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This meta-analysis aimed at assessing the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound-measured laryngeal air column width difference (ACWD) in predicting post-extubation stridor (PES) in intubated adult patients. We searched the Medline, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Google scholar databases from inception to October, 2022 to identify studies that examined the diagnostic accuracy of ACWD for PES. The primary outcome was the diagnostic performance by calculating the pooled sensitivity, specificity, and area under the curve (AUC). The secondary outcomes were the differences in ACWD and duration of intubation between patients with and without PES. Following literature search, 11 prospective studies (intensive care setting, = 10; operating room setting, = 1) involving 1,322 extubations were included. The incidence of PES among the studies was 4-25%. All studies were mixed-gender (females: 24.1-68.5%) with sample sizes ranging between 41 and 432. The cut-off values of ACWD for prediction of PES varied from 0.45 to 1.6 mm. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of ACWD for PES were 0.8 (95% CI = 0.69-0.88, : 37.26%, eight studies) and 0.81 (95% CI = 0.72-0.88, : 89.51%, eight studies), respectively. The pooled AUC was 0.87 (95% CI = 0.84-0.90). Patients with PES had a smaller ACWD compared to those without PES (mean difference = -0.54, 95% CI = -0.79 to -0.28, : 97%, eight studies). Moreover, patients with PES had a longer duration of tracheal intubation than that in those without (mean difference = 2.75 days, 95% CI = 0.92, 4.57, : 90%, seven studies). Ultrasound-measured laryngeal ACWD showed satisfactory sensitivity and specificity for predicting PES. Because of the limited number of studies available, further investigations are needed to support our findings. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42022375772.

A fluid circulation micropump that has three control channels activated by a single pressure source is reported. The proposed micropump can rotate a fluid in one direction because the control channels have widths that decrease in the fluid flow direction, thereby squeezing a fluid channel with different deflections under an identical pressure. The response time and deflection of the control channels are also investigated to demonstrate the effect of width differences on the flow rate of the micropump. In this reported work, several micropumps with different channel width ratios are fabricated, and their flow rates are experimentally analysed; the maximum flow rate of the proposed micropump was 10.8 nl/min at 3 Hz and 350 kPa for control channel widths of 300, 200 and 100 μm.

In accordance with the trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference theory, decreasing the trans-lamina cribrosa pressure difference can re- lieve glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Increased intracranial pressure can also reduce optic nerve damage in glaucoma patients, and a safe, effective and noninvasive way to achieve this is by increasing the intra-abdominal pressure. The purpose of this study was to observe the changes in orbital subarachnoid space width and intraocular pressure at elevated intra-abdominal pressure. An inflatable abdominal belt was tied to each of 15 healthy volunteers, aged 22-30 years （12 females and 3 males）, at the navel level, without applying pressure to the abdomen, before they laid in the magnetic resonance imaging machine. The baseline orbital subarachnoid space width around the optic nerve was measured by magnetic resonance imaging at 1, 3, 9, and 15 mm behind the globe. The abdominal belt was inflated to increase the pressure to 40 mmHg （1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa）, then the orbital subarachnoid space width was measured every 10 minutes for 2 hours. After removal of the pressure, the measurement was repeated 10 and 20 minutes later. In a separate trial, the intraocular pressure was measured for all the subjects at the same time points, before, during and after elevated intra-abdominal pressure. Results showed that the baseline mean orbital subarachnoid space width was 0.88 ＋ 0.1 mm （range： 0.77-1.05 mm）, 0.77 ＋ 0.11 mm （range： 0.60-0.94 mm）, 0.70 ＋ 0.08 mm （range： 0.62-0.80 ram）, and 0.68 _＋ 0.08 mm （range： 0.57-0.77 mm） at 1, 3, 9, and 15 mm behind the globe, respectively. During the elevated intra-abdominal pressure, the orbital subarachnoid space width increased from the baseline and dilation of the optic nerve sheath was significant at 1, 3 and 9 mm behind the globe. After decompression of the abdominal pressure, the orbital subarachnoid space width normalized and returned to the baseline value. There was no significant difference in the intraocular pressure before, during and after the intra-abdominal pressure elevation. These results verified that the increased intra-abdominal pressure widens the orbital subarachnoid space in this acute trial, but does not alter the intraocular pressure, indicating that intraocular pressure is not affected by rapid increased in- tra-abdominal pressure. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry （registration number： ChiCTR-ONRC-14004947）.

This paper presents the measurement of the relative width difference ΔΓ$_{d}$ /Γ$_{d}$ of the $ {B}^0\\hbox{-} {\\overline{B}}^0 $ system using the data collected by the ATLAS experiment at the LHC in pp collisions at $ \\sqrt{s}=7 $ TeV and $ \\sqrt{s}=8 $ TeV and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 25.2 fb$^{−1}$. The value of ΔΓ$_{d}$ /Γ$_{d}$ is obtained by comparing the decay-time distributions of B$^{0}$ → J/ψK$_{S}$ and B$^{0}$ → J/ψK$^{*0}$(892) decays. The result is ΔΓ$_{d}$ /Γ$_{d}$ = (−0.1±1.1 (stat.)± 0.9 (syst.)) × 10$^{−2}$. Currently, this is the most precise single measurement of ΔΓ$_{d}$ /Γ$_{d}$ . It agrees with the Standard Model prediction and the measurements by other experiments.

Background Forensic odontology plays a crucial role in identifying individuals in legal contexts, especially in extreme conditions or large-scale disasters. The dental arch dimensions, such as intercanine width (ICW), intermolar width (IMW), and total arch length (TAL), are key indicators for sex and age estimation due to their distinct and enduring features. This study evaluates the potential of these dental measurements for sex and age estimation in an adult Egyptian population. A total of 150 adults (75 males and 75 females), aged 18 to 50 years, were selected from Ain Shams University Dental Hospital, Cairo, between October 2020 and September 2021. Alginate impressions were used to create study models for measuring ICW, IMW, and TAL. Statistical comparisons between maxillary and mandibular arches were conducted, and sex and age differences across various age groups were analyzed. Results Significant differences ( P  < 0.001) were found between the maxilla and mandible for all measurements (ICW, IMW, TAL). Males exhibited larger dimensions than females in both arches across all age groups. ICW and IMW were strong indicators of sex differentiation, while TAL required measurements from both arches for reliable sex identification, especially in males from the first and third age groups. Conclusion The dimensions of the dental arches (ICW, IMW, and TAL) are effective and reliable indicators for age and sex estimation in adult Egyptians. These findings contribute valuable tools for forensic identification, particularly in legal and disaster management applications.

Introduction: Sexual dimorphism practically involves differences in size and appearance of the same species which does not involve the difference in sexual organs. A significant variation also occurs with the tooth size, shape, etc., which plays a critical role in sex determination. Forensic investigations are used in defining the number of missing people whose skeletal remains are unknown. Depending on the available bones and their state, a variety of methods with varying degrees of reliability are available for identifying unknown remains. Materials and Methods: Fifty male and 50 female patients in the age group 20-30 years were randomly selected after taking a detailed history. All maxillary impressions were made with alginate and poured into a dental stone. These casts were measured for intercanine width, interpremolar width, and intermolar width using a digital vernier caliper, and findings were correlated with sexual dimorphism. Results: Intercanine width between the tips of right and left maxillary canine was measured in males and females at 36.08 ± 2.04 mm (Range: 30.05-41.64 mm) and in females, the mean intercanine width was 34.31 ± 1.75 mm (Range: 28.35-39.01 mm), respectively. Interpremolar width between the distal pits of right and left first premolars was measured in males and females at 38.97 ± 2.10 mm (Range: 33.94-45.21 mm) and in females, the mean interpremolar width was 36.92 ± 1.87 mm (Range: 31.34 mm), respectively. Intermolar width between the central fossae of right and left first molars was measured in males and females at 50.43 ± 2.25 mm (Range: 44.16-56.84 mm) and in females, the mean intermolar width was 47.90 ± 2.06 mm (Range: 42.66-54.63 mm), respectively. Conclusion: In males, the mean value of the combination of intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths was 125.47 ± 5.61 mm (Range: 108.15-141.86 mm) and in females, it was 119.12 ± 5.05 mm (Range: 103.25-134.36 mm). Mean values of all combinations were larger in males than in females. Thereby, maxillary arch widths contribute to accuracy in determining the gender of the individual.

Background Vascular risk factors, including hypertension, are associated with cognitive decline. Hypertension is also associated to the maintenance of metabolic, immune, and physical functions during aging. These observations suggest that hypertension may contribute to accelerated biological aging. We aim to investigate whether biological aging mediates the effect of hypertension on cognitive function. Method We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011–2014. Hypertension was defined using self‐reports, direct measurements, or antihypertensive medication use. Global cognitive function was assessed using a composite z‐score based on CERAD Word Learning and Recall, Animal Fluency, and Digit Symbol Substitution tests. Biological aging was measured using nine blood biomarkers (albumin, alkaline phosphatase, C‐reactive protein, creatinine, glucose, white‐blood‐cell count, lymphocyte %, mean cell volume, and red‐cell distribution width). Using causal mediation analysis (Figure 1), we investigated whether biological aging mediates the association between hypertension and cognitive function, adjusted for sex, education, body mass index, annual income, and race/ethnicity. We tested heterogeneity in these associations across different race/ethnicity. Result The study included 2,421 adults aged 60‐80 years (51% women, 62.1% with hypertension, mean age 69.1, 23.6% with accelerated biological aging, i.e., biological age > chronological age). Hypertension was associated with older biological age (b = 3.34, p < 0.001). Biological aging mediated 41% of the effect of hypertension on cognitive function (mediation effect b = ‐1.59, 95% CI: ‐2.02 to ‐1.18, p < 0.001). The mediation effect of biological aging was particularly pronounced in Mexican Americans, where it accounted for 26% of the hypertension‐cognition association, while no significant mediation was observed in non‐Hispanic White or non‐Hispanic Black participants. Conclusion Among a diverse sample of older adults, biological aging, as measured by biomarkers, was found to mediate the relationship between hypertension and cognitive function. This mediation effect varied across racial/ethnic groups, highlighting the need for tailored interventions to address race/ethnic differences and mitigate hypertension‐related cognitive decline.

A proppant transport simulator coupled with multi-planar 3D (multi-PL3D) fracture propagation has been developed to examine the proppant distribution among multiple hydraulic fractures during multi-cluster fracturing in a horizontal well. The multi-PL3D fracture model considers wellbore friction, multi-fracture stress interaction, fluid leak-off, and multi-scale propagation regimes. The proppant transport is described by the two-phase (slurry/proppant) flow equations that consider proppant settling, jamming and flow regime transition. A high-resolution weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) finite difference (FD) scheme is adopted to solve the nonlinear proppant transport equations. An efficient time-stepping scheme is developed to solve the solid/fluid coupling equations and moving boundaries for the multi-PL3D model. The proppant transport model and multi-PL3D model are both validated against previously published results. Using the model, we examine the proppant distributions under different injection schedules, proppant sizes, proppant density, and fluid viscosity. Results show that proppant distribution among multiple fractures is different as the flow rate and fracture width distribution vary due to multi-fracture stress interaction. The proppant in the middle cluster settles remarkably as the flow rate is lowest among the multiple clusters. The proppant is usually jammed at the pinch point, where the fracture width reduces sharply. Proppant adding schedule has a significant effect on the proppant distribution. A constant-concentration results in a proppant stack at the fracture front. In contrast, an increasing concentration favors the prop of the near-wellbore fracture. The proppant distribution area ratio (defined as the proppant distribution area divided by the fracture area) is only 20% for 20/40 mesh proppant, while the ratio is 45% for 100 mesh proppant. Slick water can increase the fracture area but not favor promoting the proppant distribution area ratio. The results can be helpful for proppant design for multi-cluster fracturing in a horizontal well.