Search Results (32,680)

Objective: Skeletal mandibular asymmetry (MA) is a pathological condition characterised by asymmetric mandibular growth, resulting in chin deviation and, in some cases, non-coincident dental midlines. Because it is a skeletal condition, some clinicians choose to treat it with functional appliances. The present study therefore evaluated whether functional appliances with asymmetric activation can promote more symmetrical growth of the mandibular condyles and rami. Methods: Eighty-five patients with MA were retrospectively selected based on cervical skeletal maturation stage 2 or 3, the presence of skeletal and dental Class II malocclusion, and the availability of good-quality orthopantomograms taken before and after treatment. Among the enrolled patients, 40 were treated with functional appliances to protrude and re-centre the mandible (study group), while 45 were treated only with a rapid maxillary expander (positive and treated control group). This control group was chosen because it has no direct effects on the mandible and avoided the ethical concerns associated with postponing time-sensitive treatment to recruit a negative control group. Ramus and condyle asymmetry were evaluated pre- and post-treatment using Habets’ method. The Mann–Whitney U-test was used to compare pre- and post-treatment asymmetry indices between the two groups. Results: Although both groups showed a post-treatment symmetry improvement, no statistically significant between-group differences were observed (p = 0.712, effect size r = 0.14 for ramal symmetry; p = 0.663, effect size r = −0.01 for condylar symmetry). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, functional appliances did not demonstrate greater skeletal effects than the positive control treatment. Full article

Building cost-effective homes that comply with stringent environmental regulations remains a significant challenge for the UK housebuilding sector, particularly for social housing providers. In the context of net zero targets and reducing embodied carbon, this study examines opportunities to minimise material waste and associated impacts. Using an inductive mixed-methods approach, the research began with a literature review to establish baseline waste rates across key material streams. It then analysed material usage data from three completed housing developments, comparing estimated quantities with actual orders and spend to identify discrepancies between assumptions and real-world outcomes. To validate these findings, a controlled case study tracked the construction of a single four-bedroom home, enabling direct measurement of waste rates and assessment of cost and carbon implications at unit level. Results highlight a series of marginal gains achievable through improved estimating and procurement practices, which collectively offer potential for significant financial savings and reductions in embodied carbon when scaled nationally. For social housing providers, these efficiencies could lower build costs, support sustainability goals, and create opportunities to reinvest in additional housing delivery. Full article

Photovoltaic desert control (PVDC), an innovative model integrating clean energy development and desertification control, faces complex coordination challenges among local governments, local communities, and photovoltaic enterprises. This study constructs a tripartite evolutionary game model to identify the conditions that drive PVDC toward coordinated governance. The model defines a three-dimensional strategy space: government regulatory intensity (Strong vs. Lax), community willingness to cooperate (Active Cooperation vs. Passive Resistance), and enterprise ecological integration (Active Ecological Integration vs. Passive Land Occupation). Replicator dynamic equations are derived to characterize nonlinear interactions, and the stability conditions of eight pure-strategy equilibrium points are identified through Jacobian matrix eigenvalue analysis. Numerical simulations are conducted using a baseline parameter set that satisfies the Evolutionary Stable Strategy conditions for the ideal equilibrium E8, namely Strong Regulation, Active Cooperation, and Active Ecological Integration. The results show that the system can converge to E8 when higher-level rewards cover government regulation, subsidy, and community-support costs; when community cooperation benefits exceed livelihood opportunity costs and compensation incentives from resistance; and when enterprises’ effective ecological integration costs are lower than the combined benefits of subsidies, avoided fines, and long-term returns. Sensitivity analysis further indicates that government subsidies, fines, community support, cooperation income, and enterprise long-term benefits are key drivers of system evolution, while excessive regulation costs, high opportunity costs, and high ecological integration costs may hinder coordination. Qualitative evidence from four PVDC-related cases in Xinjiang provides practical illustrations broadly consistent with the model mechanisms. This study offers a dynamic analytical framework for designing incentive-compatible governance mechanisms in PVDC and similar multi-stakeholder ecological restoration projects. Full article

This study examines how urban transportation systems influence the spatial spread of infectious diseases by developing a modified Susceptible–Exposed–Infected–Recovered (SEIR) model with explicit intercity travel dynamics. The model distinguishes between two mobility mechanisms: travel volume, represented by the departure rate g, and travel speed, represented by the arrival rate $\alpha$. Using the next-generation matrix (NGM) approach, we derive the basic reproduction number $R_0$ and analyse how within-city and transit-phase transmission contribute to epidemic spread. The results show that travel volume and travel speed affect mobility-driven transmission through distinct mechanisms. Increasing g increases the number of travelers entering the transit system and therefore amplifies the aggregate number of transit-mediated infections, although the per-capita transit reproduction expression is governed primarily by $\alpha$ and ${\beta }_d^T$ under the reduced next generation matrix formulation formulation. By contrast, increasing $\alpha$ shortens the time spent in transit, reduces the exposure window during travel, and lowers the per-capita contribution of transit-based infection to $R_0$. Numerical simulations illustrate these effects and support the conclusion that reducing travel volume can mitigate intercity epidemic spread by decreasing the number of potentially exposed travelers. Comparative case studies for Brazil, New Zealand, China, and Algeria are used to evaluate the model under different epidemiological settings and socioeconomic contexts. These socioeconomic indicators are treated as contextual background rather than as direct inputs to the mathematical model. The qualitative predictions of the ordinary differential equation (ODE) model are further cross-validated using an agent-based simulation implemented in NetLogo. Overall, the study shows that separating travel volume from travel speed provides a more precise understanding of mobility-driven disease transmission and can support the design of targeted travel-related control measures. Full article

Double-wall drill pipe reverse circulation drilling is expected to alleviate cutting-transport difficulties and the high risk of lost circulation during the shallow-section drilling of ultra-deep wells. Based on wellbore hydraulics theory and a transient solid–liquid two-phase flow model in the wellbore, considering the flow path transition effect at the reverse circulation converter near the bit, a corrected pressure loss method for the inner pipe accounting for cuttings influence is proposed, and a correlation for calculating the converter pressure loss is derived. A wellbore pressure calculation model for reverse circulation drilling using a double-wall drill pipe is then established. Furthermore, the influencing factors are investigated through sensitivity analysis, and a pump pressure selection chart is developed. Field-case calculations indicate that, under identical operating conditions, the bottomhole pressure in double-wall drill pipe reverse circulation drilling is reduced by approximately 6.31 MPa compared with conventional drilling. For shallow sections (well depth of about 1200 m) under flow rates of 20–40 L/s and drilling-fluid densities of 1200–1400 kg/m³, the maximum total circulating wellbore pressure loss, after incorporating surface flowline pressure losses, is approximately 10.91 MPa. In this case, a single pump can satisfy the circulation requirement, demonstrating the advantages of simplified equipment configuration and improved field adaptability for shallow-section operations. The proposed model and charts can provide a reference for parameter optimization and pressure-control design in double-wall drill pipe reverse circulation drilling. Full article

Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) is an important soil-transmitted helminth that infests over 600 million people worldwide. However, data on its seroprevalence in remote regions, such as Thailand’s island areas, remain limited. This study examined the seroprevalence and associated risk factors of anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG seropositivity among primary school children in Koh Yao, an island in southern Thailand. A total of 351 primary school children (156 males and 195 females) were included. The seroprevalence of anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG was determined using the Strongyloides-specific IgG antibodies ELISA, and risk factor data were collected through a questionnaire. Hematological parameters were also analyzed. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to assess associations between risk factors and anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG seropositivity. The seroprevalence of anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG was 3.7% (13/351 participants). Analysis of the risk factors revealed that participants who drank filtered water exhibited lower odds of anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG seropositivity compared to those who drank tap or rainwater (AOR = 0.21, 95% CI 0.05–0.95, p = 0.043). However, due to the small number of seropositive cases, this association is hypothesis-generating and likely serves as a proxy for better household hygiene rather than a direct protective factor. This study is the first report on anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG seropositivity among primary school children in Koh Yao, southern Thailand, demonstrating a low seropositivity rate in this population. These findings provide location-specific information on modifiable risk behaviors, aiding in developing more effective control and prevention strategies for anti-Strongyloides spp. IgG seropositivity in Thailand’s island area. Full article

Intraprocedural rupture (IPR) during stent-assisted coiling (SAC) after stent deployment can create a narrow and rapidly changing management problem: hemorrhage control, anticoagulation reversal, acute thrombotic occlusion, and postprocedural cerebrospinal fluid diversion may all become urgent within the same clinical sequence. We report a fatal IPR during SAC of an unruptured anterior communicating artery (AComA) aneurysm and use the case as an anchor for a targeted case-based narrative review. A 71-year-old woman underwent SAC for a 5.1-mm posteriorly directed AComA aneurysm with a bleb after treatment for vertebrobasilar ischemia. Fourth-coil insertion produced tactile resistance and contrast extravasation. Protamine reversal and temporary A1 flow control reduced the leak, but filling defects then developed from the internal carotid artery terminus to the A1 and M1 segments, requiring rescue thrombectomy. Computed tomography showed subarachnoid hemorrhage and intraventricular hemorrhage; same-day progression with hydrocephalus required bilateral external ventricular drainage. The patient died on postoperative day 7. This case highlights IPR during SAC as a time-dependent hemorrhagic–thrombotic escalation rather than a single technical event. We propose a staged assistant–operator communication model for risk mapping, rupture recognition, hemostatic-route preservation, thrombotic surveillance, and transition to computed tomography, external ventricular drainage, and intensive care. Full article

Rabies is a fatal zoonotic viral disease that continues to pose a significant threat to both animal and public health worldwide. Despite considerable progress in its control across Europe, sporadic outbreaks still occur, particularly in regions where wildlife reservoirs and stray animal populations sustain virus circulation. This study provides one of the first comparative longitudinal analyses integrating European countries and Turkiye rabies surveillance data over a decade (2013–2023). Information on reported outbreaks was obtained from the Animal Disease Information System (ADIS) and the World Animal Health Information System (WAHIS) database. The analysis focused on temporal trends, regional differences, and the distribution of affected animal species. During the study period, a total of 4865 outbreaks were reported in 16 countries. The number of detected outbreaks declined considerably over time, decreasing from 1022 cases in 2013 to 325 cases in 2023, representing an overall reduction of approximately 68%. The temporal trend was not uniform, with periods of decline followed by temporary increases. The highest number of outbreaks was registered in Türkiye, followed by Romania and Poland, indicating pronounced regional disparities. Domestic dogs represented the most frequently affected species, while cases were also recorded in wildlife and domestic cats, confirming the epidemiological importance of both domestic and wild reservoirs. The observed reduction in the number of outbreaks reflects the impact of vaccination programs and coordinated control measures, but may also be influenced by differences in surveillance systems and reporting practices. Nevertheless, the persistence of rabies in several regions indicates that the disease remains an epidemiological concern. Sustained vaccination of domestic animals, continued wildlife immunization, and strengthened surveillance and cross-border cooperation are essential for long-term control and prevention. Full article

This paper develops an accountability-aware fractional control framework for embodied intelligent systems in shared human environments. The approach combines a Caputo fractional-order stabilizing law, an intent-evidence realization with softmax belief reconstruction, and a conditional proxemic safety layer. Sufficient conditions are established for local Mittag-Leffler stability of the augmented error dynamics and forward invariance of the safe set. Numerical results are presented as a theorem-validation benchmark. For the base case with $\alpha =0.9$, the augmented error norm decays from $1.2359$ to $9.90\times {10}^{-3}$ while the safety margin remains strictly positive, and the robustness condition is satisfied with a margin of $1.8641$. An $\alpha$-sweep and a step-size convergence study further show that the fractional order induces a systematic safety–performance trade-off and that the reported behaviors are numerically stable. Additional simulations with four intent classes, bounded observation noise, and Monte Carlo uncertainty stress tests are included to strengthen the numerical evidence beyond the two-intent theorem-validation case. The manuscript also clarifies the quantitative interpretation of the accountability index, the conditional nature of the safety theorem, and an implementable sampled safety-filter realization for concrete robotic platforms. The results support the proposed framework as a mathematically consistent tool for shaping the balance between regulation and proxemic safety. Full article

Transmission error (TE) is a major excitation source in geared systems, but microgeometry deviations are usually evaluated through nominal amplitudes rather than their tooth-to-tooth spatial distribution. This study investigates how different tooth-level barreling deviation patterns influence TE modulation and spectral characteristics in a controlled single helical gear-pair model. The nominal barreling value was kept constant, while four deviation patterns were imposed on the 23-tooth pinion: harmonic, phase-shifted harmonic, clustered with an outlier, and random. The TE response was evaluated in the time domain and by Fast Fourier Transform (FFT)-based spectral analysis, with particular attention to the gear mesh frequency (GMF) and shaft-frequency-spaced sidebands. The results show that identical nominal barreling levels can produce different TE waveforms and spectral signatures. Harmonic distributions mainly preserve a regular response, whereas phase-shifted and clustered patterns increase waveform asymmetry and sideband activity. The clustered outlier case produced the most fault-like response. The findings indicate that tooth-level spatial distribution should be considered explicitly in simulation-based gear microgeometry and noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) sensitivity studies. Full article

Reliable short-term hydropower forecasting is essential for dispatch planning and early electricity procurement in snowmelt-influenced power systems. This study develops a leak-free operational forecasting framework using quality-controlled hourly generation and hydro-meteorological records from eight hydropower plants in Kazakhstan. Two tasks are addressed: deterministic multi-step forecasting for D+1–D+7 and uncertainty-aware envelope forecasting for D+8–D+14 using MIN and Q90 targets. The benchmark uses Persistence as the primary baseline, against which RIDGE, SARIMAX, Random Forest, HistGradientBoosting, MLP, and LSTM are compared using Nash–Sutcliffe efficiency (NSE), root mean squared error (RMSE), and mean absolute error (MAE). For D+1–D+7, the results reveal strong cross-station heterogeneity and the expected decline in skill with increasing lead time. In the aggregated comparison, SARIMAX achieves the highest mean NSE at D+1 (0.903), while RIDGE becomes strongest by D+7 (0.625), both outperforming Persistence (0.534 at D+7). At the station level, SARIMAX performs best for Kapch, Kask, Moin, Bukh, and Ustk, RIDGE is best for Shar and Lenin, and LSTM is best for Shulb. The strongest stations, Kapch and Kask, reach mean NSE values of 0.941 and 0.933, respectively, whereas Ustk and Bukh remain the most difficult cases. A central methodological contribution is a flood-sensitive switched hybrid strategy for Ust-Kamenogorsk based on an observed-generation high-flow window selected by a regime-score procedure. This strategy improves robustness at medium lead times: for SARIMAX, NSE increases from 0.587 to 0.739 at D+2 and from 0.161 to 0.559 at D+7, while for RIDGE, NSE increases from 0.549 to 0.701 at D+2 and from 0.109 to 0.435 at D+7, together with substantial RMSE and MAE reductions. For D+8–D+14, envelope forecasting remains informative, but model ranking becomes target-dependent: SARIMAX and RIDGE provide the strongest mean performance for MIN (0.664 and 0.658), whereas LSTM and RIDGE are strongest for Q90 (0.746 and 0.743). Overall, the results show that hydropower forecasting in Kazakhstan is best approached as a station-wise, regime-aware, and horizon-specific problem. Full article

Reinforced concrete (RC) buildings are the most common structural system in urbanising regions. In many cases, architectural constraints and uneven distribution of structural elements often create eccentricity between the centre of mass (CM) and the centre of rigidity (CR). This eccentricity may induce torsional effects during earthquakes that can significantly influence structural response and increase seismic vulnerability. This study investigates the impact of in-plan irregularity on the seismic performance of RC buildings using nonlinear numerical analyses. Three-dimensional models of four- and six-storey RC buildings with moment resisting frames were developed in OpenSees, where different levels of irregularity were introduced by artificially shifting the lumped mass to generate controlled eccentricities without modifying the structural configuration. Seismic performance was evaluated using nonlinear incremental dynamic analysis (IDA) based on forty ground motion records under bidirectional excitation. The results indicate that increasing CM–CR eccentricity amplifies inter-storey drift demands and elevates the probability of damage due to intensified torsional stresses. The adverse effect is most pronounced when eccentricity aligns with the direction of lower stiffness, whereas eccentricity in the stiffer direction has a limited impact on severe damage states, particularly for taller buildings. These findings provide valuable insights for risk-informed assessment, retrofitting, and prioritisation of existing plan-irregular RC buildings. Full article

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are widely used for documentation, surveying, and 3D modeling in the built environment, yet their outputs often remain difficult to reuse for immersive comparison of alternative construction scenarios. This study presents a low-cost UAV-to-3DGS-to-VR workflow for constructing scenario-comparable immersive environments for built-environment review. The workflow combines multi-angle UAV imagery, point-cloud-based geometric anchoring, 3D Gaussian Splatting (3DGS), and Unity-based virtual reality (VR) to transform drone-captured reality into a reusable scene for controlled scenario comparison. The workflow is demonstrated in Middenbeemster, the central town of the Beemster polder World Heritage property. One present-condition scene (M0) and three alternative construction scenarios (M1 to M3) were created within a shared spatial reference. Reconstruction quality was assessed using PSNR and SSIM, and the VR scenes were further evaluated through eye-tracking, head-motion recording, and subjective ranking. The results indicate that the workflow can generate visually reliable and directly comparable immersive scenes from UAV data in this case study. Behavioral and subjective findings showed a consistent pattern, with M1 appearing more compatible than M2 and M3 in this pilot evaluation. The study contributes a pilot UAV-based workflow that links reality capture, immersive scenario comparison, and supplementary behavioral evidence within one process. Full article

Background: Vestibular migraine (VM) is a common cause of episodic vertigo, yet its diagnosis remains primarily clinical and is often complicated by the absence of reliable objective biomarkers. Pupillary nystagmus, reflecting spontaneous oscillations of pupil diameter, has been proposed as a potential clinical sign of VM, but its quantitative characterization remains limited. Objective: The objective of this study is to evaluate the diagnostic value of pupillary nystagmus in VM and to provide a quantitative assessment using infrared pupillometry. Methods: In this case–control study, 137 patients with vestibular migraine and 102 healthy controls underwent comprehensive neuro-otological evaluation, including vestibular testing and pupillometric assessment. Pupillary activity was recorded using a dedicated infrared pupillometer, and oscillatory dynamics were quantified using the Pupillary Unrest Activity Level (PUAL), which was derived through spectral analysis (Larson–Neice algorithm). Statistical comparisons were performed using non-parametric methods. Results: PUAL values differed significantly between VM patients and controls (Mann–Whitney test p < 0.001), demonstrating a clear separation between groups. A cut-off value of 0.325 was identified as the upper limit of normality, suggesting that elevated PUAL values may indicate vestibular migraine. Conclusions: Pupillary nystagmus represents a clinically accessible sign that can be objectively quantified through infrared pupillometry. The PUAL index provides a measurable parameter reflecting altered vestibulo–autonomic dynamics in VM and may serve as a promising neuro-otological biomarker. The integration of pupillometric analysis with clinical evaluation may improve diagnostic accuracy and support the development of objective diagnostic tools in vestibular migraine. Full article

Background/Objectives:Helicobacter pylori infection is traditionally associated with gastrointestinal diseases; however, increasing evidence suggests that it may have systemic effects involving inflammatory, metabolic, and hematological pathways. Despite this, integrated evaluations of these domains remain limited, particularly in Middle Eastern populations. This study aimed to assess the impact of H. pylori infection on inflammatory, metabolic, and hematological parameters among adults. Methods: A case–control study was conducted including 100 participants (50 H. pylori-positive patients and 50 healthy controls) recruited from Qassim Health Cluster, Saudi Arabia. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and blood samples were analyzed for random blood sugar (RBS), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), hemoglobin, ferritin, and white blood cell count (WBC). Statistical analyses included group comparisons, Spearman correlation, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: The infected group showed significantly higher levels of RBS and HbA1c, indicating impaired glycemic control. Inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR) were also significantly elevated compared to controls (p < 0.001). Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were significantly lower in the infected group (p < 0.001), suggesting disturbed iron metabolism. Correlation analysis revealed positive associations between inflammatory markers and glycemic indices, and negative associations with hemoglobin and ferritin. Multivariable logistic regression identified CRP (adjusted OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.71) and ESR (adjusted OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.02–1.16) as independent predictors of H. pylori infection after adjustment for smoking status and fast-food consumption. The combined model demonstrated acceptable discriminatory performance with an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI: 0.74–0.90). Conclusions:Helicobacter pylori infection was associated with significant inflammatory, metabolic, and hematological alterations, supporting its potential role as a systemic condition beyond the gastrointestinal tract. These associations remained significant after adjustment for major lifestyle-related confounders, including smoking status and fast-food consumption. Although the combined inflammatory model demonstrated acceptable discriminatory performance, it should currently be considered mainly for research or preliminary screening purposes and not as a replacement for established diagnostic methods for active H. pylori infection. Further large-scale longitudinal and interventional studies are warranted to clarify causality and evaluate the impact of eradication therapy on systemic outcomes. Full article