Search Results (305)

Background: Despite remarkable progress in expanding access to childhood vaccines in the last two decades, global coverage with the third dose of the diphtheria–tetanus–pertussis-containing vaccine (DTP3) has recently plateaued, with many countries yet to meet the targets of the Immunization Agenda 2030 (IA2030). As countries cluster around the 80% coverage mark, further gains require targeted interventions for unreached populations. This analysis disaggregates children missing DTP3 into three groups—zero dose (ZD), missed DTP (MD), and drop-out (DO)—which, with DTP3, form four mutually exclusive groups, and examines which of these groups contributes most to coverage changes across countries. Methods: A total of 295 Demographic and Health Surveys from 1986 to 2023 were analyzed across 80 countries, comprising over 2.4 million children. Children were classified into mutually exclusive groups: DTP3, ZD, MD, and DO. We described trends over time and conducted decomposition analyses using a naïve approach and a structural model with isometric log-ratio transformations and causal mediation pathways. Results: Among the 2.4 million children across 80 countries, 63.8% had received DTP3, while 16.2% were DO, 8.8% were MD, and 11.2% were ZD. Countries showed important variations: some mainly reduced ZD, others reduced MD or DO, many achieved balanced progress, and a few experienced setbacks. The naïve model showed that coverage changes reflected different combinations of shifts across ZD, MD, and DO depending on context. The structural model indicated that DO had the strongest direct association with DTP3 coverage, followed by MD and ZD. Conclusions: This analysis highlights the differential contribution of intermediate groups to coverage variations over time. Understanding the association between coverage gains and shifts in ZD, MD, or DO can complement existing strategies to inform targeted planning and accelerate progress towards IA2030 equity goals. Full article

Multimedia learning effectiveness varies widely across cultural contexts and individual learner characteristics, yet existing educational technologies lack computational frameworks that predict and optimize these interactions. This study introduces the Multimedia Integration Impact Assessment Model (MIIAM), a machine learning framework integrating cognitive style detection, cultural background inference, multimedia complexity optimization, and ensemble prediction into a unified architecture. MIIAM was validated with 493 software engineering students from Zimbabwe and South Africa through the analysis of 4.1 million learning interactions. The framework applied Random Forests for automated cognitive style classification, hierarchical clustering for cultural inference, and a complexity optimization engine for content analysis, while predictive performance was enhanced by an ensemble of Random Forests, XGBoost, and Neural Networks. The results demonstrated that MIIAM achieved 87% prediction accuracy, representing a 14% improvement over demographic-only baselines (p < 0.001). Cross-cultural validation confirmed strong generalization, with only a 2% accuracy drop compared to 11–15% for traditional models, while fairness analysis indicated substantially reduced bias (Statistical Parity Difference = 0.08). Real-time testing confirmed deployment feasibility with an average 156 ms processing time. MIIAM also optimized multimedia content, improving knowledge retention by 15%, reducing cognitive overload by 28%, and increasing completion rates by 22%. These findings establish MIIAM as a robust, culturally responsive framework for adaptive multimedia learning environments. Full article

This study aims to identify the most effective irrigation rates for Manfalouty pomegranate trees to enhance their growth, yield, bioactive compound content, and fruit quality. Additionally, the research evaluates the effects of foliar spray applications of glycine, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin on the physiological responses of the trees. Morphological, physiological impacts, and fruit quality treatments were analyzed using Pearson correlation and cluster analysis. As irrigation levels were reduced up to 60%, all vegetative characters demonstrated a significant drop. Glycine treatment enhanced yielding shoot lengths, leaf area, and leaf number. Among the key findings was that there were no appreciable variations between 100% ETc and 80% ETc with riboflavin or glycine spraying for leaves total chlorophyll. Leaves treated with glycine, ascorbic acid, and riboflavin spraying had higher levels of total antioxidants, total phenols, and total flavonoids, while glycine gives the highest results and enhanced the antioxidant system of pomegranate leaves. Reducing irrigation from 100% to 60% ETc in both seasons, respectively, resulted in a progressive decrease in yield (ton/fed.), and fruit creaking (%); this effect was overcome using the glycine foliar spraying. The results also demonstrated that all spray treatments reduced the cracking rate, with the glycine spray treatment being the most effective in this respect that enhanced also fruit length, fruit diameter, fruit weight, and arils weight %, total soluble solids, total sugar, anthocyanin, vitamin C, and the antioxidant contents. The findings provide valuable insights for sustainable pomegranate cultivation practices that maximize productivity and quality while maintaining plant health using low irrigation and glycine as foliar sprayer. Full article

To address the security and stability requirements of renewable energy clusters under extreme weather conditions, this study investigates the coordinated voltage support mechanisms between grid-following and grid-forming converters. This paper proposes an emergency control strategy suitable for such scenarios. First, a reactive power-voltage control architecture for new energy units is constructed to clarify the information interaction process. A mode-based coordinated strategy is designed: during steady-state voltage support, grid-following units adopt reactive power-voltage droop control for voltage regulation, while grid-forming units achieve autonomous support based on the virtual synchronous generator algorithm. During low-voltage ride-through, both types of units are controlled to output corresponding reactive power according to the depth of voltage drop until the voltage is restored. Hardware-in-the-loop simulation verification shows that under steady-state conditions, the strategy meets the voltage control accuracy requirements, and partial grid-forming transformation can reduce voltage overshoot and accelerate stabilization. During low-voltage ride-through, grid-forming transformation can reduce voltage fluctuations, shorten adjustment time, and mitigate reactive inrush current, effectively enhancing the voltage support capability of renewable energy plants. Full article

Background. PMP22-related neuropathies comprise a spectrum of predominantly demyelinating disorders, most commonly Charcot–Marie–Tooth type 1A (CMT1A; 17p12 duplication) and hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP; 17p12 deletion), with rarer phenotypes due to PMP22 sequence variants (CMT1E, Dejerine–Sottas syndrome [DSS]). Methods. We conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO ID: 1139921) of PubMed and Scopus (January 2015–August 2025). Eligible studies reported genetically confirmed PMP22-related neuropathies with clinical and/or neurophysiological data. Owing to heterogeneous reporting, we synthesized pooled counts and proportions without meta-analysis, explicitly tracking missing denominators. Results. One hundred twenty-seven studies (n = 4493 patients) were included. Sex was available for 995 patients (males 53.8% [535/995]; females 46.2% [460/995]); mean age at onset was 23.7 years in males and 16.4 years in females. Phenotypic classification was reported for 4431/4493 (75.4% CMT1A, 20.9% HNPP, 2.6% CMT1E, 1.2% DSS). Across phenotypes, weakness/foot drop was the leading presenting symptom when considering only cohorts that explicitly reported it (e.g., 65.3% in CMT1A; 76.0% in HNPP); sensory complaints (numbness, paresthesia/dysesthesia) were variably documented. Neurophysiology consistently showed demyelinating patterns, with median and ulnar nerves most frequently abnormal among assessed nerves; in HNPP, deep peroneal and sural involvement were also common in evaluated subsets. Comorbidities clustered by phenotype: orthopedic/neuromuscular features (pes cavus/hammer toes, scoliosis/kyphosis, tremor) in CMT1A and DSS; broader metabolic/autoimmune and neurodevelopmental associations in HNPP; and higher syndromic/ocular/hearing involvement in CMT1E. Genetically, 75.6% (3241/4291) had 17p12 duplication, 19.6% (835/4291) 17p12 deletion, and 4.8% (215/4291) PMP22 sequence variants with marked allelic heterogeneity. Among 2571 cases with available methods, MLPA was most used (41.9%), followed by NGS (20.4%) and Sanger sequencing (17.8%). Main limitations include heterogeneous and incomplete reporting across studies (especially symptoms and nerve-specific data) and the absence of a formal risk-of-bias appraisal, which preclude meta-analysis and may skew phenotype proportions toward more frequently reported entities (e.g., CMT1A). Conclusions. Recent literature confirms that PMP22 copy-number variants account for the vast majority of cases, while sequence-level variants underpin a minority with distinct phenotypes (notably CMT1E/DSS). Routine MLPA, complemented by targeted/NGS, optimizes diagnostic yield. Standardized reporting of nerve-conduction parameters and symptom denominators is urgently needed to enable robust cross-study comparisons in both pediatric and adult populations. Full article

Welding-based manufacturing and joining processes are extensively used in various areas of industrial production. While welding has been used as a primary method of joining in many applications, its capability to fabricate metal components such as the Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) method should not be undermined. WAAM is a promising method for producing large metal parts, but it is still prone to defects such as porosity that can reduce structural reliability. To ensure these defects are found and measured in a consistent way, inspection methods must be tied directly to code-based acceptance limits. In this work, a three-pass WAAM joint specimen was made in a welded-joint configuration using robotic GMAW-based deposition. This setup provided a stable surface for Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) while still preserving WAAM process conditions. The specimen, which was intentionally seeded with porosity, was divided into five zones and inspected using the 6 dB drop method for defect length and amplitude-based classification, with AWS D1.5 serving as the reference code. The results showed that porosity was not uniform across the bead. Zones 1 and 3 contained the longest clusters (15 mm and 16.5 mm in length) and exceeded AWS length thresholds, while amplitude-based classification suggested they were less critical than other regions. This difference shows the risk of relying on only one criterion. By embedding these results in a DMAIC (Define–Measure–Analyze–Improve–Control) workflow, the inspection outcomes were linked to likely causes such as unstable shielding and cooling effects. Overall, the study demonstrates a code-referenced, dual-criteria approach that can strengthen quality control for WAAM. Full article

Background: The current polio epidemiology in Pakistan poses a unique challenge for global eradication, with polio transmission dynamics influenced by regional variations in immunity and disparities in immunization coverage. This study assesses the immunity level for all three poliovirus types among children aged 6–11 months in polio high-risk regions of Pakistan. Methods: Four consecutive rounds of cross-sectional serological surveys were conducted in polio high-risk areas of Pakistan between November 2016 and October 2023. Twelve high-risk areas were covered in the first three rounds of the survey, while 44 high-risk areas were covered in the fourth round. 25 clusters from each geographical stratum were selected utilizing probability proportional to size. Results: Across the four rounds of the survey, 32,907 children aged 6–11 months from 2084 clusters and 32,371 households were covered. Comparative analysis across the survey rounds showed that seroprevalence of poliovirus type 1 was high in provinces (>95%), albeit consistently lower in Balochistan (going down to 89.7% in Round 4). Type 2 seroprevalence was significantly lower and more heterogeneous, from 34.6% in Sindh to 83.4% in Punjab, with sharp declines by round 4, particularly in Balochistan (40.4%). Type 3 seroprevalence was overall high (>94% in Punjab, Sindh, and KPK) but dropped in the last round, while Balochistan exhibited continually lower immunity (81.1%). Conclusions: The findings reflect the variations in population immunity to poliovirus in the country, with notable fluctuations over the years. The gaps in type 2 immunity over time and consistently lowest in Balochistan highlight the need for continued monitoring of immunity levels and adaptable vaccination strategies. Full article

This study presents a comparative evaluation of injection-moulded PA12 composites reinforced with AlSi10Mg and 304 SS fillers, with emphasis on microstructure–property correlations linking powder morphology, mechanical performance, thermal stability, and tribological behaviour. Powder characterization revealed distinct morphologies—fine spherical AlSi10Mg particles (D50 ≈ 32 µm) dispersed uniformly in the matrix—while SS particles (D50 ≈ 245 µm) tended to agglomerate, leading to interfacial voids. Tensile testing showed that the elastic modulus of neat PA12 (0.95 GPa) increased by 20% and 28% with 20 wt% AlSi10Mg and SS, respectively. However, tensile strength decreased from 35.04 MPa (PA12) to 32.18 MPa (20 wt% AlSi10Mg) and 31.03 MPa (20 wt% 304 SS), consistent with stress concentrations around particle clusters. Hardness values remained nearly unchanged at 96–98 Shore D across all composites. Thermal analysis indicated that AlSi10Mg promoted crystallization, increasing crystallinity from 31% (PA12) to 34% and raising Tm by 2 °C. In contrast, 304 SS reduced crystallinity to 28% but significantly improved thermal stability, shifting Tonset from 405 °C (PA12) to 426 °C at 20 wt%. Tribological tests demonstrated substantial improvements: the coefficient of friction decreased from 0.42 (PA12) to 0.34 (AlSi10Mg) and 0.29 (304 SS), while wear rates dropped by 40% and 55%, respectively. SEM confirmed smoother worn surfaces in AlSi10Mg composites and abrasive grooves in 304 SS composites. The findings show that AlSi10Mg is advantageous for smoother surfaces and improved crystallinity, while SS enhances stiffness, wear resistance, and thermal endurance, providing design guidelines for PA12 composites in aerospace, automotive, and engineering applications. Full article

Urban flood management is pivotal to the construction of resilient cities. However, investigation into the spatiotemporal evolution of urban flood resilience (UFR) and its influencing factors is insufficient. Aiming to address the challenge, this study establishes a multidimensional UFR indicator system grounded in the disaster resilience of place (DROP) model. Following the calculation of UFR through the entropy weighted technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (EW-TOPSIS) method, spatiotemporal evolution evaluation and factor detection are conducted. With panel data from the Yangtze River Delta Urban Agglomeration (YRDUA) over the period of 2012–2021, the results demonstrate overall UFR growth from a dominance of lowest-level and low-level cities to a more balanced distribution. Moreover, significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity is observed, with UFRs in cities adjacent to the Yangtze River higher than peripheral ones. Spatial clustering is significant until 2019, primarily manifested as High-High clusters along the Yangtze River and Low-Low clusters in northern Jiangsu and Anhui. Finally, factor detection identifies economic status, population size, environmental regulation, and drainage infrastructure as key influencing factors. These findings not only advance the understanding of UFR in urban agglomerations but also provide targeted recommendations for policymakers to enhance UFR. Full article

The enhancement of drug delivery into the lung surfactant is facilitated by research on the interaction between drugs and the lung surfactant. Drug designers must have a thorough theoretical understanding of a drug before performing clinical tests to reduce the experimental cost. The current study uses a coarse-grained molecular dynamics (MD) approach with the MARTINI force field to parameterize the corticosteroid drug mometasone furoate, which is used to treat lung inflammation. Here, we investigate the accurate parametrization of drug molecules and validate the parameters with the help of umbrella sampling simulations. A collection of thermodynamic parameters was studied during the parametrization procedure. The Gibbs free energy gradient was used to calculate the partition coefficient value of mometasone furoate, which was approximately 10.49 based on our umbrella sampling simulation. The value was then matched with the experimental and predicted the partition coefficient of the drug, showing good agreement. The drug molecule was then delivered into the lung surfactant monolayer membrane at the alveolar air–water interface, resulting a concentration-dependent drop in surface tension while controlling the underlying continual compression–expansion of alveoli that maintains the exhalation–inhalation respiratory cycle. The dynamical properties of the monolayer demonstrate that the drug’s capacity to diffuse into the monolayer is considerably diminished in larger clusters, and this effect is intensified when there are more drug molecules present in the monolayer. The monolayer microstructure analysis shows that the drug concentration controls monolayer morphology. The results of this investigation may be helpful for corticosteroid drug delivery into the lung alveoli, which can be applied to comprehend how the drug interacts with lung surfactant monolayers or bilayers. Full article

Cell separation techniques are widely used in many biomedical and clinical applications for the development of screening, diagnosis and therapeutic tests. Current 3D microfluidics-based cell separation methods have limited applications in part due to low throughput and technical complexity. To address these critical needs, we have developed a 2D microfluidics surface which is the miniaturized version of a 3D microfluids cell separation device. Using low-frequency electric fields (1–10 Vpp and 1 kHz–20 MHz), we have first studied dielectrophoresis, AC electro-osmosis and capillary flow within a sessile drop, and finally utilized the results to develop the 2D cell separation surface. Our study has demonstrated that frequency-dependent dielectrophoretic force and AC electro-osmotic flow can be integrated to minimize the capillary flow and subsequently produce clusters of target cells within the 2D microfluidics surface. To demonstrate the concept, we have isolated the blood cells from a red blood cell-lysed blood sample. Cell isolation results show that significant improvement in throughout up to about 120-fold over 3D microfluidics devices. Additionally, due to the technical simplicity, this device offers great potential for use in a wide range of biomedical and clinical applications. Full article

Mining-induced seismicity poses significant safety risks in deep coal mining operations, necessitating advanced monitoring and accurate hazard assessment. Based on 15,584 microseismic events from a coal mine in Gansu, China, in 2024, this study investigates the spatiotemporal characteristics of mining-induced seismicity and its quantitative relationship with excavation disturbances. The methodology integrates Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) clustering analysis with maximum likelihood estimation of b-value. Key findings include: (1) GMM clustering effectively identifies distinct seismic zones under different stress states, with significant variations in b-values (0.64–0.70). Low b-value zones correspond to high stress concentration and potential for strong events, enabling refined hazard assessment; (2) The time-sliding window analysis reveals the dynamic evolution of the b-value, which exhibits a clear negative correlation with high-energy seismic activity. When the b-value drops sharply to 0.6 or below, the likelihood of high-energy events increases markedly. Notably, 7 out of 8 high-energy seismic events occurred below this threshold. (3) Seismicity migrates with working face advancement, with monthly excavation length positively correlating with seismic energy release, confirming excavation as the primary trigger. This b-value spatiotemporal analysis framework provides scientific basis for early warning and mining optimization in deep coal mines. Full article

The evaluation of pressure drops across the length of production wells is a crucial task, as it influences both the cost-effective selection of tubing and the development of an efficient production strategy, both of which are vital for maximizing oil recovery while minimizing operational expenses. To address this, our study proposes an innovative hybrid intelligent system designed to predict bottom-hole flowing pressure in vertical multiphase conditions with superior accuracy compared to existing methods using a data set of 150 field measurements amassed from Algerian fields. In this work, the applied hybrid framework is the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), which integrates artificial neural networks (ANN) with fuzzy logic (FL). The ANFIS model was constructed using a subtractive clustering technique after data filtering, and then its outcomes were evaluated against the most widely utilized correlations and mechanistic models. Graphical inspection and error statistics confirmed that ANFIS consistently outperformed all other approaches in terms of precision, reliability, and effectiveness. For further improvement of the ANFIS performance, a particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is employed to refine the model and optimize the design of the antecedent Gaussian memberships along with the consequent linear coefficient vector. The results achieved by the hybrid ANFIS-PSO model demonstrated greater accuracy in bottom-hole pressure estimation than the conventional hybrid approach. Full article

Commercial hydrophobic membranes encounter severe problems such as membrane wetting and membrane fouling under extreme conditions, which affect membrane separation performance. To enhance the anti-fouling abilities of hydrophobic membranes, a composite membrane with omniphobic characteristics was fabricated successfully in this paper. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were in-situ grown via the hydrothermal synthesis method, and then fluorosilane with low surface energy was grafted on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. Subsequently, the morphologies, chemical compositions, wetting properties and structural parameters of composite membranes were characterized systematically. Various contaminants were added to the feed to investigate the anti-fouling and anti-wetting performances of the composite membrane in membrane distillation tests. The results showed that butyl titanate was first hydrolyzed to form titanium hydroxide (Ti(OH)₄) and then it was dehydrated to form TiO₂ in the hydrothermal environment. TiO₂ crystals continued to grow and formed rough morphology with micro-nano synergistic distribution, which is similar to a “sunflower” disk composed of cubic clusters and nanopillars. Meanwhile, fluorosilane successfully was grafted onto TiO₂. The contact angles of deionized water, 0.4 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) solution and 0.2% v/v mineral oil emulsion on the composite membrane surface were 167.3°, 162.0° and 158.5°, respectively, endowing the composite membrane with excellent omniphobic features. In direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) tests, the composite membrane exhibited a relatively stable membrane permeate flux, and the salt rejection rate almost reached 100%. The mixture, consisting of inorganic salts, organic substances, surfactants and oil emulsions, was used as feed. In contrast, the commercial PVDF membrane flux decreased drastically and even dropped to 0 due to the membrane fouling and wetting. As for the pristine PVDF membrane, the membrane surface was covered with pollutants and membrane pores were blocked. Therefore, it was proved that the omniphobic composite membrane possesses outstanding anti-fouling and anti-wetting performance. Full article

Gibberellic acid (GA₃) and forchlorfenuron (CPPU) are widely used plant growth regulators for promoting berry enlargement in grapes. To evaluate the effects of GA₃ and CPPU on fruit quality and peelability of the seedless grape cultivar ‘Wuhe Cuibao’, and to determine the optimal concentration combination under the ecological conditions of Jinzhong, Shanxi Province, grape clusters were treated with varying concentrations of GA₃ and CPPU at full bloom and again 14 days later (young fruit stage), with water treatment as the control (CK). After maturation, the fruits were harvested for subsequent analysis of external morphology and internal quality parameters in both fruit clusters and individual berries. Paraffin embedding and sectioning were performed to conduct histological observations of cuticle thickness and cellular morphology in the treated fruits. The results indicate that GA₃ and CPPU treatments significantly enhanced the external quality of ‘Wuhe Cuibao’ grapes by effectively reducing fruit drop during cultivation. With the exception of T3 treatment, all treatments promoted both cluster elongation and berry enlargement. GA₃ treatment alone was more effective than CPPU treatment, and its effects were positively correlated with concentration. The T2 treatment resulted in the greatest increases in fruit length, berry weight, pedicel thickness, and pedicel tensile strength, surpassing the control (CK) by 35.53%, 43.65%, 88.92%, and 104.76%, respectively. The combined application of GA₃ and CPPU showed a synergistic effect, especially in T8, which led to the highest increases in cluster length (21.94%), cluster weight (41.92%), and berry width (13.49%) compared with the control. In addition, all treatments promoted the color transition of berries from green to yellow-green. Histological analysis showed a significant increase in cuticle thickness and in the size of both epidermal and subepidermal cells after treatment. In addition, all treatments increased fruit firmness and peel adherence in a concentration-dependent manner. GA₃ treatment alone produced the greatest increases in both fruit firmness and peel–flesh adherence, while the addition of CPPU treatment alleviated these effects. All treatments improved internal fruit quality by increasing the content of vitamin C, reducing sugars, soluble sugars, starch, and cellulose. GA₃ treatment alone significantly increased the levels of soluble solids, soluble proteins, and total phenols by 5.67%, 1.49%, and 5.38%, respectively, compared to the control (CK). In contrast, CPPU treatment alone significantly reduced the levels of these compounds. Notably, combined GA₃ and CPPU treatment in T5 led to the highest accumulation of vitamin C and reducing sugars, with increases of 3.78% and 62.36%, respectively, compared to the CK. Additionally, all treatments reduced anthocyanin and titratable acid levels, with a synergistic effect observed under combined treatment in lowering titratable acidity. Comprehensive evaluation revealed that the combined application of 50 mg·L⁻¹ GA₃ and 5.0 mg·L⁻¹ CPPU at full bloom and 14 days thereafter resulted in the greatest overall improvement in grape quality, offering theoretical and practical support for the efficient, high-quality cultivation of this cultivar. Full article