and stable forming capability of the proposed system, providing a practical and efficient solution for next-generation compact and high-productivity thread rolling equipment. Full article

A comprehensive annotated checklist of the members of the phytophagous ladybird beetle tribe Epilachnini (Coccinellinae) in China is compiled based on existing published sources and incorporates the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural updates. The checklist documents 176 extant species across 10 genera and provides analyses of regional species richness, distribution, and host plant associations. Regarding regional species richness, Yunnan Province is home to the highest number of species (76), followed by Taiwan (50), Sichuan (48), Guizhou (48), Guangxi (43), Tibet (43), Guangdong (25), Hainan (17), Hubei (17), Hunan (13), Shaanxi (13), Fujian (12), Henan (10), Jiangsu (10), Anhui (7), Shandong (7), Zhejiang (7), Jiangxi (5), Hong Kong (5), Gansu (5), Beijing (4), Hebei (4), Liaoning (3), Shanxi (2), and Chongqing, Jilin, Heilongjiang, Ningxia, and Xinjiang (each with one species). Among the recognized genera, Epilachna Chevrolat, 1837, is currently the most species-rich genera, with 59 species, followed by Afissa Dieke, 1947 (34), Uniparodentata Wang & Cao, 1993 (28), Henosepilachna Li, 1961 (29), Afidentula Kapur, 1958 (10), Diekeana Tomaszewska & Szawaryn, 2015 (9), and Epiverta Dieke, 1947 (4). Additionally, Afidenta Dieke, 1947, Cynegetis Chevrolat, 1837, and Subcoccinella Agassiz & Erichson, 1845 are each represented by a single species. Host plant data are currently available for only 72 species (approximately 41% of the species recorded in China), which are associated with 177 plant species across 34 families. The most frequently recorded host plant families are Solanaceae (43 species), Cucurbitaceae (32), Urticaceae (15), Fabaceae (14), Asteraceae (14), and Poaceae (10), whereas each of the remaining 28 families comprises fewer than 10 host species. For 104 species (59% of the Chinese members of the tribe), host plant associations remain unknown, highlighting a substantial gap in our understanding of their feeding habits. Full article

Background and Objectives: The epidemiological characteristics of Candida species have changed worldwide, with an increasing number of reports on co-infections with non-albicans Candida species (NACs) and multidrug-resistant bacteria. A longer length of hospital stay, more severely ill patients, and empirical antimicrobial use in intensive care units (ICUs) increased the prevalence of Candida healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). If the diagnosis or treatment of invasive candidiasis is delayed, the morbidity and mortality of patients will significantly increase. Materials and Methods: We conducted a nationwide surveillance study to analyze data on HAIs in the ICUs of medical centers and regional hospitals between 2018 and 2023. We assessed the temporal trends of Candida species (including Candida albicans and NACs) across all HAIs, bloodstream infections (BSIs), and urinary tract infections (UTIs), and simultaneously assessed the corresponding trends of Enterococcus faecium (Efm). A linear trend for the proportions of microorganisms from 2018 to 2023 was noted according to the Mantel–Haenszel chi-square test. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients were used to analyze the correlations between pathogen proportions, systemic antimicrobial agent consumption, and length of ICU stay. Results: The overall proportion of all Candida species in HAIs in the ICUs increased significantly from 15.13% to 16.74% (p < 0.001); this increase was driven mainly by NACs (increasing from 6.84% to 7.91%, p < 0.001) from 2018 to 2023. The proportion of Efm increased significantly, from 7.7% to 11.11% (p < 0.001). The proportions of all Candida species significantly increased in UTIs (from 24.63% to 28.13%, p < 0.001), especially NACs, while the proportion of Efm also increased significantly in UTIs (from 9.47% to 15.32%, p < 0.001). With respect to the UTIs, the proportion of all the Candida species, C.albicans, and NACs were positively correlated with the amount of systemic antibiotics used. A longer hospital stay was strongly correlated with all Candida HAIs and UTIs, especially NACs. Significantly ecological associations between all the Candida strains and Efm were observed for UTIs. Conclusions: This study revealed that a persistent expansion of NAC infections was associated with increased Efm infections and rising antibiotic consumption. The changes in the proportions of different Candida species in UTIs were most pronounced. These findings support an ecological model in which antibiotic stress and chronic critical illness contribute to the expansion of fungal–bacterial co-infections in the ICU setting and underscore the need for integrated antibiotic management and multi-infection surveillance. Full article

Non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) is a leading cause of sudden vision loss, yet no effective therapy exists to preserve retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) after ischemic injury. Nostoc commune (NC), an edible cyanobacterium with established antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, has emerged as a potential functional bioresource with relevance to ocular health. Here, we investigated the therapeutic effects of a crude aqueous extract of NC using a rodent model of anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (rAION). NC treatment significantly improved RGC survival, reduced apoptosis, attenuated macrophage and microglial activation (ED-1, Iba1), suppressed proinflammatory cytokine expression (IL-6), enhanced the reparative marker Ym1+2, and preserved optic-nerve myelination. Functionally, NC administration restored visual signaling as demonstrated by improved Flash Visual Evoked Potential amplitudes. Immunoblot analysis showed increased phosphorylation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR/p70S6K signaling components in retinal tissue following NC treatment. Proteomic profiling further demonstrated that NC extract comprises a coordinated repertoire of phycobiliproteins, antioxidant enzymes, and stress-response proteins that may collectively contribute to its biological effects. Together, these findings suggest that Nostoc commune extract may serve as a promising functional food-derived candidate for protecting RGCs and preserving visual function following ischemic optic neuropathy. Further studies are required to identify its active constituents, optimize formulation strategies, and evaluate its translational potential. Full article

Accurate estimation of curvature radius from interference fringes is critical in optical metrology and precision manufacturing. Conventional interferogram analytical approaches often require manual intervention and are sensitive to fringe variations related to noise and environmental vibrations. To address these limitations, we combine an improved Twyman–Green interferometer with different artificial intelligence (AI) deep learning models and utilize a self-developed MATLAB analysis program to propose a non-destructive and rapid measurement system for optical coating substrates. The proposed AI-assisted Twyman–Green interferometric system differs fundamentally from conventional wavefront sensing techniques in both principle and implementation. This paper utilizes the Twyman–Green interferometer to generate interference fringe datasets on B270 glass and sapphire substrates, and employs convolutional neural network (CNN), ResNet-18, and VGG-16 models for training and evaluation. The proposed method integrates image enhancement, fringe pattern clustering, and analysis and validation based on fast Fourier transform (FFT). Experimental results show that ResNet-18 outperforms other models, with a mean absolute percentage error of 5.44% on sapphire substrates and 3.40% on B270 glass substrates. These findings highlight the effectiveness and robustness of deep learning models, especially residual networks, in automatic ROC prediction for optical measurement applications. Full article

Generational amnesia is a common phenomenon in the religious realm. While we inherit established forms of belief, symbols, and ritual traditions, we often lack an understanding of their origins or how they came to be. In the ethnically diverse environment of Southeast Asia, certain cross-cultural connections may also disappear over time. This study seeks to highlight one goddess under the rubric of Chao Mae Thapthim—Waterfront Lady, within a Thai context. Chinese studies have regarded Waterfront Lady as a native Hainanese deity. However, this view fails to resolve the long-standing question concerning historical distribution of the belief across Hainan Island and Chinese communities in Southeast Asia. It also overlooks the internal connections between her and other goddesses referred to as Chao Mae Thapthim, such as the Heavenly Empress Mazu and some local female deities. I will begin with the discussion of the aforementioned issues and proceed to outline a probable cultural ‘worship sphere’ of Waterfront Lady in Thailand. Through this, I aim to present a case of intra-Asian religious interaction and syncretism. Full article

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global cause of morbidity and mortality. Current tools for monitoring treatment response rely on sputum-based microscopy and culture, which are often insensitive, time-consuming, and impractical in extrapulmonary or pediatric TB and in individuals unable to produce sputum. Metabolomics has emerged as a promising approach for identifying host-derived biomarkers that reflect treatment-associated immunometabolic changes; however, the available evidence remains heterogeneous and has not been comprehensively synthesized. We conducted a comprehensive literature review of human studies evaluating metabolomic biomarkers in relation to TB treatment response or outcomes. PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE were searched for human studies evaluating targeted or untargeted metabolomics (NMR, LC-MS, GC-MS, CE-MS) in relation to treatment response or outcomes. Two reviewers independently screened studies, extracted data, and assessed risk of bias using QUIPS and PROBAST. Findings were synthesized using a structured framework organized across treatment stages and outcomes. Of 218 records identified, 139 titles and abstracts were screened and 42 full texts assessed; 15 studies met the inclusion criteria. Recurrent treatment-associated signals involved amino acid metabolism, particularly the tryptophan–kynurenine pathway, as well as vitamin and cofactor metabolites (pyridoxate, nicotinamide, trigonelline). Plasma studies frequently reported lipid remodeling and bile acid perturbations, whereas urine studies highlighted polyamine metabolism (e.g., N¹,N¹²-diacetylspermine) and fatty acid β-oxidation markers. Common limitations included inadequate adjustment for confounders and, in prediction models, small sample sizes and limited external validation. Metabolomics reveals reproducible but heterogeneous immunometabolic changes during TB therapy. Key pathways include tryptophan–kynurenine metabolism, vitamin and cofactor metabolism, lipid remodeling, and urine polyamine pathways. Standardization and prospective multicenter validation are needed for clinical translation. Full article

We study shuffle product structures on words in three letters, extending the classical framework of multiple zeta values. Using an evaluation map that relates admissible words to iterated integrals, we translate shuffle identities into combinatorial identities. This yields a general multinomial-type formula and a symmetric decomposition of binomial coefficients. We also establish two new shuffle product formulas, leading to further combinatorial identities and revealing a structural connection between shuffle algebra and combinatorics. Full article