Search Results (2,969)

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), recently renamed metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is the most prevalent liver disease worldwide. It is associated with an increased risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the background of cirrhosis or without cirrhosis. The prevalence of NAFLD-related HCC is increasing all over the globe, and HCC surveillance in NAFLD cases is not that common. In the present review, we attempt to summarize promising treatments and clinical trials focused on NAFLD, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and HCC in the past five to seven years. We categorized the trials based on the type of intervention. Most of the trials are still running, with only a few completed and with conclusive results. In clinical trial NCT03942822, 25 mg/day of milled chia seeds improved NAFLD condition. Completed trial NCT03524365 concluded that Rouxen-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (SG) results in histological resolution of NASH without worsening of fibrosis, while NCT04677101 validated sensitivity/accuracy of blood biomarkers in predicting NASH and fibrosis stage. Moreover, trials with empagliflozin (NCT05694923), curcuvail (NCT06256926), and obeticholic acid (NCT03439254) were completed but did not provide conclusive results. However, trial NCT03900429 reported effective improvement in fibrosis by at least one stage, without worsening of NAFLD activity score (NAS), as well as improvement in lipid profile of the NASH patients by 80 or 100 mg MGL-3196 (resmetirom). Funded by Madrigal Pharmaceuticals, Rezdiffra (resmetirom), used in the clinical trial NCT03900429, is the first FDA-approved drug for the treatment of NAFLD/NASH. Full article

This study examined joint pricing and inventory decisions in a competitive newsvendor environment using a combination of theoretical modeling and experimental methods. We developed a newsvendor model with price competition and inventory decisions. Participants in a laboratory experiment made simultaneous pricing and inventory decisions over 50 rounds, with their opponents’ identities unknown. We theoretically proved the existence of a mixed Nash equilibrium, i.e., different equilibrium prices corresponded to different optimal inventory quantities. The experimental results show that about $50\%$ of the joint pricing and inventory decisions were consistent with the predictions of the equilibrium model. However, systematic deviations from the equilibrium predictions were also observed at the aggregate level. We developed a novel context-dependent quantal response equilibrium model (QRE) for the bivariate newsvendor game setting. The context-dependent quantal response equilibrium model fit the observed decision biases remarkably well, and it was significantly better than the basic QRE model. This research provides insights into decision biases in complex systems and practical guidance for project planning and management. Full article

The intensifying overexploitation of water resources and the increasing pollution discharge have exacerbated conflicts in water resource utilization, making it urgent to effectively reconcile the contradiction between water resource utilization and environmental protection. This study developed a Cost-Inclusive Multi-Objective Bargaining Methodology (CIMB), coupled with a Compromise Programming (CP) method, to address conflicts between water use and pollution discharge, considering the economic benefits and the sustainable development of water resources. A deterministic multi-objective bargaining approach was employed, with two players representing the maximization of water use benefits and the minimization of total pollution discharge. This study takes the middle and lower reaches of the Han River region as an example to optimize water resource allocation in ten cities in this area. Using the CIMB-CP model, the water use and pollution discharge for different cities were obtained, and the impact of various factors on the game outcomes was analyzed. The model results indicate that negotiation cost have a significant impact on the Nash equilibrium solution. Compared to the Cost-Exclusive Multi-Objective Bargaining Methodology (CEMB) model, the Nash equilibrium solution of the CIMB-CP model shows an approximately 0.1% decrease in economic benefits and an approximately 0.3% decrease in pollution discharge. The risk attitudes of the participants have a significant impact on the game outcomes, and decision-makers need to formulate corresponding negotiation strategies based on their own risk preferences. Full article

The structures and parameters of physically-based distributed hydrological models (PBDHMs) can now be established and derived from remote-sensing data with relative ease. When engineers apply PBDHMs for flood forecasting in mesoscale catchments, they encounter varying rain gauge infrastructure conditions. Understanding model performance expectations under varying rain gauge density conditions is crucial for wide PDBHM construction. This study presents a case study of a PBDHM called the Liuxihe Model and examines six rain gauge density scenarios designed based on real-world data to assess the impact of rain gauge density on model flood forecasting performance. The study focuses on a mesoscale catchment in Jiangxi Province, China, covering an area of 2364 km² with 62 rain gauges. The results indicate that models optimized under an adequate rain gauge density condition are less affected by gauge density changes, maintaining accuracy within a range of change. Compared to Kling–Gupta Efficiency (KGE) and Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE), the indicators absolute peak time error (APTE) and peak relative error (PRE) are less sensitive to variation in rain gauge density. The study further discusses how rain gauge density changes related to the interpolated rainfall surfaces and parameter optimization, hoping to facilitate the broader application of PBDHMs and offer insights for future practices. Full article

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is characterized by the accumulation of fat in the liver, excluding excessive alcohol consumption and other known causes of liver injury. Animal models are often used to explore different pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic targets of MASLD. The aim of this study is to apply an artificial intelligence (AI) system based on second-harmonic generation (SHG)/two-photon-excited fluorescence (TPEF) technology to automatically assess the dynamic patterns of hepatic steatosis in MASLD mouse models. Methods: We evaluated the characteristics of hepatic steatosis in mouse models of MASLD using AI analysis based on SHG/TPEF images. Six different models of MASLD were induced in C57BL/6 mice by feeding with a western or high-fat diet, with or without fructose in their drinking water, and/or by weekly injections of carbon tetrachloride. Results: Body weight, serum lipids, and liver enzyme markers increased at 8 and 16 weeks in each model compared to baseline. Steatosis grade showed a steady upward trend. However, the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) Clinical Research Network (CRN) histological scoring method detected no significant difference between 8 and 16 weeks. In contrast, AI analysis was able to quantify dynamic changes in the area, number, and size of hepatic steatosis automatically and objectively, making it more suitable for preclinical MASLD animal experiments. Conclusions: AI recognition technology may be a new tool for the accurate diagnosis of steatosis in MASLD, providing a more precise and objective method for evaluating steatosis in preclinical murine MASLD models under various experimental and treatment conditions. Full article

In this study, the JiaoGang Basin in the Yangtze River Delta plains of the river network area was the research object. A basin water level simulation model was constructed based on the physical mechanism model and Mike software, and the parameters were calibrated and validated. Based on the dataset produced by the physical model, three types of ML models, Support Vector Machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and gradient boosting decision tree (GBDT), were constructed, trained, validated, and compared with the physical model. The results showed that the physical mechanism model met the water level simulation accuracy requirements at most stations. In the training and validation periods, the RF water level simulation and GBDT water level simulation models had root mean square errors (RMSEs) of all stations less than 0.25 and the Nash–Sutcliffe coefficient (NSE) of all stations was greater than 0.7. The physical mechanism model and ML water level simulation models can simulate the water level in the JiaoGang Basin better. The RF and GBDT models considerably outperform the physical mechanism model in terms of the peak simulation errors and peak present time errors, and the fluctuations of the ML water level simulation models (RMSE and NSE) are minor compared to those of the physical mechanism model. Full article

Lowcost sensors are widely used for air quality monitoring due to their affordability, portability and easy maintenance. However, the performance of such sensors, such as PurpleAir Sensors (PAS), is often affected by changes in environmental (e.g., temperature and humidity) or emission conditions, and hence the resulting measurements require corrections to ensure accuracy and validity. Traditional correction methods, like those developed by the USEPA, have limitations, particularly for applications to geographically diverse settings and sensors with no collocated referenced monitoring stations available. This study introduces BaySurcls, a Bayesianoptimised surrogate model integrating deep learning (DL) algorithms to improve the PurpleAir sensor PM2.5 (PAS2.5) measurement accuracy. The framework incorporates environmental variables such as humidity and temperature alongside aerosol characteristics, to refine sensor readings. The BaySurcls model corrects the PAS2.5 data for both collocated and noncollocated monitoring scenarios. In a case study across multiple locations in New South Wales, Australia, BaySurcls demonstrated significant improvements over traditional correction methods, including the USEPA model. BaySurcls reduced root mean square error (RMSE) by an average of 20% in collocated scenarios, with reductions of up to 25% in highvariation sites. Additionally, BaySurcls achieved Nash–Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) scores as high as 0.88 in collocated cases, compared to scores below 0.4 for the USEPA method. In noncollocated scenarios, BaySurcls maintained NSE values between 0.60 and 0.78, outperforming standalone models. This improvement is evident across multiple locations in New South Wales, Australia, demonstrating the model’s adaptability. The findings confirm BaySurcls as a promising solution for improving the reliability of lowcost sensor data, thus facilitating its valid use in air quality research, impact assessment, and environmental management. Full article

This paper addresses two challenges in AV motion planning: adherence to right-of-way and handling uncertainties, using two game-theoretic frameworks, namely Stackelberg and Nash Bayesian (Bayesian). By modeling the interactions between road users as a hierarchical relationship, the proposed approach enables the AV to strategically optimize its trajectory while considering the actions and priorities of other road users. Additionally, the Bayesian equilibrium aspect of the framework incorporates probabilistic beliefs and updates them based on sensor measurements, allowing the AV to make informed decisions in the presence of uncertainty in the sensory system. Experimental assessments demonstrate the efficacy of the approach, emphasizing its ability to improve the reliability and adaptability of AV motion planning. Full article

This paper examines control and cooperation mechanisms for trans-regional air pollution using differential game theory. This study focuses on analyzing pollution control pathways in regions characterized by asymmetric economic development. Three models are constructed: the Nash non-cooperative game, the pollution control cost compensation mechanism, and the collaborative cooperation mechanism. These models are used to investigate optimal pollution control strategies for various regions. The findings indicate that the collaborative cooperation model substantially reduces pollution emissions and enhances overall benefits. Additionally, the pollution control cost compensation mechanism alleviates the burden of pollution control on less developed regions. Numerical analysis confirms the effectiveness of the proposed models and offers theoretical foundations and policy recommendations for regional cooperation in pollution prevention. Full article

Background/Objectives: Anterior Vertebral Body Tethering (AVBT) is a relatively novel minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) that enables deformity correction of the spine diminishing vertebral motion reduction caused by the standard posterior spinal fusion approach. This paper reports the introduction of a new technical variant of AVBT, with the aim of evaluating its effectiveness on the correction of both axial and coronal spinal deformity. Methods: A single-centre single-surgeon retrospective cohort study was conducted. AVBTs were performed between 2020 and 2024. Radiographical values, surgical details, and complications of 67 patients affected by AIS were compared before surgery, immediately after surgery, and at the most recent follow-up. Results: Postoperative results have revealed a statistically significant coronal curve correction of 29.85% in the main thoracic (MT) curves (from mean preoperative width of 54.81 ± 11.86° to 38.45 ± 10.19°) and of 26.93% in the thoracolumbar (TL/L) curves (from 35.15 ± 11.83° to 25.69 ± 10.50°) in line with that obtained by the standard technique. Coronal correction at the most recent follow-up was maintained. Postoperative axial rotation reduction was found to be statistically significant in the main thoracic (MT) curves (from mean Nash-Moe value of 1.84 ± 0.71 to 1.36 ± 0.73), with a further decrease at the most recent follow-up compared with preoperative values. Improvement in other radiographical measures did not reach statistical significance and the complication rate was comparable to the standard technique. Conclusions: The extent of coronal correction in patients treated with the proposed modified AVBT technique is satisfactory and in line with results from studies testing the standard AVBT technique. The findings of this study seem to suggest that this technical variant of AVBT is effective in the correction of both axial and coronal deformity, with a surgical complication rate comparable to the standard technique. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is marked by amyloid-β plaques and hyperphosphorylated tau neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), leading to cognitive decline and debilitating non-cognitive symptoms. This study aimed to evaluate compounds from four different classes in a short-term (7-day) study using transgenic tau mice to assess their ability to reduce non-cognitive symptoms. The best candidate was then evaluated for longer exposure to assess non-cognitive symptoms, cognition, and pathology. Methods: Tg4510 mice, expressing mutated human tau (P301L), were administered with levetiracetam, methylphenidate, diazepam, and quetiapine for 7 days at 6 months old, when pathology and cognitive deficits are established. Drugs were given in the diet, and non-cognitive symptoms were evaluated using metabolic cages. Levetiracetam was chosen for longer exposure (3 months) in 3-month-old Tg4510 mice and non-transgenic controls to assess behavior and pathology. Results: After 3 months of diet, levetiracetam mildly reduced tau pathology in the hippocampus but did not improve cognition in Tg4510 mice. Interestingly, it influenced appetite, body weight, anxiety-like behavior, and contextual fear memory in non-transgenic animals but not in Tg4510 mice. Conclusions: While levetiracetam has shown benefits in amyloid deposition models, it had limited effects on tau pathology and behavior in an animal model of tau deposition, which is crucial for AD context. The differential effects on non-transgenic versus Tg4510 mice warrant further investigation. Full article

In this paper, a two-player nonzero-sum stochastic differential game problem is studied with both players using switching controls. A verification theorem associated with a set of variational inequalities is established as a sufficient criterion for Nash equilibrium, in which the equilibrium switching strategies for the two players, indicating when and where it is optimal to switch, are characterized in terms of the so-called switching regions and continuation regions. The verification theorem is proved in a piecewise way along the sequence of total decision times of the two players. Then, some detailed explanations are also provided to illustrate the idea why the conditions are imposed in the verification theorem. Full article

Informal dementia home caregiving is viewed negatively by society and can result in caregiver depression and anxiety from burnout, potentially compromising caregiving. Caregiver creation of a graphic memoir may help to mitigate the negative dementia narrative while engaging in it, and a psychoanalytic narratology method may reduce experienced depression and anxiety associated with burnout. This investigation examines writing, illustrating, and publishing a graphic memoir by one informal dementia home caregiver. As the mother of the illustrator and the editor and publisher of this graphic memoir, I provide the perspective of this investigation based on communications with the author and illustrator. My historical analysis, in which the author participated, represents psychoanalytic narrative research, serving as the historical method. The effects of writing, illustrating, and publishing the graphic memoir were able to reduce the informal dementia home caregivers’ symptoms during the entire process and extend the effect of this endeavor until the death of the mother. Engaging in the psychoanalytic narrative research process was additionally effective in this regard. The outcomes demonstrate the viability of writing and illustrating a publishable graphic memoir for other informal dementia home caregivers and the possibility of it and the narrative research method to help decrease their depression and anxiety regarding burnout. Full article

Against the backdrop of an increasingly sound supply chain system and thriving e-commerce, it is becoming increasingly common for retailers to introduce their own brands of products and for manufacturers to open up direct online sales channels. The existence of these two supply chain decisions is complex and involves interactions. Moreover, the introduction of online direct sales channels will bring about differences in prices and service quality between channels, resulting in a free-riding effect on the internet. However, existing related research rarely considers the role of network free-riding effect in this supply chain system. This article integrates the network free-riding effect into the supply chain model by setting the network free-riding rate. According to whether retailers introduce their own brand products and manufacturers open up online direct sales channels, four supply chain scenarios are formed, and the reverse recursion method is used to obtain the profit functions for each of these four scenarios. Then, a Stackelberg game model is established to determine the response strategies of manufacturers and retailers based on the changes in profits of manufacturers caused by retailer decisions and the changes in profits of retailers caused by manufacturer decisions. Through analysis, it was discovered that a key factor affecting decision-making within the supply chain system is the retailer’s channel advantage. When the channel advantage of retailers is strong, manufacturers will open up online direct sales channels to weaken the channel advantage of retailers. Retailers will not introduce their own brand products but are more inclined to cooperate with manufacturers. When the channel advantage of retailers is weak, retailers will attract consumers and consolidate their channel advantage by introducing high-quality, low-priced private label products, while manufacturers will maintain cooperation with retailers and adopt a strategy of not opening up online direct sales channels. We also analyzed the Nash equilibrium state under different channel advantages of retailers. Full article

The integration of Connected Vehicles into conventional traffic systems presents significant challenges due to the diverse behaviors and objectives of different drivers. Conventional vehicle drivers typically follow User Equilibrium principles, aiming to minimize their individual travel times without considering the overall network impact. In contrast, Connected Vehicle drivers, guided by real-time information from central authorities or private service providers, can adopt System Optimum strategies or Cournot-Nash oligopoly behaviors, respectively. The coexistence of these distinct player classes in mixed-traffic environments complicates the task of achieving optimal traffic flow and network performance. This paper presents a comprehensive framework for optimizing mixed-traffic road networks through a multiclass traffic assignment model. The framework integrates three distinct types of players: conventional vehicle drivers adhering to User Equilibrium principles, Connected Vehicle drivers following System Optimum principles under a central governing authority, and Connected Vehicle drivers operating under Cournot-Nash oligopoly conditions with access to services from private companies. The methodology includes defining a model to achieve optimal mixed equilibria, designing an algorithm for multiclass traffic assignment, formulating strategic games to analyze player interactions, and establishing key performance indicators to evaluate network efficiency and effectiveness. The framework is applied to a real-world road network, validating its practicality and effectiveness through computational results. The extraction and analysis of computational results are used to propose optimal traffic management policies for mixed-traffic environments. The findings provide significant insights into the dynamics of mixed traffic networks and offer practical recommendations for improving traffic management in increasingly complex urban transportation systems. Full article