Social Effects of Hearing Loss on Patients in Jos, North Central Nigeria

Hearing loss has caused serious social effects among people living with it. Those who relate to patients with hearing loss (PHL) also share some part of the negative effects. Some specifics are communication disability, which impacts speech and language development, academic performance, and social or work life. In previous years, the problem was predicted to be aggravated as the expected life span of the population increased. The study was conducted among PHL and their family members in JUTH and Kazahyet Audiology Service in Jos. 150 PHL were purposively sampled. The study was guided by a Cross-sectional Survey Research Design, and the specific objectives were to (1) identify the social effects of hearing loss on the PHL, (2) determine the implication of social effects on PHL, and (3) determine the extent at which these social effects affect PHL. The outcome of the study shows that the social effects faced by PHL are poor relationships, no secrets, dependence on sign language, frustration, depression, and dependence on lip reading. Some stop schooling, and others feel laughed at and therefore choose the path of isolation. The implication is that hearing loss is expensive to manage. PHL always feel they are not contributing their quarter in life as usual;they feel stigmatized and are not easy to relate with. The study recommends that the government should come up with policies that will check man-made behaviors that exert negative social effects on PHL in our society, subsidize the cost of hearing aids and cochlear implants to be affordable for PHL, formulate a policy on mandatory newborn hearing screening before the infant is discharged from the hospital to help in the early identification of hearing loss. Finally, the early creation of awareness of the dangers or consequences of hearing loss will go a long way in preventing our society from involvement in high-risk behaviors that will cause hearing loss.

Atypical Weight Loss in Two Patients with Schizophrenia Treated with Clozapine: A Case Report

Clozapine is widely recognized as an effective antipsychotic medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but it is typically associated with significant weight gain. This case report presents two unusual cases of patients with schizophrenia who experienced substantial weight loss while on long-term clozapine therapy. The first case involves a 35-year-old male who lost 21.3% of his initial body weight, and the second case describes a 54-year-old female who lost 30.2% of her initial weight, despite having comorbid hypothyroidism. Both patients showed improvement in psychiatric symptoms concurrent with the weight loss. Comprehensive investigations did not reveal other clear etiologies for the weight reduction. These cases challenge the conventional understanding of clozapine’s metabolic effects and highlight the potential for atypical responses in some individuals. The report discusses possible mechanisms for this unusual phenomenon, including genetic factors and altered pharmacokinetics. It also emphasizes the need for individualized monitoring and management strategies in clozapine therapy. These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence suggesting that metabolic responses to clozapine may be more complex and varied than previously thought, underscoring the importance of personalized approaches in schizophrenia treatment.

Effects of Specimen Shape and Size on Water Loss and Drying Shrinkage of Cement-based Materials

The effects of specimen size and shape on development of water loss and shrinkage of mortar and concrete respectively were investigated. The experimental results showed that the effects of specimen size and shape on water loss ratio were consistent with those on drying shrinkage strain. It is also indicated that drying shrinkage strain has obvious linear correlation with water loss ratios independent of specimen size and shape. The effects of specimen size and shape on the water loss ratio were embodied in established model of averaged relative humidity improved by considering effects of sequential hydration and calculated by finite difference method. Furthermore, the effects of specimen size and shape on drying shrinkage strain of concrete were experimentally deduced and applied to modify criterion EB-FIP1990. The comparison between experimental and calculated results shows that the modified EB-FIP1990 can be adopted to predict drying shrinkage strain of concrete with reasonable accuracy.

Resonance suppression and electromagnetic shielding effectiveness improvement of an apertured rectangular cavity by using wall losses

The cavity-mode resonance effect could result in significant degradation of the shielding effectiveness （SE） of a shielding enclosure around its resonance frequencies. In this paper, the influence of coated wall loss on the suppression of the resonance effect is investigated. For this purpose, an equivalent circuit model is employed to analyze the SE of an apertured rectangular cavity coated with an inside layer of resistive material. The model is developed by extending Robinson＇s equivalent circuit model through incorporating the effect of the wall loss into both the propagation constant and the characteristic impedance of the waveguide. Calculation results show that the wall loss could lead to great improvement on the SE for frequencies near the resonance but almost no effect on the SE for frequencies far away from the resonance.

Long-lasting discussion: Adverse effects of intraoperative blood loss and allogeneic transfusion on prognosis of patients with gastric cancer

Gastrectomy with radical lymph node dissection is the most promising treatment avenue for patients with gastric cancer. However, this procedure sometimes induces excessive intraoperative blood loss and requires perioperative allogeneic blood transfusion. There are lasting discussions and controversies about whether intraoperative blood loss or perioperative blood transfusion has adverse effects on the prognosis in patients with gastric cancer. We reviewed laboratory and clinical evidence of these associations in patients with gastric cancer. A large amount of clinical evidence supports the correlation between excessive intraoperative blood loss and adverse effects on the prognosis. The laboratory evidence revealed three possible causes of such adverse effects: anti-tumor immunosuppression, unfavorable postoperative conditions, and peritoneal recurrence by spillage of cancer cells into the pelvis. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have suggested the adverse effects of perioperative blood transfusions on prognostic parameters such as all-cause mortality, recurrence, and postoperative complications. There are two possible causes of adverse effects of blood transfusions on the prognosis: Anti-tumor immunosuppression and patient-related confounding factors (e.g., preoperative anemia). These factors are associated with a worse prognosis and higher requirement for perioperative blood transfusions. Surgeons should make efforts to minimize intraoperative blood loss and transfusions during gastric cancer surgery to improve patients’ prognosis.

Strong Interaction Effect on Jet Energy Loss with Detailed Balance

The strong force effect on gluon distribution of quark-gluon plasma and its influence on jet energy loss with detailed balance are studied. We solve the possibility equation and obtain the value of non-extensive parameter q. In the presence of strong interaction, more gluons stay at low-energy state than the free gluon case. The strong interaction effect is found to be important for jet energy loss with detailed balance at intermediate jet energy. The energy gain via absorption increases with the strong interaction. This will affect the nuclear modification factor RAA and the parameter of q at intermediate jet energy.

Investigation of Pile Construction and Productivity Loss: An Analysis of Macro Impact Factor

Pile foundations are challenging to build due to subsurface obstacles, contractor ignorance, and difficulties with site planning. Given the unpredictable environment of the construction site, productivity losses during pile work are to be thought possible. Prior to finishing a site pre-investigation, a foundation’s area is usually sampled for statistical reasons. There are studies on pile construction outside of Bangladesh that are supported by relevant empirical data in the literature. Since Bangladesh, which is regarded as a third-world country, is ignored in this regard, the literature currently available about pile building and the associated productivity loss is unable to provide adequate information or appropriate empirical data. Due to this pile-building sector in Bangladesh has been experiencing a decline in production for quite some time now. Before attempting to increase productivity in pile construction, it is essential to investigate the potential losses and the variables that might have an influence. This study aims to accomplish the following objectives: 1) identify the primary factors that have an impact on pile construction;2) develop an SVR model that accurately predicts productivity loss;and 3) figure out the projected loss by basing it on the historical scenario that is the most comparable to the current one. A Support Vector Regression (SVR) model was developed after a study of the relevant literature. This model enabled the collection of 110 pile building projects from five significant locations in Bangladesh. The model was constructed using a list of eight inputs in addition to a list of five macro elements (labor, management, environment, material, and equipment) (soil condition, pile type, pile material, project size, project location, pile depth, pile quantity, and equipment quantity). Using 10-way cross validation, the SVR achieves an accuracy of 87.2% in its predictions. On the basis of what has occurred in the past, we are able to estimate that there will be a loss of around 18.55 percent of the total output. A new perspective for engineers studying the delay factors with productivity loss is provided by the outcome of important tasks as it relates to loss in productivity and overall factors faced. In the building construction industry, effective management should place more emphasis on the correlation between productivity loss and the factors that cause it. Therefore, to represent the effect on productivity loss, real factors can be summed up as a decline in productivity loss. The findings of the study would urge specialists to concentrate on waste as a means of increasing overall production.

肥胖患者情绪异常与减重手术效果的相关性

背景减重手术是治疗肥胖的重要手段之一,部分拟行减重手术的患者存在异常的情绪及较高的外周血炎症因子水平,可能会影响减重手术效果。目前国内对于该群体术前情绪状态和外周血炎症因子水平与减重手术效果相关性的研究有限。目的探讨术前情绪异常与肥胖患者减重手术效果的相关性,以期为提高患者减重手术的效果提供参考。方法纳入2022年12月30日—2023年6月30日,于四川大学华西医院胃肠外科住院的、拟行减重手术的肥胖患者81例,采用汉密尔顿抑郁量表17项版(HAMD-17)和汉密尔顿焦虑量表(HAMA)评定患者的情绪状态,将HAMD-17或HAMA评分≥7分或有抑郁或焦虑障碍史的患者纳入情绪异常组(n=34),将HAMD-17与HAMA评分均<7分且无上述既往史的患者纳入不伴情绪异常组(n=47)。采用自制问卷收集一般资料,采用贝克自杀意念量表中文版(BSI-CV)、进食障碍调查问卷(EDI)以及匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表(PSQI)分别评定自杀意念、进食及睡眠情况;检测两组患者外周血C反应蛋白(CRP)和白细胞介素-6(IL-6)水平。术后1个月和术后6个月通过门诊或电话随访收集患者当日清晨空腹体质量和身高。采用Pearson相关分析考查BMI与患者术前HAMD-17总评分及外周血炎症因子水平之间的相关性。结果最终共62例肥胖患者完成本研究,其中情绪异常组27例、不伴情绪异常组35例。情绪异常组最近一周和最抑郁时的BSI-CV评分、EDI总评分、PSQI总评分、外周血CRP及IL-6水平均高于不伴情绪异常组(Z=2.677、2.975,t=3.573、4.035、1.990、2.799,P<0.05或0.01)。两组BMI的组别效应及组别与时间的交互效应均无统计学意义(P均>0.05),时间效应有统计学意义(F=227.740,P<0.01)。情绪异常组基线期、术后1个月以及术后6个月的BMI与IL-6水平均呈正相关(r=0.419、0.510、0.559,P<0.05或0.01),术后6个月的BMI与HAMD-17总评分呈正相关(r=0.390,P<0.05),术后6个月ΔBMI%与HAMD-17总评分呈负相关(r=-0.421,P<0.05)。不伴情绪异常组基线期BMI与IL-6水平呈正相关(r=0.338,P<0.01)。结论伴或不伴情绪异常的肥胖患者行减重手术的短期效果可能一致,减重手术的效果可能与术前抑郁情绪严重程度无关。

无量纲化方法选择及最优无量纲化方法构建

文章针对综合评价过程中无量纲化方法难以选择的问题,首先,基于分布特征不变性和变异特征不变性对无量纲化方法进行初步筛选,结果发现,只有伸缩法能同时保持指标的分布特征和变异特征不变;其次,构建无量纲化有效性的统计检验方法,并检验各种伸缩法的有效性,结果发现,并非所有的伸缩法都能有效消除指标间的量纲差异;然后,建立无量纲化信息损失速率的度量模型,提出无量纲化方法选择的主要步骤,并以无量纲化应在有效消除指标间量纲差异的情况下尽可能减小指标内的信息损失速率为原则,构建一种最优无量纲化模型;最后,通过大量的数值模拟实验来进行无量纲化方法选择,并求解最优无量纲化模型。结果发现,基于以上步骤能更加科学准确地进行无量纲化方法选择;构建的最优无量纲化方法不同于任何一种现有的无量纲化方法,其不仅可以有效消除指标间的量纲差异,而且可以防止对数据的过度处理,造成不必要的信息损失。

基于等效复数磁导率的利兹线绕组损耗计算模型

绕组损耗是高频变压器总体损耗的重要组成部分,是影响磁性元件体积、效率和温升的关键性参数。由于利兹线的高频损耗小而广泛应用于高频变压器绕组,但其复杂的三维扭转结构导致准确、快速地计算绕组损耗十分困难。解析方法需要进行简化和近似处理,难以准确地表征绕组的高频涡流特性,有限元数值方法需要对每匝绕组精细化建模,导致计算资源耗费严重。采用具有等效复值材料特性的区域替代绕组区域的均匀化技术,能够实现二维磁场对涡流效应的表征,降低了精细化建模的计算成本。但等效区域的材料特性需要利用数值方法获得,增加了计算的复杂性。因此该文通过分析利兹线损耗机理,考虑利兹线截面形状对等效区域材料特性的影响,实现了圆形利兹线绕组等效复数磁导率的明确解析描述。建立了圆形利兹线绕组损耗计算模型,验证了等效复数磁导率计算邻近效应的准确性,实现了较宽频率范围内绕组损耗的准确预测。

种植修复10分钟及1个月后基台中央螺丝扭矩丧失情况的横断面研究

目的:本横断面研究采用4种不同的种植系统修复单颗前磨牙或磨牙缺失,观察种植修复体戴入,基台中央螺丝初次旋紧后的10 min及1个月,基台中央螺丝扭矩丧失的情况。方法:2021年7月~2023年6月于北京大学深圳医院口腔医学中心种植科完成单颗后牙种植体植入术后3个月,转修复科修复的患者268例,戴入了在二氧化锆全冠中央开孔并与基台口外粘接的改良粘接固位种植修复体。修复体调整至合适后,按照各厂家要求的扭矩旋紧基台中央螺丝。分别观察基台中央螺丝初次旋紧10 min及1个月后,当扭矩扳手再次旋紧基台中央螺丝至厂家要求的扭矩时,扭矩扳手自旋转起点至终点顺时针旋转的角度。旋转的角度越大,说明基台中央螺丝扭矩丧失的情况越严重。结果:基台中央螺丝初次旋紧10 min后再次旋紧时,所有实验组病例扭矩扳手旋转的角度均为0°。基台中央螺丝初次旋紧1个月后再次旋紧时,无论实验组(基台中央螺丝初次旋紧10 min后曾再次旋紧)还是对照组(基台中央螺丝初次旋紧10 min后未再次旋紧),无论前磨牙组还是磨牙组,无论种植体是Ankylos、Straumann、Zimmer或Nobel,所有病例扭矩扳手旋转角度均>0°。其中,共有29例病例(10.82%)扭矩扳手旋转的角度>90°,且这一比例在各组间没有显著差异(P>0.05)。没有病例扭矩扳手旋转的角度达到或超过180°。结论:在部分种植系统中,单颗后牙种植修复后1个月,部分病例基台中央螺丝扭矩丧失的情况较为明显,且比例与是否曾在基台中央螺丝初次旋紧10 min后再次加力,及前磨牙或磨牙位点、采用何种植系统无关。

汽轮发电机转子绕组匝间短路故障恶化的影响因素研究

转子绕组匝间短路是大型同步发电机的常见故障,在发电机的电气故障中占据了较高的比例,也是影响机组安全运行的主要原因之一。本文针对转子绕组匝间短路伴随的局部过热问题,分别研究了短路点过渡电阻、短路点电流集束效应以及短路点的反复通断过程对其的影响。以一台300MW汽轮发电机为例,仿真获取了短路回路电流和功率损耗、短路点附近励磁电流密度以及被短路回路的暂态电压规律。本研究为确定转子绕组匝间短路故障的过热现象原因奠定了理论基础,也为进一步研究故障演化过程提供了分析思路。

高速永磁电机铁耗精确计算两项式模型

基于分段带补偿项的铁耗计算方法,本文提出了一种适用于高速永磁电机铁耗精确计算的两项式数学模型。通过结合高速电机运行特性对频率和磁密区间进行双重划分,在Jordan损耗分离模型的基础上引入涡流及磁滞损耗补偿项考虑磁饱和、局部磁滞回环及涡流趋肤效应等非线性因素对硅钢片单位损耗特性的影响。该模型新增参数均为随频率和磁密变化的分段常函数,通过L-M算法拟合求解,在减小计算量的同时明确反映铁磁材料非线性对铁耗计算的影响,实现铁耗精确计算。最后,以某高速电机用硅钢片35SWH1900为例,对比了本文所提模型与Jordan损耗分离模型在单位损耗上的计算误差,实验结果表明所提模型计算误差基本在15%以内,能够有效提升高速永磁电机铁耗的计算精度。

旅游偏好是否可以促进国际旅游消费?——基于中国旅游调查的实证研究

从传统经济学、行为经济学的角度出发,利用2016年中华人民共和国文化与旅游部全国性的国民旅游休闲调查数据,分析了旅游偏好与国际旅游消费之间的相互作用,运用最小二乘加权回归模型(WLS)研究了旅游偏好对旅游消费的影响,以及旅游需求在旅游偏好与旅游消费中的中介作用。结果发现:(1)对于国内旅游,旅游偏好通过旅游需求的中介作用对旅游消费产生正向作用,即消费者对特定旅游活动和目的地的偏好驱动了他们对国内旅游的需求,从而增加了国内旅游消费;(2)对于出境国际旅游,在交易效用和损失厌恶效应的影响下,旅游偏好通过国际旅游需求的中介作用对国际旅游消费产生正向影响作用,但具有明显的区域性特征,在中国西部城市无正向促进作用,但在东部城市和中部城市有正向促进作用;(3)男性和女性在旅游偏好和旅游消费上不存在性别差异。

不排水循环荷载下纤维加固砂土的超孔压及流动液化特性研究

通过对纤维加固超疏松和疏松饱和砂土开展不排水动三轴试验,分析了其超孔压发展规律和流动液化特性。结果表明,未加固超疏松和疏松饱和砂土具有较高的液化势,其在不排水循环荷载下均发生流动液化。离散纤维向砂土骨架提供加密效应和约束效应,从而提高其抗流动液化特性,然而,纤维的约束效应受到加载路径和试样应变发展模式的显著影响。纤维加固改变了饱和砂土残余孔压的发展规律,当纤维向砂土骨架施加较强的约束效应时,试样的残余孔压发展呈倒L型,明显不同于未加固砂土的S型发展。在双向非对称和单向循环荷载下,纤维应力贡献较大,砂土骨架的有效应力在超孔压上升100%后远大于0,加固试样的强度损失低于11%,纤维阻止了液化的发生。

考虑累积效应的35 kV油浸式三相变压器温升特性仿真与试验研究

变压器长期处于不停机运行状态,焦耳热、电磁热等热源产生的温升会严重影响变压器的运行状态和使用寿命。为了更准确地得到35 kV油浸式变压器的热点温度和温升特性,针对现有研究未考虑温度影响下参数的时间尺度变化特征的问题,考虑温度累积效应带来的影响,围绕油浸式变压器的温升特性展开研究。首先,建立时变电流密度、磁感应强度的理论模型;其次,基于电磁热流多物理场耦合仿真方法,对油浸式变压器带负载工作过程进行电磁场、温度场及流场的有限元仿真分析,得到了铁心、绕组及漏磁损耗作用下油箱内部温度变化及其分布特性;最后,完成油浸式变压器长期带负载运行实验,并采集得到升高座下方及初级、次级绕组温度。仿真发现绕组附近温度约为95℃,铁心的直角区域及升高座下方也存在高温区,原因是该位置油流流速较大,仿真结果约为28 mm/s。实验与仿真的对照结果表明,考虑累积效应的仿真结果与实测值较为接近。研究内容可为油浸式变压器的温升特性提供技术参考。

GIS内置特高频传感器性能参数仿真研究

为了提高气体绝缘组合电器局部放电的检测效果,对内置圆盘型特高频传感器进行了性能参数的仿真研究。通过建立回波损耗参数S11和有效高度的测试仿真模型,分析了传感器圆盘直径、介电常数和短路针距离对性能的影响。结果表明:对于内置式特高频传感器,圆盘半径为75 mm,介电常数维持在3~4之间,短路针距离圆心距离为60 mm左右时,回波损耗和灵敏度达到最优。研究发现,随着圆盘直径增大,传感器的谐振频率和有效高度逐渐降低。同时,介电常数和短路针距离的增加导致谐振频率降低,有效高度增加。

探讨成分输血在急性失血患者治疗中的应用效果

目的:探讨不同比例成分输血(CBT)在急性失血(ABL)患者治疗过程中的应用效果。方法:回顾性分析我院收治的ABL患者在输血前后治疗资料,比较三组输血治疗前后的血常规和凝血功能(CF)指标改善以及输血后不良反应的情况。结果:三组患者输入异体CBT后,其血常规和CF指标明显改善,同输血前相比有差异(P<0.05)。中比例组和高比例组血常规指标高于低比例组,PT和APTT延长时间较低比例组短,FIB高于低比例组,比较有差异(P<0.05)。高比例组血常规和CF指标与中比例组比较,无差异(P>0.05)。低比例组的不良反应发生率高于中、高比例组。结论:CBT是ABL患者治疗过程中有效措施,采用中、高比例CBT进行救治,能使机体有效扩容、快速恢复CF,且不良反应少。

姜黄联合山楂对C57肥胖小鼠的减肥作用及机制研究

目的:评价姜黄联合山楂的减肥作用并探索其减肥机制。方法:32只C57BL/6J小鼠随机分为四组:正常组、正常干预组、高脂组、高脂干预组,每组8只。每天定时灌胃相应药物,每周定时检测小鼠脂肪率、瘦肉率、摄食和饮水量变化,每隔两周同一时间测定小鼠的随机血糖,12周后脱颈椎处死小鼠采集标本。检测血清总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、甘油三酯(triglyceride,TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(high-density lipoprotein cholesterol,HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,LDL-C)、谷丙转氨酶(alanine aminotransferase,ALT)、谷草转氨酶(aspartate aminotransferase,AST),通过附睾脂肪和肝脏HE染色,观察脂肪和肝脏组织形态变化。实时荧光PCR法检测肝脏组织中胆固醇7α-羟化酶(cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase,CYP7A1)、脂肪酸合酶(fatty acid synthase,FAS)、肝X受体α(Liver X Receptorα,LXRα)、固醇调节元件结合蛋白2(Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein,SREBP2)、固醇调节元件结合蛋白1C(Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein,SREBP1C)、硬脂酰辅酶A去饱和酶(Steary-coenzyme A dehydro-synthase-1,SCD1)mRNA的相对表达水平。结果:相比高脂组,高脂干预组小鼠体质量、脂肪率、TG、TC、LDL-C显著降低,瘦肉率、HDL-C显著升高(P<0.05),摄食、饮水量无显著差异;抑制了脂肪细胞肥大,使得脂肪沉积减少;改善了肝脏细胞空泡化、炎症浸润;肝脏组织中CYP7A1 mRNA表达水平显著升高(P<0.05),LXRα、SREBP1C、SCD、FAS mRNA表达水平极显著降低(P<0.01),SREBP2 mRNA表达水平无显著变化。结论:姜黄-山楂具有良好的减肥作用,其减肥机制与调节相关基因中mRNA表达水平有关。

黄土丘陵沟壑区坡面水沙尺度传递效应及其影响因素分析

[目的]探究坡面水沙运动过程中的尺度效应,阐明黄土高原丘陵沟壑区水沙运动尺度效应影响机制,进而为水沙传递机理研究及黄河流域水沙综合治理提供科学支撑。[方法]基于黄河子洲径流试验站4个径流场径流泥沙资料,通过对比分析次降雨事件下不同坡长产流产沙过程,揭示了坡面产流产沙的尺度传递效应。提出尺度传递效率概念,用来表征上下层级间水沙传递关系,进而探究了径流泥沙传递效率的影响因素。[结果](1)不同降雨类型特征因素对坡面产流产沙的影响不同,降雨历时主要影响坡面产流产沙能力,平均雨强主要影响坡面产流产沙起始时间;(2)次降雨事件下,不同坡长的径流传递是较为理想的平衡传递机制,且随坡长增加,径流的传递能力呈减小趋势。而在40~60 m坡长条件下,泥沙的传递表现为非平衡传递过程,随坡长增加,泥沙的传递能力呈先增大后减小的变化趋势;(3)不同尺度坡面水沙传递效率的影响因素不同,径流深、平均雨强及雨后表层土壤含水率是影响水沙尺度效率传递的主要因素。[结论]黄土丘陵沟壑区坡面产流产沙能力受降雨特性及坡长的影响,水沙沿程传递存在明显的折损或增益的尺度效应,水沙传递效率受雨强、径流及土壤湿度等多重因素的调控。